Psalm 14
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
FRIDAY, January 16th, 2009
What are you guys doing today? Call me if we are going to get together and do something... I have plans to meet some family tonight at 5:00, but until then we should... PARTY!!!!! :) Want to? well lets do it!! AFTER YOUR DEVOTIONS!!! :)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Bethany: That is so cool how you turned to the Lord last night and then when you did the devotions, that is exactly what they were about... I am glad you are safe!! :)
Michael: Wow! Great Testimony!! I am glad you witness every chance you get!! Keep it up!!
Mallory: If We Do Anything... I will definitely call you!
Psalm 13
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
David is here, calling out to God again... asking God: where are you...? Have you ever felt like that? You believe in God, but it just seems like He is no where to be found? There are three points in this chapter... first we see David calling out to God saying: How long will you "forget me, O Lord"... David feels like God has forgotten about Him. Next we see that Davids enemies are against Him... "Lest my enemies say, I have prevailed against him" David is asking for help from the Lord (kind of like Bethany did last night) Finally the chapter ends with David reminding himself once again... I HAVE TRUSTED IN THY MERCY... I WILL SING UNTO THE LORD...
In the midst of Davids trial he reminds himself that HE WILL CHOOSE TO TRUST IN GOD, even when it seems like God is not around... You should do the same... just Trust God! Trust that he will be faithful as he has always been, and then choose to trust him and worship Him by singing praises to Him! (Just like David Did)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Bethany: That is so cool how you turned to the Lord last night and then when you did the devotions, that is exactly what they were about... I am glad you are safe!! :)
Michael: Wow! Great Testimony!! I am glad you witness every chance you get!! Keep it up!!
Mallory: If We Do Anything... I will definitely call you!
Psalm 13
1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
David is here, calling out to God again... asking God: where are you...? Have you ever felt like that? You believe in God, but it just seems like He is no where to be found? There are three points in this chapter... first we see David calling out to God saying: How long will you "forget me, O Lord"... David feels like God has forgotten about Him. Next we see that Davids enemies are against Him... "Lest my enemies say, I have prevailed against him" David is asking for help from the Lord (kind of like Bethany did last night) Finally the chapter ends with David reminding himself once again... I HAVE TRUSTED IN THY MERCY... I WILL SING UNTO THE LORD...
In the midst of Davids trial he reminds himself that HE WILL CHOOSE TO TRUST IN GOD, even when it seems like God is not around... You should do the same... just Trust God! Trust that he will be faithful as he has always been, and then choose to trust him and worship Him by singing praises to Him! (Just like David Did)
THURSDAY, January 15th, 2009
Hey Guys! It is Thursday! What are your plans for the week? Are any of us getting together tomorrow since there is no school? Let me know!!
Thanks for coming last night! There were over 30 of you there! I am looking forward to seeing the fruit from this "new face for a new year"
Alright... on to the devotionss!
Psalm 12
1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
This passage really applies to some of you... many of you have talked to me about how hard it is to do right at school when everyone else seems to be doing wrong! That is exactly how David felt here... He starts out by calling out to God for help!!! Why? Because there are no Godly men anywhere!!! David simply wants to have some Godly friendship, a Godly companion, someone who is willing to stand beside Him when he stands for what is right!!
The rest of the chapter goes on talking about the wickedness of those people and Godspunishment on their life...
I think the most applicable part of this chapter is WHAT DAVID DID in this situation... we all face this at some point, whether it is in our home, or at our school, or at a job... many of us will be in a position where we are the only one that wants to do what is right... wo what do we do when we get there????
We do what David Did, we turn to God!!! We beg God to bring us a friend, we ask Him to providethat person who will stand up for the truth by our side... Have you prayed for that friend? Not only that, but David put his focus on God, not on Himself... That is tough. It is easy to focus on ourselves in a time like this, but David focused on God.
When we think about how alone Christ must have felt when he was on the cross it makes our loniless much less... There are some great verses that talk about how much we become like Christ when we go through trials and tribulation like He did.
Be strong in the midst of tribulation... Be strong even when NO ONE ELSE IS!!!
Thanks for coming last night! There were over 30 of you there! I am looking forward to seeing the fruit from this "new face for a new year"
Alright... on to the devotionss!
Psalm 12
1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
This passage really applies to some of you... many of you have talked to me about how hard it is to do right at school when everyone else seems to be doing wrong! That is exactly how David felt here... He starts out by calling out to God for help!!! Why? Because there are no Godly men anywhere!!! David simply wants to have some Godly friendship, a Godly companion, someone who is willing to stand beside Him when he stands for what is right!!
The rest of the chapter goes on talking about the wickedness of those people and Godspunishment on their life...
I think the most applicable part of this chapter is WHAT DAVID DID in this situation... we all face this at some point, whether it is in our home, or at our school, or at a job... many of us will be in a position where we are the only one that wants to do what is right... wo what do we do when we get there????
We do what David Did, we turn to God!!! We beg God to bring us a friend, we ask Him to providethat person who will stand up for the truth by our side... Have you prayed for that friend? Not only that, but David put his focus on God, not on Himself... That is tough. It is easy to focus on ourselves in a time like this, but David focused on God.
When we think about how alone Christ must have felt when he was on the cross it makes our loniless much less... There are some great verses that talk about how much we become like Christ when we go through trials and tribulation like He did.
Be strong in the midst of tribulation... Be strong even when NO ONE ELSE IS!!!
WEDNESDAY, January 14th, 2009
Psalm 11
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
Hey Everyone! Last night was so much fun! Thank you everyone for coming! We got a lot of great ideas and also had time to have alot of fun! There were 17 teenagers and 20 people total. The living room was jam packed... but that was probably because there was a BIG PANDA laying across the middle of the living room floor... It was a little weird! :)
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Jessica B: I am glad that you came back on... I will call and remind you if you want me to, but I usually feel like most teenagers get TICKED OFF!!!! at me when I call to remind them... just ask Alex :)
Michael: I talked with my sister and she said that she could not find a baby sitter while they were here, so she said not to worry about it... so now I am wondering if we can do it Friday instead... if not, that will be fine. I am sorry for making this so complicated!!! If we cannot do it Friday, then I will have to plan it for some other time because my sister will be in town that night and I would hate to ditch my company while they are visiting! Thanks man!
Jake: We missed you last night man!! I hope you did good on your test!
Mallory: I hope you did good on your test as well!!!... DID YOU??
Psalm 10
1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
This is such an incredible passage.... Do you understand the story line here... if not then read this first part and then go back and read the passage again... In verse 1 we see the writer saying to God... Hey God, Where are you????? Why cant I see you or feel you in times of trouble???? That is a fair question and one that you have probably asked before... I know I have. Well, keep reading... Fopr the next 10 verses (the verses in purple) the writer is talking about how powerful and wicked the enemy is... whether that be the enemies you face at school or the ultimate enemy, the devil himself. It goes on explaining to us that our enemy wants to destroy us, our enemy wants to murder us, our enemy wants to make fun of us!!!!!! Our enemy even lies to us as he did in verse 11 by saying: God doesnt hear you... God doesnt even care about your struggles!!! Ouch... Just when this writer may be feeling like he is at the lowest of lows He stops and thinks about the power of God. Then in verses 12 - 18 we see him ask God to ARISE!!!!! and LIFT UP HIS HAND!!! The writer simply turns to God and asks God to STOP LETTING THE WICKED RULE AND OVER RULE!! The writer says: You are the King Lord, Please destroy the enemy so that I can live for you!!
(Go back and read the passage now)
Wow! The cool part about this passage is that I could be that writer... I have been in tough times when it seems like God is not around, it seems like I will naver be able to defeat the enemy. But the one thing that is completely different between me and the writer is that when the writer was writing this passage He was calling on God to come and defeat the enemy... Well since that time, Jesus Christ DID COME AND DEFEAT THE ENEMY!!!! The enemy has already lost, but He is trying to take as many followers of Christ down with him. Dont listen to the Enemy, dont take heed to the enemy, dont fall into the temptation of the enemy... Remember He just wants to mock you, kill you, steadl from you and DESTROY YOU!!!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Jessica B: I am glad that you came back on... I will call and remind you if you want me to, but I usually feel like most teenagers get TICKED OFF!!!! at me when I call to remind them... just ask Alex :)
Michael: I talked with my sister and she said that she could not find a baby sitter while they were here, so she said not to worry about it... so now I am wondering if we can do it Friday instead... if not, that will be fine. I am sorry for making this so complicated!!! If we cannot do it Friday, then I will have to plan it for some other time because my sister will be in town that night and I would hate to ditch my company while they are visiting! Thanks man!
Jake: We missed you last night man!! I hope you did good on your test!
Mallory: I hope you did good on your test as well!!!... DID YOU??
Psalm 10
1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.
6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.
10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
12 Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.
16 The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.
17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
This is such an incredible passage.... Do you understand the story line here... if not then read this first part and then go back and read the passage again... In verse 1 we see the writer saying to God... Hey God, Where are you????? Why cant I see you or feel you in times of trouble???? That is a fair question and one that you have probably asked before... I know I have. Well, keep reading... Fopr the next 10 verses (the verses in purple) the writer is talking about how powerful and wicked the enemy is... whether that be the enemies you face at school or the ultimate enemy, the devil himself. It goes on explaining to us that our enemy wants to destroy us, our enemy wants to murder us, our enemy wants to make fun of us!!!!!! Our enemy even lies to us as he did in verse 11 by saying: God doesnt hear you... God doesnt even care about your struggles!!! Ouch... Just when this writer may be feeling like he is at the lowest of lows He stops and thinks about the power of God. Then in verses 12 - 18 we see him ask God to ARISE!!!!! and LIFT UP HIS HAND!!! The writer simply turns to God and asks God to STOP LETTING THE WICKED RULE AND OVER RULE!! The writer says: You are the King Lord, Please destroy the enemy so that I can live for you!!
(Go back and read the passage now)
Wow! The cool part about this passage is that I could be that writer... I have been in tough times when it seems like God is not around, it seems like I will naver be able to defeat the enemy. But the one thing that is completely different between me and the writer is that when the writer was writing this passage He was calling on God to come and defeat the enemy... Well since that time, Jesus Christ DID COME AND DEFEAT THE ENEMY!!!! The enemy has already lost, but He is trying to take as many followers of Christ down with him. Dont listen to the Enemy, dont take heed to the enemy, dont fall into the temptation of the enemy... Remember He just wants to mock you, kill you, steadl from you and DESTROY YOU!!!
MONDAY, January 12th, 2009
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TONIGHT??? Come to the church at 6:00pm and we will be driving from the church to my house. We will be planning the next six months of activities and we will also be talking about a few other things and eating pizza and playing games if there is time left over!! MAKE SURE YOU COME!!!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday: I posted my thoughts about yesterday on yesterday's comment page.
Psalm 9
11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
There are many great verses in this passage but I must say, I cannot stop thinking about verse 17. Have you ever heard someone say that they were "going through Hell"? well, the truth is, they have no clue hwo bad Hell will be... otherwise they would not be saying that... Hoever in this passage The write makes it clear that the wicked will go, not THROUGH Hell, but TO hell... that is rough... If you are going through something it gives the idea that you will come out at some point. But if you are going "to" somewhere, then there is no inclination that you are leaving.
Here is what struck me the most... the second part of that verse says: AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD. Wow! Do you believe this! It is saying that all nations that forget God will be turned to Hell... That is scary. It seems more and more like our nation is trying to forget God and this passage makes it clear which direction our nation is headed if we continue to ignore God.
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday: I posted my thoughts about yesterday on yesterday's comment page.
Psalm 9
11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
12 When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:
14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.
16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.
20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
There are many great verses in this passage but I must say, I cannot stop thinking about verse 17. Have you ever heard someone say that they were "going through Hell"? well, the truth is, they have no clue hwo bad Hell will be... otherwise they would not be saying that... Hoever in this passage The write makes it clear that the wicked will go, not THROUGH Hell, but TO hell... that is rough... If you are going through something it gives the idea that you will come out at some point. But if you are going "to" somewhere, then there is no inclination that you are leaving.
Here is what struck me the most... the second part of that verse says: AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD. Wow! Do you believe this! It is saying that all nations that forget God will be turned to Hell... That is scary. It seems more and more like our nation is trying to forget God and this passage makes it clear which direction our nation is headed if we continue to ignore God.
SUNDAY, January 11th, 2009
Psalm 9
1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.
4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
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