1 John 3:1

All Your Works Will Praise You - Psalm 145

9:30 PM


Please read: Psalm 145

This Psalm was a very special Psalm to King David and I am sure that it is also the favorite of many of us who have received His unmerited Grace and Favor!  It is such a privilege to offer it to God, as our own Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving!!   

“I will exalt You, my God, O King, And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will bless Your name forever and ever.” (vs. 1)

As I meditate on the first day I surrendered my life to Jesus (35 years ago), I am in awe of ALL the love and care He has poured over my life, and the lives of my loved ones! He took me by the hand and through His Holy Spirit changed and transformed that lost self-sufficient young woman into a child of God (1 John 3:1)!  


  “8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. 9 The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. ” (Vs. 8-9)
“It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners. “(M. Henry)

Have these 35 years of walking the Christian walk, been easy? No, they haven’t. But, I can testify that He has always been with me through His transforming Work... just as He promised in His Word. (Hebrews 13:5, John 16:33)

So join me as we meditate in our hearts how blessed we are to be part of His Family!

“10 All Your works shall give thanks to You and praise You, O Lord, And Your godly ones will bless You.11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power, 12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glorious majesty of Your kingdom.” (Vs. 10-12)

Nothing can separate us from His love: through the good times and through the storms… even when our faith may fail; He will remain Faithful (Ro. 8:38-39)


“14 The Lord upholds all those [of His own] who fall, And raises up all those who are bowed down.”
His eyes are fixed on the broken-hearted, on those who are carrying a heavy load of sin; of bitterness; of sadness; of health issues… whatever it may be, for He is Able and Willing to lift it up from you: Just come and surrender it all to Him! (Matt. 11:28-30)

“And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present everywhere; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.” (M. Henry)

Yes, we should witness to those who are still astray and continually pray for them until that day, when we will all be in His Glorious Presence!  Till then, let us declare with gratefulness that He is Worthy of ALL our Love and Praise:

“My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever!!” (Vs. 21- Emphasis mine)

Blessings,

Mari



2 Corinthians 1:3-11; John 16:33

-A Content and Patient Heart – 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

9:00 PM



Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
As we close this week we’ve learned that although life is not easy our true and only contentment comes from accepting Jesus Christ, and having faith that in Him we will have everything we need. Jesus is sufficient, and his promises are enough.

But there are times when our life can be obscured with troubles and hardship, how can we be content?  Paul reminds us that when suffering abounds, consolation also abound. Jesus is there to bring comfort (John 16:33), if we are willing to receive it. (vs.5)

“But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted and encouraged, it is for your comfort, which works [in you] when you patiently endure the same sufferings which we [b]experience” (vs.6)

In this verse we find the key to contentment: “when you patiently endure”.
Patience!! I humbly had to admit I definitely lack of patience. How do I react when unexpected circumstances come along? We tend to want everything to be perfect: just as we planned and we also want things to happen as fast as possible!
O how many times have I recited this verse from Psalm 27:14!

“Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (NLT)

Our lack of patience brings discontentment, stress, grumbling – questioning God- and even rehearsing negative thoughts!

Paul also encouraged the Colossians with these words: “[we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.” (Col. 1:11-12)

So here Paul is also telling us that something has to happen in our hearts: His Holy Spirit is able to strengthen and invigorate us, to attain every kind of endurance.

We need inward peace as well as outward control (Gal. 5:22-23) We need to become grateful. It is impossible to develop contentment without gratitude. We must also submit our schedules, our desires, our dreams to the greater plans of God. Having the conviction that He has a good reason for every delay that He allows to come our way!

God’s promise not to forsake us  (Hebrews 13:5) should give us the assurance and confidence we need to be content with who we are, what we have, and what our future holds.
I pray that we find freedom from discontentment as we learn to depend upon God and to be content in any and every circumstance (Phil 4:11-13).
Blessings,
Mari