Psalms 121:1-8 (NLT) 1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! 3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
The pilgrimage to Jerusalem is a very steep incline with the city at the top of the hill. People would travel together to keep each other company and to be watchful to one another. There we’re always those who would try to rob and take advantage of these weary travelers. Periodically they would stop together and meditate on God’s promises. Psalm 121 was one of their meditations. It was sung together. It was an assurance that God will always take care of His kids and that He will watch over every part of our life. The idea of God watching me is good because I sometimes don’t watch over myself efficiently. Praise God… the Lord stands beside me and the Lord is my shade.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Let My Light Shine
Mark 4:21-22 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.
Light was meant to be placed in a place that would illuminate the area around it. It was not meant to be hidden. Too many people profess to know Christ and yet they hide His light so others can’t see it. They put a “basket” or a “bowl” over it. I wonder what “basket” or “bowl” do we put over our light to hide it. Could it be stubbornness or pride or anger or some hidden sin? Could it be complacency, disobedience or resentment? We can’t allow these things to “snuff” out our light. If I’m going to grow the way that God wants me to grow I must not hide anything in my life. I need to allow the light to come forth and to shine and allow God’s growth to take place in my life.
Light was meant to be placed in a place that would illuminate the area around it. It was not meant to be hidden. Too many people profess to know Christ and yet they hide His light so others can’t see it. They put a “basket” or a “bowl” over it. I wonder what “basket” or “bowl” do we put over our light to hide it. Could it be stubbornness or pride or anger or some hidden sin? Could it be complacency, disobedience or resentment? We can’t allow these things to “snuff” out our light. If I’m going to grow the way that God wants me to grow I must not hide anything in my life. I need to allow the light to come forth and to shine and allow God’s growth to take place in my life.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I Will See God!
Job 19:25-27 (NLT) 25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!
In ancient Israel a redeemer was a family member who bought a slave’s way to freedom. Job, in the midst of his darkest hour, dealing with the worst of Satan and mankind, found a confidence. It was this – He KNEW that God was going to come through for him. He KNEW that he would be vindicated by God. He KNEW that God was faithful and would take him through this ordeal. He was confident that God’s justice would triumph in his life. I get so caught up in the here and now that I sometimes don’t see the whole picture. No matter what trial I might be going through - God is always faithful to His kids. God’s word teaches us over and over that God is on our side and that we shouldn’t despair. The victory is ours today.
In ancient Israel a redeemer was a family member who bought a slave’s way to freedom. Job, in the midst of his darkest hour, dealing with the worst of Satan and mankind, found a confidence. It was this – He KNEW that God was going to come through for him. He KNEW that he would be vindicated by God. He KNEW that God was faithful and would take him through this ordeal. He was confident that God’s justice would triumph in his life. I get so caught up in the here and now that I sometimes don’t see the whole picture. No matter what trial I might be going through - God is always faithful to His kids. God’s word teaches us over and over that God is on our side and that we shouldn’t despair. The victory is ours today.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Trembling In God's Presence
Psalms 114:7-8 (NLT) 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. 8 He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock.
When God gave the law at Mount Sinai, the mountain trembled in God's presence. Even with our great technology, the seas, rivers, and mountains still present us with formidable challenges. But to God, who controls nature, they are as nothing. When observing the power of an ocean wave or the majesty of a mountain peak, think of God's greatness and glory, which are far more awesome than the natural wonders you can see. To tremble at God's presence means to recognize God's complete power and authority and our frailty by comparison. We must not treat God’s presence lightly or irreverently. God has the power – even to move mountains. He has the power to touch and change our lives right now.
When God gave the law at Mount Sinai, the mountain trembled in God's presence. Even with our great technology, the seas, rivers, and mountains still present us with formidable challenges. But to God, who controls nature, they are as nothing. When observing the power of an ocean wave or the majesty of a mountain peak, think of God's greatness and glory, which are far more awesome than the natural wonders you can see. To tremble at God's presence means to recognize God's complete power and authority and our frailty by comparison. We must not treat God’s presence lightly or irreverently. God has the power – even to move mountains. He has the power to touch and change our lives right now.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Meditations!
Psalms 48:9-10 (NLT) 9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple. 10 As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
The word meditate means to “think over and over about something.” We are to think over and over about the unfailing love of God. He is a God of mercy and grace. He has loved us and continues to love us. He extends His hand to us – always beckoning us and drawing us to Him. He has given us victories to be remembered and He helps us in times of trouble. We should never shrink back at giving Him the praise He deserves.
The word meditate means to “think over and over about something.” We are to think over and over about the unfailing love of God. He is a God of mercy and grace. He has loved us and continues to love us. He extends His hand to us – always beckoning us and drawing us to Him. He has given us victories to be remembered and He helps us in times of trouble. We should never shrink back at giving Him the praise He deserves.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Why Am I Here
Acts 20:24 (NLT) 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it: recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Every so often I must test my motives and look at the why I am doing what I’m doing. Life is not about my job but it is about doing God’s will and work. I want to always be about my Father’s business and doing what he wants for my life.
We often feel that life is a failure unless we're getting a lot out of it: recognition, fun, money, success. But Paul considered life worth nothing unless he used it for God's work. What he put into life was far more important than what he got out. Every so often I must test my motives and look at the why I am doing what I’m doing. Life is not about my job but it is about doing God’s will and work. I want to always be about my Father’s business and doing what he wants for my life.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Dreams Fulfilled!!
Psalms 126:1-6 (NLT) 1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! 2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. 5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.
God's ability to restore life is beyond our understanding. Forests burn down and are able to grow back. Broken bones heal. Even grief is not a permanent condition. Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God's great harvest of joy is coming!
God's ability to restore life is beyond our understanding. Forests burn down and are able to grow back. Broken bones heal. Even grief is not a permanent condition. Our tears can be seeds that will grow into a harvest of joy because God is able to bring good out of tragedy. When burdened by sorrow, know that your times of grief will end and that you will again find joy. We must be patient as we wait. God's great harvest of joy is coming!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Do I Really Trust God
Do I Really Trust God?
Job 10:8-22 (NLT) 8 “‘You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me. 9 Remember that you made me from dust— will you turn me back to dust so soon? 10 You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. 11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. 12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care. 13 “‘Yet your real motive— your true intent— 14 was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. 15 If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery. 16 And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion and display your awesome power against me. 17 Again and again you witness against me. You pour out your growing anger on me and bring fresh armies against me. 18 “‘Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother’s womb? Why didn’t you let me die at birth? 19 It would be as though I had never existed, going directly from the womb to the grave. 20 I have only a few days left, so leave me alone, that I may have a moment of comfort 21 before I leave—never to return— for the land of darkness and utter gloom. 22 It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of gloom and confusion, where even the light is dark as midnight.’”
Job knew the promises of God and what God had done for him but he really didn’t trust God fully. He viewed God in a suspicious way. He was always waiting for the other shoe to drop and that God was looking for something to blame Job. I would venture to say that a lot of people treat God that same way – that they know about God and His goodness but can’t really trust Him in the grand scheme of things. I want to be a place in my life where I can fully trust Him and fully follow Him – no matter what the circumstance is. It is only then that I can fully have the peace of God in my life.
Job 10:8-22 (NLT) 8 “‘You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me. 9 Remember that you made me from dust— will you turn me back to dust so soon? 10 You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. 11 You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together. 12 You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care. 13 “‘Yet your real motive— your true intent— 14 was to watch me, and if I sinned, you would not forgive my guilt. 15 If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery. 16 And if I hold my head high, you hunt me like a lion and display your awesome power against me. 17 Again and again you witness against me. You pour out your growing anger on me and bring fresh armies against me. 18 “‘Why, then, did you deliver me from my mother’s womb? Why didn’t you let me die at birth? 19 It would be as though I had never existed, going directly from the womb to the grave. 20 I have only a few days left, so leave me alone, that I may have a moment of comfort 21 before I leave—never to return— for the land of darkness and utter gloom. 22 It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of gloom and confusion, where even the light is dark as midnight.’”
Job knew the promises of God and what God had done for him but he really didn’t trust God fully. He viewed God in a suspicious way. He was always waiting for the other shoe to drop and that God was looking for something to blame Job. I would venture to say that a lot of people treat God that same way – that they know about God and His goodness but can’t really trust Him in the grand scheme of things. I want to be a place in my life where I can fully trust Him and fully follow Him – no matter what the circumstance is. It is only then that I can fully have the peace of God in my life.
Compassionate Heart
Job 6:14 (NLT) 14 “One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty."
I probably never have looked at this verse the same way that I do now. As Job makes his speech – I can literally put myself in his shoes. I feel what he feels as he vents during his depression. It amazes my that people don’t have compassion with those that are weak around them. Job says it right – we should be kind to those who are fainting. We don’t know what they’ve gone through. We don’t know what they are thinking. It’s a terrible thing to go through depression - It even worse to go through it with people who are heartless. We should treat others as we would want to be treated.
I probably never have looked at this verse the same way that I do now. As Job makes his speech – I can literally put myself in his shoes. I feel what he feels as he vents during his depression. It amazes my that people don’t have compassion with those that are weak around them. Job says it right – we should be kind to those who are fainting. We don’t know what they’ve gone through. We don’t know what they are thinking. It’s a terrible thing to go through depression - It even worse to go through it with people who are heartless. We should treat others as we would want to be treated.
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