Songs Have a Way of Encouraging Others

This week I woke up to this great song. I had not really noticed it before, but this morning - I heard it and instantly thought of a good friend who is going through a rough time and doesn't really know how the next few months will go- so many varibles and even the best case scenario is rough waters for sure. I was thankful that God blessed me with hearing this song so I could pass it on to her.

Songs have a way of really encouraging those going though a rough time. When I was going through Chemo a friend sent me Mandisa's song "Overcomer" I hadn't heard it before and it was just what I needed to hear. Many times that song lifted my spirits. Even when I hear it now I am encouraged.

I hope this song blesses and encourages you. :O)





[Verse 1]
You're able to do it
I know You can
'Cause God You are faithful
To move again
This mountain it seems big
But I know You're with me
So Jesus I'm grateful
Until the very end

[Chorus]
I can hear Your voice
Singing over me
I'm free indeed
I can feel Your power
Washing over me
And I'm free indeed

[Verse 2]
You are my Saviour
So I won't fear
'Cause I know You got this
Your power's here
You are my breakthrough
You're making all things new
So I praise You forever
To You I sing

[Chorus]
I can hear Your voice
Singing over me
And I'm free indeed (Yeah)
I can feel Your power
Washing over me
And I'm free indeed

[Bridge]
For God is on the throne
He is in control
Reigning over all
He is powerful, so powerful
I lift His name
And I give Him praise
So He'll make a way
He is powerful, so powerful

[Chorus]
I can hear Your voice
Singing over me
And I'm free indeed
I can feel Your power
Washing over me
And I'm free indeed

[Outro]
And I'm free indeed
I'm free indeed

Healthy Tidbits

Fever is it good or bad? Many times when we have a fever we rush to take something to bring the fever down - but I think that if we understand what the fever is for we may rethink what we do when we have one. Read the quote below to see what I mean.

This quote is from Gunther B. Paulien , Ph.D book The Divine Prescription and Science of Health and Healing

Fever Burns Bacteria and Impurities With Heat 

Fever is one of the body's own defense mechanism created and sustained for the deliberate purpose of restoring health. The high temperature of a fever speeds up Metabolism, inhibits the growth of the invading virus or bacteria, literally burns them with heat and accelerates the healing process. Fever is an effective protective healing measure not only against colds and other simple infections, but also against serious diseases such as polio and cancer.

Have You Ever Imagined Yourself There?

I love going to camp meeting. They used to have it every year in a little town nearby, but then for 5-10 years or so they did not. But about 3-5 years ago they started back up again. And I am so very thankful that they have.

During Campmeeting they have the big meetings every night, but they also have some seminars during the day. One year they had a seminar about how to get the most out of your Bible. And one of the things that they suggested is that when we are reading a Bible story to imagine ourselves being there and what we would be thinking and feeling. Yesterday's quote is the one that reminded me of learning that technique.

Christ’s disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day after a short absence from their Lord, they found Him absorbed in supplication. Seeming unconscious of their presence, He continued praying aloud. The hearts of the disciples were deeply moved. As He ceased praying, they exclaimed, “Lord, teach us to pray.” {COL 140.1}

And to be honest - it is what helped me understand how imagining yourself being present during the stories in the Bible - helps with you gleaming a larger picture of the situation. When you imagine yourself there - you then can think of what questions you might have or how you might be feeling. It opens up another dimension of understanding the Scriptures. There is so much that we can learn from the Bible - if we will just take the time tot study for ourselves and to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. 

Anyway I just wanted to share that idea. And I am hoping that I will remember to take the time to do it more often myself. What awesome insight can I gleam by doing so?! 

They Were In His Presence

As I was reading the chapter titled "Asking to Give" in Christ Object Lessons - I noticed something I had not realized before.

Christ’s disciples were much impressed by His prayers and by His habit of communion with God. One day after a short absence from their Lord, they found Him absorbed in supplication. Seeming unconscious of their presence, He continued praying aloud. The hearts of the disciples were deeply moved. As He ceased praying, they exclaimed, “Lord, teach us to pray.” {COL 140.1}

Had you ever thought about the disciples having the privilege of being in the presence of Jesus as He prayed? I had never thought of that before. As I read the above paragraph I found myself wishing I could have been there that day. That I could have heard Jesus pray to His Father. How different must have been the prayer that Jesus prayed than of the prayers that the disciples had heard before- for them to ask Jesus to teach them to pray. 

Just a few things to think about. There are so many layers of things in the Bible for us to ponder and to learn. May we continue to seek to learn more and understand deeper. As we study the Word of God may we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us and to help up better understand what we are studying. He is willing and able! 

Another thing to think about is the fact that Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer. How much more important is it that we spend time in prayer? 

My Best Deal

So I haven't posted much in my series - My Best Deal. To be honest I haven't really found very many awesome deals lately.The well seems to have dried up recently. But today I wanted to share about my latest Best Deal.

About a month ago I found what I think is a great deal!

Max Lucado book and the leather bound journal that goes with the book. I paid either 50 cents each or 1/00 each. Either way - I think that is an awesome deal. Especially since we just started studying this book in our Sabbath School class. I have been blessed in the past with the Max Lucado books I have read. I look forward to reading this one. Especially since it is about Psalm 23. 

That is one reason why I shared the prayer based on Psalm 23 earlier this week.

Have you found any great deals lately? I would love to hear about them. Just leave a comment. :O)

The Value of a Soul

As I was reading about the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin- I came across this paragraph and thought it was well worth sharing here with you. 

The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know its worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood. Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. Hear that despairing cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34. Look upon the wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that Christ risked all. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul. COL196

Click on the COL196 above if you would like to check out the whole chapter- or the whole book- what every you would like. If you like digging deeper in the meaning behind the parables - this is the perfect book for you - it is called Christ Object Lessons. 

Digging a Little Deeper

Today we are going to spend a little bit of time looking a little deeper into the parable about The Lost Sheep. 

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 

2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 

6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:1-7

I found this cute little video and could not pass up using it with this post. It helps us better understand what the Good Shepherd does for us. We don't always realize the danger we are in- but He does. He comes looking for us and if we allow Him to- He will carry us to safety.

"The rabbis understood Christ’s parable as applying to the publicans and sinners; but it has also a wider meaning. By the lost sheep Christ represents not only the individual sinner but the one world that has apostatized and has been ruined by sin. This world is but an atom in the vast dominions over which God presides, yet this little fallen world—the one lost sheep—is more precious in His sight than are the ninety and nine that went not astray from the fold. Christ, the loved Commander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His high estate, laid aside the glory that He had with the Father, in order to save the one lost world. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth, to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5.) God gave Himself in His Son that He might have the joy of receiving back the sheep that was lost." {COL 190.3}

If you would like to read the entire chapter about the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin click this link. 

https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_COL.185&para=15.766

Another Take on Psalm 23

Today I want to share a contemporary take on Psalm 23 ~ written by Todd Chobotar - found in a  little book Creation Health Devotional for living life to the fullest,  "Written to be read as a person prayer to God- and intimate conversation with the Good Shepherd." 

Psalm 23: A Prayer For Hurting and Hopeful Hearts

Lord, you are my Faithful Shepherd.
You meet all my deepest needs.

You guide my weary heart to safe pastures,
and lead me beside peaceful waters.
You offer rest for my restless soul.

For the sake of your good name
you put my feet on the road to righteousness.

But even if I walk down desolate pathways
of pain or sorrow, disease or death,
I won't be afraid.
For suffering has no victory
if you're with me.

Your presence is all the comfort
and courage I need.

You give me reasons to celebrate
in spite of my trials.
You bless me with unexpected joy.
My heart overflows.

Your love and grace follow me
all the days of my life.
I'm grateful and secure knowing
that you, my Faithful Shepherd,
Hold me in your arms
and will never let me go.
Not now. Not ever.

Amen