Category: Daily Word

Let’s read the Bible!

Daily Word

Psalm 5

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Read Psalm 5 – “You and me against the world… sometimes it feels like you and me against the world….” Excuse me while I entertain myself with this Helen Reddy song. David seemed to be in a “You and me against the world” state of mind when he penned Psalm 5, and for us, it serves as a breathtaking model for prayer.

David approaches the LORD with great reverence as O LORD, my King and my God. (:1-3). He focuses of the LORD’S character; the LORD abhors wickedness, and those who are evil, liars, bloodthirsty and deceitful…. David aligns his heart with the LORD as he speaks. Beloved, pray by this example, consider who you are speaking to. Examine your heart, and if you see anything displeasing, confess it before any petitions.

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” :7

David draws near to God by God’s very own steadfast love, and not his own merits. His petition is simply, lead me in your righteousness, my enemies are terrible.

And he closes the Psalm with a reminder of how good the LORD is to those who take refuge in Him.

Beloved, the LORD went to the greatest of lengths for your heart to be near him. He is the one who will never leave you or forsake you. The world may be against you, yet in Christ you will never walk alone.

Daily Word

Psalm 4

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Read Psalm 4 – Selah is a beautiful word. It sort of means ‘think about it’, but in a peaceful and reverent manner. Say it out loud… it even feels tranquil on the tongue.

Our David was in some kind of a jam when he called out to the LORD asking for mercy, relief and to be heard. My bible notes speculate it was either when his son, Absolom, was rising against him, or a time of natural calamity like drought…. It is interesting to speculate on the specifics, but when I read my heart is drawn to David’s heart. I find that I also cry out like he did, and am comforted to know that God hears these prayers.

David asks his men how long will they love delusions and seek false gods? Selah…. What do you discover when you ‘selah’ over this? Are there delusions or false gods in your life? Do you esteem career, money, or maybe a relationship over Jesus?

“Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.” (:3) Does your heart agree with this? Do you lean into Jesus or doubt he hears you?

“In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your heart and be silent. Selah” (:4) Whoa – yes, anger will happen, handle it with care.

Our Psalm ends with a reset. It started out with the laying down of burdens and ends with a reminder of the joy, peace and security one has when they trust in the LORD. Selah, Beloved, selah.

Daily Word

Psalm 3

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Read Psalm 3 – Get God’s Word in!  For your good and God’s glory, read your bible.  Life is so chaotic.  Many things and many thoughts happen beyond our control. Setting your mind on the glory, love, power and compassion of the LORD will strengthen you for the trials of life.  The more you know and love the LORD, the easier it is to lead your life with peace, joy and wisdom.

David is in one of those trials where things are rising up against him. (:1) It would be normal human nature to let his thoughts run rampant with what his enemies are doing, but he calls on the name of the LORD,  “But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.”

Verse :5 is a powerhouse.  Sleep is one of the most challenging things when your heart is riled up, yet David says, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”  Try that as your mantra the next time you find yourself sleepless with worries.  David did not lie down and analyze his problems; he spoke victory over them with the pure truth that the LORD sustains him.

Beloved, thank you for showing up today and setting your heart on things above.

Daily Word

Psalm 2

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Read Psalm 2 – God’s Word is living and active.  This Psalm was written by King David to celebrate the coronation of an Israelite king, and at the same time, to celebrate Jesus when he steps in to rule the nations.  It is the first Messianic Psalm, meaning it refers to the coming Messiah who we know to be Jesus.  

As you read :1-3, could you feel the rattling of our times?  And :4-6 reassures us as the One enthroned in heaven laughs… He laughs like a dad might laugh when his toddler challenges him to an arm wrestle.  His plans will not be rattled by their best efforts.

Jesus is so clearly spoken of in :7-12.  Verse :7 can also be found in Acts 13 as the Good News was fulfilled in Jesus.  

Marvel at the LORD today, Beloved, His plans are yes and amen!  Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (:12)

Daily Word

Psalm 1

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Find Psalm – The book of Psalm is a look at the relationship between the human heart and the LORD. You will be stirred. You will see emotions displayed in beautiful words. I read up on how to read this book and there are many ways. It can be divided into 5 sections and the more I tried to figure it out the more confused I got. My calling is to keep things simple and simply read God’s Word. So that’s what we will do, just read and trust the Holy Spirit to meet us as he sees fit.

First, you need to find Psalm. Close your bible and divide it into thirds, Psalm is right about at the ⅓ rd mark. It is after Job and before Proverbs. You may have some commentary from whoever put your bible together and reading that may benefit you. Many people contributed to the book, David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Herman, Ethan, Moses and 51 of them are anonymous.

Okay, ready for a taste? Read Psalm 1. Notice the progression of sin, blessed is the man who does not walk, stand, sit in the counsel of the wicked. Each step is a bit more comfortable, and that is usually the way sin works, casually becoming more familiar. (:1) Moving on, blessed is the man who delights and meditates on the Law of the LORD… as we are doing! (:2)

Beloved, that is enough for today. May your heart sit with the idea of being a well watered tree.

Daily Word

James 5

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Read James 5 – The Lord doesn’t miss a thing. Our chapter begins with an admonishment against the wealthy, self-indulgent, oppressors of the day. Meanwhile, the Lord (through James) encourages us to be patient. (:7). We are reminded of the prophets patience, and Job specifically. He was up against the very trials of Satan, yet persevered and the Lord generously restored him.

Verse :12 is so simple and right. May your YES be yes and your NO be no…. there is no need for swearing, the Lord will not ask you, “But did you cross your heart, and hope to die, and stick a needle in your eye?” about it. (Where do we come up with things like that anyway???) That goes for God and man… be a person who’s YES and NO does not waiver.

Verses :13-18 speak on the privilege and responsibility of prayer. One should pray for themselves, rejoice, call on the elders, and verse :16… notice what’s required: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

I was part of a recovery ministry for 5 years. When I was new in the program I balked at the idea of confessing my sins to another person. I thought it was all between Jesus and me; he knew, he forgave, so why speak about that which has been forgiven? Finally, the day came. I couldn’t move forward in the program without taking this step, and so I fearfully met with a person I knew I could trust and she graciously listened as I poured out my confession. Beloved, I can’t even begin to explain the healing that washed over me! I have never felt so clean! Our verse does not say ‘so you may be forgiven’, it says ‘so you may be healed’. If you are holding something that is churning in your heart right now, pray hard about who the LORD wants you to confess it to. Do not let it fester; it has already stolen enough of your life. Do what the LORD instructs so you may be healed.

Beloved, I pray the Book of James has blessed you and that you return to it every so often for a well check. Tomorrow we will visit the Psalms.

Daily Word

James 4

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Read James 4 – (2min, 27 sec if you were thinking up an excuse to put it off) We get in our own way so often. James asks, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” :1

The one you’re fighting with may be in the wrong, but where is your pride in the situation? Is there another way? Do you imagine Jesus standing next to you shouting, “Yeah! You tell em!” Of course not!! Instead Scripture reminds, that the Holy Spirit yearns jealously for us (:5).

Beloved, when you go off course, you will feel the Holy Spirit’s presence cringing within you, but you also have the free-will power to push his voice to the side. You can do this so much that you no longer hear it. Scripture tells us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. That is power, that is fighting with God on your side, and the first step is on you. Lay down that pride, instead submit to God… give a quick prayer before you respond to the person who has ruffled your feathers, “Jesus, give me words.”

Verses :13-16 speak about setting goals and leaving the Lord out of them. Hold on loosely to this life; it can change in an instant. Always strive to be in the center of God’s will. “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” :15

You might enjoy listening to the David Crowder Band’s – HOW HE LOVES US. It kept spilling into my thoughts as I read this morning. May Jesus’s love fill your heart as the Holy Spirit guides your thoughts, words and actions today!

Daily Word

James 3

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Read James 3 – again, read it.  I just timed it and it took just 2 minutes plus 21 seconds to read, so please don’t say you don’t have time. And if your bible is not close, just put it in the search engine: James 3, and there you have it.  Let a verse speak to your heart before being influenced by anything I have to say.  

The chapter title in my bible says:  Taming the Tongue.  The very first verse is one I am very cautious of when writing these blogs.  I am not here to teach, but to encourage.  I am not called to teach, but to learn… and happy (honored! grateful! blessed!) to share this journey with you.

James speaks about the tongue for :12 verses.  Did it grab your attention more than if he would have said, “speak kindly,” or something gentle like that?  There was nothing gentle about :8, “but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”  This kind of conviction saves us from glossing over these words.  Remember, this is for you, not your spouse or your kids, or your boss, or your passengers (in my case).  James calls us to get our own selves in order.  He wants us to see what Jesus sees with clear eyes because only then can we bring it to the cross.

Verses :13-18 What kind of wisdom resonates with you?  If you recognize it as the one led by selfish ambition, pray about that.  Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are and he loves you too much to leave you that way!

Daily Word

James 2

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Read James 2 – I learned an equation early in my faith.  It has helped me understand the difference between Biblical Christianity and everything else.  James captures it well here in our chapter, Faith + Nothing = Salvation as evidenced by Good Deeds.  Our good deeds are a celebration of all that Jesus has done for us.  Every belief system apart from Biblical Christianity will tell you Faith + Works = Salvation or even just Possible Salvation… they keep you guessing.  Jesus paid it all, and the unstoppable overflow from His love in us should spill onto others by our actions.  It’s the best economy there is!

In the Book of James, there should be a verse that pops out at you in every chapter.  My bible has lots of verses underlined with dates… those are the verses the Holy Spirit spoke to me the most at that time.  Each time a person reads the Word, they are different, they are older, their circumstances change.  One could read the same chapter every year and be convicted by something different each time.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing into the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

So read, Beloved, and let the Great Physician have his way with your heart.  I can share my verse from today, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” 2:17  That tells me to go love people.  It reminds me to listen to their heart and do what I can with action and not just words.  And when I think about it, it’s very exciting, like a daily treasure hunt for Jesus!  Abba, who do you have for me today???

Will you share your verse with me?

Daily Word

James 1

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Read James 1 – Wow!  This is so good!

James addresses how to handle trials (:2-4), faith and double-mindedness (:5-7), poverty and wealth (:9-11)… I could go on and on, but let the verses speak to you.  Trusting the Holy Spirit to awaken your heart to what’s important for you today.

Enjoy this short chapter, be strengthened, convicted and encouraged by these good and perfect gifts that come down from our Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. (my paraphrase of :17).