Friday, June 30, 2017

Psalm 30

Joy Comes in the Morning

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to lie from among those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 

To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: "What profit is there in my death if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper! 

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! 

Dear God, 

What would you have me learn from this passage? That mourning is but for a moment. And joy is forever. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord Glory

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? Your voice is strong! I will continue to cry to You for intervention for the least of these with regard to healthcare and budgets. And I will trust You that You will make sure no harm comes to the least of these. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Psalm 28

The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield

To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not dead to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear the, down and build them up no more.

Blessed be the Lord! for he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 

The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will punish those who do evil. You will hear my cries to You! You are strength and You are shield. You are the saving refuge. You are shepherd.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Monday, June 26, 2017

Learn to Live From a Place of Resting

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Womderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Pronce of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. - Proverbs 18:10

Dear God, 

Help me to not forget that Your peace lives in me. And that I can have peace and joy even when times seem tough. Thank You for allowing me to learn and to grow in You. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation 

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 

One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek." Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! 

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? You are light. You are salvation. You are a stronghold. If I truly believe these things about You, then I should not be afraid. My enemies will stumble and fall. I can trust You to protect me even when the battle rages around me and against me. God, I ask again that You continue to intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare and budgets. And I thank You that You have taken me in when my human father abandoned me. God, help me as I learn to wait for You. Help me to be strong. Help my heart to feel courageous. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Psalm 26

I Will Bless the Lord

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with the he sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity, redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. 

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? To follow You, I need to be willing to allow You to test both my heart and my mind. Your love is steadfast. You are faithful. Help me to resist the republicans. They have turned into men of falsehoods holding their hands out for bribes and trying to harm the least of these. Help me to continue to have integrity. Show Your grace to me. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Psalm 25

Teach Me Your Paths

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me to be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will teach me Your paths and lead me in Your truth. You are the God of my salvation. You are merciful. Your love is steadfast. You are faithful. You are gracious. God, You know that which troubles me. You know my heart. You know my fears. You have a heart for the least of these. You will not allow republicans to take away their access to healthcare. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Psalm 24

The King of Glory

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rovers. 

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing form the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty on battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he so the King of glory!

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? Those who do not swear deceitfully will be able to stand with You. Guard my heart against the deceitful ness of the Trump administration  and the republicans. Guard my heart and keep it pure. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Friday, June 23, 2017

Psalm 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before mean the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You are my shepherd. I will not be in want. You restore my soul. You are with me. Even in the darkest of times. You comfort me. You guide me. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Psalm 22

Why Have You Forsaken Me?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not out to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" 

Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. 

Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. 

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. 

But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid! Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

I will tell of your name to brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted, and he has not hidden his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him. 

From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him. The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever! 

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nation's shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. 

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive. Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? David was a conflicted person. He had sin bring his spirit down. But at the same time, he still praised You. Help me to be like David in this regard. Help me to not let guilt overcome my heart. Help me to always see You through it. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Psalm 21

The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have gotten him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will bless those who follow You closely. You will punish those who devise evil against You. Your heart for the least of these is made clear in Your Words. Those who devise evil plans devise evil against You. They will be punished in the end. You will not let them hurt the least of these. God, I ask You again to intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare and safety nets that help them. I ask that You continue to provide for the least of these. I ask that You prick the hearts of the republicans who are trying to hurt the least of these. I ask that You cover the least of these with Your provision and Your blessings and Your protection.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Psalm 20

Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

O Lord, in you ur strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fore will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will out them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. 

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will bless the one who chooses to love You and honor You. You will punish the ones who go against Your ways. You are powerful and wise. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 19

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

The heavens declare the glory of the God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heart.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? Your law is perfect and revives the soul. Your testimony is true and makes the simple wise. Your laws are right and make the heart rejoice. Your commandment is pure and enlightens the eyes. Respect for You is clean and endures forever. Your rules are true and righteous. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen 

Psalm 18

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in who, I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

The the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry. Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him. He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water. Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, hailstones and coals of fire. And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from my guilt. So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the he blameless man you show yourself blameless; with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your greatness made me great. You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise; they fell under my feet. For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the more of the streets.

You delivered me from strife with the people; you made me the head of the nations; people whom I had not known served me. As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me; foreigners came cringing to me. Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence. 

For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and song to your name. Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You are strong, a rock, a deliverer, a refuge, a shield, salvation, a stronghold, worthy to be praised, and You save me from my enemies. You hear me when I cry to You. You will rescue me from my enemies. You will be my support even when no one else is. You delight in me. You will reward me according to my righteousness. You are a shield for those who take refuge in You. You are preparing me for battle. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen 

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? God, You test my heart. You test my faithfulness to You. You answer my prayers. You hear my prayers. You love me. God, please keep intervening on behalf of the least of these with regard to the proposed budgets and the healthcare issue in this country. Please do not let the republicans hurt people.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

God Will Restore You to Health and Heal Your Wounds

"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: 'It is Zion, for whom no one cares!'" - Jeremiah 30:17

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man." - Luke 18:2

"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?" - Luke 18:7

"For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." - Luke 11:10

Dear God, 

You will restore me to health and heal my wounds. You are with me, within me, and all around me. You are continually at work in my life. Even when I may be less aware of You, Your presence continues to shine brightly on me. You are able to do more than I can ask or think. I will continue to ask for Your intervention to make sure the least of these do not get hurt by the republicans with regard to healthcare and safety nets. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Psalm 16

You Will Not Abandon My Soul

Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 

I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you." 

As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. 

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. 

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? Even though at times I feel shaken, I will not be shaken as long as I listen to You. You will not abandon me. There is joy in Your presence. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 15

Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill?

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; who does not put his own money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? The person who does what is right and speaks truth in his heart will dwell with You. On the political front, I cannot see Trump or any other republican residing with You. Yikes. And there may even be some democrats as well. Even more troubling. God, may I only ever always speak the truth.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Psalm 14

The Fool Says, There Is No God

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?

There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

Dear God, 

What You have me learn from this passage? A fool does not believe in You. May I never be a fool.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Monday, June 12, 2017

Psalm 13

How Long, O Lord?

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed over him," lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love, my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? How long indeed? How long will Americans who are in poverty through no fault of their own but merely because they are disabled or are disabled veterans have to suffer at the hands of arrogant republicans who keep trying to take even more from them with regards to healthcare and the proposed budget? How long will another child have to suffer from hunger because the republicans keep taking from the safety nets? How long will the least of these have to suffer because of greed that has taken hold of D.C.? How long? Lean Your heart toward us, God! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 12

The Faithful Have Vanished

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?"

"Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs." The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

You, O Lord, will keep them; you will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? That people who lie will be punished while You will bring safety to the least of these. God, today I come again with groanings in my heart, praying that You will intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare, that You will make sure that the republicans do NOT make things worse than they already are. For as long as insurance is a necessity in order to afford healthcare in this country, everyone should be able to buy it and have full coverage that actually covers them and covers preventive care. No one should have to face losing coverage in the middle of treatments and diagnosis. No one should have to face losing homes or access to food. This country is supposed to be one of the wealthiest. The problem is not the programs that help the poor, the sick, and the veterans. The problem is the republicans who have become so vile and greedy since Mr. Obama. The problem is Trump. Trump who admitted to not paying taxes and called himself smart for not paying taxes when it is just him not being a responsible citizen when he is perfectly capable of doing so. God, there is some comfort in this passage knowing that people like Trump and the other republicans who have done nothing but lie their way into D.C. WILL be punished in the end. But sometimes I pray that it will be sooner than later and that You will make sure to remove the least of these into safety before it happens. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Take Refuge In God When You Trust in Him

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - I Peter 5:8

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for on you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. - Psalm 57:1

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! - Psalm 34:8

Dear God, 

It can be so hard sometimes to trust You! Please help me to resist the anxious thoughts that try to creep into my mind. I want to take refuge in You. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Psalm 11

The Lord Is in His Holy Temple

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, "Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test, the children of man. The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? This passage actually gives me comfort. And it also gives me greater respect for You. I am saddened today though to think that there will be some people who may find themselves not where they think they will end up because of their ways. They have been misled and gone astray. They claim to believe in You yet are against anything that helps the least of these. They don't even get their hypocrisy on it either because they will be personally impacted. They just seem to have airs when you confront them on it. I pray for them. I pray for You to bring them back around and save them from their blindness. The wicked will be punished. And the righteous will be tested. It seems we have entered that testing now.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Friday, June 9, 2017

Psalm 10

Why Do You Hide Yourself?

Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God." His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, "I shall not meet adversity." His mouth is file.d with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits on ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor; he seizes the poor when he drWs him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it." 

Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account?" But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

The Lord is king forever and ever; the nation's perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? When I read this passage all I could think of was how Trump and the republicans are so well described as they are I hot pursuit of the poor right now. Their attacks against the poor are alarming. Not just the poor, but also the disabled. God, protect those of us who are being oppressed by them. Shield us. Intervene on our behalf.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Psalm 9

I Will Recount Your Wonderful Deeds

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence. For you have maintained my just cause; you have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment.

You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish; you have blotted out their name forever and ever. The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins; their cities you rooted out; the very memory of them has perished.

But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the people with uprightness.

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.

Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me, O you who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may recount all your praises, that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in your salvation.

The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid their own foot has been caught. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God.

For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.

Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men!

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? That anyone who tries to harm me will perish for their deeds. That You do not forget the cries of the afflicted. That the needy will not always be forgotten and that the hope of the poor will not perish forever.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Psalm 8

How Majestic Is Your Name

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? That You are majestic. And that You care about mankind. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

God's Sovereignty Can Lead to Humbling Circumstances

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. - Psalm 32:10

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. - Romans 12:12

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalm 16:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. - I Peter 5:6-7

Dear God,

I don't mind being put in humbling circumstances. It stinks to be always worried about what's going to happen from day to day. But I would appreciate some help once in a while with regard to dealing with the people who tear me down and back me into corners. So can I just leave that with You right now? Because this week has been a very bad week for me on the emotional front and I honestly don't think I handle anything else going wrong or astray right now.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen


Psalm 7

In You Do I Take Refuge

O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. 

O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust.

Arise, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. Let the assembly of the peoples be gathered about you; over it return on high.

The Lord judges the peoples; judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God! My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.

If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.

He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. 

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? In this passage, I see Your heart for those who pursue You. And I also see Your indignation for the wicked. God, I see a description of Trump in the picture of the wicked man who conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. And the comfort I get from reading this is that he will fall in the pit of his own making. God, shield me from evil. Protect the least of these in our country. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Monday, June 5, 2017

Relax in My Presence

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us e the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Dear God, 

Nothing can separate me from Your love. You have overcome the world. The world is very troubled right now. Some evil people allowed a very evil creature to have control of this country and he is actively trying to undo all the progress that has ever been made which would hurt the disabled, the disabled veterans, the elderly, and even just the least of these in general. Please God, hear my cry, and intervene so that no one in this country suffers at the hands of monsters. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen


Psalm 6

O Lord, Deliver My Life

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?

I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. 

Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? This psalm comforts me. It helps me to know that You are hearing my prayers. And that those who are threatening to harm the least of these and even our disabled veterans now with their attacks on healthcare and through the Trump budget proposal WILL be punished. Those who support these actions are equally wrong. God, shield me. Shield the least of these. Intervene on the behalf of the least of these across this country. And punish those who do wish harm on the least of these severely. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Put Your Hope In Me

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our hope and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you. - Psalm 33:20-22

...in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.... - Titus 1:2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope. - I Timothy 1:1

Dear God, 

If I put my hope in You, Your unfailing love will rest upon me. I have been disappointed a lot. But please help me to never lose hope in You. Help me to remember that no matter what goes on in life, no matter how dark it seems, that I have eternal hope in You that will end well. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Psalm 5

Lead Me in Your Righteousness 

Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. 

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? I find this psalm to be very comforting because it tells me that the republicans, like Trump, who have been lying and trying to harm the least of these will be punished in the end. It tells me that for my seeking comfort in You that I will be able to find refuge in You. God, I give You my concerns and worries. I ask that You soften my heart and that You prick the hearts of those who wish harm on the least of these. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Psalm 4

Answer Me When I Call

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? This psalm speaks of Your kind heart and tells me that You will hear me when I call to You. It cautions me to not seek the lies as those men on D.C. have been spreading. God, You have set me apart for Yourself. You want me to be angry but not sin. You want me to ponder and reflect things in my heart. And most of all, You want me to trust You. God, I am blessed because You have made provision for me and my joy in that IS greater than those that have never wanted for anything. I pray that You continue Your provisions for my family. Because You do provide, I do have peace in You. Help me feel safe in You. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Friday, June 2, 2017

Psalm 3

Save Me, O My God

A Psalm of David, When He Fled From Absalom His Son

O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.

I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? The struggle with the Psalms is the poetic nature of it. But even poems have messages that can be teach about Your nature. In this poem, I see Your heart can vary from the minds and the hearts of people. People might condemn people to judgment, but Your heart might be soft for someone otherwise condemned by people. Keep my heart soft God except where You have advised me otherwise for my safety.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Psalm 2

The Reign of the Lord's Anointed

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord holds the, in derision. The he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."

I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." 

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? God, as I reflect through what I have learned about Jesus, I do see the wrath that He has when people do the wrong things, especially when leadership does the wrong things. This gives me comfort. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen