Lord, Help Me Learn

God-resists-the-proud-copy

“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matthew 18:1-4

Lord, Help Me Learn

Lord, help me learn that to be great
One must be least of all,
And go into their prayer closet
And spend much time with God,
Laying down their lives,
Seeking Jesus’ face
Bearing other’s burdens
In God’s secret holy place
Seeking to put others first,
Content to be obscure,
Exalting Jesus in all things
With a heart that’s pure.
Obscurity, humility
Is greatness in the eyes
Of the Kingdom of our Lord,
The Lord God Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ holy name, amen.

Lord, Help Me Learn © 2016 SD Harden (Prayer Poem) All Rights Reserved.

Pray-In-Secret

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that You love each of us without measure and will never reject anyone who comes to Jesus for salvation. Help us to love one another as You love us, to see each other through Your eyes of mercy, compassion and acceptance. Help us to obey the one commandment Thy Son left us, to love one another as He loved us, to lay our lives down for each other, to bear each other’s burdens. Help us to remember His words that others will know we are Christians by our love for each other. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen and amen. 

“Lord, Help Me Learn,” (Prayer Poem) © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Pics, designed by SD Harden, Bible Verses King James Bible Version; Angel Song, © 2016 All Rights Reserved.

Put On Your Spiritual Armor

PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD

Dear Friends,

The following message was written by my friend Deborah Mac Manes. It’s an excellent meditation on Paul’s metaphor about our spiritual armor that we need to wear daily for, as the apostle writes in his epistle to the Ephesians, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood.”

___________________________________________________

 Debby’s Message

 Scripture tells us that a Roman guard was stationed with Paul in his prison cell. Paul must have seen this guard put on his suit of armor many times, which is why he wrote the metaphor about winning the spiritual battle with spiritual armor.

 STAND THEREFORE SOLDIER PIC

I would like to elaborate on my, daily, prayer with a more in-depth meaning behind each piece of armor:

 I wear the helmet of salvation to filter my thoughts … The spiritual battle begins with a thought that enters our mind. If it is an evil thought and we dismiss it, we have won that fight. If we retain the thought and dwell on it, we are entertaining Satan’s whisper. Finally, if we act upon this evil thought, Satan has won this particular battle, we have sinned, and we have grieved the Holy Spirit who dwells inside of us. The helmet of eternal salvation is to protect our thoughts right from the start.

 I put on the breastplate of righteousness to protect my heart … The old testament High Priest would wear a breastplate of judgement. Inside this pouch were two stones called the Urim and Thummin that he would, sometimes, use to determine God’s will. Since Christ is our Lord, Savior, High Priest, and King, our breastplate is of righteousness in Christ Jesus and our hearts are protected in Christ Jesus from this unbelieving and evil world.

 I am protected by the shield of faith from the flaming missiles of Satan .., Satan attacks us with fiery darts and our steadfast faith in Christ Jesus is the shield that protects us against anything that he is allowed to throw at us. We need to fight the good fight of the faith.

 I carry the sword of the Holy Spirit, the Word of the living God … A sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon. We carry the sword of the Scriptures or Bible which is God’s Word. We need to live and breathe God’s Word so that we will be strong and effective in helping to save souls, along with strengthening the souls who have been saved. We need to be able to wield the ‘truth’ in whatever direction the Lord leads us. We can, only, do this with a firm understanding of His Word.

 I am belted with truth and righteousness, to glorify you, Holy Father, while walking in the Gospel of peace … Our fight is a spiritual one; not physical. The bible tells us to live a quiet and peaceful life, and we are to mind our own business. Our responsibility in this life is to walk in the shoes of peace and be the light of the world. We are to carry His teachings in our minds and hearts, spread and abide by His Word wherever we go, and give all glory and honor to our Holy Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. All glory to Him!

BE STRONG IN THE LORD

 The author of this message, Deborah Mac Manes, is a bible study teacher and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. As captain and founder of the Spiritual Elegance Team, she moderates this online ministry group which is part of the Etsy marketplace. Deborah is the creative artist and owner of Designs by DM Candles located at designsbydmcandles.etsy.com.

Put On Your Spiritual Armor © 2016 Deborah Mac Manes All Rights Reserved. Soldier Illustration © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Angel Song © 2016 All Rights Reserved.

True Stories Behind The Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul

JESUS NAME

True Stories Behind the Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”  ~Nahum 1:7

 Charles_wesley pic

The hymn “Jesus Lover Of My Soul” was written by Charles Wesley, an English hymn writer, poet, and preacher who lived from 1707 to 1788.

One of the greatest hymn writers of the Christian tradition, Charles Wesley penned over 6ooo hymns.

“Jesus Lover of My Soul” is treasured as his finest hymn and has been translated into almost every known language.

Though it was first published in 1740, it was not until after Charle’s had died that his beautiful hymn became well known and loved.

Many stories abound regarding the inspiration for the hymn.

According to one story, in the late fall of 1736 on his way back from a brief sojourn in the United States, the ship that Charles was on got caught in a terrible storm.

Ship in Violent Storm

He and the rest of the passengers must have endured a horrible trial of sheer terror and uncertainty.

Author Kenneth Osbeck writes….
Continue reading “True Stories Behind The Hymn Jesus Lover Of My Soul”

Make a Joyful Noise

 

WM-Make-a-Joyful-Noise

In my digital painting “Make A Joyful Noise” the flute player’s hands are large, and seem clumsy as she plays her instrument.

In God’s word, the Psalmist tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. It does not matter whether we are talented singers or musicians. He just says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord…” Psalm 100:1

God loves each of us. He created us to worship Him just as we are with whatever skills and talents we have.

It brings God joy when we accept ourselves for who He created us to be. We honor Him when we don’t compare ourselves with others. We may feel clumsy and awkward, as if we don’t measure up in some way, but God says, “Make a joyful noise!”

Jesus said,  make a joyful noise“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” ~Matthew 5:5 The Message

In my painting, the Flute Player is playing her flute anyway, even though she seems unsure, unsteady, with her large awkward hands.

Sometimes God will ask us to do something that we don’t feel we have the right skills for, or are incompetent to do, or that we might fail in.

God asks us to trust Him, to walk by faith. “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

walk by faith

He asks us to believe His word that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

 He asks us to trust in the power of His grace to help us with every challenge.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and asked him to lead His people out of slavery from Egypt, Moses was filled with excuses as to why he was the wrong man for this assignment.

But God assured him that it was His power that would do the rescuing and that all Moses had to do was walk by faith, trust God and be obedient to all God asked of him.

This is all God is asking of each of us. He might not be giving us the huge responsibility that Moses had, but He does give each of us assignments throughout our lives. Each one of us are very important to God’s plan, though we might not realize our importance to God this side of eternity.

When God told Joshua to lead His people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, He said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9

Fear Not I am with You

 Each day that we live we have opportunities to sow seeds of light and love in our Lord’s Vineyard. He will show us His will if we will listen to Him. And if He gives us an assignment that seems too difficult, remember Moses. Remember Joshua. Remember His promises: “I will be with you wherever you go…” It’s not by might, it’s not by power, but it’s by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

We may feel awkward, unsteady and clumsy like the flute player in my painting. But we must walk by faith and trust God and obey Him and do whatever He asks of us anyway.

For in the end, He will make a lovely song out of our joyful noise we have made unto Him whether or not we were competent in the thing He called us to do.

For God does not base His calling on our talents, skills, or appearances. All He asks is a willing, humble and faithful heart.

Jesus said, “You did not choose me. I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit—fruit that will last.” John 16:16

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, may we have willing, faithful hearts that will humbly obey You no matter what You ask of us, in Jesus’ name, amen.

_____________________________________________________

 “Make A Joyful Noise” Original Digital Painting © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Pictures via You Version Bible App

 * High Quality Resolution Prints Are Available of “Make A Joyful Noise” in my Etsy Shop at Wings Publications on Etsy: Follow the link for more information

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WingsPublications