Friday, July 14, 2017

PROPHECY FULFILLED / I Thirst



This is the 4th of 7 devotions with the theme
"Redemption"
PROPHECY FULFILLED
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from John 19:28-30, 35-36; Matthew 27:34)

I was there that day with my mother at the hill called Golgotha. I knew what was happening was more than what I could see. Scripture was being fulfilled right before my eyes. I, John, have recorded just what I saw that day so that you may believe also.

He refused the wine they offered him. I knew He must be at the point of death but He said He was thirsty. This time vinegar was offered to Him on a sponge and He took it. I thought, “No! The vinegar will seep into your wounds and it will be even more painful!” Now I realize, He was not asking to quench His thirst. He was fulfilling Scripture. The Messiah knew that everything needed to be complete. He was not a helpless, powerless victim. He was very much aware of every Scripture that spoke of His atoning death as the promised Messiah. He had been orchestrating events all along so that His death would perfectly fulfill every prophetic detail to complete His mission. After receiving the vinegar, He said, “It is finished!” All prophecy was fulfilled and His mission was accomplished. I saw Him die.

Lord, You are the One who created the oceans. You are the One who created water! You held time and eternity in Your hands on the cross and You hold it now. You drank the sour wine. You took the bitter cup. You died by choice, not because they made You. You did it for me. You connected Yourself to me in love on that cross. My words are not enough to say thank you, Lord. Thank you for what You did for me.


I THIRST
Devotion: Prophecy Fulfilled
(Adapted from John 19:28-30)
Verse
In the beginning He created the streams
In the beginning He created the rivers
In the beginning He created all things
How is it that I now hear Him cry,
Chorus
I thirst, hear Him cry I thirst, on the cross He cried I thirst
Bridge
Every ‘t’ was crossed, every ‘i’ was dotted
He fulfilled every prophecy as he cried . . .

©LoveWalkPublishing WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley
Devotion by RebeccaAnnCooley
All Rights Reserved

Thursday, July 13, 2017

THE SCARLET THREAD OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS / BrokenForMe

This is the 3rd of 7 devotions with the theme
"Redemption"




THE SCARLET THREAD OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS
by
Kent Cooley



(Adapted from Gen 3:21; Revelation 7:14)

Several years ago I had the privilege of serving as music minister and adult Sunday school teacher at a church in High Point, NC. When I was given this position to teach, I felt led to begin in Genesis and study “The Scarlet Thread of the Blood of Jesus” throughout scripture. It began with the account of how God made coats of skin for Adam and Eve. This was the first shedding of blood for the covering of their nakedness. This foreshadowed the blood of Jesus. The study lasted for over a year of Sunday mornings and it ended in Revelation 7:14.

These are they which came out of great tribulation,
and have washed their robes,
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Father, thank you for the scarlet thread of the blood of Your son, Jesus. Thank you for the promise shown in many types and shadows throughout all history of the blood of the Lamb shed for us. I acknowledge that only the blood of Your Son, Jesus can wash away my sins. I receive the redemption You have provided me through the Lamb slain for us now. Thank you for the blood of Jesus.


BROKEN FOR YOU
Devotion:
(Adapted from Hebrews 9:22; Acts 4:12 Rev 13:8; John 1:29; Isaiah 53:5)
Verse 1:
Without the shedding of blood
There’s no remission of sin, no remission at all
And there’s no other name whereby we are saved,
So on Him we call
We were under condemnation,
But for every situation
He was slain from the foundation of the world
Chorus:
Broken for me and He was broken for you
At the whipping post for my healing was bruised
I can’t contain so much love that my Lord would pursue
See the blood streaming down from the cross it is true
Jesus was broken for me
His body was broken for you
Verse 2:
Throughout the old testament
There’s a scarlet thread of the blood of the lamb
And the question was asked,
Where’s the Lamb without spot or blemish for us
The question was finally answered
As John the Baptist did stand
The moment that he saw Jesus he cried,
“Behold the Lamb”
© LoveWalkPublishing WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley Devotion by KentCliffordCooley

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

THE RIGHTFUL PLACE OF THE CROSS / Don'tMoveTheCross


This is the 2nd of 7 devotions with the theme
"Redemption"



THE RIGHTFUL PLACE OF THE CROSS
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 4:4)

The cross of Calvary appears very humble and unassuming, yet it is the most powerful force on earth. The cross is the reason that our struggle is not against flesh and blood and the rulers and authorities and powers of this dark world.

We recognize the power and strategy of the enemy in the world today. We see the enemy moving and working all around us. We circulate emails describing it. We discuss the details at our dinner tables. We go to court and fight legal battles. We make laws enabling the enemy’s tactics. The world has given the enemy place. The world and many parts of the body of Christ have chosen to ignore the cross of Christ and thus have moved the cross from its rightful place.

The cross is impressed upon my heart this morning. That humble and unassuming symbol impresses my heart with power and authority. The atoning blood of Jesus has power to break the enemy’s dominion. The enemy has no legal power unless we concede ground to him. The enemy must obey the blood of Jesus and submit to the authority that was provided by the cross. There is no greater truth on the face of the earth and no greater power than the power of the cross.

Father, forgive me for removing the cross from the throne of my heart. I humbly bow to that cross this morning and confess sin and receive forgiveness. I receive the anointing, the atoning blood that was given on the cross as my authority and power to overcome the enemy. I begin with placing the cross in the forefront of my heart today and I use that authority to dismantle sin that has tried to hide there. I set up the cross in my home as the ultimate power and authority to destroy the works of the enemy there. The enemy has no right to my family because the cross is in place in our home. Thank you, Jesus for the cross. I will not move the cross from its rightful place. It remains securely established on the throne of my heart.

DON’T MOVE THE CROSS
Devotion: The Rightful Place Of The Cross
(Adapted from Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 4:4)
Verse 1:
It must be an awful thing for Christ to have to see
A world that’s turned its back on him
Though sovereign he may be
By Him was made an easier way
So that men might be free
Though His back was laid bare,
He seemed not to care
Though the blood filled His eyes and matted His hair
Where he hung His head and died
But before that He cried, Father, forgive
Chorus
Before you move the cross away
What will replace it?
If we don’t give the cross deep thought
We are downward bound let’s face it
An emblem that had shed its light
On so many souls that would be lost
Move anything yes everything
But don’t move the cross
Verse 2
I don’t know if folks can see just how I feel way down inside
Toward those who try to hide this Christ
From those lost sheep who cry
God help me if I should be the man that would try to say
That His blood is not real and no one can feel
His power’s all gone And His stripes cannot heal
And for all that its worth we may as well curse
And throw it away

© WordsAndMusic by James Rogers
Devotion by RebeccaAnnCooley




Monday, July 10, 2017

STRATEGY 2 WIN / LoveWentToCalvary

This is the 1st of 7 devotions with the theme
"Redemption"



STRATEGY TO WIN
by
Rebecca Cooley


(Adapted from John 14:28)

Some of the disciples thought that Jesus had come to overtake the Romans and to re-establish the kingdom of Israel. They expected Him to set Himself up to succeed the throne of David. They really thought this was supposed to happen and expected it. So when the events that were leading up to the cross began to unfold, the disciples were trying to understand. Jesus wanted them to see beyond their small, selfish thinking and to see the bigger and better picture. Jesus was trying to change their mindset from one of ego and pride to a mind of humility. Humility was the key to experiencing God’s glory and humility is our key to experiencing God.

The disciples may have been saying in the shadows to each other, “We’ll show those Romans. Jesus is here and He’s going to overthrow their kingdom. We will stand by Him. We will fight if we have to!”

Jesus used a different angle. "You've heard me tell you, 'I'm going away, and I'm coming back.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I'm on my way to the Father because the Father is the goal and purpose of my life. I've told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me. I'll not be talking with you much more like this because the chief of this godless world is about to attack. But don't worry—he has nothing on me, no claim on me. But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father's instructions right down to the last detail.”

Lord, thank you for revealing in Your Word the strategy that You used against the enemy. Thank you for insight and understanding that reveals to me my strategy against the enemy today. Could I go so far as to tell you Lord, that I will look for opportunities to humble myself? At least, help me to recognize when You are working humility in me! I know You are working in me a strategy to defeat the enemy in my life and to those victories to affect others.

LOVE WENT TO CALVARY
Devotion: Strategy to Win
(Adapted from John 14:28)
Verse 1:
Royalty itself became poverty, born in a manger oh how can this be
The foxes have holes and the birds have nests but the Son of Man hath not a place to rest
He became a servant just to make me a king
Chorus:
Love went to Calvary, Mercy hung upon a tree, Grace said “Not My will”
Power came to save and heal, I’m so glad He made a way for me
I’m so glad He made a way for me
I’m so glad He made a way for you and me when (2. all to see that) love went to Calvary
Verse 2:
I see you weeping and crying at Gethsemane
Lord I see You bleeding and dying on an old rugged tree
All power in heaven and earth had been given unto Thee
You could have called ten thousand angels but instead you called me
Bridge:
For God so loved this old world that He gave His only begotten son
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but they should have everlasting life
© LoveWalkPublishing
WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley
Devotion by RebeccaAnnCooley

Sunday, July 9, 2017

CARE PREVENTION / Walking & Talking w/ You

This is the 6th of 6 devotions with the theme from 1 Peter 5:7
“Casting Care”

CARE PREVENTION

(Adapted from Romans 11:16; 1 Corinthians 13:5; 1Peter 5:7; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9;)

The first fruits of our day belong to the Lord. Scripture says,



"If the first fruit is holy, the whole lump is holy."


Morning prayer is a preemptive strike on the enemy and we begin our day with a huge advantage. It is the best time to cast our care so that we can begin our day care-free. It is the best time to confess our sins so that we can begin our day sin-free. As we emerge out of the darkness of the night, it is in the morning that we choose to walk in the light as He is in the light. It is in the morning that we find ourselves in a mode of fellowship with the Lord that lasts all day. We can truly pray without ceasing all day when we establish fellowship in our first waking moments. Talking to God in the morning is the best investment you can make in your day.


And when you add thanksgiving, you bring much pleasure to Your Creator!

Gratitude reduces the amount of care you will have to cast on the Lord. It is the ounce of prevention that is better than the pound of cure. An ounce of thanksgiving is better than a pound of care.


So go ahead, get your feet wet from the dew on the grass. Take a walk with Jesus this morning.

WALKING AND TALKING WITH YOU

(Adapted from Romans 11:16; 1 Corinthian s13:5; 1Peter 5:7; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9; )
Verse 1: 

My feet are wet from the dew on the grass in the morning, 
walking and talking with You.
Verse 2: 

I cast all my care on the one who cares for me in the morning, 
walking and talking with You.
Verse 3: 

I confess all my sins to the one who is faithful 
to forgive and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.
Verse 4: 

I walk in the light as You are in the light in the morning, 
walking and talking with You.
Verse 5: 

O what fellowship, O what joy divine in the morning, 
walking and talking with You.
Verse 6: 

I am Yours and You are mine in the morning, 
walking and talking with You.


© LoveWalkPublishing WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

Devotion by KentCliffordCooley


This is the impartation devotion:
Father, it has been settled once and for all.  I cast all my care upon You, all of my care, because You care for me.