Psalm 62 - 10.4.24
Scripture Psalms 62:5-8 NIV
”Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“
Observation:
God is
My hope
My rock
My salvation
My fortress
My refuge
Because of this I can find rest in Him and trust Him. David wrote this when he was under attack. Even though people were against him, he chose to write a song of praise and sing before the Lord.
Application:
God wants to give me rest in times of trouble. When things are what seems to be a continuous fight He wants me to trust Him and do what David did, pen a song of praise. May I go through each day remembering that God fights the battles for me and there are times He brings me to a place of refuge and rest. I choose to completely trust Him and seek to obey, fighting when necessary and taking refuge to rest when necessary. I choose to seek Him to know what cause of action to take.
Prayer:
My Father God, Thank you that you want me to come to you as a my Father. You want to shelter me in your wings. You sent your Son Jesus and provided from my salvation. He paid such a great cost. You also sent the Holy Spirit to teach and guide me. By doing so you are always with me. Lord, today and every day may I take refuge in you. I know you are my fortress and my rock. I won’t be shaken as long as I trust in you and obey your Word. Show me when to fight and when to take refuge. Please renew me as I rest in You. Thank you that you grow me in trials. You provide for my needs and even the desires of my heart. What a marvelous Father you are! Amen
- Cindy Howard
Deuteronomy 27 - 10.03.24
SCRIPTURE :Deuteronomy 27:9-10 NIV
“Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel,
“Be silent, Israel, and listen!
You have now become the people of the Lord your God.
Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.””
OBSERVATION
BE Silent—and Listen
Moses gives two commands- Be Silent and Listen.
Once Joshua led the Nation into the Promised Land—
They were to STOP—and reaffirm their Covenant Promise to The Lord-
To keep ALL The Commandments.
Joshua was commanded to plaster some large stones on Mount Ebal and write clearly on them ALL The Laws that God gave His People —in addition to building an altar for sacrifices.
God saw this covenant as a Solemn Marriage Covenant.
Any breaking of His Laws was likened to Adultery in God’s eyes.
God wanted His People—who HE had set apart for Himself-
To WHOLLY commit themselves to HIM.
APPLICATION
COVENANT RELATIONSHIP STILL REMAINS
Give God the 1st Place of Love and Honor— and everything else will fall into place.
If we Love and honor God Foremost-then we will Love what He loves and naturally desire to do those things that are pleasing to Him and bring Him glory.
““This is the NEW COVENANT
I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.””
(Hebrews 10:16 NLT)
“And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
The second is like it, ‘You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’
The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”” (Matthew 22:37-40 AMP)
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy because I have promised you to one husband—-to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 11:2 AMP)
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
(Psalm 16:11 ESV)
PRAYER
LORD Jesus,
Thank You for pursuing me. Thank You for continuing to Love me and grow me and Teach me. Thank You that YOU Stand by me THROUGH everything. Circumstances will never dictate Your ability to provide anything at anytime -anywhere.
You are GOD and there is No other. In your Presence is FULLNESS of JOY and at Your Right Hand are Pleasures—Forevermore. May my life tell Your Love story.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Acts 23 - 10.2.24
Scripture
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11
Observation
At this point in the story of Paul, he has accomplished great things for the Lord, taking the gospel to the Gentile nations, and bringing a large number of Gentiles to the Lord. Paul was impressed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:21) that he should go to Jerusalem. The Lord had impressed on his heart that he was awaited by “chains and tribulation” in Jerusalem (Acts: 20:23). This was also confirmed by other Christian believers who prophesied that Paul would face imprisonment in Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). His friends pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12). But Paul was determined to go, convinced in heart that this was God’s perfect will for him, declaring that he is not only ready to be imprisoned but also to die for Jesus (Acts 21:13).
Now Paul has been dramatically attacked by Jews in Jerusalem, and has been arrested by the Roman soldiers. He was brought before the chief priests and their counsel. He faced so much hatred and attacks from his own people, that the Roman soldiers had to “rescue” him and bring him back to the barracks.
This was a very discouraging moment for Paul. He might have doubted if he had missed God’s plan for his life. Did he do the right thing by coming to Jerusalem, though warned by well-wishers and friends not to do so? The Lord appeared to him. This was not a dream or a vision, but a visitation from Jesus. Jesus personally came to Paul and strengthened him. Jesus told him to take courage, as he needed to testify about Jesus in Rome, just like he did in Jerusalem.
Paul spent the rest of his life in imprisonment and wrote almost half of the new testament from prison - 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament are attributed to him. History tells us that Paul was executed in Rome. But he was in the center of God’s perfect will concerning him, accomplishing God’s purpose for him. As he said towards the end of his life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Application
Christian life is not a bed of roses. We are not promised a life without troubles, when we give our life to the Lord. In fact, Jesus himself promised that we will have trouble in this world. But we are more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37). Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We read in Timothy that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12).
If you are going through a trial today, do not lose heart. When you pass through the waters, He will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2)
Be encouraged. Take courage. The Lord has a purpose in whatever you are going through. Cling onto Him, and He will see you through, and He will deliver you, because that is what he has promised. “Because he clings to me I will deliver him; because he knows my name I will set him on high” (Psalms 91:14 NABRE).
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you because you are always with me. Thank you because every day of my life is written in your book. Thank you because you have a purpose for everything you have allowed in my life. Help me to be obedient and to seek your face and your kingdom above all. Lead me into your plans and purposes for my life. I cling onto you and trust you, knowing that you will deliver me out of this trial in your time. Thank you because the battle belongs to you, and you have the victory. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George