15:1 - Who is allowed to rest in the presence of the Lord? How do you know when someone is walking in the midst of God? They have characteristics like these...
- They do what is right
- They have integrity...there is a wholeness to the way they live
- They do not tear others down, they build them up
- They do not do evil to others or hope that evil befalls others
- They honor the faithful and oppose the wicked
- They hold to their word no matter what...no matter the cost
- They do not take advantage of others
- They cannot be bought or corrupted
15:5b - These are the characteristics of men and women who walk in the presence of the Lord...of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God. These characteristics are foundation stones of a life of faith...a life that cannot be rocked...a life that cannot be moved...a life that cannot be shaken. These are the life marks of men and women who are anchored in God. The question is - are they the marks of your life?
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Psalm 1
Verse 1 - I do a pretty good job of ignoring the counsel of the wicked...though sometimes the lies produced by our selfish, consumeristic culture seep into my heart. I do not generally stand in the way of sinners (Which is not talking about "standing in their way" as in stopping them, but really referring to standing in the midst of sinfulness)...though in all honesty, some of the media I consume is definitely not "holy." Yet, I do struggle regularly with the third area mentioned...it is easy for me to be a cynic...it is easy to be a scoffer...it is easy to mock...it is easy for me to find fault in others while offering no help for transformation. I often sit in the seat of the scoffer, and that is not what godly men and women do. Time for me to get to work!
Verse 2 - I love this verse, but I want us to think about what it means to really live this out. What does it look like...literally...to delight in the instruction of the Lord? What does that look like in my life? What does that look like in your life? Do I delight in the Law of the Lord on a regular basis...on a moment by moment basis each day? Do I find true freedom in the way that Jesus Christ has shown me how to live? (I should!) Does it bring me joy? Do I revel in the beautiful simplicity of his way? In the lack of confusion and the surplus of clarity it brings me? Do I dedicate myself to writing the Law of the Lord onto my soul every day? That is what godly men and women do.
Verse 3 - When you drink deep from the presence and Truth of the Lord, your life will be better. That is a biblical guarantee...that is a promise straight from God Himself. Does it mean that you will be rich and beautiful and have no earthly problems? No. What it means is that you will have the strength and wisdom and compassion and love to face anything that this screwed up world has to throw at you! That what it means. You will be a better person, because you will be connected to the source of true life that you were created to be in relationship with. It is just right and you will know it if you surrender yourself to the Lord.
Verse 2 - I love this verse, but I want us to think about what it means to really live this out. What does it look like...literally...to delight in the instruction of the Lord? What does that look like in my life? What does that look like in your life? Do I delight in the Law of the Lord on a regular basis...on a moment by moment basis each day? Do I find true freedom in the way that Jesus Christ has shown me how to live? (I should!) Does it bring me joy? Do I revel in the beautiful simplicity of his way? In the lack of confusion and the surplus of clarity it brings me? Do I dedicate myself to writing the Law of the Lord onto my soul every day? That is what godly men and women do.
Verse 3 - When you drink deep from the presence and Truth of the Lord, your life will be better. That is a biblical guarantee...that is a promise straight from God Himself. Does it mean that you will be rich and beautiful and have no earthly problems? No. What it means is that you will have the strength and wisdom and compassion and love to face anything that this screwed up world has to throw at you! That what it means. You will be a better person, because you will be connected to the source of true life that you were created to be in relationship with. It is just right and you will know it if you surrender yourself to the Lord.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Psalm 30
30:1 - "You have drawn me up and have not let me foes rejoice over me." The first image that came to my mind upon reading this, was the image of a football player standing triumphant over another...taunting after a big hit...reveling in his humiliation of another. Sometimes we feel this way don't we. We feel that life is crushing us...we feel that others are rejoicing in our struggles...we feel that we are on the ground, defeated and the world is laughing at us. I think most of the time we are the ones who keep ourselves down...I think we accept defeat...I think we give up...we wallow in self pity...we get stuck and imagine that everyone is looking down on us. We must remember the reality of what is going on in the world...God is in control. In our weakness He shows His strength...in our failure, He shows His victorious strength. If we turn to the Lord, we will be pulled up out of our failure. He picks us up...lends us strength...shows us our worth (Which does not depend on what others think of us). There is no true gloating for the enemies of the Lord, because He is ever victorious. We know how the story ends!
30:5 - Ask yourself - "Do I embody the characteristics of the Lord laid out in this verse?" Do you? As I read this verse this morning, I began to ask myself - does my family feel this way about me? Do they see me as someone who's anger is momentary and his love is always there? What do I need to do to live that out? What needs to change? I need to accept the mercy and healing that comes from God on a moment by moment basis. When we dwell in the forgiveness of the Lord, we will better be able to forgive...better be able to treat others with mercy...better be able to love others as God loves us.
30:11-12 - Another question for us to ask ourselves..."Do I give praise to God in everything?" Do I praise the Lord in the good times and the bad times? Honestly, no. Definitely not always. I allow perso0nal failure to drive a wedge between myself and God. I allow distractions to blind me to God's moving in my life. My thankfulness suffers. I long to trust God so deeply that I can be joyful and praise filled regardless of my circumstances. God give me the eyes to see your will in every situation...and the praises to offer you in any circumstance.
30:5 - Ask yourself - "Do I embody the characteristics of the Lord laid out in this verse?" Do you? As I read this verse this morning, I began to ask myself - does my family feel this way about me? Do they see me as someone who's anger is momentary and his love is always there? What do I need to do to live that out? What needs to change? I need to accept the mercy and healing that comes from God on a moment by moment basis. When we dwell in the forgiveness of the Lord, we will better be able to forgive...better be able to treat others with mercy...better be able to love others as God loves us.
30:11-12 - Another question for us to ask ourselves..."Do I give praise to God in everything?" Do I praise the Lord in the good times and the bad times? Honestly, no. Definitely not always. I allow perso0nal failure to drive a wedge between myself and God. I allow distractions to blind me to God's moving in my life. My thankfulness suffers. I long to trust God so deeply that I can be joyful and praise filled regardless of my circumstances. God give me the eyes to see your will in every situation...and the praises to offer you in any circumstance.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Psalm 43
43:1-2 - After reading through those verses, are there any ways that you are feeling like the psalmist right now? Feeling exposed? Undefended? Separated from God? Confused? Lost? I personally am not going through a season like that right now, but I have experienced feelings like this in the past...I think we all have. Wondering where God is when things are hard...wondering why it seems like the people who reject God are prospering while you struggle...feeling like everything is spinning out of control. Sometimes our first response to difficult times like these is to blame God and pull away from Him...
43:3-4 - Yet the writer of this psalm shows us how to deal with such feelings, and angrily blaming God is not the answer (Shocking, I know!). What is the answer to dealing with darkness and confusion in this world? God's light and truth...asking God to guide you back into His presence. So many of us run from God when we are mad, but what we need to do is cry out to Him. Even when everything is falling apart, the psalmist knows that if he can just enter into God's presence he will find peace and joy. And don't you know that too? As much as we threaten to leave God...as much as we get angry...as much as we ignore Him when we are upset...deep down we know that He is the only place where we are going to find refuge and rest. He has always been the only safe haven fro our souls...we just need to remember that when things are hard.
43:5 - The psalm closes out with a powerful reminder - put your hope in God. God is our hope. God is our salvation. God is the only way out of the darkness and confusion of this life. If you place your trust in Him...He will not let you down.
43:3-4 - Yet the writer of this psalm shows us how to deal with such feelings, and angrily blaming God is not the answer (Shocking, I know!). What is the answer to dealing with darkness and confusion in this world? God's light and truth...asking God to guide you back into His presence. So many of us run from God when we are mad, but what we need to do is cry out to Him. Even when everything is falling apart, the psalmist knows that if he can just enter into God's presence he will find peace and joy. And don't you know that too? As much as we threaten to leave God...as much as we get angry...as much as we ignore Him when we are upset...deep down we know that He is the only place where we are going to find refuge and rest. He has always been the only safe haven fro our souls...we just need to remember that when things are hard.
43:5 - The psalm closes out with a powerful reminder - put your hope in God. God is our hope. God is our salvation. God is the only way out of the darkness and confusion of this life. If you place your trust in Him...He will not let you down.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Psalm 65
65:1 - God is worthy of our vows, and that is no small thing. It means that we can trust Him unconditionally. It means that we can and should offer our entire lives to Him. Our existence is fulfilled when we give them to the Lord as living sacrifices...we find out who we are supposed to be when we give ourselves away.
65:2 - ALL flesh will come to God. I love that even in the Old Testament (Writings that are often very Hebrew-centric), we find God's desire that all peoples of the earth would eventually approach Him...He is the God of all and He desires relationship with all. That knowledge should drive us to love unconditionally and welcome those who are different than we are into our community (Where else are the going to interact with the transforming Gospel of Jesus?).
65:3 - This passage says that God atones for our transgressions (our sins), and we know that He poured out the ultimate atoning sacrifice on the cross. Unfortunately, this is such a repeated concept in Christianity that I think it sometimes loses its incredible power. This type of love is revolutionary...this type of love is basically unheard of in humanity...this love is amazing! Our creator God gave His life in our place...died for the sins of His rebellious creation - people who had set themselves as His enemies. That is incredible and awesome!
65:4b - Am I satisfied with the goodness of God's presence? Are you? Are we satisfied with the community found in the Church? I should be, but I constantly find myself chasing after other things - things that I know are not lasting. Why? I allow myself to buy into the lies and the values of this world...I allow myself to ignore the reality of Gods love.
65:7 - Only God can still the waters and the raging storm. Only God can tell a hurricane to "Be quiet" and it responds accordingly. For me, this passage from the OT is yet another picture of Jesus' godliness. He calmed the storm...something only God can do - Jesus is God!
65:12-13 - This reminds of the times I have spent hiking through the continental divided in Colorado. I remember sitting on top of a mountain and just staring in awe at the beauty of God's creation. Those are some of the most powerful times of worship and prayer in my life. The wonder of creation is a testament to God's creativity...His strength...His love!
65:2 - ALL flesh will come to God. I love that even in the Old Testament (Writings that are often very Hebrew-centric), we find God's desire that all peoples of the earth would eventually approach Him...He is the God of all and He desires relationship with all. That knowledge should drive us to love unconditionally and welcome those who are different than we are into our community (Where else are the going to interact with the transforming Gospel of Jesus?).
65:3 - This passage says that God atones for our transgressions (our sins), and we know that He poured out the ultimate atoning sacrifice on the cross. Unfortunately, this is such a repeated concept in Christianity that I think it sometimes loses its incredible power. This type of love is revolutionary...this type of love is basically unheard of in humanity...this love is amazing! Our creator God gave His life in our place...died for the sins of His rebellious creation - people who had set themselves as His enemies. That is incredible and awesome!
65:4b - Am I satisfied with the goodness of God's presence? Are you? Are we satisfied with the community found in the Church? I should be, but I constantly find myself chasing after other things - things that I know are not lasting. Why? I allow myself to buy into the lies and the values of this world...I allow myself to ignore the reality of Gods love.
65:7 - Only God can still the waters and the raging storm. Only God can tell a hurricane to "Be quiet" and it responds accordingly. For me, this passage from the OT is yet another picture of Jesus' godliness. He calmed the storm...something only God can do - Jesus is God!
65:12-13 - This reminds of the times I have spent hiking through the continental divided in Colorado. I remember sitting on top of a mountain and just staring in awe at the beauty of God's creation. Those are some of the most powerful times of worship and prayer in my life. The wonder of creation is a testament to God's creativity...His strength...His love!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Psalm 14
14:1 - Only fools say there is no God. Look around! Where did it all come from? There has to be a beginning...there has to be an origin story. There has to be something outside of "survival" driving us to create and love and serve and see beauty...there has to be...these things do not exist in a world with no God. We are walking reflections of God's existence (Albeit very dull reflections most of the time). It is foolishness to deny that God is real.
14:2 - Interesting that the word "understanding" here can be replaced by "acting wisely." True understanding is synonymous with right actions to the psalmist. If you truly understand what is going on with existence...if you see the big picture - you will seek God...you will act...you will acknowledging the glaring truth. That is the only true response for understanding. If you have understanding, you definitely do not run and hide behind foolish/arrogant lies and denial.
14:3-5 - This section describes the fallout of doubting God...of running scared from the truth. Doesn't it look familiar? People all around us live like this (We probably live like this from time to time)! Corruption. Non-good. Self-focus. Evil. Taking advantage of others. Fear. Terror. Hiding behind lies. Mocking others. These are the traits of those who deny God's existence.
14:6 - Read the verse. Do you do this? Would you? Would you shame the poor? Would you take advantage? Would you mock the faithful? God is a refuge - a place of safety, rest and peace - for those who trust in Him. God, let me take refuge in You? Every day. Every moment. God let me ignore the doubts that assail me...the tempting lies of the world that seek to corrupt. God make my heart a place of refuge where you dwell.
14:7 - The salvation that the psalmist talks about did come. That salvation lived as a man. Lived out perfection - showed us what true humanity looks like. That salvation died for the sins of the godless...the doubters...the sinful...the corrupt...the oppressors...the HUMAN RACE! And through that death He restored us...restored our relationship with God...showed us truth. Truth that we will celebrate this weekend on Easter. Jesus is alive! God is real! Life has meaning! There is HOPE!
14:2 - Interesting that the word "understanding" here can be replaced by "acting wisely." True understanding is synonymous with right actions to the psalmist. If you truly understand what is going on with existence...if you see the big picture - you will seek God...you will act...you will acknowledging the glaring truth. That is the only true response for understanding. If you have understanding, you definitely do not run and hide behind foolish/arrogant lies and denial.
14:3-5 - This section describes the fallout of doubting God...of running scared from the truth. Doesn't it look familiar? People all around us live like this (We probably live like this from time to time)! Corruption. Non-good. Self-focus. Evil. Taking advantage of others. Fear. Terror. Hiding behind lies. Mocking others. These are the traits of those who deny God's existence.
14:6 - Read the verse. Do you do this? Would you? Would you shame the poor? Would you take advantage? Would you mock the faithful? God is a refuge - a place of safety, rest and peace - for those who trust in Him. God, let me take refuge in You? Every day. Every moment. God let me ignore the doubts that assail me...the tempting lies of the world that seek to corrupt. God make my heart a place of refuge where you dwell.
14:7 - The salvation that the psalmist talks about did come. That salvation lived as a man. Lived out perfection - showed us what true humanity looks like. That salvation died for the sins of the godless...the doubters...the sinful...the corrupt...the oppressors...the HUMAN RACE! And through that death He restored us...restored our relationship with God...showed us truth. Truth that we will celebrate this weekend on Easter. Jesus is alive! God is real! Life has meaning! There is HOPE!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Psalm 24
Verses 1 and 2 - Everything is God's. It really is that simple. He made it all...He sustains it all. I know that we allow ourselves to believe that we are self-made...that what we have is ours...that our intelligence and hard work provided the things we have, but everything in all of creation is God's. Do you believe that? Do you live like that? Do you honor that truth? What would change about the way that you live your life right now if you actually lived like you believed that everything is God's?
Verses 3 and 4 - Who can approach the majesty of God. David tells us in this psalm. Those who can stand in the presence of God are those who: have clean hands (Meaning they are sinless), have pure hearts, have no deceit of falsehood within them. Those are the ones who can approach God on their own. Unfortunately when I look at that list, it appears that no one can approach God! My hands are not clean. My heart is not always pure. I have allowed falsehood and deceit to corrupt my mind from time to time. What about you? Who then can approach the Lord? Keep reading...
Verses 5 and 6 - When we receive salvation and the blessing of righteousness from God...then we can approach Him. We received this salvation, once for all time, through the death of Jesus on the cross. His death makes my hands clean, because he took away my sin. Has crucifixion makes my heart pure because he offered himself as a pure sacrifice. His sacrifice enables us to enter into the presence of God...in fact, his sacrifice makes it so that we can become vessels for the Spirit of God! Seek His face...seek His way...accept the mercy of Jesus and you will be connected to God.
Verses 7 - 10 - I want to encourage you to open the gates of your heart and your mind. So many times we try to shut God out from shaping out inner selves. God could destroy our walls...our defenses...and force His way in, but that is not the way of love. The great and mighty King waits patiently outside the gates wanting you to let Him in. Open your gates! His is a mighty warrior - let Him destroy the inner demons that torment you. He is the glorious King - allow Him to show you your true value!
Verses 3 and 4 - Who can approach the majesty of God. David tells us in this psalm. Those who can stand in the presence of God are those who: have clean hands (Meaning they are sinless), have pure hearts, have no deceit of falsehood within them. Those are the ones who can approach God on their own. Unfortunately when I look at that list, it appears that no one can approach God! My hands are not clean. My heart is not always pure. I have allowed falsehood and deceit to corrupt my mind from time to time. What about you? Who then can approach the Lord? Keep reading...
Verses 5 and 6 - When we receive salvation and the blessing of righteousness from God...then we can approach Him. We received this salvation, once for all time, through the death of Jesus on the cross. His death makes my hands clean, because he took away my sin. Has crucifixion makes my heart pure because he offered himself as a pure sacrifice. His sacrifice enables us to enter into the presence of God...in fact, his sacrifice makes it so that we can become vessels for the Spirit of God! Seek His face...seek His way...accept the mercy of Jesus and you will be connected to God.
Verses 7 - 10 - I want to encourage you to open the gates of your heart and your mind. So many times we try to shut God out from shaping out inner selves. God could destroy our walls...our defenses...and force His way in, but that is not the way of love. The great and mighty King waits patiently outside the gates wanting you to let Him in. Open your gates! His is a mighty warrior - let Him destroy the inner demons that torment you. He is the glorious King - allow Him to show you your true value!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Psalm 99
v. 1-3 - God is set apart and holy. He is OTHER. I love the way the strength and the majesty of our Lord is described in this passage. There are so many times that I allow myself to forget about His true nature. I allow myself to ignore God - IGNORE the ruler and sustainer of all!!! How is that possible? I often treat God like he is my "good buddy." His presence makes the earth tremble! He knowledge is infinite. He is so much more than a good buddy! I even sometimes treat God as if He is my servant, and I expect Him to do what I want Him to do. Every moment of my existence is held together by His will...how could I ever be arrogant enough to think that God needs to get with my program!? He is the sustainer. He is the master. He is the giver of life. Do not forget that! Allow the truth of His nature to drive you towards deeper worship.
v. 4 - The king has been given his place of power so that he might establish justice and bring peace in his kingdom. He is placed in a seat of power, not for his own glorification, but so that the name of the Lord might be glorified through his reign. Far too often, people use the power they have been given to oppress and bring harm. That is the opposite of the way of God...that is a declaration of war against God and the way that He wants power used in His creation. Think about the power that you have and how you use it...as parent, boss, teacher, leader, friend, family member...do you bring glory to the name of God through your use of power? Or do you choose the other?
v. 6-7 - As Christians, we are all a part of the priesthood. The blood of Jesus Christ has given us the freedom to cal on the name of the Lord, just like the ancient priests. Every one of us can call upon Him and can be directly in relationship with Him...such a wondrous gift! We know for certain that when we call on the name of the Lord...we will be answered. I experienced this truth firsthand this week. For months I have been praying about a huge decision a committee I am on at church was trying to make, and I cried out to God asking for clarity and vision. When we got together this Monday to meet and share our thoughts...every single one of us was on the same page. I almost started weeping from the sheer joy of seeing God's answer so clearly before me.
v. 4 - The king has been given his place of power so that he might establish justice and bring peace in his kingdom. He is placed in a seat of power, not for his own glorification, but so that the name of the Lord might be glorified through his reign. Far too often, people use the power they have been given to oppress and bring harm. That is the opposite of the way of God...that is a declaration of war against God and the way that He wants power used in His creation. Think about the power that you have and how you use it...as parent, boss, teacher, leader, friend, family member...do you bring glory to the name of God through your use of power? Or do you choose the other?
v. 6-7 - As Christians, we are all a part of the priesthood. The blood of Jesus Christ has given us the freedom to cal on the name of the Lord, just like the ancient priests. Every one of us can call upon Him and can be directly in relationship with Him...such a wondrous gift! We know for certain that when we call on the name of the Lord...we will be answered. I experienced this truth firsthand this week. For months I have been praying about a huge decision a committee I am on at church was trying to make, and I cried out to God asking for clarity and vision. When we got together this Monday to meet and share our thoughts...every single one of us was on the same page. I almost started weeping from the sheer joy of seeing God's answer so clearly before me.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Psalm 84
I prayer through Psalm 84 today, because I was challenged to do so through a class I am taking right now...it was a powerful experience to say the least. I would encourage you to pray your way through it yourself...
Psalm 84
v.1 - Pray about the beauty of be in the presence of the Lord. Pray for the church you are a part of...that your church home would feel like the dwelling place of God.
v.2 - Pray that you would feel as strongly about connecting with God as the psalmist. That you would long for that connection...desperately seek it out. Pray that God meets you in this place.
v.3 - The sparrows would build nests in the cracks of the temple...it was a place of safety for them. Pray that your own church is a place where people feel they can come safely and find acceptance, not judgment.
v.4 - Think about the ways that God has blessed you. Spend some significant time praising Him for the blessings in your life.
v.5-7 - The Israelites had to make a difficult journey to get to the temple. Imagine what it must have been like to finally see it after weeks of brutal travel. Our own lives have many ups and downs, but remember that God is constant...that we know how this story ends. Pray that you will be able to always keep your focus on God and on doing everything you can to become more like Him as you journey towards being forever in His presence.
v.8 - Beg God to hear your prayers...hear your cries and to meet you here. To meet you in the place of your greatest need. To connect with you.
v.9 - This is a verse about praying for the king, so pray for your leaders. Pray for the President. Pray for local leaders. Pray for the pastor of your church. Pray for the roles in which you are a leader.
v.10 - Pray that you will understand the truth of this verse...being in the presence with God...being connected to His will is better than anything else. Pray that you will choose to sacrifice your will...your selfishness...your pride, to do everything you can to live in God's presence.
v.11-12 - Close out your prayer time by praising God for who He is!
Psalm 84
v.1 - Pray about the beauty of be in the presence of the Lord. Pray for the church you are a part of...that your church home would feel like the dwelling place of God.
v.2 - Pray that you would feel as strongly about connecting with God as the psalmist. That you would long for that connection...desperately seek it out. Pray that God meets you in this place.
v.3 - The sparrows would build nests in the cracks of the temple...it was a place of safety for them. Pray that your own church is a place where people feel they can come safely and find acceptance, not judgment.
v.4 - Think about the ways that God has blessed you. Spend some significant time praising Him for the blessings in your life.
v.5-7 - The Israelites had to make a difficult journey to get to the temple. Imagine what it must have been like to finally see it after weeks of brutal travel. Our own lives have many ups and downs, but remember that God is constant...that we know how this story ends. Pray that you will be able to always keep your focus on God and on doing everything you can to become more like Him as you journey towards being forever in His presence.
v.8 - Beg God to hear your prayers...hear your cries and to meet you here. To meet you in the place of your greatest need. To connect with you.
v.9 - This is a verse about praying for the king, so pray for your leaders. Pray for the President. Pray for local leaders. Pray for the pastor of your church. Pray for the roles in which you are a leader.
v.10 - Pray that you will understand the truth of this verse...being in the presence with God...being connected to His will is better than anything else. Pray that you will choose to sacrifice your will...your selfishness...your pride, to do everything you can to live in God's presence.
v.11-12 - Close out your prayer time by praising God for who He is!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Psalm 27
Verse 1 - So many things in this world cause me to worry...cause me to fear. I fear confrontation...I fear the future...I fear what other people think about me...I fear failure...I fear. BUT God is my light...God is my salvation...He loves me...He created me...He gave Himself for me...what is there to fear? Why would anything else matter? Why would any of those meaningless things stop me in my tracks, when that is the reality that I live within. God is my salvation!!! What else matters. Someone doesn't like me? Well, God is my salvation. I don't know what the future holds? Well, God is my salvation! I must let that truth define me and shape the man that I am and the way that I react to the things of this world.
Verse 11 - This verse lays out exactly what I want for my life, and what I think God wants for my life. I want to know the way of the Lord to the very core of my being. I want to walk the level path. I do not want to walk the uneven, wish-washy, frail, broken, fence-sitting, back and forth path of humanity. I have walked it too often before and it has left me broken and guilt ridden. I want to walk the level path - the path that guides me in the way of the Lord. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...I want to be the same way. I want to be the same man when I am alone that I am when I am at church. I want to be a man of godly character at all times. And God, I need your help in doing that.
Verse 13 - Do I really believe this? Do you? Do you believe that God is at work, right here, right now, in the land of the living? Do you believe it? So many Christians see the brokenness of this world and they live for another day. They live for an eternal future with God. That is all well and good, and that is something to look forward to...but do not look forward to it and forsake the way that God is working in the here and now. God is at work. We should be living to join God in the work that He is doing here...in the redemption that He is bringing...in the way that He is bringing heaven to earth, bit by bit, life by life. Do not forget the good that is coming to life, like a fresh green shoot bursting from a midden heap! God is at work!
Verse 11 - This verse lays out exactly what I want for my life, and what I think God wants for my life. I want to know the way of the Lord to the very core of my being. I want to walk the level path. I do not want to walk the uneven, wish-washy, frail, broken, fence-sitting, back and forth path of humanity. I have walked it too often before and it has left me broken and guilt ridden. I want to walk the level path - the path that guides me in the way of the Lord. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...I want to be the same way. I want to be the same man when I am alone that I am when I am at church. I want to be a man of godly character at all times. And God, I need your help in doing that.
Verse 13 - Do I really believe this? Do you? Do you believe that God is at work, right here, right now, in the land of the living? Do you believe it? So many Christians see the brokenness of this world and they live for another day. They live for an eternal future with God. That is all well and good, and that is something to look forward to...but do not look forward to it and forsake the way that God is working in the here and now. God is at work. We should be living to join God in the work that He is doing here...in the redemption that He is bringing...in the way that He is bringing heaven to earth, bit by bit, life by life. Do not forget the good that is coming to life, like a fresh green shoot bursting from a midden heap! God is at work!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Psalm 20
I am having a hard time keeping up with the four chapter a day reading schedule, and find myself ditching out when I don't feel I have adequate time to cover the passages (which is not good!)...so I am changing things up. I am going to spend some time reading and praying through the Psalms...and already God has used this change to speak deeply into my heart.
The staff at Northside Christian, where I work, is faced with a number of difficult decisions. We have huge changes coming. We have buildings about to open. We have the responsibility of leading a group of 1800 or so people in pursuit of the way of Jesus Christ. There has been a great deal of pressure on people lately...there has been a great deal of crying out to God and begging Him for direction. Before my reading of Psalm 20 today I spent a good deal of time praying for wisdom, praying for the future, praying for guidance, praying for people in and out of the church who I know are struggling right now...and this is how I was answered...
Read Psalm 20.
That is exactly what I needed to hear...what I needed to read...and I hope it was very meaningful for you as well. Our leadership is crying out for vision, for guidance, for clarity...and it seemed like God was telling me through this Psalm that we will have it! Praise be to God! We must trust in God...we must continue to seek His will and not our own...and He will hear our cries!
20:1 - "May the Lord answer you in your day of trouble." There are so many right now who I know are struggling...who I have been praying for...and I know that God will meet them in their pain, their struggle, their brokenness.
20:4 - "May he grant you your heart's desire." At Northside, our desire as leaders is to serve...to lead well...to shore up our team...to get people into positions where they will be serving most effectively...to answer God's call. Our desires do not revolve around our own wants...they revolve around honoring God and His ever growing kingdom through our service and He WILL meet our desires. He will meet our desire to show us His desires for our ministry...I know it.
20:5 - We can celebrate...we can rejoice, because God will move! Do not forget that.
20:7 - Do not put trust in yourself, your strength, your creativity, in human structures, in hard work alone...put your trust in God - He will not let you down. Everything else will fail in the end...we will fail ourselves...but God is faithful and He will prevail and He will provide. Thank you God!
The staff at Northside Christian, where I work, is faced with a number of difficult decisions. We have huge changes coming. We have buildings about to open. We have the responsibility of leading a group of 1800 or so people in pursuit of the way of Jesus Christ. There has been a great deal of pressure on people lately...there has been a great deal of crying out to God and begging Him for direction. Before my reading of Psalm 20 today I spent a good deal of time praying for wisdom, praying for the future, praying for guidance, praying for people in and out of the church who I know are struggling right now...and this is how I was answered...
Read Psalm 20.
That is exactly what I needed to hear...what I needed to read...and I hope it was very meaningful for you as well. Our leadership is crying out for vision, for guidance, for clarity...and it seemed like God was telling me through this Psalm that we will have it! Praise be to God! We must trust in God...we must continue to seek His will and not our own...and He will hear our cries!
20:1 - "May the Lord answer you in your day of trouble." There are so many right now who I know are struggling...who I have been praying for...and I know that God will meet them in their pain, their struggle, their brokenness.
20:4 - "May he grant you your heart's desire." At Northside, our desire as leaders is to serve...to lead well...to shore up our team...to get people into positions where they will be serving most effectively...to answer God's call. Our desires do not revolve around our own wants...they revolve around honoring God and His ever growing kingdom through our service and He WILL meet our desires. He will meet our desire to show us His desires for our ministry...I know it.
20:5 - We can celebrate...we can rejoice, because God will move! Do not forget that.
20:7 - Do not put trust in yourself, your strength, your creativity, in human structures, in hard work alone...put your trust in God - He will not let you down. Everything else will fail in the end...we will fail ourselves...but God is faithful and He will prevail and He will provide. Thank you God!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Pslam 116
This psalm starts out with with five simple words - "I love the Lord because..." Do you spend time reflecting on the goodness of God? Do you spend significant time pondering all the reasons why you love God? I think sometimes we can get distracted...we can get caught up in the few bad things that are going on around us and forget about the overwhelming goodness of God. This psalmist takes the time to write out some of the reasons he loves God. You and I should do the same...
I love the Lord because...
He listens. (116:1)
He is gracious. (116:5)
He is righteous. (116:5)
He is my salvation. (116:6)
He is my deliverer. (116:8)
He is my guide. (116:8)
What does it mean?
Listens - He hears me when I cry out to Him. He knows the pleas of my heart before I can even utter them. He listens not only to my voice, but to my soul.
Gracious - He counters my rebellious sinfulness with undeserved forgiveness and love.
Righteous - He is right. He is perfection. He is the ideal that we must strive after though we will never attain it. His decisions are always correct. His judgment is flawless.
Salvation/Deliverer - There is no hope outside of God. Through his gracious love, He offers us salvation, so that we too may be righteous...not by our own power, but by through the sacrificial love of Christ.
Guide - His Word is the light we should live out lives by. His Spirit is the guiding force that enables us to experience true life. He is the solid foundation that we must anchor our lives to.
The psalmist closes out this psalm with a very important question. What should we do for the Lord after considering all that He has done for us? Do you ever ask yourself this question? Everything you are...everything you have..,everything that exists...exists only because the Lord God has created it and is holding it all together. How do we respond? (v.14) The only legitimate response is to make His name great wherever we go. We must be unashamed to proclaim His greatness before anyone at any time. That is what the Lord deserves from His children.
I love the Lord because...
He listens. (116:1)
He is gracious. (116:5)
He is righteous. (116:5)
He is my salvation. (116:6)
He is my deliverer. (116:8)
He is my guide. (116:8)
What does it mean?
Listens - He hears me when I cry out to Him. He knows the pleas of my heart before I can even utter them. He listens not only to my voice, but to my soul.
Gracious - He counters my rebellious sinfulness with undeserved forgiveness and love.
Righteous - He is right. He is perfection. He is the ideal that we must strive after though we will never attain it. His decisions are always correct. His judgment is flawless.
Salvation/Deliverer - There is no hope outside of God. Through his gracious love, He offers us salvation, so that we too may be righteous...not by our own power, but by through the sacrificial love of Christ.
Guide - His Word is the light we should live out lives by. His Spirit is the guiding force that enables us to experience true life. He is the solid foundation that we must anchor our lives to.
The psalmist closes out this psalm with a very important question. What should we do for the Lord after considering all that He has done for us? Do you ever ask yourself this question? Everything you are...everything you have..,everything that exists...exists only because the Lord God has created it and is holding it all together. How do we respond? (v.14) The only legitimate response is to make His name great wherever we go. We must be unashamed to proclaim His greatness before anyone at any time. That is what the Lord deserves from His children.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Psalm 32
"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." The forgiveness of the Lord is truly a blessing. Do you ponder it on a daily basis? Do you allow it to continually shape who you are? Think about the facts: You and I are a corrupt and sinful bunch...all of humanity is. We continually choose to worship ourselves before God. We continually allow pride and selfishness to guide our actions. We love to complain about the evil that exists in the world, but we are the sources of that evil. We have brought the corruption upon ourselves. Yet, the God of love chose to offer His forgiveness to us. He chose to step into the muck and mire of our sinfulness and take the necessary steps to offer us forgiveness. We have curse God since our inception, yet He offers us the blessings of forgiveness! That is an amazing and priceless gift. Let that forgiveness wash over you and transform your life. By the power of God's forgiveness we should be: more gracious, more loving, more service minded, more comfortable in our own skin, more appreciative, and more willing to share that forgiveness with others.
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity...and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." King David write this Psalm, and he describes going through something that every one of us has experienced - the crushing weight of guilt. In verses three and four he talks of keeping his sin to himself...he says that it felt like his bones were rotting away, and that he could feel the heavy hand of the Lord upon him. You have been there, right? You have been crushed under the weight of your own sins and immobilized by the burden of guilt those sins heap on you...we all have. Then with nowhere else to turn...with no other options available before him...David throws himself on the mercy of God. He pours out his heart...he holds nothing back...he confesses his sins before the Lord and the relief is instantaneous. God forgives him and the crushing weight is lifted off his soul. This is the power of confession...from shackles to freedom in a moment. Holding your sin inside and trying to keep it secret will eat away at you from the inside. God already knows what we have done and we are only hurting ourselves by pretending that we can keep anything hidden from Him. The only way that we will find forgiveness and begin healing is through confession. Pour out your heart to God...lay you sins at His feet...confess your sins to the people you have wronged...because God is faithful to forgive.
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity...and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." King David write this Psalm, and he describes going through something that every one of us has experienced - the crushing weight of guilt. In verses three and four he talks of keeping his sin to himself...he says that it felt like his bones were rotting away, and that he could feel the heavy hand of the Lord upon him. You have been there, right? You have been crushed under the weight of your own sins and immobilized by the burden of guilt those sins heap on you...we all have. Then with nowhere else to turn...with no other options available before him...David throws himself on the mercy of God. He pours out his heart...he holds nothing back...he confesses his sins before the Lord and the relief is instantaneous. God forgives him and the crushing weight is lifted off his soul. This is the power of confession...from shackles to freedom in a moment. Holding your sin inside and trying to keep it secret will eat away at you from the inside. God already knows what we have done and we are only hurting ourselves by pretending that we can keep anything hidden from Him. The only way that we will find forgiveness and begin healing is through confession. Pour out your heart to God...lay you sins at His feet...confess your sins to the people you have wronged...because God is faithful to forgive.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Psalms 144 - 150
144:1-2 - I love the imagery that God is our defense...He is our fortress...our shield. Not only can we stand firm in our faith knowing that God is with us, He prepares us for war so that we might be able to stand against the overwhelming forces of evil in this world. I am not alone...I am not unarmed...I am armed with the Word of God...I am armed with the knowledge of truth and a better way. May I stand strong.
145:5-6 - We must remember to always think back to the way that God has moved in our lives. Think about the times when you have seen Him bring redemption and change to your life and the lives of people around you. Think about how you have seen His hands at work in the world...think about the miracles He has worked in people's lives. When you remember these things and focus on them, then you will be able to powerfully testify to the greatness of God. You don't have to know everything about God and the bible to teach others about Him...you need to speak from the heart about how you have seen Him move.
146:3-4- There is no hope found in the lives of other human beings. How often have we seen ourselves and others crushed by putting their hope fully in the life of another person? Remember the pain, the heartbreak, the letdown that comes when we find out that they cannot be our salvation...they cannot give us what we seek. Our hope...our salvation...our fulfillment can only be found in God.
147:6 - God's kingdom is totally upside down from the kingdom of this world. In God;s kingdom it is always opposite day with regards to how we know the world operates. In God;s kingdom the lowly and weak are lifted up and honored...they are the people who garner praise...it is the evil, arrogant, strong that are brought to their knees in humility before God. Which group do you associate with more? Which group do you strive to be a part of?
148:5 - This verse really sums up the chapter. Everything...everything in all of creation must praise the Lord because He is our creator. Do you understand - we don;t exists without Him? I meet people that think it is unreasonable that God demands worship...they think it sounds arrogant and selfish, but my question is, "How arrogant and selfish is it for human beings who only exist by the power of God's presence to deny Him His rightful place of honor in their lives?" We are nothing without God, so He deserves everything from us.
150:6 - This is such a fitting way to close out the book of psalms - let everything that has breath praise the Lord! AMEN!
145:5-6 - We must remember to always think back to the way that God has moved in our lives. Think about the times when you have seen Him bring redemption and change to your life and the lives of people around you. Think about how you have seen His hands at work in the world...think about the miracles He has worked in people's lives. When you remember these things and focus on them, then you will be able to powerfully testify to the greatness of God. You don't have to know everything about God and the bible to teach others about Him...you need to speak from the heart about how you have seen Him move.
146:3-4- There is no hope found in the lives of other human beings. How often have we seen ourselves and others crushed by putting their hope fully in the life of another person? Remember the pain, the heartbreak, the letdown that comes when we find out that they cannot be our salvation...they cannot give us what we seek. Our hope...our salvation...our fulfillment can only be found in God.
147:6 - God's kingdom is totally upside down from the kingdom of this world. In God;s kingdom it is always opposite day with regards to how we know the world operates. In God;s kingdom the lowly and weak are lifted up and honored...they are the people who garner praise...it is the evil, arrogant, strong that are brought to their knees in humility before God. Which group do you associate with more? Which group do you strive to be a part of?
148:5 - This verse really sums up the chapter. Everything...everything in all of creation must praise the Lord because He is our creator. Do you understand - we don;t exists without Him? I meet people that think it is unreasonable that God demands worship...they think it sounds arrogant and selfish, but my question is, "How arrogant and selfish is it for human beings who only exist by the power of God's presence to deny Him His rightful place of honor in their lives?" We are nothing without God, so He deserves everything from us.
150:6 - This is such a fitting way to close out the book of psalms - let everything that has breath praise the Lord! AMEN!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Psalms 136 - 143
Psalm 136 - This is a powerful psalm of praise, thanking God for His faithfulness. It would be a really good practice to go through your life and literally thank God for everything you can think of, repeating "for His steadfast love endures forever" after speaking each blessing...great way to focus in on the love of God and the powerful way He has worked in your life.
137:5-6 - A conservative Jewish reggae-style rapper named Matisyahu has a great song called "Jerusalem" based partially on this passage (I believe). I love the challenge that the psalmist throws down for us - if we forget about the kingdom of God, we have forgotten our identity...we have forgotten who we are and why we serve. We become useless. May we never forget what is important in life and who we serve.
138:6 - Is it not incredible how God operates? He is the most powerful being in all existence...He existed before there was even a concept of existence...He is the definition of perfection, yet He is drawn to the helpless and lowly. He loves most deeply those who are the least like Him...those who are powerless and weak. We need more Christians in this world who live out these characteristics of God...who seek to love the lowly and lost.
139:13-14 - Isn't it beautiful that God has always known you? He knew me before there even was a "me"! It is amazing and uplifting that He cares that much. When David writes that he is fearfully and wonderfully made - there is a poetic depth and power to that phrase that is rarely paralleled. Wonderfully - God has created each and every human being as a work of art...we are walking miracles of life and creativity...we are help together by the force of God's nature and the depth of His will...we are wonderfully made. Fearfully - Have you ever thought about the danger involved in God creating us? Because He wanted to create and expand His love and give Himself away on a greater level...He created us. He created us to be a part of the community of Himself (Father, Son and Spirit). Yet we are fearfully made, because God loves us completely and within each of us is the power to reject, rebel, and sin...within each of us is the power to break God's heart. He knew this possibility and loved us so much hat He made us anyway.
139:23-24 - This is a great and scary prayer to ask of God. Give me clarity Lord...let me see the vileness and twistedness within me and please show me how to change. Please show me how to walk the paths of righteousness. Bold prayer...and one that will enable you to take the first steps in living a God-honoring life.
142:5 - Never forget - God is the place where we will find rest and peace. God is the only treasure that we can seek that will actually give us fulfillment and understanding. And we're not talking about a future hope here...we are not just talking about our rest and fulfillment being in heaven some day - God is offering himself to us right now...in the world of the living!
143:5-6 - When faced with difficulties of life, these verses show what David is doing to seek out God. He is giving us a picture of what he does to quench his soul thirst for God. He remembers back to when his faith was at its most firm and powerful. What can we do to reclaim that? What has changed? He meditates on the things that God has done. Do we spend time genuinely thanking God for the blessing in our life? He lifts his hands and worships God. What are you doing on a daily basis to live our worship to your God?
137:5-6 - A conservative Jewish reggae-style rapper named Matisyahu has a great song called "Jerusalem" based partially on this passage (I believe). I love the challenge that the psalmist throws down for us - if we forget about the kingdom of God, we have forgotten our identity...we have forgotten who we are and why we serve. We become useless. May we never forget what is important in life and who we serve.
138:6 - Is it not incredible how God operates? He is the most powerful being in all existence...He existed before there was even a concept of existence...He is the definition of perfection, yet He is drawn to the helpless and lowly. He loves most deeply those who are the least like Him...those who are powerless and weak. We need more Christians in this world who live out these characteristics of God...who seek to love the lowly and lost.
139:13-14 - Isn't it beautiful that God has always known you? He knew me before there even was a "me"! It is amazing and uplifting that He cares that much. When David writes that he is fearfully and wonderfully made - there is a poetic depth and power to that phrase that is rarely paralleled. Wonderfully - God has created each and every human being as a work of art...we are walking miracles of life and creativity...we are help together by the force of God's nature and the depth of His will...we are wonderfully made. Fearfully - Have you ever thought about the danger involved in God creating us? Because He wanted to create and expand His love and give Himself away on a greater level...He created us. He created us to be a part of the community of Himself (Father, Son and Spirit). Yet we are fearfully made, because God loves us completely and within each of us is the power to reject, rebel, and sin...within each of us is the power to break God's heart. He knew this possibility and loved us so much hat He made us anyway.
139:23-24 - This is a great and scary prayer to ask of God. Give me clarity Lord...let me see the vileness and twistedness within me and please show me how to change. Please show me how to walk the paths of righteousness. Bold prayer...and one that will enable you to take the first steps in living a God-honoring life.
142:5 - Never forget - God is the place where we will find rest and peace. God is the only treasure that we can seek that will actually give us fulfillment and understanding. And we're not talking about a future hope here...we are not just talking about our rest and fulfillment being in heaven some day - God is offering himself to us right now...in the world of the living!
143:5-6 - When faced with difficulties of life, these verses show what David is doing to seek out God. He is giving us a picture of what he does to quench his soul thirst for God. He remembers back to when his faith was at its most firm and powerful. What can we do to reclaim that? What has changed? He meditates on the things that God has done. Do we spend time genuinely thanking God for the blessing in our life? He lifts his hands and worships God. What are you doing on a daily basis to live our worship to your God?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Psalms 121 - 135
121:2 - The psalmist keeps everything is perspective here...I can see him saying this to himself to bring encouragement. He knows that God is on his side and reminds himself that this is the one and only God who created heaven and earth. If God can create heaven and earth in a whisper, I think He can give us the help we are searching for, right?
122:1 - It should be a joyous occasion for believers to gather together for community and worship, yet it seems that more and more in current day Christianity that we are all looking for excuses to skip out. Why do you think that is?
123:2 - When we think about God and look to God in our lives it should be from a position of humble service. Do you wake up each day wondering what you can do to serve and please your master, or are you the master of your own life?
125:1 - When you trust in God there becomes this clarity of existence...you can face anything this screwed up world has to throw at you because you understand what really matters...you know that God is in control...you know how this story ends and you are willing to confidently stand by your hope when you trust.
127:2 - So often we push ourselves and run around crazily trying to bring achievement and success, but that is all absolutely meaningless without God. Take time and look at your life and figure out why it is that you do what you do...where is God in that picture?
128:1 - Blessed are those who fear God, because godliness streams from their lives positively affecting the lives of all of those around them.
130:3-4 - Everyone is unrighteous, vile, sinful, twisted, etc. before God...if God wanted to wreak judgment on us all - who could stand? Nobody. But instead God in His infinite love has offered us all a chance at forgiveness. He has given Himself to die in our place so that we might have hope...so that we might be able to fear Him. See when He offers forgiveness, we get the chance to enter into His presence and when we enter into His presence we experience what it is to have beautiful, holy fear. The fear that we might not be able to remain int he presence of God drives us to live to serve Him. We don't save ourselves through righteousness, but we attempt to live righteously to bring honor to our awe-inspiring master.
131:2 - This is a psalm of David where he explains that he has freed himself of worldly distractions. He says that he has weaned himself from the meaningless things that become an obstacle in his relationships with God. What do you need to be weaned from?
133:1 - Powerful and to the point - unity among believers is a beautiful thing. On the flip side, disharmony among fellow Christians is as detestable as things can be.
135:13-18 - Another passage about the fruitlessness that results when men try to worship things they have created. Our creations are worthless and our lives start to become worthless when we bow at the altar of these idols. Our ability to serve as God's hands, feet and voice in this world is destroyed when we spend all our time chasing after the meaningless.
122:1 - It should be a joyous occasion for believers to gather together for community and worship, yet it seems that more and more in current day Christianity that we are all looking for excuses to skip out. Why do you think that is?
123:2 - When we think about God and look to God in our lives it should be from a position of humble service. Do you wake up each day wondering what you can do to serve and please your master, or are you the master of your own life?
125:1 - When you trust in God there becomes this clarity of existence...you can face anything this screwed up world has to throw at you because you understand what really matters...you know that God is in control...you know how this story ends and you are willing to confidently stand by your hope when you trust.
127:2 - So often we push ourselves and run around crazily trying to bring achievement and success, but that is all absolutely meaningless without God. Take time and look at your life and figure out why it is that you do what you do...where is God in that picture?
128:1 - Blessed are those who fear God, because godliness streams from their lives positively affecting the lives of all of those around them.
130:3-4 - Everyone is unrighteous, vile, sinful, twisted, etc. before God...if God wanted to wreak judgment on us all - who could stand? Nobody. But instead God in His infinite love has offered us all a chance at forgiveness. He has given Himself to die in our place so that we might have hope...so that we might be able to fear Him. See when He offers forgiveness, we get the chance to enter into His presence and when we enter into His presence we experience what it is to have beautiful, holy fear. The fear that we might not be able to remain int he presence of God drives us to live to serve Him. We don't save ourselves through righteousness, but we attempt to live righteously to bring honor to our awe-inspiring master.
131:2 - This is a psalm of David where he explains that he has freed himself of worldly distractions. He says that he has weaned himself from the meaningless things that become an obstacle in his relationships with God. What do you need to be weaned from?
133:1 - Powerful and to the point - unity among believers is a beautiful thing. On the flip side, disharmony among fellow Christians is as detestable as things can be.
135:13-18 - Another passage about the fruitlessness that results when men try to worship things they have created. Our creations are worthless and our lives start to become worthless when we bow at the altar of these idols. Our ability to serve as God's hands, feet and voice in this world is destroyed when we spend all our time chasing after the meaningless.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Psalm 119
If you are ever wondering why it is so important that we study the Word of God, go read through Psalm 119 again...it has all the answers to that question! A 178 verse poetic dissertation about the power of the Word of God - very nice.
9-11 - Great verse to remember with regards to personal purity. The psalmist knows that the key to fighting temptation is to keep the word of God written on your heart and to meditate on it. For example, if you struggle with lust you could meditate on Job 31:1 - "I have made a covenant with God not to look lustfully upon a woman." or Matthew 5:27-28 - "You have heard that it was said "Do not commit adultery" but I tell you that anyone who looks lustfully upon a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Find scriptures that you can use to help keep you on the path of righteousness.
18 - I know there are times when you are reading God's Word that it seems confusing...that it doesn't seem to be practically applicable to living "today," but we cannot give up on it - the Word of God is far too important. Instead we should do what the psalmist does and pray to God that He would open our eyes so that we could see the wonders of His truth.
27 - If you want to understand the Word of God, it is important that you spend serious time meditating on it and delving into it...don't give up and walk away...keep seeking it - the answers you need are there.
37 - We so often waste our eyes...our times...our lives on things that are absolutely meaningless - when we could spend that time writing the Word of God on our souls.
53 - Another thing that God's Word does for Christians, is that it drives us to stand up for what is right. It drives us to righteous indignation...it forces us to be the people of strength that God expects us to be in this world.
76 - What does God's Word do for you? Why do we study it? Well it offers us comfort when everything else around us is falling apart.
104 - What does God's Word do for us? It is the only true path to wisdom and understanding. If you want to have a realistic picture of what is going on in the world and what truth is...you will look to God's Word to find it.
105 - What does it do for you? With the truth of God written on your heart, you will be able to see clearly how you are supposed to live your life and you will know the paths that you need to take.
120 - Why read God's Word? Because sometimes what we need as spoiled, selfish human beings is a good kick in the pants...we need a 2x4 upside the head sometimes. God's Word when studies will give us a clear picture of what areas of our lives are being lived in opposition to God.
131 - Do I chase after God's Word like the psalmist does...it says that he opens his mouth and pants for the Word of God. I get the picture of a dog who is desperate for some kind of snack from his master...the dog doesn't care if he looks like he is begging...he doesn't care if he looks desperate - he just wants the food. This should be the experience of Christians chasing after the truth of God's Word. Are we desperate for it? Do we ignore what anybody would think about us in effort to get more of God's Word inside of us?
136 - It breaks my heart when I see Christians who love to use the Word of God as a weapon with which to bludgeon the unbelieving "sinful" masses of the world. Psalm 119 clearly shows us that God's Word should drive us to look with compassion on the unbelievers of the world. Is it not heartbreaking that they do not know this truth that we have? Should we be riven to introduce as many people to this truth as possible?
160 - The Word of God is TRUTH...period.
175 - Our souls were made for worship...we were made to be connected with our creator God. If we want our souls to be doing what they were created to do...then we must let the Word of God guide us.
9-11 - Great verse to remember with regards to personal purity. The psalmist knows that the key to fighting temptation is to keep the word of God written on your heart and to meditate on it. For example, if you struggle with lust you could meditate on Job 31:1 - "I have made a covenant with God not to look lustfully upon a woman." or Matthew 5:27-28 - "You have heard that it was said "Do not commit adultery" but I tell you that anyone who looks lustfully upon a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Find scriptures that you can use to help keep you on the path of righteousness.
18 - I know there are times when you are reading God's Word that it seems confusing...that it doesn't seem to be practically applicable to living "today," but we cannot give up on it - the Word of God is far too important. Instead we should do what the psalmist does and pray to God that He would open our eyes so that we could see the wonders of His truth.
27 - If you want to understand the Word of God, it is important that you spend serious time meditating on it and delving into it...don't give up and walk away...keep seeking it - the answers you need are there.
37 - We so often waste our eyes...our times...our lives on things that are absolutely meaningless - when we could spend that time writing the Word of God on our souls.
53 - Another thing that God's Word does for Christians, is that it drives us to stand up for what is right. It drives us to righteous indignation...it forces us to be the people of strength that God expects us to be in this world.
76 - What does God's Word do for you? Why do we study it? Well it offers us comfort when everything else around us is falling apart.
104 - What does God's Word do for us? It is the only true path to wisdom and understanding. If you want to have a realistic picture of what is going on in the world and what truth is...you will look to God's Word to find it.
105 - What does it do for you? With the truth of God written on your heart, you will be able to see clearly how you are supposed to live your life and you will know the paths that you need to take.
120 - Why read God's Word? Because sometimes what we need as spoiled, selfish human beings is a good kick in the pants...we need a 2x4 upside the head sometimes. God's Word when studies will give us a clear picture of what areas of our lives are being lived in opposition to God.
131 - Do I chase after God's Word like the psalmist does...it says that he opens his mouth and pants for the Word of God. I get the picture of a dog who is desperate for some kind of snack from his master...the dog doesn't care if he looks like he is begging...he doesn't care if he looks desperate - he just wants the food. This should be the experience of Christians chasing after the truth of God's Word. Are we desperate for it? Do we ignore what anybody would think about us in effort to get more of God's Word inside of us?
136 - It breaks my heart when I see Christians who love to use the Word of God as a weapon with which to bludgeon the unbelieving "sinful" masses of the world. Psalm 119 clearly shows us that God's Word should drive us to look with compassion on the unbelievers of the world. Is it not heartbreaking that they do not know this truth that we have? Should we be riven to introduce as many people to this truth as possible?
160 - The Word of God is TRUTH...period.
175 - Our souls were made for worship...we were made to be connected with our creator God. If we want our souls to be doing what they were created to do...then we must let the Word of God guide us.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Psalms 115-118
115:1 - I love the song that was inspired by this verse. This is a great reminder to consistently focus on bringing glory to God and not to yourself. I believe that most of the things we get upset about and offended by are exacerbated by our selfish need to be glorified in some way. If we are seeking only God's glory and not our own, then we be able to take most imperfect situations in stride.
115:2-3 - People ask, "Where is your God - why doesn't He show Himself?" There are a good deal of people that throw this out at Christians around the world. After reading the description of the idols in verse three I want to throw out my own question to the doubters, "Where are your gods? Why do the "real" things you worship never fulfill and only make your life worse?" When has serving money ever made somebodies life better - truly? Possessions? Flesh? Beauty? Pride? These "gods" are the true silent gods, leading their worshippers astray.
116:8-9 - The purpose, identity, salvation, hope, etc...that come from God bring us deliverance from soul death - from walking the world as zombies in a state of meaninglessness. God brings us joy in the midst of a world of pain and suffering. He guides our path on a journey full of pitfalls. With God life is good.
118:8-9 - These verses make me think about all the Christians that buy into the philosophies and ramblings of human beings even when they stand in direct opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How many times do we allow empty words, scare tactics, and self-centered drivel dominate out thoughts after getting hooked by some human message. Mae sure that you always take refuge in the Lord - not in the ways of men.
118:25 - This is a prophetic verse about Jesus Christ. He was rejected by his hometown...by the religious leaders of the day...by everyone who didn't like the Kingdom that Jesus brought to earth - yet it was through this rejected God/man that the whole of salvation for humanity rests. He is the capstone.
115:2-3 - People ask, "Where is your God - why doesn't He show Himself?" There are a good deal of people that throw this out at Christians around the world. After reading the description of the idols in verse three I want to throw out my own question to the doubters, "Where are your gods? Why do the "real" things you worship never fulfill and only make your life worse?" When has serving money ever made somebodies life better - truly? Possessions? Flesh? Beauty? Pride? These "gods" are the true silent gods, leading their worshippers astray.
116:8-9 - The purpose, identity, salvation, hope, etc...that come from God bring us deliverance from soul death - from walking the world as zombies in a state of meaninglessness. God brings us joy in the midst of a world of pain and suffering. He guides our path on a journey full of pitfalls. With God life is good.
118:8-9 - These verses make me think about all the Christians that buy into the philosophies and ramblings of human beings even when they stand in direct opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How many times do we allow empty words, scare tactics, and self-centered drivel dominate out thoughts after getting hooked by some human message. Mae sure that you always take refuge in the Lord - not in the ways of men.
118:25 - This is a prophetic verse about Jesus Christ. He was rejected by his hometown...by the religious leaders of the day...by everyone who didn't like the Kingdom that Jesus brought to earth - yet it was through this rejected God/man that the whole of salvation for humanity rests. He is the capstone.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Psalms 107 - 114
107:10-11 - This is a description of the fate of those who refuse to listen to the voice of God that is calling to their souls. Trapped in darkness and shadow...prisoners of affliction. This is what life is like for those who do not have the hope and light offered by the truth of God. Heartbreaking...and all around us.
108:1 - I love that phrase - I will worship with all my being! That is the state in which we should worship God...in which we should live our lives...offering every part of ourselves to God. I have nothing to be ashamed of - I worship the Most High God! No shame - just praise.
109:1-2 - I appreciate that when people around David turn on him and started trying to tear him down, he immediately turns to God. He listens diligently for the Word of God to drown out the evil lies of the people around him. Allow God to speak truth into your heart...do not allowed other flawed people to determine your worth.
110:4 - This is the verse that is quoted in Hebrews chapter 7, which is basically a description of Jesus. He is a priest int he order of Melchizedek which means he is greater than the Levitical priesthood according to the author of Hebrews. Melchizedek had no recorded lineage so he was not a priest by birth - he was chosen by God. Melchizedek blessed Abraham - so he was greater than all Abraham's descendants including the Levites. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest because he was chosen by God (He is God)...because he is greater than all who came before him (Again, he is God)...and because unlike the Levites he did not need to make sacrifices for his own sin (He was perfect). We have the ultimate high priest representing our name to God in heaven and that lets me sleep better at night.
111:10 - Question - how do you practice fearing the Lord? What do you think?
Psalm 112 - Now that is a description of what a true man of strength and honor looks like right there! That is a man that I want to pattern my life after...that is a man who leaves behind a legacy of faith in the lives of his children and the people he influenced.
113:3 - My life should revolve around praising God - from the moment I wake to the moment I fall asleep...worship should be at the very core of my being...it is what I was created to do.
114:7 - May I always tremble int he awesome presence of my God.
108:1 - I love that phrase - I will worship with all my being! That is the state in which we should worship God...in which we should live our lives...offering every part of ourselves to God. I have nothing to be ashamed of - I worship the Most High God! No shame - just praise.
109:1-2 - I appreciate that when people around David turn on him and started trying to tear him down, he immediately turns to God. He listens diligently for the Word of God to drown out the evil lies of the people around him. Allow God to speak truth into your heart...do not allowed other flawed people to determine your worth.
110:4 - This is the verse that is quoted in Hebrews chapter 7, which is basically a description of Jesus. He is a priest int he order of Melchizedek which means he is greater than the Levitical priesthood according to the author of Hebrews. Melchizedek had no recorded lineage so he was not a priest by birth - he was chosen by God. Melchizedek blessed Abraham - so he was greater than all Abraham's descendants including the Levites. Jesus is the ultimate High Priest because he was chosen by God (He is God)...because he is greater than all who came before him (Again, he is God)...and because unlike the Levites he did not need to make sacrifices for his own sin (He was perfect). We have the ultimate high priest representing our name to God in heaven and that lets me sleep better at night.
111:10 - Question - how do you practice fearing the Lord? What do you think?
Psalm 112 - Now that is a description of what a true man of strength and honor looks like right there! That is a man that I want to pattern my life after...that is a man who leaves behind a legacy of faith in the lives of his children and the people he influenced.
113:3 - My life should revolve around praising God - from the moment I wake to the moment I fall asleep...worship should be at the very core of my being...it is what I was created to do.
114:7 - May I always tremble int he awesome presence of my God.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Psalms 103 - 106
103:11-12 - Classic verse for reminding ourselves of the incredible love of God. Never forget - that God has removed our sins because He is gracious...we do not save ourselves...we do not earn His favor. He makes our sins into nothing...forgets our failure because He is mercy. Take heart in that truth and offer yourself completely to that mercy.
103:17 - Again, we do not do anything to save ourselves...His love does the work...we just choose to accept it and Him...choose to fear the Lord and after He has made us righteous, we live to bring honor to His name.
104:26 - I love this description - that God has created Leviathan (great sea creature) to play in His oceans. God created the world and all the things in it for His pleasure. There are deep sea creatures that have never been seen by human eyes - why do they exist? Because God takes joy in their existence...He takes joy in their creation. Psalm 104 would be a great Psalm to read up in the mountains...to remember that God has created everything...to think on the vast creativity and love of our God who relishes the moments when His creatures live in the freedom He created them for.
Psalm 105 - This entire psalm is a psalm of remembrance. The writer is thinking back to all the things that God has done for the nation of Israel. He is letting the history of His people fuel his worship of God. Never forget your own story. Never forget how God has moved and worked in your life. Let that knowledge drive you to worship your God.
105:4 - This reminds me of the spiritual discipline of practicing the presence of God. Where you try to consistently enter in to God's presence no matter where you are and what you are doing. As His people, we must continually seek God and rely on His strength - not our own.
106:3 - Blessed are those who observe justice and who do righteousness all the time. Amen to that! God, please let me be such a man.
106:20 - This reminds me of the beginning of the book of Romans - it is heartbreaking. In Romans is says people rejected God and worshipped images of wood and stone. Here we read about the Jewish people rejecting the living God to worship a statue of an animal that God created who eats grass...does it get any more absurd than that? We must make sure that we do not allow ourselves to turn away from worship of the one and only living God, to chase after things that are inferior and meaningless.
106:28-29 - What are the things that we yoke ourselves to that drag us away from God? Do we make sacrifices of our heart, wealth, time, mind, gifts, etc - the the idols of this world?
106:37 - As horrific as this sounds - this still goes on today in the lives of believers. Only now, we do not offer our children as blood sacrifices...now we offer the whole life of our children to the twisted value systems of this world by encouraging them to look and act like our humanistic culture.
106:47 - Psalm 106 is yet another psalm of remembrance, but this one is much different. 105 focused on the good things that God has done for the people of Israel. 106 focuses in on the way that the Jewish people rejected God over and over throughout their history. It is important to remember when we have made mistakes, so that we will learn from them and so that once again we will be driven to worship God because of His wonderful mercy.
103:17 - Again, we do not do anything to save ourselves...His love does the work...we just choose to accept it and Him...choose to fear the Lord and after He has made us righteous, we live to bring honor to His name.
104:26 - I love this description - that God has created Leviathan (great sea creature) to play in His oceans. God created the world and all the things in it for His pleasure. There are deep sea creatures that have never been seen by human eyes - why do they exist? Because God takes joy in their existence...He takes joy in their creation. Psalm 104 would be a great Psalm to read up in the mountains...to remember that God has created everything...to think on the vast creativity and love of our God who relishes the moments when His creatures live in the freedom He created them for.
Psalm 105 - This entire psalm is a psalm of remembrance. The writer is thinking back to all the things that God has done for the nation of Israel. He is letting the history of His people fuel his worship of God. Never forget your own story. Never forget how God has moved and worked in your life. Let that knowledge drive you to worship your God.
105:4 - This reminds me of the spiritual discipline of practicing the presence of God. Where you try to consistently enter in to God's presence no matter where you are and what you are doing. As His people, we must continually seek God and rely on His strength - not our own.
106:3 - Blessed are those who observe justice and who do righteousness all the time. Amen to that! God, please let me be such a man.
106:20 - This reminds me of the beginning of the book of Romans - it is heartbreaking. In Romans is says people rejected God and worshipped images of wood and stone. Here we read about the Jewish people rejecting the living God to worship a statue of an animal that God created who eats grass...does it get any more absurd than that? We must make sure that we do not allow ourselves to turn away from worship of the one and only living God, to chase after things that are inferior and meaningless.
106:28-29 - What are the things that we yoke ourselves to that drag us away from God? Do we make sacrifices of our heart, wealth, time, mind, gifts, etc - the the idols of this world?
106:37 - As horrific as this sounds - this still goes on today in the lives of believers. Only now, we do not offer our children as blood sacrifices...now we offer the whole life of our children to the twisted value systems of this world by encouraging them to look and act like our humanistic culture.
106:47 - Psalm 106 is yet another psalm of remembrance, but this one is much different. 105 focused on the good things that God has done for the people of Israel. 106 focuses in on the way that the Jewish people rejected God over and over throughout their history. It is important to remember when we have made mistakes, so that we will learn from them and so that once again we will be driven to worship God because of His wonderful mercy.
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