Tough minds tender hearts

Jesus is a friend of sinners

105 for an ultrasound to save a baby. 

http://bible.us/Ps29.2.NIV Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

WOW!

Many of the Psalms are just an extended and eloquent way of saying "WOW!" Psalm 29 is one such Psalm. It looks at a particular aspect of this great God we serve-His voice-and leaves us in such a state of awe and amazement that the only real response we can exclaim is "Glory!" That's a biblical way of saying "Wow!"

An ear-splitting, heart-stopping thunderclap that rolls and reverberates from horizon to horizon...the unrelenting force of a hurricane that strips the very skin off of the proudest trees...an earthquake that shatters the strongest foundations of the world... they're all mere whispers of the might and majesty of God's voice.

Couple this with the reality that we're steeped in a society where so many people are struggling and striving to have their voices heard. Our eyes and ears are constantly being ambushed by talking heads, spin doctors, and flavor-of-the-month pundits who are fighting for market share when it comes to our attention. No expense is spared in getting us to listen to their opinions and to hopefully adopt them. There's no void of voices in our world today.

But the voice of the Lord drowns them all. The voice of the Lord is powerful and full of majesty. It rises above anything we could ever speak or say. It shakes the ground we walk on and splits the sky we live beneath. God's voice can't be censored or tamed any more than a volatile volcano in full-fury can be silenced. When God wants to be heard, He is, and the only reasonable response is "Glory!"

Incomparable Creator, we rejoice in the power and majesty of Your voice...and all we want to say today is "Wow!"

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

The voice of the Lord is amazing.  GOD is powerful yet gentle. 

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Without God I am nothing. 

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

Pause more and say wow

What is my prayer for today? 

http://bible.us/Ps24.1.NIV

The earth is the Lord 's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord ? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.

Lord, please give me a pure heart and clean hands.  My heart has been so full of nonsense lately.   I need to rid my mind of the negative thoughts, of insecurity, so I can continue to be the one you called me to be. 

Father, why do I struggle so with believing my husband loves me?  Why do I struggle so much with seeking approval from others? 

It's All His

Everything belongs to God. Absolutely everything-the earth and all that is in it. That's important to know. Why? Because we're called to trust in His provision, and doing so becomes much easier when we recognize we're trusting in the One who ultimately owns all that there is.

Sometimes we fear that our needs will exceed what the Lord can or will provide for us. But our needs can never be greater than what He actually has at His disposal, which is everything. And if we're lacking and in need, it's a simple matter of the Lord re-distributing His funds and transferring His resources from one account to another.

That's the lesson Peter learned when Jesus called him to cast a line in the sea and pull out the first fish he caught. Jesus promised Peter that he would find a coin inside the fish's mouth that would be sufficient to cover his needs (Matthew 17:27).

Why did Jesus do that? He was showing Peter a practical demonstration of Psalm 24:1. Jesus was showing Peter that He's able to access and allocate whatever is needed, whenever it's needed. He was essentially saying, "Peter all the world's wealth belongs to me, and I will do what I want with it."

That's something we all need to hear for ourselves. When it comes to your needs in this world, don't fret. God knows exactly what you need, and as the ultimate owner of all things, He has what you need reserved and in store for you. It's all His, and He's absolutely able to allocate it accordingly.

Lord of all, may You still all of our anxieties with the knowledge that the earth and everything in it is yours.

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? 

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