Thursday, April 9, 2009

SONGS OF MY HEART - LORD LEAD ME DAY BY DAY





LORD, LEAD ME DAY BY DAY


The words of a song…

“Lord keep me day by day in a pure and perfect way.
I want to live. I want to live Lord, in a building
Not made by hands.”

And I add, in a city not made by hands, by a new name not given to me by mortal parents, but by my Heavenly Father.

Over the years I’ve learned that getting to all those wonderful places is a process; a process that has hills, sometimes rocky and sharp, narrow and twisted. A process that has pitfalls and valleys, sometimes dark and lonely, often filled with shadows of the past, and fears of what lies ahead.

In this new year of 2009 I am determined to follow the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. He has a job; we are His assignment and He is our Devine Leader; God our Father who created us and waits to be united with us again; God the Son, Jesus who came to earth in love, as and our example, our Savior who returned to our Father as our mediator, Lord and King; and God the Holy Spirit, friend, helper, our power source, our comforter, our internal map who leads us right back to our original home.

This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in this day. On this day of April 8,2009 I look back, and I don’t have to wonder how I got over. I know it was only through the divine guidance of God. I count the many blessings of 2006 – resolving health issues, reunification of uncontrolled children to a sometimes-reckless parent; riding the roller coaster of productive writing and grandeur thoughts into a valley of stagnant thoughts and laziness of hand. I count the blessings of ministering to hurting people, whether face to face, written word or songs of praise. I count the blessings of receiving through them the healing balm of reassuring love of being in God’s will and following His plan.

2008 has presented open doors of creativity and financial opportunity. With gifts of writing, drawing and cooking God has blessed me with business opportunities. I count the blessings of old friendships continued, and the excitement into the exploration of new friendships. In 2008 there have been losses; physical loss of close friends who will be sorely missed, loved ones who can never be replaced; but I have the realization that we shall meet again in that wonderful, Holy City prepared by God Almighty.

Now in a tic of the clock or a blink of the eye we find ourselves in the new year of 2009; 365 days of, what? For the rest of my life I want to say, “Yes Lord!” I want to be obedient, to listen for and hear a still small voice saying, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left"(Isaiah 30:21). I want to be a follower of Christ; not easily angered or frustrated in Psalm 25:9, the Bible says, “The meek will He guide in judgment; and the meek will He teach His way. He will guide me in making decisions of 2007, even unto death. The Bible, the Word of God, our literal map to salvation says, “For this is our God forever and ever: and He will guide us even till death" (Psalm 48:14). I take great pleasure in knowing that I am not alone – ever.

In the middle of uncertain situations He is with us. When we are like one who is blind and cannot detect exactly what may be before us, God leads us. “I will bring the blind by a way they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make the darkness light before them, and the crooked things straight. These things will I do to them and not forsake them" (Isaiah 42:16).

I know this to be true. I’m the kid who couldn’t get more than three words out of my mouth in front of strangers; tongue-tied, shaking and sometimes reduced to tears. But, this God, My God has led me, taught me to stand before hundreds to sing His praises, speak His Word. This my Heavenly Father has taught me that with and through the power of Jesus Christ, I can do all things that He has purposed for my life. I have learned that the spirit of fear that occasionally tries to envelope me – is not from above. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). So when my mind is uncertain and fear begins to wrap me in dark clouds I can remember, Jesus is there to lighten my way, guide mmy feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79).

In this year of 2009, there will be tests. As difficult times come into my life, those are times to remember, where God has brought me from; delivered me of; and is preparing me for my intended purpose. Many years ago when I was still so very full of me (sometimes still am), I remember reading and praying Psalm 119, the teach me parts; teach me Your will; teach me Your statutes (laws); teach me Your way. Though I prayed for it, I wasn’t ready to follow and learn from hardly anyone – let alone go down a path I really didn’t understand. On the outside I rebelled, people saw my selfishness and attitude plus, but God looked on my heart and heard that very small cry for help that only his ears can hear. He heard me, remembered me. Like a shepherd He gently lead me out of the crooked places of my life onto a plain path.

There were times I tried to break His hold on my life because the way of the world appeared to be filled with more excitement, more satisfaction. Whenever I made the choice to take the wide road of acceptance – partying, drinking, and sex, I paid the consequences of my choices. But the truth of God’s Word is powerful, and always there to guide me back into the light and safety of Christ. There is no situation that is beyond the reach of God that His loving, powerful hand cannot lead us out of.

This journey, adventure we make toward our eternal destination is not easy by the world’s standard. But Jesus tells us His yoke is easy, His burden is light, cause we don’t have to go it alone. The more I learn to lean on Jesus and the word of God rather than the call of my flesh, the less time I give place to Satan. We are never alone or without help.

Just as Jesus journeyed through His life to the cross where He laid down His life for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, for us to be one with Him, and one with God. We journey to the cross where we see and confess our sins, acknowledge our need for Jesus our Savior, and accept His love and guidance. Jesus says, I am the light of the world (John 8:12). Jesus says, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved… I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives His life for His sheep." He knows us by name, He knows where we are, He knows are address – even if we don’t have a permanent residence.

Jesus says, "I lay down my life, that I may take it up again… my sheep (followers)hear my voice and I know them, and I give to them and I know them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither (This is soooo good)shall any man pluck (take) them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them to me is greater than all (YEAH God!!!), and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one." How cool is that? We are one with Christ, one with God, one with His Holy Spirit who is leading us through our life here to our eternal home, where we will see HIm face to face. Whether we part this life through death or through His rapturous return –

He’s Coming Back Again to receive us into His Glory.

I want to live Lord in that building not made by hands.

Lead On Holy Spirit!

1 comment:

Chaplain Deanna said...

I am so grateful for your journey, Jay. You are an encouragement to me and to so many others. Love your blog.