Reading: Psalm 51 - 56
My Verse: (51:6) "Behold You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart."
Lord, You alone are God. You require that I come clean before You. You require that I serve You with my entire being - no hypocrisy! "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me." (51:10)
You require me to be honest to my very core - "truth in the inner being!" I love that. I love that You require so much of me. No mediocrity. No lukewarm attitude. "So because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth!" (Revelation 3:16)
When I sin it is always against You. "Against You, You only have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight." (51:4) Thank you for this reminder. It helps me to be more circumspect - more aware - more tuned in to You as I live my daily life.
You require that I not just go through the motions of serving You - attending church, doing good works, etc. You do not want ritualistic worship and service. For nothing I can do will save me from my sin. "My sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, such, O God, You do not despise." (51:17)
Yes, Lord, You want my heart to be ever turned to You! You love me and want me to love You with all my being. Amazing and wonderful!
"What is man that You are mindful of Him?" ( Psalm 8:4)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Think Rightly About God
Reading: Psalm 45 - 50
My Verse: 50:1 "The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting."
I have been reading A.W. Tozer's book The Knowledge of the Holy. His opening chapter speaks of the importance of how we think of God. "the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." (p. 1) He also says, "It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous and inadequate." (p. viii)
This is one of the things the Psalms brings out so well - the majesty and glory of our Lord. He is the Might One! "Let be and be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" (46:10) I find that I need to read this often. I need constant reminding of Who God is. The world and daily living can so easily draw me away, make my mind lazy in regards to how I think of You, Lord.
Over and over the Psalms point out God's majesty and greatness. They also point out man's finiteness. "For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him." (49:17) This too I need constant reminding about. I can so easily start focusing on me and my wants and desires.
Oh, Lord, I know there are times when I do no think correctly of You - I put You in a box or get far too casual. Please forgive me. Your Word is Truth and through it You correct my wrong thinking. "For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide until death." (48:14) For this I am so thankful!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 50:1 "The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting."
I have been reading A.W. Tozer's book The Knowledge of the Holy. His opening chapter speaks of the importance of how we think of God. "the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like." (p. 1) He also says, "It is impossible to keep our moral practices sound and our inward attitudes right while our idea of God is erroneous and inadequate." (p. viii)
This is one of the things the Psalms brings out so well - the majesty and glory of our Lord. He is the Might One! "Let be and be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" (46:10) I find that I need to read this often. I need constant reminding of Who God is. The world and daily living can so easily draw me away, make my mind lazy in regards to how I think of You, Lord.
Over and over the Psalms point out God's majesty and greatness. They also point out man's finiteness. "For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him." (49:17) This too I need constant reminding about. I can so easily start focusing on me and my wants and desires.
Oh, Lord, I know there are times when I do no think correctly of You - I put You in a box or get far too casual. Please forgive me. Your Word is Truth and through it You correct my wrong thinking. "For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide until death." (48:14) For this I am so thankful!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Do Not Be Cast Down
Reading: Psalm 40 - 44
My Verse: 43:5 "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my (sad) countenance, and my God."
Reading the Psalms is such a balm to my soul. Lord, I thank You for David. I thank You that I can see that anguish of mind and soul is not so uncommon, but very much a part of the fallen human condition. Though I belong to You, as did David - yet we can be plagued by angst. David used this very angst to cry out to You - to lean more on you. "Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him" was often repeated by Him.
Like David I, too , can cry out to You. "O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to You holy hill and to your dwelling." (43:3) We have been learning about this very thing in Sunday School class with Bruce Wilkinson.He teaches that we need to look at all the "problems" that come up on our life as something to bring us closer to You, Lord. Having been in those classes helps me to see how David did that very thing. Thank You, Lord, for men like Wilkinson, who devote their lives to teaching Your Truth.
And like David I can be so thankful that, "You have given me the capacity to hear and obey." Yes, Lord, it is only because You enable me that I can have a relationship with You. "I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me." (40:17) Amazing Grace - how sweet!
"Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life." (42:8) I do not need to be "cast down"! Praise God!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 43:5 "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my (sad) countenance, and my God."
Reading the Psalms is such a balm to my soul. Lord, I thank You for David. I thank You that I can see that anguish of mind and soul is not so uncommon, but very much a part of the fallen human condition. Though I belong to You, as did David - yet we can be plagued by angst. David used this very angst to cry out to You - to lean more on you. "Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him" was often repeated by Him.
Like David I, too , can cry out to You. "O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to You holy hill and to your dwelling." (43:3) We have been learning about this very thing in Sunday School class with Bruce Wilkinson.He teaches that we need to look at all the "problems" that come up on our life as something to bring us closer to You, Lord. Having been in those classes helps me to see how David did that very thing. Thank You, Lord, for men like Wilkinson, who devote their lives to teaching Your Truth.
And like David I can be so thankful that, "You have given me the capacity to hear and obey." Yes, Lord, it is only because You enable me that I can have a relationship with You. "I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me." (40:17) Amazing Grace - how sweet!
"Yet the Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the God of my life." (42:8) I do not need to be "cast down"! Praise God!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Fret Not
Reading: Psalm 35 - 39
My Verse: 37:8. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself - it tends only to evildoing.
This is a hard thing - I am always wanting to fix things. Lord, You tell me in this passage to fret not yourself - it tends only to evildoing. I do not want to be a busybody - interfering where I have no business - or imposing my ideas on others.
Yet, Lord, I also know that You guide and direct if I follow You. For You tell me. . . Trust in the Lord and do good. (37:3). Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (37:4).
And You tell me if The law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide. (37:3). This tells me that if I am faithfully walking in Your way You will help me or keep me from messing up. You will keep me from being a busybody.
Oh, Lord, I pray for a discerning heart and mind. I pray that You put a guard on my lips that I might speak only what You would have me to speak. I pray that I will not fret over those things I have no control over.
I quote Oswald Chambers here. God never gives us discernment that we may criticize but that we might intercede.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 37:8. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; fret not yourself - it tends only to evildoing.
This is a hard thing - I am always wanting to fix things. Lord, You tell me in this passage to fret not yourself - it tends only to evildoing. I do not want to be a busybody - interfering where I have no business - or imposing my ideas on others.
Yet, Lord, I also know that You guide and direct if I follow You. For You tell me. . . Trust in the Lord and do good. (37:3). Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (37:4).
And You tell me if The law of God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide. (37:3). This tells me that if I am faithfully walking in Your way You will help me or keep me from messing up. You will keep me from being a busybody.
Oh, Lord, I pray for a discerning heart and mind. I pray that You put a guard on my lips that I might speak only what You would have me to speak. I pray that I will not fret over those things I have no control over.
I quote Oswald Chambers here. God never gives us discernment that we may criticize but that we might intercede.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
He Guards Our Minds
Reading: Psalm 31 - 34
My Verse: (32:1) "Blessed is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered."
Guilt can destroy - it eats away at ones pshyce. Lord, I said before that I cannot fully comprehend what You went through on the cross. But this I do know, that You paid the debt for my sin! I can be free of all gult, because of what You did.
". . . for I know Him Whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
We, as Christians have such a wonderful thing in You, Lord. We live in a world full of anguished souls. Souls crying for help.
But You promise us freedom from guilt, a life full of peace and joy. Oh, Lord help me today to live, to conduct myself in such a way as to point others to You.
"And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)
Yes, Lord, I can entrust my heart and mind to You. Thank You for that.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: (32:1) "Blessed is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered."
Guilt can destroy - it eats away at ones pshyce. Lord, I said before that I cannot fully comprehend what You went through on the cross. But this I do know, that You paid the debt for my sin! I can be free of all gult, because of what You did.
". . . for I know Him Whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard and keep that which has been entrusted to me and which I have committed [to Him] until that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
We, as Christians have such a wonderful thing in You, Lord. We live in a world full of anguished souls. Souls crying for help.
But You promise us freedom from guilt, a life full of peace and joy. Oh, Lord help me today to live, to conduct myself in such a way as to point others to You.
"And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)
Yes, Lord, I can entrust my heart and mind to You. Thank You for that.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
An Even Path
Reading: Psalm 27 - 30
My Verse: 27:11 "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path . . . "
While I enjoy the gorgeous soaring majesty of our mountains and the deep valleys and gorges with their riotous green and rushing waters cascading down them my eyes find relief in the level green fields - there is serenity.
And so with my life. Mountain top experiences are grand and valley experiences are needed to grow me but it is quite wonderful to enjoy the serenity of the quiet life. I am able to meditate on Your Word, Lord and Your goodness. I am able to spend time in intercessory prayer. I am able to contemplate all the reasons why I love You!
Thank You, Lord, for the the times of serenity for I know this world is far from serene and most live in great turmoil. But You tell us to seek You, lean on You and You will bring us peace.
"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (27:14)
Even when there is trouble, You promise "For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me;" (27:5)
I am thankful and I praise You, Lord for You, "make Your way level before my face" (5:8)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 27:11 "Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path . . . "
While I enjoy the gorgeous soaring majesty of our mountains and the deep valleys and gorges with their riotous green and rushing waters cascading down them my eyes find relief in the level green fields - there is serenity.
And so with my life. Mountain top experiences are grand and valley experiences are needed to grow me but it is quite wonderful to enjoy the serenity of the quiet life. I am able to meditate on Your Word, Lord and Your goodness. I am able to spend time in intercessory prayer. I am able to contemplate all the reasons why I love You!
Thank You, Lord, for the the times of serenity for I know this world is far from serene and most live in great turmoil. But You tell us to seek You, lean on You and You will bring us peace.
"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. (27:14)
Even when there is trouble, You promise "For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me;" (27:5)
I am thankful and I praise You, Lord for You, "make Your way level before my face" (5:8)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Delays & Glitches
Reading: Psalms 23 - 26
My Verse: 25:14 "The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep inner] meaning."
Oh, Lord, this is what you want from me - to lean to You - to allow You to reveal to me Your truths - this to enable me to have that sweet satisfying companionship with You, and to enjoy the blessings You wish to bestow on me!
I am learning, Lord, each day. I am learning to look to You in each and every situation.
Our return flight from Pedro Bay was delayed for six hours! I was so inconvenienced! Then I remembered, "My times are in Your Hands." (Psalm 31:15)
So, we took a deep breath and went ahead with our preparations to leave as previously scheduled. We then went and hung out at my Mother's place. It ended up being a very sweet time with my little six year old nephew, Holden. I am so grateful, Lord, for this blessing You gave us through this six hour delay.
"Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me." (23:4)
The flight from Pedro Bay to Anchorage was incredible. We had a pilot I felt very safe with and the lighting on the mountains at that time of summer night was exquisite! It ended up being a most beautiful evening. Then the drive down to Soldotna was smooth and uneventful as the traffic at that time of night was negligible.
Yes, Lord, I am learning to rest in You and trust that the delays and glitches are only that to me not to You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 25:14 "The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep inner] meaning."
Oh, Lord, this is what you want from me - to lean to You - to allow You to reveal to me Your truths - this to enable me to have that sweet satisfying companionship with You, and to enjoy the blessings You wish to bestow on me!
I am learning, Lord, each day. I am learning to look to You in each and every situation.
Our return flight from Pedro Bay was delayed for six hours! I was so inconvenienced! Then I remembered, "My times are in Your Hands." (Psalm 31:15)
So, we took a deep breath and went ahead with our preparations to leave as previously scheduled. We then went and hung out at my Mother's place. It ended up being a very sweet time with my little six year old nephew, Holden. I am so grateful, Lord, for this blessing You gave us through this six hour delay.
"Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me." (23:4)
The flight from Pedro Bay to Anchorage was incredible. We had a pilot I felt very safe with and the lighting on the mountains at that time of summer night was exquisite! It ended up being a most beautiful evening. Then the drive down to Soldotna was smooth and uneventful as the traffic at that time of night was negligible.
Yes, Lord, I am learning to rest in You and trust that the delays and glitches are only that to me not to You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Psalm of the Cross
Reading: Psalm 22
My Verse: 22:30,31 "Posterity shall serve him, they shall tell of the Lord to the next generation. They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people yet to be born - that he has done it [that it is finished!]"
This is one Psalm that is hard to read on so many levels. It is ominous and deeply wrenching and yet it has hope - the hope of Our Lord's victory in His finished Work on the cross. And I am so grateful for that. Yet, the plaintive cry of the author here drives deeply.
"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? " (22:1) The very words spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross for me. (Matt. 27:46)
"All who see me laugh at me and mock me; they shoot out the lip, . . ." (22:7,8) And the people did this very thing while You, Lord hung on that cross. "And those who passed by spoke reproachfully and abusively and jeered at Him, wagging their heads." (Matt. 27:39) "He trusts in God, let God deliver Him . . ." (Matt. 27:43)
I cannot fully comprehend what You, Lord, went through to make it possible for a sinful rebellious world to come back into fellowship with You. I am humbly and simply thankful. I am so thankful for those that played a part in bringing me to You. I am thankful that in the end . "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow down and worship before You." (22:27)
I pray Lord, that I do my part to pass on what You have done. For in the end we each of us stand face to face with You. Thank You for what You did on the cross for me, so that I can stand before with You with joy.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 22:30,31 "Posterity shall serve him, they shall tell of the Lord to the next generation. They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people yet to be born - that he has done it [that it is finished!]"
This is one Psalm that is hard to read on so many levels. It is ominous and deeply wrenching and yet it has hope - the hope of Our Lord's victory in His finished Work on the cross. And I am so grateful for that. Yet, the plaintive cry of the author here drives deeply.
"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? " (22:1) The very words spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross for me. (Matt. 27:46)
"All who see me laugh at me and mock me; they shoot out the lip, . . ." (22:7,8) And the people did this very thing while You, Lord hung on that cross. "And those who passed by spoke reproachfully and abusively and jeered at Him, wagging their heads." (Matt. 27:39) "He trusts in God, let God deliver Him . . ." (Matt. 27:43)
I cannot fully comprehend what You, Lord, went through to make it possible for a sinful rebellious world to come back into fellowship with You. I am humbly and simply thankful. I am so thankful for those that played a part in bringing me to You. I am thankful that in the end . "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow down and worship before You." (22:27)
I pray Lord, that I do my part to pass on what You have done. For in the end we each of us stand face to face with You. Thank You for what You did on the cross for me, so that I can stand before with You with joy.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Illumine Me!
Psalm 18 - 21
My Verse: 18:28 "For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness."
I love the imagery of this verse. I feel that You, Lord, illumine my darkness continually and progressively. I know there are days when I feel brighter! But, because I was born a sinner and live in a sinful, fallen world I know that this illunminating process will not be complete until I am with You in Heaven.
So, Lord, I pray each day that you lighten my darkness - make me glow that others would see You in me. I pray each day that You will protect me from sinning. "Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great trangression!" (19: 12, 13)
Only You, Lord, can keep me from the dominating power of sin! "I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God. , my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies." (18:1-3)
Oh What Blessed Assurance! Thank You, Lord, for lighting my world!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 18:28 "For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; the Lord my God illumines my darkness."
I love the imagery of this verse. I feel that You, Lord, illumine my darkness continually and progressively. I know there are days when I feel brighter! But, because I was born a sinner and live in a sinful, fallen world I know that this illunminating process will not be complete until I am with You in Heaven.
So, Lord, I pray each day that you lighten my darkness - make me glow that others would see You in me. I pray each day that You will protect me from sinning. "Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent and clear of great trangression!" (19: 12, 13)
Only You, Lord, can keep me from the dominating power of sin! "I love You fervently and devotedly, O Lord, my Strength. The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God. , my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. I will call upon the Lord, Who is to be praised, so shall I be saved from my enemies." (18:1-3)
Oh What Blessed Assurance! Thank You, Lord, for lighting my world!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
A Hiding Place
Reading: Pslam 13 - 17
My Verse: 16:1 "Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself."
I am so enjoying immersing myself in the Psalms - it is like a balm to my soul. Here I try to envision "hide myself" in You, Lord. ESV says "for in you I take refuge". I keep seeing a fierce storm with a tiny bird hiding away in the small nook of a tree. This reminds me how frail I am, how incapable I am to take on life's storms on my own and how little control I have of the circumstances around me.
"You will show me the path of life; in Your prescence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (16:11) "My times are in Your hands." (31:15)
Thankfully, I don't need to struggle along on my own power! Thank You for reminding me of this for You will "Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings." (17:8)
I am so blessed to belong to You! "As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness; I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You]." (17:18) Yes, You are my hiding place! I can be that little bird - snuggling away in the safety of Your loving protection.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 16:1 "Keep and protect me, O God, for in You I have found refuge, and in You do I put my trust and hide myself."
I am so enjoying immersing myself in the Psalms - it is like a balm to my soul. Here I try to envision "hide myself" in You, Lord. ESV says "for in you I take refuge". I keep seeing a fierce storm with a tiny bird hiding away in the small nook of a tree. This reminds me how frail I am, how incapable I am to take on life's storms on my own and how little control I have of the circumstances around me.
"You will show me the path of life; in Your prescence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (16:11) "My times are in Your hands." (31:15)
Thankfully, I don't need to struggle along on my own power! Thank You for reminding me of this for You will "Keep and guard me as the pupil of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings." (17:8)
I am so blessed to belong to You! "As for me, I will continue beholding Your face in righteousness; I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake beholding Your form [and having sweet communion with You]." (17:18) Yes, You are my hiding place! I can be that little bird - snuggling away in the safety of Your loving protection.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Anxiety
Reading: Pslam 5 - 12
My Verse: 11:3 "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
There are times when I feel a bit of a panic - a deep anxiety brought on when I hear of another erosion of our Biblical heritage. The Godly foundation laid down by our founding fathers is slowly getting eroded away. My inner soul cries out, "No!" It is at these times that I understand Isaiah and Jeremiah as they wept for their Jewish nation when it was in rebellion.
"Your own wickedness shall chasten and correct you, and your backslidings and desertion of faith shall reprove you. Know therefore and recognize that this is an evil and bitter thing [first], you have forsaken the Lord your God; [second] you are indifferent to Me and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord of hosts." (Jeremiah 2:19)
Oh, Lord, this is when I most need to cry out to You! This is when I most need to plead for mercy for our nation, our leaders, our churches. And this is when I most need to trust in You as the Rock, my Solid Foundation. For You are Almighty God and Your Word is Truth!
"The wonders and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. You will keep and preserve them, O Lord, You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever." (12:6-7)
Yes, Lord, I must keep ever focused on You - only then will the deep anxiety go away, only then will I have peace. "And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 11:3 "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
There are times when I feel a bit of a panic - a deep anxiety brought on when I hear of another erosion of our Biblical heritage. The Godly foundation laid down by our founding fathers is slowly getting eroded away. My inner soul cries out, "No!" It is at these times that I understand Isaiah and Jeremiah as they wept for their Jewish nation when it was in rebellion.
"Your own wickedness shall chasten and correct you, and your backslidings and desertion of faith shall reprove you. Know therefore and recognize that this is an evil and bitter thing [first], you have forsaken the Lord your God; [second] you are indifferent to Me and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord of hosts." (Jeremiah 2:19)
Oh, Lord, this is when I most need to cry out to You! This is when I most need to plead for mercy for our nation, our leaders, our churches. And this is when I most need to trust in You as the Rock, my Solid Foundation. For You are Almighty God and Your Word is Truth!
"The wonders and promises of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times over. You will keep and preserve them, O Lord, You will guard and keep us from this [evil] generation forever." (12:6-7)
Yes, Lord, I must keep ever focused on You - only then will the deep anxiety go away, only then will I have peace. "And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Night Watches
Reading: Psalm 1-4
My Verse: 4:8 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust."
So many nights I lie awake longing for blissful sleep. But the mind won't quit its chattering!
I find that this is the time when I need most to cry out to You, Lord to help me to keep my thoughts in check. This is the time I need to focus on You! A friend and I were discussing sleepless nights and she said. "Well, if the Lord is not allowing me to sleep then He must be wanting me to meditate on Him!"
"When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches!" Psalm 63:6
Instead of complaining I need to look at this as an opportunity to commune with You! It isn't easy, but I am learning. You tell me to "commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts)". (4:4) This is restated in Ephesians 4:26 "When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath last until the sun goes down." So this is my opportunity, with Your help, to clean out my mind of all the garbage that may have gotten in there throughout my day and to confess up on those sins that I committed.
This requires discipline, of which I sorely lack. But again, You provide. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek you; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." (63:1) Thank You, for this wonderful opportunity, Lord!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 4:8 "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust."
So many nights I lie awake longing for blissful sleep. But the mind won't quit its chattering!
I find that this is the time when I need most to cry out to You, Lord to help me to keep my thoughts in check. This is the time I need to focus on You! A friend and I were discussing sleepless nights and she said. "Well, if the Lord is not allowing me to sleep then He must be wanting me to meditate on Him!"
"When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches!" Psalm 63:6
Instead of complaining I need to look at this as an opportunity to commune with You! It isn't easy, but I am learning. You tell me to "commune with your own hearts upon your beds and be silent (sorry for the things you say in your hearts)". (4:4) This is restated in Ephesians 4:26 "When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath last until the sun goes down." So this is my opportunity, with Your help, to clean out my mind of all the garbage that may have gotten in there throughout my day and to confess up on those sins that I committed.
This requires discipline, of which I sorely lack. But again, You provide. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)
"O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek you; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is." (63:1) Thank You, for this wonderful opportunity, Lord!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)