We Praise Your Holy Name

Heavenly Father,

We know we cannot possibly fathom all that You are or all You have done...but we sing praises to You, Lord...for You have set Eternity in our hearts.

Your greatness is immeasurable, yet You have ordained us to be reconciled unto You, Lord God, and we praise you for this marvelous miracle.

Adorn us with Your robe of righteousness, Lord...and we thank You for clothing us with Your garment of salvation.

All great and mighty things are by Your hand, Father, and all is made beautiful in Your time...

All the glory, praise and honor is Yours, forever and ever...

In Jesus Christ's Holy and Righteous Name,

Amen!

Psalm 98:1
"A psalm. Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him."

Isaiah 61:10
"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Daniel 4:3
"How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation."

Job 5:9
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."

Psalm 145:3
"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Romans 11:33
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"

Romans 11:36
"For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Not Just Alive, But Living Abundantly

Not Just Alive, But Living Abundantly...

Would it make any difference to you today if you received this truth?

How much different would your life be if you understood that God has an abundant plan for you...one that is immeasurable by man?

God has a distinct, predestined purpose for all of His precious children...both individually and collectively...and it is far beyond anything we can possible conceive in our humanity.

All of the trials, temptations, fears, possessions, pain and worldly pleasures we attain or experience on Earth are temporary. But, a life that is sustained through The Holy Spirit is exceedingly abundant and eternal.

Through His provision of truth, freedom and grace...we should be not just be alive, but living more abundantly!

Our unchanging, unwavering Provider has unlimited resources and He longs to bless us beyond our heart's desire...according to His loving will...today, tomorrow and forevermore.

2 Corinthians 9:8
"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Psalm 37:4
"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Philippians 4:19
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 1:11
"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..."

James 1:17
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

John 10:10
"...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

Let not your hearts be troubled, dear brothers and sisters...

In that moment when you feel alone or abandoned, speak this truth into your life...

The Sovereign Lord of Hosts and The Creator of ALL things will NEVER leave or forsake us! We are NEVER alone in Him!

Through the intercession of Christ and the gift of The Holy Spirit, our Father is with us ALWAYS...in this temporary dwelling place and beyond...this is His Eternal Promise to His precious children...


John 14:3
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

John 14:17-19
"that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.…"

Hebrews 13:5
"...because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.''"

Matthew 28:20
"...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age..."

Fight the Good Fight

Fight the Good Fight

In order to fight the good fight, we have to take our battles to the spiritual realm. Our fight is not merely against mortal men, but against a spiritual host of wickedness.

Discern your enemy and have faith in your God...stand firm in His power, promises and truth.

Wrestle it out in prayer and put on the full armor of God. Resist the schemes of the enemy and he will flee...partner with The Sovereign Lord of Hosts because the battle, victory and glory belongs to Him.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..."

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

God is Limitless and His Burden is Light

God Is Limitless and His Burden is Light...

There is absolutely nothing too great for our God.

There is no sin He can't forgive, no situation He can't resolve, no relationship He can't repair...there is no hurt in our heart that He cannot heal.

Our job is relinquish the control we somehow think in our humanity that we possess...partner with Him and exchange it for His yoke at The Alter...and in return receive His incomprehensible peace...and rest for our souls.


Jeremiah 32:27
"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"

Job 42:2
"I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

Genesis 18:14
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?"

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Jeremiah 32:17
"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Matthew 11:29-30
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

Love Others as Self

Love Others as Self

When you know who you are in Christ, you will love yourself and others with the compassion of Christ.

This requires seeking God first and experiencing His grace, mercy, forgiveness and unconditional agape love.

Once you have it, you can and will give it to others...

And if you love Him, you will keep His commandments...in loving others as self, The Law is fulfilled.


Leviticus 19:18
"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Matthew 19:19
..."love your neighbor as yourself..."

Romans 13:10
"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Galatians 5:14
"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Path of Righteousness

Path of Righteousness...


Father God,

Lead us on the path of righteousness and that which is holy and pleasing unto You...

Show us how to be fishers of men...to lead in love and guide others to You and the eternal life You provide to those who choose You...

Give us eyes that see with the compassion of Christ...ears that hear the whisper of Your Holy Spirit...and a heart that bears the fruits of The Tree of Life...

Our treasure and our whole heart is in You...

Let our lights shine brightly before man to reflect Your Glory...

In The Holy and Righteous Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.


Matthew 13:43
"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear."

Proverbs 4:18
"The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

Proverbs 11:30
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives."

James 5:20
"...remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

Matthew 4:19
"And He said to them, 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'"

Luke 12:34
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Fulfilled by His Love

Oh, that we may be filled and fulfilled with the Agape Love of Christ...

Romans 8:39
"...neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Ephesians 1:23
"...which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 2:10
"...and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."

1 Peter 1:8
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

Child of The Living God

Child of The Living God...

In that moment when you feel unworthy, doubtful or uncertain, remember to whom you belong...

You are adopted as one with The Son of God! You are an eternal citizen of Heaven! You have been given an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade!

Your purpose has been ordained and secured...and you are blessed with the covenant of Grace and Eternity...

Romans 8:1
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."

Romans 8:14
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

Romans 8:16
"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Galatians 4:5
"...to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."

Ephesians 1:5
"...he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will..."

1 Peter 1:4
"...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..."

Covered by Christ

May your home be covered by The Blood of The Lamb...

     With Jesus Christ at the center...

     Built upon the foundation of The Rock...

     Thriving in abundant and eternal blessings...

     Always steadfast, regardless of circumstances...

     Pleasing and prepared for our Lord and Master.

2 Samuel 7:29:
"Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever."

Matthew 7:25:
"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

Proverbs 24:3:
"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.."

Mark 3:25:
"If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

Micah 4:5:
"All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever."

Exodus 20:3:
"You shall have no other gods before me."

Mark 13:34-35:
"It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alert-- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning..."

Unshaken

Unshaken

Regardless of what you may be facing today, place your hope in The Rock, and you will remain unshaken...

He will sift through the mess...

He will find a way where there seems to be none.

Just let your soul rest in Him...

For He is greater than absolutely anything you are passing through...

He alone is your help, strength and hope.


Psalm 33:20
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 37:39
The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

Psalm 62:5
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Cast Your Cares Upon HIm

Are you burdened and weighed down with many problems and worry? Peace only comes when we turn our overwhelming issues over to the care of our loving Father and stop trying to change the outcome.

Cast all your cares upon Him and leave them there. Trust in the Lord. He will take care of whatever burdens you have been carrying.

Precious Heavenly Father,

We thank you that in the midst of the turmoil and confusion - the pressures of life, disappointments in relationships, painful losses – You are there. You never leave us or forsake us. Teach us Lord to cast all our cares at your feet so that we can experience Your fullness and the peace that surpasses all human understanding.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Rest in Him

Rest in Him...


Our walk in Him is where we find our rest.

He is our refuge, rock, shepherd, salvation, shield and deliverer...

And He alone leads us to rest in green pastures and provides living waters of refreshment, renewal and regeneration.


Jeremiah 31:25
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

Matthew 11:29
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Isaiah 40:29
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

2 Corinthians 4:16
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Colossians 3:10
"...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

Ephesians 4:23
"...and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind..."

Psalm 116:7
"Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you."

Psalm 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Ezekiel 34:15
"I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD."

Faithful Remnant

Faithful Remnant..

Let us be recorded as a faithful remnant and praise His Holy Name that we are blessed with The Promise of Eternity with Him!

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13)

"The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels." (Revelation 3:5)

" A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (Daniel 7:10)

"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." (Revelation 20:12)

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered." (Daniel 12:1)

Faith

Faith...

Let us fix our eyes on things unseen and eternal; seek The Lord our God with our whole hearts...

And may our faith be refined like silver when tested...glorifying our Holy Father in Heaven.



Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we live by faith, not by sight."

James 1:3
"...because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance..."

2 Corinthians 4:18
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

1 Peter 1:7
"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."

The Great I Am

The Great I Am...

Jesus Christ IS The Great I Am!

He IS The Alpha and The Omega...

He Is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...

There is none beside Him...

And His unconditional love, unmerited favor, marvelous mercy, omniscient sovereignty, rescue and redemption are unchangeable and endure forever!

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)

"And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14)

 "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)

He Satisfies the Soul

He Satisfies the Soul...

May The Lord satisfy, replenish and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit...

May He hold you upright with His righteous hand and guide you beside eternal, living waters...

May the garden of your heart thrive, planted in a soil that is cultivated with truth, love, mercy and grace...

And may He quench your thirsty soul with the regenerating power of The Holy Spirit.

John 4:14
"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 7:38
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."

Psalm 1:3
"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers."

Isaiah 12:3
"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

John 4:10
"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.'"

Jeremiah 17:8
"They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Psalm 107:9
"for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Isaiah 27:3
"I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it."

Isaiah 49:10
"They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water."

Overwhelmed

David had his share of glory, but he also had his share of problems. When David was just a teenager, King Saul became very jealous of him and en devoured to kill him. Still later, David struggled with problems in his marriage and with his children. The psalms are David's prayers recorded during the overwhelming moments in his life. And because he had so many problems, we have so many psalms.

David's problems always brought him to His knees. He knew when he reached the limit of his ability, he could cry out to One whose power and ability is limitless. And we too can cry out to that same Rock - to Jesus Christ, our rock of deliverance, our rock of defense, our rock of salvation, our rock of strength.

Notice that we need to be led to the Rock. Our Job is to cry out; the job of the Holy Spirit is to lead us to Jesus.

If you are overwhelmed today, if your circumstances are more than you can bear, be encourage to cry out to Jesus -- to the Rock that is higher than you, and higher than all your problems. He will deliver you. He will bring you to a place of strength and victory.

Father, many today are facing problems and situations that are beyond their  understanding, beyond their capacity. I pray your Spirit will lead them this Day to Your Son, that they might find in Christ their strength, their deliverance, their health, and their peace.

In Jesus' Name, Amen 

Pastor Chuck Smith

Do You Love Me More Than These?

      If Jesus looked you straight in the eye and asked this question how would you answer? What things in your life vie for your attention and draw your love away form Him? Is it personal goals, your selfish desires, your career, a relationship, temporary pleasures, hidden sin?

     The Lord longs for your love. He wants to be first and foremost in your life. The longing in our hearts for love, purpose and fulfillment can only be satisfied through His love. May God help us so that we will be able to respond, "Lord, You know all things, You know I love you supremely."

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."

Proverbs 8;17

"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good."

Psalm 107:9

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all of our days."

Psalm 90:1

Called to be Holy

Called to be Holy...

Lord God,

We praise you, for You are Holy!

Reveal to us today and every day the brokenness that is hidden within our hearts so we may confess, forgive, heal and be made whole and holy in Your sight.

Give us the discernment, conviction and courage to do what is pleasing unto You;

Show us, Father God, how to experience Your Glorious Grace...

Anoint us with Your precious oil until our cup runs over...and we are sanctified and purified...transformed daily into Your likeness, as we get closer to seeing You face to face.

Lord, thank You that we may be restored and reconciled unto You through the Precious Blood of The Lamb...

We give You all of the glory!

In Jesus Christ's Holy and Righteous Name,

Amen.

"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)

"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 20:7)

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord..." (Hebrews 12:14)

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1John 3:10)