Put Jesus in Front of You

S - Scripture
Psalm 16 v. 8  I keep the Lord always before me; because he is a my right hand, I shall not be moved.

O - Observation
Stability. David wrote this Psalm. He kept his focus, recognized the source of his strength, even when being hunted down to be killed. How is it in our own lives? Are there people out there that are trying to do you harm? Don't lose focus. Having the Lord before you means looking forward, following his lead. Its not an after the fact sort of relationship. Otherwise we would have the Lord behind us. To follow his lead means we have to open our eyes to the direction he wants to take us. How do we open our eyes? We need to pray for wisdom and council from the Holy Spirit. We need to be in the word - the Bible.

A - Application
Am I putting Jesus in front of me or behind me?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Lead me, guide me, protect me.  Love Will

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Live your life to bless the Lord

S - Scripture
Psalm 16 v. 7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  

O - Observation
Godly wisdom. What a blessing. How awesome is it that we have the Bible to read. 2 Timothy 3 v. 16-17, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and

for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every Good work." When we are intentional about God's word, reading it, studying it, meditating on it, then its words and wisdom begin to permeate us. We think about God's instruction both consciously and subconsciously. God's wisdom is for a full life. It is a recipe for living life to the fullest, living a life to the Glory of God. So how do we respond to such an awesome gift? Live it!!

A - Application
Am I blessing the Lord by living, doing what the Bible teaches?   

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to live my life to bless you. Love Will

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We all have a Choice

S - Scripture
Psalm 13 v. 6  I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

O - Observation
Always look on the bright side of life. Today's verse was written by David, he experienced both extremes in his life. Kingships, hated, hunted, fugitive. But, yet, he will sing to the Lord due to the

good things he had given him. We all have a choice. We can look at what we have or don't have. Following David's lead is a great choice. Singing to the Lord for the things we have. Proverbs 10 v.22, "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it." Think about what we have - eternal life - in Heaven - no tears, but Joy. Makes me want to SING!!!

A - Application
What's my choice? To sing or not to sing?  

P - Prayer
Jesus, Hosanna, Halleluiah, Hurray, you make me want to sing. Love Will

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Seek God for Protection

S - Scripture
Psalm   12 v.7 Do thou, O Lord, protect us , guard us ever from this generation.

O - Observation
A prayer for protection. It was applicable back then, it is applicable today. Every generation faces battles, attacks on their well being, both physically and spiritually. It’s because we are all under the yoke of sin. It’s in peoples core. Jesus recognizes this when he said in Matthew 15 v. 19, "For out of

the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander." It’s not a wonder that David wrote this Psalm. He was experiencing all those things first hand. David knew he couldn't withstand all these attacks without help from his heavenly Father. It’s important to remember, we were created in God's image. He is personally invested in us. He will be there for us.

A - Application
Am I seeking protection from God for my troubles?

P - Prayer
Do thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us from this generation. Love Will

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Prepare for Tests

S - Scripture
Psalm   11 v. 5  The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates him that loves violence.

O - Observation
Tests. We all will face them. God is impartial to whom he tests. He tests everybody. Why do we have tests? To make us better. Its true in school. Its true in life. Proverbs 27 v. 17a, "Iron sharpens Iron." and Proverbs 27 v. 21a, "The crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold." Both these Proverbs

points out to the end game of tests. How do we prepare for God's tests? 2 Corinthians 13 v. 5, "Exam yourselves, to see whether you are holding to the faith.  TEST YOURSELVES. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you fail to meet the test." Just like practice tests in school, we need to do the same in our lives. Live God's word and instruction, so when his tests come, we will be ready.

A - Application
How am I preparing for my tests? How am I doing?

P - Prayer
Jesus,  Help me to respond to your tests with flying colors.  Love Will

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Know where to put your trust

S - Scripture
Psalm   9 v. 10 And those who know thy name put their trust in thee, for thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek thee.

O - Observation
Never forgotten. Always, there, intentional. Those that seek God, those that put their trust, hope and faith in him, (Jesus Christ) will experience a scene of security for the now and eternity. Why? Because God loves and pursues us. Romans 5 v. 8, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." For someone to pay such a great cost for us, means he will not let us go. We're too valuable. In fact, he refers to us as family to him. Not just servants of acquaintances, but family. Mark 3 v. 25, " Who ever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother."

A - Application
Where am I putting my trust?

P - Prayer
Jesus,  Thank you for pursuing and not forsaking me.  Love Will

Know where to go in times of Trouble

S - Scripture

Psalm   9 v. 9    The Lord is a Stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 

O - Observation

 Security. Webster defines Stronghold as 'a place where an army is strongly in position." I think of stronghold as a place that can't be penetrated. A place that can withstand any attacks. Being in the center of a Stronghold is about as safe as it gets.
We need to remember John 16 v.33, "I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." A stronghold is NOT a hiding place. So when facing troubles, although we want to go to the Lord, we do not have to go at it alone. We have the stronghold of other believers in Christ to help us out. Hebrews 12 v. 1a, "We are surrounded by a great cloud of witness. Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings to us closely."

A - Application

Where do I go in times of trouble?  

P - Prayer

Jesus,  Thanks for being my stronghold.  Love Will

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