Our Guide
17 Sunday May 2020
Monthly Archives: May 2020
Our Guide Even to the End
17 Sunday May 2020
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I will praise the LORD!
Photo by David Kitz
Walk about Zion, go around her,
count her towers,
consider well her ramparts,
view her citadels,
that you may tell of them
to the next generation.
For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.
(Psalm 48:12-14, NIV)*
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
Your Praise Reaches to the Ends of the earth
16 Saturday May 2020
I will praise the LORD!
It is you who watch over my way — photo by David Kitz
As we have heard,
so we have seen
in the city of the LORD Almighty,
in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
forever.
Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.
Like your name, O God,
your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with righteousness.
Mount Zion rejoices,
the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments.
(Psalm 48:8-11, NIV)*
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
8 BE-Attitudes for Good Mental Health During a Pandemic
15 Friday May 2020
Posted in Psalms
These are stressful times. Whether you have been largely confined to home during this pandemic, or have been busy at your workplace, we are all facing additional causes for fear, worry, and anxiety.
Here are some practical strategies to help you navigate these difficult times.
- Be positive*
A positive mood is not only a kind of physiological filter that helps us to see the good parts of things, but also a physical adjustment of our brain and body to be healthy. A thankful heart is the bedrock of a positive attitude.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Be social
Social distancing is not social isolation. Stay connected with people. Call them, Zoom them, say hi to your neighbour, wave to people passing by with their cars. Keep yourself busy on social media too, of course, with specific time limits.
“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family…” (Proverbs 27:10a).
- Be innovative
Hey, you are smart and fun. Come up with original ideas to entertain yourself. Try some new things. You will be surprised to figure out how interesting it can it be to stay at home. After all, your God is creative.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).
- Be active
Keep yourself busy with anything. Staying home is like cycling. If you slow down or stop balancing, your bicycling will become more difficult. So it is with life. People who are active with things they enjoy, usually experience fewer mental health problems.
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” (Proverbs 6:6).
- Be flexible
Our world is changing in a better way. Now, people have time to care more about each other. We have to be adaptive to embrace the change. Change is useful not only for organizations but also for individuals who stay at home.
“My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused” (Hosea 11:8b).
- Be organized
Staying home should not make us lazy and disorganized. We have a life to manage. Have a daily schedule. Don’t waste your time in front of screens. Show your life that you are the boss.
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28).
- Be good
Staying at home and practicing voluntary quarantine does not mean that you need to stop helping others. Nothing can stop you from doing good deeds. Start with your friends, relatives and neighbours. Find ways to make them happy. Making others happy will make you happy too. Happiness is the most reliable medicine against mental problems.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).
- Be yourself
Don’t pretend to be someone else. Be yourself. Each person will face different experiences, and a solution that works for someone else may not work for you. As human beings, we are amazing. You are terrific when you are yourself and not somebody else.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Omer Livvarcin is the co-author of the book “Risk Management for Non-Profits,” published by Business Experts Press. Omer is also the founder of Charify.ca and Vectors Group.
*Original material by Omer Livvarcin, modified by permission for a Christian audience by David Kitz
Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid?
15 Friday May 2020
Reading: Psalm 27
Of David.
(Verses 1-3)
The LORD is my light and my salvation –
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life –
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
When my enemies and foes attack me,
They will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war break out against me
Even then will I be confident (NIV).*
The Parthenon, Athens, Greece — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
Are you afraid of the dark? That may seem like a rather empty-headed question? Most adults have overcome their fear of the dark a long time ago, back in the dark ages of childhood. But have you really overcome your fear of dark places?
I would like to suggest that we have not overcome that most basic of fears. We have only learned to mask our fears and conveniently avoid those dark unknown recesses. Our fear of the dark is at its core a fear of the unknown. Hidden out there in the dark unknown regions is a whole battalion of hidden risks—the lurking boogeymen—who keep us close to home, who keep us on the well-beaten path, the well-marked path, a path of no-risk and least-resistance. How often do you dare to go where others have never gone? Are you still certain that you are not afraid of the dark?
In this psalm, David, the fearless warrior, reveals the secret to his victorious life—a life spent overcoming insurmountable obstacles. With reckless confidence this insignificant, no-rank shepherd boy took on the Goliaths of his time, and he rose to each and every challenge, time after time throughout his storied career.
So then, what was the secret to David’s success? It resides in his overwhelming confidence in the LORD. Surely, common sense would dictate that a wet-behind-the-ears shepherd boy is no match for an experienced warrior, such as the towering Goliath. But David exudes confidence: The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
David was not afraid of the dark, or the giant, or the Philistine army arrayed against him. He feared only the LORD. The LORD was his light in a dark place. The LORD was his salvation in every battle and his deliverance in every hostile situation. David feared the LORD. He bowed in reverential awe before Him. He allied himself with the LORD his Maker. That’s an unbeatable combination.
Response: Lord Jesus, help me to truly walk in confident faith. I ally myself with you. You are my light and my salvation. Help me now to face my day and my future with confidence that comes from you, my Savior. Amen.
Your Turn: How often do you take a plunge into the unknown? Is God asking you to take a step of faith?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.
I Love the House Where You Live
14 Thursday May 2020
Reading: Psalm 26
(Verses 8-12)
LORD, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
I lead a blameless life;
deliver me and be merciful to me.
My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the LORD (NIV).*
A wild forest orchid — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
In America, Canada and much of the western world, people have been abandoning the house of God in droves. In the most recent census survey, by far the largest growth has been among those who identify themselves as having no religion. This move to “no religion” is most pronounced among our young people. There are many factors that have led to this decline. Perhaps a hard look in the mirror is needed for us to see what we are doing wrong. Jesus attracted people. Why are his followers today repelling people?
David had a completely different attitude toward the house of God. Hear the cry of his heart, “LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.”
No one had to drag David to the LORD’s house. He was eager to meet with God there. Really, that’s the secret. If God is in the house—if His glory is present—it will be hard to keep people away. The question we need to be asking ourselves is, “Is God in the house? Is His glory dwelling here among us?”
If God is truly, tangibly present among you, look out! The transformational power of God will overwhelm individuals and ignite the congregation. I have seen it happen and there is no experience quite like it.
I live in expectation of His appearing among us. The living Christ visits His church. Are you anticipating His coming? Have you set the table for Him? Have you prepared your heart and your mind? Have you put out the welcome mat?
All too often church has become program maintenance. The focus is entirely wrong. Church in its most vibrant form is God dwelling among us—God breathing upon us. That was the Book of Acts Church. That’s the church I love. When we have found that place—when we experience the LORD of that place—we will join David in declaring, “My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.”
Response: Come, Lord Jesus, dwell among us. This is my confession: “LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.” Lord, come and dwell in my local congregation. Manifest your presence there, so that many will see it and be changed by your Spirit. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you love the house of God? Why or Why not? Is God showing up at your church? What are you doing to make the place ready for Him?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.
How Do You Know God?
13 Wednesday May 2020
Test me, LORD, and Try me
13 Wednesday May 2020
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Reading: Psalm 26
Of David.
(Verses 1-7)
Vindicate me, LORD,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
and have not faltered.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.
I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, LORD,
proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds (NIV).*
A touch of spring — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
The opening lines of Psalm 26 certainly catch my attention. David claims to have led a blameless life—a rather audacious statement in my opinion. But he doesn’t stop there. He goes on to invite God to test him. David pleads, “Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.”
Now that takes some nerve. Do I really want the LORD to examine my heart and my mind? If I underwent a heart and mind exam, what would my test scores be? Most of us would shy away from being tested by God, but David’s response is completely different. He is clearly saying, “Bring it on!”
How could David be so self-assured—so confident—to the point of sounding arrogant? Actually, David’s confidence was not so much in his own performance, but rather his confidence was in God. He states that he is mindful of the LORD’s unfailing love. He is relying on the LORD’s faithfulness. David knew the unfailing love and faithfulness of God, and this wasn’t merely head knowledge—a bit of mental information. No. David knew God experientially. He experienced the LORD’s unfailing love. He experienced the faithfulness of God over and over in his life. As a youth he slew a marauding lion and a bear. He brought down the mighty Goliath. He fled for his life, but ultimately triumphed over the madness of King Saul. David knew his God experientially in the grit of battle and the daily humdrum.
What about you? Do you have a memory bank full of great experiences with God? If the answer is no, why not ask God for a deposit today? If you put your faith in Him, He will not let you down.
Response: LORD, examine my heart and my mind. I want to grow in my knowledge of you and my confidence in you. Help me to have a pure heart and mind before you. I want to experience your presence in my life. Amen.
Your Turn: Have you experienced God’s love and faithfulness recently? Do you let Him examine you?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.
My Hope
12 Tuesday May 2020
Lonely and Afflicted
12 Tuesday May 2020
Tags
Reading: Psalm 25
(Verses 16-22)
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.
Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles! (NIV)*
A front line hospital workers monument to hope — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
David begins Psalm 25 on a note of confidence, but as this psalm draws to a close he truly bears his heart. David plaintively calls out to the LORD, “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”
The warrior king let’s his guard down and we see into his soul. There is a time for putting on a brave face, and there’s a time for open and transparent honesty. Here within the context of this psalm we see both; David the brave heart and David the lonely heart. Earlier in this psalm David showed absolute confidence in his God, but now he pours out his soul in humble petition. Hear the cry of his heart, “Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.”
David recognized his greatest need. David’s greatest need was forgiveness. That’s our greatest need too. We need the peace of mind that forgiveness brings.
David was surrounded by mortal enemies, but then so are we. The legions of hell are arrayed against the Christian believer. At this moment worldly philosophies and demonic forces are conspiring to destroy your home, your marriage and your life. Along with David we pray, “See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”
Our hope must always be centered in the LORD. Integrity and uprightness form a wall of protection around the people of God. But our deliverance comes from the LORD. Along with David we affirm, “No one who hopes in you [LORD] will ever be put to shame.”
Response: Lord Jesus, help me to be open and transparent before you. Take away all my sins. My hope is in you. Protect me from the attacks of the enemy. During this pandemic deliver me from all my troubles. Amen.
Your Turn: How much do you need God? Do you need His forgiveness?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.
I love the Psalms 