March 29
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PSALM 146 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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PUT YOUR TRUST ALONE IN THE LORD by ILMA
To the Lord, who made heaven and earth, be glory and praise!
He alone is the only One we need to trust for he is full of grace
It is futile to trust man, who has no power like our Lord God
Humans do not know all things and doesn’t see things from up above
He is the one who brings justice to the weak and the oppressed
He watches over the sojourners, widows and fatherless
The Lord ensures that the poor and weak are cared for
He encourages those who are depressed and discouraged
He sets prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind
He takes care of all his creation and He brings life and light
Blessings will be poured to those who put their trust in the Lord
Destruction awaits those who trust and follow the world
Give praise to the only source of protection and freedom
Put him first in all that you do so you can abound in wisdom
The Lord will rule eternally; he is the beginning and the end
He is full of majesty, steadfast love, compassion and grace.
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REFLECTION
• Why does the psalmist caution us not to put our faith in human authority or power?
• How can one develop a habit of trusting God and letting go of self-reliance?
Monthly Archives: March 2022
PSALM 145 THE LORD PRESERVES ALL WHO LOVE HIM
March 28
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PSALM 145 THE LORD PRESERVES ALL WHO LOVE HIM
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. – Psalm 145:14-21
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A RIGHTEOUS AND KIND GOD by ILMA
Our Lord God is full of empathy and compassion
He lifts up the hearts of those who are discouraged
He cares for every living thing he has created
He provides for their nourishment and all their needs
The Lord is righteous in everything he does and in all his ways
He is full of kindness and mercy and wants us all to be saved
But he especially preserves all those who love him
And because he is just, he needs to destroy evil
He fulfills the desires of those who obey and fear him
He listens to all their pleas and grant them mercy
The Lord is near to all those who call on him in truth
He protects and preserves those who are faithful.________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we exercise kindness and follow the path of righteousness in this very perverse world we live in?
PSALM 145 GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL AND ABOUNDING IN LOVE
March 27
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PSALM 145 GRACIOUS, MERCIFUL AND ABOUNDING IN LOVE
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The LORD is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]– Psalm 145:8-13
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FAITHFUL IN ALL HIS WORDS by ILMA
The Lord God is steadfast in his love and in his faithfulness
He is full of grace and always ready to extend his forgiveness
He is slow to anger and patient to all those who fear him
His kingdom lasts forever and his sovereignty endures infinitely.
All you children of God, declare his mighty works to all people
He is worthy to be praised and given honor and glory
There is no one else like God, who is a promise keeper
He is always just and true to his words; he is faithful.
All your good deeds reflect his mercy and grace
God must increase and we must never take credit or boast
Every word he speaks and declares bring life and light
Seek his word and you will experience overflowing grace.
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REFLECTION
• How can believers stay faithful in their words just like their God does?
• Why is faithfulness to God’s word essential in a believer’s life?
PSALM 145 GREAT IS THE LORD
March 26
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PSALM 145 GREAT IS THE LORD
I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness. – Psalm 145:1-7
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GLORY TO OUR MAJESTIC GOD by ILMA
Glory be to the King of kings and Lord of lords
His greatness is incomprehensible and incomparable
He is the beginning, the end and is eternal
No other gods can compare to his splendor
All you people of God, declare his greatness
Sing out hymns and speak of his righteousness
Pass on to your children and their children his deeds
They shall receive his promises and receive much blessings
Always worship the Lord your God who gave you life
Keep in awe of him and constantly stay in his light
You owe the Lord all that is good; he pours out his grace
Speak of his steadfast love and his acts of kindness
Shout out loud all he has done especially his miracles
Pour out your praise to keep him glorified
Only bow down to his magnificence and majesty.
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REFLECTION
• How can you develop a love for worshipping God just like David did?
PSALM 51 MY MOUTH WILL DECLARE YOUR PRAISE
March 25
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PSALM 51 MY MOUTH WILL DECLARE YOUR PRAISE
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar. – Psalm 51:14-19
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LET PRAISE ALONE COME OUT OF MY MOUTH by ILMA
O my Lord, you are the only one worthy of praise
I will worship you with all my heart, soul and mind
O God of my salvations, let me sing of your righteousness
Rescue me from anything that comes from the evil one
My God, help me to think only of what is pure and true
Let me constantly abide in you and dwell in your word
Take control of my mouth so that it will only speak life
Let my whole life be a testament to your steadfast love
You delight in a pure heart that constantly seek you
Change me so that my mind will also be renewed
Let me dwell alone in your statutes that are pure
Help me worship and praise you in spirit and in truth
To the only Maker of heaven and earth be honor and glory
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think David invites us believers to let our mouths praise God alone?
PSALM 51 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD
March 24
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PSALM 51 CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you. – Psalm 51:7-13
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RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT IN ME, O LORD by ILMA
O Lord, you are the only one who can cleanse me
I bow down to you and ask your forgiveness on my sins
Turn my darkened heart and make it whiter than snow
Do not look at my iniquity: hide your face, O God
But do not give up on me O Lord or leave me without pardon
Renew a right spirit in me so all my weaknesses can be overcome
Restore in me the joy of your salvation and give me an obedient heart
Wash away all tendencies in me to go against your truth and statutes
Create in me a heart that constantly examines itself against truth
I do not ever want to displease, disobey or in any way offend you
Always be beside me Lord, I never want to lose your presence
Smash all things that distract me from giving you all the glory
Let me choose to walk in righteousness and be led by your Spirit
Give me grace to kill my flesh and never follow my old wicked self.
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REFLECTION
• Why did you think David asked God to create in him a clean heart in this psalm?
PSALM 51 HAVE MERCY ON ME, O GOD
March 23
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PSALM 51 HAVE MERCY ON ME, O GOD
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. – Psalm 51:1-6
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PRAYER FOR PURIFICATION by ILMA
My Lord, forgive me for all my sins
I have done what is against your will
I thought highly of myself and boasted
I have not humbly accepted my arrogance
O God, you are the only one who can cleanse me
You are steadfast in your love and faithful to forgive
Teach me how to submit to your sovereignty and majesty
Crush all the assignments of the enemy to destroy me
Help me to see it when I displease and go against your law
Pull me up towards you each time I am tempted and fall
Make me aware how I can easily be deceived and corrupt
Lead me to your word and let your Spirit always bring me truth.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it dangerous to think that we have any part in the undeserved grace given to us by God?
PSALM 90 TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS
March 22
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PSALM 90 TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 11 Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! – Psalm 90:9-17
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PRAYER FOR WISDOM FOR OUR HEARTS by ILMA
O Lord, show us how to live for you alone
Do not let us cater to our own selfish ambitions
Only you know how much time we have here on earth
Make us discern to use such time for serving you and others
Show us how powerful you are, so we will stop boasting
Remind us constantly that you are the Creator who gave us all
Discipline us when we go astray and follow our nature
We never want to be the recipient of your wrath and anger.
Help us never to take for granted your steadfast love
Instead, make us rejoice and be glad for all of our days
Give us a heart that longs to know you constantly
Keep us away from corruption that lurks around us daily
Let your wonderful works be manifest clearly to your people
Extend your grace to us so we can give it to others as well
O Lord, bless our plans and the works of our hands
Establish it and make it prosper for your glory’s sake.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think Moses prayed such plea to number their days? What did he mean by this prayer?
• How is this prayer almost connected to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8?
PSALM 90 THE LORD IS OUR DWELLING PLACE
March 21
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PSALM 90 THE LORD IS OUR DWELLING PLACE
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!”
4 For a thousand years in your sight
are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.
5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning:
6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
7 For we are brought to an end by your anger;
by your wrath we are dismayed.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence. – Psalm 90:1-8
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OUR INFINITE LORD AND MASTER by ILMA
O my Lord, my Master, you are our everlasting abode
You are the beginning and the end; the only eternal one
Before anything else came into being, you existed already
You even made man into your own likeness and image
And yet, our forefathers desired more than you gave them
Sin was born and destroyed your creation of a perfect man
You returned this man from the dust you made him from
Your wrath on sin made you sweep them away in a flood
O my eternal Father, we praise and glorify your infinite Being
Who is man that you even think of him after his unfaithfulness?
You give him all the chances to come to you and confess
But the aftermath of sin made him weak and powerless
You are able to shine your light in the most hidden sins
You continue to be steadfast in your love and grant us mercy.
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REFLECTION
• How do you dwell in your eternal abode, the Lord and Master of your life?
PSALM 144 I WILL SING A NEW SONG TO YOU, O GOD
March 20
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PSALM 144 I WILL SING A NEW SONG TO YOU, O GOD
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,
10 who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.
11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies
and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.12 May our sons in their youth
be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars
cut for the structure of a palace;13 may our granaries be full,
providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands
and ten thousands in our fields; 14 may our cattle be heavy with young,
suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!
Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! – Psalm 144:9-15
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PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE, PROVISION AND BLESSINGS by ILMA
My Lord, I will praise you and sing the song that you give me
You have given victory to your people all those many centuries
You have preserved your covenant people from the foreigner’s hand
It was you who brought them out of the oppression and their land
I plead you to rescue all of your God-fearing and faithful people
We are constantly barraged and attacked with much falsehood.
Deliver us from the world system that corrupts the righteous
Each way we turn, we find so much chaos and turmoil
O Lord, we beg you to give us courage to avoid and run from sin
May our children have such provision that you openly give
Fill our hearts, mind and soul with all your truth and laws
Give us strength and wisdom so we don’t get tempted and fall.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it necessary for believers to pray for their needs and blessings and deliverance even though they know that God is true to fulfill all his promises?