Psalm 42 - 4.17.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”

Observation

This psalm is written by the descendants of Korah. In this psalm, the psalmist expresses a sense of overwhelming grief. They are being attacked and mocked by their enemies, and their lives are in despair. They have a desperate longing for God. Their faith in God is the only thing that brings them hope. So, instead of choosing to let life’s circumstances bring them down, they choose to trust in God, praise Him, and remember His faithfulness.

Application

Praising God in the middle of life’s storms.

I once had a friend at work ask me if being a Christian means that I am exempt from experiencing life’s troubles. I quickly responded, “Of course not! Life’s troubles hit us all, (both Christians and non-Christians alike).” I also told him, “The main difference is how a each person responds to life’s struggles when it comes their way.” ‬‬

You see, as a person who puts their faith in God, we have hope in any circumstance. We trust in a God who is Almighty. We trust in a God where nothing is impossible for Him to do. It’s just that sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that. HOW you may ask? Well by first reading His Word. Discover what great things God has done for His people throughout time. The God of Abraham, the God of Moses, and the God of David, is the very same God we serve. And that God is the same yesterday as He is today! The other thing we can do to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness and goodness, is to take time to reflect on our own lives and see what He has done. Count your blessings! Begin to praise Him in song. Worship Him through prayer. Begin to feel God’s Holy Spirit bring you peace and comfort. Try it and see for yourselves how our heart will change from a heart of worry, to a heart of worship, praise, and thanksgiving. 😊

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. You are so good to me. Forgive me for forgetting that sometimes. May I always remember to seek You daily no matter the circumstance. I choose to give You all the praise, glory, and honor no matter what! Why?! Because You deserve it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Galatians 5 - 4.14.23

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Galatians 5

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

…walk by the Spirit…

There are desires which I have been delivered from. And then there are the desires which I hold close to my stomach - like the desire for fried food. Lord, what am I doing to myself? I have lived by a “If you fry it I will eat it” for so long now. They don’t even have to tell me what it is. Don’t even bother asking me if I want to try it. Just shove it in front of my face, I will find some salt to sprinkle over it, and they can just walk away.

I have been so blessed to live a life where food is abundant. I have gotten to eat and taste some of the best food in the world, (LA and NYC) but really thank you God.

But I feel like you are calling me to taste better food. The best. One that can only truly be tasted by walking in the Spirit.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

Lord, today my first meal of the day will not be water, coffee, or eggs. Instead I choose to walk by the Spirit first and foremost. I will begin my day with prayer and the word of God. I will read my bible today before I do anything else. You will be the first to nourish my spirit and my stomach can sit in the passenger side.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Lord my flesh is weak. But Your Spirit is…indescribable! I pray for your strength as I create distance from my flesh and proceed to walk by Your Spirit! As a beloved elder of my church family once prayed over me this verse I hope to tap into its life-giving power again today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. And well, forever!

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29)

May You be my strength in this endeavor. Always and forever. In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Isaiah 45 - 4.13.23

Scripture

Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?”

Observation

In this chapter, Isaiah foresees Israel having a problem with God using Cyrus, a heathen king, to be the one who delivers them from their oppressors. Isaiah warns Israel to not question God’s methods and His authority. After all, who are they to question the Creator of the universe?

I love the illustration Isaiah uses here between the potter and the clay. Great metaphor and analogy of our relationship with God. Who are we to question God?..The God who created the heavens and the earth, and everything in it. The God who created something as intricate as you and I. He is the God who has the master plan. And there is none like Him!

“For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.” -Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭18‬

Application

Know your role!

One of my favorite wrestlers when I was younger was The Rock. He was cool, cocky, stylish, and had so many funny catchphrases he would use when he was cutting a promo for his upcoming match. One of those catchphrases he would use was, “Know your role and shut your mouth!” The crowd loved it! It was a way he would put the interviewer and his opponent in their place while speaking. He was basically telling them, keep quiet and let the superstar speak. (I told you he was cocky). 😆

In a weird way, that is what I feel God is telling the people of Israel in this passage, and what He is telling all of us here. He is God. There is no one like Him. He is the Creator. We are the created. So who are we to question Him?! In response, we need to know our role here. We need to know that He is God. We need to know that He is good. We need to know that He loves us. And finally we need to know that He is in control. So take off that bumper sticker that says “God is my Co-Pilot”. HE is the Pilot. We aren’t even in the cockpit! We are His passengers going wherever He wants to take us. All we can do is trust Him and do what He tells us. 😊

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for ever questioning You. You are filled with infinite wisdom. I know that You want what is best for me. I know that You are in control. Help me to trust in Your ways. Give me the discipline and strength to stay the course and follow You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi