Tag: Jesus

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

God the Comforter

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There is a great storm rising.  Can you feel it?  It’s a battle for God’s modern Jerusalem.   A spiritual battle rages in God’s created land – America.  The home of the free and land of the brave.  Since its inception, the United States of America has rested all its actions on a firm belief in the Almighty.  Every US State Constitution mentions God.  And although there have been those that want to erase this truth, believers have held strong.  Like all battles this one will destroy, it will maim, it will leave scars.  But God stands as our great comforter.  He is, as Paul writes in 2 Cor 1: 3-11. “The Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort.”  This “God of all Comfort” is waiting for us to turn completely to Him when we face the slings and arrows of those who would destroy us

I started following Sean Feucht on Instagram when he ran for office in California.  He is a worship leader and strong family man.  He loves God.  And his loss for a chance to hold a government seat did not stop him for what has turned into his greatest mission – to fight for those of us who want to openly worship in what has become a modern Babylon.  Through the ministry, Hold The Line, he and other pastors hold outdoor worship services up and down the west coast of the United States.  This weekend they went straight into the heart of beast – Seattle, Washington’s CHOP – an area that ANTIFA declared independent from the country.  They set up their microphones and instruments.  And hundreds of worshippers came to sing praises to the Lord.  And Satan showed up.  Satan worshippers marched around them.  People attacked the stage wielding knives.  Pregnant worshippers were cussed at and spat on.  The more the “opposition” screamed, the louder the singing became.  Because God the Comforter was surrounding the believers.  Their wall of bronze enveloped them and they sang.  And they were baptized and they surrendered to the one and only Higher Authority.  

Lest we think this battle is solely between believers and unbelievers the comments this organization gets from supposed believers is so disheartening.  Many seem to think that Caesar has been placed as head of the church.  The dictates about not being able to sing in California churches or how many people are allowed at church are deemed “worthy” by these church goers.  Their fear has taken over their minds as they’ve forgotten the only fear we need to have is that of God.  As for Sean and company, his trials are purposeful.  God is using him and his family and friends to show how complete reliance on God to protect and comfort us is our utmost goal.  His trials lead him to comfort others. We can learn of patience and endurance when we watch as he is attacked over and over and gets up each day to praise God.

This modern Jerusalem – a place on the hill for freedom of speech, religion, assembly – is worth fighting for.  In the history of the world there has never been a country created to give all citizens so much freedom and so much responsibility, and called it God-given.  As a devout Christian, I am commissioned to fight this good fight.  And I will be comforted by our Great Father during my times of need. May I learn endurance and surrender so that I can comfort others.

Are you experiencing trials related to your faith? Tell us how you’ve turned to God in the comments. I’ve posted one of the videos an anti-Christian took of the Seattle worship service. There is some foul language on this.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Always Faithful

krisshetter

Have you ever “waited for the other shoe to drop?”  I used to live my life out that way all the time.  If something was good, I was just waiting for it to go bad.  If something was bad, I was waiting for it to get worse.  I truly don’t understand how my husband has put up with me for 31 years.  If we got a nice tax return and decided to go on a trip, I just knew some extraordinary expense was going to come up.  My “buyer’s remorse” was legendary amongst my family.  It’s not surprising that my faith in God was at best lukewarm and at worst non-existent.

As I’ve learned and studied more about the character of God one thing stands out above all else – he is ever faithful and never changing.  Throughout the Bible He reminds us that He will keep His covenant with us.  He is the rock to stand on, the bronze wall to withstand attacks, and the fireproof blanket that keeps us from the flames.  Malachi 3:6 says, “I, the Lord do not change; So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”  But notice who does change: “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.”  All God asks of us, “Return to me, and I will return to you.”

Is there anything in your life that is so stalwart? No.  I can say that without even knowing you.  Our friends will disappoint us.  Our spouses will fail us.  Our families might even turn from us.  Our houses will crumble and our bodies will decay.  But God is always faithful, always present, always waiting for our return – with open arms.

I found this beautiful version of Take Me to The Rock that I hope you enjoy! When was there a time you felt God had left you only to realize the opposite had occurred? Share your praise in the comments below!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

The Rescuer

krisshetter

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for!”  That especially holds true when we sit in prayer with God.  At times he will, because we refuse to listen to his guidance, give us exactly what we’ve wished for – and realize it’s not what we needed.  Other times he gives us the exact opposite of what we’ve prayed.  And we realize it is exactly what we needed.  Charles Stanley’s Life Principle #9 is, “Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.”

God is our wise counselor.  He is the ultimate teacher and rescuer from ourselves.  Yes, from ourselves.  When we finally surrender to his will we look back over all the times we prayed for the wrong things.  A friend of mine shared with me the other day that she was looking back over her last six months of journal entries.  She was so convicted in what her prayers said.  For one, she kept praying to God to show her how to forgive someone; over and over and over she asked for guidance.  And then she came to the entry where she prayed that someone would forgive her, immediately.  She didn’t want that person to pray for six months about how to forgive her, she wanted it now.  She had to laugh at the glaring lesson God was putting in front of her.  “Yes, I want you to forgive immediately, not six months from now, not with some magic steps you need to learn, now.”

About four years ago I sat on the edge of my bed in tears.  In my conversation with God I told Him how I didn’t understand why I was so unhappy.  I was hosting a successful Bible study, I prayed and I went to church.  I recited all my “good Christian” actions.  But I was still in mental and emotional turmoil.  Suddenly a loud and distinct voice behind me boomed, “What have you really done?”  Now mind you, there was no one else home at the time.  I quickly looked behind me to an empty room.  I responded with a prosaic, “What??”  And from right in front of me the voice spoke, “Really, what have you done?”  It shocked me. Mostly because the conviction was true.  I was doing all the “right things” but I wasn’t doing the most important thing – surrendering completely to the Almighty.  And so, I got down on my knees and prayed for him to show me the path – no, pull me with both hands – out of the mud and mire of my life.  He rescued me at that very moment.  He started me on what I called God’s Boot Camp.

The same friend who shared her journal review asked me at the end of a long walk, “Why aren’t people adding their praise to your posts?” I responded by saying I didn’t really know – maybe people were quietly saying their own praises without feeling the need to post. Some people also reply to me personally. While others might do what I did before that fateful day on the side of the bed, they read and move on. You see God the counselor, God the rescuer can only be successful at his tasks when we intentionally obey him. I also shared with her that this 30 Days of Praise, unlike some of my other challenges I’ve opened to people, is really for me. And if someone wants to come along for the ride it makes it all the more fun.

What has God been counseling you on lately? What has he rescued you from? Share your praise for him today!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Praise At The Ready

krisshetter

Day 12

You never know when you will have the opportunity to share your faith.  God will place people in your lives that He wants you to share your love for Him.  We must always be ready.  And although you are not responsible for the path they eventually take, God calls us to take even the smallest part in that path. When my youngest was in college she became best friends with a beautiful, smart, funny young lady from Belgium.  They were field hockey teammates, roommates, and now lifelong friends.  We sent my daughter’s car out to her their sophomore year.  It gave them so much freedom to explore the St. Louis area and beyond.  

As my daughter grew closer to Christ through the Christian athlete organization Athletes In Action, she also began discipling other athletes.  But her best friend didn’t seem interested.  However, one of the many things they did have in common was their love of music.  I saw many a video of them driving along singing at the top of their lungs to a popular song while they cruised the streets of St. Charles, Missouri.  Their favorite was “Africa” by Toto which had experienced a renewal at that time. And while they played upbeat, fun, pop and country songs my daughter also played songs about her faith.  Beautiful Christian songs.  Songs that spoke of her love for Jesus.

One day her friend hopped in the car and said to her, “Play some of those good, sad songs.”  My daughter was confused.  Her Belgium friend, while fluent in English, had a funny way of using the English language with her French/Dutch accent.  She said, “You know, those Jesus songs.”  And my daughter was ready to serve in God’s name.

My daughter Madie (L) and her friend Rou (R) taking “Sandy”, her car, out for another favorite activity — milkshakes

I suppose many Christian songs may sound “sad” to some but so many of the lyrics speak to our deepest needs.  We express our longing and our hope through these “sad Christian songs.”  Most of my favorite songs fall into this category.  Music gives us a beautiful channel to lift up our voices to our Father to say, “I love you” or “I need you.”  We might also say we are hurting or we have been healed.  I have plenty of shout out loud “praise the Lord” songs in my “Inspirational” playlist.  But I frequently play the ones that tug at my heart.  

I have a friend that doesn’t want to go back to her church right now because they have decided not to play music and sing songs.  She has said, “I can listen to a sermon anywhere.  I miss the voices being lifted up to God.  I miss the worship.”  

Sometimes we need a good “sad” Christian song.  That beautiful expression of our love for God can bring so much love and peace to live in us.  I’d like to share with you one of those songs.  “You” by Fellowship Creative, shows the need for God our Father, God our Counselor.  It praises God for His ability to mend all brokenness.  I hope you enjoy listening to it.

What’s your favorite “sad Christian song” and who can you share it with today?  Let’s praise God with our beautiful (and not so beautiful ) voices.

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Gifts of Gold

krisshetter

Day 11

Have you ever stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon and found it was just too vast and too beautiful to fully take it in?  Maybe you’ve been other places and experienced that God- built gloriousness.  How do you picture God when you come to Him with your requests?  I’m a visual person so it helps for me to create a scene or a face when I pray.  I imagine God’s throne room to be so blindingly beautiful that one glance could never see all there is to see.  It’s a bejeweled palace whose floors are lined with silver and gold. And as I approach the King of Kings, he looks radiantly upon me.  A giant smile on His face, welcoming me.  Love exudes from His every pore.  I can’t help but be drawn forward. I just know that this King will shower me with pieces of gold and much more. 

King David frequently spoke of God as his King.  He looked to Him for gifts which only heaven can bestow. This psalm, by King David, was written while facing formidable enemies as he pled His case before God.

Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 

Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 

Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. 

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead. 

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you. 

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 

Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. 

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Lord God, King of Kings my covenant is secure in you because you are unchanging and your glory will prevail! How do you picture God’s throne?  Join the conversation and praise God today!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

The 3 O’s of God

krisshetter

Day 10

How often do you talk with others about your faith and God?  I once was in a Bible study where a wonderfully kind woman described talking about Jesus as an uncomfortable used car transaction.  You walk onto the lot wanting to browse and the used car salesman starts his schtick trying to get you to buy something you really don’t want. 

A few years ago, I had a profound encounter with Jesus which led me on my path toward a bold faith.  One of the “side effects” of this bold faith is how often I find myself talking about God with all sorts of people.  It’s through these conversations that I’ve seen varied views of God.  

Omnipotent God

One very close friend, who happens to be Catholic, pictures God as an altar. She’s currently seeking a more personal relationship with Him but for a long time God has been more of an authority figure. What I love about this God is He can move mountains. He can set the world back into order. He performs miracles the world couldn’t even imagine. God the King, the Lord of Lords – it’s who we press our faces to the ground in submission as we seek His grace and deliverance. It’s who we offer the only true gift we have, ourselves, as we approach His throne.

Definition of omnipotent

1:often capitalized : ALMIGHTY

2: having virtually unlimited authority or influence

Omnipresent God

I know a number of people who feel God’s presence constantly.  One woman, in her early 80s, told me He is always with her, like a friend.  She talks with Him throughout her day. He guides her with gentle touches.  He comforts her.  My sweet friend Janet, who I tease and call her Earth Mother, is finely tuned into God.  Her “God Antennae” picks up His signals through visions, feelings and dreams.  He is never far from her because she sees Him all around her – in nature, in people, in animals and in the every day.  The wonderful thing about this God is He never forgets me.  I am never lost.  He always knows where I am because I am always with Him.

Definition of omnipresent

1: present in all places at all times

Omniscient God

My friend Betsy and my mother-in-law Bev trust God completely.  That’s because they know God has a plan.  They know deep in their hearts that all things do truly work for our good and somehow, someday their prayers will be answered.  This omniscient God is above our thoughts.  He knows what we truly need, even when we think we know better.  This is the God who sent His son to teach us His ways because He knew we needed someone who had a “human experience” yet was without blemish.  Jesus intimately knows man’s ways and God’s ways.  In my current Bible study, there are two separate “life principles” which focus on obeying God.  #2 is: Obey God and let Him handle the consequences. #5 is: Obey God even if it seems unreasonable.  Why? Because God knows the ultimate outcomes.

Definition of omniscient

1: having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight 

2: possessed of universal or complete knowledge 

The three O’s of God –omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient – create one unimaginably powerful force.  This King, this Friend, this Teacher asks for two simple acts in return for all His gifts to us, to obey His Word and to return His love. 

“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – the Lord God Almighty is his name.”  Amos 4:13

Which God characteristic do you most identify with today? Join the praise conversation!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

He Can Do All Things…but fail

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Click on the photo to listen to song

Day 6

The thing about God is He is all things — comforter, healer, friend, guide, counselor, creator, and warrior. I have turned to Him for all these traits. But this year I am looking to Him to be my warrior. He has never lost a battle. And a battle is the only way I can describe what is going on in this world. A battle for the heart and soul of our country. A battle for who will sit firmly in our hearts and minds.

I love the t-shirt a friend of mine wears to the gym sometimes — “United States, Two Time Undefeated World War Champs.” I think about the strength of character and belief that we were on the side of God during those horrific wars. So many lives lost to fight back against evil. Those wars, and others, would not have been won without the work of our Lord fighting in the spiritual realm. When you read the history of various battles within those large scale wars you will find what some would call “luck,” while others would call it the hand of God intervening to help turn tides in the Allied’s direction. Cathal J. Nolan teaches military history at Boston University. In an article about war titled, “Wars Are Not Won by Military Genius or Decisive Battles,” he wrote, “Modern wars are won by grinding, not by genius.” He further states, “Winners absorbed defeat after defeat yet kept on fighting, overcoming initial surprise, and terrible setbacks.” Sounds about like 2020.

How can we keep fighting back the evil that wants to surround us? How do we find the endurance? Only through God and His Holy Spirit living and working in us and fighting in the spiritual realm. I pray boldly for God’s warrior spirit to intervene in our culture, our politics, our everyday lives so that we come out the other end undefeated. God as warrior is who I praise, who I know will stand at the gates and keep evil at bay. The slings and arrows of this world cannot touch me with Him as my shield.

Here are the words to this great song:

NEVER LOST

Miracles when You move
Such an easy thing for You to do
Your hand is moving right now
You are still showing up
At the tomb of every Lazarus
Your voice is calling me out
Right now, I know You’re able
And my God, come through again
You can do all things
You can do all things but fail
‘Cause You’ve never lost a battle
No, You’ve never lost a battle
And I know, I know
You never will
Everything’s possible
By the power of the Holy Ghost
A new wind is blowing right now
Breaking my heart of stone
Taking over like it’s Jericho
And my walls are all crashing down

What trait are you praising God for today? Join the Praise Challenge and share it with us in the comments!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

His Love Endures Forever

krisshetter

Day 5

Have you ever struggled with what to pray? Or whether or not you are praying “correctly?” Or even if you are praying for the right things to happen in your life? My BSGs are doing a study by Charles F. Stanley called 30 Life Principles. Life Principle #1 is:

Our intimacy with God — His highest priority for our lives — determines the impact of our lives

30 Life Principles page 3

That intimacy comes from knowing God through studying His Word and being in constant conversation with God. So when I started asking myself those questions I was told to simply, “pray the Word.” And, if you’re looking to praise God, there’s no better place to start than the Psalms. I love Psalm 118 but some of the wording just didn’t seem appropriate for my modern times. I took the psalm and made it my own with just a few changes. I hope you enjoy it.

Prayer Based on PS. 118

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  

His love endures forever! 

In my anguish I cried to you Lord, and you answered me by setting me free.

You are with me Lord and I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

The Lord is with me; you are my helper.

I will look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man.

All my enemies surround me but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.

I was pushed back and about to fall but you, Lord, helped me.

You are my strength and my song;

You have become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory resound in my household;

The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

The Lord has chastened me severely,

But he has not given me over to death.

Open for me the gates of righteousness;

I will enter and give thanks to you Lord

I will give thanks for you answered me;

You have become my salvation.

You have become my capstone.

The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in my eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Oh Lord save me;

Oh Lord, grant me success.

Blessed am I who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Lord is God and you have made your light shine upon me.

You are my God and I will give you thanks;

You are my God and I will exalt you.

I give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

Your love endures forever!

Do you have a favorite Psalm? Share it in the comments or any other words of Praise you have for God today!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement, Uncategorized

Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow

krisshetter

DAY 2

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

About 22 years ago I started regularly attending church. As my husband’s family was Presbyterian, we decided to also join our local Presbyterian church. This Doxology, as it is called, was sung after every offering. I wonder how many of us sing songs like this from rote, forgetting the true meanings in the lyrics? How many of us, while repeating Bible verses, reciting proclamations of faith (like the Apostle’s Creed) or responding to the pastor, go through the motions without remembering or even realizing their purpose? That’s how I started viewing the Doxology. You give your money, then you stand up, the music starts, and you sing these four little lines. Amen.

When I paid attention to the words I realized what a great, quick way to send up praise throughout the day. All my blessings flow from God. All of us here on Earth should praise Him at every moment possible for those blessings. He is above all. And lastly, I praise the work God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit performs in, with and for me all day. I’ve been singing this song quietly for the last few days in my head. I haven’t sung it in church or heard it sung for probably about 7 months. But when I started thinking about different ways to Praise God, this old hymn popped up in my head. And so, I decided to look into the background of the lyrics.

This excerpt is from Carl Price’s One Hundred and One Hymn Stories about when these lyrics, also known as the Doxology, were sung at an infamous Civil War prison:

The doxology of praise to the Holy Trinity was written by the Rev. Thomas Ken (1637-1710), whom King Charles II once made a chaplain to his sister, Mary, Princess of Orange. Ken was so courageous in his preaching at court that the king often said on the way to chapel: “I must go and hear Ken tell me all my faults.”

Bishop McCabe said that while the prisoners of the Union Army during the Civil War were incarcerated in Libby Prison*, day after day they saw comrades passing away and their numbers increased by living recruits. One night, about ten o’clock, through the darkness they heard the tramp of feet that soon stopped before the prison door, until arrangements could be made inside. In the company was a young Baptist minister, whose heart almost fainted when he looked on those cold walls and thought of the suffering inside. Tired and weary, he sat down, put his face in his hands, and wept.

Just then a lone voice sang out from an upper window, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”; a dozen joined in the second line, more than a score in the third line, and the words, “Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” were sung by nearly all the prisoners. As the song died away on the still night, the young man arose and sang:

“Prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus dwell with me there.”

* Libby Prison was a Confederate prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the overcrowded and harsh conditions under which officer prisoners from the Union Army were kept.

Hymn Story taken from One Hundred and One Hymn Stories by Carl F. Price; Hymn 78, page 86.

Please join me in adding any of your favorite hymn lyrics or excerpts, prayers you repeat in church or likewise. If something else in Praise is on your heart go ahead and add it!

30daysofpraise, christian encouragement

Bless The Lord

krisshetter

Day 1

This is not the praise song I intended to start with. You see, I looked at this beautiful video and then moved on to others. But every single time I tried to copy the other URLs into this post this video kept getting copied instead. A few dozen frustrating times later I realized something — duh, God wanted me to send this out to you. Praise the Lord!

He’s asking me to remind all of us of the gifts He wants us to enjoy:

  1. He’s rich in love
  2. He’s slow to anger (thank goodness)
  3. His heart is kind
  4. He works for our good
  5. He is strong for us when we are weak
  6. He is there for us when the sun comes up and when the sun goes down

So yes, we have these and 10,000 more reasons to sing like never before to the Almighty King; to the one who sent His Holy Son to save us from our sins. Thank you God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Please join me in praising God today with a comment, prayer, song lyrics, poem or whatever you wish to lift up to Him.