Beyond Ourselves
With Us
Can you imagine someone telling you what to name your unborn child? How about being told that your fiancé was going to have a son who would be born BEFORE the two of you came together sexually? While your head is spinning, add another piece of information: your fiancé is going to be pregnant not by a man, but by the Holy Spirit. At this point, it’s too much to absorb, but before you can ask a question, you’re told, “you will name Him Jesus.” Before you can protest that you had planned to name your firstborn son after you, you’re told “Jesus” was selected because he would “save His people.” Your heart is racing. “Save our people?” That thought is a good one! But before you can finish the thought, the messenger continues, “…from their sins.” You want to blurt out, “What? Save people from their sins? But only God can do that.” And, that is exactly what Jesus did. “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us.'” Matthew 1:23
Lord Jesus, IMMANUEL, we praise You! You’re not a God who is far removed. Nor are You one who has left us to die in the guilt of our sins. Rather, You’ve come from heaven to earth, IMMANUEL…GOD WITH US. Thank You, Lord Jesus.
God with Skin
“I wish I could see God.” Have you ever said those words or wished you could ask God for His opinion on a particular subject? If so, look to Jesus. Study His walk on earth. Pay attention to His teachings. Why? Because Colossians 1:15 says Jesus is the image of the invisible God; which means “an exact replica, representation, or ‘picture’ of an original; it assumes a prototype, that which not merely resembles, but from which it is drawn.”* When we look at Jesus, we’re looking at God. When we listen to Jesus, we’re listening to God. Jesus – the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD. Jesus – God with skin.
LORD Jesus Christ, we praise You, the IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD.
The Illuminator
Are you in a dark spot? Maybe not literally, but it feels like it. You’re down. You don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps it’s the sin that surrounds you that oppresses your spirit. Maybe you’ve lost your vision for future projects or the vision for the family for which you long. Perhaps the thought of growing older and entering the sunset years seems bleak. Whatever you’re going through, there’s good news. God is an eternal lamp that illumines darkness. Wherever you go, whatever your future, He will be there. Day by day, moment by moment, turn from the darkness and look to the Light of His presence. Say with the psalmist, “You ILLUMINE MY DARKNESS.” 2 Samuel 22:29
Lord, we praise you, for you ILLUMINE OUR DARKNESS.
God’s Name
A person’s name represents the person. If you say “Billy Graham,” not only is a visual of the man formed in your mind, but also what Billy Graham represents. If you say the name, “Hitler,” another visual pops into our mind, along with his character. When Moses asked God what His name is, God replied in Exodus 3:14-15b “‘I AM WHO I AM;’ and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ … This is My name forever, and this is MY memorial-name to all generations.'” His name, “I AM” means “I am the One who is.” His name, “I AM,” emphasizes “God’s dynamic and active self-existence.”* He is not only the God who was. He is not only the God who will be in our future. He is the God who IS presently active, dynamic, and self-existent today. How aware are we of His active, dynamic presence in our life?
Lord, we praise you, the great I AM!
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*Charles Ryrie, Expanded Ryrie Study Bible Expanded Edition, New American Standard Bible, pg 94.
Something to Smile About
Lord, HUSBAND, Maker, Lord of hosts, Redeemer, Holy One of Israel, God of all the earth, we love You and thank You for Your tender care and commitment to us.
Learn This from Jesus
Are you ever prideful or critical of others? Humility is a godly trait and one we see in our Lord. Jesus was HUMBLE as Matthew 11:29 explains, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus explained that His humility flowed from His heart. It is the essence of who Jesus is. That’s what we need. Not an attempt at humility, but to truly regard others as more important than ourselves. Jesus said we are to learn from Him. If we’re not HUMBLE, a good first step is to ask Him to fill us with His HUMBLE Spirit.
Lord, You who have every right to be prideful chose to serve us and even HUMBLE yourself to the point of death on our behalf. We praise You, most HUMBLE Lord Jesus, and pray to be more like You.
Cling to this Horn
Do you ever feel shaky; like you might fall? Do you feel like you don’t have the strength to stand, much less make it through the next day or week? If so, be encouraged. In Psalm 18:2 our Lord is described as our strength in this unique way. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the HORN OF MY SALVATION, my stronghold.” If you’re like me, you can understand the Lord being our rock, fortress, deliverer, shield, and stronghold. But what is meant by the Lord being our “HORN OF SALVATION?” Scholar Herbert Lockyer explains: “the figure of the Horn is taken from those animals whose strength is in their horns. Because the horn was once the instrument of the oxen’s strength, it became the symbol of power. And our God and Savior came as a HORN, or mighty instrument of SALVATION. In addition, when horns were fixed to an altar they became projections to which sacrifices were bound and to which those who needed protection could cling.” Jesus is the believer’s HORN OF SALVATION. Cling to Him.
HORN OF SALVATION, we praise You, our strength and salvation. Thank You that we can cling to You.
Better than Bootstraps
Do you feel hopeless? Perhaps the last bit of hope to which you’ve clung just went out the window. Your future may appear bleak. Dark clouds may seem to hover over you no matter where you go or how hard you try. But the good news is, if you’re a Christian, you have every reason to hope. Why? Because Romans 15:13 explains that the GOD OF HOPE is in you through the Holy Spirit. “Now may the GOD OF HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” It’s not a question of if you have hope. You do. The question is, are you allowing the GOD OF HOPE to fill you with His joy and peace? You can experience hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s a matter of switching from pulling yourself up by your bootstraps to believing God is on the throne; that He sees you and loves you. He has your best interest at heart. In faith, pray, “GOD OF HOPE, fill me with joy and peace through the Holy Spirit.”
GOD OF HOPE, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit so we can abound in hope by His power.
Overwhelm Us
Prior to Jesus’s crucifixion, He prepared His disciples for His departure; comforting them that the HOLY SPIRIT would come to them. Can you imagine their confusion? Their frame of reference for the HOLY SPIRIT was God anointing only a few Old Testament people to accomplish divine work on earth. The names Elijah and Elisha certainly came to mind. But them? “Dazed and confused” might have described the disciples as they listened to Jesus tell them about the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT would be their Helper. God the Father would send Him in Christ’s name. The HOLY SPIRIT would teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that Jesus said to them. The HOLY SPIRIT would empower them to live in such a way they bore witness to Christ. (Acts 1:8) HOLY. SPIRIT. Isn’t that what God knows each of us needs? So, He sent Him, a who, not an “it,” to live in believers. Are we treating His heavenly presence as a welcomed, Holy guest? Are we asking Him to reign over our lives? “But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
Heavenly Father, forgive us for discounting the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Forgive our insolence for living apart from Your divine presence. Fill us. Overwhelm us so Christ pours forth from us to serve others and glorify You.
In Favor of the Saints
Do you ever wonder what the future holds? If so, the book of Daniel answers your question. There will be a war and God’s saints will be overpowered UNTIL the One who is more powerful than any other, the Highest One, steps in. I wonder if you feel as I do – overwhelmed with gratefulness to be on God’s side, to be designated as His saint? “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.” Daniel 7:21-22
Heavenly Father, to be referred to as “Your saint” and to know that You, the Ancient of Days, are going to judge in favor of me, of us, Your saints, is overwhelming. Thank You, merciful Ancient of Days.