Extra-Ordinary

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May you pay ExtraOrdinary attention to God’s word (Ezk 12:1,2). #Extraordinary #ListenToGod #FollowGodFaithfully

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Ezekiel is a man of extraordinary (EO) proportions. He was called in an EO way (visions seeing God on his throne, Ch 1-3). He has been directed to act out the prophecies of God in EO and dramatic ways (Ch 4-8). He experienced the EO departure of God from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ch 9-11).

But the people of God were extraordinarily indifferent and rebellious towards God. Here, Ezekiel will receive two EO messages from God to deliver to the people. He will carry out God‘s wishes faithfully and fully. Lord, may I be such a man as Ezekiel; may I see you, listen to you and follow you faithfully.

Can You Fog A Mirror? GIVE PRAISE TO GOD!

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Lift your voice in praise to the living God (Psm 150:1-6). #PraiseTheLord #ReasonToPraise #LiftYourVoiceToGod #ExaltTheNameOfGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

In conclusion, “Praise the Lord!“ This is the psalm of Psalms. It is a fitting conclusion to the book of songs of praise to God. Exalt the name of our God in his sanctuary. Praise God for his mighty works and unequal greatness.

Praise God loudly on the horns, lyre, harp, and tambourine. Praise God with stringed instruments, flutes, and loud clashing symbols.

Dance vigorously before him in praise. “Let everything that has breath [can fog mirror] give praise to the Lord!“

Lord, your faithfulness, is more than reason enough for this aged sentry to praise you; you sustain, provide and protect.

Eruption of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May the deep wells of your soul erupt with praise to God (Psm 148:12-14). #PraiseTheLord #ReasonToPraise #ExaltTheNameOfGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

May all men (young and old; birth to end of days) give praise to the Lord. When the forces of nature are right, a geyser will erupt in glorious fashion. May all men in the same way, lift their voices in an eruption of praise to God. His name alone will be exalted above the heavens.

Let the people say, “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is the name in all the earth “ (Psm 8:1). His glory resides in and above the earth (Psm 113:4). The Lord gives his holy ones reason to erupt in praises to him; he has made them strong. They are near to him and he to them (Eph 2:12,13).

PRAISE THE LORD!

Lord, this old sentry has reason, days without end, to PRAISE & EXALT THE NAME OF OUR LORD!

The Chorus of Creation

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Join your voice to the grand Course of Creation (Psm 148:2-12). #PraiseTheLord #HeavenlyChorus #ChorusOfCreation

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who is this grand chorus that thunders its praises to Jehovah God? Roll the credits.

Voices above the heavens: angels, the armies of heaven, sun, moon, stars, skies and vapor.

Voices from earth and below: every ocean creature, lightening, hail, snow, clouds, wind, weather, mountains, trees, wild animals, domesticated animals, birds and scurrying little animals.

Voices of men: people, rulers, judges, young men and women, old men and women, children.

All the voices of God‘s creation sing praises to him as one voice. Lord, it is my great honor to join this grand Chorus of Creation singing praises to you.

A Heavenly Chorus Of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Let your voice be heard in thunderous praise to Jehovah God (Psm148:1). #PraiseTheLord #HeavenlyChorus

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Imagine the Holy Spirit as the great Chorister of the universe. Into the din of voices warming up to sing, the Chorister steps up onto a cosmic podium. His baton taps a heavenly music stand with the authority of a maestro.

The voices, warmed and ready, immediately grow silent. The Chorister lifts his arms. Every voice awaits anxiously for their queue to sound out a thunderous, glorious hallelujah. A joyful praise to the Lord God of the heavens.

Lord, this old sentry offers one more voice of thunderous praise to you.

God Is Good, all The Time, Every Time

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Trust God fully to always act in your best interest (Psm 145:17-19). #GodIsGood #TrustGod

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Who could ever claim that all their ways are righteous and good? But God does. In all his dealings with men he does what is best. He violates no right, he wrongs no man, he demands no unjust work.

The Lord is near to all men. But he is especially near to those who call upon him in sincerity and truth. To those, he reveals himself. He fulfills their desire and hears their cry. He moves according to their need in all righteousness and mercy.

Lord, may this prayer sentry trust you fully to hear me and act always in my best interest.

“The Lifter Upper”

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

Look to God to defend and strengthen you (Psm 145:13-16). #GodOurSustainer #GodOurDefender #GodOurStrength

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

The one whose heart and hands it is to help, show mercy, and compassion, is the one whose heart has been moved by God. It is by those hands and inner compulsions of mercy that God sustains (preserves & defends) and upholds those unable to help themselves. They would otherwise sink beneath their load.

To those bowed down, bent over by their load of care, God will strengthen so that they may not be crushed under the load. He opens his hand of provision to every creature and satisfies their thirst and hunger (Mat 5:6; Jhn 4:14; 6:48; 7:37).

Lord, you have been to me my defender and my strength, my “lifter upper” through every circumstance.

Wha’s Up?

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May we lead every generation to know and follow Jesus* (Psm 145:11-13). #WitnessForChrist #GoIntoAllTheWorld #ShareChrist #PreachTheGospel #TheKingdomOfGodIsHere

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

Men will see/have seen the evidence of God‘s goodness, greatness, mercy, and how he governs in his kingdom. So they speak about it – proclaim its virtues and glory. They will site examples of God‘s power, mighty deeds and the glory of God‘s eternal reign. They will extol God’s faithful governance as gracious and good.

Barnes’ Notes points out that men talk about that which is of great interest to them; things they wish to understand and pursue.

Believers talk about God‘s kingdom. They meditate on it. It is a part of their everyday, “Wha’s Up” conversations.** Lord, may I be engaged with daily conversations that “lead every generation to know and follow Jesus.”*

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* This is the mission statement of my church: CrossCreek Church, Colleyville, Texas, https//www.CrossCreekChurch.com

** Barnes, Albert. Barnes’ Notes on The Old & New Testaments, Psalms Vol lll, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Fifteenth Edition 1979, Pg 322.

Open Book Of Praise

PRAYING FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, CHURCH & NATION:

May your life reveal a loving God (Psm 145:8-10). #GodOfCompassion #GodOfUnconditionalLove #GodOfMercy

MORNING WATCH NOTES:

David here affirms God‘s nature. He sees God as merciful, long suffering, loving, and compassionate. This is consistent with what other writers, centuries apart, have said (Exo 34:6; Neh 9:17; Jol 2:13; Jon 4:2; 1Jn 4:8).

I have only to look at my own life to know the truth of these words. I have failed God too many times to count. But he has never failed me. He has blessed me mightily; showered compassion on me. How could I not praise him?

Lord, may my life be an open book of praise for the wonderful goodness of God.