Israel Houghton and New Breed perform “I Am Not Forgotten (God knows my name)”
How to Start the Day Off Right!
Eph 5:19-20 (KJV) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
The voice is a powerful instrument! The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Words are potent medicines that can wound or heal. We experience this every time we watch television or listen to our favorite music. I started a new habit recently: scriptural self affirmation. It combines visualization, spoken scriptures and touch.
In these days when everything from gender to jobs is challenged, it’s good to KNOW who and what (and Whose) you are. Life in Christ makes this possible. So I started speaking scriptures to myself for daily inspiration and routine spiritual and physical health. I speak the scriptures not with a vague hope that they might have a positive effect, but with knowledge that the word of God “does not return to Him void and must accomplish what it set out to do” (Isaiah 55:11). So when I speak the word of God to myself and to others, it cannot fail to strengthen, heal and encourage. It must accomplish what it set out to do. This is not magic. It is the power of GOD.
I am inspired by the knowledge that the Bible tells us that the Lord God Almighty Himself “joys over” us by singing (Zepheniah 3:17). That must be the most incredible song and a bona-fide display of the deepest love in the universe. It makes me feel special and unique. I was also inspired by the knowledge that we are God’s poetry (Ephesians 2:10), and David’s observation that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made!” (Psalm 139:14) Hallelujah!
Cover of Hallelujah
Armed with this knowledge, my morning “getting ready for the day” ritual changed from “Ugh, let me get up and shower and get ready for work whatamI gonna wear It’s cold outside the office is too cold I need to buy a heater or a heating pad I don’t feel like putting on long johns” litany of negatives and dread to standing in the shower singing to the Lord and to myself in “songs and hymns and spiritual songs.”
Instead, I rub lotion on my weary feet, aching muscles and joints saying, thinking and knowing, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made, great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!!” (Lamentations 3:22, 23) Now my body feels good, my muscles feel strong, I smell good and look good too. Not only that, but my attitude has been adjusted to be more positive. I am more loving and forgiving of myself and others. My crooked toe doesn’t bother me so much, and other things will irritate me less as the day goes on. My mind has been renewed by the “washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:26) Hallelujah! This is some fabulous (and inexpensive) medicine! Free, and straight from the word of God. The Lord has lavished love upon us. The expression of the love of God is personal and direct, made especially for you and me. Let us lavish this same love upon ourselves and others.
Here are your prescriptions. Take yours today!:
Isaiah 55:11
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Lamentations 3:22
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Psalm 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Ephesians 5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..
I pray you find this information useful. Until next time: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
Updated March 16, 2015
© Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
______________________________________________
The video “I Am Not Forgotten” by Israel Haughton & New Breed was posted on Youtube.com by aydeezbaby on Sep 2, 2008. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership in this video. It is used for instructional purposes only.
Related articles
- What a Liberating Hope We Have As Christians (verticalviewer.wordpress.com)
- Psalms 45-49 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
- Wednesday’s Praise and Worship Session (6) (pbus1.wordpress.com)
