Psalm 119:49-55

Psalm 119:49-55 Remember your word to your servant,     for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this:     Your promise preserves my life. The arrogant mock me unmercifully,     but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,     and I find comfort in them. Indignation grips me because of the wicked,     who have forsaken your law. Your decrees are the theme of my song     wherever I lodge. In the night, Lord, I remember your name,     that I may keep your law.

Lord, My God, My Holy One! Thank You for writing Your Words of hope on the tablet of my heart. My comfort in these troubling times is this: Your promise preserves my life. No matter what happens in this nation or in the world, I will not die! Jesus is the most wonderful life-giving, life-saving, almighty Name. In Him, I am safe, sound, and secure forever. I am absolutely confident that NOTHING can come into my life without first going through You, then through Jesus, and when it gets me, it finds me full of Him. The arrogant who mock You unmercifully will also hold me and my beliefs in utter contempt, but I will not turn from your righteous instructions. Puffed-up, self-promoting politicians with people pleasing agendas make me mad. Living large and loving it, this nation is like a cemetery full of stiff, cold cadavers. Lord, in Your wrath, remember mercy! Etch Your ancient words on my mind so that I can quickly recall them and remain calm when You unleash Your fury. While this country is corroding, and corruption is erupting all around me, I believe You are filling the whole earth with the knowledge of Your glory. According to Your promise, You work ALL things for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. I believe You love me and have called me; therefore, though the economy fades, my financial portfolio collapses, my job is eliminated, and the government steals my money to subsidize slackers, I will sing joyfully because I know Your Name will triumph in the end. To You be the power, honor, and glory forever and ever. Amen.

As the days get darker, in the pitch black of night, the name of Jesus is my light and my salvation. Knowing His powerful name is my hope, my joy, and my peace. The name of Jesus means, "God saves." Jesus is the very Word of God. (John 1:14) Are these not vibrant, life-giving words of hope? Will you join me on this journey, beloved? God's Word is our only hope, joy and peace.

Ephesians 5:4, 17

Ephesians 5:4, 17 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. Understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT

Thank You God my Father for clearly differentiating between appropriate laughter and inappropriate laughter. In Your home there is no tolerance for vulgarity. Laughing at obscene stories, foolish talk and coarse jokes is forbidden. Unfortunately, the world we live in is full of entertainment that is morally repugnant. The movie and television industry either makes comedy of that which is holy, right, and good, or has us cracking-up at the crude, profane, and disgusting. Magazines promote passion and pleasure, while radio blares blaspheme. This momentary humor is merely a short-lived vapor that passes quickly, leaving a void in the soul that will lead to the brink of destruction. Forgive me for finding this kind of filth funny. Godly laughter on the other hand is an expression of our heartfelt appreciation for the generous gifts You've so graciously given us. As we hang out with You in Bible study and prayer, we'll be entertained with wholesome stories that will build up our character. We'll be amused and amazed by Your transforming touch of greatness on our lives. We'll laugh at things that are good, right and true. Encouraging words that are lovely and admirable will put a smile on our face and a song in our heart. This life-giving laughter will fill the hole in our heart with love, joy, and peace that will lead us to everlasting hope. Please dear Lord, give me a deeper appreciation for the good gifts You've given me. Help me to avoid being amused by immorality, and anoint my lips with praiseworthy words that will make a soul stooped over from the weight of sorrow smile because of Jesus. Amen.

Laughter speaks louder than words. Can people recognize that you are from the family of God by the things that make you laugh?  Be careful to understand the difference between biblical laughter and worldly laughter. One brings Him the glory, the other defamation.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Ecclesiastes 3:4 There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Loving Father- Thank You for divinely appointing times to weep and mourn, as well as, times to laugh and dance. When everything around me seems to be falling apart, the only way to find stability and security, peace and joy is to climb up on Your great big lap, pour out my heart, and trust You to work out the details for my good and Your glory. You are the Creator of tears. They are absolutely precious to You! Collecting them in a bottle, You carefully record each and every one of them in Your book. I'm worn out from sobbing and You know it. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with tears. Overwhelmed by the heavy weight of the burdens You've laid on my back, tears have become my steady diet while proud people knock on my door wondering where in the world You are. Overcome by pain and problems, I cry out to You for grace and mercy. Amazingly, in the midst of complete chaos and confusion, You hear my heart-shattered soul weeping for release, and come to my rescue. Lovingly You pick up my crushed spirit, and carry me into Your splendid home. Trusting You to tenderly wipe away my tears, my multitude of hurts begin to heal. Gradually, You fill the hole in my heart with love and laughter. With the anguish gone, I can jubilantly jump down from Your great big lap to dance, laugh, and celebrate Your love that is better than life. My lips glorify You, O Lord, the Creator of laughter and tears, who graciously restores broken hearts for the glory of Your name. Amen.

There is a time to weep and mourn, and a time to laugh and dance. Read through the Psalms and look at the sorrows that made this man after God's own heart weep: He mourns over sin - his own, as well as, the sins of others; in physical anguish, when his bones are crushed, he agonizingly pours out his heart to His Father in heaven; distressed in times of loss, defeat and discouragement he expresses heartfelt sadness. There is an appropriate time to weep and mourn. On the other hand, God doesn't want us to constantly sulk. He created laughter and dancing and ordered time for them too. The Psalms are full of appropriate times for laughter and dancing - usually after deliverance. Discover them and let your heart sing.

Proverbs 15:13

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bone.

Father in Heaven- I praise You for Your incredible ancient wisdom. A casual glance at the world, with its wars, hatred, violence and evil makes me sad. Every day I see and hear horrible accounts of hurting people who in turn, inflict injuries on others. It grieves me that so many people in my community are crushed and hopeless. Yet, in the midst of crisis and catastrophe, there are stories and images that provoke a chuckle and a smile. Thank You for the great gifts of laughter and cheer. A merry heart is used to bring healing and wholeness to that which would otherwise be brittle and broken. You know we need a good dose of cheer in these difficult days to bring a smile to our faces. A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down curing a crushed spirit and broken heart. Please dear Lord, help me to unwrap Your enduring joy, peace and contentment when everything else around me seems to be falling apart. I don't have to stay in the dark dungeon of despair. Since You sent Your Son to rescue me, my glum days can change to glad days. With my heart, soul and mind focused on living happily ever after in the kingdom of heaven, I'll naturally smile and warmly greet others with a kind and encouraging word. Please make me a bubbling fountain of laughter where people can come, drink and be healed for Your namesake.  Amen.

Who can you offer a spoonful of sugar today?  There are hurting people everywhere. Take time to stop and notice them. Smile and offer them a kind word of encouragement. It may just be the medicine they need to cure their crushed spirit.

Psalm 33:1-4, 21

Psalm 33:1-4, 21 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;        it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp;        make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song;        play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true;        he is faithful in all he does.  In him our hearts rejoice,        for we trust in his holy name.

Creative Composer and Conductor, You've written a symphonic song in my soul fit for a King. My heart is the harp that harmoniously believes You. Mastering the magnificence of Your mercy, my mind makes a marvelous accompaniment. With clean hands, pure motives, and my eyes on You, I'm able to perform a concerto of thankful praise worthy of Your holy ears. Long before Handel, Mozart or Beethoven, You orchestrated a work of unequaled portions. Your Holy Word is a classical masterpiece that perfectly expresses truth and righteousness. Larger than life, it contains drama, death, rebirth, strife, and resistance. The fact that it is still published, respected, recognized and read worldwide after thousands of years is a testament to its power and impact. The more I read it and know it, the more impressed I am with it, and the more I appreciate it.  Please dear Lord, help me to develop an exquisite taste for the harmonization of Your Holy Composition. With my eyes fixed on You, my ears tuned to You, and my heart set on You, I'll use every endowment I possess to rhythmically pursue You. My heart will be full of holy joy and goodness as I earnestly love others in Your name, meticulously playing each self-contained movement as an opus of divine praise. Watching from Your lofty throne in heaven, You won't miss my glorious showing of grace. In unison with You, my heart will perform the Hallelujah Chorus because of Your holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest on me, O Lord, because I put my hope in You. Amen.

Praise is appropriate and fitting of anyone who has clean hands and a pure heart. Even if you can't play an instrument, you ARE the instrument. You are part of God's Great Symphony. You will accompany Him beautifully when your heart is in unison with His. His Word is the most famous composition ever written. If you haven't developed a keen interest in it, Mozart's biographer says in his book that "The masterpieces of the Romans and Greeks please more and more through repeated reading, and as one's taste is refined - the same is true for both expert and amateur with respect to the hearing of Mozart's music [or classical music]." The bottom line: the more you know a piece the better it becomes. The same is true of your Bible, God's Holy Composition, the more you read it and know it, the more impressed you'll be with it, and the more you'll appreciate it.  Before you know it, you'll have acquired an exquisite taste for it, and be filled with holy joy! Live a life of praise by following the most Creative Composer and Conductor of all time!

Phil 4: 11-13, 19

Phil 4: 11-13, 19 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Jehovah Jireh,           My Sufficient Supplier,                    Thank You for showing me the secret to a satisfying life: Relying on your promises, looking for Your provision, and depending on Your power. Satan tries to seduce me with human solutions to satisfaction, security and significance. Cleverly, he convinces me that I can't be happy without certain possessions. Subtly, he persuades me that I'm insignificant without a prominent position. Masterfully, he manipulates me to look for respect and approval from powerful people. Cunningly, He confuses me, complicating my problems by making them seem bigger than really are.  Discontent with who I am, where I'm going, and what I have, it's tempting to reach into his bag of tricks for an instant, momentary solution. The more I know You, the less likely I'll be to buy into his smooth sales pitch. Full of Your wisdom, I'll be wary of his gimmicks. Relying on Your promises, I'll have a clear perspective.  I'll realize that trinkets and treasures can't buy eternal pleasure, only Your precious blood can. Prominent positions aren't as prestigious as they appear when I understand that all authority belongs to You. Suddenly, people I perceived to be strong will appear weak and unimportant. Abruptly, the dimension of my difficulties will diminish when I realize that they're part of Your plan to purify and perfect me for a greater purpose. I need to hang out with You more frequently by reading Your Word, praying ceaselessly, and socializing with other believers. Then, I'll be able to rest on Your promises. Knowing who You are will supply me with the satisfaction, security and significance I'm seeking. I'll be content when I believe that I am who You say I am: Your beloved child, an heir to an unimaginable inheritance. I'll be satisfied knowing where You're taking me: heaven, my glorious, eternally beautiful home.  And, while I wait, I'll be happy with what You've given me: peace, provision and a quiet place for my soul to patiently rest.  Please help me to be joyful and thankful in all circumstances believing that You'll generously supply all my needs in the name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.

What are you relying on today for your source of satisfaction, security and significance?

Psalm 62:1-4

Psalm 62:1-4 I wait quietly before God, for my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. So many enemies against one man-- all of them trying to kill me. To them I'm just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They are friendly to my face, according to what they have done. NLT

Almighty God- My soul silently waits for You. My rest is in You alone. You are my rock and my salvation. Nothing can ever separate me from You! I run to You for shelter and protection. There, I calmly, quietly, patiently wait for the wicked world to pass. The world is pursuing me, tempting me to join in the pursuit for power, prestige, possessions, and pleasure. Everywhere I turn, there is another demand for my time, talent, and treasure. The Prince of Darkness fully intends to topple me from my lofty and safe haven with You. All around me, people delight in his lies. They try to lure me by speaking persuasive words that sound good, pleasing and delightful, but in their hearts, they are deceitful. Before getting too excited about new attractive ideas, I will carefully examine the things I hear against Your Word. Please fill me with more knowledge and wisdom so that I can determine if I am hearing the Truth. The temptation to abandon You can sneak up on me as a whisper of doubt. I will overcome the whisper of temptation by pouring out my heart to You. You will help me as I pray and diligently study Your Word.  I will be devoted to You because You are strong, loving and dependable. I will love You with all my heart and soul. I will follow and fear You since You are my hope and my salvation. I will do my best to keep Your commands because I long for the promised reward to those who love and obey You. I believe You when You say, "The Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done." Instead of chasing the world, I am choosing to pursue You, Jesus, the One and Only. Amen.

Who are you chasing the world or the Lord?

A Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

A        Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.           Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. B        Bless the Lord, O my soul.           All that is within me bless His holy name. C        Come let us adore Him!           Call on His name! D        Declare His glory throughout the whole earth.           Tell the whole world of his wonderful works. E        Enter His gates with thanksgiving.   Extol Him for His excellent greatness! F        Forget not all His benefits.   He faithfully forgives and forgets all our sins. G       Great is the Lord and worthy of praise.           Glory in His holy name. H       Holy! Holy! Holy is the Lord Almighty!           Who was and is and is to come. I         I will sing praise to my great God and King.           I will sing and make music in my heart. J        Joyful, Joyful I adore You,           God of Glory, Lord of Love. K        Know that the Lord is God.           It is He who made us, and we are His. L        Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.           Let the heavens rejoice, let the whole earth be glad;           Let everyone say, "The Lord reigns!" M       Maker of heaven and earth -           Splendor and majesty are before Him,           Strength and glory are in His sanctuary. N        Not to me O Lord, not to me,           But to Your name be the glory because of You love           and faithfulness. O       Our God is a God who saves!           O Lord My God, how Great thou art! P        Praise be to the Lord;           To God our Savior who daily bears our burdens. Q       Quickly, I'll tell the Good News.           My Lord lives and rules and reigns from heaven on high. R        Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous.           Remember the wonders He has done. S        Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth!           Shout for joy before the Lord , the King. T        To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb,    Be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever. U        Unto You I sing, O Lord;           The One who rides across the ancient heavens,           Whose mighty voice thunders from the sky.           God is awesome in His sanctuary. V        Victory is Yours, O Lord.           You have made me glad with the joy of Your presence. W       Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,           To receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength,           And glory and honor and praise. X        Exalt the Lord our God and worship at His holy mountain.           Be exalted, O Lord in Your strength;           We will sing and praise Your might. Y        Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.           You are my God and I will give You thanks forever and ever. Z        Zion hears and rejoices!           For You O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth,           You are exalted far above the gods.

A Song of Praise For My King was written by reading the Psalms and making a list from A-Z of various ways the psalmist praised the Lord.  It follows the pattern of the psalmist in Psalm 119 where each of 22 sections begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Try writing your own song of praise and adoration. I can guarantee it will put a smile on your face, a song in your heart and a spring in your step!

Psalm 34:19

Psalm 34:19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.

God, Every time I open the newspaper there's another article relating to cancer. Recently in the local paper there was a gigantic headline: SCARED SICK. It reported that Americans are scared sick of getting cancer. Everything seems to be harmful to humans - the air, the sun, and a plethora of consumables. Household products like laundry detergent and oven cleaner and pet-flea control contain deadly toxins. Personal items like lipstick, deodorant, and talcum powder are under suspicion. It's not safe to eat processed meat. Fresh fruits and vegetables are coated with contaminants. Plastic baby bottles, granite counter tops, and ordinary office supplies are a health risk. Most recently, the fear-tinged tizzy has been on cell-phones, our artificial appendage. While the media frantically feeds us fear, one researcher boldly announced, "Cancer scares the Hell out of us." As well it should! Another researcher commented, "As a society we are so focused on the sound bite of getting an answer. We don't dig deeply enough to understand the nuances." O Lord, have mercy on us! It's easier to focus on fear and seek intellectual answers than it is to dig deeply into Your Word and understand the truth. Your Word is full of promises that have stood the test of time. Those who know You have no reason to be scared sick. You never promised we'd live on Easy Street, but rather reside on Rough Road. A head-on collision with cancer is inevitable - for ourselves or someone we know. But, we don't have to be afraid because we have a Savior! Indeed in our hearts we'll feel the inescapable sentence of death when we, or someone we love, receives a cancer diagnosis. But, when we know You and Your faithful promises, we'll be confident that it's happened so that we won't rely on our own mind or strength, but fully trust You - the One who raises the dead - to keep us from the doom of eternal damnation. Instead of being scared of it, we'll believe that You'll deliver us through the deadly peril to Heaven where we'll live and reign with You forever and ever because of Jesus our Savior. Hallelujah! Amen.

Are you, like the majority of society, consumed by the fear of cancer? It's wise to live healthy, eat right, exercise regularly and avoid deadly toxins, but there's no reason to be scared sick when you know the Savior. Determine to know your Savior more so that when you receive the inevitable sentence of death, you won't be scared of it, but trust instead, that He will deliver you from it's deadly peril to Heaven where you will live forever. I know firsthand the truth of God's Word. Both of my parents have received the death sentence. God has delivered my Mom from death's grip and healed her, while delivering my Dad to Heaven's Gate. If anyone is destined for a head-on collision with cancer it's my family and me, but we're not scared of it. We have the hope of heaven - Jesus! Glory, hallelujah!

Isaiah 46: 4, 6-7

Isaiah 46: 4, 6-7 I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.

Lord, how much we Americans are like the Israelites - stubborn-hearted and far from righteous! Have mercy on us and teach us to put You in Your proper place. Captivated by concrete things we can touch and see, we pour out our wealth to build bigger houses to hold our fine collection of treasured possessions. We light them up and show them off like trophies in a display case. At the same time we're erecting the homes of our dreams, we're paying premiums to plastic surgeons to make us new images. Lifting up our treasures, we proudly carry them around on our broad shoulders bragging about our success as we continually strive to improve and impress. Bogged down beneath the dead weight of debt we cry out from behind our fake faces to our big houses to save us, but they cannot. They are merely inanimate objects that stand still, stiff, solid and silent - cold as concrete. If we'd only invest our time opening our Bibles and contemplating the Abstract we'd comprehend that You are an amazingly animated Architect who intricately designs human souls with a firm foundation that will stand forever, made to store Your imperishable, invaluable inheritance. Strong and secure, You and You alone will sustain us and carry us through the storms.  To whom can we compare You or count as Your equal? You are incomparable! You are God and there is no other. There is none like You. Teach us O God to put You in Your proper place, and to trust in the Abstract so that we won't be bogged down by the concrete. Amen.

Strolling along the waterfront in beautiful Balboa Beach, California I was mesmerized by the parade of grandiose homes. Behind the well-lit glass of every house, I gazed and gasped at the fine collections of pretty possessions that were perfectly exhibited for everyone passing by to see. In front of the homes luxurious boats were docked on the inlet with the moon beams glistening on their masts. Shiny Mercedes, BMWs and Lexuses were parked in the narrow streets. Leaving town, a vast Cosmetic Surgery Center captured my attention. Enthralled by their large homes, luxury toys, and fake faces, I found myself wondering: Who answers them when they cry out in the storms? They aren't immune to trouble. Who rescues them when the floods come? Sadly, these things will not save them. They are merely concrete. We would be wise to live simply, build on the Abstract foundation of Jesus Christ, and display His glory. Unbelievers are on the outside looking into our lives. What do they see when they look at you and your lifestyle? Do they see the concrete or the Abstract?