I love how this Psalm begins!! Reminding us of God's Awesome power and attention to detail by creating the planet that we call earth. God is in all the complex weather systems rain (that keep filling our fresh water resources), sun (which provides light and warmth) , glorious wind (reminds me of the Holy Spirit), changing seasons with winter a time for rest, spring excitement with new buds, summer for continued growth and fun, fall for harvest!! With these narrow examples God is able to nourish and nurture all that He created for His divine purpose.
Isaiah 55:10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
This is a tangible way for us to see God working around us. God takes much better care of us - His children. I do suggest that you read all of Isaiah 55 Invitation to the Thirsty, one of my favorites!!
Back in Psalms, verses 7-10, the phrase "Lift up your heads" has been laid on my heart. What are the things that have us hang our head low, and just curl up in a ball? Anxiety, distress, failure, excessive responsibility, shame, incorrect perception of others or ourselves, fear, grief, etc. God wants us to lay these burdens at His feet and hold His little girl in His strong gentle hands!! To just love me completely, utterly washing me over with His peace and filling me to the brim with His strength and wisdom!!!
A few weeks ago, God began knocking on an area of my heart that has remained locked, sealed, sunk to the bottomless pit of my soul. Only He could retrieve this box!! Only He knew it was there! Only He knew how much it was really affecting me (regardless of what I was telling myself, or showed others)! Only He wanted me to be free of this shame! Only He wants me to grieve and heal from it!! Yesterday, I let Him in. Only my Abba could hold me together as I literally was weak from raw emotion. Only my Abba wants to lift my head so that I can look at Him in the eye and truly see how much He loves and forgives me!! The level of comfort and compassion was unfathomable and I know we have only started!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Psalm 23
Six little verses, but so much power and meaning packed into each one!! Each one is brimming with love, tenderness, strength, and compassion that my Abba wanted me to know!!
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God has provided everything that I need, and given me things that I didn't even know that I would enjoy - through it all He has remained faithful and encouraged me regardless of my worldly circumstances!!
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
I can honestly say, at this moment, as I begin down a new path with my Abba, that He has blessed me with peace and assurance that He will not leave me, and as a result of His mighty presence with me, I am not fearful of the journey!!
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Paths that are created by God to bring me to a point wherein I am just raw with emotions as He carefully and lovingly takes my brokenness, my sin, and my life into His perfectly beautiful strong hands and just begins loving me through confession, guilt, repentance, grief, and finally He begins healing me. Through each of these times of my life, my relationship with God has deepened and He continues to encourage me to grow closer to Him and seek refuge within Him until He strengthens me to the point of ministering to His daughters!!
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
What does the valley of the shadow of death look like in your mind? To me it is a typical horror flick scene. Darkness encompasses a forest, trees look like they have evil faces, the branches of the trees look like monstrous arms ready to catch me. I look down at my feet and the ground is full of jagged rocks ready to cut me as I fall from a twisted ankle. The path in front of me looks like it disappears from the density of the forest. We wont even begin talking about the noises the forest makes!!
Jesus is the Light of the world and He is with me. Things don't look half as scary with the darkness removed!! And since Jesus gave me some weapons, watch out creepy things making noise in the distance!!! I always feel empowered when I envision this!! Plus Jesus trusts me with a big stick - most humans wouldn't!! LOL!!
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
So now I get a banquet table in the middle of this mess I got myself into and God is leading me out of...my enemies get to watch me enjoy what is on the table and I am able to truly enjoy it. God then blesses me by anointing me with oil, my cup overflows (Of course it does - I could never contain the joy God gives me!!)
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
AMEN!! I don't ever want to leave Your Holy Presence!!!
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
God has provided everything that I need, and given me things that I didn't even know that I would enjoy - through it all He has remained faithful and encouraged me regardless of my worldly circumstances!!
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
I can honestly say, at this moment, as I begin down a new path with my Abba, that He has blessed me with peace and assurance that He will not leave me, and as a result of His mighty presence with me, I am not fearful of the journey!!
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Paths that are created by God to bring me to a point wherein I am just raw with emotions as He carefully and lovingly takes my brokenness, my sin, and my life into His perfectly beautiful strong hands and just begins loving me through confession, guilt, repentance, grief, and finally He begins healing me. Through each of these times of my life, my relationship with God has deepened and He continues to encourage me to grow closer to Him and seek refuge within Him until He strengthens me to the point of ministering to His daughters!!
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
What does the valley of the shadow of death look like in your mind? To me it is a typical horror flick scene. Darkness encompasses a forest, trees look like they have evil faces, the branches of the trees look like monstrous arms ready to catch me. I look down at my feet and the ground is full of jagged rocks ready to cut me as I fall from a twisted ankle. The path in front of me looks like it disappears from the density of the forest. We wont even begin talking about the noises the forest makes!!
Jesus is the Light of the world and He is with me. Things don't look half as scary with the darkness removed!! And since Jesus gave me some weapons, watch out creepy things making noise in the distance!!! I always feel empowered when I envision this!! Plus Jesus trusts me with a big stick - most humans wouldn't!! LOL!!
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
So now I get a banquet table in the middle of this mess I got myself into and God is leading me out of...my enemies get to watch me enjoy what is on the table and I am able to truly enjoy it. God then blesses me by anointing me with oil, my cup overflows (Of course it does - I could never contain the joy God gives me!!)
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
AMEN!! I don't ever want to leave Your Holy Presence!!!
Psalm 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Psalm 22:11
11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
How true is this? When you are struggling or in trouble, have you ever watched how quickly people scatter and might even form a crowd against you? Earlier this morning I was reading a little devotion, and it was about Rach, Shach and Benny (I know that isn't their real names - but I first learned this Bible story via Veggie Tales). These 3 Hebrew kids refused to bow down to the golden statue of the king every time the music played. WOW!! Talk about trouble, and not anyone else standing with them!!
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
As we continue reading the story in Daniel, we see that the ruler ordered the furnace be turned up 7 times hotter than normal, which killed the guards taking the boys to the furnace. WOW - that is hot!!!
This is one of the king's advisers in Daniel 3:25 (KJV) He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
What faith they exhibited!! God will either deliver us from trouble - like the psalmist desperately wanted, or God will deliver us through the trouble - like the 3 Hebrew boys. Either way, I submit to God's Will for my life and trust Him!!!
How true is this? When you are struggling or in trouble, have you ever watched how quickly people scatter and might even form a crowd against you? Earlier this morning I was reading a little devotion, and it was about Rach, Shach and Benny (I know that isn't their real names - but I first learned this Bible story via Veggie Tales). These 3 Hebrew kids refused to bow down to the golden statue of the king every time the music played. WOW!! Talk about trouble, and not anyone else standing with them!!
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
As we continue reading the story in Daniel, we see that the ruler ordered the furnace be turned up 7 times hotter than normal, which killed the guards taking the boys to the furnace. WOW - that is hot!!!
This is one of the king's advisers in Daniel 3:25 (KJV) He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
What faith they exhibited!! God will either deliver us from trouble - like the psalmist desperately wanted, or God will deliver us through the trouble - like the 3 Hebrew boys. Either way, I submit to God's Will for my life and trust Him!!!
Psalm 22
1My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
2O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Psalm 21:13
13Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
Coming from celebrating Easter weekend and the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, I delight in His absolute power!! I am humbled by the level of the torture that Jesus suffered for me, I get choked up remembering the image in my mind!! I am such an unworthy individual for Him to endure that to call me His Princess - and yet I accept His sacrifice and love with open arms and an open heart to just wash over me!!
I am also thankful for the weakness that I carry in this human body, mind and soul. For I know when I am weak or insufficient - God is able to use that precise moment to shine through me and accomplish His work!! All I have to do is be a willing vessel for His power and wisdom!! As He works through me, I am able to witness His movements which is always full of love and compassion and mercy for His children, either lost or found.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (New International Version)
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Have you changed your perspective about your weakness? Or are you still striving to do it all?? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a time where God was able to use you during a time of weakness - then Praise Him for using you for His Glory!!!
Coming from celebrating Easter weekend and the resurrection of my Lord and Savior, I delight in His absolute power!! I am humbled by the level of the torture that Jesus suffered for me, I get choked up remembering the image in my mind!! I am such an unworthy individual for Him to endure that to call me His Princess - and yet I accept His sacrifice and love with open arms and an open heart to just wash over me!!
I am also thankful for the weakness that I carry in this human body, mind and soul. For I know when I am weak or insufficient - God is able to use that precise moment to shine through me and accomplish His work!! All I have to do is be a willing vessel for His power and wisdom!! As He works through me, I am able to witness His movements which is always full of love and compassion and mercy for His children, either lost or found.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (New International Version)
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Have you changed your perspective about your weakness? Or are you still striving to do it all?? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a time where God was able to use you during a time of weakness - then Praise Him for using you for His Glory!!!
Psalm 21
1The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
2Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
6For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
7For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
8Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
9Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
12Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
13Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
2Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
3For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.
4He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
5His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him.
6For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance.
7For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
8Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.
9Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them.
10Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men.
11For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
12Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them.
13Be thou exalted, LORD, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power.
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