doers of the word

Thursday Sept. 14th-Doers of the Word

1:00 PM

 Thursday Sept. 14th


Doers of the Word
     Read-James 1 

I love the book of James.  I often go here when I am struggling and need to get back on track with the Lord.
  
Are we hearers and doers of His Word?  One who is not a doer is compared to looking at themselves in a mirror and then walking away forgetting what they look like.
  
There are two ways of looking at ourselves in a mirror.
1-looks and immediately forgets what he looks like, what kind of person he is-it does not penetrate the heart.
2- looks and hears with a genuine faith- alert and eager to learn from God's message and obeys.
  
When we spend time in His word with Him I believe that we are having a conversation together with Him.  Sometimes I am listening more than asking and sometimes I have lots of questions and need His insight in what this means for my life.  I take what I have read and throughout the day I meditate on that and what I need to do about it. I would like to say that I am always successful but I am not.  Last week I talked about Jesus being our cornerstone in whom we should measure everything that we do.  When we get into His word we should be looking to being in alignment with Him.
James chapter 1 is full of what we should and should not be doing.

⦁ Do we consider it all joy when we are going through trials and temptations?  We should because it tests our faith and leads us to endurance making us complete and perfect lacking nothing.  One who perseveres has been approved and will receive the crown of life, a promise from the Lord.

⦁ Do we run to Him for wisdom?  He gives it to us generously.  But are we asking doubting that He hears and answers.  Did we forget the last trial or temptation and what He did for us and how it grew our faith in Him?

⦁ Do we have a tendency to always be questioning ourselves if it is the right thing to do and cannot make a decision?  A double-minded person is unstable in all his way.

⦁ Don't think your temptation came from the Lord, because He cannot be tempted and He tempts no one.  We are tempted by our own lusts and desires and if we let it get the best of us it leads to death.

⦁ Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.  Anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.
⦁ Put aside filthiness and wickedness

⦁ In humility receive the word implanted which saves your soul.  In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

⦁ Prove yourself doers of the word not merely hearers deceiving yourselves.  “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46  Read-Matt 7:24-27
 
⦁ Bridle (restrain) your tongue-I said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue;  I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.” Psalms 39:1

⦁ Keep oneself unstained by the world.  God's word changes the heart and it manifests a change of behavior. 
 
What is your time like?  How do you spend your days?  Are you spending time in His word each day and meditating on His word that you read for that day?  Or do we forget what we read and just go about our day in our own strength?
  
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:2
  
But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:28

Father,  help us to be doers of Your word.  I ask You for an open heart that is listening and eager to obey You.  May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight O Lord our Rock and our Redeemer.  Help us to take all of our thoughts to the obedience of Jesus Christ.  Amen
How can we pray for you?

Lyn




 




ABC salvation.

Thursday Sept. 7th-Jesus our Cornerstone!

2:00 PM

 


Thursday Sept. 7th


 

                                                               Read Ephesians 2                                                                       Jesus our cornerstone!

Since ancient times, builders have used cornerstones in their construction projects. A cornerstone was the principal stone, usually placed at the corner of an edifice, to guide the workers in their course. The cornerstone was usually one of the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the edifice. The Bible describes Jesus as the cornerstone that His church would be built upon. He is foundational. Once the cornerstone was set, it became the basis for determining every measurement in the remaining construction; everything was aligned to it. As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment. [qot questions]

Did you know that you are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them? vs.10

Every one born into this world comes not knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  It does not matter what your nationality is or what family you are born into.  He created you!  He knit you together in your mother's womb.  You will have the opportunity in your life time to hear about Jesus and make a choice to receive Him as your Lord and Savior.   

It is because of God's rich mercy-tenderness of heart that He overlooks injuries, and treats an offender better than he deserves and His great love for us that we are made alive in Christ Jesus.  

How are we saved? We are saved by faith not because of anything that we can do or work for.  It is a GIFT from God.  If we could do it on our own we would not need Jesus to save us.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For this is contained in Scripture:

“BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER STONE,

AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 1 Peter 2:4-6

I ask you, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

If so is He your cornerstone upon which you are living your life?  What is your foundation and how are you building upon it?  Do you run to Him only when you are in trouble?  Are you spending time with Him daily in His word?  Think about this:  living with someone on a day to day basis we get to know them very well.  Sometimes we can even know what they will do or say before they do.  Do you have that relationship with Jesus?  Do you spend everyday with Him in His Word?  Is He your cornerstone upon which you are building?  Or do you only think that you know Him?  

If you do not know Him, would you accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life today, right now at this moment?  

 


Jesus is the cornerstone for all who believe in Him.  We are not alone, we are fellow citizens of God's household.  Christ Jesus, Himself is our corner stone in whom we are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.  

Father, thank You for Jesus, whom You sent to save us from our sins and that we have eternal life in Him.  Thank you also for when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit now lives in us, to help, teach, and intercedes for us.  Father help us to remember that Jesus is our cornerstone and that we learn from Him how to walk this journey heavenward.  I thank You for my precious sisters, may they hunger and thirst after Your righteousness and spend time each day with You.  In Jesus name, amen!

How can we pray for you?

 

Lyn


Is. 55:12

Friday May 5th-psalm 150-Praise! Praise! Praise!

1:00 PM

Friday May 5th, Psalm 150, Isaiah 40:25-29, Eph. 4:4-8 

Wow! What an amazing journey we have been on through the psalms. Psalms is where I go to when I want comfort, direction, spiritual warfare and praises! I love this verse let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  I imagine the day when Christ will return and we will be praising Him forever.

Matthew Henry- "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Such is the very suitable end of a book inspired by the Spirit of God, written for the work of praise; a book which has supplied the songs of the church for more than three thousand years; a book which is quoted more frequently than any other by Christ and his apostles; a book which presents the loftiest ideas of God and his government, which is fitted to every state of human life, which sets forth every state of religious experience, and which bears simple and clear marks of its Divine origin." 

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. Psalms 145:21

"For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 55:12  This verse is the motto of the camp I work at.  I have to tell you that when the groups come and they are all varied groups...it is such a joy to hear them praising the Lord! I have heard them praising Him in many different languages and it is such beautiful music to my ears.  I have even heard them call the people with a shofar [which can also be called trumpet]. When I first heard the shofar I stopped and remembered that when Jesus returns He will be calling us with the shofar/trumpet.

I encourage you to go to the psalms often and find rest for your souls.  

Are you in His Word daily?                                                                                                                      Do you praise the Lord in everything?                                                                                                      Do you sing and dance before the Lord?

Father, we come humbly before You and want to give you praise and thanksgiving in everything.  For it is You who works out all things for our good because we love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Speak to us through Your Word.  Bring joy, peace and comfort as we praise You!  We long for and look and listen for Your return.  Thank you for these precious sisters that we have journeyed with through the psalms.  Keep them in Your care and bless them abundantly beyond what they ask for.  Put a song in our hearts of praise to You!   Help us to keep our focus on You, Jesus and look forward to His return for us.  Amen!

Lyn



 


how great Thou art

Friday April 28th- How great Thou art! - Psalm 145

1:00 PM


Friday April 28th - How great Thou Art! Psalm 145
Psalm 145, Exodus 15:18

When I wake up in the morning I am thankful that His mercies are new and great is His faithfulness.  This psalm tells us of His goodness and gives us reasons to worship and praise Him.  How great is our God!

He is gracious and merciful  

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalms 103:8

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hands and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalms 145:15-16  

He is righteous

Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate. Psalms 116:5

Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.     You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness. Psalms 119:137-138

His kingdom is everlasting and endures forever

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! Revelation 15:3

He is righteous in all His ways

For the LORD our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done Daniel 9:14

He is near to all who call upon Him in truth

For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Deuteronomy 4:7

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalms 37:4-5

He keeps all who love Him

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.  “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  “With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” Psalms 91:14-16

One generation shall praise Thy works to another and shall declare Thy mighty acts.

Posterity will serve Him; it will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.  They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has performed it. Psalms 22:30-31

Matthew Henry says it so well.  Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God’s wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people.  May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever. 

I know for me that I love to tell others what He is doing in my life.  How He has healed my broken heart, how He has provided for me in all my needs.  How He strengthens me when I cannot possibly do it on my own.  How His peace that passes all understanding flows through me.  In reflecting what He has done in my life shows me how to pray for others that are experiencing the same things that I have been through.

Do you know Him?

What is He doing in your life?

Do you keep it to yourself or are you sharing with others?

Father, we give you all the honor, glory and praise.  Every day we will bless You and praise Your name forever.  You have raised us up when we are bowed down.  You sustain us when we fall.  You are righteous in all Your ways and kind in all Your deeds.  Lord, You are good to all and Your mercies are over all Your works.  Your kingdom lasts forever.   You have done mighty acts in our lives and let us not keep it to ourselves. That our mouths will speak the praise of You Lord.  For You are worthy!  Amen!

 Lyn






eph. 6:10-18

Friday April 21st-Psalm 140-Prayer Protection!

1:00 PM

 

Psalm 140, Proverbs 27:5-6

Years ago I had and still have a dear friend who was in trouble with family members wanting more than their fair share of the family estate after her husband passed away suddenly.  I asked the Lord to give me something to pray to help her in this situation.  He did, this psalm!  At first I thought can I really pray this?  Yes I can!   I believe that we are praying against the enemy who uses people, devising evil things in their hearts, who continually sharpen their tongues as a viper, they are violent and wicked.  We see this all too much these days.    

In the darkest of times, in the heat of the battles, in the struggles and hardships of life, we can find great reassurance and powerful reminders through the book of Psalms of who God is. He alone is the One who can deliver and set us free from our troubles. So often we run everywhere else for help, but turning to His words of truth first is the best place to go. Praying God’s words back to Him aligns our hearts with His, brings peace to our spirits and reminds us that He’s at work on our behalf. It brings us comfort to know we’re never alone, and we can find refuge in Him and strength for our days. [I believe]

David knows what the enemy is up to. That they are evil, violent and devising evil things in their hearts, continually stir up wars, purposely tripping up his feet, setting snares and traps for him.

Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars.  They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet.  The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set snares for me. Selah. Psalms 140:1-5

David knows who He is God is!  He knows the One he can trust! I said to the LORD, “You are my God;  give ear, O LORD, to the voice of my supplications. “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Psalms 140:6-7

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. Psalms 31:14-15

David knows how to pray for them!

As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lips cover them.  “May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot rise.  “May a slanderer not be established in the earth; may evil hunt the violent man speedily.” Psalms 140:9-11

David knows that he and those who call out to Him will be thankful, praising Him!

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor.  Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence. Psalms 140:12-13

Here are some good scriptures to help you in your times of troubles.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Hebrews 4:12-13

Are you in a battle? What are your weapons? What scriptures has the Lord given you to fight the battle you are in?

Father, we come before You, asking You for help in our time of need. The enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy but You have come to give us life abundantly.  We will praise You in this trial knowing that we will grow in our faith.  We lay before You_________ and ask that You intercede for us.  Rescue us from the schemes of the evil one.  We will praise Your name and give You the honor and the glory.  Blessed be Your name, Amen     


 Lyn                                                  

hope in God

in His Word We Have Hope - Psalm 130

1:00 PM

Friday April 7th

In His word we have hope!

This being Good Friday, my prayer is that you are spending time in His word, reading about what He endured for us.  He took all our sins, griefs and sorrows on the cross.  He gave it all!  Is. 53              With joy we can celebrate Resurrection Sunday!  Acts 2:22-24

We have a God who hears and answers when we call to Him. There are times in our lives when we just are so broken hearted and we are in a waiting time.  Sometimes He answers quickly but sometimes it takes many years to see answered prayers.  But be assured that while you are waiting you will see blessings from Him along the way.  We can have hope in His forgiving love.

Vs. 1-2 This psalm starts with a desperate cry to the Lord to be heard and that He would pay attention to our supplications-petitions and earnest requests.  This is a deep heartfelt request.  It has been weighing on us and troubles our hearts.  

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed with me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Ps. 42:11

I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the lowest pit.  You have heard my voice,  “Do not hide Your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help.  Lam.3:55

Vs:3-4  We realize that if He held our sins before Him we would not be able to stand before Him.   He is a  forgiving God!

But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them.  Nehemiah 9:17b

And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,  for in Your sight no man living is righteous.  Ps. 143:2

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7

Vs. 5-8 We can wait and watch for what the Lord will do.  While we wait, we spend time in His word because His promises are true and that is where our hope is.  He love is steadfast and He is the One who redeems us.

Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.  For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name.  Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.  Psalm 33:20-22

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry.  He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.  He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD.  Psalm 40:1-3

My sisters, don’t give up!  It may seem like a long time in waiting but I can tell you that it is worth the wait!  Treasure those scripture verses that bring You comfort and peace in Him.  Don’t focus on the circumstances but keep your eyes above.  Wait expectantly and He will answer and many times beyond what you have asked for.  After 15 years of silence from two of my children, He has redeemed our relationship!  Believe me when I say that I wanted to give up so many times, but He would not let me.

Have you ever cried out to the Lord from the depth of your heart asking Him to hear your voice?

Do you realize that once you have asked God for forgiveness that it is settled and He has truly forgiven you?  

Are you eagerly/expectantly waiting on Him for answered prayer?

Will you share with others what the Lord has done?

Has the Lord given you a scripture verse(s) to meditate on and believe that He will do it?

Father, we come before You with heart felt requests_____________.  There are days that we just want to quit but You won’t let us.  You keep showing us your blessings while we wait.  Thank you for loving us and forgiving us and for being with us every step of the way.  We love Your Word and hunger and thirst for Your righteousness.  Your love is steadfast and we can expectantly wait for You to answer.  Help us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance and let that endurance have it perfect result so that we will be complete lacking in nothing.  In Jesus name, Amen




Lyn

 

abides forever

Psalm 125 - Abides forever!

1:30 PM

                                                                 

March 31st - Psalm 125
Abides Forever

Those who trust in the Lord will be like Mount Zion that can never be removed but abides forever. That is what we have when we put our trust in the Lord!  No matter what goes on around us we can have assurance that we are safe in Him and nothing can take that away from us. 

  

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:37-39

 

From the temple on Mount Zion the Lord provides protection for His people and its focus is on the one who trusts.  In the Old Testament Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God and in the New Testament it refers to God’s spiritual  kingdom, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

 

an affirmation about those who trust (vv. 1-3) and a prayer for those who trust (vv. 4, 5).

 

In the Old Testament Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God.  In the New Testament Zion refers God’s spiritual kingdom, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

 

In the first three verses it is all about those who put their trust in the Lord. When we put our trust in Him, He surrounds us and we are secure in Him.

 

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in and your going forth from this time forth and forever.  Psalm  120:8

 

All those minds shall be truly stayed, that are stayed on God. They shall be as Mount Zion, firm as it is; a mountain supported by providence, much more as a holy mountain supported by promise. They cannot be removed from confidence in God. They abide for ever in that grace which is the earnest of their everlasting continuance in glory. Committing themselves to God, they shall be safe from their enemies. Even mountains may molder and come to nothing, and rocks be removed, but God’s covenant with his people cannot be broken, nor his care of them cease. Their troubles shall last no longer than their strength will bear them up under them. The rod of the wicked may come, may fall upon the righteous, upon their persons, their estates, their liberties, their families names, on any thing that falls to their lot; only it cannot reach their souls. And though it may come upon their lot, it shall not rest thereon. The Lord will make all work together for their good. The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain upon them, lest they distrust the promise, thinking God has cast them off. [Matthew Henry]

 

In the last two verses he prays for those who do good and are upright in heart and for peace for them and I believe He reminds them what will happen if they turn to their own ways.  

 

Where do you put your trust?  Trust in the things of this world and it will only lead to disappointments. Trust in the Lord and you will not be shaken!  

I want to live a life that is not easily shaken.  I want Him to be my stronghold no matter my circumstances.  We can live this life if we have our salvation in Him alone.  

 

My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.

On God my salvation and my glory rest;

The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.  Psalm 62:5-8

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever. Psalm 121:8


Father, we come before You and ask You to increase our trust in You alone.  You surround us with Your love.  You are our salvation and stronghold.  We can trust You at all times.  When we struggle let us pour out our hearts to You.  You are ever with us, never leaving us nor forsaking us.  We are safe and secure in You!  

 

Lyn

 

 

 


Lyn Steriti

God’s presence during distress! ~ Psalm 120

10:00 AM

Friday March 24th

God’s presence during distress!

Read Psalm 120, Isaiah 2:2-5

This psalm is the beginning of what is called the song of ascents.  The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134. They are also called Pilgrim Songs. Four of these songs are attributed to King David (122, 124, 131, 133) and one to Solomon (127), while the remaining ten are anonymous.  The theme of each Song of Ascent offers much encouragement for those who seek to worship God today.  Today’s psalm is all about relief from living with those who hate peace and are all for war.  The city of Jerusalem is situated on a high hill. Jews traveling to Jerusalem for one of the three main annual Jewish festivals traditionally sang these songs on the “ascent” or the uphill road to the city. According to some traditions, the Jewish priests also sang some of these Songs of Ascent as they walked up the steps to the temple in Jerusalem.  Each of the psalms in this collection begins with the title “A Song of Ascents.” While perhaps they were not originally composed for this purpose, these psalms were later grouped together for use in traveling toward Jerusalem for the yearly Jewish festivals.  [got questions]

As I was pondering this song of ascent psalm, I remembered the time we lived a half hour away from church.  To get us ready for church while traveling I would always play worship music. No matter how the morning had gone preparing before we left, it sure lifted all of our hearts before church.

Can we relate to living among those who hate peace and are for war? Since the beginning in the Garden of Eden when Eve was deceived by the evil one, we can be assured that he is trying to deceive us as well. There are days that are harder than others because we have a deceiver who is ever present to taunt us. During those hard days and every day we can rejoice in knowing and believing that He, our heavenly Father never leaves us nor forsakes us.  As we cry out to Him, He hears and He answers.

Some scriptures to meditate on during those tough times:       

GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8  Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.
Selah Psalms 62:5-8

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
20 The LORD keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. Psalms 145:18-21

The LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalms 9:9-10

We have weapons of warfare that are not of the flesh.  Our weapons are God’s word.  We can boldly and confidently come before His throne of grace to receiver mercy and grace for help in time of need.  Heb. 4:12 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Do you have a favorite song that lifts you up?

I encourage you my sisters to get into His Word and pray through them.  They are powerful!  He is faithful and His promises are true! 

Lord, we come before You with thanksgiving and praise!  We rejoice in You our Lord and Savior.  We live in a world of much negativity and ask that you fill our hearts with gratitude for all that You have done and are doing in our lives.  Help us to keep our eyes and attention heavenward.  To keep our focus on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  To you O Lord be all the honor and the glory.  Amen!

Lyn

Idols

Friday March 17th - His love and faithfulness

10:41 AM

 

Friday March 17th

His love and faithfulness!


Do you ever ask yourself, why am I doing this?  Is it pleasing to the Lord or is it for my own gain? We can be so blindsided sometimes and think we are doing things for the Lord when really it is for our own benefit. It is so easy to get caught up in worldly ways.  We become what we worship.

Idols are a serious matter with the Lord.  Whether they are manmade images or something that takes His place in our lives He abhors them!

God warned the people when they were leaving Egypt- You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. Leviticus 18:3  

Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them. Leviticus 20:23

Jeremiah 10:2- Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. 2 Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the nations, Jeremiah 10:1-2

The first mention of idols was with Rachel when she stole her father’s household idols.  Household idols were to bring a blessing on the house.  Why did Rachel take her father’s household idols?  We really do not know why. 

I wonder do we have idols in our lives taken from our parents? As I was writing this I remembered that in my parents cars there were St Christopher medals for protection while we traveled.  I wonder if I thought I was safe back then because of the medals.  I know that many families have idols in their lives like my neighbor.  For the longest time our neighbor right across the street from us had a buddha statue in her window.  It bothered me so much to see it there…I asked the Lord to remove it and He did.  She now has a beautiful flowering plant there.  Someday I pray that they will know the One true God and find salvation in Jesus.

Scripture is very clear that the Lord is the One true God.  He is the living God and the everlasting King.  It is He who made the earth by His power and who established the world by His wisdom.  A man’s way is not in himself nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.  Jer. 10:10+12

6 ‘I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.
8 ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. Deuteronomy 5:6-10

Is there anything in our lives which takes the place of God? 

Do we cherish things that we are not willing to part with and takes our heart away from God?

Do we put more time, value and effort in something other than God?

Are we holding on to the ways of the world?

O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods, Psalms 95:1-3

Father we come before You asking You to show us if there is an idol in our life that takes Your place.  We want our hearts to be totally Yours.  You are the One true God and we need not look to another.  Not to us Lord, not to us but to Your name we give the glory, because of Your steadfast love and Your truths.  You are our help and our shield. We trust in You alone!  We  We praise Your name!  Amen

Lyn

Eph. 6:10-20

Psalm 70 - The Lord is Great!

2:00 PM

 

Read Psalm 70- Eph. 6:10-20

Spending time in the psalms this fall has been so life changing.  I have spent much time in the psalms in the past and still every time I do I come away so enlightened by His Word.  I learn something new each time.  I love that about His word, it never gets old or boring.  It is life giving.

How about you?  Can we really pray against those who taunt us and make our lives miserable?  Yes, we can!  This psalm is short but powerful. 

During these past months we have learned about David’s struggles, anxieties and fears.  He was honest with God and told Him like it was.  Many of them start out with where are you God, he felt alone and rejected.  Yet in those same psalms he praised His Savior. He did not take his focus off God but kept it on Him. He knew who his Savior was.  We have an enemy always scheming against us.  Some days can be more exhausting than others.  I like what Matthew Henry says “urgent trials should always awake fervent prayers.”  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b

This psalm starts out with him crying out to the Lord to deliver him and do it quickly!  He ran to the One he knew could help and deliver him.  He also prayed against those who sought his life to destroy it.   He encourages us who seek Him to rejoice and be glad.  We are to continually say the Lord is Great! Once again at the end he cries out to God to not delay in helping him.

 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take hold of  buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.
3 Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”
4 Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
5 Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD driving them on.
6 Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
7 For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
8 Let destruction come upon him unawares,
And let the net which he hid catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall. Psalms 35:1-8

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” Psalms 40:16

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
4  Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;                                                                                                       For You I wait all the day. Psalms 25:1-5


We have a full armor that we can put on everyday of our lives.  We do not fight against flesh and blood.  Eph. 6:10-17 

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 1 Timothy 6:12-13

But the goal of our  instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

Are you being honest with God?

Are you putting on His armor each day?

Are you taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ?

Are you praising Him?

Praise the Lord on your bed at night, praise him when you wake up in the morning, praise him as you prepare breakfast, praise him on your way to work or school, praise him when you gather with other believers. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise”! –Heb. 13:15 [Jim Cymbala}

Lord, I thank You that You have given us everything we need to stand strong against the enemy of our soul.  It is You “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” and I submit myself to You as Your servant.  Help me to always understand who my enemy is and be able to clearly recognize his hand in everything.  I know You do not ever bring confusion on us, but You can confuse the enemy (I Cor. 14:32).  Whenever he tries to cause confusion in my life, I pray You will cause confusion in his camp when I pray.  I know the enemy is no match for You.  You are a God who hears and answers.  All things in our lives work together for good because we love You and are called according to Your purpose.  Thank You for Your armor that we can be equipped with everyday to withstand the schemes of the devil and resist him in the evil day.  You are a very present help in time of need.  We can boldly and confidently come before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and grace for help in our time of need.  We rejoice in You Lord!  We praise Your Holy name!  You are the Holy One of Israel!  Almighty God!  

We writer's will be taking a break and will be back Jan. 16th 2023.  May your time during this season of the remembrance of the birth of Christ bring you into a closer relationship with Him.  

Lyn



Blessed

Friday Nov. 25th -God’s abundant favor!

2:00 PM

 

Friday Nov. 25th

God’s abundant favor!







Read Psalm 65-Psalm 139 1-18

I wonder how do you view your life before the Lord?                                                                                  Do you see each day as a day to serve the Lord with joy?                                                                            Do you know that He has a plan for your life and will help you to live it?

We are chosen! He knit us together in our mother’s wombs. He is intimately acquainted with us.  When I am feeling down or unworthy, I remember that I am not here by chance and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by Almighty God.  He chose me to live at this particular time and place.  His goodness satisfies my soul and there is plenty enough for all.  It is always ready and we cannot put a price tag on it. It is only through faith and prayer and being in constant communication with Him.  He is where we find our comfort, and happiness.

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:16-17

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:3-4

But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him. Psalms 4:3

We are blessed!   Throughout my day I can see the Lord’s blessings on me and I praise Him!  Even through the hard days I can see His blessings.  I love the chorus of this song Count your blessings:

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You.
Selah. Psalms 84:4

We are filled with good things!  He is the fountain of life and He is always with us.  We have a hope and a future.  He is coming again!

They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light. Psalms 36:8-9

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns. Psalms 46:4-5

Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3  There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:1-7

Do you realize that you are chosen?                                                                                                        Are you counting your blessing every day?                                                                                              Do you know your future?

 

Father, You chose us and You knit us together in our mother’s womb.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You delight in us and we can see your blessings over us each day of our lives.  Even when the days are tough You are still with us and we may not see what You are doing immediately but we can rest assured that You are working all things together for our good.  Help us to stop and acknowledge You and praise You for Your provisions for us and that You never leave us nor forsake us.  We rejoice in knowing that You are coming again and we will spend eternity with You.  Amen!

Lyn