Psalm 146 - 12.27.24

Scripture: Psalm‬ ‭146‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  The Lord sets the prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.”

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Observation:

It’s interesting how we are reading about David’s life and then the Psalm he wrote goes with the situation. David took not only sang his praises to God, but also wrote them down (or had a scribe do it). He states that we should not put our trust in princes. In 1 Samuel 29 he was ready to fight and got sent back. God had a better plan.  He learned that people will fail him. 

We can trust the Maker of everything who watches over all. David lists some specific ways God provides for us: 

He upholds the oppressed, gives food to the hungry, sets prisoners free, sight to the blind, lifts up those bowed down, loves the righteous watches over the foreigner, and sustains the fatherless and the widow.  

Then, David contrasts it with how God deals with the wicked, He will frustrate their plans. Whatever your situation God is working to help you!  You have nothing to fear or worry about and everything to praise Him for. 

Application:

I want to do as verse 2 says, praise the Lord all my life and sing His praises. David recorded his praise to God and kept a record of all He had done. What a great reminder to keep or start journaling. 

David also shared his praise with others-we benefit from that today. I want God to be glorified in the lives of those around me. David, as a refuge, discovered how much God cared for all people. 

My prayer is He will stir up all our gifts to sing, write, declare, draw, comfort and we will use them to bring people into saving knowledge of Jesus and all God had done. “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬

God does this incredible work we are reading about through us!  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you care about all people. Both Kings and fatherless are sustained by your hands. You fight for the oppressed and set prisoners free. You made this incredible world and all who live in it.  We can enjoy your splendor and handiwork. The same care you took in supplying the animals with all they need, you do for us. 

As I go through my days, may I be guided by you to use the gifts you’ve given me to share your marvelous works with others. Also, help me encourage your people to do the same. David was an outcast, but people came to him because they saw your hand on his life. May your hand be evident on my life as I obey you and walk out your plan. Keep my focus on you and prevent me from being distracted.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Mark 14 - 12.26.24

SCRIPTURE -Mark 14:3 NIV

“While Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman [Mary] came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head [and feet].”

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OBSERVATION

Jesus was having a leisurely meal in Bethany at the home of Simon with several friends and his disciples. In John’s account we learn that Lazarus was there along with his sisters Mary—and Martha who was serving.

Martha is serving and once again we find Mary—at the feet of Jesus.

Serving is good and right and we all need to find our place in serving Jesus with the gifts we have been given.

And—In order to serve with the Fullness of God— it is of the utmost importance we are prioritizing spending time at the feet of Jesus.

Mary breaks this precious jar of perfume (worth a year’s wages) and pours it out over Jesus feet and then anoints his head. (John 12).

APPLICATION

She did what she could…

Three Times Mary is mentioned in the Bible.

Each time she is at The Feet of Jesus.

Jesus said of Mary, “She did what she could”

At this dinner Mary once again finds the Most important place to be—at Jesus Feet.

Mary had shown in this one single act that Jesus was more important-more precious-worth her whole devotion and worship—she held nothing back.

“Martha had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.” (Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“When Mary came [to the place] where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.””

‭‭(John‬ ‭11‬:‭32‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

“Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

PRAYER

LORD JESUS,

YOU are WORTHY of my complete devotion. Help me to be like Mary. To come and fall at Your feet. May my heart beat for You. Help me to be purposeful in finding the quiet times to Listen. To be Still and Know you are God. When I am distressed, help me to simply fall at Your feet knowing You take every burden. And each morning May I seek You and anticipate my time with You…falling more and more in love with my Heavenly Father. Help me to continually pour out the best and most expensive offerings I have to give. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Psalm 144 - 12.25.24

Scripture

“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle”. (Psalms 144:1, NIV)

Observation

David the King of Israel praises God, from whom all his skills and abilities come. As a king, the most important skill that he needed was to protect his nation from enemies, and to lead his army into war. He did not go to military school. He was a shepherd boy in his youth, before he was made the king. But God who called him to be the king, trained his hands for war and his fingers for battle, and made him excellent as a warrior. We see a similar verse in Psalms 18 which says “He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” 

Application

The ability to work and to provide for ourselves and our families is a gift from God. Each one of us is called to a specific vocation. Luke, who wrote the gospel of Luke and book of Acts, was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). Paul the apostle who wrote almost half of the New Testament, was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:3). Bezalel, was anointed by God “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” (Exodus 31:4-5). Joseph (husband of Mary) was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Daniel was a government official and bureaucrat, being the chief administrator and ruler of Babylon (Daniel 2:48). Joseph, the son of Jacob was a high-ranking Government official in Egypt, second to the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40). 

Whatever we do for work in our life, we are called to it and planted in our workplace by God. Wherever God has placed us, He gives us the ability to excel. Let us ask God to make us excellent in the vocation He has called us to. Our Heavenly Father who taught David how to be a warrior,  and who made Daniel the wisest of Babylon, and who gave administrative skills to Joseph will give us all the skills and wisdom we need to be excellent.

Our God performs all things for us (Psalms 57:2). This includes excellence in all spheres of life. Are you called to be a father or mother? Are you called to be a home-maker? Ask God who gives wisdom, and He has promised to give wisdom generously without finding fault (James 1:5). 

Prayer

Father, I thank you for calling me into the area of work that you have called me to. Thank you for my vocation, and the workplace you have planted me in. According to your word, I pray that you will make me excellent in my work, and make me stand before kings (Prov 22:29). I pray that you will give me the skills to do the work that you have called me to do, just as you trained David for battle (Psalms 144:1). Give me the wisdom to do my work, just as you gave knowledge, skill and wisdom to Daniel (Daniel 1:17). Help me to serve you and be your witness, wherever you have placed me. Let my work bring glory to your name. Thank you because you are able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George