God is Greater

Hey Treasures, how is it going??  I hope and pray that you are having a great week.

Have you ever had those days when you just feel tired or when you are battling shame, guilt, condemnation?  Days when you are just wounded, the pain in your heart is not letting up?  When sorrow suffocates you and you just feel like you can not take another breathe?

I have had these days sometimes all that and some all in a day. In our lives here in this world, we will go through things, we will experience things. Many times we allow our emotions to get the best of us. We allow the enemy to whisper lies right into our ear when he should be no wear near our ears but rather under our feet.  He has been defeated.

We can overcome doubts, fears, hurts, condemnation, lies and sin. We are no longer bound to any of this " `cause the cross already won the war" (from the song Greater by MercyMe)

Romans 6:6-7 The Voice (VOICE)
⁶ We know this: whatever we used to be with our old sinful ways has been nailed to His cross. So our entire record of sin has been canceled, and we no longer have to bow down to sin’s power. ⁷ A dead man, you see, cannot be bound by sin.

Source

This is why it is so important for us to read our Bibles, and read them again and then read them once again! The bible is clear and it is not a book of rules for us to follow. It is God's very own love letter to you and to me. It is the greatest love story there is and you know what Mr. Aguila and I have a pretty amazing love story BUT God's love for us is far GREATER. 

A few months ago, I started listening to AIR 1, a Christian music station. The stations mission statement is pretty cool, "To Create Compelling Media that Inspires and Encourages You to Have a Meaningful Relationship With Christ." (Read this on their About section on the website).  The website is pretty cool as well. You can look up the songs and listen, buy them and/or find the lyrics.

On my way to work I usually start my day with this station and the other day while driving into work, I heard this song by Mercy Me. I am sharing the video because it's pretty cool. The video has the lyrics but I want to share them with you.
No matter what is going on with us we must remember this scripture,
1 John 4:4  The Voice (VOICE)
My children, you have come from God and have conquered these spirits because the One who lives within you is greater than the one in this world.


MercyMe - Greater 
From the album Welcome To The New
Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don't you know that's not your name
You will always be much more to me

Everyday I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I'm not right
But that's alright

‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There'll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

Every time I fall
There'll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well, that's ok

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
‘Cause the cross already won the war
He's greater
He's greater
I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more
He's greater
He's greater



I am still trying to keep up with 30 days of Radical Growth with Havilah Cunnington and you can also watch the videos here. They are each about 7 minutes long so you can catch up really quick. The playlist for the devotion is HERE.

So I pray that we all begin to walk in the power and authority that God has given us and that we remember that He is greater than any fear, any sin, any doubt, any condemnation, any lie, any emotion and His grace is sufficient. Let us continue to press forward and love Him more and more and continual in radical growth, In Jesus name amen.

Update on Life as Mrs. Aguila

Hey Treasures, praying you are doing well and thank you for stopping by today.  I know I am not consistent on here and surely I thought that would improve in 2014 but it seems like it got worse. Two whole months without blogging, say what?  I am wondering if any of my other fellow bloggers struggle with this?

I honestly have so many topic ideas to blog about BUT I just haven't had the time to sit and dedicate it to this here blog.  I guess I didn't realize initially, how much time goes into each blog post. I admire all bloggers who post daily plus include amazing photos. 

There is a lot going on in Life as Mrs. Aguila right now and well I just don't have the time to dedicate to my blog.  It does make me sad because I love blogging and writing my heart and sharing about make up and my outfits and my shopping and my shoes and well Life as Mrs. Aguila.

I am very blessed, I can not speak about my life without speaking about Jesus and what He has done in my life. He has transformed me and while I am still a work in progress, I have also had a lot of progress in the past 8 years and if I continue to focus on what still needs work, it takes away from what the Lord has already done. 

God has healed my broken heart, He has filled up the many voids I felt in my heart, He has delivered me from addiction, He has filled me with LOVE, He has given me purpose, He has blessed me with an amazing husband, He has restored my life and lit up my path that leads towards my destiny.

Blessed is the only word that comes to mind when I think of the season that Mr. Aguila and I  are in right now.

We are in the process of moving. I didn't think moving would be so tiring.  We don't have a lot of stuff or so I thought.  Funny thing my kitchen has taken me the longest time and I am not even a cooker or baker or home maker although right now I am blogging while dinner is on the stove. 

So this week is packing time.  We got the keys to our new place yesterday so today at lunch time, me and the Mr. dropped off our first load of stuff. Saturday is the big moving day so more busy days ahead but once I am settled in, I will begin to blog more and share all the ideas I have for this here little space of mine on the world wide web.

Thanks again for stopping by and you can always find me on social media. The links are on the upper right hand corner.

And be sure to enter this $500 Cash Giveaway. There is still a few more days left.
For the Love of Cash Giveaway

Follow Me Bible Study {Week 3} Delight in God

Hello Beautiful Treasures, how are you doing?  I am sorry I took  break without any notice.  It wasn't really planned but with birthday weekend, I needed a couple of days to catch up at home and do all that fun stuff we love, clean house, do laundry, cook, clean up and start all over again.

  

I did leave you with some great giveaways so I hope you have entered them. 

PIER 1 $50 GIFT CARD (ends 10/24) // $750 PAYPAL CASH (ends 10/27) // $225 PAYPAL CASH (ends 10/31)

 I am behind on my reading for...

This is what I have so far for this week.

Week 3

"DELIGHT IN GOD"

 

This week’s Scripture Memory

source: Pinterest

This week in a daily break down

I usually will share what stood out to me the most from each day (There is a lot of good points throughout the days, from what I have read and l only share one but this week it will be different because I haven't read through the week or taken notes on all the days.

I hope that you will join us on this bible study and share with us what stood out to you, ask questions and/or leave comments.

 

Day One – Our Father

The creator of the universe is my Father, this chapter really spoke to me. It touches on "God Delights in Us" and "We Delight in God".  These are to two subtitles in this chapter. 

 

In the God Delights In Us section, David Platt says that in the Old Testament God is rarely described as Father; 15 times to be exact. He says in the New Testament, in the Gospels alone, we see God described as Father 165 different times and 164 of them occur when Jesus is teaching His disciples.  He uses the Sermon on the Mount, as an example, where Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray.  You know the Our Father prayer right? David Platt says, "Amazingly, this is the first time in the Bible where anyone is encouraged to pray to God as Father.

 

~~"Jesus' words are both astounding and significant.  As Christians, we have the distinct privilege of knowing, worshipping, talking, and relating to God as "our Father.”  BY DAVID PLATT, page 66

 

What a privilege this is indeed to call the creator.  of the universe Abba Father! Jesus tore the veil and now we can now talk to directly to our Father in heaven.

 

==EVEN NOW RUN INTO HIS ARMS AND SAY, "MY FATHER."=

 

This is somewhat of a struggle for me.  My dad died when I was five.  I have distinctive memories of him and I and then one day we got the sad new that my died dad, even now it brings me to tears.  I remember that day so clearly.  I remember I was in my mom's room playing Lite Brite with my brothers and my cousins. I can still hear my mom screaming "NO, NO, NO"!!!! and banging on the wall while on the phone.

Although I was only five, I had a great relationship with my dad. I was daddy's little girl. My mom says when he would go out, all I would do was cry for him.  The void in my heart even now has me typing and crying.  After all these years it still hurts.  I use to think my dad abandoned me.  I was so young  I didn't understand. I battle or have battled a fear of abandonment because of this deep wound.  This also makes for a difficult time to fully embrace God almighty as my Heavenly Father.  Growing up without my dad was a challenge BUT the void in my heart and the pain deep within me affected me more than I care to admit. 

I want the wall removed so I can run into God's arms and say "My Father."  A part of me even feels guilty because all my life (well since I was five) I longed for my daddy's love and I searched for it. Oh let me tell you, I searched in ALL the wrong places.  encountering Jesus has helped me a lot BUT I am still a work in progress and I know the God reveals to heal.  As this stuff services and the ache in my heart becomes ever so real, I find comfort knowing that through this God is healing me and He promises to never leave me nor forsake me and I can feel safe with my Heavenly Father and hold onto the memories of my daddy.

Thank you for reading. I pray you were blessed.  This book has my attention. Please make sure  to stop by Satisfaction Through Christ’s to read  Christie's discussion on the this week’s reading and also check back with us every Wednesday for the next 3 weeks for the rest of this study.

God bless you and if you have any prayer requests please leave me a comment or send me an email and we will lift up your needs in Jesus name.



Follow Me Bible Study {Week 2} Be Transformed

Hello Treasures and welcome to Week 2 of the Follow Me Bible Study series with Satisfaction Through Christ.

This week’s Focus

Be transformed.

 

This week’s Scripture Memory

John 15:5 – Vine and Branches Wallpaper

This week in a daily break down

I will share what stood out to me the most from each day (There is a lot of good points throughout the days, from what I have read but I will only share one.  I hope that you will join us on this bible study and share with us what stood out to you, ask questions and/or leave comments.

Day One – United with Christ

What a blessing to be united with Christ, united with a purpose.  We get to unite with Christ and continue the work of God the Father, the work to further the kingdom of God.  United to share and fill earth with God’s love; with joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

~~ “If you’re a Christian, Jesus Christ lives in you and is with you. Moreover, you live in Jesus and are with Him.  That’s what He meant in John 15:4 when He told His disciples to “remain in me, and I will remain in you.”  BY DAVID PLATT, page 42

==TO BE A CHRISTIAN IS TO EXPERIENCE UNITY WITH CHRIST==

Day Two – Jesus  Changes  Everything

Oh boy, Oh boy, does Jesus change everything.  When we truly unite with Christ, we will be changed and transformed.

~~ “First, when we’re united with Christ, He begins to transform our thoughts.  He changes the way we perceive and process information so that, over time, we’re able to think more and more like Him.  Paul wrote about this transformation in 1 Corinthians 2:”

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 (VOICE)

12 You must know that we have not received the spirit of this rebellious and broken world but the Spirit that comes from God, so that we may experience and comprehend the gifts that come from God. 13 We do not speak of these gifts of God in words shaped by human wisdom; we speak in words crafted by the Spirit because our collective judgment on spiritual matters is accessible to those who have the Spirit. 14 But a person who denies spiritual realities will not accept the things that come through the Spirit of God; they all sound like foolishness to him. He is incapable of grasping them because they are disseminated, discerned, and valued by the Spirit.

Question

Read 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)

16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

What does it mean when it says “we have the mind of Christ”?

I like the Amplified Version of this scripture.  It says we do hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of Christ heart! This truth is enough to change us. If we really mediate on this, we will forever be changed. Think about it, we have the mind of Christ and hold thoughts and feelings and purposed of HIS heart! That is life changing. Join me on this life changing study.

David Platt goes onto say that Paul also wrote about the benefits of this transformation.  I love these cartoons from Joyful 'toons and I think this one depicts this well.

==THIS IS AN IMPORTANT BENEFIT OF CHOOSING TO FOLLOW HIM==

Day Three – From Internal to External

There are several sections for each day in the book.

On Day three, my favorite section was JESUS TRANSFORMS OUR RELATIONSHIPS. (This is big for me)

Here is what David Platt has to say,

~~ “As our transformation continues to progress from internal to external,  Jesus impacts more than our individual actions. He also transforms our relationships with others.  Specifically, He gives us the ability to love others as He loves them: (See John 15:12-15)

In this same section He goes on to say,

~~ “As we abide in Christ and Christ abides in us, He transforms our ability to love and relate with others. He enables us to love our neighbors as ourselves (See Matt. 22:39).  As a result, Christians should be distinguishable from the rest of the world because our relationships with one another and with those who still need Christ:

Question

In what ways do you express sacrificial love for those who still need Christ?

 

==YOUR WILL, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS, EVEN YOUR ENTIRE PURPOSE FOR LIVING IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN AS YOU ABIDE IN JESUS AND AS HE ABIDES IN YOU==

Day Four – Abide in God’s Word

This was full of some wisdom for me. There were a few questions discussed on this day.
David Platt talks about believing the scriptures and believing through the consequences.

~~ "So part of what it means to remain in Jesus is to spend regular time reading the bible, which is His Word.  But we know from James that even the demons have an intellectual awareness of what God has revealed in His Word--and shudder (see Jas. 2:19),
Therefore, Jesus makes it clear that obedience is also part of the equation: 
John 15:9-10
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. (emphasis added), David Platt (page 53)
 

Questions

What part do we play when it comes to remaining in Christ?  What choices do we need to make in order to remain in Him? What actions do we need to take?

 

==BEAR THE FRUIT OF THIS WORD IN THE WORLD, EVEN IF THAT MEANS LOSING EVERYTHING ELSE==

Day Five – Personal Disciple-Making Plan:  Fill Your Mind with Truth
This one had me in tears for personal reasons but good stuff. Great questions to think about and advice on how to plan for filling our minds with truth.

~~ "As you consider a plan for reading, memorizing, and learning God's Word, don't forget that we do these things as disciples not for information's sake but for transformation's sake.  Once again, the words of James are helpful:  "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says" (Jas. 1:22)

As believers in Jesus, we're followers of Jesus , which means that we not only hear the truth of Christ;  we apply the truth of Christ.  Our goal as disciples is never just to believe God's Word;  our goal is to obey God's Word."  David Platt, (page 61)

Question

Are you satisfied or unsatisfied with your current plan for reading God's Word? Why?

No, No, No!!! I am not satisfied with my current reading plan for God's Word. I crave God's Word but it is hard for me to stick to a reading plan for some reason, so I usually just read random scriptures.  After reading this, I am following a reading plan and sticking to it and intentionally filling up my mind with God's Word, God's truth.

==THEREFORE, AS YOU PLAN TO FILL YOUR MIND WITH TRUTH, ALSO PURPOSE TO FOLLOW THE ONE WHO IS TRUTH ==

Thank you for reading. I pray you were blessed.  This book has my attention. Please make sure  to stop by Satisfaction Through Christ’s to read  Christie's discussion on the this week’s reading and also check back with us every Wednesday for the next 4 weeks for the rest of this study.

God bless you and if you have any prayer requests please leave me a comment or send me an email and we will lift up your needs in Jesus name.

Follow Me Bible Study {Week 1} The Call

Hello Treasures, so the Fall Bible Study using FOLLOW ME Bible Study by David Platt has begun with Christie at Satisfaction Through Christ.
So initially I had purchased the book not the bible study.

I begin to read it and I really liked it. Then I found out it wasn't the correct one and I heard about all the ways the devil tried to stop this and we pushed back the enemy and decided to go forward with the study and so I ordered the bible study version from Lifeway Book Store here in California.





The book is a 6 week bible study and each week has 5 days of reading.   I just got mine on Monday so its crunch time for me.  For the 6 weeks, Christie of Satisfaction through Christ , myself and others will blog about that weeks topics and we can comment, link up our posts and just discuss what God spoke to us.  I am late this week but still wanted to put something together.  I have never done this type of bible study so I am really excited to get into this with the group and we'd love for you to join us.

WEEK 1:  THE CALL

This week's scripture Memory
MATTHEW 4:19-20

“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fisher’s of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

This week’s Focus

Was on that moment when Jesus first called His disciples, along with several more of their experiences and encounters during His public ministry.  Ultimately, we’ll find answers to this important question:  What does it mean to truly follow Jesus?

This week in a daily break down

I will share what stood out to me the most from each day (There is a lot of good points throughout the days, from what I have read but I will only share one.  I will share one paragraph and one question from the section plus share my answer and hope that you will join us on this bible study and share with us what stood out to you or ask questions or leave comments.

Day One - The Cost

Again there is a lot of good stuff in this section but this is something that really struck me.

David Platt shares Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) {Note the subtitle for this section}

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁸ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers; Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ²⁰ At once they left their nets and followed him.

²¹ Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²² and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Question

What strikes you as most interesting in these verses? Why?

What struck me the most on this was that when Jesus told Simon Peter and Andrew, Come, follow me, scriptures tell us that AT ONCE they left and followed him.  They had that blind faith and followed Jesus and they didn’t waver or contemplate or get prayer or ask for advice but AT ONCE they stopped what they were doing (their work, their lives, their agendas) and followed Him.

In verse 21, the same thing happens but with 2 other disciples, James and John, Jesus called them and scripture tells us that IMMEDIATELY they left and followed him.

I know for me there were many times that Jesus was calling me and I didn’t stop, drop and follow.

Day Two - Don't Invite Jesus into Your Heart

This day had my mouth dropping as I read.  David Platt uses a great analogy using his story of adopting Caleb Platt and the gospel.

He says, “Caleb didn’t pursue us, for he was utterly unable to do so.  Instead, we pursued him.

This is the heart of Christianity, and we're prone to miss it if we describe becoming a Christian as "inviting Jesus into your heart". We don't become followers of Christ by pursuing Christ or inviting Christ to do anything, for in our sin we're totally unable to do so. Instead, we become Christians when Christ pursues us and invites us to follow Him."  

Question

What’s your reaction to the previous paragraph? Why?

My reaction as I read was my mouth dropping wide open.  Reading through this day just really revealed so much to me about Jesus and His amazing love and how it wasn’t a prayer that was said or “inviting Jesus into my heart” but His love and His pursuit that has me on this journey of, FOLLOWING HIM.

Day Three - Understanding Salvation

This day was really deep for me.  There were two very profound sections for this day but I will share this one.

AWAY FROM ME

Here is part of this section…

“…Shouldn’t we who follow Christ be concerned that the Scriptures contain no references to people asking Jesus into their hearts or reciting a prayer of salvation? 

Yes this is exactly what multitudes of professing Christians have been encouraged to do. Worse, they’ve been assured that as long as they asked Jesus into their heart, invited Him into their life, prayed a prayer, raised their hand, signed a card, or walked an aisle, they’re Christians, and their salvation is eternally secure.”

Question

What’s your reaction to the previous statements? Why?

My reaction is that of surprised. I guess I really never thought about whether or not it was even biblical to do the “sinner’s prayer”.  It’s just what I have been taught all along. Each time the question was asked, “How many people have you lead through the sinner’s prayers?” I always shrunk back as I have never done it.  As time went on, I quickly realized it wasn’t as easy as saying a prayer. It took a lot more than that for my walk with Jesus. 

There is some other good things to ponder in this chapter but this post is already so long. (God bless you for sticking through this far)

Day Four - A New Creation

Another great section about Jesus making us a new creation and about superficial religion versus supernatural regeneration (read Ezekiel 36:25-27)

“Spiritual regeneration is the heart of Jesus’ call to follow Him.  When you become a Christian, you die, and Jesus becomes your life.  To paraphrase Paul, “You have died with Christ, and you’re not even alive anymore.  Instead, Christ is alive in you, and the only way you live is by faith in Him” (Gal. 2:20, author’s paraphrase).  In other words, Jesus died for you so that He could live in you.”

Question

Have you experienced supernatural regeneration? How can you tell?

I would say that I have experienced supernatural regeneration according to this that David Platt explains, “What Ezekiel wrote about (read Ezekiel 36:25-27) is exactly what Jesus came to do.  He came to cleanse us of our sin through His sacrifice on the cross; to wash us with “clean water” (v. 25).  And in doing so, He gives us something infinitely more valuable:  a new heart.  We’re born again! He gives us His Spirit to live in us and change us from the inside out.  This is what it means to experience supernatural regeneration.

Day Five - Make Disciples

So David Platt, closes up the week with this:

“Throughout the week we’ve explored what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We’ve looked at several pieces of evidence we can use to confirm whether we’re truly following Jesus rather than going through the motions of cultural Christianity.”  He gives a recap of the week and then goes in to today.  He says, “Today I want to explore the final proof of what it means to live as a genuine follower of Jesus:  the reality that true disciples of Christ are supernaturally compelled to make more disciples of Christ.

He talks about being Fishers of Men and Moving Forward.

Question

Will you follow?

Yes I will follow. Yes I want to taste this pleasure as David Platt puts it.

“Follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘ and I will make you fishers of men’ “ (Matt. 4:19).  This isn’t a gently solicitation to tread a path of superficial religion.  It’s a call to taste a pleasure that can be found only in a supernatural relationship with Christ. ~~David Platt

Thank you for reading. I pray you were blessed.  This book has my attention. Please make sure  to stop by Satisfaction Through Christ’s to read her discussion on the this week’s reading and also check back with us every Wednesday for the next 5 weeks for the rest of this study.

God bless you and if you have any prayer requests please leave me a comment or send me an email and we will lift up your needs in Jesus name.

Fall {Follow Me} Bible Study

Hey Treasures and Happy Thursday!!!

Today has been an emotional day for me, not really sure why besides being a girl, if you know what I mean! So I took a day off from work because I am just not feeling myself today.  Praying to get out of this emotional/hormonal roller coaster.

So anyways, it is my favorite time of the year (which should have me in a joyous mood) and when the lovely Christie of Satisfaction Through Christ  announced a Fall Bible Study I was all for it. 
Have you done an on line bible study before?

Yesterday we did introductions and linked up our blogs.  You can check it out here:
http://www.satisfactionthroughchrist.com/2013/09/fall-bible-study-follow-me-introductions.html

The Book we are using is FOLLOW ME by David Platt.  The book says "A Call to Die, A Call to Live."  Have you read this book?  Do you have this book? 

Join us for a time to be together and get encouraged and grow deeper in the Lord. I am really looking forward to this.  I am not sure why but I know God is up to something. Christie asked us in the intro post above to "leave a comment below introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about why you signed up, what you hope to take away from our time together, and any prayer requests you may have."  I haven't commented because I am really not sure all I know is that when she announced it, I was all for it. Ordered my book on Amazon and I am ready to go.

***TURNS OUT, I AM NOT READY TO GO. I ORDERED THE BOOK AND NOT THE FOLLOW ME BIBLE STUDY MEMBER BOOK THAT YOU CAN FIND ON LIFEWAY OR ANYWHERE CHRISTIAN BOOKS ARE SOLD.***

To view the announcement and/or to sign up, CLICK HERE!

If you sign up, leave me a comment and let me know. This is going to be a great time in the Lord.

PRAISE HIM

Hey Treasures, I am sorry, I didn't get to post my face of the day yesterday. It's been crazy busy but today is Thursday, which thanks to Amanda at A Royal Daughter I know it to be a day to share about your Desire to Inspire.  She usually has a link up but I checked and didn't see it.

I wanted to share with God's lovely treasures, the message that was shared at my family in love's church on Monday.  If you missed that post, you can read HERE.  So these are my notes, just try and hear my speaking. I am going to add in a couple nuggets that I shared as I was speaking. The good stuff that wasn't on my notes but just Holy Spirit inspired. I pray this will bless you.
PRAISE

ISAIAH 12:1-6 (NKJV)
A Hymn of Praise
12 And in that day you will say:
“O Lord, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”[a]
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say:
“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst

I will just go verse by verse using Isaiah 12 (found above)

Verse 1

And in that day you will say:

“O Lord, I will praise You;
Though You were angry with me,
Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

 

--In this scripture the prophet Isaiah writes "in that day(Possibly referring to the day of salvation?)  you will say, 'O Lord, I will Praise You;' “Praise” in this scripture means “to give public acknowledgement” and/or “to declare aloud in public”,  if you are making a public declaration or acknowledgement then more than likely there will be a gathering you won't be alone. At the time that the book of Isaiah was written, God was angry at the children of Israel, they had continuously worshipped other idols and were rebellious. The prophet Isaiah is prophesying how "in that day"  we will praise the Lord and He will comfort us. Before we may have felt alone or isolated but once the day of salvation comes for us we now we will be gathered together to give PRAISE to the Lord. 

Verse 2

2 Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;
‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.’”[a]

 

When I read, “I will trust and not be afraid;” This reminded me of Psalm 34:4 which is a scripture that I have been declaring over my life.

PSALM  34:1-6(The Happiness of Those who Trust God)

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.

Here I shared about my fear of failure. I am going to save that for another blog post.

VERSE 3

3 Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.

With JOY you will draw water (Springs of Living Water)
Well of salvation (Jesus)

JOHN 7:38 NKJV

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

ISAIAH 55:1a  (An invitation of Abundant Life)

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters;”

VERSE 4

And in that day you will say:

“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.

 

In this verse, Call upon His name can also be said as “proclaim in HIS name.”

Here we are NOT ONLY proclaiming-Declaring something publicly, declaring somebody to be something, show what something is-BUT we are doing this is HIS name.

There is power in the name of JESUS and not in the name of Victoria THEREFORE as we praise, call upon, proclaim, declare, publicly speak of what the Lord has done for you and for me, we must do it in HIS name.

We should be declaring our victories publicly, being careful that God gets all the honor and glory, Sharing ALL that God has done for us.

DECLARE that we are victors, more than conquerors, victorious, over comers, free, transformed, royalty. (you fill in here) WHO DOES GOD  SAY YOU ARE??? Start with yourself and then impart that into others.

Then we SHOW others by the way we live.

We make mention which means “to cause to remember”

This verse is urging us to publicly speak out on these things, to verbally express, acknowledge, share and spread the goodness of God. His love, His mercy, His grace.

VERSE 5

Sing to the Lord,

For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.

 

This verse tells us to sing TO the Lord. He has done EXCELLENT things (NOT mistakes, Not accidents, Nothing questionable, or uncertain)

PSALM 5:11(NKJV)

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout (SING) for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name, Be joyful in You.

VERSE 6

Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,

For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst

Cry out and shout OR Shout Loud with Joy (like extra joy)

Shouting out ( Singing out) because the Lord isn’t angry at us,

He is our salvation

Our salvation from captivity (the people of Zion use to be the people in captivity in Babylon)

We are no longer captives but set free in Jesus!

That is worth shouting over;  that is worth singing about.

To close up, let’s recap what we have learned in this chapter 12 of Isaiah.

It is a hymn of praise and we see different ways to give praise.

·        Directly speaking to God (Verse 1)

·        Declaring about God (Verse 2)

·        Drawing near to God (Verse 3)

·        Publicly speaking of God (Verse 4)

·        Directly singing to God (Verse 5)

·        Shouting (SINGING) out loud in joy (Verse 6)

These are some things we can ponder about regarding Praise.

  

1.      Attitude of Praise
2.      A will to Praise
3.      Mentality of Praise
4.      Heart of Praise
5.      Spirit of Praise
6.      Time of Praise

I HOPE YOU GOT SOMETHING FROM THIS. SINCE THESE WERE JUST MY NOTES AND CERTAIN THINGS I DID ELABORATE ON MORE WHILE SPEAKING BUT PRAYING THAT GOD WILL SPEAK TO US. THANKS FOR READING THROUGH. TAKE SOME TIME TO STUDY  ISAIAH 12 AND LET ME KNOW WHAT GOD SHOWS YOU FROM IT.



PEACE AND BLESSINGS,