150 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 150:1–6). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (2 Ti 3:16–17). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ro 15:4–6). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Dt 5:31–33). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Is 1:18). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Re 7:13–15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne ha scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion lof the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, reach holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders dfell own and worshiped.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Re 5:1–14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 91:1–2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Jn 15:4). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
14 “This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 132:14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Heb 12:1–2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Mt 6:32–33). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Illustration. Christ is usually portrayed in Gethsemane bowed down in prayer. Here He is best portrayed standing, His commitment made. Triumphant, He looks beyond the Cross to the glory that is to be His when He returns to the Father. Jesus also prays for His disciples and for us.
Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 694). Wheaton: Victor Books.
“One as We are one” (17:22–23). This verse has been misused to promote the idea that Christ prayed for the organizational union of modern Christian denominations. Instead, Jesus prays that you and I might experience oneness with Him, even as He lived in a oneness relationship with the Father. How is this possible? While He was here on earth Jesus lived in oneness with the Father by being always responsive to the Father’s will (John 5:19–20; 6:38; 8:28–29; 14:9–11). By being responsive to Christ’s will, we live in oneness with Him. It’s this uniquely personal relationship that Christ prays we will experience with Him.
Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 694). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Glorify God (17:4). The Gk. word, doxa, indicates the high opinion of a person by others. In the N.T., however, this Gk. word takes on the quality of the O.T. kabod, which emphasizes the majesty of God seen in His self-revelation. When Christ speaks of His actions bringing God glory He means that the beauty and majesty of God’s nature has been revealed in what He has done. When the Father exalts Jesus in the Resurrection, that act will display the majesty and beauty of Jesus. The amazing reality we see in Christ’s prayer is that we too can glorify God. When we do God’s will, He expresses Himself through us. Even we can display the beauty of our God. “You gave me” (17:6). The disciples were God’s gifts to Jesus, snatched “out of” the world. This is God, active in salvation. But human beings are active too: we “accept” Jesus’ words, “believe” that God sent Him, and “know with certainty” that Christ is from God. It is irrelevant to pit sovereignty against free will in debating how salvation is appropriated. God gives. And we believe. Keep them safe (17:12). It’s just as irrelevant to debate whether a person once saved can be lost. God’s own power protects and keeps Christ’s own. And they persist in faith to the end. “Protect them” (17:15). God does not remove us from danger but protects us in the midst. We are on a mission in this world in which we live as aliens. Therefore we cannot be taken out of it. “Sanctify them” (17:17). God’s way is not to take us out of the world, but to take the world out of us. The Gk. hagiazo means to set a person apart. Through God’s Word He sets us apart from sin and from evil, that we might glorify Him. “For those who will believe” (17:20). Christ’s prayer was for us as well as the Twelve.
Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 694). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Beyond Bible Study Excerpt
Mem (vv. 97–104)—Beyond Bible Study
Never have there been so many tools available for serious Bible study, and we are grateful for them. However, the Word of God is unlike any other book: we must be on good terms with the Author if we are to learn from what He has written. Our relationship to the Lord is determined by our relationship to His will, and that is determined by how we relate to His Word. Too many believers have only academic head knowledge of the Word, but they do not know how to put this knowledge into practice in the decisions of daily life. What we all need is a heart knowledge of the Word, and this means being taught by God (v. 102). Here are the conditions we must meet. We must love His Word and meditate on it (vv. 97–100). We enjoy thinking about people and activities that we love, and meditation means loving the Lord by pondering His Word and allowing its truths to penetrate our hearts. (See vv. 48, 113, 127, 159, 165, 167; and 1:2.) This does not mean that we abandon our daily responsibilities or that we constantly quote Bible verses to ourselves and ignore our work. Rather, it means that our minds and hearts are so yielded to the Spirit that He can remind us of the Word when we need it and give us fresh understanding in the new challenges we face. There are many ways to learn truth. We can learn from our enemies in the encounters of life (v. 98), from our teachers in the explanations of life from books and lessons (v. 99), and from the older saints who have had the experiences of life and know the principles that work (v. 100). Joshua learned from serving with Moses, from the battles that he fought, and from the experiences, good and bad, that came to his life. But the most important thing he did was to meditate on the Word (Josh. 1:1–9), because his meditation helped him to test what he had learned in the other three “classrooms” and to put it all together into one balanced whole. God shares His truth with babes (Luke 10:21) and those who are humble enough to receive it (1 Cor. 1:18–2:8). We must obey His Word (vv. 101–102). A true student of the Word is not a person with a big head, full of all sorts of knowledge, but one who has an obedient heart and loves to do God’s will. While God’s truth is food for our souls, it is not a “buffet” from which we select only the things we like. If the Bible tells us something is wrong, we stay off that path. If God tells us something is right, we do not abandon it. “Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge” (F. W. Robertson; John 7:17). We must enjoy His Word (vv. 103–104). Honey would be the sweetest thing the psalmist could taste. However, the Word contains both sweetness and bitterness, and we must learn to receive both (19:10; 104:34; Prov. 16:24; Ezek. 2:9–3:15; Rev. 10). Samson got into trouble because of eating defiled honey from the carcass of a lion (Judg. 14:1–18). He was a Nazarite and was never to touch a dead body (Num. 6), so he defiled both himself and his parents, for Jewish people had to avoid dead animals (Num. 5:2; 9:10). God’s Word is pure, not defiled, and gives us the sweetness and energy we need to obey His commands. The unsaved person finds the Bible boring, but the devoted child of God feeds on the Scriptures and enjoys the sweet taste of truth. This is what it means to go beyond Bible study.
Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be exultant (1st ed., pp. 125–127). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.
Nun (vv. 105–112)—We Will Be Faithful
It has well been said that the greatest ability is dependability, and this especially applies to the Christian life. We want God to be faithful to us, so is it wrong for God to expect us to be faithful to Him? Faithfulness is an evidence of faith, and faith comes from hearing and receiving the Word of God (Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13). The psalmist described several areas of faithfulness in the life of the believer. Faithful feet (v. 105). Two familiar biblical images combine in this verse: life is a path (vv. 32, 35, 101, 128; 16:11; 23:3; 25:4) and God’s Word is the light that helps us follow the right path (v. 130; 18:28; 19:8; 36:9; 43:3; Prov. 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19). The ancient world did not have lights such as we have today; the people carried little clay dishes containing oil, and the light illuminated the path only one step ahead. We do not see the whole route at one time, for we walk by faith when we follow the Word. Each act of obedience shows us the next step, and eventually we arrive at the appointed destination. We are told that this is “an enlightened age,” but we live in a dark world (John 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:46; Col. 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9) and only God’s light can guide us aright. Obedience to the Word keeps us walking in the light (1 John 1:5–10). Faithful words (vv. 106–108). Making vows constantly to the Lord will not lift us to the highest levels of Christian living (Rom. 7:14–8:4), but when we do make promises to the Lord or to our friends, we should keep them (Matt. 5:33–37; Num. 30:2; Deut. 23:21; Eccl. 5:1–7). The Holy Spirit can help us fulfill new resolutions if we depend on His power. What we say when we are praying (v. 107) should also be truthful. To talk to God piously without being willing to obey Him in the matters we are praying about is to bring hypocrisy into our fellowship with God. After we have prayed, are we available to be a part of the answer (Eph. 3:20–21)? Perhaps the highest use of speech is in the worship of the Lord (v. 108), and we must see our words as sacrifices offered to the Lord (Hos. 14:1–2; Heb. 13:15). Do we sing to Him from the heart (Eph. 5:19)? Do we mean the words that we pray, sing, and read aloud from the litany? If worship is the highest use of words, then to be careless in worship is to commit a great sin. A faithful memory (vv. 109–110). The Old Testament believer did not have a pocket Bible that he could consult at will, for the Scriptures were written on large scrolls and deposited with the priests. This meant that the people had to listen carefully to the public reading of the Word and remember what they heard, an art that has almost vanished today. One of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to bring God’s Word to our remembrance when we need it (John 14:25–26; 16:12–15), but we cannot remember what we have never heard and learned (v. 11; Heb. 5:12–14). The psalmist was taking risks, just as we all do as we walk through the mine fields of this world, but he knew the Word would direct him. A faithful heart (vv. 111–112). What a precious treasure is the Word of God! (vv. 14, 72, 127, 162; 61:5). It is like a deep mine, filled with gold, silver, and precious gems, and we must take time to “dig” for these treasures (Prov. 2:1–9; 3:13–15; 8:10–11; 1 Cor. 3:9–23). A mere surface reading of Scripture will not put spiritual treasure into our hearts. Mining treasure is hard work, but it is joyful work when we “mine” the Bible, as the Spirit guides us into truth. Then, the Spirit helps us to “mint” the treasure so we can invest it in our lives (obedience) and in the lives of others (witness). Sometimes God takes us through the furnace of suffering so we can better receive the treasure into our own lives (1 Peter 1:6–12). The Word needs no purifying (v. 140; 12:6; 19:8), but we need to be cleansed so we can appreciate God’s truth and appropriate it. Once your heart is set on obeying the Word, the life is on the right course (Matt. 6:33; Prov. 4:20–27).
Wiersbe, W. W. (2004). Be exultant (1st ed., pp. 127–128). Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries.
The Glory Enters The Tabernacle
When the tabernacle was upraised, the wonderful ark of gold was placed within it, and within the ark were laid the divinely written tablets, the chief treasure of Israel. The other implements of worship were set in place, and then Moses summoned the aid of Aaron and Aaron’s sons. Aaron was made high priest, his sons were his helpers, and together they prepared all things about the ark and the tabernacle for the presence of God. The work was finished; and then, before the awestruck vision of all the people, the pillar of cloud wherein God was, appeared above the tabernacle, covering it and entering into it. Moses and Aaron and his sons were compelled to withdraw from the tabernacle entirely, because they could not remain alive amid the great Glory of that cloud. Thus did God make manifest His approval of the labors done in His name.
Test the Spirits Excerpt
I. We Have a New Nature (4:1–8)
John begins with a warning about the false spirits in the world. Keep in mind that the NT was not yet completed and what had been written was not widely known; until the completion of the NT, the local churches depended on the ministry of people with spiritual gifts to teach them truth. How could a believer know when a preacher was from God and that his message could be trusted? (See 1 Thes. 5:19–21.) After all, Satan is an imitator. John states that the false spirits will not confess that Jesus is the Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:3). The false cults today deny the deity of Christ and make Him a mere man or an inspired teacher. But the Christian has the Spirit within, the new nature, and this gives overcoming power. There are two spirits in the world today: God’s Spirit of Truth, who speaks through the inspired Word, and Satan’s spirit of error that teaches lies (1 Tim. 4:1ff). Teachers sent by God will speak from God, and God’s children will recognize them. Satan’s workers will speak from and depend on worldly wisdom (1 Cor. 1:7–2:16). The true sheep recognize the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:1–5, 27–28). True sheep also recognize and love one another. Satan is a divider and destroyer; Christ unites people in love.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 774). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
God Justifies Romans 8:33–34
Excerpt
8:33–34. The next two questions Paul raised and answered are forensic or legal in nature. Who will bring any charge (enkalesei, “make a formal accusation in court; press charges”; cf. Acts 19:40; 23:29; 26:2) against those whom God has chosen? Satan is identified as “the accuser” of God’s people (Rev. 12:10; cf. Zech. 3:1). His accusations are valid, because they are based on the believer’s sinfulness and defilement. But Satan’s accusations will be thrown out of court, because it is God who justifies. The Judge Himself declares the accused person righteous on the basis of his faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24; 5:1). As a result all accusations are dismissed and no one can bring an accusation that will stand. The related question is, Who is He that condemns? The Greek participle ho katakrinōn can have a future sense, “will condemn,” which seems preferable here. (Cf. katakrima, “condemnation, punishment” in 8:1.) Jesus Christ is God’s appointed Judge (John 5:22, 27; Acts 17:31), so Paul answered this question by stating, Christ Jesus. But Jesus is the very One whom the believer has trusted for salvation. Furthermore, He is the One who died—more than that (lit., “but more”) who was raised to life—who is at the right hand of God (cf. Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:31; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22) and is also interceding for us. The Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Judge, but He is also the One with whom each believer is identified by faith. As a result he is a believer’s Sacrifice for sin (cf. Rom. 5:8; 8:32), his new life (a believer shares in Christ’s resurrection life; 6:4, 8, 11; Eph. 2:5–6; Col. 2:13), his Intercessor (cf. Heb. 7:25; also the Holy Spirit intercedes, Rom. 8:26–27) and his Defense (1 John 2:1). Certainly the Judge will not condemn His own who are in Him by faith! (cf. Rom. 8:1)
Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 475). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
8:35–37. Paul’s final questions are in verse 35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? The context (vv. 37, 39) shows that “the love of Christ” is His love for believers (not their love for Him; cf. 5:5). The apostle suggested seven things a believer might experience (Paul experienced all of them; 2 Cor. 11:23–28) that some might think could come between a believer and Christ’s love—trouble (thilpsis, “pressure or distress”; mentioned frequently by Paul in 2 Cor.) or hardship (stenochōria, lit., “narrowness,” i.e., being pressed in, hemmed in, crowded) or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. These things—stated in increasing intensity—do not separate Christians from Christ; instead they are part of the “all things” (Rom. 8:28) God uses to bring them to conformity to His Son. Then Paul quoted Psalm 44:22 to remind his readers that in this life the people of God must face much affliction (cf. John 16:33) including even martyrdom for some. In the early days of the church one or more Christians were martyred every day, or faced the possibility of it. Their persecutors valued Christians’ lives as nothing more than animals to be butchered. In all these adversities (cf. “all things” in Rom. 8:28 and “all things” in v. 32 with all these things in v. 37), rather than being separated from Christ’s love, believers are more than conquerors (pres. tense, hypernikōmen, “keep on being conquerors to a greater degree” or “keep on winning a glorious victory”) through Him who loved us. Jesus Christ and His love for believers enable them to triumph (cf. 2 Cor. 2:14). 8:38–39. Paul then ended his discussion on believers’ safety in Jesus Christ and the certainty of their sanctification with a positive declaration—For I am convinced (perf. tense, “I stand convinced”; cf. 15:14) that nothing can separate believers from the love of God (God’s love for them, not their love for God; cf. v. 35). Paul’s list of 10 items begins with death, where the list of 7 items in verse 35 ended. These elements in God’s universe include the extremes of existence: (1) death and (2) life (in either death [2 Cor. 5:8–9] or life, believers are in God’s presence); the extremes of created spiritual armies: (3) angels and (4) demons (angels would not and demons could not undo God’s relationship with His redeemed ones); the extremes in time: (5) the present and (6) the future (nothing known now, e.g., the hardships listed in Rom. 8:35, or in the unknown time to come); spiritual enemies: (7) powers (perhaps Satan and his demons; cf. Eph. 6:12; or possibly human governments); the extremes in space: (8) height and (9) depth (nothing overhead or underneath can suddenly come swooping down or up to sever believers from God’s love); and (10) everything in the entire created realm. Absolutely nothing in His Creation can thwart His purpose for believers in Christ. What a climactic way to affirm the certainty of believers’ salvation!
Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 475–476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
V. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Sovereign Choice (chaps. 9–11)
Since God is the self-existent Being who is the Creator of everything that exists outside Himself, He is sovereign and can therefore use and dispose of His Creation as He wishes. This sovereignty reveals not only His personal righteousness but also His provided righteousness.
Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 476). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Thanking Logos Bible Software and Faithlife for all these bible excerpts in today’s vast and every changing daily devotionals for this very inspiring topical study I’ve been able to gather on worship.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious foil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 133:title–3). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Come, Bless the LORD
134 A SONG OF ASCENTS.
1 Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!
3 May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Ps 134:title–3). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
It is good to consecrate ourselves moment by moment. Day by day. Night by night. With every single breath we take in and let go of. Take my life Lord Jesus for Thee O Lord Jesus.
I’m in this place of absolute bliss with Christ our Lord. This morning I woke up and looked across to my husband and he, too, is filled with the pure bright light of Christ Jesus our Lord. It is a baptism of the glory of Christ our Lord on the both of us.
Yesterday we worshiped with banners and for a split moment I looked over at Lydia as she moved left and I thought to myself as she swirled those banners just above her head, ‘How beautiful!’ It truly looked beautiful what the Lord has done in her life. I do not interfere nor say a word and let Jesus grow her. Let the Spirit move through her. In her. Christ in her. Like in me. We have been worshiping side by side for seven short years. Seems like yesterday. But to be truly honest, I’ve left it all to Jesus. He did it all not only in me but in her. We are both individuals. We both listen to Jesus’ voice and move with Him for Him and give Him all of our hearts. Jesus, it’s only all about Jesus. Not each other. Not even the banners. We just answered this calling to worship Him.
Just keep going. Fight the good fight of faith. Worshiping, studying His Word diligently. What more can a bride of Christ want or need. It’s just all about Jesus and only Jesus because we love Him much.
It has been one of these long days where I was out at church from the crack of dawn till night. Twelve hours. I could hardly talk by late afternoon. I was shattered. I had worshiped with my banners for all three services and because of the low temperatures my shoulder felt the cold and the use. Never felt this before. It is not arthritis. It is just freezing cold here. No joke.
Still God is with me by the power of the Holy Spirit. In church after worship when we were asked to shake everyone’s hand I nearly fell over.
I had a have a long nap. To make sense.
God is good and He still talks though I cannot. hahahahahahahahaha
In all of this I hear this, feed my sheep.
Church, feed Jesus’ sheep.
Quench their thirst.
Jesus and Peter
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, v“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, z“Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Jn 21:15–19). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Hey, they are using the same banners at Bethel.
Cool.
All I can think about are these banners to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords. This is why I’m in the banner worship team.
I was playing around when I used to ask this question in previous years. Now, I truly want to know why my Father in heaven chose me for this place so intimate with His Son, Jesus who is the Christ.
I woke up this morning in the chamber of Christ our Lord. His face beside mine and I just snuggled right into the the cheek of Christ and moved in so close and intimate and personal, and rubbed my cheeks into His.
Then I was reminded in the all the years gone past even as a child, seeking, looking, finding, the one before me was always someone older and wiser. Though I acted as though it did not matter at all, it all did and I took it all in. Like a hungry child with a stomach needing to be filled filled filled.
Walk with the giants of Christ and you will be one of them as well. And then, walk where men rarely walk.
🙂
The real question now, at this point, is, Enoch walked with God and was no more.
Get it.
🙂
I need to escape into the Spirit realm and have intimate communion with Christ our Lord. The Christ. I AM. The Alpha and the Omega.
So today I lifted my hands up and sought Jesus’ face and stroked it with my right hand. I remembered the cross and remembered how I stroke His face there as well.
And I ever ask myself the same question, ‘Who am I Lord Jesus that You have chosen me to be with You?’
kaz 