Month: November 2023

Scripture Psalms 83:18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

Observation: This Psalm is asking God to destroy their enemies and by doing so to open their eyes to His power. That is what it usually takes to open our eyes to God, something devastating happening to our lives. That we are down so low the only way to look is up. As long as we are strong in ourselves, we don’t look to God, it’s only when we are defeated and have nowhere else to turn, that we turn to Him. So maybe when we pray for protection for others it may not be in their best interest, maybe on occasion they need to be humbled to open their eyes to the Lord.

Application: That is the story of my life, I had to be defeated to the point and realize I had no strength left in my spirit before I surrendered to the Lord. I need to start my day surrendered and kneel down before my King and ask what He commands me to do on any given day. He needs to be the ruler of my life, not me and I need to be an obedient servant asking what He commands me to do. I need to learn my place in this life and be the best I can at that position.

Prayer: My Lord I humbly come before you and ask for your guidance. In my weakness you are strong. Please take over and rule my life that it may be lived in glory and honor to your name. I’ve been conquered and I surrender to your majesty show me how to serve my Lord that I love.

Scripture Psalms 82:4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.

Observation: I read the Psalms and see how we cry out to God asking Him for so much, but how many of us are the answers to these prayers. What I mean is if there are poor and needy how many of us take from our abundance that God has blessed us with to help those in need. I know I’m pretty selfish when it comes to my possessions, yet I believe that God’s plan is to use us to answer the prayers of others. We get so busy asking for things we forget we are called to give and not receive and when we give, we will have rewards that will last forever, what a great deal.

Application: I don’t know why it is so hard to give, but I need to do a much better job of it. I need to give up some of the things I spend my money on so that I can bless others and honor God. I know I’m not worthy of God’s rewards, but he desires to give them to me as a good Father wants to bless His children. God gives, that is His nature and He calls us to have that same nature.

Prayer: My Lord help me be a generous giver. Whatever I have on this earth will stay here when I’m gone show me how to use all that you have blessed me with for your glory. Show me how to build treasures in Heaven and not on this temporary home I’m in now.

Scripture Psalms 81:7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Observation: God has delivered me so many times out of trouble, trouble I put myself in. I would cry out and there He was putting His hand out to lift me up. He always answers my prayer and guides me, even places I don’t want to go. He has given me a life that can please Him if I use it right and He has tested me. Some test I have passed and others I failed miserably, but He is always there. He is training me and making me the vessel He desires me to be. I have nothing to fear, He is always at my side guiding me through this life.

Application: Knowing that God is near should give me the confidence to step out more to do His will. I need to shed this laziness that overcomes me and take courage to do the things that He calls me to do. I’m going to be speaking this weekend at a church I’ve never been to and yet I’m at peace knowing that God will direct my words and will use this time for His glory.

Prayer: My Lord I love and trust in You, have your way with me and use me as you desire. May I become stronger through the trials knowing that you are only a prayer a way and finish the race in a way that glorifies you. Give me strength each day and show me what you desire of me as I’m heading home.

Scripture Psalms 80:18 Then we will not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.

Observation: This psalm, like all of them, refer to the Israelites. All through the Old Testament it shows God restoring Israel and a short time later how Israel abandons God and goes out to worship another god or idol. They always seemed to turn back. It’s hard to believe God has such patience with them. We are no better as Christians, God works His miracles in our life and for a short time we are grateful and honor God with our time and praise, but as soon as things get better, we forget all that God does and turn to our worldly idols and sin. We wonder why we go through some trials and tribulations and I believe the reason is that is the only way we stay close to our Lord

Application: I’m no better than anyone else. I bask in God’s mercy and as things go good for me, I forget and go my own way. I have a hearing problem, where I constantly hear ringing in my ears. At times it drives me insane, but I have learned when I get so distracted by this sound, I beg that God would heal me, but I add your grace is sufficient. Instead of being a constant irritation to me, it has become a reminder that God will never leave me or forsake me.

Prayer: My Lord help me have you in my heart always. May my mind be set on you and that all I do, be done for your glory. I’m so easily distracted help me stay focused on the prize of honoring you. May I never turn back from my Lord and love.

Scripture Psalms 79:6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.

Observation: I wonder how long God will wait until He destroys this place. I can’t imagine how much worst it can get here. We continue to ignore God, there are parts of this world that people are being killed because of their faith in our Lord. The immorality is unbelievable and we accept it as life choices. Each morning I ask God to come back and destroy this place with all the evil and sin we have placed in it. I’m not sure why He is waiting, but I know He wants none to perish without receiving His Son. He wants us all home.

Application: It’s not my responsibility to condemn this earth, but to help tell others about my Lord. That is what I need to do I need to work on the Depression Ministry God has blessed me with, share my testimony, serve as He calls me to serve and to tell others about His wonderful grace. I’m here as a messenger as all Christians are and I need to tell as many people as I can about God.

Prayer: My Lord give me wisdom and courage to speak to others about You and your plan you have for them. Help me spread the news of your grace and give me strength. May I not miss an opportunity to speak on your behalf, but be bold as you want me to be. I love you and desire that others will also love you and come to You.

Scripture Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

Observation: Each generation seems more corrupt then the other. Immorality is all around and sin has become the norm in this society. Until we tell our children about God and how He loves them and what He has done for us they will be lost. It’s not up to ministers or pastors to tell them about their Lord, it is our responsibility to teach, show and to live a life that they can see. We are the teachers, we are the gospels that they can see each day and we are the example of God’s love. As the world crumbles around us we are the voice to our children that there is hope and that hope lies with our Lord and savior, Jesus.

Application: I need to be a better example to my children and grandchildren. My wife and I do ministries, mission trips and help others which is of God, but He calls us to be a witness to our own family. I need to take time to talk to my grandchildren about the love of God and the life we are called to live in honor to Him. If I’m going to witness to others, I need to start with my family that God has blessed me with.

Prayer: My Lord help me focus my thoughts on you and be an example to my children and grandchildren. May they be able to see your reflection in my life. Help me guide them to you and your glory. May you always be the most important person in my life and that my children would see and believe and that you will rule in theirs. I love you Lord, may that love be obvious to those you surround me with.

Scripture Psalms 77:12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

Observation: I think of things all day long and most of the time they are aimless or sinful thoughts. Most of my days are made up of these moments of wasteful time. If I spent them on meditating on my Lord and what He desires of me I would be fulfilling the purpose God has created me for and my life would be full of the joy of the Lord, but the devil is busy in my thoughts and I find my mind wandering. What a waste of a precious life.

Application: I need to make a better effort of meditating on God and not my selfish and sinful thoughts. I need to pray more to stay focused on my Lord and fill my mind with things of Him. I need to take this laziness and worry from me and fill that time with praise to my God. I need to hear my Lord direct me and be obedient to what I hear and not let my mind stray constantly from what is right.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me please. My mind doesn’t stop and it is filled with evil. My desire is to meditate on You and your desires for my life and not the garbage I fill my thoughts with. I can’t do it in my flesh I’m too weak and need you to fix my thoughts and desires on You. I love you and want to live a life that pleases You, help me honor you.