Living Graciously Every Day

Thank You for the cross
Thank You, Lord, for drawing me
Out of millions lost
Thank You, Lord, for saving me
Haven’t You been good?
Haven’t You been so good?

Glory to Your name
Glory to Your holy name
Thankfulness and praise
For grace and mercy never changing
Haven’t You been good
Haven’t You been so good to me?

Favor on my life
Always watching over me
My darkness turned to light
And heaven’s arms enfolding me
Haven't You been good?
Haven't You been so good?
(Words and music by Steve Earl © 1998 Sovereign Grace Worship)

Thank You, Father. Thank You for Your Love to me. Thank You for coming to save me, for giving Your life for me, and leaving me such a beautiful love letter.
Thank You for the huge clouds today, flying through the sky. Thank You for the blue heavens beyond. Thank You for all the birds singing -- all their melodies joining together to create a beautiful symphony.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
~ Psalm 19:1-2, NIV Bible

What do we do when the world's all a mess? When our spirits are heavy and we suffer from migraines because our neck and shoulders are so tensed? When every other day we hear another report on a shooting, kidnap, mob or burning building? When there's violence and verbal abuse in the home? When children are screaming and fighting and breaking all the rules? When there's never a moment of peace, and all is hurry and rush?

There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But You sing to me over and over again

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
and pray to be only Yours
I pray to be only Yours
I know now you're my only hope

Sing to me the song of the stars
Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing
and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that You have for me over again

And I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

I give You my apathy
I'm giving You all of me
I want Your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

And I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope
(Switchfoot, Only Hope)

We give thanks to God. For HE IS GOOD! His person, His character, His perfect will for your life---they never change.
And we TRUST.

...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28, NIV Bible

"... For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future... You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~ Jeremiah 29:11, 13, NIV Bible

All the colors of the rainbow
All the voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love began
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valley
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the hope in every heart will speak
what love has done

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify....
I will testify to love
(For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love)
I'll be a witness in the silences
when words are not enough
With every breath I take
I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
(Wynonno Judd, Testify to Love)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

~ 1 John 3:16, 18-20, NIV Bible

 

Thank You, Father. I pour out my heart to You. I pour out my life to You. You hold all in Your Omnipotent hand; You know all, foresee all, understand all. You put the starry host in the sky, you set the planets in motion, you put breath in my lungs, and you keep my heart beating. You have a plan and a purpose for every soul on this earth, and each one is a part of Your gloriously woven design.

May we all praise You through the storms of life; for You are worthy, You are good, You are faithful. 

 

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

 

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(Casting Crowns, Praise You in this Storm)

 

Be encouraged today. :)