Posted in Bible study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Psalm 40 – The Rescue

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I relied completely on the Lord, and he turned toward me and heard my cry for help. 2 He lifted me out of the watery pit, out of the slimy mud. He placed my feet on a rock and gave me secure footing.

Psalm 40:1-2

God is good! I know I can completely rely on Him – because He is Trustworthy. This isn’t just book knowledge for me. I have tasted and seen His goodness for myself. Even as the Psalmist said, I have turned to Him – I have cried out to Him and He heard my cry. I have been in the watery pit, sinking in the slimy mud – with no vision of hope or proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” – BUT He rescued me! He sat my feet on the Rock and gave me secure footing. He pointed me to Jesus, the Anchor of my soul.

I am forever grateful for His goodness, mercy, and love. I am thankful that He rescued me and is always teaching me to TRUST. I can look back over the course of my life and see that He has been training me to not give into the doubts that inevitably come with pain and suffering, or disappointments, or the unknown factors of this life. He has led me often to the teachings of Paul to ‘put off” what doesn’t belong in the believer’s life and to “put on” what pleases Him – that which is good and right and honoring to Him … Trust over doubt … peace over fear … kindness and forgiveness over anger and bitterness … love over hate … godly desires over fleshly ones – and the list goes on. I have learned that just as salvation is dependent on God, so to is the practice of putting off and putting on. I can’t do it in my own strength, but the One who knows my heart and mind, the One who wants me to be safe and secure has placed His Spirit in me, giving me all that I need to live a godly life.

His divine power has given us everything we ne3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Prayer: Father, I am thankful to know that You will never leave me or forsake me. I know I can depend on You come what may. May this confidence be reflected not only in my words but in my actions and countenance as well – so that others may see and know You – the true, living, and TRUSTWORTHY God – In the name and power of Jesus – Amen!

Posted in Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Psalm 97

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For You, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth: You are elevated above all gods.

Psalm 97:9

This verse by itself is a wonderful reminder that God, our God, is not just the Most High God over all the earth but that He is over all other gods. However, when we read it in the fuller context of what the Psalmist wrote we find descriptions in verses 1 through 7 – word pictures of His greatness and power not only over His creation but carved images and those who worship them. We see Him reigning, the earth having cause to rejoice. We get a glimpse of His throne made of righteousness and justice and when we look closely we will see His saving power as He is victorious over His enemies and His glory is revealed!

The light of His glory brings shame to those who create and/or worship other gods; and it reveals not only His power but the lack of power in all other gods, who themselves are subjected to worship Him, as the Most High God. It is this picture that leads us to understand the depth of the Psalmist’s words that acknowledge the LORD as the Most High, and assigning to Him preeminence over the earth and all other gods.

It is also this verse that sheds light on the words that follow and gives us cause to heed them –

You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of His faithful followers; He delivers them from the power of the wicked. The godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy. You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord. Give thanks to His holy name.

Psalm 97:10-12

Because God, our God, is the Most High God we are called to a higher standard. A standard that not only recognizes evil and avoids it but one that sees it as an offense to God and hates it. Our realization that He is the Most High God should equally spur us on to live faithfully for Him. We cannot just avoid and hate evil but we must choose righteousness – living and loving like Jesus. He faithfully loved God above everything else, He loved us more than self – even to the point of death, He served God and others, and did good so that others would see and glorify His Father in heaven. When we live and love like this we will know freedom from the power of sin, we will know protection from our enemies, and we will experience the joy that comes from walking in His light and we will rejoice – giving thanks to His holy name.

Posted in LGG Study, Uncategorized

Bridge to Everlasting Covenant: Week 1, Tuesday

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Today’s Encouragement: Let’s give thanks to His holy name for He is elevated high above all gods and He protects the lives of His faithful followers.

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 97 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 97:9)

The Lord reigns.
Let the earth be happy.
Let the many coastlands rejoice.
2 Dark clouds surround him;
equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.[b]
3 Fire goes before him;
on every side[c] it burns up his enemies.
4 His lightning bolts light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The sky declares his justice,
and all the nations see his splendor.
7 All who worship idols are ashamed,
those who boast about worthless idols.
All the gods bow down before him.[d]
8 Zion hears and rejoices,
the towns[e] of Judah are happy,
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you, O Lord, are the Most High[f] over the whole earth;
you are elevated high above all gods.
10 You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects[g] the lives of his faithful followers;
he delivers them from the power[h] of the wicked.
11 The godly bask in the light;
the morally upright experience joy.[i]
12 You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord.
Give thanks to his holy name.[j]

Today’s Blog
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Bridge to Everlasting Covenant Week 1, Wednesday

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Question of the Day: In verse 3 the Psalmist says that God gave Him a reason to sing a new song – a song of praise. Has God given you a reason to praise Him?

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 40:1-10 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 40:1-2)

I relied completely[b] on the Lord,
and he turned toward me
and heard my cry for help.
2 He lifted me out of the watery pit,[c]
out of the slimy mud.[d]
He placed my feet on a rock
and gave me secure footing.[e]
3 He gave me reason to sing a new song,[f]
praising our God.[g]
May many see what God has done,
so that they might swear allegiance to him and trust in the Lord.[h]
4 How blessed[i] is the one[j] who trusts in the Lord[k]
and does not seek help from[l] the proud or from liars.[m]
5 O Lord, my God, you have accomplished many things;
you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us.[n]
No one can thwart you.[o]
I want to declare your deeds and talk about them,
but they are too numerous to recount.[p]
6 Receiving sacrifices and offerings are not your primary concern.[q]
You make that quite clear to me.[r]
You do not ask for burnt sacrifices and sin offerings.
7 Then I say,
“Look, I come!
What is written in the scroll pertains to me.[s]
8 I want to do what pleases you,[t] my God.
Your law dominates my thoughts.”[u]
9 I have told the great assembly[v] about your justice.[w]
Look, I spare no words.[x]
O Lord, you know this is true.
10 I have not failed to tell about your justice;[y]
I spoke about your reliability and deliverance.
I have not neglected to tell the great assembly about your loyal love and faithfulness.[z]

Today’s Blog

Posted in LGG Study

Blessed Encouragement

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For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.

Psalm 100:5

What blessed encouragement this verse is in these days and times we are living in. I just completed the Love God Greatly study of Hebrews, “Jesus Our Everything“, and I find myself both clinging to and delighting in the recently read passages referring to Jesus as our Hope and the Anchor for our souls. A friend, from a Facebook study group I’m leading, commented on this morning’s passage from Psalm 100, “I love Psalm 100. It’s straightforward and joyous. It just makes my heart glad.” I totally agree with her sentiment – it truly brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart to know that God is good, God’s faithfulness continues through all generations! Is it any wonder that the Psalmist encouraged the people of God to –

Shout with Joy to the LORD, all the earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.”

Psalm 100:1-4

Such hope and peace come from knowing that regardless of what’s going on in our world or individual lives – His love never fails! His Truth and FAITHFULNESS bid me to worship Him. Knowing I am His brings me JOY and delight – for, as Jeremiah said: ” I am called by Your name of Lord, God of Hosts”, Jeremiah 15:16. I am blessed to be able to enter into His Presence through the blood of Jesus Christ and to know the indwelling Presence of His Holy Spirit. Knowing the depth of this blessing – I indeed enter with thanksgiving and praise and, with the Psalmist, I give thanks to His name.

Posted in LGG Study

Bridge to Everlasting Covenant Week 1, Monday

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Today’s Scripture: Psalm 100 (SOAP: Psalm 100:5)

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

TOday’s Blog

Posted in LGG Study

A Love God Greatly Reading Plan

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I hope you’ll join me Monday for the Bridge! Love God Greatly has made it easier to stay consistent in our daily Bible study habit with a 2-week reading plan and SOAP passages. If you haven’t tried SOAPing the Word yet this is a great way and time to learn. It’s easy and it’s a great way to get into God’s Word and grow your faith. Tag me in the comments with any questions or simply reply “I’m in” if you want to participate. If you want to add someone to the group type their name and I’ll be happy to add them – everyone is welcome!

The study is also available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2825151424418487

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 6, Day 4

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Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-19 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 13:8)

 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.[a] 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”[b]

6 So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”[c]

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

.10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle[d] have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make His people holy by means of His own blood. 13 So let us go out to Him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace He bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon.

Hebrews 13 Reference
Hebrews 13:8 Reference
Blog Post
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Jesus Our Everything: Week 6, Day 3

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Question of the Day: According to Hebrews 12:14 why should we pursue peace and holiness?

Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 12:14-15)

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness,[a] for without it no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up[b] and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled. 16 And see to it that no one becomes[c] an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.[d] 17 For you know that[e] later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing[f] with tears. 18 For you have not come to something that can be touched,[g] to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words[h] such that those who heard begged to hear no more.[i] 20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.”[j] 21 In fact, the scene[k] was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.”[l] 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city[m] of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator[n] of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.[o]

25 Take care not to refuse the one who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less shall we, if we reject the one who warns from heaven? 26 Then his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven too.”[p] 27 Now this phrase “once more” indicates the removal of what is shaken, that is, of created things, so that what is unshaken may remain. 28 So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. 29 For our God is indeed a devouring fire.[q]

LGG BLOG
Hebrews 12:14 Reference
Posted in God is good, Prayer Starters

Eyes Fixed on Jesus

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, 2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for Him He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Father, You are good. I see Your goodness often in Your perfect timing, and this morning’s devotional passage seems to be perfectly timed. On this day, when the world calls us to fix our eyes on presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and the outcome of an election – Your Word reminds us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Yes, we will vote today – many have already voted – but in Your goodness help Your children to not be fixated on these two men, or on the news cycle surrounding them, or the outcome. Instead, let us focus on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith – and on You – our Sovereign God who is in perfect control and who is working all things together for the good of those who love You and have been called according to Your purpose.

There are, as in every election, vastly different opinions on who should be the President. However, there is only one good and trustworthy, sovereign God who not only knows the outcome – but is in complete control of it.

Mary Ellen Black

Father, in Your goodness I plead Your protection on this day – May Your people honor You with their votes and their attitudes. May the words of our mouths and the actions of our lives bring you glory and honor and not shame. may they be an encouragement and example to those who watch and listen. May our eyes stay on Jesus so that we don’t grow weary and give our hearts and mouths over to fear and complaining or slander. Father, I plead Your protection not only over our behavior and words but from the actions and out-cry of the nation following the outcome. We live in a nation that has become more and more violent – a violence that no longer seems to respond even to the ‘laws of the land’. We need Your help to unify and to protect us from anarchy! Father, we cry out for the salvation of the lost – for wicked hearts to be made righteous – for even as I pray, Your Spirit reminds me the problem isn’t as simple as Democrat vs Republican, but rather the condition of the heart and the positioning of our eyes. May the eyes of Your children be on You, no matter what the outcome of this election is, for only then will we know Your perfect peace and shine as bright lights amid, as Paul wrote*, a crooked and perverse society.

“Praise the name of God forever and ever,

    for he has all wisdom and power.

21 He controls the course of world events;

    he removes kings and sets up other kings…

Daniel 2:20-21a