AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR MAY 5
Read Psalm 32, 86, 102-103, 122
“Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
Psalms 86:4, 7, 11 NIV
An undivided heart is a gift.
Rely on GOD’S faithfulness only, we are not the source, God is the source. 🍒 Sing praises to your source. Build homes of beautiful praise. Homes with undivided hearts.
Philosopher and writer Sir Roger Scruton on the importance of building beautiful things:
“There is a deep human need for beauty, and if you ignore that need in architecture, your buildings will not last, since people will never feel at home in them.”
When my children were little we would awaken their enthusiasm for praise through jumping on the bed, banging on a drum, yelling our praises. Playing popcorn praise.
Beauty comes in many forms but seriously how beautiful is a song?
“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
Psalms 32:11 NIV
Twice I’ve dreamed of singing.
Early this morning I dreamed I was overwhelmed with a need for GOD. In the dream I was on a train and my friend and I began to sing, and when we did all these people joined us.
The train was suddenly crammed full of people a stark contrast to when we had begun to sing, it was only my friends and I onboard with rows of empty seats. It was so powerful, as we sang ‘I NEED THEE OH I NEED THEE, EVERY HOUR I NEED THEE.
The morning before, May 4th I dreamed I was worshipping with an older woman again singing a hymn, again just our voices raised but it woke me it was so powerful.
On the Isle of LEWIS the during the HEBRIDES revival one of the trademarks of God’s presence new songs and hymns were written by those who hadn’t any prior experience. ‘Catherine Campbell recalls: ‘ My brother John met me in the doorway of our house and quotes to me a verse of a hymn which he had just composed. He was newly converted and was the first conver to begin composing hymns.’ Chrisy Maggie from Arnol says: ‘My sister Margaret wrote thirty Gaelic hymns. She had no such gift before the revival and her songs have gone on tape to Gaels all over the world. In fact five people in this village received the gift of poetry and wrote spiritual songs. That was just apart of the revival.’ Colin and Mary Peckham, SOUNDS FROM HEAVEN
As you are building your family culture GOD shows us the way to teach the next generation about him. In Psalm 145:4 it says, ‘one generation commends your works to another’. (commend: means to praise formally or officially, to fully show approval and acceptance)
HOW ARE the powerful works of GOD shared best? DRUM ROLL PLEASE… THROUGH PRAISE.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
Psalms 145:3-7 NIV
And when faith is transferred to your children, nieces, nephews, they know GOD PICKS UP THE PHONE. He isn’t too busy. THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL.
“Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.”
Psalms 86:16 NIV
Revival in families is throughout the bible. Mamas your example is making them feel at home in the presence of the LORD. Praise is beautiful. It’s better and does more for you than a gift card to Sephora, or ULTA!
Psalms 147:1 New King James Version (NKJV) For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
Asaph says in Psalm 78:5-7:
[The Lord] established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children, That the generation to come might know, Even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments.
