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I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Tag Archives: Discipleship

The Temple Tax

09 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

A Prophet Of God, Discipleship, Divine Provision, Follow Jesus, God’s Provision, gospel, gospel reading, Jesus, Jesus Meets Needs, Jesus Provides, Jesus The Son Of God, Kingdom Wisdom, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, trust in God, Walking With Jesus

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ps-7312-20-mix-4final3.mp3

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Temple Tax

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum,
the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax
came to Peter and asked,
“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house,
Jesus was the first to speak.
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked.
“From whom do the kings of the earth
collect duty and taxes—
from their own children or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,”
Jesus said to him.

“But so that we may not cause offense,
go to the lake and throw out your line.
Take the first fish you catch;
open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(Matthew 17:24-27).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God

and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.

(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 73, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Prophet Of God, believe in Jesus, Biblical Wisdom, Discipleship, Faith And Revelation, Faith Over Fear, Faith That Overcomes, Follow Jesus, gospel, gospel reading, Healing And Deliverance, Jesus, Jesus The Son Of God, Power Of Faith, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, Spiritual Discernment, The Living God, The Miracle Working Savior, trust in God, Walking With Jesus

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ps-731-11-mix-1final.mp3

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they came to the crowd,
a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.
“He has seizures and is suffering greatly.
He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples,
but they could not heal him.”

 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”
Jesus replied,
“how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you?
Bring the boy here to me.”
 
Jesus rebuked the demon,
and it came out of the boy,
and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,
“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied,
“Because you have so little faith.
Truly I tell you,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
(Matthew 17:14-21).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God

and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.

(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Predicts His Death

05 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 72, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

A Prophet Of God, believe in Jesus, Biblical Wisdom, Discipleship, Faith And Revelation, Faith Over Fear, Follow Jesus, gospel, gospel reading, Jesus, Jesus The Son Of God, Psalms, Spiritual Awareness, Spiritual Discernment, Take Up Your Cross, The Living God, Turn To Christ, Walking With Jesus

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 72:12-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ps-7212-20-mix-4final2-1.mp3

LORD God,
help me to see my many blessings
as a gift from you.
Show me today how I can be a blessing to others.
You are my source.
Lord,
give me a generous spirit like you have.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Predicts His Death

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things at the hands of the elders,
the chief priests and the teachers of the law,
and that he must be killed
and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
“Never, Lord!” he said.
“This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me;
you do not have in mind the concerns of God,
but merely human concerns.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit their soul?
Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come
in his Father’s glory with his angels,
and then he will reward each person
according to what they have done.

“Truly I tell you,
some who are standing here
will not taste death
before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(Matthew 16:21-28).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God

and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.

(1 John 3:21-22 NIV)

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Jesus Calms the Storm

05 Tuesday May 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 63, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Believe In Miracles, Discipleship, encouragement, Faith Journey, Faith Wins, Gods Promises, gospel, gospel reading, Hope In Christ, Jesus, Jesus Saves, Prayer, Psalms, Stay Faithful, walk by faith

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 63:6-11 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ps-636-11-mixfinal.mp3

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.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Calms the Storm

 Then he got into the boat
and his disciples followed him.
Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake,
so that the waves swept over the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying,
“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves,
and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked,
“What kind of man is this?
Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
(Matthew 8:23-27).

* * *

Dear children,
let us not love with words or speech
but with actions and in truth.

(1 John 3:18 NIV)

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

The Cost of Following Jesus

04 Monday May 2026

Posted by Victor Uduh in Psalm 63, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

children's books, counting the cost, Discipleship, following Jesus, gospel, gospel reading, Jesus, joy, Peter, Prayer, prophet, Psalms, sing praises, songs of praise, source of life, springs of joy, the rock

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 63:1-5 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

https://davidkitz.blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ps-631-5-mix11final1.mp3

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.

        — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
The Cost of Following Jesus

 When Jesus saw the crowd around him,
he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said,
“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied,
“Foxes have dens and birds have nests,
but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Another disciple said to him,
“Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him,
“Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
(Matthew 8:18-22).

* * *

Dear children,
let us not love with words or speech
but with actions and in truth.

(1 John 3:18 NIV)

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

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

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.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Defender of the Needy

10 Wednesday Sep 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

compassion, Discipleship, faith, justice, love, mercy, obedience, Reflection, Righteousness, sacrifice, salvation, Scripture

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 140:9-13
Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence (NIV). *

Reflection
Here is an observation I have made as a result of visiting and speaking at a wide variety of churches across this continent. Christians and Christian churches in North America appear to fall into two broad camps: Those that are primarily concerned about personal salvation, and those that are concerned mainly about social justice.

There’s often a considerable amount of tension between these two camps. Both are convinced they are doing the will of God as revealed in the scriptures, and they can quote chapter and verse to back up their particular perspective. So which position is correct?

The short answer is they are both right. The eternal destination of your soul is of primary importance but love and compassion for others is central to the entire mission of Jesus, and the full scope of the scriptures. Today’s reading from Psalm 140 reminds that issues of justice and fairness rank high with the LORD. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy (v.12).

John, the apostle, gives us this perspective: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).

It got very messy when Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. A lot of blood was spilled. It was brutal beyond measure—humiliation and suffering beyond measure. Our personal salvation was messy—in every way a high-cost affair. Are we willing to do the same for others? That’s what John is saying when he writes, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Now there’s a high calling. Do you want to change the world? It starts with a change in your heart. Jesus is in the heart changing business. I need an appointment with him. What about you?

Response: LORD, I am selfish by nature. It’s not natural for me to think of others first. Help me to change. I want to genuinely care about others. Show me what I can do to help because Jesus cares. Amen.

Your Turn: Should the church be involved in social justice issues or just stick to the salvation message? Should it be doing both?

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, 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.

A gripping read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Modern forms of Idolatry

09 Monday Jun 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

devotion, Discipleship, faith, heartcheck, idolatry, obedience, Reflection, Scripture, truth, worship

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 115:1-8
Not to us, LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but cannot walk,
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them (NIV). *

Street Corner Idol — Nagakute, Japan — David Kitz

Reflection
Where are your idols? “I have none,” you say. Are you sure? Most readers of this post would deny being idol worshippers, but perhaps we have more idols than we care to admit.

Idolatry was commonly practiced during Israel’s kingdom era. In Old Testament times, the nations around God’s people all practiced various forms of idol worship. One might assume God’s redeemed people, who were rescued from slavery, would have nothing to do with such vile practices. But you would be wrong. Time and again Israel fell into idolatry.

King Solomon, who was revered for his wisdom, is a prime example of someone who condoned idol worship. Here’s what we read about this ‘esteemed’ leader: On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods (1 Kings 11:7-8).

When leaders go astray, there will be many who follow. In the church today we have many leaders who have fallen captive to the god of Mammon—material goods. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Before we claim to be free from idols, we need to examine our hearts. Are we yielding to the Holy Spirit, or are we controlled by our desire for what this world has to offer?

Response: Father God, show me if there are idols in my life. In love, correct me when I stray. I want to serve you—put you first in my life. Lord Jesus, be my master. It’s an honor to serve you. Amen.

Your Turn: What things have become idols in your life? What actions can you take to establish Jesus as your Lord?

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, 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.

A gripping read from David Kitz.
Is a return-to-Jesus revival possible in our time?
This book points the way forward.
For details click here.

Flourishing in God’s Presence

21 Friday Mar 2025

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

devotion, Discipleship, faith, flourishing, fruitfulness, Growth, Reflection, Righteousness, Spirituality, trust

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Reading: Psalm 92:9-15
For surely your enemies, LORD,
surely your enemies will perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.
You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him” (NIV). *

Newly planted rice stalks, Nagoya, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
God’s people have been called or compared to many things. Often, we are likened to sheep—the sheep of the LORD’s pasture. But here in Psalm 92 we are likened to trees, the palm tree, the cedar, and various fruit trees.

There is a striking parallel between the tree analogy found in this psalm and a similar analogy found in Psalm 1. In both cases the righteous are compared to trees. “That person [the righteous] 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”. (Psalm 1:3).

By its very nature, there is something very settled about a tree. Unlike a sheep, a tree is not prone to wander. Trees flourish or perish where they have taken root. Have you been planted in the house of the LORD? Are you staying fresh and green and flourishing in the courts of our God?

Fruitfulness begins with flowering. Is your relationship with God in the flowering stage? Have you fallen in love with Him—so in love that you radiate beauty? Are you and the message you bear attractive? Have you made yourself attractive because of your love for the Lord?

What about fruit? Are the fruits of the Spirit beginning to appear on your branches? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

I can’t speak for you, but I would rather be a flourishing, fruit-bearing tree in the courts of the LORD than a wayward sheep.

Response: LORD God, daily I want to grow more in love with you. Grant me a settled heart. I want my life to bear fruit that will bring honor to you. Help me to radiate your goodness and beauty. Amen.

Your Turn: How attractive is the message you bear? What signals are you sending out into the world?

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, 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 begin the new year, and daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

RGB72PsalmsVol2

A gripping read from David Kitz.
4485 SHARABLE-2

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

God’s Call for Transformation

30 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by adeyemiasaba1 in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

accountability, change, Discipleship, gospel, rebellion, redemption, Reflection, transformation, truth, wrath

Reading: Psalm 78:40-49
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the wasteland!
Again and again they put God to the test;
they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
They did not remember his power—
the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
the day he displayed his signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the region of Zoan.
He turned their river into blood;
they could not drink from their streams.
He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.
He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
their produce to the locust.
He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
He gave over their cattle to the hail,
their livestock to bolts of lightning.
He unleashed against them his hot anger,
his wrath, indignation and hostility—
a band of destroying angels (NIV). *

Reflection
There are several things I would like to believe. I would like to believe God never gets angry, His patience is everlasting, and that there is no such thing as the wrath of God. I would like to believe Jesus never raised his voice in anger—that he winks at my sins, as though they were no big deal, and then moves on. I would like to believe there is no hell, no burning lake of fire, and no Satan to deceive me.

I would like to believe these things, but I would be wrong. I would be putting myself above the authority of the Word of God, which says such things are so. Today’s reading from Psalm 78 reminds us God’s wrath is real and I don’t want to find myself on the receiving end of it, as was the case with the Egyptians. He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility—a band of destroying angels (v. 49).

I confess I am tempted to believe in a comfortable gospel, because a comfortable gospel doesn’t call me to account and demand that I change. The Jesus of the comfortable gospel doesn’t demand I sell all and follow him. The Jesus of the comfortable gospel promises me prosperity and self-actualization. I can become what I want, rather than what he wants. The comfortable gospel leaves me as I am—like a pig in a mud wallow. But somehow, Lord, I believe you want more from me. You want my life—my changed life.

Response: LORD God, I believe in your wrath because you are grieved at the hate and harm we generate in this world. I want to hear you calling and follow you to the place of deep personal change. Amen.

Your Turn: What kind of gospel do you believe in? Does it require personal change?

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.
RGB300Kitz2AWARD

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Living Out Our Values in Faith

25 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by adeyemiasaba1 in Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Discipleship, faith, God, passion, presence, priorities, Reflection, values, worship, zeal

Reading: Psalm 69:6-12
Lord, the LORD Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother’s children;
for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;
when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.
Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards (NIV).

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Reflection
With the approach of a new year many of us set goals and consider our progress over the past year. Our personal goals spring from those things we value and hold dear. So, what did David, the author of this psalm, value and hold dear? According to his own words, David was motivated by his zeal for the house of God. He longed to be in God’s presence and to seek His face. He placed his love for God ahead of his love for even his family.

I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me… (v. 8-9).

Many of us would call that misplaced zeal, even fanaticism. But Jesus called for precisely this kind zeal from his disciples. He calls for a radical transformation in the lives of his followers. Are you a disciple, or are you following at a distance? His words are an open challenge to everyone.

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).

After Jesus cleansed the temple, his disciples recalled the words from this psalm. His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:17).

Response: LORD God, give me a zeal for your house and your presence. As the months and years roll by, I want my values to be reflected in my actions and my passion for you. Replace my lukewarm heart with a burning desire to know and love you. Amen.

Your Turn: Where does the house of God rate on your zeal meter? Do you value the community of faith to which you belong?

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

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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