Daily Digest

4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

This passage is so awesome, I was blessed to spend time mediating on it.

The subject of the passage is what Jesus calls the gift of ‘living water’. This imagery can be found in both the Old & New Testament, but John 7:39 reveals it as a reference to the Holy Spirit. Living water implies flow, the presence of God and the power to bring new life. It is important to understand the Holy Spirit flows into us from God and out from us in service to other people.

Jesus experienced the Spirit without limitations (John 3:34) but how do we really know if we are experiencing any measure of the Holy Spirit in our own regular daily lives?

The answer is, there are many indicators of the presence of ‘living water’ in a person’s life but here are two you may have not considered. 1. You experience increasing level of self-disciple (Titus 2:11). 2. You experience increasing levels of desire and opportunity to serve others (which can be seen in this passage where Jesus ministers to a person nobody else would consider speaking with).

So, take the opportunity today to consider ‘how well is the ‘living water’ flowing in your life?’

Lord, today, I ask we would receive a greater measure of ‘living water’ from you and that others may benefit from the overflow. Amen!

Written by David Newton

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

As I read this I am pretty impressed and also quite challenged by John’s humility. We see here that John’s followers have come to him with a complaint that people are following Jesus and being baptised by Him rather than by John.

What a temptation for John to follow pride and ego, and to get on board with these guys to vie for status and recognition as a premier prophet of the day.

Instead John chooses the opposite spirit – “He must become greater; I must become less.”  This statement must be one of the most succinct and profound statements uttered by someone other than Jesus in the whole of the Bible.

How often do I vie for personal status and recognition as a deep motivation rather than seeking to give the glory to the One who deserves it?

Today I remember – He must become greater and I must become less.

Written by Shelley Witt

3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Nicodemus answers and responds to Jesus just like any of us would, ‘how can someone be born again when they are old, and already been birthed? This is not physically possible!’.

However, Nicodemus has missed the point. What Jesus is saying here is that it is one thing to be born of flesh in the physical, but another to be born with the Spirit of God. When we are born again, we see things the way Jesus sees them. Our eyes are open to see his kingdom, our ears are listening to hear his voice, and our hearts becomes a heart after his. This is why the Holy Spirit is crucial in our lives as Christians, He opens our lives for God to move in us and through us. The Holy Spirit allows us to be born again, and receive God’s spirit afresh.

Lord, teach me to be more like you every day. Help me to see things the way you see them. Help me to have a heart after yours and your people. Fill me each day with your spirit and let me never miss what you’re saying to me.

Written by Rachel Tomc

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. 12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

Weddings are always a joyous occasion! Jesus is all about joy. Our joy. This miracle in John 2 is one of my favourites because it’s a little confusing. No one was healed. No one was saved from hell (not directly anyway) and hardly anyone knew that it was Jesus who did it. So why did he do it? I wonder if it was because the young couple’s joy would have been turned to angst when they realised the wine was gone. Jesus wouldn’t have a bar of that! Not on their wedding day. And dodgy wine would have sufficed since it was late in the celebrations. Again, not with Jesus. Only the best would do. Not a partial miracle, a full miracle. Not partial joy but full joy.

Lord Jesus, when will I learn to live in you? When will I learn to come to you for joy and hope and peace and love? You are magnificent in your miracles and as whimsical in your reasons as simply wanting to give us complete joy. Awesome Jesus! I worship you.   Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.”

For me, this passage is about seeing.

God sees me. All of me. My doubts, my pain, my troubled thoughts. He sees it all. Yet He loves me. He cares. He is my Heavenly Father and I am His son. I am dear to His heart in the same way that Jesus is dear to His heart. That’s how much He loves me.

I’m in awe….how can that be?

But there is more to this “seeing”. First He sees me – then He helps me to see.

Just like Nathaniel He says now you will see… and I do. I see that this world is a temporary veil that will soon be torn away. I see angels strong and mighty dispatched at the Fathers command to bring His purposes on earth about. I see Jesus on the cross carrying all my sin upon Himself – past, present and future – that makes this “seeing” possible. I see a Father in Heaven who says of me “I must have him in heaven with me! No other outcome is acceptable!”

Oh God thank you for seeing me.   Amen

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Two of John the Baptist’s disciples are curious about Jesus – they have just been told that he is the Messiah – so they start following him. But they keep at a distance. Perhaps they are wondering what kind of Saviour this Jesus might be? How will he interact with ordinary people like them? So they hang back a little and don’t say anything. But Jesus notices them. More than that, he turns to engage them and asks, “What do you want?”

Jesus reveals what he is like when he asks after them. His attention is on them. This is a warm curious question. I wonder if they were expecting this kind of response? I wonder if I really do? Sometimes I get so focused on tasks that I forget to focus on those around me. But here Jesus demonstrates that he is personal and caring. So when they ask Jesus where he is staying, he responds, “Come and see!” Jesus wants them to see for themselves and share it with him. Jesus is all about the person. He is all about us.

I find this passage upturning poorly laid foundations I have in my life: where I have learned to be wary and cautious of people, and expect Jesus to be the same (“whaddya want? Go away”), as I interact with him through prayer while I mull over this passage, I find Someone completely different: Jesus focusing on me, asking me “What do you want?” I hear kindness, not harshness.

Lord Jesus, I am still learning about you and your love towards me – I am both overwhelmed and undone. Lord, may your love continue to change and heal my heart.

Written by Gab Martin

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

I love that John knew exactly who he was, what he was doing and why he was to do it. We’re told that he was completely honest, didn’t evade the questions, nor did he make anything up, he was the one preparing the way for another.

We don’t often think about John having choices here … he could have grabbed the limelight, big noted himself, taken his ‘15 minutes of fame’, had a huge following, he had the leaders of society interested in him, wanting to know his story. But he stayed true. He walked in the calling/ministry that was his, he didn’t try to be someone else (Elijah, the prophet), or take his place (the Messiah). He is quite the role model of ministry and integrity.

I have never looked at John quite like this before. I am completely impressed. Refreshing to see a man who knows so completely who he is and his place in the ministry he is to do.

Lord, thank you for the example we have in John the baptist, a role model of honesty, integrity, strength of humility & focus, completely relevant for today.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

When Jesus came into the world as the Son of God there were many who did not recognise Him, both those who were God’s chosen people and those who had nothing to do with God. These people missed out on receiving all God had to offer. The next sentence though involves a big ‘but’. Yes there were those who failed to recognise Jesus, BUT, there were many who did recognise and accept Jesus. And what happened to these people? They became the sons and daughters of God, not by any human effort, but because of God’s actions.

Do I really stop and think about the people who accepted Jesus? Do I ponder how their lives changed, not just for the years on earth, but for eternity? Do I somehow undermine the amazing truth that those who were in rebellion against God came into his family, by focusing on the fact that many failed to recognise and even rejected Jesus? Do I continue to focus on that today? Do I spend more time thinking about all the people around me who fail to recognise Jesus, rather than taking a look at the lives of those who have come to know Jesus? Do I consider how their lives have changed, and how their eternity is now filled with hope?

God, please help me to take off my dark shades and to see the amazing work you are doing in the people around me – bringing people to you and changing people’s lives as they become your sons and daughters. Help me to see that you are powerfully at work, and for every one who recognises you, a life is forever changed. Thank you that you call me to partner with you in helping people to recognise Jesus, Holy Spirit shine through me and help me reveal more of Jesus’ goodness and greatness. Amen.

Written by Beth Waugh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I love this passage. Like Genesis 1, it paints a cosmically huge picture of our creator God in terms that are poetic and imprecise enough that nothing is excluded, but absolutely clear that Jesus is both fully human and fully God, the creator.

I am astounded that Jesus is so huge that he was before the beginning and can never be extinguished, but he became a limited man and died to rescue me.

I’m in awe that he has so much authority that nothingness obeyed him and became something, chaos obeyed and became order, inanimate matter obeyed and became alive. And yet he listens to me.

He has so much power that he encompasses everything in this huge universe but is accessible to me. He’s my creator and my brother (first born of God’s children – Rom 8:29). He’s my lord and my friend.

My words here are pathetically inadequate to describe the wonder of the “the Word”. But thankfully John’s come pretty close.

My response has to be to worship him and to love him.

And I’m encouraged that though the darkness does not understand him, he shines through it and can never be extinguished by it.

Written by David Cornell

1 Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. 5 Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. 6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them— this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the Lord.

I love the beginning of this psalm. And then I come to sharp swords and vengeance in verse 6.

It’s not certain when this psalm was written. It might have been in the time of Nehemiah, when they did everything with a sharp sword in one hand for fear of attack. It may have been after one of David’s victories. Whatever it was, God was there in their struggles, and praise came before and after.

It reminds me that I’m in a battle too. It’s not a physical battle (I’m very grateful, God). It’s a spiritual battle (Ephesian 6:10-17). I need to be equipped not only with my sharp sword (of the Spirit), but with the whole armour of God. It is my glorious privilege (verse 9) to take my place in that battle and to stand firm.

This psalm reminds me how important praise is in that battle. Praise for what God has already done, but also, in faith, proclaiming the victories He will win. Praise especially in the middle of the battle. Like Jehoshaphat’s army marching out with the Levites in the lead singing praise (and their enemies defeating themselves at the sound of it) in 2 Chronicles 20:1-29. Praise proclaims God’s victory to a world that does not want to submit to it.

Praise the Lord!

(Be careful with this psalm: The second half has been used to justify all sorts of things from the 30 Years War (1618-48) which killed between 3 and 12 million people through to crusades and peasant revolts. The Bible is clear: judgement belongs to God (James 4:22), and all Christians have been given the mission to tell all who will listen about God’s plan to rescue them from sin and judgement (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). My task is reconciliation, not revenge.)

Written by David Cornell

Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; 11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. 13 He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. 14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. 15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? 18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. 19 He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. 20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the Lord.

I’m loving this psalm, what an active God we have & our Psalmist gives many reasons why we should sing praise to the Lord. He gives, He stirs, He satisfies, He keeps, He blesses, He provides, He supplies, He gives, He heals, He gathers and many more. There is something in this psalm for everyone to be able to sing about.

The 1^st verse is the one that has captured me this week as I’ve been meditating on it. “How good it is to sing praises to our God.” I have begun to do this just in my everyday & it has lifted my heart, it has taken my eyes to a different place, settled my mind from my concerns and re-focused me. What brilliant wisdom this is to sing praises to our God!

Thank you Father, you know what we need, something as simple as singing praise to you can turn our whole day around. Thank you for the simplicity of praise.

Written by Suzie Hodgson

A psalm of praise. Of David. 1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. 14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

I love how this Psalm, and many others that are amazing psalms of worship, such declarations of God’s incredible nature, His worthiness of praise, His goodness, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, justice, righteousness, holiness, eternity and love.

But beyond that, the psalmist does more than just declare who God is, he shares his own experience of responsibility, his response to the majesty of God. He commits to ongoing worship, rather than just declaring something in a positive moment; “I will praise Your Name for ever and ever;” “I will meditate on your wonderful works.”

For me, this presents a beautifully simple and effective model for how I am to change my heart –

1)      Enter His gates with thanksgiving (psalm 100)

2)      Declare His majesty

3)      Verbally, or in journaling, commit to God to ongoing and continual worship, particularly in the areas where I struggle to be gracious and thankful

4)      Repeat as often as possible!

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

A psalm of David. 1 Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.[a] 7 Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

If you have ever felt anxiety or depression, it seems as though you are in good company as King David reveals his anxiety and depression before the Lord!

The following things strike me in this psalm as great examples when we face an onslaught of concerns and negative feelings:

1. Reveal them to God in brutal honesty and clarity.
2. Continue to read the scriptures and turn to God in prayer every morning, even though I don’t feel like it
3. Think of the blessings God has given me and give thanks and praise.
4. Declare the truth of who God is and his promises
5. Demand that God deliver on his promises.
6. Patiently repeat, day by day.

Lord, you do break through, when circumstances and dark clouds seem to envelop us. You are greater. Why we must wait some times, I don’t know. But you do break through and bring your abundance of life! Amen

Written by Andrew Mellor

A psalm of David. 1 I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. 3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers. 6 Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken. 7 They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.” 8 But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death. 9 Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers, from the snares they have laid for me. 10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.

So many good bits in this Psalm…

This Psalm of David is where he is calling to His God, His Lord. David says ‘his upraised arms” are an offering to the Lord. Have you ever considered that your upraised arms in worship, prayer and praise are an offering to the Lord? If you struggle to lift your arms…. consider this as an offering to the Lord when are you next in worship, praise and prayer.

It is so easy for us to have an opinion these days, particularly on social media.  Consider the thousands of daily posts, articles, videos, photos. Let’s be careful of what we say and how we say it. Whenever I post I consider if people know I am a Christian what can I say that brings Life, Love and the message of Hope (Jesus) to the world. How can I witness and glorify the name of Jesus using social media? Not my opinion, or the opinion of others – but what is God’s opinion. “God’s opinion is worth fighting for.”

The third thing in reflection is ‘let the godly strike me’.  I am so grateful when hard as it is; someone has the courage to say something to me as a rebuke. My husband, my children, my friends….. thank you.  It is a kindness to me… a soothing medicine. How wonderful to have people in our lives who have the courage to reprove us.  They are worthy friends indeed.

Lord thank you that I have arms that can be lifted to you. Lord thank you, may I always be careful and controlled in how I speak.  May the fear of God be on my mouth. Lord thank you for those around me who reprove me.  What a blessing they are to me.  Help me to take heed and become more like Jesus.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta