Psalm 25 - 2.25.25

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 25:4 - 5

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

OBSERVATION

This is a Psalm of David which shares his trust and faith in God. It was hard to choose which specific scripture of this Psalm to use because each and every part of it is wonderful. I love how David is so open and real about what he’s done in life (vs 7: Do not remember the sins of my youth) and in his praises (vs. 2: I trust in you; vs 8: Good and upright is the Lord; vs 10: All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful).

In reflection, this scripture is very similar to one of my favorite Psalms in 139:23-24 (which was also written by David):

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

APPLICATION

The heart of this scripture really points to being humble before the Lord. David is asking to be shown God’s ways, teach His paths, and to be guided in His truth. If David (or us) were not humble before the Lord, it would be impossible to ask for these things. It’s similar to when we think there’s no need to ask for instructions, directions, or input from those around us because in our own mind, we’ve got it all covered. That’s the opposite of being humble. It is very easily revert to the “I can do it myself” mentality. For me personally, I’m inquisitive and like to figure things out on my own but know my limitations. As an example, I tought myself how to work on computers (software and hardware) and how to do regular maintenance on my mom’s Chevy Vega (yes, cue the jokes). After gathering the right tools, I learned how to change the oil and do a tune up on the car. But if I needed to overhaul the engine, I knew that was beyond my abilities. Knowing your limitations is important in life but when it comes to anything relating to approaching the Lord’s throne, there’s no other way but in humbleness.

There are 73 references in the Bible where the word “Humble” is used. Many of them are in the Old Testament with 16 references in the New Testament. I guess the topic of being humble is important! One of my favorite scriptures about being humble is James 4:10 which says “ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James is referencing this because earlier in James 4:6 he quotes Proverbs 3:34 ““God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  I sure don’t want to be opposed by God and would rather have His favor.

God is willing to show us His ways, to teach us, to guide us down the path He has for our life, and to reveal all His truths.  All it takes is a humble heart before God. We can then receive God’s hope – all day long – because of our humbleness before God.

PRAYER

Lord, I’m so thankful for your Word which comforts my heart. You, Lord, are the only one worthy. My trust is in you! Thank you for allowing me (and all of us) the opportunity to come before your throne, in humbleness, to ask for your help in following you, to teach me all that you want me to learn, and to guide me each step of my life’s journey. I need you, Lord, for everything. You are my all, my everything, my life. Help me to always be humble before you, to seek you for everything, and to never rely on anything other than you. In Jesus name! Amen

- Mary Oberg

Revelation 3 - 2.24.25

Scripture

“I know your deeds…” -Revelation 3:1b; 8 and 15

Observation

This chapter continues Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches.

The churches in Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea are being addressed through angels (or messengers) of Jesus. Every message begins with Who Jesus is. Jesus is described as holding the 7 spirits of God and the 7 stars (vs. 1); He is holy, true and holds the key of David where what He opens no one can shut and what He shuts, no one can open (vs. 7); He is the Amen, the faithful, true witness and the ruler of God’s Kingdom. (Vs. 14). Then, it begins with Jesus’ personal words to the churches and it always begins with, “I know your deeds.”

Application

We must earnestly repent to the Lord of the ways we are falling short. He knows it all anyway!

If Jesus were to say to me and you, “I know your deeds,” what would we want his following statement to be?

I love how Jesus gave encouragement to each of the churches and an admonition (or warning) regarding what they needed to change. What would He say we are doing well and what we need to work on, individually and corporately? WE are the church (not the building or programs) and change always begins with the hearts of His people first.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” -‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The book of Revelation is usually a challenging book for me to understand; however, this chapter is very clear and convicting with certain areas that I need to change in myself personally, specifically about needing to wake up due to unfinished deeds and also remembering that even those who are “rich” in this life are still “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”  We continue to need Jesus and must have compassion towards those who need Him too!

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word and for admonishing those You love. I pray that I would earnestly repent of any ways that I have fallen short from what You expect from me. Help me to keep Your Word and not deny Your name. May I endure patiently and always remember You as my first love. May I also continue to have a heart for the lost, knowing that I was once “wretched, pitiful and blind” before You took a hold of my life. In Your name I pray Jesus, Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

2 Kings 8 - 2.21.25

Scripture: 2 Kings 8:3-6

3 At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.”5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land.

Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 The king asked the woman about it, and she told him.

Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”

Observations:

The woman and her family had obeyed Elisha’s warning and went to the land of the Philistines to escape the famine. The woman’s land had been taken during their absence. She may have been wondering,  “Why did this bad thing happen.? We obeyed God.”

However, she did not sit and sulk. She went to the king.  God had a perfect plan to give her even more than she was asking for.  She arrived at the very moment Gehazi was telling the King about “the servant of God” and how he had raised the dead back to life. This is her story. The King asked her to tell it. 

Then the king assigned an official to her case giving her back everything they belonged to her, even the income her land earned!

God always prepares the perfect way for us. It may look like our obedience cost us or even put us in a place of peril.  However, we can go to the King of Kings and make our plea. He will restore or give us even better. If we continue to walk through a hard time, He uses it to teach and prepare us. 

Nothing would have happened if she did not make an appeal.  It can be hard to step out and speak to those in authority. The king gave her an advocate to get back what was hers.  An extra blessing, she had someone to do the hard work for her. Whoever had her land could not argue with the official. Especially when told to give back the income her land had earned. 

Application:

I have seen God do divine appointments. I end up at the right place at the right time.  But during hard times, it is easy to be distracted and forget all that God had done or believe that He will do more. 

This stood out to me because God is always looking out for us and setting up encounters like this.  Most of the time we may not even recognize it. 

It takes our being and bold. She had to go to the king. We know she and her family were farmers, not nobles. Also, the obvious - she was a woman!  They were not business people in that day.  Still she went to make her appeal.  She wanted for her family the land that had been theirs for generations. 

I want to not shy away from taking action. It usually requires stepping out of my comfort zone. Even as RK shared on Sunday, we may be going among the wolves.  God will direct my path and have the best prepared as I follow Him. 

Prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for all you have done in my life. Just like the Shunammite, there have been miracles. You are not done. Please help me to continue to press in, push through after a time of famine and make an appeal to the one who can bring about the change needed. You have prepared a path for me, people to tell my story to. Please help me to look for those you have for me to speak to and go where you’ve called me to go. Your ways are amazing. Thank you Lord. May I shine Your light.  Amen

- Cindy Howard