Monthly Archives: April 2021

Ranked Number One

25 Sunday Apr 2021

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2021-04-24

Amazon.com screenshot April 24, 2021

Last night I was surprised to see Psalms 365: Volume II is ranked number one in new releases in the genre of Christian Old Testament Meditations. Granted the field is not large, but when I last checked on Amazon.com my book ranked ahead of nine others in the category. 

First place—I’ll take it with gratitude and not complain—narrow field or not.

If you routinely follow this blog, you have a good idea what the devotions in this 266 page book look like. They are the in-print version of my weekday posts. Volume II covers Psalm 52 through Psalm 104. And yes, you guessed correctly. Volume I covers Psalm 1 to Psalm 51. Volume I was released in December, 2020. Volume III will be released in late summer, and will conclude the three-book series bringing us through to the final psalm, Psalm 150. The full series provides a Psalm reading and devotional for every day of the year. 

When do you want to start the series? Now is as good a time as any.

Connecting with God daily through the Psalms is a great way to allow the Good Shepherd to guide you to the center of his will.

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at this #1 new release click here. For a look back at Volume I click here.

LORD, Grant Us Success!

25 Sunday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 118

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I will praise the LORD!

2019-07-17

…the Lord has done this — photo by David Kitz

The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the LORD has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The LORD has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

LORD, save us!
    LORD, grant us success!

(Psalm 118:22-25, NIV)*

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

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volume I click here.

I Will Not Die but Live

24 Saturday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 118, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

2019-06-21a

Rose blossom — photo by David Kitz

Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
    the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD
    through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

(Psalm 118:15-21, NIV)*

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

The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.

A Topnotch Endorsement

23 Friday Apr 2021

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The main body parts for reading the Bible aren’t the eyes and brain; it’s the hands and feet. This theme is woven throughout Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer. As it should be! The focus on living the Word, or as James puts it, “doing it” (James 1:25) is what makes this study in the Psalms top-notch.

Dr. Lawson Murray
President, Scripture Union Canada

Living the Word—now that’s a challenge. Are you up to the challenge? Can you get beyond reading the Word to the point of doing it. Yes, are you living out the Word in real time?RGB72PsalmsVol2

My hope is that through the daily devotions in this 256 page book, you will hear the Good Shepherd calling you to a deeper relationship with him. After all, a journey through the Psalms is a journey to intimacy with God. 

What is the easiest way to get Volume II of Psalms 365?

Answer: Go to your Amazon website and in the search bar type in my name: David Kitz. A number of books I have authored will appear. Select Psalms 365, Volume II as pictured above.

Of course Volume I is also on offer for those who haven’t yet started this year long journey through the Psalms.

Connecting with God through the Psalms is a great way to allow the Good Shepherd to guide you to the center of his will.

Perfection

23 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 119
ל Lamedh
(Verses 89-96)
Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless (NIV).*

Art Reflections

Reflections on Art — composition by David Kitz

Reflection
One of my hobbies is art. I enjoy drawing. In recent years I have rediscovered my childhood love for pencil crayons. When creating any piece of art there, I find there is a delicate balance that needs to be reached. Anything I do can be improved. Early on in the process there is a lot of improving or refining needed, but eventually you reach a point where further tinkering becomes pointless. I aim for perfection, but perfection always seems illusive. At some point I need to say, “I’m done. This piece is finished.”

In today’s reading the psalmist reached that same conclusion. To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. 

We will never reach the limits of God’s holy word. There is always more to be discovered, to comprehend and apply. It is as the psalmist declares, “Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”

St. Paul expresses the same thought. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33). Eternity gives us insufficient time to explore the wisdom of God. But let’s begin the quest; let’s take up the challenge. All of Psalm 119 can be viewed as a grand challenge to discover the wisdom and beauty of God’s word, His commands and precepts.

Let’s continue the journey. This glorious art—the divine art of God’s word—is without beginning or end.

Response: Father God, I love your word. I want to dig deeper in it and know you better thereby. You are a totally awesome God, far beyond my comprehension, but not beyond my appreciation. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you taken up the challenge of studying God’s word?

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

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.

The Eagle Has Landed

22 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalms, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

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Screen Shot 2021-04-19 at 7.50.37 AM

Volume II cover not exactly as shown

Yes, the eagle has landed. But in this case the eagle is not a bird, or a spacecraft, but rather a book. Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer was published earlier this week, and it is now available through Amazon in USA, Canada and around the world.

For those who began reading Volume I on January 1st, Volume II has arrived on the scene in the nick of time, since the daily devotions in Volume I are set to reach the end on April 30th.

So what is the easiest way to get Volume II?

Answer: Go to your Amazon website and in the search bar type in my name: David Kitz. A number of books I have authored will appear. Select Psalms 365, Volume II as pictured above.

Of course Volume I is also on offer for those who haven’t yet started this year long journey through the Psalms.

Connecting with God through the Psalms is a great way to allow the Good Shepherd to guide you to the center of his will.

I Put My Hope in Your Word

22 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 119
כ Kaph
(Verses 81-88)
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth (NIV).*

2021-04-13 EFFECTS

April sunrise — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Christians around the world are going through an unprecedented time of persecution. Broadly speaking the news media has done very little reporting on this topic. In China, new church buildings have been bulldozed to the ground. In Syria and Iraq, Christians have fled for their lives as Islamic extremist rampage through their communities raping and killing any who remain. In India several states have passed anti-conversion laws in an attempt to halt the spread of Christianity. Christmas celebrations were cancelled in Manipur state because of clashes and threats of violence from Hindu radicals.

For those who are suffering, these verses from Psalm 119 are particularly pertinent: All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

Satan and his minions are determined to wipe Christians from the face of the earth. Sensing that his end is near, he has inflamed a host of religious extremists and fanatics to attack the bride of Christ. Though he rages, he will not succeed. Closer to home court rulings have frequently trumped religious freedom, while openly promoting an LGBTQ agenda.

In their suffering, persecuted believers turn to the Lord and to his holy word. These words are their prayer: In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

We ought to thank the Lord daily for the freedom we have to assemble and worship our Savior. It’s a freedom we may one day lose.

Response: Father God, have mercy on those who are suffering for their faith. Be with those who are fleeing persecution. Travel with them and be their guide. Show me how I can help. Amen.

Your Turn: Do we take our freedoms for granted? Have you faced opposition because of your faith?

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

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.

Made by God

21 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 119

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Today’s quote and prayer from the Psalms
Psalm 119_73Creator God,
 I want to be like Jesus.
Thank you for touching my life
and forming me with your hands.
I am yours—yours by creation—yours by redemption.
I will meditate on your precepts.
Amen.

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.

Touched by God

21 Wednesday Apr 2021

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 119
י Yodh
(Verses 73-80)
Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame (NIV).*

2021-04-13

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

Reflection
You have been touched by God. Pause. Consider that for a moment.

When did God touch you? According to the psalmist it happened at the very beginning of your life. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

Implied in that statement is God’s personal care—His attention to detail. You are not an accident or an afterthought in the mind of God. He formed you with a plan and a purpose. According to the apostle Paul, a large part of that purpose is that you may know Him, and be conformed to the image of His dear Son.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:28-29).

When we face difficulties, hardship and suffering has God abandoned us? The answer is a resounding no. Consider the psalmist’s response to these things: I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 

Every adversity you face should bring you nearer to God. See it as an opportunity to learn, grow and be changed into someone who is more like Jesus. He did not run from adversity, but instead faced suffering and death head on. God the Father brought Jesus safely to the other side, and it’s His purpose to bring you through to glory too.

Response: Father God, I want to be like Jesus. Thank you for touching my life and forming me with your hands. I am yours—yours by creation—yours by redemption. I will meditate on your precepts. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you questioned God’s love for you? Are you living out His plan?

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

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz will soon be available. For a closer look at Volume I click here.