A Godly Life

He’s given us everything we need for that Godly life. Why aren’t we living it?

Lord, forgive me for any living that diverges from what you planned for me. Give me your strength to live that Godly life and glorify you.

Through the Psalms #4

Through the Psalms #4

“In peace I will lie down and sleep,

For you alone, Lord,

Make me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 4:8

I encourage you to read the entire psalm

Once again, David, king and psalmist, acknowledges the security provided by God. Even though he has many troubles, including wars, both within and without, David is able to lie down and sleep. Only God allows him the peace of mind to let him safely rest.

In the midst of your troubles, give them to God and rest in his peace, my friends, rest.

Father God, thank you for giving us security and peace of mind. Even in the midst of trials, your protection allows us to sleep peacefully.

Faithfulness

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The Old Testament book of Jeremiah uses metaphors to compare Israel to an unfaithful wife. She was unfaithful to God by worshipping idols and forsaking Him. And “…her treacherous sister Judah [had] not turned to [God] with her whole heart, but in pretense” (3:10 NKJ). This book of Jeremiah is surely only Jewish history and has no relevance to me, right? I certainly haven’t seen anyone setting up and worshipping idols, have you? Nor could I find a listing for idol shops in the yellow pages.

But if the Bible can speak to us in metaphors—Israel compared to an unfaithful wife and her sister Judah not loving whole-heartedly—can’t we also think in metaphors?

Are there ways that we, today, like Israel and Judah in Old Testament times, forsake God, merely pretend to love Him, or are unfaithful to Him?

If I spend my time in busyness—work, recreation, sports, hobbies, family and home responsibilities—but take no time to read God’s holy word, to listen to Him or talk to Him (other than a quick “Thank You for the food”), am I guilty of forsaking God?

If I come to church every Sunday but spend my time while there thinking about what I’m going to do after church, or worrying about dinner burning or missing the kickoff, am I loving Him with my whole heart?

If I spend my money fixing up my house, buying a new car, or taking a vacation, but have little left to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, or support God’s work through missionaries or the work of my church, am I being unfaithful to God?

Do all the things that I spend my time, money and thoughts on become idols that I worship instead of worshipping the most-high God?

God of all creation, may I not idolize the things of the world, but instead use my time, talent, and money in Your service and for Your glory.

Jeremiah 3:20 “’But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful

to me, O house of Israel,’ declares the Lord.”

Lord, forgive me for the ways I am unfaithful to you and teach me to follow you faithfully. Thank you for your faithfulness to me.

God is on the Throne

“God is unchanging in His love. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. Don’t let the newspaper headlines frighten you. God is still sovereign; He’s still on the throne.”

Bily Graham

Lord, you know that sometimes we allow ourselves to be frightened or worried over what is happening in the world. Forgive us for not trusting in you. Help us to remember how faithful you are, how much you love us, and how to realize that, no matter what happens, you are in control.

Through the Psalms #3

Through the Psalms #3

I encourage you to read the entire Psalm.

“Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,

‘God will not deliver him.’

But you, Lord, are a shield around me,

My glory, the One who lifts my head high.

I call out to the Lord,

And he answers me from his holy mountain.”

Psalm 3: 1-4

David wrote this when he fled from his son Absalom. He was pursued by men who rose up against him and wanted him dead. Our enemies may not be seeking our death, yet, at times it can seem as though many foes around us.

Notice how quickly David acknowledges that God was a shield around him, how he allows God’s glory to lift his head up and not be downcast. When overwhelmed with enemies and fears, David called upon the Lord.

Shouldn’t we be doing the same? Shouldn’t we, whenever we’re surrounded by enemies or troubles, call upon God to be our shield? When we call on him he does answer from his holy mountain. Thank God!

My God, my shield and protector, thank you for answering my prayers for assistance. You are stronger than the evil one and more than capable of vanquishing him. Thank you for providing my protection.

Plans

Lord, how I love to plan my life. Forgive me for not trusting your plans for me, for not trusting in your faithfulness. Help me to turn those plans over to your wisdom and trust you for the outcome. May your will be done.

Hope

Hope is the thing

That pushes its head

through the earth,

Unfurling its pale green

For all to see.

It’s the expectation of blooms,

Unwinding from a tiny bud,

Blooms more vibrant and colorful

Than imagination.

Hope is the realization

that dead, shriveled things,

long buried in the ground,

Will one day rise again

to a glorious new world

with no more tears.

It’s the expectation of

that new world,

Far more glorious

than Spring.

It’s the realization that

Our Savior has risen from the dead

To wash away our sin,

To bring us abundant life,

And allow us to draw near to God.

Psalm 33: 20-22

“We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.”

Thank you, Lord, for giving us hope in you.

Be Still

.”My longings are best met when, in prayer, I simply let my heart beat in time with the Lord’s.”

-Joni Eareckson Tada.

Psalm 46:10a says, “Be still and know that I am God.” In the wisdom of the psalmist, we learn to quietly approach God, listen to him, and allow our heartbeats to beat in rhythm with the Almighty.

Father, thank you for those times of stillness when you bend down and touch my heart and draw me closer to you.