Category: Psalms

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Practice Joy

As I watch the sun peaking through the eucalyptus trees I am practicing joy.

The fishing boats are headed out with great hopes of catches of albacore. Me, I’m just joyful for another day on the water and the nature the Lord has placed around us.

The best way to practice joy is to start the day by thanking the Lord for another sunrise, knowing He has planned our day, filled with good things.

One of my favorite joy verses is Psalms 16:11.

“You have shown me the path to life,and you make me glad by being near to me.Sitting at your right side,I will always be joyful.” CEV


“ My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

In the King James version, it says “Count it all joy”. Really, count it joy when you fall into temptations?

Yes, because the joy comes from knowing that you’re not in this alone! God has promised to never leave us or forsake us, that means we are in His presence and in His presence there is fullness of joy!

Joy in knowing that we aren’t operating under our own power or our own wisdom, joy to know that He has created us to be victorious! When I realize all of that, I am growing and maturing, becoming the more Christ-like .

In John 16, Jesus was talking with his disciples the night before His crucifixion. He was giving them last minute instructions. He told them that they would all abandon Him and that He would be alone but He quickly added that the Father would be with Him so He wouldn’t really be alone. (In His presence is fullness of joy)!

He then told the disciples that they would have troubles in this world. Not as big as the crucifixion but troubles all the same. His next words may have seem strange to them, He said “Be of good cheer (find joy), for I have overcome the world”. Jesus had just told them how he was overcoming the trials in His life – He wasn’t looking for the support of friends and followers but He was simply looking to the One who would never leave or forsake, the Father and in the Father’s presence is victory and fullness of joy.

I am determined that I will have a joy-filled day. I will keep my mind focused on the Father and in His presence I will have fullness of joy!

I will practice joy!

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Excessively Wonderful

I love to worship the Lord! Not worship because of things that He has done, although those are many, but worship just because of Who He is!

One defintion in Merriam-Webster is excessive admiration for someone.

Excessive – our God is excessive. He didn’t just create 5 colors and quit – He was excessive. He didn’t just create 6 fish or 7 fruit or 8 vegetables. He created millions of stars, countless galaxies, hundreds of millions of people with individual fingerprints and unique DNA.

Excessive!

He gave us His Son who willingly paid the price for the sins of the whole world.

Excessive!

“My Lord, there is no God like you. No one can do what you have done. 9 My Lord, you made everyone. I wish they all would come worship you and honor your name.

10 You are great and do amazing things. You and you alone are God.

11 Lord, teach me your ways,
and I will live and obey your truths.
Help me make worshiping your name
the most important thing in my life.

12 My Lord God, I praise you with all my heart. I will honor your name forever!

13 You have such great love for me.
You save me from the place of death.

14 Proud people are attacking me, God.
A gang of cruel men is trying to kill me.
They don’t respect you.

15 My Lord, you are a kind and merciful God.
You are patient, loyal, and full of love.” Psalm 86: 8-15 ERV

Will you join me this morning in worship? Let’s show some excessive admiration and love to the One, the Only, Father God, creator of heaven and earth!

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Don’t Limit God

Words of the Day: Fret Not, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Cease & Inherit!!!

Now just reading these words without explanation should put a spark in your step today – Psalm 37 is filled with God’s promise to you – Don’t limit Him today.

Did you realize you can limit God? In the Gospels it says that Jesus went about healing and doing good but in His own home town He could do no mighty work because of their unbelief.

In Psalms it says that the children of Israel limited God. We can be guilty of the same thing today.

Make up your mind and establish your heart – don’t limit God! He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and all-loving. He desires to show Himself strong on your behalf.

“Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37: 1-8 NKJV

Make today the day you take the limitations off God’s power to work in your life.

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Peaceful Moments

This morning finds me aboard our son’s boat gently resting in Santa Cruz Harbor. Such a peaceful sleep.

I’ve only been up a short time, the coffee’s still brewing but already a couple of boats have left the harbor and are headed to open water. They must be fishermen. The gulls are just now starting their morning chorus.

“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

On the flight over I was reading the memories of a dear friend of mine. He passed away just a year ago. He was a collector of things that reminded him of his childhood and early life. I helped him acquired items for his collection for twenty years.

In reading I learned the reason behind much of his collecting – it was a love for life and the places it had taken him and the people he had met.

As I turned the pages there were photographs of many of the items I had purchased for him. I paused thoughtfully and remembered acquiring them and how pleased he was.

I was drifting off to sleep last night when the Lord interrupted my nostalgic thoughts with His point of view.

“Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. God was kind and decided that Christ would choose us to be God’s own adopted children. God treated us with undeserved grace because of the Son he dearly loves, and so we should praise God. Christ sacrificed his life’s blood to set us free, which means our sins are now forgiven. Christ did this because of God’s gift of undeserved grace to us. God has great wisdom and understanding,” Ephesians 1:4-8 CEV

God, the Father, is a collector. A collector of people. From before the foundation of the world He had a plan to collect the lost just because He loves us. And then He sent Christ Jesus to purchase us for Him, with His blood.

WOW! What a memoir.

Dawn is breaking and I think I will have my coffee and spent time in prayer for all those who are in Christ and for those who still need to be added to the family!

Have a day filled with the Father’s love!

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Riding Out the Storm

Last night we had a really “good” wind storm! I say that tongue in cheek because in the desert, there is no such thing as a good wind storm.

The news showed some major dust clouds called Haboobs close to the cities and at the airport but we didn’t have anything that severe here. Blowing dust sent chair cushions flying and tossed a couple of patio chairs into the wash but no real damage.

This morning I remembered one dust storm from my childhood that was much worse. We lived in a remote little town on the edge of the desert. I was outside playing and my mom saw the dust cloud coming. She sent my brother to find me and bring me home.

As he and I got closer to our trailer the wind blew harder and we were getting pelted with sand. We weren’t going to make it home in time. My brother shielded me with his body until the dust storm passed by.

It didn’t last long but it was intense. My legs and arms had been beaten by the grains of sand but my brother experienced the worst of it.

My childhood thoughts were he saved me!

That experience is one that comes to mind every now and then. When I’m in a storm – physical or emotional, I remember how he sheltered me from the storm.

Spiritually, I’ve had many experiences to remind me of how my older brother, Jesus, has sheltered me during the storms of life.

“You are a strong tower,where I am safe from my enemies. You heard my promises, and you have blessed me, just as you bless everyonewho worships you.” Psalm 61:3 CEV

When we’re in a storm it seems it will last forever.

The key to weathering a storm is to remember we are never in it alone. The Lord is our strong tower and He keeps us safe in a sand storm or in the presence of our enemies!

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Little Old Ladies

When I put the words “little old ladies” into a search this morning, this was one of the images that popped up.

I want us to look at one little lady that the Lord brought to the attention of His disciples.

“ Jesus sat near the Temple collection box and watched as people put money into it. Many rich people put in a lot of money. 42 Then a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth less than a penny. 43 Jesus called his followers to him and said, ‘This poor widow put in only two small coins. But the truth is, she gave more than all those rich people. 44 They have plenty, and they gave only what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had. It was money she needed to live on.'” Mark 12:41-44 ERV

I’ve seen this lady many times in my imagination. Hair brushed back, the fabric in her clothing faded, a bit thin but a smile on her face and an air of confidence in her step.

The disciples hadn’t noticed her but God did!

The world around her ignored her. She wasn’t significant to them, but she was to the Lord. She didn’t come to Jesus asking for anything, she came to give to God willingly, sacrificially and without pretense.

There’s no mention that Jesus had any personal encounter with her, not like He had with Zacchaeus when he told him to come down out of the tree or that He had with Peter when He asked him to leave his fishing nets and follow Him.

No, but He noticed her. He knew what God would do.

“Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.
16 By your own hand you satisfy the desires of all who live. 17 Our Lord, everything you do is kind and thoughtful, 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere.” Psalm 145:15-18 CEV

“ When you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand gives. 4 Your giving should be in secret. Then your Father Who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4 NLV

This isn’t a message on giving, please don’t think that. But it is a message on being seen by the Father.

These four verses tell us that nothing is outside of the Father’s attention. Something that appears insignificant to the world makes our heavenly Father take notice.

A little boy’s lunch, a widow’s small offering, a cup of cold water, a broken bottle of perfume – all gifts from the heart. All were noteworthy and found their place in Scripture. God felt they were important enough to be recorded in a book filled with miracles.

The little kindnesses we extend each day, the time spent in prayer for a loved one or a neighbor, forgiveness given, sacrifices of time, all are noticed.

Young child, college student, young mother, career path walker, blue collar worker, executive, retiree or little old lady – the Father sees you, He notices and He knows your heart.

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Mending Fences

Some years back, about this time, I had the privilege to preach the funeral of a dear friend. This old cowboy had lived a good life but not always a godly life. In fact, it wasn’t until a couple years before he died that I had the opportunity to lead him to Jesus. How special it was to know that God’s love had touched this man’s life and that he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Dave and I made the trip from Montana to Nebraska for the celebration of his life. I remember asking him just a few days before he died if he was ready to see Jesus and he responded with a resounding “Yes, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”

When we arrived at the funeral home his favorite saddle was positioned at the end of the casket and tied to the saddle was a pair of fencin’ pliers. This made me wonder, how many times he must have used those as he rode fence and checked on the cattle. He would stop, pull the wire tight and keep the cattle in the pasture where they were well fed and safe.

How many times have I needed a pair of spiritual fencin’ pliers? How many times have I needed to have the lines around me pulled tight and secured once again to a strong post? How many times have I tried to grab a loose strand of wire with my hands and been stuck on the barbs?

God cannot lie when He says something, and He does not lie when he makes an oath.

“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT

To me hope is like a pair of fencin’ pliers. It pulls things up tight and keeps us for running into open pasture beyond the fence of safety that God has established for us.

“But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22 KJV

Now this is definitely a play on words but I think we can all agree that the Lord is our de-fence.

God can’t lie. Trust His Word, it pull our fence tight, and He will keep us safe and sure.

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Rejected to Redeemed

By now you all know that I love words. What writer doesn’t? But I am intrigued by the way simple words tell a story.

You can image how excited I was this morning when my heart began coupling words with the prefix “re”. I’ll have you look at a few of those words with me.

Rejected.

“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, ‘He is a nobody.’ 4 He suffered and endured great pain for us, but we thought his suffering was punishment from God. 5 He was wounded and crushed because of our sins; by taking our punishment, he made us completely well.” Isaiah 53:3-5 CEV

Redeemed.

“ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), ” Galatians 3:13 NKJV

He was rejected so we could be redeemed!

Repent. Receive.

“ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away —all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-39 NLT

When we repent we receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives instruction and comfort.

Rescue. Reward.

“The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 9:14-16 NLT

The Lord promises to be our rescuer, our protector, and the One who rewards us with long life and salvation.

Now for one more “re”. Rejoice.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NLT

Rejoice in that fact that He was rejected so we could be redeemed. Rejoice that when we repented of our sins, we received the Holy Spirit. Rejoice that the Lord rescues us and rewards us with life.

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How Great Is God

I woke up this morning singing “How great is our God, sing with me, How great is our God. All will see. How great, how great is our God!”

Daily we need to remind ourselves that our God, our Father, is the great God!

There are no other gods, that are greater than He. No power in the universe can overshadow God, our defender, deliverer, and our provider.

“ I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where will my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your feet go out from under you. He Who watches over you will not sleep. 4 Listen, He Who watches over Israel will not close his eyes or sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your safe cover at your right hand. 6 The sun will not hurt you during the day and the moon will not hurt you during the night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all that is sinful. He will watch over your soul. 8 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, now and forever.” Psalm 121 NLV

Some of the obstacles and adversaries we face are physical but we can trust the Lord to watch over us and be our “safe cover” and our help.

Some obstacles are dogmas, philosophies, doctrines and train of thought that try to capture our thinking, rob our peace and deceive our minds.

“My children, you are a part of God’s family. You have stood against these false preachers and had power over them. You had power over them because the One Who lives in you is stronger than the one who is in the world.” I John 4:4 NLV

“ It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV

And sometimes the enemy we face is our own self-doubt. We feel we don’t measure up or we’re not good enough.

“ My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth. 19 This is how we know we are Christians. It will give our heart comfort for sure when we stand before Him. 20 Our heart may say that we have done wrong. But remember, God is greater than our heart. He knows everything.” I John 3:18-20 NLV

Our Father’s love for us is greater than our own self-doubt and condemning guilt.

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. 28 You heard Me say that I am going away. But I am coming back to you. If you love Me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father. The Father is greater than I.” John 14:27-28 NLV

The Father, Jesus said, “is greater than I”. So, that definitely makes the Father greater than us. His love never fails, He never leaves us or abandons us in our time of need. He gives us peace to replace our fears!

How great is our God – Sing with me – How great is our God. All will see How great, how great is our God!

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Throw Up Your Hands

in praise to the Lord!!

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 NLT

Yesterday was a day of tiny miracles and heart filled praise.

It started before I even walked out the door. Reports of the goodness of God and answers to prayer. Before I the day was over I had heard from friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances of God’s goodness. Mended relationships, answers to medical questions, living situations set on course, financial blessings, safety and protection from imminent danger!!

“All my words fall short
I got nothing new
How could I express
All my gratitude?

I could sing these songs
As I often do
But every song must end
And You never do

So I throw up my hands
And praise You again and again
‘Cause all that I have is a hallelujah
Hallelujah
And I know it’s not much
But I’ve nothing else fit for a King
Except for a heart singing hallelujah
Hallelujah”

This song by Brandon Lake is one of my favorites that we sing in worship, “Gratitude”. I can sense the tears beginning to well up as I write you these words and silently sing “Hallelujah, Hallelujah”.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord;  with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins  and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!…Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.” Psalm 103 NLT

He fills my life with good things. I am justified freely, made right with God. Covered by His mercy, living by His grace, and strengthen by His might.

“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7 NLT

Join me. Join all of creation! Throw up your hands and praise Him again and again. Sing hallelujah.

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