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.