Chain Breaker, You are Holy - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Passion 2020 - Ravi Zacharias

"You'll Never Walk Alone" Virtual Choir/Orchestra 15 Countries: 300 People

Damaged Souls

          Damaged Souls

One of the most heartwarming sights ever to behold in a hospital, is in the pediatric department. Robed in pink and blue the babies slumber. They are a gift from God and are born desiring love. Just ahead, the world lies wait, for them to learn just as we did, by walking their whole life through the festive memories that made them laugh, but also times of caution, tiptoeing through fearful times in darkness, sometimes with the cruelty of abandonment, physical and verbal abuse. When a baby is born into such times of fearful insecurity, they ask: “Why didn’t they love me?  Wasn’t I a pretty baby? A good baby? What was wrong with me? Why did they do that? Why didn’t someone help me? Rescue me? Why didn’t someone care?”

Our questions seem to be like an ensign that hangs endlessly into space. Our delicate souls became damaged. 

For some, many are helpless to move past their anger and cannot think straight. Here is your hope. Our deepest wounds may stay buried, but over time God’s Spirit is working inside healing our traumas by His love. 

There is your answer. Your healing will come by His love. Sound too simple? It is God who created you, exactly the way He wanted you. God doesn’t make mistakes. Your eyes are more beautiful than you realize. Your hair is numbered just enough to lay perfectly. Your body was designed by His hand. Just as the baby is a gift, you are still a gift. Your soul; that place of decisions, feelings and personality must now strive to accept the magnitude of God’s love into your life.  Within 350 million people, not one person will be alike! There is no one else like you on the face of the earth! You are significant! A promise! Not one person can take your place! His Spirit created us: 

1. In love   
2. By love  
3. Through love, because 
4. He is love!

You might ask, “Why would a loving God allow this to happen to me?” I say, “Why are there people on earth walking around who have never worn shoes, who eat only rice and drink muddy water?” “Why are people still sacrificing babies?” “Why do people say one thing, then do another?”

If you did not walk in the mud and get dirty, how would you know how it feels to be clean when the rain comes? If we received a life free from wounds, testings and problems, how could we ever become strong in Christ? How would we understand the difference? How could we give mercy, unless we ourselves have experienced it? When we ask God for mercy, do we see the mercy He has already given to us? Can you see what He  has already brought you through? Thankful hearts are not born within the little babies we coo and hold. Deep thankful hearts are developed by being without! Thankful hearts are established by going to war.  By experiencing the flip side of goodness. By meager beginnings. We become humble. In Christ we are given respect, honor and deep deep love; we have a humble, overwhelming abundance of thankfulness and love in our hearts. We know the difference being without Christ and being in Christ. In Christ, our thankful hearts mold our minds into His character, into His will, by His Spirit of love. This is our journey. This is our calling. 

We are called, Vessels of Mercy. Concentrate upon helping and praying for those who are struggling. Meditate upon God’s powerful love in your life. Though our souls became damaged, it is by the love of Christ that heals all our wounds! His Spirit will enable you to forgive all those who have harmed you. Magnify His love in your life in every area.

Let’s pray Psalm 103

Heavenly Father,

Our soul blesses you this morning and your Holy name. We will not forget all of your benefits. You forgive all of our sins and heal us from all of our diseases. You truly have redeemed us from a life of destruction. You have given us your lovingkindness and tender mercies. You give us good things to eat that our youth is renewed like that of an eagle. You give those who are oppressed, righteousness and judgement. Moses knew your ways on behalf of the children of Israel. You Oh Father are merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and full of compassion. You do not stay angry. You have not given us what we deserved when we sinned. Your mercy is great! You remove our sins as far as the east is to the west. You are our Father and know our frame, you love us who fear you, have respect for you. You remember we are dust. We have learned we are like grass, like a flower and when the wind comes, we pass. We know your lovingkindness lasts forever from everlasting to those who fear you and your righteousness to children’s children, to those who honor you. You have printed your commandants upon our hearts, help us to be obedient to your will. You have established your throne in the heavens and you rule over the whole universe. We bless you O Father and your angels who work for you. We bless all those who work for you, all dominions. Our souls affectionately give praise to you! We lift this prayer up to you in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, amen.

Wednesday, Small Morning Prayer

                                           Small Morning Prayer

We praise you Father, first thing this morning. We love you with all of our heart, our mind, our soul and our strength. We give you thanks for the blessing and privilege to call you Abba our Father. We thank you for your goodness, your never ending mercies, your guidance, the great love of your Son Jesus and all the teachings in your word. We thank you for your Precious Holy Spirit, who never leaves us. We thank you for the angels you send to us who minister to those of us who inherit salvation. You are great O Lord! And, greatly to be praised! We thank you for revealing to us your mysteries and deep truths. We thank you for bringing us through our testings and trials. It is you and none else! We thank you for healing us in so many ways, especially our souls. We thank you for not allowing us to get away with anything and for always holding us accountable in your gentle ways of telling us to forgive. Forgive us Father, for the times we move in the flesh instead of the spirit, for the times we are not even aware of it.  We praise you for correcting us when we need it. We thank you for giving us that place of rest when you know we need it. You are always here. We thank you for the blessings of the Body of Christ and the great love they give to each other. O Father, your Body is incredible! We are complete together. Truly, we are your living organism. We thank you how their love reflects who you are and your son Jesus. It is you who have given us such a gift, through each other.  We give you all honor and praise this morning. From our hearts, we thank you Father. 

Father, We thank you for giving us your eyes that we can see in the spirit of where we are in these days. We see through your lens, the prophecies coming to pass. Thank you for your ears that we can listen and hear your truth through your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father. We will not fear because we know you have given us a sound mind. We will not waver because we put all of our trust in you and walk by faith, not by sight. We are filled with the fruit of your joy and this has made us strong. We will not look back in sorrow because all of our past is under your son’s blood, rather we will rejoice over the scars and limps we have that taught us, You are Lord.  We look ahead and prepare to fight this fight of faith. Your word says we are more than Conquerors in Christ Jesus and we believe this. We believe and know there are times you answer our prayers before we even ask. We rejoice because you call us “Children of Light!” We belong to you! We are walking mercies! We give you all glory! 

Father, you have given us everything thing we need to be victorious in you. You give us a new strength every single morning, you energize us by the very breath of your Holy Spirit. We embrace you O Father! 

Father, We ask that you would heal and warm the hearts that pray to you this morning. Bring them through their temptations, trials, sufferings and show them, the work is already done in your Son. Fill them up with your word and lift up their hearts, souls, spirits and countenance.  Strengthen them to remove all worry, frets and doubts with your love and your promises.  Help them renew their lives in you. Even teach them the value of a smile. The value of investing in another soul. 

We ask that you would send your Comforter to the families who are struggling with their faith, those who have lost jobs, lost their loved ones and have gotten a negative report and are full of confusion, depression and doubt. We ask that you would fully restore the things they have lost. Give them the peace they need and restore their hope. In your Son Jesus we ask.  amen. 

Read Frank Sonnenberg's advice about raising kids

The Greatest Gift Parents Can Give Kids

By Frank Sonnenberg Leave a Comment

Your family is the most precious treasure in your life. The greatest gift you can give your children is a solid set of values. Take a moment to determine how your actions may be affecting them. Remember, if you don’t pass your values on to your kids, someone else will.

If you:

1. Teach your kids that money is everything, they’ll stop at nothing to get it.
2. Do everything for your children, you’ll make them feel good for nothing.
3. Teach your kids that dishonesty pays, they’ll pay for it for the rest of their life.
4. Reward your children, without their earning it, they’ll work hard not to work.
5. Close your eyes to bad behavior, your kids will always live with a blind spot.
6. Shield your children from adversity, you’ll make them weak. (Heaven protect them.)
7. Teach your kids to envy, they’ll never be satisfied with what they have.
8. Shelter your children from reality, they’ll always live a fantasy.
9. Fight your kids’ battles, you’ll make them frail. (That’s a losing battle.)
10. Tackle every problem for your children, you’ll make them helpless.
11. Teach your children to be a victim, you’ll rob them of hope.
12. Protect your children from hard knocks, you’ll make them soft.
13. Gift your kids everything, you’ll make them dependent. (Thanks for nothing!)
14. Teach your children to hate, they’ll show you how ugly some folks can be.
15. Protect your kids from opposing viewpoints, you’ll make them close-minded and shallow.
16. Teach your children to give up, they’ll always fall short of their dreams.
17. Give your kids everything, you’ll deprive them of aspirations.
18. Lower your expectations of your kids, you’ll get what you expect.
19. Teach your children to cheat, you’ll cheat them out of living an honorable life.
20. Set a poor example for your children, you’ll teach them to be just like you.

Our world may have changed, but the importance of integrity has not. As leaders, role models, and parents, we must strive to utilize every opportunity available to us to reinforce the values and beliefs that we hold dear. If you instill good values in your children, you give them everything! Set high standards, remain true to your values, listen to your conscience, and do yourself proud. Watch your children grow, and they will teach you what you’ve taught them.

Small morning prayer

Did you know, that hatred and bitterness create chemicals that have a destructive effect upon your physical body? Love produces chemicals that cause you to glow? Yes, the chemicals that are produced when you love brings a glow to you and your life. Love is light and there is no reason for us to hate or be bitter when we walk in His love. His light exposes a lot of things to us, but most of all it exposes His love.

Small prayer:
Heavenly Father,

Today, we choose to think on those things that build up, rather than destroy. We choose to see your goodness instead of man's evil ways. We choose to magnify your holiness and not the depravity that we hear all of the time. We know you have made us more than a Conqueror in Christ Jesus and we will not be moved, or budged one inch in our stance. Thank you Father, for giving us another day in your light! Walking down that narrow path and being continually reassured of the depth, height, width, strength and overcoming power of your love in us, through us, upon our lives, in our words and towards each other. Thank you Father in your Son we rejoice this morning! Amen.