Psalm 30 - 12.12.23

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 30:2,3  “Lord my God, I cried unto You for help, and You healed me.  Lord, You brought me up from Sheol; You spared me from among those going down to the pit.”

OBSERVATION:  David had become very ill! It appears that this sickness was related to a sin in his life, and God was angry!  His sin could have been related to the pride in his heart that came from all the fame and wealth he accumulated.  He actually felt invincible!  The anger David experienced from God was a warning to turn from his false sense of security and pride.  David was desperate for physical and emotional healing.  With a repentant heart, he cried out to God.  God heard his desperate cry for help, and came to his rescue.  David might have wept all night, but rejoicing came in the morning! 

APPLICATION:  No matter the nature of our illness, or what causes us to become sick, we can always turn to God and pray that He will help us. God met David right where he was at, and when we become desperate for help, God knows our need before we even ask, but He waits for us to call out to Him.  When we do, our gracious Helper comes to our aid. 

PRAYER:  I pray my security will always be in You Lord. Thank You that when I cry out to You, I am lifted high up above the circumstances that try to weigh me down!  You meet me right where I’m at, and You tend to my needs personally, whether they are physical, spiritual, or emotional.  I thank You that when I’ve sinned and have come to You with a repentant heart, You have been so gracious and kind to forgive me.  I thank You for the countless blessings that I have received from You, and pray that I will never take them for granted or allow them to cause my heart to become prideful, but that my total love and dependence will always be on You!

- Robin Orefice

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