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