Above the heavens

"Your constant love reaches above the heavens; your faithfulness touches the skies"- Psalm 108:4 (Good News Bible)

This morning, as I read the Word of God, I recalled a wonderful experience: Flying back home from Puerto Rico, after a tour promoting my ministry, I was amazed by the magnificent view of the clouds. I searched through my pictures and, yes! I have one of that special moment in time. There, above the heavens, I was in complete awe of God's handiwork. Needless to say, peace and gratitude overflowed my already joyous soul.

While enjoying the view, I took mental notes of the blessings this trip brought me, and how God provided for my every need throughout my three-week tour. I'd seen His hand in many ways! Looking at the clouds below reminded me of how uncertain this life is and how much we depend on the loving care of our heavenly Father. What a blessing it is to know Him, my Creator and Savior!

Today I'm facing challenges, but, as I look at this picture, I'm reminded of God's faithfulness. I can put all my troubles, challenges and concerns in His hand and know that He holds the present and the future. I can sing as the psalmist did so many years ago and know that I will not be dissapointed:

"I have complete confidence, oh God!

I will sing and praise you!

I will thank you, oh Lord among the nations.

I will praise you among the peoples.

Your constant love reaches above the heavens;

your faithfulness touches the skies".

Psalm 108: 1, 3-4

Once again, delving into the Word of God brought peace and comfort to my heart, as I relived that wonderful moment while reading Psalm 108. Just what I needed today! What reminds you today of God's direction and care?

Dear heavenly Father: May the faithfulness you've shown me in the past hold me steadfast in the midst of today's trials. May the certainty of your love bring stability in these uncertain times. May the tunes of my heart glorify your name each and every day, bring what they may! Amen.

©Rhodi Alers de López, 2006-01-20

Giving thanks… for blessings by the bushel!

It’s that time of the year again: the month in which many think “turkey, apple pie, big dinner, family gatherings, Christmas shopping”, etc.

For many, it is the one-time-a-year when they will actually “give thanks” to the Lord for his blessings.

I’ve learned to thank God each day, for every morning his blessings are renewed. But when I look back, at the beginning of the year, I certainly have blessings by the bushel for which to praise the Lord in a very special way. It’s been a very productive year in this ministry and I thank God for that.

Here I share just a few blessings, which I consider milestones for the glory of God:

-The release of my Cd: “Me faltan palabras” (My words are insufficient to say Thank you).

-The publication of my first book- “Suspiros del Alma… poesía, reflexiones y más” (“Sighs of the soul… poetry, reflections and more”).

-The publication of 10 of my devotionals in the 2005 women’s devotional book-“Voces del corazón”-Voices from the heart.

-Monitoring the prayer request in the Boomer Women Speak forum.

-God granted me the opportunity of presenting a workshop for other women interested in writing devotionals in various churches in MA.

-The creation of my website: www.expressionpublishingministries.com.

-My promotion trip to Puerto Rico was a great blessing, and a dream come true!

-Sharing my testimony there with so many is a plus!

Stemming from my trip to Puerto Rico, I was able to get in touch with my college-days friend. Nothing happens by coincidence. Our heavenly Father has a purpose for everything and I pray it proves to be a blessing in her life.

I was also able to meet the angel who prepared my mother’s baby shower before my twin sister and I were born. What a blessing!

I had the opportunity to give the devotional writing workshop in P.R. About 40 women attended this event. To see their enthusiasm and eagerness to write and share their testimony is a blessing in itself. It is my prayer that the Lord uses them to inspire others.

-Life, family, health, resources, friends, church family, salvation, and the way God cares for each detail of my life are just a few of the daily blessings by the bushel.

-The apostle Paul encourages us be thankful in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:18). I also need to give thanks for each trial, each problem, each disappointment and each stone in the way. They’ve become blessings in disguise. I sing to the Lord, because each trouble brought me to the Source of Help: Jesus, the ever present Help in times of need and He's never failed!

None of the blessings received I deserved. The glory and honor belong to my King, my Friend, and my Father, who so lovingly bestows his mercies on me.

For this and more “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the wonderful things you have done. I will sing with joy because of YOU. I will sing praise to you, Almighty God” Psalm 9:1, 2.
©Rhodi Alers de López, 2005-11-21

Just a note of praise!

“The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live in it are his” Psalm 24:1 (Good News Bible- Today’s English Version).

How often do we stop and meditate about this truth? Do we realize that we exist only because God chose to create us? We are not here today as a result of evolution. Our heavenly Father created the universe. This earth was designed with humankind in mind. It was lovingly prepared step by step. When everything we needed was in place he, fearfully and wonderfully, created man.

Life itself is a wonderful gift that we enjoy without stopping to consider. He provides shelter, food, work, friends, our abilities and so much more! He gives us all we have. Yet, many times, we choose to live as ungrateful children, who think they don’t owe much to their parents. We often fail to acknowledge God’s involvement in our everyday life and don’t recognize his many blessings.

The psalmist reminds us: “Praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name! Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is” (Psalm 103:1-2). Only when we fully understand and recognize that all we have comes from our heavenly Father’s hand, will we be able to, wholeheartedly, praise him as he deserves. So, praise the Lord with a cheerful heart! His blessings are without end.

Prayer and Praise:
Father, today I want to praise you! Thank you for creating me and giving me life. I understand that all I have is a gift from you. Above all, I thank you for the privilege of knowing YOU and the salvation you provided through Jesus Christ. I thank you for the Bible, the Living Word, which helps us know you better.

Although I am so undeserving, every morning you renew your many blessings upon me. And I praise you with all my heart. Help me to be aware each day of your kindness and share it with others for the glory of your name. Give me a thankful heart I pray, precious Lord. Amen.

©Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2004

A Basket of Praise-2

“Delight yourself also in the Lord: and he shall give you the desires of your heart”. Psalm 37:4

Have you started making a list of blessings or reasons to be thankful and praise God for? How long is it? Do you find yourself constantly adding to it? As we realize God’s never-ending blessings, we learn to praise him more and request less. As we praise our heavenly Father, we make ourselves fully aware of his greatness, his power, his love and kindness.

Now, Matthew assures us that God already knows our needs before we ask him (Mat. 6:8, 32). So, what about the Prayer Request Basket? Is there really a need for it? Why does God invite us to ask, seek and knock? (Mat. 7:7-8). By asking, waiting and having our request fulfilled, we learn to trust God day by day. That, in turn, will cause us to praise and thank him even more. And on goes the cycle of praise!

Now, remember: God invites us to ask! That is why he gave us so many promises. He wants us to ask and trust that he will answer! But he also reminds us to be thankful and not take his many blessings for granted!

While the praise basket gets heavier, the request basket seems to get lighter! How is this accomplished? We learn to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We trust Him to supply all our needs (Mat. 6: 33). Our priorities are now in order and our main concern is to please our Father. He takes care of your request basket for he knows your needs. He will give you the desires of your heart! Not because you praise him, but because you surrendered to him in praise and thanksgiving. You chose to trust him and he is a trustworthy, loving and wonderful Father.

How do your baskets look today? Are you “delighting yourself in the Lord”? Consider his wonders and rejoice in his goodness. Fill your basket with praise and thanksgiving for God is good!

My prayer: Father, I worship and surrender myself unto thee. I praise you and exalt your holy name. I thank you for all the wonderful things that you have done and what still is to come. Help me be an instrument of praise unto your name. This I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.

©Copyright, Rhodi Alers de López, 2004

A Basket of Praise-1

“How good it is to give thanks to you, O lord, to sing in your honor, O Most High God, to proclaim your constant love every morning and your faithfulness every night”. Psalm 92:1, 2.

An old legend says that one day God gave an angel two beautiful baskets. One basket was to be filled with prayer requests of his children on earth; the other, with their gratitude. At the end of the day the basket of requests was full to the brim, heavy with requests. Not so with the other basket. This one was light, with only a few notes of thanksgiving and praise. Needless to say, our heavenly Father was greatly disappointed. So many blessings he bestows upon us, yet, we are slow to recognize and thank him for them.

The book of Psalms is full of invitations to praise and thank our Lord! Why the constant reminder? We often overlook God’s many blessings to us. When we take time each morning to rejoice and praise the Lord, He will open our eyes to the wonders of his love. We will constantly have a reason to be thankful and praise God! Our basket of praise will be filled with beautiful notes of thanksgiving, and sweet tunes of praise, giving God honor and glory for the wonderful things He has done!

Do you have a prayer journal? Why not have a praise journal? In the evening, why not take some time to meditate in his goodness? Take note of how God cared and provided for you this day, how faithful he is. Your basket of praise will soon be overflowing.

My Prayer: “O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth will make known thy praise” Psalm 51:15.
(To be continued)

© Copyright Rhodi Alers de López, 2004