Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise

God is amazing, powerful, compassionate, and all knowing, I love it when God shows up and declares His sovereignty. To those who expectantly believe, God’s glory bursts into our daily lives causing nothing but pure praise back to Him, knowing we really had no control in the first place! There is nothing we can imagine or accomplish without God being the extreme Creator and Implementer of it all. Our dreams come from the Dream Maker who had a vision to create us! We are His and He is ours. Stop and thank God for who He is right now.

It is so fitting (God-thing) that I waded through the waters of Psalm 119 over the past few weeks, the longest chapter in the Bible, in preparation to follow God in His work in Bolivia for four months. Randy and I have never been gone from home this long. We have never done anything like this before. This will be a mission adventure on steroids! We will move into the neighborhood and become players, as well as neighbors, in an ongoing work of teaching and leading others to find and follow Christ in various ways…ways I don’t yet know or imagine, but God does!

The adventures of each part of Psalm 119 has restored the joy of God’s salvation in me, cleansed and prepared my heart, given me more dreams to dream, courage to follow God wherever He leads, with knowledge of how to go about a life of obedience and trust in God for every step I take. God’s Holy Spirit is still teaching me. Like any good book that I finish, I will miss being a part of it. But unlike other books, I can visit this Book and get a new perspective each time I come back to learn and grow. AND there’s still the rest of Psalms to be tasted and devoured!

Enjoy the last few verses of this wonderful journey with me and be blessed by what God says to you.

Psalm 119, The Message
Part 22…Last episode!

169-176 
Let my cry come right into your presence, God;
provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.
Give my request your personal attention,
rescue me on the terms of your promise.
Let praise cascade off my lips;
after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!
And let your promises ring from my tongue;
every order you’ve given is right.
Put your hand out and steady me
since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel.

I’m homesick, God, for your salvation;
I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,
use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!
I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

FROM THE HEART…

Promises and praises.
Truth and Life.
Restoration and Renewal.
Yes, I love it when God shows up!

Jesus said, We are the sheep of His pasture. His sheep recognize and hear His voice. Well, I’m Your’s, Lord. I’m listening.

Our Father, Who is in heaven, Hallowed and Holy is Your Name. May Your Kingdom come and reign in us and all around us. May YOUR WILL be done in every detail on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily manna of Truth with the way we should go. Help us to be all you intended for us to be.

Reveal yourself to us as we expectantly wait, work and watch for you daily. Guide our every thought and action. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who offend or hurt us. Lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil and evil’s schemes to hinder us from doing your will.

For you have all power. Nothing is too hard for you. Nothing. Absolutely nothing is out of your care and concern. You have all power. Put your power in us, flowing through us so your strength builds in us.

To You be all glory, honor and praise forevermore. You are God and we are not. Be with us.
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…(Yes and Amen, by Chris Tomlin)

Father of kindness
You have poured out of grace
You brought me out of darkness
You have filled me with peace
Giver of mercy
You’re my help in time of need
Lord I can’t help but sing

Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen

Beautiful Savior
You have brought me near
You pulled me from the ashes
You have broken every curse
Blessed redeemer
You have set this captive free
Lord I can’t help but sing

Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
All your promises are yes and Amen

Faithful you are
Faithful forever you will be
Faithful yes you are
All your promises are yes and Amen
I will rest in your promises
My confidence…