Tag Archives: teacher

Are you Learning from Jesus?

30 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

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Reading: Psalm 25:8-15

Good and upright is the LORD;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare (NIV).*

L Kranz 2023-11-25

Photo courtesy of Liz Kranz

Reflection

Some truths are self-evident: Water flows downhill, always has and always will. Darkness is an absence of light. The first line of today’s psalm reading is also one of those self-evident truths. Good and upright is the LORD. The LORD is always good, and He is always upright in all His ways. There is nothing devious or corrupt about Him. That’s simply the nature of our God.

Because the LORD is good and upright, righteousness and grace flow from His throne. The LORD instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. His love cascades down upon those who are humble of heart. Jesus in his earthly ministry exemplified the very nature of God because he came as the LORD in human flesh. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-29).

Are you learning from Jesus? Have you positioned yourself to hear and follow him? The LORD is our teacher, but he only instructs those who humbly fear and reverence Him. The obstinate sinner has shut his ears to the voice of God. There is no guidance from heaven for him, nor does he seek it, because in rebellion he has chosen his own path.

Do you want the LORD to guide you in the decisions you face? Be of good cheer. If you fear the LORD, He will instruct you in the way you should choose. Confess your sin to Him, admit your need before Him, and then open your spirit to hear from God. We have this promise: The LORD confides in those who fear him. 

Response: LORD, in humility I come before you. I need your help and guidance every moment of the day. Teach me your ways in every situation and circumstance I face. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you routinely ask for the LORD’s guidance? How has He responded? Can you testify to situations in which the LORD has guided your steps?

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

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

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.

New from David Kitz
TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Turning My Heart and My Mind

02 Friday Feb 2024

Posted by in Psalm 119

≈ 2 Comments

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Reading: Psalm 119:33-40
ה He
Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life (NIV). *

img_20220226_0859111

Early winter morning — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
How do you learn? We live in an era when education and learning are highly valued, so this is an important question. In recent years psychologists have discovered what good teachers have recognized intuitively. Not everyone learns in the same way.

We all learn by taking in information through our senses, but that’s where individual differences begin to emerge. Some of us are primarily auditory learners. We learn best by listening. Others are primarily tactile or kinesthetic learners; they learn through touch and physical activity. Some learn best by reading. Visual learners grasp concepts best by engaging with pictures, maps, or diagrams. Personally, visual learning is one of my strong suits.

The psalmist begins today’s reading from Psalm 119 by expressing his desire to learn from the LORD: Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Now that’s a noble request. We all need to pray that prayer. But how exactly do we learn from God? The psalmist goes on to provide some answers. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

It all begins with turning our hearts—our affections—toward the LORD. You can’t expect to learn much if you turn your back on the Teacher. And that requires a repentant heart. What are your eyes taking in? Is it worthless things, or the glory of God in nature, or in the face of Jesus Christ?

Response: Father God, I want to see you. Open my eyes to your wonders around me. Teach me your ways in practical life altering steps that draw me close to you. Open your word to me. Amen.

Your Turn: What kind of learner are you? What are you learning from the LORD?

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

BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]

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.TheElishaCodeCVR5

To purchase or for a closer look click here.

Do You Seek Guidance for Your Life?

11 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by in Psalm 25, Psalms

≈ 6 Comments

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Reading: Psalm 25:8-15
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare (NIV).*

img_20210916_1105036

A steep upward winding path — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Some truths are self-evident: Water flows downhill, always has and always will. Darkness is an absence of light. The first line of today’s psalm reading is also one of those self-evident truths. Good and upright is the LORD. The LORD is always good and He is always upright in all His ways. There is nothing devious or corrupt about Him. That’s simply the nature of our God.

Because the LORD is good and upright, righteousness and grace flow from His throne. The LORD instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. His love cascades down upon those who are humble of heart. Jesus in his earthly ministry exemplified the very nature of God, because he came as the LORD in human flesh. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-29).

Are you learning from Jesus? Have you positioned yourself to hear and follow him? The LORD is our teacher, but he only instructs those who humbly fear and reverence Him. The obstinate sinner has shut his ears to the voice of God. There is no guidance from heaven for him, nor does he seek it, because in rebellion he has chosen his own path.

Do you want the LORD to guide you in the decisions you face? Be of good cheer. If you fear the LORD, He will instruct you in the way you should choose. Confess your sin to Him, admit your need before Him, and then open your spirit to hear from God. We have this promise: The LORD confides in those who fear him.

Response: LORD, in humility I come before you. I need your help and guidance every moment of the day. Teach me your ways in every situation and circumstance I face. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you routinely ask for the LORD’s guidance? How has He responded? Can you testify to situations in which the LORD has guided your steps?

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my Canadian readers.

crop multiethnic friends praying at table on thanksgiving

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

 

* 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.

Seeking Guidance

11 Monday May 2020

Posted by in Devotions, Psalm 25, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

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Reading: Psalm 25
(Verses 8-15)
Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare (NIV).*

image

Canal sculpture, Ottawa, ON — photo by Timothy Kitz

Reflection
Some truths are self-evident: Water flows downhill, always has and always will. Darkness is an absence of light. The first line of today’s psalm reading is also one of those self-evident truths. Good and upright is the LORD. The LORD is always good and He is always upright in all His ways. There is nothing devious or corrupt about Him. That’s simply the nature of our God.

Because the LORD is good and upright, righteousness and grace flow from His throne. The LORD instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. His love cascades down upon those who are humble of heart. Jesus in his earthly ministry exemplified the very nature of God, because he came as the LORD in human flesh. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:27-29).

Are you learning from Jesus? Have you positioned yourself to hear and follow him? The Lord is our teacher, but he only instructs those who humbly fear and reverence Him. The obstinate sinner has shut his ears to the voice of God. There is no guidance from heaven for him, nor does he seek it, because in rebellion he has chosen his own path.

Do you want the LORD to guide you in the decisions you face? Be of good cheer. If you fear the LORD, He will instruct you in the way you should choose. Confess your sin to Him, admit your need before Him, and then open your spirit to hear from God. We have this promise: The LORD confides in those who fear him.

Response: LORD, in humility I come before you. I need your help and guidance every moment of the day. Teach me your ways in every situation and circumstance I face. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you routinely ask for the LORD’s guidance? How has He responded? Can you testify to situations in which the LORD has guided your steps?

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

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.

Teach me, LORD, the Way

13 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

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Reading: Psalm 119
ה He
(Verses 33-40)
Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life (NIV).

img_20191029_09422242

Direct me in the path of your commands — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
How do you learn? We live in an era when education and learningt are highly valued, so this is an important question. In recent years psychologists have discovered what good teachers have recognized intuitively. Not everyone learns in the same way.

We all learn by taking in information through our senses, but that’s where individual differences begin to emerge. Some of us are primarily auditory learners. We learn best by listening. Others are primarily tactile or kinesthetic learners; they learn through touch and physical activity. Visual learners grasp concepts best by engaging with pictures, maps or diagrams. Personally, visual learning is my strong suit.

The psalmist begins today’s reading from Psalm 119 by expressing his desire to learn from the LORD: Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.

Now that’s a noble request. We all need to pray that prayer. But how exactly do we learn from God? The psalmist goes on to provide some answers. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 

It all begins with turning our hearts—our affections—toward the LORD. You can’t expect to learn much if you turn your back on the Teacher. And that requires a repentant heart. What are your eyes taking in? Is it worthless things, or the glory of God in nature, or in the face of Jesus Christ?

Response: Father God, I want to see you. Open my eyes to your wonders around me. Teach me your ways in practical life altering steps that draw me close to you. Open your word to me, so I can see the path you have set for me to walk. Amen.

Your Turn: What kind of learner are you? Are you learning from the LORD?

The Bible and Bullying

11 Friday Oct 2019

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 109, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).

IMG_20180815_1137341-EFFECTS

Georgian Bay memories — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.

All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.

It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.

Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?

Little Froggy Explores the BIG World

06 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by in Books by David Kitz, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

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With kids back in school and fall quickly approaching, what  a wonderful time to discover the fascinating explorations of Little Froggy.

image_1

Illustration by Mircea Gabor, page 19

So, how do you set limits for your child?  Every parent faces this question.  Little Froggy is about to hop out into that great BIG world, that your child too must face. Why not have your child hop out there with Little Froggy? He has a lot to learn.  Together, they can discover one of the most essential lessons in life: obedience.  And they can have a lot of fun doing it. So, why not come on along? Let’s get hopping!

Picture5

Little Froggy on the move — illustration by Mircea Gabor — page 13

Author Bio: David Kitz has worked with children for many years, as a parent, a teacher, and as a pastor. He first told “The Little Froggy Story” to his two-year-old son while working in Japan as an English Teacher.

Illustrator Bio: Award winning artist, Mircea Gabor, employed his creative talents to develop the watercolour illustrations that bring Little Froggy to life. For more than ten years his art has been bringing smiles and wonder to children and adults across Canada.

To learn more about this award-winning children’s book visit: https://davidkitz.ca/froggy.php

To purchase directly from the author visit: https://www.davidkitz.ca/bookcart/index.php?route=product/product&path=59&product_id=53

 

 

 

 

 

Bullying in the Bible?

17 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, God's word, Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

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, , , , , , , , , , ,

Reading: Psalm 109
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
(Verses 1-5)
My God, whom I praise,
do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship (NIV).

Reflection
Words have enormous power. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).

2018-04-28

Forest Valley ravine, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Words of hatred can be devastating. This is especially true when those words come from those we believe to be our friends. This is the situation the psalmist finds himself in. Hear the psalmist’s lament: With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship. 

There is a deep sense of betrayal in the psalmist’s words. The beginning of this psalm smacks of the Judas kiss. Jesus suffered the hatred and attacks described here. But millions of others have experienced betrayal, false accusations and words of hatred. Daily, children and teens are bullied and harassed at school and online. All too often Tweets and Facebook comments are nothing more than fountains of hate. Mob mentality rules as attacks and insults pile high.

All this reminds me of farm life and the behavior of chickens. Chickens are highly social creatures and early on in their young lives, these birds establish a pecking order. I’m not speaking figuratively. This really happens. The lead bird pecks first at their food and will aggressively exclude others. Those who transgress the established order will find themselves under vicious attack by the leader and other members of the flock. This means exclusion from the food source, but in the worst instances the aggressive chicks will peck the victim to death. Only human intervention can save them.

It’s truly remarkable how human behavior so closely resembles the behavior of chickens. Our classrooms are full of chickens—aggressive chickens establishing their pecking order—and God help the poor child who falls out of favor! As a teacher I have often been a front-seat witness to the bullying that goes on. Intervention is essential or in the worst cases death may result.  

Response: Father God, today I pray for all those who are on the receiving end of personal betrayal and words of hatred. Lord, show them your love, protection, comfort and mercy. Let compassion reign. Help me to be an instrument of help and encouragement. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been a victim of bullying? How did you overcome?

He Rules Over All

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 103, Psalms

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Reading:                                    Psalm 103                                                                  

(Verses 19-22)
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul (NIV).

Reflection
Have you ever found yourself in a chaotic situation where you immediately ask this question, “Who’s in charge here?” Sometimes I have walked into an unruly classroom where that question is very pertinent. The teacher may be nowhere in sight, or is absorbed with one or two students while bedlam reigns supreme all around. It takes very little to lose control of thirty thirteen-year-olds. Trust me on this point: It takes a wide range of skills to get a class of youngsters motivated, engaged and moving in the same direction.

Sally Meadows

All His works will sing His praise, Bohemian waxwing — photo courtesy of Christian recording artist Sally Meadows

Today’s reading from the psalms gives us an answer to that age old question, “Who’s in charge here?” The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

So there is your answer. The LORD is in charge here. He’s in charge of everything—the orderly and the controlled, and the seemingly random. Above this world and its mixture of order, routine, bedlam and chaos, the LORD sits enthroned as ruler over all.

Often the LORD is blamed for the bedlam and the chaos, but is that a fair assessment? Yes, He could control everything—every detail, but then there would be no humans on this planet—no free moral agents. To be human is to have the ability to choose both good and evil. If God sovereignly decided that we could only do good, then we would be robotic humanoids—not true humans at all.

Can there be true love, if love is enforced from on high rather than freely chosen? Can there be genuine worship, if this divine privilege is induced by the Creator rather than willingly offered by the created? No, the LORD calls for our worship, but He forces it on no one. Forced love isn’t love at all. The God I serve is not a rapist; He is a true lover.

So I will freely join with all creation to praise Him. I will join the angels, the heavenly hosts and all his works everywhere in his dominion. I will join in praising my Creator and my Redeemer, who was born in a stable and raised high to suffer on a cross, but now His throne is established in heaven and His kingdom rules over all. He is the One I will praise. How about you? 

Response: Father God, I appreciate the free will that you have given me. I choose to worship you. You are the lover of my soul. Thank you for all you have done. I owe my life to Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do we choose God or does He choose us, or are both answers correct?

God’s Testing

04 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 66, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

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Reading:                                      Psalm 66

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
(Verses 1-12)
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”
Come and see what God has done,
his awesome deeds for mankind!
He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance (NIV).

Reflection
I can’t answer for you, but I for one did not enjoy writing tests at school. It’s not that I did poorly on tests, the exception being high school math. But let’s not go there. I haven’t used algebraic equations for the last forty years and have suffered no ill effects.

2017-09-29a

Mirrored sky and mist, Fairfax, VT — photo by David Kitz

Simply put, tests are stressful. No matter how well you know the material, you can’t be sure of the outcome. Will there be a trick question? Will you experience a momentary brain burp? Have you studied the right subject matter?

Despite my aversion to tests and major exams as a student, I quite enjoyed administering them after I became a teacher. They provided so much information. They let me see into a student’s head and heart. Was learning happening behind those big brown eyes or were they only going through the motions?

But why would God test us, since He knows the outcome in advance? For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. God tests us to bring out the very best in us. When we are tested we discover for ourselves what lies below the surface. In the furnace of affliction God removes the dross from our lives so His glory can shine through. Only then can we properly reflect His glory.

Response: LORD God, help me appreciate the tests you bring into my life. I praise you in advance because you are working to perfect me through the hardships I face. Change me for the better. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord brought you near to Him in difficult times?