November 18, 2024

A Beautiful Exchange

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You were near though I was distant
Disillusioned I was lost and insecure
Still mercy fought for my intention
You were waiting at the door, then I let You in

Trading Your life for my offenses
For my redemption
You carried all the blame breaking the curse
Of our condition
Perfection took our place

When only love could make a way
You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange
When only love could break these chains
You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange

My burden erased, my life forgiven
There is nothing that could take this love away
And my only desire, and my sole ambition
Is to love You just the same

Holy are You, God, Holy is Your name
With everything I’ve got my heart will sing
How I love You

Songwriter – Joel Houston / Performed by Hillsong United

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Thank You, Lord, that You were near even when I was distant….

Sometimes, there’s so much going on in your life that, God fades from the picture…creating distance.  In other words, your relationship with God may be weakened because your focus is not on Him.  Not spending as much time with God can create distance because your mind becomes occupied by other things…thus shutting God out.  If you are a person who spiritually feels God’s Presence and Love—and then you don’t feel it anymore—that can mean you are becoming distant from God.

But even if there are things going on and you are distant from God, He is still always there and He will never fail you, even if you don’t feel His presence.  All you have to do is close the distance, and put your trust and focus back on Him.

The problem lies within us.  God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever; He never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 ESV

We must return our focus back to Him the One who is Faithful…

What a beautiful exchange—Jesus’ life for mine!  He freely laid His life down for you and me.  Therefore, all thanks, praise, and honor should go directly to Him!

Jesus said in John 15:13 that there is “No greater love that a man can have than this: that he lay his life down for his friends!”  How can we not place our main focus on Him and allow Him time in our lives when He laid down His life for ours?!?  We must not let the distractions in our lives take precedence over our time with Him.

My burden erased…my life forgiven…there is NOTHING that could take this love away for you and for me.  Our sole ambition should be to love Him the same!

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Heavenly Father, I come to You today with a grateful, thankful heart. Forgive me for the times I have let the distractions of my life take away from my time spent with You. Thank You for the beautiful exchange of laying down Your life for mine…and that, no matter what, nothing could ever take away from Your love for me… In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!!!

Oceans

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvYou call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Performed by Hillsong United
Songwriters: Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon Lighthelm

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In Matthew 14:25-32, Peter walked on the water with Jesus.  Just imagine seeing Jesus out on the water and crying out to Him and asking to walk as He was on the water….  Then imagine being told by Jesus to come and walk on the water with Him! I would imagine that Peter was intrigued and excited to experience walking on water. Once out of the boat and walking with Jesus, Peter, felt and tasted the salt spray, smelled more intently the water, and I would imagine the waves picking up and moving greatly would make him afraid.

Then I think of how this account can be applied to mine or anyone’s life. As we go through life, we will have moments where we are so excited that we will jump in and not think of consequences. And, sometimes, God wants us to take those risks and to trust Him fully. I pray that this song will speak to you, encouraging you to follow God more fully.

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Father, help me become a more fully devoted follower.  Help me to seek You even when I doubt. You are there for us—just waiting for opportunities to show us how to push through and to show off Your awesome power. I pray for those who are hurting. I pray for those who are happy. I pray that they are all seeking Your Will for their life in all that they do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

All The People Said Amen

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You are not alone if you are lonely
When you’re feeling afraid you’re not the only
We are all the same in need of mercy
To be forgiven and be free
It’s all you got to lean on
But thank God it’s all you need

And all the people said Amen
And all the people said Amen
Give thanks to the Lord for His love never ends
And all the people said Amen

If you’re rich or poor well it don’t matter
Weak or Strong, you know love is what we’re after
We’re all broken but we’re all in this together
God knows we stumble and we fall
And He so loved the world He sent His son to save us all

Blessed are the poor in spirit who are torn apart;
Blessed are the persecuted and the pure in heart;
Blessed are the people hungry for another start,
for this is the kingdom, the kingdom of God

Singer/Songwriter: Matt Maher along with Paul Moak, Trevor Morgan

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I have had this song stuck in my head for days, y’all! I decided to find out what was the story behind the song. This is what I found:

“One of the things Maher says he loves doing as a songwriter is to look at phrases that have become clichés among church folk. ‘I think that a lot of Millennials, they would hear a pastor say, And all God’s people said amen, and they would just kind of maybe roll their eyes a little bit at that. Well, first of all, that’s Scripture. So, please don’t roll your eyes at Scripture.’ ”

We tend to do that, don’t we? Maybe not roll our eyes but we tend to brush it off because we have ‘heard it all before.’ So, I did some research on the word “Amen.”

May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting.”
Then all the people said, “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”
I Chronicles 16:36 HCSB

May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting? Let all the people say, “Amen!” Hallelujah!
Psalm 106:48 HCSB

definitions and usages:

  • Wikipedia – a declaration of affirmation
  • Merriam Webster – used to express agreement or approval
  • Greek Old Testament – so be it
  • Dictionary.com – it is so
  • It can also be used in place of “truly” or “verily”

The one that caught my attention was “it is so,” used as an expression of belief. It reminded me of a verse I had recently seen:

But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
2 Corinthians 4:13 NASB

I believe therefore I speak. Beth Moore says, “God’s words are omnipotent. Our words are potent.” When we speak Scripture aloud we are externalizing our internal passion. We are in agreement with God; we are sharing the mind of Christ. When we speak Scripture, we are accepting it, receiving it into our lives.

Now go back to this song…

  • “We are all the same in need of mercy to be forgiven and be free. It’s all you got to lean on but thank God it’s all you need”
  • “His love never ends”
  • “God knows we stumble and we fall and He so loved the world He sent His son to save us all”

These are all things I agree with—things I believe—therefore I can say “Amen!”

What are you willing to say AMEN to?

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Father, thank You for a love that never ends. Help me speak what I believe. Remind me why we say “amen.” Make me aware of what I am saying “amen” to. Thank You for being all I ever need. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN – so be it!

Your Love Never Fails

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjvNothing can separate
Even if I run away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
You have new mercy for me everyday
Cause Your love never fails
Oh No No No

You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning

The wind is strong and the water’s deep
But I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
But Your love never fails
Oh No Oh No…Yeah

And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good
(God, You never fail me)
You make all things work together for my good
(No, You never fail me)
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails
Cause Your love never fails 

Sung by Newsboys  /  Song written by Anthony Skinner, Chris McClarney

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I led the community group that I am a member of this past week. My pastor’s wife had something for her kids so she asked me to do a devotional that would encourage the women. I based the lesson on Romans 8:38 and 39, “…nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.”  Sometimes our human minds cannot comprehend just how much He loves us and that there is nothing that we can do to make Him love us more or less.  We are just His and He loves us.

Nothing can separate, even if I run away..Your love never fails….”  Just think about that.  I know I have run my own way before and I have felt so far from God. I remember thinking that there was no way that He wanted to hear from me. Guess what..He does want to hear from you and me!  Always, every day, non-stop talking to Him.

I know I still make mistakes, You have new mercies for me everyday….”  One of my favorite hope verses is Lamentations 3:23.

“Great is HIs faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (NLT)

To me, this means that today we may not be equipped for tomorrow’s problems but He will give us what we need when the time comes.  It also means that if today was just awful and you are at the end of your rope, He will refresh you and give you the grace and mercy you need to start again.  Don’t you just love how He loves?

You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes.  There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning….

You know the verse—

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lets a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

To me,’ night’ can mean a hard season in life.   For my family, the ‘night’ was about seven years of hard.  But God is so good and He sustains us even in the dark places and when the ‘morning’ comes, we are strengthened and ready for whatever His plan may be.

There are so many good phrases in this song; so, I will let you listen and take notes on the ones that really hit home with you.  Maybe there are some Bible verses that come to mind when you are sitting still. I challenge you to journal them and to memorize them. His Word is a lifeline for you…it is His love letter to you.

There is no space between us and Him.  You can go to Him whenever and wherever.  Let us go to Him today in prayer and praise Him for Who He is.

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Dear God, We praise You for Who You are. You are all-knowing, all-loving, full of mercy and grace, close to us always, and faithful to answer us when we call. Thank You for new mercies and joys in the morning. You sustain us through the hard, dark times and bring us out refreshed and stronger than before and ready to share how You came through.  We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

I Need Thee Every Hour

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I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee
Oh, bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed son

 

Words: Annie S. Hawks / Music: Robert Lowry / Sung by Fernando Ortega

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As I was interceding for some friends and family the other night, this hymn came to my mind.  I have several friends going through the battle with cancer and the treatments, and they are suffering.  I have friends in difficult relationships, and they are weary.  I have family whose teen is rebelling, and there doesn’t seem that there will be a happy ending.

What are you going through today…this week…this month…this year?  Do you need Jesus Christ to be with you and to bring you His peace, His wisdom, His patience?  Have you asked Him?  God wants us to come to Him with our needs.  He wants to answer our requests.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.
James 1:5

I do need Christ every hour. He is my peace (even in troubled times.)

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

I am so thankful that He is near me always (even in the times when I don’t sense Him.)

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

I’m very grateful that temptations don’t have power over me when I allow His Holy Spirit to guide me.

God is faithful.
He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:13

I am most grateful that whether I am living through the pains of life or the joys of life, Jesus is with me and every hour with Him is worth it all.

The truth of these refrains ring true for me.  Does it for you?  The Lord is gracious, and He wants each of us to recognize our need for Him so that we will come to Him and He can bless us.  Are you calling out to Him today? He’s listening.

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Lord, we need You today, every hour we need You!  Please forgive us when we forget to come to You.  Please, Lord, teach us Your Will, and remind us of Your rich promises.  We desire to be Your’s always; and to hear Your tender voice guiding us, strengthening us, comforting us, and loving us every moment of every day.  Thank You that You are with us every step of our way.  In Jesus’ Loving Name, all God’s daughters say, Amen!

This Is The Stuff

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me, please, ’cause I can’t find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I’m blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I’ve gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this the stuff You use

45 in a 35 sirens and fines
While I’m running behind
Whoa ho ho

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I’ve got a new appreciation
It’s not the end of the world
Whoa ho ho ho…Oooooh
Whoa whoa ho ho
This is the stuff You use 

Performed by: Francesca Battistelli

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin, Tony Wood

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Anyone else going through some STUFF lately?  I am sure I am not alone!  When things are hitting us right and left, catching us off guard, this is when we become tired and weary.  Much like being in a boxing ring.  Our temptation when we feel this way is to throw in the towel and quit…however that is the exact moment when God reminds me that I am more than a conqueror through Him.

Just as it is written: For Your sake we are being put to death all day long.
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Romans 8: 36-37

It is easy in trying times—when many things are coming at us at once—to forget how BIG we are blessed. I then purpose to sit myself down and think on all of the blessings in my life and the miracles that God has done. I start to meditate on these things instead of all the stuff that can drive us crazy, and keep us preoccupied and distracted from the One Who loves us the most.

Here is one of my favorite Scriptures and proclamations on blessings…I speak this over my life each and every day.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all His commands
that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you
high above all the nations of the world.

You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God:
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
Deuteronomy 28:1 and 2, 6 NLT

What an awesome promise to hold onto….

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the things we go through is just stuff and that we can conqueror anything we go through because of You.  Let us not forget how big we are blessed!!!  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!!

Every Praise Is To Our God

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Hey now!  Chair dancing is just NOT going to be good enough with this moving and inspiring song!  Are your toes tapping…head bobbing…shoulders jiving…hands clapping?  Up on your feet!  Use your whole self—hands, arms, feet…and mind, heart, voice! Allow your WHOLE self to fully engage in giving ‘every praise!’ to your God!  Sing HalleluJAH!

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Every praise is to our God
Every word of worship with one accord
Every praise every praise is to our God
Sing Hallelujah to our God
Glory Hallelujah is due our God
Every praise every praise is to our God

God my Savior
God my Healer
God my Deliverer
Yes He is, yes He is

Praise sung by Hezekiah Walker and friends
Songwriters: Hezekiah Walker and J. David Bratton

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Our God—our Savior, our Healer, our Deliverer—deserves all the praise there is to give!

Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord?
Or who can show forth all the praise [that is due Him]?
Psalms 106:1 and 2

Truly, no one can…that is why all of the praise of all of the peoples throughout all time is required to ‘show forth all the praise…’!

Throughout the Scriptures there are many records of God’s people praising and worshipping Him—the object of their every praise. For example,

  • Moses praising with the children of Israel praising God Almighty for the miraculous way He saved them from the Egyptians (Exodus 15)
  • David worshipping with the people of Jerusalem when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16)

Each of these show us wonderful examples of these Old Testament believers and their hearts to praise the Great I AM!  However, I just love the praises that are given to God by Daniel…and the king, Nebuchadnezzar…recorded in the Book of Daniel.  Here is one prayer of praise and worship Daniel prayed after God gifted him with wisdom and explanations of King Nebudchednezzar’s dream.

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever! For wisdom and might are His! He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding! He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him! I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, Who has given me wisdom and might and has made known to me now what we desired of You, for You have made known to us the solution to the king’s problem.

Daniel 2:19-23

Just like in this song we are inspired by today, Daniel sang out his ‘HalleluJAH!’ and gave all the praise to his God! What can we see in his prayer of praise? First, he praised God. Then he acknowledged Who God is and that He is in-charge and in control—‘He changes the times and the seasons…He removes…and sets up kings.’ And that all wisdom and knowledge are His. And then Daniel thanked and praised God for giving him wisdom and might.

Later on, given the mighty and miraculous acts seen as well as the humbling that Nebuchadnezzar received, he had much praise to give to God, too. He lifted his praise of the Most High God before all the peoples of his kingdom.

It seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed toward me.
How great are His signs! And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.

And at the end of the days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding and the right use of my mind returned to me; and I blessed the Most High [God] and I praised and honored and glorified Him Who lives forever, Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion; and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. And He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand or say to Him, What are You doing? Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, Whose works are all faithful and right and Whose ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to abase and humble.

Daniel 4:2 and 3, 34-37

And, of course, there are many, many, many additional accounts throughout the Scriptures of praise and worship being offered to the One Who deserves every praise—our Great God!

Every praise is to our God
Sing Hallelujah to our God
Glory! Hallelujah! is due our God
Every praise, every praise is to our God!

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I will confess and praise You [O God] with my whole heart;
before the gods will I sing praises to You.
I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name
for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness;
for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your Word
and You have magnified Your Word above all Your name!
Psalms 138:1 and 2

Faith To Believe


psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Faith that’s forever
Faith to believe
Faith that moves mountains
Faith for my dreams
Faith that’s forever
Faith to receive
(I’ve got faith)…Faith to believe 

Now faith is the substance
Of things hoped for
And the evidence
Of things I can’t see
It’s my faith that moves mountains
Of doubt and uncertainty

I’ve got faith…faith to believe

Down through the years
Through every test and trial
I’ve learned down on my knees
By faith I can live out what I’ve heard
He won’t go back, back on His word

I believe, I believe, I believe
It’s possible
I believe, I believe, I believe
I’ve got faith…faith to believe 

Written and Sung by Sheri Jones-Moffett

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How faithful is our God!  When we doubt, all we have to do is look toward our Father for support and guidance along our way.  He will not answer when we want…not always in the way we want…but He will answer.

Our thoughts follow what is in our hearts.  What we say brings life or death.  What is in your heart?  Do you believe, do you have the faith to trust that God will be there to catch you no matter what?  As our faith grows, our words should follow. We should speak words that encourage each other and instill hope in our God.

As you sing the song, think on the words.

Consider what you believe.

Rise Again

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Go ahead, drive the nails in My hands
Laugh at me where you stand
Go ahead, and say it isn’t Me
The day will come when you will see

‘Cause I’ll rise again
Ain’t no power on earth can tie me down
Yes, I’ll rise again
Death can’t keep Me in the ground

Go ahead, mock My name
My love for you is still the same
Go ahead, and bury Me
But very soon, I will be free

‘Cause I’ll rise again
Ain’t no power on earth can tie Me down
Yes, I’ll rise again
Death can’t keep Me in the ground

Go ahead and say I’m dead and gone
But you will see that you were wrong
Go ahead, try to hide the Son
But all will see that I’m the One!

‘Cause I’ll come again!
Ain’t no power on earth can keep Me back!
Yes, I’ll come again
Come to take My people back

Singer/Songwriter: Dallas Holm

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Last week a couple of  friends and myself felt like the enemy was taking target practice at our marriages.  It wasn’t the first time…and I am quite certain it won’t be the last.  A recent sermon I heard, entitled Called to Be Free, came to mind and I thought about being free from satan’s attacks.  I know we won’t be completely free until we reach Heaven but Jesus has set us free from the chains of this world.  That includes satan and anything he tries to ensnare us in.  The enemy only has what power we give him.

Luke 10:19 (HCSB) puts it this way:

Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions
and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you.

We have all authority over the power of the enemy.  Sometimes we forget to use that power.  Even when we do, sometimes we still get knocked for a loop.  It is difficult to keep getting back up when you get knocked down repeatedly.  I read a Scripture that totally changed my whole perspective on this.  Take a look at 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 (AMP):

Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure
to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered,
so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.
For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death
for Jesus’ sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus
also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death.

I read this and had a “light bulb” moment.  Because we are believers and followers of Christ, we carry Jesus’ death and Resurrection within us!  The attacks we incur, the battles we fight are where we share in the death of Jesus.  If satan knocks me down, he may have won that battle but Jesus has already won the war.  Every time we rise up from defeat—whether it is perceived or real—we share in the Resurrection and ultimate victory of Jesus.  We can rise again because Jesus has already done it and we carry Him within ourselves.

As I was mediating on all of this, the song “Rise Again” came to mind.  But I was hearing it and singing it in a whole new light.  Since I have a personal relationship with Christ, it doesn’t matter if people laugh at me or mock me. It doesn’t matter if I get knocked down or thrown for a loop. “I will be free….” “…No power on earth can tie me down.”

For me, this revelation was earth-shattering and life-changing.  The storms will be easier to bear, and the attacks easier to survive because I know Jesus has already been there.  He has paved my way in victory and His victory is manifested in me.  Hallelujah!!!!

Jesus Paid It All

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all

Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper’s spots
and melt the heart of stone

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat

O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
He washed it white as snow 

Original hymn – Elvina M. Hall / Additional lyrics and praise – Kristian Stanfil

I listen to this hymn and again I am a child, sitting by my mom in church, listening to the grown-ups around me sing; and I understand these words even then. That Jesus paid my debt so that I could live; it was that simple then. Why do we complicate things when we get older?

I hear Jesus whisper,

“Your strength is little, and you are weak. But you are My child and as you pray and seek Me, you will find all that you need in Me.”

And I respond…

“Jesus, You paid it all, the price for every sin that I have committed and ever will commit. I owe You everything. Sin had stained me, taken all from me and in the broken places You filled me. And now I am clean, and white as snow.

Lord, I now see that You alone can do miraculous things, like heal disease, and break even the hardest of hearts and fill all with You. You paid the whole price for my sins, I owe all that I am to You. Sin had left a mark and almost ruined me, but You washed me and made me white as snow.

And  when the day comes that You appear to all, and we get to kneel before You as You sit on Your throne. I will finally be complete in You. You died to save my soul and my lips will proclaim the news to all the world. Jesus, You paid it all, and all to You I owe- sin had left a crimson stain, but You washed it white as snow.”

As a child, I listened to hymns and hung on every word and I pictured the events really happening. I pictured Him dying for me and washing the stain of my sins.  I pictured me dirty once and then I am made white as snow because of Him. I remember longing for the day that the trumpets would sound and I would get to stand before His throne and talk to Him. I would get to bow down before my Lord and Savior and tell Him how much I loved Him and how grateful I am for Him taking my sins away. And you know what? He really did take your sins away. He really did pay your debt and raise your life up from the dead. And because of this, you will live a life that is full and blessed. You will walk in light instead of darkness. And you will be loved by Jesus, our Lord. Just meditate on this today and let it just sink in…you are saved, loved, clean, because He paid it all.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Verse 9

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Let us pray: Thank You, Jesus, for paying the full price for my sins. You came and died and paid my debt in full. I am in awe of Your sacrifice and Your love. Thank You for loving me enough to save me from myself.  And when that day comes that I get to stand before You and bow down on my knees, I will praise You and proclaim to the world that You are the Savior!   In Jesus’ name, amen.