DENIAL VERSUS REPENTANCE / I Come To You (A Tribute to Billy Graham)

This is the 1^st of 7 devotions with the theme

From 1 Corinthians 13:6

"Love Rejoices When Truth Prevails”

DENIAL VERSUS REPENTANCE
by
Kent Clifford Cooley

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:61; Peter 5:5; Psalms 51:17)

The great hymn, “Just as I Am” has been the mark of every alter call of every Billy Graham Crusade. The only way we can come to Him is just as we are. That is the way we came to Him when we first received salvation and that is the way we must come to Him to receive forgiveness if we sin as believers.

It was easier to admit that we sinned when we were sinners. However, believers can sometimes get into denial because of pride. When we do this we are limiting God because the scripture says,

"God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Scripture gives us precise instruction on how to receive grace from God:

1. We must get out of (pride based) denial;

2. We must humble ourselves before God; and

3. We must get inside of faith and believe that we have received forgiveness.

Father, I do not know my own heart but You do. You know me better than I know myself. I am an open book before You. I submit every page to You as I come before You again, just as I am.

© LoveWalkPublishing KentCliffordCooley

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I COME TO YOU

Verse 1:

You resist the proud but give grace to the humble

A meek and a contrite heart,

Oh God, You will not despise

Chorus:

I come to You just as I am,

With no pretenses, here I stand

Before You now, I humbly bow

I come to You the only way that I can

I come to You just as I am

Bridge:

Just as I am without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bids me come to Thee

Oh Lamb of God, I come

© LoveWalkMusic Words and Music by KentCliffordCooley

WALK THE WALK / Path Of Righteousness

This is the 5^th of 5 devotions with the theme from 
1 Corinthians 13:6

“Love Does Not Rejoice At Unrighteousness,

Love Rejoices When Right  Prevails”

WALK THE WALK
by 
Rebecca Cooley 

(Deuteronomy 28; Joshua 1:8; 1Corinthians 13:6; 1 John 3:22)

“And it shall come to pass,

if thou shalt hearken diligently 
unto the voice of the Lord thy God,

to observe and to do all his commandments w
which I command thee this day,

that the Lord thy God will set thee on high 
above all nations of the earth.

And all these blessings shall come on thee, 
and overtake thee,

if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.”

Two key words in this scripture are hearken and diligently. The Hebrew meaning of hearken is to hear intelligently. It also means to be obedient and to declare. The Hebrew meaning of diligently is wholly, completely, far, fast, and louder and louder. To paraphrase this scripture using the Hebrew translations of these two words:

It shall come to pass, 
if you shall hear intelligently, be obedient to,

declare wholly, completely, far, fast, louder and louder what God has said,

to observe and to do all His commandments,

then all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.

God told Joshua the same thing:

Just declare what I have said. Hear it intelligently;

begin to declare it wholly, completely, far, fast, louder and louder!

If I adjust my walk with God to these two scriptures, I will correct wrong thinking and wrong motives and begin to receive blessings. I must walk the walk and talk the talk. If I speak the Word out of my mouth and negate the words of the enemy from my mind and lips, I will be on the path of righteousness and blessings will begin to process in my life.

Walking the path of righteousness begins with receiving the Word of God and allowing it to take root in my heart and then speaking it out of my mouth. Then my feet will follow the path of righteousness.

Father, I do love you and I desire to walk the path of righteousness. I know that path begins in my heart and leads to my words and then my feet will automatically follow. I choose to listen with my heart, allow the Word to take root in me, speak the Word with my mouth and walk the path of righteousness.

© LoveWalkPublishing RebeccaAnnCooley

This is the impartation devotion.

This is the impartation devotion.  Let's agree together now for impartation.

Father as we are being rooted and grounded in love, we cloth our selves with your love and with your very righteousness.

Our faith says that we are the righteousness of God in Christ and our deeds testify of our faith.

We walk out our faith and claim it as our own.

In Jesus name.

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PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Devotion: Walk the Walk

(1 Corinthians 13:6; John 14:15; 1 John 1:7-9; Psalm 23:3)

Verse 1: If you love the Lord you will keep His commandments

If you love the Lord you will do what’s right in His sight

If you love the Lord

Verse 2: If I love the Lord you will keep His commandments

If I love the Lord you will do what’s right in His sight

If I love the Lord

Verse 3: If we love the Lord you will keep His commandments

If we love the Lord you will do what’s right in His sight

If we love the Lord

Chorus: You lead us in a path of righteousness . . .

© LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

THE PARABLE OF THE FROG / The God Kind Of Love

This is the 4^th of 5 devotions with the theme 
from 1 Corinthians 13:6

“Love Does Not Rejoice 
At Unrighteousness,

Love Rejoices When Right Prevails”

THE PARABLE OF THE FROG

by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:6; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 2:13-17)

How to Boil a Frog: Do not put the frog in a pot of boiling water. If you drop him into boiling water, he will jump out. Put him in a pot of cold water where he is perfectly comfortable. Then put him on the stove. Slowly the water gets warm. It’s very pleasant at first. The water gets a little warmer and he swims around like he is in a frog jacuzzi. He gets so used to it and he doesn’t realize the water is getting hot. When the water begins to boil, it’s too late for the frog to jump out.

The parable of the boiling frog gives us great insight into how we can begin to love the world and a sinful lifestyle. We don’t just decide to live in sin. We don’t plan it out. We begin to compromise. We begin to crave the things of the world. The process is so slow that we don’t realize when we have given our heart away.

John wrote in his letter to center our love on God and not on the world. He is not speaking about enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, of nature or music or art. He is speaking about heart matters. To love the world means looking to the world for fulfillment. It means looking to identify with the world, looking for something to relate to and cling to, something to give your heart to. To love the world means I am looking for something in the world to give me purpose and meaning. The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father. This world is going to go away along with everything that people crave. But God is forever and when I put my affection in the right place, my love will be forever.

Father, I do not cherish this world. I do not give my heart to the world. My stability is not in earthly things. My assurance is not in my own resources or my own abilities. I give my heart to You. I make You the recipient of my love and affection. Develop in me the God kind of love.

© LoveWalkPublishing RebeccaAnnCooley

All Rights Reserved

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DEVELOPING THE GOD KIND OF LOVE

(Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:6; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 John 2:13-17)

Verse:

I’m developing the God kind of love 
(repeat 2 times)

Chorus

I’m setting my affections on things above

I’m setting my affections not 
On things beneath

Bridge:

Love not the world 
Nor the things that are in the world

If you love the world, 
The love of the Father is not in you

© LoveWalkMusic

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Rights Reserved

CHERISH THE MOMENT / Simeon

This is the 3rd and 4th parts of a 4 part series

entitled

"The First Steps Of The Messiah"

telling the stories of

Simeon And Anna

Click here to view this week's video on youtube

SIMEON

Song: Cherish the Moment

(Adapted from Luke 2:22-39; Phil. 2:10; Isaiah 45:2, 18; 54:5; 55:12; 59:20)

Today was not like other days. Simeon knew when he awoke that he was to go to the temple. This was not his regular day to go but he felt drawn there this morning. Something had been stirring in him lately. As he readied himself to leave he may have been thinking . . .

“I love you Father.

You are the Lord and there is no one else!

You are the one who created the heavens!

You are the one who formed the earth and made it!

You did not call my descendants to seek you for nothing!

You promised us a reward!

I know we are one day closer to the Consolation of Israel!

I know a Redeemer is coming!

He will turn my people from their transgressions!

Oh, see the travail of my soul Father!

Send the Righteous One to take away the guilt of my people!

He will make the crooked places straight!

Even the mountains and the hills are breaking forth now into singing!

All the trees of the field are clapping their hands!

I know the Messiah is coming!

The Holy One of Israel is coming!”

Simeon went to the temple anticipating meeting with God there. Immediately upon entering the gates his eyes felt upon a family of three. He looked at the baby in the mother’s arms and he knew this was the One for whom he had prayed. Simeon approached the mother with open arms. Mary must have felt the power of the Holy Spirit on this man because she placed her infant son in his hands.

Did she sense that this humble man had paved the way

for the conception and the birth of the Messiah?

Simeon held the baby and praised and thanked God for this holy moment in time.

“Sovereign Lord,

You can now release your servant to depart this world.

As you have promised,

I have seen your salvation with my own eyes!

Now it is out in the open for all to see!

He is the Light to reveal You to the nations!

And He is the glory and honor of your people Israel!”

Turning to Mary, Simeon blessed her and said,

“Behold, this Child is appointed and destined

for the fall of many in Israel.

But He will be a joy to many others.

He will be a sanctuary, a sacred and indestructible asylum

to those who reverently fear and trust God.

He is a figure who will be misunderstood and contradicted.

He will be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both houses of Israel.

He will be a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

He has been sent as a sign from God but many will oppose him.

As a result the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

You, Mary, will feel the pain of this like a sword piercing your own soul.

But know that secret thoughts and purposes of many hearts will be disclosed.”

Could he have looked into Mary’s eyes and said this before he left that day?

“It will be worth it Mary.

The pain will be worth it all because

He is the Gift of Salvation for the entire world!

At His Name

every knee will bow

in heaven and on earth

and even under the earth!

And Mary, every tongue is going to confess

that Yashuah the Messiah,

this baby you hold in your arms,

is Lord

for the glory of God the Father!”

Father, I pray for Simeons to rise up in this day. I ask You for men and women who will stand in righteousness and integrity before You as Simeons of their time. I ask for men, women and children who will walk out love and not be ashamed. Filter Simeons throughout this earth who will stand for what is right and good and tell people that the Messiah has come and that He is coming again! Anoint me with the mantle of Simeon and allow me to be a part of your plan to defeat the enemy and usher in the glorious second coming of the Messiah!

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion / Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Right Reserved

ANNA

Song: Cherish the Moment

(Adapted from Luke 2:22-39)

Anna awakens earlier this morning, just before dawn. There is an unusual stirring in her spirit, an anticipation that she has never felt before. As she lay in bed her thoughts scan her 110 years. She thinks about her marriage so many years ago and the death of her husband. She remembers coming to this temple 84 years ago. . . .

“Eighty four years! My, how God has time in His hands! All these years I have lived in this temple and fasted and prayed and it seems not like a lifetime at all! I must get to the temple this morning. I must get before the Lord and see what this stirring in my spirit is . . .”

In the temple Anna finds her favorite spot where she spends much of her time in prayer and worship. But today is different. Anna is watching the people as they come and go. She is more aware of the people entering the temple today. . . .

“Oh, there is Simeon! I love it when Simeon comes to the temple. I believe I will go over and speak to him this morning. . . .”

As Anna moves toward Simeon, a family enters the temple doors and Simeon is drawn to them. Anna slows her steps and watches as this holy moment unfolds.

“Oh, my, my, my . . . You are the holy family from God. You are the ones I have been expecting all these years. May I hold the holy baby?”

Simeon takes the baby in his arms, holds him up to God and says, “Sovereign Lord you are now releasing me to depart this world in peace. As you have promised, with my own eyes I have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all people! He is a light to reveal You to the nations, and He is the glory and honor of your people Israel!”

Anna could not contain herself any longer. She ran to Simeon praising and worshiping God. She bowed before the baby and thanked God for allowing her to spend her life praying for this moment.”

“It is the Messiah! I have seen the Messiah! It is the Holy Child! He is the hope of Israel! He is the one for whom I have fasted! I cherish this moment today.”

Father, Anna walked in love for an entire lifetime. You used her love walk in Your strategy to give the Messiah to the world. As I walk out my life in love, would you use me in your divine plan to usher Him in again?

© LoveWalkPublishing

Devotion / Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Right Reserved

CHERISH THE MOMENT

Devotions: Anna

(Adapted from Luke 2:22-39)

Chorus

Cherish the moment, O what a moment, one for which I’ve waited and I’ve prayed

Cherish the moment, O what a moment, one for which I’ve waited and I’ve prayed

Verse

Yesterday’s gone

And we don’t have the promise of tomorrow, tomorrow

But I have this moment, yes, I have this moment

I cherish this moment today

Ending

I’ve seen the Messiah

I’ve seen the Messiah

The Hope of Israel, the Hope of Israel, the Hope of Israel

I cherish this moment today

© LoveWalkPublishing

Words&Music by KentCliffordCooley

All Right Reserved

ELIZABETH / DESTINY

This is the second of 4 recitations by Rebecca

And 4 songs by Kent

that focus on the birth of Jesus.

We entitle this 4 part series

"The First Steps Of The Messiah"

This week we are featuring the second of this 4 part series

the story of Elizabeth

Click here to view Rebecca's recitation on youtube

ELIZABETH
by
Rebecca Cooley

(Adapted from Luke 1:39-45)

“For with God nothing is impossible!” The words of the angel resonated over and over in Mary’s mind as she readied herself to go to Elizabeth’s home in Judah.

Several times in Scripture, it refers to Mary as having “pondered in her heart.” I wonder what her heart was thinking when she was on her way to Judah?

“I must see Elizabeth! Elizabeth is pregnant! What a wonderful gift and miracle from God! This all fits together somehow. I feel such an urgency to get to her. . . .”

When Elizabeth opens the door and Mary salutes her, Elizabeth’s baby leaps inside of her womb! Elizabeth is overcome by the Holy Spirit and cries out! She exclaims,

“Mary, you are blessed above all women! And blessed is the fruit of your womb! 

What an honor that the mother of my Lord would come to see me! As soon as your salutation reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! And Mary, you are so favored of God because you believe what has been spoken to you by the Lord!”

Mary’s visit lasted three months. Do you think God used this time to bond these two mothers and their babies? Do you think God revealed hidden secrets and mysteries to these two mothers? Do you think He gave them revelation of His purpose? The destinies of these two babies were divinely set in time and eternity even in the womb. Could God have given these two mothers insight into the magnitude of what had taken place? Many prophetic words were probably spoken. Dreams and visions must have been talked about and pondered over. Scripture must have been read and revelation revealed. Could their parting words have been something like this?

“I will pray for you Mary. God will watch over His seed. You hold God’s promise inside of you. Don’t be anxious for nothing. God will provide all that you need.”

“I will pray for you Elizabeth. Our babies are destined for greatness. God knows His plans for us all. God has a reason for your baby to be born first. God’s perfect will is his destiny. He will be a forerunner and a trailblaizer for God’s purposes.”

Father, I was born to worship You. Your perfect will and plan is my destiny and I will accomplish that destiny as I put you first in my life and worship You. You are my whole world! You are my life! You hold my future in Your hands! I want to be a trailblaizer for the Kingdom of God!

©LoveWalkPublishing

Recitation authored by RebeccaAnnCooley

All Right Reserved

Click here to view this week's music video on youtube

DESTINY

(Adapted from Luke 1:39-45)

Verse 1:

I know my plans for you

Plans to prosper you

Plans to give you hope

Plans to give you a future

I know my plans for you

Chorus:

My destiny

Your plans for me

The reason I was born

Your perfect will

Your plans they are my destiny

Your plans for me

The reason I was born

Your perfect will

Your plans they are my destiny

Verse 2:

I live each moment out

With one other moment in mind

When I stand before You

To hear you say

Well done my good and faithful servant

Enter into the joys of your Lord

Bridge:

Like Paul of old

At the end of the way

I too would like to say

I fought a good fight

I kept the faith

A crown of life awaits

©LoveWalkPublishing

WordsAndMusic by KentCliffordCooley

All Right Reserved