Tag: Psalm

“FLY!”

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Image by efes from Pixabay

REST!  Is it really a lost commodity in our culture?  In our hurried, never-sitting-still-society-for-fear-of-being-run-over-by-society, you would think it is.  That speaks of physical rest, but what of the rest of one’s soul?  A time when one can enjoy a respite of peace and quiet on the inside instead of always feeling like their world is in turmoil.

I think many of us can really relate to that need for rest.  Sometimes, we wish we could do like Jesus and stand before the storm and say, “Peace, be still,” and literally make every wave of adversity shut its mouth!  I know you want to.  I do, too!  It just becomes too much to deal with at times, and the need for space to breathe, to come out from under all this mess, becomes an overwhelming factor.

God bless you if you can’t relate to what I am saying here.  For most of us, the challenge of dealing with daily schedules, mess, and problems leaves us feeling totally surrounded.  As if, no matter what direction we turn, there is something there to prevent us from really enjoying that rest.

“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest,”
Psalm 55:6

Oh, but if I had two wings!  I would fly!  The idea of rising above every problem and adverse circumstance is very tantalizing.  Right there, I form a mental picture of myself soaring.  Below me is everything that tries to come against me.  All those problems and schedules are trying to reach up and grab hold of me, but they can’t!  I have risen too high for them.  I have learned how to fly above it all!

The problem with that is that it is a fantasy.  Oh, that it was real.  While we are living on this side of glory, we are always going to have something to deal with, but that still doesn’t mean we can’t fly.  Isaiah 40:31 emphatically declares, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles . . .”   God never promised to remove every problem from our lives but, what He did say, is that He will renew the strength of those who turn to Him in the midst of it all.

God is strong in power, and there is none like Him (Isaiah 40:25-26).  We recognize today that though I may not have suddenly sprouted two wings out of my back, when I rely on God’s power, it is as if I am already soaring!  And, that my friends, is real rest!  It is a confidence that fills my heart and lets me know that I don’t have to feel beaten down and worn out.  God’s got this!  He sees what I am going through.  Psalms 5:11-12 says, “Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”  I may not have two physical wings on the outside, but on the inside, I’m flying higher than it all.  Why?  Because though it may seem at times that I am totally surrounded, I serve the Lord God Almighty who is able to “compass” me “as with a shield.”  Therefore, today, I can fly!

“Be Fruitful”

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“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper,” Psalm 1:3, KJV

I believe right there the trees stop and laugh at us. Whether it is planted in the inner city or deep in the countryside, as long as it has soil, water and sunshine it will grow. The tree doesn’t look for excuses for why it can’t do what it was purposed to do. It just does it. It grows and bears fruit.

We have to learn to be abundant where we are planted. Take inventory of where you are right now. What is there that can be done by you? What gap can you fill? What soul can you reach out to? What aspect of ministry can you lend your talents to? Don’t always look at the big stuff; there are little tidbits of things that can be done by each of us. There are small ways to minister (serve) that God can put to good use to cause increase in His kingdom.

Psalm 1:1-2 speaks of the choice of the individual to do right. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night,” (KJV). Now it’s time to walk in the fruitfulness of vs.3, “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper,” (KJV).

So, if you have already made the same choice and are now planted, it’s time to let some fruit grow. Nobody will know anything about you unless you start growing fruit; until you start producing something. An apple tree is not an apple tree if it does not produce apples. Matthew 12:33 declares, “. . . for the tree is known by his fruit,” (KJV).

Today, I urge you to make a proclamation to yourself and say, “Self, today, right where I am planted, I will produce!” Do you not know that God will honor that? The Word of God emphatically says, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,” (Matthew 17:20, KJV). God doesn’t need you to try to grab hold of the biggest thing in ministry there is. But, if your heart is sincere and your faith is genuine, He will honor the fruitfulness of every little step you take.

Don’t let intimidation stop you from being effective for the Kingdom of God. If all I have is a small measure to work with then, I’m going to work that small measure until I see the increase. So, I declare that, “Today, right where I am planted, I will be fruitful!

“FRAGILE!”

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Handle with care I wish I could post,
a stick it note to remind of what matters the most.

Distractions, directions unprofitable and robbing;
relentless in their unfocused pulling and prodding.

But my days are few upon this earth,
to make an impact of valued worth.

The reins have to be taken back;
no longer the less valuable plans to detract.

Focus, you only have one life to live.
Frail, is this only life to give.

Here today, and gone tomorrow;
let me cherish each one without resentment and sorrow.

Life is fragile and can break like a dam.
So, Lord teach me to measure my days, that I may know how frail I am.

To gain the worth of each day given.
This time on earth; this limited edition.

Invest in the works, the love and matters of the soul.
To fulfill His glory is our heavenly goal.

“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am,” (Psalms 39:4).

“Receive God’s Help!”

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“I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth,” Psalm 121:1-2

“Me, myself and I,” a phrase commonly known to us all.  It usually comes on the heels of an aggravating event or from dealing with the frustration of a letdown because one depended on someone else to do something for them and they didn’t follow through.  Or, how about this one, “If you want something done right you have to do it yourself!”  Another frustrating sentiment spurned by the letdowns of others.

Here we just see them as phrases, just something we blurt out because of the emotions that stir within us when we feel we can’t get that help we need from someone.  The sad part of it all is the reality that this has become the prevailing attitude in the world today.  It is a mindset that has become detached from the cares of humanity; not in a good way.

Many people are wandering adrift in the world.  Day by day they go through their daily routines really believing that they are in this alone.  Wandering and questioning, “From whence comes my help?”  More often than not, that questioning person does not know that there is One who stands at the ready to appeal and work on behalf of those who call out to Him.  Not realizing this great truth causes them look to their own selves once again, reaffirming that self-sufficient attitude of “Me, myself and I.”

I believe God likes goal-setters.  I believe God loves to see His people be filled with the zeal of being a real go-getter.  I say that because God has never, ever promoted laziness.  God has equipped mankind with a mind to think and gifts to operate in, and He wants to see the fulfilling of all of that to come to pass.  But, and here’s where the warning bells go off, when one tries to operate independently of God with an “I don’t need Him” attitude, buddy, that’s when we got a problem!

“Can I get some help around here?”  Oh, if that isn’t a familiar cry to us all.  When life feels at loose ends and everything just seems to be unraveling before us we often wonder where can we get help from?  The writer of this psalm found his help by lifting his eyes up.  The human eye tells one where to focus.  As I sit here on my couch writing this I keep peeping out of the window.  In line of my view are a bunch of beautiful trees that are gently swaying with the occasional breeze. Every time I look out at them I feel a certain little measure of restfulness and peace. Because this is what my eyes see it relaxes me.

How much more for the one who chooses to focus on that Sovereign, Omnipotent Presence and truly realize He’s there?  Not only is He there but He is ready to be our help.  “The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles,” Psalm 34:17.  Deliverance is there.  Help is here.  God loves a “can do” attitude, but not a “can do it without Him” attitude.  Especially, since He loves us so much as to be the offering for our much needed help.  I have to receive of His help daily.  Zeal, and even talent, will only get you so far.  I can’t be so high and mighty to think that I can do even the basic things without His help.  So, today I want to receive God’s help.  What about you?

“Despite It All!”

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Despite my failings,
my shortcomings and shame.
Despite my choices
from which heartaches did rain.

 Despite the coldness
of my sometimes failing heart.
Despite the right path
of which I did depart.

 Despite the apples
on the tree.
Despite the way
my sin views me.

 Despite the world’s
proffered delicacies.
Despite the lies
on which I did feed.

 Despite it all,
despite the mess.
Despite the feeling
of total brokenness.

 He brought me out;
and for His glory,
restored me wholly,
magnifying His love story.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit,” Psalm 51:12

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“Interruption of Peace”

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God blesses.  He’s the author of all that’s good and lovely.  The enemy, on the other hand, opposes all the wonderfulness that God has in store for His people.

Have you ever noticed that God brings you to a place of sanctuary in your life, a place to make things right, restore, and grant rest to the weary world traveler?  Then, the enemy swoops in quickly to try to undo the blessedness of God.

FYI, that’s his job.  He comes to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10).  The moment God brings you to a place of rejuvenation, a place where you feel you access grace and peace, the enemy deploys hatred, confusion, and anything it takes to disassemble what God has put together for us.

It’s not a strange thing, even if it hurts, to feel under attack when being blessed by God.  These interruptions of peace are designed to throw you off your spiritual game; yet in Him, we are assured that we are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37).  We have the overcoming ability to rise above troubles and to claim the peace God so freely gives.

The Bible declares, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blessed His people with peace” (Psalm 29:1).  Peace is a divine blessing.  It’s something that is the right of every child of God to have.  Although our outward circumstances may not favor that sentiment, it’s the inward man who is to stand up in faith, believing every word of God to be true, that fights and upholds the right to that God-given peace.

“He promises peace to his people,” (Psalm 85:8), and that’s something we shouldn’t easily let go of.  We sing the songs that tell of the promises of God for us, but we have to do more than sing them – we have to claim it, own it, and diligently fight day by day to possess it as our own.

How do we do that?  We are told, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” (Isaiah 26:3).  The place where the interruption of peace is hardest fought is in the mind.  When hurt and confusion begin to penetrate that tranquil soil of promise, it sprouts weeds of dysfunction, distrust, and terror that were not meant to be there.

But, when one’s focus shifts from what is right before the eyes to beyond the surface and refuses to let go of that promise of peace, those seeds of faith will germinate by His heavenly grace and become fully mature fruit in your life.

It’s all about what you decide to let be dominant in your life.  Your focus can either be your weapon or your enemy.  It can either help you look past what is currently before you, or it can be your stumbling block that doesn’t let you get over this hill.

Here’s the thing.  You get to decide for yourself which one it will be.  Faith is not passive – it’s very much active.  You are the one who has to fight for it.  You are the one who has to refuse to give up on God’s promise for you.

Interruptions of peace will come, but how far it gains access is up to you.

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“A Prayer for Today . . .”

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My Project 442-001

 

Father God,

We don’t always understand why we have to hurt the way we do. We don’t always know the reason behind suffering, anguish and pain. But, Father, one thing we do know is You are sovereign. Every tear that we cry and every sorrow that pierces our heart, You know all about it. We struggle with the if’s, and’s and but’s, but You are He who knows the beginning from the end and the right now’s of this life. Even when we don’t fully comprehend it all, let us find our trust and our peace in You.

Please touch and bless the bereaved families everywhere on today. Comfort the brokenhearted and set the captives free. Cast off yokes of heaviness and let the hurting feel Your presence in the midst of the pain. Cover and protect Your people, O God, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!