back to krepps.net 

Bob KreppsOn My Heart 2005 - A Weekly Devotional by Bob Krepps

Current On My Heart Devotionals

December 29, 2005Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.  He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  “Who are you, Lord?”  Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.  So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.  In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias.  The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”  “Yes, Lord,” He answered.  The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”  But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.  Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord – Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me to you that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.  He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  Acts 9: 1 – 19 (NIV)

Saul was a man who was intensely opposed to Jesus Christ.  He hated Jesus and everyone who followed Him.  Saul thought that he was right with God and doing God’s will.  But a person who is opposed to Jesus can not be right with God.  Saul was about to discover this.

Saul knew the writings of Scripture.  But he would have passionately denied that they spoke of Jesus.  It would have been extremely hard for Saul, a deeply religious person, to admit that he was wrong about Jesus.  He would have to actually admit that he really did not know God.  Saul would have to be humbled by God first.

Who would have thought that a person like Saul could ever become a follower of Jesus Christ?  His hatred of Jesus was intense.  Believers had good reasons to be afraid of him and avoid him.  But God’s divine grace is staggering.  Ananias overcame his fear, went to Saul and spoke to him about Jesus.

There may be people you know who you can see no hope of them ever becoming a Christian.  Be encouraged by this story of the power of God’s saving grace.  Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to talk to your Saul-like friends (relatives or acquaintances) about Jesus Christ.  God used Ananias in Saul’s life.  Don’t ignore the fact that God may actually be calling you to be His instrument.  Nothing is too difficult for God.  It was no more difficult for God to save Saul than to save anyone else.  The same God who saved Saul is at work in the same way today.

December 22, 2005In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, as son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were shepherds living in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and an earth peace to me on whom His favor rests.”  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  Luke 2: 1 - 20 (NIV)

This was the most historic birth that has ever taken place.  Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory veiled His eternal majesty and humbled Himself by becoming a baby.  Jesus was born in a stable, in the humblest of circumstances.  His bed was a feeding trough.  Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah had entered the world!  God made His announcement of this amazing event to a group of shepherds, not the rich and powerful or religious.  Shepherds where not known as respectable members of the community.  They had no fixed residence and they had a reputation for loose living and dishonesty.  They were considered so untrustworthy that they were actually forbidden by law to testify in court.  Their occupation also kept them from participation in religious ceremonies.   An angel of the Lord appeared to these lowly shepherds and God's glory shone around them.  They were terrified at this angelic appearance and by the spectacular display of the glory of God (not the angel's glory).  The angel's message was an amazing and a personal one; "a Savior is born to you."  God loves shepherds!  The Messiah would be their Savior!  Then a multitude of the heavenly host appeared with a glorious chorus of praise.  These shepherds would never be the same.   After they saw him, they spread the good news about this child and returned to the fields glorifying and praising God.

The shepherds' testimony was worthless in a court of law, but God valued it.  They heard the good news, came to Christ, believed and then proclaimed with joy all that they had experienced.  Reflect on the fact that God humbled Himself and took on human flesh so that you could experience peace with God.  Jesus Christ is God’s gift to you!  Praise and thank God for all He has done for you.  Then talk about the great things God has done for you.  Proclaim the good news.   God greatly values you and your testimony.

December 15, 2005Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”  So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.  This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet.  The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.  “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”  So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  The eunuch was reading this passage Of Scripture: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.  In humiliation he was deprived of justice.  Who can speak of his descendants?  For his life was taken from the earth.”  The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?”  Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.  As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water.  Why shouldn’t I be baptized?”  And he gave orders to stop the chariot.  Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.  Acts 8:  26 – 39 (NIV)

God’s incredible love for one individual is seen in this story of the Ethiopian.  God was at work.  Philip had been proclaiming the gospel and ministering to crowds of people.  Many believed and were baptized.  God took Philip from a place where crowds were coming to the Lord to a desert to share the gospel with one man. 

God was at work in the heart of the Ethiopian.  He was reading Isaiah 53 and needed to have it explained to him.  The passage is taking about Jesus.  God spoke to this man through the scriptures and through Philip.  This man would not have understood the gospel unless someone clearly explained it to him.  The cross of Jesus Christ was God’s supreme act of love.   Because of Philip, this Ethiopian understood this, believed and asked to be baptized.  He was set free and saved from the grip of sin.  No wonder that when Philip suddenly was no longer with him he went on his way rejoicing. 

God’s love for one individual is incredible.  He took Philip away from a busy and fruitful ministry to go to one person.  He loves us in the same way.  Think about God’s amazing love for you.  Who has God used to touch you with his grace?

Who are the individuals God wants to love through you?  Will you go out your way to focus on one person so that God’s love can touch and transform them?

December 8, 2005Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”  They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.  But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.  When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.  When they arrived they prayed for them that might receive the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  Peter answered, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could by the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”  Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”  When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.  Acts 8:  9 – 25 (NIV)

Simon was a man who had a lot of people following him because he amazed them with his magic.  He loved the attention and power he had.  When Philip came and preached the gospel people stopped following Simon and followed Jesus instead.  Simon himself believed and was baptized.  Simon had fooled himself, Philip and many other believers.  But eventually he was confronted with reality.  What did he really believe?  Did he really understand and receive the grace of God?  He had accepted Philip’s message and was baptized.  But it is clear that he did not understand or appreciate the gospel of grace.  He still showed all the signs of his old nature; he was full of bitterness and captive to sin.  His heart was not right before God.

When Peter and John came ministering to the new believers Simon became jealous and craved the power they had.  He was attracted to the miracles and impressive signs that were occurring.  If he had same ability as the Apostles he would again have the authority and prestige he once had.  So he offered them money to get what he most wanted.  Simon’s request resulted in a very strong rebuke from Peter.  “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could by the gift of God with money!”  Simon’s offer of money was offensive to the entire message of the gospel. 

Simon was fascinated with power, fame and miracles.  He wanted to use God for his own purposes, but God will not be used by men.  He thought he could by the gift of God.  This shows he had no appreciation for the true nature of the gospel of grace.  Peter urges Simon to “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.”   We don’t know if Simon ever did.

Our hope needs to rest on Jesus Christ, and nothing else.  Our fascination needs to be on Jesus Christ and His redemption.

What is your hope based on?  Has jealously of other believers hindered your faith?

November 24, 2005A Thanksgiving Meditation:  Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him.  They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  When He saw them, He said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”  And as they went, they were cleansed.  On of them, when he saw he was healed, come back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked Him – and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”  Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith as made you well.”  Luke 17: 11 – 19 (NIV)

Lepers were outcasts, banned from any involvement in society.  They were required to keep their distance from other people.  No one wanted to risk coming in contact with this terrible disease.  Jesus’ reputation of having the power to heal had spread everywhere.  So when these men who had leprosy heard that Jesus was coming, they were there to meet Him.  When they saw Him, they stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”  He did.  He told them to go and show themselves to the priests.  Only a priest could officially verify their healing and restore them to community life again.  And as they went, they were cleansed.  Their leprosy was gone!

No doubt, every one of them was overjoyed and thankful.  They all must have been very grateful.  They had been miraculously healed!  They couldn’t wait to go home and be reunited with their families!  But only one of them decided to take the time to go back and express his gratitude to Jesus.  Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 

I am very grateful for all God has blessed me with (my wife, children, family, home, health, friends, etc...); but I do not take time to stop and express thanks to God as often as I should.  It isn’t enough just to be grateful; we are expected to actually express our thankfulness and praise to God.  We are to personally express our thanks to God for what He has done for us.

Has Jesus Christ healed you spiritually, emotionally or physically?  Have you been blessed by God in any way?  Spend time today personally and specifically thanking God for all He has done for you.  It is not enough to be grateful.  We need to take the time to actually express our gratefulness and praise.

Give thanks!

November 18, 2005When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him.  Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  When he had said this, he fell asleep.  Acts 7: 54 – 60 (NIV)

Stephen was full of God’s grace and power (Acts 7: 8); God was greatly using him.  When enemies of the gospel attempted to argue with him no one could stand up against his wisdom.  They had to resort to a different tactic to stop Stephen – lies and producing false witnesses.  Stephen suddenly found himself falsely accused of blasphemy and other crimes.  He had to defend himself before the religious leaders.  As Stephen’s defense went on, anger against him increased to intense rage.  They were furious.  But Stephen remained calm, controlled by the Spirit of God. 

When a person suffers for the sake of Christ they are never alone.  God is present with them in a special way.  God was with Stephen in a powerful way.  The presence of Jesus Christ was more real to Stephen than the angry rage of his enemies.  Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen saw the glory of God and His Lord, Jesus standing at the right hand of God

This situation reminds me of Jesus.  Jesus is asked at His trial, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”  “I am,” said Jesus.  “And you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”  (Mark 14: 61 - 62) Because of this statement Jesus was condemned as worthy of death.  Now Stephen declares that these words Jesus spoke are true.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  They could not free Stephen unless they admitted that they had been wrong about Jesus.

It is evident that in his suffering and death Stephen had the same Spirit as his Lord.  On the cross Jesus prayed “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  As he is being brutally murdered Stephen cries out “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  God was honored and glorified by way Stephen suffered.  His death became a powerful witness to the glory of Christ.

Allow this story of Stephen to deeply encourage you.  Jesus Christ promises to be present with us in any and every circumstance we face.  Stephen was never alone and we will never be alone.  Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  For the believer in Christ death is not a terrifying unknown.  We will be with the Lord and we will be like Him.

November 10, 2005In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.  So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.  Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  This proposal pleased the whole group.  They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.  They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  So the word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  Acts 6: 1 – 7 (NIV)

The community of believers was experiencing Christ in rich and amazing ways.  God was powerfully at work.  But the devil will never let God’s people rest.  We are in an intense spiritual battle.  When God is at work and greatly blessing His people, the more likely it is that Satan will also stir things up.

Tension between ethnic groups that had been incorporated into the community of believers surfaced.  Complaints began to arise that one group was being overlooked and another favored.  One group’s widows were not getting a fair share of the daily food distribution.  The fact that we are one in Christ should be much more than words; it needs to be a living reality.  When there is disunity disputes arise.

The strength of this community (the Church) is revealed in the way this problem was handled.  They did not avoid the issues or run from them.  They faced the problem honesty and came up a practical solution.  God was glorified and everyone involved blessed.

I am very encouraged by Acts 6: 7:  So the word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.    God’s blessings often are followed by problems but great blessing will also follow trouble when problems are dealt with in a God honoring way.  Don’t give up on the Christian community you are a part of when there are problems.

Special Note:  Power has been out because of hurricane Wilma and has just returned to our office in Fort Myers today (October 28).  Bob has also been in Kenya at a New Mission Systems International conference and returned earlier this week.  The next On My Heart weekly devotional will resume soon.

September 29, 2005Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.  They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.  But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.  “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”  At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.  When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin – the full assembly of the elders of Israel – and sent to the jail for the apostles.  But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.  So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”  On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.  Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”  At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles.  They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.  Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.  “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said.  “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”  Peter and the apostles replied:  “We must obey God rather than men!  The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead – whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  When they heard this they were furious and wanted to put them to death.  But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  Then he addressed them:  “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him.  He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt.  He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  Therefore, in the present case I advise you: leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if their purpose is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”  His speech persuaded them.  They called the apostles in and had them flogged.  Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  The apostles left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.  Acts 5: 17 – 42 (NIV)

The evidence that Jesus Christ is Lord continued to grow.  Still, opposition to the truth grew stronger.  The power of God was very evident, yet the religious leaders would not believe.  Even putting the apostles in jail again clearly showed the power of God.  But they still would not believe.   Confronted with Jesus Christ, the world killed him.  They thought that they had seen the last of Jesus.  They attempted to disgrace him by hanging him on a tree.  We do not have a dead martyr.  God raised him from the dead and exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior. 

What is important is how we view Jesus Christ.  These believers saw Jesus in a category all of his own.  He was unique.  No one could challenge him.  Jesus is glorious risen Lord and Savior.  No one had more authority than the One who had commissioned them to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ.  How they viewed Jesus Christ gave them a new perspective on everything they experienced.  They were actually rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name of Jesus Christ.  They now considered it a privilege to suffer for Jesus.

Have you ever wondered if you would be able to joyfully endure suffering for Jesus Christ?  It is not about strength of character.  Mental or physical toughness is not what will count.  It is about the clarity of our spiritual vision.  Everything in the Christian life depends on how we view Jesus Christ.  If our view of Jesus Christ is high, if we see him as our exalted Prince and Savior, then we will be given grace to suffer with joy.  We will see all of life from a new perspective.

There is no one like Jesus.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.  And after He made purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  (Hebrews 1: 3)

Is Jesus Christ more than just a name to you?  How do you see Him?

September 22, 2005Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.  Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men but to God.”  When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.  A great fear seized all who heard what had happened.  Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.  Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”  “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”  Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?”  Look!  The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.  Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.  Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.  The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people.  And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade.  No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.  Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.  As a result, people brought the sick into the street and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.  Crowds gather also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.  Acts 5: 1 – 16 (NIV)

It might be possible to fool other people but you can never fool God. 

Believers in the early church who sold their possessions and gave their money away to meet the needs of others were greatly admired.  But they were admired because they were only thinking about meeting the needs of other believers.  They were focused on glorifying God.  Everyone could tell God was at work in an amazing way. 

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the praise of others.  They longed for it.  Appearances were more important to them than reality.  So they acted as if they had sacrificed everything.  They lied.  They presented a false image of themselves, implying that they were more spiritual and more generous than they really were.  God severely judged Ananias and Sapphira for attempting to deceive His people.  God showed that He was in control and that He could not be fooled.

Do you present a false image of yourself to people?  Do you let others think that you are more spiritual than you really are?   Have you ever tried to fool God?  Jesus is the lover of our souls.  He will not tolerate sin but He is very patient with us.  His capacity for forgiveness is amazing.

This incident was the beginning of a time of blessing for God’s people.  Christians were in awe of the reality and greatness of God.  God did amazing things.  More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.

We need a greater vision of the greatness and glory of God.  We need a greater awareness of the reality of God.  What God did, He can still do today. 

September 15, 2005On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.  “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:  ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’  Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this City to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  Acts 4: 23 – 31 (NIV)

This was a crisis; it could affect the entire new community of believers.  Peter and John had been jailed and then threatened.  These threats did not lead to fear and silence but to prayer and power.  The restrictions that were placed upon them united these believers in prayer.  They focused on the Lord Jesus; their prayers were full of Christ and praise to God.  Their prayers were full of God’s Word.  They knew their sovereign Lord was in control.  Those who opposed and killed Jesus Christ were simply carrying out God’s plan.  They asked that God would continue to approve of their witness by healing and performing miraculous signs the name of His Holy servant Jesus. 

There will always be people who will oppose the gospel and seek to silence those who proclaim it.  God is faithful.  When facing opposition God will give grace and power to His people.

How do you respond to opposition and threats?  Do you pray?  Are your prayers like this prayer when facing a crisis situation?

Let the example of these believers encourage you.  In a difficult situation, in opposition, they were determined to remain faithful to the Lord.  They were brought closer together in unity and love.  God answered their prayer by strengthening them and giving them confident boldness.  God’s presence and power was strongly manifested (the place was shaken). God’s Holy Spirit filled them all and their confidence was renewed.  God’s Word was boldly proclaimed.  What a faithful God!

September 9, 2005The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.  The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem.  Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.  They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them:  “By what power or what name do you do this?”  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them:  “Rulers and elders of the people!  If we are being called to account today for and act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:  It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked.  “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we can not deny it.  But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”  Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourself whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  After further threats they let them go.  They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.  Acts 4: 1 – 22 (NIV)

As is often the case, God’s blessing is closely followed by an attack by enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Peter and John (and probably the man who was healed) were seized and put in jail.  Jesus’ promise to them was proven to be true:  But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.  For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.  (Luke 21: 14 – 15)  John and Peter are an example to all believers of how to wisely respond in similar situations.  Their Godly response to this difficult situation brought even more honor to Jesus Christ.

They knew that God was in control, not their captors. They allowed God to direct their response.  Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.  And it was very evident to everyone that they had been with Jesus.  Peter clearly presents the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and declares the truth that salvation is found in no one else.  Because this is true, the worst thing they (or we) could do would be to stop telling the world about Jesus Christ.  When they were told that not to speak or teach about Jesus they had to obey God.  “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary people but that did not hinder them – it helped.  What was important was that they had been with Jesus.  That is why they were confident and bold witnesses.  Their abilities, giftedness and education were not what mattered most.  They were close to the Lord and allowed God to use them.  Their confidence and trust was in the Lord.

Be encouraged.  You may feel very ordinary but that can be a great help to your witness if you allow God to use you as you are to glorify Him.

Is your relationship with Jesus Christ growing deeper?  Do you spend time with Him?  How has knowing Jesus Christ shaped your character so that others notice that you have been with Jesus?

September 1, 2005While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  When Peter saw this, he said to them:  “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had mad this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.  You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.  We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.  Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders.  But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you – even Jesus.  He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.  For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.  Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.  Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days.  And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers.  He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’  When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”  Acts 3: 11 – 26 (NIV)

A crowd of people quickly surrounded Peter, John and the man who had been healed.  A very large audience was ready to listen to anything they had to say.  They did not understand the spiritual significance of this miracle.  Now Peter, sensitive to what God was doing, had an opportunity to speak to the crowd.  He made it very clear: God did this miracle through Jesus.

Peter could have talked about miracles or offered to heal others.  Instead, Peter fearlessly confronted the crowd with their rejection of Jesus.  Their sin was enormous.  Jesus, who they had so viciously rejected and murdered, was responsible for this amazing miracle.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.  The people listening to Peter had treated Jesus a lot differently than God treated him.  He confronted them with their guilt before God and urged them to repent and turn to God.  They may have committed their sin in ignorance, but they were still guilty and Peter demanded that they repent.

Preaching like this is not popular today.  It does not entertain.  It brings a deep conviction of sin and repentance to those who believe.  When our attitude toward Jesus Christ is changed and brought into line with God’s attitude our sins are wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord.  Even the sin of killing the author of life is forgiven.  That is the amazing grace of God. 

How has repentance from sin and turning to God brought times of refreshing to you?

Peter was sensitive to the spiritual significance of what had happened.  He followed the leading of God's Spirit.  When God gave him an opportunity to proclaim Jesus and bring glory to Jesus name he did not hesitate to respond.  He knew that this would be very hard for the crowd to listen to.  He did not know what their reaction would be to his message.   Peter’s example encourages me to be faithful to God even when it is not easy or popular.  Thankfully, many who heard did believe, repent and experience the grace of God.

August 25, 2005One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.  Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.  When he saw Peter and John about to enter he asked them for money.  Peter looked straight at him, as did John.  Then Peter said, “Look at us!”  So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  Acts 3: 1 – 10 (NIV)

God used Peter and John in an amazing way to bring glory to Jesus Christ.  A man who was crippled from birth and who never could stand or walk was miraculously healed.  He was now walking!  He was leaping in the air, discovering all his legs were now capable of doing.  He now accompanied Peter and John, rejoicing in God’s goodness as he went along.

God was pleased to bless and use Peter and John.  The sovereign power of God’s Holy Spirit was at work in and through them.  Peter and John had also been cultivating qualities in their lives that God greatly blessed and used.  They had oneness of spirit; they were worshiping and ministering together.  Their lives were focused on God, they delighted in Him.  They had a deep spiritual thirst.  They were going to pray at three in the afternoon; not out of duty, but out of a love for Jesus Christ.  They were also sensitive and alert to the needs of people they met along the way.  They took time to stop for a person in need.  They actually stopped for a beggar; an outcast that most people tied to avoid.  Peter and John also completely relied on Jesus Christ for everything.  They knew they had something far better than silver and gold to give to a world in need.  Do you believe this?

By God’s grace we need to cultivate the same qualities in our lives that God greatly blessed in Peter and John’s lives – Unity of spirit with our brothers and sisters in Christ; a hunger and thirst for the living God; being alert to people in need and taking the time to stop and care for them; and completely relying on God and His resources.

August 19, 2005And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Acts 2: 21 (NIV) Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Acts 2: 41 – 47 (NIV)

Peter’s message to the crowd that gathered on the day of Pentecost is centered on Jesus Christ.  He immediately starts talking about the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Salvation is completely dependent on God.  It is in Jesus that God deals with our sin and provides forgiveness.  About three thousand people repent and are baptized.  More people are added to the community of believers in one day than had aligned themselves with Jesus in three years of His ministry.  The Holy Spirit’s most amazing work is God’s work of salvation.  Without the Holy Spirit we would never see our need of salvation and turn to Christ.

The lives of these believers were marked by a sense of awe and wonder at all God was doing.  They had a new passion about their lives.  They had been transformed by God’s grace.  A new priority was learning and growing in grace.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  As a result, a deep and loving community developed that was based on a common experience of the saving grace of God.  They genuinely praised God and God’s Spirit continued His work.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 

God has not changed.  The Holy Spirit is powerfully at work, bringing about salvation and transforming lives.  People desperately need the Christ-centered message of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The death and resurrection of Christ are central to the gospel.  Don’t be reluctant to talk about Jesus and His death and resurrection.  (...it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes – Romans 1:16) 

Make learning and growing in God’s grace a priority.  Deep and lasting fellowship with Christ and with one another will be the result.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

August 11, 2005When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  Utterly amazed, they asked:  “Are not all these me who are speaking Galileans?  Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”  Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”  Acts 2: 1 – 13 (NIV)

When I read this Bible passage it is very hard to understand exactly what these believers heard and what they actually saw.  What is very clear is that God showed up in an amazing way.  God’s presence was revealed to Moses in the fire of the burning bush – here God comes in what seemed to be tongues of fire.  In John 3: 8 Jesus tells Nicodemus, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You can hear its sound, but you can not tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  On this day they hear a sound like the blowing of a violent wind.  John the Baptist foretold of one who “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”  Jesus promised, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1: 8)  One thing is certain; God’s Spirit came upon His people with power.

Here was the power needed to evangelize the world and change lives; fulfilling the promise of Jesus.  Power came upon all God’s people, not just the apostles.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.  With the power of God’s Holy Spirit working through all God’s people, the world would be changed.  People saw something in the first Christians that made them take notice.  It was the power of God.  They would be misunderstood and made fun of, but they could not be ignored.

We desperately need to know the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.  When Jesus Christ is honored and glorified, the Holy Spirit comes with power.  Are you experiencing His power?  Are you experiencing and empowering from Christ to be His witness?

August 4, 2005In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus – he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”  (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.  Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and ‘May another take his place of leadership.’  Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning with John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us.  For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”  So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.  Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”  Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.   Acts 1: 15 - 26 (NIV)

This is a community living out the grace of God.  Peter had failed; he had denied Christ.  He had also experienced God’s grace and Christ’s restoration.  This was one of the first tests for Peter and for this new community of believers.  Would Peter hesitate in taking the leadership role Christ entrusted to Him?  Would he live in God’s grace?  How would others feel about his leadership?  Would they follow him?  Would this community of believers extend grace to people who had failed?

Are you resting in God’s grace?  Are you living a life of grace?

This is also a good example of good God honoring decision making.  When an important decision needed to be made about who would replace Judas the disciples of Jesus were careful.  They searched the scriptures for wisdom.  They prayed and asked for God to guide and direct them.  Two well qualified godly men were proposed as possible choices to replace Judas.  The final choice was left to God by casting lots; a Biblical method of final decision making (not commonly used today).  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.  (Proverbs 16: 33)

Matthias was chosen as the one to fill the vacant place.  The number of Apostles was finally restored to twelve.  There are some who suggest that the decision to include Matthias as one of the Twelve Apostles was premature.  Some suggest that Paul was actually God’s choice and that the disciples should have waited until he was ready to fill the vacancy.  However, Paul testifies that his apostleship was unique – one of a kind.  Paul did not meet the qualifications of being a companion of the Lord from the time He was baptized by John until His resurrection.  This choice was not a mistake.  Matthias proclaimed the gospel and faithfully fulfilled his ministry until he was martyred over thirty years later.  Unlike Judas, Matthias was faithful to the Lord until death.  This was a wise, God-directed decision.                                         

When you (or a group you are a part of) have an important decision to make, what do you do?  Do you pray and trust God to guide you?  Do you seek wisdom from God’s Word?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way acknowledge Him and He will make you paths straight.  Proverbs 3: 5 - 6

July 21, 2005After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.  He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:  “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”  He said to them:  “It is not for you to know the times or date the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  Acts 1: 3 – 11 (NIV)

When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.  While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.  Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.  Luke 24:  50 – 53 (NIV)

The ascension of Jesus was the one of the greatest events in world history.  Jesus Christ left the place of His humiliation and suffering to enter His glory.  He went from being a despised Rabbi (teacher) to being enthroned as King of the universe.  He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  At this very moment Jesus reigns in power.  He possesses all authority in heaven and earth.  His kingdom is invisible but is no less real.

Jesus Christ is not finished with this world.  He will return.  That promise should greatly encourage and motivate us.  For centuries there have been believers who have speculated about when Christ will return.  We do not know when Jesus will come back.  We know He will return.  We ought to live every day as if He is returning today.

One of the first acts of Jesus after He ascended was to endow His church with power from on high.  He gave us His Holy Spirit! 

In His ascension Jesus Christ entered the sanctuary of heaven as our High Priest.  He has entered the Holy of Holies to intercede for His people.  We are a people who have a King who prays for us.

When Jesus left the disciples they were not sad, they were rejoicing with great joy!  They knew Jesus was entering is glory as reigning King.  They were now ambassadors (witnesses) of their King.

Celebrate the great news that Jesus Christ ascended to glory and has given us His Spirit!  In grace, God has given us exactly what we need.

July 14, 2005Praise the Lord.  Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.  Praise him for his works of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.  Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals praise him with resounding cymbals.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.  Psalm 150 (NIV)

The final Psalm in the Book of Psalm is a short very inspiring Psalm of praise.  We are told to praise the Lord.

Where?  We are to praise God everywhere.  In His sanctuary, anywhere on earth where God calls His people together.  But also praise Him in His mighty heavens.  God’s awesome glory fills the entire universe; praise must also fill both heaven and earth.  The praises of God’s glorious heavenly host intermingle with our praise to God.  Heaven and earth are at one when praising God almighty.

Why?  We praise God for His amazing works of power.  He is an incredible risen Savior who brought His people from death to eternal life.  He created everything that exists.  We praise Him because He is great.  His greatness surpasses comprehension.

How?  We are to praise God with everything we have!  All kinds of instruments are mentioned in this short Psalm:  percussion, string and wind instruments.  Loud and soft melodic instruments are all utilized to praise the Lord.  We are also told to praise God with dancing.  All we are, every part of our being and all we have is to be used to praise our Lord God.

Who?  Everyone, no matter who they are - rich and poor, adults and children, powerful and servants, men and women – are to praise God.  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  One day every living creature will be praising our wonderful Lord Jesus. 

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:  To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!  Revelation 5: 13

Is your worship mainly mental appreciation of God or mainly emotional?  Do you praise God with everything that you have? 

Praise the Lord. 

Note:  On My Heart devotionals for the past year have focused on Psalms.  Next week we will begin looking at the New Testament book of Acts.  There were no devotionals the last two weeks because of my travel schedule. - Bob

June 23, 2005 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.  Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.  One generation will commend your works to another; they will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on you wonderful works.  They will tell of the power of your awesome works.  They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.  The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.  All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you.  They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is and everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.  The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.  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.  The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.  My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.  Psalm 145: 1 – 21 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about praising God through the alphabet from A to Z?  This Psalm of David is called an acrostic Psalm.  Each verse begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.   Our great God is worthy of praise and deserves our extravagant praise.  God’s true greatness is revealed throughout Psalm 145.

Think of all the reasons there are to praise and exalt God.  You might want to write out a list starting with all the reasons that start with the letter A, then go to the letter B, all the way through the alphabet to Z.  Then celebrate God’s goodness, rejoice in His rich love.  Meditate on God’s greatness and praise God for His power, might, faithfulness, compassion and provision.  He is worthy of praise and adoration.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.  Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

June 16, 2005O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.  You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to obtain.  Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake, I am still with you.  Psalm 139:  1 – 18 (NIV)

Can you imagine living with someone who knows what you are thinking all of the time?  When my wife or a good friend asks me “What are you thinking about?” there are definitely times when I do not want to answer that question.  Sometimes I don’t want to admit what I am thinking about.  It can be embarrassing.  My thoughts may be sinful, selfish or foolish. 

There is a person who does know what we are thinking.  He knows everything about us.  He knows our thoughts.  He knows when we sit down and when we stand up.  He knows every word that we speak before we even say them.  He knows our past; He knows our future.  He knows us completely.  Our first reaction to the wonder of God knowing us so intimately might be the urge to run from God.  But God’s loving hand will not let us go.  The amazing thing about God’s knowledge is that we do not feel embarrassment, fear or pressure because of His knowledge.  His knowledge is wonderful.  His knowledge about me gives brings a feeling of confidence, comfort and peace.

Nothing about us will ever surprise God.  He sees all of our life.  No unexpected weakness will ever come to the surface that will surprise or disillusion Him.  He knows me intimately and completely yet He still loves me.

David in Psalm 139 says, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  God wonderfully created us and carefully fashioned the complex pattern of our life. 

How do feel about the total knowledge that God has about you?  Does it free you to experience His love?  Or do you feel like fleeing to escape God’s scrutiny?  Pray:  Search me, O 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.  Psalm 139:  23 – 24

June 9, 2005How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.  Psalm 133 (NIV)

Unity among God’s people is something that God longs for and blesses.  Jesus prayed that there would be unity among all those who would believe in Him.  I pray also for those who would believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  (John 17: 20 – 21)  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  (John 17: 23)  The Apostle Paul also urged God’s people to unity.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were call to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and in all.  (Ephesians 4: 2 – 6)  The source of this unity is Jesus Christ; it is the result of God’s work in Christ through His Spirit.  Jesus Christ is our one Lord.

Unity is a radical concept.  It is easy to have unity with people who are like us.  But in the body of Christ there are people with very different personalities, styles, abilities, politics, views and opinions.  When real unity exits it is very evident to everyone because of this huge diversity. 

Unity does not mean uniformity.  Conformity is not unity.  Our unity exists because of our diversity.  In fact, unity is vital because of our diversity.  We are interdependent.  We desperately need one another.  Our differences contribute to the functioning of the body of Christ so that we will all obtain greater maturity in Christ.

Are you making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace?  What relationships do you have with believers who are not like you?  (Or don’t think or act like you?)

May 26, 2005Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice.  Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.  If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.  O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.  He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.  Psalm 130 (NIV)

Every believer knows the feelings expressed in Psalm 130.  It expresses the feelings of one who wants desperately to be right with God. 

The writer asks a very powerful question:  If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  If God did kept a record of sin, then there would be no hope for us.  But that is the real problem we face.  We are all answerable to God and one day we will have to give an account.  Thankfully, the message of the gospel is that the slate can be wiped clean.  But with you there is forgiveness.  Because of God’s unfailing love there is complete forgiveness and full redemption in Jesus Christ. 

He himself redeemed us from all our sins.  Our amazing redeemer, Jesus Christ, has set us free.  Full redemption means that all our sin has been taken away and dealt with.  There is nothing that is too bad or too big to be forgiven.

Has sin created a rift between you and God?  Do you long for closeness with God to be restored?

Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

May 19, 2005 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.  In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for he grants sleep to those he loves.  Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.  Psalm 127 (NIV)

This Psalm is a timeless and vital reminder to me.  When I take over the building of my house (my life, work, family etc…), the end result is often a fiasco.  I may have success, but I also end up enslaved.  When God, the Master Builder, in grace, does the building of our house He often blesses in surprising and unexpected ways.  Jesus Christ is the foundation and He gets the honor and glory for what He builds.  We can confidently rest in the Lord and trust Him for He grants sleep to those he loves. 

No matter what activities we are involved in – work, raising a family or community life – if it is not God’s doing, it is pointless (vain).  When we build for ourselves (for our own security or our own honor) without God, where is the ultimate value?

What are you building?  How are building it?  These are questions we need to ask ourselves.  Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

May 12, 2005I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.  The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore.  Psalm 121 (NIV)

Since moving to Florida I have really missed looking up at the mountains every day.  Seeing hills or mountains immediately reminds me of God, the One who created them.  The thoughts of this Psalm jump beyond the hills to the heavens and then to the Lord.  The Lord is our refuge and help.

When you feel vulnerable (when you are exhausted, unprotected or when you feel you are going to slip), where do you go for help?  Here is real help; living help that is wise, immeasurable and personal.  This is God’s promise:  the Lord watches over you.   It does not matter where you are, this promise is sure.  Day or night, the Lord watches over you.  This is not a wish or a prayer; it is a confident statement of reality.

This does not mean we will have a life insulated from problems.  But we can be confident of God’s presence as we go through all of life.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.  (Psalm 23: 4)

Be encouraged by this today; the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore.

May 5, 2005Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.”  Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.”  Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.”  In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.  The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The Lord is with me; he is my helper.  I will look in triumph on my enemies.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.  All the nations surround me on every side, but in the name of the Lord I cut them off.  They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them off.  I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.  The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!  The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”  I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord had done.  The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.  Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.  This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.  I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.  The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  From the house of the Lord we bless you.  For the Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us.  With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.  You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Psalm 118 (NIV)

This Psalm bursts out in praise and thanks to God.  But we as we continue to read we discover that it is not praise that comes out of a time of great blessing.  It is praise and thanksgiving that flows from difficulty and trouble.  In my anguish I cried to the Lord. 

In times of anguish, trouble and fear we want to know that God is with us.  We want to know that God is near.  We want and need to draw near to God.  The Psalm writer prays:  Open for me the gates of righteousness – asking the Lord to grant access to God’s presence.  Will this child of God come into God’s presence to complain?  No.  I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.  Have you learned this lesson?  Do you give thanks in every difficult circumstance you face? (I admit that I don’t always give thanks – but I should always give thanks.  I still need to learn this lesson.)  Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  (I Thessalonians 5: 18)

Our problems, difficulties and pain do not change the amazing wonder of God’s love and grace toward us.  There is always a reason to give thanks to God, even when we are facing a difficult time. 

Read Psalm 118 again.  Meditate on the wonder of God’s amazing salvation.  Nothing can change His love for you.  Take joy in the fact that God is always working for us.  He is Lord.  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

April 28, 2005Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.  He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:  The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.  As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remember it no more.  But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.  The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.  Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.  Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.  Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.  Psalm 103 (NIV)

Psalm 103 is filled with praise for the wonderful character of God.  When we see the greatness and glory of God the only proper reaction is to praise the Lord.  The incredible blessings of our salvation should amplify the praise in our hearts for God.

Look at what our God is like:  He is forgiving (v. 3 – 4)He forgives all your sins.  What a relief and comfort it is to know that all our sins are forgiven.  God is compassionate and gracious (v. 8).  He cares deeply for us and does not treat us as we deserve to be treated.  Our sin deserves judgment, but in grace God lovingly gives us mercy.  He is a loving God (v. 11).  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.  God’s amazing love is impossible to describe.  God’s love is as immense and great as God Himself.  It is a love that was fully demonstrated in Jesus Christ; the One who died to remove our transgressions from us.  God is a sovereign God; He reigns (v. 19).  He rules over all.  He is the almighty, all powerful, sovereign God.  His throne is established in heaven.

Do you tend to complain to God or praise God?  Are you a complainer or a praiser?  Why?  This Psalm encourages us to admire and praise God with all of our soul.  Think about and meditate on the glory of your God.

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

April 21, 2005Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he that made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  Psalm 100 (NIV)

The salvation that Jesus Christ provides is a great salvation.  It is not gloomy or sad.  Jesus brings us into satisfying fellowship with Himself.  Christ fills us with inexpressible and glorious joy.  Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  (I Peter 1: 8 – 9)  This is a glorious grace.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  (John 15: 11) 

Jesus, the eternal Christ, pours His joy into us.  He is the object of our joy and He increases our capacity for joy.    This is a joy that can not be destroyed or shaken.  Joy is a fruit of His Holy Spirit. 

How evident is joy in your life?  Psalm 100 tells us to shout for joy to the Lord, worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Is your expression of joy, thanksgiving and praise too limited?  Ask the Lord Jesus to fulfill the promise that His joy would be in us and our joy would be full (complete).

April 14, 2005Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.  The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.  He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn – shout for joy before the Lord, the King.  Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.  Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.  Psalm 98 (NIV)

 Psalm 98 is all about victory and rejoicing in God.  God has brought about a supernatural salvation.  He has done marvelous things.  We were made to know and treasure God above everything else.  We are to behold God’s glory, glorify God and make His glory known.  God is meant to be at the center of our lives.  When He is not, everything is out of place.  When our focus is on God’s glory we experience grace and healing.

We have a lot to sing and rejoice about, God has done marvelous things.  God has worked salvation for His people.  The Lord has made his salvation known.  God’s love and faithfulness is very evident.   For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.  (I Peter 3: 18)   Satan was defeated by the death of Jesus Christ.  The effects soul destroying sin and guilt were nullified by Jesus.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song.  When we focus on God’s glory and His victorious salvation, our delight and joy in God is too great to be contained. 

Mediate on the marvelous things God has done.  Think about His creation, His salvation, His grace and love.  Take time today to allow your heart to focus completely on God and His glory.

April 7, 2005Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.  For the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.  Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.  Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.  Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.  Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”  The world is firmly established, it can not be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.  Psalm 96 (NIV)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it!  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:  18 – 19

Has God been doing anything new in your life recently?  How long has it been since you learned a new song?  My tendency is to resist change, even when it is good for me.  God is in the business of transformation.  He is committed to our growth.  God does not change, but we always need to change.  That means things are often going to be new – unfamiliar – and not very comfortable.  Change, even beneficial change, is often hard.

Psalm 96 is quoted almost entirely in the Book of Chronicles (I Chronicles 16: 8 – 33).  It was written and used as a part of the triumphal celebration bringing the Ark of God into Jerusalem.  God had done something new; His throne was being set up in an enemy’s former stronghold.  God would reign where He never reigned before. 

What new thing would God like to do in your life?  Old habits, old patterns, old thinking, limitations and relationships can interfere with what God wants to do in our lives.  Is there anything interfering with God’s reign in your life?  Don’t allow anything to interfere with your singing a new song today.  He is an awesome God of grace. 

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. 

March 31, 2005Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.  In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.  The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.  Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.  For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways.”  So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.”  Psalm 95 (NIV)

This Psalm has been used by the Church for generations as a call to worship and a guide to worship.  There are many right ways to come into God’s presence.  We can come in silent reverence or in tears of brokenness.  Here we are urged to come into God’s presence singing with great joy.  It is very appropriate that we come to into worship with unashamed joy and enthusiasm.  Singing with joy expresses love to God.  Our worship of Jesus should be worthy of a Savior who has rescued us.  He is our King and our refuge.  When we come into God’s presence in worship it should never be with apathy.  We should not come with our minds occupied with something other than God.  As worshipers we need to remind each other not to casually drift into God’s presence.

Our God is amazing and great.  He is our creator and He owns everything that exists.  He is above all.  His hands have shaped everything and they hold everything. 

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.  Worship involves acknowledging God’s place and accepting our own place before Him.  We are always to come before God in reverence.  Getting low before God, is a basic aspect of worship.  We are not strangers paying homage to a distant King we do not know.  We are under our Lord’s loving care.  We are His people.  We prostrate ourselves before the One who is intimately concerned with us and committed to us. 

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.  Hearing God’s Word is an act of worship.  The worshiper must hear God’s voice, listen and obey.  Today refers to this very moment; waiting to obey God when it more convenient is not an acceptable option.  The worshiper needs to ask:  Whose voice will I listen to?  How will I hear God’s voice?  Will it be obediently?

Do you come into God’s presence in worship in a way that honors Him?  (With joyful singing, silent reverence or humble brokenness.) 

How do you listen to God’s Word?  (Do you “hearken” to it? – hear and obey it? Or are His Words just words that have little impact on the way you live?)

Rejoice and sing for joy to the Lord, shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation; our God promises the joy of the everlasting Sabbath rest of redemption to His people in Jesus Christ.

March 24, 2005He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feather, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.  If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”    Psalm 91 (NIV)

This is a timeless Psalm of encouragement when we are exposed to danger or when we need to challenge the power of evil.  The focus begins with God.  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”   Most High is a title for God that seems to make any threat, no matter how large, seem very minor.  God rules and is above all.  Almighty (Shaddai) is the name of the All-powerful God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  No one or nothing is more powerful than God.  The Lord (Yahaweh – I am) is the Self-existent One who assured Moses that He would be with him.  God is always with me.  The general term for God, my God, shows intimate personal relationship.  This is a God that I can easily trust in every circumstance of life.

Many of the dangers we face, like those in this Psalm, are unseen.  We feel helpless.  They may attack our minds or bodies; but God cares for us.  His care combines the protective strength of armor (shield) with the loving protectiveness of a parent bird.  This Psalm does not say we will not face major adversity, we will.  It does give us the same promise that we find in Romans 8: 28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

God’s servants are victors, heirs of salvation, who trample deadly enemies under their feet.  You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.  We are victors because Christ has already won the victory for us.

How well do you know God?  Have you made God your loving refuge and shelter?  Do you trust Him to protect you?  Today, will you rest in the shadow of the Almighty?

March 17, 2005Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.  Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.  You turn men back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”  For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.  You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning – though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.  We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.  You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.  All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan.  The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.  Who knows the power of your anger?  For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.  Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Relent, O Lord!  How long will it be?  Have compassion on your servants.  Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.  Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.  May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.  May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.  Psalm 90 (NIV)

This psalm is a prayer of Moses.  Moses paints an incredible picture of God’s greatness, grandeur and eternity compared to our very frail condition.  This prayer starts with God and ends with God.  God, whose eternity is the answer to our brief and fragile life, is our shelter.  God, the eternal God, is our dwelling place.  He is our Sovereign Lord to whom we owe obedience.  He is also ours to enjoy.

Most of Psalm 90 is devastating.  It humbles us.  Our lives are placed into the context of eternity.  Life is very short.  It passes very quickly.  Even though life is incredibly short; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow.   We can not ignore our sin.  You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.  Because of sin, we are under God’s judgment and death is our sentence.  All our days pass away under your wrath.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

The wise person turns back to God.  Moses pleads for God to have compassion.  Compassion, grace and mercy are what God’s intention is for His people.  When we are in right relationship with Jesus Christ we can be glad all our days.  There is an abiding (never-ending) glory in all God does in a world that is perishing.  There is a heritage for our children in a changing world.  Our work is not in vain, but it is blessed by God.  God blesses and establishes the work of our hands.  Like Moses, we can face the reality of time and death with the assurance of God’s unfailing love.

Mediate on God’s greatness, grandeur and eternity compared to our fragile and brief life.  Think about the fact that God, who is eternal, is the One who is all we need.  He is our dwelling place; rest in His unfailing love.  Ask God to teach you to number your days aright and to give you a heart of wisdom.

February 24, 2005Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.  Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.  You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.  Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long.  Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.  Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.  In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.  Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.  All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.  For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.  Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.  The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life – men without regard for you.  But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.  Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me.  Psalm 86 (NIV)

This is a prayer of David.  David is absorbed in God – that is real prayer.  David sees God as exalted, good and glorious.  These are David’s thoughts of God as He prays:  You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.  Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.  For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.  For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.  But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 

David’s great view of God gives him the confidence to pray and to trust God.  He expects God to answer.  He has a sense of respect, awe and wonder of God.  He has a great unhindered relationship with God. 

David brings his problems to God in prayer.  He is like us, he prays because he has troubles.  But he is also very aware that his biggest problem is his own heart.  That is why first he prays:  “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart.”  What is an undivided heartAn undivided heart is a heart that exists to please God.  It is undivided in its commitment to God.  It allows no rivals to God.  It serves God alone.  Jesus said in Matthew 6: 24 “No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” 

Do you have an undivided heart?  If not, what divides it? 

Ask God to give you an undivided heart.  Meditate on the great thoughts that David had of God in Psalm 86.  Allow your heart and soul to be absorbed in the living God.

February 17, 2005 – You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.  You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.  You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.  Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.  Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger through all generations?  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.  I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints – but let them not return to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.  Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.  The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.  Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.  Psalm 85 (NIV)

Something is needed.  God has moved and worked in amazing ways in the past but something has changed.  The writer of this Psalm asks God, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”  This writer says revive us again, not revive them or revive your people.  He knows that his own spiritual life has declined and that this is something he desperately needs himself.

A prayer asking God for revival is first of all a prayer confessing sin; it is a crying out to God in repentance.  When sin enters our lives our prayers become powerless.  Our lives become characterized by a lack of rejoicing in the Lord; we forget how to praise God. 

When God revives His people, love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  All this happens in the Lord Jesus Christ.  We experience the joy of our salvation.  When God revives His people, Jesus Christ is made pre-eminent in our lives and we delight in His amazing glory and majesty.  We see Him clearly.

Is this what you need?  Is this what you want?  Then start praying this prayer: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you . . . that Your glory may dwell in our land.” 

February 10, 2005How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.  As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.  Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob.  Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.  Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.  Psalm 84 (NIV)

Is your heart preoccupied with God?  The writer of Psalm 84 has a longing for and is preoccupied with God.  His true longing is for God Himself.  My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  He knows from personal experience that there is real contentment, blessing and happiness that come as a result of praising and worshiping God. 

Is worship dull or exciting for you?  Do you long for the living God?  Do you want to spent time with God?  Do you enjoy spending time with God?  Do you celebrate His goodness and greatness? 

Do you find your strength in the Lord or yourself?  Blessed are those whose strength is in you.

Do you trust in the Lord Almighty or your own resources?  O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Take time to meditate on this Psalm and honestly consider these questions.

February 3, 2005Sing for joy to God our strength; shout to the God of Jacob!  Bring the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.  Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.  He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand.  He says, “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.  In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.  Hear, O my people, and I will warn you – if you would but listen to me, O Israel!  You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien God.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt.  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.  But my people would not listen to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.  If my people would but listen to me; if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.  But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”  Psalm 81 (NIV)

The first part of Psalm 81 believers describe who are seeking God and delighting in Him.  They are enjoying God’s presence.  The last part of the Psalm describes believers who ignore God, they don’t listen to Him; they are stubborn. 

These two parts of this Psalm are separated by the statement:  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.  This is what God wants for us.  He wants us to open wide our mouth.  This is a picture of a baby bird in a nest with a wide open mouth ready to devour all the food a parent will feed it.  This tiny bird is totally dependent.  The hungry baby bird is not half-hearted; it wants all the parent has to offer.  When food gets to the baby bird’s mouth it provides nourishment.  The bird grows and is strengthened.

This is how we are to look to God; with intense hunger and dependence.  God is willing to fill us and meet our spiritual needs.  He promises to provide nourishment and strength.  When our life is filled with and by God, satisfaction abounds.

Open wide your mouth; use the means God has graciously given you – prayer, God’s Word, mediation, worship, Christian community, etc… - so He can feed and  satisfy you.

January 27, 2005Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.  They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.  Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.  From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.  They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.  Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.  Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.  They say, “How can God know?  Does the Most High have knowledge?”  This is what the wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth.  Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.  All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.  If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children.  When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.  Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.  How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!  As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.  When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near to God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.  Psalm 73 (NIV)

Asaph, the writer of this Psalm, describes how he almost became a casualty in the battle to remain faithful to God.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

When we are experiencing problems it is tempting to look at the people around us who seem to have nothing to worry about.  Godless people who have no time for God and even mock Him seem to be free from many problems.  One of the Satan’s tactics is to lure us from being grateful for what we have to envying what we do not have.  When we compare ourselves to others we lose our ability to think clearly. 

Comparison and envy leads to self-pity.  Asaph feels sorry for himself and comes to the conclusion that living a righteous life is a waste of time.  Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.  All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.  Self-pity is a very destructive force in a Christian’s life; once you indulge in self-pity the downward slide begins and quickly accelerates.

Asaph regains God’s perspective by changing both his location and his thinking.  I entered the sanctuary of God.  He got away and spent some time with alone with God.  He was reminded that life is much more than pleasure and success.  Those who appear to have everything are often those who really have nothing, because they do not have God.

Are you tempted to compare yourself to others?  Do you focus on what you have or what you don’t have?  Do you realize how rich you truly are as a child of God?  Do you know what a blessing it is to know God? 

The supreme blessing in life is to know God!

January 20, 2005May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.  May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.  May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.  May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.  Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.  God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.  Psalm 67 (NIV)

Psalm 67 reveals God’s vision and purpose for His people.  God is a God of grace and greatly blesses His people.  We are the recipients of an amazing salvation!  But God’s blessing is not meant to be kept to ourselves.  When God blesses us, the impact of God’s goodness to us is meant to be much greater than just our own lives.  God desires that His blessing us benefit the nations.  Because we are blessed; we are to bless others and we are to make known the gospel of His salvation known among all nations.

What blessings has God brought into your life?  Why has God blessed you?  What is God’s wider purpose for blessing you in this way? 

God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.

January 13, 2005Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!  Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!  So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.  All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.”  Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!  He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot – come, let us rejoice in him.  He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against him.  Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping!  For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.  You brought us to prison and laid burdens on our backs.  You let me ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.  I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you – vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.  I will sacrifice fat animals to you and an offering of rams; I will offer bulls and goats.  Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.  I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue.  If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  Psalm 66 (NIV)

Just knowing truth about God does not produce an excitement for God.  You must be alive to the fact that God is alive and at work.  The writer of this Psalm is passionate about God.  Praise and adoration flows naturally from his lips.  His eyes are open and he sees God at work.   God is real.  He is alive and powerfully at work.

It is easy to lose our passion for the Lord when we lose sight of God and fail to appreciate what He is doing.  Our excitement about our faith can fade when our eyes are not open to seeing God and to seeing him working around us.  Think about some of the things God does for us.  He redeems His people.  He saves us for His eternal purposes.  Even though our lives have been invaded by sin, God’s grace and love keeps us.  God refines us like silver, removing the impurities from our lives.  Our Lord then brings us to a place of abundance.  These are just of few reasons the Psalm writer gives for praising the Lord.

Are you excited about God and your relationship with God?  Do you see and appreciate what God is doing around you?  Allow your passion for God to grow.  Take some time today to consider and appreciate God and what He is doing. 

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!

January 6, 2005O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth.  They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals.  But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.  Psalm 63 (NIV)

The introduction to this Psalm says, “A Psalm of David.  When he was in the Desert of Judah.”  David has had to flee for his life.  He says that he is weary; there is no relief.  He is thirsty.  There is no water.  David has experienced God’s power and glory in the past and this encourages him to seek God.  This situation gives him a deep thirst for God.  He can not get God out of his mind.  God’s love is better than life. 

When I am dealing with problems, loneliness or sorrow my soul can become dry.  My soul also becomes tired and weary.  This is why I need to seek God.  The answer to my need for rest and refreshment is always found in God.  The problems we face are real but God is more real.  Seek God earnestly, with eagerness.  He is not a stranger.  He is the lover of my soul.  When I earnestly seek the Lord my soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise Him.  This is the ultimate outcome of seeking God.

What “desert” have you been through recently?  What did you long for the most?  Did your “desert” experience increase your longing and thirst for God?  Try reading this Psalm every day for the next week; allow this Psalm to impact your soul. 

This Year's On My Heart Devotional Messages

Year 2004's On My Heart Devotional Messages from Psalms and the Gospel of Luke

Year 2003's On My Heart Devotional Messages from the Gospel of Luke

Year 2002's On My Heart Devotional Messages from the books of James, I Peter and Ephesians

Year 2001's Devotional Messages from the Book of Hebrews  

Permission is granted to use these devotional messages for personal study and small groups.   On My Heart weekly devotional is a ministry of Bob Krepps .

Visit Our Bookstore

A devotional Bible study and commentary written by Bob Krepps  © 2005 all rights reserved.