Psalm 149:4

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

he adorns the humble with salvation."

I want to meditate on this truth... that the humble are adorned with salvation. As many of you know, I have been studying Romans this year. That is one big lesson that I have learned... to better understand the amazing gift of salvation by faith that God has given us. It is too easy in our culture... growing up in the church, to take this gift for granted. I am constantly challenged to teach our children to stand in awe of the precious gift of salvation.

God takes pleasure in us!

Be amazed to day.

Psalm 148: 5-6, 14

"Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For he commanded and they were created.

And he established them forever and ever,

he gave a decree, and it shall not pas away."

Everything we have is created, everything that we are is created. Contemplating this, really understanding this truth, will result in praise to God. The created praises its Creator!!

Even the difficult trials work in our hearts and lives to make us more like him.

So, in all things,

Praise the Lord!!!

"He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

praise the Lord!"

The horn represents power and strength, a power and strength that saves, and ultimately Jesus as our Savior. This is why we ultimately praise the Lord!!

Read this psalm with your family today!!

Psalm 147: 5, 8

I will do this!!!! I won't give up!!! =)

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure."

The Psalms are amazing!!! I am so glad that God is abundant in power, so thankful for this reminder when life is chaotic and terrible things happen.

"He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills."

This is where we went this weekend... what an appropriate passage for this weekend!! It rained Friday night, so we decided not to go hiking in the mud. There was still a chance of rain... or so they said... so we chose to drive to the beach instead. Wow!!! What amazing clouds, what beautiful hills, and the ocean!!! We missed hiking, but the alternative was equally amazing.

Enjoy your Monday!!!

Tell your children, your friends, your family, everyone you meet. God is amazing!!!

Psalm 146:5

Yikes!!! It is a good thing that I am an optimist, otherwise I would never do anything!!

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God."

I am so thankful that my hope is in the Lord, and not in circumstances, people, or a clean house and obedient children!!

What a great reminder... I needed this today.

Psalm 145: 14-16

"The Lord upholds all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing."

Did you catch that? "...in due season." God has his timing. He will give us what we need, our food, in due season. I love that reminder.

And also... he will satisfy my desires. Wow. I can't say anything else but Wow.

Psalm 145: 11-12, day 1, for Wednesday

"They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom."

I love this Psalm, I will spend a few days in it. I am reminded of the need to tell my children God's mighty deeds and to talk about the glorious splendor of His kingdom. I get so busy with daily life that I forget to stop and talk... I forget to "enjoy the story"... to enjoy His Story!!

Talk to your children about God's mighty deeds, today!!

Psalm 144:1-2

If at first you don't succeed... try and try again!!

So... forgive the hiatus, and allow me to begin again!!!

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples under me."

This is a Psalm of war, a prayer for deliverance, equipping for battle, and strength. War is what David was trained for. I need training for strength in my daily routine of homework, reading, piano practice, math facts practice... etc. All this while getting a yummy, or at least edible, meal on the table!!!

So today I want to recognize that I see my prayers for training for this battle are beginning to be answered. While some days are better than others, overall I think my percentage of good days is much higher than last year. Praise God for continuing to train me to be more like Him!!!

Psalm 143: 8

(ok... now I am caught up to today!! =) Hopefully this will go back to being a daily blog again!!!)

I love David's boldness in calling on the Lord to answer him, in stating truth in his prayer. This inspires me to share in David's boldness in my own prayers.

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul."

I pray that this will be my continual prayer every morning. What a way to start my day!!! Join with me in beginning your day with this prayer. Write it on a sticky note and place it by your clock, toothbrush or kitchen sink. Commit to daily praying this prayer.

February 4th, J-J's day

Speaking of yesterday....

February 4th is my brother's birthday. The day passed uneventfully... which is always strange to me, that the day seems so ordinary. Every year I wonder how we can celebrate and remember my precious brother's life. My sister baked a cake and prayed for his friends. I like her idea, and plan on starting this tradition. I think we will do that tonight, in his honor.

How do you remember your loved ones who are no longer with you???

Psalm 142: 7b for yesterday...

"The righteous will surround me,

for you will deal bountifully with me."

Wow!! I am so thankful that this is true in my life. God has surrounded me with the righteous, righteous men and women who love God and who mentor me. I love how God uses His imperfect people to make us more like Him!!

Praise the Lord!!!

Psalm 141:3

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!"

This was an obvious choice. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a prayer I must pray on a regular basis to maintain peace in my family. Wow... the consequence of unguarded words... it is a sobering thought. Yet, I continue to realize that guarded words come from right thinking, and unguarded words from sinful thinking. I must "be transformed by the renewing of my mind..." that is how the Lord guards my mouth. That, combined with simply listening to His still, small voice... that sometimes isn't so still or small... saying... "be quiet!", or, "BE QUIET!! JUST DON'T SPEAK."

Psalm 140: 12... for Tuesday

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and will execute justice for the needy."

...the question is... will we?

Too often we as a Christian community are too quick to tell others that they are wrong, and too slow to exhibit Christ-like actions.

So... this verse gives me hope, and brings conviction.

Psalm 139:24

What a privilege and blessing to read this psalm today!!! What love the Father has for us!!

I love that this final verse comes in the context of God's love, of David's proclamation of his faith and trust in God's love for Him. What an encouragement for us today!!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

and see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Lead me in the way everlasting...