March 1
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GOD WILL JUDGE WITH EQUITY
We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds. 2 “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity. 3 When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
It is I who keep steady its pillars.4 I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
And to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
5 Do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.’”
6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
7 But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.
8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed,
And he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth
Shall drain it down to the dregs. 9 But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. 10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
But the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up. – Psalm 75:1-10
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This is a hymn of praise to God for the many wondrous deeds he has done. It is also a warning to the people, a reminder that it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting another (v7). It gives us a clear picture of God’s hand over the mix of people he made (v8) and ensuring that the wicked and the righteous will be both filtered in the end. The horn (v4) is a symbol of power according to the ESV study bible footnotes. To lift up is to make public assertion of power. God warns the ungodly not to do this. God promises the he will lift up the horns of the righteous. To cut off the horns is to render powerless and to humiliate, which is what he will do to the wicked.
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ADORATION: Praise to the only just God, our heavenly Father. He is omniscient and omnipotent. We bring you all the glory.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I forget to exercise fairness to others.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for all the equality you exercise in all your creation.
SUPPLICATION: May all people remember that it is your judgment that matters. Nothing else does. May righteousness reign over all mankind.
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REFLECTION
• Why is justice a practice that all believers need to exercise?
Monthly Archives: February 2020
GOD IS OUR FORTRESS ILMA’S VLOG
February 28
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GOD IS OUR FORTRESS
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy habitation of the Most High.5 God is in the midst of her;
She shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our fortress. – Psalm 46:1-11
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This is hymn that rejoices in the strength that we can hold on to in times of troubles. The psalmist enumerates the many dangers that God’s people can face (v 2-3) such as catastrophes. Zion, the city of the Most High cannot be moved because God resides in the chosen place. Because God is our fortress, we are reminded to be still and rely on him alone. Whenever we are overwhelmed, confused and beset by troubles, we can remember to choose peace and know that God is in control.
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ADORATION: Bless the Lord for he is our fortress, our protection, our strength!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I succumb to panic, fear and desperation.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for being my rock, my fortress, my source of strength and hope. You are so generous with your loved ones.
SUPPLICATION: May we encourage others with the strength that we draw from God and lead them to rely only on the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do people easily panic when struck with disaster or suffering?
WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL -ILMA’S VLOG
February 27
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WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN O MY SOUL?
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?” 4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
How I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God
With glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation 6 and my God.
My soul is cast down within me; therefore, I remember you
From the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;
All your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me,
A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,
While they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 142:1-11
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This psalm expresses a longing for peace amidst the many circumstances that depletes the soul. It is bordering between hopelessness and hopefulness. It exhibits the psalmists choosing to trust God despite the seemingly desperate situation he is experiencing. It is an honest prayer of dependence on God especially in times of weakness.
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ADORATION: Lord, you are my rock, my salvation, my hope. Praise to you Lord!
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I don’t rely on you during times of weakness.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for a solid foundation in your word.
SUPPLICATION: May we see hope in the midst of all the chaos surrounding us.
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REFLECTION
• What are the reasons why a believer can feel downcast?
• How can feeling downcast be a good chance to exercise our dependence on God?
BLESSED ARE THE FORGIVEN ILMA’s VLOG
February 26
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BLESSED ARE THE FORGIVEN
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
And I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
Offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters,
They shall not reach him.7 You are a hiding place for me;
You preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
Which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy,
All you upright in heart! – Psalm 32:1-11
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This psalm is a praise and thanksgiving song to the Lord. The psalmist is full of gratitude as he points out how the Lord forgives those who are able to admit and confess their sins. It encourages God’s people not to forget to check their hearts for any impurities so they can bring it to the Lord for forgiveness. This psalm is a reminder of the steadfast love that surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord and the blessings he receives
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ADORATION: Praise the forgiving and faithful God we love!
CONFESSION: Forgive us when we hide and don’t confess our sins.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the unconditional love you give us.
SUPPLICATION: May we have courage to face our sins and confess it to the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is confession essential in a believer’s life?
• What happens when we don’t regularly examine our hearts and confess?
ASCRIBE TO THE LORD GLORY ILMA’s VLOG
February 25
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ASCRIBE TO THE LORD GLORY
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare,
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
The LORD sits enthroned as king forever.11 May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace! – Psalm 29:1-11
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According to ESV commentary, this psalm is a hymn of praise to God for his awesome power. A thunderstorm serves as a visible representation of God’s majestic voice. It seems reasonable to suppose that setting the psalm in a thunderstorm deliberately places Yahweh over Ball, the storm-god widely worshiped in Syria-Palestine. God created the phenomena of nature. They serve his purposes and demonstrate his wisdom, glory, faithfulness and even his love.
Do we remember God during storms, earthquakes, floods and other natural phenomena? More often, we fear and fail to see the creator who is behind all of it. We are only awed by the beauty of nature and forget to see his power over such phenomena, that he is all in control.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is all-powerful and mighty. May his name be glorified.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I take control of things that I have no control over.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for your creation including the phenomena that frightens us.
SUPPLICATION: May all people attribute all things to the Maker of All, God Almighty.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it essential for Christians to ascribe glory to God? What results from it?
YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL
February 24
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YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the LORD,
“You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand,
I shall not be shaken.9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
My flesh also dwells secure.10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
Or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life;
In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
-Psalm 16:1-11
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The psalm declares the result of entrusting one’s life to God. They experience confidence and contentment knowing that without the Lord, they are nothing. It declares the importance of taking delight in being with the other holy people of God. They set themselves apart to those who are idolaters because they have chosen to be faithful to the Lord. They take counsel from him alone and allow his Spirit to guide and teach him. They have that joy from being with a God who is solid rock and they are all secure in him.
God never abandons his people. He is always there for them.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord who is our solid rock, our foundation. He is our refuge and the only source of joy and wisdom.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I allow myself to be corrupted by the world.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for choosing me as one of your people.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people stay pure and holy so that God can be glorified. May we all shine his light in this corrupt world.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the psalmist say that he is no good apart from God?
Psalm 146-Put Not your Trust in Princes
February 23
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PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.3 Put not your trust in princes,
In a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.4 When his breath departs,
He returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets the prisoners free; 8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
But the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.10 The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD! – Psalm 146:1-10
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This psalm is a song of hope. All God’s people praise the Lord. They sing songs of worship to him. They declare that there is no one trustworthy put the God of Jacob, who has delivered his people from the enemies and who made a covenant with them. They worship the one and only creator of all the heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. The character of God is recited by those who love him. They speak of his provision, protection, healing, his justice and bondage breaker. They edify the Lord by speaking of all that he has done for his people.
Do we meditate on the attributes of God in our busy lives now? We have gone so far from these faithful and committed people of God. Let us never forget to sing praises to the God who is Maker of all. We need to put our trust only in him.
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ADORATION: May the God of Jacob be blessed and praised forever by all nations.
CONFESSION: Forgive me when I fail to remember your character focus only on mine.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for making us in your image; we have hope that we can one day be like you, full of unconditional love.
SUPPLICATION: May we trust only in the Lord who made all things and knows all things.
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REFLECTION
• Why shouldn’t we put our trust in mere humans? Why trust only God?
GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
February 22
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GIVE EAR TO MY VOICE
O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you,
And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds
In company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—
It is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff,
Then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth,
So shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol; 8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. – Psalm 141:1-10
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The ESV study bible calls this an individual lament, a prayer that God will protect the faithful person against all insincerity and compromise. This is a prayer to God requesting the Lord to hear the plea for protection over any form of complacency, dishonesty and impurities in their hearts. We can all definitely identify with this prayer. This world is full of seductions to do evil and live compromised lives. When we fail to see that the Lord comes first, we are putting ourselves in danger of being ensnared by the evil one.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord! He is merciful and loving. He is our protector. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: Grant me pardon each time I compromise making you first in all.
THANKSGIVING: Thanks be to God who cares for every detail of our lives.
SUPPLICATION: May we never merge evil and righteousness together which is a form of compromise and lack of integrity.
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REFLECTION
• What compromises do you see in the body of Christ and what should you do?
THE RIGHTEOUS WILL NEVER BE MOVED ILMA’S VLOG
February 21
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THE RIGHTEOUS WILL NEVER BE MOVED
Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
Who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; The generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
Who conducts his affairs with justice.6 For the righteous will never be moved;
He will be remembered forever.7 He is not afraid of bad news;
His heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
Until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.9 He has distributed freely;
He has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever;
His horn is exalted in honor.10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
He gnashes his teeth and melts away; the desire of the wicked will perish!
-Psalm 112:1-10
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This psalm declares the fulfillment of God’s promise to those who are righteous. The psalm praises God for granting his people a reverence for him. We are not able to do that in our own strength because of our fallen nature, so God grants his chosen people to have that fear for him and delight in his commands. The psalm enumerates the blessings that the righteous receive. They become prosperous and unmovable. Their hearts are firm and trusting in the Lord always and thus, they triumph over their enemies. They are full of integrity and just in all their ways. God honors such faithfulness with much favors.
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ADORATION: Praise the Lord for being the Rock that we can all stand on.
CONFESSION: Forgive me whenever I rely on others people and things rather than on you.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for the foundation that you grant me in your truth.
SUPPLICATION: May all God’s people never fail to obey and trust him all the days of their lives. May they choose righteousness in all they do.
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REFLECTION
• How has God been faithful to provide your every need and requests when you stay faithful to trust and obey him? What happens when you don’t do so?
HE PUT A NEW SONG IN MY MOUTH Psalm Blog
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HE PUT A NEW SONG IN MY MOUTH
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,
And set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
Who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
Your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
None can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them,
Yet they are more than can be told. – Psalm 40:1-5
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The Lord puts a new song in the psalmist’s mouth. He enumerates the many reasons why we all need to declare the new song which is a testament to all of his goodness and love. He reckons the reasons why we need to continue to put our trust in God. His loving kindness to hear our cry is clearly stated in verse 1. The second verse shows God’s deliverance and protection and how he gives us stability and strength like a rock. It is only right to sing the new song (new things he has done for us) so many will see and fear the Lord and continue to put their trust in him. Our testimonies will bring glory to his faithful love for us and shine light on those who have forgotten him. It will be an encouragement to those who have lost their way and gone tepid in their walk. By singing the new song he gives us, we become salt and light of the earth and we praise and worship him.
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ADORATION: We sing the songs that you placed in our mouths to glorify you. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: Forgive me each time I fail to see the blessings and solutions you give me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for rescuing me from darkness and the hopelessness.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers hear the new songs you put in their mouths so they can glorify you and give you all the praise for the many blessings you bestow on us each day.
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REFLECTION
• What is the new song that the Lord has put in your mouth lately? Have you sang these songs to others?