Friday, April 20, 2007

How Can I Keep From Singing His Praise?!

The other day, I came across a scripture that I just fell in love with:

"Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts. Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs on your wonders. Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. The fame of your goodness spreads across the country; your righteousness is on everyone's lips." Ps 145:4-7 (The Message translation)

How awesome is that? Generation after generation will be in awe of God’s works, and each one of them will tell others about his mighty acts and all of the beautiful and marvelous things he has done...

Think of all the awesome "God things" David must have spoken about ... God saved and protected Noah and his family from a great and mighty destructive flood. God gave Abraham and Sarah a baby even though she was way past her childbearing years. God sent the ten plagues on Egypt in order to force Pharaoh to let His people go. God killed the Egyptian firstborn but passed over the households of His people. God led his people through the Red Sea on dry ground while in the same sea, within probably mere moments, he drowned Pharaoh and his whole army. God made the walls of Jericho fall down with a shout. And ... that’s just a sampling of the mighty things God had done in David’s time. Even in his own life, God did mighty things -- after all -- he made it possible for David to defeat a giant with a sling and a stone, and God even made a mighty king out of a humble shepherd boy!

Have you ever stood in awe of God’s work in creation, your life, your family, your church? God is always at work in our lives! His love for us is simply awesome!

Last night, my husband and I sat back and "observed" Hunter. He was dancing to music in a funny little two-step kind of groove, bouncing along, and bobbing his head. Then, when he saw his daddy eating an apple, he stopped everything, moved toys out of his way, climbed up on his daddy's chair, and insisted that daddy share his apple with him. Then, he loved on his daddy, as if daddy had done the greatest thing in the world for him, and all he did was share his apple. It just melted our hearts ... Seriously. It did.

Yeah. I know ... nothing astounding in that little story, huh? But, let me just tell you ... the love we have for this sweet child is bottomless, powerful, and even ferocious at times ... and I am reminded daily of God’s awesome miracles in my life ... especially when he gave us this precious child. And I am daily amazed at the capacity and the depth of love I have for my child. Think how much more then, God’s love is for us? His children? He loves us more than any of us can imagine, with a deep, and all encompassing love. And, he is constantly at work in our lives, doing great and mighty things.

When we take the time to look back at God’s activity in our lives, it encourages our faith to look ahead with confidence when we are facing difficult trials. It reminds us that God truly is with us, and nothing is impossible with Him! He even loves us when we are acting "ugly" and are "unlovable." He does NOT walk away from us, but rather, he continues to love us. This all serves to create a faith story in our lives. It may not be dramatic, or earth shattering. It’s simply the story of God’s activity in our life. So -- what has he done for you? How has he demonstrated his love for you?

Store these stories up in your heart, but more importantly ... share them with your children, because one day, they will become awe inspiring stories for generations to come. In fact, take the time to share God’s beautiful and mighty acts in your life as you would "headline news," writing all the details of his greatness.

I hope that one day, when I’m long gone, people will look back and say that I made my home, my friendships, my work place, and even my blog a place to share God's fame and goodness in my life!

Thank God for His mighty acts in my life. Truly, nothing is impossible for him.

I know this is already a long post, but I just ask that you stick with me for one more minute ... I have a song I wanted to share with you. I heard it at the beginning of the week, and I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. I even bought the accompaniment for it to possibly sing in church.

It’s a song by Chris Tomlin called, How Can I Keep From Singing. Here are the words:

There is an endless song, echoes in my soul, I hear the music ring. And though the storms may come, I am holding on, to the rock I cling.

How can I keep from singing your praise. How can I ever say enough; how amazing is your love. How can I keep from shouting your name, I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing.

I will lift my eyes in the darkest night, for I know my Savior lives. And I will walk with you, knowing you'll see me through, and sing the songs you give.

I can sing in the troubled times, sing when I win, I can sing when I lose my step, and fall down again, I can sing 'cause you pick me up, sing 'cause You're there, I can sing 'cause you hear me, Lord, when I call to You in prayer. I can sing with my last breath; sing for I know; that I'll sing with the angels and the saints around the throne.

How can I keep from singing your praise. How can I ever say enough; how amazing is your love. How can I keep from shouting your name, I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing.


You can go to Napster (it's the 43rd song) to hear the whole song, or to his web site, Chris Tomlin, to hear a sample of the new CD with this song.

So ... What has God done for you lately???

12 comments:

Shalee said...

He's given me peace that passes my understanding about selling our house. There are times that I think, "Oh yeah, we're selling our house. I should pray about that", not in a oops way, but in a "I've already talked to God about it so I don't worry about it way."

Trust me; this is a miracle for me.

And he's blown my socks off with the response for Heather. So much more than my puny imagination dared to think.

And since I "have" to work, he's given me a wonderful job and wonderful people with whom to work.

And he's reminded me often how precious my children are to me.

And he's keep us all healthy and safe for a long time.

And he's filled my heart with love for that man of mine. Mine! I love saying that...

So God has been better to me than I deserve and I praise him for lavishing his goodness on me.

Pam said...

He's helped me to put my own puny needs in perspective by seeing the depth of other's faith even facing adversity.

I have this song as my ringtone, btw : )

Donnetta said...

His word says if we don't praise Him, the rocks and stones will cry out! He is THAT worhty of praise!!

Rather than asking what God has done for me lately, I have been asking what hasn't God done for me?

He is more faithful, loving, true and good than my heart ever imagined or deserved!!

To Him be all the honor, glory and praise!! He is so very worthy! Praising God with You!

Susanne said...

Every time I look at my growing children I am reminded of God's goodness and grace toward me and my hubby.

He's provided us with a wonderful church family who rose to the occasion to help my sis out this week.

He's blessed us with real, caring, loving pastors.

He's given me wonderful families in my dayhome. I rarely have problems like I hear so many other dayhomers having. (ie. bounced cheques, etc.)


Praise be to God!

kpjara said...

He has given me the most awesome husband, for me, to walk through life.

He has gifted me and called me to use my gifts.

He has created me with purpose.

He expects me to succeed!

Stacey said...

Thank you for opening my eyes once again to thing wonderful blessings in my life. I think you should be a motivational speaker! Today I will think on these things and praise God!

Anonymous said...

That song is #1 on my Shuffle!

He sends music that sustains me, comforts me, enlarges me.

He provides for our needs and shows me how to downsize our wants.

He holds my hand when love is hard; He helps me to reach out for the hand that seems far away.

Overwhelmed! said...

What has God done for me lately? He does things for me each and every day.

Lately, he's given me the strength to watch my beloved neighbor, Hetty, slowly die and still be able to offer comfort to her and her husband.

I, too, am blown away by the response for Heather. God has been at work in that situation, there's no doubt in my mind!

Lori said...

This was beautiful to read. And I love the picture of you and Hunter!!!

Anonymous said...

What Has God Done For Me Lately?

God breathed His breath of life into my nostrols this morning so that I have life today.
God's mercies that are new every morning (and I need them every morning)
God's grace in my life when I do not deserve His AWESOME power!
God gave me His word for everyday of my life.
God gave me Himself, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins, to lead me and guide me into all truth, to teach me all things.
God gave to me my Pastors whom I love dearly who watch out for my soul daily.
God gave us the five fold ministry for the perfecting of the saints.
God gave me authority and power to live on this earth until He returns.
This list can go on and on...for Jesus is an AWESOME GOD!

Anonymous said...

What has God done for me lately...

God delivered me 4 years ago (July 2) I used to smoke at least a pack of cigerettes per day. When I returned To God about 4 years ago after running for ten years.
God has blessed me with the best church and Pastors on planet earth.
God blessed me with great revelation of His word.
God has blessed me with realizing I just can not do what every I want to do. Like no you can not drink alcholol, no you can not smoke, no you can not have sex being a single woman of God...etc.
God blessed me with finally realizing that being a Christian does not feel good all the time. But He reminds me that it is not about the temporal but the eternal!
God's love for me is just amazing!!!

Carol said...

Awesome, GiBee! I love this!

I just love the Psalms! They say it all so much better than I could even begin to.