Online Comments

07 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies (Psalm 5:9, CEV).

Eric E.Wright 16

Dark Clouds Advancing – photo courtesy of Eric E. Wright

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

If you want a grim and bitter view of the world, spend a few minutes reading the comments people post in response to online news stories. For the most part, the comments section is where trolls and hatemongers thrive like bacteria on rotting hamburger. A kind or thoughtful word is rarely seen. All too often this description from the Psalms applies.

Nothing they say is true! They just want to destroy. Their words are deceitful like a hidden pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies (Psalm 5:9, CEV).

There is a cure for this spiteful online negativity. The apostle Paul provides an answer. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Right thinking leads to right, friendly and proper words online and in person.

Response: LORD God, I want to fill my mind with thoughts of compassion, faith and truth, so that the words I speak and write bring joy, encouragement and healing. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you read or respond to negative online comments? Are you able to stay positive and respectful?

Swords instead of Tongues

06 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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I live among lions, who gobble down people! They have spears and arrows instead of teeth, and they have sharp swords instead of tongues (Psalm 57:4, CEV).

D Adam Abandoned

Abandoned Farmyard – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is the power of the tongue.

What is the most destructive organ of the human body? Some might think it’s the clenched fist. But the fist clenches in response to what the tongue says. The tongue is the force that unleashes the fist and the guns of war. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this truth.

I live among lions, who gobble down people! They have spears and arrows instead of teeth, and they have sharp swords instead of tongues (Psalm 57:4, CEV).

Spears and arrows are set in motion by the tongue. James reminds us of the fearsome power of the tongue. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person’s entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself (James 3:5-6).

We desperately need to gain control of our tongues.

Response: LORD God, through the power of your Holy Spirit I set a guard on my lips. Help me to use my tongue to bring goodness, truth and encouragement today. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you often regret the words you speak? Do you need to clean up your conversation? Has God helped you gain control of your tongue?

Tell the Next Generation

03 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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Reading:                                      Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph.

Verses 1-8

My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.

 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.

 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 78 begins with a simple imperative statement: My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.

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The next generation — photo by David Kitz

Hearing and listening are very simple commands. There is nothing particularly difficult about hearing or listening. But… but it seems most of humanity’s problems stem from not hearing or listening. Most marital breakdowns come as a result of a refusal to listen to one another. Intergenerational conflict results from a breakdown in communication. One party may be speaking, but the other party isn’t listening. Even on the international stage, when nations refuse to talk to one another, the next step is usually war.

Why do we stop listening or hearing? Is it because we don’t like what the other person is saying? How does that affect our relationship with God? Have we stopped listening to His voice because we don’t like what He says? Have we stopped listening to the voice of our conscience? Good listening starts with listening to the LORD. When our children stop listening to us we have a problem. Have we in turn listened to them? Telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD starts with us hearing and really listening to God. Our children are so very important to us. But it all starts with the LORD. He has something to say to you today. Are you listening?

Response: LORD God, today give me ears to hear what your Spirit is saying to me. I want a listening heart. Help me to really hear the others in my family and workplace. Thanks for listening to me. Amen.

Your Turn: At times I have not listened to God. How about you? How do we change?

Even While I Sleep

02 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

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Koi fish in a roadside canal. Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

In yesterday’s post we were reminded that God never sleeps. Because the LORD never sleeps, we should be able to take our needed rest in peace. Today’s verse from the Psalms affirms that truth.

It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep (Psalm 127:2, CEV).

We live in a high stress world. There are so many demands on our time and energy. It’s so easy to get caught up in doing, doing, doing with no time for sleep, rest or relaxation.

Sometimes I need to be reminded that God works while I sleep. The garden grows while I sleep. Answers come while I sleep. Troubles melt away while I sleep, because God takes care of his own. My anxious ways hint at a lack of faith on my part.

Response: LORD God, I place my troubles and concerns in your hands. I am so glad that you work the night shift so that I can enjoy my rest. I trust you to care for me. Amen.

Your Turn: Do worries keep you awake at times? Do you need reminders that God takes care of his own?

He Won’t Go to Sleep

01 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

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Moss covered bowl, Kamakura, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Though we need sleep, God does not. As today’s verse from the Psalms makes clear, He is the God who never sleeps.

The LORD is your protector, and he won’t go to sleep or let you stumble (Psalm 121:3, CEV).

Nothing illustrates this truth quite like the story of when the prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Under the sway of Queen Jezebel Israel was divided about which god they should serve, Baal or the LORD. Elijah proposed that the god who answers with fire is the true God who is worthy of worship.

The prophets of Baal were given the first opportunity to have their god ignite their sacrifice. When Baal did not answer the entreaties of his priests, Elijah mocked them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up” (1 Kings 18:27, CEV).

Elijah doused his sacrifice with water and when he prayed the LORD answered with fire from heaven that consumed even the stones of the altar. Hallelujah!

Our God is alive! He is awake! He never sleeps!

Response: LORD God, I thank you that you are my protector. You surround me with your ever-present care. Because you never sleep, I can always call on you. Amen.

Your Turn: What do the LORD’s constant care and protection mean for you?

Wake Up Refreshed

31 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Tuesday's Truth

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I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

Chimney - by Karen

Fireplace chimney—photo courtesy of Karen Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Did you get a good night’s sleep? I hope so. Sleep is essential for our health and well being. God designed us that way and when we don’t get the required amount of sleep our body protests. Ultimately a tired body is an unproductive body.

Worry and various forms of stress rob us of the sleep we need. But in today’s verse from the Psalms David makes this observation:

I sleep and wake up refreshed because you, LORD, protect me (Psalm 3:5, CEV).

 

David wrote these words when he was fleeing for his life from his son Absalom. Here he was in the midst of a huge disaster. His son had conspired against him and forced him to flee from Jerusalem. Yet despite the incredible stress King David was under, he slept well. He had committed his life to the LORD, so David could sleep in peace and awake refreshed.

You and I need quiet confidence in the LORD that can bring us through times of stress.

Response: LORD God, grant me confident faith that you will help and protect me during stressful times. My help comes from you. Thank you for the gift of refreshing sleep. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you sometimes have trouble sleeping? What works for you?

Before I Go to Sleep

30 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

D Adam Moon 2

Stairway to the moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is sleep.

Our thoughts tell us a great deal about what we value, what attracts us and what we consider important. In general, when our mind is idle or at rest, it turns to the things we love. During such times, David’s mind turned to the LORD. We know this because he penned this verse:

I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night (Psalm 63:6, CEV).

Where do your thoughts go before you go to sleep? Does your mind turn to the Lord as you review the events of the day? Is there a moment of thanksgiving as you consider how events unfolded?

If we love the Lord and are in covenant relationship with Him, then our thoughts should turn to Him as naturally as taking our next breath. Sleep comes easily to those who commit their way and their day into God’s hands.

Response: LORD God, I want my mind to turn to you quickly and easily. I always want to be mindful of your love for me. Your eyes are on the sparrow and on all I do as well. Amen.

Your Turn: Does it require some self-discipline for you to think about the LORD? 

With all my Heart

29 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Bethesda Fountain 2014-11-11

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York — photo by David Kitz

With all my heart I praise the Lord,
    and with all that I am I praise his holy name!
With all my heart I praise the Lord!
    I will never forget how kind he has been

(Psalm 103:1-2, CEV).