Saturday, December 30, 2017 Devotion

“The righteous man will be glad in the Lord and will take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart will glory.” (Psalm 64:10)

Do you look to the Lord for all things?  Do you praise and thank  the Lord in all circumstances?  Do you see that the Lord is always good and His ways righteous?  These things are true, but often the attitude of our heart gets in the way and we do not praise the Lord at all times and in all circumstances.  Take refuge in the Lord and let Him lead your heart always and you will be blessed as one of the righteous.

Lord, I do have attitude problems and often get carried away by my own thoughts.  Help me shift my thinking to You, that You, who IS the center of all things may be the center of my life.  Guide me in Your eternal way that I would walk humbly with You, my God, now and always.  Keep my heart upright in Your sight that I may live according to Your precepts which You have spoken from the beginning.

Lord Jesus You alone are able to lead the way for this heart of mine which often seeks after its own thoughts.  Lead me to live in such a way that I seek to do what I do to please the Father.  Yes, the flesh is weak and I need grace, but teach me to live through the need for grace to the place where I willingly and with praise obey all that is commanded.  Help me Jesus to become like You.  Amen.

Friday, December 29, 2017 Devotion

“So they will make him stumble; their own tongue is against them; all who see them will shake the head.  Then all men will fear, and they will declare the work of God, and will consider what He has done.” (Psalm 64:8-9)

Lord Your power is almighty and all the attempts to thwart You throughout the ages come to nothing.  Guide my eyes to see and my mind to understand this simple but profound truth.  Lead me in the way You have established and let my deeds be openly known and not hidden.  Guide me, O Lord, according to Your Word and let me be among those who praise You all the day long in every circumstance.

Lord, You know what is needed and You know those who devise their plots and schemes.  Help me to always look to You that I may know that Your hand is upon all that I do.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may be led by You alone.   Guide me to consider all that You have made, Your handiwork, and ponder anew each day on the marvels You have created.

Lord Jesus, King of kings, lead me in the mighty way of Your grace this day to see all the wonders created and praise You.  Help me look through immediate circumstances to see Your hand upon all things and know that in You alone is hope and glory.  May my life be one that praises You at all times knowing that You alone are the hope of this age and the one who has already conquered sin.  Amen.

Thursday, December 28, 2017 Devotion

“They hold fast to themselves an evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, “Who can see them?”  They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; for the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep.  But God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded.” (Psalm 64:5-7)

The plans of the wicked are all the same.  They think what they do is secret, but the Lord who sees all things knows what the wicked do in secret.  It comes to naught.  Look to the Lord and know that He who sees all things knows what is needed and provides before you make the request.  Yes, it seems for a time the wicked prosper, but what they do amounts to nothing.

Lord, help me to have a larger view of things that I may see through time how the plots of those who devise things in secret are thwarted.  Guide me to know truly that You who sees all things cannot be shaken.  Help me trust in Your provision at all time knowing that You are working all things together for good for those who love You.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may be led by You alone.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross through the efforts of  those who plotted in secret places, yet it fit perfectly the Father’s will.  From this simple place, let me see that no matter what happens, Your hand of grace is upon me and all who turn to You.  Guide me according to Your perfect will to see in You the hope of glory that You have won at the cross through those who desired otherwise.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017 Devotion

“Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword.  They aimed bitter speech as their arrow, to shoot from concealment at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.” (Psalm 64:3-4)

The wicked of this world shoot arrows of contempt and lies at those who seek the Lord.  Calling others what is in their heart, they prey on the guilt of sin that is there, while they themselves could care less about truth or what is right.  It has always been this way.  The insensitive prey on the sensitive and blame them to shame them.  Be not one who blames, but one who turns to the Lord in every season.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Lord, I have been affected by the wickedness of this world.  I have desired what is right, but listen to the voice of the wicked. Guide me according to Your purposes that I may forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Let me not be distracted by those who would seek to destroy me, but to be led by Your Spirit all the days of my life.

Lord Jesus, You are the hope of every person.  You have come to save us from ourselves and the world.  Guide me in the salvation You have given that I may forever hold fast to the truth of Your presence and purpose through grace.  May I now and always look to You first for all things, knowing that You alone are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me this day, my Savior.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Devotion

“Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.  Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity,” (Psalm 64:1-2)

In our hearts, even if on the outside others call us peaceful, we lament and complain to the Lord about how things are.  Our hearts are troubled.  But the Lord who hears all these things knows what is needed and has provided salvation to all those who believe in Him.  Come to the Lord and know the peace He gives.  He will shield you under His wings and guide you through the tumult of this world.

Lord, I do need what You offer, yet while saying this, I often avoid the very thing I need.  Guide me by Your Spirit to learn to listen as You guide me through the tumult of this world.  Help me in every time of need to turn to You knowing that You alone, who knows all things, knows what is needed.  Guide me into and through humility to stay away from the counsel of evil doers.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to walk in this troubled world.  Help me now and always to look to You, the author and finisher of my faith, to see the way I should go.  Help me live according to Your purposes that I may forever hold fast to the salvation You have prepared for me through grace.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow and teach me humility that I may walk humbly with You.  Amen.

Monday, December 25, 2017 Devotion

“They will be delivered over to the power of the sword; they will be a prey for foxes.  But the king will rejoice in God; everyone who swears by Him will glory, for the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.”  (Psalm 63:10-11)

Though the world rage and do its damage, yet the Lord will prevail.  Nothing can thwart the plans of the Lord, for He alone is Sovereign.  Come into the Lord’s presence and know the goodness of His surpassing mercy for those who love.  To them He gives life and the promise is that all who lie, cheat, steal and kill shall pass away.  Come to the Lord and know the true power of eternity.

Lord, all day long there are those who come against me with their wickedness.  I too have succumbed and do not love my neighbor as myself.  Guide me, O Lord, to live into the life to which You have called me that I would hold fast to the promises You give.  Help me see more clearly that You are always there and that Your goodness shall always prevail.  Let me seek You in every time of danger.

Lord Jesus, You know how the wicked of this age put You to death, yet it is what You came for.  There is nothing they can do that You do not already know.  Let me come into Your rest that I would walk humbly with You in the salvation You provide, knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Guide me this day to celebrate Your goodness and Your coming for all who believe.  Amen.

Sunday, December 24, 2017 Devotion

“My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.  But those who seek my life to destroy it, will go into the depths of the earth.”  (Psalm 63:8-9)

Your soul is attached, but to whom?  Often we get carried away in the busy-ness of life and do not think about the attachments in our life.  To whom do you turn?  Who is your hope?  Many a young couple will hope in each other, but life moves on and the hope diminishes.  Cling to the One who is forever and seek first the Lord and then all else will be added.  He alone will travel the distance with you.

Lord, I hear these words and they are true.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  Lead me, O Lord, to walk in Your ways and learn from You the truth of the ages.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I may forever hold fast to the truth You have revealed.  Let me not be distracted by those who would seek to destroy me, but to be led by Your Spirit all the days of my life.

Lord Jesus, You are the hope of every person.  You have come to save us from ourselves and the world.  Guide me in the salvation You have given that I may forever hold fast to the truth of Your presence and purpose through grace.  May I now and always look to You first for all things, knowing that You alone are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me this day, my Savior.  Amen.

Saturday, December 23, 2017 Devotion

“My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.   When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches, for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.”  (Psalm 63:5-7)

How much time do you spend with the Lord?  The Psalm reminds us to think on the Lord day and night, when we are waking and ready to sleep.  The Lord is a constant companion, ready and willing to walk with us at all times.  Be in relationship with the Lord, for this is the call of salvation and the hope of all who believe.  Know that the Lord is good and there and waiting.

Lord, I say with my lips one thing and then get busy with another.  Help me, I pray, to see in You the hope of glory that shines throughout the ages.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I would meditate upon You day and night and know the goodness You impart to those who walk with You.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may walk with You throughout the day and all the days of my life.

Jesus, You have come to model the godly life.  You told us to pray without ceasing.  Help me learn from You how to do this that I may truly walk with You all the day long.  Guide the thoughts of my mind, the meditation of my heart and the path I take throughout the day.  Lead me, O Lord, that I may follow You, my Lord and my Savior.  Lead my mouth to be full of Your praise all the day long.  Amen.

Friday, December 22, 2017 Devotion

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.  So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”  (Psalm 63:3-4)

Do you live for yourself or have you learned that your life belongs to the Lord?  Yes, you want to live, but true life is only in the Lord and His promise that you will live forever.  Though you die, yet shall you live.  To bless the Lord is to live in Him.  Otherwise, it is contention.  Bless the Lord and be blessed by living in His lovingkindness, knowing that in Him is life and liberty.

Lord, I struggle for meaning in life, but here it is right before me.  Living in You is life.  Yet I continue the struggle.  Help me I pray to overcome the obstacles in my life that get in the way of the simplicity of love and faith to which You have called me.  Guide me in Your purpose that I may abide in You now and always.  Lead me to be a blessing to others as You are to me.

Lord Jesus, You who has removed all the obstacles that get in the way of our eternal relationship, lead me ever deeper into the truth You have revealed for us all.  Guide me according to Your purpose that I may live in Your will now and forever.  Help me learn to do what is pleasing to the Father that I may truly be a blessing.  Teach me to listen, learn and do what is right always.  Amen.

Thursday, December 21, 2017 Devotion

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.”  (Psalm 63:1-2)

As a dry land in which there is no water, so is the soul’s thirst for the Lord.  Far from His ways are we at birth, but our souls long to be eternally connected to the One who made us.  We are not to settle for other gods, but come to the One through whom life is given.  Be refreshed and restored to the Lord, the Maker of all things and know the goodness of His grace and mercy.

Lord, I do thirst, for I yearn all the day long after things I cannot even begin to imagine.  Help me see in You the hope of glory and learn to walk in Your ways.  Guide me according to Your purposes that I may live in Your will.  Give me a heart that seeks after You above all things and learns the eternal ways that You have established.  Guide me, O Lord, that I may live.

Lord Jesus, You have come to give life and to give it abundantly.  Help me now and always to see You and seek You above all the ways set before me in this world.  Lead me in the will of the Father that I may walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.  Help me now and always to have a clear mind, a willing hand and an upright heart, seeking after You and the Way You have established.  Amen.