When trials arise and struggles seem tiring, we often find our spiritual strength needs a boost. I recently read a story in a very interesting and wonderful book titled, "Then Sings My Soul" special edition. This is a book comprised by stories about hymn writers by Robert J. Morgan. Each story can be considered a devotional since each song described starts out with a scripture which lead to the reason or inspiration of the song. The stories are so inspiring and add a wonderful understanding to the meaning of the beloved hymnal songs sung by so many believers.
Last night I read one of these stories. The song "Day by Day" was authored by Karolina Sandell-Berg a Scandinavian considered to be the "Fanny Crosby of Sweden". The scripture used for inspiration was Psalm 27 : 1
1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Though frail in body she was known for her strong spirit and delighted in literary, artistic, and religious influences of those in her local surroundings.
Sadly tragedy hit her and her father as they were enjoying a boat trip. Her father the Reverend Jonas Sandell suddenly fell into the water and drowned when their boat accidentally lurched forward.
Focusing on the scriptures through her grieving and realizing the Lord gives strength to His struggling children. She authored 14 poems and one such poem became the song "Day by Day".
This wonderful hymn has many thoughts of encouragement for those who are needing to be strengthened. Reminding us of the great promises God has given.
Exodus 15:2
2. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
Deuteronomy 33:25
25. Your sandals shall be iron and bronze; as your days, so shall your strength be.
The power of Scripture and the beauty of God inspiring a song that encourages and comforts many in their walk and life with Him.
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Discipline good for the mind, body and spirit.
Before I go much farther, let's look at the word discipline and see what the dictionary defines it as.
Discipline-1) a branch of knowledge or learning;2) a training that develops self control, character, or orderliness and efficiency;3) strict control to force obedience; the result of such training or control; b) specifically self control or orderly conduct also the acceptance of or submission to authority and control;4) a system of rules, as with a church;5) treatment that corrects or punishes.
Well lately in the last 3 weeks or so, I have been working on becoming more disciplined in many areas of my life. Discipline isn't any easy thing to have nor is it easy to give. Especially if we are giving ourselves a big dose of it. It is pretty easy to be lazy and lacking discipline in our activity, diet, behaviors, and daily routines. I am not sure what the exact culprit is but I would bet laziness hands down. No more laziness here. I know I need discipline and I am gonna try hard to get it and make it a part of every aspect of my life.
Well I have decided last month that I would be disciplined and committed to reading my bible daily and involving the children (the only way I knew how to do it without interruptions). Well it has been well over a month and I am still going strong. Praise the Lord! I have been really enjoying our bible time and even the children are getting use to it. I need to be more diligent in having it right after breakfast. Knowing that reading God's word at the start of the day can actually make your day a lot more joyful, peaceful and all around positive. Think of it has spending every morning in conversation and communication with your best friend. Wouldn't that put a smile on your face everyday.
Over two weeks ago my dh and I have begun our exercise routine together. I will admit it has been a bit out of order, but none the less it has been done everyday. Although my dh doesn't really need the weight lifting since he lifts boxes for 4 hours every morning. He still kindly works out with me so I am not feeling alone. I think that is the worst part about exercising, not having a partner to keep you accountable. It is not my sole goal or intent for us to loose weight, although that would make me and dh even happier, but rather to gain strength and become more fit to play with the children. I don't want my exercise to be about vanity. That is far too common in the world today. But rather give my body the discipline it needs to get into and stay in healthy shape. Eating right and drinking lots of water is also apart of making better choices and lifestyle changes that produce a healthy active fit person.
I have been also trying to get my mind more discipline and reading more helpful books that will encourage a healthy mind. I am also staying more mentally active with my sons and with different kinds of games and activities that help challenge and strengthen the memory and skill.
It is really encouraging to have my sons support my discipline of my mind, body and spirit. They love to join in on what ever we are doing, without even knowin it is shaping all of us into more disciplined people.
Here are a few verses about discipline:
Proverbs 15:32
32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.
Proverbs 23:13
13. Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
Hebrews 12:5-6
5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6. For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.''
Revelation 3:19
19. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
I hope this may encourage all who read to look at their life and see if discipline is lacking in some area. If so, to be humble enough to let the Lord work within you to create a more self-controlled individual that he can use in a mighty way!
Here is a song about the fruits of the Spirit that our children love to sing : The fruit of the Spirit is Love, the fruit of the Spirit is Joy, with Peace, and Patience, and Faithfulness, Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness, then you add Self Control and that's what makes the fruit grow, cha cha cha!
Discipline-1) a branch of knowledge or learning;2) a training that develops self control, character, or orderliness and efficiency;3) strict control to force obedience; the result of such training or control; b) specifically self control or orderly conduct also the acceptance of or submission to authority and control;4) a system of rules, as with a church;5) treatment that corrects or punishes.
Well lately in the last 3 weeks or so, I have been working on becoming more disciplined in many areas of my life. Discipline isn't any easy thing to have nor is it easy to give. Especially if we are giving ourselves a big dose of it. It is pretty easy to be lazy and lacking discipline in our activity, diet, behaviors, and daily routines. I am not sure what the exact culprit is but I would bet laziness hands down. No more laziness here. I know I need discipline and I am gonna try hard to get it and make it a part of every aspect of my life.
Well I have decided last month that I would be disciplined and committed to reading my bible daily and involving the children (the only way I knew how to do it without interruptions). Well it has been well over a month and I am still going strong. Praise the Lord! I have been really enjoying our bible time and even the children are getting use to it. I need to be more diligent in having it right after breakfast. Knowing that reading God's word at the start of the day can actually make your day a lot more joyful, peaceful and all around positive. Think of it has spending every morning in conversation and communication with your best friend. Wouldn't that put a smile on your face everyday.
Over two weeks ago my dh and I have begun our exercise routine together. I will admit it has been a bit out of order, but none the less it has been done everyday. Although my dh doesn't really need the weight lifting since he lifts boxes for 4 hours every morning. He still kindly works out with me so I am not feeling alone. I think that is the worst part about exercising, not having a partner to keep you accountable. It is not my sole goal or intent for us to loose weight, although that would make me and dh even happier, but rather to gain strength and become more fit to play with the children. I don't want my exercise to be about vanity. That is far too common in the world today. But rather give my body the discipline it needs to get into and stay in healthy shape. Eating right and drinking lots of water is also apart of making better choices and lifestyle changes that produce a healthy active fit person.
I have been also trying to get my mind more discipline and reading more helpful books that will encourage a healthy mind. I am also staying more mentally active with my sons and with different kinds of games and activities that help challenge and strengthen the memory and skill.
It is really encouraging to have my sons support my discipline of my mind, body and spirit. They love to join in on what ever we are doing, without even knowin it is shaping all of us into more disciplined people.
Here are a few verses about discipline:
Proverbs 15:32
32. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding.
Proverbs 23:13
13. Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
Hebrews 12:5-6
5. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6. For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.''
Revelation 3:19
19. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
I hope this may encourage all who read to look at their life and see if discipline is lacking in some area. If so, to be humble enough to let the Lord work within you to create a more self-controlled individual that he can use in a mighty way!
Here is a song about the fruits of the Spirit that our children love to sing : The fruit of the Spirit is Love, the fruit of the Spirit is Joy, with Peace, and Patience, and Faithfulness, Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness, then you add Self Control and that's what makes the fruit grow, cha cha cha!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Master Builder.....What are you building your life on?
Psalms is a great reference to see the heart of God. We know that David is the author of the Psalms. David was a man after God's own heart. So if we can read any one of the 150 chapters of Psalms we can get a glimpse of the Heart of God.
Lets look at one of my favorites; Psalms 127
1Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
There is a comfort in knowing the LORD is in the construction business. Not so much like the constructors of today. He just doesn't build buildings and houses. But great vessels for his usage. God builds families, lives that are formed together constructed for one purpose. His purpose. There is NO GREATER joy or comfort than to know God has a greater purpose for our lives and means to use us in any and all ways for his glory!
Consider why in verse 4 and 5 it refers to "sons as a arrow in the hand of a warrior" a tool that is of great importance for serving in the Army of God. Then "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full", a quiver is a basket or bundle holder which stores the spar arrows. As if to mean that a man needs many arrows for the task that is expected of him. If a man is blessed when his quiver is full, then how many arrows does it take to have a full quiver?
Does 1 qualify as a full quiver, probably not since one is singular. Which clearly the verse is meaning arrows in the plural sense. So if sons are like arrows in the hand of a warrior, what about daughters? I know that the idea of having more than 2 0r 3 children seems too much in todays mindset. But if we are believers called to a higher purpose, than we should follow God's lead NO MATTER the cost.
I know several families who have contemplated this exact issue. The final conclusion was to follow God in whatever size family he has designed for them. This decision is difficult if you do not know how God will provide the means to help care for and provide for your family. That is where faith w/out fear comes in to play.
This week I read Mathew 6 to my children. Concerning worrying about what we will wear or eat. God cares for the birds w/ out the birds sowing or reaping. Then about the flowers that are clothed by God, they don't toil or spin. Yet even King Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed as fine as the flowers of the field. Yet we have so little faith. What are we suppose to be concerned about? What are we to be seeking? Things that will not last or fade away? NO. We are to , Mathew 6: 33 " Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you."
Realizing that what is the most important thing to be chasing after is God's kingdom and his righteousness. Not the shallow material things we think are worthy of our time and effort. It is Mathew 6 :19-21 "Do not store for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Have you ever had anything stolen? How do you feel when you realize someone consider an item of yours worth something enough for them that they had to take it from you to have. Possessions no mater the item are not eternal. Things are not eternal, but a person can be. Sometimes we hold our valuables to close, and our relationships we throw away. We should be holding people close as in relationships or restoring relationships. A person has far more value to God than any possession.
My children learned this week that Jesus died on the cross for them (my sons are 6 & 4). It is so precious and touching to see their innocent understanding that Jesus bled for them. B/c of their sins Jesus died on the cross. A sacrifice that we do not deserve. It is really awing to witness little "arrows" sharpening before your eyes.
After all did Jesus count the cost when he died on the cross for us? He fulfilled his purpose to His Father by surrendering his life completely. I am convinced that If God is calling me to follow w/out fear and give my life unselfishly then so be it. I am more than delighted to obey even if it makes me and my family different from those around us. There is a higher price to pay if obedience is ignored.
My husband likes to say, "Obedience is Life". He couldn't be more correct. Obedience to God is Eternal Life. Are you obey God completely? Do you have Eternal Life? Ask me how and I will gladly point you in the right direction. Pointing you towards Heaven, that is.
Lets look at one of my favorites; Psalms 127
1Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
There is a comfort in knowing the LORD is in the construction business. Not so much like the constructors of today. He just doesn't build buildings and houses. But great vessels for his usage. God builds families, lives that are formed together constructed for one purpose. His purpose. There is NO GREATER joy or comfort than to know God has a greater purpose for our lives and means to use us in any and all ways for his glory!
Consider why in verse 4 and 5 it refers to "sons as a arrow in the hand of a warrior" a tool that is of great importance for serving in the Army of God. Then "Blessed is the man whose quiver is full", a quiver is a basket or bundle holder which stores the spar arrows. As if to mean that a man needs many arrows for the task that is expected of him. If a man is blessed when his quiver is full, then how many arrows does it take to have a full quiver?
Does 1 qualify as a full quiver, probably not since one is singular. Which clearly the verse is meaning arrows in the plural sense. So if sons are like arrows in the hand of a warrior, what about daughters? I know that the idea of having more than 2 0r 3 children seems too much in todays mindset. But if we are believers called to a higher purpose, than we should follow God's lead NO MATTER the cost.
I know several families who have contemplated this exact issue. The final conclusion was to follow God in whatever size family he has designed for them. This decision is difficult if you do not know how God will provide the means to help care for and provide for your family. That is where faith w/out fear comes in to play.
This week I read Mathew 6 to my children. Concerning worrying about what we will wear or eat. God cares for the birds w/ out the birds sowing or reaping. Then about the flowers that are clothed by God, they don't toil or spin. Yet even King Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed as fine as the flowers of the field. Yet we have so little faith. What are we suppose to be concerned about? What are we to be seeking? Things that will not last or fade away? NO. We are to , Mathew 6: 33 " Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you."
Realizing that what is the most important thing to be chasing after is God's kingdom and his righteousness. Not the shallow material things we think are worthy of our time and effort. It is Mathew 6 :19-21 "Do not store for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Have you ever had anything stolen? How do you feel when you realize someone consider an item of yours worth something enough for them that they had to take it from you to have. Possessions no mater the item are not eternal. Things are not eternal, but a person can be. Sometimes we hold our valuables to close, and our relationships we throw away. We should be holding people close as in relationships or restoring relationships. A person has far more value to God than any possession.
My children learned this week that Jesus died on the cross for them (my sons are 6 & 4). It is so precious and touching to see their innocent understanding that Jesus bled for them. B/c of their sins Jesus died on the cross. A sacrifice that we do not deserve. It is really awing to witness little "arrows" sharpening before your eyes.
After all did Jesus count the cost when he died on the cross for us? He fulfilled his purpose to His Father by surrendering his life completely. I am convinced that If God is calling me to follow w/out fear and give my life unselfishly then so be it. I am more than delighted to obey even if it makes me and my family different from those around us. There is a higher price to pay if obedience is ignored.
My husband likes to say, "Obedience is Life". He couldn't be more correct. Obedience to God is Eternal Life. Are you obey God completely? Do you have Eternal Life? Ask me how and I will gladly point you in the right direction. Pointing you towards Heaven, that is.
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