Bless the LORD

Psalm 103

A psalm of David.

1) Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart,

I will praise his holy name.

2) Let all that I am praise the Lord;

may I never forget the good things he does for me.

3) He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

4) He redeems me from death and crowns me

with love and tender mercies.

5) He fills my life with good things.

My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6) The Lord gives righteousness and justice

to all who are treated unfairly.
7) He revealed his character to Moses and

his deeds to the people of Israel.

8) The Lord is compassionate and merciful,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

9) He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

10) He does not punish us for all our sins;

he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

11) For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

12) He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

13) The Lord is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

14) For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

15) Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

16) The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.

17) But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him.

His salvation extends to the children’s children

18) of those who are faithful to his covenant,

of those who obey his commandments!
19) The Lord has made the heavens his throne;

from there he rules over everything.
20) Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans,

listening for each of his commands.

21) Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will!

22) Praise the Lord, everything he has created,

everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
Psalm 103:1-22, NLT

The word “bless” is a transliteration of the Hebrew word “barak” which means to kneel. Psalm 103:1 could be read this way, “Kneel to Yahweh, O my soul”. Worshipping the LORD involves the bowing down of our hearts, minds, and bodies in reverence to Him.

Spend time today meditating over this Psalm. Read through it several times. Begin committing it to memory. Kneel before Him in spirit and body. Really think with your heart and in your mind through how King David describes the LORD. What are the earthly benefits the LORD bestows on all those who believe in Him? What has the LORD done for the sinner? How great is the LORD’S mercy toward us? How long will the LORD’S mercy last for those who fear Him?

Praise the LORD, Beloved, because He Is.

Trust. Cling. Rely...On Him

Let's recap what we have learned thus far from Psalm 27:14.

First, we learned that during those inevitable times of waiting in our lives, we are to wait in eager and patient anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in us. We are to wait with great hope because His is our help and our shield.

Next, we learned that in our waiting in eager and patient anticipation of what the Lord is doing and is going to do in our lives, we are...strengthened, supported, encouraged, conquering or seizing something in our lives, repaired, and built upon.

Today, we are going to talk about the concept of courage that the Psalmist David speaks of in Psalm 27:14.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and

let your heart take courage;

yes, wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:14, NASB (emphasis added)

Often times in our waiting our hearts can become heavy, burdened, and worried. The Psalmist tell us that we are to take courage.

Courage is a transliteration of the Hebrew word chazaq, which means to be bound fast, to be attached.

In Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Moses is addressing Joshua and all of Israel. He tells them to "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." The strength and courage of the Israelites came from their confidence in knowing that the LORD would never leave nor forsake them. They were attached to Him and He to them.

"Be strong and let your heart take courage,

all you who hope (wait for) in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24, NASB

Be strong...take courage. Hang with me here, this concept is a very important one for us to grasp. This phrase "be strong...take courage" is a plural imperative. Plural meaning the Psalmist is speaking to all of us; imperative meaning it is a command or a strong encouragement to behave in a certain way. This is a phrase used particularly in anticipation of battle. Those going into battle were strongly encouraged to present themselves as a people who were strong and filled with much courage because they knew to whom they were attached. This is the very idea behind Moses' command to Joshua and all of Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6-8.

We also find this same idea in Psalm 27:14, "be strong...and let your heart take courage." The Psalmist is commanding us to take courage in the One to whom we have attached ourselves, knowing that He will never leave nor forsake His children.

In our times of waiting, as the Lord is strengthening us, supporting us, encouraging us, conquering those fleshly desires in our lives, repairing our brokenness and building upon His plan, ...

~we are to confidently hope in Him knowing that what He is doing in our hearts is preparing us for a battle that is sure to come.

~we are to attach ourselves to Him, allowing Him to clear the way and not trying to do it ourselves.

~we are to trust in Him, not our own selves nor the people around us, knowing that He will never leave nor forsake us.

Have you attached yourself to the Lord God Almighty today or are you hanging onto life by a mere thread? Are you trusting in an All-Powerful God, allowing Him to clear the way before you or are you trying to live life according to your own plan? Are you prepared for battle?

Trust Him. Cling to Him. Rely on Him.

Repairing and Constructing

Yesterday, we discussed that during those inevitable times of waiting in our lives, we are to wait in eager and patient anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in us. We are to wait with great hope because His is our help and our shield.

Today, I'd like us to continue digging into the meaning of Psalm 27:14.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your
heart take courage;

yes, wait for the LORD."

Psalm 27:14, NASB (emphasis added)

We are not only to wait in eager and patient anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in our lives, the Psalmist tells us in our waiting that we are also to "be strong".

Strong is a transliteration of the Hebrew word hazaq. This word means to be strong, be courageous, to make firm, strengthen, support, encourage; to preserve, to conquer, seize, retain, to harden. I found it very interesting that this term was also frequently used in reference to construction or repair work (2 Kings 12:5ff; 1 Chronicles 26:27; Nehemiah 3:4ff; Nahum 3:14).

Think about this with me:
Could it be that in our waiting, God is constructing or building something in us?
Could it be that in our waiting, God is repairing or mending a part of us that is broken?
Could it be? I definitely think it could be! Oh, the hope this gives me as I wait, knowing that God is working in me and on me to construct a woman who will more accurately and beautifully reflect His holiness!

In our waiting in eager and patient anticipation of what the Lord is doing and is going to do in our lives, in this very waiting moment, we are...
~strengthened
~supported
~encouraged
~conquering or seizing something in our lives
~repaired
~built upon- something in us is begin built up

Today Beloved, as you wait, know that He is repairing and constructing in you something new and beautiful!

How are You Waiting?

We live in a society, a day in age for that matter, where waiting is something we aren't very accustomed to doing. There's just no much that you and I have to wait on or for these days.

For instance...

~Need something for dinner? Head to the nearest fast food restaurant or pop something in the microwave, and wa-la... dinner is served.

~Out and about and need to call a friend? Never mind waiting until you get home to give her a call; just pick up your cell phone, hit #2 because you have her on speed dial, and talk until your heart's content.

~Is there a special event on your calendar you want to look nice and tan for? Not a problem! Forget the real sun and now even the tanning bed; get a spray on tan!

~Forgot that your mom's birthday is tomorrow and now it's too late to send her a card through snail mail? Don't panic... send her an e-card, with music, for free!!

Are you with me here? Waiting has become a lost art. While I am thankful modern technology has afforded us the freedom to hurry along in doing some things, with that freedom, I'm afraid, has come an attitude of impatience.

What does God's Word have to say about waiting? How are we to wait? What are we to do in our waiting? Over the next few days we are going to discuss this concept of waiting.

In Psalm 27 verse 14, the Psalmist David tells us that we are to "wait for the LORD."

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your
heart take courage;

yes, wait for the LORD."

Psalm 27:14, NASB (emphasis added)

"Waiting" here is the transliteration of the Hebrew word qawah which carries with it the idea of expecting, hoping in, patiently waiting for.

Webster's Dictionary defines "wait" in the following way, to remain stationary in readiness or expectation; to look forward expectantly.

Inevitably, there will be times in our lives when the Lord will have us in a position of waiting. In fact, you may be there at this very moment; waiting for the Lord to show you the next step you are to take. As you and I wait during these time, what are we supposed to do? How are we to behave?

Let's revisit what the Psalmist said. He said that we are to, "Wait for the LORD." During those times of waiting we ARE NOT to gripe and complain, moan and groan, whine and fuss, stomp our feet and pitch a fit; instead, we are to wait in faith. We are to remain where we are patiently waiting for what the Lord has next for our lives. We are to expectantly look forward, with hope, knowing that what's coming from Him is for our good and His glory.

In Isaiah 8:17, we read that Isaiah was in a time of waiting. He was waiting for the LORD to turn His face back toward the house of Jacob. While Isaiah waited he was not nonchalantly going about his day, bidding his time as the minutes ticked away, he was not gripping and complaining, begging the LORD to hurry things along; he was eagerly looking for the LORD to turn His face back toward His people.

"And I will wait for the LORD who is hiding
His face from the house of Jacob;

I will even look eagerly for Him."

Isaiah 8:17, NASB (emphasis added)

So how are we to wait? We are to wait in eager and patient anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in our lives. We are to wait with great hope because His is our help and our shield (Psalm 33:20).

Are you in a "waiting" place right now? How are you waiting? Are you waiting with eager and patience anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in your life? Or, are you grumbling and complaining, begging Him to hurry things along?

Let me encourage you today Beloved to, "wait for the LORD" and "look eagerly for Him."

Psalm Friday- Today I Rejoice

Psalm Friday

Today I Rejoice

Psalm 31

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 31 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Today I rejoice because the Lord's mercies are new every morning.

Today I rejoice because the Lord wraps His arms around me shielding me from the fiery darts the enemy hurls at me.

Today I rejoice because the Lord is my rock.

Today I rejoice because the Lord has inclined His ear to hear my voice.

Today I rejoice because the Lord leads and guides me.

Today I rejoice because the Lord has delivered me from the hands of my enemies.

Today I rejoice because the Lord is so very trustworthy.

Today I rejoice because the Lord is good.

Today I rejoice because the Lord is kind.

Today I rejoice because the Lord has made His face to shine upon me.

Today I rejoice because the Lord is my defender.

Today I rejoice becaue the Lord is my hope.

Today I rejoice because the Lord has set my feet in a wide open field and given me wings to fly.

What are you rejoicing in the Lord for today?

Psalm Friday- I Choose God

Psalm Friday

I Choose God

Psalm 31

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 31 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

As I cracked open my Bible to begin studying through Psalm 31, I got not further than the first half of verse one.

"In You, O LORD, I put my trust;"

Psalm 31:1a, NKJV

Immediately a question came to my mind, "do I really trust God?" Of course I trust God... I think....I hope....I do, right?

I was curious to know what the original meaning of trust was so I grabbed my Strong's Concordance and began reading. Trust is the transliteration of the Hebrew word châsâh, which means to flee for protection; figuratively to confide in: - have hope, make refuge, (put) trust.

As I thought more about the true meaning of this word trust, I couldn't help but recall rough times in my life; times when I was in desperate need of something or someone to cling to, someone to protect me, someone to confide in, someone to trust.

Far too many times I have sought the protection of those around me, only to be wounded more. Too many times I have clung to others and confided in them the deepest secrets of my soul, only to be betrayed in the end.

Just this week I have been faced with two major "trust" issues. Due to the state of our national economy, companies are cutting back their work force. While my husband has a job today, the future is unknown. Who am I going to trust? Am I going to trust that God is sovereign and has all things resting in the palm of His hand or am I going to panic and worry myself sick?

Knowing that God has called me to serve Him and others by using the gifts He's given me of teaching and writing, my heart was saddened this week to learn that what this has looked like in the past is going to be changing. Am I going to give up, retire my pen and podium, and deny what He has called me to?

Who am I going to trust? Man or God?

Who am I going to run to for protection during those times of uncertainty? Man or God?

Who am I going to share my fears and desires with? Man or God?

Who am I going to place my hope in? Man or God?

I choose God. I choose God because time and time again He has proven Himself to be trustworthy. Time and time again, He has protected me from the enemy who sought to destroy me. Time and time again, the God of the universe has stood by my side through the good and the bad. And, time and time again He has been my blessed hope.

So, today even though I don't know what the future holds, I choose to trust God because He holds my future in His hands.

Precious one, who will you choose to trust?

Psalm Friday

Psalm 30

Jehovah-Rapha is His Name

My plan the night before was to get up before anyone else, take my shower, grab my Bible, journal, and iPod, then head down to the dock with the intended purpose of enjoying a beautiful, quiet, peaceful morning with the Lord on my first day of vacation. And, that is exactly what I did.

I situated myself on the towel, put the earphones in my ears, turned on some awesome praise and worship music, opened my Bible and began reading Psalm 30.

"1) I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my
foes rejoice over me. 2) O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
3) O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I
should not go down to the pit."

As I began reading I couldn't help but recall the pit the Lord has rescued me from- a pit that was deep and full of filth. Years before I had been literally over my head in selfish ambition, pride, jealousy, hate, bitterness, depression, and the like. My soul was dead. I was in desperate need of a new life; a new soul. There was nowhere for me to turn, nowhere for me to go, no one for me to turn to; no one, except the Lord. At this time in my life I came to know Him as Jehovah-Rapha, the Great Physician, the God who heals.

Jehovah-Rapha took my circumstances and my dead heart and literally breathed new life into my weary body. He brought me up from the grave of bitterness, hate, and depression I was in turning my mourning into dancing. He set my feet firmly making my mountain stand strong. The enemy no longer was able to look down upon me, now he was under foot as I danced all over his face with gladness and joy.

"4) Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, and give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name. 5) For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is
for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Sitting on the dock that beautiful morning remembering how the Lord replaced my weeping with joy caused me to raise my hands in praise and thankfulness for His goodness and mercy over my life.

"11) You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have
put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12) To the end that my glory
may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to
You forever."

A wonderful picture is painted here enabling our eyes to see what the Lord does for us as He heals our hearts and takes from us those clothes of sadness and sorrow and replaces them with garments of joy and gladness.

I encourage you to prayerfully read through Psalm 30 today. As you meditate on this great Psalm praise Jehovah-Rapha for breathing new life into your dead soul. Praise Him for turning your mourning into dancing and for clothing you with garments of joy and gladness.

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday
Don't Fear the Storm- Praise the Lord
Psalm 29

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 29 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Imagine standing with David out on his balcony. A storm is quickly approaching, crossing over the Mediterranean Sea moving eastward to the Lebanon mountain range that lies in the northern lands of Israel. Some bystanders may be tempted to fear the storm, but not David. David welcomes this storm as an opportunity to praise the LORD for His majesty and power.

As the thunder roars and the lightning flashes David stands in awe at the mighty hand of his God. This storm is a reminder to him of the greatness of the LORD God Almighty.

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday

Lift Your Hands in His Holy Sanctuary

Psalm 28

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 28 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

1) To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to
me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the
pit. 2) Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands
toward your Most Holy Place. 3) Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those
who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their
hearts. 4) Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for
what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5) Since
they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he
will tear them down and never build them up again.

Psalm 28:1-5, NIV

The exact occasion that led David to pen this Psalm is unknown. What we do know is this, David is in need of his Lord and is crying out in earnest for the Lord to hear and rescue him.


I am a visual learner, so when I read this Psalm a picture immediately come to my mind.

David was surrounded on all sides by evil men. There were those who were building their own kingdoms in order to further themselves and make their name great. Then there were those who were involved in idolatry and pagan worship. Others, close to David, were out to destroy him and his kingdom because of the God whom he served.



David had a front row seat to the world of wickedness, which allowed him to witness firsthand what a life apart from the LORD would do to a person. His cry to the LORD was, "Oh, LORD, please hear my cry to You and save me. I do not want to become like one of these who seek after the pleasures of this world. Raise me above this wickedness and set my feet upon Your Rock." This man of God did not allow himself to focus on the circumstances around him. Rather, he fixed his eyes on the LORD, having great confidence that God would hear the cries of His child.

6) Praise be to the LORD, for He has heard my cry for mercy.7) The LORD is my
strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps
for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. 8) The LORD is the strength of
His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointedone. 9) Save Your people and
bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 28:6-9, NIV

I believe David went from feeling alone in a myriad of people to standing in the presence of God Almighty. He praised, he worshipped, he danced, and he sang, for the LORD had heard his cries and answered. The LORD became his strength; empowering David to continue to stand strong in a world plagued by evil man. The LORD became David fortress, shielding him from the schemes of the enemy. The LORD was to him a shepherd who would lead and guide David all his days.

Yes, David was alone amongst his people, but God was always with him. What a beautiful reminder to us to always cry out to the LORD in times of aloneness, uncertainty, trial, or heartache. The LORD will hear the voices of His children. He will become our strength and our shield. He will shepherd us and set our feet upon His Rock.




Lift your hands today and praise Him in His holy sanctuary!

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday

The Tent of the LordPsalm 27

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 27 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Psalm 27. A Psalm of David. A Psalm that is characterized by lamenting and extolling; warfare and worship. Scholars are divided as to the exact event that inspired David to pen these beautiful words. Some believe the event to have been when David was in exile hiding from King Saul because Saul was out to kill him. Others believe the event to have been when Abishai rescued him from being slain by the mighty giant Ishbibenob. Whatever the reason for David penning these words, David once again expresses the confident trust he had in his Savior.

"1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I
fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? 2) When evildoers
came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled
and fell. 3) Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war
arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident. 4) One thing I have
asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate
in His temple. 5) For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His
tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up
on a rock. 6) And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and
I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the
LORD."

Psalm 27:1-6, NASB

David never coward from the opposition that arose around him; instead he raised his eyes in faith to the God whom he knew would safely deliver him. The Lord was everything David needed to stand strong against his enemies. As the darkness of the enemy drew closer and closer around David, the Lord was the light that shone through. As the enemy raised their swords against David; the Lord stood as his shield, protecting him from a blow that was sure to bring death.

If one were to look back over the life of David, she would see time after time after time, the enemy's of David seeking to do harm to him and the kingdom of Israel. I've often asked the question, how could David have such a confident faith in the Lord if someone were always out to hurt him and at times go so far as to try to kill him? I believe the answer lies in David's private commitment to the Lord. When no one else was looking, David was enjoying sweet fellowship with the Lord, seeking the Lord's will for his life and allowing the Lord to mold him and shape him into the man he was born to be. David knew that the most important aspect of his life wasn't how he would rule over Israel or how he would conquer other kingdoms; instead, David knew the most important facet of his life to be those parts that only God could see. What David did in the private places with the Lord was the what made him a man after God's own heart.

The temple had not yet been built so the dwelling place of the Lord was nothing more than a tent. Although the place where David met with the Lord was a structure made of poles that were draped with some type of clothe, God's presence filled every nook and cranny of that place. David entered into God's tent with exuberant joy because he was entering into the presence of his Lord.

In the ancient Near East, when a visitor entered into the tent of his host, the host became personally responsible for the visitor's protection and provision; the fragile walls of the tent became a mighty fortress that would keep safe it's inhabitants. As David entered the tent of the Lord, that tent became a fortress that would keep David safe from those who sought his life. David, as the visitor, would experience God's saving protection and would never go without anything he would need.

David's confident trust in the Lord to keep him safe and provide for his every need, allowed him to enter into His presence not pleading for protection and crying out for more of this or more of that, but rather this confident trust gave him the freedom to worship the Lord and behold His magnificent beauty. David was able to sit and meditate on the goodness of God and not fret about the enemies who desired to harm him. He was able to walk away from his times of worship feeling the rock under his feet and seeing above and beyond the enemy to the victory God had prepared (Warren W. Wiersbe).

Just like David, there is an enemy who seeks to destroy us. It is an enemy who desires to steal our joy and divert our attention. An enemy who seeks to destroy our homes and render us ineffective for God's kingdom. It's an enemy who tries to control your mind and ruin your self image through barbie doll images and fade diets. This enemy wants so much for you to believe that you are nothing, that you are worthless, that no one will ever love you because you are such a bad person. This enemy, my friends, is out for blood- he is diligently seeking whom he may devour.

What do we do? How to do we fight the enemy? We march ourselves into the very presence of God and allow Him to be our strength. We praise Him in all things. We focus our thoughts on Him and not on the one who seeks to destroy. We abide in Him. When the enemy comes against you, run as hard as you can to the place where God is and allow Him to be your shield.

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday

Walk in His Way

Psalm 26

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 26 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Psalm Friday is back! Woo-hoo! It's been a while but we are up and going again, digging into the Psalms every Friday. If you're new to By His Grace, you may not be familiar with what Psalm Friday is all about. I would encourage you to take a few minutes and click on the "Psalm Friday" tab in the navigation bar at the top of the page; there you will find an introduction and a list of all the Psalms we have studied through thus far. Well, with further ado, let's get to diggin'- shall we?







I have to admit to you that I've had an extremely hard time with Psalm 26. I have been reading it over and over and over for weeks, probably even months, then walking away with nothing; thinking, "Lord, I'm just not getting it." Ever have those times? As I sat down yesterday morning to try to pull something together because I knew that I would be re-launching Psalm Friday today, it happened. It was as though a light switch had been turned on and the Lord began speaking. THANK. YOU. JESUS!!!







Today I'm not going to give you a lot of "extra" stuff. I just want to pose some questions to you that the Lord brought to my mind as I read Psalm 26.

"Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test
my mind and my heart."

Psalm 26:2, NASB

What would God find if He were to examine your mind and heart? Would He find thoughts that are pure, true, honorable, right, lovely, of good repute (respectful of others), excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8)? Would He find a heart that is loyal to Him (Deuteronomy 6:5)?

"For Your lovingkindness is before my
eyes, and I have walked in Your truth."

Psalm 26:3, NASB

"Lovingkindness" comes from the Hebrew word chesed which means "beauty". The beauty of the Lord should be ever before our eyes and we should be walking in the paths of His Truth (Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119:105).





What kinds of things are you putting before your eyes?
~inappropriate TV shows, movies, soap operas, talk shows?
~inappropriate websites?
~inappropriate magazines and other literature?
~pornography?







Are you walking in the Truth of God's Word and believing you are who He says you are? Are you being obedient to the commands contained within His Word? Are you walking in the path God has set before you or are you charting your own course?

"I do not sit with deceitful men, nor
will I go with pretenders."

Psalm 26:4, NASB

Have you surrounded yourself with those who are daily striving to live lives that bring honor and glory to God? Are your friends honest and trustworthy? Do your friends give godly counsel? Do they encourage you in your walk with the Lord? Or, do those you find yourself most often with, want nothing to do with a live that pleases God or that is surrendered completely to Him?

"I hate the assembly of the evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked."

Psalm 26:5, NASB

Again, are those you are with the most, living lives contrary to the Word of God or according to His commands?

"I shall wash my hands in innocence,
and I will go about Your altar, O LORD, that I may proclaim with the voice of
thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders."

Psalm 26:6 & 7, NASB

Are you spending time before the Lord, daily, confessing and repenting, asking Him to cleanse your heart of the evilness contained within? We will not experience intimate fellowship with God if there is unconfessed sin in our lives.







Are you privately and publicly giving God praise for all that He is done in your life? Are you
sharing with those you meet how awesome your God is?

"O LORD, I love the habitation of Your
house and the place where Your glory dwells."

Psalm 26:8, NASB

David is specifically speaking of the temple- God's dwelling place- where he would go to worship. Later on in Scripture David says that he would rather dwell in the house of the Lord for only one day than anywhere else for a thousand years.







Let's take this verse to a different level- David was talking about the structural temple, the actual building where he could go to worship the Lord. He loved the temple of the Lord and it grieved his heart when it was being defiled.







1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" Your body, my body is the temple of God. At the moment of salvation the Holy Spirit took us residence in you making your heart God's dwelling place (Jeremiah 31:31-34).







Ok, so here's my question- do you love yourself? Do you love and accept who God has made you to be? Or do you look in the mirror every morning and hate the reflection looking back at you because you have some extra fluff around your waistline? Is your life's passion to be that "perfect size 2" so you binge and purge or exercise excessively?







Maybe it's not so much your appearance that bothers you- maybe it's the fact that Sister Sue has a long list of accomplishments following her name and well, the only thing that follows your first name is your last name. So, you put on a facade for everyone trying to be someone you are not instead of being exactly who God created you to be.

"Do not take my soul away along with
sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed, in whose hands is a wicked scheme,
and whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I shall walk in my
integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on a level place; in
the congregation I shall bless the LORD."

Psalm 26:9-11, NASB

David desired to be found different than the world around him. He wanted his life to be one of righteousness before the Lord. When all was said and done he wanted to be found faithful to his God. David knew that the only way for this to happen was for him to daily walk down God's path and to firmly set his feet upon the solid Rock.







The level place where our foot stands is the sure, covenant faithfulness of the Eternal, Almighty God who loves us. It is a place that is immovable and indestructible because it has been established by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

"Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone,
a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him

will not be disappointed;
the stone was Christ."

1 Peter 2:6, 1 Corinthians 10:4, NASB

Precious Lord, the Rock upon which we stand- guide us today down your path. Lead us in Your way. May we delight today to do Your will. Amen.

As you can see we are having some spacing issues this morning- so sorry! Hopefully I will be able to fix them later (I have tried fours times already). All of you who know my OCD self know that this is driving me CRAZY!!! :)

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday

Lift up your Soul
Psalm 25

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 25 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

In this twenty-fifth Psalm of David, we find David kneeling with his hands and voice lifted up to God. There are no indications of the occasion on which this Psalm was composed. It is probably one of those Psalms that were composed in David’s leisure moments, with no outward existing cause - designed to express the feelings of the faithfulness, goodness, and perfection of God.

Psalm 25 is the first of a class of psalms which are known as “alphabetical,” in which the first word of each verse begins with one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The thought behind the reasoning for this format of writing was so that the readers would have an easier time memorizing these beautiful words.

“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 25:1, NKJV

In my study of Psalm 25, I came across Charles H. Spurgeon’s commentary on verse 1. Today I leave you with his words on this beautiful first verse of Psalm 25.

“See how the holy soul flies to its God like a dove to its cote. When the storm-winds are out, the Lord's vessels put about and make for their well-remembered harbour of refuge. What a mercy that the Lord will condescend to hear our cries in time of trouble, although we may have almost forgotten him in our hours of fancied prosperity. “Unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my soul.” It is but mockery to uplift the hands and the eyes unless we also bring our souls into our devotions. True prayer may be described as the soul rising from earth to have fellowship with heaven; it is taking a journey upon Jacob's ladder, leaving our cares and fears at the foot, and meeting with a covenant God at the top. Very often the soul cannot rise, she has lost her wings, and is heavy and earth-bound; more like a burrowing mole than a soaring eagle. At such dull seasons we must not give over prayer, but must, by God's assistance, exert all our power to lift up our hearts. Let faith be the lever and grace be the arm, and the dead lump will yet be stirred. But what a lift it has sometimes proved! With all our tugging and straining we have been utterly defeated, until the heavenly loadstone of our Saviour's love has displayed its omnipotent attractions, and then our hearts have gone up to our Beloved like mounting flames of fire.”

How comforting it is to know that no matter how far I have roamed away from the God of the universe, He is still willing to incline His ear to me. May our souls rise today, from earth to heaven, in order to experience intimate fellowship with God our Father. May we climb Jacob’s ladder, leaving all our worries behind, and embrace our loving God. May the power of the Holy Spirit so fill our souls that we soar on the wings of eagles. May our faith lift us and His grace sustain us. May the Lord Almighty set a flame burning within our hearts.

Psalm Friday

Psalm Friday

Who is this King of glory?

Psalm 24

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 24 through three times. Record your thoughts and questions in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Psalm 24 was most likely written to be sung when the Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling place of God, was brought back to the city of Jerusalem. The words of this Psalm are most fitting for the dance of joy that David and the people of God would have danced on this joyful occasion.

The Philistines, a great enemy to the children of God, had stolen the Ark of the Covenant some twenty years before. With the Ark of the Covenant gone, the people slowly, but surely, wandered farther and farther from the LORD. The Ark of the Covenant was literally the dwelling place of God and with its removal, He had been taken from their midst and their lifestyles, behaviors, and attitudes had begun to reflect it.

David knew that is was of utmost importance for the Ark to be back where it belonged- in and among God's people. The bringing back of the Ark of the Covenant was not for the benefit of the Ark itself, but it was for the benefit of the people.

In a study that I am doing right now, Priscilla Shirer says, "bringing back the ark of God means setting up the presence of God as the central focal point of every decision you make." When the Ark was brought back into the city of Jerusalem, after a three month stay in the house of Obed-Edom (1 Chronicles 13-16), David set it in the midst of the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 16:1). "In the midst" literally means in the center; in the center of the tabernacle the Ark of the Covenant, God's dwelling place, was placed. Everything would revolve around the Ark both literally and figuratively. It was the central focal point of the city; the bulls eye on the dart board if you will. God was now back among His people.

Why wouldn't David rejoice over the Ark of the Covenant being brought back among its people? Why wouldn't he dance, and sing, and shout for joy over the return of the King of glory? Who is this King of glory? He is the LORD strong and mighty! Lift up your heads! Lift up your hands! The LORD of hosts, the King of glory is among His people.

Psalm Friday

Remain in Him

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Today, our journey through Psalm 23 comes to a close. We have walked through lush green pastures, rested beside still waters, trekked up mountain ranges in order to reach the tablelands of His goodness; we have been protected, provided for, comforted, cared for, and loved. Because we have been provided such tender care and mercy, we can say with great confidence, “I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

I want to share with you Psalm 23:6b from the Amplified Bible.

“through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence]
shall be my dwelling place.”

Dwelling comes from the Hebrew word yâshab which means to remain; to settle, to inhabit. As a sheep belonging to the flock of the Good Shepherd, David was able to say, “for the rest of my days, both living on this earth and living in heaven, I will remain, I will settle into, I will inhabit the presence of the my Lord.”

I think for us to get a better understanding of this last statement of Psalm 23, it would benefit us greatly to go back to the beginning of time as we know it.

In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” The word image as it pertains to this verse comes from the Hebrew word tselem, which means to shade or to shadow. Man was created from the beginning of time to live in, to remain in, to settle into, to inhabit the shadow of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In order to be in something’s shadow or to be shaded by something one has to be in close proximity to it. God created us to forever be in close proximity to Him; to be in His presence.

In God’s presence is fullness of joy. In His presence is mercy and grace. In His presence is peace and rest. In His presence is protection and defense. In His presence is provision and healing. In His presence is discipline and restoration. In His presence is found a life like no other; for it is in His presence where we find the love, compassion, and tender care of the Good Shepherd.

Are you in the presence of the Good Shepherd today? My friend, this is the place you were created to dwell in. Remain in Him and He will remain in you. Seek Him with all your heart. Run to Him. Rest today in the shadow of His wing.

Psalm Friday

Goodness and Mercy

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;”
Psalm 23:6a, NKJV

Great importance has been placed on the diligent care of the shepherd for his sheep throughout Psalm 23. As we come to the end of this beautiful Psalm, I believe David has summed up for us the main idea of the entire Psalm in one statement, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” David is boasting in his God because no matter what may happen around him, he has total confidence in the Shepherd who will lead him through.

What about us? How many of us can say that no matter what may come our way- a lost job, a wayward child, a bad report from our doctor, an ailing parent, an empty bank account, bare cupboards, _____________ (you fill in the blank)- how many of us can say with complete confidence that goodness and mercy are sure to follow?

These are the times when the rubber meets the road; these are the times when one’s trust in God’s care for His children is tested; these are the times when faith is tested. When the world around us seems to be closing in can we say with complete confidence and trust in God that “surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life”?

As I sit today and think back over my life to those valleys of death I traveled through, to those times when I've lived in the very presence of the enemy who desired to destroy me- I can say to you, that YES, goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life. Those valleys that I thought would never let me out of their pits and those enemies who had a tight grip on my life, could do nothing to me because my Shepherd had a much bigger plan for me; He had a different path for me to travel, a path that would lead me up the mountain to sit at the table He had prepared for me to enjoy.

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, my Good Shepherd IS goodness and mercy. His mercy and goodness and compassion for His sheep are new every morning. My friend, know this today- the Good Shepherd will follow you through the valley, He be with you in the fire, He will close the mouths of the lions, He will calm the storms around you, He will lead you to His land of promises for His name’s sake. Why? Because He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep and He is all about goodness and mercy.

Psalm Friday

His Anointing

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.”
Psalm 23:5b, NKJV

The table has been prepared atop the summer mountain range. The shepherd’s precious sheep have arrived, eager to dine on the lush green pastures. But, there is a problem. Along with the lush green pastures of summertime come those ever pesky flies that will wreak havoc on the sheep as they graze. The attacks of bot flies, gnats, mosquitoes, black flies, and nasal flies, just to name a few, can disrupt any dining experience and leave a sheep totally miserable.

Nasal flies are one of the most annoying flies for a sheep. These flies will buzz around a sheep’s head, trying their best to lay their eggs in the sheep’s nose. If they are successful, the eggs will hatch, forming worm-like larvae. The larvae will work their way up the nasal passage, bury themselves into the sheep’s flesh and begin irritating the sheep, which in the end will lead to severe inflammation.

To gain relief from this agonizing pain sheep will beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts, or brush. They will rub their heads on the ground vigorously and thrash themselves against fallen branches or stumps. In the most extreme cases, sheep have been known to kill themselves during the pursuit of finding relief from the immense pain.

To protect a sheep from just horrific pain, the shepherd will apply to the sheep’s head an ointment that will divert the pesky flies. Gently and with much care, the shepherd will rub this ointment over the sheep’s nose and head. Once the ointment is applied the sheep are able to continue enjoying the lush green pastures that are before them. This is not a onetime application though. A good shepherd will be ever watchful of his sheep and when the flies come a botherin’, he goes to anointin’.

Think about your life and those things that seem to irritate you the most. I don’t know about you, but there are annoyances in my life that often times get under my skin wreaking havoc on my spirit. Trying to get rid of them myself, I run around acting like the fool; throwing temper tantrums, racking my brain trying to figure out how I can rid myself of the problem. I cannot rid myself of the annoyances on my own; you cannot rid yourself of your own annoyances. It is only the continuous presence and filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives that frees us of those aggravating frustrations.

Just as with the sheep, there must be a continual anointing of God’s gracious Spirit upon my life and yours in order to counteract those irritations that can so easily plague us. In Luke 11:13, Jesus urges us to ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit. It is the daily anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my mind that will produce in my life those traits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Friends, our anointing comes by spending time with the Good Shepherd. During this time He fills our minds and hearts with good things until our cups spill over. Without this anointing the challenges of the day will get the best of us; we will rack our brains trying to solve problems, we will make decisions without the guidance of His counsel, and we will walk in our own strength. But, if we set aside time EVERY DAY to spend with Him, He will anoint us with blessings from above, filling us with His strength and power so that we are ready to face the day.

“Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.”
Psalm 81:10b, NKJV

Psalm Friday

He Prepared the Way

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;”
Psalm 23:5a, NKJV

In the summer months a shepherd will lead his sheep to the high mountain country. This high mountain country is known amongst shepherds as the tablelands. One could presume that David was speaking of these high mountain ranges he would lead his flock to in the summer months when he said, “You prepare a table before me.”

The summer mountain ranges or tables were often difficult to reach because they were remote flat lands atop large mountains. The shepherd who wanted the best grazing land for his precious flock let nothing get in the way of his trek up the mountain; whether it was a large boulder or a jagged rock, the shepherd would press on through to those lands that would be best suited for his sheep.

While the snow still covered the land, the shepherd would make his way up the mountain surveying the land, prepping it for his flock. He would carefully examine the land, getting rid of any poisonous plants that might be growing there. He would also survey the watering holes, making sure they were free of debris that would hinder his sheep from having an adequate water supply. The shepherd was preparing the tablelands for his flock so that they could enjoy the richness of the food that grew there.

Even as he lead his flock up the mountain to the tablelands, the shepherd kept careful watch for poisonous weeds that might have made their way back up through the lush grasses or wild animals that might be lurking close by in hopes of pouncing on one of his wandering sheep. It is only the compassionate, vigilant care of the shepherd that would keep his sheep out of harm’s way.

The Good Shepherd has prepared a table for His flock full of the richness of the blessings of God. For us to reach that table though, it will require a trek up the mountain. There will be weeds along the way; things, people, maybe even other paths that will divert our attention away from the Shepherd who is leading us. But friends, our Shepherd has already trekked up the mountain before us; He knows what is waiting there and has already provided us a way out. He has experienced everything we will ever go through. Because Christ left His home is the heavenlies and became fully man, He has experienced sufferings; He has endured great struggles and felt great loss; He knows what it is to be tempted and taunted by the enemy. And, because of this knowledge of man, He understands and identifies with completely. The Good Shepherd has a kind of care and compassion for those belonging to His flock that you and I can never fully come to comprehend. When we struggle, we are not alone; when we experience loss, He grieves with us; when we are tempted, He will provide for us a way out.

We can be sure that He has prepared the way before us in the presence of the one who desires to defeat us. How can we be sure of this? Read what Jesus said Himself in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” He goes on to say, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not a shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep (John 10:11-16, NKJV).” We can be sure He has prepared the way before us because He laid down His own life in our stead.

Dear ones, the Good Shepherd trekked up the Mount of Calvary in order to prepare a way for you and me. He hung on the cross on top of that mountain in the very presence of His enemies in your place and in mine. After He had suffered beyond anything our feeble minds can grasp, the Good Shepherd breathed His last breath. He was buried in the borrowed tomb of a wealthy man named Joseph. But, the grave could not hold Him in. On that glorious third day He arose defeating death and the grave.

Christ made a way. He prepared the way for you and me to enjoy intimate fellowship with God Almighty atop the mountain of His holy hill. Not only has the Good Shepherd prepared the way for us in the here and now, but He is right now, preparing for us eternal blessings that are to come.

“In my Father's house are many rooms;

if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come back and take you to be with me that
you also may be where I am.”

John 14:2-3, NIV

“Then the King will say to those on his right,

'Come, you who are blessed by my Father;

take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world.”

Matthew 25:34, NIV

“Instead, they were longing for a better country—

a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed

to be called their God,

for he has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:16, NIV

I would so love to hear how the Lord has spoken to you through this Psalm. I'm not smart enough yet to figure out My. Linky, so please leave me a comment letting me know how the Good Shepherd has worked in heart in regards to Psalm 23. If you would like to, we would love for you to post on your blog Psalm 23. I love you all so much! You are a joy to my heart!

Psalm Friday

His Rod and His Staff

Psalm Friday

Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4b, NKJV

The rod and the staff are two very important instruments for the shepherd. One will be used to defend the shepherd and his sheep; it will be a symbol of the shepherd’s strength, power, and authority; and extension of his own person. The other will be a picture of the shepherds’ concern and compassion for his sheep; this will be the shepherd’s instrument of comfort.

In order to defend his flock of sheep, a shepherd would crave from a piece of wood a club or a rod. This rod would be whittled down until it fit the exact size of the shepherd himself. The rod would be a an extension of the shepherd’s right arm. It symbolized his strength, power, and authority. A shepherd would use his rod in a dangerous situation to protect himself and his flock. Not only was the rod an instrument of defense, it was also an instrument of correction and discipline for the wandering sheep.

For us, the human sheep, our Shepherd’s rod is the spoken Word of God recorded in the pages of Scripture. God’s Word is an extension of His strength, power, and authority. In our day and age there are many outlandish philosophies being taught which leads to total confusion and chaos in the minds and hearts of people. There is great comfort for the child of God in turning to the Word of God and seeing plainly the Shepherd’s hand of authority. There is much comfort in having the authoritative Word of God to go to for direction and instruction; and that is what the Psalmist David meant when he said, “Your rod…comfort(s) me.” It the midst of a world turned upside down in turmoil and chaos, found within the rod of the Good Shepherd, there is comfort.

Not only does the rod, God’s Word, comfort the flock, it also disciplines. It is God’s Word that comes quickly to the heart of the believer when he has gone astray, bringing correction and reproof. It is God’s Word that disciplines, brings under control, and sets the wayward sheep on the right path. It is by God’s Word, through God’s Word, and because of God’s Word that we are kept under control by Jesus Christ who desires for us to walk in His paths of righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

A shepherd’s staff is his identification to the fact that he is a shepherd. There is no other profession that carries with it the shepherd’s staff. This staff is designed especially to meet the needs of the sheep. A shepherd’s staff represents his care, concern, and compassion for his sheep.

The Shepherd’s rod represents the Word of God, while the Shepherd’s staff represents to us the Spirit of God. In Christ’s dealing with his flock, there is a sense of the gentleness, the comfort and solace, and the tender correction brought about by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit.

Just as the staff is pivotal in directing a flock, so too, is the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit comforts believers by bringing us together to experience personal fellowship and encouragement with one another. In our walk with the Lord, it is the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent to guide us and to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and gives us understanding to its meaning for our lives. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us to walk in the way of righteousness and holiness. It is the Holy Spirit who makes Christ real within the life of the believer.

Friends, the Christian life is not about religion. The Christian life is about experiencing, firsthand the touch of the Good Shepherd. It is about sensing His Spirit rest upon your weary, troubled soul. The Christian life is an intimate relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. For the flock belonging to the Good Shepherd, there is a calm, quiet rest in knowing He is there to direct every minute of one’s life. It is His rod and His staff that bring comfort to the hearts, minds, and souls and His sheep.

Psalm Friday

Keep Walking Through

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
Psalm 23:4a, NKJV

During the summer a shepherd will begin driving his flock to the “summer range”, by way of the valley. It here that they will spend the next few months steadily climbing to the tops of hills and mountains so that they are able to enjoy the rich pastures found on the mountaintops. The valleys the flock will travel through can be dark and dangerous, but in order to receive the prize of the lush, sweet grass the shepherd must drive his flock through these valleys.

So it is in the life of the believer. We all want to enjoy those mountaintops experiences with God, we all want to go to that next level in our relationship with the Lord, we all want that very deep and intimate relationship with Him, but in order to get there, there will be valleys that we must cross through. Our valleys may be cold, dark, and extremely difficult to get through, but my friends, going through those valleys deepens are relationship with the Lord and prepares us for the ministries He has called us to.

My marriage went through a horrible valley of dishonesty, anger, bitterness, lack of trust, hate and malice. For several years my husband and I pitched our tents in this valley. Our marriage was knocking on the door of death, but our God drove us beyond that valley so that we could experience His victory and will for our lives. Because we chose to continue walking, today we are able to share with others our victory over the valley of death.

My friends, it was at the top of the mountain where Yahweh provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in place of his beloved son (Genesis 4); it was at the top of the mountain that Moses encountered the Lord (Exodus 3); it is at the top of the mountain where the LORD’S house will be established (Micah 4:1); and it was on the top of Mt. Calvary where our Savior was crucified for our sins (Luke 23:33). None of these individuals reached the top of their mountains except by way of the valley. Yes, the valley may hold the shadow of death, but we are not to fear, nor are we to lie down and die. We are to walk on through into the Promised Land that He has waiting for us on the top of the mountain.

Maybe you are in a valley today; sweet one, know that your valley experience will lead you to His throne of grace. Keep walking through.

Psalm Friday

The Path of Obedience

Psalm Friday
Psalm 23, continued

* Pray. Ask God to give you an open heart and mind to learn new truths from His Word. Read Psalm 23 through three times. Record any thoughts or questions you have in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, write it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

“He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3b, NKJV

Sheep are creatures of habit. If you and I were to follow Dolly, our sweet little sheep who experienced restoration last time we were with her, during her daily routine, you would most likely tread down the same paths she has walked down day after day, stop by the same brook to quench your thirst and feed on the same fields she has fed on for weeks.

Some habits are good for Dolly; this particular one is not. You see, if a she continues to walk down the same path she’s always walked, the path will become a rut and the rut will become a ditch and if Dolly were to stumble in the ditch it would be very difficult for her to regain her footing which could lead to Dolly becoming cast once again. If Dolly continues follow the same path down to the same brook to stand in the same spot to drink of the same water, eventually the sand on the shoreline will become eroded possibly causing Dolly to slip into the water which could lead to her drowning. Another issue arises from this habit of Dolly’s; if she continues to feed in the same field for weeks on end, that field will literally become a poor, ravished field of nothing but dirt and grass roots because she will have pawed her way to the roots of the grass in search of something to eat. Dolly’s only hope is that her shepherd is close beside her leading her down paths that will bring to her the rest, health, and nourishment that her delicate body needs to survive and thrive.

So it is with you and me. We are creatures of habit. Some of our habits are good; some of them, not so much. We are in desperate need of the Good Shepherd to lead us down those paths of righteousness; those paths that will lead to our growth and prosperity in His kingdom and for His glory.

We have all, at one point or another, walked down our own paths, with our own agenda, thinking that our way was best. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). I don’t know about you, but my paths only lead to destruction. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25).

The only hope we have is to follow in the way of the Good Shepherd. He tenderly and with much compassion and love says to us, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life” (John 14:6a); “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b). But, it all comes down to one thing; it all comes down to a matter of obedience. Are you and I ready to follow Him down His paths of righteousness? Are we ready to put aside our selfish desires and take up our cross, daily, and follow the Good Shepherd? Are you and I willing to do His will for our lives, whatever it may be? Are you and I willing to obey no matter what the cost? He is leading, will you follow?

I wonder today: are you stuck in a rut? Are you day after day walking down those same paths that are leading you farther and farther into a pit of sin? Are you trying to quench your thirst with the things of this world: money, drugs and alcohol, dependence upon people, climbing the corporate ladder to get that promotion that will only take you away from your family more often? Are you going back to those same unhealthy habits time and time again because they give you some “relief” for a short time? Do you have some bad habits that need to be broken today?

My friends, God has taken up residence within us through the person of the Holy Spirit. We have the power contained within to live a life of complete obedience to the Good Shepherd and follow in His paths of righteousness.

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good
pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13, ESV