Forgive me, help me do what is right. Help me to speak and know Your truth, to never lie about others or harm my neighbors in any way, and to never speak against my friends.
I will despise all evil. I will honor and respect You! I will not change my witness. I will give without expecting anything in return. I will never speak against an innocent person. I will do the work You have given me with honesty and integrity.
Give me the strength to stand and never be moved!
Sunday Psalms are the Psalms in my own words. You can click on the Psalm number at the top to read it from the English Standard Version.
Did you know that Jesus said the exact words to Peter at the beginning and the end of their relationship? “Follow me!”
When I was a child we often sang a delightful song with the words, “I Will Make You Fishers of Men“. Even today, so many years past childhood, I can still sing the words and hear the melody in my mind.
Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee when he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew fishing in the lake. He said to them, “Follow Me and we’ll fish for people.” And so they did, immediately. Further on down the road he came upon James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were in the boat with their father. Jesus said the same thing to them, “Follow Me” and they did, immediately. That little story, in my own words, is found in Matthew 4:18-22.
Let’s travel three years into the future. The four have followed Jesus faithfully, fully immersed in His journey. They have watched Him closely, learned from Him, shared His words with others, been at the Cross with Him and He is about to return to the Father. In this scene, we find them once again by the side of a lake. Jesus has cooked them breakfast and when they are done eating He says to Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answers, “You know I love You!” This went on two more times, each time Peter answered positively and Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep (or lambs)”. It was very important for Peter to understand what his future was to be about, but something even more important is said at the end of this conversation. Jesus tells Peter what his death will be like and then He says, “Follow Me!” (John 21:15-19)
Why did Jesus say these words again? He knew Peter so well and knew that he needed reminding that it’s not about him. To follow Him, Peter would have to take himself out of the picture. It’s the same message for us. We are to follow Him and forget ourselves. From the beginning to the end of our relationship with Him, it must be all about HIM.
Heavenly Father, teach us to make this life all about You. Teach us to put others first. Teach us to serve those around us. Oh, LORD, teach us!
What are we truly worth? Is our worth based on age, wealth, education, appearance…? All of these and more are based on what others think of us. But, what does God think?
Here’s the bottom line. Our worth, to Him, is beyond any human value we can imagine. Our worth is and was worth His Only Son. (John 3:16)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
He is the Father of Lights with whom there is no change or variation. James 1:17
Abba, Father, thank You for creating me as one of Your children. Help me remember I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image. Keep me mindful that any worth I have is because You gave Jesus for me. You are a Good, Good, Father!
Yesterday, I went to give my sweet friend a Sunday hug. I do it every Sunday morning we are both there. It was different this time! Her son had passed away and she needed me, more than I needed the assurance of her loving touch. She shared something I will never forget. During the final hours of her child’s life, she sat with him, alone. Certainly not willing to give back the gift she had been given 51 years before, but definitely willing to love and support him as she had done throughout the years of his life. She knew she did not want to be alone and she also knew she wasn’t because God, whom she had known and served all of her life, was with her. During the waiting hours, God sent another of her sons and his wife to walk alongside. God knew her need and provided exactly what He knew was necessary to give her the strength she needed for that moment in time and in the days ahead.
Don’t you love this about God? He knows every single thing we need and He provides it when we need it. David talks about this in the 23rd Psalm.
He gives us everything we need because all of it is His. More than He gives but He wants to give. He sees the need before we know there is one.
Oh yes, God will and does provide however, He wants us to be listening for His voice in ways we can walk alongside others. Sometimes, when I’m thinking of something else He puts a name in my mind. The first time I send up a prayer. If it happens again I give them a call or text and let them know I prayed and ask if they need anything. He gives many opportunities. We need only listen to His still, small (sometimes shouting) voice.
Abba, Father, how thankful I am that You are always walking alongside us. Help me to know when I need to be doing the same for one of my sisters or brothers. Open my heart and cause me to hear Your voice. Give me the strength and courage to follow through. Let Jesus be seen in me!
A Satisfied Spirit 
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