Category Archives: Speak to God

Taste And See!! The Lord Is Good!!

Standard

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;    

blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 34:8

Sometimes people taste something awful!!

Eeeeew!

Their first reaction, after almost gagging…

Is to offer it to someone else!!

Why???

So that someone else can agree with them that…

“Yes, It’s really, really disgusting!!”

Normal people say…

 “No way, why should I try it???

You just said it’s gross!!

No one in their right mind…

Is actually going to taste it!!

But, think of your Bible as a recipe book…

Chock full of goodness!!

A recipe book for your life…

With awesome instructions for God’s goodness…

Drool at the menu God has created…

The feast He prepares and sets  before you!!

Know the Bible!  Live it!  Share God’s Word!  Talk about it!

So others will want to get a  taste of it, too!!

My Bible lesson in Kids Church on Sunday was…

God Is Good!!

Psalm 78

It’s a whole chapter on God’s goodness to the Israelites…

(verse 4-7)

We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    His power, and the wonders He has done...
Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget His deeds
    but would keep His commands.”

They were to tell their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, etc…

About all His mighty works and miracles!!

So they could also trust is their good God!!

They didn’t!

Instead they murmured and whined…

God was NOT pleased!

And they paid the price with His anger!!

Even today…

We taste God’s goodness…

But do we expect people to want to taste it, too…

If we refuse to share it!!

In a way that they will desire…

To taste it for themselves???

My son’s object lesson was…

“Taste and See!”

(Based on a lesson from  http://www.sermons4kids.com, called, The Taste Test)

Props:  cake, cookies, or other sweet treat!

Begin by eating the decadent, delicious treat!

And telling the kids how scrumptious it is!

Go on and on about how it’s the MOST delicious thing you’ve EVER eaten!!

            “Wow!  This is great! 

Do you believe that this tastes wonderful? 

There is only one way to really know for sure how good this dessert is: 

You have to try it. 

I can tell you all about it…

You may even believe me…

But to really understand how good it is…

You have to try it for yourself!

Let’s have a volunteer taste this yummy treat? 

Go ahead, enjoy, eat it up!! 

Is it good???

Is it the best tasting treat you’ve ever had???

I was right, then, huh? 

See, it really is wonderful!!!

            The Bible says to…

“Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Psalm 34:8  

That doesn’t mean that we’re going to take a great big bite out of God! 

It simply means that we have to know God personally…

Before we can understand just how good He is. 

I can tell you how good God is…

You may even believe me!

But, you’ll never know for sure how good He is until you know Him for yourself!!

            Once you have seen just how good God is…

There’s something else you need to do…

You need to tell others about Him! 

Tell them how good God has been to you…

So that they will want to know Him, too!!

You can’t force them to know God…

But, you can tell them what He’s done for you!

Then give them a chance to choose Him, too!

  God is soooo good!! 

You have to taste and see for yourself!

P.S.  Also check out Kids sermons/object lessons at: http://www.calledtokids.com

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good…”

Psalm 135:3 

Now, go and share something…

Everyone will want to taste!!!

God’s Goodness!!

You Carried Me…To The Table!

Standard

“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,

all you who remain in Israel.

I have cared for you since you were born.

Yes, I carried you before you were born.”

Isaiah 46:3

(Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet.

He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel.

His nurse picked him up and fled,

but as she hurried to leave,

he fell and became crippled.

His name was Mephibosheth.)”

2 Samuel 4:4

2 Samuel 9
David and Mephibosheth

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’

Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’

‘Your servant,’ he replied.

The king asked, ‘Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’

Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet.’

‘Where is he?’ the king asked.

Ziba answered, ‘He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.’

 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’

 ‘Your servant,’ he replied.

‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.

 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’

Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, ‘I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.’

(Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) Then Ziba said to the king, ‘Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.’

 So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba’s household were servants of Mephibosheth.

And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table, and he was crippled in both feet.”

 

Wounded and forsaken…
I was shattered by the fall…
Broken and forgotten…
Feeling lost and all alone…

Summoned by the King!

Into the Master’s courts!
Lifted by the Savior!
And cradled in His arms!

Carried to the table!
Seated where I don’t belong!
Swept away by His love!

I don’t see my brokenness anymore!
When I’m seated at the table of the Lord!

Fighting thoughts of fear…
Wondering why He called my name…
Am I good enough to share this cup?
This world has left me lame…

Even in my weakness!
The Savior called my name!
In His Holy presence!
I’m healed and unashamed!

You carried me, my God!
You carried me!

I’ve been so busy, I missed the reasons…
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all…
Still You’ve loved me, and You’ve healed me…
You’ve given all and it brought me to Your Cross…
I stand only because You’ve given me grace to walk…
Only because…
You carried me!
You carried me through it all!

And I believe!
Yes, I believe!
You’ll carry me all the way home!
‘Cause mercy covers all!

I know the Scripture, I’ve known the songs…
I sang the words from my hollowed heart…
But You’ve spoken softly through the storm…
I’ve heard Your voice, and I’ve felt the calm…
I stand only because, You’ve given me faith to walk…

I know that you love me!
I’ll never doubt it, I can’t live without it!
Your mercy has found me!
I am astounded, I can’t live without it!

Jesus Messiah…Name Above All Names!!

Standard

 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,

and given Him a Name which is above every name: 

That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the Glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

5-22-13 Walk 054

Jesus Messiah!!

Became sin…

Who knew no sin…

 Our Righteousness!

Humbled…

Carried the Cross…

Amazing Love!

Name Above All Names!

Blessed Redeemer!

Emmanuel!

Rescue for sinners…

Ransom from Heaven…

Jesus Messiah, Lord Of All!

Your body is the bread…

Broken…

Your blood is the wine…

Poured out for love…

Earth trembled…

Veil was torn…

All Hope Is In You!

All Glory To You!

God!

Light Of The World!

Jesus Messiah, Lord of all!!

Trading Sorrow For Joy??? It’s A Great Trade!! Do It!!

Standard

“Surely He took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows.”

Isaiah 53:4

“Why did Jesus live on earth as long as He did?

Why not step into our world just long enough

to die for our sins and then leave?

Why not a sinless year or week?

Why did He have to live a life?

To take on our sins is one thing,

but to take on our sunburns,

our sore throats?

To experience death,

yes —

but to put up with life?

To put up with long roads,

long days,

and short tempers?

Why did He do it?

Because He wants you to trust Him.” 

By Max Lucado

Trade your sorrow!

Trade your shame!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord!!

Trade your sickness!

Trade your pain!

Lay them down for the Joy of the Lord !!

Say,

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

“Yes, Lord!  Yes, Lord!  “Yes, Yes, Lord!

Amen!”

You’re pressed…

But not crushed…

Persecuted…

Not abandoned…

Struck down…

But not destroyed …

You’re blessed beyond the curse…

For His promise will endure…

And His Joy’s gonna be your strength!!

Sorrow may last for the night…

But, His Joy comes with the morning!!

Amen!

Go ahead!  Make the Trade!!

Say This Every Morning!!

Standard

Thank You! Thank You!

1 Chronicles 29:13

“Now,

our God,

we give You thanks,

and praise Your Glorious Name.”

Lord, even while I’m drinking my morning coffee…

All I can do is thank You for this life…

I never deserved!

Thank You for the grace…

I know I don’t have to earn!

Jesus…

It would have been easy for You to walk away!

But…

You love me…

You love me…

Your mercy is proof…

All I can do is…

Say, “Thank You!”

Such a beautiful world…

It brings tears to my eyes…

So beautiful to be free!!

Thank You…

For love…

For hope…

For all Your ways…

For everything You do!

What else can I say???

But…

Thank You!  Thank You!

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Give thanks to the LORD,

call on His name;

make known among the nations

what He has done.”

2-5-13 Lanai 001

1 Chronicles 16:34

“Give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good;

His love endures forever.”

I Caught God Coloring The River Again Tonight!!

Standard

I’m going to let it carry me away!!

“Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink!

For the Scriptures declare,

‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'”

John 7:38

5-22-13 Gilchrist 007

Held in chains?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 021

The river is free!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 022

Covered in stains?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 024

The river is clean!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 080

Lost your way?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 088

The river found you!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 093

See the river?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 094

Feel the river?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 103

Let go of all you hold onto!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 106

Let it all wash away!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 109

Broken inside?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 116

The river is love!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 128

Thirsty and dry?

5-22-13 Gilchrist 129

He’s more than enough!

5-22-13 Gilchrist 137

Drowning in lies?

The river will save!

Dance in the river!

Stay forever!

Let go of everything…

But Jesus!!

Let Him carry you away!

Carry you away in the river!

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

bright as crystal,

flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb…”

Revelation 22:1

Born Again!!

Standard

John 3:3

“Jesus replied,

Very truly I tell you,

no one can see the kingdom of God

unless they are born again.'”

Searching all these years

Not at all who I thought I’d be…

Lost…

You found me here!

Broken beyond repair…

You came along…

You sang Your song over me!

Feels like I’m born again…

Living for the very first time in my life!

The love I feel is so much more real than anything!!

The life I have now is only the beginning!!!

Feels like I’m born again!!!!!

Feels like I’m breathing

Feels like I’m moving

You came to me…

Gave to me Life…

  A Love I’ve never known…

Love I’ve never felt before

Feels like I’m living…

For the very first time!!!

Look into the mirror…

Are you who you wanted to be??

Living the way you wanted??

Your eyes remind you you’re not free!

Are you tired of going solo??

Then, never go there again!!

This is what it is…

This is who I am!!!!

I finally take my stand!

I met the one with two scarred hands!!

Giving Him the best of…

Everything that’s left of…

The life inside of me…

I’ve been Born Again!!!

You’re living in fear…

Sick of people telling how you should be…

Where’d you get your info??

Let me tell you what I believe!

We are the ones He called by name…

We’re never gonna look back…

Let go of the guilt the shame…

This is who we are!!!

We’re Born Again!!

God Of Brilliant Lights!!

Standard

(Only we will know His Brilliance!)

“Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

Sing it out!

Shout it loud!!

Let the sound of the saints…

Be heard everywhere!

Praise the God who has come…

To cure every broken heart!

He is Lord over all…

His reign will never end…

He’s the Light of the World…

Brighter than the brightest star.

The God of Brilliant Lights…

Is shining down over us…

Breaking through the darkness…

Covering all the earth…

His love is like an ocean…

Forever overflowing…

The God of Brilliant Lights…

Is shining over us

Sinners come to the Cross!

Lay your troubles down…

At the feet of the One…

Whose mercy will abound…

He will never turn away!!

The God of Brilliant Lights is shining over us…

He’s shining over us!!

5-15-13 Walk 034

Who Am I???

Standard

Hallelujah!!!

I’m A Child Of The One True King!!

Hello…

My name’s no longer…

“Regret!”

“Defeat!”

I no longer believe the lies…

Hello, my name is…

Child Of The One True King

I’ve been saved…

I’ve been changed…

And I’ve been set free!

“Amazing Grace”

Is the song I sing!!

Hello, my name is now…

Child Of The One True King

I’m no longer defined…

By all the wreckage behind…

Jesus has made all things new…

It’s true…

Just take a look at my life!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

1 John 3:1

Amen!!

I’m called His child!!

A Child Of The One True King

Walk in that promise from your Father!!!

My Simple Everyday Prayer…

Standard

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 051

Here’s a definition of my recent days…

Pulled in a thousand different ways…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 134

At a loss for words to explain…

The need to relax, and rest my brain!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 054

Lord, I come to You for peace…

Make all my cares, and worries cease…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 135

So many opportunities abound…

To share Your Love all around!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 101

Help me know which ones to choose…

(Please make them my passions, desires, talents, and gifts)

Not just my obligations, or “have-to’s!”

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 111

Help me stand strong, and not spread my life too thin…

With commitments, and busyness where I can’t win…

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 139

Help me to see that You’re in control…

When tempests come, and friends cajole!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 114

To trust Your Word, and Your Voice…

To find the path where I can truly rejoice!!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 141

Where do you want me five years from now?

What will I do to get there, and how?

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 118

Help me fulfill Your plan for me…

No matter what obstacles I see!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 058

To be in Your Image I must not fret…

You have never, ever failed me yet!!

4-29-13 Gilchrist park 131

Thank you, Lord!

I feel better already!!

Amen!