The Staff (Part 2)

In the Lamed stanza, we see the Psalmist understanding the authority of the Lord over his life. Do we personally understand the power of His great authority over our own lives? And if so, have we experienced the great expectation that comes along with it?

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

Each of the verses in the twelfth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Lamed.

Psalm 119:89-96
89 Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.


The letter Lamed is used in the Hebrew words for:

To-Toward
When added as a prefix to a Hebrew word means to or toward. A cattle goad was used to drive animals to the destination.

"To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding." -Proverbs 1:2

As a prefix this letter is used to mean to or toward 5 times in Psalm 119:89-96.


God
The word for God is el. The word picture tells us that God is the first or the strong authority.

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'" -Genesis 17:1


Heart
The Hebrew word for the heart is lev. The word picture tells us that the heart is what controls the inside.

"The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall." -Proverbs 10:8

"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him." -Proverbs 22:15


Tongue
The word that means the tongue is la-shon. The word picture tells us that the tongue is the rod that devours and establishes life.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." -Proverbs 18:21


Teach
The Hebrew word for teach is lee-med and comes directly from the word for the eleventh letter of the Alef Bet. To teach, just like a shepherd is to care for and to direct.

"Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes." -Psalm 119:12

"I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes." -Psalm 119:26

"The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes." -Psalm 119:64

"You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes." -Psalm 119:68

"Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes." -Psalm 119:124

The Staff

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Lamed this week; which means The Staff. Just like a cattle goad, God's authority directs and keeps us safe in all our ways. Thank You Jesus for Your divine authority over our lives!

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Lamed is used in the Hebrew words for: To-Toward, God, Heart, Tongue, Teach.

Psalm 119:89-96
89 Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.


Each of the verses in the twelfth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Lamed. Because the letter Lamed means the staff, these eight verses tell us that God's authority controls and protects us like a sheperd's staff. When we understand that God is sovereign, then we can say with confidence "I am Thine, save me."

The Open Hand (Part 2)

In the Kaf stanza, the Psalmist lays his trust in the Lord regardless of the persecution he was facing. The Lord offers His lovingkindness with open hands and it is up to us whether to grab a hold of His hand or not.

-Raquel

The Treasury of David
by Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 119:81-88
81 My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

This portion of the gigantic psalm sees the Psalmist in extremis. His enemies have brought him to the lowest condition of anguish and depression; yet he is faithful to the law and trustful in his God. This octave is the midnight of the psalm, and very dark and black it is. Stars, however, shine out, and the last verse gives promise of the dawn. The strain will after this become more cheerful; but meanwhile it should minister comfort to us to see so eminent a servant of God so hardly used by the ungodly: evidently in our own persecutions, no strange thing has happened unto us.

The Open Hand

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Kaf this week; which means The Open Hand. Just like an open hand, it expects to receive something from that which it trusts. What will happen if you opened your heart like that to the Lord daily?

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Kaf is used in the Hebrew words for: Yes, A Priest, All-Whole-Everything, To Forgive-To Atone, Like-According To.

Psalm 119:81-88
81 My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

Each of the verses in the eleventh stanza of the Psalm 119 starts with the letter Kaf. Because the letter Kaf is the open hand, these eight verses tells us that we all need the open hand of God. Cry out for His lovingkindness! Remember that it is not the hand of man you need, it is the open hand of God's lovingkindness that will revive your life and soul.

MY HAND IN GOD'S
By Florence Scripps Kellogg

Each morning when I wake I say,
"I place my hand in God's today;"
I know He'll walk close by my side
My every wandering step to guide.

He leads me with the tenderest care
When paths are dark and I despair--
No need for me to understand
If I but hold fast to His hand.

My hand in His! No surer way
to walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed;
Warmed by His love, and comforted.

When at day's end I seek my rest
And realize how much I'm blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him; and then
I place my hand in God's again.

The Hand (Part 2)

In the Yood stanza, the Psalmist expresses trust in the Lord's hand moving faithfully in his life. Are we also expressing that same trust for our own lives even when we are going through times of trouble?

-Raquel

The Treasury of David
by Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 119:73-80
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.


We have now come to the tenth portion, which in each stanza begins with Yood. Its subject would seem to be personal experience and its attractive influence upon others. The prophet is in deep sorrow, but looks to be delivered and made a blessing. Endeavouring to teach, the Psalmist first seeks to be taught (verse 73), persuades Himself that he will be well received (74), and rehearses the testimony which he intends to bear (75). He prays for more experience (76, 77), for the baffling of the proud (78), for the gathering together of the godly to him (79), and for himself again that he may be fully equipped for his witness bearing and may be sustained in it (80). This is the anxious yet hopeful cry of one who is heavily afflicted by cruel adversaries, and therefore makes his appeal to God as his only friend.

In God's Hands
by Jeffrey Pollock

In God's hands
We twist and turn,
Knowing His commands
But unwilling to learn;
In God's hands
We climb and fall,
Striving to stand
But ignoring His call.

In God's hands
We worry and work,
Following fallen man
In a never-ending search;
In God's hands
We break and die,
Surrendering our plans
To the Creator of life.

In God's hands
We worship and rest,
Believing Jesus has
Freed us from certain death;
Redeemed by His blood
We kneel at Jesus' feet,
Captured by His love
In God's hands we are complete.

The Hand

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Yood this week; which means The Hand. It's amazing how the same hands that created us fearfully and wonderfully were the hands that created the heavens and the earth, and the same hands that were pierced for our transgressions.

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Yood is used in the Hebrew words for: Fear-Awe, Straight-Upright, Despair, Capable-Able.

Psalm 119:73-80
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.

Each of the verses in the tenth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Yood. Because the letter Yood means the hand, these eight verses tell us that when we know the hand and the work of God, how He made and fashioned us, we will be able to trust Him to work faithfully in times of trouble. Those who trust in the hand of God trust in His lovingkindness.

He is Faithful
by Anita Vincent

He is faithful
Faithful to help
Help see beyond the problems of life
Looking into the perfection of peace and joy

He is faithful
Faithful to help carry them in his mighty hands
The same hands that measured the waters
Even that which makes up the oceans
If he carried that, surely, all my problems he could

Never mind the mocker
Who finds talking to God ridiculous
He is a sucker for the known, a rocker to ungodliness
A reprobate mind he has got
To know the living God he cannot
Till the veil over his soul is lifted
By the One he mocks in ignorance
The true living God

I know God is faithful
To pardon the years of ignorance
To wipe away tears that flowed night and day
To strengthen faith in love
Which had caused death by its flight
He is faithful I am sure
For all things are subject to him
So He controls all my plights

It is real
The passion sealed
I in Him and He in me
Love me ever
Leave me never
A heartfelt cry of mine
Always answered with the gentle tug of His Spirit
I just know that He is faithful

To Surround (Part 2)

In the Tet stanza, we see the Psalmist eagerly surrounding himself with the goodness of the Lord. May we have that same eagerness to surround our lives with nothing but the Lord's goodness so that we may be great witnesses of His wonderful Word!

-Raquel

The Treasury of David
by Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 119:65-72
65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

In this ninth section the verses all begin with the letter Teth. They are the witness of experience, testifying to the goodness of God, the graciousness of his dealings, and the preciousness of his word. Especially the Psalmist proclaims the excellent uses of adversity, and the goodness of God in afflicting him. The sixty-fifth verse is the text of the entire octave.

Change

Last weekend, we started our first saturday morning class from 10-11a and now expect it to be our regular class time for now on for beginner/intermediate/advance levels. We pray this change will allow more people to join us in worship before the day starts. Changes can be scary for some, but sometimes is necessary to avoid running in a cycle of insanity. As Pastor Miles put it in one of his messages, "Insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting different results." Having PraiseMoves on friday nights was not at all insane, but keeping it on a friday night with many requests made for a morning was. PraiseMoves is a great way to fellowship with fellow believers and bring people to a form of worship to the Lord that is fun and relaxing. In the end, our desire is to make PraiseMoves available to as many people as possible.

-Raquel

The Serenity Prayer
by Reinhold Niebuhr

God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

To Surround

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Tet this week; which means To Surround. What I found interesting about the letter is how it is used with the letter Bet (a tent or a house) in the word womb. Together, the word picture tells us it is the house that surrounds life. What are you surrounding your life with?

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Tet is used in the Hebrew words for: Belly-Womb, Trust, To Go Astray-To Seduce, Satan-Adversary, Good.

Psalm 119:65-72
65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

Each of the verses in the ninth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Tet. Because the letter Tet means to surround, these eight verses tell us that when God teaches us discernment and knowledge we will be able to distinguish the good (verses 66, 67, 71) from the lies (verse 69) that surround us. If we know that God is good and does what is good, we will want to learn His statutes.

Call to Trust
by Olga Savitsky

Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband
does safely trust and confide in her.
-Proverbs 31:10

Call to trust...Call to deeper trust...
Lord, You are trustworthy. Lord, You are so
faithful, so true.
Make us like these sterling qualities in You.
Jesus, my husband of husbands,
with the Heart of Hearts,
True King of Hearts,
You deepen my desire to trust and confide
in You.
Oh, Prime Mover, the remover of carnality,
By strokes of pure originality
You are counseling me to ask that You
Cause me to so hold Your heart,
to so hold Your husband heart
That You no longer have to hide...
Show me Your inside.
I bask, I ask...I bask, I ask...
By Your holding me
You are molding me
Into the shape of things to come.
By grace through faith, lest I should boast,
I am standing under Your waterfall of eternity
I am understanding Your waterfall of co-eternity.
Yes, I glorify...You purify...
I magnify...You clarify.
Oh, miracle-working Lord, heart-changing God...
You, and You alone could change
my greedy, grabby hands
That hurry to pat myself on the back,
Into hands that could hold Your heart
Where You, Lord, can trust and confide.
Oh, heart-holding and beholding God,
Change my heart to pure and hands to clean.
That I may hold the Heart of Hearts.

The Fence (Part 2)

In the Chet stanza, we witness the Psalmist eagerly holding on to God's goodness. But all this was a matter of decision. Have we decided which side of the fence we belong to?

-Raquel

The Treasury of David
by Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 119:57-64
57 You are my portion, O LORD;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

In this section the Psalmist seems to take firm hold upon God himself; appropriating him ( Psalms 119:57 ), crying out for him ( Psalms 119:58 ), returning to him ( Psalms 119:59 ), solacing himself in him ( Psalms 119:61-62 ), associating with his people ( Psalms 119:63 ), and sighing for personal experience of his goodness ( Psalms 119:64 ). Note how the first verse of this octave is linked to the last of the former one, of which indeed it is an expanded repetition. "This I had because I kept thy precepts. Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words."

The Fence

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Chet this week; which means The Fence. Like a fence, we are surrounded by protection from things that may harm us. God's goodness is what protects us.

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Chet is used in the Hebrew words for: Brother, Grace-Favor, Refuge, To Keep Silent, Companion.

Psalm 119:57-64
You are my portion, O LORD;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

Each of the verses in the eighth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Chet. Because the letter Chet means a fence, these eight verses tell us that God's favor, grace and Word are a fence that keeps us within and keeps our enemies out.

God of the Stand, Withstand, and Endure
by Olga Savitsky

God of the Stand, Withstand, and Endure
I go to You and You alone for spiritual strength
To go the whole length
Spiritual strength to go the whole length

God of the Stand, Withstand, and Endure
I pray that I can be one of those who pray and
faint not
I continue to whisper Your name, Jesus
Only to hear Your heart beat faster...and faster
I bow in the beauty of Your holiness...loving
Lord...merciful Master
As I worship You...my heart core is being
rearranged
I who once worshipped myself...am being
miraculously changed
As I in simplicity do my devotional deeds
I see the celestial solution to all my emotional
needs

God of the Stand, Withstand, and Endure
Cause me to voluntarily step out of the boat...into
Your river
Yes...inspire me to willingly leave the familiar
Yes...to enjoy the unfamiliar
Energize me to excitedly leave the known
Yes...to welcome the unknown
Yes...move me to lovingly leave the seen
And to see with the eye of faith
And to refuse to look back
Teach me to leap-of-faith
Teach me to leap-of-faith higher

Yes I lay down the magnetic pull of my comfort
zone
Forgive me that I love to be stuck

God of the Stand, Withstand, and Endure
Thank You for strength to go the whole length
Thank You that the joy of the Lord is my strength
I praise You God of the Joyful Stand, the Joyful
Withstand, the Joyful Endure
I recieve Your strength to go the whole length

The Weapon (Part 2)

We've been reflecting on the Hebrew letter Zayin which means weapon. Satan's number-one objective is to destroy our joy of faith. We have one offensive weapon: the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). But what many Christians fail to realize is that we can't draw the sword from someone else's scabbard. If we don't wear it, we can't wield it. If the Word of God does not abide in us (Jn. 15:7), we will reach for it in vain when the enemy strikes. But if we do wear it, if it lives within us, what mighty warriors we can be!

-Ava

Satisfy the Soul
by W. Yvonne Birnell

Your soul inside you needs to feed
The soul your body needs to lead
It can not lead unless it knows
The way your body needs to go

By bread alone man can't survive
The Spirit brings the body alive
God's own mouth did send His word
To our soul His word is good

If on this earth you now live
Some advice I now do give
If a problem you want to flee
First your mind must be set free

Words will feed a hungry soul
Take God's Word, now chew it slow
Feed the hunger and quench the thirst
Your body will not profit first

Prepare your mind now it's your choice
Whose words now will you give voice?
God's got a plan for your life my dear
Now it's His Word I pray you hear

God sent His Word to heal you man
Now get His Word and make a stand
There's many promises you may receive
If you will only in God's word believe

In God's Word you'll find the key
God's Word is truth- truth sets you free
God's Word is food for a hungry soul
Once satisfied your soul will glow

Once your soul begins to glow
Your body will begin to show
In God's word you have believed
No longer can you be deceived

The Alpha and Omega

Understanding the meaning of God's names mentioned in the Bible is just as enjoyable as learning the Hebrew letters found in Psalm 119. The Bible has so much to say about the Lord God than we expect! I hope you enjoy this list and that you find yourselves coming back to it as often during your devotional times with the Lord as I have.

"O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!" -Psalm 8:1

-Raquel

THE NAMES OF GOD
by SmileGodLovesYou.org

OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD

ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1
meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.
ADONAI......Malachi 1:6
meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.
JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4
a reference to God's divine salvation.
JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13
meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"
JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1
meaning "The Lord my shepherd"
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35
meaning "The Lord who is present"
JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26
meaning "The Lord our healer"
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6
meaning "The Lord our righteousness"
JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14
meaning "The Lord will provide"
JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15
meaning "The Lord our banner"
JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24
meaning "The Lord is peace"
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3
meaning "The Lord of Hosts"
JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6
meaning "The God of Recompense"
EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14
meaning "The most high God
EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13
meaning "The strong one who sees"
EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1
meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"
EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31
meaning "The everlasting God"

MORE NAMES OF GOD

ABBA.............................Romans 8:15
ADVOCATE.........................I John 2:1 (kjv)
ALMIGHTY.........................Genesis 17:1
ALPHA............................Revelation 22:13
AMEN.............................Revelation 3:14
ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9
ANOINTED ONE.....................Psalm 2:2
APOSTLE..........................Hebrews 3:1
ARM OF THE LORD..................Isaiah 53:1
AUTHOR OF LIFE...................Acts 3:15
AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2

BEGINNING.........................Revelation 21:6
BLESSED & HOLY RULER..............1 Timothy 6:15
BRANCH............................Jeremiah 33:15
BREAD OF GOD......................John 6:33
BREAD OF LIFE.....................John 6:35
BRIDEGROOM........................Isaiah 62:56
BRIGHT MORNING STAR...............Revelation 22:16

CHIEF SHEPHERD.....................1 Peter 5:4
CHOSEN ONE.........................Isaiah 42:1
CHRIST.............................Matthew 22:42
CHRIST OF GOD......................Luke 9:20
CHRIST THE LORD....................Luke 2:11
CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16
COMFORTER..........................John 14:26(kjv)
COMMANDER..........................Isaiah 55:4
CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25
CONSUMING FIRE......................Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29
CORNERSTONE.........................Isaiah 28:16
COUNSELOR...........................Isaiah 9:6
CREATOR.............................1 Peter 4:19

DELIVERER..............................Romans 11:26
DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS.................Haggai 2:7
DOOR...................................John 10:7(kjv)

END....................................Revelation 21:6
ETERNAL GOD............................Deut. 33:27
EVERLASTING FATHER.....................Isaiah 9:6

FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11
FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5
FATHER.................................Matthew 6:9
FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15
FIRSTFRUITS............................1 Cor.15:20-23
FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11
FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19

GENTLE WHISPER.........................1 Kings 19:12
GIFT OF GOD............................John 4:10
GLORY OF THE LORD......................Isaiah 40:5
GOD....................................Genesis 1:1
GOD ALMIGHTY...........................Genesis 17:1
GOD OVER ALL...........................Romans 9:5
GOD WHO SEES ME........................Genesis 16:13
GOOD SHEPHERD..........................John 10:11
GREAT HIGH PRIEST......................Hebrews 4:14
GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20
GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14

HEAD OF THE BODY.......................Colossians 1:18
HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....................Ephesians 5:23
HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....................Hebrews 1:2
HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1
HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20
HOLY ONE...............................Acts 2:27
HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.....................Isaiah 49:7
HOLY SPIRIT............................John 15:26
HOPE...................................Titus 2:13
HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69

I AM....................................Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
IMAGE OF GOD............................2 Cor. 4:4
IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv)
IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14

JEALOUS..............................Exodus 34:14 (kjv)
JEHOVAH..............................Psalm 83:18 (kjv)
JESUS................................Matthew 1:21
JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23
JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

KING.................................Zechariah 9:9
KING ETERNAL.........................1 Timothy 1:17
KING OF KINGS........................1 Timothy 6:15
KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3

LAMB OF GOD...........................John 1:29
LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45
LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22
LEADER................................Isaiah 55:4
LIFE..................................John 14:6
LIGHT OF THE WORLD....................John 8:12
LIKE AN EAGLE.........................Deut. 32:11
LILY OF THE VALLEYS...................Song 2:1
LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5
LIVING STONE..........................1 Peter 2:4
LIVING WATER..........................John 4:10
LORD..................................John 13:13
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....................Revelation 15:3
LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57
LORD OF ALL...........................Acts 10:36
LORD OF GLORY ........................1 Cor. 2:8
LORD OF HOSTS.........................Haggai 1:5
LORD OF LORDS.........................1 Tim. 6:15
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6
LOVE.................................1 John 4:8

MAN OF SORROWS.........................Isaiah 53:3
MASTER..................................Luke 5:5
MEDIATOR................................1 Timothy 2:5
MERCIFUL GOD............................Jeremiah 3:12
MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT................Malachi 3:1
MESSIAH................................. John 4:25
MIGHTY GOD...............................Isaiah 9:6
MIGHTY ONE...............................Isaiah 60:16

NAZARENE.................................Matthew 2:23

OFFSPRING OF DAVID.......................Revelation 22:16
OMEGA....................................Revelation 22:13
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON........................John 1:18(kjv)
OUR PASSOVER LAMB........................1 Cor. 5:7
OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14

POTTER...................................Isaiah 64:8
POWER OF GOD.............................1 Cor. 1:24
PRINCE OF PEACE..........................Isaiah 9:6
PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22
PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3

RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16
RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3
REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25
REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2
RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25
RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1
ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4
ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16
ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1
RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14
RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5
RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2

SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11
SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17
SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15
SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1
SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25
SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1
SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1
SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54
SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20
SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32
SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9
SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2
STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17
STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2

TEACHER...................................John 13:13
TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9
TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14
TRUTH.....................................John 14:6

VINE......................................John 15:5

WAY........................................John 14:6
WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24
WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4
WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6
WORD.......................................John 1:1
WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13

The Weapon

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Zayin this week; which means The Weapon. As children of the Holy One, we are protected by the ultimate weapon: the name of Jesus and His Holy Word! No weapon formed against us shall prosper!!

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Zayin is used in the Hebrew words for: Enemy - Foreigner, Prune - Song, Enlighten - Warn, Bad - Counsel - Lewdness.

Psalm 119:49-56
Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD,
And have comforted myself.
Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
I remember Your name in the night, O LORD,
And I keep Your law.
This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.

Each of the verses in the seventh stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Zayin. Because the letter Zayin means a weapon, these eight verses tell us that there are powerful weapons that God has given us. God's Name and His Word (verse 55) are our weapons. The result will be that His statutes will become our songs.

Send Us To The Frontlines
by Olga Savitsky

Jehoshaphat appointed singers unto the Lord and that should praise the beauty of holiness as they went out before the army and to say "Praise the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever." -II Chronicles 20:21

The battle is not ours, but God's
We come in song...We come in dance
We are the singers
Send us to the front of the battle
Send us to the front of the army
We are Your priests...We are Your singers
As we go before the army
We sing...We praise...We dance
We sing...We praise the beauty of His
Holiness
Praise the Lord for His mercy endureth
forever
Praise the King for His Forever Mercy
Praise the Prince of Forever
We know that we know
As we sing...As we praise...As we dance
The Lord sets angelic ambushments
against the aggressors
We aggress with singing
We aggress with praise
We aggress with dance
Thy kingdom come...Thy will be done
Thy kingdom come...Thy will be sung
Praise the Lord for His mercy endureth
forever
Praise the King for His Forever Mercy
Praise the Prince of Forever
Send us to the frontlines...Send us to the
frontlines
We are Your singers...We are Your dancers
Lord of Forever love--You are beautiful
Lord of Never Failing love--You are holy
We are Your singers...Send us to the front
Send us to the front in song and dance
The battle belongs to the Lord

The Nail (Part 2)

In the Vav stanza, we see the Psalmist delighting in the commandments of the Lord. Like the Psalmist, we must also seek the Lord's commandments with gladness! May we bind the joy we recieve as His children with the commandments He lovingly gives us through His word.

-Raquel

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible

Psalm 119:41-48
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—
Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Verses 41-48
Lord, I have by faith your mercies in view; let me by prayer prevail to obtain them. And when the salvation of the saints is completed, it will plainly appear that it was not in vain to trust in God's word. We need to pray that we may never be afraid or ashamed to own God's truths and ways before men. And the psalmist resolves to keep God's law, in a constant course of obedience, without backsliding. The service of sin is slavery; the service of God is liberty. There is no full happiness, or perfect liberty, but in keeping God's law. We must never be ashamed or afraid to own our religion. The more delight we take in the service of God, the nearer we come to perfection. Not only consent to his law as good, but take pleasure in it as good for us. Let me put forth all the strength I have, to do it. Something of this mind of Christ is in every true disciple.

Seek Him

As a ministry, we're deciding whether to close the classes during the summer or keep going. We would like to know how each of you are doing and pray the days are finding you all well. Last friday, my boyfriend's mom passed away and has left me in a bit of a fragile state. Thank you Jesus I have sisters lifting me up in prayer! Thank you to all who have prayed for her. She is in a better place now and has accepted Jesus a month before she passed. I hope and pray you know we are all here for you if there is anything you need lifted up. What has helped me each day is seeking the Lord for healing. And without that quiet time with Him, it would be impossible.

-Raquel

eDevotionals
by EastLake Church

Theme: Stillness

Read: Psalm 46 (NIV)

Reflect: Seeking quiet time with God, I escape the madness at home and retreat to a nearby Starbucks. "Be still," but I hear the sounds of reggae and oldies music playing simultaneously. "Be still," but the lady next to me is reading aloud. "Be still," but my phone is playing a variety of tunes notifying me of emails, texts, calls, and Facebook postings. I escaped to find quiet time with God, but busyness has followed me. Sound familiar? Are your days filled with school, kids, work, errands, worries, stresses?
In Psalm 46 we learn that God instructs us to "Be still" because he wants to be our refuge and strength in times of trouble. The Bible states that though the earth gives way, waters roar, and mountains quake, God is with us. He's our fortress; he's strong; he's in control. To "Be still, and know that I am God," means that we can experience God anytime we acknowledge him for who he is, and recognize who we aren't. He is in control of the world and our lives; we are not. We can let go and trust him--not because our lives are free of chaos--but because we trust our Almighty God.
We honor God by sitting in his presence and being still before him. We can begin to hear his voice and understand more about him when we to learn how to silence the world around us.

React: Take 15 minutes to meet with God today. Sit in his presence; enjoy his company. He longs be in a relationship with you.

Pray: Lord, help me to make quiet time with you my priority. It is when I seek you that I will find you.

Eyes Fixed on Him

The Lord led us to change a few things on the agenda last friday. We ended up having only newcomers come last class for orientation. And Lord, do we believe it was according to Your perfect plan and purpose! This allowed us to wait until after completing orientation to start our worship with a little bit of warm ups, PraiseMoves, and prayer time together. And was God moving in that place! Praise Jesus we can turn our eyes on Him and experience His everlasting grace and mercy together!

-Raquel

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
by Hillsong (original author of this hymn, Helen H. Lemmel)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Follow link to view Hillsong video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfr5rOfimnU

The Nail

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Vav this week; which means The Nail. Just like a nail that secures things together, we can rest assure by the name of Jesus, our salvation for eternal life with the Father is secured forever!

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Vav is used in the Hebrew words for: And, To Rest (as at home), Lust, To Bind Together.

Psalm 119:41-48
Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—
Your salvation according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Each of the verses in the sixth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Vav. Because the letter Vav is the nail that secures, these eight verses tell us that the security of God's word and lovingkindness will give us an answer to reproach and will allow us to walk in liberty. That is why we should delight and love God's commandments.

Embracers of Your Fire
by Olga Savitsky

We, the embracers of Your Fire
Eternally meld
In Your Molten Majesty
Your Fiery Fragrances
Are filling our hearts
With the fullness of Your Heart
In Your Presence is fullness of Fire
In Your Fire is fullness of Holiness
In Your Holiness is fullness of Passionate
Beauty
In Your Beauty is fullness of Awe
In Your Awe is fullness of Silence
In Your Silence is fullness of Love
In Your Love is fullness of Healing
In Your Healing is fullness of Joy
In Your Joy is fullness of Strength
In Your Strength is fullness of Consuming
Fire
In Your Fire is fullness of Passion
We, the embracers of Your Passionate Fire
Eternally meld in Your Molten Majesty.

Behold! (Part 2)

In the Hey stanza, we see petitions made from a renewed heart to the Lord. Just like the Psalmist, we must petition His Holy Spirit to fill us daily. When we live for Christ, our perspective changes from a me world to a God-centric world. What petition would you like to bring to the Lord today?

-Raquel

The Utterances of the 119 Psalm
by John Stephen

Psalm 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

In this part, nine times does the Psalmist send up his petition to his God, and six of these he accompanies with a reason for being heard... These petitions are the utterances of a renewed heart; the man of God could not but give utterance to them -- such was the new refining process that had taken place upon him... The outline runs thus: -- Petitions are offered for Instruction ( Psalms 119:33 ) and Understanding ( Psalms 119:34 ), and likewise for Spiritual Ability ( Psalms 119:35 ) and Inclination ( Psalms 119:36 ). These are followed by petitions for Exemption from the Spirit of Vanity ( Psalms 119:37 ), and for Divine Quickening ( Psalms 119:37 ). The Lord is besought to make good his Word of Promise to his servant ( Psalms 119:38 ), and to deliver him from Feared Reproach. Last of all, the man of God places his prayer for quickening upon the ground of the Divine Righteousness (Ps 119:40). May the Divine Spirit teach us to compare ourselves with what we find here, as we would see the salvation of our God!

Silence

Silence is a beautiful thing. It's available when we seek it. And its even more beautiful when we seek it for the intent to commune with God. Instead of the regular PraiseMoves class, God laid it on my heart to pray. Give Him the glory He deserves in silence. And that is exactly what we ended up doing. Last night was an opportunity to commune with God in that manner. No music, no PraiseMoves, but prayer with the ladies present and praise to our Heavenly Father. Its funny how God reminds us whose in charge when He changes things up every once in a while. We can rest assure in knowing that He is Abba and knows what's best for His children.

-Raquel


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" -Psalm 46:10

Behold!

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Hey this week; which means Behold. Each day, the Lord reveals His awesomeness and glory through the things around us. He has revealed answers to questions we have had and even revealed a part of His plan for our lives each day at a time. What has the Lord revealed to you today?

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Hey is used in the Hebrew words for: The, Feminine, Shout of Joy, Tabernacle, Behold.

Psalm 119:33-40
Teach me, O LORD,
the way of Thy statutes,
and I shall observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may observe
Thy law, and keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of Thy
commandments, for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Thy testimonies,
and not to dishonest gain.
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
and revive me in Thy ways.
Establish Thy word to Thy servant,
as that which produces reverence for Thee.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
for Thine ordinances are good.
Behold I long for Thy precepts;
revive me through Thy righteousness.

Each of the verses in the fifth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Hey. The letter Hey means behold. The concept of behold, is that you are shown something that is distinct and clear, what you behold may even answer your question. These eight verses tell how God's teaching can give us understanding of His statutes. When His word is established in our lives, we revere Him.

Seek Your Scars
by Olga Savitsky

I rest in You: my All in All.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.

I gaze into Your wounded side;
Source and flow of the blood-bought bride.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.

I gaze upon Your nail-scarred feet;
Gracing me forever to walk free
from failure and defeat.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.

Gazing upon Your nail-scarred hands;
Giving me blood-bought power to be free in
myself,
In my family line
And for the people of many lands.

Prince of Peace who bears the scars
of the crown of thorns.
You were crowned
with thorns and blood

That I might be crowned
with the Helmet of Salvation.
I stare deep at Your temple when
The punishment of my peace was upon You.
You paid the price.
You were the perfect sacrifice.

I bless and glorify Your Holy Name.
I gaze into Your heavily scarred
and deeply marred back
I am aghast
I have never seen the intensity of mutilation
Done to the loving one, deep inner wounds
No mere paper cuts--no mercy for Your back
That I might have multiplied mercy
millionfold mercy
And no lack.

I thank You again and stare in awe
of Your will and ways.
I stand in awe of Your resolute commitment
To me and for me.
Your blood spilled--
How can I say no to You?
My All in All--You gave Your All in All.
You ask for all my heart--
All my will and all my emotions.

I surrender to Your scars.
I surrender to Your scars.

I surrender to Your surrender.
Lord, I surrender to the healing You paid for.
Lord, I surrender to the peace You paid for.
Lord, I surrender to the beauty of Your
surrender.
I surrender to Your surrender.

Lord, I choose healing.
I choose by Your beatings, I am healed.
I am healed. I am healed.
I choose to seek Your scars.
The wonder of the price You paid.
You are mine, I am Yours.
Make my ways Your in-Your-face ways.
Make my ways Your seek-Your-scars ways.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.
I seek Your scars.

I praise You, for one day
You will wipe away every tear,
Yet choose not to wipe away
Your every Holy Scar.

The Door (Part 2)

In the Dalet stanza, verse 30 reminds us that in order for us to walk the way of truth in our lives, we must first choose to walk that path. Walking that path won't always be easy, but the greatest thing about the way of truth is that we will never be lost. In Christ Jesus, we are found and never will be seperated from the Father. He is the way, the truth, and the life!

-Raquel

The Utterances of the 119 Psalm
by John Stephen

Psalm 119:25-32
25 My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
32 I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.

I have chosen the way of truth. Here you have the working of a gracious soul. This is more than sitting and hearing the word -- having no objection to what you hear. Such hearing is all that can be affirmed of the generality of gospel hearers, except we add, that none are more ready to be caught by false and easy ways of salvation, for they assent to all they hear. The man of God strikes a higher and more spiritual note -- he goes into the choice of the thing; he chooses the way of truth; and he cannot but choose it; it is the bent of his renewed nature, the effect indeed of all he has been pleading. How act we? The way of truth is all that God has revealed concerning his Son Jesus. The willing heart chooses this way, and all of it; the bitterness of it, the self denial of it, as well as the comfort of it; a Saviour from sin as well as a Saviour from hell; a Saviour whose Spirit can lead from prayerlessness to godliness, from idleness upon the Sabbath day to a holy keeping of that day, from self seeking to the seeking of Christ, from slack, inconsistent conduct to a careful observance of all the Lord's will. Where God's people meet, there such will delight to be. O for such to abound among us!

The Door

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Dalet this week; which means The Door. Life has so many doors to open. Which path are we taking? Which door are we opening? Which way are we choosing?

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

The letter Dalet is used in the Hebrew words for: Judge, Knowledge, To Weep, Religion, Way/Path.

Psalm 119:25-32
My soul cleaves to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
I have declared of my ways,
and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Make me understand
the way of Your precepts,
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
My soul melts from heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgements I have laid before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.

Each of the verses in the fourth stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Dalet. Because the letter Dalet means the door, these eight verses tell us that we must choose between the way of lying and the way of truth. God's way may seem beyond our capabilities, but God can even change the size of our heart.

God of The Will and To Do
by Olga Savitsky

For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. -Phil. 2:13

God of the will and to do...
God of the will and to do...of Your good pleasure
I am an earthen vessel, filled with Your liquid
gold treasure
Come to ask, what is Your will?...what are You
doing?
What is Your expectation?
God Who is sovereign beyond measure.
What is Your will?...what are You doing?

Majestic Messiah...I see more clearly
When You fill my eyes with our tears.
Truly, Lord...I am tired of crying my own tears.
Flood me with our heartstream that cares and
hears.
Your continuous compassion...washes away my
false passion...
And continues to heal my mind, my will, and my
emotions...
Which are so full of all kinds of commotions...and
efforts...
Of, "Oh look at me," devotions.

I feel I have been going upstream...
Help me enter Your heartstream...
what are You praying for?
Help me enter Your bloodstream...
what are You cleansing now?
Help me enter Your airstream...
who are You bringing closer?
You have put Your treasure in earthen vessels...
I put this salt tear treasure by grace
into Your heavenly vessels.
Oh, Jesus, You Who store my tears, I see You
more clearly...
When You fill my eyes with Your tears...
As I ask for Your will...for Your to do.
God of the will and to do...what are You doing,
Father?
...what are You doing, Lord?
What, where...what, where...Are You leading me,
Spirit?
God Who will one day wipe away every tear...
for now fill my eyes with Your tears.

The Camel (Part 2)

In the Gimel stanza, verse 18 reminds us just how much we need the Lord to open our eyes so we may see. What hinders our eyes from the beauty of God's order is our rising pride that we are able to see without His help. We must daily remind ourselves that we were born blind people and will continue without the Lord's revelation in our hearts.

-Raquel

The Golden Alphabet
Exposition of Psalm 119:17-24
by Charles Spurgeon

Psalm 119:17-24
Deal bountifully with thy servant,
that I may live, and keep thy word.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of thy law.
I am a stranger in the earth:
hide not thy commandments from me.
My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath
unto thy judgements at all times.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed,
which do err from thy commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt;
for I have kept thy testimonies.
Princes also did sit and speak against me:
but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
Thy testimonies also are my delight
and my counselors.

18. “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

“Open thou mine eyes.” This is a part of the bountiful dealing which he
has asked for; no bounty is greater than that which benefits our person, our
soul, our mind, and benefits it in so important an organ as the eye. It is far
better to have the eyes opened than to be placed in the midst of the noblest
prospects and remain blind to their beauty. “That I may behold wondrous
things out of thy law.” Some men can perceive no wonders in the gospel,
but David felt sure that there were glorious things in the law: he had not
half the Bible, but he prized it more than some men prize the whole. He
felt that God had laid up great beauties and bounties in his word, and he
begs for power to perceive, appreciate, and enjoy the same. We need not
so much that God should give us more benefits, as the ability to see what
he has given.
The prayer implies a conscious darkness, a dimness of spiritual vision, a
powerlessness to remove that defect, and a full assurance that God can
remove it. It shows also that the writer knew that there were vast treasures
in the word which he had not yet fully seen, marvels which he had not yet
beheld, mysteries which he had scarcely believed. The Scriptures teem with
marvels; the Bible is wonder-land; it not only relates miracles, but it is itself
a world of wonders. Yet what are these to closed eyes? And what man can
open his own eyes, since he is born blind? God himself must reveal
revelation to each heart. Scripture needs opening, but not one half so much
as our eyes do; the veil is not on the book, but on our hearts. What perfect
precepts, what precious promises, what priceless privileges are neglected
by us, because we wander among them like blind men among the beauties
of nature, and they are to us as a landscape shrouded in darkness!
The Psalmist had a measure of spiritual perception, or he would never have
known that there were wondrous things to be seen, nor would he have
prayed, “Open thou mine eyes”; but what he had seen made him long for
a clearer and wider sight. This longing proved the genuineness of what he
possessed, for it is a test mark of the true knowledge of God that it causes
its possessor to thirst for deeper knowledge.
David’s prayer in this verse is a good sequel to verse 10, which
corresponds to it in position in its octave: there he said, “O let me not
wander”; and who so apt to wander as a blind man? and there, too, he
declared, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”; and hence the desire
to see the object of his search. Very singular are the interlacings of the
toughs of the huge tree of this psalm, which has many wonders even within
itself if we have opened eyes to mark them.

The Camel

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Gimel this week; which means The Camel. Interesting how the rising of a camel from its' knees represents something benefited or lifted up. Scripture really does take a deeper meaning when we study the Biblical literalism of God's Word to us.

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

Gimel, The Camel
The letter Gimel is used in the Hebrew words for: Foreigner, Rebuke, Pride, Redeem, Benefit.

Psalm 119:17-24
Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Wonderous things from Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
My soul breaks with longing
For Your judgements at all times.
You rebuke the proud - the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight;
And my counselors.

Each of the verses in the third stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Gimel. Because the letter Gimel means to lift up, or reward and can symbolize a lifting up, in pride, revelation or exaltation, these eight verses tell us that it is God who will lift us up in either reward or rebuke. Those who understand this truth will turn to God and His word.

More of You
by Olga Savitsky

More of You
Less of us
We have to have more
More than more of You
All we want is ALL
All of You
All we want is ALL of You...and then
some more
All we want is ALL of You in all our
hearts
All we want is ALL of You in all our
minds
All we want is ALL of You in all our
wills
All we want is ALL of You in all our
strengths
All we want is ALL of You in all our
emotions
Enough of us
ALL of You
We would like to do the dance of the
"Well done!"
But all we can do is the dance of
the undone
We are Undone
Undone by the Jasper Jesus
Undone by the Sardis Son
Undone by the Emerald Eternity
We are Undone
By What You have Done
Enough of us
ALL of You
All we want is ALL of You...and then
Much More.

A Tent or a House (Part 2)

Hide God's Word in your heart

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11 ESV)

Jesus says in John 15:14 that we are His friends if we do what He commands us. This is incredible to think that we are friends of God. God loves us so much that he considers us His friends. The eternal, omnipotent, loving creator who sustains the world with His word loves me enough to call me a friend? It leaves one without words to describe the joy this brings. The key [to hiding God's Word in your heart] is to do what He commands us to do. The only way to know what He asks of us is to look into His word. Look at what it says about itself:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV)

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV)

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

Dear Heavenly Father,
As we hide Your Word in our hearts, let us have a divine, intimate encounter with You, The Lover of our soul. Let us meditate on Your Word with the strongest desire to come to You with clean hands and a pure heart. Abba, may the tent of our hearts shelter Your precepts as we passionately pursue a deeper relationship with You.

-Ava

A Tent or a House

We started our study of the Hebrew letter Bet this week; which means a tent or a house. For each letter, we have a corresponding PraiseMoves Posture with the verses from Psalms read during our classes. Such a fun way to memorize and meditate on His Holy Word.

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

Bet, A Tent or a House
The letter Bet is used in Hebrew words for: Inside, Son, Morning, Heart, Bless.

Psalm 119:9-16
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have declared
All the judgements of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Thy word.

Each of the verses in the second stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Bet. Because the letter Bet means the house and what is inside, these eight verses tell us that what is inside the person or the family is what matters. To live these verses we must seek God with our whole heart.

Sovereign of the Still Waters
by Olga Savitsky

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Sovereign of the Still Waters
Sovereign of the bittersweet song
of stillness
We come to drink drink drink deeply
of Your gracious goodness
We come to drink deep deep deeply
of Your kind kindness
We come to breathe in fresh spirit air...
Our thirst is so eternal - only You can fill it
Our thirst is so eternal - only You can fill it to
overflow
Yet, where You have filled us with
our Spirit
We have filled Your spirit into boxes
and traditions
Oh help...
Lord of love...we have taken Your
vast
stillness and
Distilled it into solemn silent
boredom
Where our children squirm
And our adults are self-righteous
Forgive our ceaseless own works
And help us cease from our own
works
Draw us into the deep...the
vast...the complete
Draw us into oneness allness
oneness allness
We desire to experience being in
You
We desire to experience being in
You
By Your Grace we break through
the iron grasp of our flesh
And cry desperately for reality -
authenticity
For heart-quickening love
Where true rest can occur

The Ox (Part 2)

Last time we meditated on Psalm 119:1-8 which introduced us to the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet Aleph which means the ox. The first stanzas of Psalm 119:1 and 2 assures us that we are blessed when we align our hearts and actions in obedience to our heavenly Father.
"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous." -Romans 2:13 (NIV)
When we worship God with faith and assurance, when we place Him at the absolute center of our lives, we invite His love into our hearts. In turn, we grow to love Him more deeply as we sense His love for us. Saint Augustine wrote, "I love you, Lord, not doubtingly, but with absolute certainty. Your Word beat upon my heart until I fell in love with you, and now the universe and everything in it tells me to love you." Let us pray we, too, will turn our hearts to God, knowing with certainty that He loves us and that we love Him.

Heavenly Father,
When I turn my thoughts away from You and Your Word, I suffer. But when I obey Your commandments, when I place my faith in You, I'm secure. Let me live according to Your commandments. Direct my path far from the temptations and distractions of this world. And, let me discover Your will and follow it. Dear Lord, this day and always. Amen

-Ava

The Ox

Learning the Hebrew alphabet found in Psalm 119 opens a whole new dynamic when studying Scripture. We started our study of the Hebrew alphabet last class by meditating on the first letter of the alphabet, Aleph; which means The Ox. Each letter will be given two weeks to study and meditate on. It blows my mind how dynamic God is even in the tiniest details! He deserves all our time, first fruits, and attention if we expect to learn more about Him each day.

-Raquel

Hebrew Word Pictures
by Dr. Frank T. Seekins

Aleph, The Ox
The letter Alef is used in the Hebrew words for: Father, God, Fire, Love, Blessed/Happy.

Psalm 119:1-8
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they that keep his testimonies
and that seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgements.
I will keep Your statutes
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

Each of the verses in the first stanza of Psalm 119 starts with the letter Alef. Because the letter Alef symbolizes what is first or strong, these eight verses tell us that blessing and happiness belong to the person who makes God first in their life and who turns to God and His word for strength.

I Speak Deep into the King David of Your Hearts
by Olga Savitsky

I speak deep into the King David of your hearts
I sing deep into the King David of your hearts
I dance deep into the King David of your hearts
I have searched your hearts
And found them wanting, wanting...
Wanting Me with a passion that passes understanding
As My appearing is nearing
I find your hearts wanting wanting wanting Me
more more more and then some more
I AM your All in All
I AM your Everything
I AM your Everyone
I AM your Everyplace
I AM your All in All
I AM your Deepest Desire
I AM your Consuming Desire
I have searched your hearts
And I find your hearts wanting
wanting
wanting Me
with a passion that passes understanding
For whille you were praying
I was planting orchards and
orchards
of passion fruit
deep in the soil of your hearts
For while you were crying
I was watering orchards and
orchards
of passion fruit
sprouting in the good soil
of your hearts
For while you were waiting
I was cultivating orchards of
orchards
of passion fruit
blooming in your fruitful hearts
I have searched your hearts
only to find your hearts
searching My heart
with a passion that passes understanding.

Honorable Humility

"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility." -Proverbs 15:33
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word humility as "the quality or state of being humble." Jesus's life was nothing more but obedience to the Father. The only way He was able to obey was to completely humble Himself and live a servant's life here on earth by serving His Father and serving us. How much are we willing to be like Jesus and deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him? Until we are willing to surrender our lives completely to Him are we then able to experience the complete joy found in serving the God of the universe who paid the penalty of our sins by the humility of His son, Jesus Christ.

-Raquel

Humility in the Life of Jesus
by Andrew Murray

It is in this state of mind, in this spirit and disposition, that the redemption of Christ has its virtue and efficacy. It is to bring us to this disposition that we are made partakers of Christ. This is the true self-denial to which our Savior calls us, the acknowledgement that self has nothing good in it, except as an empty vessel for God to fill. Its claim to be or do anything may not for a moment be allowed. It is in this, above and before everything, that the conformity to Jesus consists--the being and doing nothing of ourselves that God may be all in all.
Here we have the nature of true humility. It is because this is not understood or sought after, that our humility is so superficial and weak. We must learn of Jesus, how He is meek and lowly of heart. He teaches us where true humility begins and finds its strength--in the knowledge that it is God who works all in all, that our place is to yield to Him in perfect resignation and dependence, in full consent to be and to do nothing of ourselves. This is the life Christ came to reveal and to impart--a life to God that came through death to sin and self. If we feel that this life is too high for us and beyond our reach, it must all the more urge us to seek it in Him. It is the indwelling Christ who will live this life in us. If we long for it, let us above everything seek the secret of the knowlege of the nature of God, the secret of which every child of God is to be a witness: nothing but a vessel, a channel through which the living God can manifest the riches of His wisdom, power, and goodness. The root of all virtue and grace, of all faith and acceptable worship, is that we know that we have nothing but what we receive, and bow in deepest humility to wait upon God for it.

The Shepherd's Love

As Christians, we have a duty: to share the gospel to others. How are we to share such a powerful , yet controversial truth to a broken world? Jesus did it in love. Each one of us shares a similar story of how we came to know the living God. Mine was through a woman at my previous job who did nothing more but live a life with influence, integrity, and love for others. This type of lifestyle attracts others who notice the difference you live: set apart from the world, but close enough to reach out and share the love of Jesus to them.

-Raquel

His Commission To Us
by Oswald Chambers

"Feed My sheep" (John 21:17)

This is love in the making. The love of God is not created--it is His nature. When we receive the life of Christ through the Holy Spirit, He unites us with God so that His love is demonstrated in us. The goal of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not just to unite us with God, but to do it in such a way that we will be one with the Father in exactly the same way Jesus was. And what kind of oneness did Jesus Christ have with the Father? He had such a oneness with the Father that He was obedient when His Father sent Him down here to be poured out for us. And He says to us, "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21)
Peter now realizes that he does love Him, due to the revelation that came with the Lord's piercing question. The Lord's next point is--"Pour yourself out. Don't testify about how much you love Me and don't talk about the wonderful revelation you have had, just 'Feed My sheep.'" Jesus has some extraordinarily peculiar sheep: some that are unkempt and dirty, some that are awkward or pushy, and some that have gone astray! But it is impossible to exhaust God's love, and it is impossible to exhaust my love if it flows from the Spirit of God within me. The love of God pays no attention to my prejudices caused by my natural individuality. If I love my Lord, I have no business being guided by natural emotions--I have to feed His sheep. We will not be delivered or released from His commission to us. Beware of counterfeiting the love of God by following your own natural human emotions, sympathies, or understandings. That will only serve to revile and abuse the true love of God.

Victors Amidst a War

Going through any type of warfare; whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, its easy for one to lose themselves when they focus on the present circumstance and take their eyes off the goal of overcoming the warfare as a victor. The great news about our spiritual warfare here on earth is that Jesus Christ already established our victory over death by three words, "It is finished!" Let us not forget the inheritance we are given as children of the great Victor! Because the enemy knows he's defeated, he will try every way he can to make us feel defeated, depressed, and empty while we're still here on earth. Talk about a sore loser! Know through Christ, you are a winner, an apple of His eye, and made whole and perfect in Him.

-Raquel

Spiritual Warfare

by Jesse Rose


As a Christian, you have probably already learned of Satan's hatred for you. John 10:10 Warns us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He will try to steal your peace, your victory, kill your God given spirit, and destroy your right relationship with God. Satan is your number one adversary, he would like to defeat you and bring you under his control, but as the old saying goes; "I've read the back of the book and we win!"

We need spiritual strength and courage to resist this evil foe. We must learn to trust God who enables us to fight the spiritual fight. We must learn to trust the armor of protection, and the offensive weaponry that God has given us for the spiritual battle that is before us. We must learn to be spiritually strong in Christ. We are not struggling against flesh and blood but against wicked spirits in the earth's spiritually dark atmosphere. They are dictating the evil precepts of Satan into the ears of all who will listen. We must cast down thoughts that debilitate and undermine our faith, our right thinking. We must cast down foolish reasoning, fantasies and day dreams. The breastplate of righteousness protects the heart, the seat of all emotions and the door to the soul. It guards against and repels Satan's attacks against the tender emotions, the vulnerability of loving, caring Christians. The Sword of the Spirit not only makes us stand, but actually makes us the aggressor. It causes the enemy to fear us. The sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God is a spiritual weapon and not only repels but annihilates all that Satan brings against us. We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. To make the devil flee from you, (flee means to run in terror) make the following confessions aloud and become more victory minded.



I submit myself to God, I resist the devil and he will flee from me. James 4:7



For though I walk in the flesh, I do not war after the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:3



The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4



I cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5



I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, and I live and walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25



I am strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10



I have put on the whole armor of God, so that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11



I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12



I have put on the whole armor of God, so that I may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand, I will stand having my loins girded with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:13-15



Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And I take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:16, 17



I will endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and I will not entangle myself with the affairs of this life. 2 Timothy 2:3-4



I will resist the devil steadfastly in the faith. 1 Peter 5:9



I come boldly to the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need. Hebrews 4:16



I will be strong and courageous; I will not be afraid or dismayed: for the LORD my God is with me...Joshua 1:9



I will be sober and vigilant because my adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8



I am praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18



My defense is of God which saves the upright in heart. Psalms 7:10



When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19



I am more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me. Romans 8:37



I am born of God and I will overcome the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even my faith. 1 John 5:4



I will overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of my testimony...Revelation 12:11



No weapon that is formed against me shall rise against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgement I will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

May it Be a Sweet Sound in Your Ears

As we worship the Lord with singing (like last Sunday with the Rock Resonate Choir!), the angels are also joining us with praise in heaven, worshipping the same Holy Father that also created them. Notice when one is offering their voices as worship to the Lord, they are compelled to give Him their very best. Let that same attitude resonate to all forms of worship to the Lord, such as presenting our bodies holy and acceptable to the Father. He is worthy of our honor and praise!

-Raquel

Worship with Angels

by Phil Ware

It is exciting to me to know that angels are God's messenger servants (that's what the word angel means) sent to serve Christians (Hebrews 1:14). Throughout the Old Testament and in the early life of Jesus, we read about angels helping God's people. The Holy Spirit says they do that for us, too!

One of the most exciting aspects of the angels' ministry is their worship. When we open Scripture, especially the book of Revelation, we find out that the angels are the original praise team. They lead the worship of heaven!

Their worship is especially helpful to us because they help us know who to worship: God's angels do not worship other angels, and in fact discourage humans from worshipping angels. Angels, however, worship God the Father, and Jesus the Son, the Lamb and King. They also show us how to worship: they bow down, they shout for joy with praise, the speak of the worth and glory of God and the Son, they are filled with awe and exuberant reverence as they make clear the glory of God in song, praise, and adoration.

But there is a special aspect of the angels' worship that is very intriguing to me: they worship with us! Tucked away in 1 Corinthians 11:10 is a reference that suggests that what we do in our Christian assembly must take into account that angels are present.

While not altogether clear, I envision it is this way. We know that when Jesus returns, he will come with thousands upon thousands of angels. We will join them and will worship Jesus with them when we are ransomed to glory. So the way it seems to me, our worship in our church assemblies is kind of a dress rehearsal, a pre-season version of the greatest praise service the world will ever know, the day Jesus returns. We're getting ready for the greatest worship experience ever!

Now that does not diminish the importance of our worship services. No, quite the contrary. We come together to offer each other comfort and encouragement in our Christian walk because we want everyone in our assemblies to be there on that day that Jesus returns.

We know that every knee will bow when he returns, we just want to be in practice so that we can bow as the victors who share in his conquest and not as the defeated.

Most of all, we want to join the heavenly chorus in praise and jubilation at Jesus' ultimate victory over law, sin, death, and Satan. So as we worship now, with angels in our midst, let's do it with the sense of high expectation that we are getting ready to worship not only with angels, but with the Father and with the Lamb!

God's Love Letter

Valentines day is just around the corner. As the world celebrates one day out of the year to love, our Heavenly Father celebrates everyday with us. Such a great Romancer! And as a romancer, He leaves a beautiful love letter for us to read and keep hidden in our hearts: the Holy Bible. May you all be blessed as you celebrate everyday with the true lover of our lives, Jesus Christ.

-Raquel

An Intimate Message from God to You
by FathersLoveLetter.com

My Child...
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you recieve comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you recieve the gift of my son Jesus, you recieve me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever seperate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is...Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, your Dad
Almighty God

Vulnerability

What I love about us women is how emotional and passionate we are when worshipping our Father. We hold the femininity aspect of God: powerful, yet vulnerable.

-Raquel

Vulernable God
by Paul Faulkner

I guess one of the things I love most about the god I read about in the Bible is his vulnerability. He is the God who can roar, who can order armies and empires like pawns. Yet he willingly comes near to every day folks like us.
This God emerged in Palestine as a little baby who couldn't speak, couldn't eat solid food, couldn't control his bladder; he depended on a poor young couple for shelter.
At least three times, Jesus--god in human flesh--cried in front of his followers. He didn't hide his fears or hesitate to ask for help. He said, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." And at Gethsemane he said, "Stay here and watch with me." How many strong leaders today would make themselves so vulnerable?
And this is what draws us to him. He absolutely understands us, and he still loves us! It's remarkable!
No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like. (John 1:18 ERV)

To the Finish!

Persistence is what gets us through many obstacles in life, mine in particular: long distance racing. I love competing in races, but I can't say I love to run. It's the feeling of attaining the goal by reaching the finish line that drives me. It is said that it's easy to start something, but hard to finish it. Without continuous training and focusing on the prize in the end, all time spent preparing would have been wasted. I was inspired when I saw an elderly pass me up as fast as lightning with his shirt reading, "This is my 38th marathon at the age of 76!" Wow, talk about finishing strong!

-Raquel

Persistence
by Paul Faulkner

So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. (2 Peter 1:5-9 NLT 1st Ed.)

In America--pretty much all of what is called Western culture--we want it today, we want it now, and we want it to be great. You know, we want patience and we say "We want it right now!" It's kind of "our thing," isn't it?

But, it takes a long time to become the person you really want to be. It does take long suffering and persistence and not giving up and doing it over until you get it right and apologizing for the things you did wrong. You just have to keep on working on yourself to be the kind of person you want to be--the kind of person God wants you to be.

The neat thing is that God helps us in the midst of all this striving by giving his Spirit to us that works inside of us. Romans 8 reminds us that as we wait in patience the Spirit helps even in our weaknesses (Romans 8:26).

All you have to do is ask and persist. He will begin working on it now...today.