Like Chaff or Like a Tree

28 Tuesday May 2024

Tags

Bible, Jesus, Psalms, redemption, righteous, Savior, sins, Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Tree of Life, trees

Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

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 (NIV). *

Petrie Island trees by the water — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Have you ever noticed the prominent role trees play in the Bible? The creation account in Genesis begins with God planting two very special trees in the Garden of Eden: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. After our first parent’s disobedience, we were banned from access to the Tree of Life. But the amazing, good news of the Bible is that at the end of the book, in the last chapter of the book of Revelation, God restores our access to the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-5).

In a very real sense, the Bible is a story about trees.

Here in the very first Psalm, the life of the righteous is compared to a fruit-bearing tree, flourishing by streams of water. The psalmist presents a picture of tranquil beauty. Is that a picture of my life, or am I caught up in busyness? Sometimes I feel more like windblown chaff—rather worthless and lacking a sense of direction.

But that’s where the other tree at the heart of the Bible comes into play. It stands on a hill called Calvary. There my Savior bled and died. There he showed me my true worth. There my sins were washed away, never to be remembered again. That’s where I became righteous, not by works that I had done, but by the grace and forgiveness of Christ.

What a beautiful tree! The tree on Mount Calvary isn’t t beautiful because of its leaves. It’s beautiful because of its fruit—the fruit of redemption purchased by the blood of Jesus. My righteousness is solely due to him.

Response: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Help me to always remember you are the true source of my righteousness. At your prompting help me to rid myself of the worthless chaff in my life. Wind of God, blow on me. Water of life, refresh my soul. May I be fruitful, Lord, for you. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you knelt before the tree on Mount Calvary? Today, how can you show your appreciation for the tree God planted there?

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

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

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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. TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Your Youth Is Renewed

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 103, Psalms

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Tags

compassion, forgive, hallelujah, healing, Jesus, praise, praise the LORD, Psalms, redemption, resurrection, victory, youth

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

Reading: Psalm 148:13-14

LORD God,
I praise you for sending Jesus.
I praise you for your great plan of redemption.
Jesus, I thank you for carrying my sins to Calvary.
I rejoice in your resurrection victory.
Hallelujah!
Amen.

— — —

Praise the LORD, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
(Psalm 103:1-5), NIV)*

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

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

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The First and Second Hallelujah!

22 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms

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Tags

Bible, Christmas, hallelujah, Hallelujah Chorus, Jesus, praise, praise the LORD, Prayer, Psalms, redemption, resurrection, Son of God

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

Reading: Psalm 148:13-14
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
And he has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD (NIV). *

silhouette of a person under the beautiful northern lights

Photo by Pat Whelen on Pexels.com

Reflection
Broadly speaking I like modern translations of the Bible over the traditional King James Version, but… But sometimes the old King James just sounds better, or more familiar. Here at the close of Psalm 148 we have a case in point.

The New International Version ends the psalm with these words: Praise the LORD. The King James Version ends the psalm with Praise ye the LORD. But a more literal translation or transliteration of this final phrase is Hallelujah! The footnotes to the New American Standard Bible point out that Hallelu means praise, while JAH is the abbreviated Hebrew name for God, which is often translated Jehovah or more accurately Yahweh.

Whenever you see the phrase praise the LORD, you are looking at a translation of the Hebrew word hallelujah!

Hallelujah is entirely absent from the New International Version of the Bible. It has also been scrubbed from most of the other modern translations. To put it bluntly, I miss hallelujah. It has an uplifting ring to it. Hallelujah skips off the tongue like a shooting star. It bursts forth from a thankful heart like fireworks on a summer night.

For the Christian believer Christmas is the great Hallelujah! God has come to the earth and been born as a baby like you and me. This is the beginning of the great redemption story.

The resurrection is the second great Hallelujah! The Son of God was vindicated. His death was not in vain. He conquered death, our greatest foe, and now Jesus reigns on high forever. That calls for a hallelujah! And for good measure, let’s add praise the LORD too!

The one who at his birth was laid in a manger is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. As Handel’s Messiah proclaims, “He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah!” Let the hallelujahs resound from the earth to the heavens as we join in the song of the angels—the song of the ages.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Response: LORD God, I praise you for sending Jesus. I praise you for your great plan of redemption. Jesus, I thank you for carrying my sins to Calvary. I rejoice in your resurrection victory. Hallelujah! Amen.

Your Turn: Do you enjoy Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus? What is your favorite expression of praise to God?

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!

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

A Wooden Cross

14 Tuesday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 147

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Tags

Christ, creation, crucified, faith, Jesus, love of God, Prayer, Psalms, redemption, Son of God

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

Reading: Psalm 147:4-7

LORD God,
I can’t begin to fathom your greatness.
You are far too wonderful for me.
I don’t deserve a moment of your thoughts.
But you did so much more.
You sent Jesus.
Thank you for your creation
and your great redemption.
Amen.

— — —

I have been crucified with Christ
and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me
and gave himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20), NIV)*

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

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

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The Time Has Come

06 Monday May 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 145

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

compassion, good news, grace of God, Jesus, Kingdom of God, prison, redemption, repent, the cross

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

Reading: Psalm 145:8-13

LORD God,
I thank you
that I am a citizen of your kingdom.
Your grace and compassion have won my heart.
I want to serve you.
Your dominion endures through all generations.
I praise an thank you for my redemption
accomplished on the cross.
Amen.

— — —

After John was put in prison,
Jesus went into Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said.
“The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!”

(Mark 1:1-2), NIV)*

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

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

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This Is My Body

28 Thursday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Maunday Thursday

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Tags

Bible, blood, blood of Jesus, body, covenant, forgiveness of sins, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Passover, Prayer, redemption, remembrance

Today’s Bible quote and prayer for
Maunday Thursday, the evening of Christ’s betrayal.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Reading: Luke 22:14-20

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Father God,
I thank for the shed blood of Jesus,
your Son.
I thank you for His body
that was broken for me.
I am eternally grateful for redemption,
and the forgiveness of my sins.
Amen.

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

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

Holy Week is here. Easter is approaching.
Are you ready for a journey to the cross?
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Rescued from the Dominion of Darkness

26 Tuesday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 135

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Tags

dominion, Easter, Jesus, liberation, Prayer, Psalms, redemption, rescued, salvation, the cross

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

Reading: Psalm 135:8-14

Father God,
I thank you for liberation.
Through Jesus,
you freed me from the bondage of sin.
I am eternally grateful.
Fill me with the joy of your salvation.
You saved me.
Hallelujah!
Amen.

For he has rescued us
from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom
of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14, NIV)*

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

Holy Week is here. Easter is approaching.
Are you ready for a journey to the cross?
For a closer look or to purchase click here.

Adoption to Sonship

22 Friday Mar 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 134

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Tags

children of God, confirmation, Father God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, redemption, slaves, Spirit of God

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

Reading: Psalm 134

Father God,
I thank you for loving me
and inviting me into your family.
Lord Jesus,
thank you for purchasing my redemption.
Holy Spirit,
I thank you for the confirmation
that I am your child.
Amen.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God
are the children of God.
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves,
so that you live in fear again;
rather, the Spirit you received
brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit
that we are God’s children.
(Romans 5:14-16, NIV)*

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

Lent is here. Easter is approaching.
Are you ready for a journey to the cross?
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You Are Not an Accident

09 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 119

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

creation, God's care, Jesus, meditate, Prayer, Psalms, redemption

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

Reading: Psalm 119:73-80

Father God,
I want to be like your Son, Jesus.
Thank you for touching my life
and forming me with your hands.
I am yours—
yours by creation—
yours by redemption.
I will meditate on your precepts.
Amen.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
(Psalm 139:13), NIV)*

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

A Cup of Salvation

18 Thursday Jan 2024

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 116, Psalms

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

coffee, communion cup, cup of salvation, cup of suffering, Jesus, redemption, resurrected, resurrection

Reading: Psalm 116:10-14
I trusted in the LORD when I said,
  “I am greatly afflicted”;
in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”
What shall I return to the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
  and call on the name of the LORD.
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
    in the presence of all his people (NIV). *

Photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection
Today started a bit different. Rather than beginning my day with a hot cup of coffee, I had a few sips of water and then headed off for some blood tests. I missed that cup of coffee, but in reality going without it was no great hardship. Some view their morning shot of caffeine like a cup of salvation—early morning salvation. Today’s reading from Psalm 116 speaks of the cup of salvation. I’m sure the psalmist wasn’t speaking of his morning cup of java. What was he speaking of?

The psalmist lifts up the cup of salvation and calls on the name of the LORD in response to this question: What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? The psalmist lifts up his cup as an expression of thanksgiving to the LORD for the salvation he has received from God.

But salvation came at a price. To purchase our salvation, Jesus lifted a cup and brought it to his lips. It was a cup of unimaginable suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He was referring to the anguish he would endure. In the hours that followed, Jesus drained that cup of suffering dry, even as his body was drained of blood on a cruel Roman cross.

In the great plan of redemption, Jesus’ cup of suffering became for us a cup of salvation. He drank it down to save us from the cruel consequences of our sin. Jesus assumed the full penalty of our disobedience, rebellion, and devious ways. But now by faith, we can become active recipients of the salvation he won on our behalf.

The next time you bring the communion cup to your lips you are remembering—acknowledging in a tangible way—that Jesus’ blood was shed for you. Salvation came through a cup of suffering. We can rejoice in that truth because early on a Sunday morning, Jesus’ dead body was jolted back to life. He was resurrected by the power of the Father, and one day the body of every believer will be resurrected too. In that moment we will experience the fullness of our salvation.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll return to my usual routine, and I’ll enjoy my hot cup of coffee. But the cup I savour most is the cup the Lord provides—the cup of salvation.

Response: Lord Jesus, I thank you for your sacrifice. You gave yourself fully for me. On a crude wooden cross, you purchased my salvation. Today, help me fulfill my vows to the LORD. Amen.

Your Turn: Which cup do you appreciate most? How can you show your appreciation for the cup of salvation?

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 148:13-14

LORD God,I praise you for sending Jesus.I praise you for your great plan of redemption.Jesus, I thank you for carrying my sins to Calvary.I rejoice in your resurrection victory.Hallelujah! Amen.

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

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

Today’s Devotion from the Psalms

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 147:4-7

LORD God, I can’t begin to fathom your greatness. You are far too wonderful for me. I don’t deserve a moment of your thoughts. But you did so much more. You sent Jesus. Thank you for your creation and your great redemption. Amen.

— — — I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20), NIV)*

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 145:8-13

LORD God, I thank you that I am a citizen of your kingdom. Your grace and compassion have won my heart. I want to serve you. Your dominion endures through all generations. I praise an thank you for my redemption accomplished on the cross. Amen.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:1-2), NIV)*

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

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

Today’s Bible quote and prayer for Maunday Thursday, the evening of Christ’s betrayal.

Reading: Luke 22:14-20

Father God, I thank for the shed blood of Jesus, your Son. I thank you for His body that was broken for me. I am eternally grateful for redemption, and the forgiveness of my sins. Amen.

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 135:8-14

Father God, I thank you for liberation. Through Jesus, you freed me from the bondage of sin. I am eternally grateful. Fill me with the joy of your salvation. You saved me. Hallelujah! Amen.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14, NIV)*

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 134

Father God, I thank you for loving me and inviting me into your family. Lord Jesus, thank you for purchasing my redemption. Holy Spirit, I thank you for the confirmation that I am your child. Amen.

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

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

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

Reading: Psalm 119:73-80

Father God, I want to be like your Son, Jesus. Thank you for touching my life and forming me with your hands. I am yours— yours by creation— yours by redemption. I will meditate on your precepts. Amen.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13), NIV)*

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

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

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

Please pray for peace to return to Israel and Ukraine!

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

LORD God,
I praise you for sending Jesus.
I praise you for your great plan of redemption.
Jesus, I thank you for carrying my sins to Calvary.
I rejoice in your resurrection victory.
Hallelujah!
Amen.

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

LORD God,
I can’t begin to fathom your greatness.
You are far too wonderful for me.
I don’t deserve a moment of your thoughts.
But you did so much more.
You sent Jesus.
Thank you for your creation
and your great redemption.
Amen.

— — —

I have been crucified with Christ
and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me
and gave himself for me.

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

LORD God,
I thank you
that I am a citizen of your kingdom.
Your grace and compassion have won my heart.
I want to serve you.
Your dominion endures through all generations.
I praise an thank you for my redemption
accomplished on the cross.
Amen.

After John was put in prison,
Jesus went into Galilee,
proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said.
“The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!”

(Mark 1:1-2), NIV)*

Today’s Bible quote and prayer for
Maunday Thursday, the evening of Christ’s betrayal.

Father God,
I thank for the shed blood of Jesus,
your Son.
I thank you for His body
that was broken for me.
I am eternally grateful for redemption,
and the forgiveness of my sins.
Amen.

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

Father God,
I thank you for liberation.
Through Jesus,
you freed me from the bondage of sin.
I am eternally grateful.
Fill me with the joy of your salvation.
You saved me.
Hallelujah!
Amen.

For he has rescued us
from the dominion of darkness
and brought us into the kingdom
of the Son he loves,
in whom we have redemption,
the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14, NIV)*

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

Father God,
I thank you for loving me
and inviting me into your family.
Lord Jesus,
thank you for purchasing my redemption.
Holy Spirit,
I thank you for the confirmation
that I am your child.
Amen.

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

Father God,
I want to be like your Son, Jesus.
Thank you for touching my life
and forming me with your hands.
I am yours—
yours by creation—
yours by redemption.
I will meditate on your precepts.
Amen.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
(Psalm 139:13), NIV)*