Week of October 29, 2006, Psalm 46

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Psalm 46 - a strong psalm of strength in the midst of the storms and turmoils of life, and a reminder that God is always with us:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields 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 Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Dear Lord, You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help and hope and strength in trouble. I will not be afraid even though the earth gives way around me and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea - no matter what frustrations I face, no matter the pain and hurt I feel - You are always with me.

For You, Most High Father God, dwell in the holy place, Your city in which a river flows from Your throne. Even though nations may be in an uproar and kingdoms fall, just the sound of Your voice will melt the earth. For You are our fortress and You, Lord Almighty are always with us.

Help me, Lord, to be still, to ponder Your presence within and around, to know that always You are God. You are my God. You are the God of this universe. You are the Lord of creation. You are exalted among the nations; You are exalted on the earth. For You are my refuge and strength, my fortress, my God always with me. Thanks for Your presence, Lord, Your comfort, Your love and peace – always with me. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May God, our Strength and our Fortress in the midst of turmoil - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you now and always.

Week of October 15, 2006 Hebrews 4:12-16

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Hebrews, chapter 4, verses 12 to 16 – a passage that reminds us of the oiwer of God’s word and some important promises for us:
12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.
16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Dear Jesus – the Living Word made flesh, that You that You are alive and always active in our lives. Your word has power because it is sharper than any double-edge sword. You can penetrate even to dividing my soul and spirit, my joints and marrow. You know me intimately, my inmost thoughts and attitudes of my heart. And I am judged. Nothing is hidden from You. Jesus, You are my High Priest, who has suffered, died and rose again.

And so I cling to Your cross, the cross of suffering, the cross of glory, the cross of power, because You know me and what I go through in life because You did the same. You were tempted in every way, and You were without sin.

Jesus, remind me often and always that we all can approach Your throne of grace with confidence, to be in Your presence, to receive mercy, to find grace to help us in our time of need, to receive the great peace that You give.

Thank You for Your love and mercy and grace and peace. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If you would like to leave a message or prayer request, you can e-mail me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May the power and presence of God's Word go with you always.

Week of October 8, 2006, Psalm 8

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Psalm 8, a psalm describing God's majesty and glory:
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Dear Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Even little children and infants give You praise – and by doing that, they silence any foe and the avenger.
Lord, when I consider Your heavens, the obvious work of Your fingers – how You placed the moon and the stars in place – what is man – who am I - that You are mindful of him – that You are mindful of me, the son of man that You care for him? You made us a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned us with glory and honor. You made us ruler over the works of Your hands – You put everything under our feet. Each one of us is humbled by Your workmanship, by Your love as evidenced by Your creation.
O, Lord, our Lord, my Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Thanks for Your power, Your glory, Your presence with us always. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His strength and His great peace. In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
God's blessings to you now and always.