"Steady My Heart" and "We Won't Be Shaken"

These two songs:

"Steady My Heart" by Kari Jobe and "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429 I heard today as I was driving home from class and they blessed me in such a great way. Therefore, I thought I would share them here. Once again, I can't get to YouTube, so you can search them on there.

Kari Jobe's Lyrics to "Steady My Heart" are as follows:

Wish it could be easy, why is life so messy? Why is pain a part of us? 

There are days I feel like nothing ever goes right, sometimes it just hurts so much

But You're here. 

You're real. 

I know I can trust you

Even when it hurts; 

even when it's hard, 

even when it all just falls apart.

I will run to you, 'cause I know that you are, Lover of my soul healer of my scars

You steady my heart. 

You steady my heart. 

I'm not gonna worry, I know that you've got me right inside the palm of your hand. 

Each and every moment, what's good and what gets broken, happens just the way you plan.

You are here. 

You're real. 

I know I can trust You

Even when it hurts; 

even when it's hard, 

even when it all just falls apart.

I will run to you, 'cause I know that you are, Lover of my soul, healer of my scars

You steady my heart. 

You steady my heart. 

And I will run to you, and find refuge in your arms.

And I will sing to you 'cause of everything you are....

You steady my heart. 

You steady my heart. 

Even when it hurts; 

even when it's hard, 

even when it all just falls apart.

I will run to you, 'cause I know that you are, Lover of my soul, healer of my scars

You steady my heart.

You steady my heart.

I'm not gonna worry. I know that you've got me, right inside the palm of your hand.

End.

And the song "We Won't Be Shaken" by Building 429 has similar thought; here are the lyrics:

This world has nothing for me. 

This life is not my own. 

I know you go before me and I am not alone. 

This mountain rises higher. 

The way seems so unclear, but I know that you go with me.

So I will never fear; 

I will trust in you.

Whatever will come our way, 

through fire or pouring rain, 

we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken.

Whatever tomorrow brings, 

together we'll rise and sing, 

that we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken.

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh.

No we won't be shaken.

You know my every longing.

You've heard my every prayer. 

You've held me in my weakness cause you are always there. 

So I'll stand in full surrender, it's your way and not my own.

My mind is set on nothing less, 

than you and you alone. 

I will not be moved oh.

Whatever will come our way, 

through fire or pouring rain, 

we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken.

Whatever tomorrow brings, 

together we'll rise and sing, 

that we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken.

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh.

No we won't be shaken.

We will trust in you. 

We will not be moved.

We will trust in you. 

We won't be shaken. 

We will trust in you. 

We will not be moved.

We will trust in you. 

We won't be shaken. 

We will trust in you. 

We will not be moved.

We will trust in you. 

We won't be shaken. 

No we won't be shaken.

Whatever will come our way, 

through fire or pouring rain, 

we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken.

Whatever tomorrow brings, 

together we'll rise and sing, 

that we won't be shaken.

No we won't be shaken

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh.

No we won't be shaken.

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh.

No we won't be shaken.

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh. 

Oooh oooh oh.

No we won't be shaken.

Colossians 3:5 "Mortifying Sin"

Colossians 3:5

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you."

Do you mortify?

Do you make it your daily work?

Do not take a day off from this work; 

always be killing sin or it will be killing you.

We must strike it as an enemy until it ceases living.

Sin is labouring to bring forth the deeds of the flesh. 

When sin lets us alone, we may let sin alone. 

Sin is active when it seems to be the most quiet, and its waters are often deep when they are calm. 

Sin is always 

• acting, 
• conceiving, 
• seducing 
• and tempting. 

There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled. There is no safety but in a constant warfare from sin's perplexing rebellion. 

Sin will not only be striving, acting, rebelling, troubling, and disquieting if not continually mortified, it will also bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, and soul-destroying sins (Galatians 5:19-20). 

When sin rises to tempt, it always seeks to express itself in the extreme. 

• Every unclean though would be adultery if it could; 
• every covetous desire would be oppression; 
• and every though of unbelief would be atheism. 

It is like the grave that is never satisfied. 

Sin's advance blinds the soul from seeing its drift from God. The soul becomes indifferent to sin as it continues to grow. 

The growth of sin has no boundaries 

but the utter denial of God and opposition to Him. 

Sin proceeds higher by degrees; it hardens the heart as it advances. Mortification withers the root and strikes at the head of sin every hour. 

The best saints in the world are in danger of a fall 

if found negligent in this important duty. 

Negligence of this duty decays the inner man instead of renewing him. 

It is our duty to be "bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1), and every day to be growing in grace (1 Peter 2:2), and seeking to be renewed in the inner nature day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).

**Puritan Devotional by John Owen

"Shine On Us"

There are songs that simply resonate with how I am feeling at various moments of each day or just in life. There was a song that really struck me today as I had my iphone on Pandora Radio. It was the song "Shine On Us" by Phillips Craig and Dean. I am almost certain that numerous artists have a version of it as well.

In fact, when I was in third grade; there was a third grade version of it, or at least it was our third grade version of it.

I cannot post a link because I can't get to YouTube on my computer, but go ahead and check it out.

Here are the lyrics.

Lord, let Your light
light of Your face
shine on us

Lord, let Your light
light of Your face
shine on us

That we may be saved
that we may have life
to find our way in the darkest night
let your light shine on us

Lord, let your grace
grace from Your hand
come over us

Lord, let your grace
grace from Your hand
come over us

That we may be saved
that we may have life
to find our way in the darkest night
let Your grace come over us

Lord, let Your love
love with no end
come over us

Lord, let Your love
love with no end
come over us

That we may be saved
that we may have life
to find our way in the darkest night
let Your love come over us
let Your light shine on us

I don't know what inspired this song to be written, but I do know it echoes two passages that come to my mind--Psalm 27:1 and Numbers 6:24-26

Psalm 27:1

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Numbers 6:24-26 (this is known as the Aaronic Blessing):

"The LORD bless you 

and keep you;

the LORD make His face shine upon you 

and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up His countenance upon you 

and give you peace."

I just want to point out a few things without getting too preachy.

1. The answer to Psalm 27:1's questions is simply 

"There is no one that I should fear and nothing I should be afraid of!" 

2. When the Lord's face shines upon some one it means that there is intended good coming their way. The person who blesses the people wants the Lord to show mercy, compassion and grace in their life. 

And the Lord does just this.

However, this doesn't always mean a "happy go lucky" kind of life from this blessing. 

You see, the Lord's face shining upon us means just what Psalm 27:1 questions

WHOM SHALL I FEAR?

OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID?

NO ONE.

No matter what we are going through, no matter what we have gone through and no matter what we are going to go through; the Lord is the Lord of whatever circumstance we are in. 

God is God alone. In the good times and bad; He is on His throne; reigning victoriously.

But remember; it is one thing to have the knowledge that God is the ruler over all situations and that He is always with us, but it is a whole different side of the coin when we actually believe that this is true.

When we believe this: 

...it changes who we are.

...it changes how we live.

..it changes how we interact with others and God.

...it changes our mindset.

God's grace is never to far away to find someone; 

to find a heart to change, 

or a heart to mold 

or a mind to transform. 

God promises that nothing will separate us from His love (Romans 8)....

...do we know this promise?

...and do we believe this promise?

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 

The LORD is the stronghold of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, 

my adversaries and foes, 

it is they (my adversaries and foes) who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; 

though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the LORD,

 that will I seek after: 

                              that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 

                                                                                                                 all the days of my life, 

                                                                                to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD 

and to inquire in His temple.

For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; 

       He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; 

       He will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, 

and I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; 

I will sing and make melody to the LORD.           

Hear, 

O LORD, 

when I cry aloud; 

be gracious to me 

and answer me! 

You have said, 

                   "Seek my face." 

My heart says to you, 

                              "Your face, LORD, do I seek."

Hide not your face from me. 

                                      Turn not your servant away in anger, 

                                                                                         O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; 

                      forsake me not, 

O God of my salvation!

For my father and mother have forsaken me, 

                                                                     but the LORD will take me in.

Teach me your way, 

O LORD, 

and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; 

for false witnesses have risen against me, 

and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD; 

be strong, 

and let your heart take courage; 

wait for the LORD!

***Psalm 27 from the Holy Bible: English Standard Version

To all who read this:

The LORD bless you 

              and keep you;

the LORD make His face shine upon you 

              and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up His countenance upon you 

              and give you peace.

Amen.

***Numbers 6:24-26 from the Holy Bible: English Standard Version

Genesis 12:1-8; Hebrews 11:8 "Do You Know Where You Are Going?"

With experience, traveling gets easier; or at least it should.

If we have previously navigated an airport or are familiar with the local language, it is not overwhelming to get where we are going.

But if we don't know the way to our next gate or can't read the signs pointing the way, we can soon feel lost and have no idea where we are and where we need to go next.

Abraham was in a situation like that.

If we try to put ourselves in his sandals, we can see that it was no small thing to

obey God and follow God's leading.

God promised that Abraham would be a great nation and bring great blessings for "all peoples on earth", but this would required a long journey and a new start, living among strangers in a faraway land.

"He did not know where he was going"

When Abraham arrived at his destination, he built an altar and dedicated it to the Lord, who had brought him there. What a wonderful action in the midst of one of the most memorable pilgrimages in Scripture.

Where has God brought you?

Is your first thought to worship Him for His faithfulness?

God continues to promise us spiritual blessings in this life and the next.

So let's not forget to dedicate the steps of our lives to God, even if, like Abraham, it is unclear exactly where God is leading.

[RE-READ THAT LAST SENTENCE]

So let's not forget 

to dedicate the steps of our lives to God, 

even if, 

like Abraham,

 it is unclear 

exactly where 

God is leading.

*Taken from the TODAY devotional Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Numbers 13:1-3, 26-31; 14:1-9 "Out of Egypt"

One of the great pilgrimages of Scripture is the trek of the people of Israel from Egypt, where they had been slaves, to the promised land of Canaan.

It is an account of great adventure but also great tragedy. 

After seeing how God rescued them through amazing miracles, 

how could the people not trust the Lord Almighty 

as they stood at the door 

to the promised land?

Yet, amazingly, that is what happened.

After witnessing the great works of the Lord in their escape from Egypt--the ten plagues, the walk through the Red Sea on dry land, the destruction of Pharaoh's army (Exodus 7-15)--the people of Israel showed a great lack of confidence in God when they reached the land of promise.

Rather than having confidence that the Lord would again do so as He had promised, they rejected the advice of Caleb and Joshua, who trusted the Lord.

So the people paid a heavy price.

Their desert wanderings for the next forty years were a testimony to their lack of faith in God.

In our own lives, God often provides abundantly for us also--and yet, when we are faced with a challenge, we fail to trust that He will bring us through.

The Lord has promised our salvation. Let's hold firm to His promises!

**Taken from the TODAY devotional Monday, February 10, 2014

Genesis 47:7-12 "Jacob in Egypt"

Sometimes the hardships of life accumulate on the soul, with resulting bitterness and resentment. When we cannot forgive and move on, we develop soul-destroying grudges.
As one writer noted,

"Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and then hoping that the other person dies." 

The deep desire to see someone suffer ends up as a curse over our own heads. Jacob had lots of reasons to hold a grudge: his days had been difficult, especially with a recent drought in the land. He might have despaired, letting the bitter bile of resentment gouge his heart. 

But we find his perspective quite different.

He framed the "few and difficult" years of his life in the context of pilgrimage. He knew that life was not just an accumulation of one problem after another but was a journey directed by God Himself.

This pilgrimage perspective was all the more useful for a man who left his homeland to live in a foreign land, where there was no guarantee of peace.

As Jacob found peace in the prism of life as a pilgrimage, so can we. Whether we move about or stay in one place, God is shaping us, sharpening us, calling us to live for Him. 

Life has its challenges and trials, but we find comfort in the love and care of our heavenly Father.

**This is taken from the TODAY devotional Sunday, February 9, 2014

Hebrews 13:21 "Comfort in Times of Fear"

I haven't read the devotional book "Voices From the Past" which is a Puritan devotional reading; in a long time. However, I picked it up today--February 12--and this was the entry. It came at a very fitting time for me in my life. It provided great encouragement and comfort for me! I hope it does the same for you!

Hebrews 13:21 

"Working in us that which is pleasing in His sight"

Satan is a troubler of our souls. 

He will test you as to your fear of the future: 

'What will become of you if God should bring you into such and such affliction or trial, when you must burn at the stake or deny the Lord, or when all your outward estate is torn from you, and there is no money in your purse? Do you dare to think that your faith will hold out in such an hour of temptation?'

He is tossing you a snare. 

He is seeking by the fear of future troubles to get you to neglect your present duty, and then be unprepared for your future trials when they come.

If a man has a great amount of business to do the next day, he needs to put it out of his mind the night before, to get the rest he needs to be prepared for the next day. The less rest the soul has in God now, the less strength it will find to bear trials when the pinch comes.

Comfort your soul with three plain conclusions:

1. Every event is the product of God's providence; not a sparrow, much less a saint falls to the ground by poverty, sickness, or persecution, but the hand of God is in it.

2. God has promised, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). God will teach His servants all they need to know. At the first moment of your spiritual life, suffering grace was infused into you as well as praying grace.

3. God in wisdom conceals the comforts He intends to give you at the various stages of your life, so that He may encourage your heart to full dependence upon His faithful promises now.

Thus, try the metal of Abraham's faith, He let him go on, until his hand was stretched forth to slay Isaac, and then He came to his rescue.

Christ sent His disciples to sea, but stayed behind Himself, with the design to test their faith, and show His love.

Comfort yourself with this: 

though you do not see God in the way, yet you will find Him in the end.

Written by William Gurnall

My Theme for 2014

I have chosen to ponder and think about for 2014; Psalm 90:1-4

"Lord, you have been 

our dwelling place in all generations. 

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You return men to dust and say,

'Return, O children of man!'

For a thousand years in your sight 

are bust as yesterday when it is past, or a watch in the night."