Psalm 103 - 5.14.25

Scripture

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits (Psalms 103:2)

Observation

Bible scholars believe that David penned psalm 103 in his later years. This is a beautiful psalm that reminds us to not forget all the benefits that God has given us. The Psalm lists down some of the things we need to remember to be thankful for. 

He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases (v 3). Let us not forget that it cost God everything to forgive our sins - the very last drop of Jesus’ blood. We were bought at a price (1 Cor 6:20). Through his death, he finished the work that is needed to heal us. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). Thank you Lord for forgiving us and healing us.

He redeems our life from destruction, and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (v 4). How many times has he picked us up from the pit? How many times has he crowned us with his mercy. Thank you Lord for redeeming our life from destruction.

He satisfies our mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (v 5). All you ladies and gentlemen who look younger and stronger than your biological age, thank Him because He is renewing your youth like the eagle's! Thank you Lord for your strength and for the breath in our nostrils.

The Lord is merciful, kind and patient, and his love never fails. He does not deal with us according to our sins, and he doesn't punish us as our sins deserve (verse 8-10). Thank you Lord for your mercies which we do not deserve.

The phrase "East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet" is a famous line from Rudyard Kipling from his poem written in 1889. The Lord has done that for us literally. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us (v 11-12). Thank you Lord, because you have separated our sins from us just as the east is separated from the west.

Application

The scripture says “forget not all his benefits”. The scripture reminds us “not to forget” because we are prone to forget what the Lord has done for us. Let us remember the ways He has led us, the miracles He has done in our life, the doors He has opened for us and his mercies everyday. Let us make it a point to count our blessings and give him praise and thanks. Let us be intentional in thanking and praising God.

As the famous hymn goes:

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God has done

Count your blessings, name them one by one

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for everything you have given me. Thank you for my life, my health, my family, my job, my finances and every blessing that you have given me. Everything I have comes from you, and I have nothing that I have not received from you (1 Cor 4:7). Forgive me for the times I have forgotten your benefits, and have complained. Help me to be thankful and to offer the sacrifice of praise through my lips (Heb 13:15). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Romans 3 - 5.13.25

SCRIPTURE:  Romans 3:21-26  "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood - to be received by faith.  He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the One Who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."

OBSERVATION:  Paul presented the facts about the lostness of humanity by explaining the truth about how everyone stands guilty before God.  "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.  All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.  The poison of vipers is on their lips.  Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.  Their feet are swift to shed innocent blood;  Ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.  There is no fear of God before their eyes."  (v 10b-18).

Paul was writing to the Roman Gentile Christians.  His description of humanity was pretty grim!  He declared that we have ALL sinned, and that ALL sin leads to death.  There is no distinction when it comes to being sinners, whether one is a Jew or Gentile, male or female, legalistic or a prominent and influential person.  Our sin separates us from God, and no one is able to earn right standing with Him by our good works, and no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law, nor can the law protect anyone from God's judgment of their own, personal sinfulness.   No amount of human performance will grant us access into heaven, and there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. We are lost and without hope, dead in our sins!  BUT... because of God's great love for us, He made a way for our sins to be forgiven by sending Jesus to die in our place to take the punishment that we deserved! He paid the ultimate price by His sacrificial death on the cross.  He lived a perfectly sinless life, and yet He was willing to die for the sins He never committed!   

APPLICATION:  The way to be declared "NOT GUILTY" is to trust Jesus, and believe that He paid for ALL of our sins: our past, present, and future sins!  I became free from the bondage of sin and death the moment I put my faith in Jesus, and asked Him to forgive me.  God's  anger against my sin was satisfied in Christ's death, and Jesus became my Justifier!  JUST IF I'D (never sinned!). 

PRAYER:  Thank You God for Your great love for me, and thank You Jesus for Your willingness to to die in my place, and take the punishment that I deserved!  Thank You that those of us who have put our faith in Jesus are now justified and have been redeemed!  Thank You that by Your grace, we have been freed from the penalty of our sins, and have been made right with You!  

I pray, Holy Spirit that You will help me to become more and more like Jesus, and be able to effectively communicate the truth about man's sin and his need for the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

- Robin Orefice

Psalm 101 - 5.12.25

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart.”

Observation

This is a psalm of David. In it, David makes a commitment to rule his kingdom with justice and integrity. David vows to avoid sinful behavior and sinful people, while he surrounds himself with godly people. David yearns to provide godly leadership in his home, and for his people.

Application

Being a strong godly leader requires a commitment to pleasing God, and keeping His ways. 

And that is what David shows us in this psalm. In verse 2 David vows to live a life of integrity.

“I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.”-Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭2‬ ‭

In verses 3 and 4 David vows to stay away from evil.

“I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.”-Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭

In verses 5 through 8 David vows to surround himself with godly people and cleanse his kingdom of wickedness and injustice.

“I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me. I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence. My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.”-‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭

In short, this psalm shows us the importance of a leader setting an example of integrity and justice, which in turn can influence an entire nation to follow suit.

Prayer

Father God, You call me to lead. You call me to draw out others the way You have drawn me out. I ask and pray for the boldness and courage to lead the way You call me to lead. May it start in my own home, and trickle into my workplace, and church. Help me to lead with integrity and justice. May I lead in a way that honors Your ways. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi