Blog
Thank you, Jesus, in whom all the fullness of DEITY dwells
“…in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,”
Some people claim that Jesus was “just another teacher.” Others say He was a prophet; one among many prophets. Not so! Jesus proved His deity by His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. ALL the fullness of God exists in Him. Knowing this should cause us to raise our voices in praise. All the fullness of Deity came from heaven in bodily form to die for us and save our souls. What a remarkable Lord He is!
Jesus, in You all the fullness of DEITY dwells! We praise and worship You.
Praise to Our DEFENDER
“’I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’”
Our Heavenly Father is protective. The word used for defending the city for His sake and David’s, means “cover and surround.”* It may be that you are in need of someone to defend you. If so, be encouraged. God is your defender.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for being our DEFENDER.
*http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1598&t=NASB
Praise to DAYSPRING on High
“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,”
As the sun rises in the east and brings light to the world, so Zacharias, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied that Jesus would be the rising star giving light to our dark world. Oh, Jesus gave much more than physical light, though. The Dayspring from On High, from heaven, gives spiritual light. He shines in our hearts and dispels the darkness of our sin. He shines and gives light for our path. He shines and energizes our souls. He shines and we become fruit bearers through His life giving presence.
DAYSPRING from ON HIGH, we praise You for rising in our heart and being the Light of our soul!
Praise to Our CREATOR
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.”
God’s patience amazes me. HE made us. Yet, we often decide independently of Him how to live. Then, we don’t understand why things go wrong in our lives.
“Really?” our CREATOR must want to say to us.
I’ve been studying the scientific reasons for many our Creator’s commands. At the time the Scriptures were written, there were no brain scans or sophisticated equipment by which God could explain the reasons for His commands. He simply said don’t or do. For instance, Jesus tell us to not be anxious. Rather, we are to pray. God tells us to forgive instead of being bitter. Today, through developing research, we better understand the magnificent way God created us and the “why’s” behind many of His commands. We are wise to read our Creator’s manual, the Bible, and live by it.
Heavenly Father, Lord and CREATOR, forgive us when we ignore Your commands. Draw us to Your Holy Presence and to surrender to Your will.
Thank you, COUNSELOR
“And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Do you need help? Do you wish there was someone you could talk to; who could advise you? If so, Jesus is your “go to” Counselor, and He’s wonderful! How does He counsel us? He counsels us in prayer. He counsels us through the promptings of our heart. He counsels us in the Bible through His teachings and by His example. For instance, in Matthew 15:32-38, there appeared to be a huge problem – 4,000 + people who had been listening to Jesus teach all day were hungry, and there was no food. Did Jesus wring His holy hands? Did Jesus become hopeless? No. Instead, Jesus asked the disciples how many loaves of bread they had. They replied seven and a few small fish. Jesus “took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and ….” You know the rest of the story. Jesus THANKED His Heavenly Father for what He had in His hands. He acted in faith with what was in His hands. Did you know that thanking God for what we have rather than bemoaning what we don’t have is powerful?
If you’re struggling with a downcast spirit, start recording each 365 attribute of God. This morning I re-read in praise each attribute beginning with January 1. I was reminded of how wonderful and big our Lord is. I love recording in Prayers of My Heart that He CONTENDS FOR me. SO … how about your COUNSELOR? He is worthy of our praise!
Jesus, thank You, wonderful COUNSELOR, for always being there.
Praise to GOD, who CONTENDs FOR HIS PEOPLE
“Thus says your Lord, the Lord, even your God Who CONTENDS FOR His people, ‘Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling, The chalice of My anger; You will never drink it again.’”
Would you rather God contend – plead a cause – for you or against you? If the answer is “for you,” then you have reason to praise! God contends for His people. That is the nature of our loving Heavenly Father.
Lord, You CONTEND for; not against us. We thank You and give You praise!
Lord, thank you for being the CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL and my consolation
“there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.”
It’s possible that you’ve not heard Jesus referred to as the “Consolation of Israel.” But, isn’t it exciting to learn the many ways Christ is described? Why is Jesus called this? The Rabbis spoke of the coming Messiah as the “consoler” or One who would bring comfort to Israel. So, when Simeon, anointed by the Holy Spirit, saw the infant Jesus at His presentation in the temple, he knew He was seeing the long awaited Messiah.
Jesus is the CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL, and He is also the Consolation of anyone who turns to Him for salvation. Can you fill in the blank with your name? Jesus is the Consolation of _________________________.
Lord Jesus Christ, CONSOLATION of ISRAEL and consolation of us, we praise and worship You. There is none who brings comfort to our soul like You do.
*http://goo.gl/v21nLj
Thank you, Lord, for being COMPASSIONATE toward us
“Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, COMPASSIONATE and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”
Do you know someone who is harsh and not compassionate?
Could use a little compassion from a family member or friend; yet they’re anything but compassionate?
The Hebrew word from which “compassion” is derived means “to love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection.” It describes God’s COMPASSION for us. Be assured, God deeply loves you. Thank Him for His COMPASSION, then turn and show compassion toward someone.
LORD, thank You for deeply loving us. We praise You, COMPASSIONATE LORD!
Commander of the Army of the Lord, we worship you
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord‘s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.
You don’t know the person who is standing before you with a sword in their hand. So, of course, the first thing you want to know is whose side they’re on. Joshua asks. Then, he’s blown away by the answer. The commander of the army of the Lord is the one standing before him. Joshua fell on his face and worshipped Him. Note the Commander’s response. He didn’t tell Joshua to stand up or not to worship Him; that he was a man like him; or even an angel. Rather, He permitted Joshua to worship and even told him to take off his sandals; for the place was holy because of His presence.
How many times do we forget we’re in the Lord’s presence? How many times do we forget the Lord, the Commander of our life, is within us?
I’m guilty of forgetting. I’m guilty of not honoring the Lord as I should. If you feel the same, it’s never too late for us to start honoring our Lord more reverently. How?
- Recognize that His Holy Spirit is in us.
- Set sin away from us.
- Worship Him.
How did the Commander of the army of the Lord respond to Joshua’s question, “What does my lord say to his servant?” He answered, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” I believe He would say that to us today.
Lord Jesus, Commander of the army of the Lord, forgive us our sin. Forgive us for treating You with contempt. Help us be more mindful each day of Your holy presence in our lives. May our lives reflect our worship of You.
Praise to the COMING KING
“Behold, HE IS COMING with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.”
Did you know that just as Christ’s first coming to earth was prophesied, so is His second? And, just as God fulfilled Christ’s first coming, so He will fulfill Christ’s second coming. Jesus is COMING to earth again. However, He will not come as a baby. Rather, He will come from heaven through the clouds. Every eye will see Jesus, the COMING KING!
LORD JESUS, COMING KING, we worship and praise You! Come quickly!