Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land. Psalm 12: 7-8 NLT
Well, that about sums up the atmosphere in any generation: the wicked strut about and evil is praised throughout the land!
What wicked things or people are strutting about right now?
What evil is being praised throughout the land at this time?
What is being lied about even while you are reading this?
How is God protecting the oppressed and preserving them forever?
How can you be God's instrument in that protecting and preserving?
God, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation. Reveal to us how we can be your instruments in this generation. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label Psalm 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 12. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Pure and Perfect
The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Psalm 12: 6 NLT
I have never thought about God's promises being pure. In fact, I never knew that silver was refined. According to Wikipedia, in ancient times copper was often refined by heat several times to purify it and remove both silver and gold. Silver might be refined more but I am not sure about seven times! However, I do know that whenever numbers are used in scripture that I need to pay attention. The number seven always indicates perfection - like seven days of creation/days of the week.
So, this is silver so refined, so pure that it is perfect.
And that is what is so wonderful about God's promises - they are so pure that they are perfect.
When you hear the words "God's promises" what come to mind? What has God promised to you and your life?
God, your promises are pure as silver refined seven times. Thank you that you give us perfect promises.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
I have never thought about God's promises being pure. In fact, I never knew that silver was refined. According to Wikipedia, in ancient times copper was often refined by heat several times to purify it and remove both silver and gold. Silver might be refined more but I am not sure about seven times! However, I do know that whenever numbers are used in scripture that I need to pay attention. The number seven always indicates perfection - like seven days of creation/days of the week.
So, this is silver so refined, so pure that it is perfect.
And that is what is so wonderful about God's promises - they are so pure that they are perfect.
When you hear the words "God's promises" what come to mind? What has God promised to you and your life?
God, your promises are pure as silver refined seven times. Thank you that you give us perfect promises.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Thursday, May 5, 2011
God sees, hears and rescues
The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do." Psalm 12: 5 NLT
Many of the hardest hit areas in Alabama by the recent tornadoes are also some of the poorest and lower socio-economic areas. Why would God allow such things to happen to folks who already have less than the rest of us? We can't answer much of why God would allow such a force of nature to harm anyone -- we do know that God allows us free will and that nature allowed to be a completely untamed force.
The positive side is that God has seen the violence done to the helpless. God has heard their groans. You may be asking where God is and how God is going to rescue them.
God has already been rescuing, rising up and being in the midst of them. God has been in the actions of neighbors, emergency personnel, utility workers, and volunteers. God is speaking on facebook, through cell phones and on the Internet and other media. God is acting through those who are helping others, even those who have lost so much themselves. God has been overwhelming in care, love and concern through thousands around the U.S. and the world who are reaching out to help.
God, thank you for seeing, for hearing, for rescuing and for simply being present. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Many of the hardest hit areas in Alabama by the recent tornadoes are also some of the poorest and lower socio-economic areas. Why would God allow such things to happen to folks who already have less than the rest of us? We can't answer much of why God would allow such a force of nature to harm anyone -- we do know that God allows us free will and that nature allowed to be a completely untamed force.
The positive side is that God has seen the violence done to the helpless. God has heard their groans. You may be asking where God is and how God is going to rescue them.
God has already been rescuing, rising up and being in the midst of them. God has been in the actions of neighbors, emergency personnel, utility workers, and volunteers. God is speaking on facebook, through cell phones and on the Internet and other media. God is acting through those who are helping others, even those who have lost so much themselves. God has been overwhelming in care, love and concern through thousands around the U.S. and the world who are reaching out to help.
God, thank you for seeing, for hearing, for rescuing and for simply being present. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Our lips are our own -- who can stop us?
Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and insincere hearts. May the Lord bring their flattery to an end and silence their proud tongues. They say, "We will lie to our hearts' content. Our lips are our own -- who can stop us? " Psalm 12: 1-4 NLT
Our lips are our own -- who can stop us?
We can do so much damage with what comes out of our mouths. And it is true, who can really stop us when we can't even stop ourselves? Sometimes it feels as though our lips are not even our own but belong to someone else entirely! We tend to have such a disconnect between what we say and how what we say can hurt others.
I admit that I have succumbed to the hoof in mouth disease, sometimes even when I think I am helping others. I tend to speak what I think before letting my brain and my conscious edit what is being said. Just because a thought is on my mind does not mean I have to repeat it. All my thoughts are not godly - perhaps a few are but mostly they are all about me. How else would I have the overriding need to continue to speak when I should be listening? I have embarrassed others, hurt others, made others angry and turned friends into enemies: all with just the ability of my mouth.
God, our lips are our own but we constantly need you to prevent us from telling lies or saying things that are not spoken out of love. We need you to stop us. Help us, Lord, help us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
Our lips are our own -- who can stop us?
We can do so much damage with what comes out of our mouths. And it is true, who can really stop us when we can't even stop ourselves? Sometimes it feels as though our lips are not even our own but belong to someone else entirely! We tend to have such a disconnect between what we say and how what we say can hurt others.
I admit that I have succumbed to the hoof in mouth disease, sometimes even when I think I am helping others. I tend to speak what I think before letting my brain and my conscious edit what is being said. Just because a thought is on my mind does not mean I have to repeat it. All my thoughts are not godly - perhaps a few are but mostly they are all about me. How else would I have the overriding need to continue to speak when I should be listening? I have embarrassed others, hurt others, made others angry and turned friends into enemies: all with just the ability of my mouth.
God, our lips are our own but we constantly need you to prevent us from telling lies or saying things that are not spoken out of love. We need you to stop us. Help us, Lord, help us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims
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