Saturday, March 15, 2008

Psalm 75

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 We give thanks to you, O God,
we give thanks, for your Name is near;
men tell of your wonderful deeds.

2 You say, "I choose the appointed time;
it is I who judge uprightly.

3 When the earth and all its people quake,
it is I who hold its pillars firm.
Selah

4 To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more,'
and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns.

5 Do not lift your horns against heaven;
do not speak with outstretched neck.' "

6 No one from the east or the west
or from the desert can exalt a man.

7 But it is God who judges:
He brings one down, he exalts another.

8 In the hand of the LORD is a cup
full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
drink it down to its very dregs.

9 As for me, I will declare this forever;
I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

10 I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.

Jenn: Thank You God for Your well-timed reminder, to eradicate all pride in me, and bring me to humility. I will not allow myself to be deluded and blinded by pride...simply because i cannot bear to be far from You Lord. I cannot live without You Jesus. Thank You...for breaking me again, because it is in these desperate moments that i draw closer to You. =) I love You God.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Psalm 74

A maskil of Asaph. [a]

1 Why have you rejected us forever, O God?
Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2 Remember the people you purchased of old,
the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—
Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

3 Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,
all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

4 Your foes roared in the place where you met with us;
they set up their standards as signs.

5 They behaved like men wielding axes
to cut through a thicket of trees.

6 They smashed all the carved paneling
with their axes and hatchets.

7 They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.

8 They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!"
They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land.

9 We are given no miraculous signs;
no prophets are left,
and none of us knows how long this will be.

10 How long will the enemy mock you, O God?
Will the foe revile your name forever?

11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12 But you, O God, are my king from of old;
you bring salvation upon the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea by your power;
you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.

14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert.

15 It was you who opened up springs and streams;
you dried up the ever flowing rivers.

16 The day is yours, and yours also the night;
you established the sun and moon.

17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
you made both summer and winter.

18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD,
how foolish people have reviled your name.

19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts;
do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever.

20 Have regard for your covenant,
because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land.

21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace;
may the poor and needy praise your name.

22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause;
remember how fools mock you all day long.

23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries,
the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.

gwen: dear Father, please have mercy on us and extend your grace. if there are things we did that offend you. please forgive us. show us the way to Your righteous path and truth. dont turn Your face away from us. we need You every day of our lives. may we know you more and more each day and till the day we get to fellowship with You face to face in heaven. teach us to be pure and holy, so as we are presentable to You. in Jesus' name. Amen.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

God is working among us

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSlKKHoBXf4

It's amazing seeing God work through a young child... Even better, walking among the muslims...

Continue to pray for His ministry in muslim countries. That He will continue to use people to move in those lands.

ELLE

Psalm 73

BOOK III : Psalms 73-89
1A psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
3 For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity [b] ;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
8 They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.
9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
10 Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
11 They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"
12 This is what the wicked are like—
always carefree, they increase in wealth.
13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.
14 All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.
15 If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.
16 When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
19 How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
20 As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
21 When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.
23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
25
27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

gwen: yeah... we are at the 3rd book of psalms. ps mm shared about this psalm during staff worship. reminds me that i used to ask God y the wicked can do whatever they like and still so happy. like pre martial sex and stuff. while the world brand us as The Legends. come to think of it... legends are gd too. at least legends attract legends. so we are safe from STD, less prob to settle in the future, lesser re-encounter to go. yes. may God keep us safe and pure. walk in the way of God and He will grant you your heart's desire. stay legendary, sisters.

jenn: "As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies." Been plagued by dreams tt'd haunt me...God when i awake each morning, please bring me back to reality. Remind me of Your love daily, so that my heart will not struggle within me when i see the wicked prosper.
"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. I confess...You are the Lord of my Heart, Lord of my Mind, Lord of my Strength. Lord of my Soul, Lord of my Life, Lord of my All. I commit myself, once again, wholly to You Lord.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 He will judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor.
5 He will endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days the righteous will flourish;
prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.
8 He will rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 The desert tribes will bow before him
and his enemies will lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts.
11 All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
16 Let grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
let it thrive like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
All nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

gwen: i feel happy after i read this psalm. it's like, "hey, the person they are referring to is Jesus!" ou-xiang~! yea~! it seems like he's doing alot of work. redeeming us... make sure that the poor has met their needs. nobody gets bullied, endures as long as the sun and moon, thoughout all generations. it's a 24/7/365 day job. no salary, no bonus. much much tougher our office job. i guess at the end of the day when we sit back and reflect. we must give thanks even for the simple fact that we are still breathing. Jesus will feel appreciated and loved. sing a song for Him. a praise song that will bless His heart. make Him feel that all He has done for you is all worth it. dont forget God and Holy Spirit too. they too looked after you.

Psalm 71

1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.
5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, "God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him."
12 Be not far from me, O God;
come quickly, O my God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But as for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,
you who have done great things.
Who, O God, is like you?
20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once again.
22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I, whom you have redeemed.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.

gwen: im not sure do you feel the same way as i do. somehow as i read this psalms i wonder who are we that God wants to 'fight' for us. do we really deserve such grace? such wonderous love that no earthly man can give. we are so far from His holy standard. yet He come and save us. are we too showing the same grace to other people? mayb to as much as to give them your lifes. but simple act of kindness and words of encouragement may help to brighten their day up. just like what God is doing to us.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Psalm 70

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.
1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"
5 Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

i think i have ever been in this situation before. like im ever in a deep trouble. ppl juz stand there and juz say, "see lah! see lah! told you so" wonder y i didnt call out to God at that time. now i know that He is available. i'll just make sure i go to Him first and sort out my trouble. Glory be to You O Lord.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Psalm 69

For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies." Of David.

1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.

2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.

3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.

4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.

5 You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.

6 May those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me,
O Lord, the LORD Almighty;
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me,
O God of Israel.

7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.

8 I am a stranger to my brothers,
an alien to my own mother's sons;

9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;

11 when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.

12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.

13 But I pray to you, O LORD,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.

14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.

15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.

17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18 Come near and rescue me;
redeem me because of my foes.

19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.

20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.

21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and [a] a trap.

23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.

24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.

25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.

28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.

29 I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30 I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,

35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;

36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.


Jenn: I wonder what "Lilies" sounds like. lol. Indeed Lord when we are scorned for Your sake, and maligned when we are following Your ways...we will give You praise for You will vindicate us. We can rejoice and hope in You because Lord, Your lovingkindness is better than life. Because God You never fail us. Because, because...You love us so much. Today, i felt You smiling in Heaven above when thousands of us gathered together to praise You, to call out Your name, Jesus, lovingly, over and over again. A very wide, very real, very warm smile that broke out from the depths of Your heart when we sang, "I love You.." I know You were touched Lord, and so was i. May we fall deeper and deeper in love with You each day. Jesus...I love You.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Psalms 67 & 68

Psalm 67
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
Selah
2 that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah
5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 68
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.
2 As smoke is blown away by the wind,
may you blow them away;
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds —
his name is the LORD—
and rejoice before him.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families, [b]
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you went out before your people, O God,
when you marched through the wasteland,
Selah
8 the earth shook,
the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announced the word,
and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:
12 "Kings and armies flee in haste;
in the camps men divide the plunder.
13 Even while you sleep among the campfires,
the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
its feathers with shining gold."
14 When the Almighty [d] scattered the kings in the land,
it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.
15 The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains;
rugged are the mountains of Bashan.
16 Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the LORD himself will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended on high,
you led captives in your train;
you received gifts from men,
even from [e] the rebellious—
that you, [f] O LORD God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Selah
20 Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
22 The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
23 that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share."
24 Your procession has come into view, O God,
the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
with them are the maidens playing tambourines.
26 Praise God in the great congregation;
praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there the great throng of Judah's princes,
and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, O God [g] ;
show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings will bring you gifts.
30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may it bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush [h] will submit herself to God.
32 Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
Selah
33 to him who rides the ancient skies above,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the skies.
35 You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!

sorry for the delay in the devotion. there has been a technical prob with my home com. it's down. posting this in my office. pls pray that my office's mac dont go down as well. this is spiritual warfare...

woke up this morning with another song in my heart. 'hosanna' dont think you all have heard this song before. it's a praise song sang in adult service. chorus goes like "Hosanna, Hosanna. You are the God who saves us. worthy of all our praises." it goes well with the psalms we are reading. it's a blessing to know so many praise and worship songs. i pray that everytime when you wake up you will too find a song in your heart for God. and will continue to sing to Him for the whole day, praising His awesome name. even if you have the worst day in your life. commit that day to God and ask Him to lift your spirit up. bless you all sisters, in Jesus' name.


jenn: "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Indeed God i will praise You each new day, come hell or high water. For i know, i know God that You bear our burdens daily. Thank You God that You, the Almighty God, came to Earth to die for us, suffer for us, so that now, everything we go through, every troubled emotion, You can rightfully say You understand. For You've been through it all before, more than we have.

I really love the song we sang at Leader's Meeting tt day, the one where there were bright yellow shining stars on the screen. "It's you. You're the one who's won my heart. I never want to be far from you again.." Something like tt...if yall know what song it is pls tell me k. Thanks.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Psalm 66

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

gwen: from psalms 42-72, basically talks about God's redemption. He always salvaged David and his ppl from the pits of hell. during those times of trials, never once has David cursed God. Faith. a simple word but hard to act. must be the reason why God likes to work through David. David trusted God. To what extend do you trust God in your life. Do you really mean those words like "Lord, i give you my life" or sth similar in those worship songs you sang?

-reflection time-


jenn: wahh yr FAITH and ACTS is exactly what i'm gonna talk about in Devotion tmr. Was so busy today that i forgot to read my Psalm before food. But God is faithful, always. Cos even when i have no time for Him, i feel His Presence right by my side, and it brings a smile on my face amidst the busyness. Times when i feel stressed like hell, He tells me softly, "Jenn, one step at a time. Remember I once promised you that no matter what responsibility/challenge i give to you, I'd also give you the ability to do it well? Trust in Me." *BIG SMILE*

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Psalm 65

-short interruption-

Dear all, our pretty devotion presenter Jennifer Tan has taken a short leave to fast from internet as the same time study for her exam. do keep those who are studying for their exams in prayers. meanwhile, i, Gwen Lim, will serve the cell by standing in to present the daily devotions till Jennifer Tan is back. (bear with me if i post it late.) do join me and contribute your tots for the psalms.

-back to psalm daily devotion-

~soft music plays~


For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.

gwen: as i read this psalm i can identify with verse 4. "Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple." this verse is a better expression of what i mean everytime when i say , "fc has gd welfare." it's more than just welfare. same goes expression goes to those who have receive Christ, like you and me. dont see that being a christian is someone boring (must follow rules and be holy), conservative (cannot do this this that that with bf.) consider pure joy when you are a christian. the Lord will provide everything thing for you even if you dont ask. just like my proverbs-31-mother who will not fail to wake up at 5+ in the morning to prepare me for work and make yummy breakfast for me. an earthly mother can show so much care to her child, how much more will God provide for you. im proud to be a christian and i will continue to shine for God forevermore!

Psalm 64

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint;
protect my life from the threat of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked,
from that noisy crowd of evildoers.
3 They sharpen their tongues like swords
and aim their words like deadly arrows.
4 They shoot from ambush at the innocent man;
they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.
5 They encourage each other in evil plans,
they talk about hiding their snares;
they say, "Who will see them [a] ?"
6 They plot injustice and say,
"We have devised a perfect plan!"
Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.
7 But God will shoot them with arrows;
suddenly they will be struck down.
8 He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin;
all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.
9 All mankind will fear;
they will proclaim the works of God
and ponder what he has done.
10 Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him;
let all the upright in heart praise him!

gwen: No fear ppl! The Lord will always cover our back. He is like a fierce Father who will zap baddies butts when they lay their wicked hands on His children. No evil plans can form against us. hang in there, if you are still under the pressure of the evil ones. coz God is going to unleash his cane and do some whipping. the day will come where you will rejoice and sing God's praises. =)

Monday, March 03, 2008

Psalm 63

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 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.

gwen: rejoice in the Lord always and again i say rejoice. this morning when i woke up. i had this song, a heart of worship, in my head. "Lord a heart of worship, is what you desire. a heart that burns with passionate fire. A heart that's undivided in love with you, in spirit and truth." as we worship God in that one hour, mean every word you sing to Him. seek Him earnestly and take time to give thanks for the day. dont worry about 2ml. coz the Lord will protect you. =)

Psalm 62

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

gwen: yesterday i kinda fast my lunch and sit down to listen to ps sermon during youth service. In God alone, our soul will find rest. i think in our busy schedule, we can find that rest when we spend that time with God. it's just like after a hard day of work, we meet up at night to chit chat. somehow, we will feel less tense and be able to enjoy each other company. guess it's same with God. we can always be sure to count on Him to meet up every night and pray. =)

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Psalm 61

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king's life,
his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.

Jenn: God draw us back to You...back to that first love, the simple child-like faith and affection..Come and romance us each day, O Lord how we long to fall in love with you over and over again every single day. Give us the desire to love You every day, to enthrone You in our lives above all else. May we ever sing praises to You, for You are worthy of all praise..We love You God. =)

psalms continues...

PSALMS 60

1 You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us;
you have been angry-now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
Selah

5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
"In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin,
upon Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph."
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.

gwen: there were many times, we were indulging in the worldly goodies and sin against God. God might have gave us lotsa warnings till He's really upset and unleash His anger. A good parent will not spare the rod. (Proverbs 13:24 - He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.) God disciplines each and everyone of us different. but at the end of the day, He just wants to protect us. God have many children. you, me, pd and all the way back to moses, abraham, adam and eve. however, there's one you in this world. the only one. it really hurts Him when you run away from Him. so continue to persevere and stay close to the Lord and He will make your path straight. =)