Raise My Hands In Praise ~

Some days I want to stand,
on top of the highest hill . . .
raise my hands to the Lord
and tell Him how I feel.

I want to shout out my love,
hear His echo back at me . . .
I want to close my eyes tight
hoping His face I might see.

Some days I want to be alone,
on the tallest mountain top
sing my praises to the Lord
never wishing for them to stop.

I want to show my gratitude,
my heartfelt appreciation
I want to cry out to Him
my thanks for His salvation.

Some days I want to stand,
and soak in all of His peace . . .
and raise my hands upwards
as my praise to Him I release!

~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 57:7

“My heart is fixed,
O God, my heart is fixed
I will sing and give praise.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2023
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Eternally Grateful ~

Oh, Lord when I mediate,
on Your tender mercy . . .
my heart becomes for You
more hungry and thirsty.

I want to drink in,
all of Your compassion . . .
I want to bottle up
each drop of Your passion.

Oh, Lord when I ponder,
on Your abundant grace . . .
the tears of joy can’t stop
running down my face.

I want to soak in,
all of Your loving goodness
I want to sop up . . .
each morsel of Your goodness.

Oh, Lord when I consider,
how much You are faithful
I can’t help but be to You
eternally grateful!

~~~~~

Psalm 100:4-5

“Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving,
and into his courts
with praise:
be thankful unto him,
and bless his name.

For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting;
 and his truth endureth
to all generations.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

In All Things Be Thankful ~

I love this time of year,
with Thanksgiving just ahead
it reminds me of some facts
in the Bible I have read . . .

In all things be thankful,
let joy and praise flow out of you
for everything be grateful
give God the glory He is due.

Make peacefulness your habitation,
let your gentleness be known
be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving
never be the first to cast a stone.

Extend a hand to the needy,
let charity be your perfect gift
help all those who have not
bring back to God those adrift.

Show others your appreciation,
let them see your gratitude
bless them for their helpfulness
be not selfish in your attitude.

Reach out to the sick and hurting,
let them see Jesus’ true compassion
show all acts of grace and mercy
let not the sun go down on your passion.

Be content with all that you have,
rejoice in whatever is your state
be satisfied with all of the goodness
God places each day on your plate.

In everything be thankful,
let your praise be heard by all
in everything be grateful
let your joy be seen by all!

~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always
for all things unto
God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

Copyright 2013 Revised 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note To God ~11.20.22~

Hebrews 12:28

Gracious Gratitude ~

Not just on Thanksgiving,
but every day of the year
give God your heartfelt praise
and it’ll bring your heart cheer.

For when we are thankful,
the entire year through
joy will flood our souls
spilling over in all we do.

Every minute of the day,
thank God for His grace
every second you’re alive
praise His holy face.

Give Him your thanksgiving,
with a heart that’s forthright
and in the eyes of the Lord
you’ll be a pleasing delight.

So, everyone let’s show God,
our gracious gratitude . . .
today and all year through
have a thankful attitude!

~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

The Fruit Of My Lips ~

May the fruit of my lips,
produce bountiful praise
to God for His faithfulness
and His wondrous ways.

May my lips create music,
generate songs to sing
making a joyful noise
honoring my eternal King.

May the fruit of my lips,
deliver my thankfulness
with hearty hallelujahs
showing my gratefulness.

May my lips dance about,
jump with joy and delight
expressing to the world
the hope found in His light.

May the fruit of my lips,
produce bountiful praise
may my gratitude to God
I never stop to raise!

~~~~~~

Psalm 51:15

“O Lord, open thou my lips;
and my mouth shall shew
forth thy praise.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

My Daily Praise I Raise~

Each new day I rise to,
I start it off with praise
to the Lord my God . . .
my gratitude I raise.

I thank Him daily,
for all He has supplied
I can’t tell Him enough
how much I am obliged.

My gratitude is ongoing,
as I go about my day
for the many blessings
He showers on my way.

I’m grateful for His mercy,
His every good, perfect gift
unto my Lord and Savior
my thankfulness I lift.

As I thank God for being,
my powerful, wise creator
my gratefulness to Him . . .
grows ever-more greater!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 35:28

“And my tongue shall
speak of thy righteousness
and of thy praise
all the day long.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~10.27.22~

Ephesians 5:20

My On Going Devotion ~

Lord, may all my days,
I give You praise
may my thanks
to You I raise.

May for all things,
my thanks I give
may it be for You
that I should live.

May all the time,
I worship You
may I be grateful
for all You do.

May my devotion,
be in my attitude
may to You it be
one of gratitude.

Lord, may each new day,
my praise to You I sing
may the fruit of my lips
to You thanksgiving bring!

~~~~~~~~

Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer
the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of
our lips giving thanks to his name.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2022
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Thankful Everyday ~

We don’t need a special day,
to show how we’re thankful
for every day to God . . .
we need to be grateful.

We can come together,
any time of the year
and share the real cause
for our heart’s good cheer.

We can give our thanks,
no matter the season
a special holiday
needn’t be the only reason.

We can enter into,
the gates of thanksgiving
anytime, anywhere
without a single misgiving.

For, God doesn’t care,
when or how we show . . .
our thankfulness to Him
He just wants to know!

~~~~~

Psalm 100:4

“Enter into his gates
with thanksgiving,
and into his courts
with praise:
be thankful unto him,
and bless his name.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016 Revised 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

A Symphony of Praise ~

Lord, may I be thankful,
today and all year though
may praise and thanksgiving
come daily from me to You.

May I be made aware of,
all You have done for me
may I not lose my gratitude
or the love I have for Thee.

May I sing each morning,
a symphony of my praise
may I lift up my whole heart
as my gratitude I raise.

May I always remember,
the blessings You have given
may I forever be mindful
why I have been forgiven.

Lord, may I be thankful,
to You in every single way
may praise be on my lips . . .
every moment of my day!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 9:1

I will praise thee, O Lord,
with my whole heart;
I will shew forth all thy
marvellous works.

King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2014 Revised 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to God be the Glory ~

Sing To God Your Praise ~

O, sing of God’s goodness,
sing of His grace . . .
sing about His mercies
for all to embrace.

Sing in the morning,
sing into the night
sing of God’s wonder
sing of His saving light.

Sing to God’s honor,
sing of His name
sing how forever
He’s always the same.

Sing in the storm,
sing in the calm
sing about His peace
sing of His healing balm.

Give God His glory,
give Him your praise
O, sing of the Savior
for you He has raised!

~~~~

Psalm 96:1-3

“O sing
unto the Lord a new song:
sing unto the Lord,all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord,bless his name;
shew forth his salvation
from day to day.
Declare his glory among
the heathen, his wonders
among all people.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

The Voices of Thanksgiving ~

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be heard joyfully today . . .
may words of our gratefulness
be sung merrily as we pray.

May our heartfelt thoughts,
offer God His due praise
may our indebtedness
to Him we constantly raise.

May the voice of gratitude,
be heard loud and clear
may our humble thanks
be detected by every ear.

May our praise reflect,
words of our gratification
may God hear and see
our sincere appreciation.

May the voice of thanksgiving,
be our joyful noise today . . .
may our words of gratitude
be heard by God everyday!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 66:1

“Make a joyful noise unto God,
all ye lands:”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2016 Revised 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

 

Afternoon Ponderings ~11.05.21~

Psalm 103:2

Sticky Note to God ~11.01.21

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Lord, I love You ~

Lord have I told You lately,
just how much I love You . . .
have I expressed my gratitude
for all, for me You do?

Have I sung to You my praise,
for Your mercy and Your grace
have I told you I can’t wait
till I can thank You face to face?

Lord have I stressed to You,
the faith in You I have found
have I said I appreciate You
for keeping my heart sound?

Have I expressed You keep me,
pressing on each new day
have I told You how delighted
You’re my Light, Truth and Way?

Lord if I have neglected,
telling You these things lately
I want to make it clear right now
it’s how I feel about You daily!

~~~~~~~~

1 John 4:19

We love him,
because he
first loved us.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2021
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

Afternoon Ponderings ~05.23.21~

Psalm 107:1

Count All Your Blessings ~

Count all your blessings,
every single blessed one . . .
add them all together
be grateful for the sum.

Be thankful for all you have,
convey your gratitude
let your appreciation
reflect in your attitude.

Appreciate your wealth,
no matter how great or small
show your gratefulness
to God who supplies it all.

Let your thankfulness,
reach across the whole land
freely give to others
what God’s put in your hand.

Count all your blessings,
so many have not any. . .
give to them all you can
even if it’s your last penny!

~~~~~~~~

Mark 12:41-44

And Jesus sat over against
the treasury, and beheld
how the people cast money
into the treasury: and many
that were rich cast in much.

And there came
a certain poor widow,
and she threw in two mites,
which make a farthing.

And he called unto him his
disciples, and saith unto them,
Verily I say unto you,
That this poor widow
hath cast more in, than all
they which have cast into
the treasury:

For all they did cast in of
their abundance; but she
of her want did cast in all
that she had, even all her living.

King James Bible
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2020
Deborah Ann Belka

Eternally Thankful ~

Lord, may my heart be,
eternally thankful . . .
may it always to You be
one forever grateful.

May it sing it’s praises,
for all that You do
may it show it’s thanks
for to You it’s always due.

Lord, may my song swell,
with my gratefulness
may it resonate loudly
of Your faithfulness.

May its lyric’s convey,
my complete devotion
may its melody express
my gratitude unbroken.

Lord, may my heart be,
filled with thanksgiving
may my praise to You . . .
always be transmitting!

~~~~~~~~~~

Psalm 7:17

I will praise the Lord
according to his righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name
of the Lord most high.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2020
Deborah Ann Belka

~ to GOD be the GLORY ~

A Plate of Grace ~

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no turkey with dressing
I’m only going to serve a plate
of gratitude for God’s blessings.

As a substitute for candied yams,
we’ll feast on His loving kindness
taste the sweetness of His favor
as we reflect on His righteousness.

There’ll be no rolls and butter,
instead, we’ll eat of the Bread of Life
with gratitude we’ll give our thanks
to Jesus for bearing our strife.

In place of mashed potatoes,
there’ll be praise piled just as high
we’ll sing our adoration
in place of having pumpkin pie.

The only beverage we will drink,
will be from the one True Vine
with humility on our lips
our thanks will be as sweet as wine.

Come this Thanksgiving . . .
there’ll be no traditional dinner
instead I’ll serve a plate of grace
to anyone who is a sinner!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 7:17

I will praise the Lord
according to his righteousness:
and will sing praise to the name
of the Lord most high.

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2012 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Father, How Can I Show My Gratitude ~

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You’ve done
how can I show my thankfulness
for the eternal gift of Your Son?

What can I do to repay You,
for the kindness You’ve shown me
what can I give back to You
so my appreciation You can see?

How can I render my thanksgiving,
the sense of my true gratification
how can I ever prove to You
the full delight of my satisfaction?

Father, how can I show my gratitude,
my gratefulness for all You do
how can I show my thankfulness
if I am not always praising You?

~~~~~~~~

Colossians 3:17

And whatsoever ye do
in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God
and the Father by him.

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2013 Revised 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Blessing Counting ~

Don’t number your burdens,
instead count your blessings
for burden counting, adding
can be gloomy and depressing.

So let your mind run free,
and add up all the ways
God has provided you . . .
with your needs each day.

Don’t list your complaints,
instead tally up God’s benefits
for complaining, tallying
has disheartening elements.

So let your heart begin,
to list the hopeful things
everyday into your life
Jesus sends and brings.

Don’t list all of your have-nots,
rather count the good things God has given
when your done the total sum . . .
will add up to the reasons you’re forgiven!

~~~~~~~~

Psalm 103:2

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits:”

Copyright 2019
Deborah Ann Belka

Pray With out Ceasing ~

Pray without ceasing,
and answer God will
be anxious for naught
than wait and be still.

Pray at all times,
trust and believe
your supplications
God will receive.

Pray to Your Father,
in Jesus’ name
be sure His peace
in your life you claim.

Pray for one another,
raise thankful your hands
seek His face early
and He’ll reveal His plans.

Pray without ceasing,
with gratefulness
remember always . . .
God’s faithfulness!

~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Good Night Lord ~

Good night Lord,
it’s been a pleasant day
walking along with You
on the narrow way.

Thank You for being with me,
for holding my hand
for lifting me up
when I thought I couldn’t stand.

Good night Lord,
this day was beautiful
the grace You gave me
was more than bountiful.

Thank You for blessing me,
with each daily provision
for keeping me always
right within Your vision.

Good night lord,
let’s do this again tomorrow
if from You another day . . .
will allow me to borrow!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 42:8

“Yet the Lord will command
his lovingkindness in the
day time, and in the night
his song shall be with me,
and my prayer unto the
God of my life.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Our Daily Mission ~

When with God we’re repentant,
and fall under His submission
praise and thanksgiving . . .
will become our daily mission.

For, those who trust God,
know all will be Okay
no matter what may come
or what He sends our way.

When with God we’re humble,
and self-denial is the rule
our thanksgiving for all things
will be our spiritual fuel.

For, those who are hopeful,
know God won’t send anything
that would ever keep them
from Him worshiping.

When with God our attitudes,
are positive and confident
our praise and thanks to Him
will be in our lives, dominate!

~~~~~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2018
Deborah Ann Belka

Rejoicing Always ~

It’s hard to be rejoicing,
when things aren’t going right
it hard to give God thanks . . .
with so many battles to fight.

It’s hard to see God’s hand,
in the middle of the pain
it hard to be grateful
when all your joy is drained.

But we who have Jesus,
living inside of us
know how important it is
in Him to always trust.

For, to always be rejoicing,
takes prayer continually
and then our thanks to God
will come unceasingly.

It’s hard to be rejoicing,
with all that life brings . . .
but, we know it’s God will
to be thankful for all things!

~~~~~~~~

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus for you.”

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Always Something To Be Thankful For ~

There is always something,
to be thankful for
all you have to do . . .
is be willing to explore.

If you will open up,
your heart and your mind
all kinds of blessings
you will be able to find.

Some are so small,
they don’t get our attention
but, for each of them
God has a good intention.

Some are so obvious,
you don’t need to search far
for everyone can see them
from right where they are.

Whether our blessings
are big or if they are small
we need to be thankful . . .
to God who supplies them all.

Yes, there’s always something,
for us to be thankful for
and we need to be grateful
when God sends us more!

~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always
for all things
unto God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Sticky Note to God 11.08.17

One Blessed, Single Plateful ~

On Thanksgiving day this year,
before the turkey starts roasting
my thanks, I will be singing
for the dinner I’ll be hosting.

I will set the dining table,
with the gratitude I feel
before anyone comes
to feast upon the meal.

I will spread the hope,
that I’m feeling inside
before I even serve . . .
the food that God supplied.

I will polish up on all,
the reasons I’m thankful
before I even dish up
one blessed, single plateful.

On Thanksgiving day this year,
before the food I present
I will let everyone know . . .
just why I am so content!

~~~~~~~~~

1 Timothy 6:8

“And having food and raiment
let us be therewith content.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Thankful In Every Season ~

You don’t need a season,
to be thankful . . .
every day of the year
you can be grateful.

You can all year-long,
bless God with your praise
your gratitude to Him
you can daily raise.

It doesn’t have to be,
just on Thanksgiving day
your gratitude to God
you can always display.

You can sing anytime,
to Him your appreciation
it does not have to be . . .
a holiday celebration.

Whether you are rich,
or if you may be poor
for and in everything
let your thanksgivings pour.

You can be thankful,
every day of the year
for your gratefulness . . .
God always wants to hear!

~~~~~~~

Psalm 68:19

“Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us
with benefits,
even the God of
our salvation. Selah.”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka

Thankful For the Right Reasons ~

Lord, as I enter into,
the season of Thanksgiving
may I do so without . . .
any qualms or misgivings.

May I be grateful,
for all You’ve given me
especially for the things
I am still yet to see.

May I be satisfied,
with all I have got
may I be content
with what I have not.

May I be appreciative,
for Your every blessing
may I be at peace with . . .
those I’ll not be getting.

Lord, as I enter into,
Thanksgiving’s season
may I be truly thankful
for all the right reasons!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 5:20

“Giving thanks always
for all things unto
God and the Father
in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;”

King James Version
Public Domain

Copyright 2017
Deborah Ann Belka