Psalm 149 God enjoys us

As I am sitting her blogging I am hearing my husband eat cereal. Just one of my little pet peeves. Somehow he has a way of slurping the milk and crunching on the cereal so loud that I often exit the room as soon as cereal time comes. Love in my heart? No. Kindness? No. Ugh. My ugliness is revealed right after my devo time.

But Psalm 149 talks about God enjoying us. He delights in you and me. He doesn't care that we munch loudly or talk with our mouths open or leave the front door open time and time again. Or wear our shoes in the house, or stop abruptly at a stop sign, or wine and complain or am bitter towards a friend or lover. No--God delights in us. Not only delights--but enjoys us.

How can we praise him? Let's praise and thank him for loving us even though we can be evil people. We can praise him with dancing and singing...with music and with our mouths. Today with your kids you can turn on a praise song and sing a little louder. Our children make music all the time--why not turn that music over to praising our heavenly father? After all--HE ENJOYS YOU!!!

Psalm 147 Some trust in chariots--We trust in the Name of God

O the simple things that are so great. Our minds get so wrapped up in the day to day--that we forget the wonders of God. Psalm 147 is a sweet reminder that he calls the stars by name, covers the sky with clouds; supplies the earth with rain (even when we don't want anymore!) and makes the grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle; spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He stirs up his breezes and the waters flow. He sends his commands to the earth!

But once again we are turned around by this next psalm. As humans we are attracted to the strong, the beautiful, the smart, the wealthy, the best car, fastest runner, most in shape...you get my point. But Psalm 147:10 says that "His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse nor his delight in the legs of man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

So today--let's remember how great and powerful our God is. He blankets the grounds with snow and he delights in those that fear Him. Not in our careers, our pant size, or how disciplined we are. He delights when we fear him and put our hope in his unfailing love today. It's simple--let's put our hope in his love today. Let's fear him with our plans and efforts...and let them bless Him.

Psalm 145 God is good to us

The first Sunday of every month at Christ Community Chapel is communion Sunday. It is a sweet reminder to eat the body and taste the blood of Christ. My son has been sitting in "my class" he calls it lately--and it is difficult explaining that to him! Anyways, isn't amazing how once a month, 12 x a year we read the same passages of scripture, drink the same little cup of juice and munch on the same little cracker. But every time--I am reminded of what my savior did for me. Nothing that I have done--everything that he has done.

As Christians we often don't get the gospel. We are so wrapped up in our own muck that we miss out on the message of Christ. He is saying to us "I did it! I saved YOU". I don't have to go out and save myself. But I do need to remember.

The Bible is fresh and alive. Even though I take communion 12 x a year--I still am moved by the simple act of doing so.

Psalm 145:9 says that "The Lord is good to ALL." I have munched on this verse for awhile now (hence the reason I am so late in blogging!) I have just been thinking about all the times that I show favoritism or am partial towards someone or something. I choose favorites all the time. Whether it's a person or an activity or a friend--I am not always good to ALL. I need to be cleansed by this verse. And continue to feed it to myself.

Remember today that God's word is alive and living. Every morning when you pick it up--you can be reminded of what He has for you. Praise Him!

Psalm 143 May his good spirit lead you!

Are we questioning our direction? Should we be? Lately I feel like I have been crying out to God every day on which direction he wants me to go. God delights in giving us his wisdom.

This past month for me has been a whirlwind of change. Our house sold, my son started school for the first time and I lost a baby. To say the least, God was bringing me to my knees. I haven't felt this emotionally drained...ever. However, I was prepared. I had prepared myself for battle by putting on my full armor of God. I was able to stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around my waist. I had my breastplate of righteousness in place and my feet were fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. I had his peace in my heart in the midst of the storm. I took up my shield of faith--believing in His plan. And I was swaying my sword of the spirit which was the word of God. (Ephesians 6) God was preparing me for battle this summer--through reading the psalms, drawing me to his heart and drawing me near to the ones that I love.

Now life has settle a bit. We are moved into our new house, signing final paper work on our old house (eeks! hope everything goes OK...) meeting new neighbors and saying goodbye to old ones. My son is a bit more settled in school (took a lot of bribing yesterday) and I am healing from all of my hormone ups and downs. I can say after the storm that God is good. God is faithful. And "he showed me the way I should go" vs. 8. Surrender it all to Him--for after all, it's His to begin with. He'll give it back to you--a good measure, pressed down--and running over!

Psalm 150 - Everywhere for everything with everything

Psalm 15o sums things up with a call to praise God everywhere for everything with everything you got. So what have you learned though your journey through the psalms? How has your understanding of God changed? How have you grown in your relationship with Him? What has He shown you and what blessing and trials has He taken you through? God is to be praised everywhere in heaven and on the earth. He is to be praised for what He has done by His power and greatness. He is to be praised with everything we got. It gives us a list of instruments, some highly skilled others more basic. No matter if you are a technical lyre or a simple tambourine you can still make noise and give testimony to Gods glory. God gives us different skills, talents, and style because He loves diversity. Do you? Can you worship Him even if you don't like that rendition of a certain song played on a Sunday morning? Can you still see the benefit of a ministry even if it is one that you haven't been called to serve in? There are different levels of skills that He accepts as long as it is to His glory, not your own. Anyone can pick up a cymbal and crash it. The point is to pick it up and do it for Him. Are you serving in the way He has called you to serve. Are you too afraid to try something new for Him because you don't feel adequate. He will equip those He calls so don't be afraid to pick that cymbal up and crash it for Him. Is there a job you are serving Him in but you don't feel content or you feel jealous of the lyre players? Pick that cymbal up and crash it for Him. Let is resound because it is for Him not you. The psalm closes with the famous verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Take a deep breath. Now go forth and praise Him everywhere for everything with everything you got!

Psalm 148 - All in All

The psalmist is like a conductor bringing in different instruments into a symphony of praise. He calls to the things of heaven and to the things of the earth. All to praise the name of God. God is worthy of ALL praise because He made ALL, is above ALL, and controls ALL. Everything contributes to the chorus of giving God glory. Everything reflects God in its own unique way and is part of the collective orchestra that brings God glory. Even in this fallen world that is subject to decay we all reflect the Creator in some way. The Psalmist gives credit to the creator not the creation. He also recognizes humans as more special then the rest of creation. All people young and old, male and female, rich and poor are called to praise God. And because His people are close to his heart he raised up for them a horn. A horn was used to hold oil to anoint a king so when this symbol is used it means to communicate a leader. God gives us Jesus as that horn, a leader who came to serve and to save. Praise and thanks to you Lord for who you are and what you have done, sent us Jesus to be Savior and King. How and for what will you worship Him today?

Psalm 146 - Help and Hope

When our hope is in God alone nothing will disappoint us. When our trust for help in God alone we can be confident in the way things are. He reassures us here of His care and backs it up with the credentials. Are you oppressed, hungry, imprisoned, blind, humble, righteous, foreign, fatherless or a widow in anyway physically, spiritually or emotionally? God will uphold, feed, free, restore, uplift, love, watch over, and sustain your every need because God is powerful, creative, faithful, eternal, loving, and just. What specific ways does God speak to you in this chapter. Where do you need reassurance that His help is all you need to trust in?

Psalm 146 Questions -

1. Does your soul engage when you worship? Or is it just your mind and body in routine?

2. Have you allowed God to be all of your life, not just part?

3. What things of this world, which riches, which power or which person do you trust in? Your spouse, family, church, stock portfolio, the government, your job, your hairstylist to keep you beautiful, your grocery story, your bank account?

4. What are your plans in life? Will they last past your death? Gods word and the souls of men are the only things eternal of this world. How are you investing in them? Are you content with just your own soul saved?

5. What comfort do you receive from know ing your help and hope is in the Maker of Heaven and Earth and that He remains faithful forever?

6. Reread the ways God cares for people in verses 7-9. How has God been there for you? How has He used you to meet the needs of others? What item inspires your spirit to action and obedience today?

7. How does God frustrate the ways of the wicked? How can you stand strong for God against the ways of the wicked and of this world? How are you modeling this for your kids?

8. What comfort do you receive from submitting to the God who will reign forever and for all generations? How can you be used to impact the next generation?

Psalm 141 Accepting the Oil

Are we open to hear what we need to work on? A lot of times my husband and I (in a semi-joking way...) will open this can of worms. Of course we love to throw in our snide comments throughout the weeks like "well...if you were more like this or that". But those little "picks" don't really make a difference. They just drain out the other person. But when we really sit down and have a heart-to-heart about what hurts our heart THEN change happens. When my husband and I sit down and truly express our heart needs to one another--change usually occurs from that. Verse 5 stuck out to me in this psalm..."Let a righteous man strike me--it is kindness.; Let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it."

When we can listen to the words of a righteous man...and let the oil of their words sink in deep...we can hear their words as kindness to our soul.

*Who is speaking words of "kindness" to you today? A righteous man that you may see as rebuke at the moment--but really, it's kindness?!

*Are we strong enough to listen to this? Or do we shut down immediately and think "who do they think they are!"

No one wants to be around a critic--but we can all learn from the righteous men and women in our lives. I know I am often humbled by the ones in my life. And it is a GIFT to see it this way.

Psalm 144 - A better mom

This psalm has a lot in it but what is sticking out to me is the language directed at me as a parent. God trains my hands for war and fingers for battle. Not against my kids but for my kids. I have been given talents and go through training for big hand tasks and for detailed finger work. God is my example as a loving parent and He is my fortress because alone I am so weak. He is my stronghold when I want to give up and give in to their whims to watch or participate in worldly things. He is my deliver when I am in need. He is my shield when things start flying at me from all directions and I can take refuge in Him as the chaos swirls around me. He can subdue the peoples under me, He has given me authority over my kids but He also has the power to subdue them when they are out of control so I don't have to fight the endless fight with them. Yesterday Brooke threw a gigantic tantrum in the grocery store, I continued to pray for wisdom and patience but I missed praying for her. That her heart would be calmed, that she would feel loved and secure enough not to need to seek attention this way and that she would have a submissive heart to authority. Verses 3-4 remind me that my life is a breath but so are my kids lives. I don't want regrets, I might not see tomorrow to tuck them in to bed or get another hug. I need to live my life like today is my last day everyday. Or worse yet, it could be their last day and I will have a lifetime filled with regret for not cherishing their few breaths on this earth. I beg God for verses 5-8 to happen, for Him to come down from Heaven and wipe out the enemies that attack my kids. That He would deliver and rescue them from the mighty waters of life and the tears that well up and flood out of their eyes. That they would be protect from lies and deceit and that God would give them discernment to recognize truth. Verses 9 and 10 emphasize again the importance of voicing the testimonies God has given us. God enabled David to be a skilled musician on a complex instrument but it took years of preparation and practice to reach the level that he was at to compose such music. Our gifts and talents rarely develop overnight and may take years to achieve and a life time to maintain. Our life testimony will be full of victories and ways God delivers us, use the talents and situations in your life to share God with others. David asks for deliverance and rescue again on behalf of the sons and daughters so that they may be successful. So that sons will be like well-nurtured plants. What is a well nurtured plant like? Healthy, fruitful, beautiful, productive are just some ways I would describe a well tended plant. But the key is well tended, the most successful plants are those who are cared for by a master gardener. The daughters will be like pillars carved with detail and thought, beautiful enough to adorn a palace fit for the King of Kings. My daughter almost got us kicked out of a grocery store yesterday yet I am part of the process that will carve her into a beautiful and strong pillar that will be admired and relied on in Gods palace. We are promised provisions, increase of wealth and safety from captivity. Some may see this literally in their life times or for a portion of it but we are all guaranteed this spiritually and eternally. How can you pray this psalm for your life today?

1.How does this chapter speak to you on being a parent?

2. Is your ideas of God rock solid or are they soft and change with circumstances? Do you recognize His as good and caring in times of trial and of blessings?

3. Hands are trained with tools, fingers are trained for detailed and precise tasks. How is God preparing you? What are your tools God has given you to fight the battles against the enemy? What kind of details are you good at handling?

4. Do you have people under your authority at work or at home who you can ask God to subdue instead of fighting an endless battle? Can you ask to find refuge from their emotional drain?

5. Take time to notice shadows today. Ask God to point out the meaning of your life.

6. Are you still trying to save yourself and fix your own problems or have you asked God to come down to rescue and deliver?

Psalm 142 - Troubled

What has gotten you in trouble lately? Have you lied, gossiped, fought, said too much or too little? Who do you turn to when you have a problem? Your spouse, mom, or friend? Psalm 142 models that it is God alone who we should be crying out to, lifting our voice and complaints to. To Him we should tell our troubles. It goes on to explain why. When I don't know which way to go it is He who knows my way in life and the path that I should take. My enemies may have set traps for me trying to tangle me and hold me back from moving forward but if God is my leader He will direct me past safely. Have you ever felt like no one really cares or understands you? But ask yourself, how much do you really care or work to understand others? We do until it inconveniences us. There are family members and a couple close friends that we sacrifice for but would we give our life for them? And even for argument's sake you are willing to sacrifice for a few even until death are you sure there is someone that is willing to do that for you? Would your death really bring them life? Do you possess the power to really protect them, can you really be all that they need, can you be their portion filling them up, could you really rescue them from their desperate needs? NO, that is the heartache of being a mother, caring for someone but not being able to fully protect them. That is the frustration of being a wife, loving someone that you spend a life time trying to understand. But God does. He is concerned for you, he cares about your life and understands who you are because He made you. He has the power to rescue you from your strong enemies, he has the resources to fill you up, and most importantly he sacrificed his very life to set you free from the prison of sin and death. God sets us free so that we may praise His name and glorify him, not just go on living the way we want. He rescued us to be with us. Go to God alone with your problems because He alone can fix them.

Psalm 142 Questions:

1.What make you feel better? Eating, venting, zoning out in front of the TV, alone time?

2. Do you talk out loud when you pray? Do you write in a journal? Do you pray on your knees? Do you lift up your hands? How do you keep focused in prayer time? How do you keep prayers from just turning into thoughts? How can you turn your thoughts into prayers throughout the day?

3. Do you feel weak or that you've lost your way or that you don't know what to do next? How do you find comfort in a current situation that God knows the way?

4. How is God your refuge? How is he everything you need? What other things are you finding refuge and fulfillment in?

5. What are you in desperate need of? Money or contentment? Justice or forgiveness? Rest or movement? Love? Appreciation? Strength?

Psalm 139 You are a present

Psalm 139 is a self-esteem booster. To know that our heavenly father is "intimately acquainted with all my ways." Or is that a scary thought to you? Do you not want to be revealed from the inside out?

My older son Jonah has the best questions that really get you thinking. A lot of times I just have to say "I don't know!" Because I really don't. I love to talk about God with him and see his little mind reeling...and learn from his innocent and child-like questions. One day he was asking "how does God know all the people in the whole world and how does he know what we are saying and thinking." Pretty profound--and only faith can help you understand that. But I like to think of how I am as a mother--I know my children. I watched them under ultrasound grow and form. I saw their tiny hearts beating when they were only the size of a grain of rice. I see them when they rise and when they go down. I know their thoughts because I listen to them. I know that God is like a mother--because he created mothers. I'm sure this part of us is likened to being "made in his image." And to think that the God of the universe created me and knows me AND knows you...and you...and you. Amazing.

As I mentioned before I have been reading "Heaven is For Real" and it has really put the gospel, worship songs, eternity, life after death--everything!...into a clear picture for me. I know that it is written from a 4-year-old perspective--and perhaps that is why I trust it even more. I know my 4-year-old doesn't make things up or embellish a story--I don't think he knows how to. (perhaps b/c he hasn't learned to yet!) But one of the stories was how Colton (the 4-year-old) met his sister in heaven. Not his older sister--but his younger sister...that was never born. His Mom miscarried at about 8 weeks and Colton was young enough (around 3) to not really know or be involved in the details of the miscarriage. (unfortunately, I know this a little all too well!) But Colton came back from heaven talking about how met his sister, what she looked like and how they spent time together. AMAZING! You have to read it to believe it--but I like to believe that psalm 139 is talking about all of us--whether we made it to earth or not. God knows us and created us and loves us! Colton also came back from heaven talking more about one thing then anything else--How much Jesus loves the children. He would just keep saying "Dad, Jesus loves the kids." Even if one day they realize some of the story was fabricated--I still like to believe the stories he shared about Jesus. Because--they line up with the gospel message.

So today--be okay with who you are--because God created you and knows you and LOVES YOU. He wanted you here on earth, today...for a reason. Take this moment and day as a present from Him.

Psalm 137 God's Time

If you have not read psalm 137--stop and read it. Okay, now that you have--it's hard to believe. It talks about dashing infants against rocks--but yet continuing to sing songs to the Lord--even if you are in a foreign land. I'm not sure about you but if someone dashed my infant against a rock I think I would have a hard time praising the Lord. Yet, it says "If I forget may my right hand forget it's skill and may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth." The author is asking to lose ability of his body if he forgets to praise the Lord. Wow, what a testimony.

The psalms have been teaching me to PRAISE GOD NO MATTER WHAT. To look at everything that comes my way as a blessing--and to bless the Lord. Not asking the questions WHY? But looking to Him in thanks. Doesn't God know what our tomorrow holds? What are next year holds? To God--an hour is like a minute and year is like a breath of air. Time is not measured in the same way.

Recently I have started reading "Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo. The author is the father of a 4-year-old son who has clear recollections of going to heaven and coming back. The little boy had a ruptured appendix and the toxins were poisoning his body for five days before they realized what had happened. During his journey so close to death--he has clear memories and stories of going to heaven. It's pretty amazing--you should read it. But he mentions being in heaven for 3 minutes--but yet has story after story to share. His Dad, Todd Burpo, goes on to share about God's time and our time. They just don't match up!

I think it's time I do two things today--remember his faithfulness. And to know that God's time is not my time. Let's think and pray through those truths today.

Psalm 140 - head games

If we turn to the Lord and trust in Him for help, He will protect us from the trouble makers in our life. I had taken my son Wes to play laser tag and he was very excited, got geared up and disappeared into the playing field. I had gone in geared up too to help my daughter so we were all engaged in the battle. I continued to notice my son getting ganged up on by a group of boys and then it started to come to pushes and harsh words. As a mother and the only adult in the situation I easily could have come in and scolded the boys and broke it up or I could have just removed Wes from the room itself. Instead I shot all the boys from my sniper vantage point and they dispersed under fire. I kept a distance but always a view of Wes so when the trouble makers came back to gather around him I could fire on them and render their guns useless. Insert evil laugh here. Mhuaa ha ha! Come to find out at the end of the round Wes had not detached his gun from his vest properly and was at a major disadvantage trying to shoot. But isn't this so true of us in the world. We enter into the battles of life thinking we know what we are doing. But if our weapon is not detached, aimed, and fully functioning we are at the disadvantage. The word of God, the Bible, His very words to us are our weapons but so often we keep our Bibles tucked on our shelves or we spend time reading a book about what someone else thinks of the Bible instead of reading it and arming ourselves with its words. Verse 7 says "O Sovereign Lord, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle," shows that we will be engaged in battle, not removed from it. But He will shield our head, our minds are where most of the battles are fought. Should I do this or not, should I say this or not, I wonder if this or that. Our heads spin with decisions but God can keep our minds sharp, focused and shielded from the enemies attempts to confuse and tempt. But to do this we must be in the Word learning his laws and ways so we know how to follow him. Will you turn to the Lord and trust in Him for help to protect you from the trouble makers in your life today?

Psalm 135 What pleases Him?

Psalm 135 has a verse in there that can strike deep. Verse 6 says "The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." Then it goes on to talk about the rain and lightning; wind coming from the storehouses; he struck down the firstborn of Egypt; the firstborn of men and animals. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings. Wow--but the verse above says that "The Lord does whatever pleases him." Does killing the firstborn please him? I think of the thousands that are killed by Tsunami's and hurricanes...but he "let's the wind out from his storehouses." It is hard to wrap our little finite minds around death and destruction...to think that the Lord is doing this because it will please Him. To think that He is in charge and is causing all of this pain and sorrow for a reason. That is where we have to lay down our minds, our wills, our desires--and throw up our hands in complete surrender. Lord, whatever it is--I need to choose to surrender to you. I know that your word says that you do work together ALL things for your good. When I don't understand...Let me remember that you do whatever pleases you. We know that you are GOOD and that We are NOT you--thank you for putting us in our place...time and time again. Help for us to have faith when our faith is weak. Help for us to trust you. Amen.

Psalm 133 Facing the floodwaters

Recently at family camp the main speaker for the adults was excellent. On the last night of camp he talked about the story in Joshua about crossing the Jordan river. The psalms are full of old testament recollections and God's faithfulness. The pastor was speaking on when facing the floodwater's of life. The three truths he gave us were:

1. God's people needed reminded that The Lord goes before them

2. The Israelites discovered that God worked in ways that they couldn't understand and in places they couldn't see.

3. They successfully navigated the Jordan only in the context of community.

Little did I know that the next week of my life--I would be facing the floodwater's. I had some tragic news handed to me...and I had to cross my own Jordan river. These truths came to life though. I did know that the Lord went before me. He knew the news I was going to receive and He had prepared me. The second truth rings soooo true. I didn't understand and I couldn't see what God was doing. But number three rang the loudest--I couldn't have crossed my Jordan river without community. My phone buzzed constantly for days with words of encouragement, songs of prayer and friends delivering hope. I felt surrounded by love. My natural tendency was to withdraw--and believe me...I did. But I know that I can't do it on my own--and neither can you. We need community--we need to cross the Jordan together. Jesus didn't do it by himself! He called out to his Peter, James and John to pray with him the night he sweat blood and tears. So as psalm 133 says--that it is good and pleasant to live together in unity--let's all be there for one another. Let's cross through the floodwater's together. Let's make sure we are looking out for those in need--and even carry them through if need be.

Psalm 138 - you answered me

I have a problem with priorities. I am very productive but I don't know how to prioritize. I may spend a productive week making canned food, doing fun yet educational field trips with the kids, and sorting through the big stack of papers on the counter but I will not have touched the laundry all week and the pot with baked on lasagna is still soaking in the sink for the third day in a row. My time isn't always spent wisely. So I asked God, what are my priorities? And He answered me. The two most important things that He has exalted and prioritized is given in verse 2. He has exalted above all things His name and His word, everything else will file in rank behind those or be used for that purpose. Purpose, hmm, that has been another struggle for me in link with priorities. When you don't have a clear purpose or goal then you don't have anything you are working on or towards. Laziness, confusion, depression, complacency and other such tendencies start to take over. So I asked God, what is my purpose? And He answered me. In verse 8 He says He WILL fulfill his purpose for me, His love endures forever, so I too pray that He will not abandon the works of His hands in me. So if I am prioritizing His name and His word in my life than my purpose and the works He is doing in me WILL be fulfilled. It is what He will do because of His love not because I am special or highly productive but because I prioritized the right thing. The Lord who is on high still looks upon lowly little me and preserves my life in troubles and saves me against my enemies. I can confidently move forward in the direction He wants me to live. Towards Him.

Psalm 136 - thankfully endured

Not much lasts these days, in fact our culture has gotten very fast and disposable. We want it now but for cheap and we want to be able to throw it out and start all over again next season when the trend changes. But there is something that lasts, it is the reason we were created, it has sustained humanity for centuries and it is what will last to the end of the age. God's love. It doesn't just last, it endures. It is a gritty word that implies it has been through the trenches and fights for us. His Love sees us through the thick and thin, protects us, and even remains when we reject it. Psalm 136 lists the things to be thankful for because of God's faithful enduring love. Verses 1-3 speaks of His very character, his goodness and his power above all other things. Verse 4-9 thank God for His great wonders, creation, and the purpose and order it all contains. Verses 10-15 recount God's deliverance of His people from Egypt and praise His power over nations and nature. Verses 16-22 express gratitude for Gods leadership in troubles, victory over enemies and rewards received. The chapter wraps us with praising God for remembering humanities weaknesses, giving them freedom from their enemies, and providing for our every need. Take a moment to account your our own testimony of God's love in your life. Praise Him for who He is and what He has done in your life. Thank him for the salvation from our own captivity and slavery to sin, for the deserts in your life, for the victory of His son Jesus in your life, and the provisions He makes for you. Remember the times you were unfaithful to Him and praise Him for his enduring faithfulness and love. How will you express your gratitude today? Who is God calling you to love with an endurance like His?

Psalm 134 - do your job

What was the worst job you ever had? I worked at a coffee shop in college where the boss kept our tips then used a portion of them to take 3 of the pretty girl employees out for a fancy dinner and drinking. I've had to remove leeches as a lifeguard, endured scorching heat in jeans and boots as I shoveled patch into potholes, and now I get to clean up poopy and vomit as a mom. There are a lot of dirty jobs out there but someone has to do it. Psalm 134 reminds me that God created everyone and that He created people different for different jobs. I would pass out if I had to administer a shot but my neighbor does it on a weekly basis for her job. Some people run farm equipment while others run companies. And even the jobs we like have aspects that aren't glamourous. This psalm teaches me that God values all positions in life and career if you are working for Him and give Him the glory in all that you do. How can you honor Him today in what you have to do? Are you honoring him in your business practices, your speech towards your co-workers, are you respecting your boss and living out your faith in your workplace? Do you pray for the people you encounter in a day? Do your job as if you were doing it for the Lords approval and give Him the glory in all you do.

Psalm 132 - dwelling place

Psalm 132 has some wonderful promises in it including the promise to David that his family would rule forever. That came true hundreds of years later when Jesus who was a descendant of David came to earth as fully man and fully God, conquering sin and death, was resurrected and raised to sit on the right hand of God. He will come again to fully eliminate sin and death and rule those who put their faith in Him with peace and love. In the old covenant/testament God's spirit would come and go. In the new covenant/testament we are given the Holy Spirit as a gift and seal of our salvation through Jesus. Old Testament God's spirit would dwell in Zion, the mountain that Jerusalem and the temple were built. Now God's Holy Spirit dwells in us. So these "I will" Old Testament promises God makes can also teach us what it is like to live with the Spirit in us. These are kind of like what the New Testament explains about the fruit of the Spirit. Starting in verse 13, God chooses where He will dwell as He chooses us. We aren't anything special and Zion wasn't either, it became special because God chose it. He makes it his resting place forever. When we receive God's Spirit after confession of our sins and submission to His son's Lordship so we receive the Holy Spirit that will never leave us no matter how many times we fail Him. Next it says He sits enthroned. That means He rules your life without contention. He shouldn't be up out of his throne wrestling you for control. Verse 15 says we will be blessed with abundant provisions and the poor will be satisfied with food. Not only our our needs met but we are given abundantly more. He lavishes us but we aren't given abundant provisions so we can use them for our own benefit. He created us as relational community beings, we are suppose to help one another with what we have been given. We make up the slack for each other, we have different gifts that are suppose to contribute to the body. I get thrilled when I find a forgotten $20 in a coat pocket, but maybe that wasn't found again so I could go buy a latte and magazine. Maybe it was to buy a friend who needs to talk a latte too or for the guy behind you in line or maybe you could put it anonymously in a single mom's mailbox with an encouraging note. My point is ask yourself if your gifts and abundance is it for you or could it be used to glorify God or for someone else to feel God's love through you. Verse 16 talks of being clothed in salvation. Clothing protects us and equips us for situations and tasks. You don't wear a summer dress in a snow storm. You put on a paint shirt to do art projects and you need camouflage to go hunting. God's salvation can see us through anything that comes our way, it changes, like clothing to prepare us and equip us for what is at hand. Lastly, we are always able sing for joy. No matter what, no matter how bad, with God's Spirit we can sing for joy. We might not be happy, we might be in some pretty thick doo doo but as we learn to trust him and give control to him we learn to sing in the good times and seemingly bad times. When we know he is in charge of the bad times and caused them and uses them for good, we can have joy. This isn't easy and we never can accomplish these things without God's Spirit in us. Will you take a moment to ask God to renew His Spirit within you? Have you received His Spirit by accepting His gift of salvation through His son Jesus's death on the cross? Why or why not?

Psalm 130 - confident expectation

I learned once that when I see hope in the Bible it means a confident expectation that what is said will be. It might just be a matter of time, not a matter of if. Hoping in God is not a gamble we take where it might or might not come to be, it will. Hope and patience have to go hand in hand. Verse 5 says to wait on the Lord and put your hope in His word. Are you faithfully reading his word? Or are you reading books about God instead of the book that is God's own words to you? Are you reading God's book full of stories of unfailing love and full redemption? These are the reasons verse 7 gives us why we should hope in the Lord. Because the Lord is unfailing love and is full redemption. That isn't something we hope He does, those are the very nature of who He IS. If you are disappointed in life it is not because your circumstances are so much worse than anyone else's problems, it is because your hope isn't in the Lord. Only the Lord offers unfailing love, not your husband, not your kids, friends, family, church, society, or anything or anyone human. Even the best pet in the world will die someday. Only the Lord offers forgiveness and full redemption, no one or nothing can deliver that fully to you either. Only God himself through sending His son who is fully God will redeem Israel/us from all sins. Nothing we did earned that forgiveness and full redemption. Praise God for who He is: Full Redemption and Unfailing Love and put your hope in Him by reading and understanding His words to you in the Bible. How will you wait for today in confident expectation that his love and grace will handle?

Psalm 128 - Fruitful

I visited my friend's gorgeous garden this past weekend. Her plot is 5 times the size of mine. Her husband has provided the means for them to have a large place in the country that has a perfect plot location for a large successful garden. My husband bought me a plot in the community garden where I am limited by the club's rules and regulations. Psalm 128 is a marriage prayer and it tells the husband that he will eat the fruit of his labor, that blessings and prosperity will be his. Then the next verse references his wife, that she will be like a fruitful vine within the house. To me this tells me that a man works and enjoys his wife's efforts. And a wife is to produce with what she has been given by her husband. So back to the gardens. It isn't fair to look jealously at my friends garden and make excuses that if I only had what she had then I would have better tomatoes and room to plant potatoes. If only my husband could provide me a place in the country I could have a better garden, if only my husband could make more money then I would have a nicer things to give to others and my kids, if only he'd clean up after himself I could spend more time reading my bible and not cleaning, if only my husband got a better job I could stay home with the kids, if only he would tell me he loved me more I would be able to sleep with him more, if only if only if only then I'd..... We are not limited by our husbands, it is a two way street, a dependent relationship. He labors, we produce fruit from his labor, he eats of it and is blessed and becomes more prosperous. But we get stuck comparing ourselves to other wives or worse our husbands to other husbands and limit our production or worse yet, try to labor ourselves for our own fruits. When we hoard our resources, time, energy, and finances from our husbands we aren't working in relationship we are working against it. Stop complaining that he isn't everything you wish he was and start praying you can be the fruitful vine God has intended you to be. Ask God to show you how to use the means He's given you through your husband to bless your husband and serve him. I know my husband is a happier camper when he is well fed, he needs spiritual and emotional nourishment from me too. Think through some of the things you need to be a fruitful vine and what the practical application is to your life. A fruitful vine needs to be well rooted in fertile soil, watered, enough sunlight, something strong to climb, pruning, and protection against pest and disease.

Psalm 131 Storms of life

"I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quited my soul..."

This verse really spoke to me today in psalms 131. How many times do I want to figure it all out--know my life story, know what tomorrow holds? But I don't and I can't and I have to surrender the need for control. To not concern yourself with great matters and to be still and quiet shows a sweet heart of contentment. To be okay with "what is". To not throw up your hands in anger or ask God WHY!?!!? How about asking God... Why Not? How about saying "Lord, through this let me bless you."

Yesterday I decided to take my boys on a bike ride. It was a beautiful day out and Jonah has some new wheels--so we went a lot further then I had anticipated and biked to the park. We had a great time getting there and a lot of fun playing. However, the clouds above were looking dark and I decided to cut the play time short and head home. We didn't even make it out of the park parking lot before it started pouring down rain. We quickly turned around and ran for shelter under one of the slides. For some reason Jonah had a hard time with this. I'm not sure why but he did not like being out in the thunder storm! Then I looked over to the baby in my arms and he was licking the water, smiling from ear to ear and jumping in my arms as if we were having the most fabulous time ever. I chuckled to myself at the way my two sons handled the storm. I had to be patient and loving with the one who was having a difficult time but I also wanted to relish the moment of Grady laughing and enjoying the rain. I was able to talk with Jonah about how the storms of life will come--and it's not a question of WHY? But rather a response of WHY NOT? (i'm not sure he understood what I was saying though) Why not me Lord. Let me go through this storm if I can come out of it knowing you more...and even better licking the rain and jumping for joy!

So today--Do not concern yourself with great matters of things too wonderful for you. Instead--sit before the Lord with a still and quiet soul. I promise you--He will reveal himself to you!

Psalm 129 Victory

"They have greatly oppressed me from my youth but they have not gained the victory over me"

More then anything--Satan wants to gain the victory over your life. What are you going through right now that could go either way? Are you letting others have the victory over you--or you standing firm with what you know is true and right? Don't let your circumstances, losses, let downs or disappointments get the best of you. Sure, it's good to grieve and we need to. But there is joy in the morning and God's strength is our song. Whatever is oppressing you--don't let it gain the victory over you. Stand firm--pray--and know that God will win in the end!

Psalm 126 - tears to joy

When the Lord returns His people to himself there is great hope that is expressed in happy dreams, laughter and songs of joy. Everyone will marvel and agree that it is the Lord that does great things for His people and that he will restore their tears and sadness with joy and plenty. Are you receiving discipline from God or still feel captive to a sin? Do you see His correction and draw back to Him as loving and hopeful or as unfair punishment? What area of your life needs returned to God? What great things has He done in your life? What areas in your life seem like a loss of time, energy or resources? Do you trust God to turn your tears into songs of joy? Have you asked the Redeemer to transform your situation to good?

Psalm 127 HIS story

Psalm 127 reminds me of Ecclesiastes. Every time I need a good jolt of reality I will read through the book of Ecclesiastes. I am amazed at the philosophy written--at the disregard for a lot of what we as humans call "important." It's a reminder of where your heart is. What are we working towards? Whose ladder are we climbing? Are we on the ladder to fame, fortune, popularity....or are we letting God build our house and watch our children.

God has been stripping me down lately. I have been reminded that the life I am living is God's story--not my own. Too many times I get caught up in creating my own life story--and perhaps I am leaving God out of it? It's hard to tell--but I am put in my place when something of value is taken away. I am reminded that I am but dust and this is not my home.

Psalm 127 is a sweet reminder too that he grants sleep to those he loves and that our children are rewards from him. Thank you Lord for the simple gift of sleep--and for blessing us all with children. Help for us to remember what is important today and hold fast to having you be the center of our lives.

Psalm 125 He's our Protector

As a woman I love to feel safe and protected. When I don't...all of my antenna's start flaring up. I am looking for shelter, comfort, a safe harbor, a hand to hold...anything! And we all know that man will fail us. We may not always feel like that umbrella is held properly over us from our husbands. Our cars can fail us. Our earthly protections can be stripped from us in seconds. What is that you are holding on to so tight for protection right now? What is it are you wanting to protect you and it's not working? In Psalm 125 we learn that the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. To feel smothered, claustrophobic, closed in by God's presence. I want to feel that kind of protection from my heavenly father. Thankful today that God's word says that he PROTECTS us!

Psalm 121-123 Lift up your eyes

I wish I knew more about science. l love when someone tells me interesting scientific facts that turn to our Lord and Savior. The other day I was in a shuttle on my way home from my Granddad's funeral in Little Rock Arkansas. I happened to be the only passenger for about a 15 minute ride up to the airport and the driver started talking with me about our distance from the sun and the earths rotation. We were watching the amazing sun rise pop up over the hills and he seemed to know a lot! at the end of our conversation he raised his hands up and said "Now that is one amazing God that we serve! I hope you remember all that I talked with you about today!" We were in a hurry as the car line was backing up behind us--but he left a smile on my face and hope in my heart. I love that he knew what he did to remind me that God is fully in control. And he used his job as a shuttle guy to share the name of Jesus.

We all orbit around the sun--our planet earth and everything in it. Without it--the earth would be void of light and warmth. I'm sure we would shrivel up and die instantly of hypothermia and the oceans would freeze. To think God organizes the universe around the sun...and His Son. Psalm 121 talks about how "He who watches over you will not slumber." God doesn't let the sun stop shining just like he doesn't sleep when we do. The Lord is watching over the entire universe--and you and me!! Vs. 6 says the sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night....he will watch over your life; your coming and going both now and forevermore."

I need that protection and security today. When life seems to be unraveling before you...know that the Lord is watching over. We can lift up our eyes and our hands and know that our help comes from the Lord--the Maker of heaven and earth!

Psalm 124 - snares

Snare traps are usually used for smaller animals like birds, squirrels, and the like. Some are designed to kill but most are just designed to catch the animal so the hunter can determine if it will be released or used for food. Most traps work to catch a neck or a leg with a noose that is tied down. The best place to put traps is by a food or water source or a creatures home. Baiting a trap is even more effective because it lures it close instead of just hoping it comes near by. Of course you use bait that the creature is familiar with and is alluring. Oh such is sin in our life. Most of the time it isn't going to kill us right away but it will certainly trap us. It hangs out by our homes and the areas we most go. It lures us with things we like or think we need. But once we are hooked we are done for. We might not even realize we are trapped as we sit eating the bait meanwhile our foot is in a noose. One we realize we are caught the harder we pull the tighter it gets. Creatures may even gnaw off their own leg for freedom but this psalm assures us the the Lord will break the trap and set us free if we go to Him for salvation. So often we would rather try to get ourselves out of trouble but it is so much better and healthier to have God remove us from snares. We will become injured and exhausted and risk our own life trying to free ourselves. Verse 8 says our hope is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. How does this give you hope in your circumstances? Why does the fact that He is Creator give you courage and confidence to ask His help to be freed instead of trying to do it yourself? Stop chewing and start praying for freedom from the snares of your life.

Psalm 109 It’s share time!

Psalm 109 is about crying out to God and telling him our thoughts and feelings. We can tell God our true feelings and desires. David is raw in this chapter--You can tell he is so angry against the ones that are falsely accusing him.

I think sometimes as believers we try to monitor what we say and feel. We want to look a certain way or have someone think of us more highly then we are. But isn’t it refreshing when someone is downright raw with you? Don’t you think God appreciates this from us? He wants to hear your heart--your anger--your fears--your joys and your sadness. I am the first one to be guilty of hiding my feelings. Funny that I am a counselor and I expect people to come and open up to me--but it’s one of the hardest things for me to do or feel safe while sharing. I’m not sure why--it’s not like I have some awful memory of shared sentiments shouted off the roof-top. I guess it’s just who I am...and it’s not always a characteristic that I am proud of. Jesse mentioned this past week about letting God change “who we are”...not just chalking it up to “That’s just how I am!” What a challenge. And who I am is also rubbed off on the people I am with. If I want people to be open with me...then I don’t need to be vulnerable? If I want students to feel comfortable...don’t I need to feel comfortable with myself? If I want my children to feel free to share their feelings--I need to foster an environment that that is easily done. After all--David as a man of God cried out to God. He vented his deepest sorrows and anger--and now billions of people are reading about how to share their feelings through his example. Don’t be afraid to let it out--especially to our heavenly father who listens and cares more then anyone!

Psalm 107 Wandering through the desert

Have you ever wandered around in a desert? Really felt the heat, lack of water...ANYWHERE...felt the dryness and sun beating down on your back? I have been to two different sand dunes and although I enjoy going and seeing God’s amazing creation--I can’t wait to get back to the car, turn on the AC and drink a gallon of water! Last week we went up to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan. John decided to continue the trek to the lake and I stayed behind people watching and and resting. As I looked around I was amazed at the dryness. I started thinking of John the Baptist eating locust and honey while in the desert and the psalms came to life. Psalm 107 is about wandering in the desert wastelands...being thirsty and hungry. But when they cried out to the Lord in their distress and trouble he delivered them! He satisfied their hunger and their thirst. To be fully satisfied by the Lord providing is an amazing feeling. As I looked around the dunes I saw a locust and I imagined John the Baptist saying “Thank you Lord for my lunch!” It reminded me to look around all the time--open my eyes to his blessings--and allow God to quench my thirst and fill my stomach. After all--He is the only one that truly satisfies.

Psalm 120 & 122- Inside out

God can help you deal with liars and arguers and to live peacefully among the fighters in your life. Do you have those people in your life, that just always have to be right. Are you one of them? I have several that just argue to argue and they truly enjoy debate. Brooke, my four-year-old, will refuse to acknowledge that the sky is blue, she would argue it was red until she was blue in the face. We live in a world full of lying lips and deceitful tongues that tell us we need this, that these are cool, and that is how you should make your decisions in life. How do we live at peace when so many things around us are ready for war? God promises He will fight on our behalf and we have to be confident in that promise because we may not see justice served in our lifetime. When we turn to Psalm 122 we see that there is peace within God's walls and that those who love the Lord will be secure. 122:8 says "Peace be withIN you". We may not experience peace in out outward circumstances but we are reassured of a peace that will be with in us. His love in connection with His power should make us secure in any circumstance and allow us to be at peace with whatever comes our way, knowing it will be for His glory and our prosperity. What areas of your life make you feel anxious about the outcome? Circumstances usually take a lot longer to change than an attitude. Pray for a change of heart and an inside of peace, then you will see the outside things change.

Psalm 118 - toddler or teen

When you are working with a child on a new physical skill like jumping into a pool or walking you have to patiently repeat yourself to get them to trust you and be confident to take that next step or make that leap of faith into your arms. God is such a good and loving parent like that. He desires us to swim in the deep end and to run free but it takes baby steps to get there for us sometimes. He has to coax us, encourage us, reassure us that He is there, help us when we stumble and catch us when we fall. This psalm is like that tender parent pushing a toddler not a nagging parent to an unresponsive teenager. But sometimes we take that attitude of a teen. Yah, yah, take refuge, blah blah, love endures forever, sure sure, right hand does mighty things, yada yada. Then we sit on the edge of the pool or walk timidly through life. God is sweetly pushing us to live and stand on His promises because of who He is. He is our strength, our song, our salvation. There is no heights high enough that we couldn't jump with Him. We can sing our song loud with a shout of victory, because He has conquered sin and death for us. We can run full speed free to live life to the fullest because he has already saved us and freed us to be who He created us to be and do the things He created us to do. Stop rolling your eyes like a punk teen and relearn to walk with Him and jump into His arms into the deep waters. What steps do you need to take in your life to do this? What sins, fears, or doubts do you need shed so you can run and jump with God?

Psalm 105 The real deal

It’s hard to swallow the idea that God allows bad things to happen--but may even cause them...for HIS good. I used to never believe that concept until I started reading through the psalms and studying this together. Maybe it’s still up for debate--but here a verse to back up what I am saying. vs. 25 says “whose hearts he turned to hate his people.” My commentary is telling me that “God is not the author evil but the Bible writers don’t always distinguish between God’s ultimate action and the intermediate steps. Thus, by God blessing the Israelites’ the Egyptians came to hate them (Exodus 1:8-22). Because God caused the Israelites’ blessings he is also said to have caused the Egyptians to hate them. God used their animosity as a means to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.” For me it’s just something to think about.

1. Do we serve a God that we can only trust in the good times? Or can we trust Him in the bad times?
2. Do we only love our husband when he is attractive and loving towards us? Or we can we love him in spite of his flaws and weakness and humanness.
3. Are we proud of our kids when they do something that pleases us...or can we just be proud of them for why they are inside?
4. Are we only a “friend” when friendship is shown? Or can we go out of our way to love the unlovely?

Psalm 116 - To the guy who has it all

My father-in-law has everything he needs. If he wants something he is so financially secure, he just buys it, in cash, even if it is a backhoe or new car. If he doesn't already have it or can't buy it, he just makes it. He is an inventor by hobby and in the 15 years I've know him, I am completely convinced there isn't anything he couldn't figure out how to make. A guy like this is nearly impossible to impress and completely impossible to buy a birthday gift for. He has been so generous to us so much so that any sort of gift or thing we lend or give him seems like a weak gesture in comparison if we thought our attempts were to repay him. We do find great pleasure in giving back a little to his grand generosity whenever we can. But not to keep a tally of value in an attempt to repay him but in a small gesture of thankfulness for all the times he has lavished us with things, time and skills. The difference in giving to repay versus giving in gratitude to what has been given you is the mark of a true believer. So often we try to earn God's love, favor or salvation by our actions instead of in response and appreciate to His love, favor and salvation. Or too often we give up on ourselves thinking what could we possible offer the guy whose already got it all. This psalm helped me see how I can respond to God's awesomeness. Thankfully it repeats itself so we don't miss it in verses 13-14 and 17-18. Be thankful to the salvation God has given you, continue to trust Him by calling on His name, and fulfill the service and purpose God has for your life in a way that gives your testimony to other people. Christianity isn't a private religion at least it shouldn't be. We've been reminded continually to shout out in the great assemblies of God's goodness, faithfulness, and about his salvation. We can't ever repay it but we can live in thankfulness to it. And don't cheapen, negate, or control a gift by offering something for it. Just say thanks and live life like you mean it.

Psalm 116 Questions -

1. Why do you love the Lord?

2. What are some of God's attributes highlighted in this psalm?

3. What trials in life has he seen you through or rescued you from?

4. Are you restless for the next thing, for fall to come, for school to start, to move, to get promoted, to go on vacation? Do you rest and content where you are at with God or do you always want the next thing, then you will be happy?

5. What does verse 9 explain as the reason that God has saved us, kept our eyes from tears, and our feet from stumbling?

6. Are you grieving a death of a loved one? How does verse 15 comfort you?

7. Are you serving in payment or gratitude to God?

Psalm 114 - praying mantis

I found a cocoon as a kid and I was so excited to watch it hatch into a butterfly. I put it in a baggie and hung it over the register in my room. I checked it constantly waiting for the big moment. One day it finally happened, I checked the bag but to my horror it seemed to be filled with spiders. I called in my dad who realized that they were actually praying mantises. He was excited because his peach tree was under attack by harmful insects and he said that praying mantis were very helpful to use as a natural defense. He gently scattered them at the base of his peach tree and I like to think that my little mantises served their purpose and saved the tree. What struck me about Psalm 114 was how God's power is over all things but He also has the transforming power to take one thing into another. He turned a rock into a pool, into springs of water. I expected a cocoon to turn into a butterfly, but there was a different transformation occurring, a different purpose that needed fulfilled. I think we give up on God and ourselves so easily when we don't transform into butterflies and fail to see the purpose in being transformed into a praying mantis. God can take the hard things in your life and turn them into good, life giving things. He can transform the rough spots of your character into a refreshing source of life for yourself and others. Won't you come into His presence today and experience the sanctification process He has planned for you.

Psalm 101 Blameless

I have been convicted by the psalms. Psalm 101 is talking about leading a blameless life...walking into my home with a blameless heart...God’s eyes are looking for the faithful. I don’t always walk into my home with a blameless heart. Being blameless is someone who is above reproach; pure; innocent; could not possibly accuse them of anything. Someone who has the right motives, pure heart, free from gossip or whining, someone who gives life and doesn’t suck the life right out of you. That is just my own definition of blameless. But what if I always walked into my home with that kind of attitude? One that wanted to give life, who had a pure heart with my husband, had the motive of serving and loving rather then taking and receiving. I think we can if we allow God to fill up our God-shaped hole inside of us. If we keep looking for the things of this world to satisfy then we won’t ever have a blameless heart and mind. We will continue to seek out the comforts of today rather then the eternal blessings of our omniscient and omnipresent Lord. Seek to have a blameless heart today--whatever that may mean in your day today.

Psalm 99 Families that camp together...Stay together

This week I am at family camp. You might think--what is family camp!? I know that was what I used to think. The first time I came out here I was shocked. This is what John’s family loves to do? And...this was their “vacation” growing up?! His parents have a small one bedroom cottage with no running water on the camp ground. Actually, we hook up the hose to the make-shift sink so you can wash some dishes and brush your teeth. It is rustic and filled with antiques and memories. However, I have grown to have fond thoughts and feelings about Bay Shore family camp. Think about it--when we go to camp--we come back feeling “high” and excited about the Lord. But no one else experienced what we experienced. Especially our parents! But at family camp--every person of the family is being ministered to in their age appropriate way. Jonah runs off to his class...he is in the Kiddie Campers class morning and night and learning more then I could ever dream of teaching him. Then he runs around the campground riding trains, going for canoe rides, getting ice cream every night for 50cents, sitting on his Grandma’s lap during the evening worship time and becoming best buds with his cousin Jack. What could be better!? It is a joy being at camp with my family, rocking on the front porch chatting with second cousins and great aunts and uncles and growing in the Lord together.

This year at camp they are celebrating their 100th year. It is special to John’s Mom because she has been a camper here for over 60 years. They are looking at God’s faithfulness and treasuring the memories of God’s faithfulness. Psalm 99 says “Let them praise your great and awesome name!” That is what we are doing this week--praising God’s great and awesome name. And after all--it is my 10th anniversary today and I know it is God’s grace and truth that we are at this place. I thank the Lord today and will praise his name. What are you praising his name for today?

Psalm 97

“Let those who love the Lord hate evil.”

Evilness can creep into your life... and before you know it--it’s full fledge part of your daily lifestyle. It can start with something like a co-worker who may be a bit more flirtatious then is comfortable. But then next thing you know you might be out with him at a “company” dinner...and you know where that might lead you. Or in your own home with facebook and the internet. You may be thinking about an old boyfriend and start googling him. Before you know it you are having lustful thoughts and memories and may even start connecting with him. Whatever it is to you (and we all know what our own little sins are!) they need to be cut out. Whether it’s constant gossip with a certain friend, whining and complaining about your husband and kids, a bitter or unforgiving spirit or a temptation to be filled up somewhere else...scripture tells us that if We love the Lord--we are to HATE evil. This means to run from it; be disgusted by it; want nothing to do with it. We have all heard the saying that our thoughts end up reaping our actions. So when you have a small thought--immediatlely give it over to God. Don’t let satan start ripping through your thought life and wanting you to believe that he can satisfy.

When I start feeling anxious or fearful--I try to remember to combat those thoughts with memorized scripture. Like “perfect love casts out all fear” I John 4:18. Or Is. 41:10 which tells us “do not fear for I am with you.” Whatever your little (or big) sin may be--look up some scripture and combat the enemy with the real swords and spears. The sword of scripture is much more powerful then your weary mind and words. Start looking at evil as something to hate--not something to invite into your home through what you watch, listen to, follow on the internet, etc. You can do it with the help of the Lord!

Psalm 95 Do you believe in Hell

What is rest to you? Is it a day in bed, watching movies, napping, enjoying some yummy snacks, no interruptions? Is it a day relaxing at the beach with no kids to watch? Is it a day in the wilderness sitting by a stream? Whatever it is to you now--I can’t even begin to imagine what eternal rest will be. To be at complete rest within your soul...to not be in need or want as psalm 23 explains.

I heard on WCRF the other afternoon that only 2 out of 10 Christians truly believe that there is a Hell. That if you were to corner a believer and have them tell you their gut feeling--that they would say “There is no way there can really be a Hell.” I found that very interesting. I started thinking truly about the concept of Hell. It is hard to wrap your mind around...because we like to think of our God as loving and good. Not a God who would send someone to the pit of fire! But if you believe in the entire Bible--not just parts of it--then you need to believe that there is a Hell.

Psalm 95 exclaims that “Today, if you hear his voice...do not harden your hearts!...For if you do you will never enter his rest.” Wow. I think heaven is a place of rest. The time that we have always longed for and wanted but can ever seem to achieve here on earth. And if you want that rest--the bible tells us clearly that we need to listen to his voice today.

Psalm 112 - Obituary

We've been grieving many tragic and unexpected deaths these last few weeks among friends. If you could write your eulogy now and then live it out what would you write? Would you ascribe yourself wealth and fame? Would you want others to describe you as generous, gracious, compassionate, righteous, upright, and fearless? Psalm 112 reminds me of the kind of obituary I would like to achieve in my life. The key to all these benefits is given in verse 1. Blessed is the man who FEARS THE LORD, who finds great DELIGHT IN HIS COMMANDS. From these two things comes a long list of a great life well lived including mighty and blessed children, wealth, riches, fleeting darkness, generosity, justice, no fear of bad news, steadfast heart, security, honor, fame, and righteousness that will endure forever. All these things are gifts you get for following God's ways. They are not earned because our righteousness comes from our belief in Jesus, not by our own merit. And these things are according to God's standards. Generosity doesn't always come out a big pocketbook. You can be poor and still be generous. Not having fear of bad news doesn't mean you won't ever receive bad news. Trusting in the Lord doesn't mean you won't have enemies, but it does promise you will triumph over them in the end. Contrast your life to this psalms description of a life well lived. Examine God's commands and determine if you are following them in your life. Start with the 10 commandments or the greatest commandment, to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. How will you live your life differently today than you did yesterday?

Psalm 110 - Savior and Lord

Have you asked Jesus to be your savior but not submitted to His lordship? Do you want the life preserver ring but refuse to get in the boat in fear that you will have to follow the captains rules for his ship. If you were the prodigal son from the Luke15 parable would you insist on working in your father's house to earn your place back in His family or would you accept the grace and come back under the head of the household? Perhaps you haven't accepted Jesus at all, you think you can rule your own life and make your own choices. This says that the Lord will crush kings and rulers on the day of wrath, the final judgement day. This psalm also explains that the Messiah is also our priest forever. Read Hebrews 5-8 to get a greater understanding for what this means. How does the knowledge that God has promised then delivered a Savior for the world improve your confidence in Him and his ways? How does that impact your life today?

Psalm 108 - Steadfast

I choked on the first four words of this psalm. "My heart is steadfast." Steadfast is not a description of my heart, it is what I would like to be described as but in current condition I am more fickle, unfocused and flaky than steadfast. Maybe yours is broken, calloused or guarded. The love for my husband, children, family, friends, my life, and my God is constantly wavered by my selfish desires for sleep, personal agenda, emotional fulfillment, gratitude, and material things. Steadfast is a grit your teeth sort of word, I imagine a weathered sailor hands still firmly on the wheel in the eye of the storm or battered soldier still raising the flag and charging forward sword drawn. Already in the time frame I've sat down to write this I've refilled my coffee, answered a text and phone call, helped my son get breakfast started, and gone to the bathroom. Really, I am not steadfast enough to even write a paragraph or two. I might as well give up. But maybe being steadfast is not about how much you fall off the path but how determined you are about getting back on track. That salty old sailor probably gets knocked down in the waves of the storm but He gets up and grabs the wheel again. We need to keep our hands on the Word of God to help us navigate in the storms of life. The soldier will get wounded in battle but he realizes there is no victory in a retreat so He raises his flag, arms himself with the sword and marches forward into more fights. We have to realize their is a war waging out there around us and that we must be under God's banner and arm ourselves with the sword of truth found in His word. It is how we can march forward steadfastly. We will get wounded but it is about continuing on toward the direction of victory not giving up or retreating. The end of the chapter promises with God we will gain the victory. He will trample down our enemies. Christ's return with calm the storm and He will win the war. In the meantime, grit your teeth and steadfastly cling to God and his promises in His word.

Psalm 108 Questions -

1. What is the condition of your heart?

2. Does your soul sing? Or is it just your mouth uttering words. Does your brain understand the words, does your heart throb in repentance, does your soul sing with joy and thanksgiving?

3. Do you awaken the dawn and start the morning with God, singing His praises?

4. Do we end our prayers short with just asking for help? Do we ask for victory? Do we ask for great things to be done so we can give God the glory?

5. Look up to the sky. God's love and faithfulness reaches higher. Do you know that love? Do you ask for eyes to see it and a heart to feel it and a mind to know it?

Psalm 106 - Name exchange

My friend Cinda highlighted the fact to me that whenever you see the word Israel in the Bible you can usually substitute your own name in its place and it will be relevant to your life and history with God. I counted over 15 mistakes Israel was guilty of and can correlate those to my own guilt and shame. But the hero in this story isn't a repented people but a loving God that is faithful even when we've been unfaithful to him repeatedly. God allowed for intercessors, Moses and Phinehas, to intervene and stand in the breech between the rebellious people and a Holy God. Moses and Phinehas are attributed to keeping Gods wrath from destroying the Israelites and for having righteousness credited. This is a foreshadow of what Christ has done for us. We are in a constant cycle of rebellion towards God, even our best efforts fall short of the standards of God. We deserve God's wrath to destroy us but Jesus steps in as our substitute to not just turn Gods wrath from us but to take it upon himself once and for all who accept this gift of salvation. He exchanged our name for His, He took our punishment on Himself and substituted His righteousness for our unrighteousness. Take some time to answer these questions about yourself asking for conviction, forgiveness, and praising Him for his grace and faithfulness to you.

Psalm 106 Questions -

1. Do you for get what God has done for you in your life? Do you keep a journal or write in your Bible or find some other way to review the history of what He has done for you.

2. Do you wait for His council or do you decide your own agenda hoping He will bless it. Do you go ahead with your action plan or do you seek His will in the situation? Do you want to resolve things right away or can you patiently endure until you know it is a direction from the Lord?

3. Do you give into your cravings? Are you patient or do you have to have it now? Do you put it on credit when you don't have the financial means? What do you do in access? Eat, flirt, drink, shop or stay up too late?

4. Do you put God to the test? Do you not obey Him unless He gives you some sort of sign? Do you want Him to answer your prayers or do you want to obey His will?

5. Are you jealous of your fellow christians who seem to be in God's favor? Do you question the leaders God has put you under and undermine their authority? Do you think you have a right to complain about your pastor or leaders to others?

6. Do you make your own idols? Do you determine what is most important in your life or do you follow God's will and instruction in the Bible for your life? Have you used your own standards to determine that career is more important than family or that kids are more important than your marriage, or that your physical health is more important than your spiritual health?

7. Do you forget who God is? What His character is like? Do you spend time in His word to get to know Him better? Do you remember that it is He that saved you, not your works?

8. Are you content with what He has given you? Do you despise the pleasant land you live in? Are you sick of your furnishings, long for a home improvement remodel, do you complain about the government and your nation. Do you wish you lived in that city or were able to send your kids to that school and wish you had that other job? Do you want to move away from it all or continually wish it was something better or more?

9. Do you believe his promises? Do you know his promises and stand on them for your life? Do you live your life knowing He will meet every need or do you cautiously and slowly move forward hoping He will and setting up safety nets in your life in case He doesn't pull through for you in the way you want Him to?

10. Do you complain? Does every good thing have a down side? Do you start a conversation with a friend or spouse with the bad things that happened in the day or the good things? Are you only able to see the silver lining or can you be thankful for the rain cloud as well?

11. Do you obey? Do you trust God? You won't obey Him if you don't trust Him and you will never learn to trust Him if you don't just start obeying. Do you think you have to have a feeling or sign or confirming circumstance to obey Him? Are you familiar with his commandments? Have you asked God what He wants you specifically to do with the gray areas of moral conduct?

12. Have you yoked yourself to the ways of this world and made sacrifices of time, money and resources to participate in them? Is your standards of beauty, health, parenting, marriage, and even faith tied to what the world says or the Word of God says?

13. Do you rebel against the Spirit of God? When your Holy Spirit guides or convicts do you resist?

14. Do you sacrifice your kids happiness, health, education, emotional security, or well-being to the worlds standards of grades, athleticism or level of performance? Or do we sacrifice their well-being for our own conveniences and interests?

15. What will you do with your life to make sure that verse 43 will not have your name in it and describe your life?

Psalm 104 - To do, turn over

Its August. Checkpoint. This is the month where the mind starts to shift. School starts this month. You start to gear up with back to school gear, clothes & supplies. You plan what healthy thing is going to go in their lunch box, the logistics of getting to and from school, extra curricular activities are due to be signed up for and they want how much money for that lesson!?! You buy that special planner that is designed for moms by moms and you buy the 6 pack of highlighters to color code everyone's schedule. You are on it, your universe will be organized, you've got it under control. Or do you? It isn't long before the new jeans have a whole in the knee, you are late to that expensive lesson and you are throwing fruit snacks in the lunchbox over an apple because you haven't made it to the store yet this week. But God is clothed in splendor and light, (the only whole in his jeans are holy), he rides the wings of the wind therefore never late, his timing is perfect. He brings forth food from the earth and bread that sustains man because only He has what can satisfy our needs. God is Creator and Sustainer of all life. If He can govern the earth and universe as a whole, you can trust and depend on him for your day to day details. The thing on the top of your to-do list should be to turn it all over to God.

Psalm 104 Questions -

1. What do you need that you don't think God will provide?

2. How does nature reassure you that God is providing for your every need?

3. Are your meditations pleasing to Him or are you anxious about everything that needs done? Are you rejoicing in the Lord or worrying?

Psalm 102- Change

What does it mean that God is unchanging? His character remains the same yet his creation is in the constant state of change. Does He change his mind or is everything planned out to the finest detail? Physically we change but it is said that people can't ever really change their character. But aren't we as Christian suppose to be in the process of sanctification, changing into the likeness of Christ? Change, even for the better, has draw backs and discomforts. Why do we one day embrace change and then the next day resist? Even when we know we are in God's will, His changes to our lives can leave us wounded and confused. Life is short and sometimes painful. We exert a lot of effort to change our lives and circumstances in our lives to improve our life and elevate pain. Some times change is a result of a choice, sometimes it happens to us but either way we are really only in control of our reaction to it. If we accept God as the sovereign Lord of our life we can trust Him with all of life's changes. We know even bad circumstances are meant for our good because His character is goodness and love. We know He will see us through it because His unchanging character is faithfulness. And we know no matter how bad we screw up and rebel, we can find forgiveness from Him because His character is grace and mercy. And maybe prayer is meant not to change His mind but our hearts. What aspect of His unchanging character do you find hope and comfort in today in the midst of your life changes?

Psalm 102 Questions -

1. Do you for get to eat or eat too much when stressed?

2. Do you reject company and help from others in time of need?

3. Does your life ever feel meaningless and withering away like grass?

4. Has the Lord released you from your condemnation to death?

5. Does your strength seem broken, are your days too short to get your to-do list done?

6. What are you working to change in to, what in your life are you neglecting to decay?

Psalm 100 - Who why the whats with

The who is why we do the whats with the withs because the who is so worthy of the whats with. Let me expand. God is the who: He is Lord, He made us, we are His people, we are His sheep of His pasture, He is good, His love endures forever, His faithfulness continues through all generations. This is why we do the whats. The whats are: shout, worship, come before, know, enter, give thanks and praise. We are suppose to do these whats with the withs. The withs are: with gladness, with joyful songs, with thanksgiving and with praise. So why is this important to you? What will you do with it today? With what kind of heart will you worship with? What will you do to know Him more today? How will you introduce Him to others?

Psalm 93 His Holiness

We have been looking and talking just a schmidt on holiness. Psalm 93 brings us back to it saying that "holiness adorns your house." Holiness is to to be set-apart; to be dedicated to the service of God; to be morally clean. Once we taste and see the Lord--our only response should be one of holiness. If we are serving a completely holy God and long to see him and be with him for all eternity...do you think God wants us in his presence with all of our messed up junk and unrepentant heart? Somehow I can't imagine that.

When my older son does something that he shouldn't and he knows I saw him and that my wrath is coming (like when he hits his little brother!) he immediately starts clinging to my leg and sobbing. Somehow I have instilled that justice will be paid especially if it's something like hurting the innocent! But his tender heart and eyes spilling with tears soften my heart quickly. I like to think this is how God is with us. His justice will prevail but his forgiveness comes quick. If we can truly take our unholy selves to him and with a broken heart ask for forgiveness--the Bible tells us that his mercies are new every morning and that he is quick to forgive.

So whatever is keeping you from the throne of God's holiness today--cling to God's leg, tell him you are sorry and ask him to show you glimpses of his holiness. I know he forgives for I have been forgiven much! And then we are able to pass that forgiveness along to others...

Psalm 98 - Invite a friend

We sing for joy at the salvation that has been made known through Jesus Christ and we sing for joy in anticipation of his return and final judgement. As a child I was afraid of Christ's promised return because I was unsure if I was really really really saved and I wanted him to wait until I had lived my life out a little. At least until after my first kiss, college, getting married and having kids. But as I became more sure of His goodness and grace and of my own failures I want to be made whole again and be completely reconciled to God to experience the fullness of his love. I've lived life out enough to realize first kisses only break hearts, education and career didn't completely satisfy, in marriage the honeymoon ends and kids, well they show me my brokenness and need for God more than anything. Final judgement doesn't need to be dreaded if you have exchanged your unrighteousness for Christ's righteousness. There is nothing on this earth that we can do or see or know that is more than we will be able to do with God in heaven. There is nothing on this earth worth sticking around for except to help the lost be found. Our pursuits of happiness here in this world will be completely trumped by our forever in heaven. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be our main aim in life, our purpose and God's will for our life is to live a life for Him so that others may know and accept Christ too. It isn't just for our own benefit. He gives us gifts and talents for His glory not our own so others will see a good work in your life and want the same in theirs. You can't take the things of this world with you when you die but you can invite a friend. Who needs to hear the good news in your life today?

Psalm 98 Questions -

1. What new song has He given you to sing? What marvelous things has he done for you? What is holy salvation?

2. Who is God's means of salvation and righteousness?

3. How did He make is salvation known to you? Who can you share that story of faith with today? Does your children know the story of your salvation?

4. Is your shouts and singing audible?

5. Do you get out to enjoy nature's song to God? Look for ways nature is glorifying God today.

6. Do you look forward to Jesus's return and final judgement? Why or why not?

Psalm 96- Nature sings

The Lord is so worthy of our praise and gratitude for who He is and the salvation that He has offered. The psalmist encourages us to look for ways to recognize God's greatness then to sing about it and bring offerings to Him. Nature is full of things that bring glory to God. Have you been to a body of water lately? You can look and the water is beautiful and powerful. There is a whole world of activity below the surface that is happening that we are totally unaware of and barely able to fully grasp. It teaches me of the importance of having faith in the unseen. The fields are amazing at the crops that will grow from a tiny seeds to full lush plants that produce multiple fruits that provide food that can sustain life. Each fruit produces many more seeds in order to do it all over again next year. It teaches me that God can turn small seemingly dead things into great living and purposeful things. The trees of the forest sing and rustle with joy. Their roots continually grow and spread seeking water and nutrients to help its trunk and leaves grow strong upwards towards the sun soaking in its light in order to thrive. It teaches me how we need to live by the spirit to flourish. Look for new ways this week that nature gives glory to God and have it teach you something about His greatness.

Psalm 96 Questions -

1. Do you have new songs to sing or has your testimony of his marvelous deeds become dated? Do you receive new mercies daily and proclaim and experience the joy of his salvation?

2. Who have you told of God's greatness lately? Do you give Him the glory?

3. What idols are competing for your attention?

4. What offerings do you bring God. Do you give him your priority or your left over time? Do you serve Him only when it is convenient and easy?

5. How do you contribute to the spread of the gospel in your community? Globally?

6. How does nature glorify God and reflect his character?

7. When the Lord comes to judge the earth, what will be your verdict?

8. How ill you measure to God's standard of righteousness and truth?