Affirmation of God: Hear my prayer, O LORD.

Posted on June 18, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Psalm 102:1 ESV

Where are you now? Are you at a point of crying out to the LORD?

No matter where we are or the nature of our prayers we can humbly ask the LORD to hear us.  For three nights I have served as the night watchman for my father-in-law Jimbo as he lies in the hospital ravaged by a stroke. I have witnessed prayer. I know God hears all of our prayers, yet I ask.

I have been reminded constantly over the past few days from my friend Mae’s post at the Believer’s Diary; http://maelorenzo.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/how-to-respond/ . Mae said “I have already fainted”. Not when will I faint but I know I have already fainted. It is here in my fainting I ask the LORD to hear me.

I have fainted LORD, hear my prayer.

Have you fainted?

Psalm 102 also says we gather with the peoples to worship the LORD, will you also gather with me to lift prayers for Jimbo?

Today’s Prayer: Hear my prayer, O LORD. I have fainted and know You are the source of all perfection. I ask You to come and walk with Jimbo; hold his hand and strengthen his weakened body if this is Your will. As the psalmist I ask You to answer speedily. Your will is what we seek and I am thankful that You are enthroned forever. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Power, Prayer, Steps to God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Affirmation of God: I give thanks to You LORD.

Posted on June 14, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! Psalm 100:4 ESV

An affirmation for giving thanks just as Psalm 100 is a psalm for giving thanks. Yesterday a friend said isn’t today your day? My mind checked all the empty counters of my mind looking for the lost clues to what she could be referring; nothing. Yes, isn’t this your day? She repeated.

It hit me, I had recently shared my recovery story with a co-worker and she remembered today is my birthday; my sobriety birthday. How sweet that she remembered and I hadn’t.  Six years of entering His gates instead of the gates of hell.

Yes LORD, I am thankful and I praise Your name! LORD, I serve You with gladness. Both in service and in gladness do I serve You. Thank You for making me. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for allowing me to know You.

I give thanks to You LORD!

Will you join me in giving thanks to God today?

Today’s Prayer: Dear LORD, my God, I enter Your gates with thanksgiving and Your courts with praise LORD I serve You with gladness and come into Your presence with joy. Thank You for making me and for loving me. I am thankful for Your presence that has given me sobriety and for giving me You. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Celebrate Recovery, God's Will, God's Word, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Joy, Kingdom of Heaven, Know God, Praise God, Purity, Recovery, Steps to God, Thanksgiving, Witness, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Affirmation of God: I let who I am roar for the LORD.

Posted on June 13, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Psalm 98:7 ESV

Sometimes I question my ability to make a joyful noise to the LORD. Why is it I want my singing to sound like the beautiful voices of others?

As I read Psalm 98:7 I could imagine the roar of the sea since I will be visiting the coast very soon. I am expectant of hearing the sea roar in its evidence of our God. This same verse calls for all of us to roar as well.

Is your life roaring for the LORD? Can we go from silence, to a whimper to a full blown roar? The following verse says the rivers clap their hands, can you hear it?

We can roar in the noises we make by being who God created US to be.

May our lives roar with a joyful noise in being and doing as God desires.

What is your sound? Let it roar.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, I praise Your name and I pray that my life makes a joyful noise to You. LORD grant me the boldness and love to roar loudly in my evidence of You. LORD forgive me for my sins that silence the noise and the joy. Thank You LORD for the sound You have given me and I pray for Your power to let it roar. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Boldness, Confidence, Courage, Expectation, God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Joy, Love, Praise God, Purpose and Passion, Thanksgiving, Witness, Works, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Affirmation of God: I see God’s glory.

Posted on June 12, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:6 ESV

Do you see God’s glory? Do you see Him in the morning dew? The heavens and all the earth proclaim Him and His righteousness.

As I saw the rabbit tracks through the dew wrapped grass and heard the seemingly hundreds of birds singing out during the early light of the day I saw God’s glory. Do you see Him?

Do we look for God’s glory in all things? The world and the king of it try to blind us and give credit to happenstance, science and logic. When we look to those things we see darkness and hopelessness. When we look to God and His glory we see His light and we can rejoice and give thanks to His holy name.

What are you seeing right now?

Today’s Prayer: LORD, I love You and thank You for showing Your glory to us. LORD, help me to see Your glory in all things. Draw my eyes and my heart to You LORD God. I do see You LORD and I rejoice in Your holy name! Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in depression, God's Path, God's Will, God's Word, Healing, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Kingdom of Heaven, Know God, Love, Praise God, Soul, Thanksgiving | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Affirmation of God: I am singing a new song.

Posted on June 11, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: Sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Psalm 96:1 GWT

Are you singing a new song? Our new song blesses the LORD and tells of His salvation day to day. Our new song declares His glory and His marvelous works.

Do we speak glory to God yet at times still live our old song and dance? Do we give God glory and strength but live as if this life requires our glory and strength?

Our LORD reigns! We are to sing a new song, day to day. We are to declare His glory and His marvelous wonders. If the trees of the forest can sing for joy in Psalm 96:12 so can our lives. May our lives sing for joy and ascribe all glory and strength to the LORD.

What is your life singing?

Today’s Prayer: Great is Your name LORD. You are the source of all wonders. I give to You LORD all glory and strength. Forgive me Father when I fail to ascribe to You the glory that You are due. Help me to sing a new song LORD. Your song of joy is what I want to live, show and sing for all peoples. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Gifts, God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Joy, Power, Praise God, Purpose and Passion, Strength, Thanksgiving, Witness, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Affirmation of God: I stand firm in the LORD.

Posted on June 10, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: The LORD is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Psalm 93:1 NLT

The world seems to be crumbling at the weight of evilness at times doesn’t it? Like the Psalmist in Psalms 93 and 94 we must remember that regardless of what we think, the LORD IS KING and HE REIGNS!

As long as we stand with the LORD, we will stand firm. Even when we feel we are slipping as stated in Psalm 94:18 the LORD’S steadfast love will hold us up. When it looks like the arrogance and the evil ones in our time “band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death” (Psalm 94:21 ESV); we must remember that the LORD is our stronghold.

He is the mighty rock where we stand firm and He will not forsake us. We will one day make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Psalm 95:1 ESV).

Will you stand firm in the LORD? 

Today’s Prayer: Almighty LORD, You reign! You are my stronghold; You are the rock where I stand. Forgive me when I doubt You LORD and think the evilness in my time can rival You. You created all and will bring all back to You. Thank You for holding me up when I think I am slipping. Thank You for Your love. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Anxiety, Belief, Comfort, Doubt, Faith, God's Path, God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Know God, Patience, Peace, Power, Praise God, Strength, Stress, Trust, Weakness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Affirmation of God: I sing for joy for what the LORD has done.

Posted on June 6, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. Psalm 92:4 NLT

Can you sing? Do we need to carry a tune or just carry God?

Like in all things when we compare ourselves to other humans we rob ourselves of joy. True joy, thrilling joy is found in what the LORD has done; not in the performances of us or others. Psalm 93 encourages us to remember that God is forever and that what appears to be flourishing by earthly standards is doomed to failure. Focus on what He has done.

The LORD and His works are forever. If we declare what He has done night and day then we will know His joy and sing a beautiful song, forever.

Our songs are beautiful not for the sound but by our declaration that the LORD’S steadfast love and faithfulness are forever, He alone is upright and He is our rock.

It is here where we find gladness and joy as well as our song.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, I declare Your steadfast love in the morning and I declare Your faithfulness at night. It is Your love and Your faithfulness that bring me joy. Forgive me when I seek joy in the performances of man. You are forever and You are my rock. I sing for You. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Faith, God's Path, God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Hope, Jesus Christ, Joy, Know God, Knowledge, Love, Patience, Praise God, Purpose and Passion, Soul, Success, Thanksgiving, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Affirmation of God: I love You LORD.

Posted on June 4, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Psalm 91:14 NIV

When was the last time you told the LORD you loved Him?  Before you answer that, think about it. I know I have but unbelievably as I read this scripture my search for affirmations of God took me from “because he loves me” to saying I love You LORD. For over five years I have captured almost fifteen thousand affirmations of God and written over 600 blogs and yet this is the first time I have written the most basic of words: I LOVE YOU LORD.

LORD I want to live in Your shelter and rest in the shadow of Your wings. LORD I take refuge in You. You are my protection. LORD I want to know Your love and I pray You know my love for you.

Will you join me now in assuring that we say this often: I love You LORD!

Today’s Prayer: LORD, I love You. LORD, You are my God and the source of all love. Please forgive me for not  telling You I love You enough. LORD, I have experienced Your peace and Your joy. I have seen Your salvation and felt Your refuge. LORD, please keep me in Your love so I know Your name and Your love. I love You. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Comfort, God's Will, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Joy, Know God, Love, Praise God, Prayer, Soul, Steps to God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Affirmation of God: I am satisfied with God’s love.

Posted on June 3, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14 ESV

I love to pray to God in the coolness of a spring morning accompanied by the melodies of song birds. Are these birds singing out of instinct, praise or need? Probably some of all I imagine.

Praying also that the LORD hears the melodies of my heart I came to Psalm 90 today and sensed the satisfaction of my heart. My nature, my praise and all of my needs I lay before God in the morning and I am satisfied.

I trust that the Holy Spirit directs my heart as this psalm of Moses professes; I affirm to live with God today. I trust God to show me His work. I expect God to show me His glorious power. I know that the favor of the LORD is upon me. I do today the work the LORD has established for my hands.

Yes, I am satisfied, are you? What does your heart sing to God?

Today’s Prayer: LORD, I love You and thank You for Your steadfast love. I am satisfied in You LORD. LORD I pray You hear the songs of my heart. I sing of my love, I sing of my thanksgiving for Your love. I live in You LORD. Show me the work You have established for me. Thank You for Your glorious power and Your favor. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Comfort, Confidence, Expectation, Faith, God's Path, God's Will, God's Word, Heart, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Joy, Kneeling, Know God, Listening to God, Love, Power, Praise God, Prayer, Purpose and Passion, Soul, Steps to God, Strength, Thanksgiving, Trust, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Affirmation of God: Every day I call upon You O LORD.

Posted on May 30, 2013 by

Today’s Scripture: my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you. Psalm 88:9 ESV

Dark days and bright days we can call on the LORD. This 88th Psalm is dark, seemingly hopeless. Surely there would be a punch line by the end of this Psalm by the Sons of Korah of God’s redeeming glory.

In this chapter it didn’t come. This chapter begins and ends in darkness. Of course, I had to sneak a peak at the next chapter in Psalm 89.

“I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever” is in the very first verse of the next chapter. I pray you and I remember this wherever we are. Whether we are in the pits of Hell or walking in the light of God’s face, we can call on Him; every day.

We may not feel the steadfast love until another chapter but we can know it by crying out to God day and night.

Do you call upon the LORD every day?

Today’s Prayer: O LORD, God of my salvation I present my prayers to You. Thank You for Your promise to hear. LORD, help me to call upon You every day. Keep me forever mindful of my helplessness regardless of my abundance or my lack. O LORD, I cry to You. Amen

Tom Raines

Christian Affirmations 4 Life

Posted in Anxiety, Comfort, depression, Doubt, God's Will, God's Word, Habits, Healing, Holy Spirit, Hope, Know God, Mourning, Patience, Peace, Praise God, Prayer, Recovery, Steps to God, Stress, Trust, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments