Week of November 2, 2008, Psalm 34:1-10

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Psalm 34, the first ten verses:
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Dear Lord, I praise You always. I extol You at all times. My soul boasts in You, O Lord. I sought You, Lord, and You answered me. You delivered me from all my fears. I look to You for all things. You save me from all my troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around all those who fear You, Lord, and we are delivered.

We are hungry and we thirst for You, Lord. And as we are drawn to You, we realize You are so good, so glorious, no words can describe who You are, what You do, all that You do for each of us. So Lord, we take refuge in You, in You alone, and we are blest.

We seek You, Lord, above all else, and You alone satisfy. We lack nothing that we need. Thanks, Jesus, for Your presence with us always. 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 to you, guide you in your decisions, and fill you
with a fervent desire to serve Him better.
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.

You may leave a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.

Week of October 26, 2008, Psalm 46

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is Psalm 46 – a great psalm reminding us that God is always with us, especially during the hard times, and that one of the hardest things to do when times are tough is to be still, to be quiet before God – to rest in God’s presence. Psalm 46:
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.
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.

Heavenly Father, You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. So, Lord, help us not to fear or be afraid during these tough times that we face – whether financial, personal, relational, health, or whatever may be thrown our way, for we know that You are with us. You are the Lord Almighty, our great fortress and strength.

You remind us, Lord, to rest in Your presence, with Your word as our guide, Your love to remind us to love and share with others. But when we are so distracted by things around us, it’s hard to concentrate or focus on You, the strength that You so readily give. So, help us, Lord, to give You all of ourselves – every part of who we are, and let Your Spirit work in and through us in all that we do. For You are the Lord Almighty, always with us, our great fortress.

Thanks, Jesus, for Your presence with us always. Amen.

May the Lord bless you as you go on your way. May He go before you to show you the way. May He go behind you to encourage you. May He go beside you to guide and befriend you. May He always be above you to watch over you. And may He be within you to give you 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 emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God, our Refuge and Fortress, be with you now and always.

Week of October 12, 2008, Philippians 4:1-9

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Philippians, chapter 4, verses 1 to 9. Paul is writing to the Philippian Christians, giving some general instructions and encouragements:
1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Lord, You are a great God, and You draw us to Yourself in so many varieties of ways. You bring friends that walk along side of us to encourage and pray for us. And we are yoked together in the cause of the Gospel, depending on You, Lord, and Your Spirit leading us.

You remind us to be joy-filled, rejoicing in You as a great God, rejoicing in the nearness of Your presence, rejoicing in the help that You give each of us to be gentle and kind.

And You teach us how to pray, not being filled with anxiety, but always bringing everything to You – with prayer and petition, and giving You thanks in all things, we bring our requests to You, our God who hears and responds. You give us peace that our natural minds cannot fathom or understand, and You guard our hearts and our minds as we come to You, Jesus.

And then You encourage us to think and dwell on thoughts that are true, admirable and positive.

Thanks, Jesus, for the peace that You bring, the joy that we have in You, and Your presence always with us. 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 send a message or prayer request by emailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.

May God be with you now and always.