Psalm 17 - 3.9.26

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 17:1 - 15

1  Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2  Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

3  Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed.

4  Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.

5  My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled.

6  I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

7  Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8  Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

9  from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11  They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12  They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13  Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

14  By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

15  As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

OBSERVATION

In this passage, David is crying out to God, his sole Redeemer, whom he acknowledges for justice. David humbly comes to God to save him from his enemies. He comes with an innocent heart, with no ill will, and with assurance. David was only seeking vindication from God and not man. He understood that God was merciful, even to the wicked, providing them with earthly blessings that were temporary. David was seeking God, His protection and all of the spiritual blessings that comes with Him.

APPLICATION

We, as Christians, must remember that Christ is our Redeemer, not only spiritually but in our daily walk with Him. We can seek refuge from the trials of life such as worry, doubt, sickness, bad relationships, financial issues, job issues, etc. We may not have enemies trying to take our lives, such as David did or our brothers and sisters facing persecution in various parts of the world, but we have an enemy that is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). God will vindicate us from Satan’s accusations from our past, and protect us from the tools that Satan may try to use to cause us to stumble. As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” With a repentant heart, we can boldly come to God and be sheltered. If we seek Him first for every situation in our lives, we can truly find peace. 

PRAYER

Lord, I thank You for being a God that listens and hears our prayers when we are in distress, regardless of the situation. I thank You, Jesus, for giving us direction of comfort, and not to worry when you said to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Lord Jesus, I ask You to protect me from Satan’s attacks. I ask You to help me remember Your words and to seek You during the unpredictable emergencies and trials that life will bring. I pray that I put all of my trust in You. Amen

- Darrence Hamilton

Colossians 3 - 3.6.26

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Observation: 

Peace should be the ruler of our hearts, but we have to let it.  That last part stood out to me.  Paul had been instructing the Colossians as God’s chosen people what to set their mind on and how to live.  He now tells them to be thankful and let Christ’s message dwell among them “richly.”  When you are rich, you have abundance.  That message dwells in them as they teach and encourage each other in all wisdom.  

We are to sing with gratitude. The options to do this are:

Psalms - poems in the Bible written by David and others

Hymns - songs that praise God and recount His goodness

Songs from the Spirit - original song that come out of relationship with God.

Paul states we are to do everything in the name of Jesus and once again reminds us to give thanks. 

Application: 

I need to choose and allow Peace to rule my heart.  In today’s circumstances there are many things that can easily steal our peace.  Even with all the bad news out there it is possible. I need to remember to set my mind on things above and not this earth.  Gratitude gets my focus back on track.  It is interesting that we are encouraged to sing to teach wisdom.  Singing reaches parts of our intellect and engrains truth in our hearts.  I was amazed when I learned that people who had strokes could sing even though they can’t speak.  I witnessed this with a lady I visited at the nursing home.  I am grateful for how music can lift our spirits.  I’m in a small group with Rita and she is always sharing songs that touch her heart.  They have encouraged me too. She is living this out.  I want to do this more myself.

Prayer:

Father God, how thankful I am to you for your care and provision.  You work mightily and I don’t have to be afraid.  I choose to let peace rule in my heart.  Please show me anything that will hinder me from letting peace reign.  Thank you also for how music can touch hearts like nothing else can.  It is such a gift.  Please allow me put into practice what these verses say and get more creative in ways to do so.

Thank you for choosing me and that I am dearly loved.  Help me clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. May I forgive as you have forgiven me. May I do everything in Jesus name and bring honor to Him. Amen

- Cindy Howard

Joel 3 - 03.05.26

SCRIPTURE

““Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.

“In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water.

A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

When you’re in a Crisis you will hear all kinds of voices with many opinions telling you what is going on and what you should do about it.

The short 3-Chapter Book of Joel speaks of “The Day of The Lord” applying the term to a past event a Future event AND The Return Of Jesus.

A devastating Locust plague had invaded the nation of Israel causing an immediate economic catastrophe. Joel’s words regarding this plague were meant to alert everyone that God allowed this occurrence as a warning.

“When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has planned it?”

‭‭(Amos‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Joel Warns:

To all who live in the Land: “Hear this”

To the Drunkards: “Wake Up”

To the Farmers: “Despair and Wail”

To the Priests: “CALL a Fast”

Now that Joel had their attention in prayer and Fasting…there was an additional concern. Stop looking behind and start looking ahead to what the Locust plague represented. While not everyone agrees with the symbology in Joel, It is believed that God was issuing a warning for the time the Assyrians would ravage Judah and take them into captivity as punishment for their sins.

Joel also speaks of another great and terrible “Day of the Lord” —

A Day—Yet to Come.

The Final Day of The Lord—when a Final battle will be fought in Zion.

There will be Great Victory for those who Know Jesus and Great sorrow for those who do not.

“There I, the Lord, will sit to pronounce judgment on them all.

Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.

Come, tread the grapes, for the winepress is full.

The storage vats are overflowing with the wickedness of these people.” Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.

There the Day of the Lord will soon arrive.

The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem,

and the heavens and the earth will shake.

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,

a strong fortress for the people of Israel.”

‭‭(Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬, ‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

APPLICATION

Tear Your Hearts for God

“That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me NOW—while there is time.

Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”

Return to the Lord your God, for HE is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

HE is eager to relent and not punish.”

‭‭(Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13 NLT‬‬)

Joel’s response to God’s warning—was to CALL a Fast.

Joel CALLED  for a Solemn assembly to COME-NOW.

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief”

Joel called for a Solemn assembly to Mourn and genuinely grieve over the sins of the land. During the mourning period it is customary for Jews to rip a piece of their clothing to demonstrate their grief. They will wear this same piece of clothing throughout the seven day Shiva period. Today, in lieu of ripping clothing, very often you will see Jewish families simply safety pin a piece of torn cloth to their new clothing lapels.

Coming to God in Prayer and Intercession is serious.

Coming to God in His WORD is to be taken seriously with a prepared heart.

God doesn’t want me to “safety pin” a piece of torn cloth on my lapel so I can give an appearance of doing the “right thing”.

God wants and deserves my heart—my whole heart.

If I can’t rend my heart before God-then what does my time Before God mean?

The question is always asked…If you knew Jesus was coming back Tomorrow how would you live your life Today?

Make that Call.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Forgive me for times I am skimming through Your Word and checking off a box. I ask YOU to set my heart on Fire..but I haven’t fully given YOU my deepest attention as in a fasting season. I want more of YOU and YOU tell us we CAN Have as Much Of YOU as we Desire. We must Come…seeking You…and YOU Promise we will Not be disappointed. YOU say COME. With undistracted hearts. COME. Ready to Receive. COME. To Your Feet. COME.

Here I am. Break me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka