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Soul Music of Thanksgiving

11/23/2014

Joy in the Morning

Let all that I am praise the Lord, with my whole heart,                                  Psalm 103:1   Hello Friend,

          If you take your Bible and turn to the book of Thanksgiving and Praise. of course... that would be the book of Psalms.   The Hebrew word translated Psalms comes from the Hebrew word Hallelujah which means "praise the Lord."     So... when somebody says, "Hallelujah"... what are they saying? They are saying, "Praise the Lord!" And by the way... this word hallelujah cuts across the language barrier. It translates the same in every language!

        Well... that's what the book of Psalms is all about: Praising the Lord Jesus Christ!    Do you know what that means to us? It means that if we are going to learn how to worship God in Spirit and in Truth... then we've got to invest some time in the book of Worship and Praise: the book of Psalms.

Think of the book of Psalms as God's introduction to Worship: 101! And most of us need to enroll! I don't believe there is a better time of the year to enroll than during the Thanksgiving Season.

       Psalm 103 is a psalm of praise to God that begins deep within the soul! That's why I call it Soul Music! Now let me say that this kind of Soul Music is not for everybody! This kind of Soul Music has nothing to do with the color of your skin... it has everything to do with the condition of your soul. This kind of Soul Music comes from the saved soul! Now once you have a saved soul... you can sing this Soul Music of Thanksgiving every day! You might say, "But what about those times of disaster and difficulty? Can I make music then? Can I give thanks to God then?" Especially then! Paul says in 1 Thess. 5.18, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It is Soul Music that gets you through those times of disaster and difficulty. So, let’s get down and sing together, “Hallelujah; what a Savior!” Praise the Lord, my soul is filled.

                                                                Linda

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November 23rd, 2014

11/23/2014

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I choose blessings!

11/16/2014

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                                                         Joy in the   Morning

Into Your Hands, Father. . .                                                          Luke 23:46

Hello Friend,

          May I ask you a question this morning, “What are your hands full of?” I have heard many women say, “I have my hands full with these kids.” Others say, “My job is more than I can handle.” Or, “My load is so heavy.”   What are you holding on to this morning that is causing you pain? Jesus knew the value of relinquishment. He said, “Into your hands, Father.” Yet, you and I hold grudges. We hold onto past hurts and experience the pain in our memory over and over again. Once, was not enough. We revisit the scenario as if somehow we will remember it differently. Sometimes we hold onto painful memories to protect ourselves from allowing vulnerability to once again surface as a positive emotion in our lives.   We become hoarders of negativity.

          Isn’t it time we open our hands, unclench our fingers, and lay our burdens down. Look up and breathe, stretch your arms upward, reach toward your Father with open hands knowing that blessings are coming—so many your hands will be full. You get to choose what will fill your hands today!   I choose blessings. Will you?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Linda

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My Only is Enough!

11/9/2014

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Joy in the Morning

We have here only five loaves and two fish.

                                                                        Matthew 14:13-21

Hello Friend,

            I am including a long passage of scripture this week with a short message from me; but this devotional contains a very important insight for you. First, let’s read the Word together.

Jesus withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” They said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

            I want you to focus your attention on one word—the word only. So many times I have come to Jesus when He asked me to do something and said, “I would be glad to, only,” and then I offer my excuses. “I am so busy. I just simply don’t have enough time. Or, I don’t have the skill, Or right words. Or the energy. Or the desire.   Or, I am already doing ministry.” I’ll bet you could fill in the excuse line. You have said these words to Jesus. “I would, but I only.” Friends, don’t lose sight of what Jesus can do with your only. He took five loaves and two fish and fed 5000 people. Jesus can take our only and bless it, multiply it, and use our gifts in ways we never thought possibly. He tells us, “think bigger. Come to me, present your only and look what we can accomplish together.”

            Are you willing to drop the word only from your vocabulary? Imagine the impossible becoming possible. With Jesus, all things are possible, only believe.

                                                My only is enough in the right hands. Linda

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Is the Word taking root?

11/2/2014

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Joy in the Morning

Teach me thy way, O Lord.                                                                                                               Psalm 86:11

Hello Friend,

            This Scripture keeps popping into my consciousness; I know I used it two weeks ago, but these words are quite important, and quite possibly, God is trying to direct me to heed His way. Maybe I am straying again; only time will tell. And possibly I’ll end up with bruised knees again. That’s okay; a little blood is evidence of a vital and growing spiritual life. There are always ups and downs, highs and lows, and lessons to be learned from both.

            Last week, I wrote to you about the danger of choosing a pastor based on his/her ability to speak dynamically. It is wonderful if you find a devoted minister who possesses both the ability to speak dynamically and the spiritual depth to know and convey the Word effectively. You have found a teacher blessed by God. But, you must do your part. You must receive the Word and put it into practice.

            This week, I invite you to re-read the Parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:4-15. Many people sit in church where scripture is never taught. Others sit in their pew week after week and apparently daydream. The Word never takes root. Joyce Meyer often says that she and Dave would dress up the kids, go to church, hear an amazing message, and before she got to the car to go home, she was ranting and raving and creating havoc. What type of hearer are you? Does the seed sit on the surface of your heart only to be blown away? Or is your soil hard and the Word is not able to penetrate into your soul? The Word can also fall among the thorns—stolen by your worries and distractions. The good soil represents the one who hears the Word and retains it. Isaiah 55:11 says that, “God’s Word will not return void or empty. It will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.” Are you truly listening, my friends? Is the Word taking root in your heart? Oh, may my heart be fertile ground for God’s Word.

Prayer for Today: Lord, I want to listen, really hear Your message to me today. As I read and study your Word, may it take root and produce a bounty of fruit. Amen.

                                                I’m preparing for a harvest of blessings.

                                                                                    Linda

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Soul Music of Thanksgiving

November 23rd, 2014

I choose blessings!

My Only is Enough!

Is the Word taking root?

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