Sunday Psalms 5

Posted on November 7, 2022 by Marie

Hear my words, LORD. My King and my GOD. I lift my prayers to You. Sometimes my words are just sounds, yet You still hear my prayers every morning.

You do not allow wicked people to live near You. You hate all who are evil, who think they are better than You. You destroy liars and murderers.

I bow down before You. I worship and adore You. You have chosen me and made the way stright before me. My enemies are lost and cannot find their way. They speak lies and death is in their words. Judge them, LORD. Let their own words convict them of their sin and rebellion against You.

All who live in Your protection will rejoice & sing. You are praised by all who love You. Put Your shield of favor over Your chosen, O LORD!

Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words. You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the NIV Bible.

What IF …

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Marie

When was the last time you looked back a situation and said, “What if… ?”

From the time we’re very young we start having ‘regrets’. We start thinking what if I had not said that. What if I had not done that. What if I had chosen something different. Regret is one of the most common, negative feelings human beings experience.

Everyone has regrets! Psalm 51 is a prayer about David’s regret over adultery and murder. And what about Peter? When he realized what he had done he went away and wept bitterly, Luke 22:61-62. (Can you even imagine what Jesus’ long glance did to him?)

The good thing about having regret is it shows we’re paying attention to our shortcomings, yes, even our sins. It’s knowing that something went wrong, something’s not right. Thinking what could I have done instead of what I did prepares us for the next time the situation occurs.

But then… Get rid of it! Take it to the cross and leave it there. Quit mulling over it and over it and over it… (satan loves that because it takes our focus off Jesus). Pray David’s prayer:

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

(Click on the picture above to hear Keith Green’s beautiful rendition of this prayer.)

I’m joining many others at 5-Minute Friday. Join us there!

Psalm 3

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Marie

David wrote Psalm 3 during a time of great persecution. His confidence in the LORD is very evident in this Psalm. He was able be courageous and strong because He knew the Word and the promises in it.

LORD, I have so many enemies that are against me. They are saying You will not deliver me. I know better than that. You are my shield, my glory, the One who lifts me up. When I call out to You, wonder of all wonders, You answer from Your home on high.

When I rest, You sustain me and keep me safe. Even though it feels like thousands are attacking from every side I will not fear. You will deliver me by giving them a punch in the jaw.

From You comes deliverance and blessings on your people. (My personal transliteration of Psalm 3.)

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Psalm 8

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Marie

Let’s look at another of David’s Songs. This one is dedicated to the director of music. That would lead me to think that it was either accompanied by instruments of the time or the words were set to music for use during worship.

This Psalm, gives me great peace when I need to be calmed down. Just knowing that God is in control makes life a little easier.

PSALM 8

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and stars, which You have set in place,

What is man that Your are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet;

All flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

O Lord, mighty, majestic, all-powerful and all-knowing. Hear our prayers and praises. Forgive our pettiness and selfishness. Heal and restore as only You can. Help us all to love as You love. I lift this prayer before the Throne in Jesus’ Precious and Holy name.

Fear is …

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Marie

Ray and I went to see After Earth this weekend. It was not well reviewed by the critics but we’ve found many good to great movies by not paying attention to those who think it’s their job to tear everything down. The story line is about a father and son relationship. It’s about how to overcome fear and totally depend on someone who knows and loves you. I was delighted and amazed to see so many Bible ‘threads’ in a 2 hour space. Biblical themes like honor your father and mother, covered and protected by the wings of an eagle, do exactly what the Father says and you will succeed, and FEAR NOT.

English: There is no fear, until we make it up. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I want to look at this concept of fear not today. Did you know these words are repeated 365 times in the Word. That’s not a coincidence. God knows this world is a fearful and fearsome place. He knows that every day comes with it’s own circumstances and challenges and that these can produce fear in us. In Psalm 23 David says, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil…” How can he say that with such trust? He knows the One who protects, defends and loves. He knows God’s characteristics. He knows the One and Only will not let him down.

Fear is an emotional reaction to an unknown result. It can paralyze us. It can cause us to want to hide. It can keep us from realizing our Kingdom purpose. It can make us bitter and mean. IF WE LET IT!

When God says FEAR NOT! He’s saying quit looking at what could be and look at what is. He’s saying I’m right here, hold on, look up, you can count on Me.

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It does not say I can do this alone, it says depend on ME! From Genesis to Revelation there is constant proof that when we depend on God we have nothing to fear. He has our back (our front, our side, all that we can and can’t see). FEAR NOT!

Worship Him with music! He Will Make A Way

Ah, Lord, God, I am counting on You. Create in me a spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control. Whenever I enter the valley of fear shine Your light on me. Make it so, Lord!