365 Days of Praise
So Are You the Life of the Party?
Have you ever looked for “life” in someone or something apart from Jesus? Or, perhaps in your younger years you were “the life of the party.” Maybe in your adult years you bought into the idea that the right job, house, car, or person would bring you what was important in life. But, perhaps later you realized that things and people can disappoint and fall short of our expectations. Our heart will never be happy until we make the Lord our life not just in words but in reality. “Jesus said in John 14:6, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the LIFE; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” We find LIFE in Jesus not only for eternal salvation but for daily salvation. Ask Him to live His LIFE through you today.
Lord, You are the way, the truth, and the LIFE! Fill us with Your LIFE.
Who Is Your Spirit Guide
When you were a child, did you play “follow the leader”? If so, you probably remember how important it was to do what the leader did. If they placed their hand on their head, then you were supposed to place your hand on your head. If they touched their toes, then you touched your toes. In order to follow, you had to keep your eye on the leader. You had to pay attention to the leader’s words. In Isaiah 48:17 God explains something that is not child’s play. Rather, it’s an incredible offer by the spiritual coach and mentor from on high. He tells us, “‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who LEADS you in the way you should go.'” Many people seek out a spirit “guide” or life coach so they can learn the best way to go in life. God freely offers His LEAD for us to follow. He teaches us to profit. How closely are we listening to Him? Are we following His lead?
God, You are our LEADER! What a blessing to follow You!
If You’re Getting Run Over
If you’re a parent or teacher, have you ever “laid down the law” to a child and said, “Look left and right before you cross the street”? Why do we say that? Because we don’t want them to get run over. In like manner, our Heavenly Father lays down moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by life and sin. If we don’t listen to Him and we run ahead apart from His laws, we soon find out why He has, in love, given us laws. Isaiah 33:22 spells out the reason we are to obey our Father. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us—” Our Heavenly Father gives us laws to save us from pain, separation, guilt, untimely death, loss, regret, and so much more. In what ways might you be running into streets of sin chasing after a ball of fun, money, or a relationship that God has warned, “Stop”? Our Heavenly Father is our LAWGIVER and Savior. We’re saved from so much pain and blessed beyond words when we listen to Him and follow His commands.
Lord, we praise You, LAWGIVER, for Your commands and instructions that protect and provide for us.
Niagara Falls Not a Teaspoon
Do you ever feel like you’ve sinned one too many times? Have you ever vowed to never again do something, but broke your promise to God? I don’t know anyone who feels like they’re perfect in God’s eyes. I sure don’t. The amazing blessing is that God, in His love, has provided for us to come to Him by means of His lavish grace. Ephesians 1:7-8 explains, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He LAVISHED on us.” In other words, God’s grace isn’t begrudgingly meted out in teaspoons. Rather, God’s Niagara Falls grace flows over and in us washing away our sins. When you think “God,” think “LAVISH GRACE.”
Are You One of the Few
It’s another day. Maybe a great day. Maybe a blah day. Or, perhaps the worst day of our life. What do we do? If we’re wise, we’ll follow David’s example. He had ups and downs and promises unfulfilled for what seemed a long time. What do we learn from him? In 2 Samuel 22:29 we find his key to success. “You are my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness.” If we didn’t know the context in which he said this, we might think David is sailing through life with God as His LAMP. But when we read the verse in context, we discover he’s been in the dark, battling an enemy, and with walls to get over. (2 Samuel 22:30) Are you in the dark? Are you battling something? Are there walls you need to get over? The fact that there are dark, difficult struggles in our life is not what is unusual. The fact that the Lord of the Universe is our personal illuminator through them is incredible! There are many people, according to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14), who do not have God as their LAMP. If you are one of the few who does, you are incredibly blessed. The question is – are you turning to your LAMP? Are you walking in the light He shines on your path? Are you reading His enlightening Words in Scripture? Are you following His illuminating Spirit as you quieten your heart in prayer; asking, then listening for His guidance?
Lord, the fact that You, the Lord of the Universe, offer Yourself as a LAMP to our path is unique and incredible. May we who know You respond gratefully and wisely seek and follow Your Light.
Behind the Backdrop of the Fireworks Display
With the night sky as a backdrop, the July 4th crowd “ooh” and “awe” at the firework display. I can’t help but grin at how easily amused we are. Certainly, our Heavenly Father, who created the backdrop, must be smiling. I wonder if His Son ever leans over and says, “Aren’t they going to be blown away when they see the Light display of Us?” Who will see the glorious display of LIGHTS and GLORY emanating from the throne? Those who have placed their faith in the KING of the NATIONS. Yes, all people throughout the world who have responded “yes” to Jesus’s gift of salvation will be at the Heavenly display of LIGHTS. How can we be certain that Jesus is the Savior of not only the Jews but of all the nations of the world? Jesus himself said He is as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This year, as you admire the firework display, look beyond it to Who made the backdrop. Say a prayer of thanks to the One who is behind the black curtain and that when it is drawn, you’ll see a fireworks display like never before emanating from God’s throne. Happy July 4th!
Heavenly Father, we smile in anticipation of the display of GLORY emanating from YOU, KING of the NATIONS. Stir our hearts to live for more than our pleasure; to rather live for Your pleasure – the salvation of souls throughout the world.
Are You Joined at the Spiritual Hip
God is ALL KNOWING as Psalm 139:4 explains. “Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you KNOW it all.” He knows our thoughts, weaknesses, and heart better than we do. Romans 8:26,27. He knows our future. Acts 11:27,28. He knows what others are thinking, doing, and planning. He knows Satan’s schemes. There is no one to whom we can go who is more knowledgeable, loving, caring, wise, and invested in our best. When we begin our day bowed before Him, confessing our love, proclaiming His majesty, and thanking Him for His grace, His ears are tuned to the confessions of our struggles and needs. Our confidence to enter into our day, our inner peace and joy rest not in circumstances beyond our control, but in our loving Father in whom we have placed our trust. Whatever lies before us, we know our Father loves us, will be there for us, and walk with us, guiding us along the right path. The wise believer acknowledges God not only in perfunctory blessings before meals but in intimate union, studying God’s ways, joined at the spiritual “hip,” His Spirit” to their spirit from the time their eyes open in the morning til their eyes close at night. Are you wise?
Heavenly Father, You are the ALL KNOWING, OMNISCIENT Lord, who loves us so much. Awaken us to the gift of Your presence to guide us through each moment of the day. May we live joyfully because You are guiding us through our day.
A Good Name to Be Called
Who’s your president?
Who’s your king?
If a foreigner asked us who our king is, we might reply that in the US we have a president; not a king. But, is that totally true? If we’re a believer, we have a king. Our King is victorious over Satan. Our King purchased us with Christ’s blood. Our King transferred us from Satan’s domain to His glorious Kingdom. Our King sealed us with His HOLY Spirit. Our King’s laws are eternal and good. And, He refers to us not as His subjects, but as His Saints. “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou KING OF SAINTS,” Revelation 15:3 NKJ. Day in and day out, how mindful are we that we have a King? How mindful are we that we are His saints?
Our KING, forgive us when we ignore You and Your authority. Help us be mindful of You as we go about our day in Your kingdom. Help us be mindful that we are Your saints. May we represent You well to family, friends, and others.
A Heavenly Provision
Do you remember the account when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac? I’ll never forget when the words jumped off the pages of the Bible. Abraham said to Isaac as they walked to the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.” (Genesis 22:8) Think about those words.
God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.
And, He did. A ram appeared in the bushes and Abraham sacrificed the lamb in Isaac’s place. And, so God does that for us. He provided the Lamb – Jesus – innocent, holy, undefiled – to be the sacrifice for us.
God provided for Himself the sacrifice.
God provided for Himself what no human could provide – a worthy sacrifice; heaven’s Lamb. Years later, the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth was first made to shepherds. The shepherds left their flock to find and worship Jesus, the LAMB of God. ‘Behold, the LAMB OF GOD who takes away the sin of the world!‘” John 1:28-29
Jesus, LAMB OF GOD, thank You for giving Your precious life as a sacrifice for our sins. Father, thank You for sacrificing Your Son to save us from our sins. We adore and worship You!
A Holy Jolt
I struggled with today’s devotional because first I went in one direction and then another. The key verse is 1 Timothy 6:15 and the Lord’s attribute scheduled to be highlighted today is King of Kings. It’s a rich verse. “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the KING OF KINGS and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” The verse is straightforward. It’s a beautiful verse to read. The context, though, goes contrary to our human bent. Would you share your thoughts as to why the glorious description of Jesus as King of Kings who dwells in unapproachable light is in the context of 1 Timothy 6: 7-19? Warning: if you read it closely, you may get a holt jolt.
“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
KING OF KINGS, give us a holy jolt to the importance of these words.
PLEASE SHARE WHY YOU THINK CHRIST’S GLORIOUS ATTRIBUTES ARE IN THE CONTEXT OF THESE VERSES. THANKS!