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Salvation, freedom and encouragement came last Sunday as Jim sang and spoke at Lifegate Community church. It’s true! God has given us the stregth to face every situation. Jim says he is looking forward to what God will do at Abundant Life Church in Coffs Harbour on Saturday Night and Riverside Church Grafton at both morning and evening services on Sunday this weekend.
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Hearing God - Jim's Daily Devotion
Psalm 147:1-11
1 Go crazy praising[1] the Lord[2];
It’s good to make music and sing to our God;
It’s delightful! And singing a song of praise is beautiful!
2 The Lord is building Jerusalem up;
He gathers together those from Israel who have been driven away.
3 He heals those who are broken inside[3];
And he bandages up their pain.
4 He counts the number of stars
And he calls then all by name.
5 Our Owner and Master is great, with great power;
His understanding (too great to) measure[4].
6 The Lord helps[5] the poor and needy,
But he brings the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing praise to the Lord;
Make music with the stringed instrument and sing praises to our God.
8 He hides the sky with clouds,
He provides rain for the earth
And he makes the grass grow on the mountains.
9 He gives food to the wild animals
(And to) the young[6] ravens when they call.
10 He’s not impressed[7] by a horse’s strength,
And he isn’t pleased by (the strength) in a person’s legs.
11 The lord is pleased by (those who) are in awe of him,
(And who) eagerly expect his goodness and kindness.
[1] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [2] “Yah” [3] “inner man/heart” [4] “no/not number/innumerable/by count” [5] “relieve/support/bind/sustain/help” [6] “sons” [7] “delight in/take pleasure in”
Application
Man, do I need God to heal my brokenness inside! Instead of getting better, I seem to get worse with age and I need God to come and put the pieces together. I need a God who will take away the pain and give me a new heart…. And that’s just what he promises to do for me.
He is in control of everything. He knows everything, understands everything and has unlimited power.
The great thing is that all his power is available to me. In fact, all his power lives in me if I am filled with the Holy Spirit. I have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead and created the universe. Perhaps today’s questions should be, “What am I doing with this power? And what’s God’s power accomplishing in me and in my world?”
He helps the poor and needy. I am rich because I know Jesus and because I’m a joint heir with him. However, I know in my spirit that I am also poor and needy. I need something of a richer experience of the love and power of God in my life. I need to know God’s presence and friendship in all that I think, say and do. I need my pain bound up and to have the joy of the Lord as my strength. I want to walk in the plan and purpose that God keeps telling me that he has for me. I want to know what the next step is, even if it’s a great step of faith, but I need to hear God speak.
Prayer
Father, I know you provide and I know you made everything and are in control of everything. Lord, please come and be close to me. I need you in my loneliness and in my feelings of frustration and hopelessness. Some people might always know what to do next and know what your purpose is, but Lord, I am waiting for your voice and I need you to speak to me.
However, God, whatever the circumstances, I’m going to go as crazy as I can praising you and giving you honour because you are my God.
IJN Amen
© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher
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Psalm 146
1 Go crazy praising[1] the Lord[2];
Soul, go crazy praising[3] the Lord[4];
2 I will go crazy praising[5] the Lord (while I) live;
I will continue to make music and sing to God.
3 Don’t trust in leaders,
And don’t trust in people[6] who can’t save (you).
(A person’s) spirit goes out (and their body) goes back to dirt;
Their thoughts are destroyed on that day.
5 (A person) whose help is Jacob’s Mighty God is happy;
(He is happy if his help) is the Lord God
6 Who made heaven, earth, the sea and all (that is in them);
He guards the truth forever.
7 He acts justly for the oppressed;
He gives food to the hungry
And the Lord lets (those who are) bound (go) free.
8 The Lord opens the blind (person’s eyes);
The Lord lifts up those who are bent down;
The Lord loves the just.
9 The Lord guards foreigners;
He supports orphans and widows
And he twists the way for wicked (people).
10 The Lord will rule forever;
Zion, your God (will rule) from generation to generation.
Go crazy praising[7] the Lord!
[1] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [2] “Yah” [3] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [4] “Yahweh” [5] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [6] “sons adam” [7] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman”
Application
Sometimes I might not feel like praising God, but I need to remember that life isn’t about me anymore, it’s about serving God. He deserves my highest praise whether I feel like it or not. Sometimes I just have to get up and tell myself to praise him because he is good and he provides for all my needs. If he did nothing more than that, surely it would be enough to warrant all my praise.
Who can I trust? People aren’t even trustworthy here on earth, let alone when it comes to the path for eternity. God is my only hope through his precious Son, Jesus. I am a fool to believe in anything else other than God. The major question needs to be ‘Who is God and how can I get to know him?’ Some seem to think that all roads lead to heaven, but that’s just not true. The true and living God has sent his Son to die and take upon himself the sins of the world. Therefore, only by accepting that gift can I look forward to eternity in paradise.
God intends to bless me and help people. He is here to show his power, healing the sick, opening blind eyes, lifting up those who are down and protecting those who can’t protect themselves. Only those who turn away from him need to fear.
Prayer
Father, help me to recognise who you are and to go crazy praising you. There is no one like you and I have no other hope than you. You are my protection and my healer. You provide the answers for everyone I know.
Father, I am far from perfect, but you forgive me and take away my sin. This isn’t about how good I am and I thank you because I could never measure up. Thank you that you are my Saviour and my friend. Thank you that you have done everything that needs to be done to give me life.
IJN Amen
© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher
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Psalm 145:12-21
12 (In order to) make your strength,
And the honour, glory and splendour of your kingdom, known to mankind[1].
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom
And your rule (is over) all generations.
14 The Lord supports all (those who) fall;
He lifts up all (those who are) bent down.
15 All eyes look to you;[2]
You give them food (at the right) time.
16 You open your hand
And fill everything (that has) life.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways
And faithful in everything he does.
18 The Lord is near everyone (who) calls him;
(He is near everyone who) calls him in truth.
19 He will do (what those who) are in awe of him want;
He will hear their cry for help and save them.
20 The Lord guards everyone (who) loves him,
But he will destroy everyone (who is) wicked.
21 My mouth will speak praise to the Lord[3]
And forever and ever all flesh will kneel and adore his name that is set apart.
[1] “sons adam” [2] “eyes (of) all inspect/hope/look at” [3] “praise (of) the Lord”
Application
God gives me a mandate to make his strength, honour, glory, power, love and goodness known to everyone. It’s probably the reason that he leaves me here as a Christian. I can do almost everything better in heaven except to speak to those who don’t know the Lord Jesus. Only his kingdom lasts forever and only the life that he freely gives will bring joy.
It doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past or even where I am right now. God supports those who fall and lifts up those who can’t get up. All I have to do is fix my eyes on him instead of me, the problem and/or the world. God provides everything for me at just the right time if I will look to him. He is the one who provides for everything and everyone.
The Lord is just and righteous in everything he does. He never makes even one bad decision. He is near me right now and if I call him he will answer if I call him in truth. I guess this means that I have to really want God to be God, rather than the magic solution to my problems so that I can go back and live my own way. God doesn’t want me to say “I’m sorry!” God wants to occupy my body, take it over… he wants to be there in every thought, every action and every word.
If I put God in first place then he will fulfil my deepest desires. He will protect me and save me.
Prayer
Father, I want my mouth to speak praise to you forever. I want to be yours and I want you to be mine. I want to live under your banner of love. I need you and there is nothing that I want more than to live for you. Please show me how to change. Help me to serve you and to be your servant, your slave. Fill me Holy Spirit.
IJN Amen
© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher
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Psalm 145:1-11
A song of Praise Written by King David
1 My God and my King, I will lift you up!
I will adore your name forever and ever.
2 I will adore you every day
And I will go crazy praising[1] your name forever and ever.
3 The Lord is great and (people are to) go exceedingly crazy praising[2] (him);
His greatness can’t be investigated.
4 Generation (after) generation will praise (what you) do[3];
They will make the mighty (things you do) known.
5 I will seriously think about your honour, majesty,
And your miracles.
6 (People) will speak (about) the power of your awesomeness,
And I will talk (about) your greatness.
7 They will pour out their memory of your exceeding prosperity,
And they will shout out (about) your justice.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to get angry and he is abounding[4] with goodness and kindness.
9 The Lord is good to everyone;
His compassion is over everything he has made.
10 Lord, everything you have made will thank you,
And (those who are) faithful will kneel to praise you.
11 They will speak (about) the honour and glory of your kingdom
And they will talk (about) your strength
[1] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [2] “halal, halal, halal, halĕluyah” which means “boast,” “praise,” “make into a fool” and “act like a madman” [3] “generation praise works generation [4] “great/large/loud”
Application
How can I continue to live my own life, doing whatever I want, if God is my God and King? A king in the ancient times had supreme power over life and death. The subjects had free choice. They either chose to do what the king wanted or they chose to die.
I need a fresh understanding of who God is and his awesome power. I should be lifting him up to the highest place in my life every moment and adoring him. I have witnessed his greatness, both to me and to others. I have seen his power at work in me and in others. There is a responsibility, therefore to tell everyone just how great he is. I will never be able to do so with accuracy because it’s impossible to find out just how great he is.
Not only is he great, but he is merciful. He took me at the time when I deserved to die and gave me life. He has given me a hope and a future and everything I stand for is tied up in who he is.
He hasn’t come to judge me and punish me. He has come to give me a chance to get right with him and to live for him. Therefore, I need to turn to him and love his way rather than my own. I need to bow before him in praise and speak about all he has done and all he continues to do for me.
Prayer
Father, you are great. You have done great things for me and I am nowhere near glad enough. Thank you for your power at work in me to make me more like you. Thank you that you have an excellent plan and a future for me and that you are calling me to be with you for my own good rather than for yours. Teach me your ways and fill me Holy Spirit.
IJN Amen
© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher
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