A Grateful Heart

Life Lessons

No matter what your plans are, they can change in an instant and sometimes in a bad way.

That’s a lesson I had to re-learn just a few days ago.

I admit, sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down.

It’s hard because there’s never enough hours in the day, right?

Slow Down, Sister

life lessons

It was bound to happen.

I had a big “to-do” list running around in my head, even though it was a Saturday.

In my usual mad dash through the house, I bent over to clean up an area on the floor.

Unfortunately, I straightened up too fast, and accidentally wrenched my back.

Big, big mistake.

The pain was excruciating.

I haven’t felt pain like that in years.

If you’ve ever had a severe back injury, then you know what I mean.

I took a couple of Advil and got in bed thinking that was all I needed to do to make a miraculous recovery.

I can dream, can’t I?

The Advil didn’t help.

Thirty minutes later, I decided to get up and walk around – thinking that slow walking would loosen up the increasing spasms.

Walking didn’t help either.

I didn’t think it was possible, but the pain got worse, and it started hurting so badly I could barely breathe – almost to the point of fainting. My concerns became alarm.

When my husband got home a few minutes later, I was a complete mess and ready to head to an emergency medical clinic.

The trip to the ER included a two-hour wait to get in to see a doctor, two shots, and strong pain medications.

A Grateful Heart

The next morning after I took the scheduled meds, I had a terrible reaction to them. Fever and nausea set in and lingered the whole day and night. I did get sick…all with a bad back to boot.

It was all very humbling.

As I lay there in pain, I determined never, ever, to bend over and clean up a spot on the floor again!

Not really.

I prayed to God that the nausea would pass soon.

And, with a grateful heart, I thanked Him that I’m able to breathe at all.

Things are going to go wrong at times, but I know that the Author of Life walks with me through it all.

A grateful heart

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How To Praise God’s Glory

How Can We Bring Praise To God?

Have you ever had someone pray for you out loud and in the moment?

My husband and I experienced this recently when we told a friend about a big decision we were about to make.

We were on the phone with him when all of a sudden, he stopped us mid-conversation, and prayed for us right then and there.

While our friend prayed, I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to his words.

After he finished praying for us in Jesus’ name, I had a quiet thought.

What an encouraging way to display reverence to God’s glory.

To pray for others, in the moment, and out loud.

praising God's glory*Photo credit, Ben White.

Why Do We Wait?

So why do we wait to pray until the evening hours?

I wish I had an answer to that question.

I don’t know if we just forget to do it in the moment, or if it’s easier to wait until that night at bedtime.

But, why do we need to wait when we can pray for someone-in-need right then and there?

That kind of opportunity doesn’t present itself every day.

If you have the chance to bless someone else and bring praise to the Father, then why not do it?

There’s so much good advice in this short video.

Praising God’s Glory

In a passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said to the crowds,

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – *Matthew 5:14-16., (ESV).

We are called to be light in a very dark world. If you can pray for someone in the moment – do it!

Don’t hide your light.

Let it shine and point others towards our Father in Heaven.

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* Photo courtesy of Ben White on Unsplash 
* Scripture quotation is from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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One Voice Children’s Choir

One Voice Children’s Choir

Are you tired of all the negative news?

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear something life-affirming, joyful, and uplifting for a change?

I saw this video recently on social media and could hardly wait to share it with you.

It’s just over 4 ½ minutes long.

MercyMe lead vocalist and songwriter, Bart Millard, originally wrote this heavenly song and it will always be one of my favorites.

Surely you know by now I’m talking about the timeless, “I Can Only Imagine.”

This version of it from the award-winning One Voice Children’s Choir has quickly won my heart.

If you’ve ever tuned into the TV show, “America’s Got Talent” then you’ll probably recognize them. They were quarter-finalists!

I hope you enjoy.

One Voice

Under the direction of Masa Fukuda, over 500 children have been a part of the One Voice Choir since it began back in 2002 at the Winter Olympics.

I love their Vision Statement:

Through music, we inspire, enrich, uplift, and serve our global community, while building youth as One Voice. – *One Voice Children’s Choir.

I’m encouraged to see so many children exposed to positive messages. Thankfully, there’s no “Rise up!” and “Resist” charges here.

Let kids be kids!

Today’s youth are exposed to way more adult content and violent messages than they ever should be.

Let’s hope and pray value-based programs and activities will always be offered and that there are positive choices for our younger generation.

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* Vision Statement, courtesy of One Voice Children’s Choir. [About page]. Retrieved from http://onevoicechildrenschoir.com/about-us/. n.d., para. 4.

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Prayers To Disarm Your Enemy

Why Should We Pray For Our Enemies

Prayers To Disarm Your Enemy

Recently, a reader searched on my blog for the term, “Prayers to disarm your enemy.”

I have to applaud this person for seeking answers using Prayers, rather than some type of payback.

It’s hard sometimes to pray for our enemies.

A few years ago, I interviewed a local pastor for his insight. The name of that article is “How To Pray For Someone You Don’t Like.” You can find it by clicking the link.The pastor’s biblical insight about praying for our enemies is just as valuable today as it was back then.

When someone launches an attack against you, even if it’s verbal, it can hurt really bad.

You feel blindsided and you want answers.

And, you want it…to stop.

As Christians we should pray for those who hate us and/or do us harm. We also know as Christians, that the hate towards us, as believers in salvation through Jesus Christ, is on the rise.

We must continue to pray.

God hears our every words. They don’t have to be eloquent words either.

If you’re suffering at the arms of an enemy, cry out to Jesus in your heart.

Psalm 69 in the Bible is an excellent example of a prayer for help in times of anguish.

Prayers To Disarm Your Enemy

If you need some inspiration when praying for your enemies, I found another resource that may help.

I contacted the author, Beth McLendon, and she has graciously given me permission to share this prayer with you.

I love the plea towards the end for God to heal the wounds of our enemies. As mean as they are, there is something going on inside of them that causes them to act out like they do.

Prayer For Enemies

Lord,

Be with my enemies today as they make decisions.

I ask that you would bring them your thoughts so that they can see

and evaluate their life situations through your wisdom.

I ask that you would help them to clearly hear your thoughts on

what they should do today and every day.

Guide them to recognize the right decision every time.

Help them to recognize the blessings that come from

making good choices and from developing a deep relationship with you.

I pray that they will realize the lightness of heart that they can have

if they will do the right thing.

I pray that they will realize the relief that they can have

when they do the right thing.

Bring your lovingkindness to rescue them from being unkind today.

Urge them not to sin against me or anyone else this day.

I ask that you would heal the wounds inside of them that pressure them to hurt others.

Let them begin to realize the joy of treating others in a godly way.

Bring them thoughts that would help to soften their heart toward you and your will for them.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

 

For more inspirational prayers, you can visit Beth’s website at the following URL: http://www.inspirational-prayers.com/

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*Opening photo courtesy of photographer Ben White on Unsplash

**Prayer For Enemies, Copyright © 2012 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com

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What Happened To Sin?

What Happened To Sin?

Have you ever heard the expression, “Give ‘em an inch, and they’ll take a mile”?

It reminds me of the compromises taking place in some modern churches.

These ungodly distractions enter into a church and pretty soon the whole Gospel message takes a tumble.

How sad it is when we read news items like:

  • More churches are letting the culture dictate what’s taught in God’s house. Messages about sin, forgiveness, the end times, and salvation are bumped for more “feel good” sermons about what nice people we all are.

You can’t make this stuff up. It’s really happening.

As discerning Christians, we need to be aware of deceptions like these, and not fall for them.

That’s some downer news for our faith, right?

But God is with us, no matter what.

What happened to Sin

No one knows His divine timeline, but we do have the triumphant return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to look forward to.

No secular movement, false gods, or future political agendas will ever be able to change or delay His return.

Praise the Lord!

All Sin Is Against God

As Christians – we must be discerning.

Changing the gospel message to satisfy cultural movements is a deception.

Can you believe the depth of the disrespect and irreverence towards God this all is? Changing God’s inspired Word?

Thoughts about the news items mentioned above prompted me to write a poem called “What Happened To Sin?”

It’s been on my heart and I was finally able to put pen to paper.

 

What Happened to Sin?

Who is Man to twist God’s Word?
Oh, haven’t you heard?

“The Bible’s too convicting,
let’s put it away, or we won’t grow our church,”
the false teachers say.

“Let’s only preach Love, and helping the poor
Just forget that Hell is real with an open door.
Talking about Sin will just turn them off
We must grow our church at any cost.”

“So what if our sermons are not “sound” preaching?
Our coffee is good and our influence far-reaching.”
We exclude parts of Scripture, so people feel good,
Jesus came to make us happy, right?
Don’t you think we should?”

“Why give a sermon about God’s Final Judgment?
The church will empty, they’ll find the message repugnant.

Keep it lighthearted and throw out the hymns
Crank up the amps, keep the lights dim.”
Light some incense to set the mood,
Leave the End Times out of it,
It will all be good.”

To those preachers, I say,
“Do you know what you’re doing?”
Those external trappings aren’t what churches should be pursuing.
We’re to share the Gospel and reach the lost.
Our salvation as sinners came at such a high cost.
Jesus came to save us – a Ransom for you and me,
His Word is absolute truth  —  just…let…it…be.

By Gracie Jane © 2018, All rights reserved.   

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