Tag: Psalm

December 18, 2023

December 18th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 26

Highlight Verse:

“Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this very long chapter full of a very rich narrative, why would I pick this short, obscure verse.

Frankly, I picked it because it is obscure.

We’ve all heard or read about most of the other sections of this chapter.

Besides, have you ever stopped to think about why they sang, what they sang, and what they sounded like.

This little verse reminds us that Jesus and the disciples were brought up in relatively traditional Hebrew families. Adhering to Hebrew traditions would have come naturally to them.

One of those traditions would have been the singing of the second half of the Hallel Psalms (115-118) at the end of the Passover meal.

As to what they sounded like – I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that.

No one knows.

But I’d bet it was a moving experience.

We know from Jesus’ teachings and life that he wasn’t into following meaningless traditions. From that we can assume that the singing of these Psalms was deep and meaningful for them, especially as Jesus knew what was about to happen.

What traditions do you follow?
How meaningful are they to you?
December 16, 2023

December 16th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 127

Highlight Verse:

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We had most of our children and a future son-in-law around the table tonight (Friday night before this is posted).

It was just pizza and decorating Christmas cookies.

Nothing spiritual.

Or was it?

I firmly believe that a good part of imparting your beliefs and values to the next generation is accomplished in the normal fun things you do with them.

In the midst of that fun, we talked about life including matters of faith (and how horrendous my angel shaped cookie looked when I was done with it – I ate the evidence).

It was a good time on multiple levels.

Our time of parenting is far too quickly transforming as our youngest is now nearly as tall as her mom.

They will always be our kids, but they will handle their own decisions and live with their own consequences – and eventually parent their own kids.

For those of you with young kids – cherish them and the time you get to spend with them. It will fly by.
For those of you with adult children – let them be adults that they may pass what you have taught them on to the next generation.
For those with no kiddos, enjoy your parents other family and friends while they are around.

What fun things do you do with your children or other family members?
How have you handled the different stages of parenting?
December 9, 2023

December 9th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 147:12-18

Highlight Verse:

”He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sorry, but, since it’s snowing outside as I write this, I couldn’t resist the topic.

I grew up in California. Where I lived, accumulating snow was very rare.

The writer of this Psalm lived in the Middle East. Snow would have been even more rare for them.

I can imagine it was as much a thing of wonder to them as it was for me.

When I was sixteen, we moved to the mountains of southwest Virginia. That first winter, we got quite a bit of snow.

It was a thing of beauty, covering all the imperfections of the land in a pure white coating.

Many compare it to the purifying work of grace, covering all our imperfections.

That analogy isn’t perfect since snow melts, but it paints a beautiful picture of grace.

So, the next time you see snow (those here in Colorado, look out the window as you read this), think of how beautiful the land looks covered in white and know that is how God sees you when you accept His covering of grace and mercy.

Only after that are you allowed to grumble because you need to shovel yet again. 🙂

Have you accepted that covering of grace and mercy?
If you have, do you realize how pure you appear to God?
If not, what’s holding you back?
November 26, 2023

November 26th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 147-150

Highlight Verses:

“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We wrap up Psalms as we enter the Advent Season.

For some, this can be a tough season.

Some have lost loved ones during this time of year. Others are affected by loneliness. Some, like me, are affected by the lack of light and the cold days.

When I saw these two verses side by side, I realized that was no accident.

First, God provides healing for our hearts. He binds the wounds of loss with His love, He comforts the lonely with His presence, and He brings hope to those who struggle with darkness.

Then there’s the stars.

Keep in mind that the writer of this Psalm would have seen the stars as just tiny specks in the sky. If God knows each and every one of those billions of tiny specks, how much more would he notice each of us.

He knows each of us. He heals, he comforts, and He strengthens each of us according to our needs and our callings.

Are there things you struggle with through this time of year?
Have you turned to God for His healing, comfort, and hope?
November 17, 2023

November 17th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 1-3

Highlight Verses:

“Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A prophet is someone who brings the Word of God to people who are wandering from God’s will with the purpose of bringing people back into a relationship with God.

In order to truly make a difference, verse 10 must be true in a prophet’s life.

Anyone who wishes to bring the Word of God to the people around them must first be immersed in that Word of God already.

This is for two reasons –

First – how can you expect to lead a people to God if you don’t know God yourself.

Second – people won’t follow you if you don’t practice what you preach.

The same applies to anyone who seeks to bring people to Jesus.

Since you are reading this, we know that you are committed to learning all you can about God.

Are you seeking to know more about God so you can bring the Word to them?
What are some of the favorite things you have learned about since you started studying the Bible?
November 12, 2023

November 12th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 140 – 141

Highlight Verse:

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That should probably be my prayer every day.

Far too often, I forget to turn a speech filter on. I speak before considering how what I say will affect those around me.

Sometimes what I say has a positive effect on those around me. I can be encouraging and give hope to those who struggle.

There are times when I wish I could take back what I say the moment the words leave my mouth. Apologies spill forth but only whitewash over the damage caused.

And then there are the times when I am totally clueless. I don’t realize my words cause pain or confusion.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.

Have you experienced those moments of speech you wish you could take back?
Do you have any advice to share about how you let God control your speech?
November 5, 2023

November 5th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 137-139

Highlight Verse:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I found it slightly amusing that David spends the majority of this Psalm talking about how well God knows him and then says, “search me.”

Wouldn’t God already know him thoroughly enough to know his heart?

That said, I love David’s example of humility before God and the kingdom (this Psalm wasn’t private).

He’s basically saying, “I’m not perfect. Show me my faults and lead me in the right direction.”

I was taught early on to include a time of confession in my prayers.

This takes it a step further by inviting God to point out where we need to confess.

If you want to get into deep theological thought, we must wonder if God knows our faults since He’s already forgiven them and sent that guilt far from us.

Regardless of what God chooses to remember of our faults, I believe He is always willing to guide us along the correct path for our lives.

Are we willing to listen to His direction?
Are we also willing to act on the leading He gives us?
October 29, 2023

October 29th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 134-136

Highlight Verse:

“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭134‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV

I often listen to the Bible. YouVersion has an excellent narrator for the NLT. But when I listen to the Psalms that way, it’s easy to forget that these were songs.

When I read Psalm 134 from my old leather-bound Bible, a song immediately leapt into my mind.

A couple of days ago, I mentioned working at a Christian conference center. I went on to full time staff there for a couple of years and one of the groups that came back every year was Jews for Jesus.

Those guys could sing!

And dance!

Psalms were not a calm poetic reading to them. This Psalm was a vibrant, lively praise song! You could dance to it. It was fun and full of praise.

These Psalms were sung as the people of Israel travelled to Jerusalem for festivals. They weren’t just a way to remind people of the greatness and history of God. They were a celebration of all that God had done for them.

So, as you read these, think of the liveliest praise song you know and double the amount of joy and celebration from it, and you might come close to what the Israelites experienced with these.

Do you celebrate the greatness of God through music?
Have you ever experienced the joy of a Messianic Jewish celebration?
October 8, 2023

October 8th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 120-124

Highlight Verse:

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭122‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This series of Psalms consists of songs that people sang while they were on the way to worship the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem.

In other words, they would worship on their way to worship!

That made me wonder, “How would it affect us if we worshipped on the way to church?”

I remember a car ride years ago. We had an hour ride ahead of us and we were already bickering at each other. One of us suggested that we just stay quiet and listen to worship music.

By the end of the hour, we were stuck in a bad traffic jam, but we were singing to the music and in much better frame of mind.

Music can have a calming effect. Worship music and help us connect with God. If we want a deeper relationship with God, it makes sense to do anything you can to better connect with Him.

So, if you’re reading this before church, try worshipping on the way to worship.

Let us know how it turns out.
October 1, 2023

October 1st, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 119

Highlight Verse:

“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To some, that may seem counterintuitive.

How can you have freedom if you are following a bunch of commands?

There was a study a long time ago that studied playground behavior at elementary schools.

At schools that had fences, children used the entire field right up to the fence.

At schools that had no fences, children tended to gather around the playground equipment and buildings.

The fence gave a sense of security.

Our security comes from the Lord. In the days this Psalm was written, it was from following the law. Now that Jesus has fulfilled the requirements of the law,

our security, and therefore, freedom comes from trusting Jesus.

Do you know that freedom?
Can you grasp the concept of freedom in putting trust in Jesus?
This is a safe place to ask more about it.

Tag: Psalm

Frankly, I picked it because it is obscure.

But I’d bet it was a moving experience.

Nothing spiritual.

Or was it?

They will always be our kids, but they will handle their own decisions and live with their own consequences – and eventually parent their own kids.

I can imagine it was as much a thing of wonder to them as it was for me.

Many compare it to the purifying work of grace, covering all our imperfections.

For some, this can be a tough season.

He knows each of us. He heals, he comforts, and He strengthens each of us according to our needs and our callings.

A prophet is someone who brings the Word of God to people who are wandering from God’s will with the purpose of bringing people back into a relationship with God.

First – how can you expect to lead a people to God if you don’t know God yourself.

Second – people won’t follow you if you don’t practice what you preach.

That should probably be my prayer every day.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.

He’s basically saying, “I’m not perfect. Show me my faults and lead me in the right direction.”

This takes it a step further by inviting God to point out where we need to confess.

When I read Psalm 134 from my old leather-bound Bible, a song immediately leapt into my mind.

So, as you read these, think of the liveliest praise song you know and double the amount of joy and celebration from it, and you might come close to what the Israelites experienced with these.

In other words, they would worship on their way to worship!

So, if you’re reading this before church, try worshipping on the way to worship.

To some, that may seem counterintuitive.

our security, and therefore, freedom comes from trusting Jesus.