New Every Morning~September 11

[Al Moak]

How to repay God

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Morning Devotional...


Psalm 116:12-14. "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?  I will take the cup of salvaton, and call upon the Name of the Lord.  I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people."


This psalm is a "thank-you song."  God had mavelously delivered the psalmist from near death and from the taunts of people who were spreading the rumour that he was deathly sick only because he had committed some sort of awful wickedness.  He says here, though, that God has "delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."

But now he had a new dilemma - what could he possibly do to repay such lovingkindness?  It's a question we all must face, because our Lord has been so gracious to each of us.  For many of us it's our first experience of receiving gifts for which there is no possibility of repayment.

In the verses before us, the psalmist gives us the only possible answer.  He tells us to repay our Lord's gifts by taking more from Him!  He says, "I will tke the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord!"

Of course it's true that he also said, "I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people."  But we need to realize that his "vow" was simply to render thanks and praise to the Lord.  He tells us that he will do that immediately - by taking all that God has to give!

How then will you give thanks today for your Father's good gifts?  Do it by taking all He offers you today!
Al Moak

AMAZING GRACE
(Click title to hear music)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We?ve no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

[Jane Walker]

Thanks Al.  Yes indeed AMAZING GRACE ... Our God is an awesome God for sure!

I've beem reading arround this forum and really did have something profound to say ... I just can't remember what it was.     Oh well, y'all have a great day in the Lord and I'll be back atcha later .... really!

[Jeannine]

Thanks for the food for thought.

Morning Jane and everyone.

The devotional this morning really gives food for thought. I've been thinkiing about it and there is no way to pay God back for all the things He has done for us. All I can do is just praise Him, worship and give my life and my all back to Him.

There is a song called "Blessed be Your Name" and the lyrics say it all:

Blessed Be Your Name
by Matt Redman
- - -
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name


Blessings to you all and have a great day in Jesus our sustainer!
<><Jeannine

[Pat]

Good Morning to all...

Hi Jane! 

Jeannine, those are wonderful words in that song.  Thanks for sharing them with us.

Al, what a wonderful way to start the day today.  Thanks so much.  We definitely could never repay our Saviour for what He has given to us.


Let's continue to share today our favourite verses.

[Pat]

I just came in again to listen to Amazing Grace once more.  I have it playing now in the background.  Thanks for this hymn today, Al.

[ohenry]

The words, the tune, the subject....Amazing Grace is my all-time favorite gospel hymn!  Thanks Al.

[Janet]

Good morning!  Busy, busy day----appointments, errands, business calls, taking Beth to the dentist......feels like MONDAY.

I must run, but will be back later to chat a bit.

[Etta Sue]

My favorite Bible verse?  Hmm!  Well, there are several but I love Joshua 24:15...As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.  And I was fortunate when decorating this house when moving in, I found a painting with that verse at the bottom.  It is hanging in my bathroom.  I know.  A weird place to hang a painting but it works! 

Today is mowing day.  The sunshine comes and goes and I hope to get the mowing done before the rain comes that is predicted.  Then this evening is Photography Guild. 

It sure feels like fall out there.  When I took my trash out, it was quite nippy! 

^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+^+

[Al Moak]

Jeanine, Pat, et al - Yes, there really is no way we can ever pay Him back for all He's done - EXCEPT this one:  we can pay Him back (only) by continually taking all He has.

[Marilyn]

Good Morning, Hey Al Thanks for the devotional and for Amazing Grace my all time favorite then As the deer is next after that. When I sing Amazing grace it  is so hard to keep the tears at bay.

I am trying out a new  well I will call it a supplement although it is more like  something really good to drink. Some friends gifted it to me yesterday when we went out for lunch after church to Applebees.

Woo Hoo I have to whole day off, I am going to Tai Chi, to recycle my cardboard and newspapers then to the store to buy some Distilled water for my CPAP machine and bottled water as that is all I drink. The age of this house and old pipes I am leery of drinking the tap water.  will work on my quilt some more today and take the dogs for a walk. I will be praising the Lord all day long for His blessings He has given to me.

Thank you for praying for the Drake family, Don isn't doing very well. (the husband)

TTYL

[Samantha]

Morning y'all!

My favorite bible verse?

look down

[Sue]

Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

[Jane Walker]

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands.  Ps. 138:8 NIV


Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him ... Jeremiah 17:8 NIV

[Janet]

God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of love, power, and a sound mind.  2 Tim.1:7

I have loved this verse since I first "discovered" it years ago.  It was a a very tough time in my life, when I felt no love, was living in daily fear for my very life, wasn't sure my mind was sound, and certainly felt powerless.  I was reading the word one day, and this verse literally jumped off the page and into my heart.  It was the beginning of a powerful healing and total change in my life, and I will always thank my precious Lord for speaking this verse directly into my heart.

Very emotional day, watching the remembrances of 9-11-01 on TV, on TBN.  It is sad that the wake-up call we got that day has been forgotten, or at least people have chosen to hit the snooze button.

Beth needs a Bruxton Splint (for TMJ), a cleaning and a filling in one tooth, had a total set of xrays, for a total cost  of $630.00.  Always something.

I have more Reliv business to do, so better get with it!

[Pat]

Hello Everyone...

It's so nice to read your favourite verses.

I'll repeat mine from the other day...

Phil. 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

[mybcjazz]

Good Morning!

You asked for a favorite verse...how about a favorite chapter?!?  I read the Bible last year w/o any of the chapter and verse numbers.  Much better!

In His Grip,
Kevin

(I dare you to read my favorite all the way through!)

Isaiah 53

     Who believes what we've heard and seen?
      Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?
 
     The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
      a scrubby plant in a parched field.
   There was nothing attractive about him,
      nothing to cause us to take a second look.
   He was looked down on and passed over,
      a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
   One look at him and people turned away.
      We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
   But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
      our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
   We thought he brought it on himself,
      that God was punishing him for his own failures.
   But it was our sins that did that to him,
      that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
   He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
      Through his bruises we get healed.
   We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
      We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
   And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
      on him, on him.
 
     He was beaten, he was tortured,
      but he didn't say a word.
   Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
      and like a sheep being sheared,
      he took it all in silence.
   Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
      and did anyone really know what was happening?
   He died without a thought for his own welfare,
      beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
   They buried him with the wicked,
      threw him in a grave with a rich man,
   Even though he'd never hurt a soul
      or said one word that wasn't true.
 
     Still, it's what God had in mind all along,
      to crush him with pain.
   The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
      so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
      And God's plan will deeply prosper through him.
 
     Out of that terrible travail of soul,
      he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
   Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
      will make many "righteous ones,"
      as he himself carries the burden of their sins.

   Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly—
      the best of everything, the highest honors—
   Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch,
      because he embraced the company of the lowest.
   He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
      he took up the cause of all the black sheep.

[ohenry]

Wonderful choice, Kevin! 

[Marilyn]

" Be anxious for nothing but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your requests known to God, and the peace that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

"May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, may your whole heart body soul and spirit be found blameless at he coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He who has called you is faithful and will do that." 1 Thess. 5:22-25

[Larry Hanna]

Hi everyone.  The last couple of days have been so busy that I didn't post at all yesterday and now it is 5 pm plus and just getting caught up on the postings.  Thanks for the devotional thoughts.  As always each one contains some nugget of truth that stands out. 

I am so sorry to read of the new hospitalization for Judy McK.  That poor lady has had such a terrible time and to have two hips in bad shape must certainly be a terrible thing.  Pat, when you have a chance perhaps you could find out her address so we might send some cards or notes of encouragement. 

I am too tired right now to think very coherently so will just say I have enjoyed reading all the postings.  Maybe tomorrow won't be quite as hectic.

Larry

[Al Moak]

I'm so glad for our relationship in our Lord!  I'm glad it's expressed here on this site in love one to another.  I'd truly miss y'all if you weren't here!

My verse is 2 Cor. 4:6.  "But God Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ."  A very close second choice is John 6:37.  "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."

Well, I guess I could bring out lots and lots of Scriptures, but one more won't hurt: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me.  Bless His holy Name!"

That was great Kevin.  I did read it in the prescribed manner, and it's great that way.

[Ed]

Let's continue to share today our favourite verses.

Mine used t.b. Rev 3:20  "Behold I stand at the door and knock...."  it meant so much to me as a new christian in 1972 because He knocked for 20 years before I answered.

Though I still like Rev 3:20, my favorite has become John 10:10b  "He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly."  I use it whenever I sign anything...cards etc....  I know a lot of people that do not have an abundant life and I always hope that they would ask me what the abundant life is.

[ohenry]

I find it hard to pick a favorite.  Every time I read and study, I find something new that becomes my "new" favorite.  No doubt...it's the greatest book I've ever read!  And each day, He shows me something new.  Isn't it great?

[Sarah]

a favorite verse huh? thats easy... been one i have learned and use often
1 Timothy 4:12:
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

I like it because it puts all believers on the same level and instructs us to be an example to others!
anways been a busy day... and i still have inventory tonight!! anyways i'm off to do homework adios
Sarah

[Liz]

Thanks for the great devotional.

Nicely stated, Sarah. 

I am really enjoying reading about everyone's fav. from the Bible.  Hard to make a choice, but these are what I wrote in the front of my own Bible.

James 4:8  " Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

Ephesians 6:12-13

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies - the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness, who rule this world; and against the huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up."

     I am still standing!

Possibly the most fav. of all is the one I have on the wall in front of my computer.  Something that it is always necessary for me to be reminded about:

Ps. 46:10   "Be still and know that I am God."

Time to go and get Misty inside for the evening and start my dinner.  Actually, re-heat from the other night!

Pleasant Evening/Day (I read it all Kevin) and God Bless.

Liz

[Janet]

Lots of good Scriptures here today!

I have posted photos of Abby's baptism in the gallery.

Hi, Sarah!  You do stay busy, girl!  

Kevin, I also read it all!  Very good.  Is that from The Message?

Liz, I agree, no way can I choose just one.  Like the best blessing, it is the one we need most at any given time!

Larry, get some rest, brother. 

[Marilyn]

I read it al too Kevin.

I had to go pick Ruth up from the hospital again and fix her something to eat. She keeps having dizzy spells and she get so scared and calls 911 and goes to the hospital. The ru a bunch of tests and every thing comes back normal. I am going to have to go there more often.

Well the Pres. is coming on now. I will see what he has to say.

[Ruth]

My favorite verse on school bus days and all days really.

Psalm 121:8

The Lord shall presere thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

[SmokeytheDog]

I came across this verse when I was a new Christian working the night shift for a contract guard company. Since then it's been my life verse. (I still work the night shift 20 years later)

Psa 127:1b  ...Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awake in vain. 

[Jane Walker]

Lots of good Scriptures here today!

Kevin, I also read it all!  Very good.  Is that from The Message?

Liz, I agree, no way can I choose just one.  Like the best blessing, it is the one we need most at any given time!

I'm not Kevin but I'll answer for him ... yup that's from The Message.  (and I read it all, too).
I also agree with you Janet about picking a favorite.  It's just the one that is needed at the moment.  
All of the scriptures posted in here have special meaning.  I have many others but chose only two.  

Heading off to look at your newly posted photos now ...............  

P.S. I forgotted something: RUTH I love your new photo! WhooHooooo    

[Ruth Ann Bice]

And, a snatch of my favorite verse is found at the bottom of all my messages. God does indeed give us a whole day full of new mercies every morning. How I lean on those verses!  Lamentations 3.

Ruth Ann