Tag: Psalms

Things tossed in a box…

Have you ever tossed things in a box and closed it up and tucked it away and forgot about it for a chunk of time?

It is so easy for me to think about that for physical things because it has happened to me several times. We have moved a time or two so it most often has happened then but it has also happened when I have a box of things I am not sure about so I gather them, put the somewhere and then it is a big surprise when I pull it out.

It’s so easy for me to forget about what I have — like that mini muffin tin I couldn’t find only to buy a new one and then find the old one less than a week later.

Or that can opener I set down in the pantry. Couldn’t find. And after I finally bought a substandard one (and used it) I found the other one less than 24 hours later. Ugh!

I do this with tangible things — what about those intangibles? Things that are gifts from God that I set aside and forget about like

Prayer

Have you ever set it aside and stopped using this amazing form of connecting with God? I think it happens to everyone at one point. Things happen, life takes a wild turn, and pretty soon it has been days when you are not connecting with God.

Don’t forget about this gift!

Dust it off if it has been set aside. Dig into God’s Word for some amazing Psalms as examples or utilize The Lord’s Prayer. Hymns can be another great prayer offering.

Are there other good gifts from our Heavenly Father that you may not be utilizing? Let this be an encouragement for you to remember them and utilize them.

The gift of today

None of us know how today will unfold. But that does not negate the fact that today is a gift. In fact, let’s get a jump start on appreciating this day!

As soon as you can, take stock in the gifts of today. List as many as you can — from sunshine to spring rains to fluffy cats to food in the refrigerator to dishes in the sink. I would love to see your list! Post a few things in the comments so I can be encouraged by your perspective.

Sometimes we get caught up in only mentioning the “big stuff” we are thankful for. It is easy to forget those things that are commonplace or expected.

For example, I am thankful we have running water and a washer and dryer for our clothes. I appreciate having those helpers around so I don’t have to go down to the creekside and wash my clothes and trudge back to the house with wet clothes to hang on a line. Line dried clothes are amazing — but the handwashing routine is not what I am used to. I know, I have grown up with too many conveniences!

I am thankful that God placed me into this time. But, I pray I would have been a thankful person at any place in the timeline of the world. My circumstances are not where my joy is found.

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:6-7 NIV

Heavy

2024 seems to be a challenge year for a lot of people.

Back in early January I asked a friend how things were going in her world and she answered, “Heavy.” Yesterday, I was visiting with a neighbor who is feeling the weight of several situations.

The burdens are all around us!

I think it is important to acknowledge the challenges we are facing. We don’t need to pretend things are all hippy skippy. But, when things are heavy, it weighs us down. And that makes slogging through the day more difficult.

Recognizing my limitations is so helpful during these times. God does not expect me to be a hero. He doesn’t expect me to “save” all the situations. But He does ask me to bring all these burdens and difficulties to him. He wants me to share my heart. He wants to share the load. And He wants us to trust that He is working things out.

Yes, we know people can make choices that will damage others and as we watch those decisions play out it is painful. We might be living with or ministering to the person who is left living with the challenging situation. How can we bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted?

We cannot. Only the Lord can.

He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NIV

There are many brokenhearted all around us. And sometimes we are the ones who are crushed in spirit. Ask God to refresh and renew your perspective today. Ask Him to send some respite and relief. Thank Him for anything you can muster up the energy to be thankful for.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV

As you move through your day, keep an eye open for those who are struggling. Pray for them. Offer to pray with them. Consider lending a hand to help them move through their circumstance with a loving friend. We can only pour into others what has been poured into us. Ask Jesus to fill you so you can be available for others.

I have idols

No, I don’t have a golden calf in my back yard, but I definitely let other things step in front of my relationships with God.

In fact, I am probably my own worst idol. There are things I want to have and do and while that in and of itself is not really a problem, when I put my attaining those things above God, it is.

Idols distract me from seeing important things. Chasing after them takes center stage and, considering I have already lived at least half my life, I look back and I see I have wasted a lot of time pursuing things that do not bring joy or whatever I thought it was that they gave.

Do you have any idols? Maybe yours are similar to mine: comfort, control, approval, money. I am sure I have more hidden under my tent, scattered here and there. Becoming aware of them is the first step. Confessing them and asking for forgiveness is the next.

Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NLT

Dismantling them is the next part of action. But how does one go about removing, eliminating, destroying the idols in their lives? Each person might answer that differently.

May you have eyes to see your idols and God’s strength to discard them and live your life in His freedom and grace!

Wonderful Counselor

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:25-27 NLT

God has given us so many wonderful gifts that we often do not take advantage of. One of them is His teachings. He tells us who we are. He tells us who He is. He speaks loving words — words of life — to us. And somehow, the world crowds out those words of beauty, mercy, love, grace, forgiveness, and restoration.

Stay close to The Word!

God gives us wise counsel. His guiding principles are all over Scripture. He offers us peace of mind and heart though we often search high and low all over the world to find it.

Remember His Words!

You are loved. You are His creation. He will never leave or forsake you. You are His child.

Today I am resting in God’s Words of love and grace — they give me peace of mind and heart.

Glory and Majesty

Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord! Psalm 111:3-4

A look at Creation surely reveals God’s majesty. It is easy to be in awe: the stars that fill the sky or the transformation of the butterfly. And there is the personal side of things: the provision of a Savior, the gift of love and sacrifice through Jesus, the daily gifts of grace and mercy.

The day gets so busy and sometimes seems to run away with me. But allowing a pause — better yet, creating the pause, allows us that time to remember His works in our world and His work in our lives and His work on our hearts.

As you start each day, may you create the space to reflect on God’s glory and majesty. Dig a little deeper into Psalm 111 today. Start listing the things God has done or is doing. He is always working to reveal is glory and majesty. When we stop for a bit, sometimes we can catch a glimpse. And, when we are face-to-face with Him in Heaven, I am sure we will be in absolute awe!

My Light and My Salvation

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1 NIV

If you are reading this, the chances are high that you know who God is — that He is your light and your salvation. But, how easy it is to let the cares and concerns of the day overtake our hearts and spirits and suck the joy out of our days.

It’s so easy to lose our focus.

Let’s start the day recognizing who God is. Once we do that, we also can easily see who we are — and who we are not. Too often the events of a day or a week confuse us about who we are and what we are to be about. Taking some time to be re-oriented every day — sometimes multiple times a day — helps us remember who our Creator is and that we need His light and perspective, and, most importantly, His salvation.

The Places

There were times over the last two years that we hardly went anywhere and that was as much of a challenge as going places. In fact, we thought more about where we were going and who might be there over the last couple of years than we could have ever imagined.

So he we are, living in a freer world — stepping out and moving about, albeit a little cautiously. The places we are going may just be that: nothing special — simply locations. But there is effort and energy in the movement and we have to go.

Are there places you need to go but to don’t care to? Are there places you are excited about? Are there places you are dreading?

Me too. And God is in all those places. When I am heading to the places I need to get to, it helps me to remember that God goes before me, He comes behind me, and He hems me in. He is with me in all of the places.

When I need to go to a place I would rather not be, I say,

Be near me, Lord Jesus!

Give thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord.

I don’t know your circumstance. You might be experiencing health, financial, or relational challenges. In spite of these potential scenarios, I encourage you to give thanks. God is good. Your situation might be devastating, but circumstances can’t change God’s nature.

I have been guilty of equating God being good with things going “my way”. Have you? When I am weak, discouraged, or worn down I am susceptible to this mode of thinking. When I am angry or if I have been violated or if someone I love has been injured, I might be tempted to forget God’s goodness. But I cannot.

I encourage you to remember God’s goodness.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

Psalm 121:1-3

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

I know when I am discouraged, disappointed, or depressed I often look down. I look downtrodden. I don’t see all that is in front of me.

The simple practice of lifting my eyes and looking up makes a difference on my countenance. And when I do so, recognizing Who it is that I am looking to for assistance, I am in a good place. I am in a place of humility. I am recognizing that I have a need and I am seeking God for the solution.

My help comes from the Lord.

From daily tasks to huge obstacles, God wants to provide solutions and encouragement. He has things for us to learn along the way, but He is a problem solver. He is a life giver. And He is my sustainer.

As you look at the day and week ahead, look up — seek His face. Ask God to be in your work and play.