How great is our God! There are not enough words and ways in which we can tell God, “I love you.” As worshippers of the Most High God, we dedicate our lives as acts and vessels of worship.
Believe it or not, as Christians, our life is not about us.
Saints of God, posture your life as an act of worship and adoration. As you sing and meditate on today’s worship song, truly take in what you are telling Jesus. Our life is a Love Song back to God.
Revelation 4:9-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Go in peace, while praising and serving our Precious Lord.
I know and understand that life is sometimes not easy. We ask God, “Why?” We ask for the purpose of it all. The one thing we have to remember, as a family of believers, is that even when we have questions we have to continue our faith walk.
We easily forget all the times that God was there for us. We forget all the times that God wrapped his arms around us when we were going through our trials and tribulations. In those moments we forget to tell God, “Thank You for your faithfulness.”
We must trust God and trust the Process. Sometimes, we have to keep walking in faith, Even if the pain, fear and hurt makes us want to turn from God. Even if others tell us to walk away and curse God, we must remember that God is faithful. Let it be well with your soul that God is with you, even when you think He’s not. God is able….
Psalm 46
King James Version (KJV)
46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Keep the faith. Be strong. Dont let go. God is walking with you. You are NOT ALONE.
Family, we serve an awesome God. Think about all of the times we should have been rebuked by God. Think of all the times God loved us, instead of punishing us. The mercy and love of God endures forever.
This morning, I woke up with a joy in my heart. I’m full of thankfulness and peace. May we always give place to God’s will for our lives. May God be allowed to arise in us and take His place, as the Leader and Director of our life’s journey.
Our prayer this morning:
“Arise, God, and take your place in the throne of my heart. May my life be a welcoming dwelling place for your Holy Spirit. Lead me and guide me in the way to walk, talk and live. You have the Seat of Honor in my life. Arise and take your place. In the precious name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Psalm 136:1-9
New King James Version (NKJV)
Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
136 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. 3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; 6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; 7 To Him who made great lights, For His mercy endures forever— 8 The sun to rule by day, For His mercy endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His mercy endures forever.
May the love, peace, and mercy of God bless you and keep you, until His return. In Jesus name, Amen.
I hope all is well in your world and you are walking joyfully in the peace of the Lord. In our journey of faith, how we walk in critical.
Hebrews 11:1-3
New International Version (NIV)
Faith in Action
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Romans 1:17
New International Version (NIV)
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
May the Lord bless you richly. Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord.
I’m sure many of you celebrated the beginning of the Lenten season by participating in Ash Wednesday services last night. I pray that you feel a deep sense of purpose and love, for our Lord’s journey to the cross.
Yesterday began the remembrance of the forty day journey of the death, burial and victorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ. All culminating in Resurrection Sunday (Formerly known as Easter).
What is the purpose and meaning of Ash Wednesday, in the Christian Church?
“While the Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, it does record accounts of people in the Old Testament using dust and ashes as symbols of repentance and/or mourning (2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3). The modern tradition of rubbing a cross on a person’s forehead identifies that person with Jesus Christ.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/Ash-Wednesday.html)
More than anything Lent, and the forty days that follow, allows us as believers to share in the suffering and sacrifices of Christ, in some small way. We want to be able to always remember and give honor to our Lord, as we lead up to the most holy day of the Christian calendar, Resurrection Sunday.
For Lent, we usually give up, or fast from, something that is a sacrifice for us. The purpose is to grow closer to God and to remind our flesh that we are worshippers of God before anything else, just as Christ did in his forty day fast in the desert.
Matthew 4:1-11
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Go in peace, while praising and serving the Lord. May our lives be poured out, as fragrant offerings to the Lord.
Think about what it means to have peace, godly peace. God’s peace, is a peace that can be maintained no matter the circumstances, or situations.
The Lord wants us to always have His peace. Without dependence on the Lord, the Holy Spirit and the bible, our peace and mood fluctuates.
The bible gives an example of when the disciples’ peace were shaken, but Jesus was so peaceful he took a nap. Let’s look at Mark 4:37-39.
Mark 4:37-39
New King James Version (NKJV)
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Why is the Peace of the Lord so important? The peace of the Lord comes down to one word, FAITH. We are placing our trust in God and standing in faith, knowing that God will lead us in the direction to go. When we have God’s peace, it is a peace that cannot be moved or shaken. Let’s look at Philippians chapter 4, as it gives a description of the Peace of God:
Philippians 4:6-7
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Most of you know that I was raised and Confirmed in the Lutheran (ELCA) church. One part of the liturgical service is to “Share the Peace of the Lord.” We say to each other, “May the Peace of the Lord be with you.” The response would be, “And also with You.” We were encouraging each other to keep the faith and to keep our eyes on Jesus. We encourage each other to stay in the “pocket of peace,” as I like to call it.
I leave you with the same prayer and greeting:
2 Thessalonians 3:16
New King James Version (NKJV)
Benediction
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Here in the states, it’s Friday. It is the end of the work week and I am feeling so blessed to have made it through another week.
God is so very good. Jesus did a complete work on the cross and conquered death and the grave. All of our cares and burdens should be prayed about, as we lay them on the altar and as we give up management and control. We depend on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we learn how to give it all over. The world of God, in Ephesians 6:18, Paul encourages believers to pray in the Spirit about everything. Last time I check, our cares and burdens would be included in “everything.”
Matthew 11:28-29
New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come toMe, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon youand learn from Me, for I amgentle andlowly in heart,and you will find rest for your souls.
Ephesians 6:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
As you listen to this rendition of “Glory, Glory,” by the Miami Mass Choir, really listen to the words. I find myself clapping and tapping my toes, and then smiling from ear to ear. I love the words and the joy of this song.
Be blessed, Family. Serve God and serve others, with the neverending, long-suffering, merciful love of God.
In my role as a Wedding Officiant, I truly enjoy being able to perform wedding ceremonies. One of my favorite segments of the wedding ceremony is talking about Love.
Specifically, I love what the bible says about love. Love changes everything. There is no better definition than in the scripture passage below:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
What an amazing miracle filled Monday. The miracle is that TODAY is a day we have never seen before. We are experiencing a brand new miracle of love, joy, faith, happiness and grace today. Even though every day is a miracle, we stay in the present moment, the now moment of thankfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Greet your miracles today with joy. Be a miracle to someone today.
Have you ever been hungry? Have you ever been thirty. When you are hungry and thirsty you go where food and water is available.
Every day, our desire for God should be like a person who is hungry and thirsty. You don’t want anything but what will satisfy you.
Matthew 5:3-10
The Message (MSG)
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
Go with God, family. Find out what the heart of God desires for your life. Spend time, intimate, precious time, in His presence. Become familiar with the fragrance of God. His smell should rub off on you. So much so, that others can tell you have been in His presence.
Sacred Journey Devotionals - Where Christianity and Metaphysics Meet 