Tag Archives: God Speaks

Sep10

Every Praise Is To Our God!!! Oh, Yeah!

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What else needs to be said???

Our God deserves it…

So…

Get to Praisin’

Amen!!!!!

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Give praise to the LORD,

proclaim His name;

make known among the  nations

what He has done.”

Revelation 7:12

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and 

wisdom and thanks

and

honor and power

and

strength

be to our God

for ever and ever.

Amen!”

Sep8

Just Surviving??? We Were Made To Thrive!!!

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My friend, Stephanie wrote this on Facebook…

“As a kid, I read The Swiss Family Robinson,

a book about a family that was shipwrecked

and stranded on a desert island.

As their ship sank in a violent storm, all of the lifeboats were taken

and the Robinson family was left to go down with the ship.

Thinking quickly, the resourceful and determined Daddy Robinson

strapped them all tightly to makeshift rafts of loose wood

or whatever would float.

He then sent his family,

one by one,

out on the water,

bound tightly to their only hope

and the next morning the family

was reunited on an island where they lived until rescued.

When God’s promises take longer to happen than we hoped,

frustration and discouragement easily wear us down

and batter us loose of our hope.

Simply, ‘holding on’

may not be enough after a while.

If Daddy Robinson had sent the children into the angry waves

merely grasping their rafts,

they would all have surely perished.

No!

He TIED the children to what would save them.

Then it didn’t matter if they grew weak or tired.

They could even have passed out

and stayed afloat because,

for all practical purposes,

they were a part of that raft.

God’s promises fulfill themselves.

Attach yourself to the promise.

Bind yourself to it.

Travel with the promise

instead of simply trying to remember it.

Intentionally, stubbornly, defiantly even,

make it part of you.

You’ll do so much better than just survive.”

You’ll Thrive!!!!

“…the idea of ‘Thrive’ came out of our student ministry.

For years I’ve been using the idea of Psalm One

in showing them what a believer looks like…

If you’re not getting into the Word for God to define Himself to you,

you will define God with what makes sense to you

and what makes sense to us is,

‘I better do good or I’m in big trouble’

and ‘He’s going to stick with me for so long,

but I’m going to blow it.’

That’s not the picture that the Bible has.

God didn’t put you here just so you could survive through hard times.

He put you here to thrive,

to dig in

and to reach out

and this record is an effort to draw a picture of what a believer,

a follower of Jesus, would look like

if they dug into their roots

and understood God and themselves more.”

-Mark Hall-

https://www.castingcrowns.com/music/lyrics/thrive

Dig Deep…and Thrive!!

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God, we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known
We lift Your name on high
Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word, were digging deep
To know our Fathers heart
Into the world, were reaching out
To show them who You are

Joy unspeakable, faith unsinkable
Love unstoppable, anything is possible

Oh, Yeah…Amen!!

Aug17

The Rock Won’t Move!!

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Jesus, You’re The Rock Of Our Salvation!!

God never moves, He never lets go, and His love never fails.

Even in the tempest, I can sing.

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-Tyler Miller-

Vertical Church Band

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/article.php?article_id=1209

“The simple idea for the chorus of this song, funny enough,

came from when I was on a jog,

and a lot of times I’ll write songs when I run.

I was running on a path where there are some big rocks.

Every time I run down that path, those rocks are there.

There was the weird contrast in my mind and heart

that my mind and my heart are ever-changing and ever-moving,

and there’s this place I come back to where things are always the same.

These rocks are always there.

It popped into my mind that the Rock won’t move.

At that point, I thought of our ultimate Rock,

and that’s Christ.

In the ever changing nature on planet earth,

to know that there’s a firm foundation underneath us,

a God that never changes

and a story of redemption and a salvation that never changes.

I knew right then that I had to put that into a song.”

When the ground beneath my feet gives way
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
All my world is washing out to sea
I’m hidden safe in the
God Who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of the Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me

The Rock won’t move and His word is strong
The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone
The Rock won’t move and His word is strong
The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone
The Rock of our Salvation

My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My support within the raging flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
I’m hidden safe in the God Who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of Your Truth
That You are holding tighter still to me

Woah, woah, woah…
The Rock of our Salvation

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest in His unchanging Grace
The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move

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1 Corinthians 10:4

“For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them,

and that Rock was Christ.”

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Matthew 7:24-27

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine,

and does them,

I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

and the rain descended,

the floods came,

and the winds blew

and beat on that house;

and it did not fall,

for it was founded on the rock.

But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine,

and does not do them,

will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

and the rain descended, the floods came,

and the winds blew and beat on that house;

and it fell.

And great was its fall.”

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Tyler Miller, continues, “Our salvation rests upon His eternally unchanging substitution in our place,

which is the Rock of our Salvation.

It’s the Cross,

and the nature of God that can’t change.

There’s a line in the song that says,

‘I’m holding fast to the promise of the Truth

that You are holding tighter still to me.’

If my hope resides in me,

I’m hopeless,

but my hope resides in God

who doesn’t change.

He’s a covenant keeping God

and He’s chosen to give His love to me,

and that’s a Rock that I can go to always.

No matter what emotional state I’m in,

and no matter the type of day I’m having,

the Rock doesn’t change.

Ultimately, it is a song of hope for the Church.

Everything we do and everything we have

needs to come from the place of who we are in Jesus.”

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Proverbs 18:10

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe.”

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Tyler says,

“There’s safety and security in the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus.

There’s only one Name under Heaven by which we can be saved:

Jesus. 

Trusting completely in the Lord’s Grace for liberty from sin and self-reliance.

 ‘The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone / The Rock won’t move and His Word is strong, / The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone…’

The Rock of our Salvation.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

all other ground is sinking sand.

‘The Rock won’t move, no, the Rock won’t move!’

That’s a wonderful Truth that all followers of Jesus can adopt as their anthem of faith.

There are over 120 passages that reference the rock throughout Scripture.

Our Firm Foundation, Christ the Solid Rock,

is the only ground where we can stand that won’t move

or, let us down.

That’s something worth singing about.” 

Amen!!!

Jul22

Lord, Give Me One More Hour With My Loved One…

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My friend, Amy…

Lost her 10 year-old son, Kaleb recently…

See my post at:

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/grief-are-you-in-the-club/

She posted this question on Facebook…

Amy

I responded…

“Tell me what you would say to Kaleb in that hour…”

Her heartfelt answer…

“I’d mostly hold him…

Tell him how much I love him…

Make sure he knows I always have and will…

I would just listen to all the things he would tell me…

I miss listening to him…

We talked so much more than I realized…

And just listening to the joy that came out of his constant laugh…

I miss him so very much!”

I found a great blog about “Thoughts On Grief And Loss”

“Keep the positive memories alive…”

http://elliesway.org/thoughtsongrief/

 The God Of All Comfort…

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“Praise be to the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion

and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort

we ourselves

have received from God.“

Amen!

When you receive comfort from God…

Give it to others!!

Jul14

Lay It Down…

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At the Cross where your Freedom’s found!!!!

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Matthew 11:28

“Come to me,

all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.”

Problems???

Sorrows???

Hit rock bottom???

Smile! 

Pray!!! 

Stand up straight! 

Breathe!

Problems…

Can’t keep you from living now!

Shake ‘em off!

Lay ‘em down!

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At the Cross where your Freedom’s found!!! 

Stand up!

March on! 

Be strong!

Don’t give up! 

Don’t get caught up in your feelings!

Time for laughter!

Time for pain!

Time for doubt!

Time for faith! 

Believe you can find the strength…

To get back up on your feet! 

Lay it down!

Don’t hold on so tight! 

Freedom’s found… 

When you let God take over the fight!

 Surrender!

You’re free again!

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This is a sermon in a song!!  

Amen!!

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your cares on the LORD

and He will sustain you;

He will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Jul14

Vision From God: Prayers for “ALIVE! Worship”

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(Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

I’d appreciate your prayers!!

My son and I have been directing our A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team for 10 years now.  

I’ve been a licensed minister for 2 and a half years.

I’ve been praying for God’s will

in what He wants to accomplish in our lives,

and with our drama team.

I have a heart to encourage everyone to use and develop their gifts and talents for the Lord,

and to raise them up as leaders.

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Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

One Saturday morning, several months ago, God gave me a vision for a worship service.

I am to pastor an outreach ministry, for all ages, called,

“ALIVE!  Worship.”

It should consist of dynamic preaching and teaching,

contemporary Christian music,

relevant drama, anointed dance, skits, Improv, anointed art,

prayer time, altar time,

and from time to time, we’re to host guest worship leaders,

preachers, teachers, dancers, etc.

Included in worship time/altar time, there should be anointing with oil,

for all those needing a touch from God.

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(Photo:  Tikaya and Casey-“Set Me Free” by Casting Crowns)

My son and I are to direct this ministry through our existing

A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team Ministry

of kids, teens, young adults, parents, and also other church workers.

We will design “ALIVE!  Worship” t-shirts.

To start out, we’re to use the last Friday of each month for this ministry

starting on September 26, 2014,

from 6 pm to 8 pm, at our church.

Then, we’re to wait for God to enlarge it!

“ALIVE!  Worship”

will lift up the Name of Jesus

and will be used by the Lord in any of the following outreach areas where He leads: 

Kids Church, Youth Groups, Church Services, Schools, Conferences,

Competitions, Camps, Community Outreaches, etc.

We will actively seek out venues for “ALIVE!   Worship”

to serve the Lord in our community,

and we will be obedient when He opens those doors.

The criteria for workers to be included in “ALIVE!  Worship” is:

1-A Godly attitude of worship to Jesus Christ our Lord

2-A heart that desires to outreach to lost souls

3-A willingness to work and cooperate as a team

4-A willingness to pray for our goal to glorify our Lord

5-All ages welcome

6-Participants will be viewed as “leaders and ambassadors” for the Lord,

and behavior, speech, and attire must reflect that.

Everyone is invited and encouraged to enthusiastically worship with us!!!

We declare that we have prayed about this ministry vision from the Lord,

and feel the Lord will equip us to step out in faith at this time. 

We pledge to continually pray for His wisdom and guidance

as He shows us His will

and the way we can glorify His Name

and serve in His Kingdom. 

The Lord has given me a vision of

“ALIVE!  Worship”

becoming an

Awesome, Mighty, Outreach Force for the Lord! 

Amen! 

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Photo:  A.L.I.V.E. Drama Team

Please pray with us

and for us!

Thank you!!!

1 John 5:14

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.”

            

Jul10

You’re Brand New Now…Ya Gotta Let Go Of Your Past!!

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Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past. 

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the dessert

and streams in the wasteland.”

Brand new!!

Is that person in the mirror looking back at you?

It’s true!

But, you can’t see it…

‘Cause you’re stuck on what you’ve been through…

You got that white knuckle, red faced…

Kung fu grip on all your chains..

But, that’s not who are…

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Tell me why…

You’d think that you deserve a life of just getting by…

You are alive!!!

Stop taking flowers to the grave of the old you that died…

If God can take your sin and free ya…

Forget, just like amnesia…

Why are you holding on?

I’m here to let you know…

You gotta let it go…

You were made for something more…

So, come on…

And let it go!!

Let it go!

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 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore,

if anyone is in Christ,

the new creation has come:

The old has gone,

the new is here!”

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“Brand New looks so good on you!!”

Amen! 

Jul7

Come On, Lord, Write Your Story On My Heart!

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The world asks…

Is your story still unwritten???

Yes…

But, it’s not my story…

It’s Your story, Lord…

 I want written on my heart!

Don’t write your own story…

Let Him write His story on your heart…

His story is better!!

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Photo by Kenneth Swett

“Write Your Story”

 is a song about being a blank slate

and letting your life be open to whatever story God wants to write.

I think for so many of us

it’s easy to feel like we have to come up with this great plan

for how we’re going to use the gifts God gives us for Him,

but I really feel like He just wants our willingness to be used however He sees fit.

I’ve always tried to live my life with an open hand,

trusting God to take me where He wants to go.

Hopefully this song encourages others to hand God the pen of their lives.” 

-Francesca Battistelli-

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=17302

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Photo by Kenneth Swett

They say You’re the King of everything The One who taught the wind to sing The Source of the rhythm my heart keeps beating

They say You can give the blind their sight And You can bring the dead to life You can be the hope my soul’s been seekin’

I wanna tell You now that I believe it I wanna tell You now that I believe it I do, that You can make me new, oh

I’m an empty page I’m an open book Write Your story on my heart Come on and make Your mark

Author of my hope Maker of the stars Let me be Your work of art Won’t You write Your story on my heart

Write Your story, write Your story Come on and write Your story, write Your story Won’t You write Your story on my heart

My Life I know it’s never really been mine So do with it whatever You like I don’t know what Your plan is But I know it’s good, yeah

I want my history To be Your legacy Go ahead and show this world What You’ve done in me And when the music fades I want my life to say

I let You write your story, write Your story Write Your story, write Your story

Amen!

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God speaks clearly…

He’s always speaking to us…

Through everything we see, hear, and touch…

Everywhere we go…

He’s given us His book…

The Bible…

The story of who we are…

And the enormous lengths He’s been willing to go through…

To bring us back home!

Slow down and look around you…

God is calling your name!

He’s ready to write your story!!

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Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope

and a future.”

Jul6

Safe Passage….

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Photos by Cheryl Madasz Butler

“The message relates to many and never gets old.

It speaks out to those that are hurting, those that are going through tough things.

It’s a reminder that the God who brought sight to the blind and brought the lame to their feet

is the same God who holds you in His arms today.

It’s my sincere prayer that the simple message of this song

would resonate in people’s hearts.

I wrote it after a moving conversation I had with a man who told me his story.

It was a story of God’s faithfulness during a struggling time.

How God can turn things that seem so grim into things that give Him glory.

Think of all those that Jesus healed and saved

while He was on earth

from great tragedy and sickness and even death.

It gave people all the more reason to praise Him!”

—Phil Wickham
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_(Phil_Wickham_song)
Kevin Davis, from Christian Music Review writes, 
Safe 
“serves to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners
that they are not alone,
‘You will be safe in His arms,
You will be safe in His arms,
The hands that hold the world
Are holding your heart,
This is the promise He made
He will be with you always,
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms.'”

Your dreams have fallen all apart?

Left you with a tired and broken heart?

You think you’re on your own?

No, you’re not alone!

Heard of the One who can calm the raging sea?

Gives sight to the blind, pulls the lame up to their feet?

Love so strong, He never lets you go?

No, you’re not alone!

His Voice brings the dead back to life…

The very same Voice that calls you now to rise…

Hear Him now, He’s calling you home…

You’ll never be alone!

You will be safe in His arms…

These are the hands that built the mountains…

The hands that calmed the sea…

These are the arms that hold the heavens…

They are holding you & me…

These are the hands that healed the leper…

Pulled the lame up to their feet…

These are the arms that were nailed to a cross…

To break our chains and set us free!

You will be safe in His arms…

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Amen!