This Psalm has been God's Word to me over and over again this week....
He is mighty to save and I praise Him for His goodness to me!

Psalm 34

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate

Safe am I in the hollow of His hand
Sheltered o'er by His love forever more
No foe can harm me
No fear alarm me
For He keeps both day and night
Safe am I in the hollow of His hand.

The Mind Fixed on Christ

To dwell upon the beauty, goodness, mercy, and love of Jesus is strengthening to the mental and moral powers, and while the mind is kept trained to do the works of Christ, to be obedient children, you will habitually inquire, Is this the way of the Lord?

Admiration

I set out to study Psalm 104 this mo rning, but I got no further than the first verse as there was so much to think about – what a glorious picture of God it is!

Ps 104:1  Bless the Lord, O my soul.  Thou art very great, Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Bless the Lord, O my soul:  When you bless someone you benefit them, you do good to them, the focus is on them and you do it out of love for them.  In this context bless could also mean praise and appreciate. 

What do I admire about God and what causes me to praise & appreciate Him?

-         His faithfulness in all things – in calling me, caring for me, keeping His promises to me.

-         His unconditional love to all people, but also for me – it is just always there for me no matter what I have done, He still loves and forgives me!

-         His patience and perseverance in drawing all people to Himself – and the fact that every day He keeps calling me and drawing me to Himself – He never gives up on me.

-         His kindness and goodness to all people – and to me for daily He pours out so many blessings in my life both physically and spiritually!

-         His wondrous wisdom and ways which are always perfect and beyond my imagination.

What do you admire about God and why?

Thou art very great:  He is the Creator, Sustainer and Saviour of all.  He is the King above all Kings, His greatness is unsearchable and beyond our comprehension!

He is clothed with honour:  He is a person of integrity and righteousness –  I admire that so much and I can just imagine Him clothed in these characteristics.  And the praises of His people wrap around Him like a garment.   Can you picture it?

And majesty:  If something is majestic, it is usually beautiful, awesome, inspiring admiration and wonder.  Everything about God is pure, righteous, holy, beautiful, perfect, awe inspiring, admirable, glorious.

Did you catch a glimpse of Him?  Are you inspired by who He is?  Don’t you long to be more like Him? The amazing truth is that it is our privilege to become more and more like Jesus.  By beholding Him we are changed into His image – this is not an if or a maybe but a certainty – what a wondrous gift!  So where are you going to focus today?  I want to focus on Him and living for Him!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Acquaint Now...

Job 22:21-30

21 “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace;
      Thereby good will come to you.

 22 Receive, please, instruction from His mouth,
      And lay up His words in your heart.

 23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up;
      You will remove iniquity far from your tents.

 24 Then you will lay your gold in the dust,
      And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks.

 25 Yes, the Almighty will be your gold
      And your precious silver;

 26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty,
      And lift up your face to God.

 27 You will make your prayer to Him,
      He will hear you,
      And you will pay your vows.

 28 You will also declare a thing,
      And it will be established for you;
      So light will shine on your ways.

 29 When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’
      Then He will save the humble person.

 30 He will even deliver one who is not innocent;
      Yes, he will be delivered by the purity of your hands.”

Transformed

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2.

By beholding Christ we become changed. If the mind dwells upon temporal things constantly, these things become all-absorbing, affecting the character, so that God's glory is lost sight of and forgotten. The opportunities that are within reach for them to become conversant with heavenly things, are overlooked. Spiritual life dies. . . .

Make God your entire dependence. When you do otherwise, then it is time for a halt to be called. Stop right where you are, and change the order of things. . . . In sincerity, in soul-hunger, cry after God. Wrestle with the heavenly agencies until you have the victory. Put your whole being into the Lord's hands soul, body, and spirit, and resolve to be His loving, consecrated agency, moved by His will, controlled by His mind, infused by His Spirit . . . then you will see heavenly things clearly.

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth.