April 9
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PSALM 49 ON TRUSTING AND BOASTING ABOUT WEALTH
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit.
10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others. – Psalm 49:1-10
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WARNING TO THOSE WHO TREASURE WEALTH by ILMA
To all men, rich and poor alike, take heed and be warned
Trust in your possessions and you will soon forget God
What does it benefit someone who boasts about their riches?
Can such wealth be of any use when they perish?
The riches that will last forever are those that are heavenly
Gather only such wealth that will benefit your spiritual maturity
Trust only in the Lord God, who made heaven and earth
Don’t value things that doesn’t last forever; it is pointless.
Can your riches buy your salvation and give you life everlasting?
The Lord came to ransom you from sin and grant you eternal life
It was the blood of Jesus that freed us from the bondage of sin
No money can buy you freedom or save you from your own iniquity.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the Sons of Korah address the subject on wealth and trusting it or boasting about it?
• Why is it foolish to rely on material wealth while you are still alive? What kind of wealth should you gather as children of God?
Monthly Archives: April 2022
PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH
April 8
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PSALM 92 THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the LORD;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the LORD is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. – Psalm 92:10-15
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THE RIGHTEOUS STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE by ILMA
The Lord is faithful to fulfill his promises to his people
He anoints them with fresh oil and brings them deliverance
The Lord makes them see the destruction of their enemies
He makes them discern all their schemes and tactics.
The righteous thrive and grow so high like the palm tree
They are rooted so strongly because they are God-dependent
Even when they grow mature in age, they still bear fruit
This is a clear proof of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.
The righteous exalt the Almighty God and they are devoted
The upright man never fails to be loyal and always presses on
He is patient, unwavering and strong in the midst of trials
He welcomes adversity as a way to grow in faith and patience.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the author compare the righteous with the palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon?
• What privileges do the upright person have that the unbelievers do not have in their lives?
PSALM 92 A SONG FOR THE SABBATH
April 7
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PSALM 92 A SONG FOR THE SABBATH
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever; 8but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered. – Psalm 92:1-9
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WORSHIPING THE LORD ON SABBATH by ILMA
You O Lord is worthy to be praised at all times
We come together on the Sabbath, to praise you, O Most High
We thank you each morning for your unwavering love
We meditate on your fulfilled promises at end of each day.
Your creation is magnificent and brings much joy to our hearts
We express gratitude for your works; how great they are!
O Lord, we are so honored that you chose us as your people
Praise be to you, our majestic God who gave us a Savior.
The foolish men cannot understand your sovereignty and power
They are doomed and will not see your light for they love evil
We believe you will not let evil flourish; fools will be scattered
Glory be to your highness, our King, our Deliverer and Master.
We bring our hearts, minds, souls and strength at your throne
We bless your most powerful name, where all knees will bow down
We sing to you, holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty
You are incomparable to any other gods, sovereign of them all.
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REFLECTION
• Why is singing praise and worship to our Lord an essential part of the Lord’s Day?
• How different are the worship in a false church from a true church?
PSALM 33 THE LORD WATCHES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
April 6
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PSALM 33 THE LORD WATCHES THOSE WHO FEAR HIM
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you. – Psalm 33:12-22
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OUR SOUL WAITS FOR THE LORD, OUR HELP AND SHIELD by ILMA
O my Lord, my Savior and my King, we wait on you to watch over us
You have created us for your glory and your good pleasure
Help us to never forget to consult and ask your wisdom for all things
Keep us focused on you alone so that we won’t act selfishly
Blessed are the ones who have put their trust in the Lord
God ensures protection and provision to all his people
He keeps watch over their needs and their welfare
He delivers them from the snares and attacks of the devil
Let all our soul wait on the Lord for he is our shield and help
He gives us strength, wisdom and satisfaction and contentment
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be on us as we continue to seek you
Give us patience to endure all that we face and keep our minds renewed.
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REFLECTION
• What does it mean to wait for the Lord? What is the opposite of it?
PSALM 33 GOD’S WORD & WORKS ARE DONE IN FAITHFULNESS
April 5
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PSALM 33 GOD’S WORD & WORKS ARE DONE IN FAITHFULNESS
Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
– Psalm 33:1-11
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GOD’S WORD & CREATION SHOW HIS STEADFAST LOVE by ILMA
When the Lord spoke the word, the heavens and the earth were created
It is only at his command and by his breath that all things came to be made
O, what an amazing God we serve! Shout with joy, all you righteous people!
Give him a new song and let the lyre and harp accompany such worship
For the word of the Lord lasts forever, all his works are fruits of his faithfulness
He loves those who fear him and are full of His own righteousness.
Seek the word of God and his righteousness, and His Spirit will fill you up
Only by his word are we able to navigate this world that is so corrupt
Let all creatures and the whole earth magnify and praise the Lord
For everything he spoke and commanded came into this world
The counsel of the Lord will never be shaken, his plans will be fulfilled
Let the whole nations bow down, follow the path that aligns with his will.
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REFLECTION
• What are evidences that the Word of God and his creation work manifestations of his steadfast love?
• How can you draw other unbelievers to see these proofs of God’s faithfulness?
PSALM 67 MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
April 4
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PSALM 67 MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE UPON US
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him! – Psalm 67:1-7
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BLESS US AND MAKE YOUR FACE SHINE ON US! by ILMA
May the Lord grant us grace and blessings
May He approve and shine his face on his children
The benediction of the Lord is crucial to all his people
May we never forget to ask and pray for such blessings
Let all the people of God praise their Lord and Master
May they abound in a heart that seeks their Maker
Lord, give us your approval so we can shine your light
Without your grace and mercy, we will never have life
Bless us Lord and make your face shine on all your people
We need your sanctification so we can spread the gospel
Only by blessing us will we be able to fulfill your calling
Grant us your light so we can bring it to all the nations.
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REFLECTION
• Why did the psalmist ask God for blessing and to make his face shine upon His people?
• What was the result if God shone his face on them in verses 6-7?
PSALM 77 REMEMBERING THE DEEDS OF THE LORD
April 3
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PSALM 77 REMEMBERING THE DEEDS OF THE LORD
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. – Psalm 77:11-20
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THE GOD WHO WORKS WONDERS by ILMA
When I am discouraged, I will remember what the Lord has done
I will not dwell on my troubles or focus on my problems
Instead, I will meditate on God’s works that are so mighty and powerful
Our Lord God is the only God who can perform unsurpassed miracles
Your way, O God is holy. Who can compete with your amazing power?
At your command, every part of your creation trembles and follows
I recall when you redeemed the children of Jacob and Joseph
When you opened the Red Sea to give them a way of escape
The waters obeyed your orders through Moses’ prompt
It parted when you commanded the deep sea to open up
The clouds joined it by pouring down rain and thunder
The lightnings flashed on every side and shook the earth
You manifested your deliverance for them from the enemies
And led your people through the hands of Moses and Aaron
O Lord, let me never forget to be in awe of your deeds of wonder
Grant me a thankful heart so I can reflect and continually ponder
What a loving and mighty God I serve! A God who delivers his people
Praise the God of Jacob and Joseph, the God who promised a Savior.
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REFLECTION
• What can you learn from Asaph in this psalm how to deal with troubles?
PSALM 77 I CRY ALOUD TO GOD
April 2
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PSALM 77 I CRY ALOUD TO GOD
I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah 4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?
8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
– Psalm 77:1-10
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IN TROUBLE I SEEK THE LORD by ILMA
I come to the Lord as trouble comes my way
So much tears have trickled down my eyes these days
At night, I find myself examining my heart and my mind
What have I done? What made me lose God’s truth and insight?
I am so troubled that “lies” continue to fill my heart and mind
Bring to my memory all the promises you have vowed to grant
Lord, I cry out to you; make me humble to confess and repent
I do not want to live in darkness, lead me back to your light instead
Remind me of your promises and the things you’ve done for your people
Do not forfeit your steadfast love to me or I will never be able to make it
Lord, be gracious to a sinner like me and make me follow your ways
I ask your forgiveness for all the sins I have committed against your will
Let all my troubles lead me closer to seek and depend on your Holy Spirit
Show me that suffering draws me nearer you and brings out humility in me.
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REFLECTION
• How does trouble and suffering bring us to our knees to seek God?
• Why do you think God allows his people to suffer?
PSALM 76 WHO CAN STAND BEFORE YOU ONCE YOU’RE ANGRY?
April 1
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PSALM 76 WHO CAN STAND BEFORE YOU ONCE YOU’RE ANGRY?
In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. 2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah 4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey.5 The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands.6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned. 7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? 8 From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still, 9 when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise you; the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. 11 Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared, 12 who cuts off the spirit of princes, who is to be feared by the kings of the earth. – Psalm 76:1-12
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TREMBLE BEFORE THE LORD! by ILMA
When you know the Lord God, who is your Creator, you will fear him
He has delivered his people and established his dwelling place in Zion
Tremble before the Lord; He is majestic, glorious and full of power
When he confronts sin, no one can avoid his rebuke and anger
The moment he brings judgment, the whole humanity will cringe
Make your promises alone to the Lord and follow through with it.
Know your Lord and Master so you can bring him full glory
Without such longing to be close to him, you will become worldly
Those who are haughty and boastful will be stripped off their pride
They will become fools, unable to be free and continue to be blind
Bring your fear before the Lord and bow down alone to him
No one can avoid his wrath when one intentionally and habitually sins.
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REFLECTION
• How can a believer develop the habit of trembling before the Lord?
• Why did the psalmist mention that knowledge of God and his wondrous deeds are essential for believers to cultivate the fear of the Lord?
• What happens when we take for granted God’s sovereignty?
PSALM 95 LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
March 31
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PSALM 95 LET US MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE TO THE ROCK OF OUR SALVATION!
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
10 For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways.” 11 Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” – Psalm 95:1-11
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LET US COME INTO HIS PRESENCE WITH THANKSGIVING! By ILMA
All you God’s people, come, let us rejoice and give the Lord praise
He is the rock of our salvation and He is full of mercy and grace
Let us come into his presence with much gratitude and thanksgiving
For the Lord is great and He is above all gods and is King of kings
He created the depths of the earth and the heights of the mountains
He made all living creatures, the sea and all the land formations
O, come, let us worship and bow down to our Lord, our Maker
Shout a joyful noise to proclaim our thanksgiving to his majesty.
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts
He will refresh you and will bless your heart to make it pure
Praise and worship him by being thankful to all his provision
Count every little gift and blessings that you have been given
Praise him for every breath you take each moment of your life
Acknowledge him and be grateful for his guidance and his light
He is present in all that happens to you each and every day
He sees you clearly inside and out, he loves you passionately.
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REFLECTIONS
• Why is a thankful heart the best way to worship the Lord?
• What happens when we have bitterness creeping into our lives?