Psalm 135 - 12.16.24

Scripture 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭135‬:‭5‬, ‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods….The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

Observation

Here is a breakdown of all of the praise in this chapter, according to David Guzik commentary on  enduringword.com:

A. The Good God, Creator and Redeemer

1. (Verses 1-2) A Call to praise Yahweh.

2. (3-4) Reasons to Praise the Lord.

3. (5-7) Praising God who creates all things.

4. (8-12) Praising God who redeems his people.

B. Exalting God in all His greatness

1. (13-14) The Greatness of God’s fame.

2. (15-18) The Greatness of God in contrast to the empty folly of idols.

3. (19-21) The people of God called to bless and praise Yahweh.

Praise the Lord! We serve a risen Savior who is eternally alive! 

If we can sum up this Psalm in one sentence, it is to praise God above all as Creator and Redeemer!

Application

Take some time to pause and praise Him today!

There is always a reason to praise the Lord, no matter what season in life we are in.  We just need to look around us at the majesty of His creation. Look at the trees, the animals, the sun, moon, stars, oceans, mountains, and even how our bodies work! 

Also, we always have a reason to praise God as redeemer of our sins. We are not bound by our sins, which is deserving of hell and death, because of Him! We are alive and free because of Jesus! 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

What an encouraging Psalm, especially in this busy holiday season! I pray that I would take time to pause and lift up Your name in praise every single day and very often.  May I fill my mind with worship. Thank You that You are not like other gods or idols that don’t speak or hear, but because You are alive, I am seen, heard and continue to have hope for today and my eternal future with You. No idol can compete with the greatness of Who You are Lord. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Samuel 15 - 12.13.24

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:17-23

“Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.””

Observation:

Samuel gave Saul instructions from the Lord, but he did not follow them completely. When confronted by Samuel his excuse was he kept the best to sacrifice to the Lord.  Samuel pointed out that to obey is better than sacrifice.  Saul said he was swayed by the men. 

Application:

It is easy to get sidetracked with what we think is honoring to God and others opinions.  God wants us to obey Him, not do things we think will honor Him. This causes me to stop and think. God’s hand was mightily upon Saul. He had chosen him. He still had free will and got side tracked.  I can easily get off course too. 

I need to do whatever it takes to follow what God speaks to me:

• First seek His will. 

• Write it down so I don’t forget. 

• Listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting throughout my day. 

• Stop and think before I act on my own intuition. 

• Share with others and be accountable. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for me. Please reveal to me what you have for me today.  Reveal to me where I have gotten off course and how to correct it.  Please show me who to interact with today and the words you would like me to share with them.  As I seek you, please give me the bigger picture and a goal to help me stay on course.  If there is a time when I need to walk by faith and not by sight, please give me the strength to do so. 

When a Samuel comes into my life to speak, may I listen intently without pride. May I connect with those who will hold me accountable, but not listen to those who could lead me astray as Saul did.  Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit as my guide and your Word to light my path. May I fulfill all you have in store for me.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Mark 1 - 12.11.24

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:15 NIV

“The Time has COME,” Jesus said. 

“The kingdom of God-- has COME-- near.

Repent and Believe the Good News!”

OBSERVATION:

Mark begins with the Promise of The Messiah as Isaiah prophesied:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—

“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for HIM.’ ”

John the Baptist arrived and was that one whose voice cried out in the wilderness for people to Repent from their sins-Turn to God—and be Baptized. This Baptism did not wash away their sins BUT was a Public declaration that they had made a decision to choose a new way of life.

Jesus ARRIVAL marks a CHANGE.

The TIME has COME.

REPENT and BELIEVE.

The KINGDOM of GOD has COME NEAR.

APPLICATION

Jesus Changed EVERYTHING. Jesus is Our Hope and Assurance.

The Good News for us and for our families and friends.

Jesus is the SON of GOD, The WORD made Flesh, Jesus IS God, Jesus, alone, has the Authority to Forgive sins.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.

 He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

 to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus has the Power to Heal, Release Prisoners from Bondage, Break every Chain, Raise the Dead, Cast out demons, Redeem, Restore, Provide, AND--Make a straight Pathway in the midst of the wilderness.

Jesus Began His Ministry with the Same Important Words The Lost and Hurting Need to hear--Today.

The Time Has COME…Repent and Believe The Good News

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for who You are. Our Salvation. Thank You for The Good News that sets us Free from the debt of our sins and assures us of eternal Life in Heaven with You. Thank You for Your WORD that is Life and Thank You for Filling us with Your Holy Spirit to guide us and equip us for all that YOU call us to.

Thank You for people who are on mission sharing The Gospel-- even when others reject them. I was once the one doing the rejecting-but still YOU used those words to draw me in.

Thank You for The Power of The Gospel. Give me greater courage and desire to share wherever I go and May I desire MORE of YOU.  I want everything You have for me. Keep me At Your feet listening and fanning the flames. Nothing else matters. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka