Tag: hate

Together We Pray to God Who Is on the Throne

Because the LORD is Omnipotent in wisdom and power, I invite you to speak aloud His Word back to Him:

I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

 The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad Psalm 118: 21-24.

Together we pray to the LORD, Creator of heaven and earth His Word:

Listen to (our) my prayer, O God,
    do not ignore (our) my plea;
     hear (us) me and answer (us) me . . . Psalm 55:1.

Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,
    for I see violence and strife in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls;
    malice and abuse are within it.
 Destructive forces are at work in the city;
    threats and lies never leave its streets Psalm 55:9-11.

 As for me, I call to God,
    and the Lord saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
    I cry out in distress,
    and he hears my voice . . . Psalm 55:16,17.

 My companion attacks his friends;
    he violates his covenant.
His talk is smooth as butter,
    yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,
    yet they are drawn swords Psalm 55:20,21.

God, who is enthroned from of old,
    who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
    because they have no fear of God Psalm 55:19.

We unite in prayer and pour out our complaints to a Living God, Sovereign over all the affairs on the earth:

Your words were found, and (we) I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.

 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers,
Nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone because of Your hand,
For You have filled me with indignation. Jeremiah 15: 16,17.

The LORD spoke in regards to Jeremiah’s cry. What is the LORD saying to me? To you? To US? Let’s speak the Word of God aloud that we might have ears to hear and hearts as soft clay in the potter’s hand, that He might work in us,

 Therefore thus says the Lord:

“If you return,
Then I will bring you back;
You shall stand before Me;
If you take out the precious from the vile,
You shall be as My mouth . . .

 And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall;
And they will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you;

For I am with you to save you
And deliver you,” says the Lord.
 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked,
And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible” Jeremiah 15: 19-21.

Can we hear the cry of the LORD, “Will you come back to Me?”

Can we hear His voice over the noise, “You’ll be able to extract the precious from the vile.” “Come back to Me. I am able to make all grace abound. I make all things work together for good to those who are the call according to My purpose.”

Together, evening, morning, and at noon we will:

22 Cast (y)our cares on the Lord,

we recite together His faithful Word. We will seek His face forevermore:

. . . He will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.
But you, God, will bring down the wicked
    into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
    will not live out half their days

But as for me, I trust in you Psalm 55: 22,23.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (Eph. 3: 20).

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

The Lord Still Rules From Heaven / Psalm 11

Who loves justice?

For the Lord is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    the upright will see his face Psalm 11:7.

Psalm 11 is a powerful Word for today.

When “the foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

Seven verses of promise found in Psalm 11 prove to be a present help for those who trust in the Lord when the arrows of the enemy are set against us.

We need grace and help in our time of need. Where are the words for our prayer?

Psalm 11:

I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me,“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right.

The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence.

He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,punishing them with scorching winds.

For the righteous Lord loves justice.The virtuous will see his face. Psalm 11: 1-7.

We’re to speak to one another in Psalms and hymns. What would an appropriate hymn be? A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther. Let’s challenge ourselves to speak these words aloud to be as a vitamin for increased faith this day:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He.
Lord Sabboth, his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers
Not thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill,
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever…

Put on Praise
The Word and the Hymnal empower us to have melody.

"Can we reason together?" asks the LORD

“Oh world, are you angry and troubled? Do you forget to walk careful with fear … not ‘fear’ as you listen to restless thoughts of man, but ‘the fear of the LORD’,  which is the beginning of wisdom. (1)
“Look out!” they yell and seek their own view. “Look up!” My voice speaks. I give peace, hope, and understanding to you.
“The church has caused great pain and appears to have pointing fingers.”
“Don’t you see, it’s the sin of man that brings condemnation? I have come. I AM Savior. There is no condemnation to those who are in Me.”(2)
“Come, and let us reason together. Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” (3) I was sent by My Father, and willingly died on a tree.”
But that could not hold Me. I rose from the dead.(4) Where do you set your mind? Where is your mind set?  Look to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” (5)
“I will show you great and mighty things that you know not yet. (6) I Am the LORD.”
Don’t look out toward the strife and the wars, Look Up to find wisdom to cope. “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the world…”(7)
“I didn’t leave you as orphans alone, (8) I left you with My Spirit and the Word. Receive Them. Don’t reject. “Be still and know that I Am God.” (9) Pull the Good Book from off of the shelf. Have an open heart and mind, and see …
for …
yourself.
I love you with outstretched arms forever. If I seem distant, I dwell in thankful hearts and praises.
Look up to Me. My name is Jesus.”
(1) Proverbs 9:10.
(2) Romans 8:1.
(3) Isaiah 1:18.
(4) Matthew 28:6.
(5) Matthew 11:28.
(6) Jeremiah 33:3.
(7) Colossians 3:2.
(8) John 14:18.
(9) Psalm 46:10.