Psalm 22

Lord , keep me close time you.   As I read this I know that I have no comparison to your death on the cross.   But I have had pain and insecurity.   Lord Jesus keep me close to you so that I may endure what you require of me.  

Connected To The Cross

The words of Psalm 22 are significant for a couple of reasons. First, they describe David's heartache at this particular point in his life. Secondly, and more significantly, they prophetically point to Christ's suffering on the cross.

We know this, not only because the Psalm gives a graphic account of the then-unknown practice of crucifixion, but also because Jesus directly quoted from this Psalm as He hung on the cross:

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying..."My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Even as He endured the shame and pain of the cross, Jesus, the consummate teacher, was instructing the people who were watching Him die. He was pointing them to Psalm 22 so as to say, "See, what I'm doing right here and right now is the fulfillment of David's Psalm!"

There's an unbreakable connection between Psalm 22 and the Cross. But in all actuality, the same can be said of every page and passage in God's Word. One way or another, every bit of the Bible relates to the Cross. No matter where you happen to be, it anticipates and looks forward to the Cross, or it commemorates and looks back at it. The Cross is the central theme and event in the Bible.

Psalm 22 is a powerful reminder of this as it transports us to Calvary. It connects our hearts to the saving scene that determined our destiny. That's a connection we would do well to keep and maintain.

Strong Savior, no matter where we're at or where this day takes us physically, geographically, mentally, or emotionally, may our hearts remain connected to the Cross and what you accomplished for us there.

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today? 

Depend on the Lord , not on my own strength or anything else.

http://bible.us/Ps21.1.NIV The king rejoices in your strength, Lord . How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord ; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. Be exalted in your strength, Lord ; we will sing and praise your might.

Depend As You Ascend

Psalm Chapter 21 was written by David. Not David the simple shepherd-boy, nor David the fleeing fugitive, nor the young David whose place and way in life had been so uncertain. But rather, this particular Psalm was penned by David later on in his life, after he had been established as ruler over Israel and rightful heir to the throne. He composes this as King, as one who had ascended to the summit of power and success.

Notice, however, that even though David had become King at this point, he still declares his trust in the Lord. His title in life had changed, but his guiding principle hadn't. The very feature that distinguished David through every season of his life and propelled him forward was still strong inside him. He was still determined to be absolutely dependant on God.

That's something we need to ponder, because human nature tells us we need God less and less as we grow and gain in power. It's easy to rely on the Lord when we have nothing else in life to rely on. But it's as we start to ascend, as we become "successful" and acquire resources, that we're faced with a challenging choice. Do we trust in our newfound successes, or do we continue to trust in the Lord who remains unseen? Do we continue to depend as we ascend in life?

There's no question what we ought to do, and there's no better time than right now to pray for His help in doing it.

Lord, protect us from trusting in anything or anyone but You, especially in light of any success we experience. Help us to depend as we ascend.

What does this passage reveal to me about God?  GOD alone is in control. All good things in my life aware from His hand.   Negative things are to grow me.   Father please teach me your wisdom.   Teach me how to respond instead of reacting. 

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?   I easily become self confident.   I don't always rely on God.

Based on this, what changes do I need to make? Trust in God in all things.  Focus more on the word and lesson circumstances around me.

What is my prayer for today?father , I need your peace.  I am feeling dread and I'm not sure why.   Too many conflicts.   Father please give me your confidence , your wisdom and your strength.  

How to abide in God

http://bible.us/Ps15.1.NIV Lord , who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord ; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Abiding Isn't Automatic

The modern English language has strayed away from using the word abide. The word is considered old-fashioned, and that's a shame because it's one of the most important and insightful words in all the Scriptures.

The word abide literally means "to settle down and dwell comfortably along with." Harmony, unity, communion, and peace are all assumed under the umbrella of abiding with someone. In Psalm Chapter 15, David asks, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?" Another way of saying that would be: "What kind of person can rest easy and be at home in Your presence?"

We'd all like to be in sync and in step with God's heart. But it's important to understand that it isn't automatic. There are certain conditions that need to be met on our part in order to arrive at this place of abiding. David enumerates them as he continues the Psalm; a person who walks righteously (v.2), speaks truthfully (v.2), doesn't gossip (v.3), is a faithful neighbor and friend (v.3), despises evil (v.4), honors God (v.4), keeps his or her word (v.4), and isn't greedy for personal gain (v.5).

Don't misunderstand. David isn't declaring that we can become right with God by virtue of our good works. But he does describe the kind of heart a person has when he or she is at peace with God-a person who is able to abide with God. This should cause us to hold up a mirror and examine whether or not these conditions are being kept in our own lives.

Abiding isn't automatic, but it is attainable. May the Lord help us to be completely honest with ourselves and fill us with His Spirit so that we can meet the conditions needed in order to abide.

Father God, help me to walk in sync and in step with You. Enable me to meet the conditions outlined in Psalm 15.

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today? 

Keep your eyes on Jesus

Psalm 19:1-14 NIV

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the Lord  is perfect,
refreshing the soul. 

Thank you lord for your word and refreshing me.

The statutes of the Lord  are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord  are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord  are radiant,
giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord  is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord  are firm,
and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord , my Rock and my Redeemer.

Lord, thank you for your word and for answered prayer!  Thank you for drawing Craig to me, and asking to pray with me.   YOU know my heart and you have refreshed it today! 

Getting back on track part 2

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If you have a Prayer Request, please feel free to share below.

Psalm 37:1-7
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Psalm 37:1-7 (NIV)
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Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 
Trust in the lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 
Take delight in the lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 
Commit your way to the lord; trust in him and he will do this: 
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 
Be still before the lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:23-24
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Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV)
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The lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; 
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37:25-26
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Psalm 37:25-26 (NIV)
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I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. 
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Psalm 37:23
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Psalm 37:23 (NIV)
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The lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

1. Even The...
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1. Even The RIGHTEOUS Get Out Of Step With God.
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psalm 72.   blessed be the name of the lord.   its hard to be a visionary because you have all of these things in your heart how it should be, but are always faced with the reality of how it is.      david struggled, God told him what would be - but he couldn't always see it.

a.  A blessing...
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a.  A blessing GIVEN too soon is not a blessing at all.
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like the difference of giving a 17 year old a car or giving a 5 year old a car. - something is to be said about waiting.

b.  Beware of things...
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b.  Beware of things that come too FAST.
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something's are better waited for..... see the prodigal.

2.  No One Gets To...
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2.  No One Gets To SKIP Steps With God.
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the race isn't given to the swift or strong. the race is given to the one the Lord gives it too.   God is ordering my steps.  not everyone is ready. 

not doing any better under one boss then the next....time to look at yourself in stared of always looking at someone else.  (forgive me father for my attitude towards heather, thank you father for ordering my steps).

things I've gone through cause me to be more thankful to God.

3.  God Rejoices...
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3.  God Rejoices Over EACH Step.

a.  Don’t put too much...
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a.  Don’t put too much ENERGY in a place you are about to leave.
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rejoice with what God has given you but don't get stuck on the step.   - buying  3 year old - a  $150 pair of jeans.  outgrowing the steps

b.  Don’t...
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b.  Don’t JUDGE life by where you are right now.
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if you don't like where you are.....keep moving.... Adele / Taylor swift

4.  God Doesn’t...
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4.  God Doesn’t OFFER Steps, He Orders Them.
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what do I do in the meantime?  read the word.  stay in the word.  though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death-       job, kept stepping on.   blessed be the name of the lord.   refuse to get stuck on a step.    there is nothing new under the sun.

Online Giving
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Sad 1/11/13

Feeling sad..
We don't even talk

Never thought I'd be in this place.