Who else could love us so much to give his only son, as a Light to the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved? But, He came to His own and His own received him not. My brothers and sisters in Christ, we keep turning away from the Light, because we love the darkness in our lives which hides our evil deeds. Scripture reminds us, that all those who love the darkness condemn themselves, because everyone practicing evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light lest his deeds may be exposed, but he who does the truth comes to the Light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in name of God. He who walks in the Light and believes in the Light, is not condemned, but he who does not believe in the Light and walks in the darkness is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, sent, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Walk in the Light, accept the Light which is Christ, and be saved.

“For indeed, those who are far from you shall perish, for you have destroyed all those who deserted you for harlotry, but I will continually draw closer to you. “Lord, whom have I in heaven but you? There is none upon earth that I desire besides you, my heart and my flesh may fail, but God, you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. When my heart was grieved and I was vexed in my spirit, I was foolish and ignorant like a beast before you, blaming you, but now, I am continually with you, for you hold my right hand and guide me with your counsel, and I know that one day you will receive me to glory; so therefore, I will continually draw near to you and put my trust in you, that I may declare your wonderful works.” Thank you Lord

“Therefore, purge out the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed, Christ the Passover was sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Therefore, put away from yourselves the evil person, and be renewed with the mind of Christ.” Lord, show us how to lay aside all past hurts, all envy, malice, jealousy, pride and the evil way which corrupts us, and draw us further away from you, and instead be purged of the old leaven and become a new lump, filled with the goodness of God. Praise the Lord!

Lord, you are a God who makes no mistakes, all your works are wonderful, all your ways are sure, and therefore, we are trusting you for all our needs this morning. Heavenly Father, we remember before you this day, all those who are broken in mind, body, or spirit, we remember those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work, we remember those who are lost and can’t find their way, we remember the poor, the needy and the afflicted, we remember and pray for our children in this confused and troubled world, and we ask you oh God, to guide, provide, deliver, heal, restore and pardon, individually work through our struggles and confusions oh God, to show us the plans and purposes you predestined for our lives. Lord, we are confident this morning that as we lift up our needs and concerns before you, that they have not gone unheard, that you are able to do more than we desire or pray for, and therefore we are thanking you in advance for the answer to our prayers, in Jesus name we pray. Amen!

“Oh God, you are more awesome than your holy places, yes, you give strength to your people. Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you, and let those who love you continually say, “Let God be magnified!” I will hope continually and praise you yet more and more, my mouth shall tell of your righteousness and your salvation all the day long, for I do not know your limits.” Oh God, there is none like you, you are matchless in mercy and grace and power, therefore, my heart will sing your glory, and my lips shall proclaim your praise, because you are worthy. “Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.” Praise Him!

“The Lord, my God, my shepherd is, how could I want or need, in pastures green, by streams serene, he safely doth me lead. To wholesomeness he restores my soul, and doth in mercy bless, and helps me take for his namesake, the path of righteousness. Thou hast in grace my table spread, secure in all alarms, and filled my cup and bore me up in everlasting arms. Then surely I can trust thy love, for all the days to come, that I may tell thy praise and dwell, forever in thy home.” Thank you Lord, for I know your promises are true, I just need to trust in you with my whole heart; You are my Shepherd, I shall not suffer, want or need! Praise the Lord!

“Repent now everyone of his evil ways and his evil doings, do not go after other gods and serve them, and do not provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, says the Lord, and I will do you no harm, for I know my thoughts that I think towards you, are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope, then you will call upon me and I will listen to you, you will seek me and find me, and when you search for me with all your heart says the Lord, I will be found by you and I will bring you back from captivity.” Praise the Lord! Give us repentant hearts to serve you, oh God, to know you, that you are the Lord, and that we are your people and you are our God!

Are you not thankful that God has a clear view of your heart and therefore will not judge you as man does? God will judge you from the heart, but man judges you from your outward appearance, and that is why so many try to please others by showing them a good face, but, we  read in Luke 16:15, He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”  Men will judge you at face value, and they accept you because of your stature, but if only they could see a glimpse of the heart, they too will find you detestable, for Scripture also reminds us that the secret things we do are an abomination unto the Lord, and many still don’t perceive them as wrong, because Proverbs 16:2 reminds us, that, all a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. The Lord who searches the mind will reward everyone according to their deeds. Lord, the abominable sins which we hide in our hearts, cleanse us from these hidden faults, and help us to do only always, what is pleasing in your sight, so that even when a man judges us wrongly on the outside, that you will judge us from the heart. Amen!

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us, then the waters would have overwhelmed us, then the streams would have gone over our soul, but, blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth, our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowler, the snare is broken, and we have escaped. If it had not been for the Lord on our side where would we be? Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

I was watching the movie, Son of God, and it just tore me up when I saw Jesus being beaten 40 times, because that is what we do every time we sin, we beat him over and over again. But, I could say this morning, “Lord, by your stripes I am healed”. I am being healed every day. Thank you Lord!