Psalms of the Heart and Soul

     There are so many Psalms to choose from, each one finding God through all of life’s ups and downs. The 91^st Psalm is one of protection, reminding us of the One in charge. The one who counts the hairs on our heads (Matthew 10) and the stars in the sky (Psalm 147), the One who counts the number of our days. (Psalm 139)

     Trust Him with your life. Talk to Him in trust and hope. Ask for His peace. He will honor you and your life, from today ‘til forever. Take refuge in Him.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “he is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2

     Acknowledge Him in all you do. Praise Him both in joy and sorrow. His protection remains firm and forever.

“Because he loves Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call on Me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:14-15

Father,

The Psalms echo deep within us as we turn to You for answers, for protection, and to praise You no matter our circumstances. You remain steadfast and true. Protect us and guide us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Psalms of the Heart and Soul

     Seeking God during times of deep grief and heartache may seem impossible. If you find yourself in a difficult time, let the Psalms speak for you. Psalm 42 is a beautiful Psalm written by a man in deep sorrow. Listen to the first verse.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. Psalm 42:1

     Have you found yourself in a desert, panting for something to sooth your soul? Jesus tells us He is the living water. (John 4:14) Those that find Him will never be thirsty again. Let your soul pant for the presence of Christ and He will meet your needs.

     In both verses 6 and 11, David cries out in lament. Why, he asks, is his soul downcast? Even in his grief, He turns to God and praises Him. Praising our God from the depths reminds us of who He is. He will bring us through. He will give us living water. He will refresh our soul. His voice calls to and meets the very deepest parts of us.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls, all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Psalm 42:7

     Let the living water of Jesus and His Word wash over you, cleanse you and give you His peace.

Father,

Thank You for these words that meet us in the depths. We cry to You. We praise You, even when we find ourselves in a desert land. Give us hope today as You take our hand and walk with us and quench our deepest thirst.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Psalms of the Heart and Soul

     Another of the many Psalms to savor is the 37^th Psalm. If the world feels out of control, if you see evil rising and wonder, “Where is God?” this Psalm will bring comfort and a firm foundation. Our God will vindicate. Through Jesus, our righteous reward remains steadfast and forever. Delight yourself in Him and trust Him, above all you see in this temporal world. He will keep us safe as we trust Him.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

     These two verses speak volumes to us in living life. “Trust in God! Do good!  Take delight in the Lord! He will give you the desires of your heart!”  So much promise and truth for us. When we look to Him in faith and trust, our desires will match His will and we will find peace and joy right in the midst of chaos and evil.

     One day soon, God will vanquish evil and we will inherit the new heaven and the new earth. Hang on to His hope.

A little while, and the wicked will be no more. Though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and will enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalm 37:10-11

     Finally, in this Psalm, God gives us a promise. Even though we stumble, (and we will!) He will lead us into forever.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him. Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Lord,

We take refuge in You as you uphold us with Your hand. Keep Your Word in our hearts as we make our way in the world. One day all will be new. Forever awaits.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Psalms of the Heart and Soul

     Psalm 19 is one of my favorites. This Psalm combines the majesty of nature, with the wonder of God’s Word, two of the places we witness the truth and splendor of our Lord. There are only 14 verses. I invite you to read through them today.

     As you venture outside, take in the sights and sounds, the warmth of the sunshine, the way the earth is set in the universe, day and night, sunrise and sunset. As the birds welcome the morning light and the nocturnal animals set out in the nighttime hours, as the trees and flowers bloom with the promise of new life, take time to thank God.

     And search God’s word as if hunting for silver and gold. The wisdom found there is much more precious to us, much more valuable. Ask God to reveal the hidden things of your heart, to bring them out in the light of His countenance. This Psalm ends with a verse I speak out often to our Lord.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

     May our hearts and our words bring honor to Jesus, today and tomorrow.

Lord,

The Words speak to the deepest parts of our soul. We praise You today for Your creation that welcomes us to rise each morning and gives us rest each night. We praise You for the Word and how it reaches in to meet us right where we are. May our words be pleasing to You, our Rock and our Redeemer.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Psalms to Meet the Heart and Soul

     The Psalms cry out to God and give voice to our human thoughts and feelings. The writers seek answers, as we do. The Psalmist cries out in pain, and mirrors our grief. The Psalms praise God through the ups and downs of life, as we should. If you are searching, grieving, seeking forgiveness, or praising God, the Psalms will echo in your heart and soul. Seek God in them. Find comfort and hope in them. The human condition is found there.

     The word “Psalms” can be translated in the Hebrew or Greek as “praises,” or “songs of praise.” Many of these words were set to music and the ancient Jews sang them as they set out for the temple. (The Psalms of Ascent) Others are Psalms of lament that cry out to God. Many of the Psalms were penned by King David, others attributed to various writers, including one as far back as Moses. We will look at a few this week.

     Whatever season of life, whatever emotion, whether in joy or a sorrow, you will find words you can use to pray and to praise. The following is a favorite Psalm for many, a reminder of where we need to look to find our peace and our protection.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills-my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

     This Psalm was sung as the Israelites traveled up to the temple of God, a Psalm of ascent. Whatever the future, God holds us in the palm of His hands. He will watch over our lives, our coming and going, now and forevermore. Hallelujah! Look up to the One watching over you.

Father,

We thank You for the Word of God, for these songs of praise written in the Psalms. You watch over us, protect us and love us as we look up to praise You.

Amen

The Work of the Spirit

     Walking in the Spirit is not easy in today’s culture. The world beckons us with constant bombardent, with continuous pictures, news and media. The world tempts, coerces, twists and deceives. Satan’s power and lies swirl around us continually. How do we stand for Christ?

     Spending time in the Word, asking the Holy Spirit to convict us when we are heading the wrong way, praying, and praising God throughout our days will keep us in step.

Since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

     If we continue to walk by the Spirit, the fruit of the very Holy Spirit will grow and show in us. What does that fruit look like? I’m glad you asked!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

     Others will know us by our fruit. Are you keeping in step and growing good fruit? The Holy Spirit is willing to guide.

Lord,

Thank You for the continuing work of the Holy Spirit. He dwells within us, searches our hearts, prays for us, and grows the good fruit that comes from Jesus. In His name we pray.

Amen

The Work of the Spirit

     As believers in Christ, God has given us the privilege of housing His Holy Spirit. Our bodies are now considered the temples of God!  Incredible? It is miraculous. The temple has moved from an outward, splendid building into the hearts of men and women.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16

     This Spirit within gives us the ability to live in a dark and crazy world with the confidence of Christ, with the light of Christ, with the Word of Christ. The Spirit gives us power to do just that.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

     These are the marching orders of Christ, the great commission, to be His witnesses, serving humbly with the power and confidence of the One who dwells with us.

Lord,

Thank You for the power of the Spirit that resides within us. We will be Your witnesses wherever we go, whatever we do, with the people you place in our lives, to the ends of the earth.

Amen

The Work of the Spirit

     This is a good time to remind ourselves that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven. No amount of good works can justify us to a Holy God. Only believing in the death, burial and resurrection, this free gift will give us new life and a life forever in heaven. The Holy Spirit opens our heart to this truth.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, , He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

     The Holy Spirit’s work convicts us and opens our hearts so that we may believe. It is all grace. All a gift. And the work of the Holy Spirit continues from that day forward, to sanctify, to glorify God, to purify.

Father,

How can we thank You for the gift of salvation, for the working of the Spirit. We pray for the Holy Spirit of Jesus will open the hearts of many to receive this gift of grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Work of the Spirit

     The Holy Spirit intercedes with us and God. He opens the Word of God to us. He teaches us all things. He prays with us and He prays for us.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

     Look at these wonderful verses. The Holy Spirit is with us as we pray, understanding not only our deepest need, but how our needs can be met according to God’s will!

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

     Remember these words when you do not know how to pray or what to pray. The Spirit intercedes in our weakness. He searches our heart. He will be our Advocate. How reassuring to know that the Holy Spirit indwells us. Rely on Him.

Father,

We thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit to intercede for us with wordless groans, the One who understands us more deeply than we know ourselves and the One who breathes the very life of God into our lives. We thank You for the One who intercedes.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Work of the Spirit

     When I was growing up, our churches rarely spoke of the work and the person of the Holy Spirit. He was called the “Holy Ghost” and conjured up, to me, an eery, almost spooky image. But the Holy Spirit of the living God is the third person of the Trinity, the very life force of our Creator God. The Spirit gives us wisdom, power and truth as we serve Jesus.

     Jesus had to complete His work on the cross before He could send His Holy Spirit to indwell all those who would believe.

“But, very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will prove to the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment." John 16:7-8

     The Holy Spirit convicts us of our need for a Savior. When we see ourselves compared to a holy and righteous God, we understand the work of Jesus, the reason for His suffering and sacrifice. Once we believe, we are sealed forever with this Advocate, the Comforter, the Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13

     The disciples did not understand when Jesus explained all of these things, but the apostle Paul, years later, understood as he read the words of John. We are sealed forever with His Spirit.

Lord,

Your promised Holy Spirit seals us forever when we believe. We are marked with Your death and resurrection and given the Spirit of truth to guide us day-by-day. Fill us with His wisdom today.

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     To end the week (no blog tomorrow!) we move into heaven, with just a glimpse of what is to come. Jesus gives us a peek at just some of what is to come, but I believe much of the glory to come would be far too astounding and miraculous for our earthly minds to comprehend. We wait, with our imaginations whetted, with our hearts pounding with hope, with awe-inspired words to hold onto while we remain. One day, soon, Jesus will appear to take us home.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

They will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:4-5

     Read through Revelation 21 and 22 for more of the glorious heaven and earth to come. I pray this week of anticipation brought hope and light to a sometimes dark and dreary world. Keep an eternal perspective as you live out your life. Spread the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He conquered death for us all and we don’t want anyone to miss out on our heavenly home.

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen Revelation 22:20-21

Heaven Awaits

     All of us dream of a long and healthy life, praying we remain physically and mentally active and healthy until we die in our sleep. I have had the privilege of serving with the most incredible women of faith over the last twenty-five years, many surrogate mothers to me. I have witnessed their suffering. The eyes that no longer see, the ears that struggle to hear, the lungs with so little breath, the body so weak and frail, the chronic ever-present pain. These are the outward signs of aging and they will affect us all, if we have the privilege of living to an old age.

     What have these women of faith shared? A peace, a longing for heaven, a joy that remains. How? It is Jesus. Don’t get me wrong. The struggles come with doubt. There are questions with no easy answers. Pain and suffering are real. There is deep grief, but there is always hope. The Psalms speak to their hearts. The suffering of Jesus reminds them that He understands and He comforts.

     Those of you who know me well, know these have become some of my favorite verses. These verses remind me and the loved ones around me in the midst of suffering, that a glory awaits us, a glory that is forever and a glory that outweighs any and all earthly suffering.

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For out light and momentary troubles  are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

     Perspective. Anticipation. Hope. These earthly troubles are “light and momentary.” The glory that awaits “far outweighs them all!” Fix your eyes on Jesus. Everything around us is temporary.

Jesus,

Your Words give us comfort and hope for a glorious heaven and a new earth with You and our loved ones. Keep us mindful of what awaits as we go through times of suffering. Keep us filled with the deep joy You offer, the peace that passes all understanding as we wait.

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     Keep an eternal perspective as your life continues to unfold. The Bible helps us do just that, reminding us of the short journey we have on earth. Most of us have said our earthly goodbyes to our precious loved ones. We grieve at the separation, but we can grieve with hope!

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve as the rest of mankind who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

     Hope remains when we have Jesus. We grieve, but we grieve with hope, the hope of heaven, the hope of reunion, the hope of spending a beautiful eternity in the presence of Jesus. Life is fleeting.

For all people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall. 1 Peter 1:24

Why you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

    Most of the world fears death, placing all of their hope on this life. With an eternal perspective, forever sits in contrast to, at the most, 90 or 100 years! Whether we are in the body or with the Lord, we are His.

Father,

Help us keep eternity ever on the horizon, working to honor You through our short days here on earth. Your Gospel can be shared. Your sacrifice and Your resurrection take away our fear as we move closer and closer to heaven.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Heaven Awaits

     This week will be a week of anticipation. Are you looking forward to an event, a birth, a wedding, a family celebration, a vacation? As we journey through life, we often look ahead. What’s next? College, job, retirement. Life marches on. Memories form and hope remains. Hope for a future, and a plan with a loving God and Father.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

     “Hope and a future,” are, indeed, words of anticipation. Place your trust in Jesus today and forever. Heaven awaits and whether we are here or there, we are in good hands.

For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:7-9

     Be at peace. The anticipation of heaven is real. We need have no fear of death. We will be present with the Lord. Place your life in His hands. We await heaven!

Father,

Your plan for us is good, whether here or there, now and forever. What a glorious homecoming awaits us. You long for us as much as we long for You. We walk by faith as we live to serve and to please You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     As we dive deeper into faith and relationship with Jesus, prayer will become an inherent, valuable part of our lives. Jesus is with us morning, noon, and night. His Spirit resides within and is there to listen, guide and comfort. God’s Word imbedded in our hearts, can become a part of our praise and prayer time.

     Reading through the Psalms can lift us out of despair and bring us into the throne-room of grace. We are welcome in the heavenly realms because of Jesus. Everything in our heart can be laid before Him with thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

     Hang on to the words of our God. Do not worry. Give it all to Him. Thank Hiim in advance for working in your life. He promises us a deep and abiding peace. We are His. Now and forever.

Amen

Go Deep

     Drawing closer to God involves studying, meditating on, and holding onto God’s Word. Someone once said that the Bible is shallow enough for a child to comprehend and, yet, so deep, it would be impossible for the greatest theologian to understand it all. Having studied the Word for twenty-five years, I can tell you, I have grown more and more in love with Jesus and more amazed at the endless beauty and wonder of the Word.

     The Word is alive. It has prophesied for thousands of years, every jot and tittle God-breathed and truth-filled. The Bible speaks of the beginning to the end. Genesis to Revelation. Nothing has been disproved. On the contrary, the Bible revealed the earth as a sphere long before the first astronomers came to that conclusion. Scientifically, archeologically, and historically, it has stood the test of time.

     This is our plum line for life. If we listen and obey, we will be blessed. I encourage you to read, study and place verses in your heart. The Word will get you through this life. As our pastor used to say, “If your Bible is wearing out, there is a good chance you aren’t”

     God has revealed exactly what we need to know in His Word.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed to us and to our children forever that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving lieht to the eyes. Psalm 19:7-8

For the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates, even dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Father,

Your Word is more precious than gold and silver (Psalm 19). It penetrates so deep and reveals hidden truths to our hearts. Give us a hunger and a thirst to study and meditate on Your glorious Word. It reveals truth and light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     As believers, the Holy Spirit of God lives within us. Our bodies are called His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Does He feel at home with you? Are you listening, following, obeying His voice? The Jews lived under the law. Everything was based on outward obedience. Laws were strict and binding. Disobedience came with fierce punishment. Even their worship was filled with ritual, their temple, large and opulent. The law taught them (and us) about sin. And no one could fulfill the law.

      That is, until Jesus lived a perfect life, died and paid the penalty in full. From that time forward, the Gospel allows us to be inwardly filled with the Spirit, to be covered with grace, and to allow the Spirit to work in us in deep and profound ways. We are blessed to have access to the deep thoughts of our God.

However, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

     The very Spirit, residing within, searches all things, even the deep things of God. Listen, search, study, and be blessed. God will reveal such amazing insights in a dark and depraved world. He is light! His ways offer blessing, no more condemnation, no more punishment. We are loved.

Father,

These truths are astounding! The outward temple has been replaced by the hearts of men. We long to understand more, to listen for You above the turmoil and chaos surrounding us. Help us to be still and hear and obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Go Deep

     You may have heard this ancient Greek quote attributed to Socrates, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” What do you think? Life gets busy. Routines form. Days flow by with no deep thought, moving from one task to the next. Waiting for the weekend? Retired and just thinking about fun? The Bible gives us clues on how to go a bit deeper, into purpose, into living for more than our personal needs and wants, a life of service to each other, in order to bring glory to God.

     God has built you for this season, for His purpose. Let’s dig a bit deeper with Him and His word. God promises us to speak to us in a deep, spiritual language. Can you hear Him? Have you experienced His voice from the deep? In the whisper of the wind? In study? From another believer? His voice can be heard in a variety of ways, if we take the time to listen. Dive deep.

He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what dwells in darkness and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:22

     The deep and secret things of God will be revealed with His glorious light. I am ready to remove the darkness and move into the deep waters of His light. Are you?

Lord,

Speak to us from the deep. Your Spirit will move us into a more intimate relationship with You as we take the time to examine our lives, as we open ourselves to Your guiding, as we are transformed from darkness to light.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Beauty, Goodness, Glory

     Beauty in suffering. Goodness from God before, during and following our times of need. The examples of women and men of faith are inspiring. Our struggles tell our stories. Our testimonies reverberate and lift up. Yes, Jesus is the answer. Yes, Jesus has changed my life. Yes, the joy and peace I hold deep within my soul are from Him and Him alone. Yes, He is the beginning and the end. Yes, He is alive and yes, He is my Savior.

     A faith we can trust through all of this life. A living redeemer who died for us. The one and only Son of God. It is all about Him, through the joys of this life and through the tragedies. It is all to bring glory to Him and that glory can radiate through us even now. He continues to change us into His image! Imagine that.

And, we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image, with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

     Hope in Him. Allow His glory to increase as you receive the Holy Spirit guidance and as you follow His ways. Miraculous…beautiful…filled with hope.

Jesus,

You are the final answer, the living hope that fills our hearts. In the midst of our lives, You are there, always there, never forsaking, never abandoning, never leaving our sides. We count on You.

Amen   

Good Will Come

     Suffering finds us scrambling for answers. Why is this happening? What do I do now? When will this end? There are no easy answers to the questions, are there? One thing I have discovered over the years. God knows. He understands. He will bring good through it all as we live to serve and trust Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

      These may not be the words to offer someone in the midst of suffering. Most times, we just need a listening ear and a hug, no quick platitudes, no formulas, no pat answers. The grieving process is important and it takes time, so much time.

     Something begins to happen over a lifetime of following Jesus. Our trust builds. We witness His ways in which He works. We get through the suffering and come out of it more in love with Him, praising His name and finding hope. Always hope. He is good. He loves us and our lives are short.

     Our redeemer lives and one day we will be with Him.

Father,

Help us to sit with the grieving, to listen to those in need, to offer compassion where there appears to be no hope. These are Your ways. You show us how. You walk us through. You know our hearts. You understand our deepest needs. We always turn again to You.

Amen