‘TIS THE SEASON: SHINING BRIGHT

Good Evening Friends

I trust your weekend went well

The lights of the season are still SHINING BRIGHT

The joy of the season is still SHINING BRIGHT

And I am praying that you are enjoying a MOST RELAXING HOLIDAY SEASON

Christmas is two short days away –

And while we discussed the light of Christmas a few days ago;

Tonight begins the celebration of Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights

I am not Jewish by birth – obviously 

However I am Jewish by rebirth – my Savior, my LORD, my King is Jewish

And I am part of the family of God

‘God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.’ Ephesians 1:5

I love that during Hanukkah, it is not only celebrated the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days;

It also serves as a reminder of what can happen when people are courageous

There is never a right time to do the wrong thing;

There is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

Standing for what is right,

Confronting the darkness with light,

Ignoring the odds - and choosing to fight

This is truly a season of miracles –

And that need to stand for what is right is every bit as necessary today

as it was so many years ago

May the LORD grant you courage in every situation you face

May His blessing abound in your life and His peace surround you as a shield

Happy Holidays – 

                And Happy Hanukkah

בָּרוּךְאַתָּהאֲדֹנָיאֱלֹהֵינוּמֶלֶךְהָעוֹלָםשֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּוְקִיְּמָנוּוְהִגִּיעָנוּלִזְּמַןהַזֶּה

‘Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.’

‘Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.’

Praying you have a blessed evening…

THANKS GIVING 2019: IDENTITY

Good Evening Friends!

I pray you had a great day –

It is COLD AND RAINY here in Virginia Beach

AND –

Days like this … they get me in a reflective mood

I do not know the precise reason

Perhaps it is because there is not much more you want to do when the weather is YUCKY

In any event – it got me thinking about one of my favorite children’s movies: MOANA

It is a Disney film about a young girl named Moana who has been chosen to help her people. Their island is dying. And, as part of this mission, she has to engage the assistance of a demi-god named Maui

That part aside, it is an interesting little film –

                It is one of those movies that I stop and watch every time I see it

AND – there is one part in particular which resonates with me for some reason

Facing challenges in their quest and dealing with Maui wanting to abandon the mission and literally jump ship [or raft/canoe], Moana reminds Maui ‘We’re only here because you stole the heart [of Te Fiti] in the first place’ – to which Maui responds, ‘No we’re here because the ocean told you, you were special and you believed it.’

THEN –  sounding every bit like she is attempting to convince herself and Maui, Moana declares:

“The ocean chose me!"

AND THEN – Maui, offering one last quip before he leaves, states, ‘The ocean chose wrong.’

NOW –

I will not go through the entire movie because that scene right there is what got me thinking tonight.

AND –

I started thinking about myself – 

And then I started thinking about all the other people out in this great big world tonight.

So what does this have to do with thanks giving and the subject of identity?

IDENTITY IS CRUCIAL – AND SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR

‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone; behold, the new has come!’ II Cor. 5:17

Yet, people will always attempt to flip the script on you –

to even blame you for things they have done;

or to project their issues upon you.

Earlier on in that movie, Maui tells Moana that he was not born a demi-god; that he was tossed into the water [discarded like unwanted garbage] by his human parents – and that he was plucked from the ocean. However, rather than focusing on the fact that he was rescued from a certain death-sentence, he continued to struggle with his own identity – and projected his issues upon Moana.

This is what happens to men and women everyday

BUT – DO NOT EVER allow someone else’s tainted self-image define who you are

Who you are with does not define who you are

What your enemies, family friends & associates say does not define who you are

Where you have been does not define who you are

Where you are presently does not define who you are

Where you are going does not even define who you are

NONE OF THAT DEFINES WHO YOU ARE

WHO THE LORD IS DEFINES WHO YOU ARE

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – 

                and your relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, 

                empowered by His Holy Spirit – THIS IS WHAT DEFINES YOU

BE CAREFUL who you allow to speak into your life and who you listen to –

                They are likely struggling with their own demons

Choose to listen instead to the voice of the LORD –

Which lovingly speaks to each and every one of us, reminding us:

‘Before I formed you in your mother’s womb – I knew you;

before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you ….’ Jeremiah 1:5

In that verse, the LORD is speaking to Jeremiah and reminding him that He chose him and appointed him a prophet. Now, we are not all destined or appointed to be prophets. However, we are all chosen and appointed.

UNDERSTAND – that the area or subject that gets you fired up and causes a righteous indignation to arise within your heart … is likely the precise area where you have been ANOINTED AND APPOINTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Your battle to maintain your identity has a MUCH BROADER IMPACT BEYOND YOUR LIFE.

There are people who have experienced victory – BECAUSE OF YOU

There are people who find strength for another day – BECAUSE YOU ARE ALIVE

There are people you have not even met yet,

who will be IMPACTED FOR ETERNITY – ALL BECAUSE OF YOU

If you have to tell yourself [and your audience] everyday who you are – 

YOU DO JUST THAT

BUT –

DON’T YOU EVER GIVE UP, DON’T GIVE IN & DO NOT FORGET WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST!

Praying you have an incredibly blessed evening –

Stay warm … and dry … 

FULLY AWARE OF WHO YOU ARE & THANKFUL FOR THAT IDENTITY

Blessings & Much Love in Christ!

THANKS GIVING 2019: OUR VETERANS

Happy Monday!

I pray your week is off to a great start;

And there is no better way to start the week –

   than to acknowledge our service men and women for all they do

Today is Veteran’s Day

HOWEVER –  I hold a special place in my heart for our military at all times

I love my country and I love and appreciate those who serve [and have served] selflessly

Being a former military spouse, I know that service comes at a cost

In my post on Memorial Day earlier this year, I noted some of those cost – which often go unseen:

§  There are also those, who live among us, who have also sacrificed their lives
 §  There are those who may not have experienced a loss of physical life;
§  Yet, they are the ones who have suffered the loss of a way of life which they held dear,
§  A life which was compromised while they selflessly served [and still serve] this country.
 §  There are those who have experienced the death of relationships –§  Those who have suffered the painful demise of a marriage … while they served.
§  There are those who have endured the loss of a loved one –§  Where they could not be present because they were off serving this country on foreign soil.
§  There are those who have experienced the loss of a life which they knew –§  Those who have lost health and wealth while serving or upon returning from service to this country
§  There are those who have cried tears that only they and God know about –§  Those who deal with the ongoing emotional trauma of having served.

I am so thankful for those give their all every day –

So that we may enjoy the freedoms we experience on a daily basis.

Today, I honor and celebrate all service members [and their loved ones and families]

I humbly and gratefully say …

Happy Veteran's Day and God Bless!

NO REGRETS ...

Good Evening … Again …. Friends …

So earlier today, I wrote about how – even as a friend of Jesus – you can face dark places

I shared some of the concern that I had heading into the Mother’s Day Weekend.

However, I have to say that I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!

I went to church in the morning –

Heard my Pastor preach an amazing message on ‘The Power to Get Back up’

SO – AFTER CHURCH …

I had a FABULOUS breakfast made by my oldest son ‘Eggs-Benedict’ … AMAZING!!!!

And then He and I went to go see my Mom.

I was nervous and a bit sad because things have just not been the same since … ALZHEIMER’s

HOWEVER –  All my fears were for naught

We had an absolutely amazing visit with my mom!

She knew who my son was [which she ALWAYS does] …

But she knew who I was as well … BEST MOTHER’S DAY PRESENT EVER!!!

I was even able to show her a picture of my Aunt Mae … her favorite & only remaining sibling

SHE WAS SO EXCITED!!! Her face just lit up as she grabbed the phone from my hand and proceeded to talk at the picture of my aunt, ‘My sister, my sweet sister … I miss you so much and I love you!’

I was ABSOLUTELY TICKLED!!!

And as we concluded our visit, I said, ‘MumMum … I love you!’

And she responded, ‘I love you MORE!’  Just like she always did …

So I went my way … stopped at the SPCA to look at some adorable puppies and then to enjoy the remainder of my Mother’s Day.

THEN – AT 9:53PM MY PHONE RANG

“This is Mary [one of the nurses from my mom’s nursing home], your mom, Ms. Sereta was having trouble breathing and we have called an ambulance and she’s been taken to the hospital.”

So, I told my youngest son and bolted out the door. 

We had just did this same thing LAST MONTH! When I got there, they had her on a BiPAP oxygen machine, had nitro-patch on her chest [her systolic was 196 when she got there] and her lungs were filled with fluid. Already suffering from congestive heart failure and renal failure, she was experiencing a hypertensive crises and respiratory distress.

 Around about midnight, I got a text message from my middle son asking how she was doing.

Now, you have to understand that he has not seen my mom in two years.

The last time he saw her, she was ICU and they were asking us to make a decision about taking her off of life-support. So, we had called all the grandchildren up to the hospital to say goodbye.

NOW – she obviously survived that episode. However, my middle son has not been able to bring himself to visit again her since then ... NOT UNTIL LAST NIGHT/THIS MORNING. 

He wanted – as best he could – to remember her as she was before … the Nana that lived in my home with my sons and I for over fifteen years … the Nana who used to get on the floor with them and act crazy. That is why him coming to the hospital this morning WAS HUGE!

HE HAD TO FACE HIS FEARS and the sure pain he would experience seeing her, not only in her diminished capacity because of Alzheimer’s, but even more fragile due to the numerous issues that landed her in the ER last night.

BUT HE DID IT … AND I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE PROUD OF HIM

You see, he is my child that puts on the strongest face of all my sons. He is a lot like his mom.

Yet, he is actually a very caring person under that SUPREMELY TOUGH [AND OFTEN TIMES CYNICAL] EXTERIOR. 

AND – when he got to the hospital, wouldn’t you know … SHE KNEW WHO HE WAS! And her first comment after acknowledging him was, ‘I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU IN A WHILE!!!’

I LOVE HER!!! SHE IS SO FEISTY!

He stayed with me until after 3AM – until they got her situated in her room in ICU

SO WHY SHARE THIS TONIGHT?

Because I believe there are some people who fall in the category of my last post:

FRIENDS OF JESUS FACING SOMETIMES DARK PLACES

But, there are also some people who fall in the category with my middle son:

INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TASKED WITH FACING THEIR FEARS AND CHOOSING TO STEP … FORWARD ... IN FAITH

While this morning was extremely difficult for my son, 

HE WILL NOT LIVE WITH REGRETS

He will not live/exist wishing that he had seen her one last time, wishing he had said ‘I love you’ one last time AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY he will not have to live with the regret of letting his fears control his present and future. He faced that challenge head-on. So, whatever happens with my mom [whenever it happens], I know he will be alright.

BE ENCOURAGED TONIGHT –

No matter what your today may look like …

No matter what you have been avoiding up until this point …

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS WHICH WILL CHANGE YOUR PRESENT AND FUTURE

THE HARDEST PART IS MAKING SHIFT IN YOUR THINKING.

DO NOT BE CONTROLLED BY FEAR

DO NOT LET FEAR OF WHAT MIGHT/MIGHT NOT HAPPEN ROB YOU OF JOY TODAY

STEP OUT IN FAITH ... NO REGRETS!

Praying You Have a Blessed Evening!

PERSPECTIVE ...

Good Morning!

I pray your day is off to a great start.  

My day – well it started several hours ago and it is only just past 6 AM now, if that helps put things in perspective.

YET – I amazingly do not feel tired

I feel energized as I’ve spent time this morning,

Praying and reading, reflecting and meditating.

My thoughts keep circling back to the amazing grace of GOD and,

The comfort that comes in knowing that the Creator of the universe is universally in control

In that process, there are verses and songs that keep flooding my heart

Earlier this week I shared a song entitled – Surrounded (This is How I Fight My Battles)

Well, there is a line at the very end of that song that says:

“Your blood puts everything in the right perspective”

That single line reminded me of something the LORD spoke to me many years ago:

“You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed” Hebrews 12:4

FACT

For all the challenges we face, we have not endured what Christ endured for us.

There has been no greater sacrifice – EVER

And nothing can separate us from His love.

The day the LORD spoke those words to me – all those years ago – I was feeling sorely overwhelmed with the situations of life. Having lost focus, I was well on my way to having a most profound pity party. But the LORD put a swift end to all of that as He charged me to keep things in proper perspective. It was then that I was reminded of all Christ went through in striving against sin and securing our eternal salvation. 

I am reminded – everything outside of that sacrifice is sweat and tears; and the only way those things will destroy me is if I make a conscious decision to let myself sit in it and drown.

I am reminded further – there is still much work to do.

I am reminded ultimately – there is NOTHING that can separate me from the love of God. 

As noted earlier this week, “Whether we live or die, we are the LORD’s” Romans 14:8

• Whether the relationship lives or dies
• Whether the career lives or dies
• Whether the finances live or die
• Whether our own health lives or dies

AND SADLY, YES –

• Whether the loved one lives or dies
• We are still the LORD’s and we can be comforted. I have comfort because I know that the particular loved one who stays in my thoughts continually – My Mom, SHE IS THE LORD’S AS WELL

KNOW THIS – The entirety of every situation and circumstance is in the LORD’s able hands. The earth and everything in it belong to Him. And He cares for that which concerns us.

KEEP STANDING! KEEP PRAYING! KEEP TRUSTING!  KEEP MOVING!

Praying You Have a Tremendously Blessed Day!

Zenobia

'I AM' coming out of this ...

'And Gideon said unto him, “Oh my lord, if the Lord be with us, why then has all this befallen us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us of ...' Judges 6:13

If the LORD be with us, why then has all this befallen us?
And where are all His miracles?
Gideon, I am sure, is not the only individual who has ever asked that question.

I started this post on September 6, 2012 and it has been sitting in draft since that date. When I started writing this post, it was entitled ‘If the LORD be with us…’ However, that title had to change with something that took place a few days ago.

 You see, three days ago I heard a message from TD Jakes and he was talking about storms - a topic of great interest to me given that they are a part of daily life and the subject of my yet to be published book 'When Storms Rage - 21 Principles to Keep You Anchored Through Life's Toughest Moments’.

As he talked about the situations that people face, he encouraged them to speak out and declare: 'I am coming out of this!'

Whether it be a storm of health issues, financial reversals, relationship problems, parenting challenges or any one of a thousand different life challenges that one can experience, he kept reminding them that God is with them in the storm and that He would bring them out. Therefore, they could declare with confidence, 'I am coming out of this'.

Great feedback - not revolutionary by any means. However, it is a message absolutely necessary as it is often the routine and 'seemingly obvious' things that are the source of struggles we face and that have a tendency to cause us to stumble. His message was inspiring hope in the hearts of his listeners and providing much needed encouragement. Yet beyond the encouragement that it gave me regarding the fact that I am coming out of my situation(s), was the perspective that it sparked.

'I am coming out of this’

‘I am coming out of this!’

I could feel faith increasing each time I verbalized those words.

However, repeated several times in my mind, the message that took root and immediately started to germinate was not of me emerging from my situation. The deeper, more meaningful reality that I started to hear, and recognize, and ‘see’ was this:

'I AM' … coming out of this

Out of every situation and circumstance, the LORD emerges and His glory is evident to all who stand as witnesses to the trials, to my trials and yours.

Yes, more important than me vocalizing ‘I am coming out of this!’ is me declaring with confidence: ‘I AM’ coming out of this

The glory of the great ‘I AM’,
The One who stands as LORD over everything,
Is coming out of this ...

Yet, you may ask, ‘What is the ‘this’?
It is different for every one of us.

For some the ‘this’ we desire is to come out of financial reversals. For some, the ‘this’ is health challenges. For others the ‘this’ is parenting problems, while others face the ‘this’ of marital strife. Many face the 'this' of religious persecution. And, then there are still others who face the ‘this’ of frustrations encountered on the path to destiny.

Whatever the ‘this’ is in your life – and mine
We must let this one revelation sink into our spirit

‘I AM’ coming out of this

If you read that entire story of Gideon, you find that GOD set him up in battle of seemingly insurmountable odds. Beginning with 32,000 men, by God’s direction, Gideon ended up going into battle against the Midianite army with only 300 men who, by Biblical accounts, ‘lapped water like dogs’. A most unlikely leader with an insignificant army in both size and distinction.

WHY WOULD GOD DO THAT???

So that Gideon, his army and even his enemies would recognize with clarity and see
‘I AM’ COMING OUT OF THIS

Understand that God will intentionally place us in what should be, by all human accounts, a losing battle. And He does it so that, when He brings us out, it is not just us coming out of the situation – but His glory comes out, revealed in and through every situation.

Weary heart … take courage tonight!

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY
Truly is working all things together for your good and His glory.

And while I could comfort you by having you rehearse the fact that you are coming out of this. I pray, above all, that you will embrace His eternal perspective and boldly declare –

‘I AM’ COMING OUT OF THIS …

Every struggle, every hardship, every test of patience, every work of perseverance, every physical limitation, every disappointment, every financial reversal, every imprisonment for His Word’s sake, every martyred soul … THE GREAT 'I AM' IS BEING REVEALED.

‘I AM ‘… COMING OUT OF THIS!

Praying this morning, in the matchless name of Jesus,
That the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s abundant blessings rest upon you,
Today and Always ... God Bless!

Never Alone ...

I heard this song on the way to work this morning … and it resonated with me. I believe there are many who can relate. So, to all the hurting, who have ever asked, ‘LORD, Where are You?’ this post is for you …

Be Blessed!

‘He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.’ Isaiah 53:5-7

To His accusers and attackers, He uttered not a word …

‘And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46

Now …

‘Since we have a great high priest, Jesus the Son of God, who has gone into heaven, let us hold on to the faith we have. For our High Priest is able to understand our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but He did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.' Hebrews 4:14-16

‘…For He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”’ Hebrews 13:5

‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’ II Corinthians 4:8-10

Therefore …

‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.’ Hebrews 10:23 

'"... And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.' Matthew 28:20

stand ready ...

Good Morning!

This is not the weekly journey message ... I will post that this evening. I'm on my way to work but I had to share this. I was dreaming about singing this song with a group of fellow Christians and woke up singing it.

'You must worship Christ as Lord of your life.
And if someone asks about your Christian hope,
always be ready to explain it.'
I Peter 3:15NLT

'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes ...'
Romans 1:16

Have a Blessed Day!

God is God ...

Men as Men; God as God   
"I, even I, am He that comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; you have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?"   - Isaiah 51:12-13 

Let the text itself be taken as the portion for today. Read it, believe it, feed on it, and plead it before the LORD. He whom you fear is only a man; while He who promises to comfort you is God, your Maker, and the creator of heaven and earth.
     "Where is the fury of the oppressor?" It is in the LORD's hand. It is only the fury of a dying creature, fury that will end as soon as the breath is gone from the nostril. Why, then, should we stand in awe of one who is as frail as ourselves? Let us not dishonor our God by making a god of puny man.  Let us treat men as men, and God as God; and then we shall go calmly on in the path of duty, fearing the LORD and fearing nobody else.   
from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon 

God as God ... and why?
Because God is God - The One True and Living, Great and Mighty
And, since we are His - purchased by the blood of Jesus and indwelt by His Holy Spirit - we can walk in confidence no matter what we face.

This song by Chris Tomlin has been a sort of anthem for me this year and seemed to go perfectly with this devotional I read today. I hope you enjoy…

Have a Blessed Evening!

I Lift My Eyes Up ....

“O you afflicted one,
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,
Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems,
And lay your foundations with sapphires.”
Isaiah 54:11

I saw this verse tweeted this morning and it spoke to me. Today was challenging – for a number of reasons. But, as I was driving home (thank God my van took me to work and back), I heard this song and was encouraged.

                   
Praying that you have a blessed evening...             

PSALM 121
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night. 

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul. 
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.   

JOURNEY 201¦1 ‘He Cares’

I have a little bit of a ‘different’ post this week – after missing last week’s post altogether. Amazingly, I am learning not to beat myself up when I can’t seem to do it all.
 
Anyway, I felt a strong urge to share an excerpt from an email that I sent to my friend just a couple of hours ago. Someone had instructed her to read Psalm 2 and she wanted me to share my thoughts on it. Interestingly, she pointed out that she kept on hearing Psalm 22 even as they told her to read Psalm 2. Here is part of that email…
 
'The verses that stood out to me most were verses 7-9 and the tail end of verse twelve. I think overall, it touches on some of the things that Pastor Archie has been talking about in the end days. However, more importantly for those of us who are God’s children, He gives us a comforting reminder – that we are His – and not just for end times, at all times.
 
He tells us to 'ask' and reminds us of our inheritance in Him. However, if I am honest, I have been struggling with this concept lately. I know He is El Elyon (God Most High) and El Shaddai (The All Sufficient One). I know there is no problem that is too big for Him. My problem is not in His ability but in truly believing that He desires to do what I ask for me. And yet His Word remains and is true. And we have to make a decision to believe it.
 
When people feel abandoned, by a spouse or a father or a family (or all), they need to know, that they know, that they know God is with them – as a Savior, as a Friend, as a Father. It is much easier said than done because situations will keep screaming at you all day to get you to believe the opposite is true.
 
I think you kept hearing Psalm 22 because you may truly be experiencing some of those emotions that the psalmist expresses. Even so, God desires for you to know (and me too) that He has not forsaken us, He is not too far to help, He does hear, He does care, He has taken note of every tear and knows what they represent (even when we don’t). We are not the worms that we often believe ourselves to be – we are His children. Though people will scoff because of our commitment to keep trusting and serving Him, there is no other path to take. Though we experience physical manifestations of pain as a result of the challenges that come against us, HE IS WITH US! And we make a conscious and willful decision to praise Him … whatever comes.'
 
[Psalm 22 paints a vivid picture of the suffering which our Savior endured and reminds us that He is familiar with the pains that we feel … because He experienced it, AND MORE.
 
Psalm 2 reminds us that Jesus reigns supreme, of His triumph over all.]
 

⁷I will declare the decree:

     The LORD has said to Me,

     ‘You are My Son,

     Today I have begotten You.  

⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You

     The nations for Your inheritance,

     And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron;

     You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

¹² ...Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.'

Psalm 2:7-9, 12