Psalm 59 - 5.10.23
Scripture
Psalm 59:16-17
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”
Observation
In the heading of this Psalm, it says that King David wrote it “When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.”
In the beginning of the Psalm, he vents to the Lord about his situation, but by the 2nd half, he turns his focus into worshipping the greatness of our God and who He is in light of the situation. Praying and worshipping through his circumstances is what gave David peace and strength.
Application
Pray and worship in ALL circumstances.
Pastor Levi preached a great sermon last Sunday about how we are to do everything in love and praise God in ALL situations, whether in the grocery store, our job, school, hobbies, doing chores at home…you know the ordinary, mundane stuff of life. Here is a link to that awesome sermon: https://youtu.be/8n2OS6hLH98
I would like to add, through King David’s example, that we worship in ALL circumstances as well. Are you feeling anxious, depressed, in extreme emotional or physical pain? Praise Him too! That’s what King David did, even while being hotly pursued by his enemies.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for King David’s example that there is no excuse not to pray and worship You! I pray that whatever season, circumstance, location, or activity I find myself in, that I would always run to you in worship and prayer! Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
1 Thessalonias 2 - 5.9.23
Scripture
I Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
Observation
Are we chasing the approval of the people around us or are we chasing after the heart of God?
Application
How many “likes” am I going to get on this journal entry? That sounds silly, right? But if I am honest, I often find myself spending far more time and worry trying to please people than I do trying to please God. I seek approval. I enjoy pats on the back and admiration. I seek status. I fear failure and embarrassment. I worry about what people think of me. I even worry about what people will think of me when I tell them I worry about what people think of me. How ridiculous and short-sighted it is that I would put the opinions of men before the opinion of God almighty! The first commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. When I worry about pleasing people, I am not loving God and putting Him first. I am putting myself first.
Prayer
God, please forgive me for all the times I have not put You first. Please change my heart and help me to keep my priorities straight. The Bible says we can only serve one master and I choose You. I hope to hear from YOU - well done, good and faithful servant.
- Debbie Dunn
1 Thessalonians 1 - 5.8.23
Scripture
1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NLT
“And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God.”
Observation
This is a letter to the church in Thessalonica from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. In it, they are encouraging the Thessalonians to continue to progress in their faith. Paul, Silas, and Timothy are so proud of them because despite the church’s persecution and suffering, they are still flourishing. Their strong commitment to Jesus, and their obedience to the Holy Spirit is a great example to all the believers in Greece (verse 7), and is evident with the way they live their lives (verse 8).
Application
We as Christians are all called to evangelize.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”-Matthew 28:19-20
The church in Thessalonica were being commended by Paul because they were doing a great job with not only sharing the Good News about Jesus, but also showing them the love of Jesus by the way they lived their lives and interacted with others around them. As a result many others around them were able to hear the Good News, turn their lives to Jesus, and repent from their sinful ways. Now that my friends, is evangelism 101.
Am I living my life in a way that people are able to hear and see God’s love through me? Am I doing my part to influence my community with the Good News? 🤔
Prayer
Father God, may You use me to be a light in my workplace, my community, and my family. May the words that come out of my mouth and my actions be honoring to You. May they point others to Jesus. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi