365 Days of Praise
Praise to Our TOWER OF STRENGTH AND REFUGE
Terrorists killed innocent people. Illness struck suddenly. Your job is a constant source of worry. Do you ever feel that you get past one storm and another hits? When a flood of sorrow, despair, or enemies surround you, run to the Lord. He is a TOWER OF STRENGTH. He is a place of refuge. You can pray. You can pour out your heart to Him. Then, be still and listen to His counsel. Follow His wise voice.
Lord, we praise You – a TOWER of STRENGTH and REFUGE. When we don’t know how we can get through the next minute, when our heart is aching to the point of death, when there is no one who can console us, when there is no shelter from despair or the enemy, You are there. We find refuge and strength in You.
“For You have been a refuge for me,
A TOWER of STRENGTH against the enemy.”
If You’ve Been Disturbed by People
In our society, it’s hard to know who to trust. If that’s where you find yourself today, turn to Jesus. He wasn’t only a good teacher, He did what no other person has done – stood against every temptation. He never gave in to sin when He was tested and tried. As the Lord says in Isaiah 28:16 , ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a TESTED STONE, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.” The verse continues, “He who believes in it will not be disturbed.’” Because Jesus is tested and proven, we can confidently build our lives on Him. We’re wise to say “no” to humanistic, passing social views and to say “yes” to Jesus – God’s TESTED STONE.
Lord Jesus Christ, once again we’re reminded of the joy and privilege it is to call You our God. You are foundational to all we believe; a pure and holy TESTED STONE. We praise and worship You!
Thanksgiving Message
If it’s been a while since you’ve read 2 Samuel 22, this morning would be a wonderful time to read it. David models thanksgiving to God. He isn’t thanking God because he feels he must, or he’s been told to. He’s praising God because he’s overwhelmed with thanksgiving to Him. He’s SEEN God answer his prayers and meet his needs. In 2 Samuel 22:51,, David praises God for being a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE. Is there something you need delivering from? Perhaps worry, resentment, fear, or covetousness of what other’s have? Let the Lord be for you who is to David…a tower of deliverance for whom you’re thankful.
Lord, You are a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE! We praise You with our whole heart!
FRIENDS, in our stressful society, it’s important tor us to focus our minds on Christ rather than let fear and worry consume us. Research proves that people who keep a gratitude journal are more optimistic about life. Do yourself, loved ones, and friends a favor. Order Prayers of My Heart journal for Christmas gifts. Journaling what we’re thankful for changes our attitude and life. It’s easy to use. Simply write 1-3 things for which you’re thankful in each of the Month At A Glance boxes. As believers, we’re to live with an attitude of thanksgiving. Prayers of My Heart will help you do that. It’s on sale today at your favorite online store. Start here. Today. Develop an Attitude of Gratitude for 2019.
“He is a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.” 2 Samuel 22:51
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – in Ephesians 4:32, He commands us to be like Him – kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You that You’re TENDERHEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us follow You and be obedient to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
Are You Ready for Jesus’s Answer
John 2:19-21 records a a question the Jews asked Jesus and His response. Their question? “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” The “things” Jesus had done included driving the sheep and oxen out of the temple, pouring out the money changers’ coins, overturning their tables, and ordering them, “Stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” In other words, Jesus acted like He owned the TEMPLE. Jesus’s replied, “Destroy the TEMPLE and I’ll rebuild it in three days.” Jesus wasn’t talking about the stone temple, however. He was talking about His body, the temple of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus foretold, He raised His body three days after they destroyed it. Miraculous, yes. But a point God is driving home to me are Jesus’s actions and words regarding His temple. He drove out all that wasn’t supposed to be there. Certainly, He must feel the same about our bodies, His TEMPLES, in whom His Spirit dwells. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Lord Jesus, TEMPLE of the Most High, thank You for coming from heaven and tabernacling in us. Drive out all in us that is dishonoring to You.
Do you need encouragement that Jesus cares about you and your body? If so, you’ll find His tender mercy in these 6 short, meaningful chapters.
What We Learn from Stinky Feet
Jesus’s words in John 13:14 and stinky feet and a bowl of water don’t make sense to us at first. He said, “If I then, the Lord and the TEACHER, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Lord and TEACHER on His knees washing feet? Messy. A lot of trouble. Dirty. The moment had to do with more than simply washing feet, though. It was about humility, servanthood, forgiveness. Our Lord and TEACHER physically illustrated what He would spiritually do on the cross for us. It would be messy (a bloody mess). He would wash away not just dirt but filthy sins. Jesus taught us we’re to do as He demonstrated: humbly serve one another. Are we?
Jesus, Lord and Teacher, thank You for humbly washing us with Your pure blood so we’d be cleansed of our sins. Help us humbly serve one another as You did.
What’s Your Take On This
I’d love your thoughts on Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 6:13-16.He begins saying, “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, …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…” Some say Christians are free of the Law and commandments. We live in a time of grace. I agree we live by God’s grace. But, what about the charge to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach”? Could it be that although we’re saved by grace, God expects us to act like His children; not like unbelievers? Paul’s next words reflect one who is intimately in love with and in awe of the One they’ve seen. “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!” Paul’s words and life are a praise to Jesus and match his charge. What’s your take on this?
Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed and only SOVEREIGN, we worship You. May our lives match our lips.
“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, …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. 1 Timothy 6:13-16
What Does it Mean God is a Consuming Fire
Heavenly Father. Lord. Savior. You’re familiar with those descriptions of God. Shepherd. Love. Peace. The list goes on. Consuming Fire. Wait! What? God is a Consuming Fire? Yes. That is one of the ways the Bible describes the Lord. You see, our Heavenly Father is majestic beyond our imagination, full of glory. That is why people fall at His feet. It is why God’s anger burned toward Moses when He called Moses to lead the people out of Egyptian bondage and Moses asked God to send someone else. (Exodus 4:14) God’s fiery anger burns against evil and sin as Deuteronomy 4:24 warns. “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” It is why the Lord “rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire out of heaven.” Genesis 19:24. The New Testament reinforces the holy, consuming fire of God. Hebrews 12:29 states, “our God is a CONSUMING FIRE.” Should we fear Him? Yes, in holy reverence. Should we be afraid of Him? Not if we’re covered in the blood of Jesus. What should we expect of our God who is a consuming fire? Revelation 20:9 tells us. Fire will once again come down from heaven and devour those who fight against Him and His saints. “And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” Nothing. No one can stand against our Lord who is a consuming fire.
Lord God, CONSUMING FIRE, burning in righteousness and purity, thank You for saving us on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. Thank You for the day when You will make all things right.
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Do You Wish You Had More Support
Do you ever wish you had more support at work? Perhaps you wish you had support parenting your children. Or, you may wish you had a supportive spouse or friend. I remember a night long ago when I realized that God was my SUPPORT. I was in a position where no one could help me. It wasn’t that they wouldn’t. It was that I had to go through something by myself. I was lonely and didn’t know what to do. It was just God and me. And guess what. I found that I wasn’t without help. God was with me. He was my SUPPORT. As 2 Samuel 22:19 says, “They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my SUPPORT.” If you’re looking for support today and don’t have it, look to God to fill the spot. He won’t fail you.
Lord God, thank You for being our SUPPORT. When no one else is there, or even if they are, You are the ultimate SUPPORT we need.
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Do You Ever Feel Fragile or Like You Might Pop
Do you ever feel fragile or like you might “pop”? Do you feel like you can’t take life’s pressures any more? David knew what it was like to feel that way and found God to be the SUSTAINER of his soul. Listen to his words in Psalm 54:4. “God is my helper; The Lord is the SUSTAINER of my soul.” What does it mean for God to be the sustainer of our soul? It means that our minds, emotions, and will are revived by Christ. We call to our Sustainer in prayer. We daily sit in His presence. We meditate on His truths. We absorb encouragement from His Word. As we do, the Lord refreshes and sustains us by His Spirit to carry on.
Lord God, we praise You, SUSTAINER of our souls. Thank You for the many times and ways You sustain us. We love and praise You!
“God is my helper; The Lord is the SUSTAINER of my soul.” Psalm 54:4