Outreach Trip to Europe

31 Monday Jul 2023

Tags

Estonia, Europe, Germany, Prayer, Psalms 365, Ukraine

I arrived home from my trip to Europe on Tuesday of this past week, but with jetlag and a hundred things to do on my return, I am only now getting around to writing a short report on what transpired.

I can sum up the trip in one word: amazing. Did God answer your prayers? Absolutely. At various times, I felt God’s invisible hand guiding my every move, and giving me just the right words to speak.

Harry and Inna, my hosts in Tallinn, Estonia cared for my every need. Their apartment is a few blocks from the old walled city and they were excellent tour guides.

The old city of Tallinn as seen from the top of the Bremen Tower on the city wall — photo by David Kitz

The week-long Nordic and Baltic Foursquare Camp was a two hour drive from the capital. On the first evening, I shared my testimony of hearing God in prayer. This resulted in a heart to heart connection with one of the youngest campers. See the photo below. He too had lifesaving, heart-repair surgery. We compared our visible scars and from that evening on he broke into an enormous smile every time he saw me.

My young Estonian heart-to-heart brother.

The Foursquare Family Camp drew participants from Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Poland and Switzerland. There were wonderful times of prayer with one another. Everyone spoke English in the meetings, so there was no language barrier. On Wednesday evening, I met with three of the Estonian translators of Psalms 365. It was a true delight to thank them in person and present them with a signed copy of Psalms 365.

Also on Wednesday evening I did my dramatization of James. It was very well received.

Worship time at the camp.

Finally, on Sunday I flew from Tallinn to Frankfurt where I was met by my Turkish friend Faruk Said and his son, 15-year-old son, Omer. Omer was our translator as we drove three hours north to the family home in Dortmund. This portion of the trip was pure friendship evangelism, and time and again, the Holy Spirit was very present. On Monday we went on a sightseeing tour to the cathedral in Cologne, the largest church in Europe.

A sideview of the spires of the Cologne Cathedral.

Muhsin A****n, a 22-year-old university student joined us for this full day excursion. Muhsin’s father has been in prison for the past seven years, since the 2016 coup attempt. These are false charges and simply amount to outright persecution. After he told his story, I was able to pray in the powerful name of Jesus for him and the entire Said family.

On my return to Canada I mailed a copy of The Soldier Who Killed a King to Omer and Muhsin, who said they would read it.

Me with the Said family.

In many ways, my brief stay in Germany with this family that fled Turkeye was the cherry on top of an exquisite Estonian cake.

There are far more stories to tell and a host of stunning photos in my collection, but this will do for now. Thank you again for participating in this adventure of faith through your encouragement and prayers.

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

Specifically, you can pray for Dimitri, a Foursquare Pastor in Kiev, Ukraine. With help from western churches, his congregation is providing assistance to those forced to flee the war. He and his wife paid a brief visit to all who gathered at our Foursquare camp gathering on the Baltic Sea.

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.

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Up to My Neck in Trouble

31 Monday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 69, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

answered prayer, mercy of God, pray, trouble

Reading: Psalm 69:1-5
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you (NIV). *

The bridge spanning the Rhine with the Cologne Cathedral in the distance — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Above all else Psalm 69 is a plea for help. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

Have you ever been neck deep in trouble? I’ve been there and it’s not an entirely pleasant experience. I recall hanging upside down in my car, which was sitting on its roof in a snow-covered ditch. My wife was suspended upside down in the driver’s seat beside me.

Suddenly finding yourself upside down after a high-speed-icy skid can be unsettling. I recall unfastening my seatbelt so I could reverse my position and sit upright on the interior of the car roof. Opening the car doors was impossible due to the snow jammed up on the outside. There we sat, trapped, car tires in the air, as the sun began to set.

We had two lifelines: a mobile phone and a direct line to Jesus. Both worked flawlessly. Within minutes a young couple helped us out of the car. Later that evening we drove our flipped car back into the city undamaged. There was nothing to indicate we were in a rollover, not even a scratch on the car body.

This true account serves as a reminder to me that God hears us when we pray. When we are in over our head—when we are neck deep and beyond—we can call out to God.

God did not save us because we are faultless. As the psalmist says, “You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.” God saves us because of His great mercy.

Response: LORD God, thank you for showing us mercy when we don’t deserve it. Thank you for coming to rescue the likes of me. For this mercy and a thousand more, I give you thanks. Amen.

Your Turn: How has the Lord helped you when you were neck deep in trouble? Take time to recall a time when he helped you overcome.

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

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. Start your day with a new devotional series. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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You Are My Son

30 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 12, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

destruction, Father, God's son, inheritance, the LORD

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 2:7-12

I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
   He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have become your father.
Ask me,
and I will make the nations your inheritance,
the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron;
you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
Therefore, you kings, be wise;
    be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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Like a Tree Planted by Streams of Water

29 Saturday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 1, Psalms

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Tags

fruit, prosper, sinners, streams, the righteous, tree

I will praise the LORD!

Photo by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 1

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person 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.
   Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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You Are Awesome in Your Sanctuary

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 68

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Tags

flesh, Jesus, Psalms, sanctuary

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:32-35

LORD God,
thank you for sending Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming in frail human flesh—
flesh like our own.
Thank you because now we can know you as one of us—
God with us.
Amen.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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The Grand Descent—a Touch of Christmas in July

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 68, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

angel, Christmas, music, praise, the heavens

Reading: Psalm 68:32-35
Sing to God,
you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
to him who rides across the highest heavens,
the ancient heavens,
who thunders with mighty voice.
Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens.
You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power
and strength to his people.
Praise be to God! (NIV). *

To him who rides across the highest heavens — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Psalm 68 ends with a call for us to sing. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.

Have you noticed how important singing and music are to our celebration of Christ’s birth? Take music and song out of Christmas and there is little left. In many ways carols define the season and add sparkle and joy. And so, it should be. Heaven saw fit to announce the Saviour’s birth through song. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:13-14).

God sent an angel choir to celebrate the birth of His only begotten Son. And earlier during her pregnancy, at the home of Elizabeth, Mary burst out with what is commonly called the Magnificat or Mary’s Song. See Luke 1: 46-56. Yes, even in the heat of July we can reflect on the songs of Christ’s birth.

So yes, we should sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens. He sent his star to guide the way for the magi. One glorious night the heavens joined in to declare the glory of heaven’s Son, who had come to earth to be born among men—men and animals.

What a grand descent! From the highest heavens to a lowly stable. That’s the glory of Christmas. God transferred His sanctuary—His dwelling place—from heaven to earth—from heaven’s throne room to a stable. Now we can join with the psalmist and the shepherds with these words of praise:

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!

Response: LORD God, thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for coming in frail human flesh—flesh like our own. Thank you because now we can know you as one of us—God with us. Amen.

Your Turn: How important are music and song to you? Do they lead to heartfelt worship?

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

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You Conquer My Heart

27 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 68

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Tags

conquer, kingdom, love, sacrifice, the cross

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:24-31

LORD God,
I yield my will to you.
You conquer my heart with your love.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross,
I am yours.
Help me to joyfully live as a productive citizen
of your Kingdom on earth.
Amen.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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Kingdom Citizenship

27 Thursday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 68

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

citizenship, Jesus, kingdom, submission to God

Reading: Psalm 68:24-31
Your procession, God, has come into view,
the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
Praise God in the great congregation;
praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
Summon your power, God;
show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings will bring you gifts.
Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God (NIV). *

Mackenzie King Estate, Gatneau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
All of Psalm 68 is a hymn of triumph—national triumph. In today’s reading it is apparent this psalm is a triumphant processional song penned by David. The enemies of Israel have been vanquished and God’s army has returned victorious.

For Christians today, does this psalm hold a deeper significance? Does it signify more than a celebration after a military conquest?

The King we serve—the one born in a stable—didn’t come to establish an earthly kingdom by means of guns and war. In his defence before Pilate Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

Make no mistake; Jesus calls us to be citizens in his heavenly Kingdom. It is a Kingdom headquartered in heaven, but its address on the earth is the human heart—your heart—my heart. Furthermore, that Kingdom grows in power and influence as we yield our will to God and joyfully become more like His son, Jesus. For followers of Jesus, battles are won as we submit our will to God.

There are nations—Egypt and Cush (the upper Nile region) mentioned in today’s reading. They will submit themselves to God. But for us today, submission must first come from our own stubborn heart.

Response: LORD God, I yield my will to you. Conquer my heart with your love. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I am yours. Help me to joyfully live as a productive citizen of your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been conquered by the love of God? Where is your primary citizenship?

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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Who Is Your Burden Bearer?

26 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 68

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Tags

burdens, escape, Jesus, praise, the cross

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:15-23

LORD God,
thank you for being foolish enough to love me.
Thank you, Jesus,
for bearing my burdens to the cross and beyond.
My hope rests in you.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Amen.

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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In the Harness with Jesus

26 Wednesday Jul 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

burdens, humanity, Jesus, the cross

Reading: Psalm 68:15-23
Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
When you ascended on high, you took many captives;
you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious—
that you, LORD God, might dwell there.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share” (NIV).*

Harness the supernatural horsepower of Jesus — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
There is one thought from today’s psalm reading that jumps out at me and here it is: Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Why would or should God our Savior bear our burdens? He sits enthroned in heaven above the fray. Why should He entangle Himself in the affairs of humanity? But apparently, He does. Jesus our Savior gives us this invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus is inviting us to step into the harness with him. Then he assures us he will do the heavy lifting and pulling. I’m not sure that was a wise offer for Jesus to make. Did he really know the extent of my burden? Did he know all that burden bearing would lead him directly to the cross? He must have known, but he did it anyway. What a foolish man! What a foolish God!

Some Saviors will do anything for love.

Response: LORD God, thank you for being foolish enough to love me. Thank you, Jesus for bearing my burdens to the cross and beyond. My hope rests in you. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord lifted some of your burdens recently? Have you stepped into the harness with Him?

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

Low Rez PsalmsVol2SEAl

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 2:7-12

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

I will praise the LORD!

Reading: Psalm 1

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:32-35

LORD God, thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for coming in frail human flesh— flesh like our own. Thank you because now we can know you as one of us— God with us. Amen.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:24-31

LORD God, I yield my will to you. You conquer my heart with your love. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I am yours. Help me to joyfully live as a productive citizen of your Kingdom on earth. Amen.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

Today’s quote and prayer from “Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer” by David Kitz.

Reading: Psalm 68:15-23

LORD God, thank you for being foolish enough to love me. Thank you, Jesus, for bearing my burdens to the cross and beyond. My hope rests in you. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Amen.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Ukraine!

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

Your prayers for the people of Ukraine are making a difference.

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

LORD God,
thank you for sending Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for coming in frail human flesh—
flesh like our own.
Thank you because now we can know you as one of us—
God with us.
Amen.

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

LORD God,
I yield my will to you.
You conquer my heart with your love.
Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross,
I am yours.
Help me to joyfully live as a productive citizen
of your Kingdom on earth.
Amen.

Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.

LORD God,
thank you for being foolish enough to love me.
Thank you, Jesus,
for bearing my burdens to the cross and beyond.
My hope rests in you.
Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Amen.