Psalm 59 - 4.20.26

Scripture 

Psalm 59:16-17

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.”

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Observation 

In the heading of this Psalm, it says that King David wrote it, “When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him.”

King David was being hotly pursued by his enemies, yet He still praised the Lord! He received God’s peace and strength as he prayed and worshipped through his circumstances.

Application

Pray, worship and give thanks in ALL circumstances. Thanksgiving is a choice and not based on emotion. 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, GIVE THANKS in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” -‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Following this encouragement is easy when our circumstances are good. When we are healthy, our finances are good, we are enjoying our job, our church is thriving, when all of our prayers are being answered the way we want them to, when we don’t have anyone close to us dying or anyone to grieve and when we don’t have any relational issues with our spouse, kids or anyone else, then it’s easy to give thanks. However, how often do those blessings occur at the same time or every day? Also, if you read the beatitudes in Matthew 5, God has a different view on who are blessed. (For example, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit”, “Blessed are those who mourn”, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness”, etc.) 

For me personally, I know that if I based my faith and thanksgiving on only good circumstances, I would be living a very dark and depressed life. I probably would’ve abandoned my faith already too.  This is why God wants us to have a different perspective for viewing hard circumstances, where in the midst of them all, we give Him thanks. We refocus our attention on Him, rather than the circumstances, knowing that He is in control and with us through it all. 

If we are having a hard time giving thanks for a circumstance, we can also ask the Holy Spirit to help us and He will! 

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for King David’s example that there is no excuse not to pray and worship You! You always flip the script on how You want us to react to life’s challenges. You don’t want us to be overwhelmed by them, but rather give thanks in ALL of them, good or bad. I pray that whatever season, circumstances, location, or activity I find myself in, that I would run to you in worship and prayer! Help me to not only give thanks in the good times, but also the hard times, knowing that You are always working them out for my good. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

Titus 2 - 4.17.26

Scripture:   Titus 2:11-15

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Observation: 

Paul is instructing a new leader, Titus, to restore order in the church in Crete from false leaders who were trying to take over.  He gave instructions on what to teach them.  These truth’s are universal and are great lessons for all Christians to learn and share. 

He then states the reason, God’s grace is for all people.  It is the key to teaching us to say no to the world’s passions that will pull us away.  

Instead we should:

- Live self-controlled

- in good standing with others

- godly

- Wait in expectancy of Jesus second coming

Then he admonishes Titus to encourage and rebuke with authority. Do not let anyone despise, hate, scorn, dislike, you. This last one seems hard to do.  How, aren’t there always going to be people who disagree? I’m thinking that we can’t let them get in our head. As we truly walk with love and authority, we will command the respect. It may mean to take the conversation private and to not let them talk down to you in the presence of others.

Application: 

Verse 15 stood out to me. This can apply to so many different situations. How can we (I) do what it is saying. We have such an important goal, people’s salvation. The enemy is going to try to stop us.

God has given us the command, “Go and make disciples, …… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  Matthew 28:19

We need to do so in the authority He has given us because He is with us to the end of the age.

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank you for all you are doing in my life. You’ve given such excellent commands. They are not meant to have us function as robots, but in freedom. You have a design for older to teach younger. You want us to make disciples. Thank you for your word and guidance. Help me know that you are with me. You protect, lead, and guide me.  Help me speak with authority that is God given to me.  May everything be driven by love. Thank you for always being with me in all I do. Amen

- Cindy Howard

Zechariah 10 - 04.16.26

SCRIPTURE

“Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is The LORD who sends the thunderstorms. HE gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

The only command in the chapter is in verse 1.

“I, the Lord, am the one who sends storm clouds and showers of rain to make fields produce. So when the crops need rain—you should pray to me.”

‭‭(Zechariah‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭CEV‬‬)

God meant for this command to be taken both literally and spiritually. They were to ask God for the spring rains for their crops; but also, they were to ask God to pour out His spiritual rain on His parched people. God promises to bring His scattered people back to the land and to strengthen them to walk in HIS name. So Zechariah exhorted them to ask God to send rain to fulfill these promises.

APPLICATION

God’s abundant PROMISES for HIS people

should motivate us to PRAY for their fulfillment.

Zechariah reminds us of the importance to PRAY.

We Pray to Remember that The LORD Alone is the Source of ALL Blessings

God commanded them to ask for rain. Rain is a natural phenomenon. Scientists can explain the process without mentioning God. However—when they can’t figure out, why or how, they attribute it to good old Mother Nature! But don’t let them fool you: It is God who sends rain!

If the crops grow, it is because God makes them grow.

Likewise, If you sit down, with a roof over your head, to a meal that you bought with the money you earned, from a job you work at, with the skills you have—it is God!

God provided the skill, that got the job, that earned the paycheck, that paid for the food and the roof that covered your head while you sat and enjoyed the meal.

ALL GOD!

and I (you) need to give thanks to Him.

God is the source of —every—blessing.

We Pray for God’s Promises TO Realize The Fulfillment of HIS PURPOSES.

When God tells His people to ask Him for the spring rains,

We are literally praying for —spring rains. In other words…asking God for basic provision.

But, also, we are to Pray for Spiritual Rain

to fulfill His promises, to save, restore, and strengthen His people for His glory.

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done…”

“for it is God who works in you to will and to act—in order to fulfill HIS good purpose.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may HE work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. HE fulfills the desires of those who fear him; HE hears their cry and saves them.” (Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

YOU are such a Good and Loving Father. Thank YOU for who YOU are. HOLY and Worthy to be Praised. Awesome and Sovereign. Thank YOU for the gift of Prayer. Thank YOU that Your ways are Perfect. Your Kingdom Come. Your Perfect will be done.

Forgive me for the many times I run ahead and think in my mind or heart..I will do this or today I will do that. I can do nothing apart from You. Send Your rain Lord Jesus. Send Your Spiritual Rain upon Santa Clarita where You have positioned us and Send it upon our nation and Send it upon Israel.

Help my heart and mind to seek YOU and acknowledge YOU in all my ways. Give us genuine disciples who desire to serve YOU. Help me to be a good steward of what You have provided. May Your Purposes be fulfilled.

In Jesus Name.

Tina L Kudelka