Lamentations 3:22b-23a

“[For the LORD’S] compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“[For the LORD’S] compassions (checed: kindness, goodness, favor, mercies) never fail (kalah: end, finish, accomplish, cease). They are new (chadash: fresh) every morning (boqer: break of day, coming of daylight).”

SUMMARY

The compassions, kindness, goodness, favor and mercies of the Lord never fail. They are fresh and new at the breaking daylight of every morning.

MEDITATION

This verse should have us all doing cartwheels across our bedroom floors as we arise in the morning to start each day. The Lord, full of compassion and mercy has given us hope for each new day and that hope is His lovingkindess. I’ve always wrestled with the issue of dragging my yesterdays into my todays. For many, many years I would not approach God “today” because of my “yesterday”. I had failed to understand that here, in the now of a new day, the compassions of my Father were beckoning me unto Him. So today, is there anything in your past that is spoiling your present, spiritually? Arise and shine for today is a new day! Rejoice and breathe in the fresh goodness of the Lord! 

Ephesians 5:15

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise.”

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Therefore be careful (akribos: diligent, accurate) how you walk (peripateo: be occupied, make one's way, progress, live one's life, conduct one's self), not as unwise (asophos: foolish) men but as wise (sophos: skilled, expert, learned).”

SUMMARY

Be careful, diligent and accurate how you make your way and conduct yourself, not as a foolish man but as a skilled and wise man.

MEDITATION

In this letter we find Paul urging the Ephesians to be imitators of God and to abstain from immorality. He tells them to be on their guard against the deeds of darkness and to be careful to not be deceived by empty words. In today’s verse we’re instructed to be vigilant and accurate with our decisions as we go about our daily routines of life. What are we occupied with? Do we conduct ourselves with the constant remembrance that we’re Christ’s representatives upon this earth? As we mature in the natural, we must mature in the spiritual. We need to cultivate our spiritual life and become skilled in conducting ourselves in a way that is pleasing to the Father. Today, are you making deliberate decisions to be careful how you walk throughout this life?

Exodus 17:15

 “Moses built an altar and named it ‘Jehovahnissi’ (Translated, ‘The Lord is My Banner’)".

STRONGS HEBREW/GREEK ORIGINS

“Moses built (banah: set up, established) an altar and named (qara’: called out, proclaimed aloud, commissioned) it ‘Jehovahnissi’ (translated, ‘The Lord is My Banner’)".

SUMMARY

Moses set up and established an altar and proclaimed aloud that “The Lord is my Banner!”

MEDITATION

In an age where denominations, political parties, sects and isolated groups run rampant within the Body of Christ, how desperately do we need to hear this simple proclamation by Moses? The Body of Christ must understand that our banner (what we raise up and look to in order to identify ourselves) must be the Lord alone! Not where we attend religious gatherings or what class of people we choose to hang out with. Not what religious flavor we ascribe to or the latest faith movement that we embrace. Not our doctrinal stance on moral and national issues. Not our personal accomplishments and successes. First and foremost our banner, our absolute defining quality must be that we’re united in spirit with the Lord as our banner! All else should easily, without competition, fall well beneath the elevated banner that is Jehovahnissi! Arise Church and hoist the only banner you were called to raise!