Simply Praise
January 2008
Volume 1, Issue 1
New Year
The New Year is here, WOW! I can remember when I was young thinking that I wouldn’t see the 90’s and here it is 2008. My prayer for the New Year is that I would know Jesus more deeply. In this New Year, new month, new day, my thoughts are directed towards the scripture in Lamentations 3:21-23 “This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Let this New Year be the year we search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. (Lam.3:40) and let this year be the year we lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens. (Lam. 3:41) let Jesus bring New Life into every area of our lives and in doing so bring glory to God who is worthy of all praise.
New Beginnings
Genesis 1:1 IN the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. John 1:1-3 “IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” What a wonderful God we serve! In all that we do and say and think and pray and hope for, in this beginning of the New Year, rest in the fact that Jesus is. “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev.22:13) and If by chance you don’t know Jesus this can be a New Beginning for you, so what are you waiting for?
Quote: No man ever found a happy life by chance, or yawned it into being with a wish.
(By Robert Cecil)
Every day God gives me is another chance for a new beginning, something I never want to take for granted. But forgive me Lord when I do.
Inside Story
A few weeks ago during worship I look up at the screen and the words to the song had a deeper meaning for me, the song was “Light of the World” “Light of the world You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes let me see, beauty that made this heart adore You, hope of a life spent with You.” Jesus the Light, stepped down into the very darkness of my life shined His glorious light and I beheld His beauty only because He opened my eyes, and my heart adores Him, and I have hope because of Him, He steps into the darkness of our very souls where we ourselves fear to look at or admit, shines His beauty and opens our eyes, it is a great joy to adore such a wonderful Savior who would touch and heal and restore what is ugly and sinful and bring beauty and healing and forgiveness.
(John 12:46 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” To abide is to continue in a permanent state, we have a choice as to where we abide, darkness or Light, it is my desire to abide in the Light, Jesus……..
Let’s bring joy to the heart of God by walking in truth.
3 John 4
Planting Seeds
Where ever you go, plant a seed of Gods love, let everyday be a day of planting and as you go from place to place, touch a heart thru a smile of Gods grace. The Spirit will water, and God will bring the increase, and before you know it, there’s a flower of Amazing Grace, a sweet fragrance of the Savior from the seed of obedience. So as you go from place to place, plant a smile, plant a touch, plant a seed of God’s great love. (March 4, 2007)
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Prayer
Praise and honor belong unto You for You have been our sustainer, strength, and refuge. You are our hope and Faithful High Priest. Every day you show us kindness and mercy. May this New Year bring us ever closer to Your heart. May we find in You all that our hearts could ever desire. Thank You sweet Jesus for loving us and for Your sacrifice. May we not become dull of hearing or weary in well doing, but every pressing onward towards the mark of the high calling of God that is in You Christ Jesus. Be ever present with us as the days ahead draw near, lead us, guide us, and be glorified in all that we say and do.
Amen
