Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord"
It has been a long time. I started a Bible study so although I only had one psalm left, I left it and devoted time to the other knowing around Christmas there would be a break in the Bible study and I would return to it then. God's timing is always amazing. I read Psalm 150 yesterday before church. The message was about Christmas. Seemingly the two wouldn't relate, but they do. As we rush into the season with the hustle and bustle and forget what and why we even celebrate, it behooves us to take a breath and praise the Lord.
So to get you there, we went to a few other places in scripture.
Isaiah 9: 6-7a, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." (a prediction of His coming and how He will rule)
Galations 4:4-7, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'" So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." (an explanation of why He came and what He has begun).
Christmas had come. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because of Easter...the risen Lord, the empty tomb. He had conquered death taking the penalty of our sin. And although He has risen, His work is not done. Neither is ours. We are to tell others about Him. He is working out His plan for the world that we cannot understand until He comes again. Christmas will come again.
We are between Christmases. Every time we celebrate until He comes again to set up His kingdom and a righteous government, we celebrate the Christmas that came, is coming and will come again.
We ended singing "Joy to the World". The author of the song wrote the lyrics talking about Christmas to come. The time when the world is set right and there will be no more tears, no more hatred..and EVERYTHING that has breath will praise the Lord.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Sunday, October 1, 2017
nighttime songs
Psalm 149:4-5, "For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."
His love is immeasurable. He seeks and wants the best for us...wanting to crown those who would humble themselves and repent and take His free gift of salvation available to anyone who has come to know the sacrifice of Jesus in their life so they may have restored relationship with the very One who loves us so.
When we do, we get to sing a new song for His new mercies (v. 1-3)! And salvation in any and all occasions is the best reason to sing. Our biggest praise comes not just singing and praising Him with our lips, but to obeying Him with our lives so a wandering world will see and find reason to join in the singing!
This does not come from our judging others when we ourselves are full of sin, but from seeking God and circumcising our hearts and abiding in Him (Romans 2:25-29) and becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) so we can wear a crown in His kingdom...and sing!
His love is immeasurable. He seeks and wants the best for us...wanting to crown those who would humble themselves and repent and take His free gift of salvation available to anyone who has come to know the sacrifice of Jesus in their life so they may have restored relationship with the very One who loves us so.
When we do, we get to sing a new song for His new mercies (v. 1-3)! And salvation in any and all occasions is the best reason to sing. Our biggest praise comes not just singing and praising Him with our lips, but to obeying Him with our lives so a wandering world will see and find reason to join in the singing!
This does not come from our judging others when we ourselves are full of sin, but from seeking God and circumcising our hearts and abiding in Him (Romans 2:25-29) and becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) so we can wear a crown in His kingdom...and sing!
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
open hands, palms up
Psalm 148:13, "Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
For all He has created and all He has sustained, He is worthy of praise...from all things. The following verse reminds us of His greatest gift, "He has raised up for His people a horn..." His king, His strong one...Jesus.
He raised Him, sending Him to earth as man while still being fully God. To provide a way for us to be in relationship with Him. No other religion offers this. You do not have to work to reach different levels to attain favor. God loves us, HE CAME TO US to GIVE us a way to restore relationship with Him. It is a free gift for the taking. What a magnificent God! What a beautiful love...displayed in creation and available to us.
For all He has created and all He has sustained, He is worthy of praise...from all things. The following verse reminds us of His greatest gift, "He has raised up for His people a horn..." His king, His strong one...Jesus.
He raised Him, sending Him to earth as man while still being fully God. To provide a way for us to be in relationship with Him. No other religion offers this. You do not have to work to reach different levels to attain favor. God loves us, HE CAME TO US to GIVE us a way to restore relationship with Him. It is a free gift for the taking. What a magnificent God! What a beautiful love...displayed in creation and available to us.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
overwhelming peace
Psalm 147:4-5, "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit."
It seems almost contradictory. In the scheme of the world, we are but a vapor...so small in the number of minutes we are here, so small in comparison to the universe as a whole. AND YET, we matter. He knows each star by name. He knows every hair on our head, every minute, every thought, every word before we speak it.
That is how big God is. Unfathomable in His understanding and love for us. It is not contradictory at all, but it can feel overwhelming...so you stand in awe. You look up at the stars and can see the beginning of His glory and know that in all of it, you are part of His story. You spend time trying to wrap your mind around the glorious riches of His love and know that now we understand in part, then we will understand in full when we see Him face to face and fall down on our knees. It feels overwhelming but there is peace in knowing Him.
Ephesians 3:14-19, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
It seems almost contradictory. In the scheme of the world, we are but a vapor...so small in the number of minutes we are here, so small in comparison to the universe as a whole. AND YET, we matter. He knows each star by name. He knows every hair on our head, every minute, every thought, every word before we speak it.
That is how big God is. Unfathomable in His understanding and love for us. It is not contradictory at all, but it can feel overwhelming...so you stand in awe. You look up at the stars and can see the beginning of His glory and know that in all of it, you are part of His story. You spend time trying to wrap your mind around the glorious riches of His love and know that now we understand in part, then we will understand in full when we see Him face to face and fall down on our knees. It feels overwhelming but there is peace in knowing Him.
Ephesians 3:14-19, "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know that this love surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Monday, September 11, 2017
my hope
Psalm 146:5-6, "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever."
I just love the words, "the Lord, who remains faithful forever." I keep staring at them and think in them in the richest of blessings. To have faith in One who is faithful FOREVER.
He is outside of time and yet before we drew a breath, He loved us, knew the number of hairs on our head, knew of our days. In all my wonderings, He never left me. He pursued me until I asked Jesus in my heart. He patiently waited for this prodigal girl to return to His arms when I thought I could do it on my own and He was more of an adornment than my all in all.
He walked beside me in my toughest years and helped me not stumble but grow stronger...how can that even be? That is crazy love. I'm here to tell you, in the tough times, humans don't know what to do, some leave, some point fingers...we're humans...it's kind of what we do. But not the Maker of heaven and earth, He helps, He stays faithful, He loves, He carries, He forgives.
I don't want to live a day without that. William Nicholson said, "The enemy of salvation is self-sufficiency." Salvation is mine, I am no longer self-sufficient because my hope is in the Lord alone.
I just love the words, "the Lord, who remains faithful forever." I keep staring at them and think in them in the richest of blessings. To have faith in One who is faithful FOREVER.
He is outside of time and yet before we drew a breath, He loved us, knew the number of hairs on our head, knew of our days. In all my wonderings, He never left me. He pursued me until I asked Jesus in my heart. He patiently waited for this prodigal girl to return to His arms when I thought I could do it on my own and He was more of an adornment than my all in all.
He walked beside me in my toughest years and helped me not stumble but grow stronger...how can that even be? That is crazy love. I'm here to tell you, in the tough times, humans don't know what to do, some leave, some point fingers...we're humans...it's kind of what we do. But not the Maker of heaven and earth, He helps, He stays faithful, He loves, He carries, He forgives.
I don't want to live a day without that. William Nicholson said, "The enemy of salvation is self-sufficiency." Salvation is mine, I am no longer self-sufficient because my hope is in the Lord alone.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
mirror, mirror
Psalm 145:8-10a, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All you have made will praise you, O Lord;..."
Noted as a psalm of praise, David declares he will praise the Lord for ever and ever then continues to recount WHY we should praise Him: God's powerful acts; God's mercy and grace; His eternal kingdom; and His responsiveness to prayer."
He is all these things and worthy of praise. I love the picture Henry created in his quote, "All God's works do praise Him, as the beautiful building praises the builder or the well-drawn picture praises the painter."
Our lives and everything we do praises the Lord and points to Him. Convicts me to live a life that reflects Him well.
Noted as a psalm of praise, David declares he will praise the Lord for ever and ever then continues to recount WHY we should praise Him: God's powerful acts; God's mercy and grace; His eternal kingdom; and His responsiveness to prayer."
He is all these things and worthy of praise. I love the picture Henry created in his quote, "All God's works do praise Him, as the beautiful building praises the builder or the well-drawn picture praises the painter."
Our lives and everything we do praises the Lord and points to Him. Convicts me to live a life that reflects Him well.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
armed and at the ready
Psalm 144:1, "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."
I'm a lover, not a fighter. Truth be told, I'm a flat out "withdrawaler". I avoid conflict as much as possible. But total avoidance is not a reality.
David was preparing or in a battle. God had given him victory before and David prayed that God would deliver him again. David was prepared because he knew the Lord. He knew where to go for help.
God prepares us everyday for the small and big battles that come. When I am in His Word every day, learning His character, His promises, His law, I am preparing for whatever battle that may come. I am arming up. When the trials come, the attacks come, the temptations come, God has readied me. I can lean on Him for strength, answers, rest, peace and face the battle head on.
I'm a lover, not a fighter. Truth be told, I'm a flat out "withdrawaler". I avoid conflict as much as possible. But total avoidance is not a reality.
David was preparing or in a battle. God had given him victory before and David prayed that God would deliver him again. David was prepared because he knew the Lord. He knew where to go for help.
God prepares us everyday for the small and big battles that come. When I am in His Word every day, learning His character, His promises, His law, I am preparing for whatever battle that may come. I am arming up. When the trials come, the attacks come, the temptations come, God has readied me. I can lean on Him for strength, answers, rest, peace and face the battle head on.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
early bird or night owl
Psalm 143:8, "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul."
I am definitely more of a morning girl. Perhaps it was all those band mornings; or my parents, in my teenage mind, being obnoxiously loud in the mornings 😁. But I rather be in bed at 8pm and up at 4 am.
I love the promise of every morning. It's like you get 365 new year's resolutions each day...to be the best you...to honor God, be a better mom, be a more patient teacher, a better wife (actually enjoying cooking...lol), etc. I sit and do my quiet time by windows so I see the sunlight start breaking through the trees and shadows play and life come alive as squirrels scurry and birds peep.
It is intimate time with God...in His Word, in His creation...and it brings me joy. It is a daily reminder to put my trust in God and depend on him for His guidance and deliverance.
Throughout the ages, as many have done, as David did when he begged God to not hide His face from him. David realizes his own unrighteousness and prays to God: first asking forgiveness for his own sin and then help, knowing that it is only through God's mercy and pure grace that he would be delivered and knowing that because of God's faithfulness, he can always go to God...always.
That's a sweet way to start a day.
I am definitely more of a morning girl. Perhaps it was all those band mornings; or my parents, in my teenage mind, being obnoxiously loud in the mornings 😁. But I rather be in bed at 8pm and up at 4 am.
I love the promise of every morning. It's like you get 365 new year's resolutions each day...to be the best you...to honor God, be a better mom, be a more patient teacher, a better wife (actually enjoying cooking...lol), etc. I sit and do my quiet time by windows so I see the sunlight start breaking through the trees and shadows play and life come alive as squirrels scurry and birds peep.
It is intimate time with God...in His Word, in His creation...and it brings me joy. It is a daily reminder to put my trust in God and depend on him for His guidance and deliverance.
Throughout the ages, as many have done, as David did when he begged God to not hide His face from him. David realizes his own unrighteousness and prays to God: first asking forgiveness for his own sin and then help, knowing that it is only through God's mercy and pure grace that he would be delivered and knowing that because of God's faithfulness, he can always go to God...always.
That's a sweet way to start a day.
Monday, September 4, 2017
tired
Psalm 142:3a, "When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way..."
My mom noted a while ago that my cousin and I who are both named after our godly grandmother (we use to tease that she had a direct line to God) have had some serious trials in our lives...her moreso than me as she lost a child which no person should ever have to do 😢 Some backstory here, my mom is not a believer so this was all said through that lens. She said something along the lines that we are "very religious" (yuck) and we have had hard burdens to bear. She doesn't understand why people who are "very religious" have to suffer...and she especially doesn't understand why people continue to praise and worship God in the midst of it.
It is hard to explain sometimes that it is especially in those times...when your own spirit is weak that you lean into God. He not only knows your way, He strengthens, He comforts, He is there in the middle of it grieving right along beside you.
He helps you find your way. As David fled from Saul and was living in a cave, he felt he had no other human that was there for him, that he could he depend on. So he cried out to the One who never abandons and could lead him in his time of desperation. People will disappoint, the world FOR SURE does, God never disappoints. He leads you in those times in the way that leads to life, not in ways that might lead to destruction or more suffering.
I'm not a one man island. I cannot do it on my own; nor do I really want to. When I get tired and weak it is God I go to first. He provides. He is Jehovah Jireh.
My mom noted a while ago that my cousin and I who are both named after our godly grandmother (we use to tease that she had a direct line to God) have had some serious trials in our lives...her moreso than me as she lost a child which no person should ever have to do 😢 Some backstory here, my mom is not a believer so this was all said through that lens. She said something along the lines that we are "very religious" (yuck) and we have had hard burdens to bear. She doesn't understand why people who are "very religious" have to suffer...and she especially doesn't understand why people continue to praise and worship God in the midst of it.
It is hard to explain sometimes that it is especially in those times...when your own spirit is weak that you lean into God. He not only knows your way, He strengthens, He comforts, He is there in the middle of it grieving right along beside you.
He helps you find your way. As David fled from Saul and was living in a cave, he felt he had no other human that was there for him, that he could he depend on. So he cried out to the One who never abandons and could lead him in his time of desperation. People will disappoint, the world FOR SURE does, God never disappoints. He leads you in those times in the way that leads to life, not in ways that might lead to destruction or more suffering.
I'm not a one man island. I cannot do it on my own; nor do I really want to. When I get tired and weak it is God I go to first. He provides. He is Jehovah Jireh.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
the struggle is real
Psalm 141:3-4a, "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil..."
Perhaps the most awkward faculty meeting I've ever been to. Thirteen of the most AWESOME coworkers sitting in a circle. The topic of conversation-gossip. The toxicity of it all clearly visible through tears, hurt and then reconciliation.
A few people were called out, but I would venture to bet EVERY SINGLE person in that room was guilty. I count myself among them. The very same morning, I had to apologize to three people for doing this very same thing. Had to as in convicted by the Holy Spirit all night prior. It is such an ugly beast. And I can't say well, "my gossiping wasn't THAT bad" It's ALL that bad.
I need to ask God daily to guard my mouth. Ugh, this silly flesh that even wants to be a part of it. But, even typing this I realize that the words need to be stopped when they are still thoughts. Beyond guarding my mouth, I need to guard my thoughts.
This struggle presents itself in me right now as I am SO ANGRY with someone at the moment, and the Bible says that when I am angry it is just as bad as murder. Phew...and I'm tellin' ya, I cannot find my way out of this anger right now.
The similarities just struck me. The sin struggle that presents...the gossip, the anger is just an outward manifestation of head and heart issues.
David prayed for help from God for this. And I do and will, also. It will not be easy. It will not be quick. It will be a daily prayer to die to my flesh and walk the walk, not just talk the talk of who I say I am. Gossip does not bring honor to God, neither does my anger. Time to get off the struggle bus.
Perhaps the most awkward faculty meeting I've ever been to. Thirteen of the most AWESOME coworkers sitting in a circle. The topic of conversation-gossip. The toxicity of it all clearly visible through tears, hurt and then reconciliation.
A few people were called out, but I would venture to bet EVERY SINGLE person in that room was guilty. I count myself among them. The very same morning, I had to apologize to three people for doing this very same thing. Had to as in convicted by the Holy Spirit all night prior. It is such an ugly beast. And I can't say well, "my gossiping wasn't THAT bad" It's ALL that bad.
I need to ask God daily to guard my mouth. Ugh, this silly flesh that even wants to be a part of it. But, even typing this I realize that the words need to be stopped when they are still thoughts. Beyond guarding my mouth, I need to guard my thoughts.
This struggle presents itself in me right now as I am SO ANGRY with someone at the moment, and the Bible says that when I am angry it is just as bad as murder. Phew...and I'm tellin' ya, I cannot find my way out of this anger right now.
The similarities just struck me. The sin struggle that presents...the gossip, the anger is just an outward manifestation of head and heart issues.
David prayed for help from God for this. And I do and will, also. It will not be easy. It will not be quick. It will be a daily prayer to die to my flesh and walk the walk, not just talk the talk of who I say I am. Gossip does not bring honor to God, neither does my anger. Time to get off the struggle bus.
Friday, September 1, 2017
shielded
Psalm 140:7, "O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle-"
God is the Great Deliverer. He will protect His own...in ways we may not get, in ways we may not understand..or even want. But He is faithful and cannot deny Himself. He is a God of Truth and order...not the god of lies and chaos.
I am not in a war, but sometimes I need God to shield my head when I go into battle...sometimes even against my own self and for sure against the devil who likes to whisper lies and create chaos.
Just a little example...even a silly one. An "mandatory emergency" meeting was called at work. My first go to..."What did I do wrong?" My brain goes a million miles rethinking every word said, every action done. Then goes to what tragedy could be abounding at work...who's sick, who's leaving? IT WAS INSANITY. Top that with this CRAZY "Texas is running out of gas" MADNESS that happened yesterday and a month long landscaping mess...
This morning I was like, "ENOUGH"...like that fitness guru from the 80's that use to yell, "Stop the insanity!" I had to still my heart and head and remind myself that this is not of God and stop listening to it. Certainly where the devil would like to have me because it makes me be a not very nice person with hate in my heart...this is the devil's playground.
But nope, not today. devil, you will NOT steal my joy. The Lord, MY strong deliverer, is going to shield my head today. I am going to go into battle with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of PEACE, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Stoppin the insanity.
God is the Great Deliverer. He will protect His own...in ways we may not get, in ways we may not understand..or even want. But He is faithful and cannot deny Himself. He is a God of Truth and order...not the god of lies and chaos.
I am not in a war, but sometimes I need God to shield my head when I go into battle...sometimes even against my own self and for sure against the devil who likes to whisper lies and create chaos.
Just a little example...even a silly one. An "mandatory emergency" meeting was called at work. My first go to..."What did I do wrong?" My brain goes a million miles rethinking every word said, every action done. Then goes to what tragedy could be abounding at work...who's sick, who's leaving? IT WAS INSANITY. Top that with this CRAZY "Texas is running out of gas" MADNESS that happened yesterday and a month long landscaping mess...
This morning I was like, "ENOUGH"...like that fitness guru from the 80's that use to yell, "Stop the insanity!" I had to still my heart and head and remind myself that this is not of God and stop listening to it. Certainly where the devil would like to have me because it makes me be a not very nice person with hate in my heart...this is the devil's playground.
But nope, not today. devil, you will NOT steal my joy. The Lord, MY strong deliverer, is going to shield my head today. I am going to go into battle with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the gospel of PEACE, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Stoppin the insanity.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
dogeared
Psalm 139
I couldn't pick one verse if I wanted to. Psalm 63 is one of my favorites as a psalm of just praise. This one...this one...it hits everything.
I love the beginning with all it's actions verbs that show how God is actively at work in our lives...ALWAYS.
"O Lord, You have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely, O Lord." (verses 1-4, emphasis mine)
He is there in all of it. He understands the motives and the actions.
I find comfort in His surrounding love...just knowing He doesn't let go even when I want to indulge in that "little sin" (just a little gossip...a little morsel because it is sometimes so "yummy" to be in on it) or I am walking through a trial (David kind of saw it as confining and even tried to flee from God's presence). I love that because I am His, that He hems me in...like a mark that says, "Mine...I got this one"
"You hem me in-behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty to attain." (verses 5-6)
One that I have repeated over and over to my girls and to myself as we (as women) fight the body shaming; and all of us as we look and see the imperfections and think, "Why am I this way?" He makes NO mistakes. We ARE perfectly made...all shapes, sizes, colors. He is the master craftsman and we are His masterpieces.
"For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (verses 13-14, 16)
He has my life in His perfect hands. I wish I could say I don't worry...I try not to and when I do I remember that nothing going on surprises Him and He is already in control of my whole life from its beginning to end, He is and has already been there.
And then there is asking God to help you....to see your part in the middle of conflict, to guide you when you are in the midst of a decision that needs discernment, and most importantly to lead you in the way that leads to life.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." (verses 23-24)
He has never been there to rip us off, but lead us to life to the full (John 10:10). He loves us and wants the best for us. He is faithful and trustworthy...Alpha and Omega.
I couldn't pick one verse if I wanted to. Psalm 63 is one of my favorites as a psalm of just praise. This one...this one...it hits everything.
I love the beginning with all it's actions verbs that show how God is actively at work in our lives...ALWAYS.
"O Lord, You have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You know it completely, O Lord." (verses 1-4, emphasis mine)
He is there in all of it. He understands the motives and the actions.
I find comfort in His surrounding love...just knowing He doesn't let go even when I want to indulge in that "little sin" (just a little gossip...a little morsel because it is sometimes so "yummy" to be in on it) or I am walking through a trial (David kind of saw it as confining and even tried to flee from God's presence). I love that because I am His, that He hems me in...like a mark that says, "Mine...I got this one"
"You hem me in-behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty to attain." (verses 5-6)
One that I have repeated over and over to my girls and to myself as we (as women) fight the body shaming; and all of us as we look and see the imperfections and think, "Why am I this way?" He makes NO mistakes. We ARE perfectly made...all shapes, sizes, colors. He is the master craftsman and we are His masterpieces.
"For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (verses 13-14, 16)
He has my life in His perfect hands. I wish I could say I don't worry...I try not to and when I do I remember that nothing going on surprises Him and He is already in control of my whole life from its beginning to end, He is and has already been there.
And then there is asking God to help you....to see your part in the middle of conflict, to guide you when you are in the midst of a decision that needs discernment, and most importantly to lead you in the way that leads to life.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." (verses 23-24)
He has never been there to rip us off, but lead us to life to the full (John 10:10). He loves us and wants the best for us. He is faithful and trustworthy...Alpha and Omega.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
it's a marathon, not a sprint
Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord endures forever-do not abandon the works of Your hands."
To borrow from other scripture...in fact the very next one..."For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well....All the days You ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139: 13-14, 15b) He created and has sustained you because He knew and loved you before you were even born.
And yet another one of my favorites, Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." He is working in you and through you always, even now, even when you don't feel it. Every glorious thing, every trial...He is working in you and never leaves you.
Just as David is remembering in this psalm and trusting/asking God to continue to do in him. Just as we need to remember, ask and trust.
To borrow from other scripture...in fact the very next one..."For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well....All the days You ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." (Psalm 139: 13-14, 15b) He created and has sustained you because He knew and loved you before you were even born.
And yet another one of my favorites, Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." He is working in you and through you always, even now, even when you don't feel it. Every glorious thing, every trial...He is working in you and never leaves you.
Just as David is remembering in this psalm and trusting/asking God to continue to do in him. Just as we need to remember, ask and trust.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
sing a new song
Psalm 137:4, "How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?
The Israelites' beloved Jerusalem had just been destroyed by the Babylonians and had been taken captive by them. At the beginning, the psalmist is promising to remember Jerusalem forever...even calling down imprecations upon himself were he to forget...his hands to not act again, his voice to never speak again.
The Babylonians had asked them to sing the songs of their land and God, but their hearts were just as devastated as their homeland and in his hurt, he cries out, "How can we sing...?" They were so devastated, they hung their harps on the poplar trees as a reminder of their sorrow.
It is never easy when you are in a bad spot or season. One Sunday, I just couldn't do it. I had two kids in crisis and my heart was crushed and I couldn't muster the strength. I was not mad at God, just couldn't do it. So I sat on the top of the seat while they stood, closed my eyes, and just let the songs pour over me.
The greatest sadness would be to turn your back on God in those seasons...not understanding that they are just part of life in this world; and though it happened, God never left you during it. In those times; however, it is always appropriate, as the psalmist did, to ask God to remain faithful to His promises and voice your sadness, anger, disappointment, and even hatred and let Him handle it, soften it and yes, change it.
And it is so, so sweet to sing a new song. Shane & Shane sing a BEAUTIFUL song called "Worthy of it all". Some of the lyrics that came to me when thinking/studying this verse...
"Sing a new song
Lift up your voice in the dark
Sing as a new one
Sing as though you were in love
Lift your eyes, see the King
Stand in awe now and sing
All of my hopes, all of my fears
All of my wants and all of my years
Everything now, everything then, all my life I resolve
You're worthy of it all."
Yes, sing...even then. And if you hit a spot when you just can't, for that moment let others just sing over you and listen to the Truth in the songs. Then lift those eyes and sing a new song.
The Israelites' beloved Jerusalem had just been destroyed by the Babylonians and had been taken captive by them. At the beginning, the psalmist is promising to remember Jerusalem forever...even calling down imprecations upon himself were he to forget...his hands to not act again, his voice to never speak again.
The Babylonians had asked them to sing the songs of their land and God, but their hearts were just as devastated as their homeland and in his hurt, he cries out, "How can we sing...?" They were so devastated, they hung their harps on the poplar trees as a reminder of their sorrow.
It is never easy when you are in a bad spot or season. One Sunday, I just couldn't do it. I had two kids in crisis and my heart was crushed and I couldn't muster the strength. I was not mad at God, just couldn't do it. So I sat on the top of the seat while they stood, closed my eyes, and just let the songs pour over me.
The greatest sadness would be to turn your back on God in those seasons...not understanding that they are just part of life in this world; and though it happened, God never left you during it. In those times; however, it is always appropriate, as the psalmist did, to ask God to remain faithful to His promises and voice your sadness, anger, disappointment, and even hatred and let Him handle it, soften it and yes, change it.
And it is so, so sweet to sing a new song. Shane & Shane sing a BEAUTIFUL song called "Worthy of it all". Some of the lyrics that came to me when thinking/studying this verse...
"Sing a new song
Lift up your voice in the dark
Sing as a new one
Sing as though you were in love
Lift your eyes, see the King
Stand in awe now and sing
All of my hopes, all of my fears
All of my wants and all of my years
Everything now, everything then, all my life I resolve
You're worthy of it all."
Yes, sing...even then. And if you hit a spot when you just can't, for that moment let others just sing over you and listen to the Truth in the songs. Then lift those eyes and sing a new song.
Monday, August 21, 2017
solar eclipse day
Psalm 136:4,7-9,
"to Him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever,...
who made the great lights-
His love endures forever,
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever,
the moon and the stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever."
I read it differently this time/year. It was like a sort of response where someone is telling you all the awesome things God does and you respond in awe and wonder with "His love endures forever" and each time it crescendos until it is this fall on your face kind of thing because with each reminder you realize the works and wonders of the Lord.
Then studying it, (God always does cool things...I'm here to tell you He is SO in the details...I was suppose to have done this-in my own timeline-yesterday...but stuff kept pulling me away. So today, I read this on solar eclipse day and am like YESSSS)I think about the eclipse. I've almost quit listening to the news except as background noise. And at this point, there has been eclipse overload.
John mentioned yesterday that he had not heard much talk about how cool it is as part of God's creation...that God has not been brought up in this at all.
Then I read this...it's kinda long, but so cool.
"There are no iron tracks with bars and bolts to hold the planets in their orbits. Freely in space they move, ever changing but never changing; poised and balancing; swaying and swayed; disturbing and disturbed, onward they fly, fulfilling with unerring certainty their mighty cycles. The entire system forms one grand complicated piece of celestial machinery; circle withing circle, wheel withing wheel, cycle within cycle; revolutions so swift as to be completed in a few hours; movements so slow that their might periods are only counted by millions of years." ~ The Orbs of Heaven by O. M. Mitchell (quoted by Spurgeon)
So, I might add today,
the moon to cover the sun
His love endures forever
God of the details...man, He is AWESOME!
"to Him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever,...
who made the great lights-
His love endures forever,
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever,
the moon and the stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever."
I read it differently this time/year. It was like a sort of response where someone is telling you all the awesome things God does and you respond in awe and wonder with "His love endures forever" and each time it crescendos until it is this fall on your face kind of thing because with each reminder you realize the works and wonders of the Lord.
Then studying it, (God always does cool things...I'm here to tell you He is SO in the details...I was suppose to have done this-in my own timeline-yesterday...but stuff kept pulling me away. So today, I read this on solar eclipse day and am like YESSSS)I think about the eclipse. I've almost quit listening to the news except as background noise. And at this point, there has been eclipse overload.
John mentioned yesterday that he had not heard much talk about how cool it is as part of God's creation...that God has not been brought up in this at all.
Then I read this...it's kinda long, but so cool.
"There are no iron tracks with bars and bolts to hold the planets in their orbits. Freely in space they move, ever changing but never changing; poised and balancing; swaying and swayed; disturbing and disturbed, onward they fly, fulfilling with unerring certainty their mighty cycles. The entire system forms one grand complicated piece of celestial machinery; circle withing circle, wheel withing wheel, cycle within cycle; revolutions so swift as to be completed in a few hours; movements so slow that their might periods are only counted by millions of years." ~ The Orbs of Heaven by O. M. Mitchell (quoted by Spurgeon)
So, I might add today,
the moon to cover the sun
His love endures forever
God of the details...man, He is AWESOME!
Saturday, August 19, 2017
trust His heart
Psalm 135:13, "Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, through all generations."
There is a reason why it's the best selling book...EVER. There is a reason why His name continues and He is famous. He is faithful and his promises are true.
This psalm, like many of the ascent psalms preceding it (the Israelites sang them as the ascended Mount Zion to praise God during their annual feasts) calls on the Israelites to praise God. It not only calls them to praise, it reminds them why they should praise God. His acts have been seen in nature and in their own history. God redeemed the Israelites again and again...from bondage and giving them victory in battles. Romans 1:20 says, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Walk outside...He is everywhere...He has always been.
In my own life, God has been so faithful. He has worked for my good throughout even the bad when I couldn't see Him. There is a Babbie Mason song that has been quoted by Spurgeon and many others.
"God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart.
His name endures forever and I hope in my own family His renown will continue for generations.
His name endures forever and I hope in my own family His renown will continue for generations.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
ever present
Psalm 134:2, "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord."
This psalm, short and sweet as it is, is a prayer for those special servants of the Lord that served Him in the evening. While others slept, they were there making sure the work of the Lord went on. The psalmist called on them to continue to praise the Lord in their work.
Lifting up your hands in prayer was a symbol of offering praise up to God and receiving blessings from Him. Dr. Constable adds, "Blessing the Lord is equivalent to praising Him by recounting His might acts."
I love that the act of lifting your hands is a symbol of relationship...you praise, He blesses. He is not a God that is removed from our lives, He is ever present in all of our moments...always working for good for His glory.
This psalm, short and sweet as it is, is a prayer for those special servants of the Lord that served Him in the evening. While others slept, they were there making sure the work of the Lord went on. The psalmist called on them to continue to praise the Lord in their work.
Lifting up your hands in prayer was a symbol of offering praise up to God and receiving blessings from Him. Dr. Constable adds, "Blessing the Lord is equivalent to praising Him by recounting His might acts."
I love that the act of lifting your hands is a symbol of relationship...you praise, He blesses. He is not a God that is removed from our lives, He is ever present in all of our moments...always working for good for His glory.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
call to action
Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"
Really...enough said....however...
This is a timely reminder of God's intention. It is SO frustrating as a believer to hear the Bible grotesquely misused to promote some disgusting propaganda. Please do NOT lump me in with those bozos. They are NOT my brothers.
On the other hand, I would like to see the church unite and stand up against the hate that is flowing like a river through are cities. I don't know the answer. I know the hate is spoken against in our church and compassion, love and prayers are going out. I don't know what the answer is...maybe it is praying right now....praying for hearts to change, for hearts to know the love of God so they can love others, praying for God to direct our next steps of how to stand so He is glorified.
The psalm goes on from this verse to compare unity to when Moses anointed Aaron and the oil flowed down. Spurgeon said, "oil would not anoint if it did not flow down, neither would brotherly love if it did not descend." Our love needs to flow out and down to all. The psalm also compares unity to dew...as the dew refreshed and invigorate parched Israel, "the blessing of unity would freshen and invigorate Mt. Zion as they worshipped there." Our unity would freshen each and every house, block, city, state and our country.
I do not know the answer but, I know God's heart is grieved. What the Bible teaches is all about love. And Jesus showed us a perfect example of perfect love. It's all through it. Read it. Don't pick and choose the parts that work for your cause and ignore the rest of it.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has not pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18)
Really...enough said....however...
This is a timely reminder of God's intention. It is SO frustrating as a believer to hear the Bible grotesquely misused to promote some disgusting propaganda. Please do NOT lump me in with those bozos. They are NOT my brothers.
On the other hand, I would like to see the church unite and stand up against the hate that is flowing like a river through are cities. I don't know the answer. I know the hate is spoken against in our church and compassion, love and prayers are going out. I don't know what the answer is...maybe it is praying right now....praying for hearts to change, for hearts to know the love of God so they can love others, praying for God to direct our next steps of how to stand so He is glorified.
The psalm goes on from this verse to compare unity to when Moses anointed Aaron and the oil flowed down. Spurgeon said, "oil would not anoint if it did not flow down, neither would brotherly love if it did not descend." Our love needs to flow out and down to all. The psalm also compares unity to dew...as the dew refreshed and invigorate parched Israel, "the blessing of unity would freshen and invigorate Mt. Zion as they worshipped there." Our unity would freshen each and every house, block, city, state and our country.
I do not know the answer but, I know God's heart is grieved. What the Bible teaches is all about love. And Jesus showed us a perfect example of perfect love. It's all through it. Read it. Don't pick and choose the parts that work for your cause and ignore the rest of it.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has not pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18)
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
it is the same today
Psalm 132:9, "May Your priests be clothed with righteousness; may Your saints sing for joy."
The psalmist lead the Israelites in praying to God that He remember His promises to David to raise up descendants that would follow him on the throne. In this particular verse the Israelites called on God to establish a righteous group of priests among them and enable the godly of Jerusalem to rejoice because of his blessings.
It's relevant today because it is what our country needs...its priests clothed in righteousness, united against the hate that is brimming over. It's a great prayer for today. It's a start. Only when we live by love, will we be able to sing for joy.
The psalmist lead the Israelites in praying to God that He remember His promises to David to raise up descendants that would follow him on the throne. In this particular verse the Israelites called on God to establish a righteous group of priests among them and enable the godly of Jerusalem to rejoice because of his blessings.
It's relevant today because it is what our country needs...its priests clothed in righteousness, united against the hate that is brimming over. It's a great prayer for today. It's a start. Only when we live by love, will we be able to sing for joy.
Monday, August 14, 2017
#goals
Psalm 131:1, "My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
Truth be told...I do everyone of these things.
Proud? Dr. Constable defined pride as "essentially a belief that one does not need God, but is self-sufficient." Check. I had put most things in my life above God...kids, husband, self, job and had the mirage that I had some great control over it and even worse: that I had it under control.
Haughty eyes? Yep...sadly so...even just yesterday...IN CHURCH. Dr. Constable explains that haughty eyes betray our pride with eyes that look down on people with a feeling of superiority. It was during worship and I was in the zone, in my sweet, sweet space that I love, and a couple came in late. They tapped me...zone gone, sweet spot gone...to get by me. And instead of being welcoming in the moment my mind goes to "They are so selfish and attention seeking to walk in late and disrupt people...ME. I got here early and set this whole experience up for me. Why can't you get it together and get here on time?" Thankfully, I recognized it and had to "switch the tape" and realized that I have NO idea of the circumstances that made them late that morning, no idea of what God had in store for them to hear that morning that drew them in to church and be grateful that they persisted in whatever circumstances to get there. And God is not afraid to use a little salt in to make sure you get a lesson sometimes :). Turns out during the introvert's nightmare of "meet and greet" that he was a lovely man that had just been coming to the church for a little over a year with 3 teenage/tweenage kids (this alone should cause any parent to start praying for this couple!)
Concerning myself with great matters (or as The Message put it: meddling where I have no business)? Guilty again. I often put my nose where it does not belong or hasn't been asked. And if I'm being honest, most of the time it is to get some morsel of gossip that doesn't concern me yet entices me.
Concern myself with things too wonderful for me? (The Message put it as fantasizing grandiose plans). When I was at my unhappiest, I had a deep fantasy life I used to escape. BUT, when I was at my unhappiest, not uncoincidentally, I was also very far from the Lord.
Like I said #goals. The great thing is 1) God redeemed me; 2) God never left me; 3) God forgave me, forgives me and is not surprise by any of this in the broken flesh that I live in.
I get up every morning and remember Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." And I ask God to do in me all the things I cannot do on my own: give me a humble heart, give me His eyes and focus on Him and what He has set before me and let Him take care of the rest. Back in the zone.
Truth be told...I do everyone of these things.
Proud? Dr. Constable defined pride as "essentially a belief that one does not need God, but is self-sufficient." Check. I had put most things in my life above God...kids, husband, self, job and had the mirage that I had some great control over it and even worse: that I had it under control.
Haughty eyes? Yep...sadly so...even just yesterday...IN CHURCH. Dr. Constable explains that haughty eyes betray our pride with eyes that look down on people with a feeling of superiority. It was during worship and I was in the zone, in my sweet, sweet space that I love, and a couple came in late. They tapped me...zone gone, sweet spot gone...to get by me. And instead of being welcoming in the moment my mind goes to "They are so selfish and attention seeking to walk in late and disrupt people...ME. I got here early and set this whole experience up for me. Why can't you get it together and get here on time?" Thankfully, I recognized it and had to "switch the tape" and realized that I have NO idea of the circumstances that made them late that morning, no idea of what God had in store for them to hear that morning that drew them in to church and be grateful that they persisted in whatever circumstances to get there. And God is not afraid to use a little salt in to make sure you get a lesson sometimes :). Turns out during the introvert's nightmare of "meet and greet" that he was a lovely man that had just been coming to the church for a little over a year with 3 teenage/tweenage kids (this alone should cause any parent to start praying for this couple!)
Concerning myself with great matters (or as The Message put it: meddling where I have no business)? Guilty again. I often put my nose where it does not belong or hasn't been asked. And if I'm being honest, most of the time it is to get some morsel of gossip that doesn't concern me yet entices me.
Concern myself with things too wonderful for me? (The Message put it as fantasizing grandiose plans). When I was at my unhappiest, I had a deep fantasy life I used to escape. BUT, when I was at my unhappiest, not uncoincidentally, I was also very far from the Lord.
Like I said #goals. The great thing is 1) God redeemed me; 2) God never left me; 3) God forgave me, forgives me and is not surprise by any of this in the broken flesh that I live in.
I get up every morning and remember Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." And I ask God to do in me all the things I cannot do on my own: give me a humble heart, give me His eyes and focus on Him and what He has set before me and let Him take care of the rest. Back in the zone.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
hard conversations and heartfelt pleas
Psalm 130:7, "O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption."
I love the "O Israel". Weird, but...I sense his desperation in those two words. Because there are times, with people I love in my life that I just want to say, "O ___________, put your hope in the Lord." With the two most important people on my list I've had the conversations...used logic, emotion, reason...and just want to cry "O ____________"
Often you come up against the assumption that people who believe are so simple minded and that's why they choose to believe...they/we don't know the science, the facts. Oh, but excusez-moi. My faith is based on facts and scientific minds greater than myself have sought answers only to turn to faith.
But, when it comes down to it, with me...people will always want to argue the facts (theirs versus yours), but no one can argue against your testimony of how putting your hope in the Lord has completely transformed you. And it's wanting to share that life change, that joy, hope, love that makes you want to share it with others especially those closest to you. And it leaves you feeling desperate.
O friends, can't you see? "...put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption."
I love the "O Israel". Weird, but...I sense his desperation in those two words. Because there are times, with people I love in my life that I just want to say, "O ___________, put your hope in the Lord." With the two most important people on my list I've had the conversations...used logic, emotion, reason...and just want to cry "O ____________"
Often you come up against the assumption that people who believe are so simple minded and that's why they choose to believe...they/we don't know the science, the facts. Oh, but excusez-moi. My faith is based on facts and scientific minds greater than myself have sought answers only to turn to faith.
But, when it comes down to it, with me...people will always want to argue the facts (theirs versus yours), but no one can argue against your testimony of how putting your hope in the Lord has completely transformed you. And it's wanting to share that life change, that joy, hope, love that makes you want to share it with others especially those closest to you. And it leaves you feeling desperate.
O friends, can't you see? "...put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption."
Friday, August 11, 2017
broken road
Psalm 129:4, "But the Lord is righteous; He has cut me free from the cords of the wicked."
There is an older Garth Brooks song called "Unanswered Prayers". The gist behind this song is a boy that runs into his old high school girlfriend at a football game. And at first look, those old feelings were stirred for a second. As he talks to her, he realizes that she was, in fact, not all he had remembered or certainly built her up to be in his mind. And as he looks at his wife, he thanked God for the "Unanswered Prayers" because his wife was the one who was the real deal...the good in his life.
Certainly, his old high school flame was not wicked...so, it's a little of a stretch but the point is still there and what hit home for me. The psalmist is thanking God for the many times He had not let the people that were oppressing the Israelites have the ultimate victory over them. God had used these TRULY wicked people for a season for His own purposes to teach the Israelites a lesson, but He always redeemed His people when they cried out for Him and returned to Him.
It caused me to reflect on the people or situations that God has withheld from me and to look at where I am now to see that it was all what led me to what was best for me. And a great reminder that I really don't know what is best for my life in my own little myopic view because God has the BIG PICTURE in mind...and most importantly, my eternity.
There's ANOTHER country song (originally country, but now on the Christian stations...and sidebar: it almost kills me that I'm using country songs here, because that is not my thing 😊 ). It is "Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts (I DO love them, however). Selah sings it on Christian radio. The gist of it is that all the long lost dreams led her right to where she was suppose to be...in God's plan/will for her life.
So, that time when you are wanting something and God is withholding it...or walking through a tough season. There is hope...ALWAYS. God is working in those moments. Look for His lesson, talk with Him. He's blessing the broken road that is leading away from what is not best for you to what is GOOD. Or, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (BTW...the lead singer for Rascal Flatts is a Christian brother). "It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vZlrBYLSU
There is an older Garth Brooks song called "Unanswered Prayers". The gist behind this song is a boy that runs into his old high school girlfriend at a football game. And at first look, those old feelings were stirred for a second. As he talks to her, he realizes that she was, in fact, not all he had remembered or certainly built her up to be in his mind. And as he looks at his wife, he thanked God for the "Unanswered Prayers" because his wife was the one who was the real deal...the good in his life.
Certainly, his old high school flame was not wicked...so, it's a little of a stretch but the point is still there and what hit home for me. The psalmist is thanking God for the many times He had not let the people that were oppressing the Israelites have the ultimate victory over them. God had used these TRULY wicked people for a season for His own purposes to teach the Israelites a lesson, but He always redeemed His people when they cried out for Him and returned to Him.
It caused me to reflect on the people or situations that God has withheld from me and to look at where I am now to see that it was all what led me to what was best for me. And a great reminder that I really don't know what is best for my life in my own little myopic view because God has the BIG PICTURE in mind...and most importantly, my eternity.
There's ANOTHER country song (originally country, but now on the Christian stations...and sidebar: it almost kills me that I'm using country songs here, because that is not my thing 😊 ). It is "Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts (I DO love them, however). Selah sings it on Christian radio. The gist of it is that all the long lost dreams led her right to where she was suppose to be...in God's plan/will for her life.
So, that time when you are wanting something and God is withholding it...or walking through a tough season. There is hope...ALWAYS. God is working in those moments. Look for His lesson, talk with Him. He's blessing the broken road that is leading away from what is not best for you to what is GOOD. Or, as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (BTW...the lead singer for Rascal Flatts is a Christian brother). "It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vZlrBYLSU
Thursday, August 10, 2017
mutual blessing
Psalm 129:1,5 "Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways...May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem."
Called a wisdom psalm, the psalmist reviews previous blessings then prayed for greater blessing. He prayed for the reader's future and also for Jerusalem's prosperity as it would extend to every family in the nation.
I see its wisdom in the way he prayed. It encourages as I pray to always remember to thank God for His previous blessings. We did a sweet exercise in our inservice meetings yesterday. We wrote down a person in our live that changed our lives (in this exercise it could be either positive or negative). And then with a partner we talked to that person and told him/her how we felt about him/her. It was beautiful and touching and one of many take aways was the feeling that we shouldn't wait to say these things to the people we need to talk to. In the same way, I need to say thanks to God for all He's done...EVERYday. I shouldn't wait until the need is deemed desperate to have that conversation with Him. It needs to happen all the time and the first thing out of my mouth needs to be praise/thanksgiving. He doesn't need it, but He is definitely due it and I know He doesn't hear it enough with me.
I also see wisdom in the psalmist praying for Jerusalem. He realized that God's blessing on both home and nation are mutually dependent...not necessarily exclusively dependent, but when one is blessed, it blesses the other and the reverse. When our family is blessed, often we focus outside ourselves, out of crises mode, and go out and serve others hence blessing our neighborhood, our city, our nation as it ripples outward. When our nation is blessed, our family is blessed in less outside stressors, in familial community, respect and love toward our city, neighbor and family. As I pray for my family, I also need to be praying for my country realizing they are not exclusive of each other.
All who fear and obey the Lord are blessed by Him. How much greater to share the blessing?!
Called a wisdom psalm, the psalmist reviews previous blessings then prayed for greater blessing. He prayed for the reader's future and also for Jerusalem's prosperity as it would extend to every family in the nation.
I see its wisdom in the way he prayed. It encourages as I pray to always remember to thank God for His previous blessings. We did a sweet exercise in our inservice meetings yesterday. We wrote down a person in our live that changed our lives (in this exercise it could be either positive or negative). And then with a partner we talked to that person and told him/her how we felt about him/her. It was beautiful and touching and one of many take aways was the feeling that we shouldn't wait to say these things to the people we need to talk to. In the same way, I need to say thanks to God for all He's done...EVERYday. I shouldn't wait until the need is deemed desperate to have that conversation with Him. It needs to happen all the time and the first thing out of my mouth needs to be praise/thanksgiving. He doesn't need it, but He is definitely due it and I know He doesn't hear it enough with me.
I also see wisdom in the psalmist praying for Jerusalem. He realized that God's blessing on both home and nation are mutually dependent...not necessarily exclusively dependent, but when one is blessed, it blesses the other and the reverse. When our family is blessed, often we focus outside ourselves, out of crises mode, and go out and serve others hence blessing our neighborhood, our city, our nation as it ripples outward. When our nation is blessed, our family is blessed in less outside stressors, in familial community, respect and love toward our city, neighbor and family. As I pray for my family, I also need to be praying for my country realizing they are not exclusive of each other.
All who fear and obey the Lord are blessed by Him. How much greater to share the blessing?!
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
work smart, not hard
Psalm 127:1-2, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you raise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-for He grants sleep to those He loves."
My coworker said "work smart, not hard" is her theme for this year. I not only love it, but I think I might steal it and use it myself this school year. She is working in the position of my dear friend who retired last year, so I do not know her well enough to know if we will tackle it in the same way. But the motto is solid, and that is what Solomon is talking about here.
My dad taught through words and example that you work a hard day to earn your dollar. I also believe this to be true. Dr. Constable added another depth and added Truth to it when he said, "Trust in God's benefits yields results that hard work alone cannot provide."
The Bible said of Solomon in 1 Kings 4:29, "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." Uh, yeah...I'm standing with that guy.
I will work smart for my dollar because I am going to dedicate each day of hard work to God first. I will seek His blessing. Solomon, in all His wisdom, teaches us in this verse to depend on God as we work and not try to do it all in our own strength. When we depend on Him and work for Him, He will bless our work...and give us rest. I will work smart at school so when I come home I can be present for my family and love them well with all of me, not what I brought in from my day.
It is such a win-win and what I call working smart.
My coworker said "work smart, not hard" is her theme for this year. I not only love it, but I think I might steal it and use it myself this school year. She is working in the position of my dear friend who retired last year, so I do not know her well enough to know if we will tackle it in the same way. But the motto is solid, and that is what Solomon is talking about here.
My dad taught through words and example that you work a hard day to earn your dollar. I also believe this to be true. Dr. Constable added another depth and added Truth to it when he said, "Trust in God's benefits yields results that hard work alone cannot provide."
The Bible said of Solomon in 1 Kings 4:29, "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore." Uh, yeah...I'm standing with that guy.
I will work smart for my dollar because I am going to dedicate each day of hard work to God first. I will seek His blessing. Solomon, in all His wisdom, teaches us in this verse to depend on God as we work and not try to do it all in our own strength. When we depend on Him and work for Him, He will bless our work...and give us rest. I will work smart at school so when I come home I can be present for my family and love them well with all of me, not what I brought in from my day.
It is such a win-win and what I call working smart.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
locusts
Psalm 126:5, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."
Historically, the Israelites were returning to Zion after the Babylonian captivity and they not only rejoiced, but they also prayed for complete restoration. Upon their return, the land they had farmed had dried and their work effort to farm the land was difficult. But they clung to the promise of the Lord who had brought them back to Zion.
It's a great verse for times of difficulty for us, too. His promises are as true today. Leupold said of this psalm that it is, "...treasured by those who have known adversity but have in the midst of it cast their burden upon the Lord." Dr. Constable also said, "The initial flush of enthusiasm and success that those who seek to honor God experience, must continue, even if the work is slow, hard and discouraging. God's people can look forward with hope to a rewarding harvest in the future if they faithfully persevere in carrying out the work He has ordained.
In seasons of trial in my life, I have clung to this verse and Joel 2:25, "I will repay you the years the locusts have eaten..." Just knowing Truth brings peace. Trust that in His timing that He will be true to His promises.
Historically, the Israelites were returning to Zion after the Babylonian captivity and they not only rejoiced, but they also prayed for complete restoration. Upon their return, the land they had farmed had dried and their work effort to farm the land was difficult. But they clung to the promise of the Lord who had brought them back to Zion.
It's a great verse for times of difficulty for us, too. His promises are as true today. Leupold said of this psalm that it is, "...treasured by those who have known adversity but have in the midst of it cast their burden upon the Lord." Dr. Constable also said, "The initial flush of enthusiasm and success that those who seek to honor God experience, must continue, even if the work is slow, hard and discouraging. God's people can look forward with hope to a rewarding harvest in the future if they faithfully persevere in carrying out the work He has ordained.
In seasons of trial in my life, I have clung to this verse and Joel 2:25, "I will repay you the years the locusts have eaten..." Just knowing Truth brings peace. Trust that in His timing that He will be true to His promises.
Saturday, August 5, 2017
immovable
Psalm 125:1, "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever."
Dr. Constable said it best, so I will just take from him. "Those who trust in the Lord are eternally secure, but they can choose to follow Him faithfully and experience His blessing, or depart from Him and suffer His discipline."
Tough love? Maybe. But as a parent, sometimes the most loving thing you can do is give discipline or let your child experience the consequences of their choices. And never once do you, as a parent, stop loving your child. That love is secure...from before they were even born.
How much more so a perfect heavenly Father who loves His child? He loves you so much, He holds your forever in His hands; and He loves you so much He is going to bless you for your good, and let you learn from your mistakes. It's what a good, good Father does.
Dr. Constable said it best, so I will just take from him. "Those who trust in the Lord are eternally secure, but they can choose to follow Him faithfully and experience His blessing, or depart from Him and suffer His discipline."
Tough love? Maybe. But as a parent, sometimes the most loving thing you can do is give discipline or let your child experience the consequences of their choices. And never once do you, as a parent, stop loving your child. That love is secure...from before they were even born.
How much more so a perfect heavenly Father who loves His child? He loves you so much, He holds your forever in His hands; and He loves you so much He is going to bless you for your good, and let you learn from your mistakes. It's what a good, good Father does.
Friday, August 4, 2017
"Blessed be the Lord" FIRST
Psalm 124:8, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth."
Psalm 124 is a song of praise. As they ascended Mt. Zion, David reminded the people that God had been on their side in battles and without Him, they would have died and died out as a people. As David reminded them, they also thanked Him. Some versions say "Blessed be the Lord" (or Praise be to the Lord) acknowledging Him as their source of blessing. They praised Yahweh as their helper, not any human.
I so often forget to do this. Sometimes God will answer the very prayer I have been praying for. I do thank Him, but it is often not the first thing out of my lips. I am trying to make a concerted effort to be better at giving God the glory first in all things.
Just a quick example. My daughter had been stressing out about her grades, her upcoming final and a laundry list of other things that had compiled in that moment into a breakdown. We've all been there. Two things, at first as I listened I tried to help in my own flesh giving advice. I started silently praying for God to give me the Words...and they came. He is SO faithful. Yesterday I prayed for her to have focus, healing in her body, for favor for her to do well. When she called me last night, she was so excited. She did GREAT on her exam, her grade was acceptable by her standards. The first thing out of my mouth was "Way to go!". Don't get me wrong, she deserves the pats on the back...she has worked SO HARD. But my FIRST words should have been, "Praise be to God". They came, but that's where my first thought should have been. He answered the very thing we prayed for and my human flesh forgot to sing as the Israelites did "Blessed be the Lord"
He is our help. The craziest part is how much he LOVES us and loves blessing us...out of love and to bring glory to His name. He deserves all praise.
Psalm 124 is a song of praise. As they ascended Mt. Zion, David reminded the people that God had been on their side in battles and without Him, they would have died and died out as a people. As David reminded them, they also thanked Him. Some versions say "Blessed be the Lord" (or Praise be to the Lord) acknowledging Him as their source of blessing. They praised Yahweh as their helper, not any human.
I so often forget to do this. Sometimes God will answer the very prayer I have been praying for. I do thank Him, but it is often not the first thing out of my lips. I am trying to make a concerted effort to be better at giving God the glory first in all things.
Just a quick example. My daughter had been stressing out about her grades, her upcoming final and a laundry list of other things that had compiled in that moment into a breakdown. We've all been there. Two things, at first as I listened I tried to help in my own flesh giving advice. I started silently praying for God to give me the Words...and they came. He is SO faithful. Yesterday I prayed for her to have focus, healing in her body, for favor for her to do well. When she called me last night, she was so excited. She did GREAT on her exam, her grade was acceptable by her standards. The first thing out of my mouth was "Way to go!". Don't get me wrong, she deserves the pats on the back...she has worked SO HARD. But my FIRST words should have been, "Praise be to God". They came, but that's where my first thought should have been. He answered the very thing we prayed for and my human flesh forgot to sing as the Israelites did "Blessed be the Lord"
He is our help. The craziest part is how much he LOVES us and loves blessing us...out of love and to bring glory to His name. He deserves all praise.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
eyes on the prize
Psalm 123:1, "I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in Heaven."
As the Israelites made their pilgrimage, they faced ridicule and mocking from their neighbors about the God the worshipped. In the midst of their trial, they looked to God to give them the grace they needed as they trusted solely in Yahweh to provide and protect.
I know there are many men who have stood against the grain and held to Truth for what is right. For whatever reason, William Wilberforce jumped into my mind as he relentlessly stood before the British Parliament to put an end to slave trade. He did not relent, he looked to God and victory was won and God was glorified.
In our own lives, we will face ridicule and mocking...for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it helps to look to those who have gone before...whoever that may be for you.
I also thought about times when I've said, "You may have won the battle, but did you win the war?" So many times, when we are mocked or ridiculed, it is not worth it to even engage with others who are just being satan's little minions or just not thinking. When you engage in verbal warfare, you may walk away having won the battle, but you may have lost your testimony with them when they look at your behavior and it isn't salt or light in their world, but more of a reflection of the world they are living in.
There is a Guide though. There is Truth to look to. Keep focused on God. He is mightier than the sword and already has the victory. Lift your eyes to Him.
As the Israelites made their pilgrimage, they faced ridicule and mocking from their neighbors about the God the worshipped. In the midst of their trial, they looked to God to give them the grace they needed as they trusted solely in Yahweh to provide and protect.
I know there are many men who have stood against the grain and held to Truth for what is right. For whatever reason, William Wilberforce jumped into my mind as he relentlessly stood before the British Parliament to put an end to slave trade. He did not relent, he looked to God and victory was won and God was glorified.
In our own lives, we will face ridicule and mocking...for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it helps to look to those who have gone before...whoever that may be for you.
I also thought about times when I've said, "You may have won the battle, but did you win the war?" So many times, when we are mocked or ridiculed, it is not worth it to even engage with others who are just being satan's little minions or just not thinking. When you engage in verbal warfare, you may walk away having won the battle, but you may have lost your testimony with them when they look at your behavior and it isn't salt or light in their world, but more of a reflection of the world they are living in.
There is a Guide though. There is Truth to look to. Keep focused on God. He is mightier than the sword and already has the victory. Lift your eyes to Him.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
time critical
Psalm 122: 6-7, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; 'May those who love You be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.'"
As they walked to Jerusalem to worship, David called on the Israelites to pray for Jerusalem. One of many reasons that I love David is his joy in worshipping the Lord. King of Jerusalem, he had no problema lifting up his royal robe and dancing and singing before the Lord.
But, the important thing in these verses goes beyond the worshipping and into the praying. Just as the Israelites should pray for their city, we also should pray for Jerusalem, for peace, for the future New Jerusalem. Even beyond that, we should be praying for our own country and its leaders.
It doesn't matter who you voted for...DON'T care. Someone is in office and we should be praying for them. Praying for peace in our walls and security. We are a stinkin' mess. We all need to get down from our own little thrones that espouse what we be armchair quarterbackin' and get down on our knees to pray for peace...everywhere...especially within our own walls...if not us, who?
As they walked to Jerusalem to worship, David called on the Israelites to pray for Jerusalem. One of many reasons that I love David is his joy in worshipping the Lord. King of Jerusalem, he had no problema lifting up his royal robe and dancing and singing before the Lord.
But, the important thing in these verses goes beyond the worshipping and into the praying. Just as the Israelites should pray for their city, we also should pray for Jerusalem, for peace, for the future New Jerusalem. Even beyond that, we should be praying for our own country and its leaders.
It doesn't matter who you voted for...DON'T care. Someone is in office and we should be praying for them. Praying for peace in our walls and security. We are a stinkin' mess. We all need to get down from our own little thrones that espouse what we be armchair quarterbackin' and get down on our knees to pray for peace...everywhere...especially within our own walls...if not us, who?
Monday, July 31, 2017
from vertigo to focus
Psalm 121:1-3, "I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber;"
I was reading Dr. Constable's commentary and BAM it hit me why I love Colorado so much...or at least the explanation of what the mountains do and why, although God is everywhere, I feel so close to Him there.
As the psalmist journeyed to Mt. Zion to worship God at one of the annual feasts, he looked up to the mountains and reflected on his source of help. His source of help was the very One who made those hills and heaven and earth. Although I am not an Israelite, I am a fellow journeyer. When I see the mountains, I know who made them and the One who made them is the same One who watches over me. He doesn't slumber. In fact, it's when I go to sleep that He is probably hard at work because I have finally relinquished what I think is my control over my life.
My challenge is to look to the ordinary and see God in ALL things so I have the same experience. I find it easy looking at clouds and sunsets...but to look at the house He provides for me to live in, the school He provides for me to work in, the traffic light that provides some order to what would be chaos even though it is currently making me wait...
My challenge is also to relinquish my control in my waking moments to the One who does not slumber. And when I trip to say, "Yep, God...I was trying to do that on my own." And focus my eyes back on the One who made even me...fearfully, wonderfully, perfect through Jesus.
I was reading Dr. Constable's commentary and BAM it hit me why I love Colorado so much...or at least the explanation of what the mountains do and why, although God is everywhere, I feel so close to Him there.
As the psalmist journeyed to Mt. Zion to worship God at one of the annual feasts, he looked up to the mountains and reflected on his source of help. His source of help was the very One who made those hills and heaven and earth. Although I am not an Israelite, I am a fellow journeyer. When I see the mountains, I know who made them and the One who made them is the same One who watches over me. He doesn't slumber. In fact, it's when I go to sleep that He is probably hard at work because I have finally relinquished what I think is my control over my life.
My challenge is to look to the ordinary and see God in ALL things so I have the same experience. I find it easy looking at clouds and sunsets...but to look at the house He provides for me to live in, the school He provides for me to work in, the traffic light that provides some order to what would be chaos even though it is currently making me wait...
My challenge is also to relinquish my control in my waking moments to the One who does not slumber. And when I trip to say, "Yep, God...I was trying to do that on my own." And focus my eyes back on the One who made even me...fearfully, wonderfully, perfect through Jesus.
Friday, July 28, 2017
ripples in the water
Psalm 120:1-2, "I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me. Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues."
God's will is for us to live peaceably with one another. If we follow His greatest commands...to love Him with all our heart, soul and minds and we love our neighbors as ourselves...THIS would be the result. But in our flesh, we somehow manage to get this all messed up.
The psalmist sets a great example we can use. He cries out to God for God to deal with them knowing God's will for us to live peaceably and His promise to love His people. In a time when the Israelites were scattered in different gentile nations, the would make a pilgrimage to Mount Zion for their annual feasts and would sing these songs as they ascended Mount Zion. They cried out to God for deliverance.
It's a good reminder for us all...on both ends. To live at peace with others, and to cry out to God to handle us when trouble comes. In my classroom at the top of my white board I write a verse that remains their all year to remind my students of something similar. Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Someone once told me this as they were holding me accountable to behave in this way during a rough patch with someone. Even then, I am to live at peace with them/him/her. I learned to trust God that He would save me in my distress. Funny thing is I received the peace...which led me to live in peace. It's a wonderful ripple effect that can go without end. Can you see the ripple throughout the world if we all did it?
God's will is for us to live peaceably with one another. If we follow His greatest commands...to love Him with all our heart, soul and minds and we love our neighbors as ourselves...THIS would be the result. But in our flesh, we somehow manage to get this all messed up.
The psalmist sets a great example we can use. He cries out to God for God to deal with them knowing God's will for us to live peaceably and His promise to love His people. In a time when the Israelites were scattered in different gentile nations, the would make a pilgrimage to Mount Zion for their annual feasts and would sing these songs as they ascended Mount Zion. They cried out to God for deliverance.
It's a good reminder for us all...on both ends. To live at peace with others, and to cry out to God to handle us when trouble comes. In my classroom at the top of my white board I write a verse that remains their all year to remind my students of something similar. Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Someone once told me this as they were holding me accountable to behave in this way during a rough patch with someone. Even then, I am to live at peace with them/him/her. I learned to trust God that He would save me in my distress. Funny thing is I received the peace...which led me to live in peace. It's a wonderful ripple effect that can go without end. Can you see the ripple throughout the world if we all did it?
Thursday, July 27, 2017
no humpty dumpty here
Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble."
Beautiful verse. For whatever reason, it spoke to me and yet I didn't completely understand it. I think it goes back to that peace that surpasses all understanding.
Surely, I have stumbled in this life. And even more surely, I will stumble again as I live in a world that is so far from perfect in my human flesh that messes up pretty consistently. So what does it mean?
In the LONGEST psalm, the psalmist has gone through what God's Word means to him. He talks of the power of God's Word, the blessing of it. He appreciates God's Word and asks for a greater understanding of it. He is committed to God's Word and confident in it. God's Word is the object of hope, reliable, permanent, sweet. It is a light for our path and vindicates those who follow it. It shows the righteous characterof God and brings joy.
So what then? Knowing His Word brings joy...and peace. It's a firm foundation and a refuge...a touchstone. When you seek to understand it in whole you realize that His Word is more than just rules it is a loving guide and when challenges come, we have assurance that it is all working together for good even when it's not clear in the moment.
God's Word had this effect on the psalmist. But, it's not just for the ancients. It is relevant and invaluable today. It affects every area of our life and is essential to all of life. So when I might stumble, it is without fear and uncertainty because I know and love His Word and the promises therein...that He loves me and is for me and knows me. That is sweet peace.
Beautiful verse. For whatever reason, it spoke to me and yet I didn't completely understand it. I think it goes back to that peace that surpasses all understanding.
Surely, I have stumbled in this life. And even more surely, I will stumble again as I live in a world that is so far from perfect in my human flesh that messes up pretty consistently. So what does it mean?
In the LONGEST psalm, the psalmist has gone through what God's Word means to him. He talks of the power of God's Word, the blessing of it. He appreciates God's Word and asks for a greater understanding of it. He is committed to God's Word and confident in it. God's Word is the object of hope, reliable, permanent, sweet. It is a light for our path and vindicates those who follow it. It shows the righteous characterof God and brings joy.
So what then? Knowing His Word brings joy...and peace. It's a firm foundation and a refuge...a touchstone. When you seek to understand it in whole you realize that His Word is more than just rules it is a loving guide and when challenges come, we have assurance that it is all working together for good even when it's not clear in the moment.
God's Word had this effect on the psalmist. But, it's not just for the ancients. It is relevant and invaluable today. It affects every area of our life and is essential to all of life. So when I might stumble, it is without fear and uncertainty because I know and love His Word and the promises therein...that He loves me and is for me and knows me. That is sweet peace.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
seek Him
Psalm 119: 147, 151, "I raise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word....Yet You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true."
Such a sweet time in God's Word today. I found several quotes and words that encouraged me and just made me fall more in love with my sweet Savior who gave His all so I could have life to the full!
Spurgeon, in writing about this section, wrote, "...He who has been with God in the closet will find Him in the furnace. If we have cried, we SHALL be answered (emphasis mine). Delayed answers may drive us to importunity; but we need not fear the ultimate result, since Gods promises are not uncertain, but are 'founded forever.'"
I had to look up "importunity" to find out what it means. It is, "the earnestness and perseverance in presenting requests to God on behalf of oneself and others; seen in persistent pleading, faithful intercession and bold appeal." (Bible Gateway resources)
Thomas Brooks (quoted by Spurgeon) said, "God looks not at the elegancy of your prayers, to see how neat they are; nor yet at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor yet at the arithmetic of your prayers to see how many they are; not yet at the music of your prayers, nor yet at the sweetness of your voice, nor yet at the logic of your prayers; but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are."
What He wants is to hear you. He knows what is in your heart and wants you just to come to Him and share it with Him. Doesn't matter what it "sounds" like...even if it's just groans or the only thing you can get out is "Jesus". In my searching I found another quote (not sure of the original writer) but it states, "God's willingness to give exceeds our ability to ask."
Mind. Blown.
Such a sweet time in God's Word today. I found several quotes and words that encouraged me and just made me fall more in love with my sweet Savior who gave His all so I could have life to the full!
Spurgeon, in writing about this section, wrote, "...He who has been with God in the closet will find Him in the furnace. If we have cried, we SHALL be answered (emphasis mine). Delayed answers may drive us to importunity; but we need not fear the ultimate result, since Gods promises are not uncertain, but are 'founded forever.'"
I had to look up "importunity" to find out what it means. It is, "the earnestness and perseverance in presenting requests to God on behalf of oneself and others; seen in persistent pleading, faithful intercession and bold appeal." (Bible Gateway resources)
Thomas Brooks (quoted by Spurgeon) said, "God looks not at the elegancy of your prayers, to see how neat they are; nor yet at the geometry of your prayers, to see how long they are; nor yet at the arithmetic of your prayers to see how many they are; not yet at the music of your prayers, nor yet at the sweetness of your voice, nor yet at the logic of your prayers; but at the sincerity of your prayers, how hearty they are."
What He wants is to hear you. He knows what is in your heart and wants you just to come to Him and share it with Him. Doesn't matter what it "sounds" like...even if it's just groans or the only thing you can get out is "Jesus". In my searching I found another quote (not sure of the original writer) but it states, "God's willingness to give exceeds our ability to ask."
Mind. Blown.
Monday, July 24, 2017
heart beats
Psalm 119:111-112, "Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart, my heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end."
One of many cool things about God's Word is that once it is on your heart, it is there forever. It's not a material possession that can be taken away from you. And when that little stinker satan tries to tell you lies or tempts you, it is the Truth you hold on to and go back to.
I had to look up what statutes meant in the Bible to understand the full context of it. It is the law, yes, but not just the thou shall nots, but also the bigger ideas of how to live life. The Israelites considered it huge to obey God's statutes in order to obtain His blessings in their lives.
God gave us these statutes so that life might go well with us. He gave them to us so He could give us the blessing of more of Him when we are in close relation with Him...that is why they are the joy of the heart. Keeping them close, keeping His blessing is what the heart is set on.
John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." God gave us His Word that we may have life...and joy. Keep Him close to your heart.
One of many cool things about God's Word is that once it is on your heart, it is there forever. It's not a material possession that can be taken away from you. And when that little stinker satan tries to tell you lies or tempts you, it is the Truth you hold on to and go back to.
I had to look up what statutes meant in the Bible to understand the full context of it. It is the law, yes, but not just the thou shall nots, but also the bigger ideas of how to live life. The Israelites considered it huge to obey God's statutes in order to obtain His blessings in their lives.
God gave us these statutes so that life might go well with us. He gave them to us so He could give us the blessing of more of Him when we are in close relation with Him...that is why they are the joy of the heart. Keeping them close, keeping His blessing is what the heart is set on.
John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." God gave us His Word that we may have life...and joy. Keep Him close to your heart.
Friday, July 21, 2017
life preserver
Psalm 119: 92-93, "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life."
Hard times are coming...if you're not already in the midst of it. I haven't yet figured out a way to avoid them and I haven't yet seen anyone else skate through life unscathed either. I cringe in a way because I have been in a decent spot for a while. Which in my mind somewhere means there will be a trial coming again.
The difference now is that I'm not a "doomsday prepper". I know it's coming, but I have hope and joy. Because in the past, in the hard times, I clung to the Truth in God's Word that He is with me, He loves me and He is good. BUT...I clung to His Truth because I already knew it. The tough times made me dig deeper and cling harder but I already knew His promises.
Didn't make the crazy times disappear, didn't make it any easier...except that there is this "peace that passes all understanding" Sounds crazy, right?! But it's real...and you can ask any believer that has walked through or is in the valley. In the valley is when you depend on the Good Shepherd to get you through just as all sheep do. No bitterness. No anger.
Having His Word in your heart and on your mind makes it a delight even in difficulties. It is an anchor and a hope and they preserve my life.
http://kathystenmostwanted.blogspot.com/2013/07/satans-sifting.html
Hard times are coming...if you're not already in the midst of it. I haven't yet figured out a way to avoid them and I haven't yet seen anyone else skate through life unscathed either. I cringe in a way because I have been in a decent spot for a while. Which in my mind somewhere means there will be a trial coming again.
The difference now is that I'm not a "doomsday prepper". I know it's coming, but I have hope and joy. Because in the past, in the hard times, I clung to the Truth in God's Word that He is with me, He loves me and He is good. BUT...I clung to His Truth because I already knew it. The tough times made me dig deeper and cling harder but I already knew His promises.
Didn't make the crazy times disappear, didn't make it any easier...except that there is this "peace that passes all understanding" Sounds crazy, right?! But it's real...and you can ask any believer that has walked through or is in the valley. In the valley is when you depend on the Good Shepherd to get you through just as all sheep do. No bitterness. No anger.
Having His Word in your heart and on your mind makes it a delight even in difficulties. It is an anchor and a hope and they preserve my life.
http://kathystenmostwanted.blogspot.com/2013/07/satans-sifting.html
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