Psalm 78

Scripture

 

Psalm 78:7 NLT

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

In this psalm that Asaph writes, he reminds the people of Israel to remember all the glorious things that God has done for them. He encourages them to teach each generation about God’s might, power, and ways so that each generation will know God, follow God, and love God.

Asaph also reminds them of their ancestors who were stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful towards God. How they provoked God’s anger and wrath, and what had happened to them. In short, Asaph wants the people of Israel to learn from their ancestors' mistakes, remember God’s ways, and to tell each future generation to come about God’s might, power, and love.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Discipleship begins at home.

 My wife and I always say our number one ministry is our kids. We want to make sure that they grow up knowing God, loving God, and serving God. I hope and pray also that it will be something they do, not because they feel “forced” to do it, but because they want to do it. God has blessed us with these kids of ours, and we only really have a short time with them before they grow up and become adults. So why not make it a priority to disciple them the way God intended?! Why not teach them at an early age, before the world’s ways try to get hold of them?! I hope and pray that my wife and I are able to build a good and solid Christ-like foundation in our home, which our daughters grow to love. Lord willing, they too can someday, (not till they’re at least 26 years old ), teach their own kids about God’s love for them.

“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”-Joshua 24:15b

Life Application

Take time to pray for the kids in your life.

Father God, I pray for Your wisdom and guidance. Help me find ways to continue to teach my kids about Your love. Help me to build an atmosphere here at home that centers around You. I pray for them as they head out into the world. May You surround them with good people. I pray for our Kid’s Church Ministry. Continue to give them ways to help teach these children of ours, fun and relatable ways to learn about You, and how to apply these lessons in their own lives. I also want to pray for all the parents. I pray that we continue to make it a priority to put You number one in our homes. May we live it out in a way that influences our kids to do the same when they get older. May Your ways supersede the world’s ways in our families' lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

-Moses Gaddi

Psalm_77

Scripture

 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭77:1-6‬ ‭‬‬

 

“I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray! I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now.”

 

Observation-What does it say? 

 

This is a psalm of Asaph. In this psalm the author writes of his yearning for God’s help in the midst of all of life’s struggles. He writes how he feels his prayers are unanswered, that God has turned away from him, and forgotten him in his time of need. But just as Asaph seems to be losing hope, he remembers all the times that God had been faithful. He remembers God’s holiness. He remembers God’s might! Then this psalm from Asaph which began with him feeling hopeless, turns out being a psalm of hope and praise! 😊

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Jesus turns my fears into faith!

 

As I was reading this psalm, I related so much to it. I hate to admit it, but this whole pandemic thing has gotten me depressed. Then to add all the violence and disunity in this world, (especially in this nation alone), it would really leave me feeling frustrated and down. Then to add on top of that, all of life’s other struggles and stresses that seemed to kick me down, when it seemed I was turning the corner on the other stuff. I too, like Asaph, would question God if he turned away from me. “What is going on God?”, I would ask. Or “When is this season of life going to be over?” I just wanted things to go back to the way they used to be.

 

Then I too, like Asaph, would remember God’s faithfulness. I would remember all of the times God had been there for me and gotten me out of bad situations. I would remember His provision and protection in my life. I would remember all His blessings as I would look around me. Then finally I would remember His love for me. I would turn to His Word, read my Bible and see just how much He loves me. It would really change my mindset in life when I would do that. Remembering what God did for me on the cross, by sending Jesus to die for my sins, helped me remember that even Jesus wasn’t exempt from going through life’s struggles. That Jesus would get His strength from God. That Jesus overcame the world and overcame death! That I too can do the same by putting my hope and trust in Him. That with Jesus on my side, I can do all things! All these things God has reminded of these past couple of weeks, has brought me peace, and has brought me hope to continue running the race of life.

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”-‭‭John‬ ‭16:33

 

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”-‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13

 

Life Application

 

Continue to look to God in prayer and reading His Word.

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Thank You God for Your faithfulness. Thank You for always being there, never leaving me or forsaking me. Thank you for Your Living Word that speaks to me and reminds me just how great and mighty You are. Thank You Jesus for Your unconditional love. Forgive me for doubting or questioning You. I know You will use all these things going on in my life right now for good, if I continue to put my faith and trust in You. May You continue to mold me into the man You want me to be. May You continue to use me to bring glory and honor to Your name. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

-Moses Gaddi

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John 14

Scripture John 14:12; 25-27; 30-3112 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father….25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 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. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid….30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Observation and Understanding-What does it say and mean? In this chapter, Jesus is speaking to His disciples and preparing them for His departure from this world. He gives them comfort and encourages them with 4 important truths: 

1. He will prepare a place for them in Heaven.
2. They will do even greater things than He did.
3. He will send His Holy Spirit to teach them, remind them, be with them and empower them in His name.
4. The devil (prince of this world) has no hold over Jesus and Jesus leaves with them His peace, not the world’s peace. Jesus also told them why the devil must come-so that the world would learn that He loves the Father and does exactly what the Father has commanded Him to do. (Without evil, we cannot recognize good. We need the darkness in order to see the light.) 

Life Application 

Jesus’ legacy lives on through us, since we are His children/disciples.

This past month, I’ve been grieving over the death of my Grandma, who passed away on July 21st. Actually, tomorrow, we will be sealing her urn in a wall in a memorial park. Tomorrow is also her birthday and she would’ve turned 92.

Besides grieving with my family, death has made me think a lot about legacy...Grandma’s legacy of faith, 63 years of marriage, family and music, and the legacy that I want to leave behind for my kids and the generations after me. As Jesus was speaking to His disciples to encourage and comfort them because of His upcoming physical death from this world, His words were basically a passing on of His legacy on to them.

If you are a Christ follower reading this, how would you rate yourself regarding continuing the legacy that Jesus left behind for us? Even in a difficult season of life, are we living like victims of this world or conquerors through Christ? Do we truly believe that we could do greater works than He did through the Holy Spirit living in us? Remember, the enemy has no hold over Jesus, so that means he should have no hold over us either.  The life Jesus lived on earth lives on through us.

Dear Lord, help us to fully believe and live out the legacy You have left behind for us, with the help of Your Holy Spirit. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi