Psalm 86-10.4.22
SCRIPTURE:
Psalm 86:11,12
"Teach me Your way, Yahweh, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name. I will praise You with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor Your name forever.
OBSERVATION:
David worshiped the One true God. He prayed that he would know God's truth. His desire was to walk in God's guidance, and he understood that the primary guidance system is found in God's Word. We have an advantage over David as He only had access to the Old Testament.
UNDERSTANDING:
Integrity is derived from "integer" ( a whole number as opposed to a fraction) and speaks of the quality of being undivided.
Oftentimes when we pray, we ask God for answers and solutions to our problems. David did that too, but he also asked for guidance and direction. He was willing to seek God and obey His commands, and in return David was given specific wisdom and guidance.
The more we rely on God, the more we will be aware of the access we have to walk in His daily power, strength, wisdom and guidance.
David prayed that he would have an undivided mind. We must develop that singleness of heart to love God above all else. This new life that God gives us when we are born again can only be done by the work of the Holy Spirit. He has given us a new heart! As we turn from our sins and ask for forgiveness, God gives us new motives, new guidelines, and a new desire to follow Him.
LIFE APPLICATION:
I recognize that I am poor and needy, and that I am NOTHING WITHOUT YOU GOD! I am also aware that it is You Who guards and protects my life. You are sovereign, and Your ways are much wiser and higher than mine. Since You are alive, active, mighty, and in control of all things, it is always best to rely on Your wisdom verses on my feelings, thoughts, emotions, or on my own understanding.
As my mind often tends to go in a million different directions, I pray for an undivided heart that goes one way towards You Lord. I pray I will develop that singleness of mind to love You with my whole heart above all else!
-Robin Orefice
John 17-10.3.22
Scripture
John 17:15 & 18 NLT
“I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, Jesus prays not only for His disciples, but for ALL who would put their faith in Him. He prays for the Church’s spiritual well-being, he prays for their protection against the evil one, and he prays for unity amongst them as they go out into the world sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Isn’t it comforting knowing that Jesus is on our side praying for us?
I’ve heard a Pastor say before that we are indestructible until God is finished with us. And reading this passage reminds me of just that. Not only is Jesus/The God of the Universe praying and interceding on our behalf, but I believe Jesus is cheering us on along our mission. And what is our mission you may ask? Our mission is to multiply Christ Followers everywhere (see Matthew 28: 18-20). You see, if the main mission was to just to become a Christ Follower, then I believe God would have just snatched us up the moment we accepted Jesus into our hearts. But like the verses I chose to highlight today, it tells us that Jesus is not finished with us just yet. Jesus prayed that we aren’t to be taken out of the world, but he prayed for our protection while we were still in it. Just like Jesus had a mission while He was here, we too have a mission while we are here. So wherever God calls us to be on mission, know that Jesus has our backs, He is praying for us, and He is cheering us on. And there is no place safer than where He wants us to be. 😊
Life Application
Aligning ourselves with the will of God.
I remember talking with someone who served in the mission fields. They were serving in a third world country, where crime was rampant and Christians were being targeted and persecuted. I remember asking them, “aren’t you scared going over there?” And without hesitation they told me they felt God calling them to this place, and there was no safer place they could be than where God wants them to be. I remember the comfort it brought me from them saying that. It reminded me that as long as I was aligning myself with God’s will for me, that I have nothing to fear. I understand that it doesn’t mean that I’m excluded from life’s troubles, (because even Jesus went through troubles), but I find strength and peace knowing my soul is secure in Jesus and He is with me every step of the way.
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 84 - 9.30.22
Scripture - What stood out?
Psalm 84:5
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
Observation - What does it say?
A psalm that gives glory to and highlights the amazingness and awesomeness of the house of the Lord. Better is one day in your courts, the psalmist says, than a thousand elsewhere!
Understanding - What does it mean?
Lately every now and then I have been reading my soul journal bible verses in advance and letting the living word brew in me for a little bit before I ask the Holy Spirit to fill me up with a journal entry. Thank you Jesus! For prompting me to read my bible entry several days in advance.
As I write this journal entry Lord I am filled with thanksgiving! Thank you God for carrying me through this day and helping me to end it with TRIUMPH! Thank you, Lord!
If you have ever had any job ever, or ever had to work alongside people at all, ever, you will agree with this next statement: working with people is brutal. It is sometimes easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye or win the lottery than get along with co-workers and bosses. But when you are full up on the love of God…When you are focused on how to please the Lord. When you are frantically every step of every brutal way focused on how to find strength, on how to find diplomacy in Jesus, while you are dealing with God’s greatest creations…us…It is in these moments of ultimate frustration today I was able to find blessing in Your ultimate strength. Thank you for helping me to respond with LOVE in my heart today when it could have been frustration, anger, bitterness, sarcasm, judgment. Thank you Lord for teaching me how to lean on your strength even while I was in an office environment and not out in the wilderness or the fields. Thank you for blessing my faith in you even when I know I am not worthy of any of it.
Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?
Lord, I feel like I applied what you taught me last night, today! I was met with the toughest of situations trying to balance multiple personalities and egos. And you helped me through every step of it! All I had to do was train my spirit and mind to constantly be asking you for guidance and help step by brutal step. Out of nowhere the steps became less brutal, less heavy. Soon the pain was gone and it was replaced by this supernatural peace. Help me not to forget this feeling, Lord. Help me to never forget this process. In every trying situation where the enemy and the world would have me give in to despair and angst remind me Lord of this moment. Remind me of this time where I would not stop searching for Your strength, Your blessing, Your home. Thank you Father, I praise and worship You. Thank you for this victory. Thank you for granting me Your peace in my heart today. I love you Lord,
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee