Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Psalm 50

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. v14-15

God does not want empty actions, He wants us to truly know, desire, and worship Him.  Verses 8-13 demonstrate this through God's own words that He has no needs for the sacrifices that are part of the ceremonial law.  We are also to be living sacrifices - be who God intends for us.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that provides for His children all needs - and everyone is worthy regardless of abilities, circumstances.  You know everything about us, including our sin, yet You chose us anyway, suffering and dieing for us so that we would not be slaves to sin and so we could have eternity in heaven with You.  Awesome!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I continue to worry and fail to display love to others as You show to me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people....

Psalm 50

He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:  “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”  And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. v4-6

God is a righteous judge both able and worthy.  Able because He is God and worthy because He knows everything about us, and because He is patient, compassionate, and merciful with us.  His plans and will for our lives are perfect as are His deeds.  He is jealous for us.  Why would we want another judge?

God also does not want us to be slave to sin so "He sent His one and only son" (John 3:16).  When we are set free from sin we are also set free to be who God intends for us.  He provides His Word (Romans 12:2), the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), and the Church all to sharpen (Proverbs 27:17) and grow us into who He intends for us.  God is great and we thank Him for being the judge who is able to not only call us to account but to call us to who we are made to be.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and apart from You I am nothing.  Thank You for how You have blessed me day after day.  Forgive me for my worry and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

Psalm 49

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. v12-13

Wealth and arrogance are dangerous indeed. There have been times in my life when I have trusted in myself primarily and on occasion as well.  God wants all of us...every day, all of the intimate details.  

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34

 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

 

For more references on prayer, see here, in particular:

 

May [the Lord] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

 

I DO want God to give me the desire(s) of my heart.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You existed before time began and You will continue to exist after time expires.  You are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.  You know everything about me yet you chose me, came for me, then suffered and died for me, rescuing me from the slavery of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus - what an awesome gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry - sometimes greatly.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me with my worry.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin....and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. v14

As I posted Friday, being still allows us to more fully be aware of God's greatness and all of His wonderful attributes. When we are still we are also able to step back and have some perspective...while we may be under attack in our day-to-day life, we can find refuge and stillness in Him and our cares and concerns can be laid at His feet.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

When we are able to take refuge with God daily He promises blessing.

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34

His blessings are innumerable...including that He is our guide..."even to the end".

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that we can come to You with our burdens, concerns and worries...that You will help us carry them or carry them entirely.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings because my worry persists.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help us make progress with Dustin's potty training!  You are able!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God....

Psalm 46

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God....v10

God is always there, and always doing something for us...He came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45).  We ought to be more present in our daily lives to be aware of this and to appreciate God's love for us...and then to praise and worship Him.

Stillness is an important part but often missing part of our lives.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...Psalm 37:7

 

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Psalm 4:4

 

For references on worship, click here.

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are the Almighty God, my Lord and Savior, You have provided for all of my needs and protected me from great harm, and blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Yet I am not worthy - my worry persists.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Thank You Jesus for Lisa's clear mammogram and continue to protect her and heal her from the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.

Psalm 45

You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.  I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. v4-8

While we may not fight in literal physical battle like David did, we fight Satan all day long....evil influences, dark thoughts, etc.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

It is only through Jesus that we can have victory over Satan, sin, and death.

We must focus on renewing of the mind.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, every good and perfect gift comes from above, from You, including victory over the enemy, sin, and death.  We need You desperately for this victory.  We must place our hope only in You...and not in our own powers.  Yet I often don't do this.  I trust in my own powers and then I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? v1-2

God is my best friend, one with whom I cannot live without.  He is my refuge and my strength.  I have been blessed beyond what I deserve through my desire for Him and provision from Him.  I need nothing else...most importantly because I am broken and in need of both forgiveness, guidance, and transformation - to be more like Jesus.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, patience, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of these blessings or of any of the blessings You pour out for me.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Please give her a clear mammogram today and a great visit with Dr. Huang.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40

But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer;  you are my God, do not delay. v17

I often think I know what what I need...that someone else be a certain way.  Yet, first and foremost, I need Jesus.  I cannot control others nor my circumstances.  God is in control.  

See also posts here and here.

In particular, this one penetrates my heart today:

As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. James 4:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You created the heavens, the earth, the universe, and all of its inhabitants.  You are all knowing, all powerful, yet full of love, mercy, patience, compassion, etc. for Your children, including myself - in spite of my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my lack of compassion and patience for others and for my worry.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Please give her an "all clear mammogram".  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Psalm 40

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. v5

No doubt, Jesus has blessed me beyond what I deserve as I am witness to God's glory daily, all day long.  From sunrise to sunset and all the days of my life, I see God at work in my life, in the world, and in the lives of others.  What an amazing God You are!   

Scripture encourages us to be thankful as proper worship for the One True God who delivers, rescues, protects, provides, heals, teaches, encourages, etc.

See here for Colossians 3 and 1 Thessalonians 5 as examples.  Other examples, include Hebrews 12 and Colossians 4.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

 

My Prayer: God You are THE God, my God, one who is always there, never breaks His promises and provides life to the FULL.  You are an amazing God and You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus but please forgive me for my lack of patience, compassion and grace for others.  Help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

Psalm 39

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. v5

We are reminded this morning that God is in control, that our earthly security is a mere phantom, that every new day is a gift of grace from God (and we are not deserving of such a gift) and that we must live life with the end in mind.

David expands and clarifies this further:

Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. v6 

In light of God's dominion over our life, Peter admonishes us to live a life of reverent fear:

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  1 Peter 1:17

Living today with intention will provide us with hope for a secure future in Heaven: 

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.   

Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. 

 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. Micah 4:1-5

My Prayer: Lord, You are our hope....our only hope.  We live on earth as foreigners assaulted from all sides...but You protect us and You rescue us...and through faith in You we receive not just forgiveness from sins but eternity in heaven - our true home.  What a great God You are!  Thank You for such gifts Jesus but I am not worth (Matthew 5:3) such a God and I am completely dependent on You.  Forgive me for my many sins of impatience, anger, etc.  Help me overcome and turn from such sins towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 38

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. v9

Lord, I know You want Your children to be completely dependent on You.  For many, including myself, this is difficult.  I believe that I can produce results...yet I must recognize that all of it comes from You.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

See also posts here, here from the OT, and here as well.

And God promises fruit when we abide in Him (John 15:1-8).

Once we recognize where all of our provision comes from, and in the context of our own sin, we MUST come to the conclusion that we are not worthy of such blessings and that we are and SHOULD be completely dependent on Him and through this dependence God once again promises blessings (Matthew 5:3).

God also promises that HIS strength will be on display in OUR weakness.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10.

My Prayer: Lord, what a great God Your are that You produce such fruit not just in me but FOR me, for You desire for me to have life in the full....even though I continue to sin and I am broken.  Thank You Jesus for such blessings and mercy.  Please forgive me for my worry and my harshness with others.  Please do a work in me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.

Psalm 37

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip. v30-31

I know that "the tongue is also a fire" (James 3) as I have used my words to tear down others, including people close to me.  I also know that when I focus on "being transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12), my heart and my life are transformed.  As a result, more of my words are used to build up and to encourage one another.  

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. Hebrews 3:13-14     

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God in that Your Word is flawless and it never fails.  I know that apart from You I can do nothing (no good thing).  You are such a great teacher, full of compassion, patience, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I am not  compassionate, patient, merciful, etc. with others as You are with me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  Help me use my words to encourage and to build up others (vs tear them down).  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. v23-4

While not explicit, my read of these verses is that with God is our guide, our direction is true and sure that He will always place us on firm ground and He will always be there to coach us as we try and walk with Him.


Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-48

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You are my God, my teacher, my guide, my counselor, my protector, my healer, my provider and You are with me always.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such a God - You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...

Psalm 37
 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him...v7

Although David in this verse is highlighting how God protects believers from harm...I believe this verse also speaks to why we should not worry...God is in control and directs the lives of His children for their good and His glory.  See also post from a couple of days ago here.

I did not trust in the Lord growing up and my path has been full of wrong turns and dead ends...I don't want my kids to make the same mistakes so I worry and I try and engineer their lives through criticism and manipulation...all sinful and wrong!  I don't want to exasperate my children (Ephesians 6:4).  

Instead my focus should be how I am being Jesus, NOT on how they are not being Jesus.  I should be a light onto others so they are attracted to being a light also...to have the truth that I have.  By modeling Jesus for them, I hopefully earn the right to talk about Jesus with them.

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:15

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

With these foundational steps, I then to allow God to do His thing:

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I KNOW You fight for me...all the time. And I know You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You still came for me and then suffered and died for me...willingly.  Thank You Jesus but I am not worth such a blessing.  My worry is great and I need not only Your forgiveness but also Your help to turn from such sin and to turn towards You so that You can fight for me!  Help me love and trust You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 36

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. v9

God promises, not just here but throughout the Bible, that He is life, and that we need to be aware of the lies of this world that promise life through things, jobs, health, people, etc.  

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

In John 10:10, Jesus warns of Satan's influences for He is the Prince of This World and seeks to entice us with an earthly focus and with concerns of this world.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I have experienced the abundance and fullness of life You promise.  Thank You Jesus!  But I am not worth such blessings, mercies, etc.  I continue to worry and focus on this world.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin! Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. v4

Worry is on my heart, when Jesus should be on my heart.  Jesus forgive me...You tell me not to worry:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34.

Yet I continue to worry.  I need to focus on Jesus and not on earthly matters.  I need to focus on a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2), and on prayer.  Only Jesus...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I should not worry and that if I abide in You that You will produce fruit in me...including peace.  I want this peace and I want this peace to be on display in my life.  Please forgive me for my worry and thank You for Your many mercies and Your love.  Help me overcome my sin of worry and turn towards You...to seek You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Psalm 33

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. v1

In my BSF study of Revelations, we discussed how God's mercies are daily and abundant and that it is appropriate for us to respond to God's mercies through worship, prayer, sharing the Gospel, extending God's mercies to others, etc. 

As I come to better understand the fullness of God's character, especially when I am enduring earthly troubles and suffering, I can see God's goodness in all things (Romans 8:28).  See also post here about a counter-intuitive view (based on Psalm 7:11) on God's wrath.

God is good...all the time.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, no doubt, You are good...all of the time.  Even when I am not, and especially when I am not, You are good.  Thank You for how you are so full of grace and mercy for me even though I am not deserving.  Please forgive me for my worry, my arrogance, my desire to glorify myself, and for my anger...just to name a few!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. v8

As I reflect on my 50th birthday today and read this verse, I am thankful for the greatest gift of all time - Jesus Christ.  Without a doubt, Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).  At the same time, I have experienced what David writes in verses 9-10:


Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle.  V9-10

 Arrogance is self-worship and this is dangerous - just ask Saul when Samuel tells him that God has rejected him as King:

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:23

I have been, more so than today, arrogant....and thankfully God has humbled me...and I know there is more humbling needed because none of us are where God needs us to be.

Help me have a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and recognize that "apart from You I have no good thing" (Psalm 16:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and patience for me...despite my arrogance...and despite my anger and impatience for others.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such patience, love, grace, compassion, etc.  My anger continues to burn as I lose my patience too easily.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You love me...please!  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Psalm 32

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. v3-4

Sin separates us from God and only God can forgive us and restore us.  In today's verses we see from David's experience (and we know from our own), that when we hide our sin, the struggle to keep it hidden is a difficult one and it often leads to other sin (as it did with David). Thus confession is an important aspect of our Christian life as a means to restore our selves to God...and to others.  Additionally, confession serves an important purpose with others as it helps others know us more fully - imagine a world where all of us shared our sin and we became more fully known and hopefully more fully loved as an expression of Jesus love...for us and through us.  The Bible is clear that confession is critical.  See posts here.

On a related note, I was curious about the label of maskil on biblegateway.com for this Psalm, and found this reference which has some great learning about the Psalms...it appears a maskil is a Psalm that teaches you something....indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have taught me all things..."apart from You I have and am nothing!  Thank You Jesus for being such a gracious God!  I am not worth such blessings as You have blessed me abundantly.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.

Psalm 31 

The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. v23

Given the definition of pride - "a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements", pride is a very dangerous sin because it is not only a sin in and of itself (see Philippians 2:3-4 below), but because the implication is that you don't need God.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4

Salvation starts with an acceptance and acknowledgement that we need God - above all other needs - see also Matthew 5:3.

That is why humility is so often discussed in the Bible.  See posts here.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, indeed...You are the Lord of Lord, King of Kings and my Lord and Savior.  Apart from You I can do nothing and I have nothing.  You provide for my every need - even though I am not deserving.  I continue to worry for my kids, please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 31

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. v19

The world defines good things in terms of wealth, health, material things, fame, status, etc., yet we must remember that we are not citizens of this world but instead citizens of Heaven - see post here.  And we exist not to glorify ourselves but instead Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  As such when God promises abundance - as He does in John 10:10 (ESV) - we must have an appreciation of God's view of abundance, which may include suffering, punishment, pain, etc. all of which are designed to bring us closer to Him.  This is certainly counter-intuitive but Gods ways are not our ways...(Isaiah 55:8).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God that is perfect in all ways...there are no flaws in Your character, Your ways, or Your works.  You know everything about me yet You love me so much that You suffered and died for me...even though You led a sinless life and did not deserve to die...You willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin....and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. v5

When we sin, we disappoint God and we are separated from, yet we can ask for His forgiveness and He will forgive us and purify us.

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Our God is slow to anger and abounding in love. See here for at least seven other verses in the Bible that use these exact words. Indeed, anytime God IS angry...it is for good reason as He is just. And as the verse for today speaks, God welcomes us back into His arms - He loves us so much that He died for us even though we were still sinners!  See also the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Above all, we must follow the greatest commandment - love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind (Matthew 22:37-38). As part of this we must have a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" because if we do, we will be "filled" (Matthew 5:6).

What a great God we have in Jesus Christ!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God - slow to anger and abounding in love!  I have felt Your love in my life and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I continue to worry about my kids and I know I should not.  Thank You for how You have blessed me but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.