CASTING CROWNS Prayer at the end of this song:
God thank you so much that you are a daddy to us. So much of our time as believers, we can get lost in thinking that you are just a book that we read, a goal to reach, you're a place that we go to each week, you're a lifestyle, you're some sort of worldview. We can't lean on a worldview, we can't cry to a book. You're a Father, a good good Father. And you're not loving us because we're good. You're loving us because YOU ARE GOOD. God the more we sing, and the more we pray, just remind us, this is a conversation with a Person, that loves us, that knows everything about us. God use every breath that comes out of us, every word, every note that we could ever sing is yours. Thank you God that you're the One. In Jesus Name Amen
Every single one of my breaths hurt deeply. As I lay here with pain in my lungs, I think about each breath. I hear many people talk about their steps they take each day on their fitbits. Think with me for a minute: Imagine each of your steps as each breath, but you never stop walking. That's what God has given you. I am aware of every breath that I take and it is miserable. I can't stop breathing. But God gives me each breath. He's reminding me that He gives me every single breath, and they are all His. I cannot control my breathing even if I try. The only time I have been able to gain relief has been in my sleep. But my God does not sleep or slumber. He continues to give me each breath, even throughout my sleep. I know that God is showing me this to show you. The pain is so hard and so real, but I lean on Him for help. I lift my eyes up to the Lord.
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip--
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you--
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
After I copied this verse to my post, the next song came on from Casting Crowns. It's called "Praise You In this Storm". It fits, right? Well, as I'm singing with them, I sang the lyrics:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
SAME SCRIPTURE
NOW THAT'S GOD!!
Who would have ever known that out of the entire Bible (and the words are small, right?), this specific verse would come in the next song?!
If you are searching for Him, search the Scriptures. It is there that you will find Him. Jesus is the Word.
John 1:1-5 and verse 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
If you are wondering about my suffering and how I glorify God through it, then again search the Scriptures:
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
I can just keep on posting Scriptures!! But you get it. I suggest starting in Matthew. You can skip the genealogy. The purpose is the evidence (fulfillment of prophecy from the Old Testament) that Jesus is descended from David (see verse 1 above).
Lyrics to Good Good Father:
I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like
But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And you tell me that you're pleased
And that I'm never alone
You're a good good father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only you provide
'Cause you know just what we need
Before we say a word
You're a good good father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
Because you are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways
You are perfect in all of your ways to us
You are…
In Jesus Name
Amen