Listen to the Lyrics #6

Chris Tomlin - I Will Rise

If you have never heard this song before, make sure you visit youtube and have a listen. It is awesome! Click here to listen now:)


There's a peace I've come to know 
Though my heart and flesh may fail 
There's an anchor for my soul 
I can say "It is well" 
Jesus has overcome 
And the grave is overwhelmed 
The victory is won 
He is risen from the dead 
And I will rise when He calls my name 
No more sorrow, no more pain 
I will rise on eagles' wings 
Before my God fall on my knees 
And rise 
I will rise 
There's a day that's drawing near 
When this darkness breaks to light 
And the shadows disappear 
And my faith shall be my eyes 
Jesus has overcome 
And the grave is overwhelmed 
The victory is won 
He is risen from the dead 
And I hear the voice of many angels sing, 
"Worthy is the Lamb" 
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, 
"Worthy is the Lamb" 
And I will rise when He calls my name 
No more sorrow, no more pain 
I will rise on eagles' wings 
Before my God fall on my knees 
And rise 
I will rise 



The first time I heard this song was when a friend, who has been going through a really really tough time, told me to have a listen. She said she had been given this song when she was in her darkest place. It has been a phenomenal encouragement to her since. 
She is no longer in that darkest of places and even though a battle still rages, a victory has been won. How? Through the prayers of loving family and friends; through a heart and lips to praise Him - even when that has been the hardest thing to do; and through a faithful God honouring His promise to 'never leave or forsake us.'
So no matter what you are facing today, know that Jesus has been in the darkest of places too. Remember that He faced derision, betrayal, abuse, ignorance, rejection, frustration, misunderstanding, persecution and death. He spent hours alone....on a cross and in a tomb. He was forsaken by the One who He most loved and had spent His life serving and honouring. 
Is there a darker place than that? And yet the outcome?? He ROSE! 
So will you dear one.....obey, honour, pray, praise and keep on keeping on. 

Does this look like your life?

Psalm 112
Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Look at Psalm 112 as a) the pattern for living the life that pleases God and b)guaranteeing blessing. How are you measuring up?

Are you....
Praising him? My brother commented on a grace I prayed last week and called it a 'thanks-fest.' I don't know that he meant it as a compliment, but that's how I took it. Because I want God to look at me as a grateful child of His. How important it is to start our days and our prayers with thanksgiving and praise of our great God. It puts Him in the right place in our lives and gives us the right perspective on life.


Fearing Him? 'What a friend we have in Jesus' was a favourite old hymn we used to sing, but so often I don't have the right reverence and respect....fear...of God that I should have. I am way too familiar and some times downright disrespectful. I treat God worse than I would treat an enemy...not that I have any of those - that I know of. As LORD, He deserves much better than that.


Obeying Him? Verse 1 says I need to find great delight in following and obeying God. Sometimes I do...but sometimes, making the right choices is just plain hard. And I don't do it well. I get short and snappy at my kind husband...I judge others when I have no right to...I gossip in the name of sharing concerns...I am very selfish, looking for what I can get out of a situation. But the Bible clearly tells us how much God delights in our obedience...it matters to Him more than any sacrifice we might give. And it is one of the most powerful witnesses we can have.

But wait! There's more we are to do.....give generously, be gracious, compassionate, righteous, upright, trusting and just. Seems like God is asking a lot....but considering how generous He is, He offers great rewards for those who focus their eyes, their hearts and their desires on Him.

I absolutely love the promises for those who live Psalm 112.

• A blessing will be upon our families and children....what a gift that is...to them and to us.
• Wealth and riches....but not just for us to enjoy. They are to be the means by which we give to and bless others.
• We will see light in dark, difficult times. No time in my life has that been more obvious than during my year in Africa. One night, I was stuck in the capital city and needing to find my way home to my town, 25 minutes away. As it was only my first couple of weeks in the country, I had no idea which mini-van/bus to take from that part of the city. It was dark and I was surrounded by people who looked and sounded so very different to me, but I had a quiet confidence that God was with me and would provide a way home. And He did...in the form of a Ugandan angel....a lovely lady who not only took me to the right bus that would eventually take me to the depot for me to catch the bus home, but also jumped on with me to make sure I got there safely.
• I will also know goodness...be confident...feel secure....experience peace....know victory....stay calm....rest....enjoy my life.

What precious, life-changing, priceless gifts.
Thank-you God...YOU are SO GOOD!

Sport's Nut

Last night on Facebook I posted my heart's desire for the weekend....I don't want for much. Just victories in the football finals for the Titans...Saint Kilda....and St George Dragons. Okay...so perhaps my focus in September is somewhat clouded by the bedazzling array of sporting broadcasts....V8s last weekend, a so-close Wallabies win the weekend before, Comm. Games coming (we hope)....and of course footy finals galore.

Anyway, Game #1 of 3 is done and my team....lost - big time! Drat. That was definitely not the result I hoped for and along with every other Qld rugby league fan, I am disappointed that there will be no north-of-the-border team in next week's Grand Final. And truth be told, there's a good chance my other 2 tips for the weekend will also bow out losers.


So what does all this have to do with God? Well I am just reminded...as I have been repeatedly throughout the year as I have watched Casey Stoner crash out of races....Mark Webber total his car.....Jamie Whincup's Vs develop an oil leak just a few laps from a podium place....the Lions and Broncos fail to make the Top 8 for a final's berth....and the Australian men's swimming team's failure to fire at the Pan Pacs...that I cannot put my hope in man. Why would I rely on humans, be they sports people, politicians, singers, pastors, actors or others to be my source of joy, of purpose and value, of contentment. As humans, they disappoint, because they lose and they fail, they make mistakes and get it wrong....just like me. 

But more than that, they cannot offer what my God does. Check out Psalm 103 to see a list of His wonderful 'benefits.' No man, no matter how famous, wealthy, popular, talented can come close to blessing and fulfilling me the way the God of the Universe can.

Who else can and does and has"....redeemed my life from the pit?...crowns me with love and compassion?......forgives and heals?....satisfies?...works righteousness and justice?...not treat us as our sins deserve?.....amazing love and compassion for us?"

Wow! That list in Psalm 103 is better than any team's line-up for the big game and any driver's result in the Championship. It makes me want to do as verses 21-22 tell me to do (4 times!)...PRAISE HIM! Now that is a real heart's desire.


PS 2 challenges with this post...
1. Please pray for my friends Mr n Mrs B and their baby. Having a rough time right now and needing help, healing, peace.
2. Anyone else want to join me in memorizing Ps 103?? It's a challenge I have set for myself...any takers?