The Cherished Of The Lord

May 29, 2017May 29, 2017 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

THE CHERISHED OF THE LORD

The cherished of the Lord

Shall dwell within His heart,

And God shall cover them with grace

And from them not depart.

They shall dwell between

God’s shoulders like a child,

And there shall they find peace and hope

Through every stormy trial.

God who robes Himself with light

And dwells in clouds above,

Will hide them from the wind and rain

And shield them with His love.

The cherished of the Lord

Will ever sing God’s praise

Extolling Him who gave them life,

They’ll worship Him always.

Psalm 68:4 (KJV) “Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.”

Psalm 104:1-3 (ERV) “My soul, praise the Lord! Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with glory and honor. You wear light like a robe. You spread out the skies like a curtain. You built your home above them. You use the thick clouds like a chariot and ride across the sky on the wings of the wind.”
Deuteronomy 33:12 (KJV) “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.”

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, may You bless all who read this prayer, poem, and bible verse to know that You cherish them beyond anything they could ever imagine.

Your word says that Your thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand by the sea in Psalm 139: 18, and Psalm 40 says You are always thinking about us.

You don’t ever forget a single one of us though sometimes we may feel forgotten in our pain, loneliness, trial, or whatever challenge we may be facing. You are with us. The Bible is true.

Isaiah 49:16 reveals that You have engraved a picture of us on the palm of Your hand and that “our walls” are ever before You. You see all our needs and the challenges that we are facing. You will never fail or forsake us.

You love us without measure and that love is unconditional. You forgive all our sins and wash them as far away from us as far as the east is from the west according to Psalm 103: 12.

That same Psalm declares: “The Lord has always loved His followers and He will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:17 (ERV) Lord, thank You for Your great love for each of us!

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy, and for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins so that we could be saved and given eternal life with You. We love You. In Jesus name, amen.

Angelsong © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. “Cherished Of The Lord Prayer Poem” & Scripture Painting © 2017 SDHarden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Quotations from The King James Bible (Public Domain) and The Easy To Read Version Bible © 2006 Bible League International; Paths of Hope, He Loves Your More By Far, © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. All Glory To God

Make A Joyful Noise

February 20, 2017 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

Make A Joyful Noise

In my 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, “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 Bible)

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, are incompetent to do, or that we might fail in.

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

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.

Each one of us are very important to God’s plan, though we might not realize our importance to God this side of eternity.

We may feel awkward, unsteady and clumsy like the flute player in my painting. But we must walk by faith, 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 15:16

May it be our prayer to have a willing, faithful heart that will humbly obey the Lord, no matter what He asks of us each day.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of my life, and that You created me to be just exactly the way You wanted me, and that when I am myself, I glorify You. Thank You that I bring You great joy when I am satisfied with who You created me to be and believe all the wonderful things that You say about me and not listen to doubts and fears. I love You, Lord! In Jesus name, amen.

“Make A Joyful Noise” Original Fine Art Print Is Available in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/257925019/original-art-print-make-a-joyful-noise

“Make A Joyful Noise” © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Angelsong ©2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture References: King James Version Bible/The Message Bible: Copyright 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson All Rights Reserved./ New King James Version © 1982 Thomas Nelson All Rights Reserved. / New International Version 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.

Our God Is Coming

October 29, 2016 ~ Suzanne Davis Harden

OUR GOD IS COMING

Our God Is Coming!

Soon our God is coming

Oh see the Holy One!

The Alpha and Omega,

Christ, God’s only Son.

His glory covers the heavens

His praise fills all the earth

The stars all bow before Him

Who made the universe.

Light shines all around Him,

He wears a robe of stars;

His hand is full of power~

Our everlasting God.

He is the Lord Almighty

Who loves all that He made

He’s coming back for His redeemed;

For all the souls He saved.

The Alpha and Omega

Who rides the Heavenlies

He’s coming back to claim His own

For all eternity.

Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42

maranatha (1 Cor. 16:22)

Maranatha consists of two Aramean words, Maran’athah, meaning, “our Lord comes,” or is “coming.” Maranatha was a greeting often used by believers in the early Church who eagerly watched for and awaited the return of their Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord admonishes His disciples to watch and wait for His return in many of His parables and sayings. We are to always abide in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be ever watching for His return. The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-3,

“ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (ESV)

Jesus said to His disciples that wherever are treasure is there are hearts would be also. (Matthew 6:21)

If Jesus is our treasure, then our eyes and our hearts will be on Him and we will be abiding in Him regularly. (John 15:4)

PRAYER

Heavenly Abba Father, please draw our hearts ever closer to You and to our Savior Jesus. Help us to abide always in Thy word, and fill us more and more with Thy Holy Spirit. May we always be ready and watching for the day when Thy Son returns, for no one but You, Abba Father, knows that day, nor the hour. In Jesus’ holy name, thank You, Lord, we love You, amen.

“Our God Is Coming” (Prayer Poem ) © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Illustration ~SD Harden/ Scripture Reference © ERV Bible Translation / Angel Song © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. All Glory To God!