365 Days of Praise
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, you were supposed to place your hand on your head. If they touched their toes, you were supposed to touch 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 our Spirit guide and leader from on high. He says,
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who LEADS you in the way you should go.
Many people seek a human guide, palm reader, or turn to Tarot cards for direction. Yet they are mere human instruments. God freely offers Himself, His Holy Spirit, to LEAD us. How closely are we listening to Him? How well 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 by cars. In like manner our Heavenly Father lays down moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by the devil and our fleshly carnal nature. If we don’t obey Christ and His teachings, we hurt ourselves and those with us. Flattened by sin, face in the gravel, groaning in pain (physical or emotional), our eyes open to the “why” of God’s commands. Isaiah 33:22 gives the clear reason why as citizens of the kingdom of God we are to live by His laws.
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us—
Our Heavenly King gives us laws to save us from pain, guilt, untimely death, loss, regret, and so much more. In what way might you be running in the streets of sin chasing a ball of self, indulgence, pride, money, resentment, or an unhealthy friendship about which God has warned you, “Stop”? God is our spiritual, physical, mental, financial, emotional, relational LAWGIVER. We’re saved from pain and blessed beyond measure when we listen to Him and obey His commands. Are we?
Heavenly Father, we praise You, our LAWGIVER, for Your commands and teachings that protect us from getting run over by sin.
3 Cheers for Lavish Living
Are you living lavishly? I am. It’s so wonderful to have more than I need or could use in my life time. I feel blessed beyond measure. I hope the same is true for you. Peace replaces worry when we know we are safe, secure, covered regardless of what comes our way. Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I was talking about money? No, I was talking about grace. Money doesn’t get you into the kingdom of heaven. Grace does. Money doesn’t satisfy. Grace does. Money doesn’t make your heart sing. Grace does. Money runs out. Grace doesn’t. Oh, friend, are you mindful of the riches of God’s grace? Are you living in the joy and reality of it? Ephesians 1:7-8 calls us to praise and sing.
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.
Let those words deeply sink into your mind and emotions. Rich. Grace. He. Lavished. On us. Say it out loud. “Rich grace God lavished on me.”
I often look up words in their original language to get a deeper grasp of the fullness of their meaning. The word “lavish” comes from the Greek word perisseúō which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; abundant, enough and to spare. So, yes, I’m living lavishly. Daily, His lavish grace sustains me for heaven. When I sin and turn to God in genuine repentance, He responds with lavish grace. It’s amazing, friends, and we ought to be living joyfully, mindful of God’s superfluous grace that He continually pours on us. If you’re not a Christian, I pray you’ll join me in living lavishly. No cash can substitute for grace. Live lavishly. Here’s how.
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 hearts 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.
Mindless or Intentional Prayer Affects Your Head and Life
David wanted us to know. He used his voice. He was crying out which means he did more than shoot a quickie silent arrow prayer to God. This saint was serious. He was cryING to the Lord.
What did David know that led him to exercise his faith in such a serious and intentional manner? Psalm 3:3 tells us.
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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 not only have a president, we also have a king. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that the reason for our joyous victory in daily life, the reason our focus and countenance are above earthly circumstances? We have a sovereign King who is ruling our life! Yahoo! 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, our King calls us His saints, not subjects. Read the following with me and rejoice!
Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou KING OF SAINTS, Revelation 15:3 NKJ.
Now prayerfully say out loud to your King in sincerity of heart: Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, KING OF SAINTS.
You are a saint of the Lord! Yes, you! A saint. Say it. “I am a saint.” Ah! Do we act like it? Is our demeanor that of a saint of the King of heaven? Do we display His love and kindness to others? Do we extend His grace and forgiveness? Do we radiate His glory because we are so filled with His Spirit? Are our words the words of a saint? What a glorious, heavenly title our Lord has bestowed on us.
Our KING, we love and thank You for inviting us into Your glorious kingdom. Thank You for changing our title from sinner to saint. We know it is only through the sacrificial blood of Christ that we are given that name. Help us daily live up to the title and calling You’ve bestowed on us so we bring honor and glory to You and Your kingdom. We love You, our Lord and King.
Hey Saint, connect with me on Instagram for encouragement and to spread the love.
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 our confessions, struggles, and needs. Our confidence to enter into our day, our inner peace, and joy aren’t in our circumstances and things beyond our control, but rather are 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, walk with us, and guide us. The wise believer acknowledges God not only in routine blessings before meals, but also acknowledges God in every area of their life. In other words, they are joined to Christ at the spiritual “hip.” They are united spirit to His Spirit from the time they open their eyes in the morning until they close them at night. Does that describe you?
Heavenly Father, You are the ALL KNOWING, OMNISCIENT Lord who loves us so much. Waken us to the gift of Your presence Who is present to guide us through every moment of the day. May we live joyfully because we are aware of Your presence.
When You Feel Dreary, Think About This
“Lift up your heads, O gates,
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
That the KING of GLORY may come in!
Who is the KING of GLORY?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates,
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the KING of GLORY may come in!
Who is this KING of GLORY?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the KING of GLORY.”
This psalm points to Christ, the King of Glory, taking His throne. “Glory” in this song means “majesty, splendor.” What’s amazing and will redirect us if we’re having a blah day is to remember Jesus’s words that after He ascended to heaven He would send another just like Him to live in us. (John 14:16-17) In other words, the Spirit of the King of Glory is in us, believer! Instead of letting Him “in” as referenced in Psalm 24:7-10, we acknowledge that He is already in us so we ask Him to “fill” us. (Ephesians 5:18)
Say these truths out loud with me.
When I am weak, the King of Glory is strong. When I am tempted, the King of Glory is victor over Satan. When I feel blah, the King of Glory’s Spirit is in me to fill me. I am part of the glorious, splendid, majestic kingdom of the King of Glory.
A Holy Jolt
I struggled with today’s devotional because first I went in one direction and then another. There are so many important points! The key verse is 1 Timothy 6:15 and the Lord’s attribute 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 beautiful 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.
To which of the King of King’s instruction is He calling you? That you keep His commandment without stain? To repent of the love of money? To fix your hope on God rather than the uncertainty of riches? To be rich in good works? To flee from temptation? What a blessing that our King sets before us eternal life and tells us to take hold of it. Will we? In which regard?
KING OF KINGS, give us a holy jolt to obey You.
One Day Everyone Will Bow Before Jesus
The wise men worshipped Jesus. The Jews and Romans whipped Jesus.
The wise men gave Jesus gifts. The Jews and Romans gave Jesus the cross.
The wise men celebrated Jesus’s birth. The Jews and Romans celebrated Jesus’s death.
Not all kings are recognized as kings. Such was the case with the Jesus when He walked on earth. Such is still the case with those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. But one day all people will bow before the KING OF THE JEWS.
Where is He who has been born KING of the JEWS? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:2
Lord Jesus, KING OF THE JEWS and our King, we bow before You in praise and worship You. Reign in our lives in such a way that others see Your influence in us.