praises." It got me thinking on what my heart is in tune with. There are many things,
especially at this materialistic time of year that can get you out of tune with the Lord.
I've learned that when you're out of tune with God, you become dissatisfied with the
things that He has blessed you with. When we become discontent with what we have,
it means that we've stopped being thankful for what we have. It is a wise man that can
thank God for what he has, without thinking that he needs more to keep himself happy!
Proverbs 2:10 & 11 "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is
pleasant unto thy soul; Descretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep
thee."
When we have wisdom, it will keep our hearts in tune with God and the wonderful
blessings from His hand that daily are bestowed upon us. The songs of praise will
flow from our thankful hearts at God's goodness.
This time of the year tends to be hard for some of us. We feel the emptiness of those
that are not with us anymore. Maybe family are not able to come home and celebrate
with us. Perhaps its the memories of the way things use to be and aren't anymore
that brings our spirits low. If we spend our time praising God instead of letting
ourselves get depressed, it will be time well spent. What do we have to praise God
for...well, lets take a look at just a few.
1. For giving us life.
Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty
hath given me life."
Our very existence comes from the breath of God. He willed us into being. He also
gives us spiritual life. Ephesians 2:1 "And you hath He quickened (made alive)
who were dead in trespasses and sins;" Just think, the Almighty God of Heaven
and earth cares enough about us to give us physical and spiritual life! Now that's
something to sing about!
2. For loving us.
1 John 4:8 - 10 "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this
was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten
Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our
sins."
There is no nicer feeling then knowing that you are loved, that you mean something
to someone, you are special to them. Regardless of earthly relationships that are not
perfect, we have someone that loves us from above, He loves us with a perfect love,
that will never diminish or change over time, no matter what we do. This is not saying
that we take advantage of this love, but we should be thankful for it. It's something
to sing about!
3. He provides us with perfect peace.
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you; not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid."
The day that my dad passed away I had a close friend of mine slip this to me before
class in school. I still have this little piece of paper, now yellow with age, in my
Bible. This verse is special to me because I know the truth of the words. No matter
what the trial or heartbreak, His peace is sufficient for the problem. This is a world
that is devoid of peace, it is what mankind has been seeking since the beginning of
time. The Savior provides that peace for the asking. Now, that's something to sing
about!
4. He gives Heavenly guidance.
Psalms 32:8 "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go;
I will guide thee with mine eye."
The worst feeling in the world is that of being lost, not knowing which way to turn to
get home. Our Heavenly Father knows the way home, and when we put our faith in
His divine guidance, we will bring us safely home to Heaven. There are times when
we think we know better than God which way to take, but the easiest way is not always
the right way. God knows... we need to learn to trust His guidance, we will find no
better guide for our path. Now, that's something to sing about!
5. His mercy is new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22 & 23 "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."
These two verses hold a wealth of precious gems. Have you ever stopped to consider
just where we would be if not for the mercy of God? It is His great mercy that stands
between us and the just punishment for our sin. How very thankful we should be that
the Lord has shown His great mercy towards us. It says above, that the mercies of God
are new every morning, great is His faithfulness! Now, that's something to sing about!
6. He supplies our needs.
Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
I'm going to point out the obvious here, God supplies our needs, not our wants. We
can really get our needs and wants mixed up, but God doesn't. He knows what we
need and He has promised He will supply it. Sometimes what God see's as a need in
our lives, we have a hard time understanding, because it seems like a trial to us. But
everything from our Father's hand is needful for us. He supplies physical needs and
He will supply Spiritual needs. Both are needful to make us good and faithful servants
of God. We need to have a heart full of thanks for all He supplies, and to sing about it!
7. He is coming for us someday.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 & 17 "For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever
be with the Lord."
This world is not our home, we just passing through! When we keep our eyes on the
end of the journey we will have joyful hearts. Someday those who have gone on before
will be reunited with we that are behind, and we will all be forever with the Lord in the
glories of our eternal home. When the hardships of the journey become overwhelming
to our homesick hearts, just remember, that this is just for a season...our God is coming
back for us! Now that's something to sing about!
There is so much to praise our Savior for. When our feet begin to drag and our weak
hearts break with the hardships of life, look up into the eyes of our dear Lord Jesus, He
will give you something to sing about!
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing O earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor, give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered and bled and died;
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him, Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus our blessed Redeemer!
Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Christ is coming! Over the world victorious,
Power and glory unto the Lord belong;
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!
Fanny J. Crosby
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