The Choice

February 16, 2014 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

Mark 10:21-22
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,
“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up thy cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Good Teacher, What Must I Do?
© 2012 Suzanne Davis Harden

“Good Teacher,” said the young man,
“What must I do to be saved?”
And Jesus looked in His eyes
He loved the young man He’d made.

And Jesus looked in His eyes,
Though rich, the man was a slave;
Now seeking the things of God;
Jesus loved the man He had made.

And Jesus looked into His eyes
“And so you seek to be saved…”
Keep the commandments of God—
All of the ones He gave…”
The young man stood up tall
And He looked at the Lord with pride,
“I’ve kept them all from my youth,
Yes, since I was a little child.”

And Jesus peered in His eyes,
Looked deep in His very soul,
“One thing, My son, you lack,
And then you’ll be made whole.”

The man looked up at Jesus,
His eyes a puzzled stare,
“Give all you have to the poor, My son,
Then follow Me everywhere.”
Trade your earthly riches
For those you cannot see…
Let go of all you have, My son,

And come and follow Me.
My son, come follow Me,
And give to Me your life,
And I will meet your every need;
I’ll never leave your side.
Don’t trust in what you see,
Don’t trust in what you have;
Trust in One who gives good things
To those with faith to ask.

My love will carry you
Down every path you take;
I’ll carry you to heaven,
Your heart I won’t forsake.”

The young man looked at Jesus,
Then sadly walked away.
He would not trade His riches
For the Savior’s path of faith.
He would not trade His riches
For the heart of Jesus’ love,
And He walked away from Jesus
Choosing wealth over God above.

Illustrations
“Christ and the Rich Young Ruler”~ Painting by German Painter Heinrich Hofman (1824-1911)
“For He Had Great Possessions” Painting of Rich Young Ruler by George Frederick Watts (British Portrait Painter 1817-1904)

The Importance of God’s Word

February 13, 2014February 13, 2014 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.” ~Psalm 103:1

Bless The Lord

Oh my soul, thank the Lord
For all He gives to me;
He forgives all of my sins
And heals all my disease.
Thank you Lord,
I’ll praise you Lord,
For all eternity!

Thank you, Lord, you crown my soul
With love and You redeemed
My life with Jesus’ precious blood;
You saved and set me free.

Oh thank You, Lord, for loving me
Oh bless the Lord, my soul!
You gave to me eternal life,
I’ll praise You evermore!

Bless The Lord
© 2014 Prayer Song S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD’S WORD

The prayer song “Bless The Lord” was inspired by Psalm 103, a psalm that King David wrote.
It’s one of my favorite Psalms. Some of my favorite verses from this psalm are beautiful promises from God that have been etched in the minds of believers for thousands of years~ ever since David first penned the words:

Psalm 103:11-12, 17 (ERV)
“God’s love for His followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth.
And He has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.”
“But the Lord has always loved His followers, and He will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants…”

These words comfort and encourage me at all times. God asks us to learn the promises in His word and then to hide them in our heart like precious jewels that we would want to protect from thieves. Because there is a thief, Jesus told His followers, whose sole mission is to “steal, kill, and destroy…” (John 10:10) And his target is God’s precious children.

Jesus said that the devil is “a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) Deceit is the main weapon he uses for stealing God’s precious promises from His people. He was successful with our first parents in the Garden of Eden by directly challenging God’s word to Adam and Eve. The serpent said to them, “Yea, hath God said?” (Genesis 3:1) Then he lied about God by twisting His word. ( Genesis 3:4-6) He succeeded in stealing Paradise from them through his power of deceit.

God’s word says: “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” ~ Hosea 4:6

Jesus told a parable about a sower who sowed some seed. He said the seed was the word of God. He said the seed will only produce fruit depending upon where it lands.
In Matthew 13:19 Jesus said, “The seed that fell by the path…is like the people who hear the teaching about God’s kingdom but do not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what was planted in their hearts.”

It is very important that we regularly study and meditate on God’s word. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
If we don’t hide God’s word in our hearts, when trouble comes our way, or any time of suffering or trial, it will be very difficult to maintain our faith or gain any understanding or insight into our experience. We will also become easy targets for false teachings. (Deceptions)

We can never know God’s truth unless we study it for ourselves. Jesus gave us this beautiful promise: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)
As we hide God’s word in our hearts our faith will grow. We will grow closer to our Lord Jesus. We will become stronger spiritually. Then, no matter how dark the night, no matter how fierce the storm, we will be able to sing with David who suffered many severe trials, “Bless The Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me bless His holy name…”

Thank You Heavenly Father, for Your measureless love towards us. We would not know You apart from Your word or apart from Your Holy Son Jesus Christ, the living Word of God. Thank You for filling us with Your Holy Spirit who teaches us how to understand Your word and helps us obey You. We love You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Importance of God’s Word” © 2014 S.D. Harden “Bless The Lord” Prayer
Song © 2014 S.D. Harden All Rights Reserved. Angelsong © 2014
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Lord, Fill Me With Your Light

February 9, 2014February 9, 2014 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

Prayer for Being Filled With Christ’s Light

Lord, help me follow Your Light today,

Let Your Light be in all I say,

Let Your Light be in all I do,

Lord, let my heart reflect from You,

Your holy love, Your peace, and joy,

Let my life shine for You, Lord!

Oh Jesus, Light of the world, my Friend,

Fill me with Thy Light and send

My heart, my mind, and all my being

Into the world Your light to bring,

Your Truth in all You do through me

From now until eternity.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God Will Take Care Of You

February 2, 2014 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

“If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You.”~ Psalm 139:8-12

Wherever we are on our journey, God is there with us. He knows our every need. He who measures the sand on the shore and calls all the stars by name, knows where I am at every moment and the words I am going to speak before I even open my mouth! (Psalm 139:4)

Even in difficult times God’s word assures us that He will provide for His children:
“Once I was young, and now I am old.Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25)

God’s love for each of us is measureless. He demonstrated His amazing love by sending His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross for our sins so that we might know Him and gain eternal life. He loves us as a Father loves His little ones:
“God’s love for His followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth.
And He has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is as kind to His followers as a father is to his children.” ~ Psalm 103:11-14

God will take care of us. We may not have all we want in this life, but God will always provide everything His children need. He will never fail or forsake us in any moment of our life.
Jesus said, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!
Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need.”
~ Psalm 34:8-9

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to always provide for us. You have never let a single one of Your children down and You never will. When we are tempted to worry, help us to recall all the times when You have been faithful and have come through for us. May we ever praise You! In Jesus’ name. Amen.