Abundantly Pardoned

“Make your way to the everlasting ruins, to all that the enemy has destroyed in the sanctuary.” (Psalm 74:3 Holman Christian Standard)

We need to ask ourselves: In what ways have people desecrated the church I attend? Has the holy been made unholy through words backed by Satan? How can the unholy be made holy again? How can that which has been ruined or destroyed be made alive and new again? We need to pray for resurrection of the sacred.

“Alone No More”

As the waves crashed and the wind blew,
And my boat tossed under me;
I saw someone in the driving rain,
Walking toward me on the sea.

With a loud shout I cried out
And the boat, it trembled hard;
I held on tight, prayed to see the light,
Prayed my life Dear God would guard.

And the storm raged and the sky lived
Like an angry cat broke free;
I saw someone poised on a wave
Before me on the sea.

With squinted eyes I peered and strived
To behold who ruled the waves;
I could not tell be it hea’en or hell,
But I prayed to God who saves.

As He walked fast and sweetly smiled
And His hand reached out to me,
I knew who came in the stormy night,
Walking toward me on the sea.

With a loud shout, I cried out,
And I scrambled from my boat;
I stood on the waves for the One who saves
As the wind tore off my coat.

I walked to Him and took His hand,
My troubles were no more;
He calmed the sea with just one word
And led me to the shore.

The sun shone bright, I saw the light
That day upon the shore;
The night had flown, but faith had grown,
I walked alone no more.

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (Proverbs 1:5 NIV) What have we learned from God today? We need to ask ourselves that question every night with journal in hand. Each day is a new, glorious day of learning while walking with God. No matter what we go through, whether good or bad, whether simple or complicated, God has something to teach us. Let us learn in this lifelong school of God.

^{Eph 1:19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, Eph 1:20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms….}

^{Why do we doubt Him? Why do we doubt that He can do anything? He who raised Christ from the dead, who parted the seas, who walked on crashing waves, who caused the lame to walk and the blind to see, who has healed the sick and driven out demons over and over and over. Even the devil knows who God is and what He can do. Why don’t we?}

“Sit Me At the Feet of Jesus”

Sit me at the feet of Jesus,e’s nowhere else I’d rather be;

Sit me at the feet of Jesus,

Martha’s calling out for me.

I don’t want to be too busy,

Sit me at my Master’s feet;

Nothing else is so important,

Words so wise and love so sweet.

If I will not sit before Him,

If I rush and work each day,

Sit me at the feet of Jesus

To hear the wondrous words He’ll say.

If He took away my works I’d still love Him,

If I didn’t do a thing I’d still praise Him,

If He said, “My child, be still,” I’d still seek Him,

It’s all about grace, not works.

-Dear Jesus, may I always sit at Your precious feet!

Keneta-

It’s true. It’s a fact of life. Sometimes people hurt you. There was a time in my life when several people were hurting me, and the pain is as raw and real today as it was when it was happening. I still don’t totally understand why they wanted to hurt me the way they did, but I forgive them. It just hurts so much when I remember it, and sometimes something will happen that rips that wound wide open again. There will be people in our lives who won’t truly love us, but we can take comfort in the fact that our Savior loves us. Draw near to Him, and allow Him to love away the pain. “…how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:18b NIV)

The first time I went to see the Christian band “Casting Crowns,” the tickets were just ten dollars. The band doesn’t just put on a concert, they have a worship service with invitation. At this particular concert, many young people thronged up front to the stage to accept Christ as their Savior or to rededicate their lives. Someone way up in the nosebleed section shouted, “Welcome to the family!!” Everyone cheered. It’s a glorious, joyful time when someone is adopted into the family of God. Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” Welcome to the family!

This morning, in our Sunday School lesson at church, 7 words lit a fire in me, and my bones would have melted if I hadn’t been allowed to speak. Those 7 words: “God typically doesn’t speak through visions today.” The reason He doesn’t “typically” speak in visions today as opposed to the days of the Old Testament and New Testament is because we don’t allow Him to. We set limits on the Lord God Almighty. We place chains on Him by not allowing Him to be the Lord God Almighty Great and Almighty I AM that He is. We take away who He is when we call Him demeaning names like “The Man Upstairs.” No, “The Man Upstairs” won’t speak to us in visions, but the Great and Almighty I AM will surely knock us head-over-heels with visions and miracles and wonders if we—if we what? IF WE BELIEVE! Let’s stop placing limitations on our God! Let’s start believing in our powerful God for whom “nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37). Let’s give Him the glory that is due Him and watch Him show His power and might. He is not “The Man Upstairs.” He is YAHWEH!

Psalm 103 and Psalm 145 are such wonderful Psalms to use in prayer and worship to praise the Lord for all that He is and all that He does, to bring Him glory and exalt Him. Psalm 145 tells us that the Lord is great and worthy of praise and that His greatness is unfathomable. His acts are mighty. His majesty has glorious splendor. His works are wonderful and awesome. His deeds are great. His goodness is abundant, and He is righteous. He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. He is good to all and has compassion on all He has made. His kingdom is glorious. He is mighty, and His acts are mighty. His kingdom is filled with glorious splendor and is an everlasting kingdom. His dominion endures through all generations. He is faithful to all His promises. He is loving toward all He has made. He upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. He gives us food and satisfies the desires of every living thing. He is righteous in all His ways. He is near to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him. He hears their cries and saves them. He watches over all who love Him. He destroys the wicked. Hallelujah! Let’s praise our Lord God Almighty!