Another Year is Dawning

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. I Timothy 1:17

Tomorrow is the first of January. Another year has passed. As we look to 2013, what are your hopes and dreams for the year? What is your prayer? How will you endeavor, with the Holy Spirit, to become more like Jesus this year?

The prolific hymn writer Frances Havergal wrote this beautiful poem in 1874 for her New Year's greeting cards. It so beautifully sums up what I hope 2013 will bring: feeling God's presence, trusting, being His witness, giving Him all the glory no matter what He sends my way.

I pray that God will be at work in me, equipping me to do His will through Jesus.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

I pray that God will give me the perseverance to work hard, so that I can help others.

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

I pray that I will be a watchful waiter, ready for my Master to come for me.

Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Luke 12:36

I pray that the gospel will progress around the world; that many people will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 2:14

And that through it all, God will be praised.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12

I look forward to another year of being blessed by God's mercy, faithfulness and grace.

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23-24

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

I rejoice in the anticipation of another year in His presence - the gladness of His shining face. Whether I am in the light, the dark, the sea, heaven or Sheol, He will be with me.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You. Psalm 139:7-12

This year, I want to trust MORE in the Lord, and rely much less on myself.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9:10

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14

I want to rest quietly in trusting the One who gave His life for me.

For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

I want 2013 to be marked by my faithful service to my Lord, of showing the world His love. I want to be His witness!

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8

I want to walk in a manner worthy of my calling.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

I want to live as an example through my actions, choices, words and behavior - that others will see what it is to believe.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. I Timothy 4:12

On earth or in heaven, I want this to be another year for my Savior, the One who rescued me from darkness and adopted me into light. May each day bring me closer to Him, and for that, may He receive all the glory.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. II Peter 3:17-18

Another Year is Dawning
Words by Frances Havergal

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

With most Christmas carols, and even many hymns, I think we sing the words so automatically that maybe the meaning doesn't register completely with us. The text can be simple or complex, but when it becomes rote, it doesn't pierce our hearts the way it should. I was especially struck with that notion when singing this carol this year.

There is some heady stuff in here - real, deep, theological truths that should be pondered and meditated upon - not just glossed over as if it's the millionth time we've sung it. So as we approach Christmas weekend, I wanted to really focus on the words of this great hymn, brought to us by Charles Wesley, who wrote other great hymns including O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing and Come, Thou Almighty King. (Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns in total!)

When the angels sang to herald Jesus' birth, what was the first thing they said? They gave Him glory! And after that? Announced that God and sinners would be reconciled!

You see, our sin separates us from a holy God. But Jesus was born to take our sins upon His body on the cross, and reconcile us to God. When we accept this gift by faith, we are no longer separate - we are reconciled.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:18

All the fullness of God dwelt in Jesus who was a man, and through whom all things were reconciled through His blood shed on the cross. Paul reminds us that we were alienated from God because of our evil behavior, but through Christ's physical death we are reconciled.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.Colossians 1:19-22

Is it any wonder the angels sang "Glory to the newborn King"?? It certainly was good news - God and sinners reconciled! And because of our reconciliation with God, we can be presented before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach! God looks at me and sees Jesus! I have been made perfect through Jesus' atoning work on the cross. Glory to the Newborn King!

The second verse tells us more about who this newborn King is - veiled in flesh the Godhead see...

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:14-18

Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was the Godhead veiled in flesh. John tells us that no one has seen God at any time, but the only begotten God (Jesus) has explained Him. God sent Jesus to the earth to be the sinless Savior. He was 100% God and 100% fleshly man. Hail the Incarnate Deity!

The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Pleased as man with men to dwell - Jesus came to earth a human man and lived among us - grew up just like every other human (except without sin) - he truly is "God with us."

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Glory to the Newborn King!

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace - this was the child that God's people had been waiting for. Isaiah had told of Him and now He was here!

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

This Prince of Peace mildly (humbly) laid aside His glory to obey the Father and do His will.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

Jesus came to save sinners. He was born that men no more would die.

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation. John 11:49-51

He came unlike any other King. Unlike other Kings, He came to serve and not be served. He came that men no more may die.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Glory to the Newborn King! He was born to raise the sons of earth.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:53-56

Jesus conquered death on the cross so that we may never die, and furthermore, we would be raised with Him on the last day. God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24

Through Christ's righteousness we have eternal life. His birth and subsequent death purchased our eternal life.

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

We have a second birth because this King was born as a baby, lived as a human, and humbly obeyed His Father even to death for our sake. Glory to the Newborn King!


Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words by Charles Wesley

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Give Thanks to God, for Good is He {verse 3}

This hymn, like most, is way too short to properly recognize God for all He is and all He does. So far, we've repeated the truths about His grace and mercy, and praised Him for His sovereignty, His wondrous works and His creation.

In this final verse, we see some other foundational truths that show us who God is and what He has done on our behalf. He helped us in our deepest woe. And what was our deepest woe? Our sin-sick condition that separated us from God. There is nothing worse, in life or in death, than being separated from God. And that is what we are until we come to faith in Him through Jesus Christ. But God rescued us out of our deepest woe through sending His son to bear our sins and die a death that we deserved.

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

He helped us in our deepest woe by taking us out of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of His Son.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

He ransomed us from all our foes. Our main foe is the devil. The devil presides over the domain of darkness that we have been rescued from as we see in Colossians. Death is also our foe, our enemy. But when we have been born again in Christ, we need not worry about death. We know that in God's plan, death is the last foe to be abolished.

For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. I Corinthians 15:25-26

But wait, there's more! In addition to being helped in our greatest woe and rescued from our greatest foes, the Bible tells us that God will supply all our needs. That in Him, we will no lack for anything.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

He will supply for our needs according to His riches in glory. Can you imagine what those riches are? They fill up storehouses! And this is what God is supplying to us -through those immeasurable riches!

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Give thanks to God enthroned on high.

God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. Psalm 47:8

His grace abideth ever, His mercy faileth never!


Give Thanks to God, for Good is He
Words from The Psalter

Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;
To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.
His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;
The only God, the sovereign Lord, whose mercy faileth never.

His wisdom made the heavens be, His grace abideth ever;
He spread the earth above the sea, His mercy faileth never.
Praise Him whose sun doth bring the day, His grace abideth ever;
The moon and stars His might display, whose mercy faileth never.

He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, whose mercy faileth never.

Give Thanks to God, for Good is He {verse 2}

On this Thanksgiving Day, we have much to be thankful for - and as we look at this second verse of this wonderful hymn from the Psalter, we see another reason to give thanks - for God is the creator of the world, and uses His creation to display His glory.

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:11

“O LORD, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth." II Kings 19:15

God tells us that there is no one like Him - we can be thankful because He is the one, true God, the one who could make the heavens.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens. I Chronicles 16:26

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. Psalm 33:6

He made the heavens, the earth and all that is in it! And all His creation bows down before Him.

You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them and the heavenly host bows down before You. Nehemiah 9:6

God's creation displays His might - the sun that rises, the moon and stars that appear in the night and shine for Him - all of this points to our great God.

Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

Paul tells us that God's power and divine nature are clearly seen through what has been made, so that even those who don't know Him have no excuse for not recognizing Him.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

As we enjoy God's creation every day, and marvel at His grace that abides and mercy that never fails as shown to us through our world, let us join with the angels around the throne saying,

“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:12

Give Thanks to God, for Good is He
Words from The Psalter

Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;
To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.
His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;
The only God, the sovereign Lord, whose mercy faileth never.

His wisdom made the heavens be, His grace abideth ever;
He spread the earth above the sea, His mercy faileth never.
Praise Him whose sun doth bring the day, His grace abideth ever;
The moon and stars His might display, whose mercy faileth never.

He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, whose mercy faileth never.

Give Thanks to God, for Good is He

As Thanksgiving approaches, we are naturally more mindful about being thankful. If you're on Facebook, you've probably seen friends posting their daily thoughts of gratitude and thanks, whether they are Christ-followers or not. I love that people are thankful, and I hope that as believers, our hearts are full of thankfulness and praise each day of the year, not just around the holidays. We have much to thank God for! We should be overflowing with praise to our Lord - from the littlest things to the big things - every moment of the day.

Our God is good and His grace is evident! As we approach the holiday for giving thanks, let's look at this wonderful hymn from the Psalter (based on Psalm 136) and remind ourselves to praise Him.

Psalm 136 is that wonderful call and response psalm where every line is answered with "for His lovingkindness is everlasting." Whomever translated this hymn for the Psalter uses a similar mechanism, ending each line with either "His grace abideth ever" or "His mercy faileth never." What wonderful phrases to sing over and over!

God has made a wondrous world, and works wondrously in it. He is the only God, the sovereign Lord, and He is ruling from His throne.

God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. Psalm 47:8

The Bible is full of examples of God's sovereignty.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

He commands the earth.

He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. Psalm 147:15

He is in charge of the weather!

God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend. For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. Then the beast goes into its lair and remains in its den. Out of the south comes the storm, and out of the north the cold. From the breath of God ice is made,
and the expanse of the waters is frozen. Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, that it may do whatever He commands it on the face of the inhabited earth. Whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen. Job 37:5-13

God knows what we need - whether for correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen. God has a plan! And we can rejoice that His mercy never fails.

He puts leaders in place.

It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding. Daniel 2:21

He does whatever His purpose is - and He has predestined it to occur.

For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. Acts 4:27-28

We have a sovereign Lord, the only God. Because of this, we can give thanks - for our God is in control. We can have peace, even in these days with our world in upheaval, we can rest in the fact that victory belongs to our God and His purposes cannot and will not be thwarted.

His grace abideth ever, His mercy faileth never!

Give Thanks to God, for Good is He
Words from The Psalter

Give thanks to God, for good is He, His grace abideth ever;
To Him all praise and glory be, His mercy faileth never.
His wondrous works with praise record, His grace abideth ever;
The only God, the sovereign Lord, whose mercy faileth never.

His wisdom made the heavens be, His grace abideth ever;
He spread the earth above the sea, His mercy faileth never.
Praise Him whose sun doth bring the day, His grace abideth ever;
The moon and stars His might display, whose mercy faileth never.

He helped us in our deepest woe, His grace abideth ever;
He ransomed us from all our foes, His mercy faileth never.
Each creature’s need He doth supply, His grace abideth ever;
Give thanks to God, enthroned on high, whose mercy faileth never.

Jesus! I Do Now Receive Him

The final verse of this great hymn reminds us how much we have in Jesus, and how secure we can be in all that we have. It's only four lines long, so everything we have is not named, but the hymnwriter asks us to call it to mind when we sing "More than all in Him I find."

So what is the more than all that we find?

Here are some examples, but certainly not an exhaustive list.

He has granted us forgiveness - our sins are wiped away! But that's not all - we have His presence and the promise of refreshment in Him.

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

We have peace.

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We are God's children through our faith in Jesus Christ.

But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:22-26

We have Jesus as our example.

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3

Jesus' power works within us!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

He gives us strength.

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

He cleanses us from unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:7

He made us new!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. II Cor 5:17

He saved us from darkness and redeemed us.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14

He has caused us to be born again to a living hope, and has given us an inheritance which won't perish or fade away, reserved in heaven!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-6

Rejoice with me today that Jesus is a friend of sinners. More than all in Him I find. And my favorite part of this verse: I am His, and He is mine. Hallelujah, what a Savior.

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Jesus! What a Guide and Keeper!

I often wonder how people who don't know the Lord can manage in this world of ours. I am so reassured by the fact that Jesus is my guide! He leads me in the way I should go, and I can count on Him to be a faithful guide. And I love what Scripture tells us: that He leads me and guides me FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!

For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me. Psalm 31:3

In this dark world of sin, it can sometimes seem like we can't walk by ourselves. It can be easy to become undone. But God has a promise for us - He will guide us! He will make darkness into light and the rugged places into plains.

“I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.” Isaiah 42:16

Think about rugged places versus plains. Rugged places require climbing - and probably vigorous climbing. They require great care so your feet and hands don't slip. They are dangerous. Plains are wide open spaces that are flat - you can skip along freely without being afraid of falling. Our promise from our Savior is that He will guide us and make the dangerous, scary, rugged places into plains - similar to another promise in Isaiah that He will make our "paths straight."

Jesus, when He was here on earth, was a guide to His followers. But He knew that He had to fulfill His Father's plan, and that we would need a more "permanent" guide. Of course, the Father had already worked this out! Jesus told His followers that a new helper would come and would guide us in all the truth.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

And the promise to guide doesn't end with our earthly life! When we live eternally with our Lord in heaven, He will still be guiding us!

"They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:16-17

God is our guide even when the storms are around and the high winds blow. And the best part? He's a guide who hears us! The Bible is full of stories of God hearing His people, and we can be assured that when we cry for help, He hears!

In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears. Ps 18:6

We know that Jesus is our high priest who can sympathize with us, and I love this example. He hears our cries, because He knows what it's like to cry out! When He was in the garden, He cried out to His Father, and He was heard.

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Heb 5:7

What promises we have from our God! Join me in rejoicing over Jesus, our Guide, Keeper and hearer of our cries.

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Jesus! What a Help in Sorrow!

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Jesus! He is a friend for sinners and a strength in weakness. And he is a help in sorrow. When you are overwhelmed by sadness, let Jesus be the first one you turn to - He feels your pain and your heartache and He cares for you!

When you suffer in this life, it may feel like you are drowning. As this hymnwriter says, the billows over me roll. It might be all you can do to keep your head above water. Know that Jesus is with you! He is working through you in the midst of your suffering, and He has promised never to leave you.

I cling to God's promises, especially what He says through the prophet Isaiah:

But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3

Even when you feel like you are drowning, He will not let the waters overflow you!

Jesus is a friend to the brokenhearted. He sympathizes with us. Remember the story of Lazarus? When Jesus got to Bethany, He didn't just tell Mary and Martha to stop crying. Lazarus was his friend, and while he wept for him, I believe His weeping was also in sympathy with Lazarus' sisters. He showed that His heart was broken by this, too.

And just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He can bring new life out of your sorrows and heartbreak. Let Him be your comforter, your healer and your friend.


Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Jesus! What a Strength in Weakness!

The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7

Jesus is our strength when we are weak. We can hide ourselves in Him, and take refuge at His right hand.

Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:7-9

In this life, we are tempted, we are tried, and we fail. There is no sugar coating it. Jesus has promised us that we would have trouble in this life, and we will. But the story doesn't end there.

The beautiful thing about Jesus as our strength in weakness is that Jesus has experienced every human emotion and has been through anything that we will go through.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

Because of that, He can relate to us. And He can win the victory for us. Think about Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. He was tempted for 40 days straight! And he wasn't eating. Surely a man who has been through that can sympathize when we are weak and need strength.

The Word also promises us that whatever we are going through isn't really all that special - whatever is happening is common to man! That would be enough to have me really dismal over the human condition. But it's the next phrase that is key. God is faithful.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13

He will give us strength to endure it, and He will give us the victory. He will win the victory for us!

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

Jesus is a friend for sinners. A friend for us who are weak and need strength, who need refuge, who need victory. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16


Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Luke 7:34

This hymn does a masterful job at showing us who Jesus is. I have written about it before, but after recently singing it in church, I wanted to take the time to do a "deep dive" into each verse of this hymn.

Jesus is a friend for sinners, even when our earthly friends fail us. It's inevitable; because we live in a fallen world, our friends are sinners. And they will sin. They will disappoint us, not live up to our expectations and desires, and they may even walk away from a faith that once was strong.

Paul had this experience himself. While in prison in Rome, he wrote to his friend Timothy, the pastor at the church at Ephesus, and urged him to come and visit.

Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. II Timothy 4:9-10

Notice what he tells Timothy - Come soon! For my friend Demas has deserted me. And two others have left as well. Demas was Paul's partner in ministry. But clearly he couldn't hack it - he loved the world too much. I'm sure this was a disappointment to Paul. Not only did he lose his friend in a geographic sense (as Demas literally left Paul's side and went to Thessalonica) but he watched him choose the world over Jesus.

This wasn't the first time this had happened to Paul. A little later in the letter he recounts:

At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. II Timothy 4:17

Everyone deserted him! You'll note that Paul, in his graciousness, asks that it not be counted against them. But still! No one supported him. This is Paul we're talking about. Paul, who had the most amazing conversion story of all time, the living voice of God who has been in prison for spreading the gospel. They all deserted him.

Remember, Jesus is a friend for sinners. And Paul reminds us of that.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. II Timothy 4:17-18

The Lord stood by Him! Everyone else deserted him but not Jesus. Not only did He stand by Paul, but He strengthened him and rescued him.

I love how Paul takes every opportunity to give God the glory. Even though several more verses follow, He can't end this section of His letter without a little benediction.

Take some time today to meditate on Jesus, the friend for sinners. Thank Him for the times that He has stood by you. Praise Him for making you whole.


Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!
Words by J. Wilbur Chapman

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

I Will Sing of my Redeemer

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. John 5:24

There is a very profound, and life-changing truth in the final verse of this hymn. I will sing of my Redeemer because He has brought me from death to life. I deserve to be dead, but because I have placed my faith in Him, He has given me life!

I deserve to be dead because of sin entering the world through the first humans God created. Adam and Eve's indiscretion in the Garden guaranteed a world of sin, and made me a sinner before I was even born.

But, God had a plan. He had a plan from before there was time; a plan to redeem this fallen world through His sinless son. As Paul explains, just as Adam brought sin into the world and caused death to reign for everyone, Jesus brought life and the gift of righteousness.

For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

By Adam's sin, we were all condemned. Through Jesus' sacrifice, all sin is forgiven and we are deemed righteous and justified when we believe.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. Romans 5:18

In the same way that Adam was disobedient, causing sin for all people, Jesus was obedient, dying on the cross to pay for sin and redeem sinners.

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19

God instituted the Law for His people so that they would see their sin. But again, His plan was in place - grace would conquer sin once and for all through Jesus so that when we believe and put our faith in Him, our sins are forgiven and we are free from death once and for all. We are free from death here on earth and we are promised eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior!

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

Jesus abolished death and brought immortalit and life to light through the gospel. That's what I call good news!

God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. II Timothy 1:9-10

I will sing of my Redeemer!

I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Words by Philip Bliss

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heavenly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

I Will Praise My Dear Redeemer

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

We have countless things to praise God for - He created our beautiful world, He fulfilled His plan that He promised through the ages - sending Jesus Christ our Redeemer - and we praise Jesus for obediently going to the cross, humbling Himself and willingly taking my place.

One thing that is totally amazing to my finite, human mind is that through His death and resurrection, Jesus gives victory over sin, and death, and hell.

Jesus paid the price for my sin on the cross. After He died and was buried, God brought Him back to life, because He was pleased with Jesus' sacrifice. Death could not hold Him!

This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:23-24

He has triumphant power because of His resurrection!

...who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord... Romans 1:4

Death no longer has victory over anyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and Savior. Isn't that great news? That is something to sing about! Jesus gives us victory over sin and the law through His death on the cross.

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:55-57

I will sing of my Redeemer! And like Paul, I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection so that I, too, may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Words by Philip Bliss

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

I Will Tell the Wondrous Story

And the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10

I will tell the wondrous story how Christ came to save my lost estate. This is the reason Jesus came to earth - to save those who are lost!

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

Jesus, because of His great love for us, freely gave His life up for me, paying the ransom to save me from death.

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27

This idea of paying the ransom did not originate with Christ - we see many examples in the Old Testament of "ransoming" - paying to free someone or something from death. God uses these examples in the life of His chosen people to point them to the Savior who would come to ransom them from their sin - saving them from death.

If a man's animal killed a person, that man was sentenced to death. However, he could pay a ransom to redeem himself and save himself from death.

If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him. Exodus 21:29-30

Jesus paid our ransom! He went to the cross and died in my place so that I could live.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. Timothy 2:5-6

I will sing of my Redeemer!

I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Words by Philip Bliss

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

I Will Sing of My Redeemer - Refrain

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

Why do I sing about Jesus? Because He purchased me with His blood.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10

He sealed my pardon on the cross. Jesus, fully God and fully man, does not retain His anger forever - He pardons iniquity and delights in unchanging love.

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. Micah 7:18

He paid the debt that I owe.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

He made me free.

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1


I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Words by Philip Bliss

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Job 19:25

This is a wonderful old hymn with good reminders of why we are to sing and give praise to our God. These are basic truths of the Christian faith, but even these simple truths deserve to be revisited and meditated on - for the beauty of the gospel is that it is not complex - but it is significant.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Our God is our Redeemer - even in ages past, His people knew Him as their Redeemer, as He had rescued them from Egypt.

You, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Your name. Isaiah 63:16

From "of old" God had promised His people that their Redeemer was coming - a Messiah who would deliver them. After waiting for thousands of years, God sent His son Jesus to fulfill his promise. Jesus, fully God and fully man, was born a man and grew up just like we do, except without sin. And then He obeyed His Father by going to the cross and dying in our place.

God, our Redeemer, showed His love for us by giving us His only son.

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

Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, showed His love for us by humbling Himself and suffering on the cruel cross to pay the debt that He did not owe.

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

This love of our Redeemer was demonstrated through that selfless act, the sinless God-man dying for the sinful people. God didn't wait for us to "get better" or become sinless on our own - He knew that was impossible, and as sinners, we really had no hope in the world. Even so, Jesus went to the cross while we were still in our sin-sick condition.

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

God's redeeming love sent Jesus to the cross to pay for the world's sin once and for all. In the "old way," unblemished animals would be sacrificed for different sins - there were all kinds of offerings dependent on the situation. These offerings are described by God to His people as a "soothing aroma." In the new plan, Jesus took the place of the lambs, bulls, goats and doves. He gave Himself up for us, offering Himself as a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2

I will sing of my Redeemer!

I Will Sing of my Redeemer
Words by Philip Bliss

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Refrain
Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His heav’nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

I'll Count My Blessings, verse 3

God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. Psalm 47:8

I go to meet another year,
With faith no doubt can dim,
God reigneth, and I will not fear,
But trust my way with Him.
Then if that way be bright or dark,
Let peace unshaken be!
And let me, like the soaring lark,
Sing "God is good to me!"

When you walk through the valley, you can choose to see God's goodness and put your trust in Him. He can use that time to increase your faith and draw You close to Him.

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:5

When you've been able to count your blessings, even during the darkest times of your life, you can meet a new year with faith that no doubt can dim. Your trust in His sovereign plan will be a way that you live and shine His light to those around you. Whether the way is dark or light, you can have peace knowing that God reigns, and you can live without fear.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Isn't that great encouragement from His word? When we trust in Him, He keeps us in perfect peace! His word also promises us that He will give us strength and bless us with peace!

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11

When you count your blessings, do you count the blessing of peace? I am sure you know many people who aren't living in peace - having the Lord's peace is truly a gift - a gift that is bestowed on us when we believe and trust in our Sovereign King.

When you trust in Him, you can sing like the soaring lark, "God is good to me!"

But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. Psalm 73:28

Take some time today to count your blessings.


I'll Count My Blessings
Words by Carrie Breck

I lift my heart today in praise
To Him who loves me so,
Whose mercy crowneth all my days,
And makes my cup overflow.
O have I loved Him as I should
For all His blessings free?
Praise God who giveth naught but good,
For He is good to me!

Refrain
I’ll count my blessings
Count them o’er and o’er
I’ll tell my Father’s goodness
I will love Him more,
I’ll count my blessings, bountiful and free
Yet I can never count them all
So good is God to me!

I thank Him for unclouded skies
For love beyond my ken
That when my path in shadow lies,
The sunshine comes again.
I thank Him for the hopes fulfilled
For every answered plea,
That though life was not all I willed,
My God is good to me!

I go to meet another year,
With faith no doubt can dim,
God reigneth, and I will not fear,
But trust my way with Him.
Then if that way be bright or dark,
Let peace unshaken be!
And let me, like the soaring lark,
Sing "God is good to me!"

I'll Count My Blessings, verse 2

Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 36:5

I thank Him for unclouded skies
For love beyond my ken
That when my path in shadow lies,
The sunshine comes again.
I thank Him for the hopes fulfilled
For every answered plea,
That though life was not all I willed,
My God is good to me!

I just love this time of year when the sunshine comes streaming in the windows, and I wake up to blue skies and bright mornings. I am so thankful for the blessing of spring! After a dark winter, it is a wonderful gift from our Father Creator to have warmer temperatures, bright sunshine, and longer days.

Just like the season of winter, we all have seasons that are dark and cold in our lives. Times when our paths are in shadows. I know it is a comfort to me to know that because of our God and what He has done for us in Christ Jesus, I know the sunshine will come again.

During these times of shadow, the truth of Scripture can encourage and exhort us, and remind us of the bedrocks of our faith. One of our many blessings from our Heavenly Father is love beyond our knowledge and understanding (Ephesians 3:19!) - love that will never leave us or cause us to be separated from Him.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Another blessing we have from Him is hopes fulfilled and answered prayer.

For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15

In my trouble I cried to the LORD, And He answered me. Psalm 120:1

Even when we are disturbed and in despair, the Scriptures tell us what to do: hope in God, for He holds our future secure.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Psalm 42:5

His very presence is our help - and is a tremendous blessing! The gift of the Holy Spirit who indwells all believers is a blessing worthy to be counted!

And here's how it all ties together: we have hope, hope that does not disappoint us, because the love of God which is beyond our knowledge or understanding is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit!

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Are you counting your blessings? Hope that does not disappoint, the love of God, the gift of the Holy Spirit...

These are blessings that console, comfort and buoy us when life is not what we expect or had planned. When life is not all I willed, I can still praise Him because He is good to me! Sometimes praising is a matter of the will. Sometimes I have to choose to praise Him, I have to choose to count my blessings. But when I choose to praise and to count my blessings, my mind and heart are quickly changed - I no longer think about my plans and my disappointments, but I think about what God has done for me, and how blessed I am to be His!

There will be many times in our lives when things don't go according to our plans. For some, these will be little things, and for others, they will be big things. But no matter the size, quantity or quality of our troubles and challenges, we can say that God is good! We can count our blessings, and hope in the One who gave Himself for us.

I'll Count My Blessings
Words by Carrie Breck

I lift my heart today in praise
To Him who loves me so,
Whose mercy crowneth all my days,
And makes my cup overflow.
O have I loved Him as I should
For all His blessings free?
Praise God who giveth naught but good,
For He is good to me!

Refrain
I’ll count my blessings
Count them o’er and o’er
I’ll tell my Father’s goodness
I will love Him more,
I’ll count my blessings, bountiful and free
Yet I can never count them all
So good is God to me!

I thank Him for unclouded skies
For love beyond my ken
That when my path in shadow lies,
The sunshine comes again.
I thank Him for the hopes fulfilled
For every answered plea,
That though life was not all I willed,
My God is good to me!

I go to meet another year,
With faith no doubt can dim,
God reigneth, and I will not fear,
But trust my way with Him.
Then if that way be bright or dark,
Let peace unshaken be!
And let me, like the soaring lark,
Sing "God is good to me!"

I'll Count My Blessings, refrain

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 118:1

I’ll count my blessings
Count them o’er and o’er
I’ll tell my Father’s goodness
I will love Him more,
I’ll count my blessings, bountiful and free
Yet I can never count them all
So good is God to me!

The Lord's lovingkindness is everlasting, and His mercies are new every morning. I can count my blessings over and over because He has blessed me so richly!

I've been making a point lately to tell of my Father's goodness - to not keep everything to myself, but to openly acknowledge to myself and others, God's great goodness to me. From the small things to the big things, He is good - my faithful Creator is good to me!

How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19

Certainly I love Him because of His great love for me - but there are new mercies every morning that cause me to love Him more: a bright sunshiny day, ducks waddling through the backyard, fresh strawberries, encouragement from His Word, a sweet phone call from a friend, safety in traffic, the privelege of pouring my heart out in prayer, knowing that my eternity is secure with Him.

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

I will count my blessings - they truly are bountiful and free - but this hymnwriter is so right - I can never count them all! God is so good to me!!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:3-14

Paul reminds us that God has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ! EVERY spiritual blessing. I could never count them all!

This beautiful passage in the letter to the church at Ephesus names just some of our blessings:
He chose us
He makes us holy and blameless
He predestined us
He adopted us
He freely bestowed His grace on us through Jesus
He redeemed us through Jesus' blodd
He forgives us
He lavishes grace upon us
He made known to us the mystery of his will
He gives us an inheritance
He has a purpose for us
He made us to bring Him glory
He sealed us with the Holy Spirit

What an amazing list! God is so good, He's so good to me.

I will count my blessings. Won't you join me?

I'll Count My Blessings
Words by Carrie Breck

I lift my heart today in praise
To Him who loves me so,
Whose mercy crowneth all my days,
And makes my cup overflow.
O have I loved Him as I should
For all His blessings free?
Praise God who giveth naught but good,
For He is good to me!

Refrain
I’ll count my blessings
Count them o’er and o’er
I’ll tell my Father’s goodness
I will love Him more,
I’ll count my blessings, bountiful and free
Yet I can never count them all
So good is God to me!

I thank Him for unclouded skies
For love beyond my ken
That when my path in shadow lies,
The sunshine comes again.
I thank Him for the hopes fulfilled
For every answered plea,
That though life was not all I willed,
My God is good to me!

I go to meet another year,
With faith no doubt can dim,
God reigneth, and I will not fear,
But trust my way with Him.
Then if that way be bright or dark,
Let peace unshaken be!
And let me, like the soaring lark,
Sing "God is good to me!"

I'll Count My Blessings

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:3-4

We've spent the last several weeks reflecting on the Lenten season and the last days of Jesus' earthly ministry. After Maundy Thursday service and contemplating what Jesus did on the cross for me, I eagerly await Resurrection morning and the celebration of Christ's conquering death and sin once and for all. I am again brought to tears by his free and matchless gift... and I don't ever want to take it for granted. Jesus has bought new life for us. That may be the greatest gift of all, but it's not our only gift from our Lord and Savior. He has blessed us so many ways. I want to take time over the next few days to count my blessings.

I lift my heart today in praise
To Him who loves me so,
Whose mercy crowneth all my days,
And makes my cup o’erflow.
O have I loved Him as I should
For all His blessings free?
Praise God who giveth naught but good,
For He is good to me!

I know that I want to lift my heart in praise to the One who loves me so and crowns all my days with mercy. In one of my (many) favorite Bible passages, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that God is rich in mercy toward us because of His great love for us!

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10

I was dead before Jesus came and rescued me. I was a child of wrath! But God, because of His great love for me, showed His mercy by making me alive together with Christ, even while I was still a sinner!

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

God saved me, by His grace and through my faith in Christ and His substitutionary work on my behalf.

Not only did He save me, but He created me in Christ Jesus to do good works. I was made to be His representative and be a light in the darkness.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

That is a blessing! So what is my response?

The hymnwriter asks, have I loved Him as I should for all His blessings free? God instructed His people how to love Him when He gave them the law.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall therefore love the LORD your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments. Deuteronomy 11:1

And through His word, He repeats His requirements to us in the New Covenant.

We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. I John 4:19-21

If we love God, we show it by loving our brothers.

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:1-3

And we keep His commandments. That's how we show the world that we love God. This is what God has required of us. I'll be reflecting on this as I think about loving God as I should; with all my heart, mind and strength, by loving my brothers, and by keeping His commandments.

God gives us nothing but good. He is good to me! This is my prayer for you, and for me, as we seek to love Him as we ought, and do the good works that He has prepared for us.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
II Thessalonians 2:16-17


I'll Count My Blessings
Words by Carrie Breck

I lift my heart today in praise
To Him who loves me so,
Whose mercy crowneth all my days,
And makes my cup overflow.
O have I loved Him as I should
For all His blessings free?
Praise God who giveth naught but good,
For He is good to me!

Refrain
I’ll count my blessings
Count them o’er and o’er
I’ll tell my Father’s goodness
I will love Him more,
I’ll count my blessings, bountiful and free
Yet I can never count them all
So good is God to me!

I thank Him for unclouded skies
For love beyond my ken
That when my path in shadow lies,
The sunshine comes again.
I thank Him for the hopes fulfilled
For every answered plea,
That though life was not all I willed,
My God is good to me!

I go to meet another year,
With faith no doubt can dim,
God reigneth, and I will not fear,
But trust my way with Him.
Then if that way be bright or dark,
Let peace unshaken be!
And let me, like the soaring lark,
Sing "God is good to me!"

Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day

Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. Matthew 28:1-4

Joy Dawned Again on Easter Day
Author Unknown

Joy dawned again on Easter Day,
The sun shone out with fairer ray,
When, to their longing eyes restored
The Apostles saw their risen Lord.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Matthew 28:5-9

His risen flesh with radiance glowed;
His wounded hands and feet He showed:
Those scars their silent witness gave
That Christ was risen from the grave.

While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them. Luke 24:36-42

O Jesus, King of gentleness,
Do Thou our inmost hearts possess;
And we to Thee will ever raise
The tribute of our grateful praise.

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; and my soul, which You have redeemed. Psalm 71:23

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12

Jesus who art the Lord of all,
In this our Easter festival
From every weapon death can wield
Thine own redeemed, Thy people, shield.

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power." Acts 2:22-24

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

All praise, O risen Lord, we give
To Thee, who dead, again dost live;
To God the Father equal praise,
And God the Holy Ghost, we raise.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. I Corinthians 15:20-22

O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:55-57

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

40 Days of Prayer: Day 40

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave. Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone. Matthew 27:57-66

Dear God,

I thank You that not even the Pharisees could thwart Your plan. They were determined to make little of Jesus and His prophecy, and they did everything in their power to secure the grave where Joseph had laid Him. Lord, today I lift up people in our day who our like the Pharisees - people who don't believe that Jesus REALLY died or that His death and resurrection mean anything to them. The Pharisees believed Jesus to be a deceiver, and yet I know, Lord, that it was only because they were deceived that they would think this. Lord, open the eyes of those who need to see you, who need to see Jesus this weekend. Open their hearts, Lord, and show them what Jesus did on their behalf, and make clear their need for You.

In Your Name,
Amen

40 Days of Prayer: Day 39

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:45-54

Dear Jesus,

Truly You are the Son of God! We stand in awe with great thankfulness and humility for what You did for us on the cross this day. You went, so that we wouldn't have to. You gave up Your sinless self on my behalf. I don't have words to tell You how thankful I am, but because of Your great gift to me, I want to live for You each day, bringing glory to You in everything I do. Lord, let me not take this great gift for granted but keep my sin before me so that I can repent and walk closely with You. Thank You for Your obedience and Your sacrifice. Thank You that I am no longer separated from God. Thank You for restoring me, delivering me and redeeming me. You are my Lord!

In Your Name,
Amen

40 Days of Prayer: Day 38

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:36-39

Dear God,

I cannot even imagine the agony that Jesus experienced as He awaited His own death. He knew what was to come, and He knew that He had to do it to fulfill Your plan, but it was not easy. It was agonizing. Jesus, Your soul was grieved to the point of death! Jesus, thank You for Your obedience that prayed "Not as I will, but as You will." Thank You for submitting to Your Heavenly Father. Lord, I know that You paid the ultimate price by giving up Your life. The cost of my life was paid by Yours. Thank You. In light of Your great sacrifice, may I live more devoted to You and more committed to righteousness for Your sake.

In Your Name,
Amen

40 Days of Prayer: Day 37

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:42-44

Dear God,

It is so amazing to read the stories of Jesus' last days here on Earth. I thank You for the words You gave Him to teach, to use His time wisely in showing people how to live and pointing them to You. I thank You for the promises, the warnings and the exhortations from Jesus, and ask that You strengthen me to live the way You have called me to. I pray that You would make me alert. Make me ready, Lord, because You have said that Jesus is coming again, and that we will be surprised. Prepare me, Lord, and let me look forward with expectation and rejoicing to that day.

In Your Name,
Amen

40 Days of Prayer: Day 36

On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, asking, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘IF A MAN DIES HAVING NO CHILDREN, HIS BROTHER AS NEXT OF KIN SHALL MARRY HIS WIFE, AND RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.’ Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”

But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. Matthew 22:23-33

Dear God,

How I praise You that You are the God of the living! Thank You for Your resurrection power that brought Jesus back from the dead and won victory over death forever. Thank You that we have the promise from You that we will spend eternity with You when we proclaim You as Savior and Lord, acknowledge and repent of our sin and accept Your free gift of salvation. Thank You, God, for Jesus' clear teaching that we can read today. Write Your words on my heart today, Lord, and may You receive all the glory for what You have done.

In Your Name,
Amen