The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Proverbs 15

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. v3

We all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) - and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  We should fear God because nothing is hidden and because we don't get what we deserve.  Instead, we get what we don't deserve - mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and life - Jesus Christ.  

As well, God is expecting big things from us - see also the Parable of the Talents. We will be held accountable for how we are good stewards of the time, talents, and treasure entrusted to us (Revelation 20).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me what I don't deserve - grace, forgiveness, and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

 Proverbs 13

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. v3

It's more than just what we say - it is what is in our hearts.

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects me - thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Proverbs 11

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. v12

God has helped me restrain myself when tempted to talk about others.  Yet I know I am guilty of this sin when I refer to nameless individuals that I read about in the news or on TV.  It's easy to to deride others when You are from afar.  Clearly I need God to help me be more pure in this area.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I sin - I deride others.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

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. v34-35

I've previously discussed v34 as a call to seek God daily through study of His Word and through prayer.  V35 is a promise that is often repeated in scripture with one example being: 

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 

Other aspects of this chapter include the value of God's Word:

All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. v8

To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. v9

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. v10-11

My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. v19

As I sit here, in my own life, I can with 100% certainty attest to the truth of  Proverbs 8.  Yet even as I speak, I know from time to time I don't act with this certainty.  Jesus, please help me grow in my faith, desire for You, and desire to please You.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - this I know.  I know You are always with me and You have given me life to the full...and so much more!  Thank You Jesus.  Indeed my cup overflows. I am not worth such rich blessings and love.  I worry and I am harsh with my words and actions.  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, and mind and love others as You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 7

Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. v26-27

This subject - lust - and being led astray by sexual temptation - is an important one and worthy of repetition.  While many, even those in the church, seem to dislike the "Billy Graham rule", I like this balanced view from Focus on the Family.

Pornography and the Internet is something nearly all men (myself included) from time to time struggle with - yet I am thankful how my desire for the Lord has helped me gain more power over this temptation.  Lisa's cancer was very eye opening in how selfish I can be and it led me to believe that the sexual drive all men have is at its most base level a very selfish urge, and it needs to be subordinated to a desire for God first and foremost and also channeled into marriage.  I am not perfect (far from it) but again God has help me in this regard.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has helped me grow as a person and a child of God.  While I know I have a long way to go, I know You have transformed my heart and my life and given me greater desire for You and to please You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love...I am harsh with my words and actions and 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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.

Proverbs 5

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. v21

This Proverb focuses on the 7th commandment, "[y]ou shall not commit adultery",  and it provides several warnings, including: ruin comes to the adulterer and how nothing is hidden from God.

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

 

This Proverb also provides an encouragement to maintain passion for your wife:

 

Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? v15-20 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, who loves me, is always with me, protects me, guides me, etc. and so much more - that You love me is amazing.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I worry and I fall down - broken.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. v23

When you look at this chapter a key theme appears: get wisdom above all else, though it may feel as if it costs you from an earthly sense (it does not) (v7), you gain in blessings from God (v4,6,8-13).

In verse 23 we get a warning to focus on who and what influences we choose to have in our life.

See also post here from Matthew. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who protects my heart, and who gives me life...to the full.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to you Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops[.]

Proverbs 3

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops[.] v9

I have been blessed financially and it is my hope that I have been a good steward of the resources entrusted to me.  God wants us to be generous and to give freely and with a cheerful heart. 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

See also John Piper's thoughts on using money shrewdly and the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.

My Prayer; Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who provides - for all things and in all times - You are the source of all provision.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me - my cup overflows and I am undeserving.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[B]ut whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

Proverbs 1

[B]ut whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. v33

Sin and temptation fills the world and harm awaits all of us - whether this is physical or emotional harm.  We need a Savior.  Here in Proverbs we learn of a Savior named wisdom and we know this wisdom comes from God and is God (see also 1 Kings 3, John 1).

What a great promise we have that God will always be with us (Matthew 28:20) and that He is our shepherd protecting us from harm.

We matter to God. See also The Parable of the Lost Sheep.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who protects us from harm - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry...too much!  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.

Psalm 147

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. v4

During those times when we doubt God's love for us, we can recall the words of this Psalm and similar scripture.  God loves us because He created us, specifically, and He knows everything about us - even down to the hair on our head.


I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7

To God, we are not faceless - we are known - in fact, fully known and fully loved.

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

Further, we have been adopted as God's children:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who knows everything about us and who loves us.  Thank You Jesus for Your love for me.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not put your trust in princes,in human beings, who cannot save.

Psalm 146

Do not put your trust in princes,in human beings, who cannot save. v3

I've been worrying about something to happen in my work life - relying and trusting in others.  Sinful!  I needed this morning's reminder that I should trust in God first and foremost - above others and not idolize others.

God provides for all of my needs.  Moses' words ring so true this morning:

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

And yesterday's post and posts here also serve to remind me of how God is REAL and that I need not worry.


I need not trust in myself or others above God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me - You provide for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  You overwhelm me with Your love.  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry and trust in others often above You.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. v18

We often feel that God is not there or that God is elusive or far away.  Yet we should know that God never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20), and He gives us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and His Word (John 1:1).  

We can also see God in the church and in other believers.

God is real.  He has done great things in my life and He blesses me well beyond what I deserve.  Yet I often fall down, I sin...with worry, anger, etc.  Today's scripture is for me.  I must be daily, more often even, reminded of God's love and His presence.  I am reminded of my dear brother and sister in Christ Terry and Dave Monaghan from Newtonville, MA and how they shared the words of Brother Lawrence.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has filled my heart and transformed my life - blessing me well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143

Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. v8

There is no doubt that without God, I would be lost - God is why I exist and for whom I exist.  He is also a lamp unto my feet.  However, I too often trust in my own abilities and that is why I worry.  

I should trust in God fully, have my confidence in Him, and rest.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has transformed my heart and my life and made me more like You...more pure hearted and I am deeply grateful.  Thank You Jesus.  But I continue to be broken and I sin.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. v23-24

We were all made in God's image (Genesis 1:27) and we exist to glorify God. We are also expected to experience spiritual maturity.  As such, David's thoughts here in this Psalm are something we should all strive to desire for ourselves - to be refined by God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has helped make me more in Your image.  Thank You Jesus for making me more patient, etc.  Yet I am not worth Your love and compassion - I am broken and I continue to sin.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! v1

God wants us to live in fellowship with others - it starts with the 2nd greatest commandment:


And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:39

We are to bring others to Him...to be a light.

For us to bring others to Him and to be a light, believers must be in unity to support, pray for, and encourage one another.

Genesis 2:18 
Acts 2:42-47 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You created all of us to share life together, believers and non believes alike so that we can support, encourage, and pray for one another and so that we can bring others to You.  Thank You Jesus for my immediate family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ and for the church.  I am blessed.  Yet I am not worth such blessings.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. v1

Recent posts have focused much on how God should be primary and today's reading reinforces that.  We build and focus on many things in our lives and much of our focus is on things of this world and we must avoid focusing on this world over God.  

Our jobs must be God glorifying, our spending must be God glorifying, our actions with our children must be God glorifying, etc.  Our entire life must rest on God and focus on Him.



See also Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise and Foolish Builders).

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


We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I love You.  I know You love me and will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry and I am easily distracted, placing things of this world above You.  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from and  overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. v2

As a follow up to my post from a few days ago here, we are to trust in God first and foremost, over ourselves and others. 

This morning's reading also emphasizes God as creator and how He reigns.

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. Colossians 1:16-17

Underlying all the words of this chapter is a theme that God loves us, that He is always looking out for us, and that He is tirelessly working for our good and His glory.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that You love me.  Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love.  I am broken. 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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119

I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. v175

We all sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  Yet we have a God who loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son so that we could be saved (John 3:16). Our savior will never leave or forsake us (Matthew 28:20) and He will also come find and help me back on the path to Him.

Parable of the Lost Sheep

Parable of the Lost Son

Even though I may stray, I have a God who will come look for me and help me come back to Him.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You are so full of grace and compassion, that You will always come look for me and provide a way back to You.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace and compassion - for sending Your Son....for never leaving of forsaking me.  I love You.  I am not worth such a God.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. v105

It is not definitively agreed upon who the author of this psalm is nor when it was written or the circumstances of the psalm. Yet as with all scripture, it has eternal value as it is God breathed and living.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness[.] 1 Timothy 3:16

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. Hebrews 4:12

This morning, I feel desperate for God and His light.  I don't know what the future holds and many days I have concerns about how I can provide for my family - these are of course unfounded as God provides.  Once again I should hold on to what is true and let go of what is going on my mind as many thoughts are directed by Satan who wants to separate me from God.

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who will always be with me - I am 100% certain!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. v37

God does not mind that we enjoy earthly things - however, we are never to place them as high as or above God.  We cannot idolize them. It is a heart matter.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Lord Jesus, help me avoid any focus on things and instead fix my eyes on You.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an awesome God You are that You have blessed me beyond what I deserve, despite my brokenness. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I continue to 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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me server You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. v16

Jesus tells us that "[b]lessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)." It is also written that:

1. We will find God when we seek Him with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
2. Faith and salvation are through God alone - and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Lord Jesus, please help me deepen my desire for You and my faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God and You have deepened my faith and desire for You.  Thank You Jesus.  But I continue to be broken and I want more.  I worry and I want to rid myself of 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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Psalm 118

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. v8-9

God places others in our lives to bless us and others in our lives to trip us up and to separate us from God.  It is important for us to avoid placing others, including ourselves, above God.  This includes our spouse and our immediate families.  God should be our primary relationship in our lives with no others as equal to God.  

Jesus makes this clear:

If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26

This includes our worship of our own abilities.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me...even though I am broken.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I often place others above God and myself.  Forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Jesus and for them to choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. v1

Whatever blessings we experience it is because of God alone - we must remain humble.  Too often in my life I have placed myself before or above God because of my arrogance.  I am thankful God has helped grow in this area.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

See also this post and other posts on arrogance. 

Joseph's story is also instructive.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You have blessed me - and done so abundantly.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I have too often placed myself in place or above God - and from time to time I know I continue to do so.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Psalm 112

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. v5

God has blessed me - there is no doubt. I am in a position to help others.  I am prayerful that God can help me remember that whatever I have both comes from the Lord and belongs to the Lord and that I am to be a good steward and to be a cheerful giver.

See also the Parable of the Bags of Gold.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and I know that You have blessed me abundantly.  Thank You Jesus but I know that I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. v10

Both David and Solomon understand that God is the source of all of our abilities - including what we can do with our minds. With my worry, I often am concerned whether I am doing enough or whether I am doing the right thing - overthinking matters.  Instead of letting my mind wander - I should anchor myself to the Lord and His Word and let the Holy Spirit fill me.  I must FULLY submit to Him, including my thoughts.

Lord Jesus, please fill my head with fear and thoughts of You - for You are a great God who loves me.  

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:17-19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great indeed and I know that You love me, despite my sin and brokenness. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love because I worry far too much.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.

Psalm 106

Save us, Lord our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. v47

This morning's reading is a splash of cold water on face - an awakening to who I have been. I've been like the Israelites who grumbled and complained as described in this Psalm and who could not wait on the Lord.

God IS at work in our lives every single day and every moment of our lives - He is in control and He love us.

That is why yesterday's post is so important as I must daily be thankful and remember what God has done...for me.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You created the Heavens and Earth and everything that inhabit them, and You created me, knowing everything about me even before I was born...and yet You still came to rescue me, dying on the cross.  You have transformed Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry far too much.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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

This Psalm causes us to recall how God is faithful - how he made and kept a covenant with Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and how he rescued Israel from Egypt.  

We should praise God for what He has done - not just for what we know is Truth in the Bible but for ourselves specifically in our lives.  God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for me - this I know but of course there is so much more.  He has transformed my heart and my life to be more like Him - I am less angry, more patient, etc. I still worry - but less so.  All "fruits of spirit".  I have more to go...the race is not over.  I must endure.

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Acts 4:12-13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has worked wonders in the world and for me specifically - thank You Jesus!  My cup for sure overflows.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry...too much.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[H]e does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 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

[H]e does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  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. v10-12

God is great indeed - we do not get what we deserve but we do get what we don't deserve (grace).

God gives us freedom from the sting of sin and death.  See also post here as Paul describes the struggle we face being either slave to sin or "slave to God's law".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You died for us so that we could freedom from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  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. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Psalm 91

Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. v14-15

I worry alot.  About my job...about whether Zach and Dustin will be OK...I worry too much.  I shouldn't.  I know that.  Yet I do.  I desire for God to give me greater faith and trust in Him.

Today's reading encourages me.

God is our refuge and God provides.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I know I lack of nothing.  Thank You Jesus.  However, I continue to 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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

A couple of days ago I posted on the need for us to remember that we citizens of Heaven and foreigners in this life...that we should not conform to the patterns of this world and to be holy and set apart so we can bring others to Him.

To that end, today's post reinforces this message as we should remember to live with the end in mind - with an eternal focus vs an earthly focus.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - what a great God You are that You have given Us Your Son, the Holy Spirit, the church, and so much more!  I am blessed and my cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus for how You bless me. Yet I am not worth such love.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

Psalm 86

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. v1

We must remain humble - David, one of God's greatest servants, with few exceptions remained humble.  For we are not just not equal to God we are NOTHING without Him as He is our creator and sustainer.  As His servants, we must become less and allow Him to work in our lives.


He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30


Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Jesus tells us that being humble is the basis of our faith.  We must all recognize that we need a Savior and of course that Jesus Christ is that Savior.


Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Creator of the Heavens and the Universe and everything that inhabits them, and You created me, know everything about me - including my sin...and You came to die for me so that I could have life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am in desperate need of You...daily.  I am harsh with my words and actions.  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, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.