How God is to Me

I am having trouble today.  I can't seem to concentrate.  But I don't know why.  It's a nice day.  Things at work are okay.  My family seems to be doing okay for the moment.  I mean, it's a good day.  It is even payday!  But, I can't set my mind on any certain idea for a devotion today.  I read Psalm 29, and it gave me an idea, but I want to wait for Christmas to do that devotion.  So you'll have to stay tuned for that.

But that does not help my present problem.  There is excitement building in my house.  It is homecoming week in  Monroe.  Last night was the powder puff football game.  Tonight is the parade and bonfire.  Tomorrow is the football game and Saturday is going to be a whirlwind of hair stylists, last minute touch-ups, pictures and fun.  It is new, exciting and the let down will be tremendous for me.  We've been building to this day for a couple of months.


That is how things go.  You build, prepare, and focus on this one thing until BOOM!  It happens.  Then you look around and realize that it is over and all you see are the remnants of eye makeup in the bathroom, with lipgloss, a faded memory of watching your child get into a car with some strange people, and you sitting up waiting for them to come home and tell you everything.  And when your kid gets back home, all you get is "It was fun.  I had a good time.  I'm tired, I'm going to bed now."  WHAT?  LOL.  I think I am starting to exaggerate.

Sometimes it feels good to get the random things off your chest.  Sometimes we just need to talk to God like this too.  A lot of people believe that we need to be reverent, quiet and full of Thees and Thous when we pray.  I agree on the reverent and quiet, but I don't speak Thee and Thou.  I want my talk with God to be like my talk with my Dad or my best friend.  I want it to be personal and from the heart.  I want my kids to not feel like God is this overpowering presence that they have to feel uncomfortable talking to and thinking about.  I want them to think about God as a friend, or the Cool Uncle we all have.  Oh, the quiet and reverence have their place and I think we all need to learn to deal with that.  But the normal everyday lives we are going through is where I want God.  Right beside me, laughing and enjoying life with me.  This is how I picture God.  How do you picture him?

Get to the Other Side

Today, my dad gets his port out.  Dad was diagnosed with throat cancer in February 2009.  He had a feeding tube, and a port put in to his body. He went through strenuous chemo and radiation from April to June or July.  He lost his saliva glands because of the radiation, he lost his taste buds and 40 or 50 pounds.  But now, we are blessed that he is still recovering, did not have to lose his voice box, is starting to gain weight and is cancer free!  We still have 4 more years before the doctors will totally say he is cancer free, but we are grateful for every day that God gives him and us.

I know a lot of you are going through scares right now or are in the throes of this horrible disease.  Most of my dad's family has died from cancer.  In my lifetime, I have at least 2 great-aunts, 4 great-uncles, a grandfather, an uncle, a 9-year old cousin that all passed.  I have another 2nd cousin going through the treatments, and even though I have not experienced the horrible enemy in my body, I have been right there with my parents, learning everything I need to.  I wanted and still want to be the one they call when there is a problem.  My parents mean the world to me.

I have a friend who's husband is going through all of this right now.  They are hoping that he can get the bone marrow transplant he needs to go into remission.  But as for all cancer patients, the future is uncertain.  Once you have been diagnosed with the "C Word", it is always there.  At times it is larger than life and it is all you can focus on, and other times it is in the background of your mind, quietly sitting.  You know that it is there, but you don't think about it and you don't talk about it.  But every abnormal thing that happens can push you toward it.  It's not fun.  It's scary. 

There were times when my Dad asked God to just let him die.  He didn't want to hurt from the radiation and chemo.  But God spared him for another time.  My dad has had quadruple by-pass surgery, a hole poked in his aorta, and now cancer.  He also was in a terrible car accident where it broke his lower back and his jaw.  He was told he would never walk again.  But every time he was told he wouldn't, he would set his mind to "Oh yeah?  Well watch this!"  He would walk, talk, and learn to eat and drink better and now lives his life fully as God has intended.  He isn't perfect and many of you have similar stories of someone in your life that you totally feel is just a wonderful and courageous.  I commend all of them and you. 

For those of you just starting out on this journey, I want you to see that there is hope.  There is those who do get to the other side.  I've been there for both.  My grandfather died six weeks after his diagnosis.  We spent 5 weeks in California and my dad and mom took care of him.  It was hard to see my grandpa go.  It was hard to watch my dad take care of his dad.  It was hard to encourage and help dad through this last year.  But we put our faith in God.  We prayed and we are here as a testimony not to ourselves, but to God.  We give him all the Glory that he deserves.  For those of you in middle.  I pray that you will keep pressing on.  For those of you that came out the other side, remember, God has a plan for you.

Why Can't All God's Children Get Along?

Karen Peck and New River have a song out called Why Can't All God's Children Get Along?  This song is so poignant and spot on.  Read the words.  Go on, I'll wait.

WHY CAN’T ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GET ALONG
CHORUS
WHY CAN’T ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GET ALONG?
WE CAN’T ALL BE RIGHT, WE CAN’T ALL BE WRONG
WE’RE JUST DIFFERENT SINGERS IN THE SAME ‘OL SONG
WHY CAN’T ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GET ALONG
V1
RED AND YELLOW BLACK BROWN AND WHITE
WE ALL LOOK THE SAME IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
HOOPIN’ AND HOLLERIN’ PUTTIN’ UP THE FIGHT
DARK DAYS ARE COMIN’ I CAN SEE THE LIGHT
V2
ONCE UPON A TIME THINGS WERE SUNNY AND BLUE
THE WORLD WAS A GARDEN BUT THERE WERE ONLY TWO
FOUR CAME ALONG WITH THEIR OWN POINT OF VIEW
IF IT’S GONNA GET GOOD, IT’S UP TO ME AND YOU.

Did you see that?  We are just different singers in the same song, we all look the same in the dead of the night.  How true all that is.   So next time you start getting irritated with your brother or sister in your church family, think about this song.  Is it that important to be right?  Did what they said or did mean enough that it will change your salvation?  The only thing that will change your attitude is you.

I am glad I have different people in my life.  I have some that keeps me on my toes, some that I can fall back on and some I can observe and be amused by.  Sometimes I shake my head at people, but I try hard not to worry about what they say or do.  God will sort it out for us.

New Love

YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM
V1
THAT SPARKLE IN YOUR EYE AND THAT SMILE ON YOU FACE
JOY DOWN IN YOUR HEART AND I WONDER WHAT TOOK PLACE
GOT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP AND A SONG IS ON YOUR LIPS
NOW YOU’RE ACTING LIKE ALL HEAVEN IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM, YOU HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OF
SOMEONE WHO FELL IN LOVE, YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM
C
LIKE THE LEPER AND THE LAME, LIFE CHANGED THE DAY HE CAME
LIKE THE THOUSANDS THAT WERE FED, THE DAY THE COUPLE THAT WERE WED
LIKE THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, HIS FRIEND THAT DIED TO LIVE TO TELL
YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM
IT’S ONE MORE DAMASCUS FALL, SAUL BECOMING PAUL
YEAH, THAT EXPLAINS IT ALL, YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM
V2
THEY SAID IF YOU HAD CHANGED THAT TIME WOULD PULL YOU BACK
YOU’VE BEEN THIS WAY BEFORE SO IT WON’T REALLY LAST
BUT LATELY THEY HAVE SEEN PREDICTIONS THOUGHT TO DIE
THIS TIME YOUR BRAND NEW LOVE CAUGHT MORE THAN JUST YOUR EYE
YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM, YOUR STEPS WERE CLEAR TO TRACE
YOU LOOK FOR AMAZING GRACE, YOU MUST HAVE MET HIM
BR
YOU BECOME A STRANGER WHEN WHAT HAPPENED ISN’T BAD
WE WOULDN’T TRADE THE NEW YOU FOR THE OLD YOU THAT WE HAD

 

 

When I first heard this song, I thought, "That's odd.  It sounds like a love song for a wedding."    As I listened on, I realized it kinda was.  It's not really the way I would describe my love for Jesus, but the concept intrigues me.  Of all people, I am not all that lovey-dovey.  I like my space, but don't mind hugs once in a while. But I like the idea of falling in love with Christ.  How people see that difference in you.  How you just sparkle and glow.  Was it like that for you?

 

The first time you realize that you need Christ in your life, and you just accept the fact that no matter what, he loves you with all his heart, you do feel like you are in love.  Your steps are lighter, your smile is brighter and you just know.  You know that you are loved and you love him back.  You know that the trust is there and you will do everything in your power to do your part. It's like with your husband/wife.  When you realize you love this person and want to spend time with them and want to take care of them.  It is all new and exciting.  

 

This song is by Brian Free and Assurance.  It is another on the cd , Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of 2010,  I have and of all the songs I have heard, this one was the most surprising.  At first I thought it was a little silly, but now that I have heard it several times, I really like it.  

John 3:16:17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him will not perish, but have eternal life.  For God sent his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

He Locked the Gates

Revelations 1: 18

and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

I never thought about this until I heard this song the other day.  When I accepted Christ as my Savior, was baptized and started truly following him, he locked the gates of Hell.  Now I can unlock them, I suppose.  I would have to do a 180 and that is something I don't want to do, nor do I intend to do.  But this song gives us the hope and security that Jesus did save us from eternal damnation!  Give him the glory!

HE LOCKED THE GATES

V1
ONE DAY I HEARD A PREACHER PREACH
HE SAID THIS WORLD WE’RE GONNA LEAVE
AND WHEN WE DIE WE’LL EITHER GO
TO HEAV’N ABOVE OR HELL BELOW
I BOWED MY HEART CONFESSED MY SIN
INVITED JESUS HE CAME IN
THE SAVIOR TURNED ME FROM THE FLAMES
AND WITH A WORD HE LOCKED THE GATES

CHORUS
HE LOCKED THE GATES OF HELL BEHIND ME
AND THEN HE THREW THE KEYS AWAY
O GIVE HIM GLORY
THERE’LL NEVER COME A DAY
I’LL HAVE TO ENTER SUCH A PLACE
FOR THE DAY THAT I GOT SAVED
HE LOCKED THE GATES

V2
NOW I LIVE A LIFE SO FREE
KNOWING JESUS LIVES IN ME
AND WHEN I FAIL I PLEAD THE BLOOD
ALIVE AND WELL IT’S STILL ENOUGH
THEN WHEN THE DEVIL COMES MY WAY
AND SAYS IN HELL FOR SIN I’LL PAY
I POINT HIM TO A RUGGED HILL
AND SAY THANKS TO JESUS I NEVER WILL

Prayer Works!

I had a whole other devotion planned for today, but then I got a text message from my mom that says..."Dad gets his port out next Wednesday.  His white blood cell count is back to normal!"  Praise God!  That is the best news I have heard in a long, long time.  Dad and Mom have weathered this scary storm and made it through! 

We have so many friends going through such terrible things, and in the midst of helping them and praying for them, God still remembers Dad and answers a prayer!  One of the songs on the cd my mom gave me is called I'll Pray for You.  It's about all of us lifting each other up to God in prayer each day.  Here are the lyrics.

I’ll Pray for You

By Marcia Henry and Barbara Huffman

I saw an old friend at the market standing in the check-out line
She began to share her story and then I told her mine
It was clear we both knew heartache so before I turned to go
We made a simple promise that would lighten both our loads

Chorus

I'll pray for you, you pray for me
And together we'll touch heaven from our knees
Anything can happen in His name when we agree
I'll pray for you, you pray for me

Verse 2

What a privilege and an honor to know that God is there
And to have His full attention anytime and anywhere
Sometimes when we're talking the conversation turns to you
As your name and needs are mentioned, God lifts my spirits, too.

You, too can have  God's attention anytime you want.  Just start talking to him.  Thank him for your blessings, for your trials, pray for those on our prayer list, for anything that you are concerned with.  God knows the needs of each person and he will listen to us, if we ask.

I thank each of you for your prayers over the past year and a half.  God truly performed another miracle here.  I hope each of you will stop today and thank him.  And keep praying.  There are a lot of people out there that needs our prayers. 

Wednesday is iFellowship Day at Seeds of Faith!

 

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Nothing Equals Everything

Each year, my parents go to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  They love it!  All those wonderful groups and singers, acquaintances they have come to know and of course the songs!  Each year, I ask for two things.  First, any new cd by the trio Greater Vision.  They are my favorite group (that still sings).  The other thing I ask for is the Singing News Fan Awards Top Ten Southern Gospel Songs of (the current year).

Today was the first day I was able to listen to these songs.  These songs are picked by the fans of Southern Gospel music.  Each song that comes on makes me think of something I never thought of before.  The first one that stands out is called When They Found Nothing by Legacy Five.   This song starts at the crucifixion and has a powerful message.

When They Found Nothing

They watched as soldiers
nailed their Savior to a tree;
They witnessed all the anguish, the agony.
They waited for His Father to rescue Him but then
He cried out, “It is finished” – He

knew it was the end.

 

The stone that sealed the tomb, fin’llysealed their fate,

For all their hopes now laid within that borrowed grave.
And left with only questions, they pondered all He said;
But answers didn’t matter – for now
their Lord was dead.

 

They began their final walk to say one last goodbye;
But when they reached the tomb
They could not believe their eyes.

 

When they found nothing,
They found EV’RYTHING!
In an empty tomb they realized
What Christ Himself prophesied;
That death could never hold their King.
When they found nothing
They found EV’RYTHING!

 

Oh, Hallelujah! He is Risen!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb!
Who conquered Death and Hell
Who died and rose again!

 

What an amazing story.  The disciples and followers of Christ were dejected, frustrated, and afraid.  But think about it, when the went to the tomb, they found nothing, and that means everything to us!  It opened their eyes to what Christ had been saying to them all along.  Praise God!  What a fantastic message!

He is Listening!

Psalm 28 seems appropriate today.  There are a lot of things going on around me.  Sometimes you just want to scream out instead of quietly talking to God.   Isn't true that sometimes our voices get louder and louder when we feel we are not being heard or if we think we need to get our point across?  David cried out to the Lord to hear him (verses 1 & 2).  He then realized that God listens and saved him and His people (verses 6 - 9).  We all think that the squeaky wheel will get greased.  Do you think that God is like that?  That he listens more closely to those who talk louder or more often?  I am not sure God works that way.  I think that he listens to you no matter what.  I think he just doesn't always answer in our favor, and we think that because he didn't answer our prayer yes, that he just hasn't answered it yet.  Some people will not take no for an answer.  God answers us every day.  Do you take it for granted?  Do you pray that your family has a good day?  Do you pray a quick prayer for someone that is having surgery or for something that really is more a nuisance to stop happening?  And when the person comes through surgery, or your child comes home after a good day at school, or you weren't bothered by the nuisance today, do you breathe a thank you to God?  He answered your prayer.  Sometimes we just take all that for granted, and maybe we shouldn't.  He does listen.  We just have to hear his answers.

¹To You, O LORD, I call;
         My rock, do not be deaf to me,
         For if You are silent to me,
         I will become like those who go down to the pit.
    ²Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
         When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.
    ³Do not drag me away with the wicked
         And with those who work iniquity,
         Who speak peace with their neighbors,
         While evil is in their hearts.
    ⁴Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices;
         Requite them according to the deeds of their hands;
         Repay them their recompense.
    ⁵Because they do not regard the works of the LORD
         Nor the deeds of His hands,
         He will tear them down and not build them up.
    ⁶Blessed be the LORD,
         Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
    ⁷The LORD is my strength and my shield;
         My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
         Therefore my heart exults,
         And with my song I shall thank Him.
    ⁸The LORD is their strength,
         And He is a saving defense to His anointed.
    ⁹Save Your people and bless Your inheritance;
         Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.

You Are Our Strength

Psalm 27:1
 ¹The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

There is a song I use to sing that started out like this.  But several Psalms start out like this, so I don't remember which one the song is based off of.  I do know that this first verse is very memorable to me.  God is everything to me.  He's my light, my salvation, my strength.  Who should I fear, if I have him protecting me?

This past Sunday and then again, next Sunday is two weeks we put a little extra emphasis on missions.  We had a speaker from one of the missions the church supports and then we had a missions dinner.  The dinner was for a little girl that our teens support.  Her name is Sandina and she is from Haiti.  Mike, Timm and Michael Dawson cooked the spaghetti, sauce and meatballs.  Michael did a lot of the shopping, the Land's setup and helped me organize the desserts that were donated, and everyone helped with clean up!  It was a labor of love for all of us. 
Timm made the comment that he liked serving the people.  It was fun! 

We appreciate that so many people stayed and donated to the cause.  They made enough to cover her expenses for the year.  It's good to see the kids working together, having fun and interacting with everyone.  Sometimes we forget that. 

My whole point to this was going to be that no matter where you are, what you are doing, that if you live for God, you will be fine.  He will be there.  You may have some bumps in the road, or some major pot holes, but God will get you over them.  Just trust in him.Sandina is trusting that missions and the missions are trusting that our teens will take care of what they promised.  But all of it is in God's hands.  Have strength through God!

Versions

When I read these verses, I was not impressed with it.  I read it out of the New American Standard and then the King James version.  It didn't speak to me.  I didn't like the tone.  It's seemed like this guy was tooting his own horn.  Okay, so whoever it is, may be bragging.  But then I read it from The Message.  What an eye opener.  I love the the last six verses.  Do you always read from the same Bible?  Do you have other versions that you read, so that if you need to say something another way, or get on a different level to talk to someone about God, you can?  I do.  We have at least four different versions.  The one I take to church is from Max Lucado, I've used the New American Standard for years, and I have the Bible I gave my Grandma my first Christmas, which is a King James Version. 

So this devotion today isn't so much about Psalms 26, as it is about using the right version to get the message across.  Some people think you should use this version only, or that version.  If they all have the same message, about God loving you so much he sacrificed his Son for you and if you accept his gift and live in his ways and are obedient, then what does it matter which Bible you read?  God doesn't speak to us all the same.  He goes about it differently.  Some people hear him in creation.  Some people, in a song.  Some in a devotion, or message.  Some, by the lives they see led by Christians.  What is your favorite version?  How does God speak to you?

Psalm 26
 ¹ Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop.
   I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and
      I'm not budging.

 ² Examine me, God, from head to foot,
      order your battery of tests.
   Make sure I'm fit
      inside and out

 ³ So I never lose
      sight of your love,
   But keep in step with you,
      never missing a beat.

 ^4-5 I don't hang out with tricksters,
      I don't pal around with thugs;
   I hate that pack of gangsters,
      I don't deal with double-dealers.

 ^6-7 I scrub my hands with purest soap,
      then join hands with the others in the great circle,
      dancing around your altar, God,
   Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
      telling God-stories.

 ^8-10 God, I love living with you;
      your house glows with your glory.
   When it's time for spring cleaning,
      don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
   Men with bags of dirty tricks,
      women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

 ^11-12 You know I've been aboveboard with you;
      now be aboveboard with me.
   I'm on the level with you, God;
      I bless you every chance I get. --The Message

Psalm 25 15 - 22

We have all felt the pressure.  It could be friends mad, guilt, sympathy for others in distress or just sadness over a tragedy.  We feel the hurt in our hearts.  The pain that we see in people's faces.  These verses tell of that pain.  The anguish, the emotions that we can not always put into words.  But, it also tells us of a God who will save us; for only he will release my feet from the snare, ...take away all my sins, ...Guard my life and rescue me;, ...because my hope is in you.  What more perfect words to say to God in our prayers?

¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD,
       for only he will release my feet from the snare.

 ¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me,
       for I am lonely and afflicted.

 ¹⁷ The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
       free me from my anguish.

 ¹⁸ Look upon my affliction and my distress
       and take away all my sins.

 ¹⁹ See how my enemies have increased
       and how fiercely they hate me!

 ²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me;
       let me not be put to shame,
       for I take refuge in you.

 ²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me,
       because my hope is in you.

 ²² Redeem Israel, O God,
       from all their troubles!

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Listen in confidence

Psalm 25:10-14

¹⁰ All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
       for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

 ¹¹ For the sake of your name, O LORD,
       forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

 ¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
       He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

 ¹³ He will spend his days in prosperity,
       and his descendants will inherit the land.

 ¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
       he makes his covenant known to them.

I really like verse 14.  The Lord will tell you what he wants from you if you fear him.  Fearing him may be a problem for us.  I get complacent at times and do not realize what it is like to fear him.  I think that when we fear God, it should mean that we are in awe of him.  We should treat God and his name with the reverence that he deserves and demands.  If we keep his commands, he will love us and protect us for all.  We just need to ask for forgiveness for our sins. 

The Lord does confide in us.  He tells us everything we need to know in the Bible.  We just have to be open to his word.  We also need to have confidence in those we elect to lead his church, and those that help with every aspect of teaching.  God will instruct those who love him and want to be faithful.  Just be open to hearing what the Lord has to say through the many channels he gives us.  Everyday there are opportunities for us to listen.  That is my goal today.  I want to listen to God with confidence that he is speaking directly to me. 

Gut Reactions

People complain that they don't know what to do.  They don't know what is the right thing to do.  Certain situations are very clear in what is right and wrong.  Others are not.  God gave us the instruction manual to life.  The problem is we are human.  We don't seek the right advice or maybe we seek none at all.  We read the Bible, but sometimes make it harder than it really is.  We seek the advice of other people.  Some of that is good, some of that is bad.  Then we have too much information and it confuses us.  

These verses from Psalm 25 tells us that if we ask, God will teach us right from wrong.  He loves us and forgets about the sins of yester-year if we ask him too.  He will send us the right way, instruct us and send us help.  When Mike is trying to decide something, like who to put in for his fantasy football team, he will talk about it.  I usually tell him to trust his gut.  To me, your first reaction or thought is normally the right one.  If Mike goes a different way, he usually comes back later and says, "I should have listened to you.  I should have went with my first pick."  It's not an I-told-you-so moment.  It is something I have always tried to do for myself. I always think of my first gut reaction to be the Holy Spirit guiding me.  If I start worrying and second guessing myself, then everything is off.  I don't feel right.  I think God gives us the choices of right and wrong almost every second of the day.  Some are easy.  Others are not.  But it's God who we need to talk to the most.  Prayer is the best way to talk.  Sometimes I talk to my parents or my friends and answer my own dilemma. In the end, we don't always no we made the right decision until much later.  So we pray that it was the right one and just watch and wait.


 ⁴ Show me your ways, O LORD,
       teach me your paths;
 ⁵ guide me in your truth and teach me,
       for you are God my Savior,
       and my hope is in you all day long.
 ⁶ Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
       for they are from of old.
 ⁷ Remember not the sins of my youth
       and my rebellious ways;
       according to your love remember me,
       for you are good, O LORD.
 ⁸ Good and upright is the LORD;
       therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
 ⁹ He guides the humble in what is right
       and teaches them his way.

I Trust In the Lord

Psalm 25 is a chapter that we can go on about for a while.  I loved every verse I read.  There is something about being reminded that there is someone that needs your help.  Even though each of us go through things and feel the heavy burden of the situation we are in, we are always reminded that someone else may be going through something worse.

These first three verses, David is making a personal statement:  "...in you I trust, O my God."  He asks that God keep him from embarrassing himself or let his enemies beat him.  David says that if you put your hope in God you will be protected from shame, but those who don't will be shamed.  

¹ To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
 ² in you I trust, O my God.
       Do not let me be put to shame,
       nor let my enemies triumph over me.
 ³ No one whose hope is in you
       will ever be put to shame,
       but they will be put to shame
       who are treacherous without excuse.

A few weeks ago, while my family was going through the surgeries and felt overwhelmed, I started to feel down.  Another family who has been going through medical tests and such for quite a while longer was talked about at church.  We love this family and pray for all their health and well being.  I was talking to my husband about this last night and Timm was there.  He said, "Wow, that's a lot of stuff."  I agreed with him and told both of them that what we have been going through isn't anything compared to what they have going on.  Sometimes the reminders like that give us a new perspective.  We've been praying for the other family and will continue to do so.  

So I just want to say to God, "Lord I trust in you and pray for those who are in need of your comfort and calmness.  I lift up all who read this devotion in prayer just now.  Thank you for all you do and are, and will be.  In Your Son's name, Amen."

King of Glory

Psalm 24 is an overlooked chapter because of Psalm 23.  But when I read it this morning, I realized it answered a wonderful question...Who is this King of Glory?  He is the Lord who is strong, mighty, mighty in battle.  He is the Lord Almighty! 

Verses seven and nine are like a chorus, telling us to open up and let God in.  We should open the doors of our hearts, the gates of our being and be ready to do whatever he wants of us.  The battle is long and we sometimes get tired, but we need to stand guard and let the King of Glory in!


⁷ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       be lifted up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ⁸ Who is this King of glory?
       The LORD strong and mighty,
       the LORD mighty in battle.
 ⁹ Lift up your heads, O you gates;
       lift them up, you ancient doors,
       that the King of glory may come in.
 ¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
       The LORD Almighty—
       he is the King of glory.
       Selah

Psalm 23

It is the most famous Psalm in the book of Psalm.  It is a song.  Everything about it is peaceful.  It is read at funerals, baptisms, and weddings.  It brings comfort and peace.  Read the words again and let it sink in.  There is nothing more to say.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  ² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,
 ³ he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.
 ⁴ Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death,
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

Reminding Us

Psalm 22:16 -18

 ¹⁶ Dogs have surrounded me;
       a band of evil men has encircled me,
       they have pierced my hands and my feet.

 ¹⁷ I can count all my bones;
       people stare and gloat over me.

 ¹⁸ They divide my garments among them
       and cast lots for my clothing. 

Throughout the Old Testament, there are many references to Christ and all that he goes through.  This may or not be one of them.  If not, it is a striking similarity.  I love how God reminds us again, and again of what he will do for us.  How Christ will love us enough to endure the most humiliating and horrific actions so we won't.

²⁵ From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
       before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.

 ²⁶ The poor will eat and be satisfied;
       they who seek the LORD will praise him—
       may your hearts live forever!

 ²⁷ All the ends of the earth
       will remember and turn to the LORD,
       and all the families of the nations
       will bow down before him,

 ²⁸ for dominion belongs to the LORD
       and he rules over the nations. 

Praise always surrounds whatever God does for us.  So today, don't forget to praise him for what he did for you.

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Concerned Parenting

Psalm 21 shows a lot of confidence that King David had in God.  Do we have that kind of trust?  Probably not.  I can say that I trust in God, but how do I show it?  Do I sit around, doing nothing, waiting for God to "give" me insight or direction?  Where would this message come from?  Would I get it from reading the scriptures?  That is a yes, but for a specific task?  Am I to take a situation and make a Bible verse or verses fit around it? 

The Junior High at Monroe, specifically the 8th grade class is reading a book I deem questionable.  I am in the middle of email teachers and the principal to find out more before I judge what is actually being done and how the book is being taught.  I usually have found that if I ask a lot of questions and talk to the teachers and staff, I can discern what is an issue and what is just chatter of the kids.  Timm has told me some things in this book that I am surprised to find.  I won't mention anything about them here, but I have actually talked two at least two other children in other English classes and I am hearing the same thing from all of them.  "It's awkward."  "It's disturbing."  "...we have to be mature about this."  That raised my eyebrows and my need to question this.  It may end up being nothing.  But, I want a few things noted to the school.  a) I am aware of what is going on in the school and in classes, and b) I will ask questions and be involved in my child's academics. 

This also may be no more than what happened in the movie Footloose.  That is where a teenager from the city came to live in a small rural town in mid-Bible-belt America.  Loud music and dancing were outlawed because teens were killed coming home from a concert they snuck out to see.  I don't want to see myself as the person who starts an uproar, but I don't want the children of my community to be exposed to things that they may not be ready for.  I am going to read this book for myself too, because I want to fully understand what message this book is sending.  It may be just a few pages of thought-provoking nothing, but it may be something I want to thoroughly talk to Timm about.  I want to make sure God's ways are also seen and how this book is fiction and nothing more.  But it is cause for concern.  I just need to make sure that we make the right decision for our son.

 ⁷ For the king trusts in the LORD;
       through the unfailing love of the Most High
       he will not be shaken. 

This verse is what I will hold on to this week as I go through this.  I trust the Lord; He will love me no matter what and I will stand firm.  Wish me luck!

Are You Battle Ready?

Psalm 20

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 ¹ May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
       may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

 ² May he send you help from the sanctuary
       and grant you support from Zion.

 ³ May he remember all your sacrifices
       and accept your burnt offerings.
       Selah

 ⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
       and make all your plans succeed.

 ⁵ We will shout for joy when you are victorious
       and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
       May the LORD grant all your requests.

 ⁶ Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
       he answers him from his holy heaven
       with the saving power of his right hand.

 ⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
       but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

 ⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
       but we rise up and stand firm.

 ⁹ O LORD, save the king!
       Answer us when we call!

I don't know if I am right, but this sounds like a song that would be sung to the soldiers that are getting ready to go out to do battle.  This may be to send them off with the confidence of the Lord.  How often do we face something with this kind of confidence?  The assurance that God will be there for you with you feel in trouble or the certainty that God saves his chosen people is not likely to come up to our minds at first.  Maybe the people sending them off knew that and sang this song for them to boost their spirits.  

I love verses 7 and 8.  Some people put their faith in tangible items, but our faith should be in the name of the Lord.  When the enemies fall, Christians will rise.  We as go through our "fights" today, remember that battle is already won if we have put our trust and confidence in God.

Qualities of God

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 ² Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge.

 ³ There is no speech or language
       where their voice is not heard.

 ⁴ Their voice goes out into all the earth,
       their words to the ends of the world.
       In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

 ⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
       like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

 ⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
       and makes its circuit to the other;
       nothing is hidden from its heat.

 ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
       reviving the soul.
       The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
       making wise the simple.

 ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
       giving joy to the heart.
       The commands of the LORD are radiant,
       giving light to the eyes.

 ⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
       enduring forever.
       The ordinances of the LORD are sure
       and altogether righteous.

 ¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
       than much pure gold;
       they are sweeter than honey,
       than honey from the comb.

 ¹¹ By them is your servant warned;
       in keeping them there is great reward.

 ¹² Who can discern his errors?
       Forgive my hidden faults.

 ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
       may they not rule over me.
       Then will I be blameless,
       innocent of great transgression.

 ¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

       be pleasing in your sight, 

    O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

What a powerful psalm.  The qualities of God are described in this chapter. 

 

1. The glory of God shows the honor due him.
2.  The work of his hand tells he is the Creator.
3. Verses 2 through 6 talks of God's light shining like the sun that nothing is dark in him.
4. He is perfect, trustworthy, right, giving life to our souls, making his ways simple to understand, and being a joy-giver.
5. God's commands are radiant, pure and righteous.
6. His ways are more sought after than gold and much more pure.
7. His commands are sweeter than honey. 
8. Lastly, the Lord is our Rock and Redeemer. 

Praise be to God!

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