Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.

Psalm 106

Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin.  Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. v43-45

God gives us MANY second chances for He is full of mercy, compassion, gentleness, grace, etc.  What a God we have!  Yet God does not have an unlimited amount of these attributes for us...we must remain awake, alert, sober, etc. for we do not know the hour of His return nor the hour when He may call us home.  See also Matthew 25:1-12 for the Parable of the Ten Virgins.  

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.  Matthew 25:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - you provide SO many second chances through forgiveness and freedom from sin!  Thank You Jesus for the overwhelming love, patience, mercy, compassion, etc.  I am not worth such blessings.  I don't want to sin but I do...I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and 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.  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.

So he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.

Psalm 106 

So he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them. v23

We need others in our lives to intercede on our behalf - to prevent and/or pray for us when we go astray...when we turn away from God.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Genesis 9:5

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

No doubt, Jesus went to the cross for us but He also provided our brothers and sisters in Christ to support and encourage us in our faith.  We need each other.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You are always with us - through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and Your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank You Jesus for providing such support, encouragement and love.  I need You desperately and I need what You do desperately.  I am broken - impatient, quick to anger, and slow to listen...among my many sins.  Please forgive me.  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.  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.

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.

Psalm 105

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. v8-9

As I posted yesterday, we need to remember what God has done for us and be present for all that He is and all that He has done for us - He is a God worthy of our praise and worship.  Similarly, I am reminded that God keeps ALL of His promises - and there are numerous promises throughout scripture.  In this particular Psalm, the author (presumably Asaph), takes us through How God kept his covenant with Abraham and His descendants.  For believers, we know that God kept all of His promises for the descendants that followed and for all of us - "no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37).

Many promises exist in the Sermon on the Mount and for me - Matthew 5:6 is top of mind:

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

Indeed - I feel blessed.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God that makes incredible promises and keeps ALL of Your promises!  How awesome is that!  Thank You Jesus for blessing me beyond what I deserve as my cup overflows in blessings.  I am not worth all of these blessings as I continue to lack in patience and mercy for others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and 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 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 the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

Psalm 105

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. v5-6

God is indeed worthy of our worship and praise.  Friday I posted how God created and reigns over all of creation.  This morning, my focus is on how we must be remember all that God has done, for His wonders never cease, and His power and hand is present in all of our lives, in the world, all of the time.  Many times we cannot recognize that suffering is either a miracle in itself for what is produces or it is a precursor to a miracle.   

We must be mindful that God has not only done wondrous things but He continues to do them and will always be full of miracles - it is in His nature.  God wants us to be in awe and in fear of Him and He also wants to love others as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  We are to be remember and be grateful.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God full of love, kindness, generosity, patience, etc. for me...thank You Jesus.  I know I am not deserving of such love.  I am impatient, selfish, etc.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and 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.  Praise You for a great appointment Lisa had on Friday.  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 many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Psalm 104

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. v24

Once again, I have much to bring to the Lord in praise and worship - my God is worthy!  God's creation is certainly worthy of praise and worship for it is splendorous.  God's works are also deeply personal and they have touched my life and will continue to do so in all of my years.  As I posted yesterday, God's love is amazing.   

All of what God does is for a purpose - for He has made everything "in wisdom".

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

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:16-18 

 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...Ecclesiastes 3:1

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and all that You do is perfect and for a reason - all for Your glory and my good - thank You Jesus.  Thank You for all that You are and all that You do and for all that You will continue to do for me for I know You are an active God always in motion...for me...and that You will never leave or forsake me.  I am not worthy of such a God as I worry...please forgive me Jesus 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 her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Please 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 as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. v11-12

Although I should have had to be, I needed to be reminded of God's love for me.  Today was busy, hectic, at times unnerving.  Yet God is always there...always with me.  And yes, He is certainly worthy of our praise and worship as this Psalm does so well!

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

 

My Prayer: Lord, You indeed are great and I know Your love for me is higher and deeper than I can ever describe.  I know that You are full of mercy, kindness, etc. even though my sin and brokenness continues.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet again I am not worthy of such efforts and love.  I am easily discouraged and I often lack faith.  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.

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

Psalm 102

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. v25-26

God has an infinite number of attributes that make Him great - words cannot describe the greatness of God - words are simply insufficient.  We must not question nor challenge the greatness of God.  Today one of the attributes of God's greatness is that He never changes - He existed before time and He will exist after the end of times.  He is permanent.  His loves for us never fails nor do His words (Luke 1:37).  He always keeps His promises.

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

My Prayer: Lord, I know You are great.  You have poured out Your greatness through Your son, and through Your Word, and through the Holy Spirit.  I know You are with me all of my days.  I know You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such efforts - yet You pursue me and keep me, having adopted me and sealed me.  I am marked for redemption.  Thank You Jesus!  I am weak, easily distracted by the patterns of this world. Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and 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.

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

Psalm 101

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me. v6

We are called to be holy because He is holy (Leviticus 11:44).  As I posted yesterday, we exist to glorify God - yet another way of saying He wants us to be holy.  We are to draw others to Him through us....we are a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).  Key to this is to surround yourselves with strong Christian influences.

We hold each other accountable.

And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Genesis 9:5

We also call each other up.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My Prayer:  Lord, You call me up...You picked me up.  You saved me...how great is my God!  I am not worth such a God.  I continue to be harsh with my words, actions, and thoughts.  Thank You for Your mercy and kindness - please forgive me Jesus.  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 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.

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. v3

We were made by God, in His image, and made to serve and glorify Him - see also posts here.

How do we glorify Him:

1. Know Him (Proverbs 8:33-35)
2. Speak to Him (Colossians 4:2)
3. Listen to Him (Matthew 17:5, James 1:19)
4. Worship Him (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
5. Serve Him, Others, and the Church (1 Peter 4:10)

 God promises blessings for those who follow Him in these ways - yet we must remember it is not about doing....our heart must desire to serve Jesus (Psalm 24:4-5) 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are my creator.  You are worthy of my worship and praise and I desire for You to rule in my heart and life.  Thank You for all that You are and all that You do for me .  I am not worthy of what You did for me on the cross - I continue to worry, be impatient and to be harsh with my words and thoughts.  Please forgive me for my sins and help me overcome and turn from them 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.

He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them.

Psalm 99

He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. v7

We all want to know God's will for our life - yet many people struggle with this question.  We often continue struggling with this question yet we miss something key in the process - our life is not about us but about glorifying God and if we are to glorify God we must take the time to know and understand all about Him, His character, and His attributes.  Check out these resources:

• Focus on the Family
• PurposeDriven.com

 See also Romans 12:2:

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.

In today's Psalm, what is clear is that God spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel because "kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them".  Now God may and does choose other times to speak to His children, but He is more likely to speak to you if you draw near to Him and desire to follow Him.  See also my post from a couple of days ago.

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God worthy of my praise and worship.  You are perfect in all that You do, and You created all things, are in all things,and hold all things together.  You left heaven to suffer and die for me, knowing everything about me including my sin and broken-ness.  Thank You Jesus!  What a great God You are.  I am not worth such efforts as I continue to struggle with inaction.  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 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.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Psalm 98

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. v4-6

We should shout for joy to the Lord - publicly and loudly.  For those who believe, we have seen His hand in Creation, in the hearts and lives of others, and in our own life and heart.  We know what He has done and who He is - He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Names Above All Names.  We should not be ashamed of our God.  

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 

As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

They brought the ark of the Lord and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord Almighty. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.

When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” 2 Samuel 6:14-22

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. Psalm 69:30-31

 

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

My Prayer: Lord, You are a God worthy of praise and worship - we should praise and worship, and proclaim Your Name loudly and publicly.  For we are not ashamed of our God and we cannot help but be speak what we have seen and heard.  Thank You Jesus for all that You are and do...You are great...and You are great to me.  I am not worthy for Your mercy and blessings.  I am selfish and impatient - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and 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.  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 those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. v10

The world is full of sin and wickedness and God calls His children to holiness.  

Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16, Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2

As I posted yesterday, we exist to glorify God - we were made in His image. We must draw near to God, daily, seeking Him.  As we seek God and draw near to Him, we reflect more of His image in us.

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. Proverbs 8:33-35

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

My Prayer: Lord, You indeed are a great God worthy of my praise and worship.  You alone set the moon and the stars in their place and You hold all things together...wonderfully.  You know everything about me, including my sin, yet You love me anyway.  I am weak, impatient, harsh with my words and actions - please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from 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 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.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name;     proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. v1-3

We were made to worship, praise and glorify our Maker.  See post here.  Key verses from this post include:

[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 were made to do this daily, in our communities, publicly - among ALL peoples.  See also Matthew 28 - The Great Commission.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed are a great God worthy of my worship and praise...daily, publicly, and among ALL peoples!  You are a great God whose mighty hand has saved me, and provided life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of Your loving care....I am lazy, passive, and weak.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin.  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 to me today and every day.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Psalm 95

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. v6-7

A sweet reminder this morning of how God loves His children.  He places them under His care, and tends to us, ensuring our protection from predators and He provides for our needs.  Oh How He Loves Us. We should love and trust and Our Maker and Shepherd.  Drawing near to Him, praising Him in Worship, and living life as a daily sacrifice (Romans 12:1) are all spiritual disciplines that do this.  

Help me follow and love My Maker and Shepherd.

My Prayer: Lord, You are My Maker and My Shepherd.  You are worthy of my praise and worship.  You have never forsaken me and You always provide for me.  You come after me when I am lost.  What a great God You are!  Thank You for adopting me as Your child and for protecting and providing for me.  I am not worth such blessings.  You provide abundantly - just as You promise!  I am weak, selfish, impatient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  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.

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Psalm 94

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. v18-19

Jesus wants us to be His hands and feet so that we can spread the good news of Him to all parts of the world - see Matthew 28:16-20, John 15:12.

Through Him we have power.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

We also have freedom - freedom from sin...and we are given this power and freedom to accomplish His will for our lives.  We are to be bold.  When we are bold we may often feel like failures but when we truly trust in Him, we do not sink below the waves (Matthew 14)...our feet do not slip. 

My Prayer: Lord, You give us the ability to walk on water and if we have faith and trust in You we do not sink below the waves.  What a great God You are!  You are worthy of my worship and praise.  Yet often I do not fully trust and have faith in You - forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome my doubt and lack of faith.  Help me turn towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me be bold.  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.

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law.

Psalm 94

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law. v12

This is often a difficult message - that we should consider all discipline as training, and that God is removing our impurities and making us more like Him.


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

See also posts here.

My Prayer: Lord, Your righteousness reigns as perfect justice for those who love You and for those who reject You.  You know our heart and everything we do - nothing is concealed.  You are full of compassion and mercy and You often provide mercy when we don't deserve it.  I have experienced Your mercy myself - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such mercy as I continue to worry and be harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such 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 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. 

The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.

Psalm 94

The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. v11

I, like the author of this Psalm, see evil and wickedness all around me, and often grow weary of it, including the temptations that arise to follow and do such wickedness myself.  I cry out for judgement, but I must remember that judgement is for God alone.  One key way in which I am more guilty of wickedness than perhaps other more "overt" means is by relying more on my own strength and plans vs those of God.  I am reminded here that these are not only futile but sinful, and no less sinful than other means of wickedness (Romans 3:23).

See also posts here and here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God, full of love, mercy, compassion, etc. for me, even though I am quite sure I am no less wicked than those for who I cry out for justice and punishment.  Thank You Jesus that You drank from the cup that I deserved.  You spared me from eternal damnation, giving me freedom from sin and eternity in Heaven with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am surely not worth such a gift.  I too easily conform to the patterns of this world.  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 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.

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty.

Psalm 93

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the Lord on high is mighty. v4

Strength is an attribute that this desired from a worldly perspective, yet we often overlook the strength of God.  I am reminded of the current sermon series from my church "Jesus is Stronger" - here.

God is able and He wants us to have faith and trust in Him and His ability to overcome all of our fears, concerns, worries, doubts, etc.  When we do this, we are able to accomplish His work via His will for our lives.  We become less and He becomes more.

For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

My Prayer: Lord, there is no doubt that You are stronger...than anything else we can encounter in this world.  You defeated both sin and death and You provide the Holy Spirit, which is the same power that rose You from the grave.  Thank You Jesus for providing Your Spirit to us, for being with us as advocate and counselor.  I am deeply grateful for how You provide not only the Holy Spirit, but Your Word, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ...all to help me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings Jesus because I am weak and easily distracted.  I neglect Your power and fail to draw near to You.  I often seek things of this world before You.  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 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.

Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

Psalm 92

Senseless people do not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. v6-7

I am often distracted by the things of this world.  Much of that distraction is how I view others...envy, jealousy, impatience, anger, etc.  I am also often distracted by my own judgement of others' sin.  Yet I allow all of these distractions to take my eye off Jesus.  The world and all of its wickedness will go away - but Jesus will not.  I must fix my eyes on Jesus and continue to run the race set before me.

But you, Lord, are forever exalted. v8

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

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

My Prayer: Lord, You are forever, and You are my rock - never changing like the shifting shadows.  You never lie and You always keep Your promises.  We can rest in You because You provide refuge and shelter from the storms of life.  You are worthy of my praise and worship.  Thank You Jesus for how You bless me daily.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I am too easily distracted by the world and I take my eyes off Jesus and the race You set before me.  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 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.

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night....

Psalm 92

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night....v1

God wants us to depend on Him for all of our needs, whether they be physical, emotional or spiritual.  To express our dependence, we must spend time with Him, understand the fullness of His character and attributes, how great He is, and to grow our love for Him.  Only when we love Him, will we depend on Him.  As the author writes here, time in the morning and the evening provide a means for us to start and end our day with Him, so He can guide us and then forgive us when our days are not what we or He intended for us.

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

My Prayer: Lord, You are a God that provides for all things...I know that apart from You I have no good things.  Thank You for the many good things I experience - far too many blessings than I deserve.  I am often distracted by the matters of this world - please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and help me 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.

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

Psalm 91

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. v14

I worry far too much - and I know this is sinful and it reflects my lack of trust and faith in God.  God tell us not to worry - see Matthew 6:25-34.

The antidote for worry is to draw near to God to have a fuller understanding of His greatness.

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, You ARE a great God, all the time, and in all ways.  You are perfect.  I should love and trust You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Yet often I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me be mindful of Your greatness and all the ways that You have and continue to bless me.  Thank You Jesus for knowing everything about yet still loving me.  Thank You for choosing me, adopting me, and suffering and dying for me.  I am not worth such a gift and for such grace.  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.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

Psalm 90

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. v17

We are to be God-directed, not directed by the world (Romans 12:2), nor by our own powers and abilities. 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Those who trust in themselves are fools Proverbs 28:26

See also Acts 5:38-39.

When we neglect God, we further separate ourselves from Him and we are less able to discern His will for our lives.  We essentially say..."I don't need you".  We must therefore remain desperate for Him (Psalm 16:2). 

My Prayer: Lord, You alone are able to ordain what is good for us and pleasing to You. You are a a great God worthy of praise and worship.  I am deeply grateful for Your sacrifice and the many, many, many blessings You provide.  Yet I often neglect You or fail to heed Your words.  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 Lisa from her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and server Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.