December 23, 2024

Psalm 100

January 29, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Enter in through the gates
Enter in here with praise
Come before Him, come bring your song
We are His people, He is our God

For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures
Forevermore His faithfulness, it has no end
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures

Enter in to His courts
Enter in with grateful hearts
Come before Him, come bring your song
We are His people, He is our God

Raise your voice, shout for joy all the earth
We sing a new song now
We sing a new song now

It’s your love
His love endures
His love endures

Forevermore His faithfulness, it has no end
For the Lord is good, and His love endures
His love endures

Singer / Songwriter: Chris Tomlin along with Jason Ingram

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As the last notes of this anthem play, my heart resounds the joyous statement of this song: His love endures!  (How about you?)

Are we not so very thankful that His love endures?  Without the enduring, faithful, steadfast, unconditional love of our God…where would we be?

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

His love which endures forever has made a way for us to have ‘forever’—eternal life—with Him!

And y’know what?  It has absolutely nothing to do with anything we have done or ever could do!  We have trust and confidence in our God because He always brings His Word to pass!  He is the only One Who does not change.  And so, yes, His love endures forever!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of lights
with Whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

God is not man, that He should lie,
or a son of man, that He should change his mind.
Has he said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19

For I the Lord do not change….
Malachi 3:6

Whenever you might be tempted to despair, consider this thought:
His love endures forever.
When you want to give up, remind yourself:
His love endures forever.
When you think you have had all you can possibly take…
lift your head, and shout to the heavens:
His love endures forever!

Say it to yourself.  Repeat it.  Sing it.  Memorize it.  Write it down on a sticky note and place it where you—and your loved ones!—will see it (on the bathroom mirror, on the dashboard of your vehicle, on the refrigerator, in a lunchbox): His love endures forever. Encourage your husband: His loves endures forever.  Tell your children: His love endures forever.  Remind your sweet friends: His love endures forever.

No matter the troubles that come your way…His love endures forever.
No matter how you feel about those troubles…His love endures forever.
No matter what…His love endures forever.
Whether we choose to believe it (or not) nothing changes…His love endures forever.

And so, with believers throughout the centuries, may we echo their praises.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.

  • David, the Levites, and the Israelites
    1 Chronicles 16:34, 41
  • Solomon, the musicians, and the singers
    2 Chronicles 5:13; 7:3; 20:21
  • The Levites and the RE-builders of the Temple
    Ezra 3:11
  • David and the other psalmists
    Psalm 100:5
    Psalm 106:1
    Psalm 107:1
    Psalm 118:1, 6, 29
    Psalm 136 (twenty-six times!)
  • Jeremiah and the children of Israel
    Jeremiah 33:11

May I encourage you to think back on the many, many, many ways you have experienced God’s enduring love and ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”

And remember…no matter what:
He loves you today, tomorrow, and always.
His love endures forever!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

2014 – Three Things

January 1, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:31b NLT

As I look back over the past year, there are three things God has shown me that have changed my perspective and my faith:

  • Yes, but…
  • Lay Me Down
  • Pocket Prayer

Yes, but…

Those two words have made such a big difference in my life.  When satan tries to bring up the past, reminding me of my failures or stirs up feelings of guilt, regret, or condemnation “yes, but…” stops him in his tracks.  “Yes, but…look how far God has brought me.”  “Yes, but…look what God has done.”  According to the Scriptures:

He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged
[he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment;
for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation];
John 3:18a AMP

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 NLT

Satan despises those two words—”Yes, but….”  That simple phrase keeps me from getting caught up in the enemy’s trap and shifts my focus. Those two little words give me the opportunity to praise God for all He has done in my life.

Lay Me Down

Too often I get in God’s way.  I run ahead of His plan.  I forget to seek His will.  One night in church we sang ‘Lay Me Down’ by Chris Tomlin.  The words of the chorus resonated deep within me.

“I lay me down I’m not my own
I belong to You alone
Lay me down, lay me down
Hand on my heart this much is true
There’s no life apart from You
Lay me down, lay me down
Lay me down, lay me down”

In John 13:38a (NIV) Jesus asks: “Will you really lay down your life for me?”  I must let go of my pride—I have to give up my rights—if I truly want His light to shine through my life.

Pocket Prayer

I just finished this Max Lucado study.  It answered so many questions I had regarding prayer.  It completely changed my prayer life.  The idea behind it is simple (because prayer should be simple). The basic outline goes like this:

“Father, You are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.“

Simple, right?  Then I embellish it in the areas I need to pray about.  Funny, sometimes I get so caught up in the ‘You are good…’ and thanking Him that I forget to pray the rest.  And that’s ok.  After all, prayer is just a conversation with God.  If I am all out of words…beyond words…incapable of words, then I just pray this and the Holy Spirit takes it from there.  As Romans 8:26-27 (NASB) tells us:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we should,
but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is,
because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

It is so freeing when I don’t have to worry about saying the right words or praying the perfect prayer.  As Max says “Intercessory prayer isn’t rocket science.  It acknowledges our inability and God’s ability.”  God’s ultimate Will is inflexible but we can alter His strategy with our appeals and intercession.  Hallelujah!

(click here to find the Pocket Prayer Challenge.  And here for the Before Amen book.)

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

I love Christian worship music.  Many, many songs have touched me this year.  But today, let me leave you with just one that speaks volumes about my life.  For no matter where I find myself in this life, His great grace always finds me.

Singer/Songwriter: Matt Redman along with Jonas Myrin

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Forever (His Love Endures Forever)

November 18, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Give thanks to the Lord our God and King
His love endures forever
For He is good, He is above all things
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm
His love endures forever
For the life that’s been reborn
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Forever God is faithful
Forever God is with us
Forever

From the rising to the setting sun
His love endures forever
By the grace of God we will carry on
His love endures forever
Sing praise, sing praise

Written by Chris Tomlin  ~  Performed by Robin Mark

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Don’t you just love to sing this praise anthem?!!?  The words just give our hearts such an awesome way to acknowledge God’s goodness and praise Him for His enduring love!

This praise-filled phrase—He is good; His love endures forever—is recorded in many places throughout the Old Testament.  One of the most outstanding records, in my opinion, is found in the 2nd Book of Chronicles, specifically chapters 5-7.

We see (in 2 Chronicles 5) King Solomon calling the elders of Israel, the leaders, the heads of the tribes (along with all the people of Israel) to accompany the Ark of the Covenant to its long-awaited proper home in the Temple.  (It had been his father, David, to whom God gave the vision for the building of the Temple, which was never accomplished in David’s lifetime.)  The priests brought the Ark to its proper, anointed place in the Holy of Holies.  Surrounding the altar were the Levites and the priests ready to praise in unison with all their instruments and their voices.

The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice.
They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments,
in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever.
The temple, the LORD’s temple, was filled with a cloud.
And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering,
for the glory of the LORD filled God’s temple.
Verses 13 and 14

The record of the dedication of the Temple continues (chapters 6 and 7) as Solomon prays and blesses the people.

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
2 Chronicles 7:1

The peoples response?

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down
and the glory of the LORD above the temple,
they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground,
and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
“He is good; His love endures forever.”
Verse 3

And throughout the continued sacrifices and the ceremony of dedicating the Temple, continual praise “His love endures forever” was offered to God by the priests and the people along with the sacrifices of animals.

And, as such, this <without the animal sacrifice!> should be our continual praise.  We are oh-so-very blessed!  The provision and supply that our great God brings to our lives deserves our continual exclamation, “He is good! His love endures forever!”

Just as the psalmist communicates in every single verse of Psalm 136, perhaps our own conversation and communication about our great God—as well as our prayers— should always include this praise.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His (steadfast) love endures forever.
Verse 1

As we thank God for His goodness our hearts should overflow with words of gratitude and praise confessing that truly, “His love endures forever!” … Perhaps this year during your celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones, you could share a time of praise and worship, and use these same words that David, and Solomon, and the Israelites used to declare God’s goodness.  Because no matter what the age, the situation, the circumstance, the season, the time, the day, or the hour… ‘He is good! His love endures forever!’

Here are a few different ways this glorious praise is written in different translations:

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…

His love endures forever (NIV)
His faithful love endures forever (NLT)
His lovingkindness is everlasting (NASB)
His mercy endureth for ever (KJV)
His steadfast love endures forever (ESV)
His love is eternal (HCSB)
His loyal love endures (NET)
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting (AMP)

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Jesus Loves Me

October 12, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I was lost
I was in chains
The world had a hold of me

My heart was a stone
I was covered in shame
When He came for me

I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His presence
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His arms

Jesus, He loves me, He loves me, He is for me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me

And it was a fire
Deep in my soul
I’ll never be the same

I stepped out of the dark
And into the light
When He called my name

I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His presence
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His arms

He holds the stars and He holds my heart
With healing hands that bear the scars
The rugged cross where He died for me
My only hope, my everything

Singer/Songwriter: Chris Tomlin along with Reuben Morgan, Ben Glover

*  ~  ♥  ~ ✞ ~  ♥  ~  *

Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by it’s name.
Because of His great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.
Isaiah 40:26

Don’t you love reading such amazing verses about our Creator?  I know I do.  And you have to think—if He cares that much for the stars and their names—how much more does He love and care about you?  As you listen to this song, I want you to just sit and soak in all His love for you.  Try to name all the ways He has shown you this past week and write them in a notebook.  The Creator of this world is totally in love with you!

There is nothing that you can do to make Him love you any more or any less than He already does.  He even sent Jesus His Son to this earth, to go before us and to suffer and die for us.  He allowed His only Son to go through a lot of hard on this earth, to experience the loss and suffering, the hurts and trials that we would go through after Him.  He paved the way for us.  He wants the best things for you.  He doesn’t want you to settle on a life where you are striving and trudging along to the next event. He wants you to have an abundant life—full of Him and full of joy!

This world can get a hold on you if you aren’t intentional about living for Jesus. Romans 12:2 says,”Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good,pleasing and perfect will.”  It would be so easy to throw in the towel and just live like the rest of the world.  How many hard things are we allowed to go through in order to bring Him glory?

Is this you today?  Have you been in a valley for so long that you forgot what a mountain looks like?  I want to tell you that He sees you and He has not forgotten you. Whether you need freedom from a stronghold or you need financial provision…. Whether or you are waiting on God to heal a loved one or yourself, have courage and faith!  He has overcome this world!

I have told you these things, 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 16:22

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Let us pray:  Dear God, You are almighty and trustworthy.  You love us so much and You give us grace and mercy so freely.  You are our Stronghold and our Portion forever.  We praise Your Name.  Thank You for sending Jesus to die in our place.  We have a place to lay all our sorrows and troubles…at the foot of the Cross.  Lord, I pray for all who need You today and don’t know You.  Or maybe they have just moved away.  Help us, Your people, to be the light and the hope that they need to come to You.   We love You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Whom Shall I Fear

July 29, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The One Who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

Singer/Songwriter: Chris Tomlin with Ed Cash and Scott Cash

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Fear.  It is one of the biggest things the enemy uses against us to keep us from the purpose and plans that God has for us.

Fear is…

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

You cannot have fear and faith at the same time. You will either have one or the other. With God by our side we, as Believers, have nothing to fear.  As Jeremiah 29:11 says,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.

God’s plans for us are for our good.  And with the God of angel armies by my side…I have NOTHING to fear!

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

We must trust and have faith in the One Who reigns forever.  That—no matter what—in ALL things, they will work together for our good.  Just as Romans 8:28 says,  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  That is a promise we can hold onto!

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You hear us when we call…in Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!!

Though darkness fills the night we cannot hide the light
So whom shall we fear
You crush the enemy underneath my feet
You are my Sword and Shield, the One who reigns forever
The God of angel armies is always by my side

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Waterfall

July 16, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Oh God, my God I seek You
I wanna move when You move
You’re more than I could long for
I thirst for You

You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

Oh God, my God I seek You
In this dry and desert land
You lead me to streams of mercy
Once again

You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
Everything I’ve done
Is covered in rivers of grace, amazing

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
I lift up my hands
Your love never changes, amazing

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

 

Songwriters: Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash

May I suggest you play this song as you read this post?

As I am writing this, it is raining outside, water is coming down in sheets, and dripping off the house and palm trees.  It is so peaceful and I am reminded of God’s love.  It washes all over me and so does His grace.  And just like the song says, His ‘love never changes.’  It is the only constant in our lives.

Water is something we thirst for and our bodies are created to need it always. And we need our God and we were created to thirst for more of Him.  He tells us  to come to the water and drink of the cup of eternal life.  You will never be thirsty again.  His love is like a waterfall—always flowing and so deep we cannot see the bottom.  He does hear us when we call and He is so worthy to be praised!  Don’t you just want to lift your hands to Heaven and sing this at the top of your lungs?

And when we are at the end of our rope and we are in the desert, He leads us to the stream to drink of His goodness.  There is always a well for us to drink from.   His love never runs out and His mercy never ends.  So today, let His love wash over you and accept His grace. You are His, therefore you are worthy.  If you are in the valley, there is a creek nearby.  Let God lead you there.  His love is like a waterfall.

Let us pray: Dear God, we thank You for Your love for us that flows so freely. Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  Lord, we praise You for Who You are.  You are our Creator and our Father.  You are our Stronghold and our Portion, and You are all we need.  In the times when we feel unworthy, You draw us close and fill us with Your love and peace.  Thank You for letting us feel Your presence.  We lift up our hands today in praise!  We are grateful for everything You give, for all You give is good.  We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

God’s Great Dance Floor

June 30, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m coming back to the start
Where You found me
I’m coming back to Your heart
Now I surrender
Take me
This is all I can bring

I’m coming back to the start
Our God is freedom
And here we feel Your heart
Your heartbeat for us
Take me
This is all I can bring

You’ll never stop loving us
No matter how far we run
You’ll never give up on us
All of heaven shouts: ‘let the future begin’
Let the future begin

Take me
This is all I can bring

I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
I feel alive, I come alive
I am alive on God’s great dance floor
God’s great dance floor!

Songwriters: Martin Smith, Nick Herbert, Chris Tomlin
Performed by Chris Tomlin, Passion Band

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

“No matter how far we run, You’ll never give up on us.”  To me, this speaks to mankind. Just think, that for over two thousand years after Jesus was on the earth, most things have not changed.  From the beginning of time, our ancestors lived life as the best they could. They chose to follow God or not. They chose to have joy or sorrow in their hearts.

Look at what God has done for His people, Israel. He chose to make them from a promise He made to Abraham. His family were idol makers. God knew something about his heart and chose to test him through making him wait for the birth of his only son into the promise. At the birth of Isaac there was a celebration of life. I like to think of God being impressed by Abraham’s trust and of Isaac’s trust of his father. Isaac had to accept God in his own life and learn to trust him.

We rear our children in the church, but they have to make trusting God their own. Our kids think life shows them what and who God is in their life. But it is up to us to guide them into making right choices. Just as the kings of Israel knew who God was, some decided not to follow after God. They chose to lead the people astray. God cannot make someone want to follow Him, our hearts have to be willing to accept God.  We also need to remember to celebrate the small victories, so we do not get weighed down with the world’s problems.  We need to dance on God’s big dance floor!

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Father, help us to remember to celebrate life.  Often times we make our lives too hard or complicated.  We forget to look out past the weeds to see the beautiful butterflies or animals that You have created for our and Your enjoyment.  Thank You for the little treasures we receive—the bird songs, the crisp morning air, the baby’s cry, the ability to get up out of our beds.  Thank You for the inspiration music gives to us to dance!  Thank You, in Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , ,

Lord, I Need You

May 28, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

~ Sing this song with me as part of your prayer and worship today ~

Sung by Chris Tomlin and the Passion Band

Written by Matt Maher with Christy Nockels, Kristian Stanfill, Jesse Reeves, Daniel Carlson

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

When I listen to this song of worship and praise, I fall more in love with God. I want to raise my hands to the sky and touch Him and thank Him for the grace that He so freely gives. Beginning in the first verse, we tell Him that without Him we fall apart, and our rest is found in Him. Oh so true, we can rest in Him, lay all our cares at His feet, for He is more than able and willing to take them. And then we confess: I need You, oh I need You, every hour I need You. Oh how we need Him. I cannot imagine a day without Him. Have you ever thought about how life would be? Maybe you’re a new Christian and you remember how it was. But it never has to be that way again!

Verse two talks about our freedom in Jesus. Think about this for a minute…can you name some ways this is true? I believe He sets us free from sin and darkness. We never have to be anything more than His. He sets us free from destruction and from the unhappiness that our lives were. He is our Hope and our Protector. When life gets too much, we can fall at His feet and He will carry us until we are ready to take another step.

Every minute, every hour He is there. Our need for Him never goes away. We have a “need love” for God and it’s hard sometimes to admit that we are not able to do it all, that we need Him always. So let’s worship Him today in song. Let’s express to Him how much we need Him and how He gives us such hope and rest and that we fall in love with Him over and over again.  And let’s thank Him.

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

Dearest Lord, You are our hope and stay. We cannot stand without Your help. In You we find rest and in You we are whole. Lord, thank You for guiding our hearts and for being that soft place to land. You love us no matter what. Thank You for listening to our confessions and giving us grace for every moment that we are breathing. Thank You for Your forgiveness that is always there. And for the rest that You created for us, knowing we would need it. We love You and praise You. In Your Son’s name we pray, amen.

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Jesus, Messiah

April 10, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled Himself and carried the Cross
Love so amazing, love so amazing

Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners, the Ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all

His Body the bread, His Blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn
Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah

All I hope is in You, all I hope is in You
All the glory to You, God, the Light of the world

Music and Lyrics by Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Daniel Carlson, Chris Tomlin
Performed by Chris Tomlin
*  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 
There is power in the name of Jesus! Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about the name of Jesus.

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:13 NKJV

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20 NKJV

If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:14 NKJV

And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you,
whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
John 16:23 NKJV

When Jesus walked the earth, His name had great power. The following Scriptures show the use of His name and the power to heal the most terrible afflictions. These people called out to Jesus in faith.

And when he had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power
against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease.
Matthew 10:1 KJV

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness,
and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt,
which thou knowest, upon thee;
but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Deuteronomy 7:15

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name
that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9 NIV

That means that everyone ever born will someday bow when the name, “Jesus,”  is mentioned.  They will not only bow but will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Right now, those who believe in Jesus and acknowledge Him in this lifetime as Lord and Savior, already have the power to use His name.

But these signs are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in His name.
John 20:31

The phrase “in the name” of Jesus denotes His authority and power.  To “believe in the name of Jesus” is to be persuaded in Jesus’ authority (Matthew 28:18) and thus place our trust, acts in His authority.   Acts 4:12 says,  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  Saved, healed, delivered included.  For those who really do believe in the name of Jesus, there is no pit that Jesus cannot deliver you from.

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for Thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14 KJV

~ quoted from the 1st Wittness blog ~

We can live in Victory all throughout our lives because we have Jesus living inside of us!! We are not Victims—we are Victorious through Him!

*  ~  *  ~   ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥    ~  *  ~  * 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power in the name of Jesus that is available to us because of the sacrifice made on our behalf. Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us who believe. May we be women who choose to live in Victory and not live as Victims of our circumstances. To You be the glory, Father! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

His Love Endures Forever

November 26, 2013 by

 

Don’t you just love to sing this praise anthem?!!?  The words give our hearts such an awesome way to acknowledge God’s goodness and praise Him for His enduring love!

This praise-filled phrase—He is good; His love endures forever—is recorded in many places throughout the Old Testament.  One of the most outstanding records, in my opinion, is found in the 2nd Book of Chronicles, specifically chapters 5-7.

We see (2 Chronicles 5) King Solomon calling the elders of Israel, the leaders, the heads of the tribes (along with all the people of Israel) to accompany the Ark of the Covenant to its long-awaited proper home in the Temple. (It had been his father, David, to whom God has given the vision and provision for the building of the Temple, which was never accomplished in his lifetime.)  The priests brought the Ark to its proper, anointed place in the Holy of Holies.  Surrounding the altar were the Levites and the priests ready to praise in unison with all their instruments and their voices.

The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice.
They raised their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments,
in praise to the LORD: For He is good; His faithful love endures forever.
The temple, the LORD’s temple, was filled with a cloud.
And because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering,
for the glory of the LORD filled God’s temple.
(Verses 13 and 14)

The record of the dedication of the Temple continues (chapters 6 and 7) as Solomon prays and blesses the people.

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices,
and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
2 Chronicles 7:1

The peoples response?

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down
and the glory of the LORD above the temple,
they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground,
and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying,
“He is good; His love endures forever.”
Verse 3

And throughout the continued sacrifices and the ceremony of dedicating the Temple, continual praise “His love endures forever” was offered to God by the priests and the people along with the sacrifices of animals.

And, as such, this <without the animal sacrifice!> should be our continual praise. We are oh-so-very blessed!  The provision and supply that our great God brings to our lives deserves our continual exclamation, “He is good! His love endures forever!”  Just as the psalmist communicates in every single verse of Psalm 136, our conversation and our communication  should always include this praise.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His (steadfast) love endures forever.
Verse 1

As we thank God for His goodness our hearts should overflow with words of gratitude and praise confessing that truly, “His love endures forever!” … Perhaps in your celebration of Thanksgiving with your friends and loved ones, you could have a time of praise and worship and use these same words that David, and Solomon, and the Israelites used to declare God’s goodness.  Because no matter what the age, the situation, the circumstance, the season, the time, the day or the hour… ‘He is good! His love endures forever!’

Here are a few different ways this glorious praise is written in different translations:

  • His love endures forever (NIV)
  • His faithful love endures forever (NLT)
  • His lovingkindness is everlasting (NASB)
  • His mercy endureth for ever (KJV)
  • His steadfast love endures forever (ESV)
  • His love is eternal (HCSB)
  • His loyal love endures (NET)
  • His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting (AMP)
Filed Under: Women's Ministry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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