Encouragement

Clinging to this verse lately.  Praising Jesus for the hope He provides and asking for patience in the midst of our troubles. 

Click here to download a pdf printable of the verse above.

The Heart of Worship and Memory Verse

I love hymns.  Hymns are rich and deep in theology!  So often, people say that they can’t worship in a “traditional church” who just sings hymns, especially those in my generation.  Oh, but to really hear the words and to take to heart their meanings!  I love praise and worship songs, and prefer that style of music, but I have come to really love and appreciate the depth and beauty of hymns.

I’ve come to realize that the heart of worship is really about preparing your own heart to adore the Father.  You can’t control how well the choir sings, how well the band plays, or if others around you are worshiping, but you can control your own heart and mind.  Don’t allow yourself to just go through the motions at church, or to get caught up in the style.  Worship isn’t about a style, it is about the heart.  Worship is praising our God for who He is, and acknowledging our devotion to Him.  When you focus on this, instead of the style, you experience His presence in a new and fresh way!

We sang Take My Life and Let it Be at church yesterday, and it is one hymn that always brings me to a place of worship, the words are so powerful! 

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

 

Are we only, all for Him?  Are our hearts His royal throne?  Lord, take our lives and let them be, consecrated and set apart for You alone. 

 

My memory verse for the week is

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear”

 

When we are only, all for Him, that includes our words and tongue!  I desire for the words that come from my mouth to be edifying to those around me, and most of all glorifying to God.

Memory Verse

Last night after Jeremy's interview, I sat down with my Bible and turned to Psalms.  I read this verse, and knew it should be my memory verse for the week.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity"

Psalm 133:1

It is my prayer that as the search committee considers Jeremy for this job that they will have a unity about them and with us.  That we can be in one accord on the Lord's will for this position- if Jeremy is the right fit or not. 

Unity is essential for the church, and I have learned over and over that so many things can hinder that unity.  What a great reminder this verse is of the goodness and blessing of unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Memory Verse

I didn't get a chance to post my memory verse for the week on Sunday, but here it is: 

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness".

1 Timothy 4:7b

This verse has already been a help to me this week as I make food choices, and even just life choices. So many times we debate within ourselves about something that we know we shouldn't do, but we desire to do in our flesh. This verse is a wonderful reminder that we have to practice discipline and self control because the end goal- godliness- is much greater and much more satisfying that what is in front of us at the moment.

Memory Verse

"Commit your works to the Lord and your plans wll be established"

Proverbs 16:3

Memory Verse

Proverbs 16:9

"The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps."

Lord, help us to put our full trust in You as we wait for you to establish our next step

Memory Verse

This week's memory verse is to help me to remember the magnitude of the season of Christmas.  The long awaited Messiah was born so that He could die for my sins.  He is and always will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Memory Verse

This week's memory verse is one that I learned in high school but think I need to review again.  This verse is a great reminder of our need to be continually in prayer!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Memory Verse

I haven't done well the past two weeks keeping up with my memory verses.  But, I'm catching up!  Here is my memory verse for this week.  I love this verse because it is when David is crying out to God after he has been with Bathseba. 

Psalm 51:12

"Restore to me the joy of my salvation,

and sustain me with a willing spirit"

It is comforting to know that even David, a man after God's own heart, messed up sometimes and had to ask God to give him a willing spirit that can sustain him with joy because of the salvation God has lavished upon him and us.