Sing and Make Music From Your Heart!

“speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20 NIV)

I can't "carry a tune in a bucket," sadly!  It's very sad, because I love music - really love it tremendously.  I believe music is the "international" language because it speaks to the heart and the soul. No, I can't sing on key to save my life. But those songs from the Spirit . . .  that's another story altogether.

Songs of worship, joy, thanksgiving, though, emanate from my heart every single day of my life.  Yes, even those days when I feel stressed, sad, sorry for myself or my situation at the moment.  I do, indeed, give thanks to God for everything!

Life is hard sometimes. We can feel swallowed up by pain, fear, loss, regret, grief, self-doubt, and yes, even self-pity.  But because of Jesus, we can - and should - rejoice! Even through the dark times . . . even when it's hard . . . even when we don't feel very joyful.  Remember: Jesus died so that we might live forever with Him in heaven.  Today I'm focusing on that truth. And today is all we have, after all, until we get to heaven.

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

The beauty of grace

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:13-16 NIV).

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:13-16 NIV).

God knows our deepest desires! He also knows all the unpleasant, imperfect things about us - even those we hide . . . even those no one else on earth knows.

The beauty of God's grace is that He loves us anyway! I'm rejoicing in that grace this week. I am so unworthy on my own -- through Christ I am wholly worthy and deserving -- but only through and because of Him.

Thank you Sweet Savior for winning me God's grace on the Cross!

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

The Hope To Which We Are Called

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,," (Ephesians 1:17-19 NIV)

I'm asking for this Spirit of wisdom and revelation in my own life lately. God is certainly desiring that I know Him better by placing me solely and completely under His control and power.

I rejoice that I am being refined and shaped as He desires. I rejoice also that through Him and the gift of His Son, I may have hope that all is in His plan.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23 NIV).

"[ By Faith ] Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary