“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10
Excerpt from poem, Winds of Change
“God does remind us if we look we’ll find It isn’t so difficult it’s all in the mind How I imagine and fear it could be Remember, His plans only good toward me”
After the toughest battles we realize we were never alone.
Understanding “we are here”, at this time, for this purpose, in this season, in this chaos, for His good pleasure can be challenging yet invigorating, for others, overwhelming.
Large shopping centers have signs at the entrance and on each level, to help us find our way. Stores, restaurants, restrooms and exits, as well as stairs or escalators are placed in scale for our help.
Seeing ‘you are here’ can be incredibly comforting. Seeing where we are, we can locate the desired destiny, and begin toward our desired location.
Do not be dismayed, the Jewish commentators, with the Targum interpret as: [be not broken].
My prayer for you today, may you hear our Savior say, “you are here”, be not broken, for I Am your Savior, Jesus Christ and I Am with you, I will be your comfort. (John 14:16)
Don’t be dismayed [be not broken], for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10 WMBBE).
“God does remind us if we look we’ll find It isn’t so difficult it’s all in the mind How I imagine and fear it could be Remember, His plans are only good toward me”
I pray you pause in His presence…selah
and remember, His plans are only good toward you!
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
What is a Veteran and what does this mean I’m new to the area can you explain this to me
The answer came as intently I listened Their words made their eyes brim over and glisten
Well it’s a deep subject but allow me to try It’s about hope and security how to diversify
God called forth a land that would require protection So He created brave hearts, ones that would serve without objection
He brought them forth, calling them soldiers Placing in their heart a call and a responsibility to shoulder
What would they do where would they go Wherever their country needed to show
Freedom comes at a great cost is not without trials They left the comfort of home trekking across the miles
While we were safe in our homes resting in our beds They would face fear and oftentimes dread
A Veteran is someone with a special call Where the fight they fight is for the good of all
Maybe it will help if I can spell it out for you The bravest men and women, the Red White and Blue
V is for how Voluntarily they put their life on the line
E is for Everyday never an offer of part time
T is for Total commitment given to protect our land
E is for Everything endured by their families as they took their stand
R is for Readily serving keeping us free to enjoy this security
A is Audaciously serving with a stouthearted maturity
N is for Never, no Never could we repay So yes we did, we set aside a very special day
That is a Veteran but this is only in part They are brave men and women with a warriors protective heart
They are a different breed loyal and true Specially created by God to do what they do
Because of their bravery Veterans led the way Yes, oh yes we have set aside this special day
Today we enjoy freedom in this great nation They didn’t tuck tail and run, but served with heartfelt dedication
This is just a glimpse of a Veteran’s heart and today and everyday we are extremely grateful So yes, yes we did we set aside this day to say, thank you for your service, you’ve been so faithful
Saying thank you seems so small in comparison to their service. These brave men and women have fought, and even today take their watch. They deserve our respect and all of our gratitude. We owe them a debt of gratitude for all they have given us. I pray we never forget, nor fail to teach and share the price of freedom with the generations behind us. And to tell them all these brave men and women have done; the price paid for freedom by these brave men and women, and their families who served and serve along side them, on the home front, thousands of miles away.
The thrill of Victory still reverberates in the soil and in the soul of the USA 🇺🇸. It is still felt all across our land. Take a moment and listen…
I hear the heartbeat of America, can you hear it? 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS YOU! IT IS TIME TO TAKE A STAND! Stand up for what you believe.
God called forth this nation with a plan and a purpose. Our victories were not happenstance or the will or luck of man. The USA has God’s purpose woven into our very core, Christianity is the rebar and in our DNA, AND she is not through yet. Do not think God has forgotten these brave men and women. I believe there is a special seat and an assigned section at the marriage supper for the brave men and women, alongside other leaders, those who have fought and still fight today, willing take the call to fight for justice. Without “this” freedom the good news, The Gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ, would not be preached across the airways.
Think about what you just read. The gospel of JESUS CHRIST is preached through the airways, from the United States of America to the whole world. What an assignment, what a call.
Women especially need to look around and then fall on your knees and thank the Lord God of heaven you were born in the USA! And not use your freedom for vain purposes! Jesus Christ did more to liberate women so we could be free to serve the Living God!
Our God and Savior created liberty, in Christ we have liberty. Jesus Christ died to set us free. God loves Liberty, proving this by willingly sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down His life, that we may be forgiven of our sins and be set free to serve The Living God! Yes I believe Jesus will have a special section for our brave soldiers!
God saw a need and placed inside them a brave heart, a heart to protect life and liberty, and answer the call to serve, that the gospel can be preached to all the earth.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Thankfulness, when truly embraced and purposeful, ALWAYS, ushers light into the darkest night, thankfulness calls forth a deluge of hope, doubt once drowned, allows streams of living water to freely flow, in the form we readily know as tears, flowing over rocky places clearing the stream and watering fallow ground. Trials and struggles not understood can blind and harden us. “It is Satan, Not God, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)
The toughest trials and most strenuous training produce the greatest athletes. It is God who is working in us…
All things work together for good to those who are called, who love Him…
Christ calls and equips, teaches and trains us to co-mission and operate in the kingdom of God, with principles of life, and that more abundantly.
Knowing He was headed to Golgotha, Christ took the bread, gave thanks and brake it, (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-19, John 6:51).
Our merciful Savior went through the beating, shredding, bloody Cross for us! Knowing His body would be broken and His blood poured out… And He gave thanks! Christ knew the joy that was to come.
He endured the shame of the Cross…
When we cannot be thankful for our difficult circumstances, we can be eternally thankful for our salvation, worked completely in Christ our Messiah, knowing earth is not our home, but instead our mission field.
But during our time here, Jesus said His desire and gift is that our time be full of abundant life and thanksgiving.
I pray your praise drown out your pain, I pray your praise usher you unto the courts of our God, and just for today you catch a glimpse of glory that fills you with new wine. I pray your praise turn your misery into ministry and your hopelessness into possibilities, your despair into deeper knowledge of His goodness and most of all I pray you know you are loved by our merciful Savior!
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, And to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: To shew forth Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness every night,” Psalm 92:1-2 KJV
The Passion Translation
“It’s so enjoyable to come before You with uncontainable praises spilling from our hearts! How we love to sing our praises over and over to You, to the matchless God, high and exalted over all! At each and every sunrise we will be thanking You for Your kindness and Your love. As the sun sets and all through the night, we will keep proclaiming, “You are so faithful!”” Psalms 92:1-2 TPT
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom!
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
I glimpse a touch of what God’s glory must be. I sense God’s glory covering the earth. His glory, that filled Solomon’s temple. The glory so heavy the priests were unable to minister.
Prostrate, unable to stand, unable to offer any manmade language or action, simply pressed down in worship. Paralyzed and prostrate, pressed down and waiting, weighted, wanting and pressed down, waiting to hear His voice.
Dense fog paralyzes, but once it encounters the sun (Son), fog changes, becoming liquid, melting into drops, falling to the earth…
Yes, I believe His glory abounds toward us, melting us, inspiring us to praise.
Isaiah 55, Isaiah, through God’s interpretation encourages us to seek Him while He is near. Isaiah teaches us God’s word is like spiritual water, watering the earth, with purpose and provision.
Prophetic prayers, declared and decreed, usher God’s word and His Will into the very atmosphere He created. God’s living, active, powerful, sharp, double edged, eternal word, spoken, yet again, by us. What a privilege!
Spoken, then released into the atmosphere, God’s creative word, blanketing and covering the earth. His WORD, which is Jesus Christ, and our prayers are yes and amen, to His glory. Heaven and earth may pass away, but… The word of God stands forever!
My prayer is that you praise until your entire being, spirit and heart meet His.
Once pressed and prostrate, pray; oh Lord soften the hearts of the wounded, the weak, the scared, the scarred, the blind, the lame, those taken captive.
Spirit of the Living God, anoint us and appoint us.
Once touched by the Son we are never the same!
Philippians 2:11 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Praise ushers in glory
“in unison when the trumpeters and singers were to make themselves heard with one voice praising and thanking the Lord, and when they raised their voices accompanied by the trumpets and cymbals and [other] instruments of music, and when they praised the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever,” then the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not remain standing to minister because of the cloud; for the glory and brilliance of the Lord filled the house of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 AMP
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
– to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument – to play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice – to celebrate in song and music – to strike (a musical instrument / strings) with fingers
If Praise is a Prayer (Excerpt)
If Proverbs are wisdom Teaching what is admirable Then find me studying To know what is desirable
If thoughts become actions Pointing to direction May my soul long for You With all my affection
If circumstances change and oh how they will; May I always be found In faith, waiting and still
Until that song Of heightened praise Gushes out of my belly Like rivers of living water, amaze
As there are several words for praise there are also several different instruments for sound. Unique instruments in the hands of skilled musicians, following specific musical notes bring harmony, so it is in the kingdom.
Praising God invites His presence into our chaos, teaching us to become harmonious with His ways. And, we look to Christ, soon the world is drowned out and being found in Christ, we become part of God’s symphony.
The things of earth become strangely dim…
Strong’s 4858
The word symphony is derived from Greek συμφωνία (symphonia), meaning “agreement or concord of sound”, “concert of vocal or instrumental music”, from σύμφωνος (symphōnos), “harmonious” (Oxford English Dictionary).
From sumphonos; unison of sound (“symphony”), i.e. A concert of instruments (harmonious note) — music.
Strong’s 4859 sýmphōnos (from 4862/sýn, “closely identify with” and 5456/phōnḗ, “voice,” which is the root of the English term, “symphony“) – properly, be of one voice (voice the same opinion);
Our hearts long for harmony with one another, how much more does our God long for us to be in harmony with Him?
“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! My innermost being will praise You, Lord! I will spend my life praising You and singing high praises to You, my God, every day of my life!” Psalms 146:1-2 TPT
“You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful name!” Psalms 100:4 TPT
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Our cabin is on a bluff 550 feet above the White River and overlooking Inspiration Valley; we didn’t know. We waited a little late to make reservations for our anniversary trip this year, thinking of going South, instead prompted to go North. But God! We couldn’t be more pleased. The cabin is perfect, with scripture above the mantle, and the view is, well inspirational. We are very close to the Kings River, a tributary to White River. I know who opened this cabin for us.
We’ve been to Prayer Mountain several times, we’ve been to the River Walk, and now The White River overlooking Inspiration Valley. The view of Inspiration Valley is right outside our back patio.
Sometime during the night a dense heavy fog rolled in. I excitingly opened the curtains reaching for the door knob, and I was shocked and the milky white blanket covering Inspiration Valley.
But, I saw Inspiration Valley the night before, so I know…
This reminds me of being led by His Spirit, The cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, led the children of Israel through the wilderness.
So it is, with us. Being led by His Spirit, we walk by faith. Praise opens the way along the journey, just as when David brought the Arc of the covenant back to Jerusalem. Having seen then seeking, David stopped, often, to sacrifice and praise, understanding after the death of Uzzah. We see the result of reaching out to protect the Presence of God. It is deadly. We do not protect nor deliver God or His presence. God is our deliverer and our rewarder, we allow Him to flow through us.
It is a gift. And God loves and inhabits the praises of His people. When we praise He draws even closer.
“Everything I am will praise and bless the Lord! O Lord, my God, Your greatness takes my breath away, overwhelming me by Your majesty, beauty, and splendor! I will sing my song to the Lord as long as I live! Every day I will sing my praises to God. May You be pleased with every sweet thought I have about You, for You are the source of my joy and gladness.” Psalms 104:1, 33-34 TPT
So Todah- we praise and bring thanksgiving, especially when it is a sacrifice. Even when we don’t see it, feel it. and think we may never see “it” again. We praise Him because our God is worthy of our praise, regardless of circumstances and regardless of our “it”.
And just like that the fog has melted, and the grandeur and beauty of our God is evident; Once again…
Leaving only faint traces before leaving.
In the fire of affliction we draw warmth from His Promises, they are yes and amen to the glory of Jesus Christ. In spite of our difficulties; We praise Him!
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Embracing November A time of Praise and Thanksgiving
Praise: Webster’s- to proclaim the glory of God.
Is praise beneficial? Do we benefit as we praise our Mighty God.
Hebrew word for praise. Do you see the start of a word often used?
Halal (Haw-Lal’) Strongs #1984
– to be clear (…of sound…); to shine, to make a show – to boast; to be clamourously foolish, make foolish – to rave, to celebrate, commend – to sing praise, renowned
Excerpt from poem
If Praise is a Prayer
If praise is a prayer And a song is a Psalm Then teach me to sing All the day long
If prayer is dialogue Effective and powerful Your language I speak Every hour full
If sighs and groaning Become discernible Then help my mind Stay always learnable
It is proven; praising God has incredible and indescribable benefits. Praise is a restorative tool. Praising God changes our focus, refocusing our affections, realigning our priorities, and restoring our souls when the focus is redirected to Him. King David knew this, acknowledging The LORD as his Shepherd, saying He restores my soul. (Psalm 23). As we praise The LORD, our spirit, becomes more pliable, open, and receptive to receiving from God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth is magnified in us, around us, and through us by praise. Holy Spirit is ushered in with this harmony of praise.
Synonyms bless, carol, celebrate, emblazon, exalt, extol (also extoll), glorify, hymn, laud, magnify, resound Related Words adore, belaud, deify, idolize, worship acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, renown, salute chant, cheer, eulogize, rhapsodize; does our praise matter? I think I we know! Of course it does.
So we close this morning with this chapter, that David, the great psalmist closes the book with. The last several chapters of the book of Psalms begin with these words: Praise The Lord.
“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for his mighty deeds; praise Him according to his excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
(Psalm 150:1-6 ESV)
David didn’t need to deny circumstances, he simply and unashamedly teaches us to PRAISE.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat ha’tov, which literally translated is: “recognizing the good.”
Gratitude is an attitude in the garden of our heart. Gratitude initiates appreciation, for today. Gratitude can be planted. Like other good seed, when planted in good ground, gratitude is guaranteed to grow. Gratitude will grow if you determine to prepare your (soul) soil, watch over your (heart) garden. Once we become tenders and growers, we are instructed to share and sow seed for others, in their garden.
Recognize the good today and thank The Lord for it.
*Excerpt from poem Grateful and Thankful
Grateful and Thankful
With praise I found the key Gratitude fanned into flame Because when we are grateful We bring honor to Your Name
I thank You Lord my Savior From the bottom of my heart May my gratitude never be silent From beginning of new days start
And as my day progresses Should life begin to unravel Remind me again of Your love As along life’s road we travel
If not for Your untold goodness And love for all lost sinners We wouldn’t have had a chance Because we once were all beginners
Remind us to be examples With unending Gratitude Because The Father sees our heart Evident by our attitude
@ laurette laster 2018
Is it a coincidence? Of course not. In nearly every prayer in Judaism, devout prayers begin with, “blessed are You, Lord, our God…/ Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu”. In Hebrew, bracha (which means blessing) sharing the same root with the word for knee – berech. When we say a prayer and a blessing (bow) on our knees before God, we are in a position of gratitude.
I’ve chosen the Passion Bible for these verses. Indeed it is privilege to worship our Creator.
“And realize what this really means— we have the privilege of worshiping Yahweh our God. For He is our Creator and we belong to Him. We are the people of His pleasure. You can pass through His open gates with the password of praise. Come right into His presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to Him and affectionately bless His beautiful name! For Yahweh is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And He is famous for His faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for He keeps His promises to every generation!” Psalms 100:3-5 TPT
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Seasonal changes teach us to embrace the now, and eagerly await what is to come. This is The Lord’s way of saying, I’m speaking and helping you understand. Sometimes unsettling and somber, but change always, ALWAYS causes us to grow. we grow in every season.
A time for new requires letting go of the old or what was. I remember when change unsettled me. I couldn’t let go for fear of famine. I didn’t know then like I do now, that to release what was, allows God to usher in the new. Root season is a dark cold season but oh “Joy cometh in the morning” or in spring time. What we thought dead and buried, we realize is only planted. Once planted, God has ordained roots and shoots, yes, all in His perfect timing. Issues hindered my acceptance in the past, but not today.
Today, I embrace, welcome, and get excited, about change, realizing without change I become bored, irritable and frustrated. God knew we would experience this so He ordained change to be all around us. Change keeps us alive and vibrant. We are commanded to be fruitful and in order to be fruitful we must experience the seasons that are in God’s perfect alignment and timing.
With The LORD, change comes tenderly; lovingly; quietly; gently, often secretly; even while we sleep. While we go on about our daily lives EVERYTHING is changing, without our knowledge, the deep intrinsic truths continue forwards. God’s word is truth and it is alive and powerful, His word that does not fail is all around us, from before the world began. God indeed made (spoke) everything beautiful in its time.
I realize my soul longed for the changes I once dreaded; the release of the old to usher in the new. Nature teaches us letting go is beautiful because in Christ Jesus there are no endings only new beginnings.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Understanding we were brought forth and born for this very season can be frightening or exciting; possibly both. Steady yourself as you go. While watching your steps you may lose sight of the destiny however your God given destiny hasn’t lost sight of you, and never will. The struggle may dim your vision, attempting to conceal the destiny, remember it is part of the training. The anticipation of the final destination makes it impossible to quit. You were born for this. Pray. Faith is just fear that has said its prayers. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-8
May we never doubt…
“Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for His miraculous power constantly energizes you” (Ephesians 3:20 TPT).
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 