Psalm 62-8.31.22
Scripture
Psalms 62:11-12 NLT
“God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power. O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this psalm, David writes about waiting and trusting in God above anything else. His enemies surround him. His enemies plot to kill him. Even some of his “friends” are two faced (praising him to his face, yet cursing him in their hearts). But through all of this David finds peace. He cries out to God with all of his worries. He trusts in God’s sovereignty and strength. He knows at the end of the day God’s justice will prevail.
Understanding-What does it mean?
We reap what we sow.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”-Galatians 6:7-10
If God surely repays all people for what they have done (verse 12 of this chapter), what will I be reaping? What kind of seeds am I sowing?
Life Application
What have I done with the name of Jesus?
We all know if God repays us for what we have done, we would all be in trouble.
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”-Romans 3:23
But thankfully God is so loving and so gracious!
“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.”-Romans 3:24-26
So what have I done with the name of Jesus? Did I accept it or reject it? Am I sowing the seed of Jesus’ name in people’s hearts? Am I sowing seeds to please my flesh, or sowing seeds to please the Holy Spirit? I pray that we all sow the spiritual seeds necessary to live in God’s peace and blessings.
-Moses Gaddi
1 Peter 1-8.30.22
Scripture
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
Observation
Peter tells us to “roll up our sleeves and prepare for vigorous and sustained spiritual exertion.” (ESV Reformation Study Bible)
Understanding
Vs. 15 - But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do ...
He called ME. He has a calling on my life – a plan and a purpose – things to accomplish for His kingdom. How awesome is that? I want Him to use me. But, I have to respond in order for those plans to come to fruition.
He calls us to be holy, or set aside for His purposes. Just as Israel was called to be set apart from the nations surrounding it, we have to be different from the world around us. We have to learn to live in the world, minister to those around us, be His hands and feet, while at the same time keeping a distance from the things of the world. We have to love and respect (revere) God enough to follow His voice, His word, His commands daily and in every situation.
Vs. 3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
Life Application
“The holy people of God are the people who have been distinguished by God’s gracious calling for doing God’s will in the world.” (Ashbury Bible Commentary) God, use me to do your will.
-Debbie Dunn
James 5-8.29.22
Scripture
James 5:5 NLT
“You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, James warns the rich over their love of money. James rebukes the rich for hoarding their riches, investing in meaningless material things that corrode and rot away over time, and the ruthless ways they cheated others to obtain their riches. Judgement is upon them! How they utilized the riches they obtained will determine how they will be judged.
Understanding-What does it mean?
How am I utilizing God’s blessings?
When it’s all said and done and we meet God face to face, He is going to hold us each accountable for what we did with His blessings. Will God care if I purchased that nice house on the hills? Will God care if I bought that fancy sports car? Will God really care if I sent my kids to that Ivy League University? Ultimately, I’m going to have to answer to God regarding how I managed what He blessed me with here on earth and how I used it to build His Kingdom and glorify His name. Did I use it to collect and hoard material things? Did I keep it all to myself? Or did I share it with the world to bring glory and honor to His name?
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” -Matthew 6:19-21
Life Application
Use your blessings to be a blessing.
We all have different gifts and blessings that God has given us. For some of us, it may be our finances. For some, it may be a heart of encouragement and for others it may be wisdom from life’s experiences. Whatever the case may be, we all have something to offer others in their time of need, so why not share it with the world? Use the opportunity and platform God has given you to share and show His love today.
-Moses Gaddi