Tag Archives: the LORD

Greater Glory

26 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

All creation, come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).

DSCN1676

Autumn Splendor, Gatineau Park – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

There’s a rather common saying: The sum is greater than its parts. While that may not be strictly correct in mathematics, it makes perfect sense in real life experience. The full picture is so much better than segments seen in sequence.

If I divided the autumn picture above into six equal portions, and showed you them sequentially, they would not have the same impact as the entire picture seen as a whole.

In the same way, our picture of the glory of God is like many small snapshots. I am not sure we could handle the full glory of God, if it was revealed to us. But today’s verse from the Psalms calls us to see that greater sum.

All creation, [me included] come praise the name of the LORD. Praise his name alone. The glory of God is greater than heaven and earth (Psalm 148:13, CEV).

Response: LORD God, let me catch glimpses of your glory today, but remind me too that you are so much bigger than I can think or even imagine. You are an awesome God! Amen.

Your Turn: Do you think your picture of God is too small?

Reflected Glory

22 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above (Psalm 8:1, CEV).

245

Reflected Field of Dreams – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Last May at the close of the day, I snapped this photo through the window of a bullet train (shinkansen) as it raced through the Japanese countryside.

I think the verse from the psalm fits beautifully with the picture. Our LORD and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above (Psalm 8:1, CEV).

The LORD is ruler over all and no matter where you live–on every continent–His name is wonderful. Some of the most loving, committed Christian believers I know live in Japan.

The LORD lets us see His glory in the heavens, but it’s also reflected on the earth. In the photo the flooded rice paddy reflects the sky, so the LORD’s glory is reflected by all of creation and especially by his people.

Response: LORD God, this week help me to reflect your glory to those around me. I want my life and actions to shine for you. Fill me with the love of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How can you reflect the glory of God as you go about your day?

The Window of Faith

18 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Be patient and trust the LORD. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things (Psalm 37:7, CEV).

D. Adam 8

Window of Faith – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

I am often amazed at how two people can look at the same picture and see two completely different things. One person may see nothing but problems, while the other sees huge potential just waiting to be tapped.

One person is looking through the window of faith, while the other is staring through a window of doubt and discouragement.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us to, “Be patient and trust in the LORD.” 

Things are not always as they first appear. Over time God’s will often becomes clear if we wait patiently for Him and that requires faith.

Response: LORD God, help me look at life through the window of faith. I want to trust you in all I do. Help me to measure success by your standard and not the world’s standard.  Amen.

Your Turn: How do you see the world, with eyes of faith or doubt?

Always Patient

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Please, LORD, remember, you have always been patient and kind (Psalm 25:6, CEV).

D. Adam 2

Red Sunrise – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Let’s be honest. While I may not always be patient with others, I certainly want them to be patient with me. That’s why I find today’s verse from the Psalms so interesting. It’s really David’s prayer. Please, LORD, remember, you have always been patient and kind (Psalm 25:6, CEV).

The unspoken side of David’s prayer might go something like this, “Though I have been impatient with you, Lord, and I’ve blown my cool, please don’t be impatient with me.” 

We really need God to be patient with us. If God responded to me in the same way, I have reacted to others, I might be reduced to a cinder in the blink of an eye. My need for God’s patience is extreme. 

I am so thankful the LORD is a patient God.

Response: LORD God, you have been so good to me. You have shown me undeserved kindness. Please continue to be patient with me and help me to become more like Jesus every day. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you impatient with God sometimes?

Patient Love

15 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

The LORD is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails (Psalm 103:8, CEV).

D Adam 5

Wild Flower – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

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

Can love be impatient? I certainly can be. But true love is not about me. It’s always about the other person. Impatience is all about me. The other person has not moved according to my schedule, so I am irritated or displeased.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God is loving and patient with us. The LORD is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails (Psalm 103:8, CEV).

I wonder if the apostle Paul had the words from this Psalm in mind when he penned those famous lines: Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or  rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, CEV).

My impatience reveals my need for a greater level of God’s love, and mercy in my life. The love, mercy and patience that I have received from the LORD needs to be extended to others.

Response: LORD God, fill me with unselfish love so that I can be patient with those that don’t quickly conform to my wishes. Give me patient love. Amen.

Your Turn: How do we break our habits of self-focus?

The Greatest Discovery

12 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad (Psalm 34:8, CEV).

DSCN1670

Gatineau Park trail – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

I don’t know about you, but I love heading off the beaten path and doing some exploring. I like trying new foods, enjoy meeting new people, and seeing new sites. I suppose it’s because I’m incurably curious. There are things to discover.

Today’s verse from the Psalms invites us to do some exploring and make a discovery. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be  glad (Psalm 34:8, CEV). 

We can read about the kindness of God. We can hear about it from others, but there is nothing quite like experiencing God’s kindness firsthand.

Exploration and discovery always require a step of faith. God invites us to give Him a try—to take that step.

Response: LORD God, give me the courage to take steps of faith that bring me closer to you. I want to discover and experience your love and kindness for myself. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you discovered God’s kindness firsthand?

My Rock of Refuge

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalm 71, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

Reading:                                                        Psalm 71

Verses 1-8

In you, LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long (NIV).

Reflection

I must confess that I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with rocks. I grew up on a farm on the Canadian prairies and annually the rich soil produced two crops—a crop of grain and a crop of rocks. Grain crops such as wheat, barley and oats were welcomed—the rocks not so much.

cape breton 060

Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick – Photo by Karen Kitz

Simply working the soil in spring would bring the rocks to the surface. It was our job as children to help our dad to pick those rocks and haul them off the fields. For the most part it was tedious work. That’s the unpleasant part of my relationship with rocks. But as for the rocks themselves, for the most part I liked them. They came in a huge variety of shapes, colors, sizes and textures. I found them fascinating.

For the psalmist, the LORD was his solid foundation—his rock of refuge in a changing world. Hear his prayer: Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

In the shifting circumstances of life, it is essential that we have those things that remain solid and unwavering. From our childhood onward we need a rock of refuge from the storms of life—a rock to which we can always go in good times and bad.

It’s wonderful when we can say with the psalmist, “From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.”  

Response: LORD God, thank you for being my solid rock. Your faithfulness has steadied me in stormy times. You have been my help and strength, my shelter and fortress. Amen.

Your Turn: How has the Lord been a solid rock for you?

Kindness for the Lowly

08 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar (Psalm 138:6, NIV).

DSCN1668

Gatineau Park – photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Have you ever been around people who make you feel invisible, as though you don’t exist? Recently, I was in a line up when someone stepped ahead of me without so much as a nod or an excuse me. I was left wondering, “Did he even see me?”

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that God doesn’t overlook us. Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar (Psalm 138:6, NIV).

We are always visible to God. It’s through the kindness of the LORD that He stoops down to listen to our prayers. He forgives our sins – overlooks our sins and meets our needs. What a kind and loving God!

Response: LORD God, your kindness is too wonderful for me. Thank you for looking past my shortcomings and receiving me as your child. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you want to be visible or invisible to God?

Young Lions

04 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).

ID-100141286

Image courtesy of tratong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Reflection

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

I don’t like being late for supper. I don’t like being the last one in the line up for the self-serve banquet. I might miss out on something good.

I’m hungry for something good. Aren’t you? Of course, something good can be more than just food. Sometimes it’s good-natured fun with friends. Sometimes it’s a game, or a round of physical or mental exercise, and at other times it’s rest and relaxation.

Something good comes in a variety of packages.

I like the promise in today’s verse from the Psalms: Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the Lord, you will never miss out on anything good (Psalm 34:10, CEV).

The key factor is trusting in the LORD. Are you someone who trusts in the LORD even in hard times?

Response: LORD God, increase my faith. I want to experience the good things you have set aside for me. Help me daily to put my trust in you. Amen.

Your Turn: What does trusting in God mean for you today?

Justice and Mercy

25 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

The LORD will bring justice and show mercy to all who serve him (Psalm 135:14, CEV).

IMG_20151023_172121

October glory – photo by Karen Kitz

Reflection

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

Can there be justice without mercy? The opposite question is also valid. Can there be mercy without justice?

When I have been wronged, I call out for justice. When I am the one who has committed the wrong I call out for mercy.

It takes a wise judge to bring both justice and mercy together in the decisions he or she renders. Fortunately for us, the LORD is a wise judge. The LORD will bring justice and show mercy to all who serve him (Psalm 135:14, CEV).

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Am I serving Him or am I serving myself?”

Response: LORD God, give me eyes to see your mercy and justice at work in my life and the lives of others around me. Give me a willing heart to serve you. Amen.

Your Turn: Is there a time you remember calling out for justice? Do you remember asking for mercy?