Psalm 39
Scripture: Psalm 39:5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.”
Observation-What does it say? This psalm, written by David, is a reflection on the frailty of life. In the first half of the psalm, he is reflecting on the futility of words and the importance of holding back the tongue. The Matthew Henry commentary states, “When not able to separate from wicked men, we should remember they will watch our words, and turn them, if they can, to our disadvantage. Sometimes it may be necessary to keep silence, even from good words; but in general we are wrong when backward to engage in edifying discourse.” Or in the words of Thumper, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Life is too short for our words to turn someone away from God’s love.
Understanding-What does it mean? Not too long ago, my older brother and his sons came to visit for about a week. During his visit, we were having a conversation about how life has funny outcomes that we often don’t expect. During the conversation, I made a comment about being more responsible than my brother. As comments from brother to brother often do, there was some intention of bothering him. But, what I thought was playful banter really hit him in a sensitive spot.
Several days later, we were in Disneyland waiting in line for a ride and waiting far too long. Tensions were beginning to rise and I decided I had waited long enough. The whole thing fell apart. At the next line, we got into a shoving match, which ended with him saying, “You’re not the boss of this family,” and me walking away. Looking back at it, I could have bridled my tongue a little sooner. I could have sought to lift him up instead of tearing him down. And I wish I did.
Sometimes, the greatest act of love to others and the best testimony we have for Jesus is to keep our mouths shut. We are reminded by Paul in Romans 12, that love is an action, which includes our words. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:9-10 & 14-16)
Life Application: Jesus, in this tumultuous time, help me to be mindful of my tongue, which, like the rutter of a ship, has the ability to get me shipwrecked or take me to great places. Help me to lift up, not tear down. May the first words out of my mouth be ones that glorify you, not myself. Most of all, help me learn when is a good time to be quiet. For, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Proverbs 17:28).
Jeremiah_19
Scripture – What stood out?
Jeremiah 19:4 For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.
Observation – What does it say?
Jeremiah, a messenger of God, delivers faithfully a message intended for the kings of Judah and the people of Jerusalem. The message was one of bad tidings. The nation of Judah had fallen away from God and so God responded by letting the people know what was about to happen to them.
Understanding – What does it mean?
I have really thought a lot about “idol worship” and foreign gods for several weeks now. Most christians can’t really relate to either of the two because most of us aren’t fashioning statues and worshiping false gods outright.
But when I think about how Jesus focused so heavily on the conditions of our hearts I think I begin to understand how I might apply some of what Jeremiah preached to my life today.
For if God cares so much about my heart than really a foreign god, a false god, and idol could potentially be anything that replaces God as my priority. That kinda opens the door wide open doesn’t it? I have placed so many things above God in my life. Beauty, fame, fortune, power, physical strength, intelligence, lusts…All are things I used to obsess over at one point or another. In the days of the old testament people worshiped these “other gods” openly. Today we worship these non-gods in our heart. We just don’t call them foreign gods. (Although I am sure there exists open forms of religions that worship fake gods for sure.)
Life Application – How can I apply this to my life today?
If Jeremiah were alive today I wonder if he would look at our society and out of his mouth would come these words…”For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.”
2 Timothy_1
Scripture
2 Timothy 1:6-7
“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Psalm 36
Scripture
Psalm 36:5-6
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. 6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
Observation-What does it say?
King David’s Psalm opens with a message about the sinfulness of the wicked. He then speaks to the love and faithfulness of the Lord and petitions the Lord to continue His love towards those who KNOW Him.
Understanding-What does it mean?
God’s love is what drives us to action.
God’s love, not punishment, is what drives us to action. Even His discipline is from a place of love (please see Hebrews 12:4-13). Loving discipline leads to a trusting relationship with whoever is doing the disciplining. If you are a parent, you understand this. Everything the Lord does is from a place of love and His goodness. Relying on His love means security in a loving, faithful God who will continue to keep us safe. It definitely opposes a life of sin and wickedness; it opposes a life and heart that does NOT know the Lord, which eventually leads to death.
Life Application
Obey what the Holy Spirit tells us to do from a place of love, not fear.
About a year and a half ago, our daughters accepted Jesus’ invitation for salvation. However, our daughters were fearful about getting baptized, (which is the next step of obedience) because of being dunked in the water and people looking at them. I encouraged them not to do it if they were afraid. I encouraged them to do it from a place of love and obedience and to pray to the Lord for what He would want them to do. Long story short, the Lord worked in their little hearts and they were baptized on Dec. 23rd, 2018!
If Jesus cares about little children and can change their hearts and turn their fear into obedience and excitement, how much more can His love transform our hearts to obey what He calls us to do? Not just obey, but be excited about it!
So what is He calling you to do in obedience that you are fearful of? Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Getting baptized? Returning 10% of your income back to Him or if already a tither, being more generous and giving above the tithe? Leaving a relationship that is making you compromise your faith? Helping and serving people at the church? Sharing the Gospel with someone you’ve been praying for?
Be encouraged by His love and obey not from a place of fear, but of love.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:18-19 NIV
Dear Lord, You know each of our hearts and what makes us fearful. I pray that as we grab hold of Your limitless love for us that we would step out in faith and obedience into all You have called us to do and become. Amen.
-Please listen to this worship song “Your love Oh Lord” by Third Day. It is based on the Scripture passage chosen. https://youtu.be/0OBRvxrzhqs
-Michelle Gaddi
Psalm_35
Scripture:
Psalm 35:28
28 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long.
Observation:
David pleads to God for defense – to fight against those who are fighting against him. [The exact period of time this psalm is linked to is unknown – so we are not sure who is fighting against him at this time.] He prays for destruction of his enemies – may they be disgraced, put to shame, ruined. He then promises praise for if/when he’s delivered. He recalls dealings with previous adversaries – how he cared for them (mourning them as if family, yet how they betrayed him). Once again, he promises praise for deliverance from his enemies then goes back to prayer for vindication.
Understanding:
David seems to often be emotionally volatile – quickly (within a single psalm) going from one thing to the next. But through much of David’s psalms he comes back to praise. Whether promises of praise or actual praise – even when he doesn’t get what he wants, when he is delivered, with his whole being, remembering what God has done before (even if it doesn’t much what he’s experiencing in the moment), praising God’s character, love and compassion. Despite his frustrations, his hurts, the times where he felt left and abandoned, he seemingly always turned to praise.
Life Application:
Always return to praise.
Regardless of where you may be today, there is something to praise God for. If you need to jog your memory, I’ve included a list here from Psalm 103…
What God has done for us…
- He forgives our sins (verse 3).
- He heals our bodies (verse 3).
- He has saved us from hell (verse 4).
- He blesses us with love and compassion (verse 4).
- He satisfies us so deeply that it’s invigorating (verse 5).
- He will deliver justice for the oppressed (verse 6).
- He has revealed His character and deeds to us (verse 7).
- He will not forever accuse or be angry with us for the sins we have committed against Him (verse 9).
- He does not treat us the way we deserve to be treated or seek to punish us for our sins (verse 10).
- He has cleansed us from our sins (verse 12).
- He has the compassion of a Father who knows His children will sometimes fail to obey (verses 13-14).
- His love for His followers prevails over generations (verse 17).
Who God is…
- He is just (verse 6).
- He is compassionate (verse 8).
- He is gracious (verse 8).
- He is slow to anger (verse 8).
- He overflows with love (verse 8).
- He loves His followers beyond our imagination (verse 11).
- He is worthy of praise in heaven and on earth (verse 22).
https://www.scriptureconfidentliving.com/blog/how-to-praise-god-like-king-david
Let’s take time to praise today! <3
Rei
Psalm 34
Scripture: Psalm 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Observation-What does it say? David had an eventful life. From his humble beginning as a shepherd and being the youngest in his family. For a time, he was King Saul’s personal harp player. He was then thrust into the limelight after killing Goliath. Taken into the kingdom and made the leader of Israel’s military. After time, Saul grew jealous of David, knowing that he would ascend the throne of Israel, and he made multiple attempts on his life.
From the title of this Psalm, we know it was written in a period when David was fleeing for his life from Saul. The time in which he “feigned madness” was documented in 1 Samuel 21:10-22:1. It is from this place of uncertainty that David was able to write, “I will bless the Lord at all times” (34:1). In faith, David sees God’s deliverance, even though he is not living in it. In obstinance of what he sees, which is complete chaos, he trusts in God’s provision for those who are broken.
Understanding-What does it mean? For most of my life, I have been called an “old soul.” Which carries into my love of hymns. One of my favorite hymns, “It Is Well,” was written by Horatio Spafford in the wake of a horrible tragedy. Once a prominent businessman, Spafford lost all of his assets in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. His son died a short time before this. Then in 1873, he was set to take part in a missionary trip to England with Dwight Moody. Delayed by business, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead, with plans to follow only days after. The ship carrying his wife and daughters was struck by another ship and sank, killing his four daughters.
After receiving the news of the loss of his daughters, Spafford sailed across the Atlantic to be with his wife. It is said that as he crossed the place where his daughters died he penned the words of the hymn. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
The uncertainty of today definitely feels like we are in the midst of a billowing sea. But, God’s word tells us of his goodness and His plans for a bright future. It is in these times where faith needs to take hold, even amidst what we cannot see. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). When we look at these incidents from a perspective focused on heaven, we know they will all be in the goodness of God’s plan (Romans 8:28).
Life Application Jesus, help me come to know you more intimately, where my faith in you will abound more. Fill me with peace, even when the world feels as though it is trying to tear me down. Help me to see this world from the view of eternity, where there is no more sorrow. Teach me to say, it is well with my soul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcp6w4zaW7U
-Tyler Galloway
Psalm_33
Scripture – What stood out?
Psalm 33:5 (NIV) The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
Observation – What does it say?
Written by an unknown author, this is a psalm of praise to God. The psalm is a reminder of why we worship God, why He is worthy of all that praise and just exactly why we put our hope, our trust and our faith in Him.
Understanding – What does it mean?
The phrase that stood out to me in verse 5 was “unfailing love”. It kind of caught me off guard. I have heard the phrase that God’s love never fails, but for the first time I sat and thought about God’s unfailing love.
To try and understand what “unfailing love” I began to think about…failing love. What type of love has failed me in the past? Parental love. Marital love. Romantic love. Brotherly love. Friend love. Self love. All have failed me at one time or another. Our love fails.
But God’s love is…unfailing.
And that is how God loves. His love doesn’t falter, or slip up, or forget, or fall short.
Life Application – How can I apply this to my life today?
Lord I can spend the rest of my time here on earth thinking about love that has failed me. Instead, I ask you Lord that I would spend the rest of my life dwelling on a love that never fails. I think about Your life, Your ministry, Your work in Calvary and I know that I am just scratching the surface.
May I spend the rest of my life trying to understand your brand of love. A love that never makes a mistake. A love that never falters. A love that never fails.
In the name of Jesus do I pray, amen.
-kenneth lee
Psalm 32
Scripture
Psalm 32: 6-7
Observation
Understanding
When I was little (and still now) when I have a bad day and need a good cry I always go to my parents for comfort. My dad just holds me and lets me cry, and everything seems to melt away and I feel safe in his arms. HE for the most part is my hiding place during these times of distress and trouble, and I don’t have to worry about anything else. That is exactly what I imagined when I read these verses today, and they hit me like a ton of brinks, but in a good way.
They echo snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! And they lay out exactly how to do that.
- Intercession: He begins by saying “Therefore let all the faithful pray for you while you may be found…” implying that someone is lost, and others are praying for them to find their way home. I think this is very indicative of the current state of our world right now. Lost, and searching for answers (or a way home). David reminds us that the journey home, although difficult, starts with prayer.
- Protection: “surely the rising waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place…” I can’t stop saying “you are my hiding place.” There’s security in those words like no other. However, the protection only came because someone prayed for the directions home, and that person decided to follow the road map. So my little side note would be to STAY THE COURSE no matter how difficult. Because when you do, you will find the greatest comfort waiting at the end of the road.
- Liberation/Deliverance: “and surround me with songs of deliverance…” From protection come liberation, came relief, came freedom! Safe in the arms of the Father, nothing can touch you, harm you, or threaten you. This is what are nation is starved for, but it begins with intercession.
Life Application
We are not in a fight of flesh and blood, yet we’ve been suiting up for battle with all the wrong weapons. Our world is starved for change and I think it’s time we turn to the only hiding place we haven’t been to yet. My soul waits for Him and Him alone, but until we meet I will be in fervent communion with my Creator.
-Allison Khan
PS If you find yourself worried or stressed I have found that saying “you are my hiding place,” makes every anxiety and fear melt away.
1 Timothy___1
Scripture
1 Timothy1:12-17 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Observation-What does it say?
Paul is giving his testimony of the grace and mercy the Lord has shown him in his life. He also shares the Good News of Christ’s testimony and gives all the honor and glory to God for who He is!
Understanding-What does it mean?
We must not forget where we came from.
No matter how much influence Paul was blessed with, he remained humble by remembering God’s grace and mercy upon His life and being grateful for it!
Life Application
During last Sunday’s livestream, Pastor encouraged our church to post something everyday on social media that we were grateful to the Lord for.
I will write my personal version of the first part of Paul’s testimony, since it is focused on thanksgiving to the Lord.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, that He has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once very depressed and hopeless, a victim of my circumstances, who put guys on the throne of my life instead of Jesus, fell into the looks, worldly success and comparison trap and was very prideful, I was shown mercy. The grace of our Lord Jesus was poured out on me abundantly! To God be the honor and glory forever!
What are you grateful to the Lord for this morning? Please post it in the comments section and on social media!
-Michelle Gaddi
Psalm_30
Scripture:
Psalm 30:11-12
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Observation:
David is sharing his heart in song – speaking to the unchanging nature of God.
Understanding:
My heart has been heavy for weeks. It’s interesting because there is a just as much a sense of unity between some as there is divide among others. But, if I’m hones, I’ve been more on the wailing side than dancing. In times like this, it’s helpful to be reminded of God’s nature, of His heart towards His children, of a heart that loves bigger and greater than any human heart can.
Life Application:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
For more verses or guidance on how, go here ->
Rei