"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah"

Picture from "Peaceful Moments for Women" Facebook page.

“Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,

Feed me till I want no more.”

Have you had your fill of Jesus?  The Bible?  I don’t think it’s possible to get to the point where you don’t want to read or hear anymore. R. G. Huff, author of “Hymn Lines” agrees:

“Is it possible for Christ to feed us to the point of wanting no more of His nourishment? Can we gorge ourselves on the truth of who Christ is until we say, ‘that’s all I can take?’ Somehow, I don’t think so.”

From the very beginning, when we were saved and became a child of God, reading, learning and hearing about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit will never get to a point where we’ve had enough. Never. Not if Jesus is our Savior and God our Father. It’s silly even to consider that.

“Feed me till I want no more” will never reach that point in a child of God. There are so many resources for us to learn from with the Bible being the first. The hymn book of songs that tell the Gospel story. Sunday School quarterlies that continue to teach. Books from saints of old that fill you with all God does for His children. Study videos from saints still living that continue to teach you more.

Our thirst for heaven’s food is never satisfied. Because it’s our life. John 6:33 says: “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: “Christ shows that He is the true Bread; He is to the soul what bread is to the body, nourishes and supports the spiritual life. He is the Bread of God. Bread which the Father gives, which He has made to be the food of our souls. Bread nourishes only by the powers of a living body; but Christ is Himself living Bread and nourishes by His own power . . . He is the Bread which came down from heaven.”

Enduringword.com: “We might paraphrase the reply of Jesus like this: ‘What other work will I do? This is the work: to give you the Word of God and eternal life in and through Me. This is the spiritual bread you must feast on to have life.’”

How thankful we are to continually be fed and nourished by Jesus. He’s right in front of us. He’s everywhere. All we have to do is apply ourselves and we will be fed. And His food is eternal!

By His Grace . . . 

"I'd Rather Have Jesus"

 

Refrain:

“Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway.

I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.”

There really isn’t anything in this world that compares to our Mighty God. There’s many distractions. There’s many glimpses of riches and happiness. There’s many possibilities that might turn out good. But there isn’t anything better than God.

We turned to anything and everything before we became children of God. Some things seemed to work in our favor, at least for awhile. Good job . . .  good friends . . . good marriage . . . happy life; until it wasn’t.

Then one day we heard about a loving God who wanted our life. As bad as it was. He wanted us to come to Him. And, thankfully we did.

It’s not perfect. Afterall, we do live in the world. But we now had something the world didn’t. Hope. And hope makes all the difference.

With hope we can continue through each day knowing that no matter what happens we are covered by the blood of Jesus and loved by the God who created us. We have Someone who always works for our good and helps us through anything and everything that happens in our life.

We may have lost relationships with family members or close friends when we became children of God, and they caused pain and hurt in our life, may still do. With God’s help we learn to live through that pain and trust Him to work good out of those situations. They may never be restored. Even so, what we have gained in being God’s child is far richer and better than any relationship we lost. And God continues to hear our prayers for those individuals.

Yes, I’d rather have Jesus and the hope He provides. Trusting in His control of my life and looking forward to the eternity to come. 

"I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today."

By His Grace . . . 

"Open the Eyes of My Heart"

 

“Open the eyes of my heart Lord,

Open the eyes of my heart.

I want to see you.

I want to see you.”

One thing new Christians can tell almost immediately is that their eyes have been opened in a way they’ve never seen before. Nature is one area that I noticed in a new and different way when I became a Christian.

Another thing I realized is the joy I felt each time I went into the house of God. Something so strong and bold happened to me that I rejoiced in the house of God. God opened my eyes.

This praise and worship song was inspired by Ephesians 1:18: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

I like the words: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.” That’s what happens when you become a Christian. A new world captures your attention. It’s a thrilling thing to experience.

The writer, Paul Baloche, describes the spiritual intent of his song: “The essence of the song is our petition, asking God to open the eyes of our hearts. . . I began to realize that it is not more teaching we need, but a revelation of God and a crying out to Him, saying, ‘God, open the eyes of my heart. Reveal to me how I might taste and see who you really are so that I might be changed from the inside out. Help me to have a response of gratitude and admiration, and a sense of awe and worship toward Jesus.’” (Terry, 2008)

The next verse phrase follows:

“To see you high and lifted up,

Shinin' in the light of Your glory.

Pour out your power and love,

As we sing holy, holy, holy.”

Isaiah 33:10

“Now will I arise,” says the Lord. “Now will I be exalted; now will I be lifted up.”

Godsbless.ing: “'Now will I be exalted’ and ‘Now will I be lifted up’ both highlight God’s supremacy, power, and sovereignty, demanding recognition and reverence.”

We are given something very special when we become Christians. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, to see all things new!

By His Grace . . . 

"Our God Has Made Us One"

 

“Our God has made us one,

His glory is displayed.

For as we build each other up,

Our love becomes His praise.”

We are to build each other up. What does that mean? Helping each other grow in knowledge of God. We need each other as we walk through life serving God. We need encouragement to stand tall in the faith we believe. Christian brothers and sisters and friends need to support each other and help one another to live lives worthy of our God.

Love is the result. Love for each other. Love for God. A strong fellowship of believers bring praise and honor to God when we live lives to bring Him glory.

Romans 15:2

“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

Scripturesavvy.com: “Paul encourages us to ‘build them up.’ Building up someone means nurturing their potential and helping them feel strong and empowered. It involves providing support, encouragement, and perhaps even correction when necessary. Each of us possesses unique gifts, and when we help others identify and develop those gifts, they can flourish in ways they may never have imagined.”

When you recognize a gift in someone tell them. One, it encourages them. Two, it confirms what God has given them to do. Three, it helps them accept the work God has given them with the abilities God has given them.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Bibleoutlined.com: “Encouragement is a vital element of our faith journey. It serves not only to uplift individuals but also strengthens the collective body of Christ. The call to build each other up is not merely about offering compliments but is a deeper, spiritual endeavor that fosters resilience, hope, and unity among believers.”

Godsbless.ing: “We become a beacon of light in each other’s lives, offering hope and inspiration in times of darkness . . . Let’s be beacons of encouragement, shining brightly for all to see . . .  We can be a source of strength and support for one another, creating a community that is grounded in faith, love, and unity.”

I like the words “beacon of light.” It’s like being a lighthouse for other believers so they grow in their faith.

“For as we build each other up Our love becomes His praise.” We need each other. Let’s praise God in unity.

By His Grace . . . 

At the Cross

 
Baby leaves coming soon to a town near you!

“At the Cross”

Refrain:

“At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!”

Do you remember the moment you first saw the light? Was it during a church service and the words spoken became real? Maybe it was while you were reading the Bible and all at once you knew. Or did someone speak with you and in your heart believed?

A great and heavy burden was lifted. You believed at that moment and suddenly your eyes were opened. You haven’t been able to contain your joy since that moment.

Psalm 146:8

“The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.”

Godsbless.ing: This declaration speaks to the divine power and compassion of God to bring sight to those who are physically blind but also metaphorically blind to the ways of God. This act of opening eyes is not just about physical sight but also about spiritual enlightenment and understanding. Throughout the Bible, sight is often used as a metaphor for understanding and perceiving God’s truth.

Psalm 68:19

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”

Godsbless.ing: This verse beautifully reminds us of the constant presence and care of the Lord in our lives. When we feel weighed down by the challenges and worries of the world, we can find refuge in the knowledge that God is carrying our burdens for us each day. It emphasizes that we are not alone in our struggles, and that the Almighty God is there to support and uplift us. Isn’t it comforting to know that we have a divine source of strength to lean on during difficult times?

At the cross, where it all began.

By His Grace . . .

"Lord, I Lift Your Name On High"

 ““Lord, I lift Your name on high.

Lord, I love to sing Your praises.

I'm so glad You're in my life.

I'm so glad You came to save us.”

I’m so glad the Lord is in my life. I always have a feeling of HOPE; a knowing that He is with me, and the confidence of His presence to see me through each day.

I am glad because I’m never without HOPE. HOPE always abides inside of me. Whether I am happy or sad, His HOPE outweighs all feelings. It covers me with a protective shield and carries me through each day.

Psalm 42:8

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.”

Christianitypath.com: “Psalms 42:8 teaches us about the unwavering presence and faithfulness of God in our lives. This verse highlights how the Lord commands His lovingkindness during the day, surrounding us with His grace and mercy. In the moments when darkness falls, it reminds us of the comfort that comes from His song in our hearts, guiding us through the night. Here we can see that God is both a keeper of promises and a provider of solace. We are invited to bring our prayers and concerns to God, who is our life source . . . The verse invites a picture of hope and reassurance—it reminds us that no matter how dark our circumstances seem, we are never alone, for God walks with us every moment.”

The writer of this song, Rick Founds, provided these words to its writing: “One particular day, during my devotional period, the Lord impressed on my heart that Jesus' work on our behalf was a cycle of events. Christ came from heaven to earth, to show us his way to the heavenly Father. He went from the cross to the grave, and by doing so paid our debt to God - in full. He rose from the dead three days later and shortly after that occasion went from the earth to the sky, making the cycle and our salvation complete. That, essentially, is the message of the song."

The opening lines of this praise and worship song above are followed with this message:

“You came from heaven to earth to show the way;

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;

From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky,

Lord I lift Your name on high.”

This praise and worship song has a lovely melody that perfectly weaves the words together, and it is a joy to sing.

I'm so glad You're in my life, Jesus. 

By His Grace . . .

"O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go"

 

“O Joy that seekest me thru' pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow thru' the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.”

During our most difficult times of pain and sorrow, Jesus helps us. Just the thought of Him brings peace. We open our hearts for Him to enter and He replaces our pain with His calm.

It’s hard. Pain, whether for an hour or years, is difficult to live through each day. It hurts. It steals happiness. It closes us up.

Yet the mysterious presence of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, comes and brings peace to our mind and heart. If your heart is living with Him, He will always fill you with His joy and His peace.

Even when you cry, calling out to Him secures His presence in your mind and helps you deal with what you are going through. If you are depressed, just knowing that Jesus cares and works in you, makes the days go by easier.

You must have deep-settled confidence in Him to realize His presence in your life.

A rainbow can be found through pain. The colors are there if you open your eyes and believe. Sorrow may not go away. Pain may continue to hurt. But confidence in your loving God makes a path for you to walk. It’s real. Faith makes it visible.

Psalm 126:5

“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”

Enduringword.com: “With wisdom the psalmist reminded himself and all of us that great joy is often preceded by a season of tears, as if they are seeds we sow that will bring a crop of joy to be later reaped . . . Tears truly sown in faith will bring in time a true harvest of rejoicing, as if the reapers held heavy sheaves of grain. This is a powerful and great promise that our tears and sorrows need not be wasted but can be sown for a joyful harvest received in a better season.”

Godsbless.ing: “The phrase ‘Those who sow in tears’ acknowledges the harsh realities of suffering and adversity, recognizing the existence of profound sorrow and anguish in life. It symbolizes enduring hardships while clinging to faith and hope amidst trials. Conversely, ‘Shall reap with shouts of joy’ promises a future metamorphosis where sorrow is transmuted into exultation, signifying that our struggles will pave the way for a brighter, joy-filled tomorrow. The vivid imagery of ‘shouts of joy’ underscores the magnitude of the happiness and relief that awaits us.”

“O Joy that seekest me thru' pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee." Our God is the one we turn to in every circumstance of our life. Sometimes He is all we have. The good news is, He is all we need.

By His Grace . . .