Psalm 29 - 12.11.23

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.”

Observation

In this psalm of David, he writes of God’s awesome power and God’s holiness. David reminds us just how mighty, majestic, and holy our God is. The earth moves at the sound of His voice. God rules and reigns over everything in it. But the verse that I chose today really reminds me just how much God loves His children. He blesses them with strength and peace-(verse 11). So knowing that we serve a God who is all powerful, and who is so loving towards His children, what is there for us to fear? 🤔

Application

Knowing God will give me strength and peace through any situation.

It’s a hope every Christian has, that no matter what life throws at me, no matter how dire the situation, God will give me strength and peace. God may not always answer my prayers how I want Him to or remove me from those tough spots in life, but He will always give the strength and peace to see me through it. The God David boasts about in this psalm, (the God who created and breathed life into this universe), is the same God who loves me and watches over me. He gives me all the strength and peace of mind that I need.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” -Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬a

Prayer

Father God, thank You for being my strength and my peace. You are my immovable rock when the waves crash down on me. You are where my confidence rests. Apart from You, I can do nothing, but when I walk with You, I know I can accomplish anything. May You continue to light my path, and guide me through this life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi

Micah 2 - 12.8.2023

Scripture - Pick one verse that stood out to you.

Micah 2:12-13, Psalm 28:8-9

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
    I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
    like a flock in its pasture;
    the place will throng with people.
The One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
    they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them,
    the Lord at their head.”

The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Observation - What about this verse stands out to you?

In the book of Micah, God’s people (at the time it was the nation of Israel) had lost their way. Their conduct towards themselves and to those around them was counter to what God had decreed. God’s people were so lost – perhaps, without even realizing it themselves. The prophet Micah, beginning in chapter one and continuing in chapter two, delivers a very gloomy message from the Lord (God’s people had messed up big time). However, while the prophet spells out the consequence for their actions, God speaks of a future direction, a hope. God would eventually bring His people together, like a flock, led by the One-who-breaks-open-the-way. Their King. Their Lord.

Application - How will you apply this to your life?

For my life application today, I will stop looking towards worldly things to help me find my way. I will stop looking towards insufficient markers for direction. Instead, I will look for the One-who-breaks-open-the-way. For His path is not aimless but true. His way is not wrong but right. And His route will never lead me astray. 

Prayer - Write out a prayer.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I pray for protection and guidance today. Protect me from my own misguided ways. Gather and guide me, even when I don’t deserve it. Forgive me for all the mistakes I make. Help me to turn from the error of my ways. You are my Shepherd, my King, my Guiding Light, my Guiding Star. Thank you for Your love; the perfect love of a parent. Thank You for You.

In the name of Jesus do I pray,  amen.

-kenneth lee

Psalm 27 - 12.7.23

Scripture - Psalm 27:9-10 - Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me the Lord will receive me.

Observation – Another Psalm written by David.  God offers help for today and hope for the future. Unwavering confidence in God is our antidote for fear and loneliness. Something many of us struggle with and that can become overwhelming during the holidays.

Application – So many people have had the sad experience of being forsaken by a mother or father.  Some of us come from broken homes, or our families have different beliefs which can cause division; some had a parent addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a neglectful parent; one who did not nurture or protect in a way that was needed by us. That pain may linger, and we can carry loneliness and/or anger with us into adulthood. We may fear we will never be good enough, or that God can’t bring us through our dark periods. But God is with us…. “Even HERE.” Even in the pain we carry with us, and the uncertainty of things to come. Only God can fill that void, heal those hurts, and direct us to others who may take the role of father or mother for us. I personally have dealt with much of the above pain growing up, and much of it found its way into my adult life. You wouldn’t know it now, but I was very lonely up into my 30’s, which is when I found Jesus. And the beauty is that HIS love is sufficient for all our needs, including the healing of our hearts from pain and abandonment.  Before I knew Him, God knew my life story.

Jer. 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

He KNEW me and He still knows me and knows exactly what I need! He has placed me in the most loving church family I could possibly have ever been put into. I have been nurtured and cared for by fatherly figures, motherly figures, sisters whom I never had growing up and great friends who honor me and care for me more often than I can count. GOD has never forsaken me, and His plan is still unfolding. If you believe in Him and confess with your mouth that He is Lord and Savior, you will be saved, and He will nurture you too and provide for all your needs.

Prayer – Lord, I thank you for all that you have brought me through; for knowing everything I have needed every step of my life. Thank you that you found me in that pit of loneliness and sinful living that was my life, and for showing me what it truly meant to be loved and live a life WORTH living. Thank you for bringing others into my life that I am able to love on, nurture, and help provide for. I can never repay you for your love, but I can certainly continue to look for ways to spread that love and kindness all around me! I pray that as a church family we will all look for ways to do this every day, but especially during this Christmas season. Lord, would you bring to mind today someone who could use some extra love, a smile, a coffee, maybe a hug or just some time with a friend….. and may we be obedient to your prompting. In Jesus’ name I pray!

- Crystal Flory