Tag Archives: Jesus

Sunday Psalm 16

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Psalm 16

LORD, protect me! You are all that is good in me.

Your people are a great joy to me. I refuse to recognize any who choose any GOD but You.

I have chosen You and know You have a beautiful plan and purpose for me.

Thank You for Your word! I am secure both day and night in it.

I will follow Your way. You are always with me! I will not fear what is to come. I am secure in You. I know heaven is waiting.

You are my Lifeguide, my Joy-giver! You are my happiness forever!

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.

Sunday Psalm 15

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Psalm 15

Father, help me do and be all You want.

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.

Follow Me

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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!

Revised and reprinted from July 2, 2014

True Worth

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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)

I am a child of God. It does not matter what the world says about me. I am His and He is mine! That will never change because God does not change His mind.

I am the Lord and I do not change. Malachi 3:6

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!