Psalm 18:1-19, helps us recognize the strength of God to rescue and restore us, “I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because He was angry. Smoke rose from His nostrils; consuming fire came from His mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under His feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness His covering, His canopy around Him—the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of His presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot His arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from Your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
Now pray this Psalm 18th in a very personal manner, “Greg Manuel loves you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is Pastor Greg Manuel’s rock, Greg Manuel’s fortress and Pastor Greg Manuel’s deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom Greg Manuel takes refuge. He is Pastor Greg Manuel’s shield and the horn of Greg Manuel’s salvation, Pastor Greg Manuel’s stronghold. Greg Manuel calls to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and Pastor Greg Manuel is saved from my enemies. The cords of death entangled Greg Manuel; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed Pastor Greg Manuel. The cords of the grave coiled around Greg Manuel; the snares of death confronted Pastor Greg Manuel. In my distress Greg Manuel called to the LORD; Pastor Greg Manuel cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard Greg Manuel’s voice; Pastor Greg Manuel’s cry came before Him, into His ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because He was angry. Smoke rose from His nostrils; consuming fire came from His mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under His feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness His covering, His canopy around Him—the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of His presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot His arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at Your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from Your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of Greg Manuel; He drew Pastor Greg Manuel out of deep waters. He rescued Greg Manuel from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for Pastor Greg Manuel. They confronted Pastor Greg Manuel in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought Greg Manuel out into a spacious place; He rescued Pastor Greg Manuel because He delighted in me.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Psalm 17
Psalm 17:1-15, is an awesome prayer of personal deliverance, “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. Though You probe my heart and examine me at night, though You test me, You will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on You, O God, for You will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover. Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by Your sword. O LORD, by Your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those You cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And I—in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.”
Praying the Word of God as your personal affirmation for life is a powerful way to apply the scriptures in a healing manner. Try Psalm 17, by inserting your name where you see mine: “Hear, O LORD, Greg Manuel’s righteous plea; listen to Pastor Greg Manuel’s cry. Give ear to Greg Manuel’s prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. May Pastor Greg Manuel’s vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. Though You probe my heart and examine Greg Manuel at night, though You test Pastor Greg Manuel, You will find nothing; I have resolved that Greg Manuel’s mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips Pastor Greg Manuel has kept myself from the ways of the violent. Greg Manuel’s steps have held to Your paths; Pastor Greg Manuel’s feet have not slipped. Greg Manuel calls on You, O God, for You will answer Pastor Greg Manuel; give ear to Greg Manuel and hear Pastor Greg Manuel’s prayer. Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep Greg Manuel as the apple of Your eye; hide Pastor Greg Manuel in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me, from Greg Manuel’s mortal enemies who surround Pastor Greg Manuel. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked Greg Manuel down, they now surround Pastor Greg Manuel, with eyes alert, to throw Greg Manuel to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover. Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue Pastor Greg Manuel from the wicked by Your sword. O LORD, by Your hand save Greg Manuel from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those You cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And Pastor Greg Manuel—in righteousness I will see Your face; when Greg Manuel awakes, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Praying the Word of God as your personal affirmation for life is a powerful way to apply the scriptures in a healing manner. Try Psalm 17, by inserting your name where you see mine: “Hear, O LORD, Greg Manuel’s righteous plea; listen to Pastor Greg Manuel’s cry. Give ear to Greg Manuel’s prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. May Pastor Greg Manuel’s vindication come from You; may Your eyes see what is right. Though You probe my heart and examine Greg Manuel at night, though You test Pastor Greg Manuel, You will find nothing; I have resolved that Greg Manuel’s mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips Pastor Greg Manuel has kept myself from the ways of the violent. Greg Manuel’s steps have held to Your paths; Pastor Greg Manuel’s feet have not slipped. Greg Manuel calls on You, O God, for You will answer Pastor Greg Manuel; give ear to Greg Manuel and hear Pastor Greg Manuel’s prayer. Show the wonder of Your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep Greg Manuel as the apple of Your eye; hide Pastor Greg Manuel in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me, from Greg Manuel’s mortal enemies who surround Pastor Greg Manuel. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked Greg Manuel down, they now surround Pastor Greg Manuel, with eyes alert, to throw Greg Manuel to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover. Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue Pastor Greg Manuel from the wicked by Your sword. O LORD, by Your hand save Greg Manuel from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those You cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children. And Pastor Greg Manuel—in righteousness I will see Your face; when Greg Manuel awakes, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Psalm 16
We have to stop offering sacrifice to the gods of this world! Where we live there are churches everywhere. But for every church, there are hundreds of altars. Places of worship built to offer our lives to the gods of this world. It’s strange that we spend two to four hours each week at our churches, but dozens of hours in the same weekly period at our altars! I am not even going into the many altars we worship at each week-we both know what they are and how much time we spend at them.
God is the only One worthy of our worship. Psalm 16:1-11 makes this so clear, “Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
We have to make this personal. Put your name in this Psalm where you see mine as you say it aloud, “Keep Greg Manuel safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are Pastor Greg Manuel’s Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. Greg Manuel will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned Pastor Greg Manuel my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for Greg Manuel in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Pastor Greg Manuel will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Greg Manuel has set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, Greg Manuel will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon Pastor Greg Manuel to the grave, nor will You let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to Greg Manuel the path of life; You will fill Pastor Greg Manuel with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
God is the only One worthy of our worship. Psalm 16:1-11 makes this so clear, “Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.’ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
We have to make this personal. Put your name in this Psalm where you see mine as you say it aloud, “Keep Greg Manuel safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the LORD, ‘You are Pastor Greg Manuel’s Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. Greg Manuel will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. LORD, you have assigned Pastor Greg Manuel my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for Greg Manuel in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Pastor Greg Manuel will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Greg Manuel has set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, Greg Manuel will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon Pastor Greg Manuel to the grave, nor will You let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to Greg Manuel the path of life; You will fill Pastor Greg Manuel with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Psalm 15
The Message Bible records a phrase in Hebrews 12:27 that is very powerful. The phrase "one last shaking" means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. This was the writer’s way of conveying to the Hebrews that a shake-proof-life could be lived if it was built on Jesus Christ; not the man made trinkets of religion that so quickly surround him.
2 Thessalonians 2:2 commands us, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” The obvious reason we are commanded to “be not shaken” is because a spiritual turbulence is predicted through prophecy for these end-times we live in.
My Dad used to sing a song around the house when we were growing up that was a twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song written in 1954 by Jesse Stone. He sang the Elvis version to us, “Shake, Rattle and Roll”. Not to ruin a fun song for you or anything but, “shake, rattle and roll” is a good way to describe the enemy’s plan to destroy your life. Satan wants to shake your faith with tragedy, rattle your dreams with hopelessness, and roll you to the side of life’s highway where purpose simply passes you by!
Psalm 15:1-5, provides the formula for living a shake-proof life, “LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.”
Make it real with me by inserting your name where you see mine, “Lord, Pastor Greg Manuel may dwell in Your sanctuary. Greg Manuel may live in Your holy hill. Help Pastor Greg Manuel Lord, to keep my walk blameless. Lord, help Greg Manuel to do what is righteous. God keep Pastor Greg Manuel from having slander in his tongue. Lord help Greg Manuel do his neighbor no wrong or cast slur on his fellowman. Oh God, use Pastor Greg Manuel to lend without interest and not be moved by money. In Your word Greg Manuel will trust and walk in these precepts. Pastor Greg Manuel will never be shaken.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
2 Thessalonians 2:2 commands us, “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” The obvious reason we are commanded to “be not shaken” is because a spiritual turbulence is predicted through prophecy for these end-times we live in.
My Dad used to sing a song around the house when we were growing up that was a twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song written in 1954 by Jesse Stone. He sang the Elvis version to us, “Shake, Rattle and Roll”. Not to ruin a fun song for you or anything but, “shake, rattle and roll” is a good way to describe the enemy’s plan to destroy your life. Satan wants to shake your faith with tragedy, rattle your dreams with hopelessness, and roll you to the side of life’s highway where purpose simply passes you by!
Psalm 15:1-5, provides the formula for living a shake-proof life, “LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.”
Make it real with me by inserting your name where you see mine, “Lord, Pastor Greg Manuel may dwell in Your sanctuary. Greg Manuel may live in Your holy hill. Help Pastor Greg Manuel Lord, to keep my walk blameless. Lord, help Greg Manuel to do what is righteous. God keep Pastor Greg Manuel from having slander in his tongue. Lord help Greg Manuel do his neighbor no wrong or cast slur on his fellowman. Oh God, use Pastor Greg Manuel to lend without interest and not be moved by money. In Your word Greg Manuel will trust and walk in these precepts. Pastor Greg Manuel will never be shaken.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Psalm 14
There are two distinctly different systems of life at work in the earth today; only two. All of our thoughts, opinions, likes or dislikes, attitudes, beliefs, associations, and relationships come from the acknowledgements we embrace from God or Satan. Even the fact that you may have read the preceding sentence with doubt of God or Satan’s existence is proof that it is so!
If you take one day in your life and force every thought or action to align its origin with God or Satan, what would the majority of your acknowledgements be? As Christians we wrap up all of our thoughts and actions up into a nice little package held together with this statement, “I believe in God!” I do not want to unwrap the illusion of your belief system, or tarnish the halo of your superior Christianity, but I though you should know; the Bible states that even the demons believe in God and it makes them tremble. (James 2:19)
What you and I truly believe is being applied to our lives throughout the daily existence we enjoy through acknowledgements. The dictionary defines acknowledge as the act of showing or expressing recognition or the realization of something. What we believe in we acknowledge through our choices and actions. There is a difference between God’s system of faith, and Satan’s system of fear. You and I acknowledge it through everything we do.
Psalm 14:1-7, identifies the difference between those who acknowledge God, and those who do not. Look at the words of David here, “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD ? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
Make this affirmation with me by inserting your name where you see mine: Greg Manuel is no fool! Pastor Greg Manuel knows who God is and refuses the corrupt and vile as his company of counsel. Greg Manuel seeks God and His understanding. Pastor Greg Manuel will do good and live free from the depression of dread. Greg Manuel is made righteous by the Blood of Christ and is an invited guest into the presence of God to see the mysteries of God and receive His revelation. Pastor Greg Manuel takes refuge in the Lord. Salvation is coming to Greg Manuel!
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
If you take one day in your life and force every thought or action to align its origin with God or Satan, what would the majority of your acknowledgements be? As Christians we wrap up all of our thoughts and actions up into a nice little package held together with this statement, “I believe in God!” I do not want to unwrap the illusion of your belief system, or tarnish the halo of your superior Christianity, but I though you should know; the Bible states that even the demons believe in God and it makes them tremble. (James 2:19)
What you and I truly believe is being applied to our lives throughout the daily existence we enjoy through acknowledgements. The dictionary defines acknowledge as the act of showing or expressing recognition or the realization of something. What we believe in we acknowledge through our choices and actions. There is a difference between God’s system of faith, and Satan’s system of fear. You and I acknowledge it through everything we do.
Psalm 14:1-7, identifies the difference between those who acknowledge God, and those who do not. Look at the words of David here, “The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD ? There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”
Make this affirmation with me by inserting your name where you see mine: Greg Manuel is no fool! Pastor Greg Manuel knows who God is and refuses the corrupt and vile as his company of counsel. Greg Manuel seeks God and His understanding. Pastor Greg Manuel will do good and live free from the depression of dread. Greg Manuel is made righteous by the Blood of Christ and is an invited guest into the presence of God to see the mysteries of God and receive His revelation. Pastor Greg Manuel takes refuge in the Lord. Salvation is coming to Greg Manuel!
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Psalm 13
One of the life’s painful processes is that of being misunderstood. The very word, “misunderstood” implies that somehow understanding was missed. Being misunderstood has little to do with failed instructions or communication failure. Misunderstanding is commonly the product of unspoken expectations and perceived purpose.
Have you been misunderstood lately? Have you felt that there was a misunderstanding between you and God? I know it seems silly to even think that one could have a misunderstanding with God. But look at that question in the context of unspoken expectations and perceived purpose. Isn’t this where we “misunderstand” God? The life processes we go through in our journey on this earth can be filled with spiritual misunderstandings if we expect God to be something other than His word declares, or we believe our purpose to be different from God’s will.
Maybe that’s how we develop our enemies. Maybe we identify those who don’t understand our misunderstandings, as enemies. It is out of the life processes we endure that our friends and enemies are labeled. Is it ever really fair to eternally label someone while they are in a temporary transition?
David reveals his pain of misunderstanding God in the 13th Psalm. The mental anguish of people deliberately attempting to inflict pain on our lives can be debilitating; even more so when you and I perceive personal attacks as the willful silence of God to withhold vindication from us.
Psalm 13:1-6 reflects the pain of not understanding the processes of David’s life. Listen to this heart cry, “How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”
Let’s make this Psalm personal. Insert your name where you see mine and pray this aloud, How long, O LORD ? Will you forget Pastor Greg Manuel forever? How long will you hide your face from Greg Manuel? How long must Pastor Greg Manuel wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over Greg Manuel? Look on Pastor Greg Manuel and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or Greg Manuel will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when Greg Manuel falls. But Pastor Greg Manuel trusts in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Greg Manuel will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Have you been misunderstood lately? Have you felt that there was a misunderstanding between you and God? I know it seems silly to even think that one could have a misunderstanding with God. But look at that question in the context of unspoken expectations and perceived purpose. Isn’t this where we “misunderstand” God? The life processes we go through in our journey on this earth can be filled with spiritual misunderstandings if we expect God to be something other than His word declares, or we believe our purpose to be different from God’s will.
Maybe that’s how we develop our enemies. Maybe we identify those who don’t understand our misunderstandings, as enemies. It is out of the life processes we endure that our friends and enemies are labeled. Is it ever really fair to eternally label someone while they are in a temporary transition?
David reveals his pain of misunderstanding God in the 13th Psalm. The mental anguish of people deliberately attempting to inflict pain on our lives can be debilitating; even more so when you and I perceive personal attacks as the willful silence of God to withhold vindication from us.
Psalm 13:1-6 reflects the pain of not understanding the processes of David’s life. Listen to this heart cry, “How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”
Let’s make this Psalm personal. Insert your name where you see mine and pray this aloud, How long, O LORD ? Will you forget Pastor Greg Manuel forever? How long will you hide your face from Greg Manuel? How long must Pastor Greg Manuel wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over Greg Manuel? Look on Pastor Greg Manuel and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or Greg Manuel will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when Greg Manuel falls. But Pastor Greg Manuel trusts in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Greg Manuel will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Psalm 12
When society exalts what is vile above what is holy, the result is always the persecution of faith. For those who embrace faith, persecution is the loneliest path they can walk. The reason for the devastating loneliness of persecution is found in the irony that there seems to be no deliverance, it must be endured. He that endures to the end shall be saved. We know this right? Then what do we do with the empty despair that fills the space between the beginning and the end of personal persecution? The remedy may be found in the 12th Psalm.
Psalm 12:1-8, prescribes the remedy, “Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, ‘We will triumph with our tongues; we our own lips- who is our master?’ ‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the LORD. ‘ I will protect them from those who malign them.’ And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. O LORD, You will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”
I’m not sure we can make this Psalm any more personal than it is, but I like to make this affirmation, “God is God, Greg Manuel is a man! When man speaks evil, God’s words are the ultimate truth for Greg Manuel. Let the wicked strut, God will speak the final word of truth over Greg Manuel.”
Blessings & peace be upon you today!
Psalm 12:1-8, prescribes the remedy, “Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, ‘We will triumph with our tongues; we our own lips- who is our master?’ ‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,’ says the LORD. ‘ I will protect them from those who malign them.’ And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times. O LORD, You will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.”
I’m not sure we can make this Psalm any more personal than it is, but I like to make this affirmation, “God is God, Greg Manuel is a man! When man speaks evil, God’s words are the ultimate truth for Greg Manuel. Let the wicked strut, God will speak the final word of truth over Greg Manuel.”
Blessings & peace be upon you today!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Psalm 11
There is no question that we serve the Mighty God! He created the world! God set the earth on its axis! The order of creation is God’s design and masterpiece. God is awesome and we thank Him constantly that we are victorious in this life by His divine purpose that He purposed in us through Christ Jesus! But what do you do when the King of Kings gives you a command that seems to contradict what you know about Him?
God is not bound to your understanding of Him. His ways are not out ways. His ways are higher than our ways, systems, markets, industries, or perceptions. God is not a man! God is not a human! God speaks to us with direction from His eternal perspective, not our limited human view. If you are struggling with obedience to something God has asked you to do that is contrary to what you perceive Him to be, look closely at the 11th Psalm.
Psalm 11:1-7, asks the question for us, “In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
Make it personal with me, “In the LORD Greg Manuel takes refuge. How then can you say to Greg Manuel: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
God is not bound to your understanding of Him. His ways are not out ways. His ways are higher than our ways, systems, markets, industries, or perceptions. God is not a man! God is not a human! God speaks to us with direction from His eternal perspective, not our limited human view. If you are struggling with obedience to something God has asked you to do that is contrary to what you perceive Him to be, look closely at the 11th Psalm.
Psalm 11:1-7, asks the question for us, “In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
Make it personal with me, “In the LORD Greg Manuel takes refuge. How then can you say to Greg Manuel: ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates. On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Psalm 10
There are moments when you and I doubt that God really cares. Yes, I said it! Everyone has moments of doubt concerning God. It is human nature. In societies of faith we are reluctant to openly admit this for fear of voiding God’s greatness through our inability. Pretty silly when you read it isn’t it? If God is only real when my faith is strong He is more fantasy than fact. God is God, whether or not you and I believe it!
So often we are compelled through our human nature to measure God’s existence through the filter of comparison. If God does something for someone else that He doesn’t do for me is He still real? David dealt with this question when he inquired to God regarding the wicked.
Psalm 10:1-18, helps us confront with our doubt by asking, “Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? In His arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and Your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.’ His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees.’ Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
If you make this Psalm personal, you will be forced to deal with the same imbedded doubt that I sometimes deal with. It’s worth every effort if you want to try. Insert your name where you see mine, “Why, O LORD, do You stand far off from Greg Manuel? Why do You hide Yourself in times of Greg Manuel’s trouble? In His arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and Your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.’ His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees.’ Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
So often we are compelled through our human nature to measure God’s existence through the filter of comparison. If God does something for someone else that He doesn’t do for me is He still real? David dealt with this question when he inquired to God regarding the wicked.
Psalm 10:1-18, helps us confront with our doubt by asking, “Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? In His arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and Your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.’ His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees.’ Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
If you make this Psalm personal, you will be forced to deal with the same imbedded doubt that I sometimes deal with. It’s worth every effort if you want to try. Insert your name where you see mine, “Why, O LORD, do You stand far off from Greg Manuel? Why do You hide Yourself in times of Greg Manuel’s trouble? In His arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked does not seek Him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and Your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, ‘Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.’ His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees.’ Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account’? But You, O God, do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the Helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land. You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Blessings and peace be upon you today!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Psalm 9
Some days you just have to give up the daily task of trying to understand the madness around you and turn your eyes to God and declare what you know about Him.
Psalm 9:1-20 makes this declaration, “I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld my right and my cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for jugement. He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done. For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare Your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in Your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Selah. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.”
Make this Psalm personal today, “Greg Manuel will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; Greg Manuel will tell of all Your wonders. Greg Manuel will be glad and rejoice in You; Greg Manuel will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Greg Manuel’s enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld Greg Manuel’s right and Greg Manuel’s cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for jugement. He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done. For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare Your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in Your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Selah. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.”
Blessings and peace be upon you!
Psalm 9:1-20 makes this declaration, “I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld my right and my cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for jugement. He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done. For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare Your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in Your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Selah. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.”
Make this Psalm personal today, “Greg Manuel will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart; Greg Manuel will tell of all Your wonders. Greg Manuel will be glad and rejoice in You; Greg Manuel will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Greg Manuel’s enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld Greg Manuel’s right and Greg Manuel’s cause; You have sat on Your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; He has established His throne for jugement. He will judge the world in righteousness; He will govern the peoples with justice. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what He has done. For He who avenges blood remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare Your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in Your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by His justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Selah. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in Your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah.”
Blessings and peace be upon you!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Psalm 8
Consideration is a universal language that can be understood by anyone, anywhere! All human beings fight for consideration. The battle to be considered ranges from a playground skirmish at preschool, to the modern marvels of strategic warfare guided by technology beyond belief. In a marriage, control is instituted to relinquish consideration. Between siblings, territories are declared in hopes of supporting consideration. Every human being alive wants to be considered.
Psalm 8:1-9, is a fresh breath of perspective for all of us in our daily struggles for consideration, “O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
I love making these words personal, “O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When Greg Manuel considers Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is Greg Manuel that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made Greg Manuel a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made Greg Manuel ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under Greg Manuel’s feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
Blessings and peace be upon you!
Psalm 8:1-9, is a fresh breath of perspective for all of us in our daily struggles for consideration, “O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
I love making these words personal, “O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When Greg Manuel considers Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is Greg Manuel that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? You made Greg Manuel a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made Greg Manuel ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under Greg Manuel’s feet; all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”
Blessings and peace be upon you!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Psalm 7
When you are accused of anything there is an immediate mechanism that kicks into place as a shield around you. Accusation brings the involuntary activation of justification. None of the logical parameters of fact are considered initially when personal accusations are unleashed. Justification demands an equal audience to the accusation.
The dictionary defines justifications as: a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends. In this life there can be only one place of justification for the Believer. If we are not justified by God, through faith, we are without hope. Reading Psalms has made this more clear to me than ever before.
Listen to David’s cry for God to be his judge in Psalm 7:1-7, “O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- them let my enemies pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day. If He does not relent, He will sharpen His sword; He will bend and string His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes ready His flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit He has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down and on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of His great righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Make this personal with me. Insert your name where I am praying mine: “O LORD my God, Greg Manuel take refuge in You; save and deliver Greg Manuel from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue Greg Manuel. O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- them let Greg Manuel’s enemies pursue and overtake him; let him trample Greg Manuel’s life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the rage of Greg Manuel’s enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Judge Greg Manuel, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Greg Manuel’s shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day. If He does not relent, He will sharpen His sword; He will bend and string His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes ready His flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit He has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down and on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of His great righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
The dictionary defines justifications as: a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends. In this life there can be only one place of justification for the Believer. If we are not justified by God, through faith, we are without hope. Reading Psalms has made this more clear to me than ever before.
Listen to David’s cry for God to be his judge in Psalm 7:1-7, “O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- them let my enemies pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day. If He does not relent, He will sharpen His sword; He will bend and string His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes ready His flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit He has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down and on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of His great righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Make this personal with me. Insert your name where I am praying mine: “O LORD my God, Greg Manuel take refuge in You; save and deliver Greg Manuel from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue Greg Manuel. O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands-if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe- them let Greg Manuel’s enemies pursue and overtake him; let him trample Greg Manuel’s life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the rage of Greg Manuel’s enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Judge Greg Manuel, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Greg Manuel’s shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses His wrath every day. If He does not relent, He will sharpen His sword; He will bend and string His bow. He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes ready His flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit He has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down and on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of His great righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.”
Blessings and peace be upon you today.
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