Tag Archive | praise

Has Salvation Changed You?

Nov10

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. — Acts 2:38-47

The Lord was adding to their number — those who were being saved. We need to realize that it is the Lord who saves.

What factors were involved in many being saved? Repentance, forgiveness and receiving of the Holy Spirit.  Lives changed.

Transformation happened: they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This brought about awe as they witnessed the movement of God amongst themselves and the world. Many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Being one with Christ they had all things in common, cared for one another by meeting needs, were like minded, fellowshipped together and praised God together.

Could this be why God was adding saved ones to their numbers day by day?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Times and Epochs

Nov3

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” — Acts 1:7-8

Why are we so concerned with the when of God’s plan instead of just trusting that He has that under control? All we need to be concerned with is walking with Jesus and telling of our experiences on that journey. A deep walk (prayer, Bible study, worship, praise, thankfulness) brings open eyes to the Holy Spirit’s work. We then can tell what we have seen through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So let us focus on Jesus and let the when happen by God’s authority.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Psalm, Hymns and Thanks

Oct26

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; — Ephesians 5:19-20

Today is the perfect opportunity to do this. Hope you have the chance to worship God with others in unity to the praise and glory of our Lord.

God bless your Sabbath day.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Let’s Worship

Oct25

Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. — Psalm 95:6

Yes, let us. He deserves our worship and praise but do we earnestly practice and seek Him in worship with our whole heart, our whole being, in spirit and truth?

I am guilty and ashamed to admit that I neglect the worship of the Lord as He deserves.

Join me as we put into daily practice prayer, seeking, and worship of our Mighty God continually!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

My Song

Oct5

“The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will extol Him. — Exodus 15:2

I sing because He is my song. I endure because He is my strength. I praise Him because He is God. He is my everything, my all. Without Him I am nothing and can do nothing. Because of this, He is my salvation. Rejoice today because He is who He says He is: “I AM“.

Worship and Praise

Sep14

“All the earth will worship You, And will sing praises to You; They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah. — Psalm 66:4

Do you ever think on Sunday morning, as you are worshiping the Lord in hymns, about others gathered together worshiping the Lord God?

I imagine all the churches of the world gathered in one accord giving praises to Almighty God. I know with time zones that this image is not reality but I so look forward to that day when it will be reality — all nations bowed in worship to the Sovereign One.

I wonder what God sees on Sunday mornings as the sun moves from east to west and people are getting ready to go to a gathering place for worship. Does He see a continual 24 hour worship? Is He pleased by what He sees and hears on His Sabbath day? Does He see an eagerness amongst His people to bring offerings of praise and worship to His house? I wonder.

How will your worship be different and will it be pleasing to the Lord today? Draw near to Him and give yourself in worship today.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Be Careful Little Eyes

Aug6

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, — Romans 8:5-6

Remember the children’s song “Be Careful Little Eyes”? As I read this verse today this song came to mind. I have often wondered why this song is considered a children’s song.

For those who may not know the song:

Be careful little eyes what you see
Be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little eyes what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little ears what you hear
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little ears what you hear.

Be careful little feet where you go
Be careful little feet where you go
For the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful little feet where you go.

Are not the things we as adults put into our minds as important as what children’s minds are exposed to? If we are honest with ourselves we would do so much better if we read, watched, listened to and went places that were not in contrast to God’s Word. What we fill our minds with will effect where our feet walk, what comes out of our mouths and our actions.

A few years back when my children were young, (okay, more than a few years back), I removed offensive movies from my house. I stood on the belief that if it wasn’t good enough for my kids to see, it wasn’t good enough for me to see. Since then I have wandered from that but was quite convicted today when I read this verse. Am I being careful what I feed my mind? What am I watching on T.V.? What am I reading? Would I be doing these things if Jesus were standing or sitting right next to me in the flesh? Hmmm. I wonder.

If I am to be obedient to God’s Word and bring Him glory through my life, then I need to be careful what I see, hear and where I walk.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. — Philippians 4:8

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Return to Worship

Aug3

This is a devotion written September 16, 2008 (long before I had a website). Still believe it is pertinent.

2 Chronicles 29:5-6, 10-11, 15-16, 18, 29-30, 35b

5 Then he said to them, “Listen to me, O Levites. Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry the uncleanness out from the holy place. 6 “For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done evil in the sight of the Lord our God, and have forsaken Him and turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and have turned their backs.

10 “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His burning anger may turn away from us. 11 “My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him, and to be His ministers and burn incense.”

15 They assembled their brothers, consecrated themselves, and went in to cleanse the house of the Lord, according to the commandment of the king by the words of the Lord.
16 So the priests went in to the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and every unclean thing which they found in the temple of the Lord they brought out to the court of the house of the Lord…

18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed the whole house of the Lord,…

29 Now at the completion of the burnt offerings, the king and all who were present with him bowed down and worshiped. 30 Moreover, King Hezekiah and the officials ordered the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with joy, and bowed down and worshiped.

35 … Thus the service of the house of the Lord was established again.

I wanted to put the whole chapter but had to pick and choose. It spoke to me of our churches today and of our own temple. Repentance, cleansing, praises, humbleness and worship. True, pure, clean worship. I believe we are so lacking. Pray for our churches today. Pray for revival. Pray for a return to purity, cleanliness, a humbleness in worship, a true reverent worship of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, God Almighty.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Until I See His Face

Aug2

But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. –Philippians 4:18-20

As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. — 1 John 2:27-28

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. — 1 Corinthians 13:12

God most high and holy
To You I send my praise
You are all I need Lord
Each and every day.

You are my strength and refuge
My courage in the race
Help me, Lord, to press on
Until I see Your face.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Blessed Are We!

Jul18

So David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. — 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Wow!!! Hallelujah!!!! Praise God!!!!!

Our Father forever and ever
He is greatness and power
He is glory and victory
He is majesty
He is the ruler over His creation
He has dominion over all
He is the giver of riches and honor
His hand holds power and might
It is by His power to make great and strengthen everyone
O Glorious Lord
Thank You
Praise You

Blessed are You, O Lord. Blessed are we, O Lord!
Know Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon