April 14 – Maundy Thursday – Drawing Closer

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”  John 12:32-33 (NASB)

Many of Jesus’ teachings during the days just before his crucifixion were given to His disciples. Other things He told the crowds of people. Today's verse is found in John's record. Jesus said that His soul was troubled because of the impending weight of what He was to do. God the Father in and audible voice confirms the glory that will result from the obedience of His Son Jesus. John records how Jesus was revealed the kind of death He knew He was going to suffer and what effect it will have on those who learn of it. Well, isn't it true that when we heard about Jesus dying on the cross for us it drew us to Him and we believed in Him as our Savior? And even today when we think of Him dying on the cross doesn't it draw us to Him in love. Let's think of Jesus dying on the cross. Let's think of Him often these days especially and each time we think of Him let's allow Him to draw us closer and closer to Himself.  That was His desire the day He died. It is His desire today. 

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March 12 – Getting a Needed Lift

“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.” – Psalm 30:1 (NASB)

Extol: to praise highly, when used of God: GLORIFY
When was the last time you “extolled” God, or anyone else? Is it not common for us to think that we have enemies trying to rejoice over our downfall? As we look around the world we find that there are more than plenty enemies. Probably not as King David did in his time but we do have adversaries. Enemies have been after our joy and our peace since the very beginning. David writes that he will ‘extol’ the Lord. This is another way praising God. The original Hebrew word for extol, which is used most often in the Old Testament means “high and lifted up, to exalt.” The psalmist declares that God has lifted him up above his enemies so that they have no opportunity to rejoice over his defeat. That has a different meaning than the lifting up by extolling. It speaks of being lifted by someone out of difficult or dangerous circumstance. Our enemies can be both physical and spiritual and for either, its best for us to call on God extolling His name, lifting His name while we ask for help and safety from those who threaten us.  

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March 22 - Trust, A Perfect Plan

“The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.”  - Daniel 6:23 (NLT)
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.”  Daniel 3:17 (NLT)

Our promises from God in our verses today are found through the trust four people had in God’s provision and protection, even when faced with certain death.  Whether the dangers we face are extreme or simple, they can stir up fear in our hearts.  Just not knowing about our future well-being can be disturbing as many are experiencing these days. But Daniel survived the false accusations which led to a sentence of execution by lions.  He came out unscathed because Daniel  had trusted in his God.  The three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king who was about to toss them into a furnace of fire that they would not bow to his image. They were even ready and trusting God if He had other plans. But God saved them.  This is our God.  He promises to protect us also and to deliver us from danger and threats.  Do not fear the outcome of what is happening in the world today.  God really does have you and all who believe under His protection.  Our outcome is in His perfect wisdom and plan. 

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September 11 – The Hand Lifted Up

“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, the right hand of the Lord exalts, the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” Psalm 118:15b-16 (ESV)

Our Psalm where we find our verse for today is a song of thanksgiving.  It praises Gods steadfast love and care of His people.  We are His people if we have believed on Him and received the offer of salvation from Jesus.  Now, we realize that many of the expressions in the poetic language of the songs in the Bible are like pictures based on human experience. We speak of the Lord’s arm and hand sometimes without really meaning that He has appendages and hands like we do. But what does a right hand mean in our human experience?  It is the part of us that performs work. So when the psalmist speaks of the right hand of God being lifted high, he means that God is ready to perform some special thing. And we should be confident that God is always ready to do what we need to have done if we trust Him.  He has done great things in the past, and He will do them again as we trust Him. 

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May 2 – He Who Revives

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:  “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15 (ESV)

As we acknowledge that we are serving the great and only God we remember that He lives in heaven.  He rules over the universe from a high and holy place.  Our Almighty God is high and lifted up over all His creation from eternity past to eternity forever.  Consider that for a moment.  And then, remember too that He wants us to know that He will also live with those who put their trust in Him.  In our verse we have the words of God Himself telling us that He will live with those of us who are humble.  He looks for those who are contrite and lowly in spirit because they are those who will respond and who will really benefit by His presence.  Let's be some of those people with our attitudes being right and responding to His working in our lives each day.  Open our hearts and keep them open today and every day for God to work in us and revive us for His glory.  

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August 25 – Stand on a Firm Place

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”  Psalm 40:2 (NIV)

Today we are considering a testimony by David in one of the psalms he wrote.  This is a song of praise to God. We want to think of those last words about God giving us a “firm place to stand.”  That is really what He has done and is doing.  Without that firm place, we find ourselves on uncertain and slippery mud.  Have your ever been in such a place where even a step could mean a fall into muck and slime?  When we believed in Jesus as our Savior, we were lifted out of the slimy pit we were in and given a solid foundation, a rock to stand on.  This rock is the new relationship we have with the God of the universe.  We have received His Spirit to live in us and to guide us and to keep us from falling.  We belong to Him and are part of His family forever.  Such is the solid ground on which we stand now.  There is this promise given to us and we can stand on it in faith believing because God is the faithful one who watches over us.  

If you find hope and encouragement in these daily blogs, please share them with your friends. 

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March 29 – Maudy Thursday – Drawing Closer

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”  John 12:32-33 (NASB)

Jesus taught many important truths during His last days in Jerusalem before He was crucified. Many of His teachings to His disciples during those days and some of the things He told the crowds of people, are recorded in John's gospel. Today's verse is included in John's record.  John explains that Jesus was showing the kind of death He knew He was going to suffer. Well, isn't it true that when we heard about Jesus dying on the cross for us it drew us to Him and we accepted Him as our Savior?  And even today when we think of Him dying on the cross doesn't it draw us to Him in love. Let's think of Jesus dying on the cross. Let's think of Him often these days especially and each time we think of Him let's allow Him to draw us closer and closer to Himself.  That was His desire the day He died. It is His desire today. Remember what He said in this verse.  

March 23 – Carried By Him

“I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord has granted us, ... Which He has granted them according to His compassion And according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses. For He said, “Surely, they are My people, Sons who will not deal falsely.” ... In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:7-9 (NASB)

The prophet Isaiah often reminded the people of God's goodness. These three verses display His lovingkindness – also called mercy and steadfast love. In verse 8 he recounts what God says about His people and the last words in verse 9 give us the picture of what the Lord did for His people long ago. We've shared this verse today because they remind us of how He is taking care of us these day. If you are a follower of Christ and call yourself a Christian, you are likely noticing a growing hostility in society toward all who also call themselves Christian. But in this time, we still trust his promise that He is lifting us up and carrying us.  We are living the Christian life, not  in our own strength, but in the strength that God provides to us each day. On our own we would know how to walk by faith. So we are thankful to God today that He has promised to to carry us.

September 11

“The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalm 118:16 (NIV)

We realize that many of the expressions in the poetic language of the songs in the Bible are like pictures based on human experience. We speak of the Lord’s hand sometimes without really meaning that He has hands like we do. But what does a right hand mean in our human experience? It is the part of us that performs work. So when the psalmist speaks of the right hand of God being lifted high, he means that God is ready to perform some special thing. And we should be confident that God is ready to do what we need to have done if we trust Him. He has done great things in the past, and He will do them again if we trust Him.