Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Day 56: Psalm 56- What Can Mere Mortals Do to You?

Dear Friends,

Psalm 56 tells a story of someone who has been through a lot and seen God move on their behalf. Despite their circumstances, they have been preserved. That’s all good a fine, and you believe it for David, but you don’t whole heartedly believe it for you. I keep hearing an old song playing in my head: “I am counting on, I am counting on, I am counting on God.”

Verses 1-4 and 10-11 reference David’s fearless attitude: “What can mere mortals do.” As I walk with God and grow, I see myself becoming more like David. For example, what can sickness or cancer do to someone who is saved? The truth is that they will experience a natural death, but their souls will live on. So, in the end, the devil doesn’t win. So, my mom does not have to fear death as she faces cancer because she knows that she will keep on living in heaven. She has this promise; we have this same promise. Yet, at times, we fear what mere mortals or things will do to us. We fear people talking about us, spreading rumors and lies, but the truth always comes out. We don't have to defend ourselves or worry. We can "now stroll leisurely with God in sunlit fields of grace (vv 12-13).

I relate to David because I feel like his prayers are mine sometimes. I have walked a mile in my shoes with Christ at my side. No, I did fight the Philistines or hunt and run from King Saul like David, but my confidence in God has strengthened and grown because of my willingness to come along side God. This is the example the scriptures set up for us to follow. This is why I am proud and thankful to praise God. He is always with me. I am counting on God; what about you?

Psalm 56 -The Message (MSG)

^1-4 Take my side, God—I'm getting kicked around, stomped on every day.
   Not a day goes by
      but somebody beats me up;
   They make it their duty
      to beat me up.
   When I get really afraid
      I come to you in trust.
   I'm proud to praise God;
      fearless now, I trust in God.
      What can mere mortals do?

^5-6 They don't let up—
      they smear my reputation
      and huddle to plot my collapse.
   They gang up,
      sneak together through the alleys
   To take me by surprise,
      wait their chance to get me.

⁷ Pay them back in evil!
      Get angry, God!
      Down with these people!

⁸ You've kept track of my every toss and turn
      through the sleepless nights,
   Each tear entered in your ledger,
      each ache written in your book.

⁹ If my enemies run away,
      turn tail when I yell at them,
   Then I'll know
      that God is on my side.

^10-11 I'm proud to praise God,
      proud to praise God.
   Fearless now, I trust in God;
      what can mere mortals do to me?

^12-13 God, you did everything you promised,
      and I'm thanking you with all my heart.
   You pulled me from the brink of death,
      my feet from the cliff-edge of doom.
   Now I stroll at leisure with God
      in the sunlit fields of life.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+56&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

When you go to comment, you can choose anonymous and then sign your name at the end of you post, or you can set up a Google account. The first choice is easier! I recommend that you work in Word or Word Pad first; then copy and paste it in here. Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions you still have or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Day 55:Psalm 55 How Much Can You Pile on God's Shoulders?

Dear Friends,

Have you ever wondered how much you can tell a person before they think you talk too much, that they think you are needy, and they run in the other direction when they see you coming down the school hallway? I sometimes wonder if David ever felt like that too. Could he have given God too much of an ear full? So many Psalms are about David's troubles and him crying out to God. Yet, God never tires.

Today David writes this Psalm after being captured by the Philistines. He is probably freaked out, but he still finds his footing in God. In verse one David states, “God I really need you.” David is in trouble; people are slandering him; and he wants God to take care of the bad guys/ evil people. David is counting on God because he says, “And I trust in you” (V25).

I’d like to settle on trust for a moment and ask you if you trust God. Do you fail to take your least to the worst problems to God? Do you think you cares are trivial and why waste His time? Do you think your problems are beyond God because of their intense pressure or “too big” for God? Do you think your trouble will never end? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please reread Psalm 55: 22-23 (Message) one more time.

“Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—
      he'll carry your load, he'll help you out.
   He'll never let good people
      topple into ruin.
   But you, God, will throw the others
      into a muddy bog,
   Cut the lifespan of assassins
      and traitors in half.

And I trust in you.”

God’s shoulders are big enough to carry your load. So pile it on deep and heavy. Like the preceding Psalm, God is willing to help you out. It says, “He won’t let good people topple and ruin.” He will sustain you, which means get you through. So, pile it on and trust in God!

Psalm 55 -A David Psalm

^1-3 Open your ears, God, to my prayer; don't pretend you don't hear me knocking.
   Come close and whisper your answer.
      I really need you.
   I shudder at the mean voice,
      quail before the evil eye,
   As they pile on the guilt,
      stockpile angry slander.

^4-8 My insides are turned inside out;
      specters of death have me down.
   I shake with fear,
      I shudder from head to foot.
   "Who will give me wings," I ask—
      "wings like a dove?"
   Get me out of here on dove wings;
      I want some peace and quiet.
   I want a walk in the country,
      I want a cabin in the woods.
   I'm desperate for a change
      from rage and stormy weather.

^9-11 Come down hard, Lord—slit their tongues.
      I'm appalled how they've split the city
   Into rival gangs
      prowling the alleys
   Day and night spoiling for a fight,
      trash piled in the streets,
   Even shopkeepers gouging and cheating
      in broad daylight.

^12-14 This isn't the neighborhood bully
      mocking me—I could take that.
   This isn't a foreign devil spitting
      invective—I could tune that out.
   It's you! We grew up together!
      You! My best friend!
   Those long hours of leisure as we walked
      arm in arm, God a third party to our conversation.

¹⁵ Haul my betrayers off alive to hell—let them
      experience the horror, let them
      feel every desolate detail of a damned life.

^16-19 I call to God;
      God will help me.
   At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh
      deep sighs—he hears, he rescues.
   My life is well and whole, secure
      in the middle of danger
   Even while thousands
      are lined up against me.
   God hears it all, and from his judge's bench
      puts them in their place.
   But, set in their ways, they won't change;
      they pay him no mind.

^20-21 And this, my best friend, betrayed his best friends;
      his life betrayed his word.
   All my life I've been charmed by his speech,
      never dreaming he'd turn on me.
   His words, which were music to my ears,
      turned to daggers in my heart.

^22-23 Pile your troubles on God's shoulders—
      he'll carry your load, he'll help you out.
   He'll never let good people
      topple into ruin.
   But you, God, will throw the others
      into a muddy bog,
   Cut the lifespan of assassins
      and traitors in half.

And I trust in you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+55&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Day 54:Pslam 54- Is God Your Helper?

Dear Friends,

I like Psalm 54 because it testifies of God being at work. Verses 1-2 are a cry out to God for help. The Psalmist writes a few lines down, “Oh, look! God’s right here helping” (vv 4-5). True, the Psalmist seems to be in a heap of trouble, but God is there helping. I don’t know about you, but that is exactly what I needed to hear today. We should not lose heart; instead, we should remember that God is always on the way with help. Verses 6-7 tell us that He gets David "out of every scrape" and he is ready to worship. It says, "now!".

If we cry out, He does answer prayer! If we cry out, we are ready to worship! Don’t forget; God is your helper! Don't walk by feelings. Put on some praise music and stir yourself in the Lord. He is there! Take one step away from the trouble (sadness, bad news, depression, etc) and take one step towards God. He is awaiting you with open arms. God is your helper!

Psalm 54 -The Message (MSG)

^1-2 God, for your sake, help me! Use your influence to clear me.
   Listen, God—I'm desperate.
      Don't be too busy to hear me.

³ Outlaws are out to get me,
      hit men are trying to kill me.
   Nothing will stop them;
      God means nothing to them.

^4-5 Oh, look! God's right here helping!
      God's on my side,
   Evil is looping back on my enemies.
      Don't let up! Finish them off!

^6-7 I'm ready now to worship, so ready.
      I thank you, God—you're so good.
   You got me out of every scrape,
      and I saw my enemies get it.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2054&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Day 53:Psalm 53- Does God Look Down to See if There Are Any Who Seek Him?

Dear Friends,

Psalm 53:2 tells us that God looks down from to heaven to see if there any wise (CEV) or understand and seek God. Verse four says, “They never call on God”. So, if we are not calling on God for help, either we don’t understand, we are too proud, or we choose not to; in short, this means that if you don’t call on God for help, you are foolish.

The world wants us to think that God doesn’t answer prayers. Hollywood shoves down our throats through movies the following message: There is no hope in God. Worse yet: God doesn’t answer prayers. For example, the movie Grey is about a bunch of men who are involved in a tragic plane crash in the vast and barren lands of Alaska. In the end, the main character calls out to God for aide and is then eaten by a wolf. He is the last one left and found himself in the center of their den.

I discussed this movie at length with my father after we watched. We were going to have some great philosophical debate about it. Before it started, I asked, “Is this like the movie Alive and the people eat each other?” The movie started and ended, and I didn’t get what we were going to debate about.

It’s a movie dad (I thought). He went on about existentialism. I felt dumb when I went to bed, but now I understand. I still hold to my own opinion. I am at the mercy of God in every situation. God is bigger than any situation. Though I may be in a wolves’ den, God is still able and greater. If He does not deliver me from that pit and I die because that was His plan and not my own, I am still delivered to Him in heaven. It's not up to me; it's up to God.

So we should always call on God for help-no matter what. We shouldn’t buy the lies thatHollywood so easily sells us. Remember to keep your mind and heart on the truth. Don’t be foolish! Call on God! Keep seeking God. He is looking for a people who are wise and know to see and call on Him!

Ps. This is another one of my favorite Psalms!

Psalm 53 -New International Version (NIV)

¹The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.

²God looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
³Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.

⁴Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on God.
⁵But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
    you put them to shame, for God despised them.

⁶Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+53&version=NIV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Day 52:Psalm 52- Can You Get Kicked out of God's Tent?

Dear Friends,

Doing bad thing and lying leads to doing worse things and lying more. There is a consequence for these actions. There is a sin behind it, which is being proud. Don’t be mistaken; God’s word is true. If you love doing wrong and or telling lies more than truth, it says God will grab you and throw you out of His tent (v5). If you are a spreader of gossip, you are about to get thrown out until you make amends and change your evil ways. I don’t want to sugarcoat this Psalm for you. I want you to get it and let it minister to you. It is never to make you feel badly, but to help you evaluate your life and heart. When you do this and make necessary changes, you are quicklly back in the tent of God.

Where are you standing? In God’s tent or out? Only you know the answer to that. If you are not in God’s tent, pray and make amends. If you are, praise God and keep your heart pure before Him. This means you are a tree planted in His tent!

Psalm 52 -New Century Version (NCV)-God Will Punish the Proud

For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and said to him, "David is in Ahimelech's house."

¹ Mighty warrior, why do you brag about the evil you do?
       God's love will continue forever.
² You think up evil plans.
       Your tongue is like a sharp razor,
       making up lies.
³ You love wrong more than right
       and lies more than truth.
                         Selah

⁴ You love words that bite
       and tongues that lie.

⁵ But God will ruin you forever.
       He will grab you and throw you out of your tent;
       he will tear you away from the land of the living.
                         Selah

⁶ Those who do right will see this and fear God.
       They will laugh at you and say,
⁷ "Look what happened to the man
       who did not depend on God
    but depended on his money.
       He grew strong by his evil plans."

⁸ But I am like an olive tree
       growing in God's Temple.
    I trust God's love
       forever and ever.
⁹ God, I will thank you forever for what you have done.
       With those who worship you, I will trust you because you are good.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+52&version=NCV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Day 50:Psalm 50- Can God Call You to the Carpet?

Dear Friends,

Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned “saint”, we all want to give back something to God for what He has done for us, is doing, continues to do, and will do until we meet Him in heaven one day. This is quite normal and good, but being the humans that we are, we can complicate our gifts to God and or our worship. You may be wondering what are the types of things God wants us to give to Him with a heart of true worship, and does worship go beyond singing to God in a song service. Is there more to this than meets the average eye? The answer is yes!

First, God asks us to give Him10% of our first fruits, which is our tithe. Before you get hung up on that, I want to speak to you about first fruits. What does that mean? Well, it means we give God our best offering from our income and gifts. We give to the poor and needy (alms), and we do not give hand-me-downs when we CAN give new things. In short, whenever you are giving to God, give cheerfully and give your best. Verse 21 says we can be called on the carpet for giving with the wrong heart, motives, and purpose. I don't want to be called on the carpet, but it has happened to me.

Second, sometimes we give God things He doesn’t need or want us to give. I have been in this position before, giving myself and my time away so often that there was little time left for God, my family, let alone myself. I got caught up in giving, almost like an obsession, and I missed the point of why I was giving and to whom. I lost sight of the focus: God. I need to reprioritize my life and how I was spending my time AND money, and had ask God what He wanted me to give, how often, and how much. Even when we are church and give praise during song service. He wants our best praise, not tired, half-hearted, and half-connected praise. In all things, He wants our best of whatever He asks!

God wants us to live the praise lifestyle, giving Him praise and honoring Him. This is the message in this Psalm. We worship God with our money, time, heart, and lips.

Reflect today and ask yourself if you need to adjust some of your thinking and giving (v 22-23). Is God calling you to the carpet?

Psalm 50 -The Message (MSG)

God!—speaks out, shouts, "Earth!"
      welcomes the sun in the east,
      farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
   From the dazzle of Zion,
      God blazes into view.
   Our God makes his entrance,
      he's not shy in his coming.
   Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

^4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
      he's taking his people to court:
   "Round up my saints who swore
      on the Bible their loyalty to me."

⁶ The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
      that here God is judge.

^7-15 "Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak;
      Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
   This is God, your God,
      speaking to you.
   I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
      the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
   But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
      or more and more goats from your herds?
   Every creature in the forest is mine,
      the wild animals on all the mountains.
   I know every mountain bird by name;
      the scampering field mice are my friends.
   If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
      All creation and its bounty are mine.
   Do you think I feast on venison?
      or drink draughts of goats' blood?
   Spread for me a banquet of praise,
      serve High God a feast of kept promises,
   And call for help when you're in trouble—
      I'll help you, and you'll honor me."

^16-21 Next, God calls up the wicked:

   "What are you up to, quoting my laws,
      talking like we are good friends?
   You never answer the door when I call;
      you treat my words like garbage.
   If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;
      adulterers are your friends of choice.
   Your mouth drools filth;
      lying is a serious art form with you.
   You stab your own brother in the back,
      rip off your little sister.
   I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;
      you thought I went along with your game.
   I'm calling you on the carpet, now,
      laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

^22-23 "Time's up for playing fast and
      loose with me.
   I'm ready to pass sentence,
      and there's no help in sight!
   It's the praising life that honors me.
      As soon as you set your foot on the Way,
   I'll show you my salvation."

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2050&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Day 51: Psalm 51- Do You Need Your Joy Revivied?

Dear Friends,

I know, I know, I know… I am saying it again, but Psalm 51 is one of my favorite Psalms. It’s because I can remember when God opened this Psalm to me. I didn’t feel joy, and I couldn’t cry about Jesus dying on the cross for me. Folks, I knew something was wrong. I was church counselor at summer youth camp over nineteen years ago when I was feeling this way, and God was knocking at my heart!

That was when I was able to go to God and find forgiveness and new joy. You see, my joy was missing, and I couldn’t figure out where I went wrong. Though these are David’s words spoken to Nathan the prophet after a sin had been committed when David had lost the joy of his salvation, the words spoke to me that day and gave me life. David nor I lost our salvation, we couldn’t feel or access the joy. Something we had done (sin) or didn’t do (like seek God often) was the reason. In short, our joy was restored. If you are missing your joy or think it’s on low and about to run out, pray David’s prayer and let God restore and refresh you. Let God take away the shame and guilt you feel. You don’t need a person to go with you to do this, but for some, a person who can help keep you accountable, like a youth leader or youth pastor, is a good idea.

Let God create a clean heart and right sprit within you (v10). Though David knew his sin and confessed before God, sometimes we have sins of omission, meaning ones we did not do on purpose or forgot that we did. Nevertheless, these sins can destroy our heart garden and steal our joy pretty quickly!

So read Psalm 51 and take your heart and soul on a journey you won’t regret! I pray that today God moves and you never forget today, the day God resorted you’re the joy of your salvation!

Psalm 51 -New International Version (NIV)

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

¹Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
²Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.

³For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
⁴Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
⁵Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

⁷Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

¹⁰Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
¹⁴Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
¹⁵Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷My sacrifice, O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸May it please you to prosper Zion,
    to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
    in burnt offerings offered whole;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2051&version=NIV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Day 49: Psalm 49- Who Takes the Sly Bait of Satan?

Dear Friends,

Today’s passage title reads “Trusting Money is Foolish” (Psalm 49 NCV Biblegateway.com). Jesus was and is a fisher of men, but Satan also fishes for men. Which bait will we take? If we are not careful, we will put our trust in money and think it can fulfill our desires and make us happy. You have heard of the Publisher Clearing House and Lottery winners, who even after winning a large sum of money, still wasted it all and never found true happiness. Today’s Psalm has wisdom for us to understand. Verse 4 tells us it is a riddle, but if we read between the lines, we can figure it out!

Again, the title tells us that “trusting in money is foolish”. First, I don’t think that someone who trusts in riches and wealth literally thinks that if they die or get sick, they can save their life by buying some cure and or getting a spell from a witch doctor. Of course not, but there are people that live life to make and have money to be happy, they live to get more wealth and possessions, and they are addicted to the chase of it all. It can become a like a drug addict’s drug.

People get caught up in serving money and not God. The scriptures tell us we can’t serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). We have to choose one. One can see the obvious foolishness in trusting and serving money. Though it may satisfy a natural desire that we have for a time, it does not fulfilling an eternal promise; it only meets our temporal want. The Bible also says that “sin has pleasure in its season” (Hebrews 11:25); but again, it meets a temporal want or desire and not a true need! We can get caught up in feeding and serving things instead of God. Don’t be fooled; you cannot serve God and something else at the same time. Anything can become and idol to you. This is why you need to guard your heart and steps and seek God to avoid taking the bait of Satan!

Chasing money is a trap that many people fall into without seeing it at first. I’ve been there and done that; therefore, I can speak from experience. There is nothing wrong with wanting and having a home, car, and a vacation from time-to-time, but when you want something so badly that you go beyond what you need to get it it is s a trap the devil sets for us all. If you must have the newest cell phone because of want and not need, you have taken Satan’s bait. If you do whatever you can to get a guy or a girl, well, you just took the bait of Satan. If you lie to your parents to do something, instead of doing what is right; well, you just took the bait of Satan.

Run from evil and temptation (1 Peter 5: 8-10); don’t grow weary in doing the right things (Galatians 6:9). Don’t be deceived by Satan the crafty serpent (Thessalonians 5:22). Remember that the truth is that the enemy comes to lie, steal, kill, and destroy you, but Jesus has come that you may have a more abundant life (John 10:10). This abundant life is more than salvation, though salvation is an awesome gift never to neglect (Hebrews 2: 1-4), but remember to take the right bait. God promises an abundant life and help in troubles..

Psalm 49 - New Century Version (NCV)- Trusting Money Is Foolish

For the director of music. A psalm of the sons of Korah.

¹ Listen to this, all you nations;
       listen, all you who live on earth.
² Listen, both great and small,
       rich and poor together.
³ What I say is wise,
       and my heart speaks with understanding.
⁴ I will pay attention to a wise saying;
       I will explain my riddle on the harp.

⁵ Why should I be afraid of bad days?
       Why should I fear when evil people surround me?
⁶ They trust in their money
       and brag about their riches.
⁷ No one can buy back the life of another.
       No one can pay God for his own life,
⁸ because the price of a life is high.
       No payment is ever enough.
⁹ Do people live forever?
       Don't they all face death?

¹⁰ See, even wise people die.
       Fools and stupid people also die
       and leave their wealth to others.
¹¹ Their graves will always be their homes.
       They will live there from now on,
       even though they named places after themselves.
¹² Even rich people do not live forever;
       like the animals, people die.

¹³ This is what will happen to those who trust in themselves
       and to their followers who believe them.
                         Selah

¹⁴ Like sheep, they must die,
       and death will be their shepherd.
    Honest people will rule over them in the morning,
       and their bodies will rot in a grave far from home.
¹⁵ But God will save my life
       and will take me from the grave.
                         Selah

¹⁶ Don't be afraid of rich people
       because their houses are more beautiful.
¹⁷ They don't take anything to the grave;
       their wealth won't go down with them.
¹⁸ Even though they were praised when they were alive—
       and people may praise you when you succeed—
¹⁹ they will go to where their ancestors are.
       They will never see light again.
²⁰ Rich people with no understanding
       are just like animals that die.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2049&version=NCV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Monday, July 23, 2012

Day 48:Psalm 48- Where is the City of our God?

Dear Friends,

Today’s passage is about the City of God. Hmm… I wondered where is it? I read Psalm 48 over several times. I prayed and then asked the Lord speak to me. I am not a Bible scholar, though I attended Mt. Zion School of Ministry and graduated. I served for twenty years in active ministry at Mt. Zion Church in Clarkston, MI, under the direction of Pastors Loren Covarrubias, Jeanne Cagle, and Joe Milosic. I also took several courses at a Bible college twenty years ago. I know serve under Pastor Keith Jones as Youth Pastor/ Youth Director at Gulf Coast Church, in North Port, Fl. I have continued to study the scriptures. So, here is my take on the City of God.

The City of God is a promised place to God’s people. Abraham was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God (Hebrews 11:10). Though God’s presence is no longer housed in the Ark of the Covenant as it was carried from place to place or in the Tabernacle of David (in the Old Testament), the New Testament tells us that God dwells in our hearts. This is because God sent His Son into the world (John 3:16). If God lives in you and me, then the City of our God is within us. That is amazing. Reread Psalm 48 with new understanding and the additonal resource I posted below if you need it.

Zion is called the city of God. Isa 60:14: “and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” It is where the Lord has and will dwell again. Joel 3:21: “for the LORD dwells in Zion.” When the temple permanently replaced the tabernacle and was built in Jerusalem it became the place of his dwelling, his presence was there, thus name Zion.

Jesus instructed them to go to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit, the place where the presence of God dwelt in the temple would now dwell in man (1 Cor. 3:16 and 2 Cor. 6:19) each individual believer’s body is a temple of God. Luke 24:49: "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Act 1:4-5). (http://www.letusreason.org/Biblexp194.htm )

Psalm 48 -New Century Version (NCV)

Jerusalem, the City of God

A psalm of the sons of Korah.

¹ The Lord is great; he should be praised
       in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
² It is high and beautiful
       and brings joy to the whole world.
    Mount Zion is like the high mountains of the north;
       it is the city of the Great King.
³ God is within its palaces;
       he is known as its defender.
⁴ Kings joined together
       and came to attack the city.
⁵ But when they saw it, they were amazed.
       They ran away in fear.
⁶ Fear took hold of them;
       they hurt like a woman having a baby.
⁷ You destroyed the large trading ships
       with an east wind.

⁸ First we heard
       and now we have seen
    that God will always keep his city safe.
       It is the city of the Lord All-Powerful,
       the city of our God.
                         Selah

⁹ God, we come into your Temple
       to think about your love.
¹⁰ God, your name is known everywhere;
       all over the earth people praise you.
       Your right hand is full of goodness.
¹¹ Mount Zion is happy
       and all the towns of Judah rejoice,
    because your decisions are fair.

¹² Walk around Jerusalem
       and count its towers.
¹³ Notice how strong they are.
       Look at the palaces.
       Then you can tell your children about them.
¹⁴ This God is our God forever and ever.
       He will guide us from now on.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2048&version=NCV

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Day 47: Psalm 47- Noteworthy and Praise Worthy is He

Dear Friends,

Psalm 47 exhorts us to applaud, shout at the top of our lungs, and to sing songs to Him. It says to sing out to a most stunning God. When I think of the word stunning, I think of a huge, bright, and apparent diamond. The presence of such a natural wonder makes me think of God, what He has created, what He had done, and what He will do. I think of how awesome He is and that is noteworthy and praise worthy. When I think about Him this way, I am freed to soar above the mire and muck that may surround me because I am free to praise Him in every second for what I have and what He has saved me from, as well as kept me from. Everyone experiences sadness and turmoil from time to time, and we wonder if we can climb the mountain. If our high priest King Jesus has already prepared the way, we can make it.

When reading this Psalm, one can see how powerful God is:“The powers of earth are God’s; He soars over all. This again is noteworthy and praiseworthy. He crushes hostile people and puts us at the front of the line. So it says, “Sing your best praises to God.”

Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Hmmm, I guess it’s time to sing, shout, and praise God! Won’t you join me?

Psalm 47-The Message (MSG)

^1-9 Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!
   God Most High is stunning,
      astride land and ocean.
   He crushes hostile people,
      puts nations at our feet.
   He set us at the head of the line,
      prize-winning Jacob, his favorite.
   Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,
      a ram's horn blast at the summit.
   Sing songs to God, sing out!
      Sing to our King, sing praise!
   He's Lord over earth,
      so sing your best songs to God.
   God is Lord of godless nations—
      sovereign, he's King of the mountain.
   Princes from all over are gathered,
      people of Abraham's God.
   The powers of earth are God's—
      he soars over all.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2047&version=MSG

Please take the time to reflect and comment:

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Day 46: Psalm 46- The Sit-and-Spin Reality Vs Resting and Trusting In God

Dear Friends,

Psalm 46 is a song, and its message is both amazing and simple.

¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

I have been pondering, stewing, and simmering over this Psalm for almost 24 hours now in anticipation of what the Lord would have me to write for our readers today.

I have always been hyperactive, and if any of you have seen me preach, it is difficult for me to keep still. When I teach in my classroom, I rarely sit; in fact, I often pace. At lunch, I move around and work; I rarely sit because the demands of the day often run into my lunch, and well after the school bell rings. I am a very busy person, and if not careful and if I am too tied up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, I forget to be still or make myself still. I’m not talking about being still in front of the TV; I can do that if I am interested. Yet, over the years, I have learned to discipline myself and sit at the Father’s feet.

You may have heard of the famous Bible story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10: 38-42). There is a place for both doing work and resting. Nevertheless, both actions should be directed towards God. Jesus tells us that being at His feet is more important than the other. Recently my three year old nephew began consoling my sister as she is preparing for our mother to meet her maker. Whenever she begins to cry or get agitated, he tells her to “take times mama”; it will be ok.” Out of the mouth of babes right.

What else can we get caught up in that stirs our mind and hearts and get off focus from the “better part” as Jesus put it? Facebook, people’s issues and hurts, troubles, a favorite song or band, or even a significant other or wannabe significant other. The point is there is always a river flowing in our heart, but which stream is it, and are we connecting with God to receive from this stream? Are we letting other people’s advice take the place of our heavenly Father’s stream, which we find in His word and in the still small voice? Like I said, sometimes we are literally on a sit-and-spin reality, but God tells us in Psalm 46 that He is our help, refuge, strength and ever-present help in trouble (v1). He tells us that we don’t have to fear when we feel like the floor is coming out from underneath us and we feel like we are going to drown (vv 2-3). He tells us of a river that will make us glad; it’s the holy place where Christ dwells (v4). In verse eight we see an invitation to “Come and see what the Lord has done.” That’s right! He calls us up, out, and over to look down on our situation and see that He is working. Verse seven tells us that “He is with us.”

This is so cool. Right? But if we never take the time to “be still” and go there in full trust, we will never experience the faith He wants us to have. Yes, I am writing about being in times of distress, but I am also referring to going to that place often and getting to know God and His river. There are so many things that we think satisfy us, but there “aint nothing like the real thing baby”. Though this is an old Coke jingle, it makes my point.

We can try to fill our emptiness or lack; we can try to keep a lid on troubles and hold them at by. But there is a better way. It’s to “be still” in the presence of God. Psalm 34:8 tells us “to taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Have you been to the fountain of life lately? Have you learned to take time to “be still and know that He is God”?

Psalm 46 -New International Version (NIV)

¹God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.^[^c^]

⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
⁶Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields^[^d^] with fire.
¹⁰He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2046&version=NIV

Please take the time to reflect and comment: