Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

Isn't it odd how we tend to beat ourselves up because this 'Christian life' doesn't come easy to us? I mean, we accepted Jesus as our Savior and then spend so much time stressing because we fell back into a sin that we thought we'd defeated.

We get upset when we miss that opportunity, that is now hindsight, to speak to someone about Jesus.

Yet in Psalm 119:30 we read,

"I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by Your regulations." NLT

Yes, salvation is immediate, but all this other stuff.....it's a choice. Sometimes daily, sometimes second by second. "I have chosen to be faithful...." It doesn't read, 'I am faithful'.

"I have determined to live by Your regulations"...not, 'Living by Your regulations is so easy'.

When I determine in my mind to do something, I am focused, not looking to the right or the left, nose to the grindstone till I see it to the end. For me, if I have to get determined to do something, it's probably something that is difficult and needs 100% of my attention.

But isn't that what being a Christian is all about?

If we don't stay focused on Christ, then we are going to fall back into the sin that so easily tempts us. If our vision strays to the right or the left, then we begin to not see sin for what it truly is...we lose our concentration.

Our walk with Christ is a daily effort, a daily choice and it is through that choice to be faithful and determination that will draw us into that closer walk that we all desire. It won't necessarily make it easier, but it sure will make the journey more enjoyable!

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

I found this verse while reading a few weeks ago, wrote it down on a piece of paper intending to do a Psalm Saturday post that week with it. For whatever reason at the time, I didn't use it, didn't think anymore about it.

While going through some things today, I found the Scripture and looked it up again. I realize now that I didn't post it previous because it wasn't time.

Now is time:

"O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as You, O Lord? You are entirely faithful."
Psalm 89:8, NLT

I have found myself in a bit of a Jacob situation over the last several months. Not fighting an angel, but fighting God. Trying to get Him to do things my way on my time with no requirement of myself. Kind of a 'if You'll do this, I'll do that' type of thing. Guess what I've learned?

God isn't in the bargaining business.

Now, I knew that and I knew it well, but I had allowed satan to creep in and convince me that if God truly had my best at heart, He wouldn't have a problem meeting my request.....(demands). Oh, how he had me deceived!!!

But glory to God He didn't give up or walk away!! He proved faithful, mighty and strong.....victorious!!!!!! He got my attention..finally...and was able to show me it's not about bargains or compromise, it's about faithfulness...MY faithfulness to Him..nothing less.

Praise to Him Who loves me just as I am but refuses to leave me that way!!!!

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

As I was spending time reading in the Word this week, I tried especially hard to slow down and allow God the time to speak to me or to draw me. I am so guilty of treating my quiet time as something to check off of my to-do list so I can move on to something else. Thankfully, conviction has poured down on me, repentance came and now I must learn a new way.

I found myself pausing at Psalm 73. I could see so much of myself in that Psalm!

Now, I could type out the whole Psalm because all of it applies, but I decided to just share the verses that particularly hit home.

"Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain."
Psalm 73:12-14, NLT

Do you ever find yourself wallowing in that self pity that seems to consume every fiber of your being? You know, "Lord, I do all I can for You. I do this and that and I help so and so and I don't go here or there and I witness and share and I'm repentant and obedient.....and yet we don't have two dimes to rub together. My car..house..clothes...husband...kids aren't as grand as all those people who don't even acknowledge Your existence!! WHY??????? (in a very whiny voice!!)"

That's how chapter 73 begins. Everybody's evil, running around doing wrong, yet their pockets are full. They don't get sick, they don't struggle. They just eat, drink and be merry and self-serving.

Whine, complain, whine, complain.

But then Asaph chose to do the right and wise thing....he went to God's sanctuary...his prayer closet..and began to talk to God, to seek out the truth, to find some kind of understanding to what he saw going on around him. He realized that God was laughing at these people who thought they had it all...they'd arrived!!

Asaph realized how he'd let his anger and bitterness get out of control and immediately confessed his sin and began to praise God and recognize that even though he'd acted like a horse's pitooty, he still belonged to God. God still loved him and was holding on to him. He realized that everything on this earth was going to fade, health, riches..but God is forever!!

"Father, forgive me for the times I whine and complain that my life is pitiful in comparison to others. Thank You for reminding me that all that matters is obedience to You because You are forever!!"

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge."
Psalms 62:5, NLT

I find myself truly needing to not only commit this passage to memory, but to chant it everyday..many times a day. A mantra of sorts, yes, but the truth is that I tend to let satan feed me lie after lie. I tend to fall into those poor me pity parties that show a lack of faith in a powerful God.

I find myself running around trying to "fix" every little problem that comes along; my own problems, DH's, DD's, DS's, my best girlfriends..the list can go on and on and often does.

I find I don't like the quiet. When it is totally quiet, my problems and the problems of those I love scream at me. When it's totally quiet, I find myself making mountains out of molehills.

If only...if only I would live this incredible nugget of wisdom from God's Holy Word.

To wait quietly before the One that loves me...just because.

To fully believe that my hope, my honor, my victory comes from God alone.

To know that I have a Refuge where no enemy can reach me. Gossip cannot reach me. Financial trouble cannot reach me. Lies cannot reach me. Doubt cannot reach me.

I only have to do 3 things; 1) Pour out my heart to Him 2) Trust in Him at all times 3) Wait quietly before Him.

"Yes Father. This I will do. This I will learn. This I will believe for You and You alone are my fortress where I will not be shaken because I have victory in You and You alone."

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear..." Psalm 46:1-2a, NLT

As I was reading in Psalms this week, I had to pause here. Even now as I type this post out, this brings even a different encouragement to me.

I found myself thinking of all the times I felt that life was out of control. The times I was without hope..alone. I remembered that even though in the moment I felt alone, God was there. My Refuge. My Strength.

This past Wednesday when my Dad had his heart surgery we almost lost him twice. God was there. My Refuge. My Strength.

Always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear.....

Oh, to be able to put this to memory (which I have already) but to call on it in the midst of the storm!!!! To fully realize that there is no need to fear because He is my Strength, my Safe Place, my Father...

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

Everyday I try to spend some time reading in Psalms. I can see myself in so much of the Psalms.

For example, one minute I'm whining and complaining about my situation and throwing the biggest pity party known to man, and the next minute I'm jumping around and praising my Father for His wonderful greatness. Talk about your high highs and low lows!!!.....

It brings me a measure of comfort, though, knowing that even great men and women of God struggled with being on the mountain top one moment and in the valley the next.

David is a prime example of that and God called him a man after God's own heart; that means there is still hope for me........

Even though the Psalm I chose to share today isn't from David, I love how it reminded me that God is the One in command of what happens to me. I cannot trust in things of this world to save me, God is the One who gives me victory over my enemies and over the world!!

"You are my King and my God. You command victories for Israel. Only by Your power can we push back our enemies; only in Your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the One Who gives us victory over our enemies; You disgrace those who hate us. O God, we give glory to You all day long and constantly praise your name."
Psalm 44:4-8, NLT

.....Father help me to remember that I cannot trust in my bow (material things, wealth, being "good" enough) to save me, You are the One Who brings victory into my life!!

Psalm Saturday

Time to join my friend Collette again over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.
Join us this week as we share how something in the Psalms spoke to us.....

"He assigned the sea it's boundaries......"
Psalm 33:7a, NLT

I love the ocean. You can look as far as the eye can see and all you see is sky and water.

While I'm standing on the beach, I realize just how small I am and how big my God is.

Digging my toes into the sand, I simply cannot wrap my mind around the fact that God, MY God, knows how many grains are lying there.....let that sink in for a moment.

Then, while reading in Psalm 33 this week I came across the above verse and that got my mind to racing.

I found myself thinking that the tide rolls in and out, but it only goes so far. Why?
How does it know that "this" is far enough?
How do the waves know that "this" is far enough?
There is nothing to make a barrier, it could keep rolling and rolling, but it doesn't.

Why?

Because God has total control over it and it obeys His command.

I need to be like that very ocean that I love so much.

God gives me freedom and He allows me to roll here and roll there. But unlike the ocean, I try to keep control and ignore His commands and pretty soon I find myself completely in a mess and creating problems for myself and those around me.

I've flooded this area and made a mess and I've let that area dry up and made another mess.

...Help me to realize Father, that if I'd just be obedient and let you have control that I can enjoy 'rolling' with You, just like that big ole' ocean.

Psalm Saturday

Today I join my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday. Why don't you join us in sharing how the book of Psalms spoke to you this week?

Rebellion. Guilt. Disobedience.

So many things can put a wall up between us and God. It doesn't have to be something BIG either...just a "small" little sin can drive a wedge between us and the One Who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Why?

Because in God's eyes sin is sin. No big sins and little sins. God just sees sin.

Many, many times in my life, when God has felt so distant to me, I've realized that it was me that had moved. He is so patient and loves us so much that He would never turn His back and walk away.

I've heard many people say that God is a God of second chances..but my friends, that is not true...not for me anyway.

For me, He is the God of millionth chances!!!!...and I am SO thankful for that!!

Whatever would I do if He walked away from me even after the 10th or 20th chance???

And while He is waiting, all He wants us to do is confess that sin. Confess that rebellion and disobedience. When we do that...

He lifts those burdens and releases us into a freedom that I don't believe words can express.

While reading in Psalm 32 this week, verses 1-5 spoke to my heart and as I read I came across that familiar ink marking of mine. The date read 9/6/07....almost 2 years ago I was reading in this same Bible and God spoke this same Scripture to me.

Isn't it amazing that God's Word is so alive that it can speak to us again and again and again!!!

"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in completer honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' and You forgave me! All my guilt is gone." NLT

How awesome...forgiven, washed and guilt free!!!

Psalm Saturday

It's time for Psalm Saturday again and that means joining my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums to share a Psalm or portion of that has spoken to us this week.

I'm in Psalm 27 this week.

If you've been keeping up with my posts this week, you know that I've been fighting a great battle and, while the wounds were not fatal, they almost were. I've been angry and hurt at so many people but the worst of all was the anger and hurt I shot towards my Father.....

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation-so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my Fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." (verses 1-3, NLT)

How I wish that when I was attacked, I would have picked up the Word and fought back!! Lesson learned...I hope..

"Teach me how to live, O Lord."
(verse 11a, NLT)

My prayer...teach me how to live Father so I don't find myself in the place I was earlier this week, ever again.

"Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
(verse 14, NLT)

This is what I must do, be patient, waiting on God because He is my Fortress, my Protector.

I must remember.....

Psalm Saturday

Today I join with my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday. This is a time when we share a Psalm or portion of, that has spoken to us this week.

Why not join us in sharing your Psalm of the week?!

I am an avid writer in my Bible. I underline, date, make notes...when God really shows me something in His Word....I mark it. Over the years I have reread many things that have been underlined or marked in my Bible and many times, that same Scripture will speak to me again.
This week as I was reading in Psalms, I came across some verses that I had underlined. It's a prayer that David prayed and now, if you'll allow me, I'd like to pray a portion of it over my bloggy friends....

"In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. May He grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers." Psalm 20:1-5, NLT

Psalm Saturday

On Saturday's I join my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.

A Psalm Saturday post will consist of a Psalm or a portion of one that spoke to you at some point throughout the week.

How about joining Collette and sharing your Psalm for this week??

Psalm 13

" O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!" Don't let them rejoice at my downfall. But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me." NLT

There are times when I am like David. Everything just seems to be crashing in all around me. I feel like satan is attacking me on every level from every angle. I feel like for every step I take forward, I slide two back.

At those times, I too, cry out to God..wondering if He's forgotten me or left me alone to be devoured by that roaring lion. It seems that no matter what I do..how much I pray, praise, or stay in the Word, satan is victorious over me.

But then I reminded, where is my faith? In Whom do I trust?

In those times I must remember that if He never poured out another blessing, my salvation is blessing enough. He rescued me from the very pit of hell!! How much more do I require???
God has been so faithful, even when things didn't go the way I wanted them to, because His way was better.

I will sing and praise Him. Why??

Because He is good to me......

Psalm Saturday

I'm joining up again with my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums for Psalm Saturday.

Each Saturday we share a Psalm or a portion of a Psalm that has spoken to us this week.

This week I found myself in the Psalms quite often and while I was doing my devotions yesterday morning, read Psalm 9.

I have had quite a burden on my heart for some of the co-workers of my teens. Not only these particular teens and young adults, but others that I know of as well.

Satan has waged such a war against them and for some reason, many of them are finding themselves giving in to the lies and temptations that the enemy is feeding them. It truly makes me angry to watch them suffer so much at the hand of their own choices when they don't have to!!

Many profess to know Jesus as Savior and yet, for some reason, cannot seem to turn away from the lure of the devil.

Even those of us that enjoy a close walk with our Father, will still find ourselves from time to time caught up in the web of deceit that satan weaves for us.

If we could just grab hold of these verses and apply them to our memory and to our lives:

"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You."
Psalm 9:9-10, NLT

As I've mentioned before, all of God's promises come with a condition that needs to be met on our part.

He is our shelter, our refuge and He will not abandon us IF we trust in His name and search for Him.

God is such a gentleman that He is not going to force Himself on us, but if we will just search for Him and trust Him, we are guaranteed shelter and refuge from the battles that we fight each and every day.

What peace it brings to know that just releasing everything to the One Who can take care of all our worries and burdens is just a trust away.

Psalm Saturday

I am joining my friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums again this Saturday for Psalm Saturday.

Like Collette, I really love the book of Psalms. There is so much to be gleaned from this book, so many instances of cries being poured out to God and God, being God, coming to the rescue and holding tightly to His children.

One of my favorite verses is Psalms 19:14,

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NLT)

I have committed this to memory simply because it is a daily prayer of mine.

The words of my mouth are not always pleasing to God. Oh how I can get caught up in the moment, feeling like I'm being stretched in 12 different directions and then one unsuspecting person can ask a simple question and there I go....belting out frustration and anger on someone who is innocent.

Then there is the prayer request gossip...you know what I mean..."Oh, by the way, remember Sister So & So when you pray. Her son, Brother By & By, is having marital problems....."

And of course there is just the plain idol words that I speak that will in no way encourage or grow the Kingdom of God.

Worse than the words of my mouth is the meditations of my heart.

Oh boy......we have a saying in our house, "Garbage in, garbage out". Plain enough. What is in my heart? Is it the things of God? Things that are pure and holy or things that would make make my Father want to vomit?? I'm figuring if I can turn over the meditations of my heart to God, then the words of my mouth will be cleaned up as well..remember..garbage in, garbage out.

All I want is to be pleasing to the One Who sacrificed His everything for my filthy soul. How about you? Let me encourage you to adopt Psalm 19:14 as one of your daily prayers.....then join me in committing to allow God to annoint our meditations and words.

Psalm Saturday

My friend Collette over at Jesus Loves Mums has decided that on Saturday's she will be posting on one of the Psalms..or a portion of...and what it has said to her.

I thought that would be an awesome way for us to study and share God's Word.

I asked if she minded if I joined in and she warmly said no and has invited anyone who would like to join her as well.

I love the Psalms. David, one of the men who wrote Psalms, was called a 'Man after God's own heart', yet he struggled just as we do.

Solomon, Moses, other writers of Psalms, struggled just as much and these were strong men of God!! How encouraging to those of us who seem to continually beat ourselves up when we stumble!!

I chose Psalms 128 this Saturday....specifically verse 1:

"How joyfull are those who fear the Lord-all who follow His ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord's blessings for those who fear Him. May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandcildren. May Israel have peace!" NLT

Have you noticed that all of God's promises come with a condition? He will always keep His promises to us, but we have to do our part. Don't we do that with our own children?

"If you'll get your room cleaned up, we'll go to the park!"

"If you'll eat all your veggies, you can have some ice cream!"

Here is the condition...our part, if you will.." How joyful are those who fear the Lord-all who follow His ways!


If we follow His ways, we will be joyful (v1), we will enjoy the fruit of our labor (v2), wives will flourish within the home (v3), children will be vigorous (v3).

What tremendous blessings if we are just obedient to the One Who has breathed life into us!

How about joining Collette? What Psalm from God's Word has spoken to you this week?