Category Archives: Psalms

January 23, 2009

Do you need a break today?

By Roye Glass

It’s interesting how each person that follows Jesus is so different. The gifts given, the personalities, and purposes for each person are all different. God is very personal with each person. Even the circumstances in life are different for each person. For some, it may seem like everything in life always goes their way. Another look at the human race it may seem like there are others that always struggle and have difficulties… never getting a break.

Why is it that some seemingly have no problems and all they touch turns to gold or at best stays steady moving forward? Why is it that others seem to never get a break?

It’s the same thing when I look at churches. Most churches get to a certain place with the number of people attending. And they just maintain that number… sometimes they will hit a growth spurt and leadership is gelling and moving forward then BAM roadblock… people leave and move on and continue on elsewhere or they get frustrated with the whole church thing and just drop out. Then there are those churches that start up and never look back… they grow and grow. The staff grows, changes, and grows some more.

Do you ever find yourself frustrated? Like there is something else that you should be doing… or that you just aren’t fitting in with what you are doing or where you are serving? Do you think that maybe you are doing something that God really didn’t intend for you to do… thus bringing on the frustration and roadblocks?

In Psalms 73we read about the frustrations of Asaph.  I’ve read it several times in the past couple of days. Do you relate to the thoughts of Asaph? What about in verses 11-14?

  What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch?
      Nobody’s tending the store.
   The wicked get by with everything;
      they have it made, piling up riches.
   I’ve been stupid to play by the rules;
      what has it gotten me?
   A long run of bad luck, that’s what—
      a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. (The Message).

Look and see just how Asaph ends this Psalm in verses 25-28.

You’re all I want in heaven!
      You’re all I want on earth!
   When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
      God is rock-firm and faithful.
   Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
      Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
   But I’m in the very presence of God—
      oh, how refreshing it is!
   I’ve made Lord God my home.
      God, I’m telling the world what you do! (The Message).

I don’t know why (but for some) things just seem so easy – and for others it’s incredibly difficult. Wherever you find yourself I encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay focused.  Give all of your attention and worship to Jesus.

If it’s difficulties you are faced with remember the words of Jesus to John the Baptist’s disciples just before John was beheaded, “You’ll be blessed if this does not cause you to fall away.”  God can and will get you through anything… it just may be in a different way than what you are expecting.

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Calling, Church, Focus, Holy Spirit, Psalms, Spiritual Gifts, The Bible, The Message, Worship

January 9, 2009

Get to know God

By Roye Glass

I came across this passage this last year.  Lori  saw that I underlined it in my Bible while she was reading tonight and brought it back to my attention.

“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
      ”I’ll get you out of any trouble.
   I’ll give you the best of care
      if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
   Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
      I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
   I’ll give you a long life,
      give you a long drink of salvation!”  (Psalm 91:14-16, The Message).

I know several people who are really hurting right now for various reasons.  My prayer tonight for each is that they will hold onto God for dear life – get to know Him and trust Him.  We each have a God shaped void in our lives that can only be filled by God.  We have to call upon Him and quit trying to fill it with other things.

4 comments | posted in Bible Reading, Faith, Hope, Psalms, Trials and Testing, Trusting God

January 8, 2009

Why all the fear?

By Roye Glass

I recall sitting in my bedroom on Walnut Dr.  It was summer.  I think I was 19 years old.

I knew what God was wanting to do with me at the time.  I knew what He was calling me to do.  I knew what He was preparing.  But I had this fear of stepping out and doing what He wanted me to do. 

Fear.  It’s an ugly four letter word.  One that I don’t like to face. 

So what happened on that day in my bedroom?  I had been praying about this thing on my mind.  I knew what God was telling me.  Yet I wanted him to write it out on the wall for me… send me a letter in the mail… speak to me audibly.  I just wanted authoritative proof that what was on my mind was really Him and not something I was making up in my mind. 

So what happened while in my bedroom?  Well, after I prayed I recall having this thought come to my mind. “Read Psalm 32:8-11.”  OK – cool – I will read it.  I did.  Before I read it I had no idea what it was going to say.  I wasn’t even sure if there were 11 verses in this Psalm.  I grabbed my NIV and started reading:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
       I will counsel you and watch over you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
       which have no understanding
       but must be controlled by bit and bridle
       or they will not come to you.

 Many are the woes of the wicked,
       but the LORD’s unfailing love
       surrounds the man who trusts in him.

 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
       sing, all you who are upright in heart.

Well, He didn’t have to head me over the head!  But I’m glad He did! After-all I asked for it!

Tonight I am reading in Psalm 32.  While reading this passage I am reminded of that particular evening.  Now I’m 43.  Guess what!  I still struggle with that fear. 

My friend James told me yesterday, “Don’t be afraid”  – among other things.  Sometimes I think if God would put that bit in my mouth and lead me on I will not need to fear… yet he says, “Don’t be like the horse of the mule…”  I guess I’m a jack ass :) !  Just kidding… I’m a child of God that wants to be safe.  I need to live with “Reckless Abandon”.

Why all of the fear?

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Calling, Confidence, Conversation with God, Faith, Fear, Memories, Oswald Chambers, Psalms, The Bible, Trusting God

January 3, 2009

Psalm 16

By Roye Glass

My choice is you, God, first and only.
      And now I find I’m your choice!
   You set me up with a house and yard.
      And then you made me your heir! 

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
      is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
   Day and night I’ll stick with God;
      I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go. 

I’m happy from the inside out,
      and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
   You canceled my ticket to hell—
      that’s not my destination! 

Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
      all radiant from the shining of your face.
   Ever since you took my hand,
      I’m on the right way.  (Psalm 16:5-11, The Message)

Leave a comment | posted in Bible Reading, Prayer, Psalms, The Bible

January 2, 2009

Change and the Crossroad

By Roye Glass

In the words of David, “…Keep your mouth shut and let your heart do the talking…” (Psalm 4:4).

While proclaiming the Kingdom of God John the Baptist stated, “Change your life God’s kingdom is here.” (Matthew 3:2).  John went on to say, “It’s your life that must change not your skin.” (Matthew 3:8).

At the center is the heart.  It’s easy to talk about what I believe – it’s another thing to live it.  A new heart will produce a life of change.  That change will always start internally before it spreads to others. 

Sometimes that’s hard for me to do.  Especially these past few weeks.  I have so much inside me that wants and desires to live for God – I wish I had the words to convey the desires of my heart.  Yet the conflict I have been experiencing has been strong.  For me the conflict I have been experiencing has been at a “crisis level” which has produced much frustration. 

He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide— for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.  (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 1).

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Oswald Chambers, Psalms

December 28, 2008

Kyrie Eleison (pt. 2)

By Roye Glass

In The Message, Genesis 42:9 states, “Joseph, remembering the dreams he had dreamed of them…”  I don’t know for sure but it sounds like Joseph didn’t dwell on the dreams.  As I read this verse, I began to think that maybe he had let them go but due to the circumstances he recalled the dreams he had.

It almost sounds like the dreams he had as a teen allowed him to understand the circumstances that he was  living in many years later while serving Pharaoh.  God was there all of the time in the middle of it all.  Psalm 1:6a, “God charts the road you take.” (The Message).  There is comfort knowing that no matter where we find ourselves God is there.  He is in the middle of all we experience. 

In Psalm 23 we read that God is our Shepherd.  W. Phillip Keller states in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23,

To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet. (17).

Yet the staggering fact remains that Christ, the Creator of such an enormous universe of overwhelming magnitude, designs to call Himself my Shepherd and invites me to consider myself His sheep – His special object of affection and attention.  Who better could care for me? (19).

Job has always fascinated me.  I still have a difficult time grasping his life and the things that transpired.  After-all he was a man totally devotedto God.  Yet through all of the circumstances in his life there was so much pain, disappointment, heartache, and gut-wrenching questions.  At the end of all of it all Job answers God.

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.  You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’  I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head.  You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’  I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!  I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”  (Job 42:1-8, The Message).

Job – a man totally devoted to God – came to know God in a way he would have never known had the road he traveled not had a life changing struggle.  He got to know God firsthand through the devastation, pain, loss, and struggles he experienced in his life.

In Genesis 42:7, Joseph’s brothers bow to him – not knowing at the time that he was there brother.  His brothers sought food to take back to Canaan.  When Joseph reveals to his brothers who he is – he tells them not to despair over what they had done- that it was all in God’s plan.

“Come closer to me,” Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. “I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t feel badly, don’t blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn’t you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt. (Genesis 45:4-8, The Message).

My take away from reading these chapters is that Joseph remained true to who he was in loving God.  He stayed true to the purpose for his life… despite his circumstances… despite the things that had happened to him that made him a slave in Egypt…

Ultimately, Joseph’s circumstances were the result of the road God had prepared for him to travel.  Many times we blame others, ourselves for “bad” decisions, and we blame God for the circumstances in our lives (especially when the circumstances are less than desirable). 

When I was young I thought of growing old,
of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road,
or only wished what I could be

Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison, through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison, where I’m going will you follow
Kyrie eleison, on a highway in the light

1 comment | posted in Book of Job, Books, Dreams, Joseph, Mr. Mister, Psalms, The Bible, W. Phillip Keller

December 6, 2008

2009: A Look Forward – in Your eyes

By Roye Glass

Hope as defined by Dictionary.com as a noun is wrapped up in “feelings.”  But as a verb: 

  • To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
  • To believe, desire, or trust.

Hebrews 10:19-25,

So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. (The Message).

Are you looking toward the future or is your vision on the here and now?  I’m trying to gain all I can today from yet another extremely rare moment of quiet.  It’s rather nice.  The only light in the room is from the Christmas tree.  My heart is set on the hope of things yet to come – in Jesus Christ.

I am reading Psalm 139.  Take a moment to read the chapter.  Psalm 139:1, “God, investigate my life, get all the facts firsthand.  I’m an open book to you.” (The Message). 

I’ve never been one to make a lot of goals or plans for the beginning of the “New Year.”  Why not?  I do this (it seems like) all of the time already.  So, this year I’m going to go about it a bit differently.  I am already making some plans to implement for my life beginning January 1, 2009.  But before I get into that I would like to look at Psalm 139 as it pertains to my thoughts and direction.

I have been focused on the meaning and purpose of the life of Jesus Christ…  His redeeming mankind and making a way for all mankind to have a relationship with God.  I’ve been focused on his Holy Spirit (John 16) and the reason the Holy Spirit is in our lives today…  The power, confidence, and hope He gives.

As I read Psalm 139, I’m asking God to take a deep look into my life.  To look at all of it – inside and out.  I’m asking Him to see all of the highs and lows and to search me out east to west.  I am an open book to Him.  I am one of the verses in His book that is still being written in Acts 29.

I’ve also looked ahead into My Utmost for His Highest to see what Oswald Chambers has said on this subject and Psalm 139:

The psalmist implies— “O Lord, You are the God of the early mornings, the God of the late nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea. But, my God, my soul has horizons further away than those of early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. You who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize. My God, search me.” (January 9).

I know, “I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize.” without God taking a deep look into my life.  Without Him searching the darkest places and shining His light.  As I look toward the coming New Year, I’m asking God to prepare my heart for the plans He has for me.  I want to live in the power of His hope and walk boldly – with confidence – into His plans.

One of my prayers for the past couple of months – as I drive in my car - has been the following.  These are the words from the first verse and chorus of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel.  I have capitalized the word You and made it personal to God and want to share it.

love, I get so lost sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place You are

all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in Your eyes
the light the heat
in Your eyes
I am complete
in Your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in Your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in Your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in Your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in Your eyes

 

As I begin this look forward, I start with asking God to search my heart.  As He begins this search and reveals to me Himself – I will prepare for the year to come.  I will make the plans and take the steps necessary.  I look forward to complete fulfillment in the coming year – walking in His power for His glory.

Leave a comment | posted in Confidence, Faith, Focus, Future, Holy Spirit, Hope, Oswald Chambers, Peter Gabriel, Psalms, Spiritual Growth, The Bible, Trusting God, Vision, Worship

November 25, 2008

Trust

By Roye Glass

After reading a passage in Psalms and reflecting on some things in and around my life – I have begun some evaluation.  These are some random questions I began to ask myself:

  • Who do I trust?  Why?
  • Do I trust anyone with everything about me?  Or do I pick and choose certain people depending on the circumstance?
  • How do I know when someone is trustworthy? 
  • What are the traits of someone who is trust worthy?
  • Once trust has been broken – How does someone regain my trust? Is it possible?

trust [truhst]

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

God is all strength for his people,
      ample refuge for his chosen leader;
   Save your people
      and bless your heritage.
   Care for them;
      carry them like a good shepherd. (Psalm 28:8-9, The Message).

I know at times in life (family, church, job, and other relationships) it is tough to trust.  To have full confidence in someone else can be a scary thing.  Especially if one of those people or institutions has broken that trust.  I think sometimes I am too trusting of others… almost to the point of being naive.  Although, lately I have been catching myself being very skeptical of putting a lot of trust in others.  I don’t like being like that. 

I had surgery on my arm and back this year.  I had these lypoma’s removed.  All is well with me and the places where they were removed.  The strange thing is that I am very guarded still about those two areas on my body.  There was some damage there in the past.  It has been dealt with… yet I still want to protect them especially when someone touches either area.  I don’t even like to touch those places either.

Being hurt or let down by others will make anyone skeptical of putting total trust on the line once again. Does this keep you from trusting God?

I was reading Psalm 28 and this idea of trust came to my mind.  I thought about a few words in the two verses listed above.  (Strength, refuge, save, care for, and carry.)  I asked myself these questions: 

Do I really rely on His strength?  Do I trust Him to be my refuge or fortress?  Do I trust Him to save me?  Do I have confidence that He cares for me?  When I know I’m at the end of my strength do I trust He will carry me?

Ma`owz - fortress

(As found in Psalm 28:8)

place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold

  1. place of safety, fastness, harbour, stronghold
  2. refuge (of God) (Crosswalk.com Bible Study Tools).

When the world all around seems so unstable – Look to God… trust Him with your life!  He loves us both so much!  Run to safety trust the LORD to carry you.

1 comment | posted in Bible Reading, Confidence, Fear, Forgiveness, Psalms, Random Thoughts, Trust, Trusting God

November 22, 2008

The most powerful Force!

By Roye Glass

Earlier in the month I asked the question, “What would you say is… the most powerful force on earth?”  The motivation for asking the question was an infomercial of sorts I heard on a local Christian radio station.  The Pastor was talking about all sorts of things that pertain to his church and then made a comment about prayer being the most powerful force on earth.

When he said that I immediately asked, “Is it really?”  Is the act of prayer the most powerful force?  I’m sure that’s not what he meant… but that is what I heard him say.  Sometimes I think we get so bent on doing the act of prayer that we forget God is the reason for the act.  Sometimes we get so focused on so many other ”things” of God that we miss God in the process.

I would say God is the most powerful force!  Everything else comes from Him.  A.W. Tozer puts it this way,

The voice of God is the most powerful force in nature, indeed the only force in nature, for all energy is here only because the power-filled Word is being spoken. (The Pursuit of God, 70).

Psalm 33:8-9,

All the earth should worship the Lord;
       the whole world should fear him.
He spoke, and it happened.
       He commanded, and it appeared. (NCV).

1 comment | posted in AW Tozer, Faith, Focus, Prayer, Psalms

November 8, 2008

I’m convinced of “one thing”

By Roye Glass

What are you convinced of?  Does life make sense to you?  Do you know what the secret to life is all about? 

My life has been a journey of discovering that “one thing”.  But it seems that the “one thing” always seems to allude my grasp.  As soon as I think I have discovered what the “one thing” is – I realize that isn’t “it.”  Today, I am slowly coming to a realization that it has nothing to do with what I thought it was.  At least my focus has been in the wrong direction. 

Before you turn off this post and go to see what someone else has to say – here me out.  Life is not about what you can gain, obtain, save, or promote into.  It’s not about building churches, growing ministries, or even having a feeling of fulfillment.  Life is not about any of that.  It is about “one thing” living.  (The video clip is PG13)

City Slickers is one of my all time favorite movies.  I was there in the theatre when it was first released in 1991.  Ever since then I have thought about that “one thing” in life.  All of this time I have been missing it.  I may even miss it tomorrow.  But for now I am getting a grasp of it.

You see – we miss the meaning of everything about life all of the time.  For example, one may say the most powerful force on earth is prayer.  I’ve come to believe that prayer is not the most powerful force but rather God is.  You see - we try to think this act or that thing we do is what it’s all about  – but it’s not.  It has always been about God.  I know that’s hard to grasp… after following God and trying to get to know him for almost 25 years I still miss that “one thing”. 

Oswald Chambers puts it this way,

The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not the answer.  (My Utmost for His Highest, February 7).

We get it wrong.  We seek and search for the “one thing” in life and miss the mark because we never get ahold of God.  The keeper and giver of that “one thing”.  We are so selfish at times in our praying that we want to consume all of our prayers on ourselves.  God wants us to get a hold of Him.  He wants our praying, seeking, and focus to be consumed on Him.

I believe everyone has the opportunity to get things right.  The ultimate “do-over” in life only comes through Jesus Christ.  This life in Christ is a great one!  It doesn’t mean that you will not have problems or struggles in life anymore.  It does mean you will have power to deal with and overcome the difficulties in life.  It does mean strength in times of trying to discover what life is all about.

Once you discover what the “one thing” in life is – go after “it” like your life depends on it… like the life of your family depends on it.  Because your family does depend on it. 

Psalm 27:4  sums it up like this,

One thing I ask of the LORD,
       this is what I seek:
       that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
       all the days of my life,
       to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
       and to seek him in his temple.

Leave a comment | posted in Calling, Family, Focus, Movies, Oswald Chambers, Prayer, Psalms, Spiritual Growth

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