Ex. 20:1-2, 17 And God spoke all these words, saying, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,

Willoughby, OH
Exodus 20:1-2, 17

And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ... Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Those blessings of wealth and talents that you provide to me, are not for my selfish and greedy grasping, but are for me to apply to bring solace to the hurting, food to the hungry and to visit those in prison. Lord, help me to recognize opportunities to be your delivery agent and to bundle all in the message of your love and grace.

Psalms 119:137-138 Righteous are You, O LORD, and right are Your rules.

Pella, IA
Psalms 119:137-138

Righteous are You, O LORD, and right are Your rules. You have appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

Not all Your testimonies take the form of the Word, many are in the form of the lives of your saints. Lives lived to serve You and to demonstrate the power of Your love and grace. Thank You today for so many faithful couples whose lives touch ours on a daily basis. They have all been appointed by You. Praise You, LORD.

Psalm 49:16-20 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.

Pella, IA
Psalm 49:16-20

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed --and though you get praise when you do well for yourself--his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Lay up treasure for yourself in heaven where rust does not corrode nor moth destroy. Lord, to live and work in Your presence for all eternity. That is treasure and the ultimate 401(k).

Psalm 49:7-13 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,

Pella, Ia
Psalm 49:7-13

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah

All this is gilding with fool's gold. And the world chases after that worthless stuff, fame, riches, notoriety, possessions.

Psalm 49:3-6 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Pella, IA
Psalm 49:3-6

My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

I have nothing to fear -- NO THING! You have promised Your wisdom, Your understanding. No one cheats me, they may steal from You. Teach me to understand that the world's trust in wealth and riches is truly a wineskin in the smoke; it is as a vapor without substance.

Psalm 49:1-2 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear,

Psalm 49:1-2 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together!

Lord, You hold nothing back, Your message of grace and mercy goes out to all the nations. "Come unto Me, all who are burdened and heavy laden."

Exodus 20.1-2, 16 And God spoke..., “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Lord's Day, 23 November 2008
Pella, IA
Exodus 20.1-2, 16

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Guide me, Holy Spirit, so that every word out of my mouth and every action is a good and true witness. Guide my life, today, into a life of witness to the grace and mercy and love of my Lord and Savior.

Psalm 119.132-136 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name.

Pella, IA
Psalm 119.132-136

Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name. Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep Your Law.

I weep for those men in the prison who cannot break free from an addiction, whose lives continue to be a constant struggle against the stronghold of drugs or alcohol. I plead with You for each one, that You will give them to understand that freedom is from the Spirit, not from programs or works.

And I thank and praise You for those lives that have been transformed through Your grace and mercy. Lord, keep them alert and cognizant of Your support when the Evil One attacks.

Psalm 119.129-131 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

Pella, IA
Psalm 119.129-131

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for Your commandments.

I do long for your commandments, Lord, I long to be obedient to them and through that obedience demonstrate my love for You and my gratefulness but I am weak and easily distracted. I continue to give lip service to You and turn to my own devices and solutions. Open the eyes of my heart so that I can see Your glory, open the ears of my heart so I can hear Your gentle and soft word leading me into the paths of righteousness.

Psalm 48.12-14 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts,

Pella, IA
Psalm 48.12-14

Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

Lord, You are telling me that my purpose in knowing You is to tell the next generation. This must include not only my children and grandchildren but the men in the prison and those whom I contact in my day to day living..

The Psalmist urges a careful and through consideration, not a cursory skimming. Walk about, go around -- cover all the territory. Consider well, go through -- no “that’s good enough” but an intentional determination to impart understanding. Tell-- transfer the passion You have given me to the next generation.

Lord, I am in your hands, be it unto me as You have said.

Psalm 48.9-11 We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple.

Pella, IA
Psalm 48.9-11

We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple. As Your name, O God, so Your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments!

What better place is there, Lord, to meditate on Your steadfast love, but in the midst of Your temple? And where is that temple today?

I am the temple of the living God! I am to represent Your name and praises to the ends of the earth, that is, throughout my sphere of influence. I am to demonstrate the power of Your righteousness, I am to be a rejoicer, one who tells of the rightness of Your judgments and lays out understanding of Your justice for all to see.

Psalm 48.4-8 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

Pella, IA
Psalm 48.4-8

For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind You shattered the ships of Tarshish. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah

The rulers and principalities of the world no longer fear You; they have reduced You and Your people to the margins, convinced that the gods of secularism are triumphant. It is time, Lord, to display Your awesome glory before the kings and rulers, to show that You are indeed the Lord God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, the One who speaks and it is accomplished.

Psalm 48.1-3 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God!

North Platte, Ne
Psalm 48.1-3 A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made Himself known as a fortress.

Lord, give me a vision of the Church as You see her – an understanding of how the parts and pieces fit together in Your kingdom, and a sense of my fitting and calling within the Church.

Exodus 20.1-2, 15 And God spoke all these words, saying, “You shall not steal.”

Lord’s Day, 16 November 2008
Steamboat Springs, CO
Exodus 20.1-2, 15

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…You shall not steal.”

Instead I am called to supply. To supply encouragement and knowledge, material and spiritual good, comfort and support, and love and kindness. I am called to serve to, not to receive from.

Psalm 47.5-9 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

Steamboat Springs, CO
Psalm 47.5-9

God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted!

You are the Almighty, the I AM; You are Light, You are Justice, You are Righteousness, You are Perfection, You are the Creator, You are Yahweh, You are Grace, You are Mercy, You are Shalom, You are Love, You are the Father, You are the Bringer of Rain and Harvest, You are the Alpha and Omega, You are the Bright Shining Star, You are the Lamb of God, You are Emanuel, You are the Prince of Peace, You are the Mighty Counselor, You are the River of Living Water, You are Savior, You are the Christ, You are the Messiah, You are God with us, You are the Helper, You are the Spirit of Truth, You are the Spirit of Freedom, You are God, the Three in One. To You, I swear obedience, my Lord and my Master.

Psalm 47.1-4 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

Steamboat Springs, CO

Psalm 47.1-4 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loves. Selah

You are the God Almighty, the God Most High! You are the One who separates light from dark, the One who causes the seas and dry land to part, the One who says a word and the mountains quake, the One who speaks and the cosmos takes form, the One whose Word is the source of life! You show Yourself through thunder and lightning, raging wind and storming seas; Your awesome being is displayed in all of creation and speaks to Your people of Your might and power.

 

Psalm 119:121-128 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Steamboat Springs, CO

Psalm 119:121-128

I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give Your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise. Deal with Your servant according to Your steadfast love, and teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies! It is time for the LORD to act, for Your Law has been broken. Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all Your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

I love Your commandments; I hate every false way. What a change, this is indeed a transformation from what I was, for I hated Your commandments and loved every false way. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that this has been Your gift of grace and mercy.

That gift has given me both the right to ask and the certain hope of receiving. You do not leave me to the oppressors of depression and discouragement; You lift me into Your joy. You give me understanding and knowledge so that I can see the path and know where I am to walk. You fulfill all Your promises to me.

Praise You, Lord.

Psalm 46.8-11 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how He has brought desolations on the earth.

Sidney, NE
Psalm 46.8-11

Come, behold the works of the LORD, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

All the efforts of man come to an end; his attempts to conquer and bend the creation to his purpose come to desolations. But, I, His son, hear that awesome command, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted.” "Be still” – stop your foolish running around and fussing. “I AM, the LORD God Almighty, I am in control, I am with you, I am your rock and fortress. Be at peace.” And I am, Lord.

Psalm 46.4-7 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,...

Pella, IA
Psalm 46.4-7

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

There is a river that flows from the throne of God, a river of Living Water whose moisture restores and revives all who inhabit the city of God. And I, Lord, as Your temple, the temple of the Living God, I am one of those who receive the blessings of that stream of Living Water. All can rage against me, the kingdoms of this world totter and crumble, but You are with me, Your rod and staff comfort me. I am secure.

Psalm 46.1--3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Pella, IA
Psalm 46.1--3 To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

What a wonderful picture here, Lord. As all is in turmoil all around us, the very foundation of our lives, it seems, collapsing under our feet, all that towers over us is crumbling upon us, the affairs of the world eroding all that we have depended upon – You are here, a very present help in time of trouble. A very present help: Oh the comfort and assurance in that phrase.

Exodus 20:1-2, 14 And God spoke all these words, saying, "You shall not commit adultery."

Pella, IA
Lord's Day, 9 November 2008
Exodus 20:1-2, 14

And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. ... "You shall not commit adultery."

I shall commit faithfulness: to Betty and my family, to my friends and neighbors, to those that you have given into my care in the prison ministry, to all who provide services and goods to me, to all whom I touch in any way this day.

Psalm 45:16-17 In place of your fathers shall be your sons;...

Pella, IA
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Psalm 45:16-17

In place of your fathers shall be your sons; you will make them princes in all the earth. I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.

And then we, your Bride, will assume our rightful place, as the stewards of Your creation. To oversee, manage and direct the all the affairs that You will put under us. We will be princes in all the earth.

Psalm 45.12-15 The people of Tyre will seek Your favor with gifts, the richest of the people.

Elkhart, IN
Psalm 45.12-15

The people of Tyre will seek Your favor with gifts, the richest of the people. All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.

Oh the glories of the wedding of the Lamb and the Bride. We shall dance on the streets that are golden to heavenly harmonies, in swirling clouds of the aromas of rich incense. Joy and gladness will flow as river of milk and honey. What a day that will be, a day of endless glory!

Psalm 45:10-11 Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:

Psalm 45:10-11

Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father's house, and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your Lord, bow to Him.

Finally, Lord, we -- your Bride -- will put all behind us. We will no longer be plagued by the sins and ills of this world, no longer be tempted to follow after other gods. Our fealty will be complete.

Psalm 45.6-9 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

Psalm 45.6-9

Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions; Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make You glad; daughters of kings are among Your ladies of honor; at Your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

LORD, the symbol of Your kingdom is Your uprightness. You love righteousness with a love that defies description; You hate wickedness with a disgust that is beyond comprehension.

Your Bride awaits Your coming, oh Lord, to be joined with You, complete and fit for Your presence. The oil of gladness, the fragrance of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, the harmonies of stringed instruments, the daughters of kings in attendance: What a description, what a picture, how glorious it will be!

Psalm 45.3-5 Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O mighty one, in Your splendor and majesty!

Psalm 45.3-5

Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O mighty one, in Your splendor and majesty! In Your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let Your right hand teach You awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under You.

There is no one who can stand against You. You are the victorious one. Your weapons are truth, love, mercy, and grace; they pierce and sever, cutting the evil from men’s souls.

Psalm 45:1-2 My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king;

Psalm 45:1-2

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

Thank you, Lord, that I can join in the voices of thousands of generations before me in singing this hymn of praise to You.

You are beauty, You are the very exemplar of the glory of God. In You I see all the wonders and awesomeness of the LORD God Almighty. Your love transcends!

Exodus 20.1-2, 13 And God spoke all these words, saying, “You shall not murder.”

Exodus 20.1-2, 13

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…You shall not murder.”

How about “I shall not murder another’s enthusiasm for You” by trying to demonstrate my superior knowledge of Your Word? Teach me, Lord, to guide gently those whom You have entrusted to me, into the sweetness of Your presence. I must decrease so that You may increase.

Psalm 119.17-18 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word.

Psalm 119.17-18

Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Law.

How can I live, except by Your Word? Without Your Word, life is monochromatic; in Your Word is great color, brilliant flashes of beauty beyond description. To live the bountiful life is to live a life in Your Word.

How can I see unless You open my eyes? I am like the blind man, crying to Jesus, “Open my eyes that I may see!” And having opened my eyes, I behold the most wondrous and beauteous order, Your Shalom, life as it should be lived.