Father, our praise is sometimes lacking. We need a fresh dose of strength every day. May we humble ourselves to You and put aside our selfishness and pride so we can receive Your instruction. Amen.
Can anyone say praise the Lord?
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the Lord. Psalm 148 (NIV)
Can anyone say amen? Amen!
John 20:21-22 (NASB)
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
What will it take for us to believe in Jesus? Jesus said:
Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” John 10:37-38 (NIV)
Scripture testifies to the works of Jesus and the will of the Father. So, what will it take for us to believe in Jesus?
Scripture tells us:
Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” And in that place many believed in Jesus. John 10:40-42 (NIV)
Scripture shows us that the things that were said would be so concerning the Messiah have been shown to be true or found in the life of Jesus. So, what will it take for us to believe in Jesus?
May the prevenient grace of God lead us to making a decision (if we haven’t already done so) to believe, accept, and follow Jesus Christ. In His holy name, I pray. Amen.
Passage: John 10:31-42
Luke 11:13 (NASB)
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
In Scripture we read of many miraculous healings that were performed by Jesus while He physically walked the earth. In this passage we read of Peter announcing to Aeneas that he had been healed by Jesus Christ. Peter knew that while he was the messenger, it was Jesus who had actually healed Aeneas. Peter had to believe that Jesus would heal him. Such a faith! May our faith grow and mature in such a way that Jesus can use us to heal others, in His name, as well. What a powerful witness that would be to all who saw or heard or read of such a miraculous healing. Blessings on those who may be used by God in such a way.
As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Acts 9:32-35 (NIV)
Father, help us to walk as more than conquerors. Teach us to understand that Your Spirit dwells in us and we are never alone. Amen.
It can be this simple. Know the Lord. Thank the Lord. Praise the Lord! Amen.
Psalm 100 (NIV)
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Luke 3:21-24 (NASB)
Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are my beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
Can you recall an instance where someone you know has been told something over and over again, yet they seem not to have heard or understood. Sometimes we jokingly say they have “selective hearing.” The Jews in this passage of Scripture heard, they just didn’t believe. Jesus goes on to explain that they were not part of His flock; they didn’t know Him and would not recognize His voice. Jesus goes on to clearly state that those who know Him and follow Him shall never perish; they have eternal life. Father God, such an awesome gift followers of your Son, Jesus Christ, have been given. May we find reassurance in knowing that no one can snatch us from Your hand; we are secure. Praise your holy name. Amen.
Passage: John 10:24-30
The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense?
If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Faithfully Yours Forever 