Archive for the 'Uplifting Inspirations' Category
Jesus urged His followers to be watchful and ready, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”, Matt. 24.44. If we believe our Lord’s word about His coming, has it affected our thoughts and actions?
What would He find, should He come just now:
A faded leaf, or a fruitless bough:
A servant sleeping, an idle plow?
What would He find should He come just now? –Anon.
Every Christian should be an expectant uplooker, not a sleepy onlooker!
When we begin to live life each day as if it might be our last day on Earth, we may begin to be kinder and more tolerant of ourselves and others. More forgiving, perhaps.
God gave us life “abundantly”, I want to enjoy each day and all His creations for a long as I can, but I keep looking up and anticipating His return.
A couple of years ago my church performed this piece in it’s Easter Musical. I wanted to share this powerful message with my readers. At the bottom of the lyrics are two You Tube links I found and hope you will listen to them as you read the words below.
He left a throne in heaven to come to Bethlehem
And I will not forget the way
He loved me even then
And everywhere He traveled
He spoke with words of love
That said He’d go to any distance
To show what I was worthy of
And when at last the dusty road
Had turned to Calvary
He picked up a rugged burden
So that one day I would see
Chorus
He loved me with a cross
He loved me with a cross
In answer to the call of love
He loved me with a cross
And I could not imagine what
Loving me would cost
My Jesus went to Calvary
And loved me with a cross
He knew from the beginning
The price He’d have to pay
For my heart had gone so far beyond
What other loves forgave
I wasn’t on that hillside
To see Him on the tree
But as my guilt was placed upon Him
I know that somehow He saw me
Chorus
And I would be a sinner still
Enslaved by all my sin
If it hadn’t been for Jesus
And the way He loved me still
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGSQjY0vuTo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnHhOOm434c&feature=related
God, it’s good to be loved by You!
The breathtaking knowledge
Of Your life-giving love
Rings chimes in my tremulous heart.
It fashions eternal declarations
Out of unsettled questions.
It creates a majestic life symphony
From a solitary note.
God, it’s good to be loved by you!
Psalm 89:1
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
God, it is my settled decision
Not to choose less
When You have chosen more for me.
Not to choose the worst
When You have chosen the best.
Not to stoop to defeat
When You have provided victory.
Not to let my emptiness
Close the door to Your fullness.
Amid the chunks and cracks
Of all my mundane days-
When I resolve to listen
Really listen to Your gentle voice
Suddenly I know anew
That You are life
And life is joy!
Like a singing brook
Joy splashes over
All the common “dailies”
Until each empty space
Of my hungry heart
Is touched with new-born ecstasy.
Lord
May I settle it once and for all
That I am dealing directly with You.
You need never apologize
For any plan You ordain for me
Since nothing but good
Can come from Your hand.
You are sufficient
For every changing circumstance
In my God-planned life-
For every unchanging circumstance as well.
Lord
Again and again I have asked You
To robe me in splendor—
To spark my life with radiance
Until there burns within me
A soft unquenchable glow.
Now today as I read Your Word
Your answer to my longing is so direct:
“They looked to him and were radiant.”
Lord, the mystery is solved!
I must look steadfastly to You
A shimmering reflection of Yours.
O God, thank You
That Your promises are valid
As long as the world lasts.
They do not suddenly dissolve
When my faith is feeble
And my courage fails.
When You have given a promise
You will perform it-
Sight or no sight
Feeling or no feeling.
You may take me
Through the darkest night
The deepest waters.
The very worst may happen
But out of it
You will bring the very best
For Your Word remains secure.
Lord, keep me faithful in my trust.
When I can articulate no other prayer
May my waiting heart
Continually avow:
I trust!
I trust!
This little verse really ministered to me and encouraged me. I felt better immediately after reading it several times. I hope you also find it an inspiration to help you through your weeks ahead.
O Lord
Here I am again
Just plain old me
Coming to you
As I often come a thousand times –
And this is what always happens:
Your response is immediate
You open yours arms unhesitatingly
To draw me to yourself
You clasp me to your Father-heart.
Then you reaffirm my position:
I’m a child of the King
And all that is Yours is mine.
When I begin my stammering account
Of gross unworthiness
Your gentle smile hushes me.
With endless patience
You remind me once more
That my value never determines Your love.
Rather, your love determines my value.
On this fragrant, frosty Thanksgiving Day
The huge turkey browns beautifully
In our king-size oven.
The tender yams are evenly candied;
The corn soufflé is beginning to bubble;
The congealed salad is ready to unmold.
The homemade bread with its crunchy texture
Is wrapped in foil for reheating.
The ice cubes are bagged in plastic;
The relishes are artistically arranged
On a round crystal plate.
The pumpkin pies are still slightly warm.
Fresh yellow chrysanthemums
Grace the long, colorful table.
The house glistens and shines.
My makeup is evenly applied…
So, dear family
How about settling down
In our favorite chairs
For an hours of relaxation
Before our guests arrive!
Lord, I dream of this happening
Some ethereal Thanksgiving Day!