365 Days of Praise
Thank you, Lord, for being CLOSE TO Us when we’re BROKENHEARTED
“The Lord is CLOSE to the BROKENHEARTED and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Today is Valentine’s Day; a day marked by exchanges of tokens of love. But what if you wake up alone? What if your loved one is deceased? What if your loved one cheated on you? What if you’ve never had someone love you? What if you’re not only alone, but you’re crushed in spirit? I find it amazing that the Bible is the most honest book we”ll ever read. Our Heavenly Father “gets it” that there will be times in our life like that; which is precisely why He wants us to know that even if we’re alone, He’s close. Even if there is no one to save or lift our crushed spirit, HE CAN. Our Heavenly Father is sending a loud and clear Valentine message that He loves us. There is nothing we have done or will do; there is no place we can go that He isn’t present. “I LOVE YOU. I’M HERE,” our Heavenly Father calls; with Jesus echoing, “Me, too!”
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for loving us and being close to us.
Praise to the Lord, our CLOTHIER
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?
A clothier is a person that makes, sells, or deals in clothes or cloth. Perhaps you’ve never thought of God as your clothier, but He is. God’s provision for mankind’s clothing extends from Genesis when He provided garments for Adam and Eve, to Revelation where our heavenly clothing is described as “fine linen, white and clean.” Galatians 3:27 says of believers, you have “clothed yourselves with Christ.” Think about that! God could provide no finer covering for us than Christ’s righteousness. So, the next time you say, “I don’t have anything to wear,” remember…you do!
Lord God, we praise You for being our CLOTHIER, for covering us with Christ’s righteousness so that we are not ashamed before You!
Praise to God’s CHOSEN ONE
“’Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My CHOSEN ONE in whom My soul delights.’”
How would you answer the question, “In what does your soul delight?” If someone asked me, I’d have to think for a minute. What about you? Would you say you’re “into” music? Or, would it be sports? Or your family? Or work? Or cooking? Fill in the blank. My soul delights in _________________. God the Father said HIS soul delights in Jesus, His chosen One. Sounds like a proud parent watching His child, doesn’t it? I wonder if our souls would more often find delight if we kept our eyes on God’s CHOSEN ONE.
JESUS, GOD’S CHOSEN ONE, we worship and praise You. We delight in who You are!
Praise to the CHOICE and PRECIOUS JESUS
“And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God.”
Isn’t it amazing that often we reject what is good for us and do what is bad? Although it’s sad, it’s true. Peter, Jesus’s follower who ate fish with the resurrected Jesus, calls to us to, “Wake up!” Some reject Jesus, but let’s not be among those. Why? Jesus is choice. He’s precious to God. The Greek words “choice and precious” mean that God appointed Jesus to the most exalted office conceivable.* He is held in honor and prized by His Father.** If we’re in trouble. If we’re doubting. If we’re drifting or apathetic, turn. Go to Jesus. Cling to Him.
CHOICE AND PRECIOUS Savior, we love You and praise You! Help us set our eyes on no one but You.
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Thank you, CHIEF SHEPHERD, for caring for us
“When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
We see a theme as we look at the ways God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are portrayed in the Bible: Chief, Champion, Captain. They set God above all. There are many who “shepherd” the “flock” of Christians in the church. But there is one Chief Shepherd, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, who lovingly shepherds us.
Thank You, JESUS, CHIEF SHEPHERD, for shepherding us to still waters and green pastures.
Praise to the CHIEF CORNER STONE
“He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE.”
Do you ever feel like your life is caving in? Does it seem the world, our nation, homes, and morality are toppling around you? The only way we will find stability is when we build our lives on the level and righteous foundation of Christ. He is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.
JESUS, You are the CHIEF CORNERSTONE on whom we can build our days and lives. We praise You!
Praise to the CHAMPION
“It will become a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.”
Have you ever given your best effort at something, but failed? On the other hand, have you ever won a competition and been named the champion? Even the most humble of people want to win. We want to be on the winning team. Good news is in store for all who love and follow Christ. He is the Champion of the World! He’s the winner. If you’re on Christ’s side, you’re on the right side. The victory is coming. It’s going to happen. And you’ll be part of the celebration!
LORD, You are the CHAMPION over all! We praise You!
Thank You, CARING LORD
“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
What do you do with worry? How do you respond when you get a bad diagnosis? To whom do you turn in the middle of the night when you’re afraid or sad? It’s normal to sometimes feel anxious, despair, and worry. But what Jesus wants us to know is that He’s with us. And, He cares for us. Just like a person casts a fishing line into the water, we can cast our anxiety on Jesus. He will see us through whatever we’re going through – one moment at a time.
LORD, thank You for being a CARING LORD on whom we can cast our anxiety!
Praise to the CAPTAIN of the HOSTS
“…. ‘I indeed come now as CAPTAIN OF THE HOSTS of the Lord.’
And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant?’ The CAPTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOSTS said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”
Do you have a whopper of a problem? Perhaps you’re even where the Lord has led you, but the situation seems more than you can handle. When Joshua found himself in a tough place, the Lord appeared to him as Captain of the Lord’s host. Joshua bowed down and said, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The Lord told Joshua that the place he was standing was holy ground; then told him what to do. Isn’t that the position each of us needs to take; one of asking our Lord to speak to us and tell us what to do? Let’s be wise, listen, and obey. If we do, the enemy will not defeat us.
CAPTAIN of the HOSTS, we bow before You and praise You. Speak to our heart and mind. Tell us what to do.
Thank You, God, for CALLIng into BEING what doesn’t exist.
“God, who gives life to the dead and CALLS INTO BEING that which does not exist.”
Have you ever felt a person was “hopeless;” that they would never believe in Jesus and be saved? If so, be encouraged. Nothing is hopeless or impossible with God. He’s in the business of bringing life to the dead and calling into being that which does not exist. Call to Him. Continue to pray for the one whose situation seems hopeless.
Lord Jesus, You are a great and awesome God who gives life to the dead and CALLS INTO BEING THAT WHICH DOES NOT EXIST. We give You praise, honor, and glory!