Jesus
Behind the Backdrop of the Fireworks Display
With the night sky as a backdrop, many July 4th watchers “ooh” and “awe” at fireworks. I can’t help but grin at how easily amused we are. Certainly, our Heavenly Father who created the night backdrop must smile. I wonder if Jesus ever leans over and says, “Aren’t they going to be blown away when they see the Light display of Us?” Who will see the glorious display of LIGHTS and GLORY emanating from heaven’s throne room? Those who have placed their faith in the KING of the NATIONS. Yes, all people throughout the world who have responded “yes” to Jesus’s gift of salvation will be at the Heavenly display of LIGHTS. How can we be certain that Jesus is the Savior of not only the Jews but of all the nations? Jesus himself said He is.
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, Matthew 28:16-20,
As you think about the fireworks on July 4, think beyond them to the One who made the night sky and who is King of the Nations, the light of the world.
Heavenly Father, we smile in anticipation of the display of GLORY emanating from YOU, KING of the NATIONS. Stir our hearts to live for Your pleasure and sharing You with others throughout the world.
Behind the Backdrop of the Fireworks Display
With the night sky as a backdrop, many July 4th watchers “ooh” and “awed” at the firework display. I can’t help but grin at how easily amused we are. Certainly our Heavenly Father who created the night backdrop must smile. I wonder if Jesus ever leans over and says, “Aren’t they going to be blown away when they see the Light display of Us?” Who will see the glorious display of LIGHTS and GLORY emanating from heaven’s throne room? Those who have placed their faith in the KING of the NATIONS. Yes, all people throughout the world who have responded “yes” to Jesus’s gift of salvation will be at the Heavenly display of LIGHTS. How can we be certain that Jesus is the Savior of not only the Jews but of all the nations? Jesus himself said He is as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
As you think about the fireworks display you watched on July 4, think beyond it to the One who made the night sky. Say a prayer of thanks to the King of the Nations, the light of the world.
Heavenly Father, we smile in anticipation of the display of GLORY emanating from YOU, KING of the NATIONS. Stir our hearts to live for Your pleasure and the salvation of souls throughout the world.
Say His Name with Tender Love
He has a name – Jesus. How would you decide what to name God’s manifestation of Himself when He came to earth? God the Father chose God the Son’s name to be Jesus. Why? It means “Jehovah is salvation.” In other words, look no further, seeker. If you want to be saved from your worst self, Jesus is your Savior. And, when you turn to Him for salvation, you’ll discover your best self: God performing through you, doing in and through you what you can’t do apart from His divine nature in you. Why would I use the word “performing” in conjunction with God’s work through Jesus? That’s the way Acts 2:22 NAS expresses what the Father did through Jesus during His time on earth. “Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.” Jesus is SAVIOR of our past, present, and future. He has saved us from the penalty of sins, is saving us from the present power of temptation to sin, and will save us from the presence of sin in heaven. Does anyone want to shout a hallelujah with me? Say His name with me with the tender affection you would of someone you love. Jesus. Savior.
JESUS, saying Your name causes the most tender of affections and love to swell in our hearts. You are our everything and we love You.
Behind the Backdrop of the Fireworks Display
With the night sky as a backdrop, the July 4th crowd “ooh” and “awe” at the firework display. I can’t help but grin at how easily amused we are. Certainly, our Heavenly Father, who created the backdrop, must be smiling. I wonder if His Son ever leans over and says, “Aren’t they going to be blown away when they see the Light display of Us?” Who will see the glorious display of LIGHTS and GLORY emanating from the throne? Those who have placed their faith in the KING of the NATIONS. Yes, all people throughout the world who have responded “yes” to Jesus’s gift of salvation will be at the Heavenly display of LIGHTS. How can we be certain that Jesus is the Savior of not only the Jews but of all the nations of the world? Jesus himself said He is as recorded in Matthew 28:16-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This year, as you admire the firework display, look beyond it to Who made the backdrop. Say a prayer of thanks to the One who is behind the black curtain and that when it is drawn, you’ll see a fireworks display like never before emanating from God’s throne. Happy July 4th!
Heavenly Father, we smile in anticipation of the display of GLORY emanating from YOU, KING of the NATIONS. Stir our hearts to live for more than our pleasure; to rather live for Your pleasure – the salvation of souls throughout the world.
Say His Name with Tender Love
He has a name – Jesus. How would you decide what to name God’s manifestation of Himself when He came to earth? God the Father chose God the Son’s name to be Jesus. Why? It means “Jehovah is salvation.” In other words, look no further, seeker. If you want to be saved from your worst self, Jesus is your Savior. And, when you turn to Him for salvation, you’ll discover your best self: God performing through you – doing in and through you – what you can’t do apart from His divine nature in you. Why would I use the word “performing” in conjunction with God’s work through Jesus? That’s the way Acts 2:22 NAS expresses what the Father did through Jesus during His time on earth. “Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.” Jesus is SAVIOR of our past, present, and future. He has saved us from the penalty of sins, is saving us from the present power of temptation to sin, and will save us from the presence of sin in heaven. Anyone want to shout a hallelujah with me? Say His name with me with the tender affection you would of someone you love. Jesus. Savior.
JESUS, saying Your name causes the most tender of affections and love to swell in our hearts. You are our everything and we love You.
Praise to the KING of the NATIONS
Great and marvelous are Your works, O LORD God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways,
KING OF THE NATIONS.”
Have you ever received a call from a loved one or friend and been told, “I just prayed to receive Christ?” That happened to me just now and tears of joy are rolling down my checks.
The words I’d previously typed for today won’t do. Instead, I appeal to you to consider that God gave John a glimpse of heaven so he could tell us that it’s real; so each one of us can respond to God’s gift of salvation.
The best visual I know to explain how we will one day be raised following our death is to consider a bulb such as an tulip. The bulb looks dead. Human hands bury it in the ground. But, God created life within the bulb and it rises to a new life in a changed form.
Every person will die. But, our burial doesn’t mean we will no longer live. God created us with a soul that lives after the body dies. Every soul goes before God.
In Revelation in a scene in heaven, God lets us know that He is the KING OF THE NATIONS; putting to end the belief that it doesn’t matter who you worship as long as you worship something/someone. It does matter. It matters for your soul.
The soul of the person who rejected God’s gift of salvation through Jesus will appear before God; just as the soul of the person who received God’s gift of salvation will appear before Him. God will honor each person’s response to His gift of salvation. The soul who rejected His gift of life with Him will live eternally apart from Him. The soul of the person who by faith received God’s gift of forgiveness through Jesus will live eternally with Him. And, if anyone thinks they’ll get a second chance after they die, the Bible clearly explains that is not true.
God’s offer of eternal life with Him through the forgiveness of sins is clear:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
“Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:11
“WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13
If you’e never repented of your sins and called on the name of Jesus for forgiveness, would you now?
Lord, God, KING of the NATIONS, I call on You to save me. I know I’ve sinned. I ask You to forgive me through Jesus’s death on the cross on my behalf. Heavenly Father, please send Your Holy Spirit into my soul and cleanse me. Take away my sins and seal me for eternity with You in heaven. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, God cleaned your soul of your sins and sent His Holy Spirit into it. You can now begin to know your Heavenly Father in a new and special way. You’ll discover that Jesus is God, but also your friend. And, the Holy Spirit is your helper. I want to help you grow in your understanding. Email or call me. I’ll send you my Bible study, Discovering His Passion. Subscribe to this free daily post so you can grow in your understanding of who God is. I’m happy and excited for you. Yes, my eyes are filled with tears of joy for you.
“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32
Thank You, JESUS
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Daily, we meditate on the different names and traits of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
But one name, JESUS, is the name God gave His Son.
Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation; Jesus is the Savior of mankind.”*
In the angel’s message to Joseph to name the Christ baby, “Jesus,” we hear the hope on which we anchor our souls. Jesus will save us from our sins. Jesus will save our children from their sins. Jesus will save whoever looks on Him and cries to Him for forgiveness.
We’re there, on bended knee, gazing on Jesus in the manger. We’re there, on bended knee, gazing on Jesus on the cross. And between the crib and the cross, Jesus showed us how to live – humbly – with forgiveness, pointing others to the crib and the cross.
Lord JESUS, we praise You, Son of the Most High God, Savior of the world. We adore and worship You; and pray our lives bring You honor and glory that point others to You.
*http://bit.ly/2gQLtnD
Record each of God’s names and titles in Prayers of My Heart. Journal your thanks to Him each day. Order here.
Praise to JESUS
Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, …this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to they agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
He had a name- Jesus. How would you decide what to name God’s manifestation of Himself when He came to earth?
God the Father chose God the Son’s name to be Jesus. Why? It means “Jehovah is salvation.” In other words, look no further, seeker. If you want to be saved from your worst self, Jesus is your Savior. And, when you turn to Him for salvation, you’ll discover your best self: “God performing through you;” doing in and through you what you can’t do apart from His indwelling divine nature. God the Father will give you a new name: Saved Child of the Most High God. Whew Hoo! Incredible!
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there’s just something about that name. Savior, JESUS, we praise You with hallelujahs from our innermost being.
Praise to JESUS
“Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, …this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to they agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
What more needs to be said?
I praise you, JESUS, for not only dying on a cross for me, but for cleansing me of my sins. You truly are my Saviour, JESUS!
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LAMB OF GOD
“The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said,
‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'”
John 1:29
Jesus, thank You, LAMB OF GOD, who gave up Your precious life to pay for my sins. I love You!
Celebrate our Risen Lord! Matt Maher sings, “Christ is Risen” HERE.