Shout to the Lord!

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100 NLT

Getting ready for church can be the biggest joy killer there is. This is specially true if you have children.

Growing up we usually went to see my grandmother across town after church. One week she would cook (this meant she went to Sunday school but not to church) and the next we would eat out. So, not only did we have to get up, get dressed, eat a hurried breakfast and get to the church, we would also have to be prepared to make a day of it. Homework would have to be packed, my parents would probably make a grocery list and books or important documents would have to be gathered. My mother would fuss because my father would drop us off and go get a paper to read until right before the preacher began his message. It did not always seem worth the effort to go to church.

Yet, we are reminded in today's scripture that our worship should be a time of joy. We should come before God singing, shouting and being glad. We should have thanksgiving on our hearts and an understanding of the good things God has done for us.

God, you are our God. You made us and we are yours. We give thanks to you and praise your name. You are good and your unfailing love continues forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Exalt God

Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy! Psalm 99: 9 NLT

Why worship? I mean, why even go to a church service and worship?

The psalmist says we need to exalt God. This means to hold God in higher regard than anything or anyone else in our lives – even ourselves. It also means to speak very highly of someone. So, we not only should look at God differently and give God more honor we should also speak very highly of God.

But I would guess that many of us do not go to worship to do this.

Perhaps you go because, like me, it is your job. Or you feel as though you are expected to be there. Maybe you want your children to learn more about the Bible or you promised your Sunday school teacher to bring a snack. In the early nineties, I went to church to meet single guys. Many people feel it is their duty or it has become a habit.

I pray that some of you go to worship because you need to hear a word from the Lord or spend time in a holy moment. I also hope that some of you go because you want to go and you want to express your joy.

But if we take the psalmist seriously, we should go because we want to exalt God. God should be more important than anything else in our lives. Worship should be central to who we are as followers of God. This is not an optional event.

God, we want to exalt you because you are holy! Forgive us when we see worship as an optional event on our calendars. May it become the center of our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Perfect People?

Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the Lord for help, and he answered them. He spoke to Israel from the pillar of cloud, and they followed the laws and decrees he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but you punished them when they went wrong. Psalm 99: 6-8 NLT

They followed God's laws, God heard their prayers. They were the biggest names in the Old Testament. Yet, even when they did wrong they were punished. God forgave them, yes, but they were not perfect.

Quickly name at least on person you have known in your lifetime that you have always seen as perfect. Do you think they were really that perfect? Perhaps they were giants in your own faith journey but simply real people with faults.

Either way, God is still that same forgiving God. God does not overlook when we do wrong but God does forgive us.

God, thank you for listening to me. Thank you for always loving me despite my imperfections. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

What happens when we lose?

The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! Mighty king, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel. Exalt the Lord our God! Bow low before his feet, for he is holy! Psalm 99: 1-5 NLT

Psalm 99 sounds like a victory psalm to me. It is as though all is right with the world. God sits on the throne and everyone else trembles at God's majesty. God has brought in a golden age and should be worshipped by everyone.

Seeing God as king, worshipping God and addressing Jesus as our Lord and Savior are all easy things to do when life is great. When we receive victory, it is natural to praise God and give God the glory. The winner can point to the sky, exalting God.

But when we lose? When nothing is going right? When the world seems to have fallen down around our ears? Can we praise and give God the glory so easily then?

It is much harder to do so.

God, thank you for the victories in our lives. Thank you for the defeats and failures in our lives. In all things and at all times, may we give you the praise and the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Sing a new song

Sing a new song to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
his holy arm has shown his saving power!

The Lord has announced his victory
and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!

He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!

Sing your praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song, with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the Lord, the King! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.

Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord.
For the Lord is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with fairness. Psalm 98 NLT

What victories has God shown in your life lately?

My own personal victory was the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Ecuador. I give much praise and gratitude to God for safe travels and many opportunities to be a blessing as well as be blessed. In fact, I probably be received more in that trip than those we went to serve. But the whole experience was a wonderful deed on God's part. I would not have gone without God's mighty arm and saving power.

How about you?

God, we give you praise and glory. We sing a new song to you. We thank you for your mighty and wonderful deeds that you have done and are doing in our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Why should you be glad?

Jerusalem has heard and rejoiced,
and all the towns of Judah are glad
because of your justice, O Lord! For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods. You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his godly people
and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly,
and joy on those whose hearts are right. May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord
and praise his holy name! Psalm 97: 8-12 NLT

Why should you be glad?

You should be glad because God is the God of Justice. God rules supreme over the whole earth. God protects the lives of godly people (that would be you) and rescues them from the power of evil. In fact, light and joy shine in the heart of those who follow God. If you are godly, you should rejoice and praise God.

Think for a moment. How has God protected your life lately? How has God shone his light on the lives of those godly loved ones around you? What evil have you seen godly people being rescued from recently?

This is a psalm of joy and celebration, of praise and gratitude. Let us be glad together!

God, I love you and I praise your holy name. You truly are the God of justice and righteousness. You protect and love, show mercy and forgiveness. You seek and seek even when we try to flee far from you. Thank you. I rejoice because you are my God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

The Lord is King!

The Lord is king!
Let the earth rejoice!
Let the farthest coastlands be glad.

Dark clouds surround him.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire spreads ahead of him
and burns up all his foes. His lightning flashes out across the world.
The earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
every nation sees his glory. Those who worship idols are disgraced—
all who brag about their worthless gods—for every god must bow to him. Psalm 97: 1-7 NLT

I find these images of God to be rather disturbing. Dark clouds surrounding him. Fire spreading out from him. Lightening flashing all around. The earth and seas trembling and melting. This sounds more like the appearance of supreme evil rather than good. I am picturing the end of days rather God's justice being carried out!

And yet the psalmist wants us to be glad. We should rejoice because God is in charge. I suppose the imagery is not meant to frighten but to reassure. This imagery is supposed to tell us that God is truly in charge. Not even worthless gods or idols can escape from the fact that our Lord is king.

Where in your life do you need to know that God is in charge? What images come to your mind when you think of God in control?

God, thank you for giving us the imagery to see that you are our king over our lives. May we be glad and rejoice rather than be frightened or unsure. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Let all the world rejoice!

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth. Psalm 96: 11-13 NLT

Just when you think all the praise and glory should come from you, the psalmist turns all our ideas on their heads.

Praise isn't just up to human beings. The whole earth – all of nature – is responsible for praising God. But how does this work? How does the sea shout it's praise? What does it look like when the fields burst with joy? Do trees really rustle with praise for God?

Think about the pounding of the sea on the shore. What better shout can you imagine?

When the crops are blooming or they are ripe, are they not bursting with joy?

When the wind blows fiercely, don't you think the rustling of the trees is just like praise to God?

Today, take sometime to keep your ears and eyes open to all of nature praising God!

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Recognize the Lord

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!” The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly. Psalm 96: 7-10 NLT

God does not just want all the nations or the world to recognize that God is God. God wants for all the nations to give to God the glory he deserves.

God does not just want for you to say, “I believe in God,” or, “I am Christian.” God wants you to give God the glory God deserves.

This means you must stop taking credit for all you do.

This also means you must give up some of the responsibility that you have.

You must give both to God.

What can you let go of and give to God? What can you admit that God does a much better job that you? When should you be giving God praise for what is happening in your own life? Even when things are not going “your way,” how can you give God credit and praise?

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord; recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Sing a new song!

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens! Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty fill his sanctuary. Psalm 96: 1-6 NLT

What has God done for you so far today?

If you just got out of bed, you may think God hasn't had a chance to do anything yet. But look around you. What do you see? What is the weather like? Are there any other people or even animals around you? Look at your body. Has God done any miracles there? What kinds of things has God done to get you where you are right now? Perhaps you had a dream last night where God spoke to you. What is God saying to you? If you are still having problems answering these questions, think back over yesterday. What publishable deeds did God do you in your life?

Take a moment to give God glory and praise for all you realized God has done for you.

God, you are great! You are most worthy of praise! You are to be feared above all. Honor and majesty surround you, strength and beauty fill your sanctuary. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Is God ever angry?

The Lord says, “Don't harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, 'They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.' So in my anger I took an oath: 'They will never enter my place of rest.' Psalm 95: 8-11 NLT

The idea of God being angry does not sit well with me.

Perhaps that is because I when I get angry, I get violently angry. Sure, you can blame my red hair but I blame my personality. That is just how I am wired. When I am angry, I often lose my perspective, my good sense, and any kind of control over what I do or say. If God gets angry, would God lose God's loving perspective? Would God lose control and forget about that little agreement with Noah? Would God lose God's good sense that God showed when Jesus died on the cross?

These are frightening thoughts.

But maybe because God is God, God is not wired like Amelia. God's anger may be righteous anger, the kind aimed at injustice and abuse. Not that I haven't acted in unjust or even abusive manners. But that God's anger is not something I might tip off. Instead, God's anger is set against those who have no regard for God or God's might. God's anger burns against those who think they are god and act like it.

God, help me to not harden my heart. May I always remember those things you have done for me. May I never refuse to do as you ask me. I want to enter your place of rest. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Listen

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today! Psalm 95: 6-7 NLT

God doesn't just watch over you, great individual that you are. God watches over us all. God watches us as a flock of sheep. God oversees us a group. God watches over all God's people.

Just as the sheep know the shepherds voice, we should know God's voice. Yet, how often are we really listening?

I have been trying to listen to God lately. In fact, God has told me to trust. I find myself repeating – sometimes more than once – trust God. But when I do trust God, I find myself wanting to worship God. I discover that it is only natural to bow down and kneel before God when my trust is fully founded.

Are you listening to God's voice? What would it take for you to listen for God' s voice this very day?

God, help me to listen for your voice and to follow you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Come, let us sing to the Lord!

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Psalm 95: 1-5 NLT

This is how we should begin worship:

Come, let us sing to the Lord! We begin our worship with singing. I think too often we begin worship with words in traditional services. How much more natural it is to begin offering praises with our voices in song.

Let us shout joyful to the Rock of our salvation. In the United Methodist church, we don't often shout. It is considered impolite or perhaps too Pentecostal. But the psalmist instructs us to do so – not to make fools of ourselves or to draw attention to ourselves but to give God our joy.

Let us come to him with thanksgiving. How often have you entered worship with resentment, anger, or the idea that you are just getting this week's responsibility over with? We are to be thankful to God when we come to worship.

Let us sing psalms of praise to him. We aren't here for karaoke or fame. We are here to sing praises to God. When we open our mouths in worship, that should be our motivation.

And why should we do all this in worship? Because God is king over all, the creator of the world and the owner of everything.

That is how we should begin worship.

God, you are a great God, the King above all else. May our worship be pleasing to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

I am slipping!

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side-- leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The Lord our God will destroy them. Psalm 94: 18-23 NLT

Who do you depend on?

The psalmist depends on God.

When the psalmist feels like they are falling, God's love supports them. When they doubt their future, God gives them supernatural joy. Even when politicians and government leaders claim that they act on God's behalf or with God's blessing while taking advantage of the poor and helpless, the psalmist puts their trust in God. It is God who keeps the psalmist hidden. It is God who will destroy those who are evil.

Who do you depend on?

God, help me to depend on you at all times. When I feel myself slipping out of your path, may my cries be heard by you. When I am doubtful about my future or the future of my people, may you give me joy and hope that are unexplainable. When I am persecuted by those who should be my protectors, may I be saved by your mighty power. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Discipline, trouble, justice

Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions. You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug to capture the wicked. The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. Judgement will again be founded on justice, and those with virtuous hearts will pursue it. Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Unless the Lord helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. Psalm 94: 12-17 NLT

There seems to be lots of interwoven thoughts in these few verses. The first is that sometimes stuff happens to us that is part of God's instructions or teachings. God wants us to learn something from what we experience. These experiences could be good or bad, although the overall thought is about bad things. This leads us to the second idea which is that troubled times are also brought about because of wicked people. Perhaps what you are going through is God's instruction, perhaps it is a result of something a wicked person does to you. How to tell the difference? Well, we don't get any idea about that here. We are just to trust that God will give us relief to withstand the pressure until God takes care of the wicked. The third idea in this passage is that God will never abandon us. In fact, God will provide Holy justice that will take care of all those wicked people.

Discipline, trouble, and justice go hand in hand in this psalm. But these are not seen as bad things just life things. Throughout each of them, we are to place our trust and confidence in God.

God, life brings so many troubles that we often don't know what you are giving to teach us or what others use to try to destroy us. Help us to remain firm in our faith and trust you at all times. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Think again, you fools!

Think again, you fools! When will you catch on? Is he deaf-- the one who made your ears? Is he blind -- the one who formed your eyes? He punishes the nations -- won't he also punish you? He knows everything -- doesn't he also know what you are doing? The Lord knows people's thoughts; he knows they are worthless! Psalm 94: 8-11 NLT

On a scale of one to ten, how foolish would you rate yourself when it comes to your relationship with God? If ten is the best and one is the worst, how far do you have to go to improve? What can you do to improve your relationship with God?

One possibility is to realize that the same God who created your ears, your eyes and, yes, even your brain,  knows what you are up to. God realizes when you have strayed. God knows your inner most ideas and negative thoughts about others.

In fact, God knows you are worthless yet loves you anyway! God sees you as someone who can be molded and improved. You are not a lost cause. You are a loved cause.

God, when will I stop being foolish? When will I catch on? Don't you know what I am doing? Save me, God, from myself. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Does God care?

O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast? They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own. They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. "The Lord isn't looking," they say, "And besides, the God of Israel doesn't care." Psalm 94: 1-7 NLT

Is the Lord looking? Does God care?

Yes and yes.

Perhaps others (or even at times we ourselves) don't think God is paying us any attention. Someone put on our church sign: Jesus is coming, look busy. Perhaps we should change it to read: Jesus is coming, get busy! We need to be about our Heavenly Father's business, not just doing busy work.

But God is not ignoring us in the meantime. God knows what you are up to, even when you do something that is wrong. God doesn't look away. God knows and hurts and wants better from you. This is because God cares. God cares for you. In fact, God loves you. God loves you more than any human parent.

God cares for those who are doing wicked things and those who act like God isn't looking. God continues to call them to repent and turn to God.

God, thank you for watching me and caring for me at all times. I am sorry that I have hurt you and acted like you don't care. Forgive me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

The Lord is King!

The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stand firm and cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. you yourself are from the everlasting past. The floods have risen up, O Lord. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore -- the Lord above is mightier than these! Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O Lord, is holy forever and ever. Psalm 93 NLT

Listen to this hymn

I couldn't get this song out of my head after reading this scripture. Enjoy! And may God bless your day as you worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

The Lord is my rock!

Many thanks to my sister in Christ, Polly McClure, for being our Guest Blogger this past week. Now we return to our reading through the Psalms.

But you have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me with the finest oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents. But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord's own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, "The Lord is just! he is my rock! There is no evil in him!" Psalm 92: 10-15 NLT

Even in old age they will produce fruit, they will remain vital and green.

These days, there seems to be a focus on youth. Being young, staying young, looking young. Even when you get older, advertisers and magazine writers keep trying to convince us we aren't that much older. Fifty is the new thirty and silly things like that are spouted.

Age is age. Better than the alternative in many respects. I certainly don't want to go back in time. I appreciate my wisdom. And God certainly doesn't do away with us as we get older.

The psalmist tells us that those who are rooted in the Lord still produce fruit, still remain vital and green. That doesn't mean an absence of wrinkles and grey hair. That means that God's people don't ever get too old to do God's will and be God's hands and feet.

You too can remain vital and green. Just flourish in the house of God.

God, you have made me strong as a wild ox. You have anointed me. Help me to continue to flourish and remain fruitful all my days. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Saturday, June 9^th

Travel Day Home

Ephesians 6: 16-18

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Today, as the team leaves, protect them from harm and keep them safe. Use the experiences of this past week and enable them to share a word of testimony to those that they meet. Help each of us to remember to continue to pray for those on the team and also for those in Ecuador whose lives were touched by Your work there.  

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Friday, June 8^th

Exploring God’s World in Ecuador

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

As the team enjoys the magnificent work of Your hands as they travel to the rain forest, fill them with the awe of Your power. Renew their spirits through the fellowship that they share together.  

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Thursday, June 7^th

VBS/Construction

Ephesians 6:15

Proverbs 16:9

Stand firm then,….with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs His steps.

Thank you, Lord for the work that You have already accomplished this week through your servants. We ask that on this last day of VBS/Construction that you would direct the steps of each one and that they would be able to share the gospel of peace and love with those that you put in their path.  

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Wednesday, June 6^th

VBS/Construction

Ephesians 6:14b

Romans 6:18

Stand firm then, …with the breastplate of righteousness in place.

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Dear heavenly Father, use this time of service to speak to the hearts of your servants, whether they are on the team or working alongside them. Allow the Holy Spirit to witness to those that do not know you and be set free from sin because of Your love and righteousness.

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Tuesday, June 5^th

VBS/Construction

Ephesians 6:14a

John 8:32

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.

You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Today we ask that whether on the construction site, or working with the children in VBS, that those you have called to represent You will be able to speak the truth of Your love by their actions and words. We ask that those that have never experienced Your love or do not know you will get a glimpse of who You are and how much You love them.

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Monday, June 4^th

VBS/Construction

Ephesians 6:11-12, John 17:15

Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Today we ask that you equip each of those on the Ecuador Mission Team and those that are working with them with the full armor of God so that they will be able to stand against the devil’s schemes. We know that any struggles that they face this week will not be against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil. Protect them from the evil one .

Polly McClure

Guest Blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Sunday, June 3^rd

Worship in Ecuador/Visit to the Equator

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Dear heavenly Father, we ask that all those that are worshipping together today in Ecuador will feel the strength and mighty power of your Presence. We ask that you would unite them through the power of the Holy Spirit and send them out to do those things that You have called them to during the upcoming week.  

Polly McClure

Guest blogger: Prayers for Ecuador Mission Trip

Saturday, June 2^nd

Travel Day to Ecuador

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Thank you, Lord, for preparing the way for the group of individuals that you have called to represent You in Ecuador. We thank you for your promise that Your presence will be with them and that you will not forsake them during the time that they are traveling and serving You. We ask that you take away all fears and discouragement that the enemy may try and use to destroy what You have already planned.

Polly McClure

You thrill me

You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I will sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! and how deep are your thoughts. Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish,they will be destroyed forever. But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever. Your enemies Lord, will surely perish; all evildoers will be scattered. Psalm 92: 4-9 NLT

Usually, the words "you thrill me" are said in the context of romantic love or even hero worship. Here these words are spoken to God. And why is that? Because of all God has done.

In fact, the psalmist says that you would have to be a dummy to see what happens to those who don't believe in God. They may be shooting up around us like weeds and seem to be flourishing, they will lose in the end. Only God will be exalted forever just as God's enemies will be scattered.

What things has God thrilled you with in your life? Anything lately? Thank God today for all those thrilling God-moments in your life!

God, you thrill me with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do and how deep are your thoughts. In Jesus' name. Amen.

P.S. Beginning tomorrow, we will have a guest blogger, Polly McClure, to lead us in praying daily for the mission trip to Ecuador in which I will be traveling. I hope you will join in these prayers! Back with the Psalms on Sunday, June 10. 

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims