Tag Archive | Worship

Who Controls Your Storm

Do you feel like life is reeling out of control and no matter what you try balance can’t to be found? I am sure that is how Paul felt when he set sail on the turbulent waters headed for Italy with 275 others which included soldiers and prisoners. You see, when they set out on their course they had no idea they would be delayed because of weather or be stranded in hurricane force winds. They thought it would be smooth sailing…but this was not the case. In-fact Acts chapter 27 says “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” Acts 27:20.

How often do you set out in life with a destination only to be confronted with head-on hurricane force winds tossing your life about. Waves of despair crash about you, the sea of defeat tries to engulf you, and you are bashed by the rocks of disaster to the point it seems you will never see the light of day or the stars of night. For Paul and the men on the ship the storm raged for 14 days. They did not eat and had minimal sleep. They fought hard to keep the ship upright and afloat.

About the time you give up all hope, God waves His mighty hand of peace and the storm suddenly stops. And, once the storm subsides you may not recognize your surroundings just as those on the ship with Paul did not recognize theirs but two things are for sure you will survive this storm and there will be more storms.

But it is important to remember…

God Is In Control Of Your Storm!

Love Lee ♥

First or Last Resort

Feb22

How many times have you had a worry or burden the was too big for you to handle? You struggle with it until you are at your wit’s end and then in desperation you throw up your hands and say…I have given this to God; it is in His hands now…Sound familiar?

Why is it God is the last resort?

It is often human nature to try to fix things yourself for 3 reasons:

Independence
Pride
Lack of Trust

Independence

We often get this one wrong! In our quest for independence we shut God off. Whether from our lives, situations, decisions, or from our relationships. You see, we should be dependent on God in every aspect of our lives. We often give Him the hard things when we are at our wits end when in-fact He wants us to give Him our everything. We do not need to be independent…Oh no, quite the opposite; we need to become more dependent on Him than ever!!! It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Romans 9:16

Pride

All too often we want to handle our own issues so we can say “Look what I did” or “This is how I did it” In seeking the glory for our successes we are taking the focus off of God and His ever-present help. God is a loving God but He is also a jealous God. He wants and deserves the glory!!! When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Lack of Trust

This one is pretty self explanatory…To leave God out, to not seek His guidance, deliverance, or help is essentially saying you do not trust Him. To that I say…Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Psalms 37:3

Is He your First or Last Resort?

Love Lee ♥

Doing What’s Right

Feb21

…Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:16b-17

Hmmm…sounds easy; Right..WRONG!!!

Doing what’s right doesn’t come natural. It is a learned trait and requires a lot of practice. To learn to do right is to carry out the remainder of the scripture…

Seek Justice

To defend and promote ones honor. Righting the wrongs of the world; ensuring…

that people receive their “fair share” of the goods available;
that people receive “fair treatment” from society’s institutions;
that people’s actions conform to rules of “fair play”;
and that any injustices are adequately addressed.

Encourage the Oppressed

Delivering encouragement to those who are hurting or down on their luck by…

speaking kindness over their lives
giving them a hand up
showing compassion
making eye contact
delivering a smile
letting them know you are praying for them

Delivering encouragement differs from enabling or rescuing on in need. Encouragement is offered to promote independence not dependence and it empowers one to take control of their own life.

Defend the Cause of the Fatherless

There are many ways to care for orphans. You can…

adopt
donate to organizations that assist adoptive parents
volunteer at an orphanage
sponsor a child through Compassion (many children who are put up for adoption are not orphans-but their families just can’t afford to provide for their basic needs

Plead the Case of the Widow

Being a widow can be so incredibly hard. To have had the love of a man and the relationship that was built on that love suddenly snatched from you can be all but devastating. A widow is bombarded with a grief, loneliness, and desperation at times. What should we as Christians do? We can…

visit often
help with household maintenance and upkeep
assist with yard work
call and check up often
send cards

Doing what is right is not easy, it is not convenient, and it takes time and commitment. At times we must put our personal goals and objectives aside and love unconditionally.

Are You Doing What’s Right?

Love Lee ♥

Just Be

Feb17

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Nowhere in this scripture do you see the words feel. All to often we base our Christian lives on feelings. We are not told to fake it till we make it…We are told to BE!

Be: Joyful in Hope

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Be: Patient in Affliction

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

Be: Faithful in Prayer

…pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Now I challenge you to BE OBEDIENT…

Love Lee ♥

Guts and Glory

Feb16

When our youngest daughter was in Jr. High she played league softball. I would often purchase T-shirts which had softball themes on them and give them to her for gifts. One particular shirt caught my eye. From a distance all I could see was…

“Guts and Glory”

As I looked at it closer it had a batter at the plate about to take a swing and the fine print said “Lord Give Me and I will give You” Then when put with the large print the logo said …

Lord Give me the GUTS and I will give You the GLORY

This became my cry from the stands…”Guts and Glory Brandi…Guts and Glory”. Then it was game on! Whether she was pitching or hitting she would turn on the determination and give 110%.

As Christian’s this should be the cry of our daily life…Guts and Glory

Lord Give Me the Guts to…

Live for You
Speak up for You
Trust in You
Depend on You
Follow You

Then to say…I will give you the Glory…

Despite the outcome
Despite whether things are going right or not
Despite how I feel
Despite my surroundings
Despite what others say

What is Your Heart’s Cry? Mine is…

Guts and Glory!

Love Lee ♥

The Hair Brush

Feb9

Wednesdays With Beth on Life Today is such a blessing…

This is one of my most favorite videos of Beth…Enjoy!

Love Lee ♥

God’s Favorite Song

Feb7

At work when a baby is born the sweetest chime plays announcing the arrival. The song is “Happy Birthday” and sounds like it is coming from a little music box. As I sit at my desk working away, I hear the chime and I stop what I am doing and ask God to bless the child. When I hear the chimes it makes me smile and even tear up at times.

I feel there must be a chime which goes off in Heaven to announce the birth of a Christian. And, oh the celebration that must follow. The day we are born in Christ the angels in heaven rejoice and greatest song of all fills heaven…

And…It’s His Favorite Song Of All

Love Lee ♥

Whatcha Thinking About

Jan19

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding. Psalms 49:3

Meditation…what exactly is meditation?

The dictionary defines it as “A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation”.

The use of Meditation for healing is not new. Meditative techniques are the product of diverse cultures and people around the world. It has been rooted in the traditions of the world’s great religions. In fact, practically all religious groups practice meditation in one form or another. The value of Meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been known and practiced for thousands of years.

The author of Holistic-online.com does a fabulous job of defining the benefits of meditation.

Physical Benefits

Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart.
Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress.
Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage. They are now thought to be a major factor in aging and in many diseases.
Decreased high blood pressure.
Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels.
Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients.
Younger biological age. On standard measures of aging, long-term Transcendental Meditation (TM) practitioners (more than five years) measured 12 years younger than their chronological age.
Higher levels of DHEAS in the elderly. An additional sign of youthfulness through Transcendental Meditation (TM); lower levels of DHEAS are associated with aging.

Psychological Benefits

Increased brain wave coherence. Harmony of brain wave activity in different parts of the brain is associated with greater creativity, improved moral reasoning, and higher IQ.
Decreased anxiety.
Decreased depression.
Decreased irritability and moodiness.
Improved learning ability and memory.
Increased self-actualization.
Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
Increased happiness.
Increased emotional stability.

In order to meditate it is essential to shut down the mental “chatter”. Turn off the inner critic, negative thinking and brain chaos and instead allow your mind to quiet and meditate or reflect on God, His mercy, grace, and love. Allow the world around you to disappear for a few moments and totally reflect on Him. Once your mind is stayed on Him the wisdom will flow…

Think about it…doesn’t junk and negativity flow from our mouths when our minds are not on God?

So if you’re not thinking about Him…

Whatcha thinking about?

Love Lee ♥

Why Am I Here?

Jan18

Have you ever wondered, Why am I here…Why am I here on this earth, in this place at this time?

Last Wednesday First Baptist Church Brazoria began learning the music for our annual Passion Play. While all of the music is awesome there was one song that has ministered to me and has answered the question “Why am I Here?”.

As I was driving to work one morning this week, a light bulb went off in my head and I became abundantly aware of why I am here.

I’m here to WORSHIP THE KING!!!

Worship:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:1-8

We are here in this moment for one reason only…It is to WORSHIP THE KING…

Worship The King

by BJ Davis

I bow in rev’rence in the courts of royal majesty. Honoring His presence, I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King. Blessing and honor and power be to Him alone. Holy, holy, holy, we join the angel’s song. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all. Come, let us worship the Lord, and crown Him Lord of all, Lord of all! We join the angel’s song. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty. I’m here to worship the King. I’m here to worship the King.

Have You Worshiped the King Today?

Love Lee ♥

Sunday Afternoon Fun

Nov28

What a wonderful day…It began worshiping at First Baptist Church in Brazoria. Wonderful music and an awesome sermon Brother Greg Smith! Nothing pleases me more than to be in the presence of God; captured by His love.

After church we had a great time at lunch with friends Rayfard, Evelyn, and Martha at La Casona in Lake Jackson. Lots of laughter and fun. I am sure those sitting around us got a kick out of us trying to figure out how to utilize the technology we had purchased! Richard and Rayfard were even texting each other at the table. We discussed Apps like Maps, Yelp, Facebook, and Bible + One. Great food and friends always lead to a great time!

We can always count on a little mischief when Rayfard and Richard get together…The “Twinkies”

Once we got home, Richard decided he needs to get the bike out and take it for a spin…So, we were off! As is customary the first stop is always Buc-ees in Angleton for fuel and coffee. Once fueled up we headed out toward Bay City and made a big loop back to Jones Creek. We had a couple of close calls with rain…ended up just a few sprinkles but it was worth it because I love the smell of rain.

And as usual I had my camera…Yeah pictures!!! Here are a few taken along the way…Enjoy!