August 2, 2013

Ps 25:1 To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

:2 O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me.

:3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without a cause.
:4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

:5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.

:6 Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindness, for they are from of old.

:7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness sake, O Lord.

:8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way.

:9 The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.

:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.

:11 For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

:12 Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.

:13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.

:14 The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.

:15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

:16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted.

:17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses!

:18 Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins.

:19 Consider my enemies, for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

:20 Keep my soul, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.

:21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You.

:22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles!

My bible heads this as a plea for deliverance and forgiveness. How appropriate.

Do you ever get distracted while praying? David did and it is recorded for us to read here as a reminder we are human.

He starts to pray for protection in verse 2, guidance in verse 4. Then other thoughts come to mind. He remembers his past sins in verse seven. Then by verse 9 he is praying for guidance again. Verse 11 he is back to his past. Verses 12-15 back to guidance and instruction. Verses 16-20 more of his struggles. The last 2 verses find him shouting affirmation and trust in God, not only for himself but also for the nation.

This is a very private prayer that was just between David and God. Not every prayer is one that should be shared with others. It goes back and forth, focusing on main themes, but also addressing issues that come to mind. Don't ignore those distractions during prayer. Sometimes it is satan trying to distract us, but sometimes it is God pointing out issues He wants addressed. Prayer isn't (or shouldn't ) be just our talking to God. It is a conversation between God and us. Be sure to listen and not just talk. If we have truly repented and asked forgiveness it is the devil but if those issues come up we need to search our heart to see if we have truly repented.

Jn 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Some think the Christian life means deliverance from trouble. It means deliverance in trouble and that is very different. God doesn't give strength for tomorrow, or even the next hour, but for the next moment. It is a moment by moment deliverance.

August 1, 2013

Ps 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.
:2 For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord Or who may stand in His holy place?
:4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.
:5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
:6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Selah.
:7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall 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 up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
:10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.

People say they can worship God anywhere And you can. The real question is do you?

We are called to come before Him in worship with clean hands and a pure heart. Clean hands means no moral impurity in our lives. We confess our sin and receive God's forgiveness. Pur hearts is a reference to the devotion of our hearts to God in love and obedience. Worship is not just going through the motions on Sunday at church. Worship is an attitude that we carry with us all the time.

Rom 8:8 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
:39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Joshua 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I shall be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Is 49:15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?> Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before me.

Remember when you start to feel fearful or overwhelmed nothing can separate you from God.

Ex 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

Ps 46:10 Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Ps 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Lord will fight for us if we will just be still. We struggle sometimes just to keep our head above water in certain situations. It is then that we have to stop trying to do it alone. Let Him fight for us. It's not easy. We feel like if we stop struggling we won't survive. He is calling us to rest. Resting our bodies is easier then resting our minds.

Have you ever tried to physically rest and physically do something else at the same time? Can't be done. Neither can resting in Him and struggling in our mind at the same time.

July 20, 2013

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.

:3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake.

:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.

:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

This is a psalm about confidence in the Lord's goodness and provision.

This is probably the most loved chapter in the bible. It has been read and memorized by more people than any other.

David was a shepherd so it is not surprising that is what he compared his thoughts of God to.

Because the Lord is my Shepherd:

1. I can rest (verse 2)
2. I will have what I need to refresh myself (verse 2)
3. I will be encouraged (verse 3)
4. I will be guided by God (verse 3)
5. I won't lack courage (verse 4)
6. I will have companionship with God (verse 4)
7. I will be comforted (verse 4)
8. I will not go hungry (verse 5)
9. I will be blessed (verse 5)
10. I will be satisfied (verse 5)
11. I will be shown grace (verse 6)
12. I will live with the Lord for ever (verse 6)

When sheep are startled by something, they start to move back and forth or in a large circle. The shepherd moves in and catches each one and pushes its head down into the green grass for it to eat again. It forgets it's fear and begins to eat and will lie down and rest. The shepherd causes it to rest.

We can be just like this when we are upset or frightened by something. Jesus steps in to stop us.

Later on I will do a more extensive study on this psalm.

July 19, 2013

Ps 22:1 My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

:2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

:3 But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

:4 Our fathers trusted in Thee: they trusted, and Thou didst deliver them.

:5 They cried unto Thee, and were not confounded.

:6 But I am a worm, and no man, a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,:

:8 he trusted on the Lord that He would deliver him: let Him deliver him, seeing he delighted in Him.

:9 But Thou art He that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.

:10 I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother's belly.

:11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near: for there is none to help.

:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Basham have beset me round.

:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravennig and a roaring lion.

:14 I am poured out like water and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and Thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

:16 For dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet.

:17 I may tell all y bones: they look and stare upon me.

:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

:19 But be not Thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste Thee to help me.

:20 Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog.

:21 Save me from the lion's mouth: for Thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

:22 I will declare Thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee.

:23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him, all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all ye the seed of Israel.

:24 For He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he cried unto Him, He heard.

:25 My praise shall be of Thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear Him.

:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek Him: Your heart shall live for ever.

:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.

:28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and He is the govenor among the nations.

:29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before Him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

:30 A seed shall serve Him, it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

:31 They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this.

This psalm gives us a picture of the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus a thousand years before Jesus was born. It describes at least nine specific aspects of the crucifixion in detail. Each were fulfilled during the time Jesus was on the cross.

David must have been severely sick or severely depressed when he wrote this psalm.

Sometimes because of sin we face really difficult times. Other times God allows a difficult situation to strengthen our faith in Him. Difficult times come to every Christian. Look at them as a chance to grow closer to God.

Jesus spoke the beginning words of this psalm as He hung on the cross. He was treated as a sinner on the cross for us. He suffered what we deserve. He paid the penalty for our sin.

In verse 22, everything changes. He is now in the company of God's people. God heard David and delivered him. David praised Him. The last part reflects the resurrection and life after the cross.

July 9, 2013

Ps 21:1 The king shall joy in Thy strength, O Lord, and in Thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

:2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

:3 For Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: Thou settest a crown of pur gold on his head.

:4 He asked life of Thee, and Thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.

:5 His glory is great in Thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.

:6 For Thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with Thy countenance,

:7 For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.

:8 Thine hand sall find out those that hate thee.

:9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.

:10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth and their seed from among the children of men.

:11 For they intended evil against Thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.

:12 Therefore shalt Thou make them turn their back, when Thou shalt make ready Thine arrows upon Thy strings against the face of them.

:13 Be Thou exalted, Lord, in Thine own strength: so will we sing and praise Thy power.

While Ps 20 was sung when the army left to go to war, this one was sung at the return. It was sung a lot because God gave David many victories.

Everything in this Psalm whether about David or the Lord can be said about the Lord.

We must remember we battle spiritual battles daily and that Psalm 20 tells us God fights for us. We are called into the battle also. Once we win that particular battle (cause there are always more), we rejoice with Psalm 21.

Ps 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence: I shall not be moved.

What cheers you up? Is it your job, possessions, family? That's the problem. We know God is so vast everything else is nothing in comparison. Yet we are not happy because our minds are set on things. We multiply and beautify things. We put our confidence in things and God, our job and God; husband and God; home and God. So we put God as a plus sign after something else. God is never happy when He is put second.

July 3, 2013

Ps 20:1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
:2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
:3 remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
:4 Grant thee according tot Thine own heart, and fulfil all they counsel.
:5 We will rejoice in they salvation and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
:6 Now know I that the Lord saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.
:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.
:8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright.
:9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call,

David learned a valuable lesson when he fought Goliath. He learned to fight in the name of God. The battle belonged to God. He taught his men the same thing. They were (and we are) to fight well, but ultimately the battle is the Lord's to win.

This psalm was a prayer the people prayed before the king went to war. Most of us are not in a physical war as David was, but we still face battles with the devil daily. We face spiritual attacks and temptations. We can pray this also.

July 2, 2013

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiworks.
:2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
:3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
:4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world! In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
:5 which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
:6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heart.
:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple;
:8 the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pur, enlightening the eyes;
:9 the fear of the Lord is clear, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
:11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.
:12 Who  can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
:13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Presumptuous means arrogant; insolent; as in pride, willful; rash confidence or in violation of known duty;

Verse 14 : words of my mouth - what I say
meditation of my heart - what I think - these two reveal who I am inside and out.

Mt 5:26 Assuredly, I say to you, you, will by no means get out of here till you have paid the last penny.

There is no heaven with a little corner of hell in it. God wants to make you pure, holy and right. He will not allow you for one moment to escape the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. Is this a God of mercy and of love? Seen from God's perspective, it is a glorious ministry of love.

God is going to bring you out pure and spotless, undefiled. But He wants you to first recognize the disposition you have, the right to yourself. The moment you are willing to give that right to God, He will begin to change you.

If you wonder why you don't move forward with God, are you paying your debts from God's standpoint?
Or from yours?