From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "C & P Greene" <greenehouse72@juno.com>
Subject: Sunday Greetings
Date: Sunday, May 21, 2000 8:31 AM

"...the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10b

Last week we looked into the joy of this verse and saw that it is the Lord's
own joy that is ours in Him.  Now let's look at the strength of the Lord and
see where the Lord leads us.

"Isaiah 12:2 says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be
afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become
my salvation."

So casually do we read of the One who is our strength and salvation, even
passing quickly over the Provider to get to the provisions.  It is God;
creator of the universe, the Almighty One, the One to whom all honor and
glory belongs; this is the One with whom we are being so casual. But, our
focus is to be on the Provider, giving Him all the reverence and  honor that
is due Him.  We are to 'Hallow' His name. For His Name can not be separated
from His Being!

"Through Him (Jesus), therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up
to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully
acknowledge and confess and glorify His name."   Hebrews 13:15

God; omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, is the One who is our strength!
Scripture says,
"The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield...The Lord is their
[unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His
anointed."  Psalm 28:7-8
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm
46:1
"My flesh and my heart may fail, BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my
portion forever."  Psalm 73:26
"Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in
You."  Psalm 84:5
"With whom My hand will be established; My arm also will strengthen him."
Psalm 89:21

As we are admonished to do in Hebrews 13:15, let us praise our God with
thankful hearts using the words of Isaiah 12:4-6
"...'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name.
 Make known His deeds among the peoples;
 Make them remember that His name is exalted.'
 Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things;
 Let this be known throughtout the earth.
 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
 For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel

All praise and glory to Him!  Hallelujah!