150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 60

Good Morning Everyone!

Sorry this post is getting up a bit later than usual!  I went to start posting, and BLIP!  My computer completely shut down!  Turns out the battery was drained 100%, so there was nothing to be done except give it a while to charge back up!  But I really AM here this morning!

Today I read Psalm 60.  I hope you are reading the Psalms along with me!  The verse I chose was verse 11:

"Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless."  Psalm 60:11

Do you ever want to help someone?  I mean, you REALLY want to help them?  When our children are little, we can often help fix whatever is wrong.  We can tie their shoes, change their diapers, feed them, hug them when they fall down.  But what about the things we can't help with?  I have a friend whose nine year old son just had open heart surgery--his THIRD open heart surgery!  She can't help him--if she could heal him she certainly would!  What about cancer?  Another friend had a son who died of cancer at age seven-teen.  If there was ANYTHING his parents could have done to help him, he would have been helped!

What about other things?  Not quite so important as life and death--but important none-the-less?  We cannot increase someone's understanding so they will pass a class at school.  We cannot make someone like them.

And what about their spiritual life?  We cannot wash away our loved one's sins.  We cannot heal and restore them.

But there is One who can!

"So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"  Hebrews 13:6

"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:2

HE is the source of our help--for the help of man really IS useless!

Praise God that He loves us SO much!  We have done nothing to earn His love and care--it is a marvelous, unfathomable, incomprehensible gift!

And He has given it to us!

Have a beautiful day with the One who can truly help!

~Susan

WINNER--Economics for Everybody from Timberdoodle!

Good Morning Everyone!

Today's the day!  A huge "Thank you!" to all who checked out the links for this GREAT curriculum from Timberdoodle, and this morning I took the names of all who entered and drew one name to be the winner of the Economics for Everybody that Timberdoodle has graciously offered to give away.

Are you ready???  And the winner is. . . . .

Angela Denis!

I hope this curriculum is a huge blessing to you and to your family!  Angela, send me your mailing address to:  SusansSpotgiveaway@gmail.com, and I will  pass it along to the proper person at Timberdoodle, and they will mail your curriculum directly to you.  :)

And if you didn't win--I truly wish I had a copy to give everyone who would like one!  This really is a very nice curriculum, coming from a Christian viewpoint which is important to my family.  So if you cannot purchase yourself a copy this school year, keep it in mind as you are making your purchases for next year.  You can read more about the program HERE.  What I like to do is to keep a running "Wish List" throughout the school year of things that have caught my attention as something that might be a good fit for our home school.  Then, when Springtime approaches and I am making my purchases for the following school year, I go through my "Wish List" and make final decisions.  I hope this has at least helped you become aware of a great Economics program that is available!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Happy Homeschooling!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 59

Good Morning!

Today we are on Psalm 59.  Did you read it too?  If you did, did your Bible have the same note at the beginning of the chapter that mine did?

My Bible had this note right under the "Psalm 59" heading:

"To the Chief Musician.  Set to 'Do Not Destroy.' A Michtam of David when Saul sent men and they watched the house in order to kill him."

Can you even imagine being in that position?  I mean, have you ever KNOWN that people were outside of your house--watching it, and waiting for you to come out because they wanted to kill you?  It doesn't sound like a very peaceful way of relaxing at home after a hard day's work to me!

And yet--in spite of this being the setting for this Psalm--look what verse is found here:

"But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble."  Psalm 59:16

This--this is the verse that I recorded in my Bible notebook.  This is what I want to do--no matter my situation, no matter if I am in a time of plenty or a time of want, a time of peace or a time of war--I want to sing of His power.  I want to sing of His mercy.  I want to know that He is my defense and refuge, no  matter what it is I may be facing that day.

Which reminded me of another story in the Bible.  Do you remember this one?

"But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."  Acts 16:25

Paul and Silas were in PRISON.  They weren't exactly in a nice safe spot.  They knew that any minute they could be killed--yet they were praying and singing praises to God!  They knew the secret.

Praising God while we are in the midst of trouble.  Not because you know of a safe outcome, but because you are resting in HIS hands, whether you live or die.

Have you put yourself in His hands today?  This is our most important work each day!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 58

Good Morning!

Did you read Psalm 58 today?  I did!  The verse that kinda stood out to me was verse 11, which goes like this:

". . . Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth."  Psalm 58:11

Which got me to thinking. . .

Are we a Christian because of a reward?  When put that way, that sounds so mercenary--so--unChristian!  But then I was reminded of another Bible passage, this one here in Revelation:

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'"
Revelation 21:2-4

And THAT is when it hit me!  THIS is the reward for the righteous--it is God with us!

He wants nothing more than to be with us--and we want nothing more than to be with Him--and someday it's going to happen and we will see Him face to face.  And yes--we will live happily ever after.

I want to be there with Him--and I hope that you do too!  Everyone has an invitation, and He will be so disappointed if you don't accept.

Spend some time thinking about the best reward EVER as you go through your day--being with Him!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 57

Good Morning Everyone!

Psalm 57 is our chapter for today. :)  I choose and wrote down verse 8:

"Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp!  I will awaken the dawn." Psalm 57:8

Imagine with me for a moment--David, sitting on a rock outside of a cave in the mountains of Judah.  Fleeing from King Saul, who is trying to kill him.  The rays of the morning sun are barely breaking over the nearby mountains, and his first thoughts turn to his God who has anointed him the next king of Israel.  He picks up his lute and plays a morning tune.  He prays for his God to deliver him from all of his enemies.  He prays for direction of what to do now.  Hiding out in the cave of Adullam is not what he expected to happen when Samuel anointed him the next king!

My study Bible has this note in it, which is so very beautiful.  It is what David was doing.  It is what I want to do. . .

"Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work.  Let your prayer be, 'Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine.  I lay all my plans at Thy feet.  Use me today in Thy service.  Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought n Thee.'  This is a daily matter.  Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day."
Steps to Christ, by E. G. White, p. 70

And so today's verse reminds me of the most important work to be done today.  The work of pausing and waiting before Him.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 55 & 56

Hi Everyone!

How has your weekend gone?  We have been busy, but have gotten some good things done!

I wanted to take a minute and post about Psalm 55 and Psalm 56--the two chapters that the reading schedule had for this weekend.  When I went to write a verse for Psalm 55, I found I had already written a verse for that chapter back in May of this year!  So I will share with you the verse that I already had recorded for this chapter:

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you, He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

In my Study Bible, I have the following note for this verse:

Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God.  You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him.  He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children.  "The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (James 5:11).  His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind.  Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe.  Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice.  There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel.  No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest.  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds"  (Psalm 147:3).  The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son."
Steps to Christ, by E.G.White, p. 100

Isn't that beautiful?  It is hard to wrap my brain around how God can love me SO very much!

For Psalm 56, I choose verse 3:

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You."  Psalm 56:3

A super quick search through the rest of the chapter found several other verses that talk about the same thing:

". . . In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.  What can flesh do to me" Psalm 56:4

"In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?" Psalm 56:11

These verses reminded me of a quote from a book I have just finished reading.  It was called "Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle" and is by Corrie ten Boom:

"Jesus Christ knows no fear, and He expects you to fear nothing while He is with you. When we confess His Lordship and our hearts fully agree, then we turn our lives over into His care.  That is the end of worry and fear and the beginning of faith."

I also found this quote by Corrie ten Boom in the same book--I am afraid I forgot to copy down the page numbers these two quotes appeared on!

"Courage is fear that has said its prayers."

I really like that last one!  We have fear--but when we give those fears to God, He turns the fears into courage!

Well, that is it for my thoughts on these two chapters.  If it is God's Will, I will be back tomorrow with the next Psalm!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 54

Good Morning Everyone!

Today we are in Psalm 54, and I choose a beautiful gem to record in my notebook:

"Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life."  Psalm 54:4

This made me think about God being our helper, so I went to search and see if there were other verses that talked about the same thing.  There are actually quite a few, but I recorded just two of them in my notebook.

"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me'"  Hebrews 13:6

"The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6

These verses all made me remember a beautiful quote that I have posted on my bulletin board at my desk where I do my quiet time each day.  It reads as follows:

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden."

Have you heard that quote before?  Do you know who it was that said it?  I do--it was said by Corrie ten Boom, who spent time in a concentration camp because of her assistance to Jews.  Not only did she spend time there, but her father and her sister both died in the concentration camps.  She was someone who certainly had reason to be bitter, but instead she clung to her God and He helped her forgive her enemies and spend years ministering to people after she was released from the camp herself.  She served others, and she relied on God for the power to forgive those who had hated her and killed her family.  Indeed--God was her helper, for without His power no human could have forgiven what was done to her and her loved ones.

And so today, remember that God is your helper.  And remember Corrie's advice as well!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 53

Good Morning Everyone!

Today we are on Psalm 53.  I wasn't very far into reading this chapter when I knew I had found my verse for recording!

"God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God."  Psalm 53:2

Who seek God!  THAT really is what grabbed my attention!  If others looked at you--if GOD looked at you--would they find you seeking God?  And what would be the outward signs if we truly ARE seeking God in our day to day life?  Does it mean we start our day with prayer?  Does it mean more than that?

I looked up in a MacMillan dictionary to see what their definition of "seek" was, and this is what it said:  to try to find something or someone that you need in your life.

I like that!  That definition definitely fits this Psalm 53 verse 2, because the something or someONE that we need in our lives is our Creator!

Synonyms for "seek" include go through, look out for, seek out, search out, look for, hunt down, search, pick through, probe, scavenge.

If I am seeking for something, I do not do that by simply sitting down and waiting for it to come to me--although God DOES come to us, as He is always waiting for us to invite Him into our lives!  No, if I am seeking something I am actively looking for it.  I am looking where I think I remember putting it.  I am researching on the internet.  I am asking other people that I think might know where it is.  I am also praying about where my lost item is.  Am I looking for God--am I seeking God--like this?

We have His promise that our search will be successful!

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

Seek Him today--He is right there on the other side of your heart's door, waiting to be invited inside!

~Susan

Home School Review and GIVEAWAY--Economics for Everybody from Timberdoodle!

Hi Everyone!

I am SUPER excited today, because not only do I have another great home school review from Timberdoodle for you, but Timberdoodle has also graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway of this product to one of my readers!  (U.S. addresses only)  Learning about great home school curriculum is wonderful--but having a chance to WIN a copy for free is even better!!!!

More about the giveaway in a minute--first, let me tell you about the product!  Today's product is called Economics for Everybody--Applying Biblical Principles to Work, Wealth, & the World by R. C. Sproul Jr.  Timberdoodle includes this curriculum as part of their complete Twelfth Grade Curriculum Kit, although the information for this product states that it can be used for ages 12 and up, and grades 6 and up.  Having a 12 year old in 6th grade as my product tester, I was anxious to see what we would both think of it!

The curriculum consists of two parts--there is a small spiral bound study guide, and also a thin plastic case containing two DVDs.  Each DVD contains six lessons, for a total of twelve DVD lessons. The study guide is also divided into twelve chapters, so everything coordinates nicely together. These two parts are packaged together in a card board sleeve (shown in the first picture of this post), so they fit nicely on your book shelf and stay together.

The very first chapter in the Economics for Everybody study guide starts with laying the foundation for Economics from a Biblical viewpoint--that God owns everything, but He created us to be a steward of creation for His glory.  The study guide is small and very non-intimidating.  The first lesson has seven pages that state an Introduction, Scripture Readings, Learning Objectives and the Lecture Outline, before finishing the chapter with approximately two pages of Multiple Choice, Short Answer, and Discussion questions.  Very last in the chapter is a short list of books for further study on that topic.

My first impressions are that Economics for Everybody lives up to it's name.  In the Introduction of the Study Guide, they give suggestions to use this curriculum in churches and small groups, middle or high school students, or families and individuals.  I think it would work VERY well in all three of these group types, especially with their suggestions of how to best use the curriculum within these groups.  There is even additional learning resources for students at a web site they list.

Lesson one of Economics for Everybody  DVD starts off with the author talking.  He is very personable, and I thought interesting.  Lesson 1 video was 15 minutes in length, so not super short and not super long either.

 But it is not just a lecture with you looking at a teacher--there are many pictures that illustrate what the teacher is talking about.

And my favorite--plenty of historical photographs as well!

One thing that I really appreciate about Economics for Everybody is their thoughtfulness of which groups will be potentially using this curriculum.  For example, knowing that the families with older children who will be using this may indeed also have younger children in the family, they included a caution in their Introduction.  The following is a direct quote from their book:

"Be advised that Lessons 2, 7, and 11 do have some scenes that could bother a young child.  Parents may want to preview those lessons if young children are going to be watching them."

Since WE are a family with quite an age spread between our two children, I understand only to well how attractive whatever an older sibling is doing is to a younger sibling--and in our house, if it was a video of any sort it was like a magnet!  So having a "heads-up" ahead of time I really appreciate!

Of course--having read this caution, I HAD to go preview one of these lessons that were specifically mentioned so I could report back to you in my review.  So after watching Lesson 1 with my daughter, later that evening I went back and watched Lesson 2 on my own.

Lesson 2 was 19 minutes in length, so a bit longer than Lesson 1 had been.  The topic of this lesson is "The Economic Problem of Sin:  Law, Liberty and Government."  As the video starts out, there were pictures from the Dust Bowl, and pictures of very hungry, very thin people lining up for food.  The lesson talks about how poverty is a result of sin.  There are pictures of Hitler and his soldiers marching, bombed buildings,  and a concentration camp.  A photograph of a poor slave's back is shown--terrible scars raised up from numerous lashings.  There are also some video clips from old time movies--a gun shooting scene during the time of prohibition, a robbery scene of both a bank as well as of an individual, robbers tying someone up.  Though I felt that these pictures and movie clips were appropriate given the topic of the lesson and the age group this curriculum is being marketed to, I agreed completely with the author of the curriculum that this lesson was most definitely NOT appropriate for young children to watch.  I appreciated even more their thoughtfulness in advising parents to watch out for these particular lessons.  To me, it showed that they understood quite well how home school families work--often times with several grade levels using the same materials, each  simply gaining and learning according to their own level.

And now for the exciting part--the giveaway!  One lucky reader will win their own copy of Economics for Everybody.  The giveaway will be open for one week, starting today--9/21/16 and ending on 9/28/16. On 9/29/16  I will draw a winner and post the name here on my blog in a separate post.  Once I announce the winner, they will have 24 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.  So once you enter, make yourself a reminder to check back on my blog on 9/29/16 to see if you won!  This drawing is only open to residents of the United States.

There are three chances to have your name entered into the drawing:

1) Use this link to check out the Economics for Everybody page on Timberdoodle's web site.  While on that page, watch the short video clip they have, then come back here and comment below telling me that you watched it.  No--I will have no idea whether or not you did, but this giveaway is being operated by "Scout's Honor!"

2) To have your name entered a second time, follow this link for Timberdoodle's Complete 12th Grade Curriculum Kit and look over all the resources included.  Come back here and comment below, telling me the item in the kit that you like the best.

3)  Finally, to have your name entered a third time, share a link to this blog post in a home school group--doesn't matter if it is an e-mail group, a Facebook group, or a meet in person type of group.  But share about the giveaway giving people the link they need to read this post, then come back here and comment again telling me that you shared about it.

That's it!  This is an EXCELLENT resource for our middle school and high school students.  I definitely plan on using this entire curriculum in our home school!  And now--go check out those links and share about the giveaway!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 52

Good Morning Everyone!

Waiting.  We are back to another waiting verse.  Today, I choose verse 9 from Psalm 52 to record in my Bible notebook:

" I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints, I will wait on Your name, for it is good."  Psalm 52:9

What are YOU waiting for today?  On this day--at the very moment that I am writing on, a sweet nine-year-old boy named Bryson from our church has just started his third heart surgery.  This is in addition to the brain surgery and other things he has already had done.  The doctors are only 15 minutes into a surgery that is slated to take at least six hours.  And so his family waits.  And his church family waits.  And while we wait--we pray.

The Bible has a lot to say about waiting.  I looked up, and there are scads of verses talking about waiting!  Below are just a few:

"And Moses said to them, 'Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.'" Numbers 9:8

"Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off."  Psalm 37:34

"But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer."  Psalm 38:15

"It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have saited for him, that he might save us. . . ''' Isaiah 25.9

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."  Micah 7:7

What are you waiting for today?  Whatever it is--give it to Him.  Whatever it is, it is safe in His hands.  And today--I continue to pray for Bryson.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 51

Good Morning!

Have you ever tried to get a stain out of something?  A really bad stain--something like blueberries?  It isn't easy, is it?  And often, even if you "can" get the stain out of the garment good enough to still wear the clothes, it is still there in the background if you know where to look.  It is never REALLY unstained again--it is always a bit grayish where the stain was. . . 

Psalm 51 promises that when God cleans us, we will be REALLY clean!  No stain remaining.  No gray spot spoiling our hearts.

I choose verse 7 to record in my Bible notebook:

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."  Psalm 51:7

My study Bible also had a note on this verse, which I loved and wanted to share it with you here:

Do not listen to the enemy's suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better, until you are good enough to come to God.  If you wait until then, you will never come.  When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of Jesus, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). Tell the enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin.  Make the prayer of David your own. . . 

Christ's Object Lessons, by E. G. White, p. 205, 206

Isn't that a beautiful reminder?  No matter how dirty.  No matter how stained.  He can clean us, and He will NOT turn us away!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 50

Good Morning Everyone!

We are on Psalm 50 today--wow!  I can't believe we are one-third of the way through this journey through the Psalms!  The time is flying by super fast for me--I think because I am in the midst of the school year.  Each week just seems like a blur from the start to the finish!

Today, when I turned in my Bible notebook, I saw that I have already chosen a verse from the chapter for today.  I was reading this chapter back in May of this year, and choose verse 15 to record:

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."  Psalm 50:15

Isn't that a beautiful promise?  And my study Bible had a note to go along with it:

The Lord says "Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (Psalm 50:15).  He invites us to present to Him our perplexities and necessities, and our need of divine help.  He bids us be instant in prayer.  As soon as difficulties arise, we are to offer to Him our sincere, earnest petitions.  By our importunate prayers we give evidence of our strong confidence in God.  The sense of our need leads us to pray earnestly, and our heavenly Father is moved by our supplications.
Christ's Object Lessons, by E. G. White, p. 172

As soon as difficulties arise.  Not after we have wrestled with the problem on our own for a good while and failed miserably.  No--we are to go to Him immediately--tell Him what the problem is, and ask Him to provide the solution.  Ask for HIS will to be done.  In doing this, we will be truly happy, because He is the only one who sees the end from the beginning and knows what is best for us.

So as you go throughout today, remember to bring each problem to Him. I will be trying to remember to do the same--and with His help, I know it can be done!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 48 & Psalm 49

Good Morning Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I am--which is one reason why I am spending less time on my computer and more time with my family!  So this will be a combination post covering both Psalm 48 and Psalm 49--the two chapters that are on the schedule to read for this weekend.

The interesting thing I thought is how well these two Psalms go together.  From Psalm 48 I choose to write down verse 14:

"For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death."  Psalm 48:14

God will be my guide, even to the very end of my life.  There does not come a time when He gives up on me or is all done with me!  Which reminded me of these promises:

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

". . . even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.  I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save."  Isaiah 46:4

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that last promise--Isaiah 46:4--probably because I am of an age when gray hairs are becoming more and more plentiful! ;)

From Psalm 49 I choose verse 15:

"But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.  Psalm 49:15

Left behind.  Forgotten in the grave.  Not with God around!!!  We may temporarily be sleeping in the grave--but we will not be left there!

"For the LORD himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."  1 Thessalonians 4:16

Have a beautiful day today--and spend some time remembering your Savior.  Because He is ALWAYS remembering you!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 47

Good Morning Everyone!

I have a question for you today.  Which is it easier for us to do--notice something that is going right--or notice something that is wrong?  Do we notice everything that might be clean in our house, or notice what is messy?

In today's Psalm--Psalm 47--we are actually instructed what to do!  I wrote down two verses in my Bible notebook:

"Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!  Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" Psalm 47:1

"Sing praises to God, sing praises!  Sing praises to our King, sing praises!"  Psalm 47:6

Singing praises.  Shouting His glory.  These are actions we are to be doing. Are we instead starting a "waterfall" of complaints?  We can tell Him our needs--He WANTS us to tell Him.  And then leave our problems right there at His feet.  Knowing that we have given the problems to Him.  Knowing that He will take care of them.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7

So go ahead and notice your problems.  Notice them and pick them up and take them right to Jesus.  Hand them over--FEEL the lightness as you release them to Him, and walk away singing praises to Him.

Take your burdens to Him today.  He is waiting right now for you!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 46

Good Morning!

How many things are on your "To Do" list today?  If you are anything like me, it is many things indeed!  And that is not even counting all the other things that you need to do, but which never even made it onto the list!  They are still running around in your brain, as you know you need to do them and do not want to forget something important!  And yet--

God tells us to be still.

Did you catch that in today's reading?  In reading through Psalm 46 this morning, God told me to be still.  It is right there in verse 10:

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10

You see--God misses me when I rush throughout my day.  When I hit the floor running, when  do not take time to talk with Him.

There was a really good study note in my Bible today.  It reads as follows:

"In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God.  We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart.  When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God."
The Desire of Ages, E. G. White, p. 363

Are we waiting before Him?  If not, we are missing out on something way more important than our "To Do" list!

Spend some time waiting today.  It is the most important thing you can do.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 45

Forever.

How long is forever???  In our world, we don't have examples of "forever."  You can build a house and it can stand for a very long time--but eventually it will fall into disrepair.  You can promise to love someone "forever," but eventually even that will end because one of you will die.

But God is forever.

The verse from Psalm 45 that I choose talks about this.

"You throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom."  Psalm 45:6

And there are more:

"You, O LORD, rule forever; Your throne is from generation to generation."  Lamentations 5:19

"The LORD shall reign forever and ever."  Exodus 15:18

"How great are His signs.  And how mighty are His wonders!  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  And His dominion is from generation to generation."  Daniel 4:3

"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'"  Revelation 11:15

And so, I am thinking about our "Forever God" today.  He doesn't just love us today or tomorrow.  Not just next week or next year.  But forever--a forever that will have no end!

Have a beautiful day with your Forever Friend.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 44

Good Morning!

I am reading Psalm 44 today, and I hope you are joining me!

I found my gem to record in my Bible notebook--I wrote down Psalm 44: 6 & 7.

"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.  But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us."  Psalm 44:6 & 7

I love these verses, because they state clearly  how it is not his own strength or weapons that are going to save him, but that the only place he is going to put his trust is in God.  He knows full well that God is his only hope!

And yet--the entire rest of the chapter is talking about how God is NOT rescuing him!  In fact, there are even verses such as these where he is telling God to wake up!

"Awake!  Why do You sleep, O Lord?  Arise!  Do not cast us off forever.  Why do You hide Your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?  For our soul is bowed down to the dust; Our body clings to the ground.  Arise for our help, and redeem us for Your mercies' sake."  Psalm 44:23-26

I find it interesting--he is not doubting God's ABILITY to save him.  Instead, he is only wondering why God ISN'T saving him at that moment.  He was sure God "could," but not sure why He wasn't. . .

I think we have ALL felt this way!

Why didn't God cure the cancer--He could have if He had wanted to.

Why didn't God stop the car accident--He is able, isn't He?

And on the questions go.

And I have no answers.  But I remember Job's words "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him." (Job 13:15)

And I trust that He is in charge--and that He knows what He is doing.  And that He has NOT forgotten me, because I know I am inscribed on the palms of His hands.

And someday--I will understand.

"God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him."
Our Father Cares, by E. G. White, p. 66 & 67

Have a beautiful day with your Jesus.  Trust Him.  He will never forget you!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 43

Good Morning!

Do you ever get discouraged in life?  I know I do!  And sometimes you need to give yourself a little "pep talk."  This is what today's verse reminded me of!  I am reading in Psalm 43, and I choose verse 5 to record in my Bible notebook:

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.  Psalm 43:5

Doesn't that sound like David was trying to remind himself of what he KNEW to be true in his mind, at a time that his spirits were low.  This made me think about discouragement in general, so I went on a little search on that as a topic.  I came across this passage, which I thought was very encouraging and I wanted to share it with you here.

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Some look always at the objectionable and discouraging features, and therefore discouragement overtakes them.  They forget that the heavenly universe is waiting to make them agencies of blessing to the world; and that the Lord Jesus is a never-failing storehouse from which human beings may draw strength and courage.  There is no need for despondency ad apprehension.  the time will never come when the shadow of Satan will not be cast athwart our pathway.  Thus the enemy seeks to hide the light shining fro the Sun of Righteousness.  But our faith should pierce this shadow.

The Faith I Live By, by E. G. White, p. 156

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Isn't that good?  I was also reminded of Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your od is with you wherever you go."

So there you have it.  Encouragement from Psalm 43!  We have no reason to be discouraged--we have hope in Him, and He never fails!

How do YOU help encourage yourself when you are down?  Please share!  I love to learn new ideas!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 42

Good Morning!

Today I am reading Psalm 42.  I hope you are reading the Psalms along with me!  Today as I read this, the date is September 11.  I cannot help but remember not that many years ago, when our country was attacked, and think about where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news.  I was thinking about the significance of today's date as soon as I woke up this morning--then I went to my special place to have my Bible time, and I opened up my Bible to Psalm 42.  Do you see what I saw in the picture of my Bible?  Look at the heading for this Psalm--"Yearning for God in the Midst of Distresses."  That September 11 years ago was certainly a time of distresses for our entire country.  Yes, I do realize the the headings in our Bible were not written by the Bible authors, but rather added in later as our Bibles were printed and organized.  But I still found it interesting to think about.

We do not need to be attacked by an enemy to our country to have distress.  We have an enemy who is stalking us daily, seeking whom he may devour.  Sadly, we often fall to this enemy--but we have hope!  I wrote verse 1 in my Bible notebook:

"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God." Psalm 42:1

I also wrote verses 10 and 11:

"As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God:  For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."  Psalm 42:10, 11

My study Bible had a note referencing to this chapter, and it said the following:

"There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit.  To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair."  Steps to Christ, by E. G. White, p. 64

As I read this study note, I felt like it sort of left me hanging--like it wasn't the end!  And since I happened to own a copy of the book Steps to Christ that the study note was taken from, I went and grabbed my copy and looked up this reference on p. 64.  I am glad I did, because the paragraph it is taken from continues with great encouragement!  Right after the above quote, it continues like this:

". . . We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our short comings and mistakes, but wee are not to be discouraged.  Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God."  Steps to Christ, by E. G. White, p. 64

Isn't that beautiful?  We are not cast off!  Even when we DO fail!  Even when we ARE overcome by the enemy!

Remember this!  YOU are not cast off--no matter what!  There is never anything that you can do that makes God not love you any more--that makes Him not want you!

Have a beautiful day and remember that you are ALWAYS loved!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 41

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it is already evening before I am getting today's post up!  I did my Bible reading this morning like normal, but then needed to hurry off to church.  I fully planned on posting right after lunch, but well--I went for a walk, then came back and took a nap, and then completely forgot I hadn't already posted this morning!  But I guess as they say, better late than never! ;)

Today I am on Psalm 41.  I didn't get very far before I found the verse I wanted to record for my Bible notebook--I got all the way through verse 1!

"Blessed is he who considers the poor; the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble."  Psalm 41:1

This verse makes it pretty clear that God cares about the poor of this world, and that He wants those who have enough to help out those who do not have enough!  It reminded me about how when you read in the Bible about ancient Israel, when they harvested their land each year they were instructed to remember and to share some of their harvest with the poor.

"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after you harvest.  And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard.  You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner:  I am the LORD your God."  Leviticus 19:9

Remember the story of Ruth?  She was gleaning in fields that belonged to Boaz.  In fact, that is how she first met him, and he instructed his workers to keep an eye on her and to make sure that no one harmed her as she gleaned.  Ruth and her mother-in-law were certainly considered "poor," especially in that time period.  With no husband for either one of them--and no male child or other close male relative to take them in and care for them, they were destitute.  Women were not allowed to own property, or go get a job, and really had no way to support themselves other than gleaning.

But what about ALL the poor?  With the media today, we are aware of millions who are starving or in drought, or experiencing one type of disaster or another.  We can't help them all--I wish I could!  But can I help one?  Can YOU help just one?

We have a thrift center in my town--can I donate something for their food bank?  Can I buy some clean up supplies for a collection going to the flood victims in Louisiana? I live near a small college--can I make a small donation to a worthy student fund?  Or invite a student to my house to eat?

I ran across this quote this morning in my reading--it is beautiful, and definitely something to think about:

"Much of the suffering in the world is caused because of want of food, want of clothes, but it is caused even more because of the want of love.  Many peope are hungry not for bread only, they are hungry for love.  Many people are not naked for a piece of clothes, they are naked without human dignity that has been stolen from them."  ~Mother Teresa

It makes you think, doesn't it?

So what can YOU do to help someone?  Leave your ideas in the comments--we can all gather ideas from one another.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 40

Good Morning!

Have you ever planned a special surprise for someone?  Perhaps it was a surprise birthday or retirement party, or a hand made Christmas gift that you knew would be just perfect.  I am going to guess that if you were planning a party or making a gift, there was a lot of work involved in the process.  But if it was for someone you love--well, then all the work was worth it.  And often, you are so delighted imagining what your loved one is going to say that it doesn't seem like all THAT much work after all!

This is what today's verse reminds me of--we are reading in Psalm 40 today.  And a little way into it, I found one of my favorite verses--I just hadn't realized that Psalm 40 was where it came from!  There is a beautiful song which is written using this verse, which I have enjoyed singing at camp and other functions.  It goes like this:

"I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."  Psalm 40:8

My study Bible had this note in it for this verse:

"When Satan rebelled against the law of Jehovah, the thought that there was a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of.  In their ministry the angels are not as servants, but as sons.  There is perfect unity between them and their Creator.  Obedience is to them no drudgery.  Love for God makes their service a joy.  So in every soul wherein Christ, the hope of glory, dwells, His words are re-echoed."
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing by E. G. White p. 109

THAT is what I want in my life!  I want God's will to be my delight.  I want His law within my heart.  I want service to Him to be my joy--not drudgery.

Because He is my only hope.

Because He is the only One who will never leave me.

Because He is the only source of life.

Think about who you love the very very most.  Your child perhaps--or spouse--or parent.  Someone you would maybe even give your life to save, should the need arise.  Well--He did.  The need arose, and He didn't even hesitate.  He didn't even have to think long about it.  He loves you THAT much!

Have a beautiful day with your Savior!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 39

Good Morning Everyone!

We are on Psalm 39 today--I hope you are reading along with me and gathering the blessings that are waiting in this book!

Psalm 39 gave me plenty to think about--but I found my hope verse!  I am always searching for whatever hope or encouragement I can find, and I found it today right in verse 7:

"And now, Lord, what do I wait for?  My hope is in You."  Psalm 39:7

Waiting.  Probably not everyone's favorite activity and definitely not mine!  People wait all the time.  Children wait for their birthdays and Christmas to come.  They wait for school to start and then wait for it to get out for the summer.  Young adults are waiting to fledge and get their first job and apartment.  They wait to get married or to have their first child.  And as soon as we obtain whatever it was we were waiting for, there is always the next thing that pops up that we "can't wait" for! But in all of our hurrying around, He has not forgotten us.  He knows everything about us, and knows the challenges we face.  He even knows exactly how many days we will live in this sin filled world.

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."  Psalm 139:16

He knows how long we are going to live, and He knows what we are going to be facing.  And He provides whatever we need for living those days:

". . . as your days, so shall your strength be."  Deuteronomy 33:25

He knows exactly who we are.  We are written on His heart, and He will never forget us or stop loving us:

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. . ." Isaiah 49:15 & 16

He planned for us.  He strengthens us.  He will never forget us.

And THIS is why we have hope!

My hope is in Him.  The only place that will never fail.

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 38

Good Morning Everyone!

Psalm 38 is the chapter for today.  It is a hard chapter--filled with phrases such as "my wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness," and "my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.  I am feeble and crushed, I groan because of the tumult of my heart."  Not exactly the happiest Psalm I have ever read.

Yet--life isn't always happy.  But we do always need hope.

So where is the hope in Psalm 38?  It is there--nestled right into verse 15:

"For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God." Psalm 38:15

Yes--You will hear.  God DOES hear us, and that is exactly WHY we can come to Him and tell Him about all of our burdens.  It is because of Him that we have hope.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."  Ephesians 2:13

There may be times in your life when you have nothing but hope.  But if your hope is placed on Him, then you have a lot!

As I was thinking about Psalm 38 this morning, I remembered the hymn "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less."  So I did a little research on this song, and discovered it was written in 1834 by Edward Mote.  Edward grew up with parents who were hostile to religion, but he was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker who was a Christian, and it is through this man's influence that Edward became a Christian.  As a grown man, he always found time to worship God and was especially interested in Christian music.  One day, he wrote down a verse that came to his mind, and by the end of the day he had a total of four verses written.  Soon after, he was visiting a friend who's wife was ill.  Edward had a copy of his hymn with him, and shared it with the man and his wife.  The wife was so touched by the hymn that she asked for a copy for herself to keep.  Because of her interest, Edward had some copies printed, and soon found himself the author of a loved hymn!  At age 55, Edward accepted a call to the ministry.  He served the rest of his life as the pastor of a Baptist Church in Sussex, England.

So just think--the influence of the Christian cabinetmaker influenced Edward to become a Christian also.  The influence of the friend's ill wife, influenced Edward to publish his hymn, and possibly also helped influence him to eventually become a pastor.

Who are YOU influencing today?  We may find ourselves in a situation where we have nothing as the world looks at it.  But if we are standing on Him, we stand firm!

Have a beautiful day with your Savior!  And remember--if you have Him, you have hope!

~Susan

Home School Review--Wordsmithy from Timberdoodle!

Hi Everyone!

I have another Home School Review from Timberdoodle for you today, that I hope will help you become more familiar with all the great resources that are available for us to use in teaching our children.

Wordsmithy is a writing guide and is included as part of Timberdoodle's complete 11th grade curriculum kit.  On the Timberdoodle web site, Wordsmithy is listed as being appropriate for ages 12 and up, as well as grades 9 and up.  Since my daughter is age 12, I knew we were on the bottom end of this resource, but she does really enjoy writing so I was expecting that she would love it.  Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be a favorite of hers.

I--on the other hand--really like it!  But I honestly feel my daughter is still a bit too young to really appreciate the resource that it is.  I fully plan to hang on to it for a couple more years and THEN bring it out and see if it fits her better.

Wordsmithy is a resource--a guide--a good friend giving advice.  It is NOT a "how to" book listing step by step what to do next.  It does require a bit more maturity of thought to glean all of the knowledge available in it.  I think this was part of why my daughter didn't appreciate it so well--she is just not at the point of loving discussions or sharing thoughts about ideas.

The author of Wordsmithy shares seven main points to becoming a better writer.  These are not the typical points that one might expect from a book on writing--you will not find here admonitions to write a strong thesis statement.  Instead, the first tip given is for the students to "get out more."

"Know something about the world, and by this I mean the world outside of books.  This might require joining the Marines, or working on an oil rig or as a hashslinger at a truck stop in Kentucky.  Know what things smell like out there.  If everything you write smells like a library, then your prospective audience will be limited to those who like the smell of libraries."  Wordsmith-Hot Tips for the Writing Life by Douglas Wilson, p. 13.

Within each chapter, after the main point is shared there are sub-points which explain and reveal further what the main point means.  For example, the fifth piece of advice for writers is for them to:

"Be at peace with being lousy for a while.  Chesterton once said that anything worth doing was worth doing badly.  He was right.  Only an insufferable egoist expects to be brilliant first time out."  Wordsmithy--Hot Tips for the Writing Life by Douglas Wilson, p. 81

Then, after this point--one of the sub-points further applies this concept to real life:

"Concert pianists can do what they do because they practiced scales for years.  So most of the music that comes from them over the course of their lives gets thrown away in the practice studio.  The quality of what you keep will be directly proportional to how much you are willing to throw away.  Drills, scales, and exercises should not be something you consider beneath you."  Wordsmithy--Hot Tips for the Writing Life by Douglas Wilson, p. 81

Wordsmithy is filled with gems like this.  But similar to actual gem stones, you do not find all the value in this small book from simply a passing glance.  Here you will find advice to really think about for a while, to try on and see how it fits.

So my final opinion on this unique resource is I think it is fantastic for the high school grades.  Timberdoodle including it in their 11th grade Curriculum Kit is spot-on.  It would be great for ANY of the high school grades.  I do--however--feel that Wordsmithy should perhaps be listed as best for an age a bit higher than the bottom age of 12.  Perhaps age 14 or 15 might be a better fit.

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about Wordsmithy!  If you are home schooling in the high school grades this year, do give this resource a look.  I think you will be glad you did!

~Susan

Disclaimer:  I received this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions expressed are completely my own.

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 36 & 37

Good Morning!

We are on Psalm 37 in our reading schedule today, so I thought I would share with you a picture that I made for my Bible notebook some time ago.  Every now and then I run across a simple Bible passage with a little drawing or picture--something simple enough that even "I" can draw it, because I am definitely NOT an artist!  Anyway, I will then draw a copy of what I found and put it into my Bible notebook.  I should show you all more pictures of my Bible notebook sometime, but it is very simple--just a small three ring binder, and when I take notes on a Bible chapter I will put my note page into the binder in Biblical order.  So if I was studying something in Genesis, that page would get put in the front of the binder, and if I was studying something in Revelation I would put that page of notes into the back of the binder--even if I did the Revelation page before I did the Genesis page.  I just insert my notes into the binder in that order, and if I have a Bible verse I illustrated I do the same with that.  I LOVE the pictures I have in my Bible notebook, and want to add more.  They really make me happy when I see them as I page through my study notes!

But for our catch-up--on Psalm 36 I choose one verse that really spoke to me:

"For with You is the fountain of life, In Your light we see light."  Psalm 36:9

There was a study note in my Bible that I really liked on this text, so I copied it down in my notebook.  It is as follows:

"For those who thus lay hold of the divine assurances of God's word, there are wonderful possibilities.  Before them lie vast fields of truth, vast resources of power.  Glorious things are to be revealed.  Privileges and duties which they do not even suspect to be in the Bible will be made manifest.  All who walk in the path of humble obedience, fulfilling His purpose, will know more and more of the oracles of God."
Ministry of Healing, E.G. White, p. 465

That is what I want--to lay hold of the divine assurance that God has given me in His Word!

For Psalm 37 I choose to record verse 3:

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." Psalm 37:3

My Bible had a very long study note at the bottom of the page referring to this verse.  It is long--but beautiful, so I wanted to share it with you here.

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"Trust in the Lord."  Each day has its burdens,, its cares and perplexities, and when we meet how ready we are to talk of our difficulties and trials.  So many borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is expressed that one might suppose we had no pitying, loving Saviour ready to hear all our requests and to be to us a present help in ever time of need.

Some are always fearing, and borrowing trouble.  Every day they are surrounded with the tokens of God's love, every day they are enjoying the bounties of His providence; but they overlook these present blessings.  Their minds are continually dwelling upon something disagreeable which they fear may come, or some difficulty may really exist which, though small, blinds their eyes to the many things that demand gratitude.  The difficulties they encounter, instead of driving them to God, the only source of their help, separate them from Him because they awaken unrest and repining.

Do we well to be thus unbelieving?  Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful?  Jesus is our friend, all heaven is interested in our welfare.  We should not allow the perplexities and worries of everyday life to fret the mind and cloud the brow.

Steps to Christ, E.G. White, p. 121, 122

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Guilty as charge!  Too often I allow myself to focus on my difficulties instead of focusing on my friend Jesus.  I need to not let the perplexities and worries of every day life draw my attention away from the reality of my loving Savior!

Have a beautiful day with your Jesus!  And don't forget Him when you are facing today's troubles!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 34 & 35

Good Morning Everyone!

Are you still reading?  I am! In case you are wondering where the past two day's posts are, well--I went to visit family.  :)  My Bible came with me--but my computer did not!  But whether or not I get a post up, I do hope you will continue reading through.  And I will post as much as I can--just cannot promise every single day.

But I am back today, and did not want to skip over some of the so beautiful passages in these past couple of chapters, so I thought I would post about Psalm 34 and Psalm 35 today, then will post the next two Psalms tomorrow--and then I will be all caught up! :)

So in Psalm 34, there were so MANY verses I wanted to write down!  I finally just gave in and wrote down four different verses in my Bible notebook.  I do try and limit myself to one verse, but in the end I suppose it is my notebook so I can do what I want to! ;)  These were the verses I wrote down:

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:4

"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them."  Psalm 34:7

Encamps.  Not just passing by.  Not just happened to be there.  Set up camp all around me, intending to stay awhile--like all the time.  To be there watching.  Ready to deliver me from my fears as well as from real danger.

"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry."  Psalm 34:15

"The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned."  Psalm 34:22

In my Bible commentary I found this passage that was talking about the Psalm 34 chapter:

"The assurance of God's approval will promote physical health.  It fortifies the soul against doubt, perplexity, and excessive grief, that so often sap the vital forces and induce nervous diseases of a most debilitating and distressing character.  The Lord has pledged His unfailing word that His eye shall be over the righteous, and His ear open to their prayer, while He is against all them that do evil.  We make very hard work for ourselves in this world when we take such a course that the Lord is against us."
SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 7A p. 1146

Then, for Psalm 35, I choose two verses:

"And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation."  Psalm 35:9

"And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long."  Psalm 35:28

And again I looked in my Bible commentary, and found this:

"The tongue needs to be educated and disciplined and trained to speak of the glories of heaven, to talk of the matchless love of Jesus Christ."
SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7A, p. 1146

Is your tongue trained?  I know MY tongue needs more training!  Too often I focus on the glass being half empty, instead of the glass half full.  I want my tongue to be trained to speak of my true home, my eternal home, and my never-will-He-leave-me Savior!  Yes--I know we still live in a world of sin.  I know our loved ones are still dying, accidents still happen, etc.  But we still have reason to be happy, because He has saved us and He isn't going to pay the price for our redemption and then forget to come and take His people home!

Walk with Jesus today--and do some tongue training as well.  I will be working on my own tongue today!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 33

Good Morning!

Psalm 33 is the Psalm for today's reading.  And just like yesterday, I choose a verse that is talking about God's eye being on me!

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine."  Psalm 33:18,19

So yesterday's verse told me that God is going to guide me with His eye, and today's verse is promising me that God's eye will be on me--to deliver me from death, and to keep me alive in famine!  He cares about me in all ways--my eternal soul, as well as my physical needs!

God's eye is on me constantly.  He knows where I am and what I am doing every single day.  He knows that I am sitting here right now writing this post, with the kitchen floor needing to be swept and mopped because applesauce dripped all over it!  Because He loves me so--because I am the apple of His eye--there is no place I can go where He will not be there with me.

Which reminds me of THIS promise:

"Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence?  If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!  If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.  If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night' even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you."  Psalm 139:7-12

Just think about THAT for a while and let it soak in!  Even the darkness is not dark to Him! Are you faced with decisions that you do not know what to do?  He knows all about it--and He knows what to do!  He has promised to guide you with His eye and to deliver you.  He will never leave you--you are the apple of His eye!

Talk with Him today as you rush through your tasks--He is right there beside you!

~Susan

150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 32

Good Morning Everyone!

We have a precious promise in Psalm 32 today--well, there are SEVERAL very precious promises to be precise!  I choose just one for my Bible Notebook, and it is one that I have clung to time and time again in the past--and I am sure I will need to keep on clinging to it every day as long as I live!  I chose this verse to write:

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye."  Psalm 32:8

Does this promise speak to your heart like it does mine?  Do you often find yourself unsure of what decisions to make--of which way to counsel a loved one?  I sure do!  My girlfriend and I often remark about how the older we get, the less we realize that we truly know!  Things that we viewed 100% a certain way--well, if you live long enough, your often realize that there are people who have a viewpoint that is different from yours, and that they have some very valid points!  It can all get very confusing!

But there IS one thing that I can count on--and that is God's Word!

"For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."  Isaiah 40:8

I am the apple of God's eye.  He always knows where I am.  He never leaves me.  He can never forget me.

"The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones.  You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."  Isaiah 58:11

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?  Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are continually before me."  Isaiah 49:15 & 16

When I don't know what to do--He does.  When everything else around me is changing--He doesn't.  When others forsake me--He is right there beside me.  He cannot forget me.

I am His.

And He is mine.

Have YOU stopped running away from the One who created you?  Have YOU accepted His instruction for your life?

~Susan