Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 3; Psalm 40

Even while tinged with a measure of sadness that Moses will not enter the land promised to the Israelites, this is still a beautiful image: that God would show Moses the land. And this, a picture of his health and strength to the end:

⁷ Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.

Deuteronomy 34:7, ESV

I’m moved by God’s mercy to share a glimpse of the future to Moses, the coming fulfillment of a promise. And I’m encouraged that Moses was vibrant and clear-sighted as he aged.

⁹ And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Deuteronomy 34:9, ESV

This transition of authority is intentional and strong. Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom–what a description. Lately in my readings, I notice a fullness in some of the people. Faith. Wisdom. The Holy Spirit. I want to live in that fullness too.

¹³ And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. ¹⁴ And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and have authority to cast out demons. ¹⁶ He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); ¹⁷ James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); ¹⁸ Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Mark 3:13-19, ESV, emphasis mine

Here I notice how Jesus appoints. He calls those whom he desired. Chosen. Picked. Appointed.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
² He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3, ESV

And here in Psalm 40, David sings–drawn up from the pit of destruction, feet set upon a rock, steps secure, and a song of praise to sing to God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Lord, you are not wasteful, but intentional. Equipping, appointing, calling. I love how even our worst situations/memories can become the music for our song to you–of your faithfulness, your salvation–to make you known and to glorify you. You can take it all and turn it to glory. You are the one who fills us with wisdom, faith, your Spirit, and song.

Courtney (66books365)

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1 Kings 8; Ephesians 5; Ezekiel 38; Psalm 89

The dedication of the temple and a two-week celebration. Praise! (1 Kings 8)

Reminders to live full of the Spirit …

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20, NLT)

… and to give thanks for everything to God in Jesus’ name.

He will show his greatness and holiness, making himself known to all the nations of the world–and they will know that he is the Lord. (Ezekiel 38)

A remembrance, a promise and a hope:

¹ I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!
    Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.
² Your unfailing love will last forever.
    Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. (Psalm 89:1-2, NLT)

 

… even in the wonder.

⁴⁶ O Lord, how long will this go on?
    Will you hide yourself forever?
    How long will your anger burn like fire?
⁴⁷ Remember how short my life is,
    how empty and futile this human existence!
⁴⁸ No one can live forever; all will die.
    No one can escape the power of the grave. Interlude

⁴⁹ Lord, where is your unfailing love?
    You promised it to David with a faithful pledge.
⁵⁰ Consider, Lord, how your servants are disgraced!
    I carry in my heart the insults of so many people.
⁵¹ Your enemies have mocked me, O Lord;
    they mock your anointed king wherever he goes.

⁵² Praise the Lord forever!
    Amen and amen! (Psalm 89:46-52, NLT)

Oh, the days I find myself waking to His song, praise! And the mountains moved declare His greatness, praise! His Word a light and lamp in darkness, praise! In the trials and questioning and wonder, praise!

Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen!

Courtney (66books365)

Psalm 107, 108; Romans 15:21-33

I’m so serious, so intense, and even uptight at times.  I can get in my head and ruminate or obsess on every little mistake; or I can project into the future disaster after tragedy after bereft. I fear persecution, embarrassment, failure; even worse, I fear success! I wake up in the middle of the night with nerves snapping and neck knotted from wearing an unidentified burden of doom.

Living like this has caused me to react in paranoid protection mode, shooting at others or shooting myself in the foot. So it was with great relief when I learned something about the redeemed life of living in relationship with Jesus Christ.  There is powerful peace in His Word.

Just like today when I read out loud (oh, you have to try this, especially the psalms that were written to be sung by a choir!), Psalm 107.  I’m singing the blues there in the stanzas that repeat four times, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses (Psalm 107: 6, 13, 19, 28). But it’s the refrain in this song (also sung four times) that must have been a crescendo of musical instruments, altos, sopranos, tenors, and bass singers ripping loose in colossal harmony, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107: 8, 15, 21, 31.

This is like one of those songs in church that requires clapping to the Lord and some shouted Amens!  Out go my foolish worries, replaced by the joy of being in God’s care. Then I settle down and read the sermon in Romans. It falls tenderly on my heart when I realize that the Apostle Paul may have had a similar personality as me.  He uses words like “beg” and “strive” to ask his friends in Rome to pray with him (just a little intense, there, Paul?) His prayers are even about the same things that I am concerned.  For instance, I ask God to protect me from those who do not know Him.  Paul, too, prays that he may be delivered from unbelievers. I worry that my service to the church is inadequate; Paul asks that his service to the church would be acceptable. I hope that God will bring joy to my family and that I will gather with them. Paul prays that God would allow him to joyfully visit his Roman brethren. And I cannot tell you how much I desire to just have a time when I am not obligated to do one thing; and there is Paul, asking others to join him in prayer just to get a vacation and some needed R&R. (Very loosely paraphrased from Romans 15:30-32.)

Support straight from the heart of God.  I know this is where my peace will come from; for God is quoted in Psalm 108:7 as saying, “I will rejoice…”(indicating His pleasure) to deliver us, show His glory in His deliverance, andto  shower us with loving-kindness and mercy.

Just breathe in – -breathe out, Janet!

All Scriptures are from the Nelson Study Bible, New King James Version, Trinity Fellowship Church 25th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.

2 Chronicles 19, 20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7

…The Lord says this to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of this large army. The battle is not your battle, it is God’s…You won’t need to fight in this battle. Just stand strong in your places, and you will see the Lord save you. Judah and Jerusalem, don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord is with you…” 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 (NCV)

Sometimes I have a difficult time keeping my focus on God. The busyness of life, the day-to-day hustle of caring for my husband, kids, house, ministry, etc., swiftly steals my attention. I soon find myself in crisis mode, overwhelmed by the never-ending to do list and exhausted by nonstop tasks.

“Stop judging by the way things look, but judge by what is really right.” John 7:24 (NCV)

While concentrating on what things look like and how they feel, it is easy to forget that things aren’t always what they seem. The Lord is moving behind the scenes even when I am unaware of what is happening. He is maneuvering things into place, suggesting solutions, offering wisdom, providing for my needs, whispering peace to my spirit, and giving me strength to stand.

…‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord All-Powerful. Zechariah 4:6 (NCV)

In the midst of the struggle to balance everything, when I choose to worship the Lord rather than wallow in my misery, the Lord gives me His strength to do all things. The battle becomes the Lord’s, when my praises flow.

For me, singing is the quickest way for me to enter into God’s tangible presence. Worshipping the Lord takes me from a place of putting the spotlight on myself and on my problems to keeping my heart centered on Him. It opens my spirit to receive His ministry to my heart. It calms my mind to allow me to hear His truth for my life and His wisdom for my situation. It helps me taste and see that He is good. It reminds me that He is faithful all the time.

Jehoshaphat bowed facedown on the ground. All the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him. Then some Levites from the Kohathite and Korahite people stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with very loud voices…

Jehoshaphat listened to the people’s advice. Then he chose men to be singers to the Lord, to praise him because he is holy and wonderful. As they marched in front of the army, they said, “Thank the Lord, because his love continues forever.”

As they began to sing and praise God, the Lord set ambushes for the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom who had come to attack Judah. And they were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:18-19, 21-22 (NCV)

The people of Judah and Jerusalem made the choice to worship the Lord. They chose to put their focus on the God of Israel, instead of the enemy that they faced. They praised Him with loud voices. A handpicked worship team actually went into the battle ahead of the warriors to sing praises to the Lord and to offer gratitude for His continuous love. And as a result, their enemy was easily defeated by God.

On the last and most important day of the feast Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from that person’s heart, as the Scripture says.” John 7:37-38 (NCV)

When I send praises up to God before going into my battles, He defeats my enemies too. When I believe in Him, trust in His goodness, I am filled with living water, my thirst for Him quenched. Gratitude flows from my heart and turns to joy. Despite the craziness of the day, I am strengthened. He gives me my piece of peace and shows me the path to take. His love casts out my anxiousness, my fear, and I am encouraged.

Yesappa, Praise the Lord, O my Soul and let all that’s within me praise His name. I will not die, I will live and I will tell of the works of the Lord, sing of His wonders. He’s a great God. I get to love You through, whatever comes. What a privilege. Oh how sweet it is. Nothing’s going to take Your praise out of my mouth as long as I shall live.* In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessings – Julie (writing from Sholavandan, India)

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

* Lyrics from the song “Praise the Lord” by Kristene Meuller

2 Samuel 22; Galatians 2; Ezekiel 29; Psalm 78:1-37

David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2 Samuel 22:1 NLT.

The day we loaded up the kids’ play set in our real estate agent’s box truck, my husband set the radio to my favorite station. I had never driven a big truck like that, and it was intimidating to me. He turned it around so all I had to do was put it in drive and go. We were starting a new chapter of our lives in many respects. When I turned the corner that led to our next house, a song came on the radio: Move, by Mercy Me.

I laughed at the soundtrack life offered up.

That was the year I picked “worship” as a focus word.

That year, God taught me a lot about worship.

When I couldn’t think of a song to praise him, he gave me song. And when I couldn’t find the voice to worship him, he gave me tears. He showed me how to worship not just with my lips, but with my life.

There were other songs during that time I walked in the valley. And when I hear those songs today, I straddle a line of before and after, and I can praise God for his faithfulness, his provision, his protection, and his mercy.

I hung out with David a lot during that time. His mess, his faith, his fear, his cry–all taught me about worship and how to do it from the pit. My cave looked different. And my enemies did too. But my God is still the same: rock, fortress, savior, refuge.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
³     my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.
He is my refuge, my savior,
    the one who saves me from violence.
⁴ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
    and he saved me from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4 NLT

Alleluia.

Father, I learned so much those years in struggle and depression. Thank you for walking beside me.

Courtney (66books365)