Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
7 [a]Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples, [b]Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 [c]Ascribe to the Lord the glory of His name; Bring an [d]offering and come into His courtyards. 9 Worship the Lord in [e]holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Word of God for th Childrn of God
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity. Author: Reginald Heber (1826)
The saints in the Bible knew of God’s holiness and adored Him.
When God passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses tasted the holiness of God.
When Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets of Baal, the people saw the holiness of God.
When Ananias and Saphira were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit, the church knew the holiness of God.
But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.
I don’t know that we will ever really “comprehend” the full holiness of God.
And that’s too bad.
We throw that term around a lot—holiness—and we have a sense that his holiness is not to be trifled with, but I don’t think we know how to wrap our finite minds around the concept.
We know God as a loving Father—guiding, providing, and protecting.
That one is easier to absorb, at least in theory.
We know God as revealed through his Son, Jesus—compassionate, servant-hearted, gentle, and caring.
We know God through the infilling of the Holy Spirit—empowering, energizing, and enabling us to do his bidding.
But the holiness of God—do we really know him that way?
Exodus 33:19-22 New American Standard Bible
19 And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.” 20 He further said, “You cannot see My face, for mankind shall not see Me and live!” 21 Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place [a]by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.
We cannot behold the holiness of God for ourselves and still stay alive.
When God’s back passed by Moses in the cleft of the rock, Moses beheld the holiness of God.
Before the weary embarrassed unsuccessful Priests of Baal, Elijah called down fire from heaven on the false prophets, the people saw the holiness of God.
But other than a relatively few cautionary tales, the New Covenant people were somehow able to partake in the holiness of God without being consumed by it.
What is the purpose of Psalm 19:7:8?
Psalm 19:7–8explains how different portions of Scripture shape us inwardly and outwardly.
God’s law (Torah) is perfect (Ps. 19:7), blameless, like a prize-winning animal. It is exactly the right thing, for any given moment just when we need answers.
What does Psalm 96:8 mean for us?
Bring to God what is due to him; or, render such an acknowledgment as he deserves and claims.
Fully acknowledge him as God, and acknowledge him to be such a God as he is.
Let the honor due to God as such be given him; and let the honor due to him, for the character which he actually has, be wholly ascribed to him.
What is the meaning of Psalm 96:7-9?
Psalm 96:7-9invites all humankind to “ascribe” strength and glory to the Lord and to offer in his courts worship that is appropriate for the sovereign God.
What does Psalm 96 verse 9 mean for us?
The psalmist calls on all people—of the entire world—to give proper worship to God.
Because of His divine nature, the miracles He has done, the Lord deserves to be praised.
Psalm 96:7-9 …
bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship unto the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Three times in a row God directly challenges us to “ascribe,” or give, unto the Lord exactly what is due His name.
Other so-called “gods” are owed nothing, are as nothing to be given anything.
Those who humbly enter His courtyards to worship the Lord should mightily celebrate His holiness, power, and judgment.
I wish that for you—and for me, too—that we could partake in God’s holiness without being consumed by it.
In conclusion, as I meditated upon this psalm I am challenged by the notion my worship of God ought to correspond to the greatness and worthiness of God.
That’s why after saying “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name” (v.8a), the psalmist follows up by calling worshipers to respond in a manner appropriate to his particular covenant (v.8b).
But as my worship fails to execute this thesis, this psalm provides a remedy: dwell long upon the greatness of God and His saving works; and let that be the primary motivation for worship due God.
In summation,our worship is based on great thoughts of God; and great thoughts of God fuel the worship of God.
I am not sure how we can come into that kind of experience—and perhaps I do not really know what I am asking for—but there is something deep within my spirit crying out to know more and more of God in the beauty of his holiness.
May God grant us a deeper, richer transformational revelation of His Divine holiness so we can authentically worship him in the splendor of his holiness.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit …
100 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with jubilation; Come before Him with rejoicing. 3 Know that the Lord [b]Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and [c]not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter His gates with [d]thanksgiving, And His courtyards with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting And His faithfulness is to all generations.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Have you ever heard someone ask about the Bible verse, “enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise?”
Have you personally made any effort to envision the Bible verse, “enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise?”
What are the gates?
How can we enter with thanksgiving if life is full of trouble and despair?
Is there a process?
As Christians, we place our hope in God.
Yes, tough times will come.
When life is filled with turmoil and when life is filled with joy, enter His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise.
Where Does the Bible Say “Enter His Gate with Thanksgiving”?
The book of Psalms is where Scripture shares this important statement:
Psalm 100 Complete Jewish Bible
100 (0) A psalm of thanksgiving:
(1) Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth! 2 Serve Adonai with gladness. Enter his presence with joyful songs.
3 Be aware that Adonai is God; it is he who made us; and we are his, his people, the flock in his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, enter his courtyards with praise; give thanks to him, and bless his name. 5 For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever, and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
Psalm 100 is credited to King David, although some biblical scholars believe various people wrote the book of Psalms.
The words are directed to everyone in very generation in every community.
This psalm is sometimes called a guide or hymnal for worship and prayer.
Although only five verses, this powerful message reminds us to give thanks to God. Trials and troubled times will always come into our life, but we have the opportunity to continue praising God and giving thanksgiving to God always.
What Are God’s Gates?
Biblical scholars refer to God’s gates as when we come into the presence of God.
In other words, whenever we come and seek to enter His Tabernacle to worship God, we enter His presence.
When we pray to God, we enter into a personal relationship with the Father.
Whether we enter to offer sacrifices, give thanksgiving or cry out with sadness, the gates of His presence are open to His children.
Christians acknowledge there is one God, and we are His creations.
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3 NIV).
How Do We “Enter His Gates”?
Set aside all notions you are in charge of anything in your life. (Psalm 100:3)
Be still … practice muchly the disciplines of “exalting stillness and silence.”
Psalm 46:10-11 Authorized (King James) Version
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Open yourself to the presence of God and pray.
Prayer opens the door to conversation and relationship with God.
Prayer is personal time shared with God.
When we pray, we know God hears.
Beginning prayer by focusing on God and not the self is the way to enter His gates. Enter with praise and thanksgiving.
Begin the prayer by thanking God for His steadfast love and forgiveness.
Acknowledge the need for forgiveness.
Repent of all sins.
Praise God for His forgiveness.
Give thanks to God.
Scripture tells of the narrow gate and the wide gate.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NIV).
His gates are open, and yet some people refuse to enter.
Entering through the narrow gate will take dedication and the desire to have a personal relationship with God.
Live for God.
Share His love with others.
Share His message and help others know Him.
In the book of John chapter 14 verses 5-6, when Thomas told Jesus that the disciples didn’t know where Jesus was going and wondered how they could know the way. Jesus responded with an important statement verses 6-7.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him’” (John 14:6-7 NIV).
How Do We Offer God Thanksgiving Today?
Thanksgiving is not something we give only on a Thursday in November or other certain days of the year.
Thanksgiving to God is an act of worship we can do every moment.
Waking in the morning, giving thanks for a glorious day can allow the day to begin with the light of God’s presence.
Sharing conversations, saying prayers throughout the day can bring comfort and peace.
Preparing for rest in the evening and giving thanks in our nightly prayers can deepen our faith. Every single moment is an opportunity to give thanks to God.
We can offer God thanksgiving through our words, actions today and every day.
Show others His love by sharing His Word.
Perhaps there is an GOD opportunity to volunteer in church or community.
Exalt God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Show patience, humility, compassion, and kindness in every situation.
Whatever is happening in life, give thanks to God.
Know that in good times and bad times, God is always King, God never leaves nor forsakes. God sent His Son, He will lead, guide us through every moment.
What to Do When Giving Thanks is Difficult
Life is hard at times.
Perhaps you are journeying through a stressful and desperate time, and giving thanks tends to be difficult.
What if you are having a hard time giving thanks to God?
First, remember God knows the heart of His children.
God loves you and understands every emotion.
If giving thanks is hard, go to God in prayer.
Share concerns, worries, and fears.
Ask God to bring the peace and comfort only He can give.
In prayer, share with God any difficulties you may have with giving thanks.
Seek His leadership, His Direction His guidance for the situation. (Psalm 16:11)
Go to God with a servant’s heart.
Ask for His forgiveness. Rest in His promises. Release your difficulties to Him.
Just Come to the Gates and Worship, Worship, Repeat
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”
That’s the way I memorized Psalm 100:1 as a child (King James Version).
My young imagination pictured grand, far-off kingdoms set in golden, rolling landscapes, lifting their attention to the heavens, join in one huge happy shout.
I picture it a bit differently now—maybe because I know more about the world than I did then. I’m more aware that not all in our world is grand and golden. In fact, we all live in a world filled with wars, divisions, and inequities of all sorts.
Sometimes we’re severely tempted to believe that nothing could ever unite us.
But the psalmist believes unity is possible.
God loves every person in every land, and God’s desire for each one is to come to him with thanksgiving and praise.
The invitation, the welcome, the call to know God’s goodness goes out into all the world.
The psalmist calls every person in every time and place to offer thanksgiving, singing, grateful devotion to the God who made us and is faithful to all creation.
These few verses of Psalm 100 pushes us beyond all boundaries to embrace all peoples, and beyond every self-centered preoccupation to worship only God.
So give thanks to God today.
“For the Lord is good.”
His love forever extends to the ends of the universe and endures forever.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 19 Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 19
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Just a few small, exceedingly simple, uncomplicated commands …
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Serve the Lord with Gladness.
Come before His Presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord He is God.
Enter into His gates with Thanksgiving.
Enter into His Courts with Praise.
Be thankful unto Him.
Bless His Name.
WHY?
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
Do we need anymore a better reason to ….
Not just today because it is Thanksgiving and we get to get together with our families and friends, with our church communities; go into the streets, into the homeless shelters serve those who have little to nothing in God’s Kingdom with an abundance of food, clothing, shelter, donated from our own abundance, to sit with them, eat with them, drink with them, talk with them, share a feast of plenty GOD fit for egregious sinners like us, perhaps even watch some football or some other favorite sport, or plan for a calm wild black Friday shopping blitz.
To just read and share the Word of God …
To have some time of personal and group reflection … why do I say “Thanks be to God” anyway? followed by a blessed opportunity to pray with high gratitude!
To sing with whatever great cacophony of noise our thankful hearts can muster;
Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One; give thanks, because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
And now let the weak say ‘I am strong’, let the poor say ‘I am rich’, because of what the Lord has done for us; and now let the weak say ‘I am strong’, let the poor say ‘I am rich’, because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks…
100 Earth, sing to the Lord! 2 Be happy as you serve the Lord! Come before him with happy songs! 3 Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he takes care of. 4 Come through the gates to his Temple giving thanks to him. Enter his courtyards with songs of praise. Honor him and bless his name. 5 The Lord is good! There is no end to his faithful love. We can trust him forever and ever!
Find it from some place deep in your soul to Sing … Thanks Be to God …
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! … Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Leave ‘somber’ behind…place God at the center, the forefront of your thoughts.
What do we have to lose but … sadness, tears, grief, anger, misery, loneliness?
What do we have to gain?
1 Corinthians 13 Easy-to-Read Version
Let Love Be Your Guide
13 I may speak in different languages, whether human or even of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am only a noisy bell or a ringing cymbal. 2 I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don’t have love, I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything I have to help others, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing by doing all this if I don’t have love.
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. 7 Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
8 Love will never end. But all those gifts will come to an end—even the gift of prophecy, the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, and the gift of knowledge. 9 These will all end because this knowledge and these prophecies we have are not complete. 10 But when perfection comes, the things that are not complete will end.
11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, and I made plans like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways. 12 It is the same with us. Now we see God as if we are looking at a reflection in a mirror. But then, in the future, we will see him right before our eyes. Now I know only a part, but at that time I will know fully, as God has known me. 13 So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.
Loving one another isn’t a simple one to five minute matter of warm, fuzzy feelings and weak knees and pounding hearts. It’s a matter of doing the right thing because that’s what Jesus would do and did. Sometimes it can even bring unpleasant results for us. Hardcore loving often calls for doing the unexpected.
As followers of Jesus, we know that love is not something we can just opt to do or not do. It’s a command from our Master, whose life showed us how to love.
If we’re ever asked why we are showing love, we can answer, “Because we’re disciples of someone who loves us. We do it for Jesus’ sake.”
What’s more, we can show love only by the power of Holy Spirit working in us.
Then we’re able, like the twelve apostles, to witness, testify to, we’re serving Christ by loving the people we interact with and serve (Matthew 14:13-21).
Loving “one another” is often challenging.
It may call us to love the strong-willed child or an aging parent or spouse angry with dementia.
At home or church it may involve loving someone who is always negative and critical.
At work it may be the coworker claiming to be indispensable while barely doing their job.
It may mean foregoing a new coat so that someone else can have one.
The “other” in our lives could be someone we don’t even know but who comes to love Jesus because of something we did.
To whom will you show gratitude and thankfulness of Jesus’ love today?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 16 Authorized (King James) Version
Psalm 16
Michtam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. 2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; 3 but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. 5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to deliberately go beyond them and charge headlong into the impossible.
It is our duty as men and women to proceed through life as though the limits of our abilities do not exist.
Once we accept our limits, when are we compelled to go beyond them?
Genesis 22:1-14 The Message
22 After all this, God tested Abraham. God said, “Abraham!”
“Yes?” answered Abraham. “I’m listening.”
2 He said, “Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I’ll point out to you.”
3-5 Abraham got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey. He took two of his young servants and his son Isaac. He had split wood for the burnt offering. He set out for the place God had directed him. On the third day he looked up and saw the place in the distance. Abraham told his two young servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I are going over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and gave it to Isaac his son to carry. He carried the flint and the knife. The two of them went off together.
7 Isaac said to Abraham his father, “Father?”
“Yes, my son.”
“We have flint and wood, but where’s the sheep for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together.
9-10 They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son.
11 Just then an angel of God called to him out of Heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
12 “Don’t lay a hand on that boy! Don’t touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn’t hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me.”
13 Abraham looked up. He saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 Abraham named that place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It). That’s where we get the saying, “On the mountain of God, he sees to it.”
Pushed to the Limits: Faith, Trust, Obedience To God
Genesis 22:1-5 GOD’S WORD Translation
God Tests Abraham
22 Later God tested Abraham and called to him, “Abraham!”
“Yes, here I am!” he answered.
2 God said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place that God had told him about. 4 Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his servants, “You stay here with the donkey while the boy and I go over there. We’ll worship. After that we’ll come back to you.”
“Take Your Only Son and Sacrifice Him as a Burnt Offering Unto Me.”
The Word of God is silent about the strong, sudden, hugely private, emotional reaction of Abraham here – God had commanded him to Give Up His Own Son.
It was extraordinarily Private.
He could not tell anyone of this task.
The Ultimate Secret which if known, would surely ruin everything for everyone.
If known, no one would let him go anywhere near the mountain, he would be tied up, imprisoned – never to be let loose for fear of the lost life of the child.
Such a thought of sacrificing one’s own child in response to a “command from God” today is absolutely unthinkable truly meriting extensive legal protections.
But in those most ancient and primitive of times, “God Commanded Abraham.”
A most private of times to be hardcore struggling with ourselves, with our God.
A most unexpected command from God.
A most bizarre, head shaking, soul quaking, bone chilling command from God.
But from our text we find Abraham making all preparations to follow through.
What is going on here?
Has Abraham lost his sanity, his connections to all of reality?
He was hiding his emotions pretty well because we do not see nor hear nor read of anyone, including his wife Sarah, going crazy to stop Abraham from his task.
A very determined Abraham is expertly hiding his greatest anguish from all of his friends, his servants, his most trusted advisors, and especially, his wife.
God commands – Abraham Goes!
We read nowhere in the text from Genesis 22:1-14, Abraham arguing or debating with God as to the merits and the wisdom of this task – unless it’s subconscious.
But we are not privy to those thoughts, nor do we have any access to what is now undoubtedly going on deep within Father Abraham’s heart and his soul.
But we have only to put ourselves in his place to sense what he felt, how his heart was utterly and completely torn, how he hides, avoids telling Isaac, the fearful truth until the very last possible moment, how Abraham perhaps deeply trembles within when Isaac finally asks the One question, “Where is the lamb?”
Answer Jehovah Jireh: Trust God Will Provide
Genesis 22:8 Names of God Bible
8 Abraham answered, “Elohim will provide a lamb for the burnt offering, Son.”
The two of them went on together.
In the context of that exact moment of exchange between Father and Son,
A mysterious answer to be sure.
An evasive answer to be sure.
A very frightening and “is my life in danger?” scary answer to be certain.
“Just Trust Me, My Son! God will Provide!”
How well did Abraham, his tone of voice, his upright or slouched posture, his eye to eye contact, his averting his gaze, his obvious evasiveness, communicate the message of “Jehovah Jireh blessed assurance” to the soul of his only Son?
How well would our own tone of voice, our posture, our own eye to eye contact with our own children communicate or not communicate our maximum faith, our actually authentic, our beyond genuine reproach trust, in our “Jehovah Jireh?”
What do we know of Isaac’s faith and trust in his father, his assuring words?
What do we know of young Isaac’s personal belief system in his dad and God?
What do we know of Abraham’s education of his Son Isaac on trusting God?
What do we know of our own children’s education when it comes down to the critical issues of faith and trusting their fathers, faith and trusting their God?
We know there is no real answer to either Father Abraham’s, Isaac’s questions until we run through intervening centuries and read, listen, study of the New Testament and to John the Baptist standing before the people of Israel saying,
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Where did this grief stricken father named Abraham find even the minimal strength to not argue and debate with God, carry through this fearsome task?
The answer is found in one brief phrase in verse 5.
Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’
Abraham is not trying to outwardly deceive these men, but somewhere in the quiet meditations of that awful night when this word first came to him, there came the awareness, consciousness that God could do something to raise this boy from the dead, and Abraham trusted God and he believed in resurrection.
That is where he found the peace of faith and hope to follow God’s command.
In the undeniable struggles of that night, he began to reason, to reckon on God.
He must have thought something like this:
“God has given me promises, and I have lived with God long enough to know that when God gives a promise, He carries it through. God has said that in my son Isaac all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Isaac is necessary to the fulfillment of the promise. It can’t be any other; He has said this boy is the one who is going to be the fulfillment of the promise. Well then, if God has asked me now to offer him up as a sacrifice, there is only one response, one explanation. Choose Faith, God intends to bring His good from this act of obedience of mine and raise him from the dead.“
Patriarch Abraham had never had, as we have today, the experience or the faith record of anyone witnessing nor testifying to having anyone rise from the dead.
Yet so firm is his faith and trust in the character of God that he comes to, he ascends unto, a clear and rational realization of the coming resurrection.
This is confirmed in Hebrews 11:
By faith Abraham offered Isaac. . . Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead… (Hebrews 11:17,19).
Abraham risked everything he owned, most precious to him, and faith-filled, faithfully loved on the character of God, found Him to be a God of resurrection.
Because of this wonderful triumph in his life, Abraham calls this place, God will provide – Jehovah Jireh.
And based on this miracle there sprang up a little saying in Israel, a proverb: “When you get to the mount, it will be provided.”
God’s ways with people are such that even when all seems to be hopeless, yet still our hearts and our souls scream out “obedience unto God at all costs”andit seems as though deliverance and redemption and restoration will never come,
One truth will always and absolutely remain true: Jehovah Jireh is 100% ALIVE!
For us and our Children, for countless ages, generations, yet to be born of God.
Psalm 100 Names of God Bible
Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout happily to Yahweh, all the earth. 2 Serve Yahweh cheerfully. Come into his presence with a joyful song. 3 Realize that Yahweh alone is Elohim. He made us, and we are his.[a] We are his people and the sheep in his care. 4 Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with a song of praise. Give thanks to him; praise his name.
5 Yahweh is good. His mercy endures forever. His faithfulness endures throughout every generation.
Give all thanks unto God, unto Jehovah Jireh, God who provides even if it seems that you will never be delivered.
But, by learning from Abraham’s faith, his obedience to his God, as you go on, when you get to the mount, model Abraham’s trust in God, all will be provided.
People’s personal struggles with disappointments are all God’s appointments.
His divine appointments for our steadfast belief in Jireh’s divine anointing’s.
It is never too late for God.
It is never too late for us even as we mightily struggle, even as Abraham had been required to carry the bloody business through, his father’s heart was quiet in restful peace because he knew God would soon raise his son from the dead.
Abraham and Isaac: Our Faith, Trust and Obedience
Abraham must have been heartbroken.
We would be also.
God had told him to sacrifice his beloved son.
Through this only heir, Abraham and his descendants were to be blessed (Genesis 17:19).
It could not have made any amount or degree of sense to Abraham, but yet he trusted God and in an an impossible act of faith, he responded in obedience.
Isaac too, somewhere deep inside knew the love of his father, Abraham, and trusted him, obeyed his earthly father to enough to follow his instructions.
Abraham modeled obedience to God for Isaac to see.
If his father said that God would provide, that was enough.
They did not know God’s plan, but they trusted God to be in charge.
By faith “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” (Hebrews 11:19).
It is hard to trust God when we do not understand his plan, when we cannot make sense of what God is calling us to be steadfastly, immovably obedient to.
Rather, we long to preserve the illusion that we are in charge of our life.
We will always want God to work things out according to our plan, “our will be done,” but that is not the way God works. God asks us to trust him and to obey.
Can we model steadfast, immovable faith in God even as life makes no sense?
Can we model steadfast, immovable trust in God even as life makes no sense?
Can we model steadfast, immovable obedience even when life makes no sense?
Others, including our children will look to model their lives after our own, at our measure of integrity of our lives to see if we really live by the words we say.
Do we model lives of faith, trust and obedience for our spouses to see?
Do we model lives of faith, trust and obedience for our children to see?
Do we model lives of faith, trust and obedience for our neighbors to see?
Do we model lives of faith, trust and obedience for our co-workers to see?
And if we looked into a mirror at ourselves and saw God looking back at us?
In the name of God, the Father, and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Heavenly Father, I know we are called to live by faith and not by sight, signs, logic, or intuition. Lord, help me to know you more each day and to trust you to care for me. Let my life, as hard, difficult, as it might be for me in any moment, be characterized by a steadfast obedience to you so that others may be drawn to you. I believe Your Word and do not want anything or anyone in my life, to take Your place. Father, I want to offer You my life as a living sacrifice. I want to listen to Your voice and to obey all that I am called upon to do, and I pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit, I may die to my own desires and live for Christ alone, God, thank You that regardless of what You call me to lay on the altar in obedience to You, You always know what is good, better and best, and You always have a plan. This I ask in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Isaiah 43 But now this is what Adonai says,
he who created you, Ya‘akov,
he who formed you, Isra’el:
“Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I am calling you by your name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through water, I will be with you;
when you pass through rivers, they will not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire, you will not be scorched —
the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am Adonai, your God,
the Holy One of Isra’el, your Savior —
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and S’va for you.
4 Because I regard you as valued and honored,
and because I love you.
For you I will give people,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and I will gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold them back!
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
7 everyone who bears my name,
whom I created for my glory —
I formed him, yes, I made him.’”
Psalm 46 Names of God Bible
Psalm 46
For the choir director; a song by the descendants of Korah; according to alamoth.[a]
1 Elohim is our Machseh and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 2 That is why we are not afraid even when the earth quakes or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea. 3 Water roars and foams, and mountains shake at the surging waves. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of Elohim, the holy place where Elyon lives. 5 Elohim is in that city. It cannot fall. Elohim will help it at the break of dawn. 6 Nations are in turmoil, and kingdoms topple. The earth melts at the sound of God’s voice.
7 Yahweh Tsebaoth is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
8 Come, see the works of Yahweh, the devastation he has brought to the earth. 9 He puts an end to wars all over the earth. He breaks an archer’s bow. He cuts spears in two. He burns chariots. 10 Let go of your concerns! Then you will know that I am Elohim. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.
11 Yahweh Tsebaoth is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Guess What Neighbors? God IS 100% on OUR Side!
The first words of Psalm 46 announces its overarching theme to the reader:
God is God Alone!
God is our ALL in ALL!
God is our Refuge—God is our Fortress, God is our Shelter, God is our Ever Present Help in Times of Struggle.
God is also our Strength, God is also our help—God is the One who deals with the perils surrounding us.
And because God is our refuge and help, we have nothing to fear, even if nature throws its worst tantrums at us – we do not have to pretend to be Him to Live.
The Gospel of God is replete with empowering and inspiring examples of this.
A substantial number of boats including a group of Jesus’ followers feared for their lives in a storm one day, out on a boat far into the middle of a huge lake.
In complete panic, their normalcy broke down and betrayed the disciples.
All of their best and greatest skills at being PhD boat handlers and fishermen, at conflict management and resolution of same conflict evaporated in an instant.
Them, and undoubtedly every single of the occupants of all the other little boats with them upon the lake were now echelons beyond their PhD’s in lake survival.
The disciples had done everything they knew to do and then some – nothing proved to be the least bit successful – until they “woke up” and went to Jesus!
Is there anyone out there, even one single person out there in the vastness of this globe of ours, who is reading this devotional right now who can identify?
Is there anyone out there, even one single person who could use even 0.01% of that “wokeness” those disciples and boatmen suddenly discovered that night?
Then their Teacher stood up and said to the wind and the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
Then seemingly just as fast, the wind quit; there was dead calm.
“Who is this?” they asked. “Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (See Mark 4:35-41.)
The Lord Almighty was in that boat and every single other boat on that lake as their strength, their helper in their needs; the God of Jacob was their refuge.
Our faith is always being subjected to storms and earthquakes. Where can we find safety and security?
Listen, again and again to Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way. . . .”
There is a certain and trustworthy basis for our faith—the God who made us and everything in our world.
In all circumstances, no matter how terrible or frightening, our unchanging God is our refuge and strength.
What Really Happened at Pentecost?
Acts 2:1-4 Names of God Bible
The Believers Are Filled with the Holy Spirit
2 When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. 4 All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
Jesus’ followers were all together when a sound like the blowing of a mighty wind came from heaven.
What appeared to be tongues of fire separated and rested on each of them, they were each filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in other tongues.
After Jesus’ ascension, his followers, about 120 of them, continued to meet in Jerusalem.
Acts 2:1-13 Luke records the events of this Pentecost, about 10 days after Jesus’ ascension. Jesus’ followers were all together when a sound like the blowing of a mighty wind came from heaven and filled the place where they were staying.
What appeared to be tongues of fire separated and rested upon each of them, they each were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.
When this happened, a crowd gathered to investigate the noise.
And when they did, they heard Jesus’ followers all speaking in the native languages of the listeners.
The crowd of thousands had come to celebrate the harvest, and were from all over the known world, with many different native languages. (verses 7-11)
Yet, each one was hearing what was said in their own native language.
This confused the crowd, but Peter explained to them that what they were experiencing was the fulfillment of a prophecy in Joel 2:28-32.
An ancient prophecy that included God pouring out his Spirit upon all people.
Peter then proceeded to preach his first sermon, explaining who Jesus was and the significance of what had happened to him.
Then Peter called on them to repent and turn their hearts to Jesus for salvation.
And that day, 3,000 people believed and were saved.
And that very same day, 3000 people responded completely out of character and they believed that God was their Refuge, God was their Strength and their Help!
That God and God alone was the Answer – through Jesus Christ the Resurrected!
What if, With Those 3000, We ALL Celebrated God?
Psalm 100 Names of God Bible
Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving.
1 Shout happily to Yahweh, all the earth. 2 Serve Yahweh cheerfully. Come into his presence with a joyful song. 3 Realize that Yahweh alone is Elohim. He made us, and we are his.[a] We are his people and the sheep in his care. 4 Enter his gates with a song of thanksgiving. Come into his courtyards with a song of praise. Give thanks to him; praise his name.
5 Yahweh is good. His mercy endures forever. His faithfulness endures throughout every generation.
In the indescribable moment which was that first Pentecost,
Try to imagine, if anyone can, what would the sound be like when 3000 people filled with Holy Spirit all suddenly started singing 3000 choruses of Hallelujah?
Started uncontrollably singing, belting out, 3000 plus choruses of “Hallelujah” in the presence of our enemy Satan, directly into our enemy Satan’s ear drums?
What if with the 3000, Studied and Prayed God too?
Acts 2:43-47 Names of God Bible
43 A feeling of fear came over everyone as many amazing things and miraculous signs happened through the apostles. 44 All the believers kept meeting together, and they shared everything with each other. 45 From time to time, they sold their property and other possessions and distributed the money to anyone who needed it. 46 The believers had a single purpose and went to the temple every day. They were joyful and humble as they ate at each other’s homes and shared their food. 47 At the same time, they praised God and had the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord saved people, and they were added to the group.
If we have ever gathered together with our brothers and sisters, neighbors, done a Bible study about the names of God, we were likely blessed to discover the wonderful ways God is described throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Rich with meaning, the names of God not only point to who He is, they give us an indescribably clear picture of what our God has done, is doing, and will do.
Praying the names of God can be a wonderful reminder of His holy attributes.
It can be an unbelievably powerful way to honor, celebrate and worship Him.
And the overwhelming peace we receive, by the mere mention of His name, is both undeniably comforting, deeply reassuring for the time in which we live.
Here are a few reasons why we should pray the names of God, examples of how.
1. Affirmation
Praying the names of God brings affirmation to our hearts, minds, and souls.
As we all know, doubt creeps in and causes us to question the Lord we love.
Yet, fear and doubt quickly dissipate when we practice being in His Presence, we discipline ourselves to focus our thoughts upon affirming our Lord and Savior.
Here is an example of how you can pray and affirm who God is:
Sovereign God, Maker of heaven and earth,
I know that You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. There is nothing that escapes your sovereignty. I can trust You in all things. Today, Adonai, I bring all my fears and doubts to You. I lay them at Your feet. I ask that You affirm in my heart exactly who You are. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, give me the assurance that You are who You say you are. Forgive me of any doubts that I’ve allowed to circle my mind. I will continue to draw from the deep well of certainty that You are my Father in heaven. You are my Lord and Savior. And You are my Mighty God, my Counselor, my Prince of Peace. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
2. Declaration
Praying the names of God declares who He is the mighty things He has done.
When we feel weak and weakened, discouraged, or even tempted by the enemy, we can call upon the name of the Lord boldly, knowing He is Mighty to Save.
Here is an example of how you can pray and declare who God is:
Lord God Almighty,
There is no one like You! As Your word says, You are the great I AM. You are the Chief Cornerstone of my faith. There is no other foundation. There is no other way. For You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. I worship all of You today and declare Your praise. In every area of my life, I know You are working to refine me and restore me. Thank You, Lord for being my Helper in all my times and needs, my best Forever Friend. I forever lift up Your name, declare who You are. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
In Jesus’ name I pray,Amen.
3. Comfort
Praying the names of God brings comfort to our weary souls.
Just by speaking the names of the Lord aloud, a sense of peace washes over us by His Holy Spirit.
Throughout the Scriptures, we are given wonderful words of hope and joy.
Turn your prayers into reminders of God’s steadfast love, be comforted today.
Here is an example of how you can pray and remember the God of all comfort:
Abba Father,
Hallowed be thy Name,
How I long to remain in Your Fatherly presence. For in You, I find peace and rest. You truly are the God of all Comfort. You lead me to quiet pastures; You lead me to still waters, You shepherd and restore my soul. Please help me abide in You – the True Vine. I need Your loving protection to guard against the winds of change that blow. I need Your words of truth to settle my wandering heart. Keep me from stumbling. Thank You, Lord, for being my blessed hope. Thank You for being El-Roi,the God who sees everything, who sees everyone, who sees everywhere all of the time. My Abba, My Heavenly Father, You are Faithful and True!Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,In the beautiful name of Jesus I pray,Amen.
4. Surrender
Praying the names of God is a form of surrender.
With all the worries, responsibilities, and burdens we carry, we so desperately need to surrender everything to the God who redeems.
He not only redeems our lives from sin and death, He redeems us each new day.
Here is an example of how you can pray and surrender everything to God:
Holy God,
I surrender everything to You today. Every anxiety, every worry, and every trial — I hand them over to You. I know, Lord, that You are my Kinsman Redeemer and my Restorer of the Breach. In You I put my full trust. Lord, I am tired of trying to control everything around me. I surrender all control to You, for you are my Rock and my fortress. You are my refuge and hiding place. As you offer new mercies every morning, I thank You and praise You for Your goodness. I surrender my life to You and seek to walk in all Your ways. I look to You, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Thank You for hedging me in, all around, behind and before. I will continue to walk hand in hand, in-step with Your Holy Spirit, in all wisdom and truth.Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, In the precious name of Jesus I pray,Amen.
5. Wisdom
Praying the names of God is a way of seeking wisdom.
As the tides of culture change, and our faith is greatly tested, we need the wisdom of God over our own now more than ever.
One way to solidify your beliefs and walk in the wisdom of the Lord is to pray His holy name.
By fully relying on His infinite knowledge, on the magnitude of His Truth, from His holy Word we can remain steadfast, confident and sure of what we believe.
Here is one example of how you can pray and seek God’s wisdom:
Ancient of Days,
How vast are Your judgments and how true are Your words. You are completely trustworthy. Lord, please give me heavenly wisdom as mentioned in James 3:17 — wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. You, Lord, are the only wise God. There is no one like You — holy, perfect, and just. You are the Branch — beautiful and glorious. Our wisdom is as foolishness to You, but Your wisdom is righteous and sure. Thank you, Lord, for being my God and King. Thank you for being Lord of my life. I will seek Your wisdom daily, and ask for the strength to walk in that wisdom.Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
In Jesus’ holy name,Amen.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 46 Complete Jewish Bible
46 (0) For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. On ‘alamot [high-pitched musical instruments?]. A song:
2 (1) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 3 (2) Therefore we are unafraid, even if the earth gives way, even if the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, 4 (3) even if its waters rage and foam, and mountains shake at its turbulence. (Selah)
5 (4) There is a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy habitation of ‘Elyon — 6 (5) God is in the city. It will not be moved — when daybreak comes, God will help it. 7 (6) Nations were in turmoil, kingdoms were moved; his voice thundered forth, and the earth melted away.
8 (7) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us, our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah) 9 (8) Come and see the works of Adonai, the astounding deeds he has done on the earth. 10 (9) To the ends of the earth he makes wars cease — he breaks the bow, snaps the spear, burns the shields in the fire. 11 (10) “Desist, and learn that I am God, supreme over the nations, supreme over the earth.”
12 (11) Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us, our fortress, the God of Ya‘akov. (Selah)
The Word of God for the Children of God.Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
23 The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office]; 24 but, on the other hand, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and without change, because He lives on forever. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].
The Word of God for the Children of God
Adeste Fidelis. Venite Adoremus. Dominum
Gloria. In Excelsis Deo. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Jesus’ sacrificial work as our High Priest is a finished work, a once-and-for-all accomplishment with regard to sin.
There is no need for repetition and no possibility of addition.
But why is it, exactly, that He is able to “save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him”?
Because, first, Christ’s role as our Great High Priest is the solution to our rebellion.
Deep down inside, each of us knows that we have rejected our dependence upon God, instead making a bid for independence.
In trying to live our lives independently, we reveal that our stubborn hearts are curved into themselves.
We pridefully think, “I don’t need an advocate. I don’t need anybody to do anything on my behalf. I can handle this myself.”
But despite the fact that we have rebelled against God, amazingly, He seeks us out and saves us.
Jesus brings about reconciliation by dealing with our alienation from God, which is two-sided: we are alienated on our side by our sin and on God’s side by His wrath.
Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins; He has satisfied God’s wrath by offering Himself as an unblemished sacrifice.
Second, Jesus saves “to the uttermost” because He has destroyed the leverage that the Evil One uses to fill us with fear.
In Hebrews 2, the writer explains, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery”(verses 14-15).
Through His own death, Jesus has set us free from Satan’s grip, liberating us from what ought to be our greatest fear: death itself.
When Satan seeks to accuse us before the Father, Jesus is, as it were, able to point out that his words are empty—that he has nothing to say against us.
And Jesus’ priestly work still continues in His continual intercession on our behalf.
In Jesus we have a Priest who sheds His grace on our lives day by day through His heavenly mediation.
As Jesus enjoys being in His Father’s presence today, right now, He is not offering a sacrifice, but rather speaking as our advocate before the Father.
We may picture Him standing by His Father, saying, That one is mine. I died for him. He is covered by my blood and is clothed in my righteousness.
So, “When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of my guilt within / Upward I look and see Him there, who made an end of all my sin.”
Therefore, “I know that while in heaven He stands, no power can bid me thence depart.”
Jesus, your Priest forever, stands in His Father’s presence today, speaking of you and for you.
There is nothing to fear.
The more we learn of God’s Word and come to an understanding of Who God is, what He is doing, all that He has planned for those that love Him, the more we see an unveiling of His glory upon glory and the more we recognise God’s grace upon grace that is daily being showered upon all His blood-bought children.
Our risen, ascended, and glorified Saviour has saved us to the uttermost.
Our Kinsman-Redeemer,
Who has rescued us from our sins and seated us together with Himself in heavenly places as sons of God and joint-heirs with Christ, is currently seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high, interceding for you, praying for me, defending His children from the accusations of the enemy, and protecting the Church, which is His Body, with His never-ending intercessions to the Father.
Christ ever lives,
Christ ever intercedes
– for He has power to save through the merit of His atoning work on the cruel Cross of Calvary and His glorious Resurrection.
All power has been given to Him by the Father and so He can, with absolute authority, declare His ability to save to the uttermost, all that trust in His name.
For Christ has promised to save us from the power of sin, the guilt of sin, the nature of sin, and the punishment of sin, but also to sanctify to the uttermost,
body, soul, and spirit as day by day His Holy Spirit is conforming us into the image and likeness of Christ Jesus our Lord.
His saving grace is not only for the eternal ages to come but will be carried through to its ultimate completion, for He will never abandon any that have trusted in His name as Savior and who have come to Him for pardon and peace.
There is no time nor place where His sacrifice of intercession does not reach us, thus underlining His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
The more we learn of God’s Word, the wonderful covenant relationship He has with His Church, the more we discover His showers of blessing and abundant privileges raining down upon our heads and come to an understanding of Who God is, what He is doing, and all that He has planned for those that love Him.
The more we see an unveiling of His glory upon glory, the more we recognise God’s grace upon grace that is daily being showered upon all His blood-bought children.
Surely, and certainly, most abundantly blessed and assuredly, we should each love to the uppermost the Resurrected One Who has saved us to the uttermost.
Christ is our heavenly priest.
Like each of the time limited ancient priests in Israel who interceded for the people with God, so eternal Jesus intercedes with the Father on our behalf.
Jesus is our forever advocate and our everlasting best friend.
He takes our requests to the Father.
I am so thankful that Jesus has my back.
He understands me and knows what I need.
He is my BFF!
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 100 The Message
100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Heavenly Father, we thank You and we praise and honor and glorify You for the life and ministry of Your Son Jesus Who has saved and sanctified me to the uttermost and is now daily interceding for me. Praise Your wonderful name. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
28 Then they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as if He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him [not to go on], saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day has just about ended.” So He went inside to stay with them. 30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” 35 They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
The disciples had been with Jesus for three years.
They had sat at his feet and seen him as their Teacher.
They had followed his instructions as their Lord and Master.
Jesus was also their Friend, and they loved sharing their hearts with him.
Jesus was their Messiah, and they enjoyed being with Him, in His presence.
But, as Henri Nouwen puts it, “His body and blood and their body and blood had not yet become one.”
Now, after his resurrection, Jesus broke bread with two of his followers, and this brought their relationship to a whole new level.
Jesus revealed Himself through the Scriptures, showed them the way by going before them and opening up a whole new realm as he is explaining his mission, Father God’s redemption plan for sinners, as told throughout Holy Scriptures.
As Jesus gave them the bread, they recognized him.
They realized that their Lord, Master, Teacher, and Friend was with them again.
He was alive!
He was with them!
They carried on an engaging conversation with Him for several miles.
When evening had come, they stopped and rested with Him and ate with Him.
He broke bread and shared the bread with them – and their EYES were OPENED!
The revelation: “The Lord Jesus had risen from the dead!”
This revelation brought them to their feet.
They returned (ran back as fast as they could) to Jerusalem to tell their story, and they found the other disciples saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen …!”
The reality of Christ’s resurrection brings the community of faith together to celebrate and enjoy the One who NOW walks with us, NOW lives within us!
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
Luke 24:28-35 The Message
28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”
A Ghost Doesn’t Have Muscle and Bone
33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”
35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.
Now, I want to ask you some very important and rather personal questions:
Why did Jesus walk all those miles with those two folks on the Emmaus Road?
Why did Jesus first choose to come close to those two raging skeptics?
Why did Jesus choose to come to your skeptical self and reveal Himself to you?
Why did Jesus first choose to reveal himself to those two raging skeptics?
Why did Jesus choose to reveal Himself to your skeptical self through Scripture?
In that most unexpected of moments, what did you feel when your eyes opened?
Why do you believe Jesus chose to “open your all too skeptical eyes?”
Why did Jesus save you?
Some might think it’s to take us to heaven or to bless us. (Psalm 23:5-6)
While these things are part of it, they are not the main reason.
The main reason Jesus revealed Himself to you, opened your eyes to His life and saved you is so He could be in a BFF intimately personal relationship with you.
I know that may seem mightily overwhelming when you think of who Jesus is and where you were, who you are and where and who we are, but it is 100% true.
For the joy which was before Him, and is now before you, since Jesus saved you for relationship, how can you make the most of it and truly enjoy Jesus Christ?
5 Ways You Can Enjoy Christ
1. Engage His Presence
Enjoying Christ means being able to enjoy his presence.
The best way to enter his presence is through worship.
Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of his people.
This verse means God sits among the people who praise him.
When you worship, you get God’s attention, and he draws near to you.
The one thing God desires more than anything else is to be close to you. He desires this because He wants, deeply desires for you to enjoy his presence.
There are so many Scriptures that invite us into his presence and the beauty of his presence is everything we need is there.
You will find joy, peace, comfort, freedom, and the ability to leave every worry and care behind you.
If you really want to enjoy Christ, then you must spend time in his presence.
Spending quality time in his presence does not always mean you always have to open your mouth and say something.
Sometimes sitting quietly, in His sanctuary, in private before him and allowing his Spirit to minister unto, you is exactly what you need. (2 Samuel 7:18-29)
You cannot enjoy Christ without being in his presence, so make quality time for it – take every advantage of it and God in Christ promises you will not regret it.
2. Engage His Promises
Part of building your relationship with Jesus is studying and praying, getting to know what he says, reveals in His Holy Scriptures, and promises He has made.
Sometimes we like to focus on the promises of blessing, but what is greater than those are his promises to be with you.
If it comes down to making a choice between having the One who blesses or the blessing, His wisdom says choosing the One who blesses wins out every time.
One way to really enjoy Christ is to think of the many promises he has made to walk with you through life.
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
“So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place
43 1-4 But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.(Isaiah 43:1-4 Message)
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
I know God has promised to provide and bless and those things are wonderful.
But knowing he will be with you is the greatest of all the promises because if he is with you and for you, then who can be against you (Romans 8:31)?
The comfort, the place of Shalom, knowing there is nothing in this life that can ever separate you from His love sets a foundation for you to love, enjoy Jesus.
3. Engage and Value His Purpose
If you want to enjoy your relationship with Christ, then you need to value the things he values.
His purpose for your life and your purpose for your life must align.
If these two things don’t agree, then you will never enjoy Christ.
Part of his purpose for you is to walk in obedience and avoid sin.
There was a 30 year period of time in my life where I allowed sin to rule, which was clearly never in alignment with even .001% of Jesus’s purpose for my life.
I can assure you those were the most miserable times in my life.
I have discovered the best place to be in life is walking in the center of his will.
When you innately know you are doing what God has called you to do, there is a definite place satisfaction and a decisive source of enjoyment that comes that is utterly, fully and completely unmatched by anything, anyone else on this earth.
This has nothing to do with how big or small your family is, how much money you o an do not make or how successful, how big a failure you are in your career.
Those things are not germane nor are they the foundation of enjoying Christ.
When you walk and talk with Jesus, listen to His Words with intent to align your life with His life, His purpose, there is no greater joy you will ever experience!
4. Engage His People
You cannot enjoy your life with Christ if you do not engage with and enjoy his people.
A friend I know who is married and has one kid recently told me this story.
He and his wife were invited to share a family dinner with another couple.
They could find no one to watch their son and asked if they could bring them.
They were told they were welcome, but we don’t really want kids in our house.
That dinner never happened.
A friendship was damaged …
You cannot say you love Jesus if you don’t love the ones he calls his own.
It is simply not possible.
Here is how the Bible puts it.
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen” (1 John 4:20).
Make a friend, Be a friend, Bring a friend to Christ ….
If you are going to enjoy Christ, then you must learn to enjoy his people.
So often we focus on the faults and failures, failings and imperfections we see in others, and most of the time they are quickly obvious and easy to spot, mention.
I know mine are.
But guess what?
So are yours.
We are all imperfect people who are reflections of a perfect Christ.
Sometimes we get it wrong and mess this up, but as the expression goes, you do not throw the baby out with the bath water.
If you want to enjoy Christ, you cannot separate that from enjoying his people.
By the way, you better get used to His people because you are going to spend eternity with them, so you might as well enjoy them now.
5. Engage His Position
The last thing you need to enjoy Christ is to engage the position he must have in your life.
He must be Lord of all.
The truth of walking and talking with Jesus is either He is Lord of absolutely everything, or He is Lord of absolutely nothing.
There is no in between.
People that never make Jesus Lord of their life never experience the full joy of walking with Jesus.
When Jesus is Lord, and he sits at the center of your life, then life takes on a whole new perspective.
You will face many of the same challenges, but you will do so with Jesus at the helm of your life.
Knowing this alone can free you from anxiety because if He is at the wheel, you will arrive safely wherever He wants you to go.
Build Your Relationship
Enjoying Christ is all about the relationship you and I share with Him, and if you and I miss this, then you and I miss it all.
The fact is you and I have someone we can be completely transparent with, who knows everything thing about us good and bad, yet still desires to fellowship.
This is truly amazing.
I encourage you to lean muchly into your Koinonia relationship with Jesus.
Be intentional about spending time with Him, make him the center of your life.
If you do, you will discover your walk with him will get sweeter and sweeter every day.
I will leave you with the words from a song by the Heritage Singers.
“I just keep falling in love with Him Over and over, and over, and over, again I keep falling in love with Him,
Over and over, and over and over again He gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by,
Oh, what a love between my Lord and I I keep falling in love with Him Over and over, and over, and over, again.”
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 100 The Message
100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Adeste Fidelis! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen.
100 1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.
3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
4 Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.
5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
Psalm 100 is a climactic “mountain top” expression of thanksgiving. David tells us to acknowledge that ONLY the Lord is our God. How ought we do that? We acknowledge him when we shout and sing our praises, appreciate his status as our creator, accept his authority in every detail of life, enthusiastically agree with the guidance he gives us, and express our thanks for his unfailing love.
God created us; we did not create ourselves. Many people live as though they are the creator and center of their own little world. They believe they choose their own lifestyles, determine their own boundaries, and decide their own values.
This mind-set leads to pride, self-glorification, greed, and idolatry. But if everything were taken away, they would lose hope itself. When we realize that God created us and gives us all we have, we will want to give to others as God has given to us. Then, even if all is lost, we still have God and all he provides.
God created us, we belong to him. We find joy and hope in the relationship because the Creator God is our good, loving Shepherd. God by creating the world, established his power and authority to rule it. This calls for our praise.
God is the Creator who spoke our world into existence. He has total control over the chaotic waters out of which he called forth the land – heights and depths – land and sea. Thus he rules all, and we respond naturally in humble yet raucous worship. We need not create any reason or rationale for fear from any part of his creation. We need only fear the Lord God, that is, revere and worship him.
We have to worship God as a Church — God’s Family and Community – God’s people have abundant reasons to praise him. This verse 3 gives three reasons.
1. The Lord is God. He alone created the universe and is, therefore, Lord of creation.
2. God made us in his image. In His Image He Created Us! We are not our own creators, makers, shapers or shakers. We are not the potter, we’re but the clay.
3. God shepherds his people. He is involved intimately in the lives of his people. God’s people are thus a worshiping, praising and thanksgiving community.
Thanksgiving — Thanksgiving is a vital part of the community’s coming together in God’s house for worship. We should enter his presence with thanksgiving reverence and submission. The call to worship of Psalm 100 is a vital prayer in the congregation’s corporate worship. It calls for worship and obedience. Its speech to the congregation is at the same time prayer to God.
Praise — God’s word, God’s character, God’s creation, and God’s rule are compelling reasons to join the congregation in thanksgiving and praise. Music and singing are poetic ways to praise God. God’s unfailing covenant love is the overriding basis for all human praise. Praise includes a call to the congregation and community to join in praise for God’s creation, His mercy and faithfulness.
Faithfulness — God’s faithfulness is more than an abstract characteristic. Faithfulness finds its truest expression in action. God’s acts have a purpose. They carry out his dependable promises. God is not fickle. His good, loving faithfulness and Sovereignty remains the same forever. We can count on him.
Sovereignty — The sovereignty of God, his authority and power to rule over the world and achieve his purposes. He accomplishes his own plans for his creation. His sovereignty thus leads to salvation that he offers to his people.
Salvation — Blessing – God blesses the nation who owns him as Lord. This is his eternal plan to which he steadfastly commits himself. It means God’s basic work is to save a people for fellowship and worship with him. (Psalm 33:10-12)
Fellowship — Relationship to God – God, the Creator, is sovereign over all his creation, including every human. Any creature, whether great or small, is ultimately subservient to the Creator. Most remarkably, the sovereign God is defined by Love and Grace, Mercy and Forgiveness, so he uses his sovereign knowledge and power for our good. He delivers us from sin, evil, and from all threatening forces, and allow us to be covered by his salvation and Justice.
Justice — God’s righteousness and justice are closely related ideas. His justice grows out of his righteousness. God’s strongest positive feeling, his love, goes out to everything which establishes what is right and just in this world.
Grace andLove — God’s grace and love are basic to his character. No conflict exists between his love and righteousness in verse 5, they are virtually used as synonyms. Righteousness is the ultimate goal he loves to achieve in his world. His truest love is the goal his people seek justice, peace and joy in their distress.
The goal of society should be establishing right and justice because God loves and embodies these characteristics. The believer, in praise and worship, sees evidence of these divine qualities filling our world. God alone is worthy of being worshiped. What is your attitude toward worship? Do we gracefully, willingly, joyfully come into God’s presence, or are we just going through the motions, reluctantly whispering “thanks”? Has a recent disagreement left us fuming?
Doesn’t matter! Whatever circumstances we are facing in this moment or during this pandemic. Remember! this psalm 100 tells us to lay aside the cares of “normal” life and remember God’s goodness and dependability. This will change our attitudes and enable us to worship with thanksgiving and praise!
The climax to this series of praises of the Lord’s universal reign is a shout of joy. We praise him joyfully as God, Creator, and Shepherd. We give thanks because he is Sovereign, good, loving, and forever faithful. He is Just and our Redeemer gives us justice, love, joy, peace and Salvation. Because the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Blanket your Neighbors with Shouts of Praise and “ALL THANKS BE TO GOD!”
Enter into His Presence! Praise the Lord and give ALL thanks unto him! Amen.
God Bless you all.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Let us now Pray,
God, like the Israelites in the wilderness, we too have known Your love, and experienced Your care and provision. You invite us to extend that love to the world around us—to care for others as deeply as we care for ourselves. So we bring the needs of our world before You now. In Your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the many who do not have enough: enough food to eat, or shelter to keep warm; enough employment, or money to pay their bills; also enough medicine or medical care. Lord, in Your mercy, by your grace, hear our prayer.
We also pray for those who have more than enough, but who still struggle to find meaning and purpose in life; who indulge in dangerous or self-serving activities to dull their pain or loneliness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Creator God, Your grace reaches out to all of us. You call us to live as citizens of heaven, working together with one heart and mind. Strengthen us to live in a manner worthy of the Good News we have received, offering our lives in service of Your kingdom, where the last are first, and the first are last, there is grace enough for all, for all lives matter to You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 