Remember His Wonderful Acts

Lord, thank you for being our strength. Thank you that you have done wonderful acts on our behalf and in our lives. Thank you for giving me the strength and wisdom I needed last week! Praise and glory be to you in and through all our lives!

Above All

God is above all. 

He is the Rock of our salvation.

   the Great God

   the Great King.

Today as you fight the good fight, remember that what ever you are dealing with, whatever the obstacle or the enemy; God is above all gods. 

From Strength to Strength or Tears to Blessings

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
   they make it a place of springs;
   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
   till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalms 84:5-7 NIV

Sometimes we refer to the valleys and mountain top experiences of our lives. I think it's easy to get caught up in the idea of somethings wrong if we are in a "valley". That's what encourages me in these verses: It's not about valleys and mountain tops, it's about finding your strength in the source of strength, God. 

Notice that it says "from strength to strength", not from mountain top to mountain top. What is important is to know our strength is in Christ. In verse 6 the Valley of Baca can mean the Valley of Tears. Interesting word picture. Sometimes the battle is tough, and even brings us to a point of tears. The psalmist proclaims that even in the valley, when we make God our strength, we make a valley of tears into a valley of pools or blessings!

What this leads me to do is ask myself if I am trying to get to a mountain top or to my strength which is found in God alone. These verses exhort me to look to God to be my strength. I encourage you to remember that God is your strength not matter where you are and he will turn your tears into blessings.

Word of the Day: Most High, God is Most High

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalms 83:18 NIV

The truth is that God is Most High over all the earth. Even our present circumstances, situation and predicament. 

Father, open our lives to see you as Most High in our lives. You know the battles we are in and the foes we face each day. Strengthen us to fight the good fight in your strength. Reign as the Most High in us today!

Word of the Day: Strength

My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever.

Psalms 73:26 NIV

Let's be real. Sometimes we fail. That's not an excuse or an alibi, that just a reality. We may be surprised by it, but God is not. Like David, we can look to God to be the strength of our heart. You may be failing physically and you may be getting down. Remember, God is the strength of your heart. 

"if we are faithless,

   he will remain faithful,

   for he cannot disown himself." II Timothy 2:13

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God is with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Power and Strength for You

Proclaim the power of God,

   whose majesty is over Israel,

   whose power is in the heavens.

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;

   the God of Israel gives power and       
      strength to his people. 

Praise be to God!

Psalms 68:34-35 NIV