Various verses of Psalm 37:
(1) Do not fret, or be envious.
(3) Trust in the Lord and do good.
(4) Delight yourself in the Lord.
(5) Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him.
(7) Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
(8) Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.
(27) Turn from evil and do good.
(34) Wait for the Lord and keep His way.
(37) Consider the blameless, observe the upright.
[for]
(3) He will give you safe pasture.
(4) He will give you the desires of your heart.
(6) He will make your righteousness shine.
(11) He will give [the meek] great peace.
(18) He will give [the blameless] an inheritance that endures forever.
(23) He will make your steps firm, upholding you.
(28) He will give you eternal protection.
(39) He will be your stronghold.
(40) He will help you and deliver you.
Why would anyone not desire to have a relationship with the Lord God of this psalm that His servant David wrote? These promises are beautiful and eternal, constantly kept for those who follow Him. Oh, how truly blessed I am.
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalms. Show all posts
October 23, 2010
September 19, 2010
Ch. 750 - Call On His Name
A present-day vision of Heaven... Thank You, Lord God, for this beautiful realization. So simple. Wondrous.
......
"There's no other name."
JESUS.
Such power.
Magnificence.
Overwhelming, O God, is Your presence. But oh, how thankful I am for it. I pray for a new constant in my life, Lord God. A constant... of Your presence... joy... stability... self-discipline... anything that is of You, and You alone.
I want You.
I need You.
A true desire.
A new hunger and thirst.
I can only be satiated by You.
Fill me like never before.
"Wake me up."
I want to do things with You, not merely for You. I yearn, oh how I yearn, for You.
"I sit here at Your feet,
I find my rest in You.
I sit here at Your feet,
I take great delight in You."
Lord God, only You satisfy.
'I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips. '
[Psalm 34:1]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 336.
......
"There's no other name."
JESUS.
Such power.
Magnificence.
Overwhelming, O God, is Your presence. But oh, how thankful I am for it. I pray for a new constant in my life, Lord God. A constant... of Your presence... joy... stability... self-discipline... anything that is of You, and You alone.
I want You.
I need You.
A true desire.
A new hunger and thirst.
I can only be satiated by You.
Fill me like never before.
"Wake me up."
I want to do things with You, not merely for You. I yearn, oh how I yearn, for You.
"I sit here at Your feet,
I find my rest in You.
I sit here at Your feet,
I take great delight in You."
Lord God, only You satisfy.
'I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips. '
[Psalm 34:1]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 336.
September 17, 2010
Ch. 748 - He is Law
Psalm 119:161-176...
'Great peace have they who love your
law,
and nothing can make them
stumble.'
[Verse 165]
'I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.'
[Verse 168]
'May my lips overflow with praise...
May my tongue sing of your word...'
[Verses 171a, 172a]
'I long for your salvation, O Lord...'
[Verse 174a]
Jesus said that He came not t abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In my mind, He is [the] Law. By loving Him, Law, we have "great peace". We have peace in Him and through Him, for He is Peace, just as He is Law. He is also, then, our Delight, and we long for Him and the salvation He brings... that we may be in His presence for all eternity. My lips overflow and my tongue sings, indeed! For He is the righteous Teacher. And I obey Him because I love Him. And as verse 168 says, all my ways are known to Him. There is nothing I could say or do that would be unknown. There is no point in not submitting to Him.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 323.
'Great peace have they who love your
law,
and nothing can make them
stumble.'
[Verse 165]
'I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.'
[Verse 168]
'May my lips overflow with praise...
May my tongue sing of your word...'
[Verses 171a, 172a]
'I long for your salvation, O Lord...'
[Verse 174a]
Jesus said that He came not t abolish the law, but to fulfill it. In my mind, He is [the] Law. By loving Him, Law, we have "great peace". We have peace in Him and through Him, for He is Peace, just as He is Law. He is also, then, our Delight, and we long for Him and the salvation He brings... that we may be in His presence for all eternity. My lips overflow and my tongue sings, indeed! For He is the righteous Teacher. And I obey Him because I love Him. And as verse 168 says, all my ways are known to Him. There is nothing I could say or do that would be unknown. There is no point in not submitting to Him.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 323.
September 16, 2010
Ch. 747 - Nothing Besides YOU
'... And earth has nothing I desire
besides you.'
[Psalm 73:25b]
... What a truth! Or at least, it should be a truth to us... do we truly desire "nothing" but God? Even if it was [truth], we would still be separated from Him, because we are not fully in His presence at all times here in this place. So our desire would never seem to be fulfilled. So in a way, it is good that we have these... distractions... to "desire". They will satisfy us - albeit in a meaningless fashion - until That which we should truly desire above all else can be fully appreciated in His entirety.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 303.
besides you.'
[Psalm 73:25b]
... What a truth! Or at least, it should be a truth to us... do we truly desire "nothing" but God? Even if it was [truth], we would still be separated from Him, because we are not fully in His presence at all times here in this place. So our desire would never seem to be fulfilled. So in a way, it is good that we have these... distractions... to "desire". They will satisfy us - albeit in a meaningless fashion - until That which we should truly desire above all else can be fully appreciated in His entirety.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 303.
Ch. 746 - 'Awake, my soul!'
Note: 'For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam. When he had fled from Saul into the cave.'
'My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.'
[Psalm 57:7-8]
These are beautiful verses - lyrics, really, for they are part of a song written by David. I love that he says his heart is steadfast. To me, steadfast means strong... true, loyal... it represents a perseverance... something that holds. I think David believes God has helped him in such a way that his heart has become steadfast - it was likely that it simply couldn't be helped. And he is thankful for this, which is why he desires to sing and make music before the Lord His God. Now, it is one thing to merely sing... but it is another to sing with your soul. To sing with feeling, emotion. I imagine that David is saying, "Awake, my soul!" because he wants to present to the Lord a song from his very soul. I can almost feel my own heart pound as I wait in anticipation for a new song of joy and thankfulness... of deliverance... to rise up from within me, spilling out into the cave - without hesitation, without reluctance. And I can almost hear the song bounce off the walls and ceiling, making it sound as if a multitude of sonorous voices are giving praise to the God of David, for He loves and saves. The song continues through the night, indeed awakening the dawn... Continuous praise: a sweet and pleasing aroma to the Lord.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 281.
'My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.'
[Psalm 57:7-8]
These are beautiful verses - lyrics, really, for they are part of a song written by David. I love that he says his heart is steadfast. To me, steadfast means strong... true, loyal... it represents a perseverance... something that holds. I think David believes God has helped him in such a way that his heart has become steadfast - it was likely that it simply couldn't be helped. And he is thankful for this, which is why he desires to sing and make music before the Lord His God. Now, it is one thing to merely sing... but it is another to sing with your soul. To sing with feeling, emotion. I imagine that David is saying, "Awake, my soul!" because he wants to present to the Lord a song from his very soul. I can almost feel my own heart pound as I wait in anticipation for a new song of joy and thankfulness... of deliverance... to rise up from within me, spilling out into the cave - without hesitation, without reluctance. And I can almost hear the song bounce off the walls and ceiling, making it sound as if a multitude of sonorous voices are giving praise to the God of David, for He loves and saves. The song continues through the night, indeed awakening the dawn... Continuous praise: a sweet and pleasing aroma to the Lord.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 281.
September 7, 2010
Ch. 741- Hear My Prayer
'My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do
not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.'
[Psalm 22:1-3]
Alone.
No answer.
O God, lift your daughter up.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 226.
forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do
not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.'
[Psalm 22:1-3]
Alone.
No answer.
O God, lift your daughter up.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 226.
September 3, 2010
Ch. 739 - A New Conviction
One week... much needed time off from blogging in order to figure things out for the beginning of the schoolyear... which I'm totally stoked for. It's going to be a great semester, for sure, and hopefully its greatness will carry over to the spring semester.
Anyway.
If something were to happen that would result in my not being able to go to school for the remainder of the year, I would be okay with that. If I learn nothing else than what I learned yesterday in a single class, I would be okay with that, too. Don't get me wrong... I do want to learn more. But it's as if I feel that what I speak of is truly sufficient to satisfy my desire to learn and grow. It has provided me with something that I know I can personally work on in my life and help others realize and work on as well.
This is a big deal.
Two sentences.
Conviction.
"The truth hurts."
... What a statement.
To be honest, I felt like I was punched in the stomach.
I could practically feel God twisting my heart in His hands.
But this is good.
This is very good.
'My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.'
[Psalm 38:4]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 216.
Anyway.
If something were to happen that would result in my not being able to go to school for the remainder of the year, I would be okay with that. If I learn nothing else than what I learned yesterday in a single class, I would be okay with that, too. Don't get me wrong... I do want to learn more. But it's as if I feel that what I speak of is truly sufficient to satisfy my desire to learn and grow. It has provided me with something that I know I can personally work on in my life and help others realize and work on as well.
This is a big deal.
Two sentences.
Conviction.
"The truth hurts."
... What a statement.
To be honest, I felt like I was punched in the stomach.
I could practically feel God twisting my heart in His hands.
But this is good.
This is very good.
'My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.'
[Psalm 38:4]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 216.
August 25, 2010
Ch. 737 - A Transition
Love and be loved.
Annnd that's all I've got.
'... I love you, O Lord, my strength.'
[Psalm 18:1]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 210.
Annnd that's all I've got.
'... I love you, O Lord, my strength.'
[Psalm 18:1]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 210.
August 2, 2010
Ch. 719 - Thoughts, Pt. Three
Psalm 103
My Lord God forgives.
My Lord God heals.
My Lord God redeems.
My Lord God crowns.
My Lord God satisfies.
He is so great.
Who am I to worry?
To "freak out"?
He has a plan.
He knows me.
And He will help me when it is time to do so.
Until then... He continues to listen. Always.
......
'How many... O God?'
Prayers lifted.
Confessions exclaimed.
Hearts changed.
Tears cried.
... Etc.
"Many - even enough... but yours still matter. You still matter."
Floored.
......
Fire... river... flowing from the throne of God.
Desire.
My Lord God forgives.
My Lord God heals.
My Lord God redeems.
My Lord God crowns.
My Lord God satisfies.
He is so great.
Who am I to worry?
To "freak out"?
He has a plan.
He knows me.
And He will help me when it is time to do so.
Until then... He continues to listen. Always.
......
'How many... O God?'
Prayers lifted.
Confessions exclaimed.
Hearts changed.
Tears cried.
... Etc.
"Many - even enough... but yours still matter. You still matter."
Floored.
......
Fire... river... flowing from the throne of God.
Desire.
July 29, 2010
Ch. 718 - Thoughts, Pt. Two
All I need right now is to hear His voice. All I want right now, really. And what I need, then, is to listen and act accordingly to what I hear. I desire to desire Him... does that make sense? I want to be able to say that I am truly running after God because I yearn for Him. I want a mere taste... and then, from that, want nothing else. Nothing less.
Sometimes I just feel so mixed up inside. Angry? Confused? Sad? Anxious? Restless? I just... don't know... I want to be able to sort everything out. I feel as if I needed a jump start in order to do so.
[Trapped.]
I need... peace.
... joy.
... a calm.
I don't know how else to describe it... but I feel that fits pretty well.
Praise God, always.
Psalm 69:9
Psalm 73:25-26
Psalm 78:8
Sometimes I just feel so mixed up inside. Angry? Confused? Sad? Anxious? Restless? I just... don't know... I want to be able to sort everything out. I feel as if I needed a jump start in order to do so.
[Trapped.]
I need... peace.
... joy.
... a calm.
I don't know how else to describe it... but I feel that fits pretty well.
Praise God, always.
Psalm 69:9
Psalm 73:25-26
Psalm 78:8
May 18, 2010
Ch. 713 - All I Have
'Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy
name.'
[Psalm 103:1]
To praise our Lord God with all our inmost being... what an incredulous thing. Do we truly let ourselves do that, though? I know at times, that's all I want to do. But I hold myself back. Containment. Why?
As much as I love to just put my thoughts out there and go on to the next thing [or post, in this case - seeing how I'm behind a couple days...], I can't answer this question right now. I need time to think about it... and decide what, if anything, I want to say.
But God is good.
And He does deserve to be praised with everything we have.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 143.
all my inmost being, praise his holy
name.'
[Psalm 103:1]
To praise our Lord God with all our inmost being... what an incredulous thing. Do we truly let ourselves do that, though? I know at times, that's all I want to do. But I hold myself back. Containment. Why?
As much as I love to just put my thoughts out there and go on to the next thing [or post, in this case - seeing how I'm behind a couple days...], I can't answer this question right now. I need time to think about it... and decide what, if anything, I want to say.
But God is good.
And He does deserve to be praised with everything we have.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 143.
May 15, 2010
Ch. 710 - Summer Excitement
One week... I decided not to play catch-up. It's all good.
My second - and second to last - year at Central Christian College of the Bible came to a close this past Wednesday, as I rounded out my last day with two finals. They were the toughest of my five, and I got a high 'A' on each. Fabulous. But I can really only attribute my successes to God, for He blessed me with the abilities and skills necessary to do well. I simply put them to use. If you try to pound a nail into a piece of wood without a hammer, it's not exactly going to work. Using your hand won't do anything. And using something other than a hammer may work, but it's really just not the same. While it's nice to see or hear acknowledgment for doing well on something, I can't pretend like I truly deserve anything. Glory to God, in all things great and small.
Summer has begun, and I don't know how to feel about it...
Two jobs.
Two classes.
Two churches [more on this later...].
I plan on spending a lot of time with my brother, Wes - he just finished his first year of college and I am really proud of him. Anyway, we have dubbed the next few months S²'10:
SIBLING SUMMER 2010!
So great.
We're stoked.
We've started making a list of things we plan on doing, and without a doubt more "to-do" items will be added to it within the next week or two.
I think what I'm most excited about this summer, though, is the fact that I plan on falling more and more in love with Christ. I ended the school year on a positive note in regards to my relationship with Him, but I'm... fine. Just... fine.
I want to be better than fine.
And I want to be stepping forward, not standing still.
Lately I've been getting myself down... and I let myself be kept there by the prince of this world - and I am [obviously] pretty okay with that. It's easy... I mean, it's not necessarily good for those around me, but for me? It's comfortable. I can make it work. Of course, I tend to mess things up pretty terribly when I get into this state. Mistakes. Regrets. But sometimes I feel like I really just don't like myself. So I wonder how anyone else could ever like me, let alone love me. Of course, I know my flaws. I tend to see myself in a negative light. I am, truly, an animal. And so I figure that I deserve to be where I am. I deserve to allow myself to think of ME the way I do. But as someone very dear to my heart told me today, "We're all going to have things we are striving to improve in ourselves. We can't dwell in the negative. That's the adversary trying to keep us down. We have to remember our worth in Christ."
Beautiful.
As is Christ.
As am I.
Valuation.
That is my focus for the summer.
For myself.
For others.
For God.
'Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.'
[Psalm 143:8-10]
......
Ch. 710, Part Two:
One definition of "valuation" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the following: 'judgment or appreciation of worth or character'.
Now you know.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 130.
My second - and second to last - year at Central Christian College of the Bible came to a close this past Wednesday, as I rounded out my last day with two finals. They were the toughest of my five, and I got a high 'A' on each. Fabulous. But I can really only attribute my successes to God, for He blessed me with the abilities and skills necessary to do well. I simply put them to use. If you try to pound a nail into a piece of wood without a hammer, it's not exactly going to work. Using your hand won't do anything. And using something other than a hammer may work, but it's really just not the same. While it's nice to see or hear acknowledgment for doing well on something, I can't pretend like I truly deserve anything. Glory to God, in all things great and small.
Summer has begun, and I don't know how to feel about it...
Two jobs.
Two classes.
Two churches [more on this later...].
I plan on spending a lot of time with my brother, Wes - he just finished his first year of college and I am really proud of him. Anyway, we have dubbed the next few months S²'10:
SIBLING SUMMER 2010!
So great.
We're stoked.
We've started making a list of things we plan on doing, and without a doubt more "to-do" items will be added to it within the next week or two.
I think what I'm most excited about this summer, though, is the fact that I plan on falling more and more in love with Christ. I ended the school year on a positive note in regards to my relationship with Him, but I'm... fine. Just... fine.
I want to be better than fine.
And I want to be stepping forward, not standing still.
Lately I've been getting myself down... and I let myself be kept there by the prince of this world - and I am [obviously] pretty okay with that. It's easy... I mean, it's not necessarily good for those around me, but for me? It's comfortable. I can make it work. Of course, I tend to mess things up pretty terribly when I get into this state. Mistakes. Regrets. But sometimes I feel like I really just don't like myself. So I wonder how anyone else could ever like me, let alone love me. Of course, I know my flaws. I tend to see myself in a negative light. I am, truly, an animal. And so I figure that I deserve to be where I am. I deserve to allow myself to think of ME the way I do. But as someone very dear to my heart told me today, "We're all going to have things we are striving to improve in ourselves. We can't dwell in the negative. That's the adversary trying to keep us down. We have to remember our worth in Christ."
Beautiful.
As is Christ.
As am I.
Valuation.
That is my focus for the summer.
For myself.
For others.
For God.
'Let the morning bring me word of your
unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground.'
[Psalm 143:8-10]
......
Ch. 710, Part Two:
One definition of "valuation" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the following: 'judgment or appreciation of worth or character'.
Now you know.
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 130.
May 8, 2010
Ch. 709 - Missions Kid
I have been dubbed one of the "missions kids" here at Central, basically because Mike Worstell always picked on me [Spock] in classes, and I've done skits for Harvesters during chapel. Awesome.
But I don't mind. Because it's true... I plan on doing missions. And I'm totally stoked. I'm going to the Middle East next summer for my internship and I could not be more excited to get some great hands-on experience and see what life is like as a missionary in the Middle East. I don't know what to expect. I mean, I kind of do - I'm learned in the culture, history, religions, etc. of the region... oh research, how I love thee. But research pales in comparison to actually living amongst it all. Seeing it. Hearing it. Feeling it. Tasting it. Smelling it. I'm sure each day will bring new surprises - pleasant or unpleasant - and unexpected twists or turns. I'll be glad for these, though.
Proclaim His name. Share His love.
That's what I desire to do.
Wherever He calls me, I will go.
Am I ready? No.
But I have time.
And God will prepare me.
'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his
name;
make known among the nations
what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.'
[Psalm 105:1-2]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 126.
But I don't mind. Because it's true... I plan on doing missions. And I'm totally stoked. I'm going to the Middle East next summer for my internship and I could not be more excited to get some great hands-on experience and see what life is like as a missionary in the Middle East. I don't know what to expect. I mean, I kind of do - I'm learned in the culture, history, religions, etc. of the region... oh research, how I love thee. But research pales in comparison to actually living amongst it all. Seeing it. Hearing it. Feeling it. Tasting it. Smelling it. I'm sure each day will bring new surprises - pleasant or unpleasant - and unexpected twists or turns. I'll be glad for these, though.
Proclaim His name. Share His love.
That's what I desire to do.
Wherever He calls me, I will go.
Am I ready? No.
But I have time.
And God will prepare me.
'Give thanks to the Lord, call on his
name;
make known among the nations
what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.'
[Psalm 105:1-2]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 126.
May 6, 2010
Ch. 707 - Surrounded
Warmth.
Comfort.
Natural beauty.
Humor, too.
Simplistic humor - not even of man.
Wordless.
God, oh God.
You are truly everywhere.
'If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.'
[Psalm 139:8]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 94.
Comfort.
Natural beauty.
Humor, too.
Simplistic humor - not even of man.
Wordless.
God, oh God.
You are truly everywhere.
'If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.'
[Psalm 139:8]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 94.
May 4, 2010
Ch. 705 - Thankful for Joy
Joy.
A pouring out of the Spirit.
Anointed.
Blessed.
Made new.
Made clean.
Refined.
Focused on His throne.
Joy.
'Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are
righteous,
and praise his holy name.'
[Psalm 97:11-12]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 78.
A pouring out of the Spirit.
Anointed.
Blessed.
Made new.
Made clean.
Refined.
Focused on His throne.
Joy.
'Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are
righteous,
and praise his holy name.'
[Psalm 97:11-12]
......
Click here to revisit Chapter 78.
May 2, 2010
Ch. 703 - I had to.
Lover of my soul.
Creator of my heart.
Beautiful is He.
And beautiful am I.
He can do great things.
All it takes is a breath.
Life.
Renewal.
Thirst, quenched.
Hunger, satiated.
Zeal.
Strength.
A new perspective.
Made alive.
The Lord Himself will proclaim and declare His greatness.
Are our eyes and ears open?
'Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, O Lord, have delivered my
soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.'
[Psalm 116:7-9]
Creator of my heart.
Beautiful is He.
And beautiful am I.
He can do great things.
All it takes is a breath.
Life.
Renewal.
Thirst, quenched.
Hunger, satiated.
Zeal.
Strength.
A new perspective.
Made alive.
The Lord Himself will proclaim and declare His greatness.
Are our eyes and ears open?
'Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.
For you, O Lord, have delivered my
soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.'
[Psalm 116:7-9]
May 1, 2010
Ch. 702 - Fire in the Night
'Praise the Lord, all you servants of the
Lord
who minister by night in the house
of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.
May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and
earth,
bless you from Zion.'
[Psalm 134]
Who is to say that we should only praise our God during the day?
Night brings many things.
Darkness.
Sleep.
"The witching hour."
Sin.
Scheming.
Etc.
I think IHOP is doing it right...
And no, I'm not talking about the pancake place.
I mean the International House of Prayer.
The concept of 24/7 worship and intercessory prayer is wonderful and it has brought so much good and hope and change into the lives of people all around the world.
Note: IHOP has a "Fire in the Night" period for those who spend time praising and praying during the late night hours [between midnight and 6:00 AM]. And there truly is something freeing and beautiful in doing exactly that. One of my friends at school is transferring to IHOP next spring to become a Fire in the Night intern, and I must admit... I am extremely envious.
Lord
who minister by night in the house
of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.
May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and
earth,
bless you from Zion.'
[Psalm 134]
Who is to say that we should only praise our God during the day?
Night brings many things.
Darkness.
Sleep.
"The witching hour."
Sin.
Scheming.
Etc.
I think IHOP is doing it right...
And no, I'm not talking about the pancake place.
I mean the International House of Prayer.
The concept of 24/7 worship and intercessory prayer is wonderful and it has brought so much good and hope and change into the lives of people all around the world.
Note: IHOP has a "Fire in the Night" period for those who spend time praising and praying during the late night hours [between midnight and 6:00 AM]. And there truly is something freeing and beautiful in doing exactly that. One of my friends at school is transferring to IHOP next spring to become a Fire in the Night intern, and I must admit... I am extremely envious.
April 14, 2010
Ch. 686 - I refuse.
I am so glad that I am in Bible college right now...
'I do not sit with deceitful men,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O Lord,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.'
[Psalm 26:4-7]
'I do not sit with deceitful men,
nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O Lord,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.'
[Psalm 26:4-7]
April 13, 2010
Ch. 685 - Picturesque
I spent some time at a park today. I was simply enjoying the beautiful weather and catching up on some reading for a class. At one point I heard a vehicle pull into the parking lot. I kept reading, but the sound of laughter soon filled the small park and I looked up to see a woman and two children. The woman was carrying a blanket and a small cooler. She and one of the children, a girl about four of five years old, spread out the blanket in the shade of a large tree. The other child, a boy about two years old, walked away from them and explored the playground area. He started to run towards a small, open field, looking over his shoulder now and then to the woman, whom I was watching. I noticed that even though she was talking with the girl and starting to take food and drinks out of the cooler, she periodically glanced over to the field where the boy was now running in constant circles. But suddenly he stopped, and without having to be chased down or called over, he dawdled over to the blanket where the woman and girl were sitting. The woman opened her arms and he ran the rest of the way, nestling - forcefully, I might add, as a result of the momentum - into her arms. And as they began to eat their picnic lunch, I resumed my reading with a smile on my face.
I was really thankful to have witnessed this casual occurrence.
I mean, it was simply a picnic in the park.
But I felt like God was reminding that even though I go "off on my own" now and then, or even run away from where I seemingly should be, I cannot truly run away from God. He is ever-watchful. There is no hiding from Him. And because He certainly does have a hand on my life, I will always return to Him eventually.
Because He provides for me.
Because He protects me.
Because He encourages me.
Because He guides me.
Because He loves me.
He welcomes me with open arms.
'But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love...'
[Psalm 33:18]
I was really thankful to have witnessed this casual occurrence.
I mean, it was simply a picnic in the park.
But I felt like God was reminding that even though I go "off on my own" now and then, or even run away from where I seemingly should be, I cannot truly run away from God. He is ever-watchful. There is no hiding from Him. And because He certainly does have a hand on my life, I will always return to Him eventually.
Because He provides for me.
Because He protects me.
Because He encourages me.
Because He guides me.
Because He loves me.
He welcomes me with open arms.
'But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love...'
[Psalm 33:18]
March 26, 2010
Ch. 681 - Steady
And I will praise You
up on the mountain...
down in the valley...
I will meet with You, God.
'Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.'
[Psalm 145:3]
up on the mountain...
down in the valley...
I will meet with You, God.
'Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.'
[Psalm 145:3]
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