Col. Douglas MacGregor on Ukraine
Friday, June 30, 2023
Praise Verses from Psalms - Part 4
Ps.68:19—“Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, Who daily bears our
burdens.”
Ps.68:26,34-36—“Praise
God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of
Ps.69:30—“I
will praise God’s Name in song & glorify Him with thanksgiving.”
Ps.71:6,8—“I
will ever praise You… My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor
all day long.”
Ps.71:22-23—“I
will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing
praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed.”
Ps.72:18-19—“Praise
be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise
be to His glorious Name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory.”
Ps.75:1—“We
give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks for Your Name is near; men tell of Your
wonderful deeds.”
Ps.75:9—“As
for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.”
Ps.86:12—“I
will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your Name forever.”
Ps.89:1—“I
will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness
known through all generations. I will declare that Your love stands firm
forever, that You established Your faithfulness in Heaven itself.”
Ps.92:1-2—“It
is good to praise the LORD & make music to Your Name, O Most High, to
proclaim Your love in the morning & Your faithfulness at night.”
Ps.95:1-2,6—“Come,
let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our
salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving & extol Him with music
& song.… Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our
Maker.”
Ps.96:1-4—“Sing
to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD,
praise His Name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among
the nations, His marvelous deeds praising God using the Psalms among all
peoples. For great is the LORD & most worthy of praise.”
Ps.97:12—“Rejoice
in the LORD, you who are righteous, & praise His holy Name.”
Ps.100:4—“Enter
His gates with thanksgiving & His courts with praise; give thanks to Him &
praise His Name.”
Ps.103:1-2—“Praise
the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy Name. Praise the
LORD, O my soul, & forget not all His benefits.”
Ps.103:20-22—“Praise
the LORD, you His angels, you mighty ones who do His bidding, who obey His Word.
Praise the LORD, all His Heavenly Hosts, you His servants who do His will.
Praise the LORD, all His works everywhere in his domain. Praise the LORD, O my
soul.”
Ps.104:1—“Praise
the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with
splendor & majesty.”
Ps.104:33,
35—“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long
as I live.… Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.”
Ps.105:1-3—“Give
thanks to the LORD, call on His Name; make known among the nations what He has
done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in
His holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”
Ps.106:1-2—“Praise
the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.
Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD or fully declare His praise?”
Ps.107:1,32—“Give
thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever…
Let them
exalt Him in the assembly of the people & praise Him in the council of the elders.”
Ps.108:3-5—“I
will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the
peoples. For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness
reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, & let Your glory
be over all the earth.”
Ps.109:30—“With
my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise Him.”
Ps.111:1-3—“Praise
the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright
& in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by
all who delight in them. Glorious & majestic are His deeds.”
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Praise Verses From the Psalms - Part 3
Ps.44:7-8—“But
You give us victory over our enemies, You put our adversaries to shame. In God
we make our boast all day long, & we will praise Your Name forever.”
Ps.45:17—“Therefore
the nations will praise You for ever & ever.”
Ps.47:2,6—“How
awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! … Sing
praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God
is the King of all the earth, sing to Him a psalm of praise.”
Ps.48:1,10—“Great
is the LORD, & most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy
mountain.… Like Your Name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the
earth.”
Ps.51:15—“O
Lord, open my lips, & my mouth will declare Your praise.”
Ps.52:9—“I
will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your Name will I hope, for Your
Name is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints.”
Ps.54:6—“I
will praise Your Name, O LORD, for it is good.”
Ps.57:9-10—“I
will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of You among the
peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches
to the skies.”
Ps.59:17—“O
my Strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
Ps.61:8—“Then
will I ever sing praise to Your Name.”
Ps.63:4-5—“I
will praise You as long as I live, & in Your Name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth
will praise You.”
Ps.64:10—“Let
the righteous rejoice in the LORD & take refuge in Him; let all the upright
in heart praise Him!”
Ps.65:1—“Praise
awaits You, O God, in
Ps.66:1-4—“Shout
with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His Name; offer him glory
& praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power
that Your enemies cringe before You. All the earth bows down to You; they sing
praise to You, they sing praise to Your Name.’”
Ps.66:8—“Praise
our God, O peoples, let the sound of His praise be heard.”
Ps.67:3—“May
the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.”
Ps.68:4—“Sing
to God, sing praise to His Name, extol Him Who rides on the clouds—His Name is
the LORD.”
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
A Rabbi Sees the Light
Treasures
The high priest, Caiaphas, filling the imposing chamber of the Sanhedrin—the Supreme Court of all Judaism—exclaimed: “The doctrine of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth is spreading through Jerusalem and we have failed to take action!”
“Come now, son,” Caiaphas’ old father in-law, Annas, says as he pensively strokes his long white beard. “Neither we nor any of the elders of the Council knew that this heretical sect would continue to spread once their prophet was executed.”
“But just last week,” Caiaphas laments, “we had two of their main leaders, those two fishermen, Peter and John, arrested and here before us. But Rabbi Gamaliel took the floor and persuaded the Council that we should let them go! He said, ‘If their purpose or their work is merely of man, it will come to nothing, but if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them, and you could very well find yourselves fighting against God’ (Acts 5:28-42).
“We did whip them and threatened them with severe punishment should they continue preaching in the name of their executed leader, Jesus.”
“But what good did that do?” Annas asks. “Their popularity is increasing daily, their numbers are multiplying, and there are reports that our own priests are becoming secret believers and followers of this sect!” (Acts 6:7).
“We must act, Caiaphas, and we must act now! If not, all of Jerusalem is going to be proclaiming that that dead Nazarene is the Messiah. But to avoid trouble from the Romans if they should find out that we’ve put some of these heretics to death, perhaps we could use some of our brethren who are not directly linked to the Sanhedrin?”
“An excellent idea, Father,” Caiaphas replies, “and I think I know the perfect man for the job—Rabbi Saul. As you know, he is from Tarsus, the capital city of the province of Cilicia, and is one of the chief rulers of the ‘Synagogue of the Freedmen,’ a very devout congregation here in Jerusalem, of Jews from Greece and Asia. Saul is a very zealous young Pharisee who would do anything to further the cause of our religion.” (See Acts 22:3; 23:6; 26:4–5; Philippians 3:4–6.)
Saul was immediately summoned to the priests’ quarters at the Temple compound. He gladly accepted the commission of seeking out and capturing a prominent Christian and personally seeing to it that the “infidel” was assassinated. Saul agreed that such action would serve as an example and warning to the rest of the Christians in Jerusalem, and would hopefully bring a stop to their activities.
After organizing a band of devout Jews from his synagogue, Saul and his men went straight to the outskirts of Jerusalem’s central marketplace—an area where the Christians could frequently be found preaching to the crowds. There they discovered a certain disciple named Stephen, who was powerfully and openly witnessing to the multitudes about Jesus.
Here is the description of the encounter with Stephen in the Bible: “Then there arose certain men who were members of the Synagogue which is called the ‘synagogue of the Freedmen’—Jews of foreign origin, including men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These Jews began arguing and disputing with Stephen, yet were unable to resist the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke! So they bribed false witnesses who said, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemy against Moses and against God!’
“And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they rushed upon Stephen and seized him and brought him to the Council. The false witnesses testified to the Sanhedrin, ‘This man continually blasphemes against our holy Temple and against the Laws of Moses: For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy our holy place and change the customs which Moses gave us!’” (Acts 6:8–14).
The High Priest, Caiaphas, looked at Stephen and asked him if the accusations were true. Stephen answered with a powerful sermon in which he recounted in detail the entire history of the Jews—from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to Moses and through their prophets and kings, to show how God had dealt with Israel through the ages, preparing them for the Messiah. The Bible tells us that “all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).
At the end of his message, Stephen spoke a compelling blast of truth, telling them, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost! As your fathers did, so do you! Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Messiah, who you have now betrayed and murdered. You who have received the law, but have not kept it” (Acts 7:51–53).
The Council, as well as Rabbi Saul’s mob who had captured Stephen and brought him there, were unable to take this stinging rebuke. “And when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart” (Acts 7:54), and they agreed that this heretic should be stoned immediately.
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed upward toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Behold,’ he cried aloud to the assembly, ‘I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the Father!’” (Acts 7:55–56).
Upon hearing these words, they covered their ears, and yelling at the top of their voices, “rushed upon Stephen and dragged him out of the city to stone him” (Acts 7:57).
Saul remained on the outskirts of the frenzied religious mob as they prepared to hurl their stones at Stephen. The Bible says, “They laid their robes and cloaks down at the feet of the young man whose name was Saul … And Saul consented and gave full approval to Stephen’s death” (Acts 7:58; 8:1).
But to their dismay, the Sanhedrin discovered that Stephen’s death didn’t curb or slow down the Christians’ activities in the least. They continued growing and spreading their message more than ever. Not only was the Council enraged, but Rabbi Saul was determined to exterminate them! “And there arose at that time a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were scattered abroad throughout the entire regions of Judea and Samaria. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church and began to destroy it, going from house to house, dragging off men and women and throwing them into prison” (Acts 8:1–3).
The persecution against the Christians became so vicious and violent that the Christians virtually evacuated the entire city of Jerusalem. But the zealous Pharisee Saul was not content with having driven most of the Christians out of the capital.
“Saul continued breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, even going to the high priest and asking for official letters to the synagogues in Damascus, Syria, authorizing him to bring captive to Jerusalem any Christians that could be found there” (Acts 9:1–2). Saul went so far as to obtain authorization from Caiaphas to arrest and imprison Christians in the distant capital of another country over 150 miles away!
Years later, Saul wrote and confessed, “I did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Many of the saints I threw into prisons, having received authority from the chief priests. When they were executed, I raised my voice against them and condemned them. I punished them in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities” (Acts 26:9–11).
However, while Saul and his company of Temple guards traveled by horseback on the dry and dusty road to Damascus, something completely unexpected and extraordinary befell him on the last leg of his journey.
“As they approached the city, suddenly there shined round about him a brilliant light from heaven! And he fell to the ground from his horse and heard a voice crying out to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:3–4).
Although Saul had studied the Scriptures and knew that God supernaturally spoke to and called His messengers and prophets, he had never experienced anything like this in his entire life!
Astonished and almost terrified, Saul wondered what this blinding light and this supernatural voice could possibly mean. If it was really the voice of God, then why did it say, “Why do you persecute Me?” Surely God knew that he was on a holy mission for Him, to persecute God’s enemies, the members of the heretical sect that followed that troublemaker, Jesus of Nazareth. Barely managing to gather his wits, Saul addressed and questioned the voice out loud: “Who are You, Lord?”
Then came the answer that would radically alter and transform this young Pharisee’s life. Slowly and clearly the voice answered: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Saul, it is hard for you to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5). The Lord was picturing Saul as a stubborn ox that was kicking back at his master’s ox goads, sharp sticks which farmers used to make their beasts move. In other words, Saul was resisting the pricks of his conscience in persecuting Christians.
In one brilliant, blinding flash of heavenly revelation, Saul realized how terribly wrong he had been in persecuting and killing Christians. “My God, my God!” he thought as his mind reeled in astonishment, “Jesus is the Messiah! What have I done? Have mercy upon me, Lord!”
Addressing the voice again, Saul trembled and wept as he asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” And the Lord answered, “Arise and go into the city. It shall be told you there what you must do” (Acts 9:6).
“Saul arose from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could see nothing, for he was blind and had to be led by the hand and brought into the city of Damascus. There he remained for three days without sight, and neither did he eat nor drink anything” (Acts 9:8–9).
Just imagine, this once great and proud Pharisee, the Rabbi Saul, was supernaturally struck down and knocked off his high horse by Jesus Himself and was absolutely blinded by the light of God! He was so totally shaken and awestruck by the dramatic and supernatural events that had befallen him, he was unable to eat or drink, but lay in bed pondering, desperately praying and waiting for God to show him what to do.
Three days later, “The Lord spoke to a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, saying, ‘Arise and go to the house where Saul of Tarsus is. Put your hands on him and pray for him that he may receive his sight’” (Acts 9:10–12).
But Saul’s reputation among the Christian disciples was so notorious that Ananias replied, “‘But, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your children in Jerusalem, and how he now has authority from the chief priests to capture and imprison all those who call upon Your name.’
“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Obey Me and go to him, for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, who will take My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel’” (Acts 9:13–15). So Ananias obeyed and went.
“Brother Saul,” Ananias greeted him as he entered the room where the rabbi lay. Saul was dumbfounded. He had encountered many Christians before, but none had ever called their cruel and heartless persecutor “brother.”
Seeing the pitiful condition of this former persecutor of his people, Ananias felt compassion for him and told him, “‘Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you journeyed here, has sent me to pray for you so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Then he laid his hands over Saul’s eyes and earnestly prayed, and his eyes were immediately healed and he rose up, ate, and was strengthened” (Acts 9:17–19).
After spending just a few days with the disciples in Damascus, the Bible says that “Saul immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that Jesus is the Son of God. And all those who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Isn’t this the one that destroyed those who called on this name (Jesus) in Jerusalem? And didn’t he come here to capture and imprison Christians?’ But Saul increased in strength and confounded the Jews which lived in Damascus, proving that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. And after many days, the Jews took counsel to kill him” (Acts 9:19–23). Thus the former persecutor became the persecuted, and the world-changing ministry of the Apostle Paul was launched!
No doubt from the moment that Saul witnessed Stephen’s martyrdom, he was under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Thank God, Saul finally yielded to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, and he became the foremost leader of the early church. What an example of a transformed life, of a “new creature in Christ Jesus” as he became the Apostle Paul, follower and preacher of the love, mercy, and grace of God (2 Corinthians 5:17).
After his conversion, Paul “immediately preached Christ.” He didn’t wait for weeks, months, or years to become a witness for the Lord, but immediately testified to others about the Lord. Even if you haven’t memorized chapters of Scripture or become an eloquent public speaker, if you have received Jesus in your heart, you are also called to share Him with others so that they too can experience God’s love and receive His gift of eternal salvation.
May God help us all to be bold witnesses and testifiers to bring the love and truth of Jesus Christ to all whom we can! Then, like the great apostle Paul, we can say at the end of our lives, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. So now there is prepared for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).
From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished June 2023.
https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/a-rabbi-sees-the-light/
Or see link below for the same story with audio for older children:
https://mywonderstudio.com/en/level-2/a-bible-adventure-a-rabbi-sees-the-light/
Praise Verses From the Psalms
Ps.22:22-23,25—“I
will declare your Name to my Brothers; in the congregation I will praise You.
You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor Him!
Revere Him, all you descendants of
Ps.28:6-8—“Praise
be to the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength
& my shield; my heart trusts in Him, & I am helped. My heart leaps for
joy & I will give thanks to Him in song. The LORD is the strength of His people,
a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.”
Ps.29:1-2—“Ascribe
to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory & strength. Ascribe
to the LORD the glory due His Name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.”
Ps.30:4—“Sing
to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His holy Name.”
Ps.30:11-12—“You
turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth & clothed me with
joy, that my heart may sing to You & not be silent. O LORD my God, I will
give You thanks forever.”
Ps.31:21—“Praise
be to the LORD for He showed His wonderful love to me.”
Ps.32:11—“Rejoice
in the LORD & be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in
heart!”
Ps.33:1-3—“Sing
joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.
Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him on the 10-stringed lyre. Sing
to Him a new song; play skillfully, & shout for joy.”
Ps.34:1-3—“I
will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul
will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear & rejoice. Glorify the LORD
with me; let us exalt His Name together.”
Ps.35:10,18,28—“My
whole being will exclaim, ‘Who is like You, O LORD?’ … I will give You thanks
in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise You.… My tongue
will speak of Your righteousness & of Your praises all day long.”
Ps.40:3—“He
put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”
Ps.41:13—“Praise
be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”
Ps.42:5-6—“Put
your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior & my God.”
Ps.43:4—“Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy & my delight. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.”
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
You Do Not Suffer Alone
A compilation
Audio length: 12:37
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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?—Psalm 27:1
Here David celebrates the only place he can find hope—in the presence of the Lord. To be David’s light, salvation, and stronghold, the Lord must be near. In the pain of unthinkable things David says, “God, it’s your presence that lights my way, it’s your presence that gives me hope that I will be delivered from evil, and it’s your presence that provides refuge for me when it seems that there is nowhere to run.”…
Our hope is not found in understanding why God allowed suffering into our lives. Our hope is not found in the belief that somehow we will tough our way through. Our hope is not found in doctors, lawyers, pastors, family, or friends. Our hope is not found in our resilience or ingenuity. Our hope is not found in ideas or things. Though we may look to all those for temporary help, ultimately our hope rests in the faithful and gracious presence of the Lord with us.
He is not weakened by what weakens us. He is not confused by what confuses us. He does not suffer from the mood swings that afflict us. He is not afraid like we are. He never makes a bad decision. He never finds himself out of control. He never wants to take back his words. He never regrets the way he’s behaved. He never responds impulsively. His choices are never driven by anxiety. He never dreads the next day. He never wants to give up. He is never frustrated by an inability to make a difference. He is with us, but the reason this is so wonderfully comforting is that he is completely unlike us in every way. He is limitless in power, he has authority over everything, he is perfect in every way, he dwells with us, and he assures us that he’s not leaving.—Paul David Tripp1
*
Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were Dutch Christians. During the Second World War, they and their family were arrested and then sent to a concentration camp for harboring and helping Jewish fugitives. While they were incarcerated, Betsie became sick and died. Before she went to glory, she told Corrie to tell the world that “there is no pit of suffering so deep that Jesus is not deeper still.”
What did Betsie mean? She meant that Jesus is not aloof from our pain or beyond suffering, like the gods of other philosophies or religions. No, Jesus has entered into the worst of our suffering. He has experienced life as a fugitive, an exile, and a victim of great injustice. He has suffered what we suffer and He understands. Whatever pit of pain we enter, He is deeper still. If your heart is broken today and you need comfort, know that God Himself is with you, drying your tears, holding you close, saying, “I am with you.”—Mark Stibbe2
*
Most people try not to think about it more than they have to, but there’s no denying it: There’s a lot of suffering in the world. Innocents are killed, maimed, and made homeless in cruel and unjust wars. More suffer the same in natural or manmade disasters. Cancer and other diseases claim millions of lives each year, often after months or years of pain. There’s no end to it. Why does life have to be this way? It’s the age-old question: Why does God allow suffering?
While we cannot understand all of His reasons and purposes for allowing suffering, one thing is certain: How people come through suffering or react to the suffering of others depends largely on their faith. Those who have implicit faith in a just and loving God call out to Him in their time of need and find the grace and strength to rise above their pain and loss.
Little is known about the personal suffering of Frank E. Graeff (1860–1919), but he must have been writing from experience when he penned his now famous hymn, “Does Jesus Care?” The pain he expresses is too real to have been mere fabrication, and only one who has been there could express the truth and hope found so victoriously in the chorus. “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief. … I know my Savior cares!”
Suffering is part of life, but that wonderful faith and assurance of God’s care and presence in the midst of our suffering can be yours too.—Activated magazine
*
Does Jesus Care?
By Frank E. Graeff
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
*
One implication of My uninterrupted Presence with you is that you are never alone. I am training you to be increasingly aware of Me, but I understand that you are human and your attention span is limited. Sometimes when you are suffering, you may feel as if you’re alone or abandoned. However, I suffered alone on the cross so that you would never have to be alone in your struggles. You are always with Me; I hold you by your right hand.
I am training you in patient endurance. This lesson is not for the faint-hearted. However, it is a rich blessing—one aspect of sharing in My kingdom and My suffering.
Since My kingdom is eternal, it is of infinite value. And I have made it clear that sharing in My sufferings is necessary for sharing in My glory. Moreover, this experience produces real benefits in the here and now—character.
Patient endurance can be developed only through hardship. So make every effort to welcome the very problem you dread. Bring it into My presence with thanksgiving, and acknowledge your willingness to endure it as long as I deem necessary. Ask Me to take this dark, ugly thing and transform it into something lovely. I can weave bright, golden strands of Glory into the most heart-wrenching situation. It may take a long time for this lovely pattern to emerge, but this waiting can build patience. Rejoice, beloved, for I am polishing your character till it shines with the Light of My Glory.—Jesus3
*
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—The Apostle Paul (Romans 8:35, 37–39)
Published on Anchor June 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by John Listen.
1 Paul David Tripp, Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense (Crossway Books, 2018).
2 Mark Stibbe, God’s Word for Every Need (Destiny Image Publishers, 2016).
3 Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).
https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/you-do-not-suffer-alone/?check_auth=
Monday, June 26, 2023
30 Day Praise Challenge - Part 3
Becky Harling
Taking it further
Praising God through His Names
Now that you have completed the 30-day praise
challenge, my prayer for you is that you will want to continue the practice of
praise. Our ultimate goal as believers is to glorify
God & enjoy His presence. Living a life of praise is one of the most
important elements of fulfilling that goal.
You will notice that this final section
encourages you to use Scripture in your praise. When we combine Scripture &
praise, it unleashes a power in our lives that is unstoppable!
Since I began praising God through His names
& through what those names mean to me, my faith has been deepened &
strengthened. During my times of praise, the following list of names is in
front of me, & I use them to focus my praise. I have listed names for God the
Father, God the Son, & God the Spirit. Notice that
each person of the Trinity—Father, Son, & Holy Spirit—possesses the name
Holy One. This understanding is especially important because we live in an age where
some are questioning the concepts of the Trinity & the deity of Christ.
Father, Son, & Spirit are all equally God.
God the Father
Abba—Mk.14:36
Consuming
Fire—Heb.12:28-29
Creator—Is.40:28
Deliverer—Ps.70:5;
Ps.144:2
Everlasting
God—Is.40:28
Father—Is.64:8
Father to
the Fatherless—Ps.68:5
Fortress—Jer.16:19;
Ps.144:2
God
Almighty—Gen.17:1
God Most
High—Gen.14:18–19
God My
Savior—Ps.18:46; Hab.3:17-18
God My
Stronghold—Ps.144:2
God of All
Comfort—2Cor.1:3
God of
Glory—Ps.29:3
God of
Peace—Heb.13:20-21
God Who
Sees Me—Gen.16:13
Guide—Ps.48:14
Hiding
Place—Ps.32:7
Holy One—Is.43:15
Husband—Jer.31:31-32
I AM—Ex.3:14
Jehovah-jireh
(the LORD Will Provide)—Gen.22:14
Judge—Ps.75:7
King—1Sam.12:12
Light—Ps.27:1
Lord Who
Heals—Ex.15:26
Redeemer—Is.54:8
Refuge—Deut.33:27
Rock—1Sam.2:2
Shepherd—Ps.23:1
Shield—Ps.18:2
Spring of
Living Water—Jer.2:13
Strength—Ex.15:2
God the Son–Jesus
Christ
Advocate—1Jn.2:1
Alpha &
Omega—Rev.1:8; 22:13
Author of
Life—Ac.3:15
Blessed
Controller of All Things—1Tim.6:15 (PH)
Branch—Zech.3:8
Bread of
Life—Jn.6:35
Bridegroom—Lk.5:34–35
Christ, the
Son of the Living God—Mat.16:16
Creator—Col.1:16
Cornerstone—Eph.2:20;
1Pet.2:6
Counselor—Is.9:6
Deliverer—Rom.11:26
Desired of
All Nations—Hag.2:7
Everlasting
Father—Is.9:6
Eternal
Life—1Jn.5:20
Faithful
Witness—Rev.1:5
Firstborn
from the Dead—Rev.1:5
God of
Peace—1Thes.5:23
God,
Forever Praised—Rom.9:5
Head over
Everything—Eph.1:22
Heir of All
Things—Heb.1:2
High
Priest—Heb.4:14
Holy One—Lk.4:34;
Ac.3:14; Rev.3:7
Horn of
Salvation—Lk.1:69
I Am—Jn.8:58
Image of
God—2Cor.4:4
Immanuel—Is.7:14;
Mat.1:23
Jesus—Mat.1:21;
1Thes.1:10
King of
King of
Kings—Rev.19:16
Lamb of
God—Jn.1:29, 36
Life—Jn.14:6
Light of
the World—Jn.8:12
Lion of the
Tribe of
Living
Stone—1Pet.2:4
Lord God
Almighty—Rev.15:3
Lord of
All—Ac.10:36
Man of
Sorrows—Is.53:3
Mediator—1Tim.2:5;
Heb.12:24
Messiah—Jn.1:41
Mighty
God—Is.9:6
Morning
Star—2Pet.1:19; Rev.22:16
Nazarene—Mat.2:23
One &
Only—Jn.1:14, 18; 3:16
Passover
Lamb—1Cor.5:7
Physician—Luk.4:23
Priest—Heb.5:6
Prince of
Peace—Is.9:6
Redeemer—Job
19:25; Is.59:20
Righteous
One—1Jn.2:1
Rising
Sun—Lk.1:78
Savior—Lk.2:11
Son of
God—Mat.27:54
True Vine—Jn.15:1
Truth—Jn.14:6
Way—Jn.14:6
Word—Jn.1:1
God the Holy Spirit
Breath of
the Almighty—Job 33:4
Counselor—Jn.14:16
Eternal
Spirit—Heb.9:14
Helper—Jn.14:16
(NASB)
Holy
One—1Jn.2:20
Holy
Spirit—Ac.20:28
Holy Spirit
of God—Eph.4:29-30
Power of
the Most High—Lk.1:35
Spirit of
Christ—Rom.8:9
Spirit of
Faith—2Cor.4:13
Spirit of
God—Mat.3:16-17
Spirit of
Life—Rom.8:2
Spirit of
the Lord—Judg.6:34
Spirit of
Sonship—Rom.8:15
Spirit of
Truth—Jn.14:16-17
Here is an example of a prayer of praise using
the names of the triune God:
“Holy One, I praise You because You are the triune
God: Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. I exalt You, Father, because You are my Abba,
the One who tenderly loves me as a daddy would love his little child. Lord
Jesus, I praise You because You are not only the Son of God but God Himself. I
exalt You as my advocate before the Father. How I praise You for constantly
pleading my case before Him. I praise You, Jesus, that You are the Bread of Life,
able to meet the deepest longings of my heart. I praise You for loving me
completely & for being my eternal bridegroom. Holy Spirit, I praise You for
being my Helper & my Counselor. Thank You for being the power of God living
in me! I exalt You as the Spirit of truth who is able & willing to lead me
into all truth. I exalt You, triune God, & declare that I have placed my
faith & trust in You. You alone are worthy of all my praise.”
When I want to praise God but lack words, I
borrow some from Scripture. I often use 5 or 6 verses from the Psalms in my
praise time.
One way to praise God is to write some psalms
on index cards & take a walk, praying the verses back to God. Or, while
listening to music, use the verses as your language of praise. You might pray
something like this using the psalms: “Lord, I will give thanks today because
of Your righteousness. I will sing praises to Your Name. I will praise You with
all my heart. Holy Spirit, bring my will into perfect union with Yours so that
I can praise God with a whole heart. I will be glad & rejoice in You; I
will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High. Lord, Your Name is majestic &
Your glory is above all the heavens. When I think of Your Names, so many come
to mind. Each one teaches me more about Your nature. Thank You for revealing
Yourself to me & for allowing me to know You better through Your Names. I
praise You for Your unfailing love! I praise You that I can trust Your love
& don’t have to worry that You will ever stop loving me or pursuing me.
God, You have been so good to me, I could never find enough words to describe
Your goodness.” (Ps.7:17; 9:1-2; 8:1-2; 13:5-6)
“How I praise You for being my Rock, Fortress,
& Deliverer. I praise You that I can find refuge in You & that I don’t
have to be afraid. When life feels as though it is too difficult, I can take refuge
in the shelter of Your wings. You promise to shield me from the Enemy. I praise
You, Lord, that You are my Rock & that You live!” (Ps.18:1-3,46,49)
