Jesus Is Alive!

04 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

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

Psalm 22_30-31Reading: Psalm 22:27-31

Father God,
thank you for the good news of the gospel.
Jesus is alive and reigns forever.
Help me to do my part in bringing the message
of your love and redemption to the world.
I want to see people from all nations turning to you
in repentance and faith.
Amen.

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

The Ends of the Earth Turn to the LORD

04 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

, , ,

Reading: Psalm 22:27-31
All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it! (NIV)*

earth illustration

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reflection
This final portion of Psalm 22 signals the ultimate triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the first half of this psalm Christ’s humiliation, suffering and death by crucifixion are vividly portrayed. With stunning accuracy and detail, David depicts these events from Christ’s perspective. Only God-breathed prophetic insight could reveal such truth through a human vessel. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

With today’s reading we discover the worldwide impact of Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

Christ’s gospel—the good news of the Kingdom—has been voiced abroad. Death, hell and the grave have been conquered. Jesus Christ is Lord over all! Keep in mind this turning to the LORD by all the families of the nations was an alien concept to the people of Israel during David’s time. Yet again, David spoke prophetically of the time when the gospel message would burst forth from its Jewish cocoon and be declared and received by ready hearts all over the world. Our Savior’s commission will be fulfilled. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

We have the promise of the world-wide spread of the gospel from generation to generation. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

Response: Father, thank you for the good news of the gospel. Jesus is alive and reigns forever. Help me to do my part in bringing the message of your love and redemption to the world. I want to see people from all nations turning to you in repentance and faith. Amen.

Your Turn: How can we spread the good news? What are you doing to tell His story?

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

Volume III of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now.

Though Your Footprints Were Not Seen

03 Sunday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 77, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

I will praise the LORD!

img_20210918_1517049

By the creek deep in the ravine — photo by David Kitz

(Psalm 77:13-20, NIV)*

Your ways, God, are holy.
    What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
    you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

The waters saw you, God,
    the waters saw you and writhed;
    the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
    the heavens resounded with thunder;
    your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
    your lightning lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
    your way through the mighty waters,
    though your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock
  by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

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

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

Guidance for Your Life

02 Saturday Oct 2021

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Do you need guidance for your life? Have you established spiritually healthy patterns for worship and prayer? How can you develop a closer walk with the Good Shepherd?

Award-winning author, David Kitz, explores the answers to these questions in this 265 page devotional book.

242844045_450538009641689_5133167726830673340_n
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer; Volume I by Elk Lake Publishing is the first book in a three volume set. The three volumes take you through all 150 Psalms in the Bible with a devotional reading for every day of the year.

Volume I of this trilogy has won the Grace Irwin Prize, Canada’s largest literary award for writers who are Christian.

In his endorsement of David Kitz’s trilogy, internationally renowned author and humorist Phil Callaway states, “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.”

During trying times such as these with a raging pandemic, perhaps we all need a fresh shot of hope.

David Kitz’s books are available through Amazon. Simply enter his name in the search bar.

I Will Remember Your Miracles

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 77

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

I will praise the LORD!

img_20210926_1022355

Late season path-side blossoms — photo by David Kitz

(Psalm 77:7-12, NIV)*

“Will the Lord reject forever?
    Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
    Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out
his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

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

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

Victory over Death

01 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

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

Psalm 22_26Reading: Psalm 22:22-26

Father God,
thank you for victory over death,
hell and the grave through your Son Jesus.
By faith his victory becomes my victory.
Hallelujah!
I praise you my Lord and Savior.
Amen.

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

Christ’s Suffering and our Suffering

01 Friday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Reading: Psalm 22:22-26
I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever! (NIV)*

2020-11-07 L Kranz

Photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

Reflection
In this ongoing discussion of Psalm 22 we hit a critical turning point with yesterday’s scripture reading. The humiliated, pierced and tortured Christ prays, “But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen” (Psalm 22:19-21).

God the Father answered the prayer of his suffering Son, not immediately, but three days later Jesus arose from the dead. Now he reigns triumphant over death, hell and the grave. The opening words recorded here are the resurrected Christ’s song of triumph: I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

And why should we praise the LORD? Here is the answer: For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

In the context of this psalm, Christ is the afflict one. The prophet Isaiah declares, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Yes, praise Him! We have a Savior who can fully identify with every aspect of our humanity because he was fully human. He suffered just as we suffer and in his body he experience severe loss and pain. God incarnate knows all about the human condition because He lived as a human. But in all this Jesus is the victor. May your hearts live forever because of Jesus Christ who conquered death and lives now and forever.

Response: Father, thank you for victory over death, hell and the grave through your Son Jesus. By faith his victory becomes my victory. Hallelujah! I praise you my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Your Turn: Does the knowledge of Christ’s suffering help you in times of personal pain or loss?

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

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

Pierced for Me

30 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

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

Jesus pierced

Photo and design by David Kitz


Reading: Psalm 22:16-21

Lord Jesus,
my thanks flows to you.
You were forsaken that I might have eternal life.
Thank you for thinking of me
rather than of yourself.
You deserve all praise.
Amen.

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

The Grace Irwin Grand Prize

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

, , ,

The Grace Irwin Prize is Canada’s largest literary award for writers who are Christian. It celebrates the best book published in the associated year by a Canadian author who writes from a Christian worldview. Each year, all shortlisted books entered in The Word Awards are automatically considered for the Grace Irwin Prize.

During this secondary stage of competition, independent judges determine the winner of the Grace Irwin Prize. The prize is presented at The Word Awards Gala to the author of what judges deem is the year’s most outstanding book. All judges’ decisions are final.

With scores of books entered in the competition across multiple genres, I am humbled to be the winner of the grand prize, the 2021 Grace Irwin Best Book of the Year Award.

2021-09-29 Screen Shot

If you routinely follow my I Love the Psalms blog posts, you are in reality reading the daily devotions found in the double award-winning book, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer.

Grace Lilian Irwin, after whom this prize is named, was a trailblazing Canadian Christian writer who passed away in September 2008 at age 101 after a vibrant life as an author, Classics scholar and ordained minister. Her alma mater, University of Toronto’s Victoria College, called her “an inspirational force in the lives of all who knew her.”

During her 38-year career teaching English, Latin and Greek at Humberside Collegiate Institute in Toronto, she spent her summers writing at her cottage in Haliburton, Ontario. Her first and best-known novel, Least of All Saints, was published in 1952.

242844045_450538009641689_5133167726830673340_nFor a closer look at the book that won this year’s  Grace Irwin Best Book of the Year Award click here.

Here is a brief author bio taken from my website:

David Kitz is a Bible dramatist, an award-winning author, a conference speaker and teacher. For more than thirty years, he has served as an ordained minister with the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada.

David has a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies, in addition to Bachelor’s degrees in both Arts and Education. His love for drama and storytelling is evident to all who have seen his Bible-based performances. For several years now, he has toured across Canada and the United States with a variety of one man plays for both children and adults. Though born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa, with his wife Karen. They have two adult sons, Timothy and Joshua and daughter-in-law Jasmine.

In all things let the Lord be lifted up. He is the source of all wisdom.