July 31, 2025

We may be considered peasants in this world, but the kingdom that awaits us is far from peasantry. Worldly wealth has no bearing on our future, so we shouldn't envy those of greater means than we are. Riches cannot buy eternal life, and those who believe they can will find out that what they had put their hope in will only serve to place them in eternal flames. No matter what we may think about our future after death, we cannot take anything with us. We came naked into the world and will leave in the same manner.

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Psalms 49:17

I cannot help but feel called out by Preacher-King David's words in this psalm, particularly his mention of naming our property, as if it will endure even after our death. We had a sign placed over the entry of our driveway with our name on it. It's beautiful, but when we pass on, it will probably come down unless one of our children or grandchildren decides to keep the home for themselves. So remember, as you gather items that make you happy, they will probably end up at the Salvation Army when you die. We cannot expect others to appreciate our collections the way we do. Make it your mission to collect love and happiness, spiritually, rather than material things that will perish in a flood or fire. 

Here is the verse that called me out:

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Psalms 49:11

A little encouragement for the saved:

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Psalms 49:15

July 30, 2025

Did you know that the enemies of God look upon you in fear? You are the habitation of the Holy Spirit of God, and the enemy trembles at your presence. That’s probably why it seems chaotic when we’re around someone filled with demonic activity. They cry out in fear when we are near them. The next time you come in contact with someone who seems to be angry at your presence, remember that their demons are stirred and want you away from them, so they lash out. It’s hard to remember this truth in the heat of the moment, but if you keep it at the forefront of your mind, you might be more sympathetic towards them. Remember, Jesus felt sympathy for such people and removed their demons. I’m not saying you should go around delivering people from their demons when they attack you, because sometimes you should get away from them. Still, if they feel the power you possess and want deliverance, you can wield that power to help them heal, which is not your power, but God’s power. 

I may have gone down a rabbit hole with this one, but keep in mind that you should start and end your day by praising and worshipping God. However, if you need a change of attitude, worship Him throughout your day and watch as your countenance changes. 

They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Psalms 48:5-6

We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Psalms 48:9-10

July 29, 2025

The entire Bible is about Jesus, but if I were to find a chapter that describes our relationship with him in the Old Testament, it would be Psalms 45. It tells of his majesty and our loyalty to him as the church and his bride. It speaks of how he sees us in beauty and purity, dressed in garments with threads of gold. It also mentions us leaving our former way of life, similar to leaving our father’s house and cleaving to him. For this reason, baptism is a necessary part of our conversion; it represents a cleansing of all our former ways of life and past religious exposures, and brings with us nothing from our former life except the redemption story as a witness. 

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. Psalms 45:10-11

In these scriptures, he is pictured as a Warrior and King, so it gives an image of his return, coming back as a conqueror rather than a lamb to the slaughter. We are truly blessed to be called his and chosen as his bride. Today, look to him as your one and only, allow your heart to bubble over in gratefulness that he is yours and you are his. Love him with a passion unmatched, and he will reward you with his kingdom.

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Psalms 45:5-6

July 28, 2025

When your life seems stressful, it is beneficial to remember what God has done for you in your past. When I read Psalms 44, I instinctively reached back into the folds of my mind to recall some of the good things God has blessed me with. It is in this psalm that the Israelites are begging God to release them from captivity because their oppressors are treating them like livestock and slaughtering them without considering that they are human beings. They know that their only means of salvation is in His hands. When you began following Jesus, it is safe to say you knew that it would put a target on your back because the world hated him and, in turn, hates you. Because God has taken us out of the world, He will deliver us from its oppressors. In Romans, Paul used a verse from this psalm to describe the life of a Christ-follower. Was this psalm prophetic of the plight of the saved? It seems to be so. Whatever plan God has for your life, it will be worth every stressor that causes us grief to live eternally with our first love. Here are both of those verses:

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Roman’s 8:36

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Psalms 44:22

Pray this prayer when amid trouble::

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. Psalms 44:23-26

July 27, 2025

So, it’s a new day, nothing has changed, and our enemy is not destroyed, but for some reason, our hearts are renewed and our spirit is refreshed. Psalms 43 appears to be a continuation of the previous chapter and is often included as part of that chapter in many of the older manuscripts. The enemy uses our emotions to instill fear and hopelessness, but God, in all His glory, shows us compassion and doesn’t consider us too lowly to come into our presence to strengthen us and dry our tears. Remember who He is; He loves us, otherwise He wouldn’t have created us, or would have already taken us out of this world. A renewed spirit full of light and truth can do wonders for our countenance, and it is God who blesses us with His presence when we are feeling despair. Cry out to God, and He will help you feel the Holy Spirit renewed within you and lift you out of the pit. 

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalms 43:3-5