Today's Reading:O.T. - Psalm 95 - 98
N.T. - Matthew 1
Focus Verses:
Matthew 1:21
21"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
Psalm 97:1-2
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
Insight:
Throughout history, God has done so much to save his people. The fullest expression of his salvation is revealed through Jesus (whose very name means "the Lord saves"). Jesus saves us from our sins. He saves us from the results of our sin and from bondage to our sin. This is the greatest salvation imaginable -- to be saved from sin's domination and from sin's destruction. Loud songs of praise and fresh expressions of thanksgiving should spring from the hearts and mouths of all who come to know this salvation.
Response and Action:
I will consider the marvelous ways God has shown me salvation. I will praise him for the promise of eternal life. Today, I will sing out my thanks for the ways he saves me from hopelessness and emptiness. Right now, I will lift up my voice in worship for the freedom he gives from bondage to sin. I will rejoice because he has taken away the guilt of my sin. I will sing praise to Jesus, because he saves! Salvation isn't a mere theological concept or religious precept; it is the reality of my life. It's more than a belief; it's my standing in Christ Jesus. It's not just for someday; it's for NOW. Sing a new song to the Lord! He has saved, he is saving, and he will always save!
O God, O Christ Jesus, O Holy Spirit, I want to sing a new song of praise to you today! Show your righteousness and salvation to the ends of the earth. Open the eyes of all people, that they might see Jesus in all his redeeming work and saving power. O God, give me a heart of gratitude and mouth quick to sing your praise. Amen.
Proverbs: 19:22a
"What a man desires is unfailing love."
Resources:
Music CD: Enter the Worship Circle: First Circle
by 100 Portraits and Waterdeep
Music CD: Enter the Worship Circle: Second Circle
by Enter the Worship Circle
BOOK: Enter the Worship Circle
by Ben Pasley
