We're staying in Psalms for our next verse, but this time it's a psalm of praise.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Monday, January 27, 2014
Front and Center
Psalm 119:11 really summarizes what we're trying to do this year.
I don't think we generally sin out of ignorance, but having God's word in our heart, as opposed to the back of our minds, takes our knowledge to another, more practical level.
Think about things you've learned in school over the years. There's probably a lot you could recall if you really thought about it (the order of the planets or the formula for the area of a triangle), but that knowledge is different than the things that you use regularly, which can easily be recited.
To me, storing God's word in our hearts means that it is front and center and active in our minds. When we have that, we have God guiding our everyday decision making, which will help us to be more like Him.
I don't think we generally sin out of ignorance, but having God's word in our heart, as opposed to the back of our minds, takes our knowledge to another, more practical level.
Think about things you've learned in school over the years. There's probably a lot you could recall if you really thought about it (the order of the planets or the formula for the area of a triangle), but that knowledge is different than the things that you use regularly, which can easily be recited.
To me, storing God's word in our hearts means that it is front and center and active in our minds. When we have that, we have God guiding our everyday decision making, which will help us to be more like Him.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Psalm 119:11
I hope you have the fruit of the Spirit memorized and are ready for another verse! For the next two weeks we'll work on Psalm 119:11.
I have stored up Your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
that I might not sin against You.
If you have any thoughts on this verse, feel free to share. I'd love to hear from y'all. :)
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Comfort
I think the verses below provide great comfort. In verse 3, we are told that he will answer us & give us strength. Verse 8 reminds us that he has a plan for us, & it will be fulfilled with his steadfast, enduring love. Let your comfort come from the Lord.
Psalm 138
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Psalm 138
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Robin Hood
The Psalms aren't my favorite book in the Bible, because I'm not great with poetry and imagery, but Psalm 64 painted a vivid Robin Hood type image for me.
David is asking God to hide him from his enemies who are coming at him with figurative swords and arrows. I can picture David running from these guys and calling out to God. Then God steps up and David hides behind Him as He takes down the bad guys with His arrow.
Everyone who sees this fears the Lord and spreads the word about what happened. But the righteous rejoice because they see that they can call on God and take refuge in Him.
This works for us today too. We should pray for help & guidance in situations where we're facing enemies - whatever those my be - and be confident that God is looking out for us and will help us through those situations.
I think the key is knowing who to run to when you're being chased.
David is asking God to hide him from his enemies who are coming at him with figurative swords and arrows. I can picture David running from these guys and calling out to God. Then God steps up and David hides behind Him as He takes down the bad guys with His arrow.
Everyone who sees this fears the Lord and spreads the word about what happened. But the righteous rejoice because they see that they can call on God and take refuge in Him.
This works for us today too. We should pray for help & guidance in situations where we're facing enemies - whatever those my be - and be confident that God is looking out for us and will help us through those situations.
I think the key is knowing who to run to when you're being chased.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Be Still...
v10 of Psalm 46 is a favorite, I keep it on my desk at work.
It gives me perspective, so I don't get too stressed about things. God is more powerful than anything I can imagine and, fortunately, He is in control. :)
In my most recent reading of this Psalm, I noticed a footnote in v10 that referred to Ex 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.
I guess that means the same phrase is used when Moses is about to part the Red Sea. God is mighty and can do everything from saving the Israelites to giving us an opportunity to go to Heaven. We just need to keep that in mind and put our trust in Him instead of worrying about what might be going on around us.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
True Rest and Happiness
Psalm 4 really brings home how true rest and happiness are found only in the ways of God, and not in the ways of the world.
I think it's interesting how David starts off addressing God by saying, "O God of my righteousness!" David recognized that not only was God righteous, but He was the source and sustainer of David's righteousness. We cannot be righteous on our own merit, but only because of what God has done. We cannot even truly do good things outside of a relationship with Him. This made me think about John 15:4-5, where Jesus is talking about abiding in Him and bearing fruit. I think it's interesting that the command is not to bear fruit; the command is to abide in Him, and then we will be able to bear fruit. "For apart from Me you can do nothing." (v.5)
Also, it seems that people of the world in David's time were much the same as people of the world today. He asks, "How long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?" Today, many people of the world love engaging in what is wrong, and they make fun of those who do what's right. They call evil good and good evil, and they love to engage in deception and dishonesty.
But, as David says, the good news is that God has set His people apart to protect us and give us happiness despite all of this. If we will have the right attitude ("tremble"), examine ourselves constantly ("meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still"), do what is right ("offer the sacrifices of righteousness") and put our trust in Him, we will have rest and peace that the world cannot offer.
As in David's time, people today look for happiness and fulfillment in the wealth and pleasures of this world. They go around asking where they will find good (v. 6). But God offers happiness that surpasses the joy those people receive from things of the world. I don't mean to suggest we ought to derive no joy or pleasure from earthly things. I think God put many things here for us to enjoy and we ought to find happiness in our daily work and in producing and enjoying wealth. But these things will be gone one day and won't bring ultimate fulfillment.
I sometimes wonder what it's like to live life for those people who think this earthly existence is all there is. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way.
I think it's interesting how David starts off addressing God by saying, "O God of my righteousness!" David recognized that not only was God righteous, but He was the source and sustainer of David's righteousness. We cannot be righteous on our own merit, but only because of what God has done. We cannot even truly do good things outside of a relationship with Him. This made me think about John 15:4-5, where Jesus is talking about abiding in Him and bearing fruit. I think it's interesting that the command is not to bear fruit; the command is to abide in Him, and then we will be able to bear fruit. "For apart from Me you can do nothing." (v.5)
Also, it seems that people of the world in David's time were much the same as people of the world today. He asks, "How long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?" Today, many people of the world love engaging in what is wrong, and they make fun of those who do what's right. They call evil good and good evil, and they love to engage in deception and dishonesty.
But, as David says, the good news is that God has set His people apart to protect us and give us happiness despite all of this. If we will have the right attitude ("tremble"), examine ourselves constantly ("meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still"), do what is right ("offer the sacrifices of righteousness") and put our trust in Him, we will have rest and peace that the world cannot offer.
As in David's time, people today look for happiness and fulfillment in the wealth and pleasures of this world. They go around asking where they will find good (v. 6). But God offers happiness that surpasses the joy those people receive from things of the world. I don't mean to suggest we ought to derive no joy or pleasure from earthly things. I think God put many things here for us to enjoy and we ought to find happiness in our daily work and in producing and enjoying wealth. But these things will be gone one day and won't bring ultimate fulfillment.
I sometimes wonder what it's like to live life for those people who think this earthly existence is all there is. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be that way.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Shield About Me
Reading Psalm 3, I started singing Shield About Me which is inspired by v3. Have a listen, it will be in the new supplement.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Meditate...
to think about something deeply; to reflect in a calm, deliberate manner; to focus; to consider.
Psalm 1:2 reads "but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night".
This is a purposeful act, with intention that requires time. The more we know of God's word the more resources we have to pull from when we are focusing on Him & applying his word to our daily decisions.
Psalm 1:2 reads "but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night".
This is a purposeful act, with intention that requires time. The more we know of God's word the more resources we have to pull from when we are focusing on Him & applying his word to our daily decisions.
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