Dear God, Here I am, in awe of Your tremendous love and power. I too am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate me from Your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (based on Romans 8:38-39). My identity is not in my job, my profession, nor any other thing, but in You. I am convinced that no matter what happens, I am a precious human being in Your sight and Your love, grace, and mercy will always sustain me. Thank you so much. In Jesus' name, amen.
The Name of Jesus for this week with Ann Spangler at Crosswalk.com
Hope you will join us each weekend, starting on Friday, sharing from what we read or would like to share about the Name of Jesus for that week. In lieu, of Good Friday, we will not be sharing this week, but perhaps you may like to reflect about the LION of the Tribe of Judah.
I strongly recommend that you sign up this week or go to the link at Crosswalk and read daily. The Lion of Judah is perfect for this week as we look to the VICTORY Jesus won when He went to the Cross. Jesus willingly went to the Cross, fulfilling every detail the Father had given Him for His mission here. "Having won the struggle for our souls it was as though the great Lion of Judah had roared from the cross itself." ~ Ann Spangler
The Name
Only once in the New Testament is Jesus described as a lion. The book of Revelation (named in part for what it reveals about Christ) portrays the risen Jesus as the only one worthy to open the scroll that contains the ultimate unfolding of God's purposes for the world. The apostle John perceived Jesus as both Lion and Lamb, who through his death and resurrection becomes the ultimate victor and conqueror. When you pray to Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, you are praying to the One with the power to banish all fear, to the One who watches over you with his fierce protecting love. You are also praying to the One who is judge of the living and the dead.
Key Scripture I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."Revelation 5:4 - 5
~ from Ann Spangler, "Praying the Names of Jesus" (the devotional at Crosswalk) (her words will always be shared in "red")
In the Hebrew Scriptures, Yahweh is sometimes depicted as a lion who roars in judgment against the nations and against his own faithless people.
But he is also depicted as a mighty lion who fights fiercely on behalf of his people.
Revelation depicts the risen Christ as the mightiest of all victors. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the one found worthy to open the scrolls of history, meaning that he is in charge of history and of how the world's destiny unfolds.
Other Scriptures to READ that Ann shares this week:
This past week, the NAME was "BRIGHT, MORNING STAR"... in
"PRAYING THE NAMES of JESUS"
by Ann Spangler
The Name
In the last chapter of the book of Revelation, Jesus calls himself the "bright Morning Star." In ancient times, the morning star was thought of as a herald of the new day, signaling the dawn of hope and joy. The brightest object in the sky aside from the sun and moon, it is a fitting type for Christ, who ushers in a new day for the entire world. When you call on Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, you are calling on the One from whom all darkness flees.
Key Scripture
"I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."
So I have chosen the following song to reflect on Jesus as the Bright, Morning Star
Jesus You're Beautiful
with CeCe Winans singing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz8FSUNFXHM
With much personal reflection, thought and prayer during this time, I have decided to share the daily devotional of Crosswalk.com of Ann Spangler's "Praying the Names of Jesus" here at "THE POWER OF YOUR LOVE" each week because I am so enjoying the current studies, "Praying the Names of God".
However, Crosswalk is already in the 14th week with their devotionals of this, because they started at the beginning of the year. I wish that I would have thought of this then, rather than attempt my series on our Identity in Christ and the freedom we have in Him. I needed a focus and I was receiving it in my email every day and so can you. Just go to Crosswalk.com and sign up for Ann Spangler, "Praying the Names of Jesus" devotional... or get her book
DO I NEED THE BOOK?
I've chosen to do this now, because it's currently available and you can easily view it on-line, or receive it in your own personal email, which I hope helps those who cannot afford the book currently. But I'm sure you'll want these books in your collection to reuse again and again, as you call upon the Name of the Lord, and pray in His Name.
I do not want this to conflict with your Monday studies, or add to an already busy schedule, or take away from those sharing in those studies that are happening.
I hope you see this as an extension or continuation of the other studies and it will not be as intensive as those, but more of a sharing.
***HOW DO I SHARE?:
I will try to share on Sundays/Mondays, which Name and then we can share on FRIDAYs through the weekend, what we have read, or any way that you would like to reflect on that Name of Jesus... in song, poem, reflections, teachings, art, graphics, photos, answer the questions, share from the teaching, ... it's really your choice how you reflect on the Name that we are Praying each week. You can join in on any Name, at any time.
What would have been appropriate for this WEEK might have been MESSIAH or KING, or Lamb of God, but I'm sure you'll LOVE the NAME that ends up being Week Fourteen when you see it followed by the wonderful Name that follows that we will be starting with on Week Fifteen.
Yes, we've missed a lot of the great Names, but you can go back in the archives at Crosswalk or BUY ANN'S BOOK or wait for the next time around or someone does this study from the start.
Here are the Names that have already been covered (linked to each Monday only with Crosswalk):
This means they are half way through the Names of Jesus in Ann's book. At that time they may start over with "Praying the Names of God" (at least that's what's happened in the previous years).
I started to pray about this decision on Week 9 but at that time the other study was almost ready to start, so I waited and prayed each time as I read my daily devotional in my email (when Lord?), wanting to share it, burning inside of me more and more to share until I noticed ...
And I knew that I had to start, because this Name means so much to me, but I will not be doing any blogging this week on any blog, except sharing music at Amazing Grace... mostly, because I am honoring my time with JESUS CHRIST...
"I will hide underneath Your wing, Father, cover me!"
Cindy Cruse Ratcliff singing her own song "I Cry Out"...
May God draw you closer and allow Cindy's words to minister as you trust in the God of your salvation! He is your hope, your strength, and your King just as He is hers and mine. Trust in Him and allow Him to renew you today!
Touch my dear sisters in Christ and friends O Lord and meet them as them cry out and come to You!
Why not read "Jesus is Our Cornerstone" ? and allow scriptures and Ann Spangler to speak the Name of Jesus from "Praying in the Names of Jesus" for a better understanding.
"PRAYING THE NAMES OF JESUS" from the book by Ann Spangler.
I recently shared one at "The Lighthouse of Prayer" so those who come would join in praying the name of Jesus for that week.
This past week the NAME to focus on throughout the week was:
Ann Spangler explains THE NAME "CORNERSTONE/ CAPSTONE" like this:
The Name
Stones were used for building altars, homes, palaces, and temples. When "capstone" or "cornerstone" is mentioned in the Bible, it refers to a particularly important stone that held two rows of stones together in a corner, one that stabilized the structure at the foundation, or one that formed the keystone over an arch or at the top of a roof parapet. In order to hold the structure together, the cornerstone had to be perfectly fitted for the task, both strong and well shaped. A flawed or poorly cut stone would compromise the building's integrity
Jesus is the Cornerstone or Capstone to which we are joined as living stones. Together we form a spiritual house in which God can dwell. As the foundation stone on which God is building his kingdom, Jesus is strong enough to hold everything together. He is also the fitting conclusion to all God's work. When you pray to him as the Cornerstone, you are praying to the One on whom you can base your life.
Key Scripture Jesus looked directly at them and asked, "Then what is the meaning of that which is written: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone'?"Luke 20:17 As the EASTER season is quickly approaching, it is so right for us to be reflecting on the Name of JESUS and the Names of Jesus like CORNERSTONE/CAPSTONE Here are the PROMISES in SCRIPTURE: So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed." Isaiah 28:16 If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. . . . "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9, 13 Continue to PRAY AND PRAISE HIM as we... Rely on the Lord, who is your rock and refuge. (Psalm 18:2) Praise Jesus, who has become the cornerstone. (John 2:13 - 20) Recall that there is only one foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11) Remember that you are no longer your own. You are a living stone, being built into a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:4 - 9) Repent so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:1 - 4:12) Pray for God's chosen people to believe in his Son. (Luke 19:41 - 44)
Other SCRIPTURES of FOCUS through the week were:
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Matthew 7:24 - 27
As You Reflect On: Matthew 7:24 - 27.
Praise God: Because He cannot be shaken.
Confess: Any fear you may have about the future.
Offer Thanks: For all the ways Christ has steadied you in times of trouble.
Ask God: To increase your confidence in His love and care.
***************
The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,he is the one you are to fear,he is the one you are to dread,
and he will be a sanctuary;
but for both houses of Israel he will be
a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people
of Jerusalem he will be
a trap and a snare. Isaiah 8:13 - 14 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." Matthew 24:1 - 2
Reflect On: Isaiah 8:13 - 14 and Matthew 24:1 - 2.
Praise God: For dwelling with us.
Confess: Any patterns of self-reliance that keep you from relying on God.
Offer Thanks: That God is a refuge for you.
Ask God: For the grace to be a refuge for others.
*****************
Reflect On: Luke 20:9 - 19 and Romans 9:30 - 32.
Praise God: Whose plans and purposes endure forever.
Confess: Any tendency to water down the gospel or reduce it to a list of dos and don'ts.
Offer Thanks: That God did not give up on us.
Ask God: To renew your faith in Jesus.
****************
As we read and reflect on Luke 20:9 - 19
Understanding the Name
When Jesus quoted the passage from Psalm 118:22, referring to the stone the builders rejected, he was pointing to his rejection by the Jewish nation and its leaders. But despite their rejection, God's purposes could not be thwarted.
In fact, the master builder would make Jesus, through his death and resurrection, the Akrogoniaios Lithos (ah-krogo-nee-EYE-os LI-thos), capstone or cornerstone, on which he would build.
The New Testament portrays the whole community of believers as a holy temple in which God dwells.
To those who reject Jesus and his saving message, he will be not a cornerstone but a stone of stumbling, because rejection of God's chosen one inevitably brings judgment.
As an interesting side note, the royal name was often inscribed on the cornerstone, and among the ancient Canaanites before the time of Joshua, the laying of the foundation stone was often accompanied by human sacrifice. Tragically, a number of skeletons, especially those of small babies in earthen jars, have been found at various sites.
Lord, Jesus, You are the cornerstone on which God is building. I pray that You will help me to build my life on You in a way that makes me a vital, living stone, so that I may be part of God's dwelling place on earth.
What do you think it means to build your life on Jesus as the Cornerstone? What does it mean that Jesus is a stone that people will fall on?
