December 23, 2024

All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name

September 28, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

All hail the power of Jesus’ name
Let angels prostrate fall
Bring forth the Royal Diadem
And crown Him Lord of all
Bring forth the Royal Diadem
And crown Him Lord of all

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race
Ye ransomed from the fall
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace
And crown Him Lord of all
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace
And crown Him Lord of all

You are Lord of all
You are Lord of all

Let every kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball
To Him all majesty ascribe
And crown Him Lord of all
To Him all majesty ascribe
And crown Him Lord of all
And crown Him Lord of all
And crown Him Lord of all

The Newsboys
written by Edward Perronet

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~  *

O God,
Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation,
Your mighty miracles to all who come
Psalm 71:18b NLT

Let me confess a couple of things before I get started:
-My blogs are about things God is showing and teaching me that I hope will touch you too.
-I went about writing this blog backwards—I started with an idea and God showed me the Scripture.

I was watching a video this morning and God thumped me upside the head and asked, “Are you paying attention?” I have included a link to the video (see below) but here is a brief outline:

Samuel Rodriguez is asked to pray at a secular event in Washington, D.C.  When he arrives, he finds out a Universalist, an Imam, and a Rabbi have been asked to pray as well.  He is given a choice where in the order he would like to pray…and chooses to go last.  After he prays there is clapping for 4-6 minutes.  When asked why the people kept clapping he states, “There is STILL power in the Name of Jesus!”

Let me ask you something—
Do you proclaim Jesus’ power?  Do you pray like you believe in His power?

 

This is where God was drawing my attention.  I have not been praying like I believe in the mighty power of His Name.  Then when I saw Psalm 71:18 I knew this was something I needed to research and write about.

Jesus Christ

  • His is the Name above ALL names
  • Angels fall prostrate at His Name
  • Every knee shall bow at the Name of Jesus
  • His Name causes the dead to rise
  • His Name makes demons tremble and flee
  • His Name gives sight to the blind, makes the lame walk and heals the sick

Best of all, Jesus’ is the only Name that can wash us white as snow and make us acceptable to God – “…by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name” (John 20:31 NLT).

In Matthew 28:18 AMP, Jesus tells us, “All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”  John 13:3 NIV says “…the Father had put all things under His power…”  That is the ultimate power!  We have been given access to that power. We are to use it when we pray and proclaim it loudly for all to hear so the next generation knows there is still power in the name of Jesus.

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name!

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Lord Jesus, we are so thankful for the power of Your Holy Name.  Remind us of that power continually so that we may use it to bring You glory and honor. May we lift our voices to proclaim how the power of Your Name is alive and at work in our own lives.  In Your precious and Holy Name, I ask this.  Amen – it is so!

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Amazing Love (You Are My King)

March 16, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, should die for me
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, to honor You

You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King

 Newsboys
written by Billy James Foote

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This song personifies Easter to me.  I love the parallels given in this song—forgiven/forsaken, accepted/condemned, alive/died.  All these gifts and blessings are mine because of Jesus’ sacrifice.  A sacrifice He willingly chose to make.

He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men,
a Man of sorrows and pains,
and acquainted with grief and sickness;
and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised,
and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
Isaiah 53:3 AMP

I can’t even find words for this!  How is it possible Christ would choose to be treated in this manner?  Amazing love indeed!  Mark 15:34 (AMP) gives us a glimpse of what Christ experienced:

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?
—which means, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me
[deserting Me and leaving Me helpless and abandoned]?

Jesus was left helpless and abandoned on the Cross so we might be forgiven.  God turned His back on His only Son in order to redeem us.  Look at 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT): “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”  We may be persecuted, but we will never be forsaken; struck down, but never destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Because of Christ’s selfless sacrifice, we are accepted and protected by God Himself!

And not only are we accepted, but Romans 8:1 tells us “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus…”.  Christ was condemned in our place so that we could share His robe of righteousness.  We will never be condemned by God.  It is that robe of righteousness that allows us to stand before God, holy, pure, unblemished and unstained.

Isaiah 61:10 (AMP) talks about why we should feel joy in honoring Him.

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness….

The opportunity for salvation exists only because of Jesus’ voluntary sacrifice.  THAT is amazing love.  It is our choice to honor Him with our lives.  We should be honored to call Him our King.

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Lord, I cannot even begin to put into words what I feel when I think of all You chose to suffer just so I could be forgiven and accepted.  ‘Thank You’ will never be enough to express the depth of my gratitude.  It is my joy to honor You in all I do.  In Your name I pray, Amen – so be it!

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In The Hands Of God

February 7, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

We have raised our hopes and our cities high
We have followed fragile dreams
But only One could take the measure of our goals
And we’ve stumbled over the trials of life
And we’ve wrestled the unseen
But only One can calm the storm inside our souls

In the hands of God we will fall
Rest for the restless, and the weary
Hope for the sinner
In the hands of God we stand tall
Hands that are mighty to deliver
Giving us freedom

When our strength gave way to the weight of guilt
‘Til we strained for every breath
Only One could lift our shame and make us well
And when all is finished and we face
The fearsome power of death
Only One has overcome the gates of hell

You’re amazing
You’re amazing, You are
And we praise You, Lord
For what Your hands have done

 Steve Taylor, Jeff Frankenstein, Peter Furler  ~~ Newsboys

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, high Your right hand.
Psalm 89:13

The hands of God are huge and His reach is long.  He created the universe, the Earth, and all that live and breathe.  His hands are the only ones strong enough to defeat evil and bring victory to us all.  Yet these hands are gentle and comforting.

There is a movie that my kids and I got for Christmas; we watch it a couple of times each week.  “Wreck-It Ralph” is that movie.  In the movie, Ralph (the main character) is the villain of an arcade video game.  He is huge—600 pounds, tall, and his hands are huge.  He uses those hands to destroy things in the arcade game.  Yet, in the movie, he and his huge hands become a hero by helping to rescue another a game.  For once, Ralph is not the bad guy but the good guy.

When I watch that movie, I imagine God’s hands as infinitely bigger than Ralph’s.  They can build or destroy anything.  That is how strong God is.  He can be fierce enough to destroy but loving enough to create or fix.  He is the only One that can lift us up and save us.  He is bigger than Ralph. Because of God, we have a solid base and an endless love.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for taking us into Your loving arms. Your reach is infinite and huge. This reach is what brings us back from the depths of despair. It brings us joy and eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Breakfast

November 1, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Hold the milk, put back the sugar
They are powerless to console
We’ve gathered here to sprinkle ashes
From our late friend’s cereal bowl
Breakfast Clubbers, say the motto
That he taught us to repeat:
“You will lose it in your gym class
If you wait ’til noon to eat”

Back when the Chess Club said our eggs were soft
Every Monday he’d say grace and hold our juice aloft
Oh, none of us knew his checkout time would come so soon
But before his brain stopped waving, he composed this tune

When the toast is burned
And all the milk has turned
And Captain Crunch is waving farewell
When the big one finds you
May this song remind you
That they don’t serve breakfast in hell

Breakfast clubbers, drop the hankies
Though to some our friend was odd
That day he bought those pine pajamas
His check was good with God

Those here without the Lord
How do you cope
For this morning we don’t mourn
Like those who have no hope

Oh, rise up, Fruit Loop lovers
Sing out sweet & low
With spoons held high
We bid our brother, “Cheerio!”

 Singer/Songwriters: Peter Furler, Steve Taylor along with the NewsBoys

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Breakfast is often said to be the most important meal of the day. The meal is one of many starting points for our days. Some of us eat eggs, bacon, toast, or whatever. Others eat cereal or pop tarts. It just depends on what is in the pantry and different tastes. For some people, it is their favorite meal of the day. Yet, it is not the most important thing on earth.

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked,
“Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said,
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 25:26

Men make meals. Men make things. We, as humans, come together to make wonderful things happen. Yet, we cannot do these things without God. Yet, men cannot save themselves from death. They can join groups of men, but they cannot do what God and His Son and His angels can do.

In the song, Breakfast by the Newsboys, the Breakfast Club (a group of eaters) has lost one of its members. The song illustrates that they are saying goodbye to this person, but that they know that they will see that person again because when they died they were children of God. Using the examples of the breakfast items, the song reminds us that the good things we experience here on earth will not be in hell—the choice we make when we refuse God.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have nothing to worry about. We don’t have to worry about where we are going to spend eternity. Jesus gave His life for us so we may enjoy eternity in His glory and not in the fires of hell. We get to live with Jesus in Paradise.

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Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for being able to choose to accept You and spend eternity with You. We know where we will be spending eternity—in Your glory. Your love has saved us, and we don’t have to worry about where we will spend eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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We Believe

August 23, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only one foundation
We believe, we believe!

In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only one salvation
We believe, we believe!

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe!

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised
In the here and now, let love invade
Let the church live love our God will save
We believe, we believe

And the gates of hell will not prevail
For the power of God has torn the veil
Now we know Your love will never fail
We believe, we believe!

 Songwriters: Travis Ryan, Richie Fike, Matt Hooper / Performed by Newsboys

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

I often feel like I am living in a puzzle that will never get solved. I am a puzzle piece that somehow connects to another piece on the table. I know I connect, and I believe that I will connect. Christians are being persecuted. A radical group in the Middle East is heck-bent on taking over the world. I just feel like I am a piece of a puzzle that will not get put together as things go from bad to worse.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God…
Ephesians 2:8

We see the faces of those being oppressed every day when we watch the news on television or read about it on the Internet. I believe, however, that this is all part of God’s master plan for the world and time. Times are getting desperate. People are getting desperate. The earth is getting desperate. The number of extreme storms and earthquakes are increasing. The birth pangs look to have begun. For Christians, these may be a few of the signs that Christ’s Return is getting nearer—nearer than ever before.

Believers know that Jesus died for us, and that He rose from the grave. As believers, we know that He will return one day to take us home. Jesus gives us new life when we believe with faith that He died for us on the Cross. We are released from the desperation of being human when we accept Jesus as our Savior. We believe with faith that Jesus defeated death and sin when He left the tomb. A mere human could not do that. Only Jesus could do that.

Our faith in God is what gets us through the rough times. Our faith in God is what keeps us going when we feel like we have nowhere else to go. Our faith is what allows us to know that Jesus died on the Cross, but He defeated evil when He rose from the dead. He showed Himself to the disciples who then relayed the good news that He would return again.

God’s love is what saves, but only if we accept it. We must believe with our whole hearts that Jesus died on the Cross for us. Then, we must share this same faith with those who are lost. By doing this, we spread the word of God’s love. We show our faith in God when we show His love to others.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your wonderful gift.  Thank You for defeating death.  We believe that You died for us, and that You will return soon to take us home.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Your Love Never Fails

August 17, 2014 by

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

* ~ ♥ ~ ✞ ~ ♥ ~ *

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.

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God’s Not Dead

March 31, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to see a revolution somehow
Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to bring a revolution somehow
Now I’m lost in your freedom, and this world I’ll overcome 
My God’s not dead; He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside roaring like a lion
Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead, I need a resurrection somehow 
Now I’m lost in your freedom, and this world I’ll overcome
Let Heaven roar, and fire fall
Come shake the ground with the sound of revival
My God’s not dead; He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside roaring like a lion

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

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

 We went to see the movie “God’s Not Dead” this past Friday night.  It is such a great movie!  I hope you get the chance to see it if you have not had the chance yet. This touches on the need to equip our school-age children with the ability to argue why they believe in God and know who God is.

What shocked me was that so many would deny the existence of God in a classroom and not think about the consequences.  I mean, would you write a statement that says, ‘God is Dead’ to get out of taking a class?  I was horrified at the thought!  My God IS alive and well.  Sometimes I do take Him and His mercy for granted and do things I know I have meant to give up…but to write, ‘God is Dead’ is just wrong.

I grew up in a home where I could discuss the Bible with my mom.  She was very knowledgeable and was willing to share her faith.  Where we grew up we were able to walk to a small Baptist church when my brother and I wanted to attend. She did not make us.  It was up to us.  When we were old enough she would go and sit with us to make sure we would behave, and not embarrass her or dad. After a while she would let us go by ourselves.  We would go to Sunday School and attend the worship service, then go home.  From an early age, our acceptance of God was left up to us.

As we grew older we were baptized, became members, served when we could, grew up, and moved away.  God was always there.  Nudging us, loving us, and disciplining us when we deserved it.  Growing up I felt very protected and sheltered.  For that I am thankful.  There are things I don’t need to know…things I don’t want to know.  I want to be able to take people at their face value and not have to read between the lines.

When I attended college, I was not presented the challenge to deny my faith.  I may not have walked in it as I should, but I also do not believe I would have denied Him.  As we think and pray about our schools and colleges, I pray that we as parents are equipping our kids with the ability to defend their faith and their belief in our God.  It may rest on their ability to do that and for them to know why they believe.  Not just because mom and dad, or aunt or grandma goes to church.  Or, to say, ‘I believe because my family does.’  They have to make their relationship with God personal and real.  This can be helped along by our prayers for our children.

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Father, thank You!  Thank You for the opportunity to share Your word and Your love with others. Thank You for the opportunity to defend our faith. Let us continue to grow in our confidence of Your Word.  Help us develop an ear to hear the Holy Spirit speaking, and the ability to be still and know more fully who You are.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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We Believe

March 22, 2014 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In this time of desperation
When all we know is doubt and fear
There is only One Foundation
We believe, we believe
In this broken generation
When all is dark, You help us see
There is only One Salvation
We believe, we believe

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the Crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the Resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again, we believe

So, let our faith be more than anthems
Greater than the songs we sing
And in our weakness and temptations
We believe, we believe

Let the lost be found and the dead be raised
In the here and now, let love invade
Let the Church live love, our God will see
We believe, we believe
And the gates of hell will not prevail
For the power of God, has torn the veil
Now we know Your love will never fail
We believe, we believe

He’s comin’ back again
He’s comin’ back again
We believe, we believe

~  Sing this song with me as our prayer and worship today.  ~

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *  

I imagine you can say along with me that there have been times of desperation in your life.  At some time we have all experienced doubt and fear.  Those things happen in this broken generation, and in our weakness and temptations.

BUT GOD—

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever
Psalm 73:26

But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth
Psalm 86:15

With God, our Triune God, we find our One Foundation, our One Salvation.

I get chills as I sing this song. It is my statement of faith, because I BELIEVE!  I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in His Holy Spirit.  I believe in Jesus’ crucifixion, and in His resurrection.  I believe in New Life through Jesus Christ. I have experienced it!  I believe He’s coming back for every believer (you and me.)

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God
John 1:12,13

Because I believe, I agree that The Church (you and I) need to live love that our God will see.  We need to stand against the gates of hell, because our God has torn the veil, and is The Power and The Love we can depend on to conquer sin and death.  We believers need to show and tell that Good News to those who don’t know God’s love yet.

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
Romans 5:7, 8

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord
Romans 6:23

Ladies, Jesus is coming back! Do you believe? If not, today is your day to surrender—and take a stand for the One and Only True Foundation and Salvation by which you can be saved, and live eternally with Him.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

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