According to the Psalmist, the consequences of making praise the habit of my heart and mouth is that God will give me a new song. Making songs would hence become an easy task to do… this verse is not just for the music creators but for every human being because we all have been called to praise the Lord. Praising the Lord should come from our hearts and it should be our utmost desire to praise the Lord at all times – in good times and in bad times. Sometimes it is not easy but as children of God we have been called to do exactly that; that is to praise the Lord when the sun sets and when the sun goes down. Literally, it is to praise him at all times not just some certain moments.

Someone might ask me, how one can make praise the habit of their lives when they don’t feel like or when things are not going on well with them. My answer would be what Luke says in Luke 6:45 that “a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” If you, as an individual has good things stored in your heart then your mouth can speak out praise. You can extol the Lord for whatever he has done for you and others. If you see other people having something that you don’t have and you wish you had it yourself, you would not be jealous of them but you would praise the Lord with them and you would congratulate them for what they have achieved or accomplished. That means you have already taken your position of lifting others up and when you form this habit then others will always be lifting you up when you are up or down.

Let’s all make a habit of storing and giving praise from our hearts at all times so that kind words can come out of our mouths. Think about it – how lovely it would be, if the entire population in the world were to make praise a habit of their heart and mouth. God would be pleased seeing his children doing the right thing and this would result in having many people who fear and trust in the Lord God Almighty. Each one of us has a role to play and we should make it our habit to sing hymns of praise to our God. Anyone and everyone, has an ability to create or make a new song because God has said it very clearly that he will give us a new song when we make praise the habit of our hearts and mouths.

There are many examples we have been given by the Psalmist on how and why we should praise the Lord. It is my hope and prayer that I can have a “new song” each and every single day because of making it a habit to praise God. A new song is a testimony and an expression about God’s awesomeness. Again, the Psalmist advises us to make praise a habit. I know as human beings there are so many habits we have developed such that, even other people know us for how we do things. For instance; you know that person that everybody describes; as a drunk, a smoker, a fighter, a gossiper, a fearless, a whiner, a manipulator, a joker, a workaholic, an achiever, a go-getter, a maniac, etc. These descriptions are formed from the noticeable habits. We develop habits and then we become what we are becoming due to our behavioral habits. How lovely it would be; to be described by others a “praiser” because of having a habit of praising God. Let other people who are watching us share our testimonies for being known to praising the Lord. Many people would be drawn to a person who has made praises the habit of his/her heart and mouth. Most of us, myself included may not be known for doing that because we always fall into temptation of saying negative things that do not praise the Lord. Let us all make it a habit that every word that comes forth from our hearts and mouths is positive and of praise to the Almighty God. Dear ones let’s all form a habit of praising God.

Keep on praising and never give up praising the Lord. Keep your eyes to the prize – of being given a new song!

As we thank God for Friday, we also have a reason to be thankful to him for everything else he has done and share with others His goodness. Below I share with you some Bible verses to remind ourselves to be thankful to God – to be always grateful for the things the Lord has done.

Daniel 2: 20-23

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven -

20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God forever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Psalm 69: 30-36

30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad— you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33 The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, 

35 for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Psalm 136: 1-3

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.

Many people can be naïve and passive when it comes to responding to whatever kind of information they are surrounded with. In today’s society, the bad has become the good and the good has become the ugly. So, what’s the real good and where is the good! There is so much room to compromise from what is right to what is wrong. There is so much room to giving in to the norm and not standing up for the right. There is so much room to giving up from the matters that weigh us down or wear us out. However, I believe very strongly there is a need to shut the door behind you and don’t give in, don’t give up and don’t compromise because others are doing it. Just stand up for what is right whenever you are faced with any sort of challenging circumstances.

That’s very true – that you cannot control birds from flying over your head but you can control them from building their nests on your hair! If your hands are well, healthy and active, you have the capability to not allow that to happen. Did I say, a bird building a nest on my hair, really? I don’t think anyone will allow that to happen to them. That is something anyone has control over. That means we have the power to allow certain things from not happening and yet we have the power to allow other things to happen. But, how many of us exercise our power in the right way? That will benefit not only us but others around us. Do you exercise your power for the good or for the bad? Can others count on you/me/us? What kind of a person do others think we are?  

It is far much better to become unpopular, for standing up for the right – for doing the right thing. It always makes me wonder when I meet people or read about people who do not want to associate themselves with others who are doing the right thing or not committing certain sins. I would consider that evil or wicked. You know why, such people do not want to become unpopular. They just want to maintain their popularity. We have all being taught to avoid sin, avoid wrong and yet there are many people who are still comfortable doing the wrong even when they know it is wrong because entertaining wrong has become popular. Who doesn’t know there are consequences for committing sin, for doing wrong? How can you carry fire on your bosom and not get burned? How is that possible? You cannot put your finger inside a bottle full of corrosive gas and not get burned. Just try it and you will experience the consequences – you will suffer the pain yourself and yourself alone! Same principle – don’t allow birds to build their nests on your hair. You will suffer the consequences of giving in and compromising with sin, with evil, with wrong, with anything that is not right, just yourself and yourself alone! Isn’t that sad eh?

Make today the fullest and live the best of your life that you can today because no one knows what tomorrow brings. We only have hope and faith that everything will be alright.

You cannot dwell on one “past experience” that was bad and for the rest of your life always have an expectation that things will always be bad. I think that is having a bad perspective in life. It is a good thing to develop some trust because as people we are all the same but different. Not everyone hurts and not everyone hates. Some keep promises and others break promises. When it comes to public stuff there is always a need to share, but you can find that some people hold onto these things as if they were personal stuff forgetting that where we found things most probably we shall leave them there. I remember one day last year I had a meeting appointment in an office and it was a hot sunny day and I was feeling very thirsty. As I rushed for my appointment as I did not want to be late and feeling very thirsty, I requested this lady at the reception desk to give me a glass of water and described to her how I was feeling. Next to that office, I know there is a kitchenette with drinking water because I have been in that office before and it is right next to her office area. This lady refused and told me that they do not have a water fountain. She then informed me that my meeting appointment got cancelled because some people were not available. Guess what, if the meeting was still on we would have been provided with drinking water at the meeting room. I left that office, thinking how some people find it difficult even to share a glass of water when they have it – something that would cost them nothing. Just to get up, give and share something which is just there around them. When I was in primary junior school, I remember as a bunch of students during some of the hot days we could stop by a home coming from school and request for water. We used to be given water in a jug and share it from the same glass. How good it feels when your thirst has been quenched? Imagine, we shared from the same glass and never got sick and this was a regular norm as students we had developed until the school installed a water “fountain”. Today, I am living in a society that is so conscious of what they use and share with others. I know if I share from the same cup probably I might get sick as many might suggest. However, I feel there is always a need to trust and stop worrying and being stressed about other people and how things will go. It’s important to always do the right thing and at least help someone who has a need and just in case a problem arises because you helped, together we can try to fix and solve the problem.

And finally brethren, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Just at the right time, He will lift you up. As we think about the future, learn to give all your worries to Him and as He has promised, He will care about you, us and everyone else.

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

The Bible is full of examples of God’s servants who went through tough times and sometimes were in the verge of giving up but the Lord showered them with strength, compassion and mercy and I pray the good God to do the same to us as He has promised. Finally, as we embrace the New Year, I would like to remind us the words of the philosopher in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 9:11 

¹¹ I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.

When I think of these words of Ecclesiastes, they really encourage my heart just to know that I do not have to be mighty or strong to win a battle. And; just in case I happen to lose a battle, I am reminded that anyone can become a winner because time and chance happen to them all. This is my time; this is my chance – to win.

The desire to have ‘wisdom’ has been ringing in my head lately especially as we have begun the New Year. This is a time to pray God for wisdom. Reflecting on all the challenges we went through in 2011, it should be our heart’s desire to have and pray for wisdom; to get knowledge and understanding. That means; not just to become a carrier of knowledge and understanding but more so, to have and desire for wisdom. The people who only desire to have knowledge and to pass school examinations with very good grades and acquire all sorts of desired achievements and accomplishments – this knowledge may become meaningless if the individual does not have wisdom on how to apply it.

Have a blessed and fruitful year 2012!

From my observations, I have noted a lot of people are more joyful in summer season, thanksgiving, and during Christmas season. I always wonder why only during these three periods of the year and not all the time that people are joyous. I just wish if we were all happy throughout the year and not just during Christmas. It should be Christmas all the time. Christmas, brings joy and happiness. It brings harmony in people’s lives. People are happy because of happenings that have happened in their lives. During Christmas, a lot of people are happy because they are going to receive a gift, or at least receive something from their family, co-workers, and friends. Others are not happy because they think nothing good is going to happen to them. They wait in anticipation for the next Christmas to see if they will receive something good – just in case they didn’t receive anything at all. Let’s keep in mind; the words of Jesus, “give and it shall be given unto you.” Don’t just wait for others to give to you but be the first one to share and give what you have. A gift is not a gift until it’s given. And, gifts come in many shapes and forms. Share whatever gift you have with others.

Jesus is the REASON for this SEASON! Without Him there would have been no Christmas. In our society today, we have changed the meaning of Christmas to suit our societal material needs. The business people have used the season to push their products forth to the consumers. The producers have made products related to the season and push them too, to their clients. The service people are not left behind either, as they try to offer services that suit the season. In order to please people who may lack a reason to believe the meaning of Christmas during the season, it has made many to remove Christ in Christmas and be comfortable with mediocrity. This opens a big door of complacency to celebrate Christmas just like any other holiday. The reason for Christmas is not just a season of sharing packaged wrapped gifts that we can consume and sooner or later fade away. But, it is a time to show love, forgiveness, compassion, care, humility, patience, peace, and unity, a time to go an extra mile and do much more to ourselves and to others. These positive attributes should not only be portrayed during Christmas but in all seasons throughout the year. And, that’s the reason why we are here in this world – to be good, to do good to all mankind; irrespective of who they are and regardless of where they are coming from. If we remove Jesus Christ in Christmas then there will be no Christmas. It will just be a season of consumption and as you know, all products/services we consume do not last that long. They come and they go… It will be a time when we spend much and are left with a little or nothing at all and we would have to make up time to gather some more that we can live on.

During Christmas, let’s focus on Christ who is the reason for Christmas and call up on Him into our lives, our homes, our schools, our places of work, our nations and our world. He is the reason for the season. We need Him back in Christmas and all the days of our lives. We need Him to bring us and give us joy, not just during this season of Christmas but all the seasons of the year.

Oh God, here we come… We commit ourselves to you during this season of Christmas. Help us to love each other, to care, and to share with others whatever we have. Protect us all, during this season and protect us from the enemy so that he does not do us any harm. As people go on holidays to celebrate the season with their families and friends, we ask for your protection. In YOU we commit ourselves! In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Again, Jesus Christ is the REASON for this SEASON. He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

The untimely death of my dad was a result of doctor’s negligence. If only the doctor provided my father with good care, his untimely death would have been prevented and, I would still be talking to my father. It is very sad that his life got shortened. It is so unfortunate that some doctors are only interested with money and after you pay them, they perform incomplete wrong procedures and they neglect to take care of a patient. This causes more harm and more harm and that is what happened to my dad. Failure to provide good care causes more harm to the life of a patient. It is not God’s will that people have to suffer this way, and that the people who have the power to do good, do not do it and they end up doing others much harm in their own power. My dad really suffered under the care of his doctor who caused him so much harm. The loss of my dad caused me and my family so much distress and one year is now gone since dad left us.

Below is a poem that a friend sent me this past week and I felt these words were the same words that would have come from my mouth during this time I am remembering my dad – exactly the way my relationship and my dad was. He was a gift to me, to my mother, to my brothers and sister, and to my nephews and nieces. Dad was a gift to our entire family, to our relatives and friends. Dad, you were “a very special” GIFT to us all. I count myself blessed that you were my dad! I miss you!

© by Lea Gomez

I will never say goodbye to you my Father
cause’ I know this is not the end for us to see each other.
You will only be going to a place where there’s no pain nor suffering.
I am happy for you, for you will be with God.
For now we need to go in separate ways.
I remember how your arms held me and gave me strength.
You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything.
You were my very best friend.
In my triumphs you were always proud.
I’m very grateful and proud to call you my dad.
Here deep inside my heart you’ll always be.
I would give up everything I have just to hug you one more time.
I remember the last time I held you’re hand and how you looked at me in the eyes.
If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go.
I felt the world stop and my heart stopped beating when they told me you’re gone…….
How I wish I was only dreaming.
Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes, I couldn’t speak for a while.
Thank you Dad….
For always understanding, listening, caring, and loving me for the rest of your life.
The greatest gift God gave me was YOU…….. my Dad…
It’s difficult to let you go but I must…
I must return the gift God gave me…
Till then;
See you in Heaven………

There are other kinds of pain – such as emotional pain coupled with emotional labor. You try laboring so hard emotionally to have a smile on your face when emotionally you are feeling so much pain. These kinds of pain can be caused by many things we might be going through in life. The pain caused by a loss of a loved one can be very unbearable and it is very difficult to lose a loving parent. Parents are very special to us. For me personally, my parents have been very special to me and they loved me so much. They did many things for me from the time I was born.

The Bible says in, “2 Corinthians 12:14b-15 After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.  So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?” As I have been reflecting on these words of Paul to the Corinthians, I remember all the many good things my father did for me and for us all in the family. As I was growing up he was saving up for us his children, he wished and wanted to see us have and live a better life. He always went an extra mile to ensure we had what we didn’t have. He gave us himself as a dear loving father. He loved his children very much and he loved his wife, my mother.  For sure he did very gladly spend for us everything he had and gave himself as well. I know I could ask my father for any sort of help and he was willing to help me and do it for me. Even when I moved to Canada he really continued supporting me very much even with my music ministry. There are very many things that my father was doing for me that I cannot be able to do for myself and this makes me miss him and think a lot about him but I have been praying and trusting God to give me peace and relieve that pain.

When I think about parents biblically, I recall Moses’ parents. The Bible says in; “Hebrews 11:23  By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” When the king plotted to kill all the Jewish boys, Moses’ parents hid him from harm. This reminds me about my dad, he would not have watched any of his children face harm or to see us suffer, he was very proactive. He was always there for us and protected us and provided for us with so much love and care.

As I reflect about the pain that I have been going through since the loss of my dad, I came across the below verses as I was reading the Bible and I pray that the Lord heals me and my family and others who may be going through similar situations of loss.

 Job 16:6
“Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away.”

Psalm 69:29
“But as for me, afflicted and in pain— may your salvation, God, protect me.”

Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

I pray that God will help me to have hope and faith that one day I shall see my dad.  My prayer has been to continue with the good works my dad was doing and to shed forth God’s light – my light will burn and shine by God’s grace.

My dad’s light lives on!

Looking at what is happening in the world today we have all these groups of people playing their roles in the society today. I think a lot of people are those who watch things happen and do nothing. The other lot are those that just worry too much why things are going the way they are going and they don’t engage in any action only stress themselves with worry and fear. The other lot is just wondering why in the world things are going the way they are going. Just asking themselves questions and saying they don’t understand why things are the way they are. Then there are those few, infact very few in the world today who are making things happen. They stand up their ground, and they say no when it means no, they say yes and their yes is yes. They are firm in their actions. They have a vision in life and have hope not just wishes and mere dreams but they have faith and they hope in God. They just don’t think about themselves but also put themselves in other people’s shoes and empathize with situations. They influence others to create change, not in a negative way but in a positive way. They are change agents in a dying world that is lacking good news. They will speak up when others are victimized, when others are exploited, when others are taken advantage of, when others are mistreated, when others are dying of hunger. They will share with others what they have. They are living examples and good role models in the society. They will call out for help when a house is on fire – they will not just tell others to extinguish it but they will roll up their sleeves and get the job done. They will show others the way when they are lost and will offer assistance. When someone else needs help they will ask them how they can help them. They are not slanderous, envious and are not jealous when they see others doing well in life. They will not walk by a fainting sickly person who needs help and leave the person suffering. When others are passing by, watching and wondering what’s wrong with that person, those who make things happen will engage into an action.

A lot of people today are blaming the state, the nation, the leaders, and other people while watching things continue getting worse. Oh yes, it all comes from the top and a lot of things have gotten worse because of our leaders. But we don’t have to keep quiet when things are going wrong and doing nothing. Things are going wrong at home, in the church, in school, in the nation and elsewhere. We have to get up and do something. To make things happen – not just watch, worry and wonder! Your voice is needed, your hands are needed, your legs are needed, and yourself as a person is needed. And don’t forget your brain is needed too. We can share ideas and bring about change in our world today and make it a better place to live for ourselves and for the generations to come. A lot of people are tired of hearing just bad news – bad news is all over the media and everywhere else around us. A lot of bad news and bad things are the ones selling and making business today. That’s how a lot of businesses and people are making money today and increasing their market share – selling bad news. But this can change. If more people, not just a few, but more people – if they were to make things happen and bring about good news and share Good News! The mouth that utters bad news can utter good news. The mind that bears bad news can bear good news.

If only things would change! I am saying it loud – change! And each of us to change, starting from “me”, “you” and “us” then things will change. I look forward to that time that majority of us in the world will not be wondering why things happen, worrying why things happen, and watching things happen BUT making things happen. Amen to that!

You have a right to call on Him 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. He will never get tired of listening to you. Sometimes you may feel like He went to sleep or slumbering somewhere, or He’s busy attending other callers but that is not the case. He knows each of us by name. We are His, we are His children. The important thing is to know that you are His child, know that, and know it very well. He does not play favorites like some parents do to some of their children.  He already knows each person’s weaknesses and strengths and He appreciates you as you are. Remember He made you, in His own image. He has you at the palms of His hands. How can He forget you?

When life becomes sour and not sweet, and you are full of bitterness and resentment that you don’t want to call; don’t give up! Call on Him, He is the Lord and He will answer you no matter how long it takes. Somebody told me this week that I have God’s back on me, whatever this person was thinking I don’t know but I want to emphasis our calls may not be answered at the same time, some experience delays, others detours, others road blocks, others call very early and are not caught up with any jam at all. Get on your knees and keep calling. He will answer you when you call. Don’t think how He is answering other people that He should use the same method to answer you. He may not be working that way. If others are answered quickly and your call takes long, don’t worry. You don’t know how they call and what time of the day they call. Don’t be like those people who arrive home when they are very hungry and when they start dining they will be praying for the food and at the same time putting it on the mouth. There is nothing like multitasking when you are calling Him. Just take the time to call on him.

Don’t get distracted by the way He is answering other people that you know and you don’t know. Just concentrate on Him. Forget about yourself. Again, concentrate on Him. Look up unto Him. Whatever it takes He will no doubt hear you and answer us when we call. Please read and pray for yourself this Psalm and be encouraged.

Psalm 20

 ¹ May the LORD answer you (me) when you (I) are (am) in distress;
   may the name of the God of Jacob protect you (me).
² May he send you (me) help from the sanctuary
   and grant you (me) support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your (my) sacrifices
   and accept your (my) burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you (me) the desire of your (my) heart
   and make all your (my) plans succeed.
⁵ May we (I) shout for joy over your (my) victory
   and lift up our (my) banners in the name of our (my) God.

May the LORD grant all your (my) requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
   The LORD gives victory to his anointed.
   He answers him (me) from his heavenly sanctuary
   with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
   but we (I) trust in the name of the LORD our (my) God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
   but we (I) rise up and stand firm.
⁹ LORD, give victory to the king (princess)!
   Answer us (me) when we (I) call!