Assurance of Help and Protection

Father God,

Thank You that I can depend on You for help and protection.  Thank You for Your assurance of Your Promise and that whatever You say is always true.

Sing to the Lord a New Song

Psalm 149

1 Praise the Lord.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds.

6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

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Drawing That Sword

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

- John 18:7-11

When the soldiers and some officials went to arrest Jesus, He did not deny that He was who they were looking for.  He said it with full authority, "I am He."  Every word Jesus uttered fulfilled what was prophesied about Him (verses 8-9).

Demolition Site or Construction Opportunity

Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.

- Proverbs 10:19

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.

- Proverbs 11:9

My Supplier of Seeds

Photo courtesy: multifaith.utoronto.ca

 

But just as you excel in everything -- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us -- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

- 2 Corinthians 8:7

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7,10-12

An Inserted Note

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I saw a piece of paper inserted in my Bible with my scribblings on it; it's dated July 7, 2007 and I wrote:

I am not a nobody, but I am somebody who is of worth.  For Jesus Christ died at the cross and I am paid at a price. So my life is worthy -- worthy to serve God, to live for God, to obey God, to die for God! This is my purpose in life!

[Journal entry: January 26, 2012]