Seen And Not Heard

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Although my heart's desire is to truly live by faith and sing praises to the Lord, sometimes, I find myself trying to live daily on my own accord instead of putting all of myself in the Lord and depending on His accord to pull me through.

Do you ever look back at a moment in your life where you should have been SEEN but definitely not HEARD?

I read in a popular book of recent about people who become disappointed, stressed and angry are like lemons. The book continues to explain further by stating; as times get tough, these people tend to feel squeezed. And just like a lemon, sourness pours out!

Whoa! Let's ponder that for a moment...

Yes, I have to admit, that is me these days. I have allowed the busyness of the holidays and the busyness in my life in general to make me feel exactly those things; disappointed, stressed and especially angry.

Do you know what happens when I feel squeezed these days? Yep, you guessed it - sourness pours out of me!

Do you want to take a quick guess at who feels the 'sourness' that pours from me? Yep, again, you have guessed it - those whom I love the most -my family!

It is amazing that in what is suppose to be the happiest time of year, so many of us find ourselves not happy at all. I am convinced that this is because I have temporarily put my faith in others and myself instead of where it is suppose to be, with God alone!

Have you ever experienced this or am I alone in this area? I have a tough time believing I am alone in this area. Especially with how many people in this world are touched by depression, disappointment, stress and anger! Not to mention the fact the Bible says none of us is good, no not one! Be honest with yourself - has this ever touched your life?

So what do we do about it?

Well, I personally want to sulk and feel sorry for myself. Do you think that is what God wants me to do? Yep, you guessed it again - NO! The Lord God wants me to run to Him with my whole heart open wide and confessing my sin to Him.

Here is a prayer from the song "God of All of Me" by Sandi Patty from the Album My Utmost for His Highest: (Lyrics & music written by: Michael W Smith & Bob Farrell)

"Lord you are God of the morning light
Master of the shining sun and ruler of the night
God of the earth and God of the sea
Voice that fills creation from the mountains majesty
Lord God of all
You know my ways
Giver of breath to my dying day
Almighty God of all I can see
Build up your kingdom in me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
Father take my life
Everything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me

Lord in my soul
In secret parts of me
There are places in my heart
That only You can reach
Brighter shines my hope
Than the morning light
Deeper is my stain of sin
Than any dark of night
Father who rules
All of earth and sea
Reign over dreams that I dare not speak
Lord God of all
Be God of these
Rule ev’ry kingdom in me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
Father take my life
Everything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
And Father take my life
Take ev’rything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me"

Let us pray this prayer together and pray it from the depths of our hearts with total sincerity.
Then, let us see what God has in store as we move forward in God's grace & mercy!

Scripture Verses for today:

Galatians 5:19 (The Message)
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
1 Timothy 2:4 (The Message)
He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 25:10 (NIV)
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Psalm 33:4 (NIV)
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 86:15 (NIV)
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Thought for today:

Where or what do you run to when things get tough?

Songs for today:

"God of All of Me"
By Sandi Patty
From the My Utmost for My Highest Album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XiU9ZYeAK8

AND

(warning to those of you who do not like loud songs with lots of drumming & electric guitars!!)
"Seen and Not Heard"
By Petra

From the Beyond Belief Album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKuvaRSYmmc