[Praise God Using His Word-6- Praise God for His Grace]

Praise God Using His Word-6- Praise God for His Grace

1.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that, “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” (Based on Psalm 45:2)

2.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you mock proud mockers but give grace to the humble. (Based on Proverbs 3:34)

3.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you wisdom will set a garland of grace on my head and present me with a crown of splendor." (Based on Proverbs 4:9)

4.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says regarding you that, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Based on John 1:14)

5.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that,” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (Based on John 1:16)

6.I thank you and praise you Jesus because grace and truth came into the world through you. (Based on John 1:17)

7.I thank you and praise you Jesus because it is through your grace that we are saved. (Based on Acts 15:11)

8.I thank you and praise you Jesus because I am justified freely by your grace by the redemption that came through you. (Based on Romans 3:24)

9.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says,” But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.” (Based on Romans 5:15)

10.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. (Based on Romans 5:17)

11.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that sin shall not be my master, because I am not under law, but under grace. (Based on Romans 6:14)

12.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. (Based on Romans 11:5)

13.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (Based on 2 Corinthians 8:9)

14.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (Based on 2 Corinthians 9:

15.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you say that your grace is sufficient for me, for your power is made perfect in weakness." (Based on 2 Corinthians 12:9)

16.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that in you we have redemption through your blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (Based on Ephesians 1:7)

17.I thank you and praise you Jesus because God made us alive with you even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace Ihave been saved. (Based on Ephesians 2:5)

18.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Based on Ephesians 2:

19.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says that to each one of us grace has been given as you apportioned it. (Based on Ephesians 4:7)

20.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” (Based on Ephesians 6:24)

21.I thank you and praise you Jesus because your Word says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (Based on Titus 2:11)

22.I thank you and praise you Jesus because you were made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because you suffered death, so that by the grace of God you might taste death for everyone. (Based on Hebrews 2:9)

23.I thank you and praise you Jesus because we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Based on Hebrews 4:16)

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 19 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. (Job 36:15)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 19

But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. (Job 36:15)

Isn't it true that God speaks to us in our afflictions more than at other times? Suffering in our lives makes us think more about God and our relationship with him. Eventually when he delivers us from the suffering, we would have learnt more spiritual truths that would help us live as better Christians.

[Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 7 Narrated In 1 Gospel Gospel Of Luke One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11)]

Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 7

Narrated In 1 Gospel

Gospel Of Luke

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11)

“One day” as Luke the Physician starts the account here, was a special day for a fisherman called Peter. Though some of his fellow fisherman also witnessed a great miracle, this day was marked “special” for Peter.

There must have been a sizable crowd thronging which made Jesus get into one of the boats so that he could teach the people without being hassled. It was not just a chance happening that Jesus got into Peter’s boat. He knew what would happen very soon because “he” “knows everything from beginning to end”. Simon must have been happy that the Lord had chosen his boat for sitting and teaching the people. But soon he was to learn a thing or two about the kingdom of God and also a couple of things about fishing.

After Jesus had finished speaking, he asked Peter to do two things; one, to put the boat into deep water and two, to let down the nets for a catch. The fisherman instinct in Peter made him protest immediately even as he rowed out into the deep waters. He addressed Jesus as Master, but politely told him the facts that he had witnessed. More like the weathermen who give out the forecasts. He said, “"Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.” It’s no use, Peter was telling him. He was a fisherman and that too “a pro.” What could the carpenter from Nazareth teach him about fishing?

Still Peter didn’t want to disappoint the teacher whom so many adored and so he reluctantly said, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Peter didn’t know that a great “shoal of fish” had already been commanded to appear at the place where the nets were let down.

And then the miracles happened- one in the waters and the other in Peter’s heart. It was simultaneous. Luke writes, 1) “When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.”
2) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"

Why should a miraculous catch of fish change a man’s heart? “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man,” Peter said; meaning, “Lord, I am not worthy to be associated with you.” Jesus had not come to belittle him in any way but to change his calling in life. Jesus knew that Peter was one of God’s chosen ones to bring many into the kingdom of God even though he had several imperfections. Jesus had begun a work in him that would be completed only after his (Jesus’) resurrection where Peter would be brought to repentance by him and then he would finally be empowered by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost day and become the “Apostle to the Jews.”

"Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." said Jesus. Now what did that mean? Peter must have wondered. So would have James and John, his partners in the fishing business. Well, they didn’t ask Jesus immediately. They just left their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Many who are called to the Lord’s work shrink back because of their imperfections. Jesus calls because he has chosen and he can work through the imperfections like he did with Peter and create a totally different person when his work is completed.

Whatever happened to all the fish they caught? Perhaps the watchers (Jesus’ listeners) had a great feast that day.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:18)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 18

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. (Job 11:18)

Our hope and security must be in Jesus Christ, not market analysis, expert opinions, intelligent forecasts & wisdom of the wise. All these are good upto an extent but what really matters for a child of God is his ability to trust in the faithfulness of his God.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 17 Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:20,21)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 17

Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. (Job 8:20,21)

Sometimes we may feel that God has rejected us and is strengthening the hands of evildoers. But those are just wrong feelings when we pass through bad times. His promise is that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Take heart. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 16 In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. (Job 5:20)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 16

In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword. (Job 5:20)

Even during recessions, the faithfulness of God doesn't change. He who sustained Isaac during the famine and gave him a 100 fold yield still lives and is able to take care of you and your family. Trust in his faithfulness.

[Praise Devotionals- 17 When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose." (1 Chronicles 23:1-5)]

Praise Devotionals- 17

When David was old and full of years, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. He also gathered together all the leaders of Israel, as well as the priests and Levites. The Levites thirty years old or more were counted and the total number of men was thirty-eight thousand. David said, "Of these, twenty-four thousand are to supervise the work of the temple of the Lord and six thousand are to be officials and judges. Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose." (1 Chronicles 23:1-5)

Towards the end of the above passage we read that David set apart 4000 Levites for worship. They were supposed to praise the Lord with musical instruments that David had provided for this purpose.

That must have been a sizable crowd at every worship session not counting the commoners.

Worship has great importance in God’s presence if offered with a pure heart. The psalmist sang:” Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. (Psalm 33:1)Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. (Psalm 33:2)Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. (Psalm 33:3)

3 exhortations are given in the above verses: 1) If we worship God, it must be with a pure heart.2) Let the worship be accompanied with musical instruments.3) Let the worship be fresh and strong.

It doesn’t mean that worship without instruments is not pleasing to the Lord. Neither does it mean that singing old songs make the worship dull. It’s all a matter of the heart. God looks at our hearts while we lift his name with praises. If our hearts are pure, our worship is acceptable. If we are not right with God or we live in disobedience to his Word, the worship becomes meaningless.

Yet, it is remarkable that David should set apart 4000 Levites for this purpose. God inhabits the praises of his people, so shouldn’t we praise him all the more? Yes, we should.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 15 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 15

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

Is your heart fully committed to the Lord? If it is, you have nothing to fear. He will strengthen you in all situations, even when you are without strength and helpless.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 14 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 14

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:7)

Promise given to king Asa during a time of great unrest and turmoil in Israel. When Asa heard this prophecy of Azariah he took courage. Be strengthened this day! Whatever you are doing for the Lord will also be rewarded in due time.

[Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 6 Narrated In 1 Gospel Gospel Of Luke And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, `Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.' "And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. "But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. (Luke 4:23-30)]

Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 6

Narrated In 1 Gospel

Gospel Of Luke

And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, `Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.' "And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown. "But I say to you in truth, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went His way. (Luke 4:23-30)

The miracle part in this passage comes only in the last verse where Luke writes that Jesus passed through the midst of the crowd and he went his way. Jesus got involved in what we call nowadays as “Mob Fury.” Well, the mob happened to be people who had come to worship God in the synagogue. That’s nothing new I guess. Jesus touched a few raw nerve endings by his telling them how hypocritical they were. This enraged the people in the synagogue and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff.

How could he pass through their midst without them knowing? It was an impossible situation. Yet for him, everything was possible. Did he make himself invisible? Did he change his appearance by a divine miracle? Or did he move in their midst with lightning speed? We don’t know how he did it, but he managed to escape from their clutches, for his time had not yet come.

He did not resist the people who came to arrest him in the garden of Gethsemane, for he knew it was in the plan and will of God. He had to go through that to reach the cross and thus he did not resist. If he wanted he could have asked his Father for help and it would be have been available to him in the twinkling of an eye. As he himself said, “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 26:53). But he did not ask for help, knowing that it was his Father’s will for him to undergo the insult and sufferings that followed.

Here, in the passage above, Satan was trying to nip Jesus’ ministry in the bud and this he wouldn’t allow. The devil was trying hard to finish him off and that Jesus didn’t allow. He knew he had much more to do before dying on the cross for providing salvation to humankind. He always moved according to the Father’s plan. And so should we.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 13 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 13

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

People of God are called to humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways for healing to come to their land where scores of unbelievers live. Humbling ourselves, praying and seeking God's face and turning from our wicked ways are all vital for God to work out his plans in the places that we live.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 12 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 12

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:

Promise given to Joshua by God Almighty and fulfilled. The only time that Joshua failed was when he overlooked sin in the Israelite camp during the conquest of Ai. Of course he fell prey to the Gibeonite deception too. Otherwise God gave him victory over every situation that he encountered, be it the crossing of the Jordan or the conquest of Jericho or the battle with the kings. Meditating on God's Word and living for him always brings blessings.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 11 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, `Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 11

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, `Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Eternal & Everlasting, Mighty God, A perfect refuge you are! How wonderful to know that your arms carry all who trust in you. Your faithfulness endures through all generations.

[Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 5 Narrated In 1 Gospel Gospel Of Mark They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."(Mark 8:22-26)]

Miracles Of Jesus In The Gospels- Bible Study- 5

Narrated In 1 Gospel

Gospel Of Mark

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."(Mark 8:22-26)

Jesus healed the blind in many ways. Sometimes he just said a word to heal, at other times he touched their eyes. In the gospel of John Ch.9 we read that, to cure a blind man, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes and then told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam and the man went and washed, and came home seeing. Here, in the Gospel of Mark, we again see him doing something unusual. Mark writes that “some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.”Jesus acted here out of compassion and also seeing the faith of the people who brought the man. They must have wondered what Jesus was doing? Taking the blind man by the hand and leading him outside the village. Then he did the unimaginable. He spit on the man’s eyes. Most of the people following him must have cringed at that, but soon they would be witnesses to yet another glorious miracle. He did not command anything here after spitting, but put his hands on the man’s eyes and asked him whether he saw anything. His sight was restored but not to perfection because the man replied, “I see people; they look like trees walking around."

What could that imply? Why wasn’t the man’s sight restored to perfection when Jesus put his hands on the man initially? Did he not have enough faith to do the miracle? Impossible, because giving sight to the blind or any other healing, deliverance or restoration was as simple for him as the blinking of the eyes or like the respiration of a healthy person. No undue effort taken, just the natural. When God does a miracle, it’s a miracle for us; for Him it’s a simple thing. God who can call “light” out of nothingness by just saying, “Let there be light” can do anything that he wishes. And that too with perfection.

Perhaps Jesus wanted to see the reactions of the people who followed him when he did not stand up to their expectations, even if it was for just a moment. He knew what went on in the minds of everyone around and maybe he was just checking. Of course, many thought he had failed them, when he submitted to his opposers when his time had come to be crucified. Many may have asked themselves, “Why can’t he just destroy his foes for he is all powerful?” Just a word from him would have been enough to crush his enemies. But Jesus was on another mission which not many realized or understood.

Would the man have been happy with such imperfect vision? Depends! If he was one who had good vision earlier and then gone blind due to some sickness, he would have known what it was to see clearly and so would have desired perfect vision. Perhaps he would have then doubted the healing powers of this prophet from Nazareth. If he had been one who was born blind, he wouldn’t know what perfection was and would have settled for less.

To lay all doubts and arguments at rest, Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes again. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Another glorious miracle was witnessed by his followers.

God can choose to heal in any way that he desires. We don’t have to tell him how to do it; just pray that he does it.

[Simple Thoughts On Promises- 10 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. (Deuteronomy 28:2-6)]

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 10

All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. (Deuteronomy 28:2-6)

Deuteronomy 28 is a chapter which details the blessings and curses that would come upon the Israelites depending on their obedience to God. Wonder why they chose to disobey more than to obey the Lord? They had a choice and most of them opted for the bad, well knowing that it would spell disaster.