Psalm 55 excerpts

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught...
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest -
I would flee far away and stay in the desert;
I would hurry to my place of shelter,
far from the tempest and storm...
But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
He ransoms me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me...
Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall...
But as for me, I trust in you.

Hebrews 8:10-12

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,
declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God
and they will be my people
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying,
"Know the Lord"
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.

On the way to Salamanca...

A funny story: This past Wednesday our Spanish class, along with some other foreigners studying here, went to Salamanca. It is famous for the oldest University in Spain. It is about a 3 hour bus ride away. When we were getting close, the lead professor got up and started talking about the city. Behind her was a tv screen with a bouncing screen saver. For those of you that watch The Office, this sets up just like the beginning of one of the episodes. We all start focusing on the bouncing icon on the screen, hoping it would hit at exactly the corner, although of course just when you think it might, it ricochets off just missing. Well right as the professor finished her speaking, the icon hit in the very corner, causing us to erupt in applause and cheering. Perfect timing. She thought we were cheering for her.

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Psalm 34:4-10

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 28:6-9

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Save you people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Tongue Twisters

Matthew 13:32

It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows into a tree and birds come and make nests in its branches.

The issue is not the size of your faith but the object of your faith. Faith needs to be directed toward God. Even the smallest amount of faith can lead you to a strong finish.


Have Faith In God

V1: Have faith in God when you pathway is lonely
He sees and knows all the way you have trod
Never alone are the least of His children
Have faith in God, have faith in God

Chorus:Have faith in God, He's on His throne
Have faith in God, He watches o'er his own
He cannot fail, He must prevail
Have faith in God, have faith in God

V2: Have faith in God when you pray'rs are unanswered
Your earnest plea He will never forget
Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient
Have faith in God, He'll answer yet

V3: Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow
His heart is touched with your grief and despair
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him
And leave them there, oh, leave them there

V4: Have faith in God tho' all else fail about you
Have faith in God He provides for His own
He cannot fail tho' all kingdoms shall perish
He rules He reigns upon His throne

Wherever You Are - The Martins

Are you standing at a crossroad

Wondering which road you should take

and you're dreading the decision

And a possible mistake.

But the will of God won't lead you

Where the grace of God can't keep you

You will never be out of His care

Remember that the Lord's already there.

Wherever you are

Wherever you're going

God is right there beside you

Seeing and knowing

Wherever you go He already

You'll always find He's never too far

From wherever you are.

You are waiting to hear thunder

And see lightening in the sky

Oh, but God can work His wonders

Through a still small voice inside

So keep listening and learning

And continue on the journey

Following the One who is the Way

Oh, He's the only road you need to take

Wherever you are

Wherever you're going

God is right there beside you

Seeing and knowing

Wherever you go He already

You'll always find He's never too far

From wherever you are.

Wherever you go He already knows

What lies ahead and what's behind

You'll always find

He's never too far

From wherever you are.

Psalm 13

How long O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
My enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
My heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.