Monthly Archives: January 2016

Turn and Come

18 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Turn and come to my rescue. Show your wonderful love and save me, LORD (Psalm 6:4, CEV).

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Lake Ontario surf – photo by Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is salvation.

In today’s verse from the Psalms, the psalmist pleads with God to, “Turn and come to my rescue.”

Though I don’t doubt the psalmist’s sincerity, I wonder who really needs to do the turning. Does God turn His back on us, or is it we who turn our back on God?

From personal experience I can say I am prone to walk away from God until…

Until I get in trouble, and then I come running back to Him pleading to be rescued.

Fortunately, God continues to show us His wonderful love despite our blunders. He is the LORD, who saves us from ourselves.

Response: LORD God, thank you for being the God of my salvation. You have rescued me over and over again. You are a kind and loving Savior. Amen.

Your Turn: Is your heart turned to God or are you prone to wander?

 

His Holy Name

15 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

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Frosted beauty — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Here’s a quick question for you. Do you like celebrations?

If you answered, yes, then you should love being around God. He loves wholehearted celebrations. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this aspect of God’s character. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart (Psalm 105:3, CEV).

After telling the parable about finding the lost coin, Jesus reminds us that heaven is a place of celebration.  Jesus said, “In the same way God’s angels are happy when even one person turns to him” (Luke 15:10, CEV).

If you have turned from a life of sin to worship your holy Creator, you have a heaven full of reasons to celebrate. Why not start today?

Response: LORD God, I praise you because you found me and took me into your family. I celebrate your goodness and undeserved kindness. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to celebrate God’s love?

Save us, LORD

14 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Save us, LORD God! Bring us back from among the nations. Let us celebrate and shout in praise of your holy name (Psalm 106:47, CEV).

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Morning hoarfrost — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

In today’s reading the psalmist cries out, “Save us, LORD God!”

There’s an element of desperation in that prayer. It should be our prayer too. If holiness is what God requires then salvation is our greatest need.

We are unable to save ourselves. Holiness does not come naturally to the human soul. We need God to intervene. And that’s just what the Father did when He sent His son Jesus to suffer and die in our place.

Our redemption was purchased for us at the cross. The price was the shed blood of Jesus.

Now every believer can say, “Through Jesus, you saved us, LORD God!”

Response: LORD God, I thank and praise you for sending Jesus to be my redeemer. Holiness is available to me personally through faith in the blood of Christ. I love you, LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received the salvation from sin that Jesus offers?

Who may stand in God’s temple?

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Who may stay in God’s temple or live on the holy mountain of the LORD? (Psalm 15:1, CEV).

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Winter Prairie Sunrise — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Many in the church today view holiness as a rather dated Old Testament concept. Who needs it? Who pursues it?

In God’s presence holiness has never gone out of style. It’s required.

None of us would show up for work naked. In the same way we need to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Holiness is not an optional accessory.

St. Peter gives us this advice: Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That’s why the Scriptures say, “I am the holy God, and you must be holy too” (1 Peter 1:15-16, CEV).

Response: LORD God, clothe me in the righteousness of Christ. Like the psalmist, I want to come into your presence and live on your holy mountain. In a world polluted by sin help me to live a life of practical, practiced holiness. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you do to pursue holiness?

In the Time of Your Favor

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalm 69, Psalms

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Reading:                                       Psalm 69

Verses 13-18

But I pray to you, LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes (NIV).

Reflection

I have a confession to make and here it is: I don’t understand God.

Maybe a better way of putting this is to say that I have a limited understanding of God. Yes, I have studied a lot about God, and I have written a lot about Him, but my understanding is small—miniscule beside an all-knowing God of infinite wisdom.

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Prairie Frost—photo by Donald Adam

In particular I do not understand God’s timing. When I pray, I want prompt answers. I run my life by a clock and a schedule, but God seems quite unimpressed by my propensity for planning. He’s been known to show up when I least expect Him. Furthermore, when I desperately want Him to put in an appearance, He usually keeps me waiting.

He’s like a bad date. Speaking of a date, dear God, is that answer I want coming tomorrow, next week or next year?

I’m in good company. David seemed to have the same problem with God. Hear his plea, “But I pray to you, LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.“

There’s one thing I know. Amazing things happen in the time of God’s favor. So like David, I’ll call out to Him. I’ll wait for Him. He is well worth waiting for, because when the LORD shows up everything changes. I change; the world changes.

Response: LORD God, favor me. Show up in your perfect timing. I need you now. I need you always. You know best. Answer me with your sure salvation. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you sometimes get impatient with God?

Mercy and Holiness

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Because of your great mercy, I come to your house, LORD, and I am filled with wonder as I bow down to worship at your holy temple (Psalm 5:7, CEV).

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Landestreu Church, near MacNutt, SK — photo by Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is holiness.

Mercy and holiness belong together. When I think about my personal holiness, or rather the lack of it, I am reminded that I need God’s mercy. Without His mercy there is no forgiveness and no peace.

Rather than frighten us away, God’s holiness should draw us to worship Him. In His holy temple we bow down. This is where we find mercy and the strength we need day by day.

Take some time to bow before God today. Swallow your pride and open your heart to the mercy of God. Even as I write this, I know it’s what I need to do.

Response: LORD God, you are perfectly holy. I am not. I need your mercy, your love and forgiveness. Wash me clean by the blood of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How do mercy and holiness come together for you?

Praise for Answered Prayer

08 Friday Jan 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers (Psalm 28:6, CEV).

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September Iris, photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is praise.

If I did a quick one-question survey of Christians, here is the question I would ask:

Why do you praise God?

Here is the answer I would expect most often:

Because He answers my prayers.

Yes, we praise God because He hears and answers prayers. He has been doing it for thousands of years and He will continue to do it for eternity.

God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers calls us to praise Him.

Response: LORD God, I praise you because over and over again you have answered my prayers. You see me and listen to me. What a privilege it is to be your child. Amen.

Your Turn: Has God revealed Himself to you through answered prayer?

My Guide

07 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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I praise you, Lord, for being my guide. Even in the darkest night, your teachings fill my mind (Psalm 16:7, CEV).

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Grey Nuns Park, Orleans, ON, — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is praise.

When there’s a fork in the road, which path do you take? Sometimes the right answer is not obvious. Our internal GPS may not be functioning as it ought.

There are many occasions when I need the LORD to be my guide. I can’t make right decisions without Him. I praise Him because in times of confusion or doubt, he has sent His word and His Spirit to light my way.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for being my faithful guide. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see the path you have mapped out just for me. Amen.

Your Turn: What are some of the ways the Lord uses to guide you?

With All My Heart

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked (Psalm 9:1, CEV).

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Skaters, Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON — photo by Karen Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is praise.

There is something both attractive and compelling about giving your all. A half-hearted effort draws no applause. But we stand and cheer when we see someone give their very best, whether it’s in sports, art or music.

The psalmist, David, gave his all in praise. He declares, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

God notices when we give our best to Him in praise.

Response: LORD God, I want to praise you with my whole heart. You are an awesome God, who hears and forgives. Thank you. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been guilty of half-hearted praise?

Zeal for Your House

05 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in Psalm 69, Psalms

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Reading:                                           Psalm 69

Verses 6-12

Lord, the LORD Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.

 I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother’s children;
for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards. (NIV).

Reflection

The start of a new year is a time when many of us set goals and consider our progress over the past year. Our personal goals spring from those things we value and hold dear. So what did David, the author of this psalm, value and hold dear? According to his own words, David was motivated by his zeal for the house of God. He longed to be in God’s presence and to seek His face. He placed his love for God ahead of his love for even his family.

Ashley River Baptist Church

Ashley River Baptist Church, Charleston, SC – photo by David Kitz

I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me…

Many of us would call that misplaced zeal, even fanaticism. But Jesus called for precisely this kind zeal from his disciples.  

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).

After Jesus cleansed the temple, his disciples recalled the words from this psalm. His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17).

Response: LORD God, give me a zeal for your house and your presence. As the year unfolds, I want my values to be reflected in my actions and my passion for you. Replace my lukewarm heart with a burning desire to know and love you. Amen.

Your Turn: Where does the house of God rate on your zeal meter?