Bible Chapter: Psalms 145 & 146

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    One of the most important things that anyone can do is to pass on the knowledge of the Lord to the next generation. We read here that one generation shall praise Your works to another and declare Your mighty acts. Each new generation must learn about the power and love of the Lord so that they can know and serve Him as well. It is a deceit of the enemy when people say that they are not going to talk to their children about God, but let them make up their own mind. It is critical to pass on the goodness of the Lord each new generation.  The Lord’s kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and His power and dominion will last through all generations. Everyone needs to know about the greatness of the Lord.
    In coming to the last five Psalms in this book, one of the unique features of this collection is that these last five Psalms all start and end with the admonition to praise the Lord. The psalmist challenges the reader to not put our trust in human leaders where there is no help. Instead, we are to put our trust in the Lord who watches over strangers and cares for the fatherless and widow. The way of wicked people will be turned upside down, God will win.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    We see a few times in these two Psalms that it is the Lord who preserves those that love Him and judges the wicked. We are told here that the wicked will be destroyed by God. This is an important principle to remember when temptation comes and look so attractive. Wickedness will be judged by God and people who continue in it will one day pay a price. It is always best to live in God’s righteousness and obedience.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I am reminded of the multiple admonitions to praise the Lord. I want to encourage people to continue to praise God, not just because of good things they have received, but because God is always worthy to receive praise.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 143 & 144

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    David prayed in a time of distress and pleaded to the faithfulness of the Lord to receive an answer. His prayer included the longing that the Lord would answer him speedily as his spirit failed, lest he be like those who go down into the pit. He prayed that God would cause him to hear his lovingkindness in the morning because he put his trust in God.  His deep longing was that the Lord would lead him in the way he should walk. He also prayed for the Lord to teach him God’s divine will and lead him in uprightness.
    Blessed be the Lord my rock. God is the shield and deliver for all who take refuge in Him. He will guide and lead us in the spiritual battles that we all face. Compared to our eternal God, our human lives are like a passing shadow. But we still have the privilege of singing songs of praise to the God of our salvation who is our deliverer in times of trouble.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    We will all face challenging times, we will all deal with stress. David gives us a good example of what to do in times of distress. This good example is to honestly cry out to God in our pain and seek His delivery. He acknowledged that his spirit was failing him and feeling like those in failure. He knew that he needed to hear from God and prayed that he would, so that God would lift up his soul and deliver him. He prayed for the Lord to revive him. This is what all believers must do when they face these difficult times.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people understand that the Lord is the solid rock, and His faithfulness and righteousness will be what we need for life. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 141 & 142

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    I learned about verse 3 while reading the story of Corrie ten Boom.  She and her family were part of the Dutch underground that was helping Jews escape the Nazis in The Netherlands during WW II.  When she was betrayed and arrested, she prayed this verse.  Lord, put a watch, put a guard before my lips so that I don’t say anything that will hurt people or allow anyone to be captured.  This is a good prayer for anyone. It is so easy to say things that hurt people.  It is so easy to insult.  It is much better to uplift with our words.  (Read the great book, The Hiding Place.)
    The Psalmist cried to God because He was his refuge and provision.  He called on God to hear his cry and deliver him from the persecutors.  He prayed for God to set him free from the prison that bound him.  He poured out his heart to God.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Lord, let the wicked be snared in their own nets, in their own traps.  The wicked have many ways to try to ruin people.  They have many tools of destruction.  Lord, let me escape them.  That prayer is a good illustration and insight.  We must understand that the forces of evil are always out there to trip us up.  We don’t need to live in fear, just awareness and a close connection with the Lord.  Note to self:  pay attention and don’t let yourself fall into these traps.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Open your spiritual eyes.  Quite regularly I read about church groups and individuals who say they are following Jesus who are making really bad choices and walking away from what the Bible and change what it says.  The Bible doesn’t change. God’s eternal truth is eternal truth.  Don’t get caught in traps.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 139 & 140

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    How often do people think of others who are very important to them?  How about the young couple in love who are planning to be married soon?  She is always on his mind and he is always on her mind.  They communicate often, count down the days to the wedding and spend hours together as the time flies by in each other’s presence.  Look at these verses: Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Wow, think about that.  God’s thoughts about us are too numerous to count.  That is an exceptional encouragement to all to know that God cares about us to much that we are constantly on His mind.  Because our relationship with God is based on love, we must reciprocate and God must be continually on our minds.  He must be a central part of our lives.
    Through the Psalms we are reminded that we can pray to God for His protection in our lives.  Deliver us, Lord, from evil people.  We know that God will help the persecuted and give justice to the poor.  As we trust in God we have the privilege of praising God’s name.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Psalm 139 ends with a challenging prayer.  God, search me and know my heart and thoughts.  Do we really want God to do that?  Do we really want Him to see if there is any wicked way in us?  That should be our prayer.  As we live close to the Lord, our desire should be for righteousness to shine through us.  We should desire a heart that is pure before the Lord.  That is an important reminder for ourselves: keep the place (inside) clean.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Sin looks like lots of fun.  The tempter always puts it out there with a high gloss to make it look so desirable and fun, with no price or penalties.  That simply is not true.  Always remember that.  Sin extracts a high price.  Right living before God brings the greatest benefits and blessings.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 139 & 140

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    How often do people think of others who are very important to them?  How about the young couple in love who are planning to be married soon?  She is always on his mind and he is always on her mind.  They communicate often, count down the days to the wedding and spend hours together as the time flies by in each other’s presence.  Look at these verses: Psalm 139:17-18 NLT
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
Wow, think about that.  God’s thoughts about us are too numerous to count.  That is an exceptional encouragement to all to know that God cares about us to much that we are constantly on His mind.  Because our relationship with God is based on love, we must reciprocate and God must be continually on our minds.  He must be a central part of our lives.
    Through the Psalms we are reminded that we can pray to God for His protection in our lives.  Deliver us, Lord, from evil people.  We know that God will help the persecuted and give justice to the poor.  As we trust in God we have the privilege of praising God’s name.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Psalm 139 ends with a challenging prayer.  God, search me and know my heart and thoughts.  Do we really want God to do that?  Do we really want Him to see if there is any wicked way in us?  That should be our prayer.  As we live close to the Lord, our desire should be for righteousness to shine through us.  We should desire a heart that is pure before the Lord.  That is an important reminder for ourselves: keep the place (inside) clean.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Sin looks like lots of fun.  The tempter always puts it out there with a high gloss to make it look so desirable and fun, with no price or penalties.  That simply is not true.  Always remember that.  Sin extracts a high price.  Right living before God brings the greatest benefits and blessings.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 137 & 138

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The nation of Israel was in a time of captivity in Babylon. There came a time when the sorrow of their situation caused them to feel that it was impossible to praise God and sing the songs they would have sung. There is an interesting expression of hanging their harps on the willow trees. That expresses what they were thinking, we cannot sing the songs of Zion in this strange land. They could not forget Jerusalem and all the destructive things that happened.  They felt that praise God in that situation was impossible.
    In Psalm 138, David expressed his desire to praise God with his whole heart. He said he will worship God in His temple and magnify the name of the Lord above all names. He was thankful for the answers to prayer that God had given him. Even though God is on high, He never forgets the lowly. That is an expression of God’s love for his creation. The mercy of the Lord endures forever.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    There have been many times in life when challenges have come in various forms. At those times it is difficult to feel like praising the Lord. One lesson to learn is that He is worthy to be praised even when we don’t feel like it, because praise and worship to God is not about us, but about Him. Whatever my “harp”is, whatever I use to sing praise and express worship to God, I cannot just hang it up and quit when life is difficult.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Don’t forget God. Get out your harp and praise him. We don’t have to wait for perfect situations to occur before we give praise and worship to our Eternal Creator. Let it be said of you as David said, I will praise you with my whole heart.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 135 & 136

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Praise the Lord.  Yes, actually praise the Lord, all you who serve Him.  Think of all that the Lord has done.  He delivered Israel from the bondage they experienced in Egypt.  No enemy was too strong for God.  This is true because God is alive and well, He is powerful in the world He created and impacts the lives of His people.
    Gods people are also challenged to give thanks to God, for His mercy and love endure forever. The psalmist repeated the same phrase over and over to get his point across.  What God does in our lives is because of His great love for people.  So, we as His followers must continually express our thanks to Him. His love to us is expressed in many ways.  We know His love through our personal relationship with Jesus.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Always remember the blessings of praising God and remembering that His mercy endures forever.  Remember all His promises and provisions.  He delivers us when we need.  People need constant reminders of the good things because we so easily forget the things we should remember.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Do you think God has abandoned you and rejected you?  That is not possible.  Always remember His care for you.  Learn to obey and apply what the Bible says.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 133 & 134

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    When brothers live together in unity!  Wow, what an awesome concept.  We see here the same desire Jesus had in John 17, when He prayed that believers would be characterized by love, holiness and unity. This very important longing was the focus of His last recorded prayer.  Jesus longed that the church would be one, as the Godhead is one.  Genuine and intense love for God and for other believers will enable Christians to experience God’s presence in a meaningful and effective way.  May it always be said that God’s people dwell together in unity.  It is a most refreshing way to live and experience God’s blessing.
    A note to all believers:  bless the Lord continually.  All you servants of the Lord, lift your hands to bless and worship the Lord.  Keep on gathering in the Lord’s house and worship Him.  Don’t be in a hurry to get your “obligation” out of the way.  God made the heavens and the earth and is worthy of your praise and time.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As I have lived my life being involved in churches, I have seen how easy it is for people to get a bee in their bonnet and get fussing over things, usually not very important things.  I believe this is often a direct attack of the enemy.  It is also a sign of spiritual immaturity.  This doesn’t mean that we always have to agree, but we can disagree without being disagreeable.  Bible doctrine is not up for debate and change.  Procedures and traditions are up for discussion.  Are they the best?  When we keep our focus on the issues, things go much better.  Note to self: always keep these thoughts in mind.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help believers always remember the critical importance of unity in the Lord.  We can never afford to let anything cause division or fussing in our midst.  The battle is against evil, not one another.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 131 & 132

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    We must wait on the Lord. As we learn to do that, our soul can be quiet in the Lord’s presence. Today and tomorrow and forever, the best thing is to continually hope in the Lord.
    We find here a prayer for King David and his descendants. We also see the importance of the presence of the Lord in His tabernacle. David’s heart was after God and, if his sons were to have God’s blessing, they too must keep God’s covenant and worship God.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As I think about King David and the things he did, and the things that happened in the nation after he was gone, I am reminded of the importance of not only knowing about God but knowing and serving Him. David accomplished mighty things for God.  And, at the same time, experienced many failures in his life. The consequences of some of these failures impacted the nation and David’s descendants. There are many lessons to be learned through David’s life. I must be sure that I understand and apply the lessons of obedience and the consequences of failure to obey. I have often wondered how things would have turned out differently if David had kept the focus on what God wanted him to do and didn’t allow his flesh to interfere.

3.  How can I help someone?
    We can learn from both positive and negative illustrations. King David gave us many illustrations of both. Learn to follow the examples of obedience and not to participate in the examples of disobedience.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 129 & 130

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The psalmist expresses the thought that many times he has been afflicted, and yet his enemies have not prevailed against him. They tried many painful things but the righteous Lord was there to help. Let them all be put to shame and turned back.
    The Lord is responsive to those who cry out to him from the depths of their pain. When people are discouraged and miserable as they suffer from their sin and rebellion, God responds to them with the assurance that He will forgive. God longs to show mercy to those who have been troubles and repent,.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    There are times when people feel that they are the only ones who have ever faced affliction. This is another Psalm that shows many have experienced affliction and that there is hope in reaching out to the Lord. We see here the cry of a voice who calls out to God that His ears would be attentive to the hurting person. We can learn that as we wait for the Lord, He will be there with us.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Learn to wait on the Lord. Learn the truth that God will never abandon you and that He will always be on time even when we think He is late.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 127 & 128

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    We have human abilities and talents to accomplish certain things. We are reminded here that unless God does the building, we labor in vain. The Lord is our protection and without Him we waste our time. We waste our resources with long hours and hard work when we are not trusting in God and letting Him guide and protect us. We are also reminded here of the blessing that God gives in giving children to families. We live in an age when some people think children are just an interruption to the ease and convenience of life. “My career advancement is more important.”  That is not true because children are God’s plan for marriage.
    To fear God and walk in His ways brings God’s blessing.  We are also reminded of the blessing of work and the reward of our labors. Work is not a bad thing and we must always remember that honest work brings reward. The feeling of accomplishment work brings is a blessing from God that will never come from laziness.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I see an important balance between using the talents and abilities God has given and trusting for God’s help and guidance in life. God expects us to work, and at the same time He expects us to trust in Him to lead and protect.  We then have the reward, the fruit of our labors.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I am thinking of two different things that the Bible teaches. One is that we must be willing to be generous and help those who have a true need. The other is that we must not be lazy, but use the abilities God has given us to work and provide. If the emphasis is put on either one of these thoughts, life is out of balance. I want to help people understand these truths.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 125 & 126

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Trusting in the Lord is an expression of faith in God Who cannot be moved and abides forever. The Psalm expresses the thought of the mountains that surround Jerusalem. Standing in Jerusalem, one can look around and see all the hills that still surround it. This is a beautiful picture of the protection of the Lord to His people. We are encouraged to turn aside from wicked ways and let God lead and protect.
    There are times when God’s people do things they shouldn’t, and the result is that these actions bring consequences. This happened to Israel from time to time. But, God was always there to hear their cries and repentance. God will restore his people.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    A good lesson to remember is that believers in the Lord always have Him surrounding them  and the forces of wickedness will not win in the end. There are times of sewing in tears, but we are reminded here that they will lead to reaping in joy. We are also told that the one who continually goes forth weeping and bearing seed for sowing will doubtless come again with rejoicing in the harvest. I must always remember this, for it is easy to become discouraged in the battle.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help the discouraged and defeated continually focus on and reach out to the Lord for His help. Never give up.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 123 & 124

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Unto You, Lord, I lift up my eyes.  Believers in God continually look to Him for help and comfort.  They look forward to a time when God will put an end to the hatred and evil in the world. Lord, have mercy on us.  Some day the Lord will return and deliver believers from all the evil.
    If the Lord had not been on our side.  Wow, what a thought that is, God and I being on the same side.  Without God’s help we would be swallowed up and overcome.  Without God, we have no chance for victory over the difficulties of life.  The spiritual battle would be lost.  Only God can save us.  God will win the spiritual war.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  Whatever help we need we have it in God.  We need this constant reminder because we can easily be overwhelmed in the battle. The spiritual battle continually works to destroy us and cause us to give up.  So, keep on looking to the Lord and remembering that we are on the same side as God as we fully submit to and trust in Him.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Don’t get sidetracked.  Continually trust God and live for Him.  God is our help.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 121 & 122

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What is the source of all the help we need in life? We see here that our help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth. We are also told that God, who keeps his people, is never a sleep. He is always available to give us the strength and help we need. The Lord is also our source of preservation from the impact and destruction of evil, for He will preserve the souls of those who trust in Him.
    David expressed a delight that many people do not understand. He talked about being glad to go to the house of the Lord. He knew how to joyfully experience the presence and fellowship of God and the blessing of being with other believers. God’s house was not a boring place, but an exciting setting to enjoy God’s love and power.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I have gone to church all my life. Since my father was a pastor, we went to just about every service that ever happened in the church. There are many people who would equate this with punishment. But, it is not punishment, but it is an opportunity to come into God’s presence and get to know Him as Lord and Savior. David wrote that he was glad when they said to go to the house of the Lord. I know that one of the problems in going to church is that many church services are dull and boring. It is up to those in leadership to seek God and to be alive in what they do in church. As a pastor myself, this is an instruction I must follow and never make God boring.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people look up to the Lord for their help and be assured that God is never too busy to be there for them. Truly, God is our keeper who will preserve us from the destruction of evil. As each person grows closer to God they will know the joy of being in God’s presence.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 119 & 120

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God has given us an amazing gift.  It is His written WORD.  We see the value of it throughout this Psalm.  This is a theme repeated over and over again.  In God’s Word we find everything we need.  We find what we need as we carefully read the Bible, think about it and see ways to apply it in our lives.  How can a person cleanse his ways?  By taking heed to the Word.  When we hide God’s Word in our hearts we have victory over sin.  God’s Word is a powerful light to guide us in everything we do.  This will come as we delight in the Word.
    We can call on God for His deliverance.  There are those around us who hate peace and love war.  God is our deliverance and hears our cries to Him.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The entrance of God’s words gives light.  This is the great insight of Psalm 119.  When God’s Word enters a person’s heart, it lights the way to knowing Jesus.  It lights the way to hope and eternal life. It gives all the light people need.  This is something to continually remember.  When the times come when I am fighting a battle or discouraged, I must remember that the solution is always found in God and in His Word.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Read the Bible.  Read the encouragement of these Psalms.  Read what it says about the power of God’s Word and the impact it will make on your life.  Then, let it make the impact God desires for you to have.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 117 & 118

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Psalm 117 is the shortest song with only two verses. But, it has an eternal impact. It is an encouragement for all nations praise the Lord. The love of the Lord and the faithfulness of the Lord endure forever. We are encouraged to praise the Lord.
    In Psalm 118 the writer uses repetition to emphasize various themes. We are told that God’s love endures forever and are encouraged to say it as a reminder of this truth. We are also reminded that the Lord is with me and that it is better to take refuge in the Lord than anything human. Even when we are surrounded we know we have God’s help because the Lord is our strength and song. We are also reminded rejoice in the day that the Lord gives us.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Jesus referenced Psalm 118:22 when he talked about the stone that the builders rejected. We find this in Luke 20:17 NKJV “Then He looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone'?”
    In talking about Jesus, Peter also quoted it.
Acts 4:11 NKJV “This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' ”
    This passage from this Psalm, along with the references in the New Testament, give hope and assurance for putting my trust in Jesus. There are so many prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus. 2,000 years ago people rejected Him, and people still reject Him. But His track record has proven that people can put their faith and trust in Him and He will never abandon them.

3.  How can I help someone?
    It doesn’t matter where a person lives, God is open to receive their praise. Jesus never came to win a popularity contest. Even though countless people reject him, those who receive Him find the life that He promised.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 115 & 116

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is worthy to receive all the glory.  Honor and praise never must go to any person, only God.  God is the creator of everything.  There are manmade idols who are made to look like people, but they can’t do anything.  And yet, people worship them.  They cannot speak or hear.  This Psalms challenges God’s people to put their full trust in the Lord.  God will bless those who fear Him.
    God is our Deliverer.  God hears our cries to Him.  His salvation leads us to a relationship of love for God.  God protects us and has an amazing eternal plan for all who receive the gift of salvation He offers.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Life is important to people.  Life is important to God.  God created life and gave us a commandment to not commit murder.  So, there is an interesting verse that tells us that precious in the sight of the lord is the death of His saints.  If life is so important, why is the death of a saint precious?  Because that is the time when the faithful servant of the Lord enters into God’s presence and receives the promise Jesus made for a home in heaven with Him.  We mourn the loss of a loved one.  We are sorry to see them leave us.  But, for them, and for God, it is eternal victory.  I must always remember this when a believer in Jesus leaves this world.  For them, it is a joyous occasion.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Give God the glory in everything you do.  Remember that, it will make all the difference in the world.  And, when God calls you home as a believer, it will be amazing.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 113 & 114

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Praise the Lord!! All of God’s servants must praise the Lord from now and forever. From early morning to late at night, God’s name is to be praised because He is high above all the nations. There is no one like the Lord. He cares about the poor and afflicted and gives them His help.
    The psalmist expressed delight in the amazing things God had done for Israel. When God delivered them from slavery in Egypt, He did many miracles. The psalmist expressed this thought by saying that the sea fled and the Jordan River turned back. It is interesting that he asks a question of the sea, what ails you? And then he tells the earth to tremble at the presence of the Lord.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Verse three says, From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD'S name is to be praised. This is really good advice to help a person through everyday life. Sometimes our days can be very long and filled with many challenges. Even these long and difficult days will be better when we can remember to praise the name of the Lord throughout whatever we are experiencing. The name of the Lord is to be blessed from this time and forevermore. The more we can remember all that God has done the better off we will be.

3.  How can I help someone?
    It is a great thing to remember that God is always with his people and then share that encouraging truth with others. As we can encourage people to praise the name of the Lord, their lives will be better.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 111 & 112

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is worthy to be praised for all His blessings in the care He provides for those who love Him. He is worthy to be praised with all our hearts both in our private and public worship. God’s name is truly awesome, awe-inspiring and He is worthy of the highest honor we can give Him. To truly fear the Lord is wisdom. As we are committed to the Lord and filled with respect for Him, His wisdom in our life will hate help us make wise choices.
    There are great blessings to all believers who fear God and follow God’s standards in daily life. These people find great delight in God’s commands because God is righteous and true. The psalmist said he will put his trust in God and not fear bad news or outward circumstances.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    We again find the writings in Psalms that extol the worship and praise of God. This makes me think of an old song we used to sing that said praise Him, praise Him, praise Him in the morning praise Him at noontime and praise Him when the sun goes down. That theme was an encouragement to just keep on praising God. That’s a great thing to do every day in life. Note to self: keep on praising God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    The thought of finding great delight in God’s commands is something that I trust all people will hear and understand. The enemy works hard to make people think that God doesn’t want them to have any fun and has filled His book with unreasonable rules that make life miserable. That is simply not true. God’s commands make life better.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 109 & 110

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    There are many wicked people in the world who deserve judgment and punishment. Here we see David praying for God to judge the wicked and deceitful people. He desires justice and that people who deserve it will pay the price for their crimes. He said there are people who surround him with words of hatred and cursing. So, he prayed that God would let the wicked person’s days be few and let his children be fatherless. May he lose everything because of the evil that he has done.
    I am reminded of a song we have song that says “the Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice, let the people be glad that our God reigns”. The psalmist wrote prophetically about the Lordship and leadership of Jesus who will be a priest forever.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I don’t have to look far these days to find wicked people. All I have to do is pay attention to the news reports and I will see story after story of evil coming out of people’s hearts and bringing destruction and pain to others. There are still many wicked people in the world who deserve judgment and punishment. It seems these days that many people do not receive judgment and punishment and that they are getting away with their sin. This can be frustrating.  Whenever I am reminded that God is in control and that sinners will one day stand before Him, it brings peace and the assurance that they are not getting away with anything. God will be the righteous judge in His perfect time.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see the importance of understanding accountability for their actions and the blessings of obedience to God. These thoughts seem to be missing in our world and people need to know the truths that come from them. Life is better when people understand and apply these truths from God.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 107 & 108

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    There is a theme that I see over and over again in the Psalms, and that is the encouragement to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever. I believe that the continued repetition of this theme is an encouragement for all believers to continually to do this, to give thanks to God because He is good and His mercy does endure forever. So then the challenge comes as it says that the redeemed of the Lord need to say so. The redeemed of the Lord need to let the world know of the greatness of God. God cares about us in our time of trouble, and as we reach out to Him He delivers us in our times of distress. So continue to give thanks to God because He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with His goodness.
    Wise people will observe the greatness of the Lord and understand His care and compassion. They will sing praises to God and the nations will hear it. So God’s glory will be exalted over all the earth and He will help us in our times of trouble.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As I read the Psalms, one verse jumped out to me, talking about God being glorified above all the earth. I was reminded of the fact that God is the creator of all and as thus He is worthy of our praise. I was also reminded of the fact that millions of people believe that everything just happened by accident.  Somewhere in a slime pond some cell decided to form and then formed another cell and eventually animals and people came. This is an amazing insult to God, Who, in His infinite wisdom and creativity gave us the vast array of creation. It is important for me to continue to remember that God is the Creator so that I don’t forget the value of human life and His loving compassion for us. If human life is just a biological accident, then it has no value. If human life is God’s special creation, then it has extreme value.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people remember the loving kindness of the Lord and the fact that He made them and gave them extreme value. We are living in a time when so many people believe that life is not worth living. If they would realize God’s love and creativity they would know that their life has value and is worth living.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 105 & 106

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Give thanks to the Lord! We must be always ready to call on God’s name and make sure that everyone knows the awesome things that He does. This Psalm also encourages us to seek the Lord and the strength that He has and gives. The focus is on God’s awesome power. We are also challenged to not do harm to those that are God’s people in positions of leadership. We see that God has a plan, for example in the book of Genesis we see that Joseph was sold as a slave. We see God’s plans as He sent Moses and Aaron to lead His people. Never forget that God does know what He’s doing.
    Let us continue to praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever. Blessings come on those who keep justice and do righteousness at all times. Even when people are rebellious God does mighty works for His name’s sake that people would know God’s mighty power.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    These Psalms point out that Israel had experienced God’s miraculous intervention in their lives. They sang God’s praises.  Unfortunately, they soon forgot His mighty works and did not seek God’s counsel and guidance for the things they did. They lusted for the wrong things in the wilderness and tested God. God responded to their requests with sent leanness to their soul. It is important for each one of us to remember these lessons from Israel and apply God’s truth in our lives. We must not forget to seek God’s guidance last God give us what we want but in the long run it hurts our relationship with him. This statement, “leanness to their souls” is a sad and dangerous situation.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see that we must always remember what God has said and done we must always remember His works and His guidance guy really does have a better understanding of what is best and we need to continue to trust Him to provide His best for us.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 103 & 104

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Here we see a Psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God for all the blessings and benefits He gives to those who faithfully serve Him.  God is good.  He is always worthy to receive our thanksgiving for His blessings.  God is the One Who forgives and heals.  He gives us victory over sin.  God’s mercy shows compassion to all who fear Him.  We, people,  are God’s highest creation, for we are made in His image.
    God is very great.  He is the highest.  God laid the foundations of the earth and He takes care of His creation.  Sin has destroyed what God has created.  Sin is out to do anything to hurt God.  Wicked people will one day be removed.  God will be victorious.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The beginning of Psalm 103 is an amazing encouragement.  David is telling himself to bless the Lord with ALL that he has within him.  Don’t forget what God has done.  Remember His amazing power to forgive and heal.  Remember that God redeems life from destruction and crowns with His tender mercies.  God satisfies with good things.  Anyone who can do even these few things mentioned here will experience God’s great victories in life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I encourage all to look at Psalm 103 and study the things David said to do.  Learn from the experiences he had and see the blessings of obedience and honoring God. Work to do what he said to himself: Soul, bless the Lord!!!!

Bible Chapter: Psalms 101 & 102

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    We read here of a desire to do what is right before the Lord.  Wickedness is rejected.  There is one very interesting statement where the Psalmist says that he will set nothing wicked before his eyes.  That is a powerful insight of the importance of what we look at.  This importance is more critical today because there are so many more things to put before our eyes.  Sinful or destructive things are much more readily available.
    We all will face times of distress in life.  When that happens we must reach out to God for help. The Psalmist expressed his hope in the Lord.  He reached out to Him and sought God’s mercy in his difficult time.  He knew that God is eternal and He will help His people.  God never changes and His people can rely on Him.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The desire to always do what is right and keep pure things in the forefront of our desire needs to be a constant reminder in daily life.  There are so many things that jump up and strive to pull people away from the Lord. This is nothing new, as the Psalmist wrote about it.  Job talked about it during his times of suffering.  This is something people will always deal with.  We can have God’s victory over impurity.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Don’t listen to the lies that say it doesn’t matter what you do or what you participate in. It does matter.  Compromise is a growing issue among believers.  Learn to overcome and be a person who lives in God’s victory.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 99 & 100

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The Lord is greater than all the people and nations of the world. There are countless people and countless leaders who have totally rejected the Word of God. So many think that they are above the commands of the Lord and that they can get away with anything they want. History is filled with nations that have promoted much evil. They have not worshiped the Lord God. God does forgive sin, but only to those who truly repent. This is another Psalm that encourages that all will exalt the Lord and worship Him.
    Psalm 100 is one of the best known Psalms in this collection. We are encouraged to make a joyful noise to the Lord and serve Him with gladness. We are reminded that we must know that the Lord is God. He made us. We can enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The Lord is good and His mercy is everlasting. That is an encouraging principle to apply in life. Because of this we can serve the Lord with gladness and sing in His presence. These are themes that need to be remembered when life brings many discouragements. The truth of the Lord will endure even in an age where there are many attacks against the eternal truths of God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to let our modern culture know that God’s truth is truth and is not subject to change based on the latest opinion poll. The truth of the Lord will endure to all generations, and any generation that rejects this truth will discover God’s judgment. What is more important is that people discover that God forgives and truly seek Him in repentance.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 97 & 98

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    If you think that you have nothing to be glad about, be reminded of the fact that the Lord reigns. Be reminded of the fact that He is a consuming fire to overcome His foes on every side. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord. Those who love the Lord must hate evil and rejoice that God guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the wicked. So, all the righteous must rejoice in the Lord and praise His holy name.
    Again we are reminded sing to the Lord for He has done marvelous things. We can shout for joy to the Lord and make music with many instruments. Let everything in the world resound praise to God for He will judge the world in righteousness.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As I read through the Psalms I am reminded of the joyful music that is song and played to the Lord. So much music is sad and has no real meaning or message. I am blessed to sing joyful songs to the Lord that will bring me into His presence. God is the Most High over all the earth and one of the gifts He has given to people is the privilege of singing songs of worship and praise to him. So, let the music continue that brings honor and praise to our Almighty Creator.

3.  How can I help someone?
    For anyone who thinks that they can go out and continue to blatantly sin and work against God, they need to be reminded that the fire of the Lord consumes His foes on every side. If the mountains will melt like wax before the Lord, how do they think they will not face the same judgment?

Bible Chapter: Psalms 93 & 94

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The Lord reigns in majesty. I like the illustration that the psalmist uses here. He talks about the power of the seas and the mighty pounding waves. Yet God is mightier than the waves and the breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty. I have seen the power of the ocean and the breaking of waves and the ability that they have to destroy. This is something that is easy to see. And yet the psalmist declares that God’s power is so much mightier than the oceans. That is a word of encouragement for all.
    I believe that people today can also identify with a plea of Psalm 94. God is the one who avenges the evil. The psalmist asks the Lord how long the evil people will be jubilant. He prayed that God would overcome the boasting of the evil people and crush them. We know that the Lord will not reject his people or forsake them. The Lord is our help and we know that the ultimate victory comes through Him.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I must continue to remind myself that God’s power is greater than any other force in the world. I am seeing more and more evil in the world and it seems as if the evil is getting stronger. I must remember that God does know what He is doing and He is not cowering in the corner out of fear of the forces of evil. His power is greater and will always remain greater.

3.  How can I help someone?
    The message to people is constant: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. With this message we can live daily and be encouraged to put our full trust and hope in the Lord.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 91 & 92

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What an awesome place to dwell, in the shadow of the Almighty. How encouraging it is to say that God is my refuge and my fortress. How uplifting to be able to say that I trust in God. God’s word says that we can come under His protection and find refuge with our faithful Lord. Because of this we do not need to live in fear for there is strength and protection in the Lord. We find the greatest satisfaction in life trusting in Him.
    One of the most amazing gifts that our Creator gave to us is the gift of music. One might ask why music exists at all. We have music to use as one of the ways that we can bring worship and praise to God. It is a good thing to praise the Lord with music. We can sing for joy at the works of God’s hands and be filled with gladness of heart. There are senseless people who do not understand the glories of God. They will spring up and be quickly gone forever. God will be eternally victorious.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Psalm 91 has been a blessing and encouragement to millions of people as they have been in very difficult situations. Countless people who felt that life was threatened have found encouragement in this Psalm. I want to continually dwell in the shadow of the Almighty and find my refuge in Him. I want to continue to joyfully sing to the Lord for He is worthy of all the praise.

3.  How can I help someone?
    While there are many events in life that bring sorrow, we do not need to live in fear. This is especially true for all believers in Jesus. He will be our protector and we can find shelter in Him.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 89 & 90

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is worthy to receive all of the praise we possibly can give Him. The psalmist talked about his desire to sing of the Lord’s great love for ever and express the beauty of God’s faithfulness to all generations. The love of God stands firm for ever and He is faithful. There came a time when things did not look good for Israel and for King David. It seemed as if God was abandoning His promise to King David. But God kept His promise and never abandoned what He said He would do. Even when it seems as if things are not going to go well, we can put our trust in God and know that He will follow through with His great promises.
    The Lord is our dwelling place. Our eternal God is where we put our trust. In God’s righteousness He does judge people when they sin. The inequities people commit, the sins they think that are secret, all come to light in the presence of God. The short number of years that we have to live go by so quickly. We need the favor of the Lord to rest upon us so that we can accomplish the work that God plans for us.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I need to remember to keep on praising the Lord. I want to echo the Psalm where it says I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever and use my mouth to make His faithfulness known throughout all generations. I want to continually trust Him even when it seems that I can’t see the truth that He is with me in the mist of the trials. I want to always remember that He is our dwelling place.

3.  How can I help someone?
    There are times that we are up against struggles and it appears that all our dreams and desires have been shattered. That is the time to be reminded to praise the Lord and trust promises that He has given to all who believe in Him.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 87 & 88

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God has put His exceptional blessings on the city of Zion, on Jerusalem.  It is a great blessing to say a person was born there.  The gates of the city where so much important business takes place are a special place.  Glorious things are said of this city of God.  People sing of this glorious place.
    Psalm 88 is the cry of a soul needing God’s help.  The fact that he cries out to God continually shows that he knows where to turn in times of trouble.  We can see shades of the story of Job here.  The writer expresses the thought that it feels like God is no where around.  He feels alone.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Having had the privilege of being in Jerusalem, I have to say it is a very unique and special place.  I especially enjoyed going to one of the downtown streets and walking around. God’s presence is felt in the whole nation.  This reminds me of the importance of God’s presence.  There is nothing better than to experience the power and love of God in life.
    There are tough times in life.  There are times when a person feels as if God has abandoned him.  We won’t always understand all the issues and challenges of life.  We do have the promise given to all believers that God will never abandon us. Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Run to the Lord.  Expect His help.  Know that He is there for all who truly reach out to Him even when we don’t see the kind of results we would like to have.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 85 & 86

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is gracious and merciful. He forgives people when they truly come with a repentant heart. The psalmist prayed that God would restore them. He prayed for God to revive them that they may rejoice in Him. This prayer included a desire for God’s mercy and salvation. God’s salvation is for those who fear Him and we know that the Lord will give what is good to His people. God will revive His people when they truly seek after Him with all their hearts.
    The book of Psalms is filled with many prayers. We see a prayer here from one who seeks God to preserve his life, as he is poor and needy. He cries out to God for His mercy. God, who is abundant in mercy, is ready to forgive those who truly call on Him. The psalmist was assured of the fact that, in the day of trouble God would answer him because God is great and wondrous.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    One of the verses prays that God would “teach me your way”. That is a very important prayer to pray to the Lord. We need to know God’s ways so that we can live them and apply them in our lives. As we are following God’s ways then we can rejoice in God’s mercy and help. I want to continue to go through life learning and applying God’s ways.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people understand what David said in Psalm 86:15.  It will change their lives.
Psalm 86:15 NKJV
15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 83 & 84

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    There are many enemies of the one true God. Their greatest goal is to hurt God. They often do it by coming against God’s people.  The Psalmist describes a group of nations that have come together to try to cut off Israel, that the name of Israel would be remembered no more. We still see that happening today, as there are people whose greatest goal is to push the nation of Israel into the sea. The Psalmist prayed that God would make these nations like dust and chaff in the wind. He prayed that God would fill their faces with shame that they would seek the Lord. He prayed that God would do whatever it would take so they would truly know Him.
    Psalm 84 is an inspiration to those who read it. The psalmist expresses his delight and desires the dwelling place of the Lord. His soul deeply longs for the courts of the Lord, for the Lord’s presence. It is a great blessing to dwell in God’s house and to be singing His praises. This is expressed as he said it is better to spend one day in the courts of the Lord than 1,000 days anywhere else. He would rather have the lowest position in the house of God in the highest position in the tents of wickedness. Those who fully trust in God are truly blessed.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    As I go through life I see that there are many who are totally against God and are working hard to take any influence God has out of daily life. There are many enemies of the true Creator God. I must continue to put my trust in God for Him to overcome the forces of evil. I need to continually remind myself of the blessing and inspiration that comes in God’s presence. Gathering together with God’s people to pray, study God’s word and worship Him is one of the absolute best things that I can ever do. The enemies of the Lord will do all they can to keep me out of God’s house. I will do all I can to make sure they fail in this endeavor.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people not be discouraged by the enemies of God. I want to help encourage them to remain faithful to God and remember the great blessings that come from the presence of the Lord.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 81 & 82

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is worthy to receive great praise. Believers have the privilege to raise a song of honor and worship to the Lord. God has shown His mighty power as the Deliverer and the Provider. God’s people have the privilege of worshiping Him and rejecting foreign gods. He is the one who brought Israel out of the land of Egypt. Unfortunately many people did not heed His voice. So God said He gave them over to their own stubborn heart to walk in their own ways. God’s deepest desire was that His people would listen to Him and walk in His ways so that He could subdue their enemies.
    We know that God is the righteous judge and He is the defender of the poor and fatherless. It is God’s hand that frees people from the wicked.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God is worthy to be praised because of who He is. I want to experience the joy and privilege of making a joyful noise to the Lord. At all times He is worthy to be praised. I want to serve Him so that I don’t drift into the condition described in this Psalm of people who have a stubborn heart and walk in their own councils. I want to listen to God and follow his ways.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see the blessing of focusing on who God is and worshiping Him because He is worthy to be praised. I want to help people see that the byproduct of their worship is the blessing of experiencing God’s presence and power. Living life in obedience to God and submission to Him is always the best.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 79 & 80

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The psalmist was pleading to God for His help because of the rebellion of the nation of Israel. He was interceding that God would forgive the nation and judge their enemies for the evil things they had done. God does use ungodly people to judge and to get the attention of His own people. In his intercession, the psalmist also expressed concern for God’s reputation among unbelieving nations.
    We also read of the prayer for the nation that there would be spiritual revival among the people. The people had lost God’s protection because they had drifted away from serving God. God had brought the nation out of captivity and planted it in a new place. They had lost the blessing of God. The psalmist was desperate for God to renew His power and presence among the people.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I see parallels from these Psalms to the church world today. It is so easy for people to drift from a solid commitment to God to becoming spiritually lazy. There is a desperate need for genuine revival among God’s people today. This will take a real hunger and thirst in the hearts of believers for God and His righteousness. I want to experience more of God’s power and presence. I know He is real and His power is real, and I long to see that more and more in life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people who call themselves followers of Jesus to see the critical need of seriously reaching out to God for the mighty outpouring of His Spirit on the church today. The more the Holy Spirit is poured out on the church, the more the church will impact the world and bring people to Jesus.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 77 & 78

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    We all go through tough times in life when it feels as if God is a long ways away. There are challenges we must go through. These are discouraging days and we look for ways to make it past the struggles. These are the times we must remember all of the good things God has done in our lives. We can be encouraged through the memory of God’s presence in the past.  God never abandons His people.
    There is something that every generation has heard and seems to fight against – learn from history.  This is an important truth.  The Psalmist said that they must pass on to their children the things their fathers told them.  Don’t hide the truth from the children. The future generations must learn what has happened in the past. They must learn to set their hope in God and not forget the awesome things God has done or has commanded them to do. Future generations must be reminded of those in Israel that sinned and did not believe in God’s wondrous works. The heart of the people was not steadfast with God and they were not faithful to his covenant.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The spiritual life of a person can either be a roller coaster going up and down continually, or the choice can be made to make it a continual climb to grow closer to God. The choice is up to each individual person as to how they serve God. I want to remember the lessons of both the successes and failures mentioned in these Psalms and remember the good things that God has done. I want my life to be a continual climb towards God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I remember something my father said to me one time. Learn from the things I have experienced. I want to encourage people to learn from the things others have experienced as expressed in the Psalms and live a life that is close to God.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 75 & 76

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is the amazing and awesome creator. We are privileged to declare His wondrous works. I am often amazed at the fantastic technology advancements that are happening in the world today. And then I see a report about where the inspiration came from for the new technology. So many of them come from something that is seen in nature that God created.  They simply copied what God did. Truly, we can declare God’s wondrous praise forever. At the same time, God is the righteous judge who will deal with the boastful and sinful people of the world.
    God does righteously judge people. He judges people as they deserve it in life and He will also judge everyone for eternity at a future time. One of the results of God’s judgment is that it sets godly people free.  There are many cruel people in the world and God rescues His people from them.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    There are many people in the world who are very proud and boastful.  There appears to be no fear of doing anything against God’s ways.  These people must wake up and see God’s righteousness.  I always want to remember that. When the tempter comes it is easy to forget the issues of temptation and the consequences that result.  It can seem so innocent.  It is never innocent, but it brings many problems. Some choices, made in an instant, can impact the rest of a person’s life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Keep thinking about God.  Not with a dread that God is watching, but with the encouragement that He cares enough to be with you and never leave you alone.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 73 & 74

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    There is an age-old question: why do good things happen to evil people?  And the opposite: why do good people experience bad things?  This can be a very discouraging issue for Godly people to deal with.  Those who love God must live in the confidence that God knows what He is doing and will give the right eternal judgement to all.  Wicked people won’t get away with their sin and righteous people will receive their reward.
    God is a righteous Judge.  He will give people opportunity to repent. But, He will judge and the consequences of sin will come to people in God’s perfect timing.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    People who are serving God and living a righteous life can easily get caught up with jealousy when it seems like sinful people are getting away with sin.  It can seem that there is a prosperity that comes with rejecting a Godly life.  Throughout life I have often wondered how some people seem to have so much and seem to prosper when they are living so far from God.  I must continue to remember that God will always do what is right and that this world is not my final focus. I must not get caught up in looking at things that are not eternal.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Don’t get short-sighted in thinking that what you do doesn’t matter.  It can seem that people are getting away with sin, but, they are not. Keep eternity in focus and let it impact your choices.  The most important choice is to make Jesus your Lord and Savior.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 71 & 72

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What should a person do when they face trials and frustrations?  I have observed many who run from God at that time. This is the opposite of what should be done. The Psalmist here says that he has continued to trust in God and keep his faith in Him.  When a person receives Jesus as their Savior they make a personal commitment to the Lord.  It is important to maintain that commitment throughout life, no matter what battles they face.  As people get old and they lose physical strength, the must continue to put their trust in the Lord.  One of the greatest responsibilities is to pass the truths of God to the next generation.
    Psalm 72 is a prayer of King Solomon, asking God for help in his reign.  He asked for God’s righteous judgements and help in treating the poor.  He sought God’s help for the oppressed.  This is an important lesson for all to follow: seek God and His help.  Seek that God’s ways will be the way that people live.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Stick with Jesus in every situation.  Unfortunately, I have observed too many people who, when they face hard times, only give lip service to God. Some even fully walk away from serving Him.  They give up all that God has done in their lives.  They quit. This must never be.  Instead, each one, yes this includes me, must let challenges bring us closer to the Lord to seek His power to carry us through.

3.  How can I help someone?
    How close can you get to God?  That is the question I want to encourage people to ask and then respond.  Whether one is powerful and rich as Solomon was, or if one is poor, the best route in life is to get closer to the Lord.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 69 & 70

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The psalmist, David, was crying out to God for help. He felt like he was about to drown because of the work of his enemies. There were countless people who hated him without a cause. He was weary of his crying out to God for help, and yet he continued to seek God and desired to be in God’s presence. His prayer was that God would deliver him out of the mire and not sink in the deep waters. He was trusting that God would judge those treated him in such an evil way. He prayed that God would pour out His indignation on them and that their dwelling place would be desolate.
    There are two groups of people in the world. There are those who love God and those who don’t. David prayed for God to make haste to deliver him and that those who seek his life would be ashamed. He also pray that those who seek God will rejoice and be glad and that God will be magnified. David acknowledged he was poor and needy, needing God’s help, today.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    We all have times when we feel down and discouraged. At some of those times we can feel all alone and feel as if we are the only one who ever has experienced this. I must remember that battles and struggles are a normal part of our life on this earth. Ever since the sinful fall of mankind, there has been an intense spiritual battle to cause people to be discouraged and give up on God. David understood this. He said he was poor and needy and needed God’s help. This is an important truth to remember always.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Remember that God is always ready to help and respond to anyone who truly calls on His name. There are times we will like His response and there are times we will feel that He has abandoned us. It is important to remember that God will respond in his perfect timing.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 67 & 68

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Lord, it is vital that you are known in all the earth. People need to know Your salvation. The nations will be glad and sing for joy for You Lord, judge the people righteously. Let all the people praise the Lord.
    We can celebrate God’s great reign over all the earth. His enemies will be scattered and flee before him. The righteous will be glad and rejoice before the Lord. We can see the heart and compassion of God as the father to the fatherless and the defender of widows. God has all power and we can be assured that, in the end, He will be victorious. He is the God of eternal salvation.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God is awesome. That is something that we need to continually be reminded of, that there is nothing too hard for God and that He is the victor. God has all strength and He is worthy to receive all of our praise. As I continue to learn to apply these truths in my life I can better trust Him in everything that I experience. I am reminded of the passage that tells me to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I am also reminded that Jesus promised to never leave me or forsake me.

3.  How can I help someone?
    What do you do with the challenges of life? This is a question that everyone must think about and answer. And the answer must be somehow tied in with putting their trust fully in God and leaning on Him and his way of life and salvation. I want to help people see God as He wants to be seen.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 65 & 66

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God is always ready to receive praise. He is always worthy to receive praise. He is the one who hears our prayer and it is a normal thing for people to reach out to God.  It is a universal thing for people to pray.  Unfortunately, many don’t know where to direct their prayer. Possibly the most blessed place a person can be is to be in the presence of God. It is there that we find great satisfaction in the awesome presence of God. Our loving God is the one who hears and answers prayer. He is our source of provision.  He waters the earth and crops grow. He is worthy of our praise.
    The psalmist here encourages people to make a joyful shout to the Lord. It seems like people are very willing to make an excited shout at a ball game but are afraid to make noise in praise to God. When we see the great works of God and the awesome things He does, we see that He is worthy of our praise. So all of God’s people need to bless the Lord. The psalmist expressed his desire to bring sacrifice and worship to the Lord.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The 66th Psalm ends with a challenging thought. The psalmist said that if he would regard iniquity in his heart the Lord would not hear him. I have observed that it is very easy for people, even some Christians, to allow sinful thoughts and desires to reside in their hearts. I am not talking about temptation or fleeting thoughts, but the desire to be involved with something sinful and try to figure out a way to get away with it. The one who does this will certainly block their prayers. This is a good lesson for when it seems like it would be easy to get away with something sinful.

3.  How can I help someone?
    How close can you get to God? This is a good question to continue to ask. In helping people I want to help them get close to God. God is always worthy to receive our praise and ready to hear our prayers. Always remember this.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 63 & 64

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The psalmist is writing about earnestly seeking God. This is something that everyone who calls themselves a believer in the Lord needs to have as a normal part of their life. Each one needs a deep longing for God that is only fulfilled in a close personal relationship with Him. It is a good thing for every believer to ask themselves if they really long for the presence of God in their life. It is too easy to go through life only focusing on what we can have in this world. Study in the Bible and serving God need to be more important than our own personal desires.
    God is our protection. The psalmist prayed for the Lord to keep him in His secret place. Whether there is a literal physical threat, or a spiritual threat in the battles against evil, we can go to God for His protection. Because of God’s great power we can have confidence in Him.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    How close can I get to God? That is a question that comes up often in reading the Psalms. And the answer must be that I continually strive to get closer to him than I am now. The deception of the enemy wants me to think that it doesn’t matter what I do or if I try to stay close to God. That is simply a very dangerous lie that I must always reject. It does make a difference in life when a person is living in obedience to and growing closer to God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people think about who they trust and rely on. I want them to see that the greatest source of protection and hope is found in living the life submitted to Jesus. He has given us the amazing promise that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 61 & 62

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    King David gave us some great advice here. He prayed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. He expressed how God had always been a shelter for him and was a strong tower of protection from the enemy. Because of that he would abide in the Lord’s Tabernacle forever and trust in the shelter of His wings. He said he would praise the name of God forever and would daily perform his vows. He had truly learned to trust in God.
    King David expressed again that only God is his rock and salvation. Only God is his defense, so that he will not be greatly moved. He said that his soul waited for God alone because God is his salvation. He encouraged his readers to trust in God at all times and pour out their hearts before Him because God is our refuge.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I believe that I need to continually hear over and over the encouragement to put my trust fully in God. He really is the only refuge and strength that we have. God’s track record is that He does not let us down but that He is there for us to call on him at any time. We will always run into people who are out to hurt us. We can continually put our trust in the all mighty power of God.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I think of the passage in Proverbs that says we are to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lead on our own understandings. If we will acknowledge God in everything, He will direct our paths. That is really good advice for everyone to follow.

Bible Chapter: Psalms 59 & 60

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    I find it interesting that there are people who are so open about the sinful destruction they want to carry out that they don’t care who knows.  Saul considered David his enemy and openly conspired to kill him.  David’s response was to call on God for his defense.  He called them workers of iniquity and bloodthirsty men.  He was relying on the God of mercy for protection.
    God calls for His people to live in obedience.  When they don’t, they set themselves up for failure.  Then they need to come to God in repentance, calling for His help and deliverance.  This is the only way to truly make it in life.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Sinners these days are very open about their sin.  They even brag about lifestyles that are the exact opposite of what God commands.  I need to not be afraid to be open about being a follower of Jesus.  And, I need to not get caught up in things that go against God’s ways.  I am observing too many things done in the name of Christianity that are extremely questionable and that can easily lead to an open rejection of God’s ways.  I don’t want to get caught up with technicalities that squeak inside the line of not sinning but can provide an excuse for getting away with something.

3.  How can I help someone?
    How close can you get to Jesus?  How close to his power and might can you get?  How submissive to Him will your life be?  These are good questions to ask and answer.  That prevents issues like David had to deal with in Psalm 60.