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?