Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. v12

Moses' words, as divined by God, highlight how our life here on earth is fleeting, and that we should respect God's sovereignty and power because He holds our lives in His hands.  We are then encouraged to live with the end in mind.

One of the implications of numbering our days is that we have a plan.  If our days have numbers than we are focused on completing something, something that God intends for us.  For Moses it was leading the Israelites to the promised land.  From Deuteronomy 34, we know that Moses left everything "on the table":

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12

I desire to live a life like Moses - one where the days are numbered - one where we live with a plan to finish the race (2 Timothy 4:7), living with the end in mind and living out the life that God intends for us.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God, worthy of my praise and worship...and so much more.  You are the beginning, the end, the Creator, and the One who holds all things together.  Thank You for being my God and for adopting me as Your son.  I am not worthy of such love as You have poured out and continue to pour out for me.  I am harsh with my thoughts and actions towards others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards others.  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.  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.

Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity!

Psalm 89

Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity! v47

Life is indeed fleeting...and every day is a gift from God.  We must recognize that we are entirely dependent on God alone (Matthew 5:3, Psalm 16) and serve as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) - keeping in mind that our life here is temporary and that our citizenship is in Heaven (for eternity) (Philippians 3).  

Lord, help me serve You during my time on earth and focus on running the race to Heaven towards completion - focusing on the eternal crown of life in Heaven with You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - all powerful, all knowing, and everywhere...perfect in all attributes.  I am not worthy of such a God...such a God that knows everything about me including my sin.  I lack patience and I am harsh with my thoughts and actions...especially with regard to my family...how sinful!  Thank You for Your grace and mercy but please forgive me Jesus for my lack of grace towards others.  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.  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.

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. v15

This morning I feel particularly poor and in need (as David does in v1).  I am harsh with my words and actions with my family and I need Christ's cleansing for such sin and also for my sin of worry...that my kids will not turn out OK...but then I become overbearing..exasperating them (Ephesians 6).  Help me Jesus!  Help me become more like You...remove my impurities and mold me more in Your image.

I am desperate for a God that is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God...all of the time...yet I often fail to trust in You and as a result trust in my own abilities instead.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  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 her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

Psalm 86

Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. v11

I now I am easily distracted by things of this world, and I too desire an undivided heart. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

As we "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" us, we are called run the race marked out for us.  And we need to fix our eyes on Jesus.  Everyone's race is unique in terms of of developing and using our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12).  I am reminded of John Ortberg's book If You Want to Walk On Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat.  We have to get out of our comfort zone and focus on Jesus...He is the only one who can can do this for us.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, able to accomplish all things, creator of all things and in control of all things.  You hold my life in Your hands and You are full of gentleness, patience, kindness, mercy, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such treatment.  I am not willing to get out of my comfort zone...please forgive me Jesus and help me have an undivided heart and to fix my eyes on 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 of chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your message for me today and every day. 

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.

Psalm 85

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. v12

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17

 

If God is before all things and He controls all circumstances and if He also only good then we can trust and have faith in Him - the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  Even when times are difficult, we must not be shaken because God is using all circumstances for our good and His purpose.  We must give thanks.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My Prayer: Lord, You are ONLY good.  And I know You are for me...You know everything about me, yet You chose me then suffered and died for me.  You are able to redeem my sin for my good and Your purpose - only You can do this!  How great a God are You!  Thank You for adopting me as Your child - I am deeply grateful.  Yet I am not worthy of such an act - I am broken and in need of forgiveness and mercy.  Please forgive me for me 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.  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.  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.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 84

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. v10

How sweet a message of praise and adoration is this psalm!  Yes the Lord blesses abundantly - food, loved ones, friends, protection, etc.  Yet none of this compares to time spent with You Jesus!  Nothing compares!  

Praise of course is a key topic in the Bible as we have been created to worship and be living sacrifices for our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 12).

One of favorite scripture passages on the subject of worship is here from 2 Samuel 6 where David unabashedly rejoices for what God has done.  His wife Michal is embarrassed and not pleased with David but that does not stop David as he lets us all hang out!

We should praise God without abandon!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God worthy of our praise and worship at all times and every day.  I know for myself that You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve and I have seen Your mighty hand many times over in my life - Praise Jesus Christ the King of Kings!  I am not worthy of such a God as I continue to worry and be selfish, etc.  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 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.  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.

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. v18

Striking about this Psalm is that Asaph desires for God to communicate to Israel's enemies.   Jesus makes a new covenant and his commandment for His followers is to go out and make disciples of all people (Matthew 28).  When He does so He goes further to instruct us that the Gospel is not just for Jews but for all - Jews and Gentile (Acts 10) alike.

Furthermore, we are to spread a message of love and forgiveness...and we are to forgive just as Jesus has forgiven us (Matthew 18:21-35) (for more on this see here).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a the Most High.  You are Lord over all, You created all things, You are in all things and You hold all things together.  I know You love - brokenness and all - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am harsh, impatient, and I 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 and forgive others as You do for 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.  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.

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways...."

Psalm 81

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways...." v13

God makes many promises...and this verse in full contains a powerful promise:

...how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.  But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” v14-16

A powerful promise indeed!  One of my favorite promises is from the Sermon on the Mount.  

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

Good things await those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind (and strength - Mark 12, Luke 10). 

My Prayer: Lord, You indeed are a great God and Your promises are many and encouraging for all believers, myself included!  No word from God will ever fail (Luke 1:37) so I can take these promises to the bank!  Thank You Jesus for such encouragement!  I am not worth such love and blessing because my anger continues to rage - 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 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.  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.

But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Psalm 81

But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. v11-12

God either creates circumstances in our lives or he allows events to unfold that are a result of our own sin.  Either way, they are designed to rebuke, discipline or train us.  We need to be aware of how God is working in our lives to mold us into more of His image. See post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God always coaching me to be more like You.  I desire to be more like You.  I know I was made in Your image and to glorify You.  I also know that I often fall down and disappoint You.  I am easily distracted by worldly matters, I worry and I am often harsh with others.  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.  Keep her safe.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80

Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. v19

God wants us a relationship with us - a genuine relationship where we share exactly where we are...the highs, the lows, the joys, and the struggles.  This is what a relationship is - it is a commitment.  The Psalms are exactly that - the highs and lows of the authors - from David, Asaph, Solomon, Moses, and others.  This Psalm by Asaph acknowledges sin, yet it also reveals a love of the Lord that is recognized as someone all powerful, and full of love and compassion for His children. God has and continues to rescue us from our sins and our difficulties - but we must also recognize that God has us exactly where He wants for a reason (Romans 8:28).  This said, we must be thankful for where we are and see the goodness of God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God - all powerful, all knowing and present in all things at all times...and You love me...as broken as I am. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am easily distracted by the matters of this world.  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 grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

Psalm 78

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. v38-39

This Psalm is as much a story of all of God's children and God's grace as I have ever read.  All sin and fall short of the glory God (Romans 3:23), yet God will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

And God provided His one and only son so we have forgiveness from sin, freedom from condemnation (John 3:16-18) and eternity in Heaven with Him.  God is full of grace, mercy and patience for all of His children. His love abounds.

Return to the Lord your God,  for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13

My Prayer: Lord, You ARE great!  Quick to love and slow to anger...and You never leave or forsake us.  Thank You Jesus.  You are who we need and we know that You sent Your son for us.  Thank You God for sending Your Son Jesus...the one true God...we are not worthy of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  I continue to fall short of Your glory - I have impatience, anger, harshness in my words, etc.  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.  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.

 

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. v4

As a father, one of my key roles is to be the spiritual leader of the household and I am to teach my children the ways of the Lord.  My hope and prayer is that Zach and Dustin "put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands".
 

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.  They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. v5-8.

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

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

There is more I can do.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with Your presence and guidance.  I am lost apart from You and I can do no good thing.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving me.  I need You desperately in my life because I continue to separate myself from You.  I sin.  I worry...I am lazy, selfish, prideful, arrogant, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  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.  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.

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

Psalm 77

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. v14

As a follow up to Wednesday's post, we must acknowledge that God's hand is present everywhere...in our lives, in the lives of others, in the natural world, etc.  Our faith should be full of gratitude and worship.  We must then worship and live lives worthy of a living swe exist to glorify Him.

[The people] are the shoot I have planted,

the work of my hands,

for the display of my splendor.  Isaiah 60:21

 

For us to glorify Him, we must recognize God's power and see it as available for us through Jesus Christ in prayer and the Holy Spirit.

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21

 

My Prayer: Lord You are awesome God and I have seen Your hand in my life, in the life of others and in the natural world - You are the author of all and all good and perfect things come from You!  You provide well beyond what I deserve - I am blessed.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  I neglect You - like I did yesterday and also on weekends!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help draw me closer to 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.  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 remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Psalm 77

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” v11-12

Key points are made here by the Psalmist - Asaph.  We must build and maintain our faith during the good times so that when the bad times hit we have a relationship that exists. 

We don't want to wait until times are bad to seek God...it may be too late:


I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Revelation 3: 15-18

We must be mindful of how God blesses us DAILY and in particular what he did for us on the cross.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - all knowing, all powerful, ever present, and full of grace, mercy, love, compassion, kindness, etc.  ALL good and perfect gifts come from above - You!  Thank You for all the ways that You have and continue to bless me!  I am not worth such love and blessing as I continue to sin in ways where only You can transform my heart and my life.  Please forgive me for my pride, arrogance, lust, selfishness, anger, impatience, etc.  Help me overcome and 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.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Psalm 75

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. v7

As humans it is not impossible to form judgements, about people, circumstances...we are constantly making judgements.  However, we should not condemn others regarding their sin.  That is between that person and God alone.  

In the church, however, we are to support and encourage one another by speaking truth into a brother or sister's life.

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15

We are designed to live together (Proverbs 27:17) and to confess our sins to one another.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are judge...and You are just.  You are also full of mercy and grace, holding back punishment when we deserve it, forgiving us, and blessing us also when we don't deserve it. You are an awesome God!  Thank You Jesus as I am not worth such mercy, grace, and blessing.  I am broken...full of arrogance, pride, selfishness, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.  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.

It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

Psalm 74

It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. v13

In the midst of difficulty we must pause and reflect on God's role. He is in control.  We must also recognize that God is good and that everything He does is for His glory and our good.

In spite of the circumstances, the author* reminds himself of God's sovereignty and His goodness.

It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
    and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
It was you who opened up springs and streams;
    you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
The day is yours, and yours also the night;
    you established the sun and moon.
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
    you made both summer and winter. v14-17

We must seek God in everything and be mindful that God works in mysterious ways (Isaiah 55:8) and in all things for our good and His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Today did not start off on a particularly easy note...Thank You Jesus for providing light.

*MacArthur, John (2005-05-10). The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 21931-21932). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - able to do all things and totally in control.  I know You love me...and You chose me, knowing everything about me.  You also suffered and died for me - without a shadow of doubt the greatest gift of all time!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and such a gift.  I get angry far too quickly and I continue to be harsh with my words.  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 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.  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.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. v26

Indeed!  God is our all in all.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. v23-25

We know that apart from God we can do no good thing (Psalm 16).  This morning God appears to me as someone who cares deeply for me.  He holds me by my right hand.  He guides me and takes me to special places...what a God we have!  God is my all in all.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, indeed You are my all in all and I know that I can do no good thing apart from You.  I need You in my life and I love it when You lead me into special places.  You have led me into time with You this morning and someday You will take me home and that will be a glorious day.  Until then I must live in my earthly broken body and I need You desperately to stay near me so I can feel Your strength.  Thank You for all that You are and all that You have done.  I am not worth the love of such a God....I am broken and I 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 love others as You do.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Psalm 73

When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. v16-17

Asaph, author of this Psalm, sees wickedness in the world around them and he wonders why God allows such wickedness to persist.  This is a thought we often have and we must understand that God sees everything (see post here) and He is and will be the perfect judge.  We should take comfort that all will be judged "according to what they have done".  In our daily life, we must also recognize that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

We should concern ourselves with how others should be dealt with - we should know that God knows all and all will be judged.  This frees us to focus on our relationship with God - of primary importance in our lives.

My Prayer: You alone and Your glory is worthy of my attention and focus.  I know I exist to glorify You.  You are worthy of my efforts and I am prayerful that I can be Your servant.  Thank You Jesus for Your love and for choosing me to be Your child.  I am not worth such love as my sin continues and I am broken.  I get angry too quickly and I worry about my children - folly!  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 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.  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.

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay.

Psalm 70

But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay. v5

Indeed...as David says, apart from God (Psalm 16), we are all poor in spirit, sinful, and broken.  We desperately need Jesus.

[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Humility is very important in our relationship with Jesus.  Otherwise, pride and arrogance reign.  


In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6

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

 

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

 

 Humility is also critical so that we can allow Jesus to work through us so others can see Jesus in us - see also my post yesterday as we exist to glorify God.

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

 

My Prayer: Lord, I AM poor and needy and I need You to quickly come to my side and to be with me always (as I know You are).  You ARE my help and deliverer...I know that apart from You I can do no good thing.  I am deeply grateful that You came for me, then suffered and died for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift...the greatest gift of all time.  I am impatient and I continue to express anger far too quickly.  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 her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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 praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.

Psalms 69

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. v30-31

We exist to worship and glorify God.

[The people] are the shoot I have planted,

the work of my hands,

for the display of my splendor.  Isaiah 60:21

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  1 Corinthians 10:31

 

We often struggle trying to understand God's will for our lives.  Yet God makes it clear that we exist to glorify and worship Him.  This is a good place to start.  God also wants us to know Him so we should be reading and studying God's word.  As we worship and get to know God, we are better positioned to understand God's will for our lives.  

 

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. 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 12:1-2

 

We should not struggle with this topic.

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God You are...You know all things, You are in all things, You hold all things together, and You are able to do anything...You don't need me but You are able to use me...as broken as I am...for Your glory and my good.  You know everything about me yet You chose me and then suffered and died for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a blessing. I am too easily distracted by the things of this world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this sin 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.  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.

You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.

Psalm 69

You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. v5

God knows everything - He is omniscient.  Knowledge and wisdom comes from the Lord and we are to lean on Him (not ourselves) for our understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.  He reveals deep and hidden things he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel 2:21-22

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:6

 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God - all truth, knowledge, wisdom and understanding comes from and flows through You.  I know apart from You I can do no good thing.  I know that when I stay near to You and abide in You that You will bless and You have - I am rich as You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings in my life.  Yet I continue to sin as we all do and I am desperate need of cleansing...today and every day.  Forgive me for my lack of grace, impatience, etc. for others.  Forgive me for my pride and arrogance.  Help me overcome and 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.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  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.