ATONING SACRIFICE

Thinking of Jesus as our sacrifice always reminds me of two important stories to our Christian faith.

The first is of Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to take his son – his ONLY son – and sacrifice him on Mount Moriah. In Genesis 22, Isaac asked his father, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham replied, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Just as Abraham took the knife to slay his son, the Angel of the LORD stopped him. Abraham turned and saw a ram caught in the thicket. God provided the sacrifice.

The second story involves God’s protection of the Israelites during the final plague against Egypt – the death of all firstborn sons. God told Moses to have the people take a year old lamb without defect, slaughter it, spread its blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes, and eat the meat as a Passover meal. When the Lord went through Egypt bringing  judgment on them, He passed over every house displaying the blood. God provided through the sacrifice of a lamb.

When Jesus appeared on the scene in John 1, John the Baptist declared, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Approximately three years later, Jesus became the perfect, unblemished atoning sacrifice for all mankind when He willingly gave His life on a cross. God’s only Son died more than 2000 years ago to provide a way for you and me to obtain salvation. Praise the Lord, that is not the end of the story because He rose from the grave and lives today.

God provided for you and me!

JESUS CHRIST, the LAMB OF GOD,  took our place.

As we prepare to celebrate our Risen Savior soon, let’s take time this week to praise Jesus as our Atoning Sacrifice, our sacrificial Lamb of God. Take time each day to recall the price He paid for us when He became our sacrifice.

Sunday Supplication

Lord Jesus, words can’t accurately convey the depth of our gratitude for what You’ve done. Thank You for providing a path of salvation for us. We praise you this week as our Atoning Sacrifice and our only way to God. As we worship You this week, remind us of the tremendous cost You paid for our redemption from sin. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

1 John 4:10

Tuesday Treasure

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Hebrews 9:24-26

Wednesday Wisdom

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Thursday Truth

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:2

Friday Fact

Every priest stands day after day ministering and offering the same sacrifices time after time, which can never take away sins. But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11-14

Saturday Song

RESURRECTION

One of my favorite resurrection passages in the Bible is found in John 20:11-17.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying.

As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

I am astounded by the fact that the first person Jesus appeared to after His resurrection was a woman. And not just any woman – Mary Magdalene. A woman from whom He had driven seven demons. Not a king. Not a scribe. Not a Pharisee. Not even a disciple. He appeared first to a WOMAN.

Perhaps it’s because He knew a woman wouldn’t keep the news to herself. In fact, just one verse later we find her going to the disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!”

Maybe His appearance to her was to remind us that He came for even the worst of sinners. Mary had seven demons when He first met her. It’s proof that no one is so far gone that they’re beyond His grace.

It could simply be because Mary made herself available. She remained at the tomb after everyone else had left. Peter and John returned to town while she stayed behind at the tomb crying. And she wasn’t just dabbing tears from her eyes. The Greek word used describes ‘wailing aloud.’ This woman was mourning her loss and intended to stay there until she had answers about where her Savior had gone.

There is one portion of verse 17 that bothered me for years. The KJV records Jesus’ words as “Touch me not.” Other translations interpret it as “Do not hold on to me” or “Don’t cling to me.” The Greek word used for touch actually means to attach oneself to. In other words, Mary Magdalene had a death grip on Jesus. She had lost Him once and didn’t intend on losing Him again. But Jesus was preparing to ascend to the Father and couldn’t very well take her with Him, so He told her to let Him go and to go to His disciples and give them the good news that HE LIVES. And that is exactly what she did.

You and I are like Mary – sinners saved by grace. As we praise Him this week as our RESURRECTION, let’s remember Mary’s response to Jesus. Let’s make ourselves available to Him. Then tell somebody  – “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD!”

HE’S ALIVE!

Sunday Supplication

Lord Jesus, we praise You this week as our RESURRECTION. As we celebrate Easter, help us to remember that this holiday is all about You – our Risen Lord. While we watch small children searching for hidden eggs, remind us of our need to seek You and the hidden messages You’ve placed in Your Word for us. Speak new life into our hearts this week as we worship You. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:3-7

Tuesday Treasure

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Acts 2:22-24

Wednesday Wisdom

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11

Thursday Truth

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:4-5

Friday Fact

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Saturday Song

REDEEMER

Today we celebrate our Risen Savior – Jesus Christ – our Redeemer who purchased us with His blood.

What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Redeemer?

Job – a man who had every right by human standards to ‘curse God and die’ as his wife put it – instead said about God, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” (Job 19:25)

Paul writes …

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8a)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

The writer of Hebrews tells us – He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. (Hebrews 9:12)

What does redemption mean for you and me?

The Holman Dictionary defines Redemption as follows: To pay a price in order to secure the release of something or someone. It connotes the idea of paying what is required in order to liberate from oppression, enslavement, or another type of binding obligation.

When Jesus Christ died on that cross more than 2000 years ago, He paid the price to free us from the hold that sin had on us. Not with money. Not with gold. Not even by good words – His or ours. But BY HIS BLOOD.

As we praise Him this week as our Redeemer, let’s rejoice that He has risen from the dead. But may we never forget the price He paid on that cross for you and for me.

Sunday Supplication

Lord Jesus, my Redeemer. Thank you for dying on that cross for me. Thank you that I do not have to pay my own way to God through good works or any other means but by faith and faith alone. Thank you that redemption means I have been freed from the enemy’s hold on me. I praise You this week as my REDEEMER, the One who paid it all for me.  AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.

Psalm 111:7-9

Tuesday Treasure

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Wednesday Wisdom

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Titus 2:11-14

Thursday Truth

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Galatians 4:4-5

Friday Fact

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Psalm 49:15 and Luke 21:27-28

Saturday Song

PORTION

When we think of attributes of God, Him as our PORTION is not one that immediately comes to mind. But, it is an incredible part of who God Is.

When the Promised Land was divided up among the Israelites, the Levites were excluded from receiving an allotment of the land. Why? Numbers 8:20 tell us – The LORD told Aaron, “You will not have an inheritance in their land; there will be no portion among them for you. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

The Levites were designated as the Lord’s priests and servants in the Temple. Instead of land, their inheritance was the LORD Himself. He was their portion. What could be better than that?

Kristine Brown’s article on www.crosswalk.com addresses God as our Portion much more than I ever could. I encourage you to take time to read her article.

www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/what-does-it-mean-when-god-is-your-portion.html

Last week, I experienced a similar event to Kristine’s when I had to suddenly undergo an arteriogram. Thankfully, my ordeal did not require surgery, and I received a clean report. But it was a reminder to me that when all else falls away or fails, God is and always will be my PORTION.

The Holman Dictionary describes the Lord as our Portion as follows: To have a portion in the Lord is to share the right of joining the community in worship of God.

Won’t you join me in worshiping and praising God this week as our PORTION?

Sunday Supplication

Lord, my Portion, thank you for always being present in my life regardless of what I may be facing. I praise you as my PORTION, the one who fills every void and who is an eternal inheritance for me.  AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

Tuesday Treasure

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

Psalm 16:5

Wednesday Wisdom

I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 142:5

Thursday Truth

You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words.

Psalm 119:57

Friday Fact

I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:24

Saturday Song

ROCK

Throughout scripture, God is often referred to as our Rock. The first occurrence of this name of God is found in Genesis 49 during Jacob’s blessing of his son Joseph. Moses and David often described God as the Rock of Israel and the name carries through the New Testament as person after person depended on the Lord as their solid Rock.

In the 1860’s, Edward Mote penned the following words to  a Hymn that has withstood the test of time.

THE SOLID ROCK

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

As you praise Jesus this week as your ROCK, take an inventory of what you are standing on. Have you placed your trust in anything or anyone besides the Lord?

Where do you go when you face trials and tribulations in your life?

If we are standing on anything other than Christ as our solid rock, we will find ourselves in sinking sand.

Won’t you join me in worshiping and praising God this week as our ROCK?

Sunday Supplication

Lord, you are my Rock and the only One I place my trust in when things come against me. Thank you for being the solid ground that I can always stand upon no matter what I may face in my life. I praise You, Jesus my Rock. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2

Tuesday Treasure

“For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.”

“The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!”

2 Samuel 22:32-33, 47

Wednesday Wisdom

To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Psalm 28:1 and 40:1-3

Thursday Truth

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

Psalm 144:1

Friday Fact

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:4

Saturday Song

ALMIGHTY GOD

This week as we praise the Lord as our Almighty God, may we be reminded of the power that comes with that name.

The Hebrew name is El Shaddai. The Holman Illustrated Dictionary defines this name as The Mountain One. I love that image of God has a mighty mountain that towers above us and casts a shadow of protection over us.

Beginning in Genesis this name of God carries throughout the entire Bible all the way through Revelation.

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “ ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

There is coming a day when those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will stand before God’s throne and worship Him as Lord God Almighty.

Let’s not wait until that day to praise Him. Let’s take every opportunity to praise Him as God Almighty until that day when we see Him face to face.

Sunday Supplication

Today’s prayer is taken from Jeremiah 32:17-19  …

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.”

 AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

Tuesday Treasure

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

Psalm 50:1

Wednesday Wisdom

“The Mighty One, God, the LORD! The Mighty One, God, the LORD! He knows! And let Israel know! If this has been in rebellion or disobedience to the LORD, do not spare us this day. If we have built our own altar to turn away from the LORD and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, or to sacrifice fellowship offerings on it, may the LORD himself call us to account.”

Joshua 22:22-23

Thursday Truth

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Friday Fact

Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

Psalm 89:8

Saturday Song

LIGHT

Have you ever been in a place so dark that you could not even see your hand before your eyes?

The fear of total darkness is something most people share. It can immobilize you and hold you captive until that moment when someone strikes a match or lights a candle or turns on a light. When that happens and the light envelops us, peace usually follows. Why? Because we realize we are not alone. This is true whether our darkness is physical, emotional, or spiritual.

Genesis begins with these words …

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.  (Genesis 1:1-4)

From the beginning of time, God sent light to shine into the darkness. And He has never stopped.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is found in Psalm 139 when David penned these words:

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:11-12)

What a comfort to know that darkness does not stand a chance against the God of Creation.

John often wrote about Jesus as the LIGHT.  His writings will be the focus of our Praise Power Points this week.

If you are walking in darkness today, allow God’s Light to shine into your heart and soul.

This week, let’s praise Him not only as the Light of the World, but the Light that shines in our individual dark places.

Sunday Supplication

Lord, this week I ask You to shine Your Light into the dark recesses of my heart and soul. Thank You for overcoming darkness and sending Jesus as the Light of the world and the Light of all mankind. This week, I praise You as my LIGHT. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

Tuesday Treasure

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 9:5

Wednesday Wisdom

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.

John 12:35-36

Thursday Truth

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

John 12:46

Friday Fact

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

Revelation 21:23-25

Saturday Song

INTERCESSOR

What does it mean to you that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are your intercessors?

As a caregiver who often doesn’t even know how to pray, I need the reminder that my Lord and the Holy Spirit are both interceding for me on a daily basis. When we face trials and troubles in our lives, it’s easy for us to focus on our circumstances rather than the One who sits beside the throne of God and intercedes for us.

The writer of Hebrews tells us …

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Why is important for us to fix our eyes on Jesus? So we do not grow weary and lose heart!

As we praise Him this week as our Intercessor, let’s turn from our struggles and circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus. Place all your cares and struggles in His loving arms and leave them there allowing Him to intercede for you to the One who is able to meet all your needs.

Sunday Supplication

Jesus, thank you for interceding for me not only on the cross, but today as you sit beside Father God and pray for me. Holy Spirit, thank you for joining with the Son in praying for my needs. I praise You, my Intercessors. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:11-12

Tuesday Treasure

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27

Wednesday Wisdom

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25

Thursday Truth

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Romans 8:33-34

Friday Fact

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.

Hebrews 9:24

Saturday Song

CREATOR

“In the beginning God created …”

And from Genesis 1:1 until the end of the book, God never stops creating. He created all things, but His most important creation is mankind. Genesis 1:27 tells us that He created mankind (male and female) in His image.

Of all creation, we are the only ones created in the image of God. In Psalm 139, David wrote “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” What God did for David, He also did for you and me. Each of us are knit together with unique DNA and formed in our mother’s wombs, but we all share one purpose. In Isaiah 43:7 the prophet writes “everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory.”

God created us for His glory. How do we display His glory?

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

As you worship Him this week as Creator, pray that God will show you what He created you to do and seek to be a display of His glory to others in the image of our God.

Sunday Supplication

Creator God, I praise You this week as the One who made the heavens and the earth, the sun and the moon, the skies and the seas, plants and the tress, the birds of the air and creatures of the deep, animals both tame and wild, and ALL things. But most of all, I praise You as the Creator who formed me in my mother’s womb and knit me together as a unique being made in Your image. Thank You for never stopping Your work within me. This week, create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10) AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Isaiah 40:28

Tuesday Treasure

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 40:26

Wednesday Wisdom

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:9-12

Thursday Truth

This is what God the LORD says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Isaiah 42:5-8

Friday Fact

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Revelation 4:11

Saturday Song

LIVING WATER

One of my favorite attributes of Jesus is that He is Living Water.

Perhaps it’s because I am so much like the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well in Sychar in John 4. Like that sinful woman, I have failed God more times than I can count. The good news is that no matter how grave the sin or how often I miss the mark of His perfect plan for me, He still offers me Living Water that washes my sin away.

Micah writes that God hurls our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

The following quote is from Our Daily Bread at odb.org.

Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom knew the importance of forgiveness. In her book Tramp for the Lord, she says her favorite mental picture was of forgiven sins thrown into the sea. “When we confess our sins, God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. . . . I believe God then places a sign out there that says No Fishing Allowed.”

Isn’t that a beautiful image of how God’s Living Water works in our lives?

Sunday Supplication

Jesus, thank You for being my Living Water. Thank you for using Your Living Water to wash all my sins away. Pour Your water into my thirsty soul this week and refresh me water that never stops flowing into my heart. AMEN! SO BE IT!

Monday Manna

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:10-14

Tuesday Treasure

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

John 7:38

Wednesday Wisdom

LORD, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water. Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Jeremiah 17:13-14

Thursday Truth

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Revelation 7:17

Friday Fact

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2

Saturday Song