The Way, The Truth, The Life

All praise, glory, and honor to Christ Jesus the living Son of God who said –

”I am the way,

the truth,

and the life;

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”  

John 14:6

The apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:2 –

“(For the life was manifested,

and we have seen it,

and bear witness,

and shew unto you that eternal life,

which was with the Father,

and was manifested unto us.)”

Our Prayer:

Our Father God, you have shown us who you are through your Son, Jesus Christ. He came and he showed us your glory and goodness. He has given us life – eternal life.

• “For the Father judgeth no man,
• but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
• That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.
• He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” John 5:22,23

Help us who have heard your word and received it into our hearts bear witness to the lost and dying of the Life. May we show them the Way to Life. May we speak the Truth concerning the Life. May we reflect the Life in us.

And to borrow from David Guzik in his commentary on John 14:6 remember when  –

“I don’t know where I’m going, Jesus is the way;

When I am confused and don’t know what to think, Jesus is the truth;

When I am dead inside and don’t know if I can go on, Jesus is the life.”

Jesus gives us this promise:

“Verily, Verily, I say unto you,

He that heareth my word,

and believeth on him that sent me,

hath everlasting life,

and shall not  come into condemnation;

but is passed from death unto life.”

John 5:24

May we today, and always honor Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, who has loved us and suffered our death, to give us life now and for all eternity. He has made it possible for us to know him, the great “I Am”.

Praising the Great I Am:

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together …

Whom have I in heaven but thee?

And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee …

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light …

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof:

for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God

by thy blood

out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation;

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:

and we shall reign on the earth …

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing …

Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power,

be unto him that sitteth on the throne,

and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

And the four beasts said, Amen.

And the four and twenty elders

fell down and worshipped him

that liveth for ever and ever.”  

Psalm 34:3; 73:25; 36:9; From Revelation 5:9-14

Jesus is the way – follow him.

Jesus is the truth – believe him.

Jesus is the life – receive him.

May we forever praise his name.

Jesus is the way – there is no other.

Jesus is the truth – hear him.

Jesus is the life – his victory over death is mine.

May we praise his name forever.

Truth Triumphs

Jesus Christ is the way and the truth. He is the word of God clothed in flesh. He is the living Word. God’s word is truth. Jesus is truth, no lie is found in him. Nor will it be found in the written word.

A Prayer,Praise, and Promise from Deuteronomy 32:1-4:

“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak: and hear, o earth, the words of my mouth.”

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” 1 John 5:14

Heavenly Father, we praise your holy name for Jesus is the way to your throne, and he is truth. He is our confidence to ask you for words of truth to speak. Your promise to hear is sure for your word is truth.

• “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
• and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom …
• Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come,
• he will guide you into all truth:
• for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come …
• Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God:
• that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
• Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
• comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Psalm 51:6; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12,13

Thank you, Father, for giving us your Holy Spirit. May we speak nothing that is not taught to us by Him, and may we speak the truth in love. May those of the earth hear your words through our speech, our lives, and true doctrine of Jesus Christ.

“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.”

“Jesus answered them, and said,

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him,

the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him …

Study to show thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth …

how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures.”

2 Timothy 2:15; John 7:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:3b,4

Father, thank you for raining your blessing of life upon our lives – for sending us your Son to water our thirsty souls. May we be faithful to study your word and speak only of you in truth, making known Jesus is the truth, and you are our great God. May our teaching be as the gentle rain falling on parched ground bringing life to that which is dead.

Final Words of Praise:

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:

a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

“But the LORD is the true God,

he is the living God,

and an everlasting king:

at his wrath the earth shall tremble,

and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation …

O Praise the LORD, all ye nations:

praise him, all ye people.

For his merciful kindness is great toward us:

and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Praise ye the LORD.”

Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 117:1,2

Jesus is the truth who reigns forever. Truth has and will triumph. May we lift our voices in praise to our great God and King, even as we cling to his promises and as we bring our prayers to him who is the way to God and the truth of God.

The Way of Promises, Prayer, and Praise

The Promises:

“And an highway shall be there,

and a way, and it shall be called,

The way of holiness;

• the unclean shall not pass over it;
• but it shall be for those[the saved]:
• the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
• No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there;
• but the redeemed shall walk there:
• And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
• and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads:
• they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:8-10

Some would say these promises are only for Israel. But notice, they are for the redeemed, the ransomed of the Lord. I don’t know about you but that’s me. And one day I will march to Zion with a song of joy and gladness. Until then I will sing it in anticipation of that day. Only those in the Way of holiness will come.

John the Baptist proclaimed that Way to those who would hear –

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,

Behold the Lamb of God,

which taketh away the sin of the world …

And I saw, and bare record

that this is the Son of God.”

John 1:29,34.

Through the blood of the Lamb, the precious Son of God, the wall of division between Jew and Gentile is torn down. Jesus is the way of holiness and all are invited to walk the highway with him.

The Prayer:

• “Shew me thy ways, O LORD;
• teach me thy paths
• Lead me in thy truth, and teach me;
• for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
• Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
• Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
• according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.” Psalm 25:4-7

Teach us the way of the cross – the bridge to the highway of holiness.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved it is the power of God …

For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified …

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:2,5

Father, you have saved us through the power and wisdom of the cross of Christ. May we proclaim, him and him alone. For it is only by your power we are saved and walk this way of holiness. By Christ we are made holy.

“But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation …

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children:

And walk in love,

as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us

an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

1 Peter 1:15; Ephesians 5:1,2

Father, may we walk in the love of Christ bearing your holy name to a lost world. May we be a sweet fragrance to you and bring you praise.

The Praise & Promise:

“Good and upright is the LORD:

• therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
• The meek will he guide in judgment:
• and the meek will he teach his way.” Psalm 25:8-9

“For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work:

I will triumph in the works of thy hands:

O LORD, how great are thy works!

And thy thoughts are very deep …

For with thee is the fountain of life:

in thy light shall we see light.”

Psalm 92:4,5;36: 9

“For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

O the depth of the riches

both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are his judgments,

and his ways past finding out!

FOR WHO HATH KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HATH BEEN HIS COUNSELLOR? OR WHO HATH FIRST GIVEN TO HIM, AND IT SHALL BE RECOMPENSED UNTO HIM AGAIN?

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

Romans 11:32-36

We thank you, Father for the wisdom, power, and love found in the way of the cross of Christ. May we offer you ourselves as a living sacrifice of praise.

Resurrection Prayer, Promise & Praise

In the last several weeks we have rehearsed several of John’s “I Am” statements Jesus Christ declared with the desire of Paul as our heart’s cry –

Our Prayer to the Resurrection and the Life:

“That I may know him …

H. Spurgeon wrote –

•  “They tell me he is a refiner, that he cleanses from spots; he has washed me in his precious blood, and to that extent I know him.
• They tell me that he clothes the naked; he hath covered me with a garment of righteousness, and to that extent I know him.
• They tell me that he is a breaker, and that he breaks fetters, he has set my soul at liberty, and therefore I know him.
• They tell me that he is a king and that he reigns over sin; he hath subdued my enemies beneath his feet, and I know him in that character.
• They tell me he is a shepherd: I know him for I am his sheep.
• They say he is a door: I have entered in through him, and I know him as a door.
• They say he is food: my spirit feeds on him as on the bread of heaven, and, therefore, I know him as such.” (found in Blue letter Bible site under David Guzik commentaries)

We can know, experience, draw near to Jesus Christ in each of the mentioned identities. We can also know him as the resurrection and the life as we grow in the knowledge of the power of his resurrection.

Our Prayer to know –

the power of his resurrection …”

Philippians 3:10a

By your power we have new life, a life in Christ and Christ the Spirit in us. Fill us with your power.

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit …

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;

but they that are after the spirit the things of the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25; Romans 8:4,5

By your power in us, may we bear the image and testimony of Jesus Christ to a lost world.

“But we all, with open face

beholding in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord …

ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 1:8

May sin no longer rule in our hearts but may your Spirit of righteousness be our rule.

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:

but yield yourselves unto God,

as those that are alive from the dead,

and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you…

Romans 6:13,14a

The Promise of the Resurrection and the Life:

“For our conversation is in heaven;

We have been translated from this world’s kingdom into the kingdom of our Lord. We may not live there yet, but we live in its resurrection power – the power that gives us victory over sin and death.

 from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

He lives. He has returned to the Father for awhile but is preparing to bring us to where He is. The resurrection power guarantees as He lives so shall we – forever with him. Take comfort in his words.

who shall change our vile body,

that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,

And when we see him our body of flesh will be changed in a “moment, the twinkling of an eye.” We will receive a body like his own.

according to the working whereby he is able

even to subdue all things unto himself.

(Philippians 3:20,21)

It is the power of the Spirit of Christ in us that works in us to make us ready to stand before the Father. He subdued the power of sin and has given us his righteousness. By the power of the resurrection we are made acceptable in Christ to the Father.

This is God’s promise to us and if we allow the words to saturate our hearts, they will burst with praise.

Our Praise to the Resurrection and the Life:

May we join with heaven –

“Saying with a loud voice,

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,

and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing …

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth …

As thou hast given him power over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent …

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,

who hath enabled me,

for that he counted me faithful,

putting me into the ministry …

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,

be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 5:12; Matthew 28:18; John 17:2,3; 1Timothy 1:12,17.

C. H. Spurgeon shared several ways he knew Christ. How do you know the “I Am” of John’s gospel? Which “I Am” do you desire to know more?

Three “Ps” for Abundant Life

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

James 1:17

This week during our Day Camp for children, they heard about a few of the many good and perfect gifts our heavenly Father abundantly gives to those who will receive them. One of which was the abundant life available to all who come through the Door.

“Then Jesus said unto them … I am the door …”

John 10:7a, 9a

Jesus’ Promises to those who enter through the door:
“If any man enter in,

• he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9b
• “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18
• “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way: which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” Hebrews 10:19,20 “
• … These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, HE THAT HATH THE KEY OF DAVID, HE THAT OPENETH, AND NO MAN SHUTTETH AND SHUTTETH, AND NO MAN OPENETH:I know thy works behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it … “ Revelation 3:7,8
• “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28

Praise to the Open Door:

For His abundance of –

Life: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, you are worthy of praise for in your death we have been made free from death. In your resurrection we receive the abundance of life now through your Holy Spirit living in us, and in the future when all things are made new.*

Grace:

“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead,

much more the grace of God,

and the gift by grace,

which is by one man, Jesus Christ,

hath abounded unto many.”

Romans 5:15

All praise belongs to you for your gift of not just sufficiency of grace but to abounding grace which has brought abundant life to all who believe.

Justification:

“And not as it was by one that sinned so is the gift:

for the judgment was by one to condemnation,

but the free gift

is of many offences unto justification.”

Romans 5:16

Your gift of abundant grace works the abundance of justification in us. As you look on us, you see our judgment placed on your holy Son, and we are declared just before you.

Righteousness:

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one;

much more they which receive abundance of grace

and of the gift of righteousness

shall reign in life by one,

Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:17

And your abundant grace extended to us the abundant righteousness of Christ as our clothing that we might stand before you unashamed and unafraid. You alone are worthy of praise.

Supply, including promise:

“But my God shall supply all your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus …

For the LORD God is a sun and shield:

The LORD will give grace and glory;

no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Philippians 4:19; Psalm 84:11

Love:

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee …

For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”

Jeremiah 31:3; John 3:16

Our Prayer:

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience,

and our bodies washed with pure water …

Heavenly Father, you have poured out your abundance on us through Jesus Christ, the door to abundant life. As we have walked through the door into your presence may we draw near to you. For you have cleansed us from all sin through the blood of Christ. May all who have not entered into a relationship with you come the only way they can – the door of Jesus Christ- and know the abundance of your grace.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;

(for he is faithful that promised:) …

Your strong hand and abundant love hold us. May we be diligent to know you more as you take us from faith to faith until you have completed the work of faith in us.

“And let us consider one another

to provoke unto love and to good works:”

Hebrews 10:22-24

May the life of Christ you have poured into us overflow into all we meet and all we do to your praise and glory.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above

all that we ask or think,

according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20,21

May all who have entered through the Door, give praise for the salvation given through Jesus Christ. May those who do not know the abundant life found in Christ, be quick to enter.

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*For more on the abundant life see my previous post, The Door to an Abundant Life.

 

A Promise, Prayer, and Praise

Can we know God, the great I Am? Jehovah? We can and we will – now or in the time to come.

God’s Promise:

 “All flesh shall know that I the LORD

am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer,

the mighty One of Jacob.”

Isaiah 49:26

• “Look unto me, and be ye saved,
• all the ends of the earth:
• for I am God, and there is none else.
• I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return,

That unto me every knee shall  bow, every tongue shall swear …

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Isaiah 45:22,23; Philippians 2:10,11

Our Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, may I –

“Count all things but loss

for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung,

that I may win Christ…

May there be no thing, no thought, no desire, nor person take your rightful place in my heart, in my life – for you are my life. Help me remember you are my reward, my Savior, Redeemer, and King.

May my hope be as Paul’s to –

… Be found in him,

not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,

but that which is through the faith of Christ,

the righteousness which is of God by faith …

Keep me steadfastly growing from faith to faith knowing I have no righteousness of my own, but all my righteousness is of God by faith. In Christ I stand in righteousness before my Father.

By faith –

• … I may know him, (Christ),
• and the power of his resurrection,
• and the fellowship of his sufferings,
• being made conformable unto his death:
• If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:8-11

Father, you have given us Jesus revealing yourself to us –

• knowing him, we know you. May we continue to grow in the knowledge of your power – the new life we’ve been given;
• may your power in us be our strength in suffering that we do not faint but look to the One who suffered all things for us;
• may your power be our victory over the weaknesses of our flesh;
• and be that which we look to for our resurrection from death to life eternal.

Our Praise:

“But let the righteous be glad:

let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name:

extol him that rideth upon the heavens

by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.”

Psalm 68:3,4 (JAH – short for Jehovah – I Am – the one who possess life and the one who gives life)

May we join the song of victory with Moses, the Lamb and those who overcome through the great tribulation, remembering it is a song for the victorious but all will worship the King.

“GREAT AND MARVELLOUS ARE THY WORKS,

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

JUST AND TRUE ARE THY WAYS,

THOU KING OF SAINTS.

WHO SHALL NOT FEAR THEE, O LORD,

AND GLORIFY THY NAME?

FOR THOU ONLY ARE HOLY:

FOR ALL NATIONS SHALL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THEE;

for thy judgments are made manifest.”

Revelation 15:3,4

The Apostle John tells us how we can sing the victory song –

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world,

even our faith.

Who is he that overcometh the world,

but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

1 John 5:4,5

Yes, yes, yes, we can know the great I Am through Christ who dwells –

“in your hearts by faith:

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love;

May be able to comprehend with all saints

what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

and to know the love of Christ,

which passeth knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-19

May the children of God sing songs of victory together as we raise our voices in praise and prayer this weekend and throughout each day.

A Prayer, Promise, and Praise for His Kingdom

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“The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens;

and his kingdom ruleth over all.”

Psalm 103:19

A kingdom means little if there are no people to fill it. We, the children of God, are the kingdom of God in this world until Jesus returns and completely saves and renews his creation.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:5

Our Prayer:

“Thy kingdom come …” Matthew 6:10

Father, you know how we are when life comes against us in this world. Our hearts grow homesick for what you are preparing for us. A kingdom where you –

“shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Until then help us remember –

“These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Help us remember we are children of your kingdom not of this world. May we live that others might see your kingdom reigning in us. May our –

“light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven …

May we lay up – treasures in heaven,

and Beloved, if God so loved us,

we ought also to love one another.”

Matthew 5:16;6:20;1John 4:11

And Father, as Jesus was as he walked in this world, may we be.

“I must work the works of him that sent me,

while it is day:

the night cometh,

when no man can work.”

John 9:4

His Promise:

• “Behold the days come, saith the LORD,
• that I will raise unto David a righteous branch,
• and a King shall reign and prosper,
• and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth …

And he said unto me,

• It is done.
• I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
• I will give unto him that is athirst
• of the fountain of the water of life freely.
• He that overcometh shall inherit all things:
• and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Jeremiah 23:5; Revelation 21:6,7

Our Praise:

“Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD:

we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.

God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Thou art my God, and I will praise thee:

thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

O give thanks unto the LORD;

for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever…

Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins …

And a voice came out of the throne, saying,

PRAISE OUR GOD, ALL YE HIS SERVANTS,

AND YE THAT FEAR HIM, BOTH SMALL AND GREAT.

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice of many waters,

and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

Psalm 118:26-29; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 19:5,6

May our voices rise to heaven in praise as we reflect on His promises, and fill this world of darkness with His kingdom of light until all of salvation is fulfilled. Have a blessed weekend.

Prayer, Promises, and Praise

Image courtesy of Pexels.

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,

whose name is Holy;

I dwell in the high and holy place,

with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

to revive the spirit of the humble,

and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

Isaiah 57:15

Another word for repentant is contrite. There can be no repentance – changing of our mind and according to Isaiah, our spirit –  without a humbling – a coming face to face with our need for forgiveness of sin provided in the One whose name is Holy. The One who humbled himself in our stead. The One – Jesus Christ who took our sin on himself securing our forgiveness through dying our death on the cross.

The Prayer:

“But he giveth more grace.

Father, pour out your grace upon me.

Wherefore he saith, GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, BUT GIVETH GRACE UNTO THE HUMBLE.

I know my sin separates me from you; from enjoying being in your Presence.

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

My soul is in your hands. You are Lord of all, including me.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Be my strength against temptation.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

I come to you through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Asking you to wash me from sin and be my strength to use my hands to bless others in the name of Jesus and my heart to love others as you have loved me.  

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” James 4:6-9

Help me remember the affliction, weeping, mourning and heaviness the Lord Jesus Christ carried to the cross for me. Help me remember the grief sin causes you and flee from it.

The Promises:

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up …

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;

and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

James 4:10; Psalm 34:18

 A broken heart – that heart which grieves over the sin that separates us from our heavenly Father as it grieves his heart. To that one with the broken heart and contrite spirit He says –

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

to revive the spirit of the humble,

and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

The Praise:

As your word declares You have lifted us up –

“And hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;

That in the ages to come he might shew

the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness

towards us through Christ Jesus …

Ephesians 2:6,7

We are seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus – us in Him and He in us. He has saved us and revived our spirit and heart for –

“if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new …

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us

with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ …

Jesus answered and said unto him,

If a man love me, he will keep my words:

and my Father will love him,

and we will come unto him,

and make our abode with him …

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne …

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

to all that call upon him in truth …

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:

and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”

2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3; John 14:23; Revelation 3:20,21; Psalm 145:18,21

As our hearts and minds dwell on all our Savior and God have done to bring us into his presence, may we join as one to give him praise. May you have a blessed and joyous weekend praising our God.

Prayer and Praise; Darkness and Light

“As thou hast sent me into he world,

even so have I also sent them into the world.”

John 17:18

Two kingdoms walk on this earth. One is filled with darkness. The works of that kingdom try to hide, quiet, and destroy the kingdom of light.

Our First Prayer – 

Is for the kingdom of light.

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:10

With the first advent of Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God entered the earth. Those walking with Jesus experienced the power, authority, and love of God’s kingdom. We, who have been born into God’s kingdom, experience the same in the presence of the Holy Spirit abiding in us. Our citizenship is of God’s kingdom. And He, through Christ, has left us a work to do until He returns for us. As He was sent so are we.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. ”  Matthew 28:18-20

Our First Promise and a Second:

“and, lo, I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”  

Matthew 28:20

 Plus, Jesus promised us power for the work He left us.

“But ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses unto me

both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

Our Second Prayer and a Third:

Christ walked the earth as one and could only be in one place at a time. Christ in us fills the world with his light, and He seeks more laborers for the kingdom.

“Then saith he unto his disciples,

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:37,38

And what are we to do?

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;

and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

 In the preaching, pray for the message to no longer be hidden.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world

hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God,

should shine unto them.”

2 Corinthians 4:5,3,4

Our Promise:

“Therefore my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Corinthian 15:58

Our Praises:

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ …

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,

that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name …

Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins …

Saying, Amen:

Blessing, and glory,

and wisdom, and thanksgiving,

and honour, and power, and might,

be unto our God for ever and ever Amen.”

1Corinthians 15:57; Hebrews 13:15; Colossians 1:12-14;Revelation 7:12

As followers of Christ, we belong to his kingdom. Those apart from Christ walk in a kingdom of darkness that ends in an eternity apart from God. May we be as Isaiah who said –

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying,

Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?

Then said I,

Here am I; send me.”

Isaiah 6:8

 Keep praying. Keep preaching. For the Lord prays with us and goes with us. He says,

“Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also

which shall believe on me though their word.”

John 17:20

Who is it the Lord is sending you to? Know He is praying for you and them.

Prayer and Praise for His Precious Gift

His Plea:

Consider the One who pleas for all to – 

“Come now, and let us reason together,

saith the LORD:

though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool …

I, even I, am

he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake,

and will not remember thy sins …

Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Isaiah 1:18; 43:25; Matthew 11:28-29

Our Provision:

The plea has gone out from the Lord God and God the Son, Jesus Christ. He is our provision. The invitation is available to all who will receive it.

By Christ –

• “we have redemption through his blood,
• the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace …
• by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
• having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12

Christ bought forgiveness with his blood for all. It’s available to all. But all do not receive it. To those who do, we have –

His Promise:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith,

WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD

SHALL BE SAVED.”

Romans 10:9-13

If you have not yet received God’s promise agree with God and know the peace of being forgiven and cleansed. 

Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,

You are –

faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies

blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin.”

1John 1:8,9; Psalm 51:1-2

Now it’s time to give –

Him Praise:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings

in heavenly places in Christ …

To the praise of the glory of his grace,

wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved …

with the precious blood of Christ,

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot …

O give thanks unto the LORD,

for he is good:

for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,

whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy …

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works to the children of men …

In God is my salvation and my glory:

the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”

Ephesians 1:3,6; 1Peter 1:19;Psalm 107:1,2,8; Psalm 62:7

We the redeemed by the blood of Christ heard the Father’s plea, received his provision in Jesus Christ through faith, and rest in his promises. May we rejoice together in praise of his precious gift and pray for those yet to receive it. Have a blessed weekend.