psalm forty

 Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the LORD;

he inclined to me and heard my cry.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

Sacrifice and offering you have not

desired,

but you have given me an open ear.

Burnt offering and sin offering

you have not required.

Then I said, "Behold, I have come;

in the scroll of the book it is written

of me:

I desire to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart."

I have told the glad news of deliverance

in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

as you know, O LORD.

I have not hidden your deliverance

within my heart;

I have spoken of your faithfulness and

your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love

and your faithfulness

from the great congregation.

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain

your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness

will

every preserve me!

For evils have encompassed me

beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!

O LORD, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and

disappointed altogether

who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to

dishonor

who desire my hurt!

Let those be appalled because of their shame

who say to me "Aha, Aha!"

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

say continually, "Great is the LORD!"

As for me, I am poor and needy,

but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

do not delay, O my God!

.

For those who want it so bad, but can't have it.

For those who feel the need to fight.

For those who desperately want the storm to be over. 

For those who kick and scream and prolong the storm willingly.

For those who feel so lost, and forget what still waters and green pastures are.

For those who feel like their drowning in lies. 

For those who can't stop.

For those who are confused, and lonely, and terribly frightened.

For those who's eyes are swollen and red and stinging from crying so much. 

For the weak, the thirsty, the empty.



When you feel like you're over your head in lies and deception, being tossed every which way by the terribly rough and choppy Sea that is life on this broken earth - pray through Psalm 23. I promise you it will restore your soul. I promise. Allow the peace to fill you and don't fight anymore.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.  

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies; 

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life, 

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Psalm 23

wednesday verse

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Psalm 139:7-12

 

wednesday verse

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

prayer request follow up

     Praise Jesus! He is so good. My aunt MaryAnn (I mentioned that she was very sick in this post), although she is still sick, is doing much better. The doctors said her healing is a miracle. :) Thank you for all your prayers. God is VERY GOOD. :)

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

Matthew 4:23

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,  for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

-Sarah :)

enter his gates with thanksgiving

     Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

    and his courts with praise!

    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4

     It is so important to thank God for what we have (and for our circumstances, whether we like them or not!).
     I don't want to do a super long, drawn-out post just because it's thanksgiving, nor do I think posts about being thankful are only appropriate in November. :) But it just automatically comes up this time of year.
     So, my challenge to y'all is to remember to thank God for everything, from the food you have on thanksgiving day, to the family and/or friends you share it with, to the computers, to the Bible, to sandwiches. :) I actually don't really like sandwiches, but it's just an example.
     I'll close up by listing a few things I'm thankful for, for practice. :)

• my family
• green tea
• latin
• sweaters
• good books


What are you thankful for? And what are you doing for Thanksgiving?

-Sarah :)
   

do not worry about tomorrow

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

     Lately I have been looking at colleges and considering possible majors, looking at scholarships, et cetera (and yes, it's true I'm only a sophomore in high school). I often worry about my grades far too much (what if my GPA isn't high enough to get into a good college?), and about how well I'll do in PSATs and SATs and all that. 

     I have to constantly remind myself of the verse above. The truth is that God already knows what my GPA will be. He already knows whether I will go to college or not, and if so he knows what college I'm going to end up in. He knows what I'll major in, and how I will use (or maybe not use) that to get a job after college. I have all my current plans and hopes for the future laid out, but he knows which ones will be realized and which ones aren't in HIS plan. 

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

     So why worry? "Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Honestly, I don't really have the time or energy to worry about what's going to happen in three years. I'm too busy with the next three hours. So, I'll do my best at what's in front of me right now, and wait and see what God has for me later. 

-Sarah :)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

...thursday...verse...

oh well. :P

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

a psalm I love

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he inclined to me and heard my cry.

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.

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.

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!

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.

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,

    but you have given me an open ear.[a]

Burnt offering and sin offering

    you have not required.

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

I delight to do your will, O my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

I have told the glad news of deliverance[b]

    in the great congregation;

behold, I have not restrained my lips,

     as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;

    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;

I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness

    from the great congregation.

As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain

    your mercy from me;

your steadfast love and your faithfulness will

    ever preserve me!

For evils have encompassed me

    beyond number;

my iniquities have overtaken me,

    and I cannot see;

they are more than the hairs of my head;

    my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!

    O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether

    who seek to snatch away my life;

let those be turned back and brought to dishonor

    who delight in my hurt!

Let those be appalled because of their shame

    who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who love your salvation

     say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

As for me, I am poor and needy,

    but the Lord takes thought for me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    do not delay, O my God!

wednesday verse

This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.
Psalm 119:50

fiery trial - part 4 (revelation)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

     for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down great kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

and rescued us from our foes,

    for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,

    for his steadfast love endures forever.

I have had a revelation.

God's plan is good!

     I'm finally realizing this. Before, I tried to say it over and over in an attempt to convince myself that it's true, but God is being so kind and helping me to believe it. 

     I'm not all the way there - it still hurts to think that I'm not going to get my own way. Things that remind me of it pop up everywhere. But God's giving me grace! He DOES love me! And that is why I am giving thanks to the LORD - because his love endures forever!!! 

-Sarah :)

     

Wednesday Verse

(Sorry it's a little late today!)

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Oh give thanks to the LORD. . .

". . .for he is good; his love endures forever!"
1 Chronicles 16:34


"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Psalm 100:4

     I love Thanksgiving. I love all of the activity going on in the kitchen; the crackling fire in the fireplace; the laughter of family and memories in the making. I love staying in the warm house while the cold wind blows through the bare trees and leaves carpet the wet, muddy earth outside. 

     I love taking time to remember all that God has blessed me with, and thanking him for it. He has blessed me with so much: my wonderful family, my lovely friends, a warm house, good food, and so much more. 

     My sister had the idea to write down one thing we are thankful for every day of November (My four sisters and I do it; our list is now a few pages long!). We have listed everything from God's grace, to new mattresses, to bananas. It's a wonderful way to cultivate a thankful spirit and attitude towards our gracious God who gives us everything good. 

     So my challenge for you is: make a list. Write down even just 10 things you're thankful for (I promise you, once you get started, you'll end up with way more than that). And thank God for all that he has blessed you with. Even thank him for the times of trouble and hardship, and the things that we just don't naturally feel thankful for; because ". . .we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." I thank God for hot chocolate even though I burned my tongue on it yesterday. :)

    And bless his name, like Psalm 100 says! Our all-powerful, loving God is worthy of our praise and thankfulness! Also, please read Psalm 136 (below). It's a wonderful song about all the wonderful things God has done and about giving thanks to him, for he is good!

    What are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments box!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

-Sarah :)

Psalm 136 - 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who by understanding made the heavens,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who spread out the earth above the waters,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who made the great lights,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the sun to rule over the day,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

the moon and stars to rule over the night,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and brought Israel out from among them,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

with a strong had and an outstretched arm,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and made Israel pass through the midst of it,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who led his people through the wilderness,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who struck down the great kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and killed mighty kings,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

Sihon, king of the Amorites,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and Og, king of Bashan,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

and gave their land as a heritage,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

a heritage to Israel his servant,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,

for his steadfast love endures forever; 

and rescued us from our foes,

for his steadfast love endures forever;

he who gives food to all flesh,

for his steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven, 

for his steadfast love endures forever.