Category Archives: Praise Points

Standing on the Rock

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:1-3)

Continue reading

Dare to Soar

No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:7-10)

Continue reading

Door of Hope

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, I will lead her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. And it shall be, in that day, says the LORD, That you will call Me My Husband, and no longer call Me My Master… (Hosea 2:14-16)

Continue reading

Follow Hard: The Passion of the Hart

(A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah)

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:1-8)

Continue reading

The Song of the Lamb

In September 2006, after writing the article Lift Up A Standard, A Standard of Praise! the Lord gave me an image that went with the phrase the Song of the Lamb. It was an image of a shepherd with outstretched arms, praying for the people of his congregation; a shepherd sheltering and caring for his flock. As the shepherd prayed, the rest of the body joined in support of his prayers (holding up his arms). These prayers took place during worship. The Lord impressed on my heart that if the Song of the Lamb was sung during this time, healing would occur.

Continue reading

Dance of the Hart

I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. (Habakkuk 3:16-19)

Continue reading