Psalm 108: 1-5 – “My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being! Awake O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” I remember a time when a someone who was part of a worship team called me aside during an assembly and said, “Please pray for me. My heart really isn’t in this today.” You could be judgmental and call this person a hypocrite for leading worship songs about the greatness of God without feeling passionate in their heart at that moment; but if you do, you would have to call David a ... Read More about God is Greater than My Heart

Psalms 105:1-6 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; make known His deeds among the people! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered, O offspring of Abraham, His servant, children of Jacob, His chosen ones!” Look closely at these verses. They are written as commands. At first glance, someone might think God sounds demanding or self-centered. But those who truly know Him understand that this is not the case at all. These commands are not about feeding God’s ego—they are for our benefit. God’s very nature is love. He loves us ... Read More about The Secret Path to Spiritual Joy

Psalm 91:1 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the  Most High will abide in the shadow of the almighty.” In psalms like this one and also Psalm 86 God makes sure that we know who He is for us. He lets us know why it’s to our advantage to make Him our God. In this psalm He offers us amazing gifts but at the same time asks so little of us. In verse 2 the writer encourages us to do what he did. We are simply to say to the Lord in faith, ‘You are my refuge, my fortress, and my God in whom I trust.’ Just look at God’s response to our small act of faith that is recorded in verses 3-8: God will deliver us – verse 3 God will cover us to protect us and gives us refuge in Him – verse 4 God will be faithful to defend me – verse 4 God will remove my fears…of ANYTHING – verses ... Read More about A Small Step of Faith…An Avalanche of God’s Blessings

Psalm 85: 10-13 – “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.” This passage in Psalm 85 paints a beautiful picture of what happens when God draws near—and when we respond to Him. This psalm, written by the sons of Korah, begins with a memory: God had already shown mercy to Israel. He had forgiven them, turned away His anger, and restored them before. That history matters, because it reminds us that when God has moved in grace once, He is more than able—and willing—to do it again. The heart of the psalm is a hopeful appeal: ... Read More about God Is Closer Than You Think