Psalm 121

I have looked up to the hills, but found my help does not come from there.
I have even looked elsewhere, and have found that it increases my despair.
So, from where does my help come? All of it not just some?
All of my help comes from the maker of heaven & earth, 
He is the LORD, the one who gives everything their worth.
He anchors me, and because He does nothing can move me,
He keeps me, and He never falls asleep or fails to guard me.
He is Israel's keeper, and He never sleeps or slumber.  
The LORD is my protector, my shield, & my cover.
Can dangers of the day or night destroy me? Never!
For the LORD will keep me from all evil, He will watch over me.
He will keep me as I go out and as I come in today and forever!

Do Not Give Up

Do not give up the struggle, no matter what the trouble
and adverse circumstances that will surely come our way
look to God and we won't lack, faith to stay on track
Jesus will never leave or forsake us and that's a fact
Victory is ours surely, when we follow Him who is Holy
doing His perfect will so that He alone gets the glory
so let us persevere casting off doubts and fear
no need for these because He is holding us dear


Do not give up the struggle, no matter what the trouble
and adverse circumstances we are currently experiencing
look to God don't look behind, seek Him out and we will find
His surpassing peace will guard our heart and fill our mind
So press on toward the goal, for God is in control 
let us praise Him with all our heart, mind, and soul
and if the circumstances gets worse, keep pressing still
for the LORD is the true God who was, is, and always will


Do not give up the struggle, no matter what the trouble
and adverse circumstances that have now come our way
look to God don't look down, for He won't let us drown
under the weight of adversities that's pulling us down
Victory is ours surely, so let us live boldly
because He works for our good and for His glory
so let us persevere casting off doubts and fear
no need for these because He is holding us dear

There Is Joy

In the midst of our trials there is joy
a joy that nothing and none can destroy
a joy unspeakable and full of Your glory
a joy that gives the assurance of victory

In the midst of our sorrows there is joy
a joy that You have given us to employ
no matter what life will throw our way

for it is a joy that is ours each new day

In the midst of our pains there is joy
a joy that is real and not just a ploy
to get us to ignore our deep suffering
but a joy that is deep and refreshing

In the midst of our darkness there is joy
a joy that we can always deploy
to move us to praise and thanksgiving
for our God is not dead, He is the living

Psalm 126

You restored our fortunes Lord
returning us to our home in Zion,
making us like those who dream
we are again a people, a nation.


Laughter has filled our mouth
from our tongue joy loudly rings,
nations speak of Your amazing work
You, Lord have done amazing things.

What joy! What joy! What joy!

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
as streams renew the desert!

Although we go out weeping,
sowing as the tears are flowing,
we will reap with shouts of joy,
and return with the harvest to enjoy.

Psalm 125

Those who trust in You are like Mount Zion

which only by Your word can ever be moved

so they stand strong because You take action

to ensure from You they are never removed.

Your arms of protection surrounds them 

from this time forth and even forevermore

just like the mountains surround Jerusalem

they will never be alone or ever be insecure.

You ensure wickedness does not rest

and reign over the lives of Your children

or they would retaliate in ways not best

that make their trust in You seem mistaken. 

You are good, Lord, please do good

to those who in their hearts are upright 

but those who turn away to falsehood

let them like evildoers be without sight.

Peace be upon Israel and all who trust in You

for they will always be firmly rooted and secure

because they are surrounded by the God who

is the only One immovable, steadfast, and sure.

Bloom Where Planted

Will you bloom where you are planted, or will you wither and die?

In the marsh or dry land? By the riverside or moorland?
In the forest or plain? On the flat land or rugged terrain?
Will you bloom there?

In the park or by the roadside? Whether in or outside?
On the mountain or in the valley? Among friends or enemy?
Will you bloom there?

In freedom or captivity? In prosperity or poverty?
In joy or pain? In sunshine or rain?
Will you bloom there?

In your work or when unemployed? In the full or void?
At home or away? In the dark of night or light of day?
Will you bloom there?

In laughter or tears? In triumphs or fears?
In health or illness? In peace or distress?
Will you bloom there?

The environment is what it is so don't be daunted, stay connected to the Vine and you will bloom wherever you are planted.

Beginning a Lifestyle of Praise

Your praise is seldom on my lips and in my actions and that has to change. My lack of praise shows that my heart is not fully devoted to knowing You. My heart needs Your healing and purifying touch. So, create in me a clean heart for only then will praise be its outpouring. Only then will my actions be full of praise. Empty me of all the distractions and attractions that hinder me from getting to know You. Too many times I am caught up in myself and my needs that it seems as I don't know who You are. Sure I give thanks but that is not the same. Thanksgiving is an expression of gratitude for what You do. Praise is an expression of adoration for who You are. 


Let today begin a life of intentional praise for who You are. For nothing and no one is like You. Let today begin the explosion of praise that floods and fills my life. For all You do flows from who You are. Let today begin the aroma of praise that flows from my heart truly and freely. For You are worthy of it all. Apart from You I am nothing and have nothing. You are the breath of life. You are the power of life. You are the creator of my body. You are the source of every good gift. It is all from You. Knowing this should bring about an exclamation of praise (Hallelujah!). Acknowledging who You are on the basis of having a knowledge about these things (e.g., You are the breath of life) is different from knowing You. 


Therefore, it is critical for me to get to know You, if praise is to become a lifestyle. For it will be impossible to praise You for who You are with all that I am if I don't know You. In order for my praise to be from the heart, I must earnestly seek to know You and to know You more. The richness and depth of my praise will only come from a rich and deep knowledge of You. A lifestyle of praise is only possible from a life of intimacy. If I do desire to know You intimately, my life must be consumed by You. I must be consumed by who You are, more than by what You can do for me. 


So, let my praise always precede my thanksgiving. Let my thanksgiving flow out of my praise. Only then will my confidence in You be unshakable. Because I believe in what You can do, but I struggle with who You are. Why? Because my heart is not fully consumed by You. My heart is not wholly devoted to You. 


But, today I will get the praise party started. My heart may not be fully consumed by or wholly devoted to You, but I do know that You are good. That's more than enough to begin a lifestyle of praise. Your word commands me to praise You, and I will do so gladly. For You are worthy of it! You alone are worthy to be praised and worthy of all praise. Blessed be Your name, O LORD!

Your Salvation

O LORD, You are my God, I say this because it is true.
So, from a sincere heart full of thanksgiving I praise You.
For I have experienced Your salvation many times before,
You have not failed to be faithful and will be again for sure.
But, I am struggling to believe that Your good will result,
It's foolish I know, my wavering is nothing but an insult.
The waters around me are raging with intent to drown me,
the enemy is closing in fast with intent to make a mockery.
Things are out of control and getting worse as time goes by,
the twist & turns so far have come up short, that I won't deny.
But, it does seem as if it's up to me, for it is the mess I've made,
been calling on you for a while, but it seems as if I've not prayed.
But I know You are my only hope and help, my God who is just,
so I will choose to fix my eyes on You, who is worthy of my trust.
As the waters rage and enemies close in, I will sing out Your praise,
for it's true, undoubtedly, Your salvation & timing are perfect, always.

Who Made The Body?

In our culture, many of us view our bodies as belonging to us. It is safe to say that we have had this mentality since Adam and Eve disobeyed. Thus, we view it as our right to decide how we are to use it, which often times leads to us abusing our bodies. The abuse is usually subtle and the effects of this abuse creep up on us.  


An honest question in response would be: What is the best way to take care of my body? However, I think there is a more important question that we need to ask. That question is: Who made my body? This question is vital to our life yet we overlook it. When we value something, we wisely look to the manufacturer to determine how it should be used. We try to understand something about the manufacturer so we could understand the product. We educate ourselves about the product from what information the manufacturer provided. We ensure it gets the proper maintenance from the product's technicians, trained in the ways of the manufacturer. Why? It is our desire to get the maximum return and enjoyment from the product over the course of its life.  All of these demonstrate that we are grateful to the manufacturer for the product. They show that we truly value the product.


Yet, for our bodies, the most important of all creation, we do not do the same. We don't take the time to get to know its Creator. We don't take the time to understand the body according to what He said. We tune Him out and listen instead to the opposing voices around us that are not in tune with Him. We are fixated on the messages from popular culture about how to take care of the body. We are fed messages from the pulpit that make the body seem insignificant to our Christian life here and now. Any popular message about the body that fails to take into account its Creator, and how He purposed it to be treated must be rejected. Any pulpit message that does not value the body as God's temple and that it must be cared for as such must be corrected. It is important for us to feed our minds with the truths about the body. It is necessary, then, to be fully convinced of who created the body and the manner its creator prescribed for it to be treated in order for it to fulfill its purpose. 


So, who do you believe made the body? If we believe God did, then let's earnestly seek to know Him. Let's earnestly seek to learn how He wants us to take care of it. For when we earnestly seek to do these things: it shows that we desire to honor Him with it, it shows that we value it, and it shows that we are grateful for it. He is honored when we do, and our lives will be a rich blessing to those we love and to those around us. There is great joy in this. 

When You Love Someone

When you love someone they will know that you do,
and no matter what your love will breakthrough.
When you love someone they will know it is authentic,
and no matter what your love will never be cryptic.
When you love someone they will know they are valued,
and no matter what your love will not come unglued.
When you love someone they will know it is okay to cry,
and no matter what your love will always be nearby.
When you love someone they will know no lasting shame,
and no matter what your love will forgive not blame.
When you love someone they will know how to pray,
and no matter what your love will lead in that way.
When you love someone they will know it flows from God,
and no matter what your love will prove it's no facade.
When you love someone they will know you love to serve,
and no matter what your love will hold nothing in reserve.
When you love someone they will know Jesus is your Lord,
and no matter what your love will never keep a record.
When you love someone they will know you are sincere,
and no matter what your love will never give in to fear.
When you love someone they will know your love won't quit,
and no matter what your love will be guided by the Spirit. 
When you love someone they will know that God alone is worthy,
and no matter what your love will ascribe to Him all the glory! 


Dear Father, You have shown us how to love. You have given us Your Spirit and Word so we can love like You do. May we learn how to love by responding to Your love with gratitude. May gratitude move us to obey Your command to love one another. Thanks for hearing and answering, in Jesus name. Amen!

Am I Truly?

Am I truly in love with You LORD?
Sometimes I do not believe that is true;
for in those moments I am prone to wander,
and pursue my plans without first seeking You.


Am I truly sold out to You alone?
Sometimes my actions shows that am not;
for in those moments I do what I want, 
and pretend that Your commands I forgot.


Am I truly submitted to You LORD?
Sometimes on examination it does seem fake;
for in those moments my will seems better,
and in my hands my every decision I do take.


Am I truly delighted in You alone?
Sometimes I wonder and call it into question;
for in those moments I do look elsewhere,
and pretend that with You I am not in union. 


Am I truly committed to You LORD with my everything?
Sometimes it seems as if it's just words I am mouthing;
for in those moments my heart wants its own way,
and I tell myself that it is much better to not pray.


Am I truly Yours like I think I am?
Sometimes it seems as if I am just a scam;
for in those moments my strength and mind fails,
and the way of my selfishness prevails.


So, please make my love be more than words,
make it a lifestyle that truly lights up this world,
flowing only from knowing and delighting in You,
so that in each moment it proves faithful and true.