God’s Powerful Plan to Strengthen Your Heart

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Most of you have never seen me behind closed doors, but I have to admit that if you did, you might think I’m a little crazy. When Renee is out and about, I have the whole house to sing to my heart’s content to the Lord. Since I don’t have a good voice, I only do that when I’m alone or driving by myself in the car! Have you ever looked up in your rearview mirror, or, happened to glance over into the car next to you, and it appears that the person is rocking out to some song? It always puts a smile on my face. I love when someone is uninhibited about something that is good! Especially when it comes to the Lord!

I’ve talked about this before but feel impressed to do so again today! People talk to themselves all the time. Next time you’re in public, look around. You’ll see someone talking to themselves! We all do! We also sing when we are by ourselves. I don’t know about you, but when no one else is around, I get pretty uninhibited and let it rip! Only the Lord would appreciate my singing. Beyond Him, it would make a dog howl! 😂 The Lord gets an earful when I have alone time in my car or at home! Even though I’m singing to worship Him, I know it blesses Him, but it also blesses me and lifts me up! God intended for it to be that way!

King David loved to sing to the Lord. He was amazing and anointed at expressing his heart to the Lord as we read in the Psalms! When David would sing to the Lord, he’d often begin to use words describing his current circumstances and emotions. But, he never stopped there. Something often happened in the middle of what He was singing from his heart. The Spirit of God would remind him of his covenant with God and God’s promises to him! David would move from feelings of discouragement to praising God for His greatness and faithfulness. He may have started out singing words of discouragement but God moved him to words of faith and praise! David’s words from his heart and spirit way back then, continue to lift us up and encourage us today!

Ephesians 5:19-20 NKJV says “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Did you catch the words? “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns… singing spiritual songs… singing and making melody in your heart TO THE LORD….. giving thanks… Learning to worship and sing words of thanksgiving to God from your heart can be a continuing and awesome way to share your thanks to the Lord. He is truly worthy of this sacrifice of praise! And, if you haven’t experienced this yet, you’ll find out that worshipping and praising the Lord lifts your heart to a better place. And, don’t forget this Biblical truth: praise quiets your mind and emotions, it helps you detach from the cares of this world, and stills the voice of the enemy of your soul!

I started to make up and sing songs of thanks to the Lord from my heart years ago. Being a songwriter is not a goal of mine. Having anyone else ever hear what I sing is not a goal. In truth, that would be a distraction. Then I’d be focused on writing a song rather than worshiping the Lord and just letting it happen with the help of the Holy Spirit. I sing to the Lord from my heart frequently. It’s become more and more natural and beautiful over time. The ways in which it draws you close to the Lord and transforms your heart are beyond words! Music is the creation of God to lift the soul. Although Satan has perverted it to take our minds and emotions where they should not go, worshipping and praising God is how we capture God’s creative purpose back. It is truly one of life’s most powerful tools for lifting your heart to a good place in God. That is why I am so careful of the music and words I allow in my heart—because of its power and effect on my soul—my mind and emotions.

You may have not yet discovered this blessing yet but it’s something to add to and incorporate into your Christian experience. It will only get better as you mature in the Lord. If feel you are not musically inclined in any way, there are so many sources of godly Christian worship music available. Find one that lifts you up and begin to sing with it. It won’t take long before you see the effect that it has on your heart, even though it’s directed to the Lord. Don’t stop there. Once you feel comfortable singing songs of worship to the Lord, begin to sing to him in your own words. It’s powerful!

Why else should we experience it? Because it’s our future destiny! All of God’s children will spend eternity worshipping Jesus, the King of Glory! Revelation 5:9 NLT “And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Take a risk. Ask the Lord to help you! Sing to Him when you are all alone. You’ll be surprised what happens! It will bless Him and it will lift you up!

Psalm 89:1 “I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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