Monthly Archives: December 2024

The Tongue Is a Fire

09 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalms

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Psalm 64 -365

Reading: Psalm 64

LORD God,
help me to use wisdom and discretion
in all I say, write or post.
You are the judge of every idle word.
Holy Spirit, help me guard my heart,
my mind, and my tongue.
Amen.

— — —

When we put bits into the mouths of horses
to make them obey us,
we can turn the whole animal. 
Or take ships as an example.
Although they are so large
and are driven by strong winds,
they are steered by a very small rudder
wherever the pilot wants to go. 
Likewise,
the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire
by a small spark. 
The tongue also is a fire,
a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole body,
sets the whole course of one’s life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals,
birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed
and have been tamed by mankind,
 but no human being can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil,
full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and with it we curse human beings,
who have been made in God’s likeness. 
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Can both fresh water and salt water
flow from the same spring? 
My brothers and sisters,
can a fig tree bear olives,
or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
(James 3:3-12)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine!

A gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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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Guarding Our Tongues

09 Monday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 64
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from the plots of evildoers.
They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
They shoot from ambush at the innocent;
they shoot suddenly, without fear.
They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?”
They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!”
Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.
But God will shoot them with his arrows;
they will suddenly be struck down.
He will turn their own tongues against them
and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
The righteous will rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him;
all the upright in heart will glory in him! (NIV)

7-17-BO-Bearded-lips-with-padlock-through-them

Reflection
I originally wrote this post in the final days of an election campaign here in Canada. In the context of an election, the words of this psalm have a peculiar resonance. Politicians’ tongues have been sharpened like swords. Cruel words have been aimed at opponents like deadly arrows. The airwaves are saturated with lies, propaganda and half-truths coming from all sides.

Rest easy, dear reader, I’m not about to take sides in a political debate. But Psalm 64 contains some important truths we would be wise to heed.

First, our tongues have deadly power. The poison of vipers is in the tongue. (See Psalm 140:3.) Many young people have taken their own lives because of the taunting of others. Social media has only worsened the situation, since one can now mount an attack from a distance. The venom that is often spewed in website comment boxes is beyond disgusting. The cruelty and depravity of the human heart are on full display. As the psalmist, David says, “Surely the human mind and heart are cunning” (v. 6).

So then guard the thoughts of your heart and mind. Take care what you put into print. It can have a profound effect for good or evil. Cruel words can be as deadly as a missile strike. The LORD is our refuge from cruel taunts, but He also is our judge, when we launch a verbal or written attack.

Response: LORD God, help me to use wisdom and discretion in all I say, write or post. You are the judge of every idle word. Holy Spirit, guard my heart and my mind. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been the victim of social media attacks? How did you respond? Have you attacked others?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

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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Making the Psalms Come Alive

08 Sunday Dec 2024

Posted by in Books by David Kitz

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Here are some wise words from author, Phil Callaway:

I’m not certain I’d be alive without the Psalms. While my wife was losing her family to Huntington’s disease we lived in its inspiring pages. We still do. David’s devotional is a welcome companion on this journey, particularly for those needing a fresh shot of hope.

Phil Callaway
award-winning author & Christian humorist, www.laughagain.org

And here is a look at Volume II of the devotional series Phil is talking about.
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For nearly 3,000 years people have been getting in touch with God through the sacred literature of the Psalms. Generation after generation has drawn strength, comfort and inspiration from the words of the psalmist.

Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer is a devotional study that takes you through all of the Psalms during the course of a full year. The author’s goal is to help the reader interact with each psalm and connect with God in a fresh and living way.

In times of calamity the psalms bring peace. When storms rage within, a psalm can provide a haven of rest. When anger erupts, a psalm can act as a release valve. When God seems distant, the psalms bring us near.

There is something surprisingly practical about the psalms. They are meant to be lived. The Bible is in fact a living document that must be applied to life to be effective. This should not surprise us since, “The word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12a). Author David Kitz draws from a range of biblical sources and real life experiences to make the psalms come alive.

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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For those who love historical fiction a gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine!

You Will Restore My Life Again

08 Sunday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 71

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I will praise the LORD!Psalm 71_20

Reading: Psalm 71:19-24

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more.
I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion. *

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine!

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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A gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
4485 SHARABLE-2

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

You Have Taught Me

07 Saturday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 71, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!Psalm 71_18

Reading: Psalm 71:15-18

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come. *

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Ukraine!

A gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
4485 SHARABLE-2

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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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Jesus Interceding for Us

06 Friday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 63

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Psalm 63 -365

Reading: Psalm 63: 6-11

LORD Jesus,
I want my mind to find rest in you.
I know my sins are forgiven
and your love for me was proven on the cross.
You lived for me;
you died for me.
You love me.
Oh, what joy that thought brings! 
Amen.

— — —

Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen?
It is God who justifies. 
Who then is the one who condemns?
No one.
Christ Jesus who died—
more than that, who was raised to life—
is at the right hand of God
and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword? 
As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
(Romans 8:33-37)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine!

A gripping read from David Kitz. An ideal Christmas gift.
4485 SHARABLE-2

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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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Turning Idle Thoughts Toward God

06 Friday Dec 2024

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Reading: Psalm 63: 6-11
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced (NIV).

TheWayToLiveWithTheMindOfChrist

Reflection
Where do your thoughts turn when you are at rest? Where our mind goes in idle moments, tells us a lot about ourselves. Are you off in the realm of sports, politics, or family events? Does your mind graze on pornography or steamy romance novels? Are you plotting your plans for the week or the weekend?

My mind—your mind—is a busy place. And if it’s not occupied with things at hand, it will invent thoughts, opinions and worries to keep self-engaged.

Where did David’s mind go when he was at rest? Here in Psalm 63, we find the answer. “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (v. 6).

Rather than worry about the schemes being hatched by his enemies, King David’s mind was focused on the LORD. We may mistakenly believe being king meant dwelling in a worry-free secure zone. Nothing could be further from the truth. Kings in Old Testament times were frequently assassinated. Rebellions and backroom treachery were common. Metaphorically, the king walked about with a bullseye target on his back.

But are today’s followers of the Lord Jesus any different? The true and faithful follower of Jesus is engaged in spiritual warfare. The sons and daughters of the King are target practice for the demons of hell. Temptation comes in a variety of ways. Sometimes it wears a pretty dress. At other times it offers a fast buck or a thrilling escape. Or does temptation simply dazzle and distract us into soul deadening spiritual apathy?

Now here is a thought to consider: Turn your mind to the Lord Jesus through the watches of the night, because you can rest assured, he’s watching you.

Response: LORD Jesus, I want my mind to find rest in you. I know my sins are forgiven and your love for me was proven on the cross. You lived for me; you died for me. You love me. Oh, what joy that thought brings! Amen.

Your Turn: Where does your mind go when you are at rest? Does the Holy Spirit come to change your thoughts?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

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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New from David Kitz
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To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Joy Brings Strength

05 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalm 63

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Today’s quote and prayer from
“Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer”
by David Kitz.Psalm 63_3

Reading: Psalm 63:1-5

LORD God,
I want more of you in my life.
Help me to sing and praise your name
and draw my satisfaction from you.
You are the true source of life and joy.
All my springs of joy are in you.
Amen.

— — —

Then Nehemiah the governor,
Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law,
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to them all,
“This day is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not mourn or weep.”
For all the people had been weeping
as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said,
“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,
and send some to those who have nothing prepared.
This day is holy to our Lord.
Do not grieve,
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
(Nehemiah 8:9-10)*

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, and Ukraine!

New from David Kitz
Winner of the 2024 Word Award of Merit in Biblical Studies
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

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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Cultivating a Heart That Thirsts for God

05 Thursday Dec 2024

Posted by in Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 63:1-5
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you (NIV).

water-in-hands-400x400-1

Reflection
A healthy human body can go as much as ninety days without food, but only about ten days without water. Water is life. Without it we perish.

A few years ago, with great fanfare, it was announced liquid water had been discovered on the surface of Mars. This opens the possibility of microbial life on or just beneath the Martian surface. What is more important, human life can be sustained on Mars for long periods if water is present.

The introductory note to Psalm 63 informs us David composed this psalm, when he was in the Desert of Judah. But there is something quite startling about this psalm. David is not crying out for water as we might expect. Instead, David is crying out for God. He’s not seeking for water; he is earnestly seeking for God.

Hear David’s desperate plea, “I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water” (v.1).

When was the last time you thirsted for God like a man trekking in the heat of the desert? I must confess I’m better at ignoring God than seeking Him. But that was not David’s mindset. David recognized his need for God. He was thirsty for Him.

Our thirst for God should be a constant in our lives. As I write this, I pause for sips of my morning coffee. It’s a thirst I have—a longing that prompts me to pick up my cup. At various times through the day do I thirst for God in the same way? Do I long for His Spirit and the thrill of His presence near me?

Are you spending your days in a spiritual desert? Are you yearning for intimacy with God? Oh, that we might thirst for God as David did!

Response: LORD God, I want more of you in my life. Help me to sing and praise your name and draw my satisfaction from you. You are the true source of life and joy. All my springs of joy are in you. Amen.

Your Turn: How can we cultivate a personal thirst for God? Do you find yourself yearning for times of spiritual refreshing?

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine!

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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New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.