Faithfully Yours Forever

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+67+&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 67 (NIV 2011)

On this day, let this psalm be our solemn and fervent prayer.

¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine on us—
² so that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
³ May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples with equity
and guide the nations of the earth.
⁵ May the peoples praise you, God;
may all the peoples praise you.
⁶ The land yields its harvest;
God, our God, blesses us.
⁷ May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Amen, and Amen.

Let us praise Him and all He is and does!  May we be grateful… eternally grateful… for everything He does for, is doing, and will do for us!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+66+&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 66
Verses: Psalm 66:1-2, 4, 7, 8-9, 16 (NIV).

I love worshipping the Lord through music and song!  Many a song has been written from the words and inspiration that come from Psalm 66.  In part, Psalm 66 says:

• Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious [v. 1-2].
• All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name [v. 4].
• He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him [v. 7]
• Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping [v. 8-9]
• Come and hear, all you who fear God; let [us] tell [others] what he has done for [us] [v. 16].

May we do all these things, acknowledge all these things, be thankful for all these things, hear all these things, and seek after all the things of God that are written of in Psalm 66.  May all the praise be to God, who has not rejected [our] prayer or withheld his love from [us] [v. 20]!  Have a blessed day, in the Lord, and praise and serve Him and Him alone.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+65+&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 65
Verses: Psalm 65:1-2 (NIV)
How pleasing it must be to the Lord, our God.  Our
Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.

He has forgiven us for all those things that have separated us from Him.  We are blessed when we choose to live in a close relationship with Him.  He fills our lives with all the truly good things that this earthly life has to offer.  We can find strength from Him to cope with the challenges of the day.  True hope is found in Him.  May we be in awe as we consider His creation.  May we be wise stewards of all He has entrusted to us.

May we envision a time when [God will] crown the year with [His] bounty, and [His] carts [will] overflow with abundance.  [When] the grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.  [When] the meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they [will] shout for joy and sing [v. 11-13].  What a joyous description of a time to come for those who believe and trust in the Lord!  May we find peace and rest in this future hope.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18%3A1-6%2C+Matthew+18%3A10-14&version=NIV
Passage: Matthew 18:1-6, Matthew 18:10-14
Verse: In Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

What is it about being childlike that opens the doors of kingdom of heaven?  Young children usually trust their parents.  They look up to them and expect them to take care of them, to provide for them, and to meet their needs.  Young children want to be accepted, loved, and cared for by their parents.  They know they should do the will of their parents… and they know [or learn] there are consequences for not doing so.  Do we trust our heavenly Father?  Do we believe He loves us and will take care of us?

Often we make things too complicated!  Our faith in God, through Jesus Christ, need not be so difficult.  May we simply believe in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross.  God opens the door and, by His grace, makes it possible for us to believe this Truth.  May we accept His free gift of grace… and simply believe.  When we see someone who is lost, may we help them find their way to a saving faith in Jesus.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+64+&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 64
Verses: Psalm 64:3-4, 7-8, 10 (NIV).

• They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear [v. 3-4].
• God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn [v. 7-8].
• May we rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him [v. 10]!

When we think about the things that threaten us, we tend to think about attacks from foreign countries or some random act of violence.  We do not always think about or consider the threats that come from those a little closer to home.  This psalm talks about the evildoers or wicked people who plot against us.  Often their attacks are with words.  They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.  They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear [v. 3-4].  While these attacks may not harm us physically, they can take a serious toll on us in other ways. In addition, it can be really disheartening when we realize, as the psalm indicates, that these evildoers or wicked people gather together… encouraging each other… and collectively work to devise plans to harm us.  However, this psalm also tells us that God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn [v. 7-8].  May we remember what God has promised to do for us during these times.  He will not forsake or abandon us.  May we rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him [v. 10]!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A41-52&version=NIV
Passage: Luke 2:41-52
Verse: Luke 2:49-50 (NIV)
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

I want you to think back, for a moment, to a time when you first shared with your family or friends about your faith in Jesus Christ… and the belief you have in what He did for you on the cross.  Did they understand what you were telling them?  Maybe they did not understand what you were saying either, just as this portion of scripture indicates that Mary and Joseph did not understand what Jesus was saying to them.

Being born again into God’s family, through Jesus Christ, makes us a Child of God… not just one of God’s children.  Being a Child of God has responsibilities.  Jesus, even as a boy, desired to be with His Father and to do His will.  However, sometimes as we seek to do the will of our heavenly Father, we can become distracted.  Are you about our heavenly Father’s business?  May we be able to focus on those things that God has uniquely gifted us to do for Him and to advance His kingdom.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+102%3A19-28&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 102:19-28
Verse: Psalm 102:28 (NIV)
The children of your servants will live in your presence;
their descendants will be established before you.

When we gather to worship and serve the Lord, it is pleasing to Him.  We are but a grain of sand in all of God’s creation, yet He chooses to work in and through us.  While our days on earth are few, let us be open to how He wants to use us.  We should not underestimate the influence we can have upon others for Him, as individuals or a part of the Body of Christ.

It is a blessing when the Lord allows us to see how we have positively touched the lives of those around us.  As Christlike disciples, may the love of the Lord shine through us to those in need.  May we be humbled in knowing that the Lord has chosen to use us to reach the lost souls of this world… right here, right now! (inspired by Reflecting God – Devotions for Holy Living, WordAction Publishing Company)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2063&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 63 (NIV)

In Psalm 63, we are reminded that, as Christians, God is our God.  Do you seek Him?  Do you thirst after everything that is from God?  Have you seen His power?  Do you sense His glory?  May we do… and see… and sense… all of these things.  May we realize that His love is better than life [v. 3].  Because of His love for us, may we glorify Him in all we do.  May we praise His holy name!  May He feed us physically and spiritually.  May He always care for and watch over us.  May He protect us from those people, things, circumstances, or forces that seek to destroy us or separate us from God.  May we rejoice in God [and know] all who swear by God will glory in Him [v. 11].  May we find peace and rest in Him today.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2062&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 62 (NIV)

May we be able to say this:
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken [v. 1-2].

As we read this passage, we realize that today… just as was the case back then… people are not always going to be in our corner; they are not always going to be supportive of us.  In addition to salvation coming from the Lord, the psalmist notes that he can rest in God; he knows his hope comes from Him [v.5].  May we place our hope in Him.  May we know that we can stand in times of distress, trouble, or sorrow; we will not be shaken [v.6]; He will restore.  May we remember to trust in him at all times…; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge [v. 8].  May we also remember that the power belongs to you, God, and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”; and, You reward everyone according to what they have done [v. 11-12].

May you have a blessed day as you serve Him in some small way today.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2061&version=NIV
Passage: Psalm 61 (NIV) [emphasis added]

• Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer [v. 1].
• I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [v. 2].
• For you, God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name [v. 5].
• I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day [v. 8].

May we be in prayer today.  May we be strengthened by the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ.  May we reaffirm our vows to our God.  May we praise Him today.  May we diligently seek to fulfill our vows to Him today and always.  May we be ready to receive all the blessing that He has for us today.