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!
 
   
 

Praise and Peace

Philippians 4:6-7


New King James Version (NKJV)

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Throughout the Old Testament we see examples of this scripture being lived out. Moses was hesitant when God called him but once he accepted his commission he never doubted God's awesome power. Even when the Red Sea was before him and the Egyptian soldiers were behind him he knew God would deliver His people. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego showed the same resolve vowing not to ever bow to a man or his statue, praising God's power and glory no matter the out come. Daniel was just as courageous as he faced the lion's den because of his faith.

The New Testament records the same in steadfastness in Stephen, Peter, James, Paul, Silas and John as they faced death, persecution and imprisonment because of their faith.

How can anyone praise God when they are being stoned or are chained in a prison? It takes focus and resolve! I was reminded of the importance of focus as I was driving on a narrow mountain road with an S-curve. I have driven on that road many times. Sometimes I experience anxiety and hit the brakes and sometimes I have complete peace, leaving the cruise on. What makes the difference? It is my focus! If I allow my gaze to look too far into the distance I lose sight of where the road goes and become anxious about the size of the road and possible oncoming traffic, even if there is none. If I am looking to close to the front of my car I become anxious about the degree of the turn and decide the posted speed is not safe after all. But if I keep my focus where it should be I am not anxious or afraid. Peter had the same experience when he got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. As long as his focus was where it should be, on Jesus, he was fine. But as soon as he lost focus and looked at the storm he became anxious and started to sink.

We have the ability to praise God in good times and in storms if we do not take our eyes off of Jesus, then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!

Father, Creator, You are my strength and my peace! Help me to keep my eyes firmly focused on You and too praise You no matter what! I would rather face any storm with Your peace than to receive any blessing without You in my life! Today I surrender all to be in Your presence! Thank You for calling me Yours! In Jesus powerful name, amen.

I give you Glory Glory

Today's Devotional
Brought to you by Prayer Team Member Bobbi Heffel

After a day of sneezing, coughing and chills I awoke this morning feeling much better with this song on my heart. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO_0VLEDcOg&feature=related

By Klaus from the Worship CD Glory, recorded Live at CFNI in 2008 

It was your words

It was your cross

Just a moment there you set me free

I give you GLORY GLORY

Jesus

You saved me

And rescued me

With a crown of thorns, you became my king forever

It was your words –

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance

(to the full, till is overflows).

 John 10:10b (Amplified Bible)

It was your cross – sin and death were defeated

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” Isaiah 25:8

“Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Hosea 13:14

1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (NIV 1984)

Just a moment there you set me free –

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

                2 Peter 3:7-9 (NIV 1984)

I give you GLORY GLORY – You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

 Revelation 5:11-13 (NIV 1984)

Jesus – Son of God

But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:2-4 (NIV 1984)

You saved me – no man come to the Father except through the Son

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

 John 14:6 (New King James Version)

And rescued me – I was lost in self and sin

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

With a crown of thorns, you became my king forever –

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

Matthew 27:28-30 (NIV 1984)

It was your words

 It was your cross

Just a moment there you set me free

I give you GLORY GLORY

PRAYER

Lord, I am humbled at all you went through so that we may enter into your kingdom. You have given such great sacrifice and love that I am in awe. Thank you could not even began to be enough to express how great full we are for all you have done and will do. May you be pleased as our hearts  sing praise to you.

Today's Devotional brought to you by prayer warrior Michelle Simpson

Name Above All Names

Genesis 14:18  Common English Bible (CEB)

18 Now Melchizedek the king of Salem and the priest of El Elyon[a] had brought bread and wine,
 
 Genesis 16:13

13 Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are El Roi”[a] because she said, “Can I still see after he saw me?”[b]

Genesis 17:1
1 When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai.[a] Walk with me and be trustworthy.

Genesis 21:33
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and he worshipped there in the name of the LORD, El Olam.[a]

Genesis 22:14

Darby Translation (DARBY)
14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh; as it is said at the present day, On the mount of Jehovah will be provided.


Genesis 33:20 (CEB)
20 Then he set up an altar there and named it El Elohe Israel.

Exodus 17:15  Darby Translation (DARBY)
15And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi.

Isaiah 9:6  New King James Version (NKJV)

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As we look forward to remembering the glorious, triumphant entry of our Saviour Jesus into Jerusalem take time to reflect upon His character. By what name(s) has He revealed Himself to you? If you have clothes to wear, a roof over your head, food to eat, an income or a means of transportation He has revealed Himself to you as Jehovah Jireh, the LORD Who Provides. If you have received salvation you know Him as your Kinsman Redeemer and Saviour. If He has ever led the way into a battle in your life you know Him as Jehovah Nissi, The LORD my Banner. Have you or a loved one experienced healing, then you know Him as Jehovah Raphe, the God Who Heals, the Great Physician.

Today take time to worship God by adding to this list. Write in a journal or share in a comment below how God has revealed Himself to you and by what Names you have come to know Him by! Not only will you be encouraged and rejuevenated but you will encourage others as they see our El Shaddai, Almighty God, at work!

El Shaddai, Abba, Alpha and Omega, You are El Roi, the God Who Sees, You reach down from heaven to earth to touch and enrich our lives. You keep our feet from stumbling. You renew our strength. Today we look forward to Your triumphant return with great anticipation. We want to pave the way, just as they did in Jerusalem so many years ago, with shouts of praise to You for You alone are worthy! In the Name above all names, Jesus, amen!