exalting the LORD

DEAR GOD: A Song Of Joy And Grace In My Heart~

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A Song of Joy and Grace In My Heart

In days of light and days of night, We lift our praise unto the height. With hearts that sing and voices raise, We glorify the LORD, our praise.

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” – Philippians 4:4

With steadfast love and boundless grace, His light doth shine upon our face. In valleys deep and mountains high, The LORD our God is always nigh.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1

With every breath and every thought, Thy wondrous works our hands have wrought. In humble prayer and joyful song, We worship thee, to whom we belong.

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1

Reflective Questions – Thoughts for the Day

  1. In what ways can you experience and express the joy of the LORD in your daily life?
  2. How can you demonstrate Christ’s love and grace to those around you, both inwardly and outwardly?
  3. Are there areas in your life where you can trust more in God’s guidance and provision?
  4. How can you deepen your relationship with Christ through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word?

Exalting and Following Him Inwardly and Outwardly

To exalt the LORD inwardly, we must cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility. This begins with daily meditation on His Word, allowing scripture to permeate our thoughts and guide our actions. Prayer is a vital practice, through which we open our hearts to God, share our burdens, and seek His wisdom and grace. In times of both joy and trial, we should always turn to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and love.

Inward transformation also requires self-examination and repentance. We must be honest about our weaknesses and sins, seeking God’s forgiveness and striving to align our lives more closely with His will. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we become more attuned to His presence and guidance, experiencing a deeper sense of peace and purpose.

Exalting God outwardly involves living out our faith in tangible ways. This means loving our neighbors as ourselves, showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Our actions should reflect Christ’s love and grace, serving as a testimony to others. We can engage in acts of service, whether through volunteering, helping those in need, or simply being a source of encouragement and support to those around us.

Additionally, we can use our talents and resources to further God’s kingdom. This might involve participating in church activities, supporting mission work, or using our skills to create and share uplifting and inspiring content. By doing so, we become instruments of God’s love and truth in the world.

  Prayer and Blessings

“LORD-Heavenly Father, we have hearts full of gratitude and praise. Teach us to number our days and to seek Your wisdom in all things. Fill us with Your joy and grace, that we may shine Your light in this world. Guide our steps, strengthen our faith, and help us to love and follow Christ more deeply each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

May the LORD bless you and keep you; may His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May His presence bring you peace and comfort now and always.  

Living in the Joy of the Lord - Know HIS Ways

 

DEAR GOD: Be Thou Exalted My LORD~

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I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
Psalm 57:9-11

 

 

 In the quietude of our hearts, we find solace in the ancient words of Psalm 57. As the psalmist lifts his voice to the heavens, we too join this timeless chorus—a symphony of praise that echoes across generations. Let us delve into the depths of these verses, seeking wisdom, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to exalt God in our lives.

 “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.”

Reflective Questions:

  • How often do we share our faith openly with others?
  • What does it mean to praise God “among the people” and “among the nations”?
  • Are we willing to be vessels of His praise, regardless of our circumstances?

Takeaway Thought:

In a world often divided by language, culture, and borders, our praise can bridge gaps and unite hearts. Let us sing boldly, proclaiming His goodness to all who will listen.

 “For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.”

Reflective Questions:

  • How do we experience God’s mercy in our lives?
  • What does it mean for His truth to reach “unto the clouds”?
  • Can we trust in His unwavering faithfulness even when storms gather?

Meditative Input:

Imagine standing on a mountaintop, clouds swirling around you. His mercy envelops you like a mist, and His truth pierces through the fog. In every trial, His promises remain steadfast.

Moral Views:

Mercy and Truth: The psalmist juxtaposes God’s mercy and truth. Mercy extends beyond our deserving, while truth anchors us in His unchanging character. As Christians, we strive to embody both—showing compassion to others while standing firm in His Word.

Exaltation: To exalt God is more than mere praise; it’s a posture of the heart. We lift Him high, recognizing His supremacy over all creation. Our lives become living hymns, harmonizing with the celestial choirs.

Meditative Takeaway:

As Christians, let us ascend the mountains of faith, our hearts attuned to the LORD, His Word, promises and His Heavenly symphony. In our words, deeds, and quiet moments, may we exalt the One who holds all things in the palms of His hands and knows our every longing.

 

Closing Unified Prayer:

“Dear LORD -We gather as a chorus of souls, our voices rising like incense. Your mercy, vast as the Heavens, cradles us. Your truth, unyielding as the clouds, guides us. Today, we exalt You above all earthly concerns. Grant us courage to praise You openly, sharing our faith without hesitation. May our lives be anthems of love, sung in every language, across every border. As we journey through life’s peaks and valleys, may Your mercy enfold us, and Your truth illuminate our way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

May these verses and devotional be a lantern for your soul, illuminating the path toward exalting God in every season of your lives… 

DEAR GOD: Thank You for Your Generosity~

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For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will set me high on a rock. 

Psalm 27:7

The generosity of the LORD is unmeasured, and nothing can compare to His Holy and pure Spirit in all things exemplified by His Presence.

I remember one time, about oh…40 years ago or so. Ron and I were going through some financial hardships.  We did the best we could to scrap by (as most people probably have) and we were living paycheck to paycheck.  At this point in time, we had an unexpected expense that would cost $750.00. We were baffled and tried to figure things out. Then something came to me. What about all of my broken earrings that are completely useless?  And several earrings I had lost leaving only one behind!  I brought them to a place that took old broken items of gold. And the owner was a Christian by the way…melted them all down. And guess what the amount came to?Come on, say it with me. Guess how much?

You got it, $750.00 on the nose!  Amen!

God will supply all of our needs. You just have to believe and keep the faith. He delivers on all of His promises. He never will let you down in the process. Nor will He desert you in the interim. Amen!

Well. After we paid off that unexpected expense. We donated and gave to local charity.  When we did someone stopped us and said, “you just won a TV!”  Our TV had stopped working, and we no longer owned one. Not that TV was a big part of our lives then or now. It’s just we didn’t have one any longer. Yet here was GOD again.  The prize was from a raffle to raise money for missionary workers.  We had forgotten all about it.  Well, the money was raised for the seven missionary Doctors, and then some. And we won a TV in the process!  How amazing is God?  How generous is He? Amen!

Can you think of a time when God offered you help in a situation, and generously answered your prayers? How did you react? Have you shared it with anyone along the way, giving Him glory and praise?

We cannot outgive God!  He will open the windows and flood you with a surplus, when You surrender, obey and have faith in Him and His ways, God will react in kind.

There are so many other stories I can share with you about How good God is.  It would take an entire lifetime to do so. I can’t remember a single time where I haven’t felt God’s Presence and goodness.

He is a kaleidoscope of lights, shapes, sounds, all pleasant and definitely good!

  • With God is our corner, how can we lose?
  • With the LORD near us, of whom shall we be afraid?
  • God is everywhere. And everywhere is God.
  • The smallest crevice of existence…to the most magnificent in life.

Generosity is an extension of who He is. One side of a multi-faceted God who stands on all He says. And does all He promises.

Hold on to Him. Embrace Him. Because God is our lifeboat and our breath of support throughout our existence here on earth and beyond.

Can we all agree to agree about God and His undefiled and pristine Spirit and character? Amen!

“Father, Thank You for Your generous acts throughout my life, and for all of the mercy You have continuously shown to me, which essentially is Your love, and support, may I be ever mindful of Your heart and be thankful all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”