God our Protector

God's timing is never ours.  One moment, something is taken away from us. I used to ask, "why?" a lot before.  Not anymore. Nowadays, I simply look for blessings. 

The Lord has a better plan.  A blessing in disguise.  It no longer surprises me like it did before.  Why? Because I trust that His plan is what is best.  But first, we have to trust Him with all our hearts.

Earlier I was meditating on Psalm 91. What a reminder somewhere in my readings - a lovely psalm of protection...

Praises Quotes from the Bible

Biblical Quotes of Praises

Singing to God from Biblical Verses

This post is inspired after reading a passage from the book of Psalms, full of praises to God. The Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, is filled with numerous references to singing, including direct commands to sing or simply worship the Lord in songs. It also tells us not merely to sing aloud, but importantly, to sing with joy, gladness and thankfulness. Here are few of those verses that sing praises to the Lord with resounding joy:

Break Silence and Let God Speak

Sometimes, silence is the best solution when cares overwhelm, when 'whys' seem to pile up on top of each other, when path is occasionally clouded with stray thoughts. And life can be tiring and frustrating at times! 

Spending Time Wisely as Life Quickly Passes by

Reflection from Psalm 90:10-11 and Psalm 23.  

Earth is not our home, and life is quickly passing by. Lately I've been in a reflective mood, whilst  trying to keep peace, at best with each moment I'm blest with. True, life's too short, we need to spend time wisely.  Here's the prayer of Moses: 

"The length of our day is seventy years -

or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Who knows the power of your anger?

For your wrath is as great as the fear

that is due you."

~ Psalm 90: 10-11~

God's Creation: Day, Night, and the Stars

Quote from the Bible:

"And God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he also made the stars."

~ Genesis 1: 16 ~

Which reminds me. September in Australia is the first month of the southern spring. It is the season of flowers. Our image is the golden wattle flower. In Australia, there are a number of flower festivals during the month of September, like the Floriade Festival in the nation's capital, Canberra. September 1 has been proclaimed the Wattle Day, the golden wattle (acacia pycnantha), being the national flower of Australia.

God's Promises Lift our Burdens

Quote from the Bible:

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord;

You bestow glory on me and lift up my head."
~ Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

Life is filled with ordinary days. There are times when the heart is not light and shoulders droop. When everyone's busy and there's no one to turn to.  Then we remember our ever present help.

Who but the Lord, the lifter of my head who promises to come to my rescue and lifts the burdens of my heart.  But only if I let him.

A Mighty Fortress is our God

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

~Psalm 46:1 NIV~

"A Mighty Fortress is our God" - the Battle Hymn of the Protestant Reformation

Words & Music: Mar­tin Lut­her, 1529; trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Fred­er­ic H. Hedge, 1853. Tune title: Ein' Feste Burg.

This song has been called “the great­est hymn of the great­est man of the great­est per­i­od of Ger­man his­to­ry” and the “Bat­tle Hymn of the Ref­or­ma­tion.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Drawn by God - Jesus I Come

Today, reflection is from Oswald Chambers. He said that  we have all been created with the ability to reach out beyond our own grasps, but it is the almighty God who draws us, that our relationship to him is a personal one, and not an intellectual one. That we come into the relationship through God's miracle and through our own will to believe...

And from the reflection comes a personal plea:

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;  O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy."

~ Psalm 130:1-2  NIV ~

The hymn that comes to mind which I want to share  is "Jesus I Come", one of the popular sacred songs during Christian revivals in my youthful years. 



Jesus I Come 

Words: William T. Sleeper, in Gos­pel Hymns No. 5, 1887.

Music: George C. Stebbins

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.



Resource:

cyberhymnal.org

Thanksgiving Day Thoughts

"Give thanks to the God of heaven.

His love endures forever."

Psalm 136: 26

The phrase "God of heaven" is a noble, majestic and awe-inspiring designation of the true God. It expresses a glorious elevation of the Almighty. To him humans should give thanks, for all receive his mercy in many forms and ways. His favours are poured down to us, and to anyone obedient, they shall flow forever. 

When our Faith is Tested

Faith, Hope, and Love - and the greatest of these is ...

On impulse, I thought of titling the post with "Make me a Blessing" and then I changed my mind.

Just what do we do when each day we experience a loved one being eaten up by illness that we have to drop our own personal goals and dreams, for people we love? Do we decide by refusing to decide?

Because we are too rapt with providing support - time, love, and care  ...  the tendency is to neglect or our own fears, our own inner trappings, and often,  our self-worth.

Who cares for the carers?   Often, they are the most neglected lot - the carers.  Have you been one?

Strength. Hope. Faith.

Faith. Hope. Love.

Too many memories when one cares, loves and remembers.

Today, as I focus on 'faith'  I've decided to relax a bit this beautiful and often quoted but not always easy to do Christian love chapter, 1 Cor 13, which ends up with the verse and message, "faith, hope and love... but the greatest of these is love."  As I reflect on the chapter, I have decided that for this moment, I'll prioritize faith as the top amongst the three,  to read:   "faith, hope and love... and the greatest of these is faith."

As I earlier declared, I"m going to relax the verse a little bit.

In your own life, what is your greatest need -  faith?  hope?  love?

God understands. He always does.

My faith looks up to Thee

Text:  Ray Palmer (1808-1887), Music: Lowell Mason (1892-1872), Tune: Olivet

Sung by Dallas Adult Christian Choir.



Video Credit:

My Faith Looks Up to Thee,  YouTube, uploaded by isbaptist. Retrieved 5 Nov 2012.

Rest for the Weary

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "

-Matthew 11:28-

Lovely, comforting words.  This has stood a reminder in often weary days when the cares of the world overwhelm. This verse continue on to verses 29-30 ... 

 Jesus  said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  (NIV)

The passage found in the last 3 verses of  the Bible's book of Matthew chapter 11 contains a gracious invitation from Christ. His loving words are for those who are "weary" and are "heavy laden."  If we long to be delivered from the weariness of life and are terribly burdened, Jesus Christ clearly invites and says: "Come unto me, and I will give you rest."
The Lord is not just willing, but is always available for us. What an invitation! What a reminder!

Weary and heavy laden with worldly problems?   By his amazing grace, the almighty God, our Saviour,  promises to give us rest.

Hymn - This is My Father's World

History of the Hymn "This is My Father's World"

What significant way to reflect on Father's Day, in celebration of the Dads in the world, than to give thanks and laud him, the greatest and most awesome father of all, our Father God Almighty!

"This is My Father's World," a hymn taken from a sixteen-verse poem written by the Reverend Maltbie D. Babcock, one of the outstanding Presbyterian ministers of his day. The music was composed by Franklin Sheppard, to the tune of "terra Beata." It was published posthumously in 1901.

The hymn  shows God's presence, power, personality and purpose. Scripture references Psalm 33:5, Psalm 50:12b.  Continue reading ... This is My Father's World

3 Beautiful Words - Precious, Honour, Love

Lovely Scripture Passage from the Bible, "For you are precious and honoured in my eyes, and because I love you."

This lovely passage from the Bible's Old Testament, Isaiah 43:1-4, is one of the most beautiful and endearing words of assurance from God. It was addressed to the people of Israel but it might as well be to any of us who believe in him. Through these verses, let us reflect on his words, to inspire and comfort us in life's daily challenges.

"Fear not for I have redeemed you;  I have called you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you on fire.  For I am the Lord, your God, your Saviour. Since you are precious and honoured in my sight,  and because I love you ..."  ~ Isaiah 43: 1-4 ~

For Where our Treasure is

2 Corinthians 4:7 says,

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us" (NIV).

This particular treasure is kept in a jar of clay.  Something we probably won't do. Usually, we would keep our valuables in a protected place like in a safety deposit box, or in a vault.  Fair enough.

A jar of clay is easily broken, fragile.  It has chips and cracks. It's not a vessel of great worth or monetary value, but rather a common, ordinary vessel.

Who can question God's treasures in jars of clay?

God's Glory Shines Everyday

A reflection on Mark 9:2-9 on the glory of God
The transfiguration of Jesus Christ

Imagine being on a beautiful mountaintop with Jesus. His endeared disciples Peter, James and John must have been awed by the appearance of Moses and Elijah, at the same time humbled, catching a glimpse of kingdom glory in that mountain.

The entire event is significant – when Jesus was transfigured before his disciples, the latter terrified, and when He ordered them to tell no one. I tend to focus on verses 7-8: Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

God Only Wise

God is faithful in blessing us for our needs. This doesn't mean that he always blesses us with what we want when we want them.  For unlike ours, God's timing is always perfect...

"The Lord is faithful to all his promises
and loving towards all he has made.
The Lord upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down. "  
(vs. Psalm 145: 13-14 NIV)

Hymn for today:

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Words: Walter C. Smith, Hymns of Christ and the Christ­ian Life, 1876.
Music: St. Den­io, Welsh mel­o­dy, from Can­ai­dau y Cyssegr, by John Roberts, 1839.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish—but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
’Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, Almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.

New Year's Quotes and Sayings from the Bible

New Year's Quotes from Bible

Inspiring quotes and sayings can be reflected on for the new year, or it can be meaningfully integrated into the New Year’s resolutions. As the New Year begins, people pause for reflection, what can be done to make the coming year better. Resolutions are made and those who believe in God seek His guidance and help. Here are carefully chosen quotes and sayings from the Bible.

Sing New Songs of Praises to God

It is a wonderful feeling to start the New Year singing praises to almighty God for his wondrous creations and for all blessings. The psalmist puts it beautifully.

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” ~ Psalms 33:3

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no-one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” ~ Psalm 40:5

Read full article ---> New Year's Quotes from the Bible

Quotes of Faith and Joy from the Bible

Inspiring Biblical Verses about Faith and Joy

Thankfulness to God doesn't need to be performed only on special occasion.  We should be grateful at all times for his boundless blessings. Our gratitude can be shown through prayers and singing songs of praises.

Below, I've chosen some verses from the Old Testament, the books of Psalms, Proverbs and Jeremiah.  Although the book of Psalms is not necessarily all written by King David, he was a well known psalmist, who prayed to God out of love and gratitude. The book of Psalms is full of these praises. Other verses I've quoted come from the New Testament's letters of the apostle Paul to the Romans and  Thessalonians, and verses from James.

Inspirational Songs of Joy and Faith Quotes

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." ~ Psalm 16:11

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" ~ Psalm 27:1