SONGS OF MY HEART - BE ENCOURAGED

BE ENCOURAGED Isaiah 41:4,10 We get so caught up in the problems of our nations, our world, families and communities. I think we sometimes forget that God is still in control. Pray sincerely for our leaders, that their hearts be turned toward Almighty God; for He has not left us. From generations past, to our generation today, and to all future generations - He is with us. He is with us in Afghanistan, in Isreal, on the Gulf Coast. God is more than the WHOLE world against us. So hold on, be encouraged.

Pray for His presence, His strength, His devine knowledge of our circumstances, and His devine hand to intervene. The hands of our God is not too short to save and deliver. Look to the Word of God for encouragement. Gather with our brothers and sisters in the Lord for fellowship, and pray for direction. Have that little talk with Jesus, let Him be the bearer of our concerns. Don't forget to share our delights, happiness, our joyous events with Him who loves to be a part of our whole life. Then be still for a minute and hear His voice of direction, encouragement and love.

I wrote this today because as I was reading Isaiah 41:1-10, I heard the words "Be Encouraged." So I began to ask, "Why?" So I went back and re-read, and got stuck on verses 4 and 10. That was about 6:30 AM. As this morning has progressed several things have happened, that made me know, He is with me and He encourages in so many different ways. Now let us go out and encourage others.

Songs Of My Heart - GIVE ME A CLEAN HEART

Give me a clean heart so I may serve thee.
Lord, fix my heart so that I may be used by thee,
For I’m not worthy of all your blessings.
Give me a clean heart, and I’ll follow thee.

I’m not asking for the riches of this land,
And I’m not asking for men in high places to know my name.
Please-- give me, Lord, a clean heart that I may follow thee.
Give me a clean heart, and I’ll follow thee.

As I was having my meditation and prayer this morning, I was reminded that it is not about clean clothes or clean hands, it's not about the car I drive or about the degrees I have; but my walk/our walk with the Lord is about having a clean heart.

In the past few months my meditation has taken me to scriptures that have to do with the heart of the leadership of the church. Being that I is one, and am also a part of the the crowd of 'Older Women' whose responsibility it is to teach the younger, it is of great concern that I look at what we are giving the people, the sheep and lambs of Christ. Are they being fed? Is our Sunday meal giving the little ones in Christ the nurishment they need to grow? Are we offering food throughout the week, to hold them through the struggles of their weekly life outside the four walls of the sanctuary? Is it in our hearts as shepherds to go into the highways and byways where the people are? Are we offering 'feel good stuff' that will only last awhile, or teaching them as babies who will one day grow into wise leaders? Are we living as though the Holy Spirit of God lives in us, and teaching that we are not our own, but brought with the high price of the blood of Jesus? Are we teaching that His love is so strong, that nothing can draw us away - do we as leaders really live like that, and is that what the unsaved world sees in us/me/we as leaders?

Jesus said to ask of the Father what we will in His name, and it shall be done. This song, 'Give Me A Clean Heart' has always been one of my favorites, but today this is what I ask, it is my prayer.

Songs Of My Heart - I WANT TO WALK AND TALK WITH JESUS

I'm still on the "I Wants." Shortly after I woke up this morning this old song came to me. I'm so grateful for YOU TUBE and Web Searches, that I can find the words and hear so many of the old hymns and gospel songs that are not sung that much today. I grew up with the Barrett Sisters. If you are into Gospel music, check them out. Their ministry was tremendous.

Verse 1
I want to walk and talk with Jesus each and every day
I want my life to be an example for Him in every way
I want to treat my brothers the way that Jesus wants me to
Because He said 'Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you'

Verse 2
I want Him to lead me and guide me in everything I say and do
In His service I want Him to choose me and use me I do not choose
What a wonderful Counselor, Mighty Prince of Peace is He
And all I want each day is just a closer walk with thee

Chorus
I want Him to shower me with His blessings from up above
And rock me, rock me, rock me in the cradle of Your love


I was reading a meditation selection today. It was talking about how we as pastors sometimes put more emphasis on scripture than we do on the active role of HOLY SPIRIT in our day to day lives. It struck me as true in mine also. There are those days when I fully, and often throughout the day ask His direction. Then there are those days when I speak to Him in the morning, and the rest of the day is my own. Am I alone in this? Let me know how you're doing in this area. That's what brought about the song. I hope you listen to the words. For me this is where I want to be, walking and talking with Jesus each and everyday. I want my life to be an example for Him in every way...

Jesus told His disciples that when He left He would be leaving the Holy Spirit which would help them live victoriously for Him. "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25-27). So this is my prayer today, "Teach me, Lead me, Use me to have a closer walk with You - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As I go out, let Your love through me reach out today.

Songs Of My Heart - MY SOUL IS ANCHORED IN THE LORD

Private First Class Bowe R. Bergdahl of Idaho is the first of our soldiers captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan. HE NEEDS THE COMBINED PRAYERS OF ALL OF US.

When I first heard about his capture, I cried. But I also realized that God is with him. This song, tells us that we are sometimes in the storm, and sometimes the storm does not seem like it will ever end, but through it all when we are in Christ Jesus, we are anchored to someone stronger than any political system can boast of. Let us as a nation of world-wide Christians put this young man in specific prayer.

Acts 12:5...but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him....
We pray for all our troops, but let us combine our prayers for the return of Bowe as the early Christians did for Peter. I do believe prayer changes things and the hearts of people. I pray today that his soul is anchored to our Lord and Savior. I pray that in the middle of his storm of fear he will find peace that will carry him through this. I pray for his protection that the no matter what the enemy would attempt to do, they come up against our Lord and see His strength, and His love that He has for not only this soldier, but for the world. Not only can prayer break the chains of imprisonment of cells, but prayer can break the stony, cold hearts of unbelievers who would do harm. I pray that through the combined prayers of of the world for Bowe that his captors will themselves see the miraculous love of Christ and recieve Him.

Though the storms keep on raging in my life,
and sometimes it's hard to tell the night from day,
still the hope that lies within is reassured
as I keep my eyes upon the distant shore,
I know He leads me safely to that blessed place He has prepared.

But if the storms don't cease, and if the winds keep on blowing in my life,
My soul has been anchored in the Lord....