Waiting On The Lord

April 10, 2017April 10, 2017 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 2 Comments

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ~ Revelation 3:20

When Miss Phee, our little Yorky, was a puppy, she would sit up on the edge of our bed every morning the minute she heard my
husband Mark in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
She loved to eat breakfast with him. Mark would feed Miss Phee bits of his oatmeal while he ate his breakfast. Our dog loved this special treat and the time they shared together.

Most of the time, Miss Phee would sit quietly on the edge of our bed and wait patiently, trusting that any minute Mark would come for her. Every so often if he didn’t show up soon enough, she would start whining ever so softly.

My little dog was not worried about annoying me, mind you. No, Miss Phee’s chief concern was that I might wake up and horn in on her private breakfast with her daddy. Ha! 🙂

Sooner or later Mark always came to reward her faith in him by gathering her up in his arms and carrying her to the kitchen for their special meal together.

Sometimes though, Mark would be running late and had to rush off to work without his breakfast. That meant no special Breakfast time with Phee. Somehow it was just not the same when I fed her breakfast, so whenever she couldn’t have her special breakfast time with Mark she would pout for the rest of the day and refuse to eat. 😦

I think of the parallels between Miss Phee’s morning meals with Mark and our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that we must abide in him and spend time with God each day
in worship and prayer.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Abiding in Christ is the same as eating at our Lord’s table, feeding on His word and allowing his Holy Spirit to teach us His wisdom and truth.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ~Matthew 4:4

Even as Miss Phee wanted Mark all to herself in her morning quiet time with him, the Lord wants us to come to Him without any distractions. He wants us all to Himself, coming into His Presence without our cell phones, IPads, IPods, or video games, novels, or our work on our minds or whatever distracts us from His heart.

Anything that takes God’s place in our hearts is a rival for God for our affections and is an idol.

That thing might be something that seems so innocent and even good, like our job, a hobby, or even our ministry. But if it takes our time and attention away from God, and replaces our affection for God in our hearts, it is an idol.

Examine me, God! Look at my heart!
Put me to the test! Know my anxious thoughts!
Look to see if there is any idolatrous way in me,
Then lead me on the eternal path! ~ Psalm 139:23-24 (CEB)

We draw closer to Christ and abide in Him through regular times of worship, prayer, and bible study. Often in those times, we must wait on God as Miss Phee waited for Mark to come get her each morning. We must learn to wait in faith on God by abiding steadfastly in prayer and worship.

There may be seasons in our journey with the Lord when God seems distant. We may feel as if He is ignoring us when things we’ve prayed over for months or years go unanswered without the slightest ray of hope that things will ever change.

At all times God asks that we trust Him and wait and walk by faith, just as little Miss Phee always waited in eager expectation for Mark to come for her, so certain that he would come. Even though he was sometimes delayed, she never stopped believing and hoping the next day that he would come for her. She was absolutely confident that he would not forget about her, would not disappoint her faith in him. And eventually he did show up again~just like she hoped and believed!
I always thought, if only I had the faith and trust of my little Yorkie!

Psalm 130:5-6 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.”

We must be still before the Lord, contemplating His mercy and majesty, as we come to Him in faith, believing that we will receive what we need from Him in prayer.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (NIV)

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)

God is our creator, He is omnipotent, meaning He is all-powerful. He is in control
of all things.
God is omniscient: He knows all things, He knows all about us, He knows all our
needs before we even ask.
God is omnipresent: He is everywhere present. Wherever we are, God is there.
And by His spirit, God lives and dwells within us.

God cherishes us, He cares very much about us. God feels all of our pain, since He
indwells us through His Holy Spirit.
God wants to share life with us. He says in the book of Revelation, “Behold
I stand at the door and knock; if any one will open the door I will come in and I will
share a meal with him. “

Just as Miss Phee and Mark would share a meal and have their special time
together, God wants to have a special time with us every day, He wants us to be
excited about it just as Miss Phee was excited about her time alone with her daddy.

God will never fail us. He

delights in our fellowship. It is sacred to Him. May it be as sacred to us.

For it is a great honor to worship and serve the Sovereign Lord of the Universe.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please give us hearts that delight in worshiping and serving You.
May You give us hearts that will wait on You in faith and that will love You with all of our being, thank you, Lord, in Jesus name, amen.

Angelsong © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Original Photos of Miss Phee & Mark from Suzanne Harden’s Photos/ Illustration of Jesus Knocking via Google/ Scripture Quotations: King James Version (Public Domain), Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible, New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Story Of The Song “Oh Holy Night”

December 20, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

(Lord) Everything remains today in keeping with Your laws, for all things exist to serve You. ~ Psalm 119:91 (The Voice Bible)

The Story of the Song “Oh Holy Night”

Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure (1808 to 1877) was a wine merchant who lived in a small French town in the 19th century.

He enjoyed writing poetry and had developed a local reputation for his poems.

In the year 1847, the local Parish priest asked Placide if he would write a Christmas poem for the Church’s Midnight Mass Celebration of Christ’s Birth.

Although not known as a god fearing man, or as one who attended church regularly, Placide must have been honored by such a request, for he agreed to write the poem.

Once he’d finished “Contique Noel” he asked his friend, the composer Adolphe Charles Adams, who was well known for composing ballets, to create music for it so that it could be sung by the congregation.

Although neither Placide nor Adolphe were Christians (Adolphe was of Jewish ancestry), these two men somehow created and composed one of the most beautiful Christmas Carols of the Christian Faith; one that especially brings great glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ…

*To Read the rest of this fascinating story, please follow the link to my music website.

http://www.peacefulprayersongs.com/messages_of_hope/the_story_of_the_song_o_holy_night

The Story Of the Song “Oh Holy Night” © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture References: The Voice Bible © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc., New Living Translation Bible © 2015 Tyndale House Foundation/ Art by Suzanne Davis Harden © 2016 All Rights Reserved.

I Am The Lord That Healeth Thee

May 9, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

“…for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” ~Exodus 15:26

I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE

I am the Lord that healeth thee,

Thy wounds I will make whole

I bore thy sickness and thy pain,

I mend thy broken soul.

As far as the east is from the west

Away I cast thy sins

Washed in the river of Jesus blood

I remember them not again.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,

I bore all of thy wounds

Upon My cross of agony,

I suffered death for you.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,

I heal all thy disease;

The sickness of thy soul within,

The root that is unseen.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,

I heal in My own way,

I’m the Healer of thy soul,

Thy body too one day.

Someday I will make it new

And it will know no pain,

No sickness and no suffering

No sorrow, sin, nor shame.

And I will wipe away thy tears

In that eternal Day.

Nothing is impossible

For Those who will believe;

God is whispering to thy heart,

I’m the Lord that healeth thee.

Healing Scriptures

“…for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” ~ Exodus 15:26 (KJV)

“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’” ~ Jeremiah 30:17 (RSV)

“Bless the Lord, my soul, and never forget any of his benefits: He continues to forgive all your sins, he continues to heal all your diseases…” ~ Psalm 103:2-3 (ISV)

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, and he was crushed for our iniquities,
and the punishment that made us whole was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed.” ~ Isaiah 53:5 (ISV)

“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” ~ 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV)

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your only begotten Son to die on the cross to bear our sins so that we could be forgiven and redeemed; our spirits forever healed and made whole, holy, and pure in Thy sight by His blood sacrifice.

Thank You that Thy righteousness is not something we ever have to earn, because we cannot. We can never make ourselves whole or healthy spiritually by being good enough or by doing good works. Thy word reveals that our souls are born with a sin disease. This is why You sent Your Son, to heal our diseased souls, our sin sick spirits.

Because of our sins our bodies are subject to sickness and death in this life. But when we give our hearts to You, You heal our spirit and soul, You recreate us into the image of Thy Son and we are born anew. You heal the sin sickness we were born with by giving us a new heart. The blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes us whole.

You not only heal our spirits, You can heal our bodies in every kind of way, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. You are not limited in how You heal. You can heal when healing seems impossible. For nothing shall be impossible for You who created all the stars and number all the sand!

Thank You, Father God, for Thy promise that someday in Paradise You will give us a new body that can never be made sick again, will never sin again, nor have sorrow, or pain.

Thank You for Thy promise in this life of total spiritual healing. Thank You that it is a free gift of grace to all who will simply believe You for it. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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“For I Am The Lord That Healeth Thee” ( Prayer Poem) © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Butterfly Scripture Painting by Suzanne Davis Harden (Photo Frame by Avery ): Scripture Verses: Revised Standard Version Bible; International Standard Version Bible, King James Version Bible, New King James Version Bible, Angel Song © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

God’s Faithfulness

April 21, 2015April 21, 2015 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden ~ 2 Comments

God’s Faithfulness

Psalm 36:5-7 (ERV)

“Lord, your faithful love reaches to the sky. Your faithfulness is as high as the clouds.Your goodness is higher than the highest mountains. Your fairness is deeper than the deepest ocean. Lord, you protect people and animals. Nothing is more precious than your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to you.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Thy faithfulness and mercy. Thy word promises that Thy mercies toward us are renewed each morning. Martin Luther wrote in his famous hymn, “And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, we will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us.” Lord, Thy Truth~ Thy very own Holy Spirit within us will never leave us nor forsake us throughout our sojourn on this earth. Lord Jesus, thank You for Thy holy Presence within us, Thy strength and Thy grace to see us through every trial. No matter what furnace we may find ourselves thrown into, You will be in it with us protecting us from the flames. Lord, You have promised in Isaiah that though we walk through the fires the flames shall not harm us. And You keep every promise forever. Thank You, precious Creator. Help us to keep focusing on You, Lord Jesus Christ and not on the evil all around us. Help us to cling to Thy words, “In this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Please Bless each soul reading this prayer with renewed faith and hope today and rivers of peace and comfort. Scatter all their fears and anxieties to the four winds and draw them ever closer to Thy heart. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen & amen.