A String of Hosannas

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

worship the LORD

in the splendor of his holiness. [Ps 29:1-2]

The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty;

The LORD is robed, enveloped in strength.

The world is firmly established;

it cannot be shaken.

Your throne has been established

from the beginning;

You are from eternity. [Ps 93:1-2]

Your throne, God, is forever and ever;

the scepter of Your kingdom

is a scepter of justice. [Ps 45:6 NLT]

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you. [Ps 118:28]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

He Reigns! ~ Newsboys on GodTube

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Prayers of the Saints

"O Father, may the mustard seed of my faith

put down deep roots in order to endure patiently

the trials I will encounter. May its trunk be strong

and sturdy to deflect Satan's attacks. May this

tree of faith flourish in my heart so that there

is no room for doubt or fear. May its branches

produce fruit that will testify to Your faithfulness.

May others who see this tree be encouraged to run

their race by faith alone. Lord, strengthen my

faith and make it genuine, so that its leaves may shine

pure gold. May my faith, which is precious to You,

bring You praise and glory and honor. Amen."

~Cynthia Heald

A Series of Prayer Quotes

Lessons from Ezekiel ~ Church Life

The River From the Temple
1. The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.
2. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side.
3. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.
4. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist.
5. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--a river that no one could cross.
6. He asked me, "Son of man, do you see this?" Then he led me back to the bank of the river.
7. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.
8. He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh.
9. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.
10. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds--like the fish of the Great Sea.
11. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.
12. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing."

The Boundaries of the Land
21. "You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
23. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance," declares the Sovereign Lord. [Ez 47:1-12, 21-23]

The retelling of Ezekiel's vision reads like poetry. It stirred me to reflect upon similar passages, such as the 23rd Psalm and the conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman. It brought to mind parallels of God's plan for life in the body and his church expansion plan.

Living Water flows from the Throne Room - the blessed sanctuary in the Holy of Holies - flowing out to Jerusalem and beyond. The presence of the Lord going out among His people. He is far greater than four walls can contain. Growing into a teeming body of water as it moves along.

Ezekiel is led to a shallow stream - easy to approach and unintimidating - gradually wading into increasing depths of a river. The further he journeyed from the threshold, the deeper the waters became. Led to the unsearchable, unmanageable depths of God's wisdom and judgments, beyond all human comprehension. A river no man can possibly breach.

He is ushered back to a comfortable water level into a thriving fellowship. Wherever the water flows there is life. The river is surrounded on both sides with lush trees; emptying itself into a larger body.

A varied assortment of living creatures are all drawn to the fresh water. Fishers of men gather from shore to shore, capturing every kind of river dweller.

The water is purified of life-threatening salt. Those choosing to remain in the stagnate swamp waters of complacency are left - refuse

But here, near the rivers edge, a luscious oasis - abundant with fruit for nourishment and leaves that bring forth healing - is growing, living, thriving.

Grace upon grace, God gives an inheritance provision for the strangers among the chosen. An inheritance rich enough for both Jew and Gentile and their offspring - all considered one nation. An allotted portion for all living in the land where the living waters flows.

O Lord, You are my sanctuary. Living Water flows from Your Grace to the nations, bringing life, refreshing, and healing. Highest praises be to our God of all grace! Stir the moving waters to be ever-fresh and flowing; streaming to the depths of our unsearchable God; growing and bearing fruit. In Christ our Lord, Amen.

Lessons from Ezekiel ~ Stewardship

"Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture?

Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet?

Is it not enough for you to drink clear water?

Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

Must my flock feed on what you have trampled

and drink what you have muddied with your feet?"

[Ez 34:18-19]

Green ~ the new buzz-word. It's being marketed to the max. A worthy message to be preached and lifestyle to adhere to, no doubt; but it's hardly a new message.

Speaking to Ezekiel, the Lord addressed the selfish condition of His flock. Their behavior demonstrated a lack of respect for others in the flock. The mess they were leaving behind was an injustice not only to their fellow sheep but future generations.

I am thankful for His eye-opening word that reminds me to be a faithful steward with His gift of creation. I especially appreciate the warnings He gives so that I have opportunity to change an attitude or behavior I am accountable for.

" 'As for you, my flock,

this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

I will judge between one sheep and another,'"

[Ez 34:17]

Creator of Heaven and Earth, forgive my lack of faithful stewardship of Your Creation. Teach me to better use Your gifts in Your Name and for the benefit of others that come behind. In Christ Holy Name, Amen.

A String of Hosannas

Praise the LORD.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD

or fully declare his praise? [Ps 106:1-2]

Therefore I will praise you among the nations,

O LORD; I will sing praises to your name.

The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be God my Savior! [Ps 18:49, 46]

I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations;

I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, higher than the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,

and let your glory be over all the earth. [Ps 108:3-5]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Lessons from Ezekiel ~ Obedience

How often I discount people and fabricate excuses for not speaking the Gospel of Christ. "They're not willing to listen." "They don't want to hear it." "They're not ready to change their lifestyle." Excuse after pitiful excuse! Assumption after sinful assumption! God has an answer to this apathy:

"And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house." And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says,' whether they listen or fail to listen." [Ez 3:1-4, 7-11]

There it is; it's not about them -- it's about obedience. Whether they listen or not -- this is what the Lord says! He has given us a mission of urgency that is not dependent on others but a matter of my discipleship.

Ezekiel would not have the same level of effectiveness on that stubborn nation had he not been obedient. As Thomas 'a Kempis once said; "No man securely commands but he who has learned to obey."

Let's look at this passage just a bit further. God have Ezekiel a scroll to eat with the words he was to speak. It was filled with mourning, woe, and lament (2:9-10) and yet it tasted sweet. He was instructed to deliver words of impending judgement - hardly good news. How much sweeter the Good New of Christ! Granted, some of the raw truth can be hard to swallow but they are satisfying words of life.

God provided the words Ezekiel needed to speak to the exiles and the attitude and fortitude to deal with them (3:8). God continues to faithfully provide all that is needed to speak the plan of salvation today.

We must, like Ezekiel, first receive His Word ~ the very words of Christ that dwells richly within us. Then, speak these very words of God. Partake first ourselves of the Living Bread to then share with a hungry world.

I challenge you to continue on in the chapter [Ez 3:16-23] for the Lords accountability warning.

It is for our encouragement, however, to remember the Lord's faithful blessing to the ordinary men of history; His wonderful deeds through Moses; and answered prayer of His all-sufficient boldness given to Paul (to name just a few).

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note
that these men had been with Jesus." [Ac 4:13]

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,"
[Eph 6:19]

The blessing of the Christian life is not only in the pasture resting in God but also in the field working by His side. Quoting Oswald Chambers; "The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies but its obedience."

I praise You, Faithful Bread of Heaven, that Your words are life-giving and that Your salvation, sweet to the soul. Plant Your Word deep within with boldness to speak without excuse. Build in me a character of obedience to Your will. Amen.

When I called, you answered me;

you made me bold and stouthearted.

[Ps 138:3]

Prayers of the Saints

We beg the all-merciful Father through Thee,

his only-begotten Son

made man for our sake,

crucified and glorified for us,

to send upon us from his treasure-house

the Spirit of sevenfold grace,

who rested upon Thee in all his fullness:

the spirit of wisdom,

enabling us to relish the fruit of the tree of life,

which is indeed Thyself;

the gift of understanding:

to enlighten our perceptions;

the gift of prudence,

enabling us to follow in Thy footsteps;

the gift of strength:

to withstand our adversary’s onslaught;

the gift of knowledge:

to distinguish good from evil by the light of Thy holy teaching;

the gift of piety:

to clothe ourselves with charity and mercy;

the gift of fear:

to withdraw from all ill-doing and live quietly in awe of Thy eternal majesty.

These are the things for which we petition.

Grant them for the honor of Thy Holy Name, to which,

with the Father and the Holy Ghost,

be all honor and glory, thanksgiving, renown,

and lordship for ever and ever.

Amen.

~ Saint Bonaventure

A Series of Prayer Quotes

God of all Comfort

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives,

so also through Christ our comfort overflows."

[2 Cor 1:3-5]

When I see one struggling in the course of my day,

I know I'm not the one to take strife away.

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"Comfort my people", I hear the Lord say;

"Grant blessed assurance You're there", I can pray.

.

Asking God to soothe sorrow and calling on His name,

He grants me use of His heart to acknowledge their pain.

.

I can come up alongside, share a smile or shed a tear,

Simply offer a loving gesture or lend a listening ear.

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Awash with His love for them, I know He will be

Ever watchful as only a good Father can be.

Dear God of all mercy and comfort; Fill me with Your compassion and Your heart to offer encouragement from You to those bearing burdens of this world's affliction. In Christ my Lord, Amen.

A Mind At Perfect Peace With God

A mind at “perfect peace” with God,
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood;
This, this, indeed is peace!

By nature and by practice far,
How very far from God!
Yet now by grace, brought nigh to Him,
Through faith in Jesus' blood.

So nigh, so very nigh to God,
I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son,
I am as near as He.

So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me.

Why should I ever careful be,
Since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me night and day,
And tells me “Mine is thine.”

by Catesby Paget

You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.

[Is 26:3]

A String of Hosannas

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens. [Ps 8:1]

No one is like you, O LORD;

you are great,

and your name is mighty in power. [Jer 10:6]

O my Strength, I sing praise to you;

you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. [Ps 59:17]

.

Your arm is endued with power;

your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;

love and faithfulness go before you.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,

who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

They rejoice in your name all day long;

they exult in your righteousness. [Ps 89:13-16]

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible,

the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen. [1 Tm 1:17]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Our Brother's Grace

Both the one who makes men holy

and those who are made holy

are of the same family.

So Jesus is not ashamed

to call them brothers.

[Heb 2:11]

Have you ever had a family member bring shame upon your family name? I can even go so far as to say that I've been that person. We all have someone we're related to that embarrasses us. (This doesn't include our teen children that pretend we don't exist!)

Doesn't this make today's verse all the more remarkable?

He is the radiance of God's glory ~ I wear the stains of this world.

He is the Author of our salvation. My sins are the reason for it's need.

He is crowned with glory and honor. Everything has been placed under His feet ~ I am but a lowly peasant.

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Master of all creation, is not ashamed to mention association with me?! The wretch that I am has brought disgrace to the name of our holy Jehovah God.

And that's not all! Look at verse 2:12: "He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.""

He will sing my praises?! Only He is worthy of such honor! And only He is capable of such astounding forgiveness and grace.

The next time you are down-on-yourself, remember this love ~ this incredible grace ~ and allow Him to lift you up. Let the whisper "brother" resound to your very heart.

I praise You, Lord Jesus, and exalt You with all glory and honor. I thank You that You have saved me and call me Your own.

Paying Tribute in Remembrance of 9-11

Links to share ~ click to explore as basis for prayer and reflection:

SBC.net video

NYJ News/ Gannett Foundation Tribute

Legacy.com "Remember site"

May God heal our land ~ those broken from such terrible and sensless loss.

May we draw nearer His throne of grace.

.

Photo: guardian.co.uk

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet hour of prayer,

sweet hour of prayer,
Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless:

And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word, and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

~William W. Walford

Endless Worship

At dawn, when consciousness returns, shall discipline bring first-thoughts to worship?

"And you shall provide a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering to the LORD daily;

morning by morning

you shall provide it."

[Ez 46:13 NASB]

Max Lucado wrote; "Worship is the "thank you" that refuses to be silenced." Does my gratitude refuse to be quieted?

Noteworthy examples of continual worship from Scripture are:

• The prophetess widow Anna worshipped night and day [Lk 2:36-37]


• David praised God throughout the day [Ps 119:164]


• Levitical Priests continually offered sacrifices as protocol [Heb 10:11-12]

The very life of our Lord was a life of worship. Every action - worship. An offering of love and reverence; all day, every day. Worship through obedience; even unto death on a wooden cross.

Prayers and songs of praise are my preferred means. Acceptable? Yes! Comfortable? No doubt. Would I choose the more difficult expression - obedience?

The lamps on the pure gold lampstand before the LORD must be tended continually. [Lv 24:4]

I desire to live a life tending to my spiritual lamp before the Lord; keeping it pure and always lit through spiritual disciplines as worship. Am I willing to give - sacrifice - what it requires to live a life of worship?

Holy Lord; Train me to follow my hearts' desire for continual worship of You. Morning by morning; day by day. Through actions and obedience. By the power of Christ and for His Name Sake, Amen

Through Jesus, therefore,

let us continually offer to God

a sacrifice of praise—

the fruit of lips

that confess his name.

[Heb 13:15]

A String of Hosannas

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
[Ps 100]

A Weekly Posting of Praise from Scripture

Prayers of the Saints

O Jesus, King most wonderful!
O Conqueror renowned!
O Source of peace ineffable,
In whom all joys are found.

When once you visit darkened hearts,
Then truth begins to shine,
Then earthly vanity departs,
Then kindles love divine.

O Jesus, light of all below,
The fount of life and fire,
Surpassing all the joys we know,
All that we can desire.

May ev'ry heart confess your name,
Forever you adore,
And, seeking you, itself inflame,
To seek you more and more!

Oh, may our tongues forever bless,
May we love you alone,
And ever in our lives express,
The image of your own!

~Bernard of Clairvaux

A Series of Prayer Quotes

More Than You Believe

"For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light"

[Eph 5:8]

In the opening of the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium", the narrator states that what Molly Mahoney "needed was the opportunity to prove to herself that she was something more than she believed." She becomes frustrated and miserable trying to discover what is special about her. She couldn't see any magical qualities within herself that would validate her inheritance of an enchanted toy store.

The world is full of people searching for their significance. I believe all of us are driven with this quest-desire so that we may find the true answer of who God created us to be in Jesus Christ.

Revelation of our true identity in Christ is the key that unlocks heavenly treasures of hope, contentment, joy, and purpose.

His actions and His Word demonstrates exactly what makes us special. Gaining this knowledge satisfies a longing heart and mind, allowing us to shine as intended. See what you find in these few sample verses:

• John 3:16 ~ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• John 1:12-14 ~ Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
  .
• Colossians 1:12-13 ~ giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

• 1 Peter 2:9 ~ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:9 ~ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Healing words; transforming words; discovery words. Has God not said elsewhere that we are His good creation, crafted in His image for a purpose in His eternal plan? We are sought after, pursued, forgiven, blessed, and adopted as co-heir with Jesus. Wouldn't this confirm that we are, indeed, more than meets the eye?

Reflecting God's glory is our glory. These realities sooth the soul and unleash potential within.

God has given the basis and opportunity to prove we are more than the world says we are - will you believe?

Merciful Father; I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Thank You for Your faithful Word that brings light and life and truth; revealing Your incredible love for me. Transform my mind and heart to believe that I am what your Word declares. Bring my life in alignment with your purpose and plan that I might reflect Your glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Grace and Providence

"Almighty King whose wond'rous hand
Supports the weight of sea and land;

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Whose grace is such a boundless store,

No heart shall break that sighs for more;

Thy Providence supplies my food,

And 'tis thy blessing makes it good;

My soul is nourish'd by thy word,

Let soul and body praise the LORD.

My streams of outward comfort came

From him, who built this earthly frame;

Whate'er I want his bounty gives,

By whom my soul for ever lives.

Either his hand preserves from pain,

Or, if I feel it, heals again;

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From Satan's malice shields my breast,

Or overrules it for the best.

Forgive the song that falls so low

Beneath the gratitude I owe!

It means thy praise, however poor,

An angel's song can do no more. "

by William Cowper