Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

Unbearable – not the beatings He took; or the climb to Golgotha; or a nail piercing through His hands; or a spike driven through his ankles; or hanging on a cross in excruciating pain; or mockers taunting and laughing at Him for not calling on all of heaven for a rescue – none of this was unbearable. But my sin that put Him there – this is what broke Him. And now … by His stripes .. I am healed.

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death

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Bob sat across the dinner table from me; newspaper covering all but the top of his forehead. He read aloud … “Worship leader wanted. Scottsdale Bible Church, Arizona.” Lowering the paper he said something that I will NEVER EVER forget. “You can do that”. Just one simple phrase launched my worship ministry career of, now, more than 30 years. What we say really DOES have the power to change lives. Affirm someone close to you today. 

Isaiah 55:12
“For you will go out with joy

And be led forth with peace;

The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

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It’s rare that we understand what God’s tomorrow for us looks like. Even when we catch only the fringes of His ways, hear only His small whispers and can’t understand Him, He is the best! And when He seems to have withdrawn from us, He promises that “we will go out with joy and be led forth with peace” Be encouraged today. God is for you and all of creation is shouting: “He is faithful!”

Psalm 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Charles Spurgeon, a well-known speaker who lived during the mid to late 19^th century, had this to say; “Faith brings calm with it, and banishes the disturbers who both by day and by night murder peace.” Living life requires that we do our part. We’re responsible to harvest the fruits of our labor – but the above scripture reminds us that we needn’t worry because, even in our sleep, God provides. Rest easy in Him.

Psalm 30:4

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
and give thanks to His holy name

My Grandfather would sing a hymn every morning. He wasn’t a musician, yet this re-awakened his heart to God’s before each sunrise. Music plays an enormous part in our lives. Even in our sleep, research shows that we often have musical hallucinations (we dream it). Music transports us. It isn’t surprising that humming through a favorite worship song could direct our hearts heavenward. Have you sung your worship song today? Tune your heart to His.

YOU are amazing. YOU are incredibly gifted. YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU have something unique to offer the people God has placed around you. It isn’t about you, but it IS about YOU giving yourself away so that others are inspired to give themselves away. Hold on to this! Believe in it! Lights up and curtain! The world is your audience. Step out and take a bow. Now … go and make a difference.

Psalm 57:7

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Sitting with a young composition student yesterday, I help him find his way as he places note after note, phrase after phrase, on the staff. He asks a question, I make a suggestion. He responds. I’m reminded: our lives are compositions formed by choices we make, how we react to what happens around us – and our response to God as he gently nudges us to move forward or rethink. Pen ready? Make your song amazing!

Spirit of God

Speak to my heart

Open my eyes show me Your grace

Remove my fear and

Restore my hope

Spirit of God show me Your way

Spirit of God show me Your way

O Lord I reach for You

Give my heart with abandon

I surrender all

Everything all that I am and

Here I lay my life

Down before the King of heaven

Lead me on Lead me on Lead me on

Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Eleanor Roosevelt said “If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” We have a huge impact on the people around us weather we think so or not. So live life to the full and do good, all in Jesus’ name.

Deuteronomy 11:14

That He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil.

On my way to Pasco Washington for a recording session with some great friends who are incredibly gifted. At a breakfast stop I watch the rain pour down and I’m reminded of the scripture above. Everyone has their seasons of blessing, a time to grow and a time share the gifts given by God; to give of themselves and make a real difference. Feel like you’re In between seasons? No worries. The rain is coming.