I
write today’s post as a contributor to the Christian Writers Blog Chain. (CWBC) Each month individuals at the CWBC share their
thoughts about chosen themes. This month the theme is Celebrate.
Whenever I hear the word celebrate I’m put in mind of one
of the songs I sing. I sing it upon request or simply when the mood hits me.
What’s the name of the song, you ask. Celebrate
Jesus Name. When I sing it, my heart resonates with praise to the name of
the Lord. How could it not with such a song of celebration?
At times when a friend asked that I sing Celebrate, as I
fondly refer to it nowadays, I might not have felt up to singing such an upbeat
song, but as a gospel singer I do my best to honor song requests. So I sang.
And even though my heart may not have been in a ‘singing’ mood—often the
sorrows of life or trials in general distress our hearts and we simply aren’t
in a ‘singing (pleasant) mood. Still, honoring the request to sing, Celebrate,
I sang. Surprisingly enough as I spoke God’s praise through the song lyrics my
troubled heart soon followed my mouth and it sang along! Singing about the
greatness of God always lifts me to a place of joyfulness.
Over the years God has proven his word true to me. Sometimes
when trials overcome my joy, I’ve learned to sing about God’s goodness. I sing
the scriptures. In singing the scriptures it affirms God’s word in that I hear
it spoken in the song’s lyrics. God promises us in his word that he will
sustain us. He’ll never suffer the righteous to be moved. Why not sing that
promise whenever you’re troubled about the difficulties of life? You’ll soon realize
the joy of the Lord as it bubbles up within your soul.
Psalm 96 expresses that we should declare God’s glory
among the nations, proclaim his salvation day after day. That we ought to sing!
On the worst days, when trails distress me, I remind myself to sing a song of praise
to him. Song lyrics that speak of God’s goodness, his mercy, and his love for
his people will always lighten a troubled heart. Singing God’s praise stirs our faith
to and deepens our love of the Lord.
I trust God to carry me through all the trails of this transitory life, and I love him. God is so good to me. I sing daily, and my heart follows suit.
I’ve included a YouTube video (not of me singing, but a great songstress) so you all can sing Celebrate Jesus Name as well.
Beloved Scriptures:
Cast
thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the
righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22, KJV)
Psalm
96
1
Sing
to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
4
For
great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
7
Ascribe
to the Lord, all you families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. ”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of his[a] holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth.
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns. ”
The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.
11
Let
the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
(Psalm 96, KJV)let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
13 Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
• 7/1: Stephen
Olar, Snickerdoodles
• 7/2:
• 7/3: Chris
Henderson, TheWriteChris
• 7/4: Suzette
Emilia, Beautiful You
• 7/5: Tracy
Krauss, Expression Express
• 7/6: Bill Jones,
I Was Thinking the Other Day
• 7/7: Mike
Johnson, The College Field Manual
• 7/8: Adam
Collings, The Collings Zone
• 7/9: Cindee Re,
Breathe Deeply
• 7/10: Chris
Stachura, Recovery Along Route 66
• 7/11: Carol
Peterson, From Carol's Quill
• 7/12: Chris
Vonada, I'm Just Thinkin'
• 7/13: Nona King,
Spirit Driven Fiction
• 7/14: Stephanie
Boles, 80 Acres and a Book
• 7/15: Lynn
Mosher, Heading Home
• 7/16: Kristena
Tunstall, Mommy’s Angel In Heaven
• 7/17:
• 7/18: Victor
Travison, Lightwalker's View
• 7/19: Keith
Wallis, wordsculptures
• 7/20: Edward
Lewis, Sowing the Seeds
• 7/21:
SandiGrace, Heart Gazer
• 7/22: Traci
Bonney, Tracings
• 7/23: Terrie
Thorpe, Light for the Journey
• 7/24: Noel
Kline, Clean Heart, Cozy Home
• 7/25: Pauline
Creeden, Fat Free Faith
• 7/26: Nona King,
Word Obsession
• 7/27: Israel Ikhinmwin,
Education Made Simple
• 7/28: Deborah K.
Anderson, Faith, Fiction, & Unvarnished Truth
• 7/29:
• 7/30: Marilyn
McKay, Life 101: Understanding It All
• 7/31:
Hi Stepanie,
ReplyDeleteWhat I've noticed about worship music is that the words lodge deep in your brain. I've had times where I was "awakened" from a period of mindlessness through a worship song that was knocking around my head.
This is such a simple truth yet so profound. When we feel down or discouraged or angry (or any negative emeotion) if we start to praise Jesus our spirits are lifted. thanks for a great post.
ReplyDeleteyes, when we celebrate the name of Jesus we celebrate the name above every name, the name that means Jehovah Saves.
ReplyDeletebiiiiiiiiiiiiig hug
There is something powerful about singing praise to God, isn't there? And its true, that sometimes the most beautiful moments are those we stumble into simply out of obedience. To God be all the glory!
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie - singing about God's grace and love will open up our hearts - if we're paying attention to what we're doing!
ReplyDeleteWhen I have trouble "celebrating" my worries, fears or concerns I turn on Christian praise music which lifts me up when I have trouble starting on my own.
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful, Stephanie. Loved the video and music.
ReplyDeleteI too find that when I sing to Jesus, my heart soars up to where He is. We have every reason to celebrate in Him and music is a wonderful way to do it. Thank you for this post.
Excellent post, Stephanie! I'm not a singer, but I love to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" anyway. Singing praise songs always lifts me when I'm feeling discouraged or upset over something. It's one of my favorite weapons to combat Satan's attacks. And interestingly enough, I mention singing praises in my blog post today too. Hope you'll stop by and check it out. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved it Stephanie! Shout Praises to His Name! It is His Spirit that revives and restores us as we sing. As a side note, God loves singing, birds do it, Angels do it and we were given this gift as well. How blessed we are to bless Him in song.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Stephanie. I love your statement, "I sing daily, and my heart follows suit." Nice choice of Psalm 96! Our Lord certainly does deserve our praise! I often wonder if praising Him helps us so much, because it ushers us into His mighty, glorious, loving, healing presence, where sadness and mourning cannot dwell.
ReplyDeleteSandiGrace
Beautiful, Stephanie! And it's true how burdens can fall away when we prasie Him. Thanks for the reminder. (Sorry so late posting this month.)
ReplyDelete