Psalm 129 - 8.18.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Psalm 129:2-4

 “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

A song about long-suffering. Evil people had caused Israel to endure pain but the Lord freed them. And the folks who hated God’s people, well it was requested that God would wither them away.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

I am surrounded by wicked people. I am introduced to their cars every day while I drive to work. Or I watch the news, or get updates from my wife through various media outlets and it leaves me feeling so angry and upset with all the evil out there. But seriously Lord, there are some wicked people out there actively trying to undermine You and Your people. Researching into some of these giant not for profit “charity” conglomerates and finding out about their origins, founders, and what they actually stand for etc. makes me want to truly cringe. And then there are the groups that overtly come against your people- the politicians, the you-know-who worshippers, and the like. Lord, I thank you for this verse of hope this morning.

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

I sometimes feel like I live in a state and country that is run by people who are against you, Lord. While I may not know what true oppression feels like, which I am grateful for Lord, I do feel a greater sense of pressure from the other side. My prayer this morning Lord is that I am covered by Your hope – that the cords of the wicked will never be, and if necessary we would be cut free. I pray this morning Lord that Your peace would be over me and that my response would not be anger but hope in the face of the wicked. May my hope be in You today and forever. Thank You for Your righteousness. Thank You for You God.

In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.

-kenneth lee

Psalm 128 - 8.17.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!”

Observation

This psalm is a reminder of the joy and blessings one receives when they truly respect and obey God and His ways. They will have a happy wife who flourishes within their home, and their children will be strong, healthy, and respectful-(verse 3). Basically they will have a home life that is in order. But more importantly, it will be a life filled with peace and joy under the Lord’s protection and blessings.

Application

Maintain proper order at home by making Christ the head of your household.

As a father and husband, there is nothing more joyous than coming home from a long, hard day at work, to a household that is in order. I mean you have a wife who gives you her love, support, and respect; and children who are well mannered, healthy, and love seeing you. It’s like a well oiled machine. A beautiful and healthy family where everything is in order. Now doesn’t that sound appealing to everyone out there? Well it can be obtained. But something like this cannot be purchased. It only comes when you put Christ Jesus at the head of your household. When you put Jesus at the head of your house, and you begin to follow His ways, everything else will fall into its proper order:

•You will have husbands who love their wives the way Christ loved the church.-(‬‬Ephesians 5:25)

•You will have wives who love and respect their husbands.-(Ephesians 5:33)

•And you will have children who honor their parents.-(Colossians 3:20)

You see, when you have a family that puts Jesus at the head of their household, you will have a family that has deep reverence for loving and following God. And in return, God will truly bless you and your family for trusting Him.

“That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.”-Psalms‬ ‭128‬:‭4‬

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

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for blessing me with my beautiful family. You have blessed us with good health, work, clothes, food in the fridge, a roof over our heads, and Your daily protection. And I know it is all from You God, and it’s because we choose to follow You. May I be the spiritual leader for my home that You want me to be. Help me to be a good, loving husband and father to my family. One that leads by example and can demonstrate to them how to love and serve You wholeheartedly. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Psalms 127 - 8.16.23

Scripture

Psalms 127:1-2

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to[ those he loves.

Observation

We can choose to struggle to do things in our own strength, even the things we do for God, and accomplish little for His kingdom. Or we can labor with God, under his guidance, and accomplish great things for the kingdom!

Application

As I was deciding what to journal on today, this scripture caught my attention. It’s not new to me, but spoke to me in a different way. So, like I usually do, I started looking through resources to supplement my journal entry – to help me explain what I want to say. And then it hit me – Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Instead of first going to the source for inspiration, I wanted to do it in my own strength. So I stopped and I prayed – Lord speak to me, reveal yourself to me. And you know what? He did. Actually, my mind is kind of blown right now!

Unless the Lord

I can come to church on Sunday and be preoccupied, checking my phone, thinking about the things I have to do the rest of the day - or I can pray and prepare myself to hear from God and encourage others around me.

Unless the Lord

I can try to love others in my own strength – or I can go to the source and ask him to fill me and pour out his love through me.

Unless the Lord

I can go to work each day simply to earn a paycheck – or I can understand that God placed me there for a purpose and choose to partner with Him to be used to make an impact

Am I going to keep doing my own thing – or am I going to let the Lord build the house???

Prayer

Thank you for your revelation to me today. Unless the Lord builds the house, I don’t want to do it. I don’t want to waste time going through the motions. If it’s not with You, I’m not in! Help me to remember to invite you in to every moment of my life. My new motto – UNLESS THE LORD!