No other Name…

Songs: Rescue – Jared Anderson with Desperation Band
Rescue – Newsong
Came to My Rescue – Hillsong United

Scriptures:
Acts 4:8-12 (New International Version)
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

Colossians 1:13-14 (New International Version)
For he [the Father] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 Thessalonians 1:10b (New International Version)
…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Galatians 1:3-5 (New International Version)
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


I really have to guard my heart by being careful of the things I allow myself to see and hear. There are some songs to which I can’t listen, lest the lyrics get in my head and I think of them, or sing them. One of these songs is “Love Story” (performed by Taylor Swift.) When I heard (someone else performing) this song (which was the first time I had heard it), I couldn’t really understand the words, so I looked up the lyrics. Reading them, when I got to the part that says, “Romeo save me,” I thought of the song “Rescue” by Jared Anderson (performed by him with the Desperation Band, and also of the version performed by Newsong.) The part of “Rescue” that says, “There’s no other Name by which I am saved” forcefully came to mind.

I am reminded often of Philippians 4:8 which says, in the New American Standard Bible (NASB):
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Also, from Psalm 1:1-2 in the New Living Translation (NLT):
Oh, the joys of those who … delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.

So, for me, sticking with songs where the lyrics reflect truth is important (so I won’t stray)…
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Gratefulness

Songs: Great is Your Mercy – Donnie McClurkin
Grateful – Hezekiah Walker

Scripture: (NKJV)
Lamentations 3:23
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Hebrews 12:28-29
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
Psalm 86:12-13a
I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore. For great is Your mercy toward me …
1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

Thank You, Lord …

For showing me, sitting at a football game, how much is gained just being a spectator. To get out of oneself and be able to support another, to cheer them on, to feel for them and with them, to want them to win / be successful, to desire they be spared the pain of losing, to hope that they learn / grow in all they are doing, to want to be proud of / for them, to be disappointed when things don’t go well...

Thank You, Lord …

For showing me where I think too highly of myself, and the thoughts and actions of lawlessness spawned by this errant perception. Thank You again for Your goodness which brings me to repentance, for Your clarity with which I am able to see the truth, for Your tender rebukes, convictions, corrections…

Thank You, Lord …

That You know all of my limitations: that I, in my flesh, am but dust – no good dwells within me - that I cannot do anything without You, that my own righteousness is as filthy rags. I thank You that You want and have better for me in Christ; You have given me eternal life, given me Your Spirit to reside in my heart by faith, removed limitations as nothing is impossible with You. You have covered my nakedness with Your righteousness, having bridged the chasm of separation from You with the cross of Christ, reconciling me to Yourself. You have given me victory where there was only defeat, life where there was only death, light where there was only darkness. Thank You for Your faithfulness to forgive my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness by the blood, the sacrifice of Jesus. Thank You that through Christ alone I am a new creation...

Song: From the Inside Out (Everlasting) – Hillsong

I am in awe, Lord God, of Your greatness, delivered and demonstrated in Your faithfulness, Your power, Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your mercy, Your grace, Your unconditional, everlasting, overarching love… Hallelujah!

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Grace … Release … Worship

Songs: If Not for Your Grace - Israel Houghton & New Breed
To Worship You I Live – Israel Houghton & New Breed

Scripture: Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.


Thank You, Lord, for the privilege, for the grace, for the release to worship You… Thank You, O God, thank You. Thank You for all of the ways in which this worship can manifest itself. Thank You for all of the gifts, talents and abilities which You have given to us to be able to worship You, and to inspire and help others worship You as well. Thank You, Lord, for loving us enough to make worship of You – pure worship, that worship for which You seek, worship in spirit and in truth – such a pleasure, such a joy, no matter the circumstances. Thank You for the ability to lose ourselves in worship, and find You there – Your love, Your joy, Your righteousness, Your power, Your peace, Your kindness, Your goodness, Your holiness, Your majesty, Lord, Your truth, Your guidance, Your correction, Your tenderness, Your mercy, Your comfort, Your purpose, Your wisdom, Your acceptance, Your understanding, Your Presence… O God, I thank You! Thank You. For all that You are. For all You have been, will be and are now to me - and to others - in us, for us, through us. For all that we are and can be in You. Thank You. Thank You for the ability to feel joy! Lord, I thank You. Thank You, Lord God, for a grateful heart, for an awareness of all for which I have to be thankful. Thank You. Thank You, Lord. Thank You. I can’t thank You enough for everything…Hallelujah! Thank You again and again and again...

... and my journey with Him continues ...

Amazing Love

Song: Whenever, Wherever, Whatever - Maxwell
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17 (AMP)
The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

The Lord sometimes sings me love songs. I never expected this in our relationship (makes me think of the Donnie McClurkin song, Who Would’ve Thought.) He takes songs that are special to me, songs that appeal to me, whatever the genre, and directs the lyrics, the love, toward me from Him. It started with pretty mellow songs – by Sade, Chante Moore, Maxwell, Howard Hewitt, etc. – but I have come to see, to know that His love can be revealed through anything.

And the love He’s gifted me on occasion to feel…amazing. So amazing that He loves so much, and that He loves me, and that He loves us, and that He is in (as within) love and that He is love…

Song: Amazing Love / You are my King
Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21 (NKJV)

Knowing God Through Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love
12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

The Consummation of Love
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

... and my journey with Him continues ...