Never too old... (Psalm 71:18)

Psalm 71:18

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.




A person is never too old to serve God, never too old to pray. Though age may stop us from certain physical activities, it need not end our desire to tell others (especially children) about all we have seen God do in the many years we have lived.



 
 
Joe




















 

Continue to pray.... (Psalm 69:13)

Psalm 69:13

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹³ But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
    answer me with your salvation.




What problems David faced! He was scoffed at, mocked, insulted, humiliated, and made the object of city-wide gossip. But still he prayed. When we are completely beaten down, we are tempted to turn from God, give up, and quit trusting Him. When your situation seems hopeless, determine that no matter how bad things become you will continue to pray. God will hear your prayer, and He will rescue you. When others reject us, we need God most. Don't turn from your most faithful friend.







Joe


















 

The Great Commission (Psalm 67:2)

Psalm 67:2

New International Version (NIV)


 

² so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.



Could the psalmist have looked across the years to see the gospel go throughout the earth? This psalm surely speaks of the fulfillment of the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:18-20 below), when Jesus commanded that the gospel be taken to all nations. Count yourself among the great crowd of believers worldwide who know the Savior; praise Him for His Good News; and share that gospel so that the harvest will be abundant.

Matthew 28:18-20

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”



 
Joe






















 

Trials refine us. (Psalm 66:10-12)

Psalm 66:10-12

New King James Version (NKJV)


 

¹⁰ For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
¹¹ You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.





Just as fire refines silver in the smelting process, trials refine our character. They bring us a new and deeper wisdom, helping us discern truth from falsehood and giving us the discipline to do what we know is right. Above all, these trials help us realize that life is a gift from God to be cherished, not a right to be taken for granted.



Joe


















 

Nobody is beyond redemption (Psalm 65:3)

Psalm 65:3

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³ Though we are overwhelmed by our sins,
    you forgive them all.




Although we may feel overwhelmed by the multitude of our sins, God will forgive them all if we ask sincerely. Do you feel as though God could never forgive you, that your sins are too many, or that some of them are too great? The good news is that God can and will forgive them all. Nobody is beyond redemption, and nobody is so full of sin that he or she cannot be made clean.




 
Joe

























 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Psalm 51:12)

Psalm 51:12 

 

 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

 

 

 

Do you ever feel stagnant in your faith, as though you are just going through the motions? Has sin ever driven a wedge between you and God, making Him seem distant? David felt this way. In his prayer he cried, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." God wants us to be close to Him and to experience His full and complete life. But sin that remains unconfessed makes such intimacy impossible. Confess your sin to God. You may still have to face some earthly consequences, as David did, but God will give back the joy of your relationship with Him.

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you long for God? (Psalm 42:1)

Psalm 42:1

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹ As the deer longs for streams of water,
    so I long for you, O God.




As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend on God. Those who seek Him and long to understand Him find never-ending life. Feeling separated from God, this psalmist wouldn't rest until he restored his relationship with God because he knew that his very life depended on it.




Joe


















 

Blessed are those who take care of the weak. (Psalm 41:1)

Psalm 41:1

New International Version (NIV)


 

¹ Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
    the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.




The Bible often speaks of God's care for the weak, poor, and needy, and of His blessing on those who share this concern. God wants our generosity to reflect His own free giving. As He has blessed us, we should bless others.
 



Joe
















 

Benefits of waiting.... (Psalm 40:1-4)

Psalm 40:1-4

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
³ He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

⁴ Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.





Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting: God 1.) lifted him out of his despair, 2.) set his feet on solid ground, 3) gave him a firm place to stand, and 4.) put a new song of praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting.






Joe



































 

God's anger lasts a moment. (Psalm 30:5)

Psalm 30:5

New International Version (NIV)


 

⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning.



 
Like a shot given by a doctor, the discomfort of God's anger lasts only a moment, but the good effects go on for a long time. Let God's anger be a sharp pain that warns you to turn from sin.




 
Joe 
















 

Wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Psalm 27:14

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹⁴ Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.




David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed king at age 16, but didn't become king until he was 30. During the interim, he was chased through the desert by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of His promise to reign.


Waiting for God is not easy. Often it seems that He isn't answering our prayers or doesn't understand the urgency of our situation. That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth waiting for. Lamentations 3:24-26 (see below) calls us to hope and wait for the Lord because often God uses waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us. Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.

 
 
Lamentations 3:24-26

New International Version (NIV)

 

²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.



 
Joe























 

Praise God in public. (Psalm 26:12)

Psalm 26:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹² Now I stand on solid ground,
    and I will publicly praise the Lord.



Too often we complain about our problems to anyone who will listen and praise God only in private. How much better it would be for us to complain privately and to praise God publicly.



Joe





















 

The Good Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)

Psalm 23:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.


 
In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he spent his early years caring for sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). As the Lord is the good shepherd, so we are His sheep - not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and in right ways. This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow. When you recognize the Good Shepherd, follow Him!

John 10:11

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Hebrews 13:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep

1 Peter 5:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.



 
 
Joe























 

Teach your children about the Lord. (Psalm 22:30-31)

Psalm 22:30-31

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

³⁰ Our children will also serve him.
    Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.
³¹ His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born.
    They will hear about everything he has done.




Unborn generations are depending on our faithfulness today. As we teach our children about the Lord, so they will teach their children and their children's children. If we fail to tell our children about the Lord, we may be breaking the chain of God's influence in generations to come. We must view our children and all the young people we meet as God's future leaders. If we are faithful in opportunities today, we may well be affecting the future.




Joe



















 

Deep Waters (Psalm 18:16-18)

Psalm 18:16-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

¹⁶ He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemies,
    from those who hated me and were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress,
    but the Lord supported me.



Do your troubles, like "deep waters," threaten to drown you? David, helpless and weak, knew that God alone had rescued him from his enemies when he was defenseless. When you wish that God would quickly rescue you from your troubles, remember that He can either deliver you or be your support as you go through them (see verse 18). Either way, His protection is best for you. When you feel like you're drowning in troubles, ask God to help you, hold you steady, and protect you. In His care, you are never helpless.



 
Joe














 

Put your relationship with God above earthly riches (Psalm 17:13-15)

Psalm 17:13-15

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

¹³ Arise, O Lord!
    Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!
    Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
¹⁴ By the power of your hand, O Lord,
    destroy those who look to this world for their reward.
But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.
    May their children have plenty,
    leaving an inheritance for their descendants.
¹⁵ Because I am righteous, I will see you.
    When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.




 
We deceive ourselves when we measure our happiness or contentment in life by the amount of wealth we possess. When we put riches at the top of our value system, we let power, pleasure, and financial security overshadow the eternal value of our relationship with God. We think we will be happy or content when we get riches, only to discover that they don't really satisfy, and the pleasures fade away. The true measurement of happiness or contentment is found in God's love and in doing His will. You will find true happiness if you put your relationship with God above earthly riches.






Joe




























 

Watch your tongue. (Psalm 12:2-4)

Psalm 12:2-4

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

² Neighbors lie to each other,
    speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
³ May the Lord cut off their flattering lips
    and silence their boastful tongues.
⁴ They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content.
    Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”




We may be tempted to believe that lies are relatively harmless, even useful at times. But God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception or boasting. Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech. The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage (see James 3:5 below). Be careful how you use yours.

James 3:5

New International Version (NIV)

 

⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.


 
Joe























 

Praise Him (Psalm 9:1-2)

Psalm 9:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)



 

¹ I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
² I will be filled with joy because of you.
    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.



Praise is expressing to God our appreciation and understanding of His worth. It is saying "thank you" for each aspect of His divine nature. Our inward attitude becomes outward expression. When we praise God, we help ourselves by expanding our awareness of who He is.




Joe











 

God knows your thoughts. (Psalm 7:9)

Psalm 7:9

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)


 

⁹ God, you always do what is right.
    You look deep down inside the hearts and minds of people.
Bring to an end the terrible things sinful people do.
    Make godly people safe.





God searches minds and hearts . Nothing is hidden from God - this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to Him. Because he knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve Him as He has planned. When we truly follow God, He rewards our effort.




Joe






















 

Talk to God each morning. (Psalm 5:1-3)

Psalm 5:1-3

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

 

¹ O Lord, hear me as I pray;
    pay attention to my groaning.
² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
    for I pray to no one but you.
³ Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
    Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

 

 

 

 

The secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to Him earnestly each morning. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with Him daily. Do you have a regular time to pray and read God's Word?

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meditate on God's Word. (Psalm 1:2)

Psalm 1:2

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.

 

 

 

You can learn how to follow God by meditating on His Word. Meditating means spending time reading - and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself, how you should change so you're living as God wants. Knowing and meditating on God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what He says.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do your friends help or hinder your faith? (Psalm 1:1)

Psalm 1:1

 

 

¹ Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.

 

 

 

The writer begins his psalm extoling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule Him. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. This attitude is the same as mocking. Do your friends build up your faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help, not hinder, you to draw closer to God.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be ready to hear God. (Job 37:2)

Job 37:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

² Listen carefully to the thunder of God’s voice
    as it rolls from his mouth.

 

 

 

Nothing can compare to God. His power and presence are awesome, and when He speaks, we must listen. Too often we presume to speak for God, to put words in His mouth, to take Him for granted, or to interpret His silence to mean that He is absent or unconcerned. But God cares. He is in control, and He will speak. Be ready to hear His message - in the Bible, in your life through the Holy Spirit, and through circumstances and relationships.

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you hide your sins? (Job 31:33-34)

Job 31:33-34

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

³³ if I have concealed my sin as people do,
    by hiding my guilt in my heart
³⁴ because I so feared the crowd
    and so dreaded the contempt of the clans
    that I kept silent and would not go outside—

 

 

 

Job declared that he did not try to hide his sin as men often do. The fear that our sins will be discovered leads us to patterns of deception. We cover up with lies so that we will appear good to others. But we cannot hide from God. Do you try to keep people from seeing the real you? When you acknowledge your sins, you free yourself to receive forgiveness and a new life.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God is in control. (Job 21:22)

Job 21:22

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

²² “Can anyone teach knowledge to God,
    since he judges even the highest?

 

 

 

 

Although baffled by the reasons for his suffering, Job affirmed God's superior understanding by asking, "Can anyone teach knowledge to God?" The way you respond to your personal struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God, continue to trust Him, no matter what your circumstances may be. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God is in control. We must commit ourselves to Him so we will not resent His timing.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust Him during the difficult times. (Job 6:8-9)

Job 6:8-9

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁸ “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant my desire.
⁹ I wish he would crush me.
    I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.




In his grief, Job wanted to give in, to be freed from his discomfort, and to die. But God did not grant Job's request. He had a greater plan for him. Our tendency, like Job's, is to want to give up and get out when the going gets rough. To trust God in the good times is commendable, but to trust Him during the difficult times tests us to our limits and exercises our faith. In your struggles large or small, trust that God is in control and that He will take care of you (see Romans 8:28 below).
 

Romans 8:28

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.




Joe