Psalm 11 - 8.22.25

Scripture:  Psalm 11:7

“For the Lord is righteous,
 he loves justice;
 the upright will see his face.”

Observation:  

David is stating his trust in God when others are telling him he should take charge of his life and flee.  He states he will take his refuge in the Lord, who is in His holy temple on His heavenly throne observing and examining everyone. Then, David states the verse that stuck out to me.  We can trust the Lord.  He is righteous and loves justice.  He will defend us against the wicked.  I love the last part, “the upright will see his face.”  How cool is that?  When you look at someone’s face, you are close to them.  You see their expressions of joy, concern, etc.  It is wonderful to know we have this kind of access to our God.

Application:

I need to always remember God is just.  I can take my refuge in Him.  People, even well-meaning Christians, will give me advice. I need to be sure what I do is in line with His plan for my life and not an easy escape.

Prayer:

Oh Lord, You created such a wonderful heaven and earth.  So many amazing details woven into place.  Thank you for your guidance in my life.  Help me to be securely in your will for me.  Help me to look to you when others advise me to flee or protect myself in some way.  When I’m attacked may I take refuge in you.  Knowing you are the good shepherd and you will lead me through. Amen

- Cindy Howard

Hebrews 1 - 08.21.25

SCRIPTURE 

“The SON is the RADIANCE of God’s glory 

and the exact representation—of His being, 

sustaining all things —by His powerful word. 

After HE had provided purification for sins—HE sat down 

at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

OBSERVATION 

The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus (God the Son) as the radiance of God’s glory.

In Greek, the word radiance (apaugasma) can describe a reflection of what is external OR what is internal. With Jesus, both are True. 

Underneath Jesus’ human appearance was the glory of God.

Jesus said,

“Don’t you KNOW me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?

Anyone who has SEEN—ME—has SEEN—The Father. 

How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I AM—IN the Father,

and that the Father IS—IN me?”  (John 14:9 NIV)

Jesus IS not only the Radiance of God’s glory—

HE is the exact representation— of HIS—BEING

Being (eimi) is Greek for—I exist—I AM. 

Jesus—IS—The Visible representation of the invisible God—Jesus IS God Himself.

After HE had provided purification for sins

HE—sat down—at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

When Christ—sat down—it signified—the work IS—complete!

No sacrifice for sin could be greater than the sacrifice offered by the Creator—

Jesus cleansed the world from the domination of sin and took the penalty for our individual sins by dying in our place—on the Cross.

No other penalty ever needs to be paid. 

APPLICATION

Jesus is Sovereign Over ALL—His eyes Watch Over His Creation

HE IS our Supply

Trust Him…

Have you ever found yourself turning on the news and becoming anxious over the state of world events? Or maybe there are life circumstances that are challenging you and causing worry. Health concerns, family needs, financial stresses. Are there prayers you are growing weary of coming to God with because they seem to go unanswered…

As I read this scripture in Hebrews I am reminded that Jesus IS Sustaining ALL THINGS by His Powerful Word. HE sees and Knows everything. HE is Sovereign. Jesus is—I AM. Our Provision. Our Supply.

If a prayer is yet to be answered it is not necessarily no..God may very well be teaching us something in the waiting. Lord Jesus, what is it that You are wanting to teach me through this season?

I am continuing to learn more about God’s Sovereignty.

I am reading a book that said something stunning about intercession prayer. It poses the question, “Is your prayer motive for your benefit OR God’s glory”? 🤯 I can’t help but think there have been times some degree of selfish motive was mixed in with my heartfelt desire to see people saved. But How do I get to a completely pure motive? The book by Joy Dawson (a well respected YWAM author) states that we must be willing— like Abraham—to lay down what’s most precious to us to in order to see others— receive.

“Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”  (Luke 9:23-24 NIV)

God Knows what HE desires to do IN and THROUGH each of us. God is sovereign and Loving and in Perfect Control. HE is Trustworthy.

And God is looking for a people who are genuinely willing to lay down their lives for Him.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

How good it is to meditate on Your word and remember who You are. You hold us in the palm of Your Hand and Every single one of our days is laid out before You. You have pursued us and You Call us Your own. Your very own. Your thoughts about us outnumber the sands on the shore. A number beyond my imagination.

I desire that Your Love for me sinks in SO deep—that it will transform me in a way that will draw others to You. Help me Lord to live a life in complete sync with You. YOU say, “Follow Me”..Teach me what this looks like. 

I can do Nothing apart from You.

Help me to breathe in Your Presence as I sit at Your feet—

Here I am Lord..

My heart is Yours

Tina L Kudelka 

Psalm 9 - 8.20.25

Scripture

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Ps 9:10)

Observation

This Psalm was written by David. During Bible times, names meant something. A person’s name was a representation of his or her character. If you knew someone’s name, that meant that you knew them as a person. 

In this verse, David says that those who know the name of the Lord, or those who know the Lord intimately, would put their trust in Him. He has never forsaken those who seek him. 

Application

Do you know the Lord? What is the name by which you know Him? Is He your friend (John 15:15)? Is He your father (Gal 4:6)? Is He your fortress (Ps 18:2)? Is He your rock (Ps 18:2)? Is He the lifter of your head (Ps 3:3)? Is He your defence (Ps 94:22)? Is He your refuge and strength (Ps 46:1)? Is He the source of your help (Ps 121:2)? Is He your confidence (Prov 3:26)? Is He your healer (Ex 15:26)? Is He the source of your peace (Phil 4:7)? Is He your victory (Ex 17:15)? Is He your joy (Ps 43:4)? Is He your hope (Ps 71:5)? Is He your teacher (Is 48:17)? Is He your provider (Phil 4:19)? 

If we know Him, we know that we can trust in Him. Whoever has looked at His face were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed (Ps 34:5). 

Prayer

Father, Help me to know you. Lead me to a greater understanding of you. Help me to draw closer to you, knowing that when I do that you will draw close to me (James 4:8). I know that trusting in man is a snare (Prov 29:25). Help me to put my trust only in you. I don’t want to wade in ankle-deep waters of just knowing you at a surface-level, Lord. I want to know you fully, and swim in the overflowing waters of knowing you (Ez 47:3-5). Help me to develop the discipline of spending time with you consistently in fasting and praying and seeking your face. Help me to prioritize my relationship with you above all. Help me to seek your kingdom, knowing that when I do that you will add everything I need (Matt 6:33). Help me to walk in holiness and obedience. Help me Lord, because I can do nothing without you (John 15:5). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George