Still Reasons To Give God Praise

I was able to go to church and get in my praise
But I can’t do anything else I planned today
The body won’t cooperate
I now understand the Scriptures in James (4:14)
Do what you can each day
As you don’t know what tomorrow will bring your way

But I won’t complain
There’s still reasons to give praise
I’m not in such shape that at home I can’t stay
I got a comfortable bed in which to lay
Got the juice and meds I need to take
So I’m really OK
I’ll just rest and pray
That I’ll feel better the next day

I’ve experienced in life
That even in dark moments, there’s something bright
It can be hard to see, but when you look carefully
And consider that worse it could be
There’s still reasons to give God thanks and praise.

Scripture Reference 1 Timothy 5:18
Background

Even when something bad happens, usually something good can be found in the bad, and that makes a reason to give God thanks. For example, you may be sick, but thank God for a bed to rest in or loving people to help you and to comfort you. You may not have a job, but thank God He is still housing and feeding you. Even when something bad happens all of a sudden, God can bring something good along with it. I remember just as soon as I fell off a bike, some stranger came walking down the street to help me get up. Things can always be worse, so I learned in everything to give God thanks.

A Place for Me

Somewhere there’s a place for me
Where trouble would have ceased
Right now it’s just a dream
But God can make it a reality

A place for me
Where sunshine is all I’ll see
Can roam carelessly in the streets
Just exist happily and free

So tired of this way of living
You are merciful and forgiving
Somehow, someway I pray
I wake up and things will have changed

I know You will, I know You can
So take my hand
And guide me away
To the new place to stay
Thanks in advance I pray.

Scripture references: Psalm 51, Ephesians 3:20
Background
Problems can be so great and unbearable that sometimes you just want to pack up and move to a dream place where problems don’t exist. It doesn’t have to be heaven, especially if you are not ready to transition. It doesn’t have to be a physical place at all. It could just be a removal of the problems that are troubling you. When things would get unbearable, I would read Psalm 51 a lot. The Psalm is about pleading with God to help you while at the same time acknowledging that you have sinned and need His forgiveness. I used to pray for a better place to live for many years. And not only did God give it to me, He blessed me with some stuff I only dreamed would come true. God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think—as if He is taking us into a dream land.

Financial Blessings

Just paid all the monthly utility bills
To some, it seems like no big deal
But to me it is
Lord not only now You are providing
But You have blessed me financially down through the years

I remember one day specifically
Layoff notices were handed out to employees
I sat at my desk and prayed that one I wouldn’t receive
I had just taken out loans and needed my job desperately
That day you answered my prayer instantly

Another time comes to memory
When trouble on a job got too much for me
It was imminent I’d be forced to leave
But another offer I had not received
For several days my phone did ring
But I wasn’t able to catch the one calling
When I finally did, came a job offering
So jobless You spared me from being

Then I remember when I was trying to buy something major
I actually went to it and prayed over it
Not only did the loan go through
You blessed me with a higher, more stable income too
Lord, I recognize all good and perfect gifts come from You
Thanks for financial blessings old and new.

Scripture Reference: James 1:17, Deuteronomy 8:18
Background

An income or job can be here today and gone tomorrow. It is such a blessing to be able to pay bills when they come due as without adequate income, life can be very difficult. So I’m careful not to take income for granted. It makes me remember God’s generosity and kindness. Deuteronomy 8:18 says remember that God gives us the power to generate an income or wealth and James 1:17 says every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord.