Praise the Lord!!!

Praise the Lord! We finish Psalms today ch 145-150. We have spent the last month praising the creator, the provider, the protector, the guide, the strength and the love, among other names too vast to mention. It is like we've spent the past month singing or preparing our hearts for worship. Even the chapters of Psalms seem to end in the last few in crescendo fashion! Now that our attentions are focused and our hearts prepared, lets get to the meat....Proverbs. Find a buddy and really go deeper into the Proverbs, one chpter per day. But watch yourself, there are lions out there!

Ask and follow His lead

Good Friday! Well not "THE" good Friday. Today we plow forth in Ps 140-145. These are written by David to express his love for God, his confidence in God's plan a nd protection, and a desire to see God's justice prevail. We all like it when good wins right? When our team triumphs (see Fall 2012 Redskins). David is not only cheering on his wishes and justice from God, he is cheering it on for ALL who believe! Good accountability verse in ch 141v5. Allow yourself to be corrected by brothers in the faith! But it should not be someone alone! Ch 143v8-show me where to walk, for I have come to you in prayer. Allow God to lead, He will not steer you wrong!

Understand it is for our sake!

Ps 136 is a great example of how scripture cannot just be read or verses plucked out for separate use unless you take into account the whole context, people, places, and purpose for the writing. Check out Ps 136 v 10. "Killed the firstborn of Egypt, his LOVE endures forever"...now without knowing the context of the writing, I'd say that the killing of someone does not really show love. In Ps 139, the psalmist writes about God being all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere. In that case, why do we need to pray? He should already know! HE DOES! We don't pray for Him to work, He is not a genie we release from a lamp. No, we pray to show our reliance and devotion. To get ourselves out of the way to focus on God. The final verses are key, Ps 139 v 23-24. Search me...know me.

Keeping track?

We are really rollin through the Psalms. Today, we cover 128-134. These are still songs sung during pilgrimmages to Jerusalem. They were sung as reminders of why the Israelites were coming to worship. It was a time to purify oneself and focus on God. Too bad we don't do pilgrimmages like that today. What a time of refreshing! I know that after a good service, I am charged for a time. Keeping in mind how awesome God is, in Ps 130 v 3&4, He could keep track of our sins. But instead, He forgives and blots them out. Do we keep track of how and who has wronged us? Can you imagine letting that go? It is truly weight we do not need to carry. Take a mental trip today. Praise God for His mercy and forgiveness. Hold a key verse of His word in your heart and find yourself refreshed! Call a loved one and share it!

He is truly in control!

We pick back up in Ps 120-127. These are basically travelling songs that the Israelites would sing on their pilgrimmage to Jerusalem. Many times in today's body, we pray for traveling mercies. One point that is continually made is how God is consistent and has taken care of the nation in the past. Continual reminders of how God is in control. Life can take some scary turns. It is important to remember that God is in control. Ps 127 makes this point echoing Joshua, "unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is in vain". Yes, God has got this under his control, but we still must make the pilgrimage!

Be ready

Do you have your story ready? Can you easily tell others of your decision? Can you explain your faith? Ps 107 starts off that way. Speak out! Tell others what God has done for you! We will brag about a new car, or even new countertops. But what about bragging to others what God has done and is doing in our lives? How would someone even know we are believers? While getting a haircut yesterday, the barber was making small talk. He saw my shirt with company logo and we started talking about a mutual accquaintence that works there. The short of it is, he is a Christian also. We talked longer than the haircut. Be ready, you never know when opportunity knocks.

A Little Reminder

If you have not kept up, or did not start to begin with, today's Ps (104-106) are a great recap of the first 5 books of the Bible. As i read this and think of all that the Lord had done for Israel, and how they repeated rejected Him, i shake my head. Then i think about all that the Lord has done for me, notably becoming human and dying for me, i again must shake my head. I am no different from the ancient Israelites. I expect God to take care of thing MY way. When He does it His way, i am disappointed. Yet, as the Psalms point out today, God is faithful, continually helping and leading an unthankful nation. Why does He do that? Love. More than we can comprehend. He loved us so much, He sacrificed His only son. Today will be a good day!

Got song?

Got song? Ps 98-103 definitely hit on singing songs of praise to God. The Psalmist takes different attributes of God to put into joyful praise and worship. Just reading through, i cannot help but tap my foot as a modern song comes to mind. So, do songs of praise prepare you to worship, or are they part of the worship? Even the most off-key can make joyful noise, see Ps 98:4. Lucky for me! Keep this in mind each Sunday, the singingand music are not just a warm-up time, it is an important part of the worship! We can offer God praise and worship by singing of His attributes as well as by learning through the scriptures! In Psalms, these are combined. God provides us even tools for that!

A Reminder

What has God done for us? EVERYTHING!!! Today, in Ps 78-83 Asaph concludes his Psalm writing reminding the nation what God has done and IS doing. In the history, Asaph reminds the Israelites of their many failures to follow God, yet God always protects and provides. Similar to us today, after all we could use some reminders of how faithful and loving God is to us. Yet we crave more. "If God would only do this or provide that"...what stipulations do we put on God? It might be good to stop and remember that if God did not do another thing for us, it is already enough, and more that all of us combined could ever repay. Besides, God is not done. He performs miracles in our lives everyday. Just try to breathe without the air He provided!

What is prosperity?

Why do the wicked prosper? Or do they? Asaph ponders this in today's Psalms (ch 73-77). Check out ch 73, vv16-28. When we start to envy or become jealous of the wicked, this would be a great Ps to adjust our thinking! Esp v 21. How bitter are we when we have envy? Do we not know that the vary things we are envious of will rot, rust and fade away? Is our treasure truly in heaven? We must realize that the wicked do not truly prosper, rather they are slaves to their wickedness. See ch 75 v2. This should remind us that God will deal with the wicked on His timing, not ours. God was gracious enough to save us, will we allow patience so other might also be saved, or do we seek revenge as our "justice"? We are truly blessed, those of us who believe and know Him. We need nothing more.

Oh, my aching back!

Me to Aimme and Donn Riggs: Who is bearing your burdens? Trying to go it alone? How's that working for ya (thanks Tim). God yearns for us to seek Him. David seemed to understand this in the Psalms he wrote. Ps 67-72 cover this, as David reflects time and time again how he is ready to praise God. Listening to contemporary Christian music, it is easy to see where many get their songs and lyrics. Perhaps David is owed some royalties. It is suggested the Ps 68 is the time when David had the ark brought to Jerusalem. Such celebration! Good Ps to focus on to see how God does protect! You can almost sense David's excitement during this time. So back to your burden carrying. David seemed to give his to God. I'll bet that if you keep yours, you will have a sore back, and little relief!

Focus on God and prayer

Ps 60-66 really show some in depth prayer towards God from David. He doesn't hold back. He knows God can protect and provide. Reading these chapters, you can really sense how David's prayers are being answered. When we pray, do we have our umbrella ready? Are we spending time really meditating on God? That is often tough for me as life gets busy. I seldom pray enough about commitments I am making. When things don't quite turn out, where is the disappointment directed? Is it right to cast blame without allowing the leading? David was probably pretty busy. He had a big family, a nation under constant attack to lead, and much more difficulty in daily life than we have, YET he spent quality time with God. So, what excuse will we use? Gotta go, the phone is ringing...David at least did not have to deal with that!

Running thru the 50's

Running through the 50's. I missed yesterday, so I'm doubling up today. Ps 50-59. These are written by David and show his steadfast reliance on God in times of trouble and persecution, primarily by King Saul. Ps 51 covers his shame of his adultry with Bathseeba and his betrayal of Uriah. See c51v4, David is regretful at sinning against the Lord, not men. His chief concern is in v11, don't take away the Holy Spirit! Ps 53 is a reflection of Ps 14. Since it is repeated, best to heed the words. How important is it to acknowledge and worship God. Ps 54, David is sure of God's success even before it happens! We should have similar faith! Ps55-59 echo that theme. God is steady, faithful and consistent. He has protected in the past, why would He stop now? Rest assured, God has unfailing love!

Grabbin a handle

Today, we cover Ps 42-49. The gist of these is that God will provide and protect. He is in control! The Daily Walk Bible has a note as follows, "Every tomorrow has 2 handles: the handle of anxiety and the handle of faith. Which will you use to get ahandle on your day?". Good thought! Ps 46:10 is one of my favorite verses and one that I use often to help calm me down. keep reading thru 46:11 though, there is good news and hope....God is among us! Ps 44:7 is good to remember when you are under attack. Ps 49:5-9 continue this though and gives encouragement. Remember, it is not only our battle, it is God's. Make sure to grab the right handle!

The Lord is thinking about me right now!

Just when the Psalms were beginning to overwhelm me and all sound similar, along comes today's selections and refreshes me. Ch 36-41 really offer up some key verses to live by. If you are feeling down or dishearted, Ps 37 is a great cure! It is written by David, a guy who knew a few things about being persecuted by enemies. This ch provides me with encouragement that the wicked will not succeed. I must also remember to check my motives as I can become that wicked one! Ps 40 is a great witnessing tool. The group U2 wrote a song called "40" in reference to this...check it out! Note ch 40 v 17. Does it inspire you to know God is with you and concerned for you? With God, what can be victorious over us? As you go about your daily schedule, give pause and reflect on the wonders God has done for us!

Do you really believe that?

Good Wed all....still with me on the Psalms? Tough book to try and read through at once.
Ps 31-35 echo the theme of God caring for his people. God is the rock and fortress, He is worthy of trust, His love is unfailing, and His plans stand firm forever. Just a few thoughts from these chapters. How do we apply it into our everyday life? Can you sense David's passion for God? We worship things like money, housing, cars, and safety the way David worshipped God. Take away one of our security blankets and watch us struggle. David put his faith and passion into God. Due in part to this, we are reading about him 3,000 years later. Do you think your 401k will last that long? God will provide what we who believe need. Do you really believe that?

With Praise and Thanksgiving

Ps ch 25-30 are all about praise and thanksgiving. Keep in mind that these were songs written in Hebrew by David. He is worshipping God, truly showing his love and respect towards God. Ps 27:1 really hits this home. This similar point is noted throughout scripture. With God on my side, we have nothing to fear! How many of us live like that though? We are anxious and worried about the future, security and safety. We build what amounts to little sand walls in front of the oncoming surf. You know what will happen. So turn and put your trust in God. Easy to say, hard to do. Read the Psalms for inspiration on doing this. And know God is in control!

Familiarity in the Psalms

Today, we rejoin the Psalms, specifically 19-24. Quite a bit to consume as there are some great passages to ponder. We start with the question of who is God in ch 19. David is writing and quickly answers that He is controlling everything. We can marvel at His splendor. Ps 22 should sound familiar to us from the Easter narrative. Jesus himself quotes this passage as He is dying on the cross. Give a minute and let that sink in. Of course Ps 23 is a favorite and oft quoted. For good reason. Some of the best writing in the entire Bible! We can see David's struggles and growth throughout the Psalms. We would be wise to struggle and grow in God likewise. Let the Psalms be your guide! The Lord IS our shepherd!

And justice for all....

Today in Psalm 7-12 we read David proclaiming the justice of God. C7v17 sums this up best. But what is justice and who will serve? David attempts to answer this by first declaring and describing that God is just and perfectly fair in c7v11. Ch8 has David delighting in God's creation, showing why He should have dominion over all. In c9 & 10, David acknowledges that the judging and thus justice is God's alone. Ch11 is about God's protection, should be of comfort to those who believe! And ch 12 is a cry for help. In all, God is the answer. So often we bring God in only after we have tried and failed. God is not the reserve qb, rather the one who controls the entire game! We say let justice be done, now we must realize that God is controlling what that justice is!