Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Who Is This King of Glory?

by Nan Jones

I coasted down the steep slope of Chestnut Hill Road. Wind whipped through the open windows and tousled my hair, cooling my sweating brow. The sky blanketed the earth in periwinkle blue, cradling the birds that zipped from tree to tree...a perfect spring day. But.

My mind was consumed with thoughts about everything. Thoughts about nothing. Feeling overwhelmed, I turned on the radio. Loud. 

Rolling off the lips of the singer were these words, "Who is this King of Glory?"

Indeed.

I felt the Lord gently grab my heart and jerk it to attention, "Who is this King of Glory?"

It's You, Lord.

Then, relax, My child. Relax.

This song by Third Day has been around for years, but it spoke fresh to my spirit, giving me strength for the journey. I pray its words will bless you as well.

KING OF GLORY

Who is this King of Glory that pursues me with His love

     And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words?

My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need,

     Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me?

Who is this King of Angels, O blessed Prince of Peace

     Revealing things of heaven and all its mysteries?

My spirit's ever longing for His grace in which to stand,

     Who is this King of Glory, Son of God and son of man?

His Name is Jesus, precious Jesus!

     The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart,

The King of Glory.

Who is this King of Glory with strength and majesty

     And wisdom beyond measure, the gracious King of kings?

The Lord of earth and heaven, the Creator of all things,

     Who is this King of Glory, He's everything to me.

His Name is Jesus, precious Jesus!

     The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart,

The King of Glory.

Pretty good, huh?

Don'tcha just love it when the Lord grabs your heart and squeezes it with Love?

Yeah...me, too.

"Lift up your heads, O you gates! 

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! 

And the King of Glory shall come in. 

Who is this King of Glory? 

The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."

 ~ Psalm 24:7,8

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Could you use a hug from heaven? @NanJonesAuthor shares the one she received. (Click to Tweet)

Don'tcha just love it when the Lord grabs your heart & squeezes it with Love? (Click to Tweet)

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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring Third Day singing, "King of Glory" at a live concert in Atlanta, Georgia. Good stuff!

SCriptures of Encouragement ~ Sticky Threads

by Nan Jones

The moth fluttered against the screen, frantic motion taking her nowhere. The trap had been set with keen precision. The spider hid in the shadow of a crevice waiting to make its move.

And move, it did.

Spindly legs raced across sticky spokes of web. He paused, then pounced. The moth wrestled, avoiding the deadly bite, but entangling herself deeper into the spider's tenacious snare. 

I stood from my place of observation. The spider froze. The moth quaked. 

Picking up a stick, I moved toward the deadly entrapment and slid the stick gingerly beneath the moth, offering her footing. I waited patiently while keeping an eye on the spider. Her feet found the stick and her body relaxed. A long, sticky thread of web wrapped around the moth's lower body preventing her flight. She tugged and pulled, but could not free herself. Slowly I raised the stick, steadying the moth, and broke through the strength of the web. The spider scurried back into the shadows of the crevice.

The moth allowed me to tenderly pry her body free from the sticky strands that kept her bound.

Like the moth, I allowed the Lord to tenderly pry me free from the sticky strands wrapped around my spirit. Strands of anxiety and fear. Strands of worry and doubt. They held me captive for many years until the Father raised a stick that held my Savior and broke the web of deception that entombed me.

"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." 

~ 1 Corinthians 10:13, AMP

Isn't God amazing? The faithfulness of His tender love astounds me.

Is your spirit bound by hurts? Fears? Addictions? Is Satan's web of deception telling you there is no way out - that you are unworthy of God's love? Satan will wait for the moment - the one weakened with vulnerability - to pounce and ensnare you with his lies. 

But God.

But God is greater than any lie that may entangle you. For every need you have, God has an answer - a way out. Is it despair? God gives you peace. Is it worry? God gives you hope. Is it an addiction? God gives you self-control and fulfillment.

He stands ever-ready, ever-faithful to free you from the sticky threads shooting from Satan's web of deception. 

Please feel free to share your story of freedom, how God has or is setting you free from Satan's web. I know it will encourage others.

Sweet blessings to you, 
Nan


Tweetables to Encourage Others 

Is your spirit bound by hurts? Fears? Addictions? In STICKY THREADS @NanJonesAuthor offers help. (Click to Tweet)

God stands ever-ready, ever-faithful to free you from the sticky threads of Satan's web of deception. (Click to Tweet)




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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I'm featuring an oldie goldie that always puts a smile in my heart. It's Chris Tomlin singing, " Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)" Now, isn't that some great background music while you check the rest of your email? Uh-huh...I thought so, too.

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones

Photo Credit: photography-on-the.net

We love You, Lord. We rejoice in the power of Your Name. We sing in the grace that rains down upon our difficult days, and the grace like morning dew that refreshes our every moment. Open our eyes to see You surrounding us as a fortress, cocooning us, keeping us safe against the works of the enemy. I ask that You awaken the hearts of my friends who face discouragement today. Fill them with hope anew, knowing that You are with them and You are for them. Stir up faith. Joy. Laughter. Laughter born of tears is sweet, sweet music for the soul. Lord, thank You Your love that knows no bounds. Soften our hearts to receive that rich love. You are precious, Lord. We give You praise.

Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where Is God? SUNDAY GLIMPSES (Click to Tweet)

Laughter born of tears is sweet, sweet music for the soul. (Click to Tweet)

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Please do not carry your burdens alone. I'd be honored to pray with you. You may contact me at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Enduring Faith

by Nan Jones  @NanJonesAuthor

1872. Anson D. F. Randolph & Co. THE SHADOW OF THE ROCK.

I found this small book of poetry in an antique store several years ago. It's been a long time since I've  opened it, unfortunately, because although diminutive in size, it's content is gloriously powerful. I'm sharing one of its poems with you today. It's interesting to me that the Lord spoke to me clearly about this poem - this poem I haven't read in years. I believe that one of my readers (or hopefully many) need the blessing it will provide for your spirit and perhaps your home.

VISITATION OF THE SICK

Author Unknown

Peace to this house! O Thou Whose way

Was on the waves, Whose voice did stay

The wild wind's rage, come, Lord, and say,

Peace to this house!

Thou, Who in pity for the weak

Didst quit Thy heavenly Throne to seek

And save the lost, come, Lord, and speak

Peace to this house!

Thou, Who dost all our sorrows know

And when our tears of anguish flow

Dost feel compassion, come, bestow

Peace on this house!

Thou, Who in agony didst pray,

"Take, Father, take this cup away,"

And then wast strengthened, come and say,

Peace to this house!

O Conqueror by suffering!

O mighty Victor! glorious King!

From out of pain and sorrow bring

Peace to this house!

Thou, Who triumphant from the dead

Thine Hands didst o'er the Apostles spread,

And say, "Peace to you," come, and shed

Peace on this house!

Thou, Who didst on the clouds ascend

And then the Holy Spirit send,

Send Him to comfort, and defend

All in this house!

Lord in the Sacramental food

Of Thine own Body and Thy Blood,

Peace that is felt, not understood,

Give to this house!

Save, save us sinking in the deep,

Give ease from pain and quiet sleep,

And under Thy wing's shelter keep

All in this house!

"Peace to this house," come, Lord, and say

Come to us, Lord, and with us stay,

Oh, give, and never take away

Peace from this house!

And when at last our fainting breath

On trembling lips scarce quivereth,

Oh, bring us through the gate of Death,

Lord, to Thine House!

To Thine own House in Paradise,

To Thine own House above the skies,

To live the life that never dies,

Lord, in Thine House!

Isn't that good? I believe the words of this poem bless me as much as the knowledge that it was written in 1872. Think about the legacy of our faith. Enduring. Persisting. Ever True.

May you feel the Presence of the Lord today as He ministers peace to your home and life.

"Peace I leave with you, 

My peace I give to you; 

not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid." 

~ John 14:27

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Tweetables to Encourage Others 

Poem written in 1872. @NanJonesAuthor inspires us by showing enduring faith. (Click to Tweet)

Our faith endures, persists, and is ever true through all generations. (Click to Tweet)

Father, You are so very faithful. The magnitude of Who You are astounds me. I pray for my friends who may be looking for peace today - the peace that only You can give. Flood their homes with Your peace. Flood their hearts with the knowledge that You will never leave them nor forsake them. You are with us always, even to the ends of the earth. Bless my friends today, Lord, with personal, tangible, miracles that only You can provide. You are our Provider. Our Healer. Our Deliverer, and Friend. Bless You, Father. We love You and we give You praise.
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Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Liquid Deception

by Nan Jones  @NanJonesAuthor

Booze was Sam's* best friend. It cuddled him when life hurt too much. The liquid deception calmed him when fears raced like a freight train through his mind. But Booze betrayed Sam and took a toll on his body.

Photo Credit: indianapublicmedia.org

Two months ago Sam slumped over in his well-worn recliner and suffered a massive stroke. Death knocked hard, stretching its vicious tendrils around him attempting to pull him farther and farther from God.

But death lost. Sam survived the stroke.

It's interesting that when death becomes a reality - a certainty - that suddenly our quest for God is awakened. Something happens in our spirit when the sting of death enters a tug-of-war with the love of God fighting to give His child one more chance, one more opportunity to say yes to Him.

That's what happened to Sam.

Sam had visited church some. He knew there was a void in his life, but he felt  unworthy of God's love. The deception that flowed from the bottle also flowed from the lying lips of Satan and whispered self-hate, failure, worthless man into Sam's vulnerable ears. But now. Now, Sam had tasted of God's love. In the moments of unconsciousness he sensed the Spirit of God calling to him, fighting for him. Loving him.

A few weeks after the stroke, Sam prayed the sinner's prayer with my husband. Not because he was a bad man. Not because he was a worthless drunk. He prayed the sinner's prayer because he is worthy. He is worthy of a Savior who has bridged the gap between Sam and Almighty God. Sam heard the Lord calling, "Come to Me, Sam. Let me love you and give you a new life. Let me cleanse you of your painful past and repair the broken places."

Sam shuffled into church Sunday morning. He was a tad bent over, not much, but enough to notice. His arms extended awkwardly, working to keep his balance. His skin was slightly gray with yellow undertones. Clearly, he is a sick man.

But Sam's eyes twinkled, full of Light, with the countenance of the Lord.

Sunday's service ended with the congregation standing and singing Amazing Grace. Sam grasped the pew against my back and pulled himself to a standing position. He stood quietly. Listening. Perhaps pondering. It's difficult for him to sing and breathe at the same time. We ended the song with a resounding, "Praise God, Praise God, Praise God..." 

That's when I heard him.

In my right ear came the most beautiful voice I think I've ever heard. Oh, it was gravelly and interrupted with short breaths, but there in a moment of high praise to our Father, Sam lifted his voice to the Lord, thanking Him for what He's done in his broken life.

It's a moment I'll never forget.

"And you will say in that day,
    'I thank you, God.
You were angry
    but your anger wasn’t forever.
You withdrew your anger
    and moved in and comforted me.

 Yes, indeed—God is my salvation.
    I trust, I won’t be afraid.
God—yes God!—is my strength and song,
    best of all, my salvation!'

 Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water
    from the wells of salvation.
And as you do it, you’ll say,
    'Give thanks to God.
Call out his name.
    Ask him anything!
Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done,
    spread the news of his great reputation!'"

~ Isaiah 12:1-4, MSG

* Name changed
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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Ever wonder what salvation looks like? @NanJonesAuthor shares an awesome testimony. (Click to Tweet)

Deception flowing from the bottle flowed from the lying lips of Satan, "worthless man..." (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring Kristyn Getty singing, "Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God." Powerful. Soothing. Peaceful.

Where Is God? Sunday Glimpses

by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor


Lord, thank You for Your presence. I find peace there. Safety. Wisdom. And grace. Thank You for teaching me to call out Your name in time of need. When You hear my voice, I know that You turn and stand with arms open wide, waiting to embrace me with Your love. I see it so clearly, Lord. And for that I'm forever thankful. I lift up my friends to You and ask that You open the eyes of their hearts to see and know the same Truth. Oh, what comfort I receive when I think of Your love and Your presence! Comfort my friends - those who are hurting, those who feel overwhelmed by decisions and circumstances. No problem is so big that You are not bigger still. No pain is so deep that Your grace is not deeper still. Thank You, Lord. Thank You for who You are.

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are you looking for God? @NanJonesAuthor offers insight. (Click to Tweet)

Lord, thank You for Your presence. (Click to Tweet)

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Please don't carry your burdens alone. I'd be honored to pray for you. You may contact me at nan@jubilantlight.com

Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Who Would Dare?

by Nan Jones

An exhortation from the Lord for those of us who need to be reminded just how great our God is. He is amazing, yes? And compassionate. Merciful. Mighty. And very, very faithful to His children.

Photo Credit: www.desktopaper.com

Psalm 91 (Complete Jewish Bible)

"You who live in the shelter of 'Elyon,

who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai, 

who say to Adonai, 'My refuge! My fortress!

My God, in whom I trust!' - 

he will rescue you from the trap of the hunter

and from the plague of calamities;

he will cover you with his pinions,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his truth is a shield and protection.

"You will not fear the terrors of night

or the arrow that flies by day,

or the plague that roams in the dark,

or the scourge that wreaks havoc at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand at your right hand;

but it won't come near you.

Only keep your eyes open,

and you will see how the wicked are punished.

"For you have made Adonai, the Most High,

who is my refuge, your dwelling-place.

No disaster will happen to you,

no calamity will come near your tent;

for he will order his angels to care for you

and guard you wherever you go.

They will carry you in their hands,

so that you won't trip on a stone.

You will tread down lions and snakes,

young lions and serpents you will trample underfoot.

God Speaks:

"'Because he loves Me, I will rescue him;

because he knows My name, I will protect him.

He will call on Me, and I will answer him.

I will be with him when he is in trouble.

I will extricate him and bring him honor.

I will satisfy him with long life

and show him My salvation.'"

'Elyon is the Hebrew name for The God Most High.

Shaddai means the All-Sufficient-One. He is the one who comforts and sustains us.

Adonai means LORD or Master.

When we choose to press in and walk closely with the Lord, not just meeting Him at the altar on our day of salvation, but actually dwelling with Him and in Him, then we can say to Him, "You are my refuge and my fortress!" We can trust and not be afraid. Acts 17:28 reads, "For it is in Him that we live, and move, and have our being." I believe this happens when we live Psalm 91 out loud.

And then the beauty of verses 14-16! Oh my, the reassurance found in these words as God speaks. Try inserting your own name, like this:

"Because [Nan] loves Me, I will rescue her; because she knows My name, I will protect her. [Nan] will call on Me, and I will answer her. I will be with [Nan] when she is in trouble. I will extricate her and bring her honor. I will satisfy [Nan] with long life and show her My salvation."

Selah.

God is for you. Who can dare to be against you?

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Who Would Dare? @NanJonesAuthor offers Psalm 91 from the Complete Jewish Bible. Good Stuff. (Click to Tweet)

What happens when we live Psalm 91 out loud? (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page. I'm featuring Chris Tomlin singing "Faithful." Wow! What a powerful song.