Mightier Than the Thunder 

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 93 (NIV)*

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the L
ORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.
The seas have lifted up, LORD,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the L
ORD on high is mighty.
Your statutes, LORD, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.

Reflection

What things in this world are majestic? As I write this post, I’m looking out across my front lawn where a squirrel is cavorting about. Are squirrels majestic? Certainly not in my opinion. In the animal kingdom perhaps lions or stallions are majestic in their bearing. Snow-covered mountain peaks may be majestic, but squirrels not so much.

Here in Psalm 93 the psalmist is trying to capture in words the might and majesty of the LORD. Surely, this is an impossible task, but the psalmist makes a valiant effort. His thoughts turn to the vast power of the sea. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty (v. 4).

Of course, the might of the LORD is incomparable. How can the power of the sea be compared to the power of the One who created the sea? The comparison breaks down; it is not valid. We grasp at straws when we try to capture the majesty and glory of the LORD.

According to the psalmist two things stand firm and secure, the world and the statutes of the LORD. How firm are the laws of the LORD established in your mind? In a world where moral relativism rules the day, absolutes are shunned. What may be deemed right, and good today may be judged as unacceptable or reprehensible tomorrow. In our society it seems the opinion of the fickle masses determines what is good. God’s opinion—His statutes matter little.

But in reality—in this thing called eternity—there are things that never change. There are absolutes. On the day we die, ready or not, we will know and experience the absolutes of God. The unchanging God has not thrown out His moral law with yesterday’s garbage. The psalmist declares, “Your statutes, LORD, stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days” (v. 5).

Response

LORD God, I want your holiness to adorn my house and my heart. Help me to conform to your will and your ways, rather than the other way around. You are my Lord. Reign on sovereign LORD. Reign in glorious majesty. Amen.

Your Turn

What does God’s majesty mean to you? What makes God beautiful in your eyes?


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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 92: 9-15(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
daily I want to grow more in love with you.
Grant me a settled heart.
I want my life to bear fruit that will bring honor to you.
Help me to radiate your goodness and beauty.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

While Jesus was in one of the towns,
a man came along who was covered with leprosy.
When he saw Jesus,
he fell with his face to the ground and begged him,
“Lord, if you are willing,
you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.
“I am willing,” he said.
 “Be clean!”
And immediately the leprosy left him.

Then Jesus ordered him,
“Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest
and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,
as a testimony to them.”

Yet the news about him spread all the more,
so that crowds of people came to hear him
and to be healed of their sicknesses.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
(Luke 5:12-16).

* * *

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit.

(1 John 4:13 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

A Flourishing Tree

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 92:9-15 (NIV)*

For surely your enemies, LORD,
    surely your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
   he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Reflection

God’s people have been called or compared to many things. Often, we are likened to sheep—the sheep of the LORD’s pasture. But here in Psalm 92 we are likened to trees, the palm tree, the cedar, and various fruit trees.

There is a striking parallel between the tree analogy found in this psalm and a similar analogy found in Psalm 1. In both cases the righteous are compared to trees. That person [the righteous] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:3)

By its very nature, there is something very settled about a tree. Unlike a sheep, a tree is not prone to wander. Trees flourish or perish where they have taken root. Have you been planted in the house of the LORD? Are you staying fresh and green and flourishing in the courts of our God?   

Fruitfulness begins with flowering. Is your relationship with God in the flowering stage? Have you fallen in love with Him—so in love that you radiate beauty? Are you and the message you bear attractive? Have you made yourself attractive because of your love for the Lord?

What about fruit? Are the fruits of the Spirit beginning to appear on your branches? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

I can’t speak for you, but I would rather be a flourishing, fruit-bearing tree in the courts of the LORD than a wayward sheep.

Response

 LORD God, daily I want to grow more in love with you. Grant me a settled heart. I want my life to bear fruit that will bring honor to you. Help me to radiate your goodness and beauty. Amen.

Your Turn

How attractive is the message you bear? What signals are you sending out into the world?


bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 92: 1-8(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
every morning I want to praise you.
Thank you for the gift of music.
Help me use my voice and every talent you have given me
to express my praise to you.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Calls His First Disciples

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,
 the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.
 
He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen,
who were washing their nets.
 
He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
and asked him to put out a little from shore.
Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.
But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so,
they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
 
So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them,
and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this,
he fell at Jesus’ knees and said,
“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
 
For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,

 and so were James and John,
the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon,
“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

 So they pulled their boats up on shore,
left everything and followed him.
(Luke 5:1-11).

* * *

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit.

(1 John 4:13 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Make Music to God

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 92:1-8 (NIV)*

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
It is good to praise the LORD
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, L
ORD,
    how profound your thoughts!
Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
that though the wicked spring up like grass
    and all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.
But you, LORD, are forever exalted.

Reflection

Why is music such a central part of the Christian worship experience? For the answer to that question, we need to look no further than the opening lines of Psalm 92. It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp (v. 1-3).

To put it simply, praising the LORD is a good thing. Making music to honor the name of the Most High is a wholesome expression of our love for God. Furthermore, the LORD approves the use of musical instruments. The harp and the lyre are mentioned here, but there is no scriptural reason to limit the use of instruments.

Why do men sing love songs? Because they love the woman of their dreams—the object of their affection. The same holds true when we fall in love with God. The LORD becomes the object of our deepest affection. He is worthy of our praise.

Do you need some reasons to praise God? The psalmist provides us with some sound reasons: For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts! (v. 4-5).

If the marvels of creation are insufficient to prompt us to praise, then consider for a moment the wonders of redemption. God sent His only begotten Son to suffer and die on our behalf. He purchased our eternal redemption with the shed blood of Jesus. Oh, what love! What wondrous love! It makes me want to break out in song.

Response

LORD God, every morning I want to praise you. Thank you for the gift of music. Help me use my voice and every talent you have given me to express my praise to you. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you enjoy praising God? Do you save your praise for Sundays or is it expressed daily?


bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

Jesus Heals Many

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 91: 9-16(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD,
you are such a good God.
I don’t deserve your goodness and love
and yet you continually pour out your blessings.
I love you, LORD.
I want to dwell in you now and always.
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals Many

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon.
Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever,
and they asked Jesus to help her.
 
So he bent over her and rebuked the fever,
and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness,
and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting,
“You are the Son of God!”
 But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak,
because they knew he was the Messiah.

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place.
The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was,
they tried to keep him from leaving them.
But he said,
“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also,
because that is why I was sent.”

 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
(Luke 4:38-44).

* * *

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit.

(1 John 4:13 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

We Can Get Satisfaction!

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 91:9-16 (NIV)*

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation”
.

Reflection

Let’s be honest. We all want it. We all want satisfaction. For our sex-obsessed society that can only mean one thing, but personal satisfaction encompasses so many facets of life. I want a satisfying meal when I sit down to dinner this evening. I want satisfactory service at the restaurant, at the auto repair shop and on the plane that I’m catching tomorrow. Above all else I want a satisfying life.

This may come as a surprise to many people, but the simple truth is God wants to give you a satisfying life. Here is the long list of promises that the LORD promises to undertake on your behalf. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation”

In summary, we will be protected and rescued. Our prayers will be answered. We will know God’s presence in times of trouble. And just imagine this; the LORD will honor us. Consider for a moment the implications of that. Furthermore, we are promised eternal salvation, and in the here and now, we will have a long and satisfying life.

That sounds like an amazing offer, and it truly is. But there are two conditions attached. We need say, “The LORD is my refuge.” In other words, we need to confess our dependence on God, and then we must make the Most High our dwelling. We need to live in God, not our own little world, but rather His world with our minds and hearts set on Him. That will take a decision that is renewed daily. Are you ready for that kind of commitment? Are you ready for that kind of satisfaction?

Response

LORD, you are such a good God. I don’t deserve your goodness and love and yet you continually pour out your blessings. I love you, LORD. I want to dwell in you now and always. Amen.

Your Turn

What do you think it means to dwell in God? Is it more than a place of safety?


bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

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Day 4: Wisdom Promised

If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God,
and it will be given to you.

God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.
(James 1:5, CEV)

Reflection

Do you need wisdom? I certainly do. I am sure we can all answer “yes” to that question.

Ah, but what kind of wisdom do you want? There are two kinds on offer: The wisdom of the world, or the wisdom of God.

Paul writes: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. (2 Corinthians 1:12, NIV)

The wisdom of this world draws us away from Christ and his message of grace and redemption. This is so because the wisdom of the world is centered on self—a self that is prone to pride and self-deception. In contrast, the wisdom of God is centered on God, the Creator and Redeemer of all things.

Genuine wisdom in any field of endeavor is a gift from God who is the giver of all good things. Later in this chapter James reminds us of the source of various gifts such as wisdom.

Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing. (James 1:17)

James reminds us that God will answer our prayers for wisdom because he is generous and willing to bestow gifts of wisdom on His children. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking (James 1:5b). By nature, He is a God of grace. Furthermore, He welcomes your requests.

Do I need wisdom? Yes, everyday, and in every way. Situations are constantly arising that call for wisdom. Best of all God is situated beyond time. He knows how every situation will end. He knows the consequences that our actions will set in motion. He knows what will happen tomorrow and ten years from now.

God can guide your steps into paths of wisdom. Solomon prayed for wisdom and God answered his prayer. (See 1 Kings 3:4-15.) Later we read, God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore (1 Kings 4:29).

Response

Lord God, I need your wisdom. You know the end before I even begin. Show me the way forward as I move through my day and all along the path of life. Let your wisdom guide me. Thank you for being a generous God who answers my prayers for wisdom by the mercy of Jesus. Amen.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

 

Satisfy Us in the Morning

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to Psalm 90:13-17 read by Jonathan Dent.

Reading: Psalm 90:13-17 (NIV)*

Relent, LORD! How long will it be?
Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,
your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Response

LORD God, I often become impatient or frustrated with my work. Open my eyes to see how you are working in me and through me as I go about my daily tasks. Help me to have an eternal perspective. Lord, establish the work of my hands. Amen.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II


Take a journey to the cross.


To view further details or purchase click here.


* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 91: 1-8(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD,
you are my shelter in a stormy world.
I am so safe—so very safe—when I am with you.
I want to live each day in the confidence you care for me
as a loving Father cares for His dear child.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee,
and on the Sabbath he taught the people.
They were amazed at his teaching,
because his words had authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon,
an impure spirit.
He cried out at the top of his voice,
 “Go away! What do you want with us,
Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!”
Then the demon threw the man down before them all
and came out without injuring him.

All the people were amazed and said to each other,
“What words these are!
With authority and power
he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”
And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
(Luke 4:31-37).

* * *

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit.

(1 John 4:13 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.