Sunday Praise (292) 4/7/24

Sunday Praise (292) 4/7/24. by me.

God, how wonderful to know
You are who You say You are,
Your mercy You daily show,
From us You’re never too far.

You’ve prepared for us
A place where forever we’ll be
In Your presence, Jesus,
That day I just can’t wait to see.

There’s a longing to be nearer
To You, my heavenly Father.
It’s slowly becoming clearer
Why we must faithfully gather.

Someday we will see You,
We will meet face to face,
We are patiently waiting to
In the most beautiful place.

I know You are here,
I don’t have to be afraid,
My prayers You hear,
For Your glory I’m made.

May You be magnified
For You worthy, Lord.
May You be glorified,
Faithful to Your word.

God, Your name is wonderful,
Days with grace You fill
I walk into new days hopeful
And by Your mercy I will.

God, help me to be ready
When the enemy attacks.
Keep me holding steady,
Your grace never lacks.

God, for You my soul longs,
I want to daily worship You,
To You my spirit belongs,
Help me Your will to do.

God, all Your ways are good,
You always do what is right,
By the faithful understood
Is Your Word, shining bright.

Your enemies shall fall,
You are victorious, Holy One,
The faithful on You call,
The war of ages You’ve won.

King of kings and Lord of lords,
You reign over all in every age.
Living and active are Your words
And Your truth is on every page.

You know what we need
Even before we ask You,
To our ruin You won’t lead,
What’s right’s what You do.

King of Israel, Messiah,
Glory to You in the highest,
We’re singing hallelujah
You’re the greatest, the best.

For Your glory You did create
What we see and what we can’t,
You are alive, true, holy, great,
Won’t deny, reject, won’t recant.

You have ransomed us
From the enemy, Holy One,
All glory to You, Jesus,
Us for Yourself You’ve won.

You call all sinners to repent,
You are still changing lives,
The saved is on You dependent,
Is blessed by You and thrives.

When we sin, help us to confess,
To repent and forsake them.
Faithfully Your name to profess,
Us no enemy can condemn.

We see the wicked trying
To silence Your children,
Our tears You are drying,
You our spirits embolden.

Sunday Praise (283) 2/4/24

Sunday Praise (283) 2/4/24. by me.

You’ve saved me from Hell,
From the just wrath to come,
Of Your deeds here I will tell
And Your presence welcome.

My strength is in You
My salvation’s source.
Nothing You can’t do,
Guide my life’s course.

At Golgotha by their word,
On Calvary You were killed
But You rose again, o Lord,
Prophecies You’ve fulfilled.

When You forgave me
My life You changed
So I’ll forevermore be
Grateful to You, God.

God, in every generation
You’re unchanging.
People in every nation
You are changing.

God, how can I understand
All Your wonderful ways?
Teach me in truth to stand
And be with me always.

This sounds like foolishness
To all those who are perishing
But You Word we’re cherishing,
Clothed in Your righteousness.

You’re clothed in majesty,
What a magnificent view.
Greatest is Your beauty,
There is no one like You.

You see all there is,
You are just and kind,
No detail You miss,
You renew my mind.

Source of salvation,
Giver of true peace,
Lord of every nation,
Make wars cease.

I’ll sing a new song
To You, King of glory,
With me all along,
I don’t need to worry.

You alone are King forever,
You restore, make whole.
All my ties You shall sever
With the enemy of my soul.

You’re above all kings
In all power and authority,
To You my soul sings,
You’re the source or purity.

I know that You’re near
No matter where I go,
The One I need to fear,
The One I want to know.

See the world rejoices
As You come to judge,
We will lift up our voices
To You, Savior, refuge.

You are just and merciful,
Your hand in my life I see,
All-knowing, all-powerful,
Forever praised You’ll be.

Yes, here we all face sorrow,
We need Your comfort, God,
Of sins we’ll commit tomorrow
Cleanse by Your Son’s blood.

When we become stressed
And worries flow like waves
Remind us we are blessed,
You’re who from evil saves.

Sunday Praise (248) 6/4/23

Sunday Praise (248) 6/4/23. by me.

You’re greater than all others,
Your name is holy and mighty,
Whatever afflicts or bothers
We’ll trust Your ways, Almighty.

Happy are we all to know that
You have overcome Your enemies,
None of Your words will fall flat,
Silenced spouters of blasphemies.

When You remind of the Cross
On which Your Son died for me,
It seemed like such a great loss,
Turned into the greatest victory.

No one has touched my heart
The way that You have, o Christ.
You’re making new every part
And You quench my soul’s thirst.

Your love is what we all need,
With Your holy Word You feed,
We can do nothing without You,
To be Yours we should want to.

Teach us to pray even more
Than we have prayed before,
To seek Your will to be done,
To remember You have won.

Who are we that You remember
Our names, when we will die?
In Your Body is every member
Precious as the apple’s eye.

Of Your wonders we’ll tell,
Let it sound far like a bell,
Give You due honor daily,
Serve You wholeheartedly.

Help us to do what’s right,
To walk as You in the light,
Teach us to trust and obey,
To always do what we say.

When enemies arise to oppose
Your holy ways and Your people, o Lord,
They foolishly, proudly suppose
It’s inconsequential to reject Your Word.

Oh, how foolish are the disobedient
But You can make them repentant.
You change hearts and lives,
Only in You a person thrives.

My every moment’s in Your hands,
You know where every step lands.
I will not die until You says so,
My last breath only You know.

It is foolish to not believe
In You who does to all give
Life and everything that we have,
It comes from You, from above.

To be in Your presence, Father,
Your redeemed people gather,
We lift up our voices and say
All glory be to You every day.

Unbelievers may fight and rage,
You’re unchanging in every age,
Yes, all Your enemies will finally fall,
You are ultimately victorious over all.

Said and unsaid words You hear,
You are always to me most near,
I don’t have to hide or live in fear,
Your love’s unfailing, mercy dear.

How many times You deliver
Those who in fear did shiver?
How You’ve proven without fail
Only Your help really does avail!

The universe, all of creation
Points without any hesitation
To You, Maker, Creator, God,
It gives You honor, glory, laud.

Sunday Praise (171) 12/12/21

Sunday Praise (171) 12/12/21. by me.

In this season of celebration
May we be filled with the joy
That comes from You, Lord,
And it is You, King, Savior.

Lord, as we come closer again
To the day when Christ was born
Help us to keep our eyes focused
On the reason for this great season.

Silence now is unbefitting,
We are called to rejoicing
In You who came to save us,
Holy One, Emmanuel, Jesus.

Some try to spread holiday cheer,
Some send out season’s greetings,
Some wish others happy holidays,
We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Colder than the rain and wind
Are all the hearts of stone
In the chests of the unsaved
Denying their need for a Savior.

As the angels sang long ago
Of peace and the Messiah,
May we sing it too with joy
And may unbelievers hear.

Angels sing to You, God of power,
Unceasingly praising every hour.
O Christ, You were born in a manger,
Savior of people came as a stranger.

The faithful will all come to You
And they’ll bow down and worship
For You came to seek and to save
The lost, the dead in sins, hallelujah.

Jesus Christ, God Incarnate,
Gift of God’s unfailing love,
Lamb of God that would be slain,
Lion of Judah that would triumph.

You made atonement for our sins,
You are the propitiation for sin,
You are object of our faith, Jesus,
You’re our Lord, King, Savior, God.

Whatever is my enemy,
Help me to not fear it,
Be my strength and victory,
Be my hope and my song.

Praise belongs to You,
Every heart and soul
You call to repentance
And You call to Yourself.

Let all the earth arise
And shout praises to You
For You have done so much
That no one else could do.

Bless us and be merciful
To Your children, Father.
Where would we be now
If You had not saved us?

Your enemies will run and hide
When they hear Your mighty voice.
You speak and all should listen,
You rule and all should obey.

Not one sin is hidden from You
And we all need to be forgiven,
We all need You, God Almighty,
Thank You for all that we’re given.

See the faithful struggle with doubts,
Assailed by lies, they lose their way,
Easy to say they never believed,
Harder to pray that they’d return.

I trust You, I won’t be ashamed
To believe, to follow, to obey,
You have given me all I have,
I will thank You and love You.

The life of all is in Your hands,
None can thwart Your plan,
You are Sovereign Ruler,
King of kings, Lord of lords.

How good You are to all,
How merciful and graceful,
You’re holy, just, righteous,
You’re loving, kind, almighty.

How many are Your enemies?
They are all pitiful weaklings
Ignorant of who You really are, Jesus,
They’re lost, blissful in their foolishness.

Sunday Praise (161) 10/3/21

Sunday Praise (161) 10/3/21. by me.

Into Your presence once again
With open hearts we come,
Saved by Your blood, Jesus,
We will worship and glorify You.

God, You are love and loving,
You forgive sins, You rescue,
You suffered, died to save us,
You are worthy of all praise.

Oh, what can wash away
My sins, guilt, and stains?
Nothing but Your blood, Jesus,
Redeems, gives peace and hope.

Together we have come here
To worship You, God Almighty,
To lift up Your holy name, Jesus,
To give You all the glory, Savior.

You were the sacrifice for sin,
You were the propitiation,
For forgiveness, for remission,
Reconciled us to the Father.

Jesus, it was for us You died,
There was no other way,
You have paid the price
To save, ransom, redeem.

You’re my hope and defense,
You’re my sword and shield,
My strength and victory,
My King and God forever.

Lord, You are clothed
In glory and majesty,
Strong and mighty,
Blessed forevermore.

To sing to You more and more,
To exalt Your holy name, Jesus,
Sincerely more than ever before,
This is my desire, this is my goal.

I know You’ve been at work
In countless lives already
And You have done so much,
You deserve honor and glory.

I will join the countless numbers
Praising You for Your great deeds,
Your holiness, righteousness,
Your grace, mercy, goodness.

Teach me to rise early
To come before You
With a thankful heart
And obedient spirit.

You’re the God of my praise,
To You my hands I again raise,
I come to lift up Your name,
I live to increase Your fame.

You are without a beginning
And You are without an end,
From everlasting to everlasting
You are the living and true God.

I love to remember Your deeds,
I know that You are active
In my life and in all others,
You’re there, You’re not silent.

To obey Your commandments
Is to show that we love You,
We are Your sheep and children
And citizens of Your Kingdom.

With all the redeemed I’ll praise
You for everything You’ve done,
For salvation, rescue, new life,
For Your mercy, goodness, love.

Earth will tremble before You,
Your holiness will bring all low,
All must bow down and confess
You are King, Lord, Savior, Jesus.

Sunday Praise (160) 9/26/21

Sunday Praise (160) 9/26/21. by me.

All for You, Lord, You deserve it,
All for You for You are worthy,
I know no one else like You,
God Almighty, living and true!

To do all for Your glory,
To give You the best,
O Lord, help me, please,
Holy Spirit, empower me.

Lord, You brought my dead spirit to life,
You took my heart of stone
And gave me a heart of flesh,
Now I’m reconciled to You through Christ.

Where were You, Abba, Father,
When I needed You the most?
You were right there with me
All the time, yes, through it all.

When I struggled and lost
My way in the darkness,
I know You weren’t absent,
Not even for one moment.

How great to know You,
To sing You praises.
May You be glorified
In Heaven and on earth.

In Heaven there wil be
No aging and no sickness,
You’ll wipe away our tears,
We’ll have no more fears.

Again I think of Heaven,
I’ll see You face to face,
My Lord and Savior, Jesus,
I’m Yours and You’re mine.

Your reign is supreme
And it can’t be usurped,
No one can take Your place,
No one can rule instead of You.

Vengeance is Yours,
You will judge the world
In Your righteousness,
None can say You’re wrong.

We come and sing together
Lifting up Your holy name
Above all other names,
Jesus Christ, be glorified.

May all the earth sing a new song
To bring You honor and glory
Because You alone are worthy,
There’s no other God, hallelujah.

Those who love You
Will hate evil every day,
Until they reach the end
You they’ll trust and obey.

May all the justified rejoice
For You have overcome
Sin, death, Hell, and Satan,
You are victorious over all!

Just how many wonders
Have You done, o Lord?
They are without number,
Countless works of Your hands.

The nations will tremble
At the sound of Your voice,
All will come and worship
Who love You, Almighty!

I will serve You sincerely
And do all for Your glory.
I will follow You closely
And bring praise offerings.

I’ll sing of Your justice
And Your great mercy.
Here until the day I die
Your name I’ll magnify.

You hear all my prayers
And Your answer them
According to Your wisdom
And Your unfailing love.

My soul will bless You, Lord,
And all that is within me
Will praise Your holy name
For You are living and true.

Sunday Praise (135) 4/4/21

Sunday Praise (135) 4/4/21. by me.
Easter/ Resurrection Sunday.

Jesus Christ is risen indeed
From the grave, from the dead,
By the hand of the heavenly Father
And by the power of the Holy Spirit!

We rejoice for the day has come
When we can celebrate together
The resurrection of Christ Jesus,
The Lamb of God who died for us.

If we stay silent, give praises few,
The stones will cry out,
Nature will give a shout
For its Creator makes all things new.

Victorious over all enemies,
Deathless Conqueror, Messiah,
Redeemer, Savior, Prince of Peace,
Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus!

We’ll tell those who don’t know
He lives again, dead no more,
He has taken captivity captive,
We have eternal life through Him.

For so many years it’s said
You have risen from the dead,
Paid our ransom, redeemed us
From sin, Hell, second death.

Bled and died for sinners,
We have victory through You,
Saved by grace through faith
In You, Jesus, Savior, Master.

Hallelujah, You’re our Savior,
What an awesome fact to know
You’re alive now and forever
Sovereign Ruler over everything.

All Your ways are right,
Your Word is the light
Guiding me on the way,
You’re with me every day.

I strayed like a lost sheep,
Over my sins I did weep
Until I saw my greatest need
But only You set me free.

All my sorrowing You heard,
All my problems You knew,
And answered according to
Your great will and wisdom.

Lord, I am for peace
But my enemies are
For war when I speak
Your unadulterated truth.

My help comes from You,
My rest and my refuge,
Savior and salvation,
Hope of every nation.

When I am afraid
I will trust in You,
You are all I need,
You’re Almighty God.

To enter Your presence
Is indeed a blessing,
To worship You every day,
There’s no greater honor.

I desire the good of others
But some misunderstand
And turn away like fools
From Your word I speak to them.

Like the servant to a master
My eyes are lifted up to You,
I desire to walk in Your ways,
I know You’re with me always.

You show us mercy,
You show us grace,
What we don’t deserve
You give us, Abba, Father.

Were it not for You, Lord,
I know I would’ve perished
Long ago as a hopeless fool
But thanks to You I’m alive.

Blessed are You, Sovereign,
No one can oppose You,
You are always victorious
Over all enemies, hallelujah.

The one who trusts
In You, God Almighty,
Is like a mountain
That won’t be moved.

The one who walks
In Your holy ways
Finds joy in You
And is alive indeed.

For what shall come after
Fills mouths with laughter
And our tongues with praise,
Our grateful hands we raise.

Though we now
Sow in tears,
We shall later
Reap in joy.

If what we’re building
Is not founded on Christ,
We’ll see it crumbling,
Our loss will be the worst.

Children are a blessing
You give to the faithful,
Arrows in a quiver,
Pillars in a building.

Blessed are those obedient
To Your will, Master, Father,
Those who trust in You
Know You keep Your promises.

I pray You strengthen me
To daily resist temptation,
Complete my sanctification
I will see my posterity.

You have broken the chains
That held me down so long,
I can only see eternal gains
For Christ is with me lifelong.

To bless others with Your name,
Help me, Father, teach me, Lord,
To increase Your awesome fame,
To daily speak Your living word.

Sunday Praise (131) 3/7/21

Sunday Praise (131) 3/7/21. by me.

Another day has come,
Another chance to see
How good You are to me,
How merciful You are to all.

I come before You
With praise on my lips,
Thanksgiving in my heart,
I give it all to You, Father.

How blessed I am
And happy that You are
My Savior and my Lord,
I want and need no other.

You’ve touched my heart
Like no one else could
Glory to You for my life
You have saved, it’s Yours.

Hallelujah, You’re my joy,
My heart rejoices in You,
You fill it with Your love,
You rescue me daily.

Your name is close
To my very heart,
Your deeds amaze me,
I will declare them.

You raise up the weak,
You cast down the proud,
Those who seek You will
Find You, God Almighty.

Greater than all people,
Greater than all others,
High and lifted up, Lord,
Incomparable, invincible.

No one can stand against You
In the day of Your wrath.
All will bow down and confess
You alone are God forever.

I think of days gone by,
I remember when and how
You said You cannot lie,
You’re with me even now.

I think of Your great deeds,
I have been told before
“Follow where Christ leads,
It’s what you’re here for.”

Help us to make known
To the following generation
You mighty deeds in our lives
And in the lives of many others.

We’re flesh, our lives are short,
We all need You, Lord, Creator,
None of us can make it alone
In this world, we need You most.

Lord, Your wrath will fall
On those who don’t know You,
On those who do not call
Upon Your name, Almighty.

Hear us, Lord, and help us,
For the sake of Your glory,
May Your grace fall on us
Who trust in You, Jesus.

Hear me, Good Shepherd,
You who leads me daily,
Whom I fail but You still love,
Who’s my joy and my life.

Lord of strength, Almighty,
Shine Your light upon me,
The light of Your face will show
What I need and I need to know.

Teach me, Abba, my Savior,
To sing with rejoicing to You
For You alone are worthy
Of all the honor and glory.

Fill my mind with Your Word,
Help me to live according to it,
Lead me in Your holy ways,
I know You’re with me always.

There is no one like You
And no one can ever do
What You alone can, Lord,
Yours is the living Word.

Those who don’t know You
Are lost indeed in this world
And will die twice unless they come
To repentance, to new life in Christ.

Don’t be silent, do not tarry,
Enemies rise up against me,
Calm my mind, stop my worry,
I see daily how much I need You.

To seek Your name
Is a blessed endeavor.
To grow Your fame
Is an honor, our Savior.

It’s good to once again
Enter Your holy presence,
To fellowship with the saints
In Your courts, blessed Father.

From strength to strength
Appearing before You, Jesus,
We are Your redeemed people,
You died for us to pay our ransom.

You’ve forgiven my transgressions
And covered my sins by Your blood,
You paid the price that I couldn’t,
You saved me, set me free indeed.

Show us Your mercy again,
Quicken us, blessed Savior,
Every one of us depends on
Your mercy and love always.

Sunday Praise (104) 8/30/20

Sunday Praise (104) 8/30/20. by me.

It is good to praise You,
To bless Your holy name,
To give You all the glory,
For You alone are worthy.

Fill my life with love and power
That comes from You, Father,
I will glorify You with my life,
You’re worthy of my all, Lord.

My life and hope and strength
Are in You, God Almighty,
I will praise You with all I am
Until I die and then forever.

Holy Spirit, You are welcome,
Fill my heart with praise,
Nothing’s worth more than You,
Nothing compares to You, God.

Remind me not to forget
Your blessings, Holy One,
To put my trust in You,
To obey You more and better.

Disobedience hasn’t died yet
But I thank You for Your grace,
Your discipline and correction,
I’m better off with it, Father.

Those who don’t believe
You exist, You are real,
They are lost and blind
Not knowing the truth.

You help in time of trouble,
You are ever faithful, Lord,
We can always trust You,
There is no one like You.

Shine Your face on us
And we will be freed,
You are our salvation,
You’re our Savior, Jesus.

I want to worship You
With fear and trembling,
I want to praise You daily
For everything You do.

I lift up my voice
To glorify You,
My heart is ready
To worship You.

Almighty God, fill my lips
With thanksgiving to You,
A since offering I bring
To You, Jesus, my King.

The earth is daily groaning
Awaiting creation’s redemption,
Deliverance from afflictions
And rescue from injustice.

Those who walk in darkness
Can still come to the light,
You’re calling them to Yourself,
To new life, to everlasting life.

Those who are rebellious
Against You, holy Lord,
They are fools and blind
In need of deliverance.

Lord, Your holy name
Is above all other names,
There is no one like You
In all existence, Creator.

It is good to be here
In Your house once again,
To enter Your holy presence
With praise and thanksgiving.

Hear my prayers, Father,
You’re my hope and victory,
I am joyful that I’m Yours,
Saved from damnation by Christ.

Father, You are merciful,
Kind, just, holy, faithful,
I will remember Your deeds
For me and for countless others.

Your mercies are new every morning,
Your justice flows true like a river,
Your ways are and they are right,
Abba, You never do what’s wrong.

God, the earth gives its fruit
In the time You’ve appointed.
All things are in Your hands
Held together, standing firm.

In sorrows and joys
You’re with me, Lord,
Help me to trust in You
More and more each day.

One day everyone will come
And bow before You, Jesus,
They’ll confess You are Lord
To the glory of the Father.

Blessed are the people
Whose God You are, Lord,
Those who love and obey,
Who walk in Your ways.

All my springs are in You,
You’re the source of my life,
My Sustainer every moment,
And so I am never alone.

Every day I will pray to You,
I know that You hear me,
All my days are in Your hands,
When I die I’ll come Home to You.

I will not be ashamed
Of my faith, my belief,
You are living hope, Lord,
I will trust in You more and more.

“Make War Against Sin” Note by me.

“Make War Against Sin” Note by me.

— originally a comment, shared here for others’ benefit and the glory of God —

We each have to make war against sin in our life, against the tempter, against temptation, especially the “easily-besetting sins”, our habitual ones, our longest-surviving ones, the ones we’re holding on to whether we realize it and admit it or not.
Many of us haven’t fought our sins, struggled against them “to the point of blood,” haven’t agreed to pay the cost of such fighting, the sacrifices we’ll have to make, the losses we’ll endure, though it’s for our own good and for the good of those closest to us.

We forget that we’re (Christians) soldiers of Christ, we’re God’s children, we’re called to not merely follow Christ as fans or just followers, listening to His words but not practicing them (building our house on sand).
We’re called to holiness, to Christlikeness, to be filled with and walk in the Spirit so we can actually resist temptation, so we can do more than murmur, so we can really make war against sin in our own lives first lest we be hypocrites telling others to not do what we ourselves secretly do or worse.

We are to put on the whole armor of God, to put on Christ who lives in us, and take seriously the words of our Lord, our Captain, our King, our Savior.

We can be victiorious but it won’t be easy; no real war is.
We can overcome addiction, affliction, but not without almighty God, who is our strength, our hope, our victory.
We can walk in a manner that’s pleasing to God; it will not be perfect, for we are not perfect here, but it will be better than the manner in which we walked and lived before.

Resolve today to make war against sin in your life. Take heart, the struggle isn’t trivial. It won’t be easy, it won’t be without loss, without real sacrifice, otherwise it wouldn’t be a struggle, much less a war. It’s more than just a challenge to overcome; it’s a giant to slay, an enemy that won’t rest until you’re defeated, and you will be defeated if you try to fight alone, without God.

Even if you’re already a Christian, or especially if or since you are: Surrender your life to God. Give God your heart, your life, your all; there’s no one more worthy to surrender to, to trust, to love, to live for.
So will begin a change in your life, and every day will be better with God, maybe not easy, but to know that God is with you everywhere, with you always, what great news to hear.
How assuring, how good to know you’re not alone in this, how good to know God loves you and knows and wants what’s best for you.
Remember it all and live like you believe it all.