Thanks Be To God - - For His Mercies

 

Lamentations 3:22

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2617

Mercies: kindness, lovingkindness, pity, compassion

From the Hebrew word 'checed' (pronounced kheh'-sed). 

Though the word 'checed' is used over 200 times in the Old Testament, not all of these refer to the goodness of God extended to all people everywhere. It just depends on context where it is used. 

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1656

Mercy: covenant-loyalty, covenant-love; pity, compassion

From the Greek word 'éleos' (pronounced el'-eh-os). Used 27 times in the New Testament.

Psalm 78:38

And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.

Psalm 103:10

He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.

Nehemiah 9:31

Nevertheless for Thy great mercies' sake Thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for Thou art a gracious and merciful God.

THE LORD'S MERCIES:

New Every Morning

Lamentations 3:23

They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Never Fail

Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Extends To All Generations 

Luke 1:50

His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.

Lead To Eternal Life

Jude 1:21

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Cause Us To Be Born Again 

1 Peter 1:3-5

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One according to His great mercy having begotten us again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ out from the dead,

4. and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

5. who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Dear God,

Thank You for extending Your tender mercies to us. We are forever grateful for Your lovingkindness which You have shown us through the death and resurrection of Your Son Jesus Christ. 

We praise You and adore You for who You are: a loving, generous God whose love draws us from the pits of death into His warm embrace. 

Be our God forever and ever. 

In Jesus' Precious Name, I pray,

Amen.

Thanks Be To God - - For Answering His Faithful People

 

Psalm 17:5, 6

5. My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. 

6. I call on You, O God, for You will answer me. Incline Your ear to me; hear my words.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 8605

Prayer: intercession (praying for people to be aligned with God's will), supplication (praying for a specific need)

THE PATH OF THE FAITHFUL

~IS WELL LIT

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Proverbs 6:23

For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

~IS OLD

This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

~IS GOOD

1 Kings 8:35, 36

35. When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them,

36. then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

~IS STRAIGHT

Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

~IS LIFE

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

~IS HOLY

Isaiah 35:8

And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

~IS NARROW

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.

PEOPLE OF PRAYER

WE ARE GOD'S DWELLINGPLACE/HOUSE/HOME

2 Corinthians 6:16

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them, and will walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people."

Exodus 25:8

And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.

Leviticus 26:12

I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Jeremiah 31:1

"At that time," declares the LORD, "I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people."

John 14:23

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

PRAY FOR OURSELVES

Psalm 119:10

With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You]; Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience]. 

Psalm 119:45

I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will obey Your statutes.

Psalm 143:1

A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.

Psalm 31:1

In You, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

James 5:15, 16

15. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

16. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Colossians 1:9

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN PLACES OF AUTHORITY

1 Timothy 2:1, 2

1. First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

2. for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

Jeremiah 29:7

Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper."

PRAY FOR ENEMIES

Matthew 5:43-45

43. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’

44. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45. that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 6:28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

GOD'S HOUSE

1 Corinthians 6:19

19. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 

20. You were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Mark 11:17

Then Jesus began to teach them, and He declared, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

Isaiah 56:7

I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.

THE GOD WHO HEARS

Psalm 4:3

Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.

Psalm 3:4

To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy mountain. Selah

Psalm 6:9

The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

Psalm 34:15

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.

Dear God,

My God, my Father, clean out my heart and make me holy. Remove all unrighteousness from my heart, that I might live. I, too, would like to hear the words from you, saying, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Please help to walk the old path of Your testimony and Your Word: guide my steps and light the path wherein I am walking.

You are my Strength and my Refuge: Hide me in You. You are my Song and I love to sing Your praise. Strengthen my resolve and help me to stand upright in Your Word, neither wavering or doubting You, nor bending in the vanity of philosophies and theories. 

As these days draw to a close, keep Your people near, ever leading, ever guiding us, revealing Yourself every step of the Way in which we walk. You are my God and I am Your child. Let me not be found lacking in anything that You have desired for me.

And, Lord, thank You for saving, and filling, and being the Strength of, our children, our siblings, our parents and our friends; for saving, and filling, and Strengthening the strangers, the foreigners, among us. Thank You for opening the eyes of our enemies to the glories and wonders of Your grace. Save them, fill them with Your Spirit and Strengthen them in these last hours. Pour out Your Holy Spirit even more so upon our persecutors, tormentors, mockers and captors. Give them dreams and visions of Your mercy and grace. Keep calling them all to repentance and redemption through Your Son. For the conductor is giving his last call and the train is about to depart. 

In Jesus' Precious Name, I pray,

Amen

HOUSE OF PRAYER by Eddie James

BREATHE by Eddie James

LET US PRAY by Steven Curtis Chapman

Thanks Be To God - - For His Healing Wings

 

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4832

Healing: cure, health, curative, remedy, tranquil, sound

From the Hebrew word 'marpe' (pronounced mar-pay')

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Psalm 84:11

For the LORD God is a Sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.

Isaiah 60:1, 2

1. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

2. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

Isaiah 9:2

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Matthew 4:16

The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

John 1:4

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 8:12

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 12:46

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

HEALING IN HIS WINGS

Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. "By His stripes you are healed."

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise.

John 12:32-35

32. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself."

33. He said this to indicate the kind of death He was going to die.

34. The crowd replied, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain forever. So how can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

35. Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

36. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them. 

Isaiah 11:10

On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.

In much the same way as the dawn breaks across the horizon, shooing away the pre-dawn darkness of the night skies, so, too, does Jesus Christ The Sun of Righteousness. His Light shines forth upon every soul and into every heart which believes on His name and receives His grace. 

First, His Light shined while He ministered to the peoples He came into contact with. When He was crucified, His Light was lifted up for all the world to see. The cross which He was nailed to had to be lifted up by others, for He could not lift Himself up, as He had both hands and feet nailed to it. 

The Light of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ seemed to dim, but appearances can be deceiving. For His Light shone in death and the grave, piercing that darkness, as well. When God rolled the stone away from the tomb's entrance, The Light walked out of the grave a changed Man, a changed Son. He was unrecognizable yet again. Even to those closest to Him.

John 20:14, 15

14. When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

15. Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Until He spoke her name.

John 20:16

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Until He showed His hands and His feet.

John 20:24-29 tells us the story of Thomas, who refused to believe that Jesus had risen until he saw the nail marks in His hands.

Until He had a meal with some of them.

Luke 24:30, 31

30. While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them.

31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus—and He disappeared from their sight.

Until He calls our name we can neither see Him nor know Him. Until we let Him into our hearts to dine with us, we cannot converse with Him.

Revelation 3:2o

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

He's calling your name just like He called mine. Turn your hearts to His voice and answer His call on your life. Let His Light shine in your hearts today, while you have a today. Tomorrow is not promised, but if the sun should rise on a new day, we must be prepared for it. 

Today is a good day to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to repent of our sins and receive God's forgiveness, to ask Him to take up residence in our hearts, to fill us with His Holy Spirit for our empowerment as His sons and daughters.

Today is a good day to let the Sun of Righteousness bring healing, deliverance and salvation into your hearts and your lives.

Dear God, 

My heavenly Father, my Father who provides for my every need; my Father who saw my need for a Savior, because You knew I could not save myself, nor ever make myself clean enough to be near You. 

Thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place. Thank You for such lovingkindness which You have shown me. Thank You for calling my name, for knocking on the door of my heart, and for choosing to live in me. 

Thank You, Father, that the Light of Your Word is imprinted on my heart, changing me from a destructive course to a life that is filled with Your Word, Your purpose, and Your Love. Help me to shine Your Light and not mine into the darkness that is growing around me. 

Find me faithful.

In Jesus' Glorious Name, I pray,

Amen

Thanks Be To God - - For His Unshakable Kingdom

 Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 761

Unshakable: immovable

From the Greek word 'asaleutos' (pronounced as-al'-yoo-tos)

Used only twice in the New Testament: once in today's verse and again in Acts 27:41, when Paul and his fellow travelers were caught in a violent squall: "But having fallen into a place between two seas, they ran the vessel aground. And indeed the bow, having stuck fast, remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves."

Daniel 2:44

In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.

Not everyone will receive the Unshakable Kingdom: only the born again believers who live by their faith in the Word of God. For this Unshakable Kingdom has but one King and His Name is King of Kings. This King of Kings is an Unshakable King, for God has set Him on high to be worshiped and adored. 

Philippians 2:8-11

8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

9. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,

10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Daniel 7:14

And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

This Unshakable Kingdom cannot be overthrown, nor will its King ever be defeated. Though the enemy came against Him and tried to take Him out, King Jesus fulfilled God's plan by becoming the sin offering which would take away the sins of the world once and for all. No more would animal sacrifice be needed: for the Lamb of God Which Takes Away the Sins of the World had indeed done just that. 

King Jesus allowed the angry mob who had come against Him to torture Him and nail Him to the cross. God laid our sins upon Him and "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 6:21)

Isaiah 53:11, 12

11. After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.

12. Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

Knowing we will inhabit this Unshakable Kingdom, we come to the realization that we must be Unshakable Inhabitants. 

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Colossians 1:22, 23

22. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence— 

23. if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

We must continue to follow Christ now matter how rough the seas, how adverse the people; regardless of who comes against us and Christ in us, this battle for our souls is not ours to fight: it is God's. Like many a warrior before us, our job is to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). Our part is to trust God and obey His Word when He speaks to us.

 His Word is always a Now Word, for The Word of God is Alive through the Power of God. God's Word flows from God's mouth via God's Holy Spirit. It flows into the hearts of the people to whom God speaks, many upon many will receive this Word with joy and become God's people. Sadly, many will hear God call them to salvation and service and they will reject His Word and His Spirit. 

We are the Unshakable Inhabitants of an Unshakable Kingdom. As Peter writes to the church in 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." And we should be living accordingly. Otherwise, our service, our worship will not be acceptable to God. 

Unshakable Inhabitants are filled with grace, with gratitude, to the Holy God who has saved us from all our unrighteousness because He loves us. We live godly fear and reverence before Him, always aware of our shortcomings and His glory. 

We approach the throne of judgment with shame for how we have behaved and are awestruck by how He forgives us when we repent of our wicked ways. 

We kneel in His presence and confess that He is Lord. Lord of All. Lord of Us. Lord of me. 

Psalm 23:1a

The Lord is My Shepherd. 

John 1:12, 13

12. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—13. children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

It's a personal thing. It's an intimate relationship thing. Though Christ died for all, salvation is received on an individual basis. Each one of us is called by God out of the darkness of this world. Each one of us must choose whether to obey the call of God and follow the Light of Christ or turn our faces from God. 

Should a person choose not to answer God's call, not to follow Christ, then God will have no other alternative but to turn His face from each one of them when they appear before Him. The end result of not receiving salvation through Jesus Christ is death: twice. 

The first death is to go to hell. The second death is when hell is thrown into the lake of fire which burns for all eternity. This is not a symbolic death: it is real, it is painfully painful and it is not where I plan on spending eternity. I don't want you there either. 

Revelation 20:12-15

12. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

13. The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

15. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Be one of the few, the humble, the meek, the pure, the righteous, the saved. Join the throng that serves God in heaven. Make music for God and King, filling the air with your worship. Choose Jesus, choose Life. 

Come, now is the time to give your hearts to the Lord. Now is the day to answer God's call and surrender your lives to His service. 

Dear God,

Thank You for saving me, for calling me out of the darkness of this world and into Your marvellous Light. Thank You for imbedding Your Holy Word into my heart and filling me with Your Holy Spirit. For You are a Holy God and Your very holiness demands that Your people be holy, too. I need You to make me holy. I am clay and You are my potter. Mold me into the vessel You require me to be. 

Even now I lift up each one reading this message, that they, too, would give their hearts to You and surrender their lives to Your service, to be filled with godly fear and reverence, obtaining Your mercy and Your lovingkindness that they may be filled to overflowing with the joy of their salvation in You. 

You are the God of my salvation and the joy of my life. Forgive me, Father, of any and all unrighteousness that is still within me. Prepare me, get me ready, to be with You and help me to help others. I want my papers in order, all the tees crossed and all the iiis dotted. Only You can do that. Help me, us, to lead extraordinary lives in Your grace that we may remain steadfast and unshakable for Your glory.

May I seek Your face, Father, all the days of my life that You may see mine. 

In Jesus' Holy Name, I pray,

Amen

O, Come To The Altar by Elevation Worship

The Well by Casting Crowns

I Shall Not Be Moved by The Easters (Gaither Music)

Thanks Be To God - - For The Extension of Grace

 

2 Corinthians 4:15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5485

Grace: kindness

God freely extending Himself, His favor, His lovingkindess, to the people He wants to bless with His presence;

a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ

From the Greek word 'charis' (pronounced khar'-ece)

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4121

Extending: Existing in Abundance, Multiplication, Causing to Increase

From the Greek word 'pleonazó' (pronounced pleh-on-ad'-zo), used on a personal level: I have more than enough; I abound, increase

FAVOR OF GOD

Genesis 6:8

Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Luke 1:30

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God.

GRACE INCREASED

Romans 5:19-21

(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

(20) The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

(21) so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:13-14

(13) I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. 

(14) And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Grace still overflows to us all. For Christ has only walked this earth once, on His arrival in the flesh and during His ministry; also, after His resurrection. Then He ascended into heaven to be with His Father until such time as *God sends His Son back to earth, *in the twinkling of an eye, *to gather up the faithful and bring them back to His heavenly home. 

*God will send Jesus back briefly: Matthew 24:36 "But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only."

*In the twinkling of an eye: 1 Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

*Gathering the faithful: 1 Thessalonians 4:15 "By the Word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep."

 What Is Grace To Us?

Grace is unmerited favor. We have done nothing to deserve God's grace. No matter how good we think we are, regardless of our church attendance, the number of times we are kind to one another, nor when retreated from the noise of the world to a contemplative lifestyle, we will not enter God's grace. 

For His Grace is an extension of Himself to a people He calls to His side. If the people He calls to be near Him, don't want to be near Him, then they will not receive His Grace. And without His Grace it will be impossible to be in His eternal presence for any length of time. 

God's Grace is Jesus Christ. It is the power of God flowing through the faith of we who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ for our salvation. 

GRACE IS THE GIFT OF GOD

Ephesians 2:8-10

(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

(9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

GRACE IS UNDESERVED FAVOR

Romans 5:6, 8

(6) For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

(8) But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

GRACE IS SALVATION APPLIED

Psalm 85:9

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

John 3:17, 18

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

GRACE ALLOWS US TO LOVE THE UNLOVABLE

Luke 6:31-35

(31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.

(32) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

(33) If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

(34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

(35) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:36

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Dear God, my heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing me Your Grace. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness that I may be found worthy in Your sight. Fill me with more of Your Holy Spirit that there may be room for no one and nothing else but You. 

Continue to fill me with Your Love & Mercy that I may be filled to overflowing and bless those around me wherever I may be or however far my feet may take me. May I forgive as freely as You forgive. Shine Your Light through me so that all who look towards me see only You. 

I pray, Lord, that Your Grace may abound within me, pouring out from heart, through my mouth and into the hearing and sight of anyone I may come into contact with. 

Be glorified, Lord, by my doings and my words. 

In Jesus' Beautiful Name, I pray,

Amen

Thanks Be To God - - For His Songs

 

Psalm 42:8

Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7893

His Song: worship song, lyrics with musical instruments

From the Hebrew word 'shiyr' (pronounced sheer)

Used 90 times in the Old Testament

There are many styles of music making, even in the hearts of God's people. Music is from God and music given back to God glorifies God when it comes from deep within a worshipful heart. Who defines what a worshipful heart is? God, of course. For only God can see a person's heart; therefore, only God can determine whether or not the song being sung belongs to Him. Who are we to judge which songs are worthy to sing or write; which instruments can be used to make music?

But His Song, His Song is the song we sing when we declare His Name, when we proclaim His deliverance; when we testify of His saving Grace. His Song is the song we write when the Spirit comes upon us and moves us to write words which come from our hearts and not just our minds. Sometimes His Songs are written by one person, sometimes His Songs  are created on a collaborative basis. I've done both. 

This word 'shiyr' could refer to both His Song and His Singers, His Choir of Worshippers. God pours Himself into us (Romans 5:5) through His Holy Spirit and we shout out, cry out, sing aloud with everything within us back to Him. 

What a mighty God we serve! A God who looked on us and had compassion towards us, so much so that He took His Word, as only God can do, and wrapped it in flesh and bone; and called It "Jesus" because this Word is the Word of Salvation: 

Matthew 1:21 "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

This HOLY JESUS is why we sing the songs we write about Him. This HOLY GOD is why we sing the songs we write for Him. This HOLY SPIRIT is why we welcome the presence of the LORD into our hearts, our lives, our churches, our sanctuaries. 

I love to sing. I love to write. But it is God who creates His Songs in me. It is God who receives glory and honor and praise from me. There is no other Name worth worshiping. 

No other Name died for us. No other Name took our sins upon Himself and became sin for us. No other Name could ever love us as much as God loves us. No other Name has God honored by raising Him up and setting this JESUS on high! His Songs resound throughout the whole world, though many have tried, and still try, to silence His Songs. But His Name will prevail and overcome. 

Dear God,

Thank You for the gift of music. Thank You for creating it and giving it to us. Thank You for giving us Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ, for washing my sins away through the blood of Your Lamb, as John stated. Thank You for forgiving me and making me holy by the power of Your Holy Spirit. 

You are eternal, God. You are my God forever and ever. I am Your child, Your servant, Your friend. Continue to guide me and lead me through Your Word. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might overflow and bless those around me. 

May they see this Name, JESUS, when they see me and know that You are near. Open the eyes of the blind that they may see You. Tender the hardened hearts and break them open for You. Whatever it takes. 

In Jesus' Priceless Name, I pray,

Amen

Name Above All Names by Eddie James

Thanks Be To God - - For His Faithfulness

 

Psalm 100:4, 5

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.

Four expressions of praise are used in this verse: 

THANKSGIVING (Todah)

PRAISE (TeHillah)
THANKS (Yadah)
BLESS (Barak)

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 8426

Thanksgiving: choir of worshippers giving praise to God

From the Hebrew word todah (pronounced to-daw'), used 32 times in the Old Testament, originating from the word yadah, which we know by now means 'to throw up or raise one's hands in praise

 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 8416

Praise: song of praise

From the Hebrew word tehillah (pronounced teh-hil-law'), affiliated with the Hebrew word Halal (pronounced  haw-lal'  ) which means 'to boast in', to shine, to break through or break (cry) out (Strong's No. 1984)

Tehillah is used 57 times in the Old Testament. Besides this verse in Psalm 100, read Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3034

Thanks: to throw, to cast; to throw one's hands or arms up in worship; to cast one's hands/arms out in front of them

From the Hebrew word 'yadah' (pronounced yaw-daw'), used 113 times in the Old Testament

1 Chronicles 23:30

They were also to stand every morning to give thanks and praise to the LORD, and likewise in the evening.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1288

Bless: to kneel, to fall prostrate before (in worshiping God); to bless (when God blesses us); to salute, to congratulate, to 

From the Hebrew word barak (pronounced baw-rak'), used 33o times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, by Greek definition of the word 'bow', which means to worship God in recognition of the name of Jesus (Strong's No. 2578) the word 'bow' is used four times only. 

Psalm 72:11

Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him.

Romans 14:11

For it is written: “ As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

And the reason we are to worship the LORD in such ways? 

Psalm 100:5

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.

He doesn't go back on His Word. What the Lord has promised from days gone by He will fulfill in days to come. 

THE LORD IS GOOD

His Goodness never ends. His goodness is shown in His faithfulness to His people.

Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.

Lamentations 3:22-24

(22) It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

(23) They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

(24) “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

THE LORD's MERCY IS EVERLASTING

No end is there to the Lord's mercies. 

Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion."

THE LORD's TRUTH ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS

What He promised to the first generation of mankind is promised to the last generation of mankind, whether that promise is a blessing to receive a reward, or a curse to receive damnation. 

Deuteronomy 5:10

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

Hebrews 1:8

But unto the Son He says, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your kingdom.

Dear God,

You are our God. You are holy and Your Name is Holy. We worship and adore You, but not from afar. For we know that You are a near-to-us-who-love-You-God, for Your Word tells us that You will never leave us, never forsake us. We are not alone because You are with us.

Make us ready to be received into Your eternal presence, Lord. You have been faithful to us since we have been received Your Truth and been restored to Your house.

Forgive us of all our sins: uncover them within us, sweep them into the Light of Your righteousness and uproot the deep sin that is within us, that we may stand before You when we see You face to face at last. 

Oh how I love Your Name! May we be shining reflections of You to all the world over. 

In Jesus' glorious Name, I pray,

Amen