Ps. 119:87 [The Message]
Eugene Petersen givers the expression, “I haven’t relaxed my grip on your counsel.”
When I entered Basic Training in the army, I was given a pocket New Testament from the Gideons. I kept it in my green fatigue shirt pocket. It was a comfort to me. I was learning to keep my grip on God’s Word.
I just heard the account of a man who accepted Christ after reading a Gideon Bible in a motel room.
Memorizing His Word is a great way to keep your grip on His counsel.
Ps. 119:1-40 [The Message]
With eight grand kids to pray for and advise, God’s direction in life is critical. One way or another, He can guide their steps to a fulfilling life destiny. One way is to block their access to a dead end existence.
Vanity is the word Solomon used to describe the road to nowhere. It is a shame to waste life and end up with a bunch of nothingness.
Balaam was a weak prophet who had been hired by an evil king to curse God’s people. While on his way, God put a great angel with sword in hand in his path to block it. His donkey saw the angel and wouldn’t proceed. God was trying to prevent him from making a big mistake.
Ps. 118 cont. [The Message]
There is a verse in this Psalm that I have frequently used to describe the growth and impact of Trinity Christian School. It’s v. 23 – “This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.”
This verse is of course prophetic of Jesus Who is the Head Cornerstone of our Christian faith. TCS is a miracle school and is making disciples of Christ and educating them for Christian service. Only God could have enabled the school to experience the growth flourishing TCS has.
Just the other day the bank teller at Ameris told me she attended Trinity in her early years. I meet them all over, former students who are thriving in society. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to have served You at a Christian school You are blessing.
Ps. 113-118 [The Message]
The Psalmist instruction-ally repeated the phrase, “God’s love never quits.” That’s the kind of love grandparents have.
It’s said, a grandchild is twice your child. Do we have twice the love a parent has? Not necessarily. It seems like it though. Love is patient. It is kind. Sometimes parents are not patient nor kind. Grandparents always are, it seems.
For one thing, a grandparent knows how parent mistakes turn out. They have more patience than a parent has. Their words are more soothing to a child. How many successful athletes were raised by their grandmother? Many!
Just some thoughts on grandparenting.
Ps. 113 [The Message]
Eugene Petersen’s paraphrase says, “Just speaking His name is praise.”
What happens when we speak the name of Jesus? One thing for sure, He is listening.
Should you say, “Somebody help me,” or “Jesus, help me?”
We use the name of Jesus when we pray.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. [Jn. 16:24]
Ps.. 112 [The Message]
This is a rare quality. It’s when a person is more blessed to see you receive than they are to accumulate. They receive more personal satisfaction in seeing you receive than they are in keeping their money or goods.
Generosity is closely related to giving. Generous people see an opportunity to give and their gift kicks in. They don’t necessarily respond to pleas for help. They see the need and are moved to do something abort it. They get blessed.
Some give freely and still get richer, while others are stingy but grow still poorer. [Pr. 1124]
Another thing. Some people are generous with their time and deeds of love and service. Many times its more valuable than their money.
Ps. 111 [The Message]
I have opted to include more personal testimonies in this blog as a way to give glimpses of our (Patty and me) faith journey.
When I was going through music school (Bowling Green State University College of Musical Arts, ’73-’77), we were dirt poor. Between GI educational benefits, a part-time cleaning job at a daycare, and Patty babysitting children, we made it. Patty would do our landlord’s wife’s hair for $1.50 per week which bought our milk. But WE ALWAYS HAD MILK. God always made a way for us to eat. He’s our great Provider … Jehovah-Jireh.
Ps. 106-110 [The Message]
David recorded many profound prophecies of Christ Jesus. Ps. 110 is one of the clearest. In effect, David predicted that Christ would be the True King, hence the term “King of Kings.”
Every earthly king will bow to Jesus. As His subjects, we find a special place of privilege when we use His name to pray. We are His emissaries to a broken world. Hold your head high and boldly pray in the Name of Jesus.
Ps. 105 [The Message]
The Psalms contain so many insights into the promises and provisions we have in Christ. To David and the other authors were given valuable applications of God’s Word to life. We are wise to include regular study of them. After all, they are at the heart of every Bible.
In Psalm 105, we are made aware of God’s protection for the Israelites when they entered the Promised Land.
He permitted no one to abuse them.
He told kings to keep their hands off:
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on My anointed,
don’t hurt a hair on the heads of My prophets.”
You and I have this same protection as we travel through this life. God has more than enough angels to neutralize any danger that befalls us. Never hesitate to ask God for special angelic coverage.
Ps. 104 [The Message]
Stirred by Psalm 104’s treatment of creation, let me share what answersingenesis.org has to say in summary form:
Obviously, when we get to Heaven and stand before the Lord, we will understand perfectly. Until then, we are wise to avoid arguments about creation and enjoy God’s earth. It’s His footstool. It will eventually all burn, making way for the NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH. [Rev. 21:1]
TCS Daily Devotional 