Amazing Grace - Music Monday

Yesterday at church we sang Amazing Grace. Back when I was young, we never pulled our books out to sing this song. Because we each went from person to person greeting each other with hand shakes and hugs. 

Yesterday we got the joy of hearing this 2 times. Once, as we shook hands, sharing in the love of God. Because of His grace we are all brothers and sisters in Jesus. 

The second time was when the most precious young-on. I don't want to call her little, because in statute and age maybe, but in voice not even close. She sings Amazing Grace very slow, making sure you get the words. 

As you praise God for his Amazing Grace the one that offers you freedom. Listen to the words... And praise God that you are not who you once were.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
 
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
 
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Music Monday - If we are the Body

There are layers to being a Christian. It all starts with Jesus.

The physician came not for the healthy but the sick. Have you heard this before? It reminds me that Jesus didn't come for the righteous, but for those who know they need him.

The next layer is us, as we are made right, in the eyes of God. God reached out to us with Jesus, and Jesus reached out not just to us, but to those in need. They knew he was compassionate to their needs so they sought him out.

As a Christian, I too should be compassionate to those around me, and should reach out to them.

This weeks song beckons us to be the hands and feet of Christ.

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

Music Monday: Walk on Water

Oh, I pray that I will follow Jesus were ever he leads.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

We are reminded that it takes faith to please God, because it is by faith we can walk on water. It is by faith we can follow where we are lead. 

Simon Peter won't you put those nets down
follow me I'll lead you out of this town
to a place where no boat has ever been
I will make you a fisher of men

Jesus walked out on the water
said take courage it is me
Peter trusted and he wanted to go farther
so he stepped out on the sea

If I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on water
If I keep my eyes on Jesus I can walk on water

Just like peter I want to go farther
tread on the sea and walk on the water
step where he steps and go where he goes
side by side when the sea billows roll
I'll be alright when the wind comes
I'll be alright when the waves come crashing
I'm not afraid for this is my father's world.

This song is not new, but I do love it. I need to remember to keep my eyes on Jesus.

Dear Lord, open my eyes and help them to truly focus on you and where you are leading. In Jesus Name, Amen

Where is God leading you today?

Song of Praise & Big Announcement:

I am ready for a change. God has been leading me to take the blog in a slightly different direction. I am really excited about this new direction. 

I recently noticed that while we all still need grace and the reminder of God’s love I have been writing more from my own personal Bible Study and struggles. So I am going to be making a change. 

A name change that is.

Grace 4 Me & U is becoming The Berean Journal.

Why The Berean Journal?

This comes from Paul encountering the Berean’s who took what Paul was teaching and verified it in the scripture. (Acts 17:11) This is something that we should be doing because the Bible also reminds us that people will come seeking to pull us away from God. (Matthew 24:4-11) So I am going to stick with this Bible Study process.

So welcome to The Berean Journal. Our mission statement will be:

Mission Statement:

The Berean Journal is here to showcase truths found in God’s word about God’s love, grace and forgiveness…

Vision Statement:

… by matching everyday experiences with the lessons in the Bible.

I really hope you will join me, and that you will gain a passion for reading and studying God’s word. 

I am excited about this change. Don't worry it won't all be happening at once, it will probably take a few months. Some transitions will be taking place. 

Those transitions will be:

•  my visuals will now be using the new name. 
• more social media accounts to connect on
• A new blog URL - address - I am looking to move my blog from blogspot.com.

Since the goal it to focus on the truth found in God's word, our song for today is a prayer for God to open our hearts to Him. So join me in this song and this prayer. 

Song of Praise - No Longer Slaves

Sorry, I didn't mean to miss posting my Monday Song of Praise. I don't want you to miss it, so here it is. No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser.

The lyrics to this song are so powerful. So I hope that you will soak them in, and know that Jesus came to free us, from fear, we are now children of God.

Verse 1

You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone

Chorus

I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God

Verse 2

From my Mothers womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again, into your family
Your blood flows through my veins

Interlude

          

Bridge

You split the sea, so I could walk right through it
All my fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me, so I could stand and sing
I am a child of God

Song of Praise - Because He Lives

Doubt and fear are normal human emotions that I have felt in the last few years, months, and weeks. I know that emotions come and go, but God's truth stands forever. I also know that no matter what, life is worth living because Jesus lives.

This is a song that has been on my heart for a few weeks, but I was reminded of why this morning that no matter how hard life may be, life is worth living because Christ lives, and loves me.

When you hear this song, what does it say to you?

Praise God in Song - First

 When you prayer what do you start with first?

My life isn't what it seems, for some reason I have slipped into a depression. Sadly, the worst part is my selfishness. I don't see God moving so I feel unloved. To matters worse, I stopped seeking God. So every time I hear this song it convicts me to seek God
before I give him a list of what I think I need.

Seeking God first helps me to not focus on the selfish desires. So this week let us focus on God and praise Him first.

Praise God in Song - Dream For You

My life seems to be a fight between dreams and my hope and then it falls to reality. I see just how far off those dreams and hopes are from a reality and that it would take a miracle for me to see them come true. So I have a bad tendency of failing to dream. When I catch myself hoping for things that don't seem to fit, I remind myself that high hopes in my life lead to greater disappointments. 

I didn't make it to church yesterday morning. I hadn't been feeling well and was completely exhausted. I have Stage Hop on the Roku. Since I didn't go to church I was able to replay an old Night of Joy, and I choose to watch the Casting Crown concert. It was from their Thrive CD and I heard a new song. 

As the first Monday Song - I would like to remind you that God has dreams for your life, one that will give you hope. So as we begin living fearlessly, let's dare to say yes to the dreams God has for you. 

Do you have a song or Bible Verse that reminds you to allow God to dream for you?