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!