365 Days of Praise
Praise to Jesus, NAME ABOVE NAMES
“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
“Why?” That was the question millennials asked me at a recent conference. Why this… Why that… “I guess that’s why we’re called the Y Generation,” a 29 year old explained. “We want to know why.”
Millennials, also known as the “Y Generation,” are those who were born during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. They’re the children of baby boomers. A characteristic of Generation Y is the desire to know why; rather than accept pat answers. In other words, just because a preacher, teacher, or parent says something, that doesn’t necessarily make it so; in their opinion. So, “Why believe in and follow Jesus?” Well, there’s a rather good reason, Peter says. Jesus proved to be more than man. People witnessed His crucifixion and death on the cross. People witnessed His burial. People witnessed His resurrection from the dead three days later. Jesus said He is the way, truth, and life. Peter spelled it out, “there is no other name under heaven that has been given by which we must be saved.” That’s why. It’s why we believe and respond in faith to Jesus. It’s why we repent of our sins. It’s why we gather to worship and praise Him. It’s why we daily think on who He is and commit to live for Him. There is no other name by which we are saved.
Jesus, name above all names, name by which we must be saved, we praise You. Your name is honey on our lips; sweet to our souls.
Praise to the Most High
Lord, MOST HIGH, give us eyes to see Your hand moving in our lives. Give us grateful hearts.
Praise to the MIRACLE WORKER
“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and WORKS MIRACLES among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”
Have you ever wished for a miracle? Jesus was and still is a MIRACLE WORKER. But consider the combination of the two words: miracle and work. Perhaps we think of a miracle as happening with the twitch of the nose as in the 1970’s show “I Dream of Jeannie.” However, Jesus’s life indicates that His miracles weren’t effortless. They took energy and power. (Luke 8:46) They sometimes required the other person taking part in faith. (John 5:8-9) They took place as the person was acting in obedience. (John 9:6-7) Rather than prayerfully demanding, “God, do it now,” perhaps we should pour forth thanks for the ways He has already worked in our lives. Perhaps, we should open our hearts to hear and obey what He tells us to do.
Praise to the MIGHTY ONE
“The MIGHTY ONE, God, the Lord, the MIGHTY ONE, God, the Lord!”
When I was young and watched “Mighty Mouse,” I believed he would “save the day.” Growing older doesn’t mean we no longer need someone to “save the day.” We do. We need someone to save us from our sins. We need someone to call on when we’re fearful. We need someone to call on when life overwhelms us. We need someone to call on when physical, financial, or spiritual darkness consumes us. But unlike an imaginary cartoon character, the One on whom we call is real. Our God has, can, and will save the day – our day today, our day tomorrow, and our day for eternity. How? Why? Because He is the MIGHTY ONE, God, the Lord!
MIGHTY ONE, Lord God, help us be increasingly mindful that YOU ARE THE MIGHTY ONE WHO HAS COME TO SAVE THE DAY. May it be said of us, “We’re not worrying at all; we’re just listening for Your call.”
Praise to the MESSIAH
“He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the MESSIAH‘ (which translated means Christ).”
Jesus came to earth as a baby so He might grow into a man; but not just any man. He came from heaven to die for our sins. He came as our MESSIAH. Jesus’s cousin, John the Baptist, recognized that He was the Lamb of God who had come to sacrificially take away the sins of the world. Andrew, who heard John announce who Jesus was, followed Jesus and asked where He was staying. After spending time with Jesus, Andrew went and found his brother, Simon Peter, and told him, “We have found the MESSIAH.” Andrew was intentional about his search for the MESSIAH. He was intentional about telling others he had found the Savior of the World. Andrew had it right. He knew there was more than our temporary earthly lives. His focus was on the Savior and pointing others to Him. How much like Andrew are we?
Jesus Christ, MESSIAH, You are all good things: love, forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy! Help us be as Andrew; intentional about following You and about telling others about You.
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Praise to the MESSENGER of the COVENANT
“And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.”
Throughout the Bible, God covenants to bring salvation to man. The prophet, Malachi, affirms that the MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT is coming. Indeed, we celebrate and praise the Lord Jesus Christ! His covenant is eternal and based on His fulfillment of it. His covenant liberates us. Even as we are mindful of the freedoms we have in our nation, we should be mindful of the freedoms we have in Christ: freedom from sin, freedom from death, freedom from bondages, freedom from eternal damnation. Christ, the Messenger of the Covenant, is Lord of all and brings a message of salvation!
Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You, MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT.
Praise to the Lord, Who is MERCIFUL
“Be merciful, just as your Father is MERCIFUL.”
Lord, we praise You for being MERCIFUL. Help us reflect Your mercy to others.
Praise to Christ, Who Is MEEK
“I, Paul, myself urge you by the MEEKNESS and gentleness of Christ—”
Praise to the One MEDIATOR
“There is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Baskin Robbins wowed ice cream lovers with its 31 flavors when it opened. Instead of offering only a few flavors, it offered multiple combinations of flavors and cones. Unfortunately, our world has adopted a “31” viewpoint about God. We’ve decided we can become reconciled to Him through self-improvement programs, buying our way, doing enough good things, or the world religion of our choice. But God is God. He is Holy. He is high and lifted up. If we think we can choose how we’re reconciled to God, we’re wrong. God has chosen how we can be reconciled to Him, and it is through His Son. Christ Jesus is the ONE MEDIATOR who can reconcile us to God.
Christ Jesus, We praise You, our MEDIATOR, for making peace between Your Father and us.
Praise to Our MASTER
“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a MASTER in heaven.”
We like our freedom, right? We often hear someone say, “Nobody’s going to tell me what to do!” Maybe we’ve said those exact words. But, here’s some news that may shock you. God owns us, and He is our MASTER. Does that send chills down your spine? Does it not set well with you? Or, do you breathe more easily knowing God owns you?
“Master”in Colossians 4:1 means “the owner; one who has control of the person.” Maybe we’ve never thought about God in the sense of “owning” us. But, certainly we’re familiar with verses that address how God bought us off the slave market with Christ’s precious blood. So if we’re bought, we’re owned. And who would we rather be our master? Satan or God?
Let’s think further. If God is our Master, then what should be our posture before Him? I wonder if sometimes we’re too flippant? I wonder if we’ll “about die” (if it were possible) when we’re in heaven and see His glory? I wonder if we’ll wish we had bowed face down before Him every morning and asked how we might serve Him each day.
We have a MASTER in heaven. He’s a glorious, giving, loving Master.
Heavenly Master, we worship and adore You and cannot wait to worship You in heaven. Let us serve You well on earth while we await our service in heaven to You.