276th Week Psalm Chapter 140-144 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, Psalm Chapter 140

Psalm 140

Verse 8

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8:  Do not grant the wicked their desires, O Lord; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud.

THOUGHT

This chapter speaks about protection against those who slander or threaten you. I guess I couldn’t help but think about the election going on right now. Isn’t it too bad that 75% of a person’s campaign is not about building one up but about tearing the opponent down? I pray that the Lord will put the most righteous man in the top position because he is doing the right things!!

Satan fights anyone who is doing the will of God, and David was no exception. We must pray for Christian leaders especially, for they are prime targets for the evil one. The enemy has two favorite weapons; poisonous tongues and hidden traps. He slanders God’s leaders (sometimes using the lips of professed Christians), and he sets traps for them hoping to trip them up.

David depended on prayer, God’s promise and praise. God hates a lying tongue and will one day judge slanderers. Meanwhile, maintain your character before God and let Him take care of your reputation. Live so that when people hear lies about you, they will not believe them.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for always being there to protect us against Satan and all of his evil ways. I pray that we will put on the armor of God each and every day. I pray that the words we speak will be righteous ones and loving ones. May they never tear a person down but be used to build people up. I pray that a character of righteousness will come forth in this year’s presidential campaign. Loving You  and thanking You at this time for the Psalms of David. AMEN

Tuesday, Psalm Chapter 141

Psalm 141

Verse 5

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 5:  Let a righteous man strike me-it is a kindness; let him rebuke me-it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.

THOUGHT

In this chapter David is praying for help when facing temptations. He also asks God to protect him and to give him wisdom in accepting criticism. He wants to be open to honest criticism.

How willing are we to accept another person’s criticism or beneficial advice? How hard is it for us to suggest or mention an area where our friend or mate could benefit from some words of assertive kindness on our part in their life? This is really hard especially when we love and care for someone so

much. We do not want to ever hurt the relationship. We know that words cannot be taken back. However, it is wrong of us to not mention an action or situation that is not of you and refuse to speak of it.

I have to evaluate close to 40 nurses each and every year. It is the part of my job that I put off and try to avoid.  I hate to confront issues that need improvement. I guess in the past several years, I have realized that truth speaks. When you state facts that show a nurse that she is doing a good job or facts that show she needs improvement, it helps make the evaluation easier. The next hardest part is the acceptance of the truth with the nurse.

First, we must pray that it is an issue that needs addressing. Second, we pray that the Lord will give you just the right time and the right words to share. Thirdly, we must pray that the information spoken will be taken as oil on the receiver’s head. The words are used to heal an error, a sin or action that is not of God.

“Faithful are the words of a friend. They may hurt, but like oil, they heal.”

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to be strong and assertive with our mates, our loved ones and our friends when their actions are not of You. Help us to choose the proper time to address the issues and instill the words that need to be said. Keep us all to be humble so that we realize that we are not perfect and never will be. Help us to accept that words of truth are not out to be critically harmful but spiritually helpful. Put this quality in each of us and make us better Christians and people for it. Help us be lights in our world this week. AMEN

Wednesday, Psalm Chapter 142

Psalm 142

Verse 6a

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 6a: Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need.

THOUGHT

This Psalm is for when we are overwhelmed and desperate. I am sure most of us have been there. It could be in a relationship, studies, and schedule, chores that need to be done, church commitment, finances or responsibilities. 

The first thing that did come to mind was SIS just the past few weeks. She has had this new internet time clock program to learn, install, teach and make successful. She began speaking of it when we were in Jamaica. It has been very time consuming with classes in another city which meant travel and time away from her desk. After receiving the education it was then putting together the instruction with power-points and class plans. As she wrote today she shared the numerous times she had to teach it. Then to compound the situation, she had web problems which slowed everything down. This was just one item on her agenda. She also has to do her daily work and financial reports and responsibilities. At the same time she is planning Tom’s 60th BD party, wants to be the best grandma in the world to Micah and wife to Tom and Mom to kids, on the nominating committee at the church, heads their couple’s life group, takes care of home and now is called to jury duty.

Yes, we do become overwhelmed in this world of ours. It is times like these that we can cry out to the Lord for He does hear us and will meet us with just the answer we need. We must remember one thing when the world becomes so complicated. If we have God, what more do we need? One with God is a majority, so we must be completely satisfied with Him. It may not look like it now, but one day your trials will turn out for your good and God’s glory. Start praising Him now by faith, and you will be “tuned up” when the answer comes.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for being our security when we are desperate and overwhelmed. Thank You for understanding our prayers when we don’t even know what to pray and for the strength we have from just remembering that ‘Your grace is sufficient’. I lift up each of the Salt Shakers tonight. Please hear them as they ask for assistance from their desperate needs.  We love You for loving us so deeply. AMEN

Thursday, Psalm Chapter 143

Psalm 143

Verse 8

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 8:  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

THOUGHT

This prayer is a cry of anyone who is really in a feel-hopeless state or severe depression.  The first part of the chapter cries out “Hear me”. When we feel like this, we need to tell God what is happening.

After crying out, we pray “Answer me”. We so find strength and joy when He gives us a definite response.  We need to trust God’s Spirit to lead us as we yield ourselves to Him. “Teach me” so that I may walk with You.

In the end it is God who will “Revive me”.  True prayer means that we serve God, not that God serves us.

As I begin the day each morning walking at 4:30 AM, I am so alone with God, Himself. I see the moon and at times compare Him to a “Happy Face” as of right now. Or a sliver, such as when He would be laying in His recliner. He gives me stars that twinkle that bring a smile to my face and wind and clouds to feel His strength. It is in all of this that I begin my morning asking for His guidance and thanking Him for his unfailing love. I do ask for His guidance for the rest of the day. We can all have a favorite place to pray.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for being there in our times of hopelessness and times of depression.  Thank You for hearing us when we cry out. For all Your answers, may they be our heart’s desire or yours.  We thank You.  You are the greatest of all teachers when we are in the Word and can read of Your direction. We pray that the Spirit that sends us out each day will be one of Revival. Thank You for always sharing that special time with me each morning. Thank You for always loving us in the deepest of depths or highest of heights. AMEN

Friday, Psalm Chapter 144

Psalm 144

Verse 4

Jeanie Boldt

Verse 4:  Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

THOUGHT

Have you ever had one of those days that seem to last forever? For instance – exercise in the AM, clean up and put in an 8-9 hour day at work (including grocery shopping over the lunch hour), do a few errands on the way home, fix supper, start laundry while you help kids with homework, pay bills, have family devotions after supper, get to a PTA meeting, get kids to bed, share some of the day with your husband, finish the laundry while you close out your chores and then sit down for a few minutes for your quiet time and journaling before you lay out the things that will be needed by everyone tomorrow including sack lunches. NOW IF THAT IS A FLEETING SHADOW - we are talking about different time tables.

Isn’t it something how important we feel all of the above is? I think the Lord wanted us to realize that our life here is short and important. We need to find our eternal salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, spend time praising Him and getting to know Him and spread the great news to others. It goes by quickly and is ever so important.  Let’s not waste our lives by selecting a purpose that has no meaning.  Live for God.  He alone can make our life worthwhile, purposeful and meaningful. All things were created by God and will find its meaning in Him.

PRAYER

Father, our God and Savior, help us to put our priorities in the right alignment and not try to fill our days so full that we forget You. May our mouths sing forth praises all day every day.  Thank You for this fleeting shadow that gives us time to love family and friends, enjoy the beauty of Your creation, and experience life here as we know it. Loving You this day.  AMEN