Deuteronomy 31:17

New King James Version (NKJV)
Joshua the New Leader of Israel

1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ 3 The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the Lord has said. 4 And the Lord will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

God is preparing His people for a change. They are about to enter the Promised Land, but it will not be under the leadership of Moses. God knows how hard change can be for people especially when it has to do with leadership. The people were not always pleased with Moses, often they complained against Moses, but Moses was the one who had led them out of bondage in Egypt and through the desert for 40 years. The people had come to trust that Moses could get them out of a tight spot. Now Moses tells the people he is too old to continue leading the people and God has said that Moses would not enter the Promised Land. Moses reminds the people that it was God, not Moses, who has gone before the people as they traveled. It is God, not Moses, who defeated the Amorites and gave their land to the Israelites and God will continue to go before the Israelites and defeat their enemies. They are instructed to remain strong and courageous because God will never leave them nor forsake them.

God has called Joshua to take Moses' place as the leader of His people. If you have ever been called to replace a beloved leader you can imagine how Joshua may have felt. He may have had feelings of insecurity and doubt. God does two things to encourage and strengthen Joshua. He has Moses appoint Joshua in front of the entire Hebrew Nation and He tells Joshua that He is with him. God tells Joshua to be strong and of good courage because He will cause Joshua to be successful as He follows God's command. The people will inherit the land God has promised to them because God will go before Joshua and cause it to happen. He also tells Joshua personally that He will never leave nor forsake him.

God is still a close and personal God! He desires to have a close personal relationship with each of us. His promise to go before and never leave nor forsake is not only for Joshua and the Israelites it is for each of us. I don't know what changes you are facing in your life or what positions God has called you to but I do know that He is telling you that He is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So remain strong and courageous my friend, your God is with you! He is going before you and He will be successful as He leads you!

Father, Source of my strength, thank You for being close beside me! Thank You Jesus that through You I can draw on the strength of the Father! Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and forever and that the promises in your Word are for me as well! Go before me today I pray. help me to remain stron and courageous as I walk through this life and do all the things You call me to do! In Jesus strong and powerful name, amen!

Carried to the Table

2 Samuel 4:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 9:1-3, 5-7, 9-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

1Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?”
He said, “At your service!”
3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?”
And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”

5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.

6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, “Mephibosheth?”
And he answered, “Here is your servant!”
7 So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

9 And the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “I have given to your master’s son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread at my table always.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.”
“As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”

At a recent church service, just before partaking in the LORD's Supper, I heard a beautiful song. Immediately God brought the story of Mephibosheth and David to mind. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, grandson of king Saul. Now Jonathan had a son who was injured at age five. His injury caused him to be lame in his feet. Mephobisheth would need someone to care for him for the rest of his life. No problem, right!? His father was next in line to become king. But God has given each of us free will and we do not always make good choices. Such was the case with Saul. God had given Saul explicit instructions that he chose not to follow completely. When Samuel confronted Saul he lied and made excuses. Saul lost his kingship because of unconfessed sin. God made David king, not Jonathan. This meant Saul's transgression had cost his family their inheritance and Mephibosheth his security.

But God had a plan. He had brought Jonathan and David together early and they had a friendship based with God in the center. David had promised Jonathan that he would never forget Jonathan or any of his descendants when he became king. David was true to his word!

Our ancestors, Adam and Eve forfeited our inheritance in paradise when they sinned in the garden. But God had a plan for us too! He sent His Son, Who calls us to Himself. When we come to Him He restores our inheritance and carries our broken, lame, helpless spirits and set us where we could never earn the right to be, His table! Won't you come to Him today!

Father, Creator, Provider, Healer, I come to You just as I am, broken and lame by the things of this world. A sinner, undeserving to receive the gift of life You offer me. I know I am a sinner. Today I confess me sins to You. I open the door of my heart that You have been knocking at and ask You to come into my life. Create in me a clean heart O God. Carry me to Your table! In Jesus saving name, Amen!

Throw Off Your Coat

Mark 10:46-50

The Message (MSG)

46-48 They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, "Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!" Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, "Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!"
49-50 Jesus stopped in his tracks. "Call him over."
They called him. "It's your lucky day! Get up! He's calling you to come!" Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by he called out to Him. The crowd tried to hush him up. He was a blind beggar and Jesus shouldn't be bothered. But Bartimaeus was undaunted by the crowed and yelled even louder. Jesus stopped and called Bartimaeus to come to him. Bartimaeus threw off his coat and immediately went to see Jesus. I was struck by the fact that Bartimaeus threw off his coat. Why and why was that fact important? Often we cloak ourselves from the world to cover our failures, blemishes and insecurities. Did Bartimaeus use his coat to hide himself as he sat beside the road and now that Jesus had acknowledged him he felt free to shed his coat?

As I drove down the street today I saw two people walking. One was headed north and the other south. One was a teenage girl and the other a young woman. They had not yet met and clearly did not intend to, as each one looked down and away from the other, changing course slightly to create more space as they passed each other. Neither one was over weight and there had never been any danger of them actually passing by close enough to touch but still they each widened the gap slightly.  Perhaps they were each having a bad day. Maybe they did not want to bother the other or maybe they were afraid of what the other might think if they spoke. Whatever the reason they passed by each other in silence. I was struck by the sadness of it. Then I though of all of the times I had been in a similar situation in the grocery store, post office, or elevator and done the same thing. Immediately Matthew 28:19-20 came to mind. Jesus told us to "Go" and keep going into our community and all of the world talking to them about the Gospel of Christ. God created us for fellowship with Him and with each other. How sad it must make Him when we blindly walk by each other.

Father we cry out to You today, heal our blindness. Help us to shed our coats of insecurity and reach out to those around us. When we find ourselves blinded by our fears and insecurities help us to cry out to You in faith just like Bartimaeus did. Open our eyes Father. In Jesus

Fitting In

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

New King James Version (NKJV)

9 “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. 14 For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.

We all want to "fit in". We want to "fit in" at home, at work, at school, at church, in our communities, and even with our activities. Sometimes it becomes so important to us that we are willing to compromise our own likes, desires, or dreams to "fit in". "Fitting in" can look like different things to different people. Some people equate acceptance with prestige, wealth, success and good looks. Others want to be mediocre. To them "fitting in" is not standing out or being noticed. There are even those who see "fitting in" as being the biggest, baddest, toughest person on the planet. We equate "fitting in" with freedom. Freedom from insecurity, hopelessness, shame, hurt and numerous other things. The reality is "fitting in" leads to sin and sin is bondage. We become a slave to the world's way of thinking. We are always striving for the next thing that we need to do, buy, or achieve in order to "fit in". The other problem with "fitting in" is often times the crowd you were so eager to "fit it" with will leave you as soon as you no longer suit their purpose.

God warned the Israelites of trying to conform to the ways of the people He was casting out of the pomised land. He knew conformity with the wold would draw His people away from Him and lead to slavery and misery. Jesus told the story of the Prodigal Son who so desperately wanted to do what looked like fun that he demanded his inheritance and left his father's house. While the prodigal had money he had friends and "fit in". As soon as the money ran out his friends abandoned him and he was left penniless, homeless and friendless in an unfamiliar city.

The good news is God loves us! He loves us so much that He sent His Only Begotten Son to pay the debt we accrued while trying to "fit in"! He does not leave us friendless, He is our friend (John 15:15)! He does not leave us homeless, He is our shelter (Psalm 143:9)! He does not leave us hopeless, He is our hope! The truth is this world is not our home. We will never "fit in" here. Stop trying to conform to this world. Be conformed, by the Holy Spirit, into the image of Jesus. Only then will you know true joy and freedom!

Abba, Father, for too long I have tried to "fit in" to the world's mold. It has led me far from You! Here I am today, Daddy, with my arms open wide towrd You! I repent and turn away from the things of this world. Mold me and shape me into the image of Your Son. Take me in Your arms I pray! In Jesus beautiful name, amen.

All Nature Sings!

Luke 19:39-40

New King James Version (NKJV)

39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”



Have you looked around at God's creation lately?  I mean really stopped and appreciated the beauty of it? Have you heard the stones cry out? I have a good friend and prayer partner that is teaching me to do that very thing! I meet with this friend on a weekly basis for prayer. She never fails to thank God for His creation and the way creation sings praises to God. It can be snowing so hard that you cannot see across the street and my friend will thank God for the beauty and the uniqueness of each snowflake.  Take time today to stop, quiet your thoughts and listen! see the intricicise of a flower, a leaf or a blade of grass. Marvel at the strength of an ant. Listen to the music a bee's wings make as they ensure the flowers and trees continue. Join the birds in singing praises to the King of kings! Don't let the stones cry out on your behalf!

Father, Creator, all of creation sings Your praises and You reply with the beauty of a rainbow and the colors of a sunset or sunrise! Teach me to hear all of nature singing Your praises. Teach me to join in the song! I do not want the stones to have to cry out on my behalf! I love You LORD! In Jesus mighty name, amen!
 
   
 

Encouragement...Pass it on!

Hebrews 10:24-25
The Message (MSG)
 22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

In the beginning of the book of Daniel some of the children of Israel are taken into captivity. These young men have not been randomly selected. They are all children from nobility, good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, quick to understand, and without blemish. These were all children who had been born with a "silver spoon in their mouths" so-to-speak! Daniel does not tell us how many children were ripped from the only homes they had probably known, their parents, their families and friends and carried off 900 miles to Babylon. Four of the youth are highlighted however, they are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We don't know if these young men knew each other prior their captivity, became friends on the long journey, or if they first met in captivity. We do know that they were all set under the same steward (Daniel 1:11) We also know these boys stuck together and were prayer partners (Daniel 1:11-17 and Daniel 2:13-18).

The purpose for the captivity of these specific children of Israel was so that they might be assimilated into the Babylonian culture and serve the king. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1:6). Daniel obviously had an intimate relationship with God and he was not going to do anything to hurt that relationship. Sounds a little like resolutions we all make. Resolutions are hard to keep! We can determine to do or not do something and manage to keep the resolution for a while. We are more likely to keep that resolution when we have support and encouragement from family and friends! God provided friends for Daniel! I am sure they encouraged each other when temptations threatened to undo their conviction!

Today's devotional video is not a music video. It is a video about the resolve of one young man to accomplish a  task some thought too difficult for him. In fact he was given the option to not participate. His resolve and courage inspired his classmates to greatness. I have been truly blessed to know people like Matt W. They refuse to be imprisoned by physical or health limitations. Instead they have faith that God will give them the courage, strength and encouragement to do whatever He asks them to do. They pass that courage on to others through their encouragement!

Father, You have created each one of us! You have connected us to each other! Thank You for those in my life that have encouraged me! Help me to encourage those around me! In Jesus precious name, amen!

Great is My Faithfulness?

Micah 6:8
Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?


Hebrews 11:6
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

James 2:21-23

New King James Version (NKJV)
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[a] And he was called the friend of God.




Because of God's great love, faithfulness, kindness and mercy toward me I desire to please Him. Exactly how do I do that? How do you give God a gift that will please Him? He has everything and if there were ever anything He needed or wanted it He could certainly create it! Isaiah tells me that all of my righteousness is like filthy rags so how can I please God?

Micah 6:8 tells us God has already shown us how to please Him. He requires that we act justly, be honest in our dealings with friends, family, neighbors and others; to love kindness and mercy, to extend grace and forgiveness to those who offend or injure us and to treat everyone with the same love, forgiveness, patience, understanding, and mercy that God treats us with and we are to do theses things in order to bring glory to God, not ourselves.

The writer of Hebrews says that it is impossible to please God without faith. What is faith? According to Webster faith is allegiance to duty or a person, belief and trust in and loyalty to God. Seems simple enough until the next crisis hits and I scramble, worry and fret about how "I can fix" the situation. Oops, that doesn't show trust in God! Trusting in God would give me peace that no matter what happens He is in control and is caring for me. Okay so maybe my faithfulness isn't perfect, but it can be great with God's help! In those times that my faith falters He is just and good to remind me of Who He is and what He is capable of! When I repent and turn back to Him, He is quick to forgive. Through every failure, God draws me closer to Him and my faith is strengthened! He will continue to work in me and give me opportunities to work with Him so that my faith may be made perfect!

Father You are the Author and Finisher of my faith! I desire to please You above all things! So great is Your faithfulness to me! Forgive me when my faith falters! Help me to do all that pleases You! Strengthen my faith! In Jesus Name, amen!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Hebrews 13:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Psalm 103:17-18  (NKJV)
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

We live in an ever changing world. It wasn't so long go that if you wanted to see someone you had to travel to where they were. Now all we need to have is a internet access, a computer or smart phone, and Skype or a similar program. It brings a whole new meaning to "Reach out and touch someone"! Governments change, nations leadership changes, stocks, world economy, and weather. We change jobs or careers, move, buy new cars, furniture, clothing and shoes. It seems as if nothing in our lives is constant. We enjoy variety when it comes to food, clothing, cars, television show, and music. We do not like variety when it involves things we had counted on to remain in our lives such as our job or home, those types of changes bring stress.

God is unchanging! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! The words He spoke to the prophets and to the apostles He speaks to you today. His words of encouragement and promise are meant for each of us today! His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and restoration are still available to all who will believe and ask! What a comfort to know that in this ever changing world there is a solid Rock upon which we can stand, a Fortress we can hide in! Great is God's faithfulness!

Father You are unchanging! You are still God! You can still supply our every need, calm our every fear and dry our every tear! You still answer prayers and bless our lives with wonderful gifts! You change the seasons and keep each planet and star in place! I thank You and praise You O God my Father for all of the gifts You have given me, especially the gift of salvation! Continue to transform me into Your likeness! I pray in Jesus unchanging name, amen.

Today's Devotional brought to you by Prayer Warrior Michelle Simpson

Acts 15:7-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ[a] we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

I grew up in a Christian home and gave my life to Jesus at a young age. I knew He loved me, but growing up I believed the amount of love you received was dependent on who you were, how you looked or how you performed. Because I believed the love of important people in my life was based on these things I also, mistakenly believed God's love was as well.

In high school I took a Great Religions of the World class an decided in order for God to love me more I needed to convert to Judaism. After much research I was disappointed to learn you had to be born Jewish to actually be Jewish. God's chosen people will always be the Jewish people but how comforting these words from Acts are! They assure us that even though we were not born into the Jewish faith, God loves us too and wants us to be with Him for eternity! He makes no distinction between us and them! So deep is His love for us that He sent His only Begotten Son to pay our debt!

Father, how great is Your love for all of Your children whether Jew or Gentile! Thank You that reached down and touched my life! Thank You that You call me Yours! Help me to never forget that! In Jesus name, amen.

Your Enemy Prowls

Daily Devotional


Brought to you by Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

The enemy seeks to destroy us! “ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 It seems to me that he plots to distract us with entertainment, small problems, and great storms. After all if we were faced suddenly with overwhelming disaster we would at once turn to our Father to guide and protect us. No, I am convinced this crafty enemy of ours starts out with small things we think we can handle on our own. Then when our eyes are off the Lord and we don’t feel as close to Him as we once did, the enemy slams us.



If you feel like you are being picked on, you are. Remember in each, challenge or temptation is an opportunity for VICTORY. Our Lord has given us every tool we need to stand and fight.



1 Peter 5:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.



Prayer

Lord, Thank you for loving us! In these days of distraction and turmoil help us to keep our focus on you.


Song

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Daily Devotional

Today's Devotion brought to you by Jonathan Vasgar Prayer Warrior

 (All scripture taken from the NKJV unless otherwise noted)

                                                                                                                        "The Names of Jesus"

Have you ever taken the time to really reflect on the different names of our Lord? He has so many different names for different uses. As we kick off our week, I wanted to mention some of them.

First think of this one: Jehovah-Jireh or God my Provider. Genesis 22:14 is where Abraham (who I will get back to tomorrow, promise!) says: 'And Abraham called the name of the place, Jehovahjireh; as it is said [to] this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.'" Feeling like you need a provider? God is there for everything. If you are His child, He is your ultimate provider.

The there's El-Shaddai or God is our rock. How cool is that? We often say, that guy or girl is a rock in my life. How much sweeter to say that God is the rock in our life. Even when storms blow around, what doesn't move? A rock, that's what! A rock also casts a shadow to keep you out of the harsh sunlight. When all around you it gets to be too much, go to the Rock for shelter. Psalm 91:1 translates El Shaddai this way:' He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.'

Jehovah-Shalom means "the Lord send peace". Can you believe it? When you are feeling scared, the LORD himself provides peace. Forget anti-anxiety pills and take a healthy dose of God instead.

He is Jehovah-Rapha or God our Healer. Who better to bandage our wounds, but Jesus. When a sparrow falls to the ground, He notices! Matthew 6:26 (NIV) "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" How much love He has for us, He loves us enough to heal our brokeness.

Ezekiel 48:35b: "And the name of the city from [that] day [shall be]: THE LORD [IS] THERE." That phrase is translated from Jehovah-shammah. I love this. People so often will let you down. It's just a fact. We are humans, we aren't always there for each other like we maybe need to be. However, the one who will NEVER let you down, never leave you lonely, is there always, is the LORD God Almighty.

Here's a challenge for you today. Take a piece of paper and write down names or characteristics of God that describe who He is to you. You'll be surprised how much He really means. For fun, I used the letters A-Z. He's Amazing, Almighty, Benevolent, Beloved, Creator God, etc.

Prayer: Lord, let us never forget what You have done for us. We don't deserve Your love. We don't deserve Your grace, and yet You are there for us. Let us remember to cry out to You when we are sad, go to You with our emotions. Let us run to You when we are lonely or full, You shouldn't be there for us only when we absolutely need You. God we need Your presence felt now. God, we need Your healing, Your love, Your friendship, we need You in our lives. Fill us and free us. AMEN

Song: This song is directly to the devotion above, but is God singing over us. Another reminder of Who He is. 

 

Today's Devotonal

By Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

As I was spending time with the Lord this morning this song came rushing to my mind, and my heart began to soar. Lord I lift you name on high, Lord I love to sing your praises.

Lord, I lift Your name on high;
Lord, I love to sing Your praises;
I'm so glad You're in my life;
I'm so glad You came to save us.
You came from Heaven to earth;
To show the way,
From the earth to the cross,
My debt to pay,
From the cross to the grave,
From the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift Your name on high!

VERSE
Psalm 7:17
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. King James Version (KJV)

PRAYER
Lord, what a pleasure it is to sing your praises! You love us so much that our minds have trouble comprehending it. And every time we think we know how much you love us, you show us yet another depth of your love. To the one who is, and was, and is to come, be all glory and honor amen!

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"
Song

Released 1989
Genre
Christian

Writer
Rick Founds

"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" is a Christian worship song. Both lyrics and music were written by Rick Founds in 1989.

Founds wrote it during his morning devotion, while reading the scriptures on his computer monitor, and watching television, he plucked his guitar at the same time.

He thought of the "cycle of redemption", comparing it with the water cycle.

You came from heaven to earth, to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift your name on high

Founds played the song as a worship leader in his church. It was picked up by Maranatha! Music and initially recorded by the Maranatha! Singers followed by the Praise Band.

Promise Keepers used the song in English and Spanish in their drives.

Since the 1990s, it has been one of the most popular Christian songs.

In the United States Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) reported Lord I Lift Your Name on High as the most popular song used in churches every year from 1997 to 2003, and since then has remained in the top ten. Currently it is the sixth most popular.[1] CCLI UK report it as the fifth most popular printed, projected or recorded song in mid 2006.[2] In Australia this song was the seventh most used song by the beginning of 2007[3]

There have been many interpretations of the song by many artists in all styles: gospel, R&B, soul, rock, dance, reggae, hip hop, rap, soca, ska, punk, a cappella amongst others and has been translated to a number of languages and recorded in a number of countries.

 

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

Exodus 34

 ²⁷ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

The Radiant Face of Moses

 ²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹ But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. ³² Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.

 ³³ When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. ³⁴ But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵ they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

I keep thinking of the “mountain top experience” as we call it. That time (or times) in your life when you have been so close to God that you are filled with euphoria and it feels like your feet are barley touching the ground. What a blessing to know His presence so intimately and intensely. Sometimes we seem to be stuck in a dry, blowing desert either spiritually or the path our life has taken due to unforeseen events. If you are stuck or struggling, take heart!

Moses had just lead the Israelite people out of Egypt. Strenuous.  He made several requests for his people’s freedom by coming before Pharaoh. Stressful.  And he had just living through the 10 plagues of Egypt. More than unpleasant. Not to mention the emotions that come with discovering you were adopted. An now here he is in the desert, with a great throng of people counting on him to lead them safely through the desert to the promised land. Now what does Moses do? He climbs the mountain where he encountered God before, with the intent to meet with or hear from God.

Moses had just lived through history changing events and he chose to seek out God. That gives me great hope that no matter what we are struggling with or against that it is not so big, that we can’t seek God and overcome it! Our struggle maybe the very thing that compels us to draw near to God.

When Moses reached the top of the mountain was it empty? Absolutely not! Moses spent 40 days and nights with the Lord without eating or drinking and when Moses came down from the mountain his face was radiant. This isn’t the glow we see on someone happy or an expectant mother. This was a glow that caused people to fear him.

Are you ready for a mountain top experience? A time with God no matter what circumstances surround you? Moses was still in the desert when he ascended the mountain. Are you ready for an encounter with God so sweet that food can’t equal. An encounter that molds you into the will of God so much that people take a step back to try and understand what has happened to you.

2 Peter 1

³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

 ¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prophecy of Scripture

 ¹² So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,

 

PRAYER

Lord, Thank you for your promises! That you will never leave nor forsake us and that you are with us in all of life’s events. You go with us through the desert. You hold us during the storms. You comfort us through the deepest hurts. And you celebrate with us in the joys! While we long for the next mountaintop, help us to faithfully walk the path you have set before us and may you receive all glory and honor. Amen

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by Prayer Warrior Jon Vasgar

                                                                                          "You Want Me To Do What??!"
                                                                                         aka The Story of Abraham: Part 1


(All verses from NKJV unless otherwise noted)
Verses: Genesis 12:1-4 'Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram [was] seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.'

Have you ever had to make a change in your life? I have, and quite frankly, I hate change. Sometimes it turns out great, but there are other times when it really, really just blows. I think when we meet Abram, it was one of those times. He's grown up in Ur, it was his country. Not only that, but do you realize the first time we hear about Abram, he's 75 years old! He's no spring chicken. Now you may say, "Well, people lived to be old in those days," and that's true, but not that old!

That's not the only strange thing, God promised to make him into a great nation. Notice, this man had NO children as yet. There was no one to carry on his legacy, but Abram, being faithful, picked up his home, his wife, and his nephew and off they set.

Notice this too, they had NO IDEA where they were going. None. No game plan. Can you imagine if your spouse said, "Honey, we're getting an RV and we are just going to drive off and leave everything cause God told me too." You'd probably have nice men in white coats come examine their health! But, that is what God told him to do, so that's what he did. Hebrews 11:8 points out: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going."That's bold, that's faith, that's what we're so desperately missing in our lives today.

I'm not saying you have to go buy an RV, give up your life, and go drive off. No, but I am saying you should be more open to what God has for you, even when it doesn't make sense. After all, God doesn't have our mind. Isaiah 55:8 '"For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, Nor [are] your ways My ways," says the LORD.'

How are you living for God? Are you putting yourself out there or shying away when it's just too hard? Have you asked God what you can do to serve Him more or do you just sit in your pew every week because that's easier? Are you willing to give Him more of your time or are a few hours a week enough to squeak by? Works don't get you into Heaven, but they do prove you love your Saviour.

This week, I want to examine Abraham's life. His was a life filled with, "Say What Now?" moments where God put him to the test. His response is what earned him a place in faith's hall of fame in Hebrews 11. Do you have the reckless faith of Abraham? Let's hope in our spiritual RVs and take off.

Prayer: Father God, lead us in Your ways. Our ways are misguided, foolish, prideful, and often, fearful. Give us Your wisdom and the guts to go where You want us to go. Give us the strength and point our feet the direction we should walk in. Then, move us Lord. Move Second Chance! Move in our churches, in our families, in us. Bring back the fallen, rise up the leaders, and draw us nearer to reckless faith in You. We are willing Lord, light our fire and send us to where we can best be used by You.

Amen

Song:

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by prayer warrior Bobbi Heffel

Love and Forgiveness

1 John 4:16-18

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

1 John 2:11-13

¹¹ But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Colossians 3:12-14

 ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

What do love and forgiveness have in common? Well, you can’t really have one without the other. It takes a measure of love to forgive and it takes forgiveness to be able to love. Even in a healthy relationship unforgiveness will choke out love and an abundance of love will usher in forgiveness. 

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where we just don’t think we can possibly love this person or ever be able to forgive that person for the horrible wrongs they have committed. Yet, we must remember that God first loved us and that he commands us to love others. If it were not possible how could he commands us to love and forgive?

 Because He loves us, love is already present in the situation. When we choose to obey him and practice love and or forgiveness because he told us too, and we are obeying him, we are loving him back. Sometimes we must repeatedly choose to love/forgive a person until it takes root in us and becomes real.” Lord, I choose to love/forgive ’ Z’ because you have told me too.” Even when we have practiced love/forgiveness to the point that our heart has been transformed, the enemy will fling that thing back up at us in a moment of weakness. He so delights in stirring up troubles for us, if we allow him to. We must stand strong against his tactics. We must choose to obey the Lord. 

I am reminded of Cory ten Boom. How the guard who had tormented her during her imprisonment came to her and asked for her forgiveness. May we also choose to love and forgive, especially when we must pray for the strength and ability from the Lord to accomplish his teaching 

"Her teaching focused on the Christian Gospel, with emphasis on forgiveness. In her book Tramp for the Lord (1974), she tells the story of an encounter while she was teaching in Germany in 1947. She was approached by a former Ravensbrück camp guard, who had been known as one of the most cruel. She was reluctant to forgive him, but prayed that she would be able to. She wrote,
"For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then."
She also wrote (in the same passage) that in her post-war experience with other victims of Nazi brutality, it was those who were able to forgive who were best able to rebuild their lives."

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/corrie-ten-boom#ixzz1mNOZs0Ux

Prayer

Lord thank you for loving us so much that you sought us out at our lowest, worst condition. Thank you for transforming us into the image of Christ. Please continue to teach us to love in a way that glorifies and honors you. Thank you for the freedom that comes with forgiveness. It always amazes me just how heavy unforgiveness is when I feel the lightness of it being lifted off my shoulders. I don’t know why our human nature wants to hold onto unforgiveness when it is so much more pleasant to live in the light of your glory and grace. Thank you for the assurance that we, your children, are forgiven and loved!