Go for the Great

Sometimes, you’ve got to let go of the good to gain the great. Let your heart be ready.  

September’s Awakening, Day 30

Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.

 —Kenny Rogers

Do not let the good things in life rob you of the best things.

 —Buster Rothman

 

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:21–23 NIV 

 

            Never sell yourself short. God may have something great for you, if you methodically sacrifice a bit now, and give up some of the good you have now, all to gain His great. You won’t be disappointed. But great comes at a cost, and you must diligently follow His lead. Holding on to the good can prevent you from grabbing hold of the great. If God speaks to your heart to let something go, rest assured, He has something much better for you. Letting go can be frightening, but holding on can be stifling. Trust in Him. Remember, He wants the best and greatest for you, you must simply follow. Maybe it’s time for you to exchange your good for His great and best. 

 

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Sword Vanquished by the Spirit

Are you fighting with the sword or with the Spirit? Victory comes by His Spirit.

 

September’s Awakening, Day 29

There are in the world two powers—the sword and the spirit. And the spirit has always vanquished the sword.

 —Napoleon

 All the resources of the Godhead are at our disposal!

 —Jonathan Goforth 

 

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:52–53 NIV

 

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. Revelation 19:14–16 NIV 

 

            Indeed, the Spirit will ultimately and completely vanquish the power of the sword. In the end times, when Christ comes at His Glorious Appearing, He will vanquish all the world rebels, including the antichrist and the false prophet, with the “sword coming out of His mouth,” the Word of God, which strikes down all enemies and none can prevail against. That’s the ultimate power of the Spirit, and that same power of the Spirit is available to us and lives inside us today. The power of the sword, nor any power indeed, can prevail against the mighty power of His Spirit. Victory over sin, evil, and death is assured—they have no sting nor will they overcome the Spirit.

            So, don’t grab your sword, evoke the power of His Spirit, and let your victories begin.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Power Purge

Has the power of the world purged you of everything noble and good? Has your own power numbed you to be indifferent to the virtues that should be upheld?

September’s Awakening, Day 28

The power that is supported by force alone will have cause often to tremble.

 —Lajos Kossuth

Power gradually extirpates from the mind every humane and gentle virtue.

 —Edmund Burke

 

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: Colossians 2:20 NIV

 

            Power by force will always be opposed. Pure power exercised unmitigatedly can purge the possessor of the balance with moral, humane, and noble virtues. One needs only to look at the dictators of the world to see this imbalance in action. People suffer at the expense of power imposed upon them and power exercised simply for the sake of the world power hierarchy. For those in the world who are oppressed by power, it is difficult indeed to not be adversely affected in every way. When you are oppressed by power for lengthy periods of time, your own sense of morality and standards begin to change and conformity to the influence of the power imposed upon you becomes the new normal. Pray diligently for the oppressed in the world for theirs is a difficult lot in life to continually bear.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Power Test

Would your character pass the power test? Have you ever misused the power given to you? It takes great character and self-control to wield power in an appropriate fashion.

September’s Awakening, Day 27

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.

 —Abraham Lincoln

The measure of a man is what he does with power.

 —Pittacus 

 

Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. Proverbs 11:7 NIV

 

One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God, Psalm 62:11 NIV

 

            It’s true. Power is best in the hands of the One who can truly use it appropriately—God. Power in the hands of one with poor character, judgment, and restraint is like fortune and fame—easy to become addicted to and misused. Wielding power appropriately, with control, certainly requires one who is well grounded, with exemplary character, secure in self-esteem, and has methodical self-control. Misusing power can be too great a temptation to overcome. Most assuredly, with power at your disposal, your character will surely be tested, and certainly there will be many who are watching and potentially many people affected.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

 

Which Is It?

Does power corrupt people, or do people corrupt the power available to them? How are you using the power allotted to you?

September’s Awakening, Day 26

Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

 —Lord Acton  

Power doesn’t corrupt people. People corrupt power.

 —Author Unknown  

 

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; John 13:3 NIV 

 

Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalm 53:3 NIV

 

            If we contemplate this dilemma logically, we must arrive at the conclusion that power itself is neutral. It is the choices we make in using the power allotted to us that tends to become problematic. As humans, there will always be the irresistible temptation to use power to our personal gain or advantage, and therein lies the problem. Therefore, even though power is neutral, the temptation to abuse it is virtually irresistible, like trying to avoid eating the forbidden fruit. Power is truly an enormous temptation and easy to abuse, and only a select few with exemplary character, nobility, and restraint, can effectively and safely wield it, and those select few are few indeed.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Obligation

What is greatness built upon? Freedom, liberty, and opportunity, or responsibility, obligation, and duty?  

September’s Awakening, Day 25

I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation; every possession a duty.

 —John D. Rockefeller, Jr 

The love of liberty is the love of others; love of power is the love of ourselves.

 —William Hazlitt

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; . . .

 —Thomas Jefferson, beginning of the Declaration of Independence

 

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ” Luke 17:10 NIV   

 

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48b NIV

 

            With our inherent and inalienable rights, the freedoms that we enjoy, the opportunities that we have, and the ability to possess in quantity, comes along with it great responsibility, certain obligation, and required duty to those who have not. We are not only to be good stewards of what we have, but just as Jesus stated in Luke 12:48; to whom much has been given, much will be required, and to whom much has been entrusted, much more will be asked. It is a biblical principle that cannot be denied or ignored. Freedoms, rights, and opportunities come at a high price of giving back in return.

               Exercise your freedoms, tenaciously hold onto your rights, explore every opportunity, and gain much so that you may give and return much. Fulfil your responsibilities, meet every obligation, and perform every duty in an exemplary fashion. This is what greatness is built upon.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Who’s on First?

If you don’t know Who’s first, it doesn’t matter who’s second.  

September’s Awakening, Day 24

You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first.

 —C. S. Lewis  

Lord, we don’t mind who is second as long as Thou art first.

 —W. E. Stangter 

 

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:24, 33 NIV   

 

            Living life to the fullest and successfully is all about priorities. We obviously cannot accomplish or obtain all we desire at once. Life takes planning and organization and most importantly prioritization. That which is essential to our total health and well-being must come first. That not only includes our physical, emotional, and mental well-being, but our spiritual as well. Everything filters down from the top, so at the top we must start. God must take priority overall, and truly, if that is in order the rest will follow. If God is misplaced in the hierarchy of your priorities, then you will find your life in a misplaced and misshapen condition.

            So, Who’s first? If He isn’t, then you are. If you are, then you’re under the thumb of the wrong master, and soon you will find the pressure too great to overcome.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Firm in Principle, Flow with Trends

Go with the flow in vogue and trends, but stand firm in stone on the established standards and principles.

September’s Awakening, Day 23

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.

 —Thomas Jefferson

Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.

 —Alex Hamilton 

 

I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 2 Corinthians 10:2 NIV 

 

            Our culture is a continually changing organism. It grows, changes, ages, matures, and ultimately will die when this world is made new. Being a part of this culture means that we, too, must change along with it. Change keep things interesting and oftentimes, but not always, is beneficial. Trends and styles and the current vogue will always continue to change, and we can freely choose to follow closely or follow at a distance and embrace or reject the current flow. Mores and principles, however, should stand firm in stone and not sway aimlessly back and forth with the tide. Standards are principles to be upheld. Styles are superficial and fleeting, but principles of morality and civility and ethical standards are not.

            Enjoy the varied moments of your life and the changing trends and times, but keep always firm in your beliefs, standards, and all ethical principles. Life is to be joyful, thrilling, and exhilarating, but not compromised.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

May the Testimony of Two Be True

Are you standing on the truth on your own or with the testimony of others? Are you firmly standing on the testimony of the Word of God? Wherein lies your testimony of truth?  

September’s Awakening, Day 22

I am not bound to win but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed but I am bound to live up to what light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.

 —Abraham Lincoln 

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

 —Martin Luther King, Jr

 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.” John 8:12–18 NIV  

 

            Standing strong for what is right is powerful. Standing together with others for what is right is invincible. For the human testimony, it’s the power of two. Two human witnesses are required to bear the power of the truth. Conversely, as Jesus stated in the above passage in the Book of John, only the power of One, as God Himself or His written Word, is required as sufficient evidence for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

            If you have been perusing through this devotional, it should be apparent that I have almost always chosen two quotations (or sometimes more), from the human witness, and typically one (or sometimes more), from the Word of God. The human witness of two, bearing witness to the infallible witness of God’s one witness through His Word has been presented. The truth bearing witness to the truth makes for indisputable evidence. In your eyes and in God’s eyes may it be so.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Faithfully Principled

 

Where do you stop and take a stand before crossing the line of the highest of standards and principles? Have you looked at every aspect of your life? Where have you crossed over the boundary, and what are you going to do to remedy that situation?

September’s Awakening, Day 21

Faithfully faithful to every trust,

Honestly honest in every deed,

Righteously righteous and justly just:

This is the whole of the good man’s creed.

 —Author Unknown 

 

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

 —Thomas Paine

 

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.” Ezekiel 11:12 NIV 

 

            We live in a world of tolerance, conformity, acceptance, and laxity. When dealing with the diversity of the peoples of the earth, this is all well and good. However, when concerning our basic principles and standards to live by, conformity can become a dangerous thing. We are called to uphold the highest of standards and principles, and for the believer, the utmost and foremost authority is God and His Word. There should be understanding and acknowledgment of differing thoughts and ideas, but no compromise on the essential precepts and principles set forth before us in His Word. We can embrace people without necessarily embracing their standards and principles. We can love them, without being in conformity with them. God has a measuring rod of standards set for all mankind. We may believe that these are negotiable, but in His presence, one day we will all find out that there exists for everyone His absolutes and non-negotiables.

            Love the people of the world, but do not conform, compromise, or become anything other than what God has set in stone by His very finger. 

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

The Angel of the LORD

Do you know who’s who? Sometimes, it may be important to know if you’re talking to God Himself or one of His angels. When you’re reading Scripture, you need to know.  

September’s Awakening, Day 20

The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so. Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face.” Judges 6:20–22 NKJV  

 

Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food. But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the LORD.” (For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the LORD.) Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, “What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?”  And the Angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?” So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the LORD. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on—it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, because we have seen God!” Judges 13:2–3, 5–6, 16–20, 22 NKJV  (This is the foretelling of the birth of Samson.)

 

            A distinction must be made between the Angel of the LORD, seen in the Old Testament, and an angel of the Lord, typically seen in the New Testament (and occasionally in the Old Testament as well). The Angel of the LORD in most Old Testament Scripture verses is actually a theophany (a direct manifestation of God Himself to a person). In the New Testament, the angel of the Lord is a created angel, often the angel Gabriel, who brings a direct message from God to those special people on earth. Unfortunately, few translations of the Bible, other than the NKJV, capitalize “Angel” appropriately to help us determine who this entity really is. For that matter, most modern translations fail to capitalize many names directly referring to God Himself and the associated pronouns. This is extremely disheartening, and the reason that multiple translations, including the NKJV, need to be consulted frequently to appreciate the full, vibrant meaning of the biblical text.

            The Angel of the LORD is most often taken to specifically be the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ Himself, before He was born man. Notice that in Judges 13:18, He identifies His name as “wonderful”, the very same description Isaiah gives us of Christ in Chapter 9, verse 6, as we just saw in our devotional yesterday. Furthermore, created angels always refuse worship and speak only on behalf of God, relating a specific message. However, the Angel of the LORD typically speaks with authority in the first person as God Himself, and oftentimes, initiates or encourages a burnt offering sacrifice, accepting worship of Himself. Furthermore, those who see and speak with the Angel of the LORD are often aware that this entity is in fact God and are fearful for their lives because they have seen Him.

            Some notable appearances of the Angel of the LORD are as follows: to comfort and give assurance to Sarai’s maid Hagar in Genesis 16:7–11, to stop Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22:11–15, the “Man” who wrestled with Jacob and renamed him Israel in Genesis 32:22–30, the One who spoke to Moses out of the burning bush in Exodus 3:2, to Balaam in Numbers 22:22–35, to the Israelites in Judges 2:1–4, to Gideon in Judges 6:11–22, to Manoah and his wife in Judges 13:2–22, and in Zechariah’s prophetic visions in Chapters 1 and 3. Sometimes, it’s important to know Who you’re talking to.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Common Names for God

Knowing God’s names helps us to better know Him. I hope and pray that your visualization and understanding of Him will draw you ever closer and keep you firmly attached.

September’s Awakening, Day 19

“Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. Judges 5:3 NKJV 

 

            Yahweh-Elohim (or Jehovah-Elohim), the “LORD God,” combines the personal name of God, Yahweh, with the more general term for God, Elohim. Elohim often means the Mighty One, but in certain other contexts could mean Creator, King, Judge, or Savior. When seen as the LORD God of Israel, the connotation is typically that of the One, True God, the Mighty One. There is none like Him.

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NKJV

 

            Elohim, “God,” the most common usage for God in the Bible is the general term, Elohim. Again, its meaning is the Mighty One, in all His majesty and glory.

 

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. Genesis 14:18 NKJV 

 

            El Elyon, “God Most High,” is used in a few passages of Scripture and literally means “the strongest Mighty One.” El is believed to be the root or more ancient version of Elohim and connotes the same identification of God.

 

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 NKJV 

 

            El Shaddai, “Almighty God,” rendered in various ways throughout Scripture as Almighty God, God Almighty, the Almighty, the LORD Almighty, and the LORD God Almighty. There is the obvious meaning of almighty as the all-powerful, omnipotent God, but also the connotation of God, the All-Sufficient, needing nothing in Himself and supplying fully all the needs of all His creation. So, He is the all-powerful, all-sufficient Mighty One. Yes, truly He is.  

 

Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33 NKJV 

 

            El Olam, the “Everlasting God or God of Eternity.” Often, we just see the phrase “from everlasting to everlasting.” And finally, we see a similar description of Jesus Christ in Isaiah:

 

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NKJV  

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

Our God of Recompense and the One Who Smites

Every person will ultimately experience the presence of God—either as salvation poured out or judgment poured out. Be exceedingly thankful that you’re a believer, and share the love of Christ poured out for you.

 

September’s Awakening, Day 18

Because the LORD is plundering Babylon And silencing her loud voice, Though her waves roar like great waters, And the noise of their voice is uttered, Because the plunderer comes against her, against Babylon, And her mighty men are taken. Every one of their bows is broken; For the LORD is the God of recompense, He will surely repay. Jeremiah 51:55–56 NKJV  

 

            Yahweh-El-Gemolah (or Jehovah-El-Gemolah), is the “LORD, the God of recompense,” our God who, with full righteousness and justice, makes sure that full restitution will be made where needed and the wrongs fully righted. We can be sure that nothing escapes His balance scales and that all truth, honor, and perfect justice will ultimately prevail. Rest assured that we do not need to get back at our enemies or try to even the score, for God has all that perfectly taken care of. It is best we leave all that to Him. So, the next time you’ve been wronged, do nothing on your own, but pray to our God of recompense, and be at peace knowing that He will make it right.

 

Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations. And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I am the LORD that smiteth. Ezekiel 7:8–9 KJV

 

            Yahweh-Nakeh (or Jehovah-Nakeh), the “LORD that smites,” literally the Lord who ultimately brings perfect judgment upon the earth and all those who willingly reject Him. The ultimate realization of God’s judgment is, of course, the Tribulation, when His wrath is poured out upon the entirety of earth and its inhabitants, including the antichrist and false prophet. We, the church, will have already been raptured to heaven and so escape God’s wrath and judgement. Remember, God is a loving God, but also holy, righteous, and ultimately must judge sin and evil and forevermore remove it from His presence.  

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

My Sanctifier and My Righteousness

The Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier and we are made righteous through Christ. Being a believer is truly a wonderful thing.

September’s Awakening, Day 17

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. Exodus 31:13 NKJV   

 

            Yahweh-M’Kaddesh (or Jehovah-M’Kaddesh), is the “LORD my Sanctifier,” the One who imparts His Word and Law into my heart and makes me holy as He is holy. The Holy Spirit who indwells us is now truly our Sanctifier, as He imparts His guidance and direction to urge us onward to become holy vessels worthy of the Lord. Remember, sanctification is all about cooperation and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work. Call upon the Lord to help you overcome your past, and walk each day in the newness of Him. Become the holy vessel that God designed you to be.

 

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5–6 NKJV

 

            Yahweh-Tsidkenu (or Jehovah-Tsidkenu), is the “LORD my Righteousness,” revealed in Jeremiah prophetically for Israel during the Millennial reign of Christ here on earth. Christ is the Branch of righteousness and King who will certainly rule the earth with all justice and peace. For Israel, they must wait till the Millennium for this to be realized, but for the church, all believers in Christ, this is realized for us now, as Christ’s righteousness is already imputed to us. We are made righteous through Him now, and His justice will soon rule this earth. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart

My Healer and My Shepherd

God is your Healer and God is your Shepherd, but both require that you are following only Him. Make sure you willingly do not stray.  

September’s Awakening, Day 16

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” Exodus 15:23–26 NKJV  

 

            Yahweh-Rapha (or Jehovah-Rapha), is the name God identifies Himself as the “LORD my Healer.” Soon after parting the Red Sea, God makes the bitter and probably toxic waters at Marah, fresh and clean and healing for the Israelites. Note, however, that in this passage continued healing comes at a contingent price—diligent obedience unto the Lord. Know that God has certain expectations of us too. He is our Healer and Physician, so never remiss in calling out His healing name.

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 NKJV  

 

            Yahweh-Raah (or Jehovah-Raah), is the “LORD my Shepherd,” well known from David’s Twenty-Third Psalm, the Shepherd Psalm. This shepherd analogy is frequently used throughout the Bible, and connotes one who leads, cares for every need, protects, and continually watches over the flock. This is precisely how the Lord our God looks after and cares for us, to the point of sacrificing self for the protection of each valued member of His flock. The shepherd knows every sheep and the sheep know and follow only the shepherd. No matter what trouble life may bring, know that your Shepherd is right there with you, willing to sacrifice it all just for you. He will never leave you nor forsake you, for He has already laid down His life for you.

Author Web Page Link

http://www.christianfaithpublishing.com/books/?book=renew-my-heart-o-god-daily-devotions-for-healing-your-heart