November 20, 2004
Revelation 3:14 "These are the words of The Amen, the trustworthy and faithful and true witness, the origin and beginning, and author of God's creation."
I am understanding that "amen" means "so be it." However, all the dictionary says is that it is used at the end of prayers to express solemn ratification of approval. My question is: Whose approval? Man's or God's? Yes, I do "amen" when I agree with another's prayers, sermon, etc. However, when I say it in my own prayers, I hope it is not just habit, but a statement of faith that You have heard and "it will be," or "so be it."
Revelation 3:14 refers to You as THE AMEN - The Final Authority. This is awesome! It is difficult to put into words all that this tiny four-letter word means. I am thinking of that song "Amen." that is the only word of the whole chorus. Now I understand more of why we sing it. It is because it is enough.
You are the Great AMEN. You are enough!
So Be It!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Scepter
Numbers 24:17b (amp) "...and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel and shall crush all the corners of Moab..."
Lord, a Scepter is a symbol of authority. It denotes power - ultimate power and authority. When Esther came to see her husband, King Ahasuerus, on behalf of her people, she went in the knowledge that if he did not hold out his royal scepter to her she could be executed.
The scepter in Numbers 24 is referring to Christ, the Messiah, as the Scepter. When He comes in all His divine power and authority, he will be the Scepter of Mercy to all of us who have believed in His name and accepted His forgiveness. But to those who have rejected Him, He will be the Scepter of Judgment and eternal death.
Thank You for being the Scepter of Great Love and Mercy. There is never any fear in approaching Your throne as You always stretch forth Your scepter of welcome and approval. You then set it aside and bid me come as a little child into your embrace. Even Your reprimands are done with great love and compassion. You are the ultimate authority but Your rule is just and loving.
Lord, a Scepter is a symbol of authority. It denotes power - ultimate power and authority. When Esther came to see her husband, King Ahasuerus, on behalf of her people, she went in the knowledge that if he did not hold out his royal scepter to her she could be executed.
The scepter in Numbers 24 is referring to Christ, the Messiah, as the Scepter. When He comes in all His divine power and authority, he will be the Scepter of Mercy to all of us who have believed in His name and accepted His forgiveness. But to those who have rejected Him, He will be the Scepter of Judgment and eternal death.
Thank You for being the Scepter of Great Love and Mercy. There is never any fear in approaching Your throne as You always stretch forth Your scepter of welcome and approval. You then set it aside and bid me come as a little child into your embrace. Even Your reprimands are done with great love and compassion. You are the ultimate authority but Your rule is just and loving.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
The Alpha and Omega
November 13, 2004
Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the lord God. He who is and who was and who is to come. The Almighty (Ruler of All)"
God the Father is the Eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future. Without You I have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change my life, nothing that can save me from sin. You are my reason for living. I honor the One who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.
Just as God the Father finished the work of creation (Gen 2:1-3), so Jesus the Son finished the work of redemption (John 19:30), so the Trinity will finish the entire plan of salvation by inviting the redeemed into a new creation.
I am so thankful for Your Trinity. If You were not the Great Three in One, Father Son and Holy Spirit - we would be powerless and useless here in this world. You created us in the beginning to love and have fellowship with You. We broke that fellowship when Adam sinned but you planned for Jesus to come and redeem us.
If you were not also the Holy Spirit who abides in use and works through us, the truth and the saving grace would not be told and passed down through the generations. We would not and could not do it without Your abiding Holy Spirit.
That is how You are in the past, present, and future - the beginning, middle and the end: Alpha and Omega.
Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the lord God. He who is and who was and who is to come. The Almighty (Ruler of All)"
God the Father is the Eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future. Without You I have nothing that is eternal, nothing that can change my life, nothing that can save me from sin. You are my reason for living. I honor the One who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power.
Just as God the Father finished the work of creation (Gen 2:1-3), so Jesus the Son finished the work of redemption (John 19:30), so the Trinity will finish the entire plan of salvation by inviting the redeemed into a new creation.
I am so thankful for Your Trinity. If You were not the Great Three in One, Father Son and Holy Spirit - we would be powerless and useless here in this world. You created us in the beginning to love and have fellowship with You. We broke that fellowship when Adam sinned but you planned for Jesus to come and redeem us.
If you were not also the Holy Spirit who abides in use and works through us, the truth and the saving grace would not be told and passed down through the generations. We would not and could not do it without Your abiding Holy Spirit.
That is how You are in the past, present, and future - the beginning, middle and the end: Alpha and Omega.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Wall of Fire
November 8, 2004
Zechariah 2:5 "For I, says the Lord, will be to her (Jerusalem) a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her."
My Lord, I continue to be amazed as to how much You love us, and how many different ways You protect Your own. You dwelt in the midst of Your holy city, Jerusalem, and at the same time You were (are) a wall of fire around her (us) protecting from seen and unseen enemies.
I believe this applies to us today as well. To anyone who trust in You, an individual like me, a church, a body of believers, a city, or a country. Our soldiers in Iraq need a wall of fire protecting them from car bombers, snipers, mines, etc. Our nation need a wall of holy fire around our borders so no enemy can penetrate it again like they did on Sept 11, 2001. Our churches need that wall of fire to keep out the enemy and his lies and arrows of discouragement so they cannot do his dirty work in your people.
Our city and country need Your protection in so many ways; our leaders, from local mayors, police, up to the congressional leaders, the President, his cabinet, the military. O God be that wall of fire that protects - may the enemies see it and flee. and may Your glory continue to abide in us that all may see and even the wicket must acknowledge you.
Thank You for Your daily protection. I know we will all be amazed at how many times Your hand of protection was there, saving us from dangers we never were aware of. May we always give You praise, in everything, and remember you are our Wall of Fire!
Zechariah 2:5 "For I, says the Lord, will be to her (Jerusalem) a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her."
My Lord, I continue to be amazed as to how much You love us, and how many different ways You protect Your own. You dwelt in the midst of Your holy city, Jerusalem, and at the same time You were (are) a wall of fire around her (us) protecting from seen and unseen enemies.
I believe this applies to us today as well. To anyone who trust in You, an individual like me, a church, a body of believers, a city, or a country. Our soldiers in Iraq need a wall of fire protecting them from car bombers, snipers, mines, etc. Our nation need a wall of holy fire around our borders so no enemy can penetrate it again like they did on Sept 11, 2001. Our churches need that wall of fire to keep out the enemy and his lies and arrows of discouragement so they cannot do his dirty work in your people.
Our city and country need Your protection in so many ways; our leaders, from local mayors, police, up to the congressional leaders, the President, his cabinet, the military. O God be that wall of fire that protects - may the enemies see it and flee. and may Your glory continue to abide in us that all may see and even the wicket must acknowledge you.
Thank You for Your daily protection. I know we will all be amazed at how many times Your hand of protection was there, saving us from dangers we never were aware of. May we always give You praise, in everything, and remember you are our Wall of Fire!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Sure Foundation
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away (in sudden panic).
Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the STONE which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the HEAD of the corner (the Cornerstone).
I Peter 2:4-6 Come to Him (then, to that) Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen and precious in God's sight. Come and like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up those spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture (referring to Isaiah 28:16)
My Lord, You are the only sure foundation - all else is shifting sand. How you have stood steady and secure through all the storms and earthquakes of my life. The winds and rains have come and the winds of adversity have blown hard. But I'm still standing on that solid Rock. I have trusted IN, relied ON You and You have made me into a living stone in Your spiritual house. All else may fail around me, but I know I am safe and secure in You.
Praise be to Christ Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone.
Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the STONE which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the HEAD of the corner (the Cornerstone).
I Peter 2:4-6 Come to Him (then, to that) Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen and precious in God's sight. Come and like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up those spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture (referring to Isaiah 28:16)
My Lord, You are the only sure foundation - all else is shifting sand. How you have stood steady and secure through all the storms and earthquakes of my life. The winds and rains have come and the winds of adversity have blown hard. But I'm still standing on that solid Rock. I have trusted IN, relied ON You and You have made me into a living stone in Your spiritual house. All else may fail around me, but I know I am safe and secure in You.
Praise be to Christ Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone.
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