KEEP SINGING TO THE LORD!

Sing to the LORD a new song. Psalm 40 tells us a new song can flow from divine grace. 

A Psalm also filled with steadfast love references motivating worship!

Think praises. An overflowing fountain. 

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Tune my  Heart to Sing Thy Grace".

Even an old familiar hymn can wash over us with renewed vigor (loud shouts, Psalm 33:3) when we add our personal praise lyrics to it.....or a lyre, a harp of 10 strings. (Psalm 33:2.)

Singing is worship! Keep singing even if others carry a tune better than you. (For me, it's sweet Pat, from Tampa who summers in the mountains & carries a beautiful tune as she sits beside me on the back row.) 

 

Singing from the heart is the key and delights the LORD!

Keep singing! Let the Lord's steadfast love be upon you! (Psalm 33:22)

TTT---SO IMPORTANT!

TTT........Trust the Truth!

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when your rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

AMEN!

"When our children are ignorant of the past, they will have no hope for the future. (Warren Wiersbe, p.391)

ROOTED IN LOVE!

Rooted in Love!

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love an founded securely on love, (Ephesians 3:16-18, AMPC)

A former FEC pastor familiar with the writings and struggles of Anne Lamont, sometimes would quote her, without endorsing all she says. That's what I'm doing here.

• Love is a root system. (p. 8)
• Love is compassion. (p. 9)
• Love is what our soul is made of, and for. (p.10)
• Love is a piece of toast and a diamond. ((p. 10) Think either. (DAL)

Shared love, rooted in Christ, with other believers is a reflection of God's love. (John 13:34-35) Think fellowship. Genuine love for one another that mirrors Jesus' love. Being there for each other during hardships and struggles. Over a piece of toast or a cuppa tea. For a few minutes or an hour.

Love is an action!

Love is rooted in the Father's Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

FORWARD IN FAITH!

Go forward in Faith.

Remember, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." (Dave Hawes)

Choose the way of faithfulness (Psalm 119:30)

DUSTING OT DEUTERONOMY TO FIND NT QUOTES!

As Mark describes Jesus' teaching about the greatest commandment, He includes Deuteronomy 6:5 which Matthew's account omitted---possibly because Matthew's readers would have understood this but Mark's Gentile readers probably would not. (Thomas Constable Mark notes, soniclight.com Mark's words indicate loving God completely.....in every way, with all aspects of one's being....beginning with heart as the control center and with strength including all the one's bodily powers. (Grassmick, p.164)

"Dust off" Deuterononomy 6:5 and find the source of Mark's words. 

I did.              

GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE!

Sing for Joy in the LORD (Psalm 33:1).......

Rejoice in the LORD,

Sing to Him a new song; (Psalm 33:1,3) *

Why?

...the word of the LORD is upright,

...His work is done in faithfulness.

...the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

...Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

The Words are His. Make the melody yours.

SING! SING!! SING!!!

*The Lord had me in Psalm 33 yesterday---the result was this entry.

At bedtime last night I listened to First Evan Church service and heard a few choir members  read aloud these very words. God had me here ahead of time where He wanted me.

An affirmation of sorts. Much Needed. That was my God Wink! I wanted to "Shout for joy in the LORD!" (ESV)

DUSTERONOMY

A recent sermon by ABC elder Mark Andrews, in Texas on the fruit of the Spirit....focused on the aspect of faithfulness. 

The opposite of faithfulness is forgetfulness. Pithy with a punch! 

I'm still musing on it. One cannot remain faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, if they forget who He is! God's son. Our sovereign Savior!

Emphasizing how the faithful love the Lord and serve others, he used reminders from Deuteronomy of the same truths.

He encouraged listeners to explore one of the most quoted and alluded to OT books in the NT. (Allusions are important but can be difficult to measure) 

Narrowing it down to the top 3, I became interested in Deuteronomy as earlier, Mr. Andrews had used the term, Dusteronomy. Being more familiar with Psalms and Isaiah, I decided to "dust off" the verses of Deuteronomy and ask the LORD for contextual clarity as I begin to study this 5th and final book of the Pentateuch! 

Emphasis loving God and serving others.

When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus, in Mark 12:30 cited Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." 

Seems like a good place to start my dusting!

CLOSET COLLECTION!

Drizzly beginning to the day. Three tries to procure the right clothes for a much needed early (9am) morning walk. 

Decision making is not my strong suit. Emotional struggles can be more difficult than physical. How does one dress appropriately for each new day? Regardless of the weather or emotions?

Therein lies the question! 

The correct answer was a spiritual one. 

"Put on" a new self. Wear the clothing of Christ---humility and love each new day.

When one seeks the things above, one's mind becomes set on things above, appropriate apparel for all days. 

When I opened my closet door I had affirmation on the chest inside.

God's got this!

FRIDAY FOCUS!

This week my prayer focus has been for many who are battling medical maladies, especially cancer, individually or alongside their spouse and unexpected difficulties.

May the Lord continue to be their counsel and refuge as I shared with several of them. 

Psalm 16:8 emphasizes one's intentional focus on God as a source of His Presence granting protection.

To focus on a particular verse I use Bible Gateway with the verse citation.

 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2016%3A8&version=ESV

At that point, I have access to read the full chapter for context or select the verse in all English translation. For me, that adds depth to my focus.

Over 50 versions are listed. If I don't understand the abbreviation, I can click on it and the source is shown.

Today's jottings showed me positional differences as well as outcomes which have become today's "Friday Focus"! 

I am the one doing the setting---continually (AMP & NASB), 

always keeping eyes on the LORD (NIV)--sounds like focus.

The word for LORD in all caps, Jehovah (ASV, YLT), ADONAI (CJB, TLV) & Yahweh (NOG)

Why keep the LORD set before me at my right hand? 

So I am not shaken. (ESV, NASB +) I am not moved. (18 versions) I will not slide. (GNV) I will not be defeated. (ERV) I will not be upset. I will not stumble or fall.  (TLB) I will not be hurt. (ICB)

I will be protected from fear. (CEV) I will stand firm. (ISV) I will always be secure. (NIRV)

FOCUS! FOCUS!! FOCUS!!!

PRAYER CHAIR PROMPTS!

SCRIPTURE PROMPTING PRAISES!

He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

PRAISES for a LORD who keeps us close to His heart!