Thought for the Week: Psalm 103

Thank God for His Benefits

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
is a popular worship song written by
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin in 2011.
The inspiration behind the song
comes fr Ps 103, focusing on God’s
blessings & reasons to worship Him.
The song enumerates various
attributes of the love of God for
mankind that makes Him worthy
of “praise unending”, worship for
“10,000 years & then forevermore”.
The song uses these attributes:
God’s holiness, lovingkindness,
slowness to anger, kind heart,
His goodness and His great name.
The point behind the song, as
writer Matt Redman says, is this;
‘If you wake up one morning and
you can’t think of a reason to bring
God some kind of offering of thanks
or praise, then… there’s something
wrong at your end… and not Him.’

Lord, You Bless Your People:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
Forget Not All His Benefits –
who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life fr destructn,
who crowns u with lovingkindness,
who Satisfies your desires with
Good things (Psalm 103:2-5).
The Lord is Merciful and Gracious,
slow to anger & abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, nor
will He keep His anger forever(v8-9)
The Lord is like a father to His
children, tender & Compassionate
to those who fear Him. For He
knows how weak we are (v13-14).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us Lord
for the times we fail to acknowledge
Your many blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love and mercy, You indeed fill our
lives with undeserved blessings.
Teach us Lord the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. Amen.

Lord, You are Merciful & Gracious,
full of unfailing love; and we ask You
to reveal these in our lives each day.
Grateful for revealing Your wondrous
attributes to us in Your Word.
Open our eyes to who You really are
so that our prayers will rest on the
solid foundation of Your character.
And may our prayers have dunamis
power because they are based
on the truth about You Lord. Amen.

Lord, in Your mercy, do not leave
us exposed to lack or danger.
Remember we are weak and
we can get easily discouraged.
Please do not test us too long,
beyond what we are able to bear.
Instead encourage us with ready
manifestation of Your presence.
Strengthen us Lord in the spirit
when we are deeply discouraged.
Help us see Your Compassion and
loving kindness toward us. Amen.

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
is a popular worship song written by
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin in 2011.
The inspiration behind the song
comes fr Ps 103, focusing on God’s
blessings & reasons to worship Him.
The song enumerates various
attributes of the love of God for
mankind that makes Him worthy
of “praise unending”, worship for
“10,000 years & then forevermore”.
The song uses these attributes:
God’s holiness, lovingkindness,
slowness to anger, kind heart,
His goodness and His great name.
The point behind the song, as
writer Matt Redman says, is this;
‘If you wake up one morning and
you can’t think of a reason to bring
God some kind of offering of thanks
or praise, then… there’s something
wrong at your end… and not Him.’

Lord, You Bless Your People:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
Forget Not All His Benefits –
who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life fr destructn,
who crowns u with lovingkindness,
who Satisfies your desires with
Good things (Psalm 103:2-5).
The Lord is Merciful and Gracious,
slow to anger & abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, nor
will He keep His anger forever(v8-9)
The Lord is like a father to His
children, tender & Compassionate
to those who fear Him. For He
knows how weak we are (v13-14).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us Lord
for the times we fail to acknowledge
Your many blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love and mercy, You indeed fill our
lives with undeserved blessings.
Teach us Lord the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. Amen.

Lord, You are Merciful & Gracious,
full of unfailing love; and we ask You
to reveal these in our lives each day.
Grateful for revealing Your wondrous
attributes to us in Your Word.
Open our eyes to who You really are
so that our prayers will rest on the
solid foundation of Your character.
And may our prayers have dunamis
power because they are based
on the truth about You Lord. Amen.

Lord, in Your mercy, do not leave
us exposed to lack or danger.
Remember we are weak and
we can get easily discouraged.
Please do not test us too long,
beyond what we are able to bear.
Instead encourage us with ready
manifestation of Your presence.
Strengthen us Lord in the spirit
when we are deeply discouraged.
Help us see Your Compassion and
loving kindness toward us. Amen.

Reflection on Psalms Book Four

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Psalms Book Four (90-106)
mainly written by unknown authors
is similar to the book of Numbers.
Just as Numbers discusses the
relationship of the nation of Israel
to surrounding nations, these psalms often mention the relationship of God’s overruling
kingdom to the other nations.
Because we are citizens of the
kingdom of God, we can keep
the events and troubles of earth
in the proper perspective.

On Monday, we learn from Ps 90
that God Is Our Dwelling Place.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 91
that God Shields & Shelters Us.
On Wed, we learn from Ps 95/96
that God Is Our Maker & Saviour.
On Thursday we learn from Ps 100
that God Is Good and Merciful.
On Friday, we learn from Ps 103
to Thank God for His Benefits.
On Saturday, we learn from Ps 105
that God’s Plan Will Never Fail.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are our Dwelling Place
and that You Shield & Shelter Us;
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are our Maker & Saviour
and that You are Good & Merciful;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You bless us with many benefits and that Your Plan Will Never Fail.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Adoring God In Psalm 105

God’s Plan Never Fails 

Backgrounder on Psalms 104-106:
In these psalms, we see three snap
shots of the great God you serve.
He is big enough to create and
rule the universe (Psalm 104);
He is small enough to rule in the
hearts of His people (Ps 105) and
He is loving enough to discipline
His rebellious children (Ps 106).

Lord, Your Plan Never Fails:
He remembers His covenant…
with Abraham… To you I will give
the land of Canaan as inheritance…
He permitted no one to do them
wrong… saying: Do not touch
my anointed ones… (Ps 105:7-15).
Then Israel arrived in Egypt…
And the Lord multiplied the
people of Israel until they became
too mighty for their enemies.
Then He turned the Egyptians
against the Israelites (v23-25).
The Lord spread out a cloud above
them as a covering and gave them
a great fire to light the darkness.
They asked for meat and he gave
them quail; he gave them manna.
He opened up a rock and water
gushed out (Ps 105:39-41).

Father God, grateful that You
remember Your covenant forever;
and that You are quick to honor it.
You had promised to protect Your
people from those who plan evil;
& so You’ll stand up in my defense.
For I am Your anointed and You
do not tolerate those who would
try to harm me. In Jesus’ name.

Lord, grateful for the assurance
that Your sovereign plans never fail.
When everything seems hopeless,
remind me of Your plan for the
Israelites in captivity in Egypt.
Help me Lord to see things
from Your eternal perspective.
Help me to hold on to the reality
that in spite of the way things look,
You are always in control. Amen.

Lord, thankful for Your Word
showing Your faithful provision
to Your people through history.
Thank You Lord for all the ways
You have provided for my needs.
Help me to respond with thanks-
giving and obedience to Your will.
I look to You as Jehovah Jireh
My Provider, for You will provide
all my needs, and for Your plan
never fails. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adoring God In Psalm 103 (May 24)

Thank God for His Benefits

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
is a popular worship song written by
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin in 2011.
The inspiration behind the song
comes fr Ps 103, focusing on God’s
blessings & reasons to worship Him.
The song enumerates various
attributes of the love of God for
mankind that makes Him worthy
of “praise unending”, worship for
“10,000 years & then forevermore”.
The song uses these attributes:
God’s holiness, lovingkindness,
slowness to anger, kind heart,
His goodness and His great name.
The point behind the song, as
writer Matt Redman says, is this;
‘If you wake up one morning and
you can’t think of a reason to bring
God some kind of offering of thanks
or praise, then… there’s something
wrong at your end… and not Him.’

Lord, You Bless Your People:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
Forget Not All His Benefits –
who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life fr destructn,
who crowns u with lovingkindness,
who Satisfies your desires with
Good things (Psalm 103:2-5).
The Lord is Merciful and Gracious,
slow to anger & abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, nor
will He keep His anger forever(v8-9)
The Lord is like a father to His
children, tender & Compassionate
to those who fear Him. For He
knows how weak we are (v13-14).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us Lord
for the times we fail to acknowledge
Your many blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love and mercy, You indeed fill our
lives with undeserved blessings.
Teach us Lord the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. Amen.

Lord, You are Merciful & Gracious,
full of unfailing love; and we ask You
to reveal these in our lives each day.
Grateful for revealing Your wondrous
attributes to us in Your Word.
Open our eyes to who You really are
so that our prayers will rest on the
solid foundation of Your character.
And may our prayers have dunamis
power because they are based
on the truth about You Lord. Amen.

Lord, in Your mercy, do not leave
us exposed to lack or danger.
Remember we are weak and
we can get easily discouraged.
Please do not test us too long,
beyond what we are able to bear.
Instead encourage us with ready
manifestation of Your presence.
Strengthen us Lord in the spirit
when we are deeply discouraged.
Help us see Your Compassion and
loving kindness toward us. Amen.

Adoring God In Psalm 100 (May 23)

God of Goodness & Mercy

In Psalm 103, the psalmist urges
you to count your blessings.
And Psalm 98-102 provide plenty
of ideas to help you do just that
by focusing on the many things
for which you should be thankful:
your salvation (Psalm 98),
answered prayer (Psalm 99),
God’s Goodness & Mercy(Ps100),
God’s justice & holiness (Ps 101),
and God’s care when you are
downcast (Ps 102).

Lord, You are Good & Merciful:
Make a joyful shout to the Lord…
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence
with singing (Psalm 100:1-2).
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people and
the sheep of His pasture (v3).
Enter into His gates
with thanksgiving and
into His courts with praise.
Be Thankful to Him
and bless His name.
For the Lord Is Good;
His Mercies is everlasting
and His truth endures to all
generations (Psalm 100:4-5).

Father God, I come before You
with praise and thanksgiving;
for who You are and everything
that You have done for me.
No matter what happens
in my life, I will not sink
to the level of the problem.
Instead I will rise to the level of
the solution; and praise You as the
solution to problems & challenges.
I thank You for Your Goodness,
love and faithfulness to me. Amen.

Lord, transform my heart and
give me an attitude of gratefulness.
Open my eyes to see Your hand
in every area of my life. When
I have forgotten Your Goodness,
remind me of what an awesome
God You are and the many things
I have to be gratefully thankful for.
Thank You Lord for the unique
ways You’ve blessed my life. Amen.

Enter in through the gates
Enter in here with praise
Come before Him,
come bring your song
We are His people, He is our God…
For the Lord is good and
His love endures His love endures
For the Lord is good and
His love endures
His love endures, forever more
His faithfulness, it has no end
For the Lord is good and
His love endures His love endures.

Adoring God In Ps 95/96 (May 22)

God Our Maker & Our Saviour

Though the author of most of
Psalms 90-97 are unknown,
the Object of their worship is well
known: the God of eternity (Ps 90),
the God of protection (Ps 91),
the God of greatness (Ps 92),
the God of majesty (Ps 93),
the God of vengeance (Ps 94),
the God of salvation (Ps 95),
the God of glory (Ps 96) and
the God of holiness (Ps 97).

Lord, praise to our Maker & Savior:
Let us come before His presence
with thanksgiving; let us shout
joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is the great God,
and the great King (Ps 95:2-3).
Oh come, let us worship
and bow down; let us kneel
before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God, and we are
the people of His pasture, and
the sheep of His hand (Ps 95:6-7)
Sing a new song to the Lord! Let
the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Bless His name. Each day proclaim
the good news that He Saves…
Tell everyone the amazing things
He does. For He is great and
greatly to be praised (Ps 96:1-4).

Father God, we thank You
that You have given us so much.
Your grace does not just come
in to us and forgive us our sins.
For it changes the way we live
in the world and with each other.
Draw and lead us Father God to
be more like Your Son who is so
gracious and came to serve. Amen.

Lord God, You are our maker and
in creation You showed goodness;
and we bow before You in adoration.
I worship You for Your care and
lovingkindness; for as a shepherd
You provide, guide and protect us.
I worship You for being greater
than the problems of this world.
I worship You for being the reason
for love, peace & joy in a world that
needs much of these things. Amen.

Lord, draw me to sing to You
and bless Your name every day.
Give me a joyful heart to tell others
about the amazing things You do,
notably the good news: You Save!
Give me words Lord to share from
Your heart with those I will meet.
Reveal more of Yourself so that
I may praise You more and more.
For the Lord is great and greatly
to be praised indeed! Amen.

Adoring God In Psalm hi 91 (May 21)

God Will Take Care of You

Rev Stillman Martin had been invited
in 1904 to preach at a New York City
church a few hours away from home.
But his wife became ill that Sunday
morning, and he was about to
cancel his speaking engagement.
Then his young son spoke up:
Father, don’t you think that if God
wants you to preach today, He will
take care of mother while you are
away? Martin made the trip, and
when he returned home later that
day he found that his wife Civilla
had written this hymn in his absence
inspired by Psalm 91:1-2. That
evening he composed the music.

Lord, we will put Trust In You:
Those who live in the shelter
of the Most High will find rest
in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my
place of safety; he is my God,
and I trust him (Psa 91:1-2).
He shall cover you with His
feathers and under His wings
you shall take refuge. His truth
shall be your Shield…(Ps 91:4).
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your
Shelter, no evil will conquer you…
He will Order His Angels to protect
you wherever you go (v9-11) Amen.

Lord, Thank You that in the midst of
life’s storms, I have Your Protection
when I come and dwell with You.
In facing stormy situation, You are
greater than any worry I may have.
As a mother bird shelters her
young, You will cover me with
Your wings and Shelter me.
Keep me safe and be a Shield
and Shelter for me, for my life
is in Your very hands. Amen.

Lord, Thank You that in Your mysterious and powerful ways You Send Your Angels around us to protect Your people  in their journeys through life And so I look to You as my refuge and shelter so that I will live in  freedom of the Spirit and not fear, no matter what happens. Amen.

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you… All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you; No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you… God will take care of you, Thru every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you. Amen.

Adoring God In Psalm 90 (May 20)

The Lord Our Dwelling Place

Though the author of most of
Psalms 90-97 are unknown,
the Object of their worship is well
known: the God of eternity (Ps 90),
the God of protection (Ps 91),
the God of greatness (Ps 92),
the God of majesty (Ps 93),
the God of vengeance (Ps 94),
the God of salvation (Ps 95),
the God of glory (Ps 96) and
the God of holiness (Ps 97).

Lord, You are our Dwelling Place:
Lord, You have been our
dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were created,
or ever You had formed the earth…
Even from everlasting to everlasting
You are God (Psalm 90:1-2).
Return O Lord! How long? And
have compassion on Your servants.
Satisfy us… with Your unfailing
love, so we may so sing for joy
to the end of our lives (v13-14).
Let Yr work appear to Yr servants…
Let the beauty of the Lord our God
be upon us, and establish the work
of our hands for us; Yes establish
the work of our hands (v16-17).

Lord, You are our dwelling place;
You created all things, created us and rule over all beings for all times.
And I remember the times that You
had healed, rescued and guided me.
Thanks for placing me in ministries;
and I pray that those who look to me
for guidance will be drawn to You.
Help me Lord to choose to serve
You and no other; for You’re worthy.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, Thanks for Your promise
of unfailing love. Impress on
my heart a deeper awareness
of Your love and care for me.
Give me eyes to see all the ways
You express love to me each day.
Forgive me for seeking satisfaction
in material things and in work.
And I pray that You Lord will
become my greatest source
of satisfaction and joy. Amen.

Almighty God, I pray You would
bless my work and establish it.
I commit all my ministries so that
they may be used for Your glory.
Give me strength to accomplish
what I must do each day, and
the wisdom & ability to do it well.
Take charge Lord of the details
so that it will find favour with
others and be successful. Amen.

Thought for the Week: Psalm 73

God My Strength & Shelter                    (Precious Lord Take My Hand)

The modern hymn Precious Lord
Take My Hand was written by black
American Thomas Dorsey, who
started the Gospel genré and is his
greatest composition of 400 songs.
Thomas Dorsey had religion and
music in his blood; born 1899, the
son of a minister & a piano teacher.
He became a professional musician
in 1924 & the following year took up
the post of Musical Director at the
Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago.
In August 1932, his wife died during
childbirth and his newborn son died
the following day. Dorsey’s faith took
a severe blow: “I felt God had done
me injustice. I don’t want to serve
Him or write gospel songs. I just
want to go back to the jazz world.”
In the midst of despair, a friend
visited him and left him alone with
a piano. “I found myself playing
a melody and words just fall into
place,” likely inspired by Psalm 73.

Lord, You’re My Strength & Shelter:
I am continually with You; You hold
me by my right hand. You will guide
me with Your counsel, and (then)
receive me to glory (Ps 73:23-24)
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything
on earth. My health may fail and
my spirit may grow weak, but God
remains the Strength of My Heart;
He is mine forever (Ps 73:25-26).
But as for me, how good it is to
Be Near God! I have made the
Sovereign Lord my Shelter, and
I will tell everyone about the
wonderful things You do (v28).

Lord, You are the Strength of
my heart, and deep inside I know
I can rely on You in any situation.
Although I may face threats to
health, finance, safety & security
in this world, but that isn’t my life
for You are. O Sovereign Lord,
Be Near Me! Help me abide in You
and to stay anchored in You. Amen.

Lord,by faith I make You my Shelter.
I also accept Your Presence and
receive all the blessings You offer.
Grow my faith Lord to be as big
as the gifts You want to give.
And having experienced You,
I will declare to everyone, what
wonderful things You do for me.
I love and adore You, for You are
more precious than anything. Amen

Father, You are with me and are
Holding My Hand. I don’t always feel
it but I depend on Your presence.
Remind me Your eyes are on me and
that You are working on my behalf…
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, thru the night
Lead me on to the light
Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Lead me home… Amen & amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RaF16IlysQcL

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RaF16IlysQcL

Reflection on Psalm Book Three

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Psalms Book Three mainly written
by Asaph and his descendants
is similar to the book of Leviticus.
Just as Leviticus discusses the
tabernacle and God’s holiness,
many of these psalms discuss the
temple and God’s enthronement.
Because God is almighty, we
can turn to Him for deliverance.
These psalms praise God because
He is holy, and His perfect holiness
deserve our worship & reverence.

On Monday, we learn from Ps 73
that God Is My Strength & Shelter.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 77
that Mighty God Performs Miracles.
On Wed, we learn from Ps 79-81
that God Will Come and Save You.
On Thursday we learn from Ps 84
that God Blesses & Satisfies Us.
On Friday, we learn from Psalm 86
that Lord I Need Thee Every Hour.
On Saturday, we learn from Ps 89
that God Offers His Faithfulness.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You are our Strength & Shelter
and You offer Your faithfulness;
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Bless and Satisfy us, and
that we Need Thee Every Hour;
For You as Mighty God perform miracles and You come to save us.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.