Hearing a Broken Record? Run to the Lord's Album of Love!

Back in the day, old records sometimes “skipped”. This would play the same part of the song over and over again until someone stomped on the floor or went over to gently tap the player. Because of that a saying was born, “like a broken record”.  Although the record wasn’t truly broken (it was usually caused by debris or a scratch on the vinyl) it was used to refer to one who continually repeats the same statement with little variation, if any.

If we’re not careful we’ll find ourselves behaving like broken records. We’ll play the same mistakes over and over in our heads. We’ll replay the hurts, the problems, the rejections over and over again. The enemy of our soul is the maker of the broken record.  He wants us to play them because as long as we play broken records we can’t hear God’s loving Truth play. 

The repair for broken records is to clean the debris of lies we keep hearing from the surface. Sometimes it takes a thorough cleaning to get into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Once cleaned by the Lord, we can hear God’s Truth clearly.

Oh beloved! Stop playing broken records this morning! They don’t bring harmony into your life and they aren’t from the Lord! His gifts are beautiful music to our ears. They lift us up, they never put us down. The amazing thing about the Lord’s music is that even when listened to over and over again, it’s always sweet and encouraging and uplifting. Even when we fail, His music renews our spirits daily. Even when we walk through the valleys of life His Words are full of love.

Run to His Album of Blessings this morning! Go there first, before you begin to hear those old broken records. Let His Love Songs drown out the enemy’s lying lyrics, for God loves you always, no matter what! He’s for you forever, regardless of your past. His plans for you are a sweet melody to your spirit as His Spirit fills your life with His good things! Rejoice in Him this morning as you listen only to Him!

Psalm 85:8  I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for He speaks peace to his faithful people...

Judges 5:3  “Listen, you kings! Pay attention, you mighty rulers! For I will sing to the LORD. I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Psalm 104:33  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!

Deuteronomy 13:4  Serve only the LORD your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.

Romans 8:38-39 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are God's Delight and He Loves You Always!

My 2^nd grade teacher was harsh and unkind to me. She was often fussy and I never felt I could do anything right. I cried daily and my stomach was always tied in knots. I could not wait to get out of her class.  Years later I met her on the street and she was so complimentary of me as a student.  She told me over and over how much she enjoyed me being in her class and told people standing with me that she loved me. It was very confusing to know how she treated me but to hear her tell others how great I was. Which was true? The way she treated me or the words she said?

Perhaps you’re dealing with those issues today. It’s hard I know. You do your job well. Whether it’s at home or at work or in the ministry – you know you’ve done the right thing. Yet you are constantly demeaned and belittled. Maybe you are just overlooked and undervalued. 

Oh beloved, the first thing you have to know is that God is with you!  He promises never to leave you or forsake you.  I promise on the authority of God’s Word that if the words are not encouraging and kind they are not from Him! He says to you, never do I speak harshly or assume wrong. My desire is to love you first and help you second. You are my delight and I will always speak love, even in correction. If you are hearing disparaging or antagonistic words they are not mine to you. I love you, I love you, I love you and I will always be for you.

Run to the shelter of His Word this morning and read!  Always know that God speaks love. Remember that as Jesus Himself stood overlooking Jerusalem, He wept! For love of the people His heart was pouring out for them even then. Trust Him to work out the issues that are causing you such hurt and frustration. Let Him lead you and watch as His marvelous plan unfolds. His plan is always full of love and is always good.

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?

Psalm 121:1-2 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

1 John 4:8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 John 4:16  We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.