May 10
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jdwaynes added a text contribution A heart of praiseWhat do you value more? The fact that you are able to give abundantly to the Lord or your relationship with Him? In Psalm 50 David reminds us that the entire earth is the Lords. He welcomes the sunrise and watches the sunset. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Don't let you giving to His ministry or service to Him take the place of a personal relationship with him. There can be "worldly success", even ministry success absent of his presence. I must be careful to keep in prope… Read more »
May 9
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Self SufficiencyIn this Psalm, David ask everyone to listen up. Rich, poor, famous, not famous, jocks, nerds; everyone! We all see that everyone dies. No one can pay the ransom for his own life. Despite riches, fame or "coolness", we do not endure. David is explaining to us the foolishness of self sufficiency. We must constantly remind ourselves that all our blessings, possessions, and even live itself is a gift from our Heavenly Father. The minute we forget that, we begin to act in a way that is not… Read more »
May 7
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Pause and Meditate on Gods GreatnessThere is a song that I am reminded of as I read these two Psalms. " Lord, I praise you because of who you are. Not for all the mighty things that you have done." Have you taking the time lately to pause and praise your Heavenly Father just for who he is? Clap you hands and shout with joy! Our God is an awesome God! The great King over all the earth!. He is worthy of your praise! He is God forever and forever! Stand in awe of Him! Have a WOW moment. The creator of the universe, who spok… Read more »
May 6
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God is my refuge and my strength; Be still and know that He is God. A very familiar Psalm that sometimes I just gloss over. Read what that says. Who is my refuge and strength? My Heavenly Father.! It is amazing that the creator of the universe gives each of us individual attention. In order to really understand this reality, we must be intentional about our relationship with him. How are you doing? It is amazing that every morning, God is ready and wiling to meet with us, to show us Himself. He… Read more »
May 4
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jdwaynes added a text contribution The Oil of JoyA characteristic of the Christian life that makes us different from the world is that we are anointed with the "oil of joy". Through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can experience a joyful life on the earth. No matter the circumstances, nothing can take away our "internal joy". How do we assure ourselves that we have plenty of "joy oil" in our tank? By constantly working on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Nurturing that relationship is the m… Read more »
May 3
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Unfailing LoveWhy does our Heavenly Father care for us? Why does he provide us our daily needs? Why did he send his Son to die for our sins? Where is God? As the country song says, "God must be busy". During the seasons of our life there will be time of joy, times of heartache, times of loneliness, times of pain. We cry out to our Heavenly Father as David did in Psalm 44. Why will God here our prayer and provide direction? Because we are good people? Because we went to church last week? Because we… Read more »
May 1
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Our Inside AdvantageIn the circumstance of our day to day lives, there are times that we fail to acknowledge our inside advantage. I try to muscle my way through situations, pull up my boot straps and trudge ahead. Sometimes I am successful and sometimes not. I need to remember the truth that David spoke about in Psalm 43:3 and 44:4. It is through my Heavenly Father, that I will find my victory. Not by my hand or my sword, but by his love, his light and his right hand that true success comes from. In the era that… Read more »
Apr 30
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Meeting with GodDavid in this Psalm paints a picture of how our desire should be for our Heavenly Father. As a deer who is thirsty? No wait, more than thirsty, desperate!!!! Where can I go and meet with God, David ask. You and I have the opportunity of a lifetime everyday. Through the saving work of Jesus Christ, we can meet with God right now. Wherever we are! Whatever we are doing! The question is, are we? Does our soul "long after him"? Lord, I pray that I would prioritize my time with you each mor… Read more »
Apr 29
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In my integrity, you uphold me. Blessed is he who has regard for the weak. How are we doing in our Christian walk. Do I have a walk of integrity. Are my actions based on a consistent and internally held set of core values and beliefs. Look at the example of Jesus. He went to extreme lengths to bring salvation to us (the weak). Do my actions reflect his example or do i let "a little hardship" stand in the way of sharing Christ to those around me? If I seek to follow Christ with integrit… Read more »
Apr 19
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Waiting on the LordI am not a good waiter. In our American society we have become expectant of everything happening in an instant. We don't have the time or the energy to wait. I am so bad that waiting irritates me. What I am learning and need to always continue to learn is that God's timing is not my timing. In God's eyes, our entire life is but a breath, a vapor that dissipates quickly. He sees the entire story of human existence when he looks at us. He knows where and how we fit into his eternal… Read more »
Apr 18
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Troubled by SinHave you ever felt overcome with grief and anguish because of sin in your life. David did in this Psalm. He gives a very descriptive account of his feelings before the Lord. He confesses his sin and then waits on the Lord. We have been made clean by the blood of Christ on the cross. Our sin has been taken from us as far as the east is from the west. We may have to wait for our circumstances to change or the consequences of our disobedience to pass, but our standing with our Heavenly Father does… Read more »
Apr 16
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jdwaynes added a text contribution The Lord Upholds YouThough he Stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand! Listen to David in his later years, express what he had observed. What a statement! What is the condition of this. If the Lord delights in a man's ways, he makes his steps firm. In order to be walking in the "delight of the Lord" we must understand what that looks like. Through his Word we find out! Hide the Word in your heart, and your feet will not slip.Do I really believe this! When circumstances of li… Read more »
Apr 15
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Where is your Delight?Is there something in your life that you are struggling with? Are your circumstances getting you down? David in Psalms 37 has a word for me and you! He explains how we are to "live in the land". Sometimes in life the land that we live in gets rocky. Our way seems unclear. In those times our response should be to delight ourselves in the Lord. Lean on the one who has the ability to assist us. Commit to him and he will make our righteousness "shine like the dawn" ! He will give… Read more »
Apr 14
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Rejoice in the Lord Always!Have you ever felt that your circumstances were hidden from God. 'How could he possibly allow this to happen to me?" When you begin to feel that way, go to the story of Paul and Silas in the jail. After being beaten and flogged, they were thrown into prison. But even in prison they sang and praised God and he showed up. Psalms 36:5-7 is a reminder of God's love for you. If you know the tune, sing it now! Follow the example of Paul and Silas! Rejoice in the Lord always! and AGAIN… Read more »
Apr 11
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jdwaynes added a text contribution When Trouble ComesThe believer is not immune from trouble. God never promises that our life will be free from hardship and trial. We live in a world that is broken because of the choices that we have made. What God promises is that for those who seek Him, He is there. He will guide you through the circumstances for your good if you lean into him. His grace covers us so that he sees us the righteousness of Christ. He is our bodyguard and shield. When trouble comes, where do you lean? The answer to that question… Read more »
Apr 7
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Joy in the morningWhat is your reaction to trials and temptation? David the Psalmist had the appropriate response in Psalms 30:5 Gods angry toward us only last for a moment..... But JOY comes on the morning! Are you letting your circumstances of this life get you down. Take heart! Joy comes in the morning. Sing praises to the Lord! Read more »
Apr 3
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jdwaynes added a text contribution God provides an answer if we seek himHave you ever exxperienced Gods supernatural power to speak to you in your moment of need? In my quite time this morning, I came asking God for a word regarding a situation that I am facing. I needed his guidance in what to do! In my reading schedule, I was on Psalm 25. The first five versus were all I needed. They addressed my situation exactly and gave me a word from the Lord. If we place our trust in Him, he will lead us in the correct path. Fot me. this was a demonstration of his love toward… Read more »
Apr 2
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jdwaynes added a text contribution The Earth is the LordsHow to you live you life? Who do you rely on to meet your needs? David acknowledges in Psalm 24 that the Earth is the Lords. He built it and lai it out. I sometimes live as if the circumstances in life have no one over them. I let things and people weigh me down and place my trust in myself to come up with a "fix". I want to live like David! I want to recognize that the Earth is the Lords and all that is in it is under his control. Whom shall I fear? Help me to trust in the Lord with a… Read more »
Mar 28
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Where is you trust?Life has a way of bombarding you with circumstances that seem unbearable at times. Uncertainty at you job, bad news from the Dr., death of a friend, and so many other things can weigh us down. When life throws you a curve ball in whom will you trust. Will it be chariots and horses of the Name of the Lord our God. Scripture tells us that he will go before us and guide us. He has a best interest in mind, and all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are called according t… Read more »
Mar 27
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Test of the HeartJust as fine metals are placed through test for refining, so must our heart be tested. When we are in the Word and close to our Heavenly Father, we can look upon these test with the correct attitude. If we have slipped away from him, we may become bitter and angry when we face true test of the heart. Heavenly Father, help me to stay in your word and close to you, so that I may be refined and brought closer to you through test of the heart. Read more »
Mar 17
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Have you "pre-decided" to choose God? David said Oh God, In You I put my trust. You will show me the path of life. I must choose like David to put you first. You are the one that is in control of my destiny. At times in our lives, it seems that our circumstances are in control of our future and not God. But if we have "pre-decided" to "Trust God no matter what", he will show up in our lives in a big way. We will have a "Now God" moment! Read more »
Mar 16
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Plans Plans PlansWhat are your plans? Are they what God is telling you or are you on your own. In our heart we plan our course, bu it is God who ultimately determines our steps. Put God in charge of your heart! Your plans will be from Him and pleasing to Him. In his plans, even our enemies will be shaking our hands. Read more »
Mar 14
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Careful Thought + Hard Work + IntegrityWhen you are faced with a decision in your business life, take these words of Proverbs to heart. "Sift and weigh every word", Give thought to your steps. Work hard once your decision is made and in all circumstances maintain your Integrity. Read more »
Mar 12
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jdwaynes added a text contribution Truthful LipsWhat do you do? In that moment when the question is asked, when the person confronts you, when the e-mail comes. Look at Proverbs 12: 17 and 19. Now decide. The Truth is established forever but lyes only for a moment. Although a quick little "white lie" may seem like the easy way to deal with a situation, the truth will be better in the long run Read more »
Mar 5
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jdwaynes added a text contribution What Path are you on?The Lord has x-ray vision to your path. He knows it even before you go down it. I cannot hide from him. When I am tempted to take a step down a path that I know is wrong; when I think that it is hurting no one; When I think it is hidden; I must remember that God can see it and knows where it leads. The shadow will overtake you and trap you in a dead end. Guard your path! God sees it!!!! Read more »