Matthew 10:34
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword." NLT
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." ESV
Isaiah 9:6-7
"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”NIV
Matthew 10:38
“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." NKJV
"If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine." NLT
John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." NIV
Philippians 4:7
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." ASV
"Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in
Christ Jesus." NLT
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ESV
Jeremiah 6:14:
"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, peace, peace, when there is no peace".
My Sweet Savior and giver of Peace!
As I read all of these passages, Lord, I see the difference between believers and unbelievers. You are not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. However; in Your omniscience, You are well aware that not all who live will repent and believe. You died for all and want peace for all, but only the ones who will humble themselves and confess their sin, repent of them, and wholly believe and trust in Your GIFT of salvation will have the peace You speak about. We have peace even when there are terrorist attacks, mass shootings, bombing at sporting events, and all manner of other catastrophes. We mourn and pray for those who have been deeply hurt and damaged by them, but are not afraid.You give peace even in the midst of our personal trials and tribulations because we know that You are in control. We know that evil will not ultimately triumph because we know what happens in the end. I have personally seen the devastation evil can bring to personal lives and to a country. Without You, Lord, Prince of Peace in my life, there would be no peace at all. Thank You, Lord! My peace is so undeserved. |
Friday, September 20, 2013
Matthew 10:34 Prince of Peace?
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Matthew 10 Mental Conversation
Lord, I can't even begin to imagine what was going through the minds of the discpiles and the emotional roller coaster they were on while You were speaking with them. I can almost hear their thoughts.
v5-
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
v6-
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
v7-
As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
This might have brought a sigh of relief as the Jews hated the Gentiles and vice-versa.
"I get to go to my own people. WHEW! I don't have to go to the Gentile "dogs"!
v8-
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
WOW, Jesus! You are giving us the power we have seen in You to do great things! This is going to be SO COOL! I can only imagine how many people are going to flock to me!
v9-
“Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—
no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep."
Uh, Lord...You want me to go to the cities of the lost sheep, but with no money to buy food, no extra coat if I get cold or wet, no extra sandals and no staff to protect myself? Ok...this is starting to lose the appeal here. How in the world am I supposed to survive? What if I am not accepted or what if no one will acept me into their house? Will I have to sleep outside and go hungry?
v 10-15
Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Lord, isn't that a bit harsh? I mean we ALL know what happened at those cities. They were burned with fire and brimstone and everybody but Lot's family died! What could be worse than that?
v16a
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves."
What, Lord? Really? I thought You said You loved me! Why would You give me all of this power just to send me to my death among the "wolves" How am I supposed to do this hard thing?
v16b-17a
Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard;
I guess so, Lord! I am a strong outdoor type that has fought storms, lived under Roman rulers who are ruthless, but I have also seen how the Pharisees have treated us when You were with us...now You're sending us out without You to protect us? This is obviously not going to be a fun outing is it?
v 17b
you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles
Now wait a minute, Lord! This is not a maybe thing is it? You are saying that we WILL BE turned over to the authorities! Arrested? I don't know as I knew beforehand that I signed on for flogging. So, OK...Maybe it won't be too many times, but what will I come up with when they as me why I am preaching about You?
v 19
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
THANK YOU, LORD! That will be a huge relief.
v 22
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Lord, by "everyone" do you really mean EVERYONE will hate me, but not because of who I am, but because of who You are? Lord, You are so gracious , loving, and kind. You have done so much good!
v10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
OK, Lord. Thanks for telling us everything and giving us the warnings and the encouragements. I would much rather follow Yoy who can save me forever than serve the one who hates me and who can send me into hell forever!
Lord, You have called us to the same thing...not to the lost sheep of Israel, but to the white and black sheep that live around us. The spiritual temperature is getting ever more anti-Christ in our nation. We may come to this in our own country soon too. I want to be able to say that I will follow You no matter what. You will have to give me the grace and courage at that time, Lord, because I will not have any of my own. I am not afraid to die, because I will not, but it is the torture that terrifies me. On my own I am not at all sure I could stand up against "flogging" in whatever form it might come to me, but Lord, I trust You!!!! |
Monday, September 9, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Matthew 8:5-12 Faith of the Centurian
Matthew 8:5-12
"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Lord ,
Thank You for this prophesy! It includes me and my family into the Family if we trust in the work at this time had yet to be done. As much as it delights me and makes me thankful; it also fills me with great sadness as I am sure it did for You at the time. Your chosen people for whom You had done so very much from Abraham to Your time here on earth rejected You as Messiah, and do so even today.
"I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. "
Lord,with this statement, You are telling the disciples and all of those following You that even their faith in You was lacking. All of the "religious" ones had more faith in their rituals and traditions than they did in You.
Thank You for FAITH!
"When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Lord ,
Thank You for this prophesy! It includes me and my family into the Family if we trust in the work at this time had yet to be done. As much as it delights me and makes me thankful; it also fills me with great sadness as I am sure it did for You at the time. Your chosen people for whom You had done so very much from Abraham to Your time here on earth rejected You as Messiah, and do so even today.
"I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. "
Lord,with this statement, You are telling the disciples and all of those following You that even their faith in You was lacking. All of the "religious" ones had more faith in their rituals and traditions than they did in You.
Thank You for FAITH!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Mathew 6:16-18 Fasting
Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." NIV
Sweet Lord,
In these area of Matthew, the times You say "I tell you the truth",You contrast doing "acts of righteousness" in secret instead of publicly. You are telling me not to show off to get the attention and glory of men. If I do, then the reward of men will be all I will ever get. However; if I do them in secret so just You and I know it, The Father, who sees will reward me.
Because you emphasize this with "I tell you the truth", it must have been that the Pharisees were saying otherwise.
O Lord, please keep me from being a haughty believer who would parade my acts in front of others to get the praise of men! Thank You that I do not get feedback from others who might read this blog and if You use it in the lives of those who do, I do not get the praise. If what You teach me through Your word helps someone else, then AMEN! But don't let me know about it unless someone has a question. These are indeed my conversations with YOU done in private.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." NIV
Sweet Lord,
In these area of Matthew, the times You say "I tell you the truth",You contrast doing "acts of righteousness" in secret instead of publicly. You are telling me not to show off to get the attention and glory of men. If I do, then the reward of men will be all I will ever get. However; if I do them in secret so just You and I know it, The Father, who sees will reward me.
Because you emphasize this with "I tell you the truth", it must have been that the Pharisees were saying otherwise.
O Lord, please keep me from being a haughty believer who would parade my acts in front of others to get the praise of men! Thank You that I do not get feedback from others who might read this blog and if You use it in the lives of those who do, I do not get the praise. If what You teach me through Your word helps someone else, then AMEN! But don't let me know about it unless someone has a question. These are indeed my conversations with YOU done in private.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Matthew 6:1-5 Do Your Works in Secret
Matthew 6:1-5
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." NIV
Lord,
I find it very interesting that You spoke the emphatic, "I tell you the truth" twice in this small section of Your Sermon on the mount. Both times You were comparing how we should be doing our ministry of prayer and giving with the Pharisees' way which was to draw attention to how very good and righteous they were. You called them hypocrites.
You also tell me that when I do something in that way, the reward (praise, accolades, the esteem of men) I receive here will be the only reward I will ever get. However; if I do these things in secret, the Father will reward me.
Lord, the praise of men is fickle and is of absolutely no value. All it does is feed my ego and makes me prideful. I become more self centered and less God centered, fellowship with You and the Father is broken and the works I do will not be multiplied for the Kingdom's sake because they will not be in the Spirit. Help me to never be a hypocrite, Lord. You and You ALONE deserve all of the praise and glory for anything I accomplish for without You, I can do nothing! I want my rewards to be in Heaven...my Home!
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." NIV
Lord,
I find it very interesting that You spoke the emphatic, "I tell you the truth" twice in this small section of Your Sermon on the mount. Both times You were comparing how we should be doing our ministry of prayer and giving with the Pharisees' way which was to draw attention to how very good and righteous they were. You called them hypocrites.
You also tell me that when I do something in that way, the reward (praise, accolades, the esteem of men) I receive here will be the only reward I will ever get. However; if I do these things in secret, the Father will reward me.
Lord, the praise of men is fickle and is of absolutely no value. All it does is feed my ego and makes me prideful. I become more self centered and less God centered, fellowship with You and the Father is broken and the works I do will not be multiplied for the Kingdom's sake because they will not be in the Spirit. Help me to never be a hypocrite, Lord. You and You ALONE deserve all of the praise and glory for anything I accomplish for without You, I can do nothing! I want my rewards to be in Heaven...my Home!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Matthew 5:25-26 Settle Matters Quickly With Your Adversary
Matthew 5:25-26
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."NIV
Dear Sweet Savior,
I praise You this morning for giving me another day to love and serve You and Your people. Your word is truth, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. It is never changing, set in heaven before the foundations of the world. From it, I gain wisdom, knowledge of who You are, who I really am, what You do, and also what You want of me. You share history and prophesy with me so I know from where we have come and to where I am going, what it was like and what it will be like. You let me know ahead of time what is best for me and the consequences I will suffer if I disregard Your instructions. I do not have to learn by making my own mistakes because You have caused the writers of Your word to include theirs so I can learn from them instead.
Lord, this morning in my journey through the New Testament "I tell you the truth"s, You make it very plain: obviously in this instance You tell me to pay my debts promptly so there never gets to be a point where I am headed to court with the person to whom I owe the debt. In our flesh, Lord, it is tempting to try to get something for nothing, or to try to rationalize why we should not have to pay. It is certainly better to settle out of court! Especially since You warn me that If I do not, I may be sent to prison until I can pay it. In prison, I could not make enough money to pay the debt at all.
Sweet Savior! How can I ever thank You enough for paying my debt for my sins on the cross! In so great a love, You set me free from the sentence of death in the prison of Hell where I could never pay that debt in all eternity!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
I Tell You the Truth Matthew 5:18 Introduction
Dear Lord,
You know that I give every student that comes to my office a mustard seed on my business card and we talk about Matthew 17:20 You also know that not one student, staff or parent has ever quoted all of the verse. All they remember is the "faith of a mustard see can move mountains", part. Well, I lovingly get after them a little bit and tell them that the rest of the verse is maybe more important than the part they quote, since I do not see major landscaping going on at the student's word. I tell them that the "I tell you the truth", part and the "nothing shall be impossible for you." part is the most important.
I asked a student last week, "How many times have you read right past all of the "I tell you the truth" or "Verily I say unto you" parts of verses and don't even notice the importance?" Lord, You convicted me with those words! How many times I have read those verses and not given them any special thought either. I don't know if it is because I believe everything You say is true or if I am not attentive when I read. Whatever the cause; Lord You have challenged me to find them all and to ponder them in depth. All You said to the people back then was true, as You are God and cannot lie. However; at times You felt it extra important to stress the truth of the statement You were about to make for special importance.
So, Lord, I ask You to guide and teach me as I go through all of the times in all of the Gospels that You say, "I tell you the truth" and really pay attention this time.
The first time I see this particular "I tell you the truth", is in Matthew 5:18. I do not find this in any other of the Gospels:
( For some reason the translators in the NIV that I have copyrighted in 1978 by the New York International Bible Society and published by Zondervan Press uses the wording, "I tell you the truth". In the Blue Letter Bible online this is now "Truly I tell you".)
"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved." NLT
"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." ESV
"For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." NKJV
You had just been speaking about how we are to be salt and light. Then You start talking about how You did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them. It is after these You state what is in this verse.
First You confirm that heaven and earth will indeed pass away, be destroyed, at some point in the future but You also confirm to me that You are indeed accomplishing something. You are not just frittering away Your time in Heaven while the world falls apart.
Then You reassure me that Your word will stand against time and events until the end of time. That means I can trust it at all times no matter how evil things get on earth.
You go on to say, "So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." NLT
That is such a strong admonishment and also encouragement to all of us who teach Your word to others! May I always remember that, O Lord! Please do not let me forget!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 9
Psalm 119:161-176
Dear Lord,
Now that I am at the end of this longest Psalm, I have learned so much of what my part must be, but also all You have taught me about how obeying and studying Your commands, precepts, statutes, and laws being the most important in my life. I do find it puzzling that David's last sentence in this great Psalm where all through he tells You how he loves,obeys, meditates on, pants for, and follows them all he end with, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." That tells me that no one is perfect.
My Condition:
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
All my ways are known to you.
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
My Praise:
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
My Pleas:
May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
My Part:
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes.
I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.
Dear Lord,
Now that I am at the end of this longest Psalm, I have learned so much of what my part must be, but also all You have taught me about how obeying and studying Your commands, precepts, statutes, and laws being the most important in my life. I do find it puzzling that David's last sentence in this great Psalm where all through he tells You how he loves,obeys, meditates on, pants for, and follows them all he end with, "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands." That tells me that no one is perfect.
My Condition:
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
All my ways are known to you.
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
My Praise:
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
My Pleas:
May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
My Part:
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
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I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes.
I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.
Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 8
Psalm 119: 129-160
Sweet Lord,
THANK YOU FOR INTERVENING AGAIN AND SAVING MY SON LANCE'S LIFE! He had been in the hospital with a fever of 105 degrees caused by a blood infection induced by dialysis. BUT YOU,O Lord, have healed him once again.
Lord, there is more and more persecution of Your people in our world every day. There are about one million children in refugee camps outside Syria because of the civil war there. In Egypt, churches are being destroyed and Christians killed, tortured, and imprisoned. It is not different in Jordan. Only by Your grace is that not happening in our country! This Psalm may be the Psalm for the nation of the United States sooner than we think. So do not let us sleep the sleep of unawareness, Lord!
My Condition:
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
Though I am lowly and despised.
Trouble and distress have come upon me.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
Many are the foes who persecute me.
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
My Praise:
Your statutes are wonderful;
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
Your compassion, LORD, is great;
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
My Pleas:
Look on my suffering and deliver me.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
Give me understanding that I may live.
I call out to you; save me.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
Preserve my life according to your laws.
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
My Part:
Therefore I obey them.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
I do not forget your precepts.
But your commands give me delight.
And I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
For I have not forgotten your law.
But I have not turned from your statutes.
Sweet Lord,
THANK YOU FOR INTERVENING AGAIN AND SAVING MY SON LANCE'S LIFE! He had been in the hospital with a fever of 105 degrees caused by a blood infection induced by dialysis. BUT YOU,O Lord, have healed him once again.
Lord, there is more and more persecution of Your people in our world every day. There are about one million children in refugee camps outside Syria because of the civil war there. In Egypt, churches are being destroyed and Christians killed, tortured, and imprisoned. It is not different in Jordan. Only by Your grace is that not happening in our country! This Psalm may be the Psalm for the nation of the United States sooner than we think. So do not let us sleep the sleep of unawareness, Lord!
My Condition:
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
Though I am lowly and despised.
Trouble and distress have come upon me.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
Many are the foes who persecute me.
I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
My Praise:
Your statutes are wonderful;
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true
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Your compassion, LORD, is great;
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
My Pleas:
Look on my suffering and deliver me.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
Give me understanding that I may live.
I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees.
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Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
Preserve my life according to your laws.
See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
My Part:
Therefore I obey them.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
I do not forget your precepts.
But your commands give me delight.
And I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
For I have not forgotten your law.
But I have not turned from your statutes.
Psalm 119 My Pleas- My Part Part 7
Psalm 119: 105-128
Lord,
I do not have any human enemies that I am aware of that are seeking my life at this moment, but I do realize that I do have enemies in dominions and princes and powers of the air! There are those I love, Lord, that are under attack in their bodies and it breaks my heart. You, Lord, are the only one who can intervene for and heal them.
My Condition:
I have suffered much;
The wicked have set a snare for me,
Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
My Praise:
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
You are my refuge and my shield;
You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
And because I consider all your precepts right,
My Pleas:
Preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.
My Part:
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
I have put my hope in your word.
I have done what is righteous and just;
Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
I hate every wrong path.
I will always have regard for your decrees.
Therefore I love your statutes.
Lord,
I do not have any human enemies that I am aware of that are seeking my life at this moment, but I do realize that I do have enemies in dominions and princes and powers of the air! There are those I love, Lord, that are under attack in their bodies and it breaks my heart. You, Lord, are the only one who can intervene for and heal them.
My Condition:
I have suffered much;
The wicked have set a snare for me,
Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
My Praise:
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
You are my refuge and my shield;
You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
And because I consider all your precepts right,
My Pleas:
Preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.
My Part:
I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
I have put my hope in your word.
I have done what is righteous and just;
Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
I hate every wrong path.
I will always have regard for your decrees.
Therefore I love your statutes.
Psalm 119 My Pleas-My Part Part 6
Psalm 19:97-104
Lord, this section is hard to put into any categories. There are a lot of "I" statements here which might be viewed as a prideful Psalm telling God how very wonderful a man he is. However: this psalm actually resonates to me what is My Part and what is Your part.
My Part:
Oh, how I love Your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your word.
I have not departed from Your laws,
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from Your precepts;
Therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your Part:
For You Yourself have taught me.
What an awesome thing it is to be taught by the almighty, omniscient Creator of heaven and earth! Lord, I have had some rally great teachers over my walk with You: Pastors, teachers in the classroom, on the radio, and Bible studies. BUT GOD! You, O Lord, are the greatest teacher because You dwell within me as the Holy Spirit and You lead me into ALL truth! Hallelujah!
Lord, this section is hard to put into any categories. There are a lot of "I" statements here which might be viewed as a prideful Psalm telling God how very wonderful a man he is. However: this psalm actually resonates to me what is My Part and what is Your part.
My Part:
Oh, how I love Your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on Your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your word.
I have not departed from Your laws,
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from Your precepts;
Therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your Part:
For You Yourself have taught me.
What an awesome thing it is to be taught by the almighty, omniscient Creator of heaven and earth! Lord, I have had some rally great teachers over my walk with You: Pastors, teachers in the classroom, on the radio, and Bible studies. BUT GOD! You, O Lord, are the greatest teacher because You dwell within me as the Holy Spirit and You lead me into ALL truth! Hallelujah!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Praise the Lord With Me!
Psalm 150
Sweet Lord, Your word says You inhabit the praise of Your people! Praise can be a whisper or can be loud and joyous. It can be one word in prayer, or a long song in my heart, or coming from my mouth!
Praise the Lord,
Praise Him in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty Heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise Him with the harp and Lyre,
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing,
Praisse Him with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
Sweet Lord, Your word says You inhabit the praise of Your people! Praise can be a whisper or can be loud and joyous. It can be one word in prayer, or a long song in my heart, or coming from my mouth!
Praise the Lord,
Praise Him in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty Heavens.
Praise Him for His acts of power; Praise Him for His surpassing greatness.
Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet.
Praise Him with the harp and Lyre,
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing,
Praisse Him with the strings and flute,
Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
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