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

  

Thanks Be To God -- For His Restoration

 

Isaiah 51:3

For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Isaiah 61:3

To console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7725

Restore: to turn back, return

From the Hebrew word 'shub' (pronounced shoob), which means, in Psalm 51:12, to rebuild, to bring back home again, to cause to turn again. 

It is the LORD God who causes restoration to be upon His people. It is God who creates and tears down only to restore and build up better His people (Deuteronomy 32:39). We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), modeled on His Potter's wheel (Jeremiah 18:1-10 [in the potter's house]). 

We are His planting (Isaiah 61:3), His field (John 4:35). In Him we are brought from destruction and death to restoration and life, for He is the God of Restoration, the One who brings Life back to His people. And He gives us everything we need to be sustained in this new Life in Him. 

Therefore, we give Him what we have to give Him.

JOY 

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22, 23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
AND GLADNESS

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fulness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is the thank-offering given to God by a choir of adoring worshippers. It is a confession of thanks rendered to God from a grateful heart. Thanks-Giving is sung, it is a sacrifice of praise given to God by a restored people, a delivered people. 

2 Chronicles 29:31

Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.

Romans 10:8, 9

(8) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the Word of Faith we are proclaiming: (9) that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Exodus 15:1, 2

(1)Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider has He thrown into the sea. 

(2) The LORD is my Strength and Song, and He is become my Salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.

Revelation 15:2-4

(2) And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

(3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Your ways, thou King of saints.

(4) Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? for You only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before You; for Your judgments are made manifest.

We give God praise in songs combined with musical instruments, even if that musical instrument is us clapping our hands, 

MELODIOUS SONG

Psalm 81:1, 2

(1) For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.

(2) Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Having been restored (by His grace) and replanted (by His righteousness), we begin to bear fruit (see souls saved) and prosper (be profitable) in God's kingdom (Psalm 92:12-15; Psalm 1:3), which is where the born again believer lives and thrives. 

Dear God,

I am so very thankful for all that You have done for me and in me that I may glorify Your name for all eternity.

Thank You for saving me. Thank You for restoring me to You and planting me in Your garden. 

Please help me to tell everyone I know and everyone You place in my path, about Your Amazing Grace and Forever Love, with Your love; give me words to speak that they may hear.

Make me to be a profitable servant in Your house, that I may not be found wanting, but be a joy and a treasure to You. Cause me to grow where You have planted me, that Your Name would be glorified by the words and actions of my heart. 

To God be the glory.

In Jesus' name, I pray,

Amen

Word of God Speak by Mercy Me

This Is The Kingdom by Elevation Worship

Seek First by Jason Upton

 

Thanks Be To God - - Because He Is Good

 

Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because He is good, for His mercy endures forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Mark 10:18

And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except God alone.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2896 (Old Testament)

Good: good, kind, benign

From the Hebrew word tobe (pronounced tobe)

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 18

Good: intrinsically good, good in nature; upright, honorable; kind, benevolent

From the Greek word agathos (pronounced ag-ath-os'), which means:

Describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in the believer's life, through faith.

The goodness of God towards mankind is expressed through His mercy, which, as the Word reveals, Endures Forever. God's goodness to us is extended to us by the right arm of His Righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. 

Psalm 118:16

Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has shattered the enemy.

Psalm 98:1

A Psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done wonders; His right hand and holy arm have gained Him the victory.

Exodus 6;6

Therefore tell the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.'

And how was the goodness of God put into action? 

THE PROPHECY

Psalm 22:18

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

THE PROPHECY FULFILLED:

John 19:23, 24

(23) When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His garments into four parts, one for each soldier, with the tunic remaining. It was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

(24) So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it. Instead, let us cast lots to see who will get it." This was to fulfill the Scripture: "They divided My garments among them, and cast lots for My clothing." So that is what the soldiers did.

THE PROPHECY

Psalm 22:16

For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet.

Zechariah 12:10

Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

PROPHECY FULFILLED

John 20:24, 25

(24) Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 

(25) So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

Though we who are alive in this age have not seen the nail marks in Christ's hands, we still believe. Did you know Jesus prayed for you, for me, in the garden of Gethsemane just before He died? 

John 17:20-24

(20) I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

(23) I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

(24) Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Isn't that just the loveliest prayer you ever heard? Jesus prayed for us to know Him, for us who had not yet been born to be born again by believing the word that His disciples would spread across the nations. And it has nearly covered the globe, yet not all nations have heard the gospel message of saving grace through Jesus Christ. 
But there is coming a day when that happens and when it does, watch out. And be afraid if you are not saved. But those of us who have believed God's Word and received it into our hearts and lives have nothing to be afraid of at all. Even now, we are fearless, boldly proclaiming The Word of Truth to all. 

THE WARNING TO BELIEVERS

Mark 13:9-13

(9) So be on your guard. You will be delivered over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues. On My account you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.

(10) And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.

(11) But when they arrest you and hand you over, do not worry beforehand what to say. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

(12) Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

(13) You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:13, 14

(13) But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 

(14) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The beginning of the end begins when the gospel message has been proclaimed, declared, shared with, preached to EVERY NATION. That means every culture and subculture within nations. Every dialect, every language: spoken and unspoken. Every continent, every country, every state, every province, every city, every town, every home, every person will have heard the gospel of saving grace through Jesus Christ and will have had an opportunity to believe and receive the Word of faith into their hearts. "...then the end will come." 

Don't let this message pass you by. To day is your day of salvation, as the Word says. This is a NOW message, not a later message. Later, tomorrow, is not promised. In fact, our next breath is not even promised. The believer lives by faith in the promises of God. Because God Is Good and His Mercy Endures Forever. 

Dear God,

I love You so much. Thank You for saving me, for loving me with Your great love. Thank You for covering me with Your affections and mercies. Thank You, Father, for giving Your Word to us. Help us to be found good and faithful servants in Your kingdom. 

You are  the only Good God, the only Holy God, whose very presence demands a holy people. Guide us through Your Holy Word as we eagerly and hungrily seek You out. Reveal Yourself to us, Lord God, and give us a vision and a work to do in Your kingdom.

Help us to reach every nation for Your glory and honor. Teach our hands to do Your work. Plant our feet on the path You would have us to walk. Open our eyes that we may see; give us discernment in Your Holy Spirit that we may divide Truth from deception. Open our ears to hear the Word of Truth being spoken, that it may take root in our hearts and bear fruit for You. 

Oh, God, fill us with Your sweet Holy Spirit, empowering us to fulfill Your purpose, Your perfect will in these last days before Your return to take us home, the home which You have prepared for us. 

Be glorified, Father, receive glory and honor and praise from our hearts and our lips and our outstretched arms. 

In Jesus' Precious Name, I pray,

Amen

How He Loves by The David Crowder Band

Thank You For The Blood by Charity Gayle

My Soul Longs For You by Jesus Culture