Always There

Photo by Jennifer Burr

“From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind;

from His dwelling place he watches all who live on earth–

he who forms the hearts of all,

who considers everything they do.

 * * * * *

No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

* * * * *

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death,

and keep them alive in famine.

* * * * *

We wait in hope for the Lord;

he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us,

O Lord, even as we put our trust in you.”

Psalm 22:12-22

Lord God, so often I misplace my trust when I run into trouble.   Instead of falling on my knees and bringing to you my concerns I try “this and that”, I consult experts, I go to my friends, to books, to talk radio, to the internet.  Lord, forgive me for not coming to you first!  Lord, you know my human frailty and in your mercy you don’t turn away from me when I finally come to you.  You generously give your wisdom, your strength, your patience and perseverance to me.  And I am helped.  Thank you Lord God for your faithfulness and grace.  Always.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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August 14 A Blessing To Bank On

Photo by Laura Jostes

Nehemiah 7:61-9:21;  1 Corinthians 9:1-18;  Psalm 33:12-22;  Proverbs 21:11-12

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the Lords looks down and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth–

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army;

no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.” 

Psalm 33:12-22

~

A bank may safeguard

my cash,

but it cannot guard

my life.

Banks fail,

money supplies dwindle,

but the Source of all the living

never runs dry.

Rejoice in the Lord

who makes something

out of nothing;

who feeds thousands

with but a crumb.

He is the same yesterday, today

and forever!

He knows my needs

for food, clothing, shelter

and my deeper needs

for forgiveness, love and mercy.

He never fails.

His mercies are new every morning.

Yes, even for today!

I can bank on that.

Lord God, thank you for your goodness and mercy that never end.  In you I can place all my trust and not be afraid of running out.  Your love endures forever!  May I share your goodness and mercy with those who need to hear a Good Word today.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

August 13 Comfort and Joy!

Image by Zach Fonville

Nehemiah 5:14-7:60;  1 Corinthians 8:1-13;  Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

“Sing joyfully to the Lord

Praise the Lord with the harp

Sing to him a new song

Shout for joy!

For the word of the Lord is right

and true;

he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness

and justice;

the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Image by Zach Fonville

By the word of the Lord were the

heavens made,

their starry host by the breath

of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea

into jars;

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

let all the people of the world

revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded and it stood firm.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations;

he thwarts the purposes

of the peoples.

Image by Zach Fonville

But the plans of the Lord stand

firm forever,

the purposes of his heart

through all generations.”

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 33

 

Comfort and joy,

celebrate today

the faithfulness of our God.

In the beginning he promised

to save fallen mankind

and he did!

I am alive today

fully alive,

mind, body, spirit

because of His

love and faithfulness.

Thank and praise you,

Jesus

for being the answer,

the key

that opened the

door to Heaven.

Your perfect life,

fit the Father’s demand

and then you gave your life

for me.

Thank and praise

your Holy Name!

We are your creation.

You have set us in

our places

to proclaim the Good News

that you desire all

people  come to

faith.

You will never stop

looking for the lost ones.

Oh, what Comfort

and joy!

                                                                

 

 

February 12 LifeGuard

Photo by Marian Trinidad

Exodus 34:1-35:9;  Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22;  Proverbs 9:1-6

“The Lord looks down from heaven;  he sees all the children of man;  from where he sets enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth;  he who fashions the heart of them all and observes all their deeds…Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their souls from death, and keep them alive in famine.”  Psalm 33:13-15, 18-19

We have Someone who watches us night and day.  He’s always on duty.  Always ready to throw us a “rope” if we’ve come to the end of our own.

We cannot save ourselves.

Why does He watch us so closely?  What does he see?

Out of all the people that fill this world, how do we stand out?

It’s not because of superb good works, flawless prayers, or supreme sacrifice–on our part.

He sees the light of faith in the hearts of those who believe in His Son.

Jesus–who performed superb good works;  whose prayers were flawless–and selfless; and who was the supreme sacrifice for sins.

Faith in Jesus lights up our lives–the Father sees and attends.  He’s our ever ready Life Guard who will make sure we safely reach Heaven’s shores.

Lord God, thank you for throwing us the lifeline through your Son, Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.  Thank you for coming to our rescue and giving us the strength to hold on!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Our soul waits for the Lord;  he is our help and our shield.  For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”  Psalm 33:20-33

February 11 Silent Witness

Image by Brandon Johnson

Exodus 32:1-33:23;  Matthew 26:69-27:14;  Psalm 33:1-11;  Proverbs 8:33-36

“Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus said, “You have said so.”  But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer.  Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear the many things they testify against you?”  But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”  Matthew 27:11-14

 

Greatly amazed at…silence,

at no rebuttal,

no defense.

Silence.

Hear it?

Feel it?

The weight of it measured out

for my sin.

Speak a word of truth

and it might have changed

Pilate’s mind,

Changed the course of history,

Saved my Savior’s life,

but not mine.

Silence remained on His lips

willingly, obediently,

lovingly

for me.

What price, silence?

One life, for many.

Silence bought freedom

From God’s Word of wrath.

“Silence is golden.”

Thank you, Lord, for giving

Silence to me.

Lord Jesus, I thank and praise you for your amazing silence, your “Amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now and found, was blind, but now I see.”  Thank you dear Jesus.  In your name I pray, Amen.

“Shout for joy in the Lord, O, you righteous…

Sing to him a new song;

Play skillfully on the strings,

with loud shouts.

For the word of the Lord is upright,

and all his work done in faithfulness.

He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast

love of the Lord.”

Psalm 33:1-5