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I Don’t Need Your Cows! –Psalm 50:9

May 17, 2012 in 2012 Journey, My story, Prayer, Psalms, Thankfulness with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 50, Psalms 73-74

Have you ever had a day when you were feeling “all that” and someone comes along and puts you in your place?

It happens to me quite often.  I remember a few years ago  when I was going to college and sitting in the head of the adult education department’s office talking about my “wealth” of experience as a 50 year-old and he proceeded to correct my pronunciation of the word “exegetical.”

—I felt pretty stupid!

I promise you being corrected by a professor was nothing compared to the living God of the universe tapping the Israelites on the shoulder through the Psalmist Asaph.

7 “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.
10 For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains,
and all the animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,
and keep the vows you made to the Most High.
15 Then call on me when you are in trouble,
and I will rescue you,
and you will give me glory.” 

–Psalm 50:7-15

Do you feel as small as I do?

The Lord doesn’t depend on my worship for survival. He instituted the sacrifices not because He needed the animals but because the people desperately needed Him.

The good news is we now know what pleases God!

THANKFULNESS

Once again, I see God as a parent.

Isn’t it wonderful when your kids are thankful?

There’s nothing like it; it makes you want to give them more.  I think our heavenly Father feels the same way.

He said, “If you’re thankful, then you can call on me when you are in trouble and I will rescue you and you will be more thankful! (My paraphrase)

He says this again in verse 23 of Psalm 50:

 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.  If you keep to my path,

I will reveal to you the salvation of God.

After reading this Psalm is sounds pretty simple.  God wants his people to be thankful, to fulfill their vows, and to follow His ways.

Heavenly Father, help us, to have a thankful heart!  Holy Spirit, show us Your way!   Thank you for Jesus!

Amen and Amen!


©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 75 through 78

Do You Live in the Land of Forgetfulness? Psalm 88:10-12

May 16, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Blessings, Christian Living, God Speaks today, Psalms, Success, Thankfulness with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 144-145; 88-89

Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead?

Do the dead rise up and praise you?

Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love?

Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds?

Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness?

 –Psalm 88:10-12

God’s blessings are useless to the dead and those who can’t remember them.

Can I go as far to say that in the context of these verses ‘not’ remembering God’s blessings is the same as being dead?

I hate it when I forget something.  Unfortunately, things like brain overload, stress, aging, etc. can cause us to be forgetful.

I wonder if God says in an understanding way, “They are just so busy; they forgot.”

They forgot…

  • Who provided the job
  • Who provided the nice salary
  • Who blessed them with a spouse and kids
  • Where their talents and gifts came from
Just last night I had two friends sharing in amazement the great things God is doing in their lives.  I said to both of them, “Write it down, or you will forget.”  I know that journaling isn’t for everyone, but you don’t want to forget what God has done and you don’t want to forget how you felt when He did it!

 

How do you think God feels about our forgetfulness?

Heavenly Father, help me not to live in the land of forgetfulness.  If I begin showing signs  going there, get my attention.  I don’t want to forget all that you have done for me!  Jesus, thank you for the cross.

In Your Name I pray.  Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 50; Psalms 73-74

9 Things to Do When You Feel Hopeless–Psalm 143

May 15, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Depression, Failure, Family, Issues Women Face, Prayer, Psalms, Trust with 13 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138-141, 143

Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. –Psalms 143:7

Have you ever been in this place?

King David, “The man after God’s own heart,” who wrote these words knew about depression.  He probably didn’t call it depression. Depression is a term that has become a household word only in the last 40-50 years, but he certainly mentioned one of the common characteristics of depression–hopelessness:

What do you do when you’ve lost all hope?

God allowed David to go through times of depression and hopelessness. He also  had David journal these times in the Psalms so that you and I can make it through our times of hopelessness.

If you are severely depressed by all means seek medical help, but for many of us following David’s example could be the missing piece in our pursuit of hope.

Here’s what David did:

1. Go to God–Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea (Psalm 143:1).

2. Tell Him exactly how you feel-My enemy has chased me.  He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to lie in darkness like those in the grave.  I’m losing all hope; I’m paralyzed with fear (Psalms 143:3-4).

3. Remember–I remember the days of old, I ponder all Your great works and think about what You have done (Psalms 143:5).

4. Spend time worshiping God–I lift my hands to You in prayer.  I thirst for You as parched land thirsts for rain (Psalms 143:9).

5. Update God on your Progress–Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depressions deepens.  Don’t turn away from me, or I will die (Psalms 143:7).

6. Trust God for the outcome–Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You (Psalms 143:8).

7. Ask for direction–Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you (Psalms 143:8b).  May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing (Psalm 143:10b).

8. Be teachable–Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God (Psalm 143:10).

9. Have the right motive–For the glory of Your name, O Lord, preserve my life.  Because of Your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress (Psalms 143:11).

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who feel hopeless tonight. Pursue them. Come close.  Lord, help them to know that Your Word is their lifeline. Holy Spirit, speak to them. Give them hope.  Heal their sadness.  Replace it with Your joy.  Lord, do it for the Glory of Your Name.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!


 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 144-145; Psalm 88-89

What If–Psalm 124

May 14, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Depression, Faith, Fear, Finances, Issues Women Face, Psalms, Tough Times with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 103; Psalms 108 through 110; Psalms 122, 124

Do you ever play the “what-if” game?

What if I would have…

  • been born at a different time
  • lived in a different country
  • had a different set of parents
  • married a different person
  • been smarter, thinner, darker, lighter, etc…

King David played the what-if game too:

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
2 What if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us?
3 They would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger.
4 The waters would have engulfed us;
a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury
would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
8 Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

          Psalm 124

I can just see King David looking out over Jerusalem at sunset, rubbing his chin and saying these words and then pausing for a long time to think about what it would be like and then saying the words again.

What if the Lord had not been on your side?

Where would you be?

I’m serious when I say this, if the Lord had not been on my side I believe I would be in the mental health unit of some hospital or dead.  I’m not trying to be a drama queen, but I cannot put into words the peace that Jesus Christ has brought into my life…peace in the midst of life’s storms.

I often wonder how people who don’t believe in Jesus cope with the day-to-day challenges of life.  Who do they turn to in the middle of the night when they’re scared to death?  Where do they go when life just doesn’t make sense?

These are tough times that we live in.  It’s really easy to ask questions like:

What if…

  • I lose my job
  • I lose my house
  • I get cancer
  • I lose my religious freedom

The list could go on and on—

As Christians we will always have a choice…

We can live in constant fear

Or we can say with David…

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Amen and Amen!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller
 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138 through 141; Psalm 143

 

It’s Time to Worship—Psalm 66: 1-2

May 12, 2012 in 2012 Journey, God Speaks today, Jesus, Prayer, Psalms, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 61 through 62; Psalm 64 through 67

When I read the Psalms I sometimes forget they were songs. Theses Psalms are equivalent to today’s top worship songs, such as Chris Tomlin’s, “How Great is Our God,” and Jennie Lee Riddle’s “Revelation Song.”  Whether you’re a charismatic worshiper or someone who enjoys the consistency and beauty of a more liturgical style of worship, today’s scripture is a call to worship the one, true, living God.

Shout joyful praise to God, all the earth!

Sing about the glory of his name!

Tell the world how glorious he is!    –Psalm 66: 1-2

As I read these two verses several times I noticed…

It doesn’t say shout, sing and tell—IF

  • You’ve had a good week, everyone’s healthy, and you had a great hair day
  • You’re a gifted shouter, singer, or teller
  • You’re feeling it
  • You’re at church

Jehovah God is worthy of our praise.  Just like the psalmist reminded the children of Israel of God’s faithfulness in Psalm 66:6; we need to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness to us.  What I find interesting is the psalmist sang about a miracle that had happened several generations earlier.  In our instant gratification society, we don’t spend enough time remembering.  I guess Jesus knew how we would be so he told us to observe the Lord’s Supper to remember what He did for us on Calvary.

When the psalmist penned these words Jesus had not came to the earth, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.  For those of us who have asked Jesus to come into our hearts and be our Savior and Lord we have more than enough to shout, sing and tell.

Today, let’s shout and proclaim Jesus as our Lord; sing to the top of our lungs of His greatness, and tell the world about our Savior so that they may know Him more!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 68-70; Psalm 86, Psalm 101

Famous Last Words: Nothing Can Stop Me Now! Psalms 30:6-7

May 10, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Failure, Goals, leadership, My story, Pride, Psalms, Sin with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 35 through 38

“Nothing Can Stop Me Now!”  Have you ever thought or said those words?

David did:

When I was prosperous I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” Your favor; O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain.  Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
                                                                                                                                     Psalms 30: 6-7
 
 

It is understandable how the pride of success could overtake David; he had a lot going for him:

  • A successful shepherd at a young age
  • Had killed lions and bears
  • Killed the giant Goliath
  • Was chosen over King Saul and all his brothers to be the King of Israel
  • A charismatic leader who always had a following
  • Won many battles and conquered great kingdoms
  • Had many beautiful wives and concubines
  • An accomplished musician and songwriter

This is by no means a complete list; these are just the first things that came to mind.  I’ve heard it said that success is a greater test of character than failure.  It definitely seemed true in David’s life, when he was running from Saul and hiding in caves, he was closely in tune with God, but when his kingdom was secure and he had reached his goals then he began to think and act like, “nothing can stop me now!”

When God’s favor is on your life it’s easy to think you did it all yourself, but when that favor is no longer there you are left with what you brought to the party…not much.

In 1993, I had just won my first pink Cadillac with Mary Kay Cosmetics.  It seemed that everything I touched turned to gold.  I had been in MK eight years and had won four cars.  I had found my sweet spot.  I was an expert in my region and had many opportunities to speak and teach! I held team meetings every week and I could run that meeting with little preparation…EVERYTHING WAS SO EASY!

I always gave God the credit for my success, but I mistakenly thought my God-given talents, gifts, and abilities were the reason for my success not the favor and blessing of God.  It’s like the principle of sowing and reaping, we sow our talents, gifts and abilities but it is GOD who gives the increase.

Just like David I thought, “Nothing can stop me now!” And just like David, the same thing that stopped him, stopped me; God lifted His hand of favor from my Mary Kay career.  The Holy Spirit told me the Mary Kay season was over, but my identity was so wrapped up in being a Sales Director, I didn’t listen and set out on my own.  Bad decision— When God’s favor left so did my passion, confidence, joy, and success.

Finally, four years after God told me to resign my unit; a broke, depressed, lifeless daughter crawled into the lap of her Heavenly Father and turned over the reigns of her life to Him.  It was amazing as soon as I “let go” He began something new that led to an amazing second career!

Two and a half years ago I again heard God speak and tell me to leave my second career; this time I listened.  Was it scary?  Most definitely, but it would have been scarier to stay.   Do I know what God has for this next season?  I’m not sure, but I’ve learned what Moses experienced, “as long as the Lord’s leading, I’m going!”  Exodus 33: 15-16

I say with David, “Lord, your favor is as secure as the mountain;” let me live there the rest of my days!

 ©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 39 through 41; Psalms 53, 55, 58

I said, “Yes!”–Psalm 27:8

May 9, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Encouragement, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Prayer, Psalms with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 27-32

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”  –Psalm 27: 8

A few months ago I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me…

Dianne, what if I had special things I wanted to talk to you about on early morning walks?  What if you are missing special times with me because you’re not making the effort to take a daily walk?

While I feel bad most days about not exercising, I had never thought that not taking a walk was sacrificing “God time.”

But now that I think about it, almost every time I go for a walk I feel closer to God; I feel like He speaks to me.

What if the God of the universe was saying to me “Come and walk with me.  Come and talk with me?”

Just so you know, I ignored God.

Yep, just went on about my life.  You see, I write my blog posts in the morning, so early morning walks are difficult. I just couldn’t fit it in.

For some reason this morning I postponed writing my devotion and went on a walk.  No sooner than I had gotten out of the subdivision, I felt this question bubble up in my mind:

Will you write your blog post at a different time of day and come on a walk with Me each morning?

I said, YES!

I encourage you to ask God where, when, and how He wants to communicate with YOU.  He will answer you…and then SAY YES!

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 35-38

Have You Ever Felt Abandoned by God? Psalm 22:1

May 8, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Faith, Holiness, Prayer, Psalms, Rejection, The Cross, The Hurting World, Tough Times, Trials, Trust with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 22-26

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.  At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”  –Matthew 27:45-46

I’ve read and heard these words countless times over the years but today I saw them in Psalms 22 and I was surprised:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.    –Psalms 22:2-5
 

Yes, David penned those words many years before Jesus shouted them on the cross.

Jesus AND David felt abandoned by God.

Have you ever felt abandoned by God?

Have you ever felt like God did not answer?

David used a word that we need to remember when we feel abandoned:

Yet

My paraphrase of Psalm 22:1-5

Lord, I feel like you’ve abandoned me.  I call you, but You do not answer.  I know You hear me, but you are sending me no relief.

Yet, 

You are still holy.  

You still deserved my praise.  

Our ancestors trusted You when they felt abandoned.  

They cried out to You and You saved them.  

They were never disgraced by trusting You.  

So I’m going to do the same.

Do you feel abandoned today?

Tell the Lord exactly how you feel and when you’ve said all you need to say, add this line:

Yet, You are Holy Lord.  I don’t understand but I praise You and I trust You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 27-32

BEWARE: What’s In Your Heart WILL Come Out of Your Mouth!

May 7, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Christian Living, Failure, Giving Our Best to God, God Speaks today, Holiness, leadership, Psalms, righteous living, Sin, speaking God's Words, The Power of Words, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21

David speaking to the Lord:

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  –Psalm 19: 12-14

In this Psalm it seems as though David said everything that every human being trying to live for God has thought at one time or another.

It is comforting to me to pray this Psalm to my God.

You see, I have a problem; I tend to think I’m better than I am.

Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of things that bug me about me, but I know that some of the things that bug me don’t bug my Lord and some of the things that don’t bug me really bug my Lord.

The problem is Satan, my spiritual enemy distracts me with silly things so I don’t notice the heart things—the hidden faults.

I’m worried about check lists:  Daily Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, etc. and my heavenly Father is looking to see why I am doing those things— He goes straight to the heart!

If my heart isn’t right it doesn’t matter how much I read, pray, or go to church—it’s the “why” that counts.

The interesting thing about the way God wired us is– what’s in our heart WILL eventually come out of our mouth.  David knew this and prayed for both to be pleasing to God.  So the lesson for us is:

  • If you don’t like what’s coming out of your mouth check your heart
  • If you’re controlling your mouth but have sin in your heart; watch out, it will come out when you’re least expecting it

In Psalm 119: 9-11, an unknown psalmist (it sure sounds like David to me) gave us instructions to keep our heart pure:

How can a young person stay pure?  By obeying your word.
I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Heavenly Father, we don’t want to be controlled by sin.  We  join with David and ask you to show us our hidden sins and faults.  We want a pure heart; continue to draw us to Your Word.  Help us to treasure Your word and read it, meditate on it, memorize it, and talk about it so that we might not sin against You!

Thank you Lord for speaking through Your Word!

 

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

 

Is It Possible to Remove the Stains of Sin? Psalm 51:1-9

April 26, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Depression, Divorce, Failure, Faith, Family, Living a Life that reflects the Son, Prayer, Psalms, Sin, Word of God with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Chronicles 20:1; 2 Samuel 11: 1 through 12: 14; Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 12: 15-25; 2 Samuel 5: 14-16; 1 Chronicles 14: 3-7; 1 Chronicles 3: 5-9

Can I be candid?

I’ve often wondered how David could have been a murderer and an adulterer and still have been “a man after God’s own heart.”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful he was, because it gives me hope; it’s just hard to understand.

After reading David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, I think I know a bit more about the heart of the man who touched the heart of the God of the Universe.

David revealed his broken spirit and repentant heart in that Psalm.  He came clean before the Lord.  David prayed to the Lord in verse 17, The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit, You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

I encourage you to read Psalm 51 out loud; David said the words we would like to say but can never articulate.  I’ve prayed David’s prayer many times when I needed God’s forgiveness but couldn’t put my feelings into words.

There were two phrases that caught my eye in this beautiful Psalm, “blot out the stain of my sins” (1 b) and “remove the stain of my guilt” (9 b).

What do you do with a garment that has a stain that you can’t get out?

I either save it for yard work or give it to Goodwill.  I can’t stand to wear clothes with stains on them.  I wonder if David felt the same way about stains and worried that he would be cast aside because of his imperfections.

Oh the wisdom of David.

He knew these were two separate issues.

He knew he couldn’t get rid of the stain of either by himself.

I have asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins many, many times but I can  never remember asking Him to take away my guilt.  I have often thought that guilt was a consequence of sin that I had to live with; a battle I had to fight alone.

Friends, I have good news!

God answered David’s prayer and He will answer ours as well!

I can’t wait for you the read the rest of the Psalms and see

  • the joy flowing out of David’s heart
  • the confidence that could only come from a life that was stain-free before the Lord

Both the sin and the guilt were gone forever!

David found out how he could be perfect, even after committed sins so bad that he is remembered for them to this very day.

From his own lips…

  • God is my strong fortress and He makes my way perfect (2 Samuel 22: 33).
  • God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32)

It’s God who makes us perfect.

It’s God who removes the stain of sin and the stain of guilt.

Father, we pray with David…

Create in us a clean heart, O God. 
Renew a loyal spirit within us.
Do not banish us from your presence,
And don’t take your Holy Spirit from us.
Restore to us the joy of your salvation
and make us willing to obey you.
                                                      Psalm 51: 10-12
 
 

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 
©2012, Dianne GuthmullerTomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 12: 26-31; 1 Chronicles 20: 2-3;2 Samuel 13: 1 through 14:33
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