Day 67: Psalm 67- Does God Smile Upon You?

Dear Readers,

Psalm 67 is a song of praise, but reads like a prayer too.  It extends out to the corners of the earth spreading hope to all who love and worship God! It is a prayer for all humanity.

I love verse one because it is asking that God’s face would smile on us and favor us. Isn’t that what we all want? I want God to look down from heaven and smile because He is proud of me. I hope for God’s favor because I have caught the glimpse of His gaze. But I also want Him to look down at the earth that He has saved and see His glory and splendor. I hope that He will bless us because we have made Him smile, and  I desire for there to be a great harvest soon.

When God looks down from heaven, do you think He smiles at you?  Why, or why not?

Psalm 67 -New Living Translation (NLT)

For the choir director: A song. A psalm, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

¹ May God be merciful and bless us.
    May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude

² May your ways be known throughout the earth,
    your saving power among people everywhere.
³ May the nations praise you, O God.
    Yes, may all the nations praise you.
⁴ Let the whole world sing for joy,
    because you govern the nations with justice
    and guide the people of the whole world. Interlude

⁵ May the nations praise you, O God.
    Yes, may all the nations praise you.
⁶ Then the earth will yield its harvests,
    and God, our God, will richly bless us.
⁷ Yes, God will bless us,
    and people all over the world will fear him.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2067&version=NLT

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 66:Psalm 66- What Does It Mean to Make Your Praise Glorious??

Dear Readers,

Psalm 66:1 tells us to “shout for joy to God…”, to “sing the glory of his name, and to “make his praise glorious”! Verses 2-20 are an example of how to do this. You may be reading this and saying to yourself, “what does it mean to sing the glory of his name and to make his praise glorious”

Webster’s Dictionary.com  writes that glory means “(1) very great praise, honor, or distinction bestowed by common consent; renown: to win glory on the field of battle, (2) something that is a source of honor, fame, or admiration; a distinguished ornament or an object of pride: a sonnet that is one of the glories of English poetry.  (3) adoring praise or worshipful thanksgiving: Give glory to God, (4) resplendent beauty or magnificence: the glory of autumn.  (5). a state of great splendor, magnificence, or prosperity. Thus, when we sing the glory of His name, we are singing about all of the wonderful things that have been accomplished through God’s name. If I report about one or more of these things, that means I am giving glory to God’s name.  If I add an “ious” to the word glory, it means to full of or have the quality of. This means that I am going to make sure that my praise shimmers, that it is set apart and higher than any other praise, and that it magnifies God greatly. 

In short, this praise and glory is more magnificent than a classical musical concert, more splendid than a playoff game’s cheering crowd, and more superb than the beauty of a wedding or engagement ring. It’s over the top adoration that illuminates the resplendentness of God.

Psalm 66 -New International Version (NIV)

¹ Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
²     Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
³ Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”^[a]

⁵ Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
⁷ He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him.

⁸ Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.
¹⁰ For you, God, tested us;
    you refined us like silver.
¹¹ You brought us into prison
    and laid burdens on our backs.
¹² You let people ride over our heads;
    we went through fire and water,
    but you brought us to a place of abundance.

¹³ I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
    and fulfill my vows to you—
¹⁴ vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
    when I was in trouble.
¹⁵ I will sacrifice fat animals to you
    and an offering of rams;
    I will offer bulls and goats.

¹⁶ Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
²⁰ Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+66&version=NIV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 65: Psalm 65: Can You Marvel in Psalm 65?

Dear Readers,

Psalm 65 is another one of my favorite Psalms. Yes, I repeat this statement a lot, but it’s so true. Who could not marvel at the promises and nuggets stored in this Psalm? No matter what, I can still look up and out and marvel at the Lord's beauty and goodness!  

Verse three tells that when we are overwhelmed by sins, he forgives them all! This is an unconditionally no-matter-what principle. In addition, we are blessed with good things, those who dwell in His house (v4). Verse 5 tells us that the hope of all of the earth rests in God. We shouldn’t hope in things or people; instead, we should put ALL of our hope in God. Thus, we don’t worry when we know that God is armed with power, though he can calm the stormiest sea (vv 6-7). He can handle any situation. Even the earth praises God in its beauty and calls forth songs of joy (v 8).  If that is not amazing enough, He enriches His streams and refreshes his people (v 9).

You may have heard that my mother went to be with Jesus at 1:05 am 8/8 (yesterday). I am looking forward to the refreshing streams of God coming my way. I sure need it. How about you? What is going on or has recently gone on that has taken some of your strength or charred your perspective?

Psalm 65 -New International Version (NIV)

¹ Praise awaits^[b] you, our God, in Zion;
    to you our vows will be fulfilled.
² You who answer prayer,
    to you all people will come.
³ When we were overwhelmed by sins,
    you forgave^[c] our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed are those you choose
    and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
    of your holy temple.

⁵ You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
    God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas,
⁶ who formed the mountains by your power,
    having armed yourself with strength,
⁷ who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.
⁸ The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
    where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

⁹ You care for the land and water it;
    you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
    to provide the people with grain,
    for so you have ordained it.^[d]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
    you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
¹¹ You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
¹² The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness.
¹³ The meadows are covered with flocks
    and the valleys are mantled with grain;
    they shout for joy and sing.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2065&version=NIV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 64: Psalm 64- Where Can One Hide From the Wicked?

Dear Readers,

I was reading the June 2012 Worship Leader Magazine when flying on the plane to see my mother a few weeks ago. The entire issue was on the Psalms. What an amazing issue! Anyway, one of the articles reported about singing and reading over the Psalms, as well as how they serve as an example to model for us to know how to pray.  What a better time than ever to read the Psalms and practice. Let’s begin!

The title of Psalm 64 is “Hide Me from the Wicked”. Haven’t you ever wanted to just pull the covers over your head and hide from this wicket world?  The cares of life can get us down; we want to hide in the shelter of God’s wings. Sometimes we feel like hiding in God. There is nothing wrong with going to God’s secret place and hiding in His love.  So when you feel the urge to bury your head under the covers, hide in God. Go to Him in prayer, read the Psalms and sing them!

Psalm 64 - English Standard Version (ESV)-Hide Me from the Wicked

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
    preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
² Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
    from the throng of evildoers,
³ who whet their tongues like swords,
    who aim bitter words like arrows,
⁴ shooting from ambush at the blameless,
    shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
⁵ They hold fast to their evil purpose;
    they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see them?”
⁶     They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
    For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.

⁷  But God shoots his arrow at them;
    they are wounded suddenly.
⁸ They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
    all who see them will wag their heads.
⁹ Then all mankind fears;
    they tell what God has brought about
    and ponder what he has done.

¹⁰ Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+64&version=ESV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 63: Psalm 63- The New Gatorade

Dear Readers,

Does your soul ever get thirsty? Yes, I believe it does. In fact, I think our souls can get dehydrated, just like our natural bodies do. Is there a spiritual Gatorade for us to give us the kick of energy we need? Sure there is: it’s the Bible!

This principle applies in both the natural and the physical realms. If we don’t drink enough water (the word of God), than our bodies (spirits) will get dehydrated. If we don’t drink enough water or a steady diet of water, we are in trouble. “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  Having said that, are we living on the proper spiritual diet we need to be both sustained and growing? Are we eating more TV, Facebook, and Internet surfing than we are taking in the word of God? Some people use Gatorade and energy drinks, especially, as a crisis intervention. We should never look at or use the word of God in this careless manner. It should be a steady diet of His word and prayer. Yes, we can, at times, feel like we are in a desert, but we always need to come back to God and get the water we need.  People need water to live; the same goes for the word of God.

Take some time to think about your spiritual diet? What changes do you need to make? Which ones can you commit to and why?

Psalm 63 -English Standard Version (ESV)

My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
     my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
² So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.
³ Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
⁴ So I will bless you as long as I live;
    in your name I will lift up my hands.

⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
⁶ when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
⁷ for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
⁸ My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

⁹ But those who seek to destroy my life
     shall go down into the depths of the earth;
¹⁰ they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
    they shall be a portion for jackals.
¹¹ But the king shall rejoice in God;
    all who swear by him shall exult,
     for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2063&version=ESV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 62: Psalm 62- Ever Get Shaken Up and Wonder Why?

Dear Readers,

Ever get shaken up and wonder "why is this happening to me"? Your train of thought might be “I’m a Christian; so why all the trouble?" The Bible tells us not to think that it is odd if we have trials (1 Peter 4:12). In fact, Hebrews 12:27 tells us that the things that can be shaken will be shaken so the things that can’t will remain. Psalm 62:2  tells us that “I (we) shall not be greatly shaken”. The word “greatly” is an adverb. It tells us an amount or measure. So, we know that we will be shaken but not greatly.  God will never give us more than we can handle (I Corinthians 8:13), but He is at work in us perfecting us.

Try to learn from every shaking you encounter. What is not of God or the character traits associated with the trial that are not, allow God to refine you and remove those things that are not of God.

Finally, if you are being shaken, you are doing something right. You are the devil’s radar because you are out working for God. It’s a beautiful thing when God even uses what the enemy wanted to use for evil for good (Genesis 50:20). Also, God wants your fruit to grow and remain. He has to prune you (June 15). So, you might say, "I'm getting it from both sides".Yet, God is always working. Even if you feel like a milkshake, don’t forget who is shaking you up and using all things to bring you to completeness (Romans 8:28).

So, we wait and trust in God. We search our hearts. We reflect on the trials and situations that are happening around us. We ask God want He is removing and shaking (things that are not of God, weaknesses, sin, etc) and what is He strengthening and make stronger (your fruit). This is a perfect time to ask God to reveal to you what He is shaking and fortifying!

Psalm 62

English Standard Version (ESV)

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
²  He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

³ How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
⁴ They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
    They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse. Selah

⁵ For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
⁶  He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
⁷ On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

⁸  Trust in him at all times, O people;
     pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah

⁹  Those of low estate are but a breath;
    those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
     they are together lighter than a breath.
¹⁰ Put no trust in extortion;
     set no vain hopes on robbery;
     if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

¹¹  Once God has spoken;
     twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
¹²     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2062&version=ESV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

Day 61: Psalm 61: Which End is Up?

Dear Readers,

Psalm 61 is like honey to my ears. Yes, it’s one of my favorites because I often pray and quote verse 2, “…from the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” That’s right. When my hearts is overwhelmed, worn out, doesn’t know which end is up, and is drowning in sea of sorrow or whatever other issue that has me tuckered out, I pray these powerful words: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  I get on my knees or pray, while I am walking or running, and seek God. I trust He will lead me. Psalm 23:2 states that “He leads me by still waters”. Verse three says, “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.” So, since I have seen God’s help and salvation before, I can go there again and again and receive assistance.

You have to be willing o be lead and guided to receive help. You can’t go your own way. God is not asking to be your co-pilot; He wants to be your pilot! Psalm 32: 8-9 says, “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” (NLT). Sometimes we find ourselves resisting God. When we see that this what we are doing, we need to repent and get centered again.

When that happens, I pray the same prayer: “…from the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Don’t ever forget that you have hope in God always. When you feel like you are at the end of your rope, you still have hope. Let Him lead and guide you.

 

Psalm 61^[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

¹ Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.

² From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;
    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
³ For you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the foe.

⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.^[b]
5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Increase the days of the king’s life,
    his years for many generations.
⁷ May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

⁸ Then I will ever sing in praise of your name
    and fulfill my vows day after day.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2061&version=NIV

Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!