Monthly Archives: January 2015

Are you thirsty for the LORD?

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 42, Psalms

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Reading:                                 Psalm 42

For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

(Verses 1-5)

As the deer pants for streams of water,     

so my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.     

When can I go and meet with God?

My tears have been my food day and night,

while people say to me all day long,     

“Where is your God?”

These things I remember as I pour out my soul:

how I used to go to the house of God     

under the protection of the Mighty One

with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast?     

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,     

my Savior and my God. (NIV)

 Reflection

Thirst is one of our most basic cravings. Our need for water far exceeds our need for food. The human body can go 60 days or more without food, but only about ten days without water. Your body needs water because it is water. About two thirds, (2/3) of your body weight is water.

Lake Placid, NY --- David Kitz

Lake Placid, NY — David Kitz

But you are more than skin filled with bones and water. Paul, the apostle, closes his first letter to the Thessalonians with this prayer, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (Thessalonians 5:23).

As Paul states, we are spirit, soul and body. By nature—by God’s design—you are two thirds, (2/3) spiritual. You are more than a collection of molecules. You are a living soul with a spirit that was designed and intended to commune with God. Therefore, just as our physical body thirsts for water, so our spiritual man thirsts for God.

This should be our constant prayer, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Are you thirsting for God? The truth is we all thirst for God. Some of us know how to mask our thirst or we substitute other things for the true living water. But the thirst remains. We need to heed Jesus’ invitation. On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37).

Response: LORD God, I thank you for Jesus. I am thankful that you are the true water of life and when we drink of your Spirit, springs of water flow from us. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn: Have you tasted the life-changing, life-invigorating water of Christ?

From Betrayal to Triumph

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 41, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 41

 (Verses 7-13)

All my enemies whisper together against me;     

they imagine the worst for me, saying,

“A vile disease has afflicted him;     

he will never get up from the place where he lies.”

Even my close friend, someone I trusted,

one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

But may you have mercy on me, LORD;     

raise me up, that I may repay them.

I know that you are pleased with me,     

for my enemy does not triumph over me.  

Because of my integrity you uphold me     

and set me in your presence forever.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,     

from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and Amen. (NIV)

Reflection

This concluding portion of Psalm 41 comes with a prophetic twist. You need not take my word for it. As he sat with his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus himself said he was fulfilling the words of this psalm.

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me” (John 13:18-21).

Bethesda, Central Park, NYC -- David Kitz

Bethesda, Central Park, NYC — David Kitz

The psalmist, David experienced the heartbreak of betrayal. It was betrayal of the worst kind. Not only did David’s friends turn on him, but his own son, Absalom, sought to snatch the throne in a bloody coup—an act of open rebellion. See 2 Samuel 15-18.

David was betrayed by his son, Absalom; Jesus was betrayed by his friend and disciple, Judas Iscariot. But Jesus stayed loyal to his heavenly Father. He willingly went to the cross when he could have resisted arrest. He rebuked Peter for using his sword. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:52-53).

Jesus experienced the resurrection truth of David’s words. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.

Response: LORD, I thank you for Jesus. Through Jesus I can overcome all things, even betrayal.  Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced betrayal? Has the LORD upheld your cause?

David Kitz on Restoring Health: A Great Deal to be Learned and Applied…

16 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalms

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You may well enjoy this short review I did of Ed Hird’s book.

edhird's avatarEdhird's Blog

This book is an up close examination of the Apostle Paul’s short New Testament letter to Titus. Titus was sent to the Isle of Crete to provide oversight to the fledgling church that had been established there. Ed Hird has thoroughly researched his topic and provides a wealth of information on the pirate life style that was prevalent on the island during the first century. He then draws some striking parallels with the unhealthy life style of North Americans today. Titus was a transformational leader and personal transformation can occur if the truths found in Titus are applied.

There is a great deal that can be learned and applied to body, mind and spirit within these pages of Restoring Health: body, mind and spirit.

David Kitz

DKZ Productions

-author of Psalms Alive

Psalms Alive!

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Regard for the Weak

13 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 41, Psalm 41, Psalms

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Reading:                                    Psalm 41

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

(Verses 1-6)

Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;     

the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.

The LORD protects and preserves them—     

they are counted among the blessed in the land—     

he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.

 The LORD sustains them on their sickbed     

and restores them from their bed of illness.

I said, “Have mercy on me, LORD;     

heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

My enemies say of me in malice,     

“When will he die and his name perish?”

When one of them comes to see me,  

he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;     

then he goes out and spreads it around. (NIV)

Reflection

Psalm 41 reminds us that compassion and empathy are at the core of what it means to be a follower of the LORD. David begins this psalm with this declaration, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak.”

Old Orchard Beach, ME -- David Kitz

Old Orchard Beach, ME — David Kitz

Social justice and care for the poor are not small matters in eyes of LORD. Ancient Israel was destroyed and went into exile because of their disregard for the poor. The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the LORD, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 3:14-15).

Why is regard for the weak so pivotal in having a right relationship with God? Lack of care or empathy for the needy is based on a kind of self-deception. In arrogance we see ourselves as better than those who are weak or needy. Yet if we examine ourselves, we have all gone through times when we were weak and needy. Our current state of self-sufficiency can come to an end in a moment.

This morning I very nearly hit a pedestrian as she rushed across the street. I sounded my horn thinking she was in error. A quick glance showed she was crossing with the walk light. I was the one in error. I had completely missed a red light. I was the one in need of correction and forgiveness.

Are you doing well now? Praise God. The day will come when you need His help and protection. Do you see someone in need? Help as you are able. The day will come when you will need forgiveness and the help that you have offered others.

Response: LORD God, forgive me when I have looked down on others in need. Open my eyes to someone I may help today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Your Turn: How do you keep yourself from the deception of pride?

Saving Grace for the Days Ahead

05 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Psalm 40, Psalms

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Reading:                                     Psalm 40

 (Verses 11-17)

Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;     

may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

For troubles without number surround me;     

my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.  

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say, 

“The LORD is great!”

 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. (NIV)

Reflection

David begins Psalm 40 by praising the LORD for rescuing him from the slimy pit of the past. But David ends this psalm with a fresh appeal for God’s mercy. Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

Monarch Butterfly -- David Kitz

Monarch Butterfly — David Kitz

As we begin a new year, it is only fitting that we take time to praise God for what He has done for us in the past. Let us never forget that the LORD’s faithfulness has brought us to this point. We are not where we are today because of our own cleverness or ability. Every talent we have is a gift from God; every breath we take is a gift from the Giver of Life.

Yet again David appeals for God’s salvation. Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

By the grace of God I have experienced an initial point of salvation, just like David, but my salvation needs to be renewed from time to time. We all need to experience fresh surges of God’s grace and love. Grace (charis) in the full New Testament sense means much more than just unmerited favour. It means we are recipients of God’s providential gifting and power to live a maximized life under His caring guidance. There’s something supernatural about grace. It goes beyond human ability or ingenuity because it comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. When we call out to Him as David did, we are tapping into an ocean full of help, strength and possibilities beyond fathoming.

May that grace, that charis of God, be with you and upon you in 2015.

Response: LORD God, I need you as I face the year ahead. Equip me with divine grace for each day through the love and power of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you experienced God’s grace in the past year?