Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Embrace His Truth . . .

Thanking the Lord today for His indescribable gift ~ JESUS!!!

Praising Him for His amazing love shown when He gave His one and only SON that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~    ~    ~

Amazing grace how sweet the sound . . . a gentle baby's cry, sheep and cattle lowing all around.

God's gift of love for all mankind . . . sweet baby Jesus with a cross in mind.

Yet He came for all without complaint . . .  to save us, free us and call us His saints.

Undeserving ~ you and me . . . beautifully saved and completely free. 

Encouragement for the Journey

The Potter's Hand . . .

"Yet, O LORD, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."  Isaiah 64:8
 
Recently we were at our NC State Fair.  One of my favorite things to do is walk around the Pottery Exhibition.  I love to gaze on these amazing creations.  Each individual piece a work of art ~ a piece of art that takes many tedious hours of starts, stops and restarts before entering the kiln and the completed object is revealed.  The colors on some are vibrant, others appear less shiny, but all useful in its perfect place.

We too are beautiful works of art, made by the Creator of the universe.  Lumps of clay perfected in the Potter's Hand, perfectly shaped; perfectly molded, perfectly fitted for the work planned long ago for us to do. 
"While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barabbas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."  Acts 13:2

Lord, I choose to ask You to mold, shape, reshape and refine me as many times as necessary so that I can be Your useful vessel, set apart for Your glory.  Help me to remember that genuine faith is revealed through the refiners fire.  Begin the refining process today, Lord. Take away the dross; anything that keeps my life from bringing you glory.  Let Your amazing love purify every part of my life. 
In Jesus Name, Amen!!!

~ ~ ~

~  Isaiah 1:25 ~ God takes hearts that are full of defilement and burns away the dross.

~  Jeremiah 9:7 ~ Through God's amazing love He purifies us and makes us shine like gold.

~   Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:2-3 ~ Purification through the refiners fire brings glory to God.

~   1 Peter 1:6-7~ Genuine faith is revealed through fiery trials.

Encouragement . . . for the Journey
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."  1 Timothy 4:12

Investing in your kids . . .
Read a great devotion this morning about investing in our kids.  The writer talked about investing in our kids education, their athletic ability, their musical talents, etc.  All are good things to invest in, but then she asked the question, "what about training them spiritually?"
As Christian parents, we have the awesome privilege of introducing our kids to the perfect parent, God Himself.  Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says, "Love the Lord your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."   Always look for teacheable moments.

I remember when our youngest son was little, we would take "joy" walks in the neighborhood, seizing this opportunity to talk about God our Creator.  Simply put, as we walked we looked for things God had made and then we talked about them.  Great thing to do with older kids as well.  We can all benefit by being reminded of our great, Creator God.  As you're driving and see someone homeless, teach your kids to pray for them.  Pray for policemen, firefighters, walkers and joggers, etc.  You get the picture.  Have age appropriate family devotion/prayer time, choosing the best time for your individual family.  Pray with your kids before they go to school.  Take that extra 30 seconds ~ believe me it will have a great effect on their day. They might not thank you now, but they will later.  Trust me on this one. :)   

Training kids to know God through prayer, reading His Word, singing songs that reflect His glory will have an incredible impact on their lives and ours as well.   

Turn 1 Timothy 4:12 into a daily prayer for kids of all ages:

Lord , , ,
Please keep anyone from looking down on ______________________ today because of his/her age.  Faithful God help them to set an example for those who are believers and non-believers in the way they talk (Ephesians 4:29-30, 5:4), in the way they live their life (Ephesians 5:15, Proverbs 3:5-6), in the way they show Christ's love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), in faith (Colossians 2:6-7) and in purity (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:1-2, 5, 17).
In the strong name of Jesus, amen!!!

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Squandering God's Blessings

This morning I was reading from Luke 15:11-32, one of the most recognizable parables in the Bible ~ the parable of the prodigal son. Some of you are saying, oh wow, I love that story!!! Others of you are yawning and saying, oh yeah, I've heard that a zillion times. But have you ever thought that our actions and reactions have been or are much like that of the prodigal son or even his older brother? Both received blessings they didn't earn, both looked at them with their own interests in mind. Both squandered and missed the beauty of these blessings in the way their father chose to distribute them.

All of us can squander and miss God's blessings in the way He wants to distribute them, because we want what we want and we want it NOW!!!  We want a life of ease ~ everything handed to us on silver platter ~ no work ~ no worries ~ immediate self gratification. It's what we deserve isn't it???   NO, not all. I love what Psalm 103:8-10 says, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” When we receive Christ as our Savior, we are immediately assured of His spiritual blessings. Blessings we didn't earn; blessings that come from a compassionate, loving Father who only wants the best for His children, just like the father in Luke 15 wanted for his sons.

Both sons had the same father; both had the same privileges and blessings afforded them as a result of being born into that family. When we were first introduced to the older son, he was seemingly content to wait to receive his share of the blessings. The younger son wasn't. He wanted his share and he wanted it NOW!!!   If I was telling this story to my grand-kids, at this point, I would ask them who was this guy thinking about? All of them would shout, “HE WAS THINKING ABOUT HIMSELF!!!” Of course, he was only thinking of himself. How often do we do the same thing??? We want what we want and we want it NOW!!!

The younger son, after asking for his inheritance, leaves all that is familiar, thinking that he knows what's best for his life. He goes as far away from his family as his money will allow, squanders it all and is left bankrupt. Penniless, hungry and utterly dejected, Luke 15:17 says, “When he came to his senses,” he headed for home. He was weak and vulnerable and had no way of knowing how his father would respond, nevertheless, he went.

Little did he know, he had nothing to worry about. His father was watching for him. Can you just imagine how often the father had looked in the distance to see if his son was coming home? When he finally saw this one, who had left, returning, Luke 15:20 says, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Stop and picture this amazing display of compassion and incredible fatherly love, not to mention the huge bear hug these two gave each other. Not only did his father compassionately embrace him, he told his servants to prepare a feast and what a feast it was ~ like none they had ever prepared before. They pulled out all the stops.

But just as the party was ready to begin, in walks the older brother. Now you would think, like his dad he would welcome his brother, but that's not what happened. Instead the green eyed monster of jealousy reared it's ugly head. Angry to the max, he exploded and let his dad have it. Now once again I would ask my grand-kids the same question, who was he thinking about?, “HIMSELF!!!” would be their reply. And again they would be right. There was no compassion here, no display of brotherly love. What it did reveal was what was inside his heart all along. That jealous heart didn't just occur. It had been festering for some time. Because of this, he truly wasn't experiencing the blessings that were his from his dad. He was too consumed with his own selfish desires to enjoy them.

Just like these two sons, sooner or later our sinful hearts are revealed. The sin that was there all along, festering and ready to explode. What is God showing you about your own heart condition? Which son is your life most like? How would others characterize your life, your actions, your words, your reactions when you don't receive what you think you deserve or when you think you deserve it?

Sin is packaged in such beautiful wrappings or should I say trappings. “Sin comes as a friend to entice you and then becomes a master to enslave you. Sin puts a wall between you and those who can help you, but it builds a bridge between you and those who want to exploit you and hurt you.” (Warren Wiersbe, From the Word) Can you just imagine how exploited the prodigal son felt, after trying life his own way and the older brother humiliated by jealousy that robbed him of the joy he should have been feeling toward his brother?

So my question to all of us is, are we squandering God's blessings by self-centeredness or are we receiving all He wants to lavish on us as we walk in obedience to His perfect ways. Remember His boundary lines for us have fallen in pleasant places ~ a place of security and complete rest and a place that will always bring Him glory.

The boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance.

Psalm 16:6

I would encourage you to read Luke 15:11-32 three times ~ first from the younger son's perspective, second from the older brother's perspective, then from the Father's perspective. Which person's values do you reflect? If your answer is either one of the sons, then seek the Father's watching face, ask for His forgiveness and move forward with Him. Know that when we confess our sins:
~ God forgives – John 1:29
~ God forgets them – Hebrews 10:17

~ God blots them out – Isaiah 42:25
~ God pardons them – Isaiah 44:22
~ God buries them in the depths of the sea – Micah 7:19

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

When battles rage ~ TRUST our powerful God!!!

Things looked bleak for the nation of God ~ kingdoms were in conflict during the reign of wicked King Ahab and his relatives.  After the death of these wicked Kings, you would think that the people would run to righteousness and flee wickedness, but not so.  When Athaliah, King Ahaziah's mother, heard of the death of her son, she took matters in her own hands.  She too was a wicked woman who did evil in the sight of the Lord. 


"When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.  But" . . . Don't you just love to see what happens when that word is inserted in a sentence.  "But Jehosheba, the daughter of Jehoram, and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.  She put him and his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land."  2 Kings 11:1-3

The war was raging, but God was in control.  The little boy Joash was saved ~ saved to become King.  "Joash was seven years old when he began to reign."  2 Kings 11:21  Just when it looked like satan would win and defeat God's plan, God intervened and accomplished His purpose for the nation of Israel.  NOTHING or no one stops His plan or His purpose, regardless of what the situation may look like.  God is sovereign over all things!!! 

Warren Wiersbe in With the Word says, "Events around you may create doubts and fears in your heart, and you may wonder if God knows what is going on and if He cares.  Rest assured that God not only knows and cares but that He is working out His purposes in spite of the evil deeds of wicked people.  God does not need great armies to accomplish His plans. He can use a boy seven years old to change the course of a nation  Often when circumstances are the most difficult, God surprises you with a special victory.  Trust Him!" 

Who or what are you trusting in today? 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."  Proverbs 3:5-6
 

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Worship dispels worry . . .

"What comes from the Lord because it is impossible for humans to manufacture it?  Wisdom."
"What comes from humans because it is impossible for the Lord to experience it?  Worry."
"And what is it that brings wisdom and dispels worry?  Worship."
Chuck Swindoll (The Living Insights Bible)

Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength. 
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His Holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks, and strips the forests bare.  And in His temple all cry, "Glory!"
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Warren Wiersbe, in With the  Word, explains the passage in this way:

"Praise before the storm (1-2)
David called on the angels in heaven to ascribe praise to God.  You never know when a storm is coming, so be sure you are worshiping Him and giving Him glory.  The greatest beauty of all is the beauty of holiness, and it comes from worshiping the Lord.

Power in the storm (3-9)
First the thunder rolled over the Mediterranean Sea.  Then the storm broke and moved across the land.  Seven times the storm is call "the voice of the LORD." (see Rev. 10:3-4)  What power there is in a storm! Even the angels shout, "Glory!" as they watch it!

Peace after the storm (10-11)
David may have seen a rainbow and remembered God's promise given after the Flood (Gen. 9:8-17).  God sat as King at the Flood, and He is still King!  No storm is greater than God.  If you trust Him, the storm will bring glory to God.  If life is stormy just now, worship Him and wait on Him.  The storm will pass, and He will give you peace."

Today, choose to praise God in the storm ~ Trust His mighty power for your sufficiency in the storm ~ Experience His peace that passes all human understanding!!!



"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!
 Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends alll understand, will guard your  hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 
Philippians 4:4-7

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up."  Galatians 6:9

This morning as I was sitting on my deck having my quiet time, I read this verse.  Although, I've read it numerous times over the years, this morning it seemed to leap off the page.  You know what I'm talking about.  Something so familiar, yet you know God wants to show you something. 

The first thing that jumped out were the words "grow weary".  How often have we said, "I'm so tired of doing this."  Not sure what your "this" is?  Here are a few of the "this" things that God brought to mind along with His promises to encourage you in your journey. 

. . . I'm so tired of having to discipline my children ~~ I tell them the same thing over and over again until I'm blue in the face!!!  Will they ever get it???  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  Proverbs 22:6

. . . I'm so tired of having to go to this job every day ~~ I work hard and watch as others get raises/promotions, but does anyone notice or reward my efforts???  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24

. . . I'm so tired of having to stay on this diet ~~ Why can others eat like they want and not gain weight??? I need help!!!  "As for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."  2 Chronicles 15:7,  "This is what the LORD says to you; "Do not be afraid or discouraged . . . For the battle is not yours, but God's."  2 Chronicles 29:15

. . . I'm so tired of always having to be the one to say I'm sorry or forgive when forgiveness isn't deserved!!!  "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  Ephesians 4:30-32

. . . I'm so tired of praying for my family members/friends to come to Christ when I don't see any results!!!  "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."  Luke 18:1, "Pray continually."  1 Thessalonians 5:17

. . . I'm so tired of trying to make this marriage work  when all I hear is "give up".  DON'T weary one!!!  "Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."  James 1:12  "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever."  Ephesians 3:20-21 

The second thing that jumped out was how ALL the sentences started with the word "I".  So what are we to do???  We are to look to Jesus Christ who helps us in ALL our situations and circumstances!!!  We need to remember where victory comes from.  It comes as we put our trust in our all powerful God to whom nothing is impossible.  Weariness will most likely not go away because it's part of life.  What will go away is our focus on weariness when we give that weariness to Him!!! 

The result is found in the last part of the verse.  "We will reap a harvest if we don't give up."  We can't have the harvest without the work.  Does a farmer receive a bountiful harvest without work???  NO!!!  Does an Olympic athlete receive the Gold medal without work???  NO!!!  Does a contestant on American Idol/Duet, etc become the winner without work???  No!!!  You get the picture.  Something that is worthwhile, takes work!!! 

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Amazing GRACE how sweet the sound . . .

Love God's beautiful grace ~ His marvelous riches at Christ's expense ~ so undeserved ~ lavishly given to all who believe . . .

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace, which He has freely lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding."
Ephesians 1:7-8 ♥

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

E A S T E R !!!!!!!

Everlasting
Atonement
Sin
Triumphantly
Erased
REJOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved."

Ephesians 2:4-5 ♥

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

He chose the nails . . .

"I am the good Shepherd.
The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord."

John 10:11,18

Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one can snatch them out of my hand."
John 10:27-28


"For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3 16

"For our sake He made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

2 Corinthians 5:21

"For God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. "

Romans 5:8

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

1 John 4:10

~ ~ ~

As we celebrate Easter,
may our focus be placed on Christ ~ ~ ~
the ONLY reason for the season!!!

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Read these words from Focus on the Family that were written many years ago, but still applicable for today.

"Today's generation of kids will go through some incredible pressures, maybe more than any generation in previous days."
"My son, if sinners entice you , do not give in to them." Proverbs 1:10

Pray for your kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews . . .
Father, I pray today for (put kids name) that if sinners entice them, that they will not give in to them. Protect their hearts, desires and actions. In the powerful name of Jesus!!!

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10c

No matter where I look these days, I see a LOT of people who look as if they need some joy in their lives. Joyless people are everywhere ~ everywhere. We can find them in our neighborhoods, at our local malls, Wal-Mart, the grocery store and yes, even in our churches. Those the winds and storms of life have beaten down. Their circumstances have left them battered, bruised, and broken. Swirling, like the leaves the spring winds twist and turn, their lives seem out of control ~ no hope ~ no peace ~ just turmoil. They’re enveloped in a life of seeming despair with no way out ~ trapped, frustrated and bewildered as to why this is all happening to them. Ever met anyone like that? Or you’re saying to yourself, that’s me!!!

So often we, even as believers in Christ, equate joy and happiness synonymously, but they can be two different things. Happiness oftentimes depends on our outward circumstances and joy that brings complete satisfaction comes from a deep, abiding relationship with Christ. As believers, we need to remind ourselves from time to time things just aren’t always going to be great; circumstances stink and storms come. James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Did I just hear right? Yes. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we’re going through trials. I know you’re thinking, “Why???” I’m glad you asked. The next part of the verse gives an immediate answer.“Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Verse four goes on to say, “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” "We are more than conquerors through Him (Jesus) in all things; not in spite of them (tribulation, suffering, and persecution), but in the midst of them." Oswald Chambers

Because most of the time our circumstances will not change, we have to make a choice whether we will wallow in despair or walk in victory in Christ, choosing His joy. In Isaiah 61:2b-3 God promises, “ . . . to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.” Reread those verses and take them to heart. Make the choice to walk tall in Him, being a beautiful display of His grace, splendor, and majesty. Don’t allow your circumstances to dictate who you are or how you feel.

I have a friend who has a debilitating disease that will never go away. In fact, when she first got the disease, her husband left her and the prospects of a great career went out the window. During the ten years I’ve known her; I have NEVER heard a word of complaint, despair, or “woe is me” from her mouth ~ only praise. Now I’m not telling you that she’s some super saint, but I am telling you that she has made a choice to rise above her circumstances. She is a delightful lady that everyone loves to be around. Although confined to a wheel chair, she stands tall!!! She is a beautiful display of God’s amazing grace, strength and sustaining power. Are you???

“You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to You and not be silent,
O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Just read some wonderful thoughts from Lysa TerKeurst, www.madetocrave.org. She talked about how often, when God asks something of us that's hard or seemingly beyond our reach, we say to Him, "But I"~ focusing on our own inabilities rather than the sufficiency found in Christ alone. She challenged her readers with the following verses to help us when we have the tendency to look inward rather than upward. May the power of these verses challenge and encourage you today!!!

Genesis 8:1 But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

Genesis 31:42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

1 Samuel 23:14 David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

1 Kings 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster.

Nehemiah 9:17 They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.

Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

Jonah 2:6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 3:15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.

Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.

1 Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

2 Timothy 2:9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Encouragement . . . for the Journey

Knowing God from A - Z . . . a praise walk through the Psalms

One of my favorite books of the Bible is Psalms. I typically read a Psalm a day along with any other Scripture I'm studying at the time. Actually I pray it back to God each day. As I've done this through the years, it keeps me focused on the greatness of my God, no matter what my day looks like.

Sometimes my days are filled with beautiful sunshine. Sunshine that warms me like snuggling up under an afghan on the coldest winter day. Other days are bleak, much like our our back yard looks right now. Regardless of our season, Psalms has something to say that will keep us looking "upwards" not inward or outwards toward others to satisfy our needs. God's Word is always sufficient for our circumstances.

Each day has challenges of its own and every time I read a Psalm, God has a special word just for that particular situation. Something that will always minister to my need for that day.

This year rather than reading a Psalm a day, I'm camping out for a few days. The first day I read it through, then look at a commentary by Warren Wiersbe called With the Word ~ a simple explanation of the chapter. On the second day I'll read the Psalm again, this time looking up all the corresponding verses in the margin of my Bible. On the third day after reading the Psalm, I read the comments from the Life Application Bible. This is keeping me from blowing through the Psalms ~ check off, "done that" mentality. It is helping me to grow deeper in my relationship with Him through this more thorough study.

This morning, I finished reading Chapter 5, one of my favorite Psalms. In the first verse, I love how God hears my words and considers my sighing. I don't know about you, but I sigh a lot. Not because I don't trust in my all powerful God, but because I am comfortable with Him. He cares in such a way that He invites my sighs. He considers my sighing, always listens to my cry for help and comes at just the appropriate time. In the meantime, until I know His answer, I wait. Wait expectantly, much like a child waiting for Christmas morning, their birthday to arrive or school to be over, etc. Knowing that He will protect me and give me exactly what I need when He does answer.

Another thing I am in the habit of doing is jotting down descriptions of who God is and what He does. I use the Alphabet praise method, putting each description by the appropriate letter. For example, from the first 5 books of Psalms here are the descriptions I've found:
A- Anointed One (Ps. 2:2), answers me (Ps. 3:4)
B
C- consider my sighing (Ps. 5:1)
D- deliverance (Ps 3:8)
E
F- filled my heart with greater joy (Ps. 4:7)
G- give ear to my words (Ps. 5:1), great mercy (Ps. 5:7)
H- hear (Ps. 4:1; 5:3)
I
J
K- King (Ps. 2:5; 5:2)
L- light of Your face (Ps. 4:6), listen to my cry for help (Ps. 5:2), lead me (Ps. 5:8)
M- merciful (Ps. 4:1), make straight Your way before me (Ps. 5:8)
N- Name (Ps. 5:11)
O
P
Q
R- refuge (Ps. 2:12), righteous (Ps. 4:1), righteousness (Ps. 5:7)
S- shield (Ps. 3:2; 5:12), sustains me (Ps. 3:5), set apart the godly for Himself (Ps. 4:3), spread Your protection (Ps. 5:11), surround the righteous (Ps. 5:12)
T
U
V
W- watches over the way of the righteous (Ps 1:8), will hear (Ps. 4:3
X
Y- You alone make me dwell in safety (Ps. 4:8), You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil (Ps. 5:4), Your presence (Ps. 5:5), You hate all who do wrong (their actions ~ He offers everyone salvation) (Ps. 5:5), You destroy those who tell lies (all are held accountable for their actions) Ps. 5:6), Your favor (Ps 5:12)
Z

As you journey with the Lord this year, make it a habit to read a Psalm. Look for all the descriptions of who He is and what He does. Keep your own journal. Take those descriptions and begin your praise time with Him each day. You'll be amazed at what He reveals to you and how your walk with Him will deepen. I love spending time with Him in the morning. The Life Application Bible puts it this way, "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."

On the journey with you and praying that God will reveal Himself to you in amazing ways in 2012 ~ Dianne