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Category Archives: Psalm

My God is My Fortress Psalm 91:1-8

29 Nov

Psalm 91:1-8

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague.

He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.

You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day,

the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon.

Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you.

You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.

The Lord is my Fortress

I take comfort in this verse. I am grateful that the Lord is watching out for my family. That I don’t have to fear the terror of night. And I don’t have to fear the arrows that fly by day (figurative or literal). I don’t have to worry about health or evil that comes to my door. I can trust that the Lord is going to take care of it.

We only see it with our eyes!

This is an amazing verse. Here the Lord promises that we won’t get the full effect of pestilence. We will only see it with our eyes. Again I’m no theologian (as I’m sure you’ve gathered if you’ve read any of my other blog posts). But I wonder if this means that while we recognize the evil of the world, and even experience the bad behavior of others, that pestilence will not fully reach us. Perhaps the pain it should inflict will be softened by the promises of eternal life or the knowledge that vengeance is the Lord’s.

My son is being bullied

Today a neighbor came over to tell me that he witnessed another child bullying my son. The neighbor was amazing. He spoke to the boy and then reported it to the school (they were on school property). My son hasn’t come home from school yet, and I’m curious to hear his thoughts on what happened. I think this verse may be part of my discussion. That no matter what other people do to us or say to us, they can’t hurt us in our soul, because the Lord is protecting our souls. While he shouldn’t let someone bully him, he may be able to step back and pray for that child. Praying that his rage toward my son was not the result of someone else’s rage being taken out on him. We’re fortunate. No matter what happens to us here on earth, we have hope. Hope of eternal life in heaven with our Lord. Oh yeah, and the Lord will take care of any revenge that’s due.

Do you fight your own battles? Do you hang out in the fortress?

 
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Posted by on November 29, 2011 in God is My Fortress, Psalm

 

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My God is My Portion – Psalm 73:26

26 Oct

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

God is my portion

Maybe you’ve noticed, I like food. I have already admitted I’m fat and that I struggle with eating the right amount of the right things. One of the things the book “Made to Crave” and my Over eaters Anonymous books both mention is keeping your focus on God. As God does, He often beats me over the head with the concepts I seem to be absorbing a bit slowly. Recently I have been finding verses from scripture that call God my portion. I’m into portions, so this peaked my interest.

How is God my Portion? 

What does portion mean?

por·tion

n.

1. A section or quantity within a larger thing; a part of a whole.
2. A part separated from a whole.
3. A part that is allotted to a person or group, as:

a. A helping of food.
b. The part of an estate received by an heir.
c. A woman’s dowry.
4. A person’s lot or fate.
tr.v. por·tioned, por·tion·ing, por·tions

1. To divide into parts or shares for distribution; parcel.
2. To provide with a share, inheritance, or dowry.

Looking at these definitions, I see God being my portion as a combination of a few of these.
Definition 3 –  A part that is alloted to a person or group. This can be food or an inheritance. Obviously for this food obsessed girl the idea that God is my food portion peaked my interest. It’s not that I eat God. Though I do consume His word and I do come to the Lord’s table for communion. The truth is He is the portion that satisfies. He is what soothes my soul. He is the answer to all the reasons I’m eating when I shouldn’t. Sad – don’t eat – turn to God. He satisfies. Mad – don’t eat – turn to God. He calms your temper. Embarrassed – don’t eat – turn to God. He Loves You. Nervous – don’t eat – turn to God. He will be your strength. Whether a portion of food or an inheritance, God is my portion. He is what satisfies.

God is my fate
One of the other meanings of portion is “a person’s lot or fate”. Now, if this is the definition that we are to take from the scriptures that call God my portion, I’m good with that too. He is my fate. He is my destiny. Because of Him, I will spend eternity in heaven.

Bring Him your best portion
In scripture, the word portion is also often used in reference to offerings people bring to the altar. There are instructions to bring our best portions to the Lord. Bring our best, because God deserves no less than our very best. I’m sure that one of the meanings as God as our portion is reference to the fact that He is the sacrificial offering that solidifies our eternal life. He is our portion. Jesus was sacrificed, our portion, to pay forever and finally for our sins. Because I have been forgiven by His actions, I now have a portion, an inheritance I didn’t deserve, but I’m very grateful to have.

Have you felt the satisfaction that having God as your portion can bring?
 
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Posted by on October 26, 2011 in God is My Portion, Psalm

 

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My God is … My Joy – Psalm 4:7-8

18 Oct

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and new wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, LORD, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:7-8

God is my Joy

I’m reading a book called “Made to Crave“. It’s a book about getting your focus off of food and on to Christ. About satisfying your desires with God. This book is really good, and I feel it’s really reinforcing a lot of what the Lord is trying to transform in me right now.

I’m Fat

It’s the sad truth. I have often self medicated my feelings and thoughts with the comfort of food. Using the endorphin rush to help me not have to feel whatever I was avoiding. The Lord has been putting a lot of information in front of me lately about focusing on Him instead of food (like the grain and new wine in Psalm 4). Through this book, OA (overeaters anonymous) and Bible Study, I feel the Lord making a big transformation in me. Helping me to take my focus off of food and put it where it needs to be – on Jesus. He’s the one who will put more joy in my heart.

Come after me

On Sunday, one of our pastors did a message on Luke 9:23 – “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'” This was an amazing message. He focused on the very first part of that verse. If any one wishes to come after me. He talked about being in pursuit of God, like we are in pursuit of our first love. Thinking about them at all times, wondering what we could do to get their attention. It spoke to me. I was always a bit boy crazy. I worked hard at getting the boy I liked to like me. Looking my best, being nice to him, spending time with him. Do I do that with my Lord? If I did pursue God that way, would I have a problem with my eating? Would many of my sins survive that kind of singular focus on my Lord?

Attention Seeking

I want the attention of my husband. When I don’t get it, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t behave very well. I’ll do almost anything to have a few extra minutes with my hubby. I find ways to spend more time with him, invite him out to dinner, do the dishes so he won’t and will hang with the family in the living room. Whatever I can do to spend that time with him, I’m likely to do. This week we’re spending some time apart. He’s at a conference, and I’m home with the rest of my family. I was concerned about this, because I’m more likely to overeat when I’m alone or lonely. So I brought it up to my counselor, and she asked, what if you spend that time you would have spent with your husband with God. It was one more piece to the puzzle. One more way the Lord was showing me I need to put my focus back on him, to come after him as it said in Luke 9:23.

In hot pursuit

I’m going to work on spending this time away from my husband as a boot camp for being in pursuit of the Lord. I’m going to set aside more time to spend with Him. Talk to Him about my day. Ask Him how to handle situations, and rely on Him more. I want to deny myself, pick up my cross and follow Him.

Are you in hot pursuit of God?

 
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Posted by on October 18, 2011 in God is My Joy, Psalm

 

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My God is … My Shepherd Psalm 23

06 Oct

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
 3 he refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths 
   for his name’s sake. 
4 Even though I walk 
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, 
   for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
   they comfort me.

 5 You prepare a table before me 
   in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; 
   my cup overflows. 
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
   all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 
   forever. Psalm 23

Do I believe Psalm 23?

Even if I believe it, do I live like I believe it? Let’s look a little closer at this very familiar Psalm.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. 

It’s true. Never in my life have I lacked what was really needed, hope. God gives me hope. No matter how bad things are getting in my personal life, My Lord has a greater promise for me. Eventually I will end up with Him in Heaven, and these temporary troubles will be remembered no more.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

This verse is especially meaningful to me. I’m currently going through quite a transformation. God is changing me. Sometimes it seems fast, sometimes it feels slow. Since my move to Oregon, I feel like the Lord is calling me to take off some old hurts, some insecurities and to move on to truly living in His Grace. I’ve opened myself up to change, asked for forgiveness from those I haven’t always treated so well (yes, that’s you mom) and have started to give Him control over something I thought was out of everyone’s reach… my eating.He is refreshing my soul. Scary what’s next, because I have a feeling with this blessed transformation comes responsibility. We’ll see where I end up with that! Should be an interesting ride.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

To be honest, this is an area I still need to work on. Overcoming fear. Living Boldly because He is with me . Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 God is commanding us to be strong and courageous. I need to step out of my box a bit more. How about you?

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not that excited to have a table next to my enemies. But in reality, I think this is more about the Lord taking us under His protection, keeping us from our enemies evil plans. I pray I don’t have enemies like that, but I’ve not always been bright, so I may not be aware of all the wrongs I’ve committed. Lord forgive me for those. The Lord has blessed me beyond all measure. I have a mug with my name on it, and the Christian meaning of my name. It’s a mug that is generally smaller than the other mugs in our home. When my husband brought me a cup of tea in it, it was right to the rim. He handed it to me and said your cup overfloweth! My cup – my name on it. It is truly overflowing. Not just with tea, but with blessings. I have too many to write them all here. I’m guessing if you started listing them you’d have a lot too.

In a book called Pivot, by Dr. Zimmerman, he tells us how one small change in attitude can lead to success. I love this book. I really think it’s worth reading. One of the first things he has you do is list your blessings. That exercise took a lot longer than I expected, each blessing I listed made me think of two or three more. If i remember correctly, I stopped out of exhaustion, not material.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

It is an amazing blessing to hear this promise. To know God’s love will follow me all the days of my life, and even into the afterlife. I’m truly blessed.

What are some of your blessings? Is your cup running over?

 
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Posted by on October 6, 2011 in God is my Shepherd, Psalm

 

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My God is … A Healer Psalm 103:1-4

04 Oct

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, 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 Psalm 103:1-4

I’ve been healed!

I have Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve had it for since 2001. I have almost no signs or symptoms that others can see. But this isn’t what was healed, but it was the catalyst.

At least you’ve got your health

I don’t. People always say things like “At least I’ve got my health” when bad things happen, but truthfully my state of healthiness is always a moving target. It can be fine one day and hard the next. For years I had a friend who was frustrated by the fact that I didn’t really want to pray for healing of my MS. I wasn’t really motivated to pray that it be removed from my body. This was a foreign concept for her. She had known people who had miraculous healings, and wanted that for me too.

A thorn in my flesh

I have always been sure of my salvation, but having a personal relationship, where I turned to Him for strength, mercy and guidance really became a reality for me because of my MS. St. Paul’s mystery affliction reminds me of how I feel about my MS.

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Cor. 12:17

I am boastful

I know that all of my weaknesses turn me directly to my Lord in all things. It is only through Him that I’m able to have a strong marriage to a wonderful Christian man, have wonderful Christ centered children, and be able to call on my God whenever I need to. I will boast in Christ. The things He has done for me when I knew I couldn’t are miraculous and wonderful. I’m grateful to have a weakness that shows me my Lord every day.

Do you have a thorn in your flesh? Is your weakness drawing you closer to God?

 
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Posted by on October 4, 2011 in God is My Healer, Psalm

 

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God is … Good Psalm 25:8

16 Sep

Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8

God is Good

I know I’ve already written about why God is good, but the complexity of His goodness warrants more than one look at each part of His character. Besides, I have more to learn about each part of His character – so thanks for learning with me (or at least putting up with me).

God instructs

God instructs, but am I a good pupil? Do I always gladly do the practice or homework He’s given me? Am I grateful for the lessons, or am I bitter.

Yesterday my son was frustrated because he had some homework to do, but he didn’t have the words he needed to define, because he was in the bathroom during the time she had them on the board. He missed the instruction. She was instructing, but he left the room. He missed the opportunity to learn from that teacher. Now there was seemingly no way for him to do that work. He’s in a new school and doesn’t have the phone numbers of any kids in his class, and his email for school wasn’t working. Finally he decided to call his teacher. She gave him the words and he gladly got his homework done in time for school.

Am I a good pupil?

How often do I “leave the room” while the Lord is instructing me. I don’t leave because I have to go to the bathroom, but I may leave because I don’t want to learn what He’s teaching me. I don’t want to learn that I need to take better care of my body. That I need to get help for my addiction to food. That I may need some counseling to help me control my temper when helping my boys with their homework. I don’t want to hear that I need improvement. I don’t like to be wrong.

I seek out other people who will tell me what I want to hear – “You look fine”, or “Oh, don’t worry, I get mad at my kids sometimes too”. Or those who will let me get away with “I’m going to start thinking about my weight tomorrow”. Those people have good intentions, but they are not Good like my God is Good. He is Good and upright. Those are His credentials. He is who I should take instruction from and whom I should follow.

What if I am a bad pupil?

I’m not always going to get it right. I’m not going to be perfect. Fortunately this verse promises to instruct us in the way. Jesus says “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” in John 14:6. The Lord instructs me about Jesus. About the one who takes all my short-comings and makes me measure up. He saves me from failing. He takes me to the top of the class so I may one day be with Him in paradise. That’s a lesson I always want to remember!

Are you a good pupil? 

 
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Posted by on September 16, 2011 in God is Good, Psalm

 

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God is Omniscient (All Knowing) Psalm 44:21

14 Sep

God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart. Psalm 44:21

My God is Omniscient

om·nis·cient [om-nish-uh-nt] adjective – having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness or understanding; perceiving all things

God knows everything. That’s a bummer.

He knows how I’ve failed. He knows every time I’ve used His name in vain. He knows that I sometimes use bad language … in front of my mother. He knows I’m weak-minded. He knows.

He Knows

He knows how I feel. He knows the love I have for Him in my heart. He knows my repentance is true though I fall again. He knows me. He gets me.

God Knows – It’s a good thing

God knows that I’ve done bad things – but because I’m forgiven, He remembers my sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). But the other stuff He knows and remembers. He knows that I want to do what’s right. That I want to be respectful of my husband and children. God knows I love Him above all else. God knows – And it’s a good thing. A very good thing. I can have peace knowing God knows. He has a complete understanding. That means it’s not just head knowledge. He gets it. He gets me. Isn’t it amazing that we have a God that knows us.

God is Omniscient Is that a good thing to you?

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2011 in My God is Omniscient, Psalm

 

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God is … My Savior Psalm 68:19-20

02 Sep

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death. Psalm 68:19-20

My God Saves

Funny how I have to be reminded of that so often. I wallow. I wallow in guilt and self loathing. That may be a surprise to some of my friends, while others will have seen me do it way too often. I’m not someone who lives with cheap Grace. The kind of person who says, “It doesn’t matter if I do it, the Lord will forgive me”. I don’t say that because I think I’m better than those people. I’m sinning in a different way. I deny the salvation Jesus secured for me on the cross. I don’t know which is worse, but I do know I’m not proud that I do this.

Satan knows how to get to me

Satan likes to remind me daily of the stupid things I’ve done in my past. I let him dredge them up and show them to me like they happened yesterday. These are not sins I have ignored or not acknowledged. These are sins I have confessed and that have been forgiven. I wallow. I hang out in those sins, starting negative self talk that the devil rejoices over. I think and act as if those sins are still with me. Not shedding them and releasing myself from them, but beating myself up as if the work Jesus did was not enough.

Forgiveness is for everyone else

It’s bizarre really. I believe that the Lord forgives all who believe that He died and rose for them. That we are washed clean and are no longer considered sinful after we have confessed and do not continue in that sin. Unless of course you’re mean me. I somehow linger outside of the forgiveness. Obviously I know that’s not true, but that’s the game the Devil tries to play with me. He shows me my sin, not to make me turn from it (as other Christians and the Holy Spirit might), but to make me wallow. To get my focus off the Lord and what He has done for me. He doesn’t want me to have the joy, security and blessing that comes from being a forgiven follower of Jesus – My savior. The one who died and rose again that I might have a place in heaven with Him when I die.

Thank God for other Christians

One of the biggest blessings the Lord has given me is a husband who trusts in the Lord. As I was struggling last night with all sorts of demons, my husband reminded me that Jesus is the answer. To keep my focus on the one who forgives. The one who gives me strength and cares about me more than anyone else. Without the support of other Christians, I would wallow a lot longer. I’m grateful for all the blessings my Lord has given me, and that I have Christians around me who are there to remind me that I am forgiven.

Do you Wallow? Do you know you’re forgiven? 

 

 
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Posted by on September 2, 2011 in God is a Savior, Psalm

 

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God is … My Provider Psalm 111:5

31 Aug

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:5

The Lord is my provider

Throughout my life I have had so much evidence to support this verse. My family has never had much money, but we’ve always had what we need, and more. The Lord has miraculously provided for our family when we didn’t know how you will get the food, money or clothes would come from.

While my husband was in school, there was a resell it shop that sold clothes at such a low price it made Goodwill look expensive. They also had a food bank to help us with the cost of groceries. Throughout my life my parents have made it possible for me and my children to attend Christian schools. Even paying for school (which we’re not done with) came in ways we didn’t expect. Support from our congregations (past and present), contributions from strangers, and having items we could sell that brought exactly the amount we needed for the next payment. Over and over again the Lord has proved that He can handle all that we cannot.

Why don’t I trust the Lord?

Even with all this evidence, I am constantly trying to take control of the situation. Instead of trusting him with the outcome of the situation, I worry and fret over what is the best thing to do, how the money, clothes or item will appear.

He Promises to Provide for us

In Psalm 111, God’s provision for us is well documented. The way He has always been faithful in providing for His people (past, present and future) is clear. So how do I turn myself over to trusting Him more? Last Night at Bible Study, we were discussing this issue as we looked at simplifying our lives (the Bible Study is called “The Beauty of a Simple Life”). One of the things that stuck with me the most is being present in the moment.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

How often do you live in the moment? I know for me I’m often stuck in the past or worrying about how not to ruin my future. I am not often in the moment. I move quickly through the present, not enjoying the good things nor really experiencing the pain. I panic and stress over what is to come, though when it is actually here it is never as bad as I imagined. No problem though, I’m no longer thinking about that situation when it’s happening, because I’m to busy worrying about the next thing on the horizon.

What does it mean to be in the moment?

I think it means to breathe. I have been working on my speaking skills, and one of the most common constructive criticisms for me is that I need to breathe. What I need to do is take a breath and enjoy the moment. Not rushing through it, but fully experiencing the emotions (good and bad) of the moment. This seems like it would be a miraculous thing if I could do it! I found it interesting that the concept of being in the moment (or increasing flow) was mentioned in an article of 12 things happy people do differently. I’m going to give it a try. I’m going to try to be in the moment, focus on the Lord in that moment. Perhaps my happiness and trust in the Lord will increase, while my worry for things out of my control will decrease.

Do you live in the past? Do you worry about your future? What does God want for you?

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2011 in God is my Provider, Psalm

 

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God is … My Counselor Psalm 119:24

18 Aug

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalm 199:24

God is My Counselor

I have a tendency to be lazy. I have a tendency to avoid doing the things that I need to do. When I don’t do certain things, my well-being is compromised.

There are three main things that I need to do to have a positive state of mind:

  • Be in the word
  • Exercise
  • Eat right

I feel the first one is reflected in this Bible verse.

Indeed, your written instructions make me happy. They are my best friends.
(God’s Word Version of Psalm 119:24)

I love this version of Psalm 119:24. Do you know the feeling of wishing you could see your best friend? That’s how I feel when I’ve been neglecting my relationship with the Lord and reading His word. I feel like I’m missing that part of me. The best part of me. I’m only my best me when I’m focused on the Lord, and getting to know Him better.

What more could I learn?

I’ve been a Christian all my life, and it amazes me how God’s word is new each time I read it. How he uses His word to communicate with me in a new way every time. The words aren’t different – God’s promises and his word is always true. I am different every time. I am changed when I read His word. I’m changed by the circumstances of my life. I’m changed by the people the Lord puts in my life, especially the fellow believers he puts in my life.

Being part of a Bible Study

I had gone nearly two years (maybe more) since I had been in a woman’s Bible study on a consistent basis. I know I hadn’t been to one since I had moved to Oregon. It was like I was starving to death. My heart was a mess. I was in a world of loneliness and self loathing. I didn’t know what I was going to do.
Reflecting on the problems and sadness in my life, I took stock of the three things I need in my life, and realized none of them were in balance. Because I was so out of balance spiritually, I was becoming out of balance with the people who matter most to me – my family. Yes I went to church every Sunday. I prayed a lot, but I wasn’t in the word as much as I should have been, and I wasn’t in a close relationship with others where the Word of God was in the middle.

I started attending a women’s Bible study, and it was as if the heavens opened and angels started singing. The Lord had drawn me back into relationship with Him and with my fellow believers.

I am changed by the Word of God

It’s true each time I read the Bible, I am different. I am also different after a Bible study. The Lord is working on my heart, helping me to learn and grow. I know I don’t always get it the first time, but He keeps working on me. I know I am far from perfect, but He delights in me and is pleased when we get time to connect. I love my Lord.

Have you ever felt pulled away from the Lord? How did He draw you back? Is He pulling you closer to Him now?
 
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Posted by on August 18, 2011 in God is my counselor, Psalm

 

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