Love Spurgeon! Really into this book. :)

Sunday, November 06, 2011
Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry
C. H. Spurgeon

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November 6
Delight and Desires

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Delight in God has a transforming power and lifts a man above the gross desire of our fallen nature. Delight in Jehovah is not only sweet in itself, but it sweetens the whole soul, till the longings of the heart become such that the Lord can safely promise to fulfill them. Is not that a grand delight which molds our desires till they are like the desires of God?

Our foolish way is to desire and then set to work to compass what we desire. We do not go to work in God's way, which is to seek Him first and then expect all things to be added unto us. If we will let our heart be filled with God till it runs over with delight, then the Lord Himself will take care that we shall not want any good thing. Instead of going abroad for joys let us stay at home with God and drink waters out of our own fountain. He can do for us far more than all our friends. It is better to be content with God alone than to go about fretting and pining for the paltry trifles of time and sense. For a while we may have disappointments; but if these bring us nearer to the Lord, they are things to be prized exceedingly, for they will in the end secure to us the fulfillment of all our right desires.

you are.

you are my strength when i am weak. you are the treasure that i seek. you are my all in all... seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up I would be a fool. you are my all in all. Jesus, you're my lamb of God. Worthy is your name... Jesus... your my lamb of God... worthy is your name. when i fall down you pick me up when i am dry you fill my cup you are my all in all. seeking you as a precious jewel. lord to give up i 'd be a fool. you are my all in all.

Deut. 33:12

"The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders."

Love this!

Spurgeon's comments: (all credit to Spurgeon)

-no safety like being with the Lord
-there is no surer or safer place.... "Let me always abide under thy shadow."
-What a covering is that which the Lord gives to His chosen. The Lord himself covers him (not an angel, a shelter, etc). "Lord, let me abide this day consciously beneath the canopy of your love, this pavilion of sovereign power.
_The Lord is the support and strength of His saints. "Lord, let me ever enjoy Thy help, and then thy arms will be sufficient for me."

Matt. 10:42

And whosover shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no way lose his reward. Matt. 10:42

"For the sake of their Master, I love the disciples." - Spurgeon

Do this humbly, do this cheerfully. A small act.

"Evidently it is not the cost, nor the skill, nor the quantity, that He looks at, but the motive: that which we do to a disciples, because he is a disciple, his Lord observes and recompenses. He does not reward us for the merit of what we do but according to the riches of His grace. I give a cup of cold water, and He makes me to drink of living water. I give to one of His little ones, and He treats me as one of them. Jesus finds an apology for his liberality in that which His grace has led me to do, and He says, 'He shall in no way lose his reward.'" - Spurgeon

Wow! So good. WTs=
1. Build up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Not here.
2. First give to His disciples.
3. It is not the quantity, it is the drink.
4. Minister to those around me, and notice who needs a drink.

Help me today, O God, take my eyes off of self and notice who needs a drink of cold water. Amen.

2 Cor. 1:12 - "We conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God". Simplicity and godly sincerity. Simplicity.

love this verse. need to memorize it. It reminds me of a song a friend wrote.

Keep it simple.
Let your faith show through.
Worship in spirit and truth.
Keep it simple.
Be real with him.
For He knows the heart within.

Don't lie when you can speak truth.
Don't speak when quiet reigns.
Don't cry when tears aren't falling.
Don't march in your own parade.

A humble spirit
is enough to please the Lord.
So don't speak louder
than any written word.

Don't run when you can walk.
Don't swim when you can wade.

And I don't remember the rest. :)

Need to remember Simplicity today.

Make the most of EVERY opportunity. Thank God for ALL things.

It is a lovely day!

In my quiet time today, God is speaking to me about redeeming the time, amongst other things to reflect upon as well.

Ephesians 5Ephesians 5:14-20
New International Version (NIV)

14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.




Reflect:
1. Be careful how I live.
2. Make the most of every opportunity.
3. Understand what the Lord's will is.
4. Do not be drunk on wine.
5. Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
6. Sing and make music in your HEART to the Lord.
7. Always be thanking the Lord.

Good stuff. Thank you God for leading me to this passage today. I think I needed this to perk me up a little. You are the giver of all we need and I am grateful. Bless this day.

Amen

Love this song! Revelation by Kari Jobe

Love this song!!!

Jesus your name is power
Breath and living water...
Such a mighty mystery.

holy Holy, Holy
is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come...
With all creation I sing
Praise to the king of kings
you are my everything
and I will adore you.

Oh you are worthy!

Isaiah 43 Reflections

Reflect:
1. Whatever we walk thru, He is with us and we will not be harmed.
2. We are precious and honored in his sight.
3. Lead out those who have eyes, but are blind. Use me, God, to help those who do not know you.
4. We are his witnesses. What kind of witness am i?
5. When God acts, who can reverse it. He is completely Sovereign over all.
6. Forget the former things. See, He is doing a new thing.Perceive how He is working.
7. Honor the Lord with my sacrifices and FIRSTFRUITS.
8. Review the past and see God's hand.


Isaiah 43
Israel’s Only Savior
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”

God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness
14 This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,[b]
in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”
16 This is what the LORD says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
17 who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.

22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
you have not wearied yourselves for[c] me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,
nor honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with grain offerings
nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,
or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied me with your offenses.

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
26 Review the past for me,
let us argue the matter together;
state the case for your innocence.
27 Your first father sinned;
those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
I consigned Jacob to destruction[d]
and Israel to scorn.

great words...sarah young in Jesus Calling

The world is too much with you, my child. your mind leaps from problem to problem to problem, tnagling your thoughts in anxious knots. when you think like that, you leave Me out of your world view and your mind becomes darkened. Though I yearn to help, I will not violate your freedom. I stand silently inthe background of your mind, waiting for you to remember that I am with you.

When you turn from your problems to My presence your load is immediately lighter. Circumstances may not have changed, but we carry your burdens together. Your compulsion to "fix" everything gives way to deep, satisfying connection with me. Together we can handle whatever this day brings.


Words from my friend Kim: Sit back and wait for the unveiling of God's perfect plan. Rest in that. He has his ultimate plan in mind in all that is done. She said it better than that; i can't remember her exact words but i love the unveiling and the resting part. Help me Lord not to be anxious. I give it up to you. Give me a peace in your will.

Acts 13

Reflect:
1. When the disciples were worshipping the Lord and fasting, they received a word from God; direction. Worship, set my mind on Him, and exercise the discipline of fasting. God will do the guiding.
2.Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to all.
3. Paul and Barnabus, when rejected and abused by the Jews, shook the dust off their feet and moved on.

Acts 13
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
On Cyprus
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

In Pisidian Antioch
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[a] in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
today I have become your father.’[b]

34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’[c]

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’[d]

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’[e]”

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you[f] a light for the Gentiles,
that you[g] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[h]”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2

Reflect:
1. Such deep truths from Solomon. Wow. There is no true satisfaction except in the Lord.
2. Eat, drink, find satisfaction in my own toil with God as the center.
3. "To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, happiness." Interesting. This may be the only place in the bible that actually uses the word happiness.
4. Truly, it is all quite meaningless without God and the kingdom in mind. Much of our "anxious striving" is meaningless. Solomon's words. Anxious striving. Solomon seems borderline depressed. Interesting. I wonder if these words were in a journal he kept or what initially... hmmm...

Prayer: Lord, let me intertwine you right into the middle of it all... my life, my girls, my work, my family, my friends, my acquaintances. Lord, I depend upon you today for all i am, all i have, all i do. Amen.

Jesus Calling: "Keep your eyes on me, not only for direction but also for empowerment. I never lead you to do something without equipping you for the task. That is why it is so important to seek My will in everything. In order to know My will, you must spend time with Me, enjoying My Presence. This is not an onerous task but a delightful privilege. I will show you the path of Life; in My Presence is fullness of Joy; at My right hand there are pleasures forevermore."

Ecclesiastes 2
Pleasures Are Meaningless
1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless
12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king’s successor do
than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise have eyes in their heads,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.
15 Then I said to myself,

“The fate of the fool will overtake me also.
What then do I gain by being wise?”
I said to myself,
“This too is meaningless.”
16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered;
the days have already come when both have been forgotten.
Like the fool, the wise too must die!

Toil Is Meaningless
17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ps. 148-150

Reflect:
1. We were created to praise Him.
2. He takes delight in our praises.
3. Praise and a double-edged sword is our victory.


Psalm 148-150 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 148
1 Praise the LORD.[a]
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
2 Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3 Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for at his command they were created,
6 and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.

7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12 young men and women,
old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14 And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

Psalm 149
1 Praise the LORD.[c]
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with victory.
5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
and sing for joy on their beds.

6 May the praise of God be in their mouths
and a double-edged sword in their hands,
7 to inflict vengeance on the nations
and punishment on the peoples,
8 to bind their kings with fetters,
their nobles with shackles of iron,
9 to carry out the sentence written against them—
this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.[d]
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.

None of Us is Righteous before You

My heart is heavy as I went to my old friend's funeral yesterday. He was a believer that lost his way. My age. My heart is so heavy for his family. I am looking for some comfort today from my God. I am hoping these Psalms will speak to me.

Reflect:
1. No one living is righteous before God.
2. Your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
3. This Psalm reminds me of someone being swallowed up by depression. None of us is righteous before God. Sometimes, God, you are hard to find. "Do not bring your servant into judgment." I pray you met Kev at the gates of heaven, Lord, and brought him back to his first love.
4. We are, to God, a breath. A fleeting shadow.
5. Nothing can snatch us, God, from your hands... not even our own rebellion. No one is righteous before you.
6. His blessing is upon his people. Amen.

Lord, I lift up to you today the Kevin's family. I pray for their comfort... their assurance, that Kevin is with you in a better place. This life is hard, God. We make it harder sometimes by our own choices, but I pray for your mercy upon us. for your mercy upon that family. I pray for peace for them in the midst of this sudden chaos. I pray for your love to surround them today to strengthen them. Amen.

Psalm 143-144 (Today’s New International Version, ©2005)

Psalm 143
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

7 Answer me quickly, LORD;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, LORD,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.

Psalm 144
Of David.
1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples[b] under me.

3 LORD, what are human beings that you care for them,
mere mortals that you think of them?
4 They are like a breath;
their days are like a fleeting shadow.

5 Part your heavens, LORD, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6 Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
7 Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
8 whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.

9 I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10 to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David.

From the deadly sword 11 deliver me;
rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.

12 Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
13 Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
14 our oxen will draw heavy loads.[c]
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
15 Blessed is the people of whom this is true;
blessed is the people whose God is the LORD.

Psalm 131-134

Reflect:
1. Do not concern yourself with great matters. Calm yourself. Quiet your ambitions. Do not be proud or haughty. Give all great matters over to Him.
2. Pray that God would arise and come to his resting place. That he may dwell in my house. "You and the ark of your might."
3. The Lord bestows his goodness on those that are his dwelling in UNITY.


Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed myself
and quieted my ambitions.
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 132
A song of ascents.
1 LORD, remember David
and all his self-denial.

2 He swore an oath to the LORD
and made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “I will not enter my house
or go to my bed,
4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
5 till I find a place for the LORD,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 We heard it in Ephrathah,
we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:[a]
7 “Let us go to his dwelling place,
let us worship at his footstool, saying,
8 ‘Arise, LORD, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;
may your faithful people sing for joy.’”

10 For the sake of your servant David,
do not reject your anointed one.

11 The LORD swore an oath to David,
a sure oath that he will not revoke:
“One of your own descendants
I will place on your throne.
12 If your sons keep my covenant
and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
on your throne for ever and ever.”

13 For the LORD has chosen Zion,
he has desired it for his dwelling, saying,
14 “This is my resting place for ever and ever;
here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.
15 I will bless her with abundant provisions;
her poor I will satisfy with food.
16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,
and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.

17 “Here I will make a horn[b] grow for David
and set up a lamp for my anointed one.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but his head will be adorned with a resplendent crown.”

Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Psalm 134
A song of ascents.
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.

3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 128-30: The Blessings for those who Fear Him

Reflect:
1. Claim the blessing of those who fear Him.
2. I have been cut free from the chords of the wicked. Live like it.
3. I wait for the Lord. My whole being waits. Like watchmen for the morning.
4. With the Lord is unfailing love and FULL REDEMPTION.
5. We are forgiven that we might, with reverance, serve Him.
6. Place my hope in the Lord.


Psalm 128-130 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel.

Psalm 129
A song of ascents.
1 “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
let Israel say;
2 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
but they have not gained the victory over me.
3 Plowmen have plowed my back
and made their furrows long.
4 But the LORD is righteous;
he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

5 May all who hate Zion
be turned back in shame.
6 May they be like grass on the roof,
which withers before it can grow;
7 a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,
nor one who gathers fill his arms.
8 May those who pass by not say to them,
“The blessing of the LORD be on you;
we bless you in the name of the LORD.”

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
2 Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

It's Your Life

Another cool song...
Convicting.

Our lives say what we are and who our hearts beat for... it's an open door.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7veImSGNAEc&feature=fvst

"Forever Love" by Francesca Batticelli

Love this song that is on! :) Very comforting.

Youtube link to the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPlvDtpYi_g


(Chorus)
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love
You are my forever love

From the bottom of my heart I’ll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I’ll run to You
‘Cause all that I’ve become I owe to You

(Chorus)

From the bottom of my heart I’ll sing to You
From the depths of who I am I love You
With everything inside I’ll run to You
‘Cause all that I’ve become I owe to You

(Chorus)

Nothing in this world could ever separate us
I will love You more than anyone on earth
Nothing I desire could ever satisfy me the way that You do

(Chorus)

+ Entry lasted edited by piano89 on 07.23.08

Psalm 119

TTP:
1. Pray to be blameless... pray for conviction.
2. Seek Him with ALL MY HEART.
3. He has laid down precepts that are to be FULLY OBEYED.
4. PRAISE HIM WITH AN UPRIGHT HEART.
5. Ps. 119:9-16 - Post in classroom; post on fridge. Amazing reminders of how to raise ALL my kiddos (including CC kids)
6. Rejoice in following God's statutes as one rejoicing in great riches. Wow.
7. Meditate on His Word. Consider His ways.
8. "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." :18
9. Be a stranger on earth.
10. Be consumed with longing for his law.
11. "Your statutes are my delight. They are my counselors."
12. Run in the path of His commands.
13. Turn my heart toward his statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Watch my heart and where it leads. Watch what my focus is upon.


I love this Psalm. It is an amazing reminder of what to set my heart and eyes upon and how often we are distracted by truly worthless idols. It is also a reminder as to how he made us and wrote his laws for us because he knows us and wants what's best for us. Our purpose in life is to glorify Him. We so forget this and look to glory for ourselves. Be more convicted of this truth. Be more convicted to rejoice and not dread His Word and will. Stay on his path of glory... for his glory... He created it to be full of glory. Glorious. Be blessed. Be blessed. :)

Psalm 119[a] (Italics mine)
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.

TTP: (things to ponder)
1. For the sake of your name, lead and guide me, since you are my rock and fortress.
2. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me. A trap is already set for me. The enemy is clever. He knows the weakness of my flesh. I pray for you to keep my heart free and help me to stop any thoughts at the threshold, giving them to you.
3.Do not CLING to worthless idols (ie-TV, etc.; anything that consumes my mind).
4.REJOICE TODAY in His Love.
5. Remember what God has done in my life. Be thankful for the spacious place he has set my feet.

Go before me today, God. It is yours. Help me to hear your voice and respond in obedience, grace, and love. Give me control over my tongue and my temper. Bless my husband as he goes back to work today. Bless my Maggie at the zoo with my Mom. Bless my kids as they are at school. Amen.



Psalm 31[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, LORD, my faithful God.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
as for me, I trust in the LORD.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Psalm 111-112

WTs:
1. As I go out today, especially by the water and in a different environment, ponder the works of the Lord.
2. All God's precepts are trustworthy. He is trustworthy.
3. The beginning of wisdom is fearing the Lord.
4. Claim the promise that for those who fear the Lord, their children will be blessed.
5. Lend freely. It is all God's anyway. Don't hold onto what I have. Good comes to those who lend freely. Freely scatter gifts to others, especially those who are poor.

Psalm 111
Psalm 111[e]
1 Praise the LORD.[f]
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2 Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
5 He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are established for ever and ever,
enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 112
Psalm 112[g]
1 Praise the LORD.[h]
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.

6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn[i] will be lifted high in honor.

10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Interesting Excerpt from Crosswalk.com

Reflection: I need to remember the difference between a primary calling and secondary. These are interesting words from crosswalk.com about this topic. I do feel like God has called me to my job right now. It is a ministry and a lifestyle. When tempted to go elsewhere for financial reasons, I truly have to remember that for this season, God has called me to teach in a Christian school.

I pray to have an impact today on my younger sisters and brothers in Christ, God. I pray you would give me seeds to plant in their young hearts and to spur them on to you! You are my provider. I trust in you. This world is not eternal. You are eternal and so is your kingdom. I trust in you. Lead me in what to invest here at this school and what to invest in the home. I know the home is part of my primary calling. I pray that you would clearly direct the way the next 3 months to part-time here or full-time. Clearly open and close doors. Lead hearts. Lead mine. Also, I pray for the sweet girl that wants to accept you today and pray that I can follow through on meeting with her. Follow through in leading her into a relationship with you. THIS is what heaven rejoices over. Amen.

Most of us are looking for a calling, not a job," says Nora Watson in her interview for Studs Terkel's classic book Working. "Most of us...have jobs that are too small for our spirit. Jobs are not big enough for people." She compared her job with that of her father, who had felt his work was "a profession of himself" and a calling.

Many people feel trapped in work that provides a paycheck but little else. They find they have little opportunity to use their gifts or do anything that is personally meaningful. Have you reached a point in your life where you know that what you are doing is not enough? Are you looking for your calling rather than settling for just another job?

Understanding Your "Primary Calling" vs. Your "Secondary Callings"

Most of us spend 60% or more of our lives working. The right job can give you opportunities to use your unique gifts and abilities to make a positive difference in the world. Being in the wrong job can be agonizing, affecting every area of your life.

As you seek to find work that is a calling, however, it is important to realize that your work is not your most important calling. There is a critical distinction between your "primary calling" to follow Jesus and your "secondary callings," or life roles, which include your work:

The Bible...reveals that work is not our central calling. There are no biblical examples of someone being called to paid employment.... Before being called to something, we are called to Someone. Before being called to do, we are called to be.

Our primary calling is to be in a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that God has called us into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ....Our primary calling is not tied to our employment.... God values us for who we are, not for what we can produce or achieve within work. God's call to us is an eternal one that encompasses and transcends our temporal activities....

Your work, or vocational calling, is one of your secondary callings.... Your vocational calling is a summons from God to use your gifts in the world, whether it be within paid employment, the home, or volunteer activities. [As Os Guinness says,] "But these and other things are always the secondary, never the primary calling. They are ‘callings' rather than the ‘calling.' They are our personal answer to God's address, our response to God's summons. Secondary callings matter, but only because the primary calling matters most." (Live Your Calling, pp. 5-8)

Therefore, if you are a Christian who is seeking to follow Jesus each and every day, you have already found your most important calling! (For more information about the primary calling, see Your Most Important Callingat www.LiveYourCalling.com.) You can live this calling even if you are unemployed or in work that doesn't fit you well. The more diligently you are seeking to live your primary calling, the more effectively the Lord can guide you in finding your vocational calling (that is, work that fits your gifts and brings a deep sense of purpose and significance.)

Psalm 107

WTS:
1. Anyone who cries out to the Lord, he saves.
2. He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
3. He breaks through unbreakable bars of bondage. He is miraculous. He makes a way when there seems to be none.
4. Pray for God to send out HIS WORD AND HEAL those who are in distress. Be specific in prayer and believe.
5. He hushes the waves and brings the storm to a whisper.
6. He turns the desert into pools of water; parched ground into springs. Pray for these things specifically.
7. Turn my gaze to Him and believe.


Psalm 107
BOOK V
Psalms 107–150
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.[a]

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the plans of the Most High.
12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
16 for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.

17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
18 They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea[b] were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.

33 He turned rivers into a desert,
flowing springs into thirsty ground,
34 and fruitful land into a salt waste,
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
and the parched ground into flowing springs;
36 there he brought the hungry to live,
and they founded a city where they could settle.
37 They sowed fields and planted vineyards
that yielded a fruitful harvest;
38 he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
and he did not let their herds diminish.

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
40 he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
and increased their families like flocks.
42 The upright see and rejoice,
but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things
and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.

Another Great Read!

I am reading another old book called Devotional Prayers by Henry Thornton. Amazing depth of insight and words from a man who lived in the 1800s. I absolutely LOVE this book. It is a book of real faith, purified faith, deep faith, simplified faith. I love to read these prayers in the morning when my own prayers lack substance. Love what he says on pg. 19.

You have given to each of us our work in life; Lord, enable us diligently to perform our respective duties. Let us not waste our time in unprofitableness or idleness, nor be unfaithful to any trust committed to us. Let us not put on the mere appearance of goodness, nor try in any way to deceive those around us. But let us remember that Your eye is upon us, and let us have the testimony of our consciences, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have our conversation in the world.

Simplicity...
Godly Sincerity... two character traits I pray for in my life.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Love this excerpt from today's reading:

"I am the Resurrection and the Life; all lasting Life emanates from Me. People search for life in many wrong ways: chasing after fleeting pleasures, accumulating possessions and wealth, trying to deny the inevitable effects of aging. Meanwhile, I freely offer abundant Life to everyone who turns toward Me. As you come to Me and take My yoke upon you, I fill you with My very Life. This is how I choose to live in the world and accomplish My purposes. This is also how I bless you with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory. The Joy is Mine, and the Glory is Mine; but I bestow them on you as you live in My Presence, inviting Me to live fully in you."

Psalm 106

Interesting how we as a people are bent on rebellion. We forget much of the amazing things that God has done. We forget to believe and lack faith, just like the people of Israel.

Lord, help me to remember your works, to continue to praise you, to act justly and do what is right.

WTS:
1. God saves to make his mighty name known.
2. Do not "grumble in your tents." Grumbling does not please God. It is complaining about him or his creation.
3. Do not "despise the pleasant land." Believe his promise.
4. Idols are a snare.


Psalm 106
1 Praise the LORD.[a]
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the LORD
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right.

4 Remember me, LORD, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.

6 We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
7 When our ancestors were in Egypt,
they gave no thought to your miracles;
they did not remember your many kindnesses,
and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.[b]
8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake,
to make his mighty power known.
9 He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up;
he led them through the depths as through a desert.
10 He saved them from the hand of the foe;
from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.
11 The waters covered their adversaries;
not one of them survived.
12 Then they believed his promises
and sang his praise.

13 But they soon forgot what he had done
and did not wait for his plan to unfold.
14 In the desert they gave in to their craving;
in the wilderness they put God to the test.
15 So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease among them.

16 In the camp they grew envious of Moses
and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the LORD.
17 The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan;
it buried the company of Abiram.
18 Fire blazed among their followers;
a flame consumed the wicked.
19 At Horeb they made a calf
and worshiped an idol cast from metal.
20 They exchanged their glorious God
for an image of a bull, which eats grass.
21 They forgot the God who saved them,
who had done great things in Egypt,
22 miracles in the land of Ham
and awesome deeds by the Red Sea.
23 So he said he would destroy them—
had not Moses, his chosen one,
stood in the breach before him
to keep his wrath from destroying them.

24 Then they despised the pleasant land;
they did not believe his promise.
25 They grumbled in their tents
and did not obey the LORD. 26
So he swore to them with uplifted hand
that he would make them fall in the wilderness,
27 make their descendants fall among the nations
and scatter them throughout the lands.

28 They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor
and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods;
29 they aroused the LORD’s anger by their wicked deeds,
and a plague broke out among them.
30 But Phinehas stood up and intervened,
and the plague was checked.
31 This was credited to him as righteousness
for endless generations to come.
32 By the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD,
and trouble came to Moses because of them;
33 for they rebelled against the Spirit of God,
and rash words came from Moses’ lips.[c]

34 They did not destroy the peoples
as the LORD had commanded them,
35 but they mingled with the nations
and adopted their customs.
36 They worshiped their idols,
which became a snare to them.
37 They sacrificed their sons
and their daughters to false gods.
38 They shed innocent blood,
the blood of their sons and daughters,
whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan,
and the land was desecrated by their blood.
39 They defiled themselves by what they did;
by their deeds they prostituted themselves.

40 Therefore the LORD was angry with his people
and abhorred his inheritance.
41 He gave them into the hands of the nations,
and their foes ruled over them.
42 Their enemies oppressed them
and subjected them to their power.
43 Many times he delivered them,
but they were bent on rebellion
and they wasted away in their sin.
44 Yet he took note of their distress
when he heard their cry;
45 for their sake he remembered his covenant
and out of his great love he relented.
46 He caused all who held them captive
to show them mercy.

47 Save us, LORD our God,
and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.

48 Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the LORD.

Feb. 28th

Hebrews 12:1-2, 2nd Timothy 4:2-5
Preach the word in season and out. Convince, rebuke, exhort with patience for the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching; but follow their own desires turning away from truth and turning to fables. Be watchful, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, now seated right hand of the throne of God.

WTs:
1. Run the race set before me. Don't look back. Don't stop moving.
2. Do the work of an evangelist.
3. Be watchful. Endure afflictions. Fulfill my ministry.

Lord, be with me today. Strengthen me for what is ahead. Help me to do it in your Spirit and not the flesh. Forgive my sin. Cleanse me by the blood of Jesus, and help me today to walk with strength and dignity as you have designed. In Jesus' name I pray.Be with those who desperately need you. Help me to hear your voice speak to me. Quiet my soul. Help me to think of others and not self. Amen.

Trust and Be Thankful

From Jesus Calling

Trust and thankfulness will get you safely through this day. Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining; those sister sins that so easily entangle you.

Keeping your eyes on Me is the same thing as trusting me. It is a free choice that you must make thousands of times daily. The more you choose to trust Me, the easier it becomes. Thought patterns of trust become etched in your brain. Relegate troubles to the periphery of your mind, so that I can be central in your thoughts. Thus you focus on Me, entrusting your concerns into my care.

Throwing it Aside

Bible Verse James 1:21-24
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

We deceive ourselves when we hear, receive, but do not do. We cannot be who God created us to be without being true to His Word, which brings life... The Word of the God who made us.

The pastor at church yesterday said that people want to see God. They really do. It is a sad thing when the Christian community does not reflect who God really is. Reflect who He made us to be. We forget who we are when we walk away and become what our flesh desires. Become just what we would naturally in our hearts follow.

Lord, help your church to lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness. Help us to reflect who you made us to be. Help us to show Jesus to others. I pray you would use me today to reflect Jesus to the church that I serve as I teach. We are but flesh. You, on the other hand, are perfect. Walk with us, your church, and help us to throw aside all temptations to be worldly. Help us to teach and model for our children what you value. Help us to take Your Light to this dark world where the harvest is ripe. I pray for these kids today that I teach. I pray that they would know what it means to be a light and to take it to the world and their neighborhood around them. Help me to model this to my own children. Help us not to stay in our "safety net" but to look in the mirror, see you, and then, walk away and be you to any one who needs you. Give us a heart for the world.

Amen.

Strongholds and Setbacks

Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

It has been brought to my attention once again that I wrestle not only with my flesh, but also with the unseen spiritual dimension in my life.

Yesterday was a tough day wrestling with old strongholds. Satan knows my thoughts from my behavior and studying me, although he cannot read my mind. I need to remember to guard my mind from the enemy, including taking all thoughts captive and making them obedient to Christ.

God, forgive me for falling into my old habits of thinking. Free me from those things that trap my mind and take away my freedom in you. I pray for this new day and ask that it be relinquished to you. I pray that you would guard me from all that is wicked today, including strongholds from the enemy and my past. Let my words and thoughts dwell on the eternal and not the temporary. Let me not worry, but hold supreme confidence in you. Lead my path today. Lead me to be who you created me to be for your glory. Amen.

1/6 A New Day; A New Year

I love beginnings. It is so nice to have a fresh start. God must have known how we need beginnings and endings. January is a great beginning place for fresh starts. After journaling this morning and looking at a friend's blog, I just realize how thankful I am for the tapestry God creates in our lives and the lives of our kids. It becomes beautiful as He is the weaver. If we try to do it ourself, it is immature and sometimes ugly. At best, it looks good, but with His hand, He creates. He is Creator.

My friends from church adopted two children from Ethiopia a year ago. Over the past hour, I have been reading her blogs from the past year. It is so apparent to me how God uses people as they turn to Him and desire to glorify Him. He is glorified. With all the hurts that two little children in an orphanage endured, God has given them such joy. It is so obvious from the pictures. God also brought those two little ones into a saving knowledge of Him. Amazing how He works.

I look forward, Lord, to your tapestry this year. Weave your hand, and I will submit. More and more I see how foolish we are when we go our own way. How ugly things can get. How chaotic the threads can look, but really, how beautiful things can be. Worry, anxiety, panic, frustration... all of this is of our own weaving.

I am thankful that you said "Give us this day our daily bread." This day. And use us to help feed others.

You are good. Bless this day. Thank you for the gift of it. You are the Creator. Create this day as you will, God.


Psalm 14-16 (New International Version, ©2010)

Psalm 14
For the director of music. Of David.
1 The fool[a] says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on the LORD.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.

7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When the LORD restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 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;
5 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.

Psalm 16
A miktam[b] of David.
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.” 3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[c] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Reflecting on a New Year

So, here I am thinking of the New Year, of course, as it is the first of January. What will be different this year? What will be the same? What did I want to change in 2010 and did not?

2011 goals...

* Spend more time one on one with my girls. Take one out one-on-one each week. This will give me one date with each per month. Really listen when they are talking. Stop what I am doing to answer them. Be there.

* Spend less time cleaning. (Really?) Point being, it just gets messed up within an hour anyway. What is the point? I really am truly wondering about all the vain hours I spend getting annoyed with my kids and with myself... and cleaning up. So maybe if I go more slowly about my day, maybe I can just do a better job with putting things away AS I GO. Just an idea.I look around and see suitcases, piano books, coats, shoes, pillows, gloves, mittens, and Christmas decorations that I still have not put away. How do I keep up and stay sane? Not sure. I will never be an expert on this. I have come to this conclusion. So, if anything, in 2010, I have learned that as much as I can, I need to simplify in order to keep less "stuff" around my house. If that is possible with 4 girls, a Korean exchange student, and my dh to clutter it all up. BUT I need to thank the Lord for the "clutter" of it all and quit whining. That is my point. Submit to this stage in my life because before I know it my house will be quiet and my kids will all be gone, AND my house will be clean... but empty. Submit to the clutter... the papers coming home from school, the library books, the dvds, the webkinz, the coloring crayons, and the fingernail polish that has all been left out. Find my refuge in God in the clutter. Psalm 2. :)

*Spend less money. Stay away from the mall. Stay away from Target. Stay away from Ross and the great deals there. The deals will be there next year. Submit my budget to God. Stay away from credit cards. Use cash only. There are no surprises with cash. When it's gone, it's gone.

*Read the Bible more. Daily. Use biblequizzes.com/readings for my daily read.

*Remember that my body is getting older and needs to be better taken care of. Be a good steward. Stay away from junk and processed stuff. Exercise daily. DRINK 4 BOTTLES OF WATER DAILY to keep myself hydrated. Take 11000 steps and burn 2300 calories daily. Limit TV at night. Go to bed with the sink clean. Make my goals for the next day the night before. Use my dayplanner.

*Pray for guidance with directing the girls in their gifts and talents and pray for provision for them.

*Check my messages more often and call people back. Maybe get rid of the home phone answering machine. All it does is create guilt. I never check it. Tell people to call my cell if they need me. Find my charger. Get new downstairs phone.

*Bodybugg daily.

*Go to Heath's class 2-3x per week.(5:30?)

*Bex daily... end of each day. Get 8 lb. weights.

*Bed by 10; up by 5. Walk 40 min. daily to increase steps.

*Be a good steward of what I have. Sell all I don't need.

*Embrace the opportunities God gives me and EVEN THE ONES I AM NOT SO SURE ABOUT. Some things, I am learning, God has for me to do that I don't want to, but there is a reason. Embrace his will for me and my family. Embrace.

*Put a guard on my tongue and use my words with discretion. Even with my girls. Watch my words. Use them to build up and for God's glory; not to diffuse.

*Connect with the important people in my life. Listen for God's prompting and respond to it.

*Rely on the strength of the Lord, not on my own or my husband's or the world's ways to gain my strength or peace.

*Clean my garage. Park my car in it so my lock doesn't continue to freeze.

*Do a load of laundry in the morning. Kids put it away at night. Do this daily.

*Fast once / week. Listen to what God lays on my heart.

*Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for me in Christ Jesus.

Ps. 1-2

Psalm 1-2 (New International Version, ©2010)

Psalm 1
BOOK I
Psalms 1–41
1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 2
1 Why do the nations conspire[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”
4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
5 He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
6 “I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7 I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:

He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
8 Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You will break them with a rod of iron[b];
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10 Therefore, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Wondrous Things (WTs):
1. Place my delight in the law of the Lord. In doing this, life will be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its seasons. That is an amazing picture, actually. Lord, today let my delight be in you.

2. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Wow. That is powerful. Fear the Lord.

3. Blessed are those who take refuge in him. Help me God to go to you and nothing else for refuge. You are a shield in the storm. You are our comfort. You are our protection. I take refuge in you, God, and place my family under your protection, as well. I trust in you, for you are worthy of being fully trusted. I trust in you today. You are good.