January 24
Psalms 145:14
The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed down. {KJV}
The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. {NIV}
The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads. {NLT}
There are many different kinds of pain in this world; sometimes it is physical, financial or emotional. Always call on the God who has your answers. Open God’s word and learn the meaning behind his name. El Shaddai means God Almighty. He is big enough to lift your burden. Yahweh Shalom means The Lord is peace. He is big enough to comfort you and take away your fears. Yahweh Yireh means The Lord will provide. He is greater than your needs and holds your provisions. Yahweh Shammah means The Lord is there. God is always present with you. You will find tremendous power in the name of God. Call on him.
February 7
Psalms 66:6
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. {KJV}
He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot-come, let us rejoice in him. {NIV}
He made a dry path through the Red Sea and his people went across on foot. Come let us rejoice in who he is. {NLT}
When Moses stood in front of this nation of people he was leading he came to what looked like a dead end. Literally dead! The Red Sea blocked their progress and the Egyptian army was aggressively bearing down on the children of Israel. The circumstances didn’t shout, here is a sure win! It truly looked like the end for these people…..except for God. Never underestimate God! God who owns the winds told the east wind to begin to blow the answer into this story. It blew all that night and….well you know the story. What is your impossible situation today? Let me just ask you one question. Is it too big for the God of the Red Sea?
March 23
Psalms 142:4
I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. {KJV}
Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. {NIV}
I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. {NLT}
When David wrote this Psalm he was desperate and hiding in a cave. He understood what it was like to be truly alone. He knew the feeling of isolation. Can you relate? Do you find yourself entertaining fear and despair? Like David of old, run to the Lord! He is your hiding place. It is the Lord who will protect you and wrap his love around you. He is your hope. The Lord your God is your warrior who will fight for you. You will never be alone!
May 11
Psalms 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness. {KJV}
Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, and as you did that day at Massah in the desert. {NIV}
The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. {NLT}
A hardened heart is a serious condition. It clogs your spiritual arteries so the Holy Spirit can not flow in your life. A hardened heart stops your ability to hear God’s still small voice. A hardened heart blinds you to the move of God’s hand. Meribah means the place of arguing. Massah means the place of testing. Go back and read this story in Exodus 17:1-7 then ask yourself if you have a hard heart. Are you asking the Lord if he is going to take care of you or not? This day of your life is in God’s care. Soften your heart and see what God has in mind for you.
July 13
Psalms 107:9
For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. {KJV}
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. {NIV}
For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. {NLT}
The young man’s boots sunk into the desert sand. How long had he been running? The darkness closed around him. It was hard to swallow the dust in his throat. His empty stomach protested his use of energy. Stars lit the night sky. Suddenly the moon cast a light on an image in front of him and his knees buckled beneath him. The One who stood before him reached out with a cool cup of water. The young man drank as though dying of thirst. The One who stood before him gave him bread. The young man grasped the crust and ate as though dying of hunger. Jesus is the living water. Jesus is the bread of life.