Reading this passage fills my heart! I love meeting with my brothers and sisters in Christ. If you do not have a body of believers with whom you gather, pray, and praise the Lord, I encourage you to find one. God created us for worshipping Him in relationship with Him and others. This is why you see so many people “worshipping” at the alter of their favorite celebrity, sports team, hobby, religion, and a host of other “not God” idols. We are wired to worship.
God’s creation is created perfectly. Man is the only part of creation that has the free will to choose “not God,” and we do so far too often. Please choose God. It’s not too late. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 122:1 1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Today’s Reading: Psalm 122
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Imagine how strong your relationship with God would be if you lived these words out daily. Believing that God is your source should be manifested in all you do.
Knowing that your help comes from Him should inspire you to live fully for Him. Does it? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 121:1-2 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Today’s Reading: Psalm 121 This passage reminds me of the bridge in the song, “Trust In God.” The singer says, “I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered.”
For what are you calling on the Lord? Are you listening for His answer? Are you willing to respond to His wants? Or have you already decided what God’s answer must be and as a result, your expectation has tainted your view of God? Be mindful that God is sovereign. Our opinions are irrelevant. We must never find ourselves in a place where we believe what God has done is wrong. At that point we are no different than the people about whom the Psalmist is crying out to God. Walk with God with purpose. Focus on His word. He will answer your prayers, but it will always be His way, which is better by far. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 120:1 1 I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me. Today’s Reading: Psalm 120 How much do you love the Lord? Do you love Him the way the Psalmist describes in this passage?
God’s love for us is unmatched by our love for Him and our love for others. We can take no days off in our pursuit of Him. Be mindful that as you seek God, the enemy is seeking whom he may devour. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and cast down every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. We got this! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:161-163 161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:153-176 I love how this section of Psalm 119 begins and ends. The simple message, God’s laws are beneficial and do not change.
As a teacher, I’ve learned that being consistent in the execution of my class rules is key to a successful school year for my students. Because they know what to expect in any given situation, they are able to anticipate certain issues and take the necessary action to avoid problems. In your walk with God, be careful not to assume He’s going to overlook your sin. He NEVER has. Jesus paid the cost for your sin. God did not overlook it. Remember that the next time you decide to willfully disobey God’s statutes. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:129 & 152 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:129-152 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Imagine your life if you adopted these words as your own. The Psalmist has placed his trust in God and fully relies on Him. Do you? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:127-128 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:113-128 Psalm 119:97-112 is a testament to the importance of focusing on God and living to honor and obey Him. As you read this section, ask yourself if this is your mentality towards God. Do you live for Him and allow His word to be the light of your path?
It can be easy to live a life for self. In fact, if things fall into place, you can get real comfortable in that place. But that’s a trap. Our lives are not our own, if we accept what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin. When that’s the case, we must live for God. We must love Him and love His people. We cannot do that if our focus is not Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:103-106 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:96-112 Reading this section of Psalm 119 is a great reminder of God’s sovereignty. Verse 75 jumped off the page for me. How often do people get upset because God has allowed a bad thing to happen in their life.
Recently, a person commented on one of my daily social media video posts that God “tortures” Christians so why should they follow Him. This lack of understanding is prevalent in our society. As Christians, our response to God in difficult times is a major part of our witness. I encourage you to take on the attitude of the Psalmist when God has “afflicted” you. Trust Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:75 75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:65-80 Reading this section of Psalm 119 is a great reminder of God’s sovereignty. Verse 75 jumped off the page for me. How often do people get upset because God has allowed a bad thing to happen in their life.
Recently, a person commented on one of my daily social media video posts that God “tortures” Christians so why should they follow Him. This lack of understanding is prevalent in our society. As Christians, our response to God in difficult times is a major part of our witness. I encourage you to take on the attitude of the Psalmist when God has “afflicted” you. Trust Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:75 75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:65-80 Imagine how your faith walk would be if you adopted this mindset. The circumstances in your life would no longer dictate your attitude and character. Your faith in God would do that. You would understand that this world, our time on earth, is not the end. It is a place that prepares us for our time in eternity. If we accept what Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of our sin, that eternity will be with God. That’s a promise I am holding tightly to. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 119:50-52 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. 52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:49-64 I encourage you to meditate on these words. Allow them to be who you are and guide your relationship with Jesus Christ. Be reminded that He loved you so much that He took the cost of your sin and paid it for you so you could enter a right relationship with Him and His Father.
Knowing that, why would you ever hesitate in your walk with Christ. Read your Bible daily, pray, surround yourself with a community of mature Christians, and live a Christ-honoring life. Think of the lives Christ will save through you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:43-45 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:33-48 Following God and living for God are choices we must make. Please allow these words to guide you. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 119:30-32 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:17-32 Welcome to the longest Psalm in the Bible. I encourage you to glean the wisdom that lies within these words.
Imagine how your life would be if you prayed and believed these words for your life. The doubt and second guessing you have when considering God strips away your faith. It is your faith the pleases God. The writer of Hebrews tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, we must be willing and able to pray these words over our lives, daily. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 119:14-16 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:1-16 Psalm 118 start and end with the same verse. Be encouraged by the love of God. We may not always understand what He is doing but as we draw closer to Him by reading His word and conversing with mature Christians, we become better able to endure whatever hardship we must to better share the gospel. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 118:28-29 28 You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Today’s Reading: Psalm 118:19-29 Psalm 118 is full of reminders of the length of the love of God. The writer says multiple times that “His love endures forever.” This encourages me. I find strength in being reminded that no matter my circumstances, God’s love will prevail. I only need to keep my hope in Him. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 118:5-7 5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. 6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. Today’s Reading: Psalm 118:1-18 Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible but it packs much joy in its two versus. I encourage you to allow these words to be in your heart always. No matter your situation, you have a reason to praise God. Here’s today’s reading and Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 117 1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. 2 For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. I encourage you to speak these words over your life. As you read your Bible and pray daily, you will be drawn closer to God. He yearns to have a relationship with you. Are you seeking Him? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy.
Psalm 116:1-2 1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Today’s Reading: Psalm 116 This is one of my favorite sections of the Bible. I encourage you read it as many times as you need to so it will sink in and you can walk in these encouraging words.
God is not going to give you a shield. He IS your shield. Paul, when talking about the armor of God, says, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Our faith is in God. When that’s the case, God is pleased with us (Hebrews 11:6) and protects us from all hurt and harm, like a shield does. No matter what “pain” you think you’re experiencing or have experienced, it is nothing compared to a life and an eternity without God. You have NO idea what the lost are in for if they continue to deny the existence of God, our Shield. I want to challenge you to open your eyes, look around you, see the people who need Jesus, then share Him boldly. If you don’t share Him, who will? Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 115:9-11 9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. 10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. 11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—he is their help and shield. Today’s Reading: Psalm 115 Take a second and “breathe” these words in. We get to praise the Lord freely, every day. However, there may be times when we get so caught up in the day to day “stresses” of life that we forget to praise the Lord.
I encourage you to slow down right now, breathe these words into your soul, and always be mindful of the goodness of God! Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 113:1-3 1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. 2 Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. 3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Today’s Reading: Psalm 113-114 The gospel of Matthew records Jesus saying, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” God is always right. When we follow Him and do what He says, we are right(eous).
When we walk in righteousness, we are walking well with Jesus Christ. This will require us to make difficult decisions from time to time, but as long as we choose God, without compromise, we will be okay. Here’s today’s Bible verse. Enjoy. Psalm 112:6-9 6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. 9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. Today’s Reading: Psalm 112 |
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AuthorDr. Gregg Mays shares his daily devotion. Archives
December 2024
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