But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." Isaiah 43:1
Dear Lord,
This morning, as I sang about the great truth that You know my name, I was brought to tears. It is overwhelming to me that the God of the Universe knows me. How I praise You for this truth! I thank You that You know my joys, my pain, my challenges, my triumphs. I thank You that You know my sin, and that Your precious Son paid the price for it. I thank You that You have called me by name and I am Yours!
With gratefulness,
Amen.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
40 Days of Prayer: Day 19
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
Dear Jesus,
How I thank You and praise You that You are my Wonderful Counselor. I am grateful for Your counsel through Your Word and through Your Holy Spirit. I thank You that at any time, in any place, for any reason, I can bring my cares, concerns, and even worries to Your throne and that You hear me. I thank You that You live to intercede for me and that I have the privelege of speaking directly to You through prayer. I thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to counsel me and for providing Your word which tells me how to live. May I bring glory to You as my Wonderful Counselor.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear Jesus,
How I thank You and praise You that You are my Wonderful Counselor. I am grateful for Your counsel through Your Word and through Your Holy Spirit. I thank You that at any time, in any place, for any reason, I can bring my cares, concerns, and even worries to Your throne and that You hear me. I thank You that You live to intercede for me and that I have the privelege of speaking directly to You through prayer. I thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to counsel me and for providing Your word which tells me how to live. May I bring glory to You as my Wonderful Counselor.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
40 Days of Prayer: Day 18
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57
Dear God,
Today I give You the thanks and praise for You have given us victory through Your Son Jesus Christ. I thank You that sin no longer has power over me because Christ, in His death defying power has abolished the fear and sting of death. Lord, I know that we might not always have victory over our earthly struggles against illness, hurt, difficult relationships, disappointment, and many others, but I praise You that we will have the victory in heaven. I thank You for what I have to look forward to. I pray that others will see that I live in victory because of Your gift.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear God,
Today I give You the thanks and praise for You have given us victory through Your Son Jesus Christ. I thank You that sin no longer has power over me because Christ, in His death defying power has abolished the fear and sting of death. Lord, I know that we might not always have victory over our earthly struggles against illness, hurt, difficult relationships, disappointment, and many others, but I praise You that we will have the victory in heaven. I thank You for what I have to look forward to. I pray that others will see that I live in victory because of Your gift.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Monday, March 28, 2011
40 Days of Prayer: Day 17
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Dear Father,
As I pondered this verse today, it was almost too much for me to comprehend. Because I am Yours, the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me. Your Spirit, the same One who brought Jesus back to life, lives in me! And Your Spirit gives me life. Lord, I ask that Your Spirit, Your powerful, life-giving Spirit, would flow through me with power and grace and lead me in the thoughts and actions that will bring honor and glory to You. May it be evident to others that I have Your life-giving Spirit in me and may I be changed through Your indwelling.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear Father,
As I pondered this verse today, it was almost too much for me to comprehend. Because I am Yours, the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me. Your Spirit, the same One who brought Jesus back to life, lives in me! And Your Spirit gives me life. Lord, I ask that Your Spirit, Your powerful, life-giving Spirit, would flow through me with power and grace and lead me in the thoughts and actions that will bring honor and glory to You. May it be evident to others that I have Your life-giving Spirit in me and may I be changed through Your indwelling.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
My Crucified Savior
"It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save." Isaiah 63:1
This beautiful hymn about Jesus' death and resurrection is new to me, and perfect for meditating on during this Lenten season. I so appreciate the story line it draws from Christ's suffering and death and what it accomplished for us to how we can be spared from the same experience through our acceptance of His free gift of salvation. Truly, He is both willing and mighty to save.
Christ suffered willingly to pay for my sin.
But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
Acts 3:18
And He suffered alone. The sins of the world were on His back and for the briefest of moments, His Father turned His face away.
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?" Matthew 27:46
Jesus had to die to pay the price for sin once for all. For thousands of years God's people were sacrificing animals to pay for their sin, but they had to do it year after year, and it still wasn't good enough.
For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4
It wasn't good enough because it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. So, God sent His sinless son to die in my place in order that I may be redeemed to God.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE." Galatians 3:13
After dying a painful death on a cross, He was buried. But that was not the end. Jesus had appeased the Creator and restored mankind, and God in His strength and power raised Him from the dead!
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation (appeasement!)for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. I John 2:1-2
When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. Acts 13:29-31
Finally, God's plan to save His people was accomplished. God had been promising a Savior ever since Eve and Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. And this was a great promise kept - with Christ as Savior, our sin no longer separates us from God. Not only that, but we will escape the bondage of death and live eternally in a place that Jesus went ahead of us to prepare.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3
We must rejoice in His love! Rejoice in His love that took Him to the cross, suffered for our sin, and rose again! Rejoice in His love that He will come again to take us home with Him.
Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22
My Crucified Savior
Words by Fredrika Falck,
translated from Swedish to English by Claude Foss
My crucified Savior, despised and contemned,
Thou innocent victim for sinners condemned,
Thy garments are blood-stained, Thy spirit doth groan,
In agony prostrate, Thou suff’rest alone.
Thou weepest and moanest in conflict and prayer,
And writhest in agony, pain and despair;
In thirty years’ anguish our path Thou hast trod,
And diest at last to redeem us to God.
Our Savior thus finished God’s plan with our race,
And laid the foundation for pardon and grace.
And then rose triumphant, the conquering Lord,
Appeased the Creator and mankind restored.
Restored to the bliss that was lost in the fall,
Yea, greater, for Jesus prepared for us all
Eternal salvation and mansions above;
Come, poor, burdened sinners, rejoice in His love.
Yea, come, trembling sinner, come just as thou art,
Thy cares and thy sorrows to Jesus impart;
In Him seek salvation from death and the grave,
For Jesus is willing and mighty to save.
This beautiful hymn about Jesus' death and resurrection is new to me, and perfect for meditating on during this Lenten season. I so appreciate the story line it draws from Christ's suffering and death and what it accomplished for us to how we can be spared from the same experience through our acceptance of His free gift of salvation. Truly, He is both willing and mighty to save.
Christ suffered willingly to pay for my sin.
But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.
Acts 3:18
And He suffered alone. The sins of the world were on His back and for the briefest of moments, His Father turned His face away.
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?" Matthew 27:46
Jesus had to die to pay the price for sin once for all. For thousands of years God's people were sacrificing animals to pay for their sin, but they had to do it year after year, and it still wasn't good enough.
For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4
It wasn't good enough because it's impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. So, God sent His sinless son to die in my place in order that I may be redeemed to God.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE." Galatians 3:13
After dying a painful death on a cross, He was buried. But that was not the end. Jesus had appeased the Creator and restored mankind, and God in His strength and power raised Him from the dead!
And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation (appeasement!)for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. I John 2:1-2
When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. Acts 13:29-31
Finally, God's plan to save His people was accomplished. God had been promising a Savior ever since Eve and Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. And this was a great promise kept - with Christ as Savior, our sin no longer separates us from God. Not only that, but we will escape the bondage of death and live eternally in a place that Jesus went ahead of us to prepare.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3
We must rejoice in His love! Rejoice in His love that took Him to the cross, suffered for our sin, and rose again! Rejoice in His love that He will come again to take us home with Him.
Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22
My Crucified Savior
Words by Fredrika Falck,
translated from Swedish to English by Claude Foss
My crucified Savior, despised and contemned,
Thou innocent victim for sinners condemned,
Thy garments are blood-stained, Thy spirit doth groan,
In agony prostrate, Thou suff’rest alone.
Thou weepest and moanest in conflict and prayer,
And writhest in agony, pain and despair;
In thirty years’ anguish our path Thou hast trod,
And diest at last to redeem us to God.
Our Savior thus finished God’s plan with our race,
And laid the foundation for pardon and grace.
And then rose triumphant, the conquering Lord,
Appeased the Creator and mankind restored.
Restored to the bliss that was lost in the fall,
Yea, greater, for Jesus prepared for us all
Eternal salvation and mansions above;
Come, poor, burdened sinners, rejoice in His love.
Yea, come, trembling sinner, come just as thou art,
Thy cares and thy sorrows to Jesus impart;
In Him seek salvation from death and the grave,
For Jesus is willing and mighty to save.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
40 Days of Prayer: Day 16
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
Dear God of Creation,
Today I praise You for the bright sunshine that lifts my spirit. It's like I feel You shining down on me, lighting up our world with Your brightness and glory. As I think about the sun shining, I am reminded of Jesus' exhortation to let my light shine. I ask that You would guide me today in being cognizant of what I am projecting to others and I pray that it would be bright light! Lord, it is my desire that I would shine because of You in me and that the fruit of my growth in You would be evident to others; that they would see my good works, made possible only because of You. And most importantly, Lord, I pray that as a result, many others would give You glory, because You are the One worthy of all glory, honor and praise.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Dear God of Creation,
Today I praise You for the bright sunshine that lifts my spirit. It's like I feel You shining down on me, lighting up our world with Your brightness and glory. As I think about the sun shining, I am reminded of Jesus' exhortation to let my light shine. I ask that You would guide me today in being cognizant of what I am projecting to others and I pray that it would be bright light! Lord, it is my desire that I would shine because of You in me and that the fruit of my growth in You would be evident to others; that they would see my good works, made possible only because of You. And most importantly, Lord, I pray that as a result, many others would give You glory, because You are the One worthy of all glory, honor and praise.
In Your Name,
Amen.
Friday, March 25, 2011
40 Days of Prayer: Day 15
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. Colossians 3:18-19
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
Today I come before you asking for Your wisdom for husbands and wives. I pray for wives, that they would be obedient to Your word and respect their husbands, honoring them and glorifying You. I pray for husbands, that they would love their wives and live with them in an understanding manner, as You have directed them. Lord, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would be at work in marriages, that both parties will be sensitive to Your leading and directing. I pray that marriages would, as You have authored in Your word, be a picture of Christ and His church. May unbelievers come to a saving faith in You as a result of strong Christian marriages that show the world what it is like to be the bride of Christ.
For Your glory I ask it,
Amen.
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
Today I come before you asking for Your wisdom for husbands and wives. I pray for wives, that they would be obedient to Your word and respect their husbands, honoring them and glorifying You. I pray for husbands, that they would love their wives and live with them in an understanding manner, as You have directed them. Lord, I pray that Your Holy Spirit would be at work in marriages, that both parties will be sensitive to Your leading and directing. I pray that marriages would, as You have authored in Your word, be a picture of Christ and His church. May unbelievers come to a saving faith in You as a result of strong Christian marriages that show the world what it is like to be the bride of Christ.
For Your glory I ask it,
Amen.
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