Shadows

The shadows came when I was about 19 years old and in Naples Italy with the US Navy. I was serving with the Shore Patrol with two Italian Police officers and the officer next to me was shot in the chest. I did CPR on him and the other officer ran to see who did the shooting. After the ambulance came I followed and discovered a place where children were being raped. Suddenly I remembered being raped as a child and beat a man until I was pulled off. Sitting in the police car I went into the place of shadows. I thought I was a shadow. Even though I left that place behind the shadows still hate me and seek to harm me. But did I really leave that place? Maybe I am still there and all of this is a trick. Maybe the shadows are so strong they have come with me. For so many years the shadows have told me what I am not and I now believe it. Many others say the same words as the shadows.
I hurt so much in so many ways and I am worn down. I see dead people walking around, the kitchen cabinets attacked me and television screen is real.



Before I married I should have dealt with the shadows
Before I became a father I should have dealt with the shadows
Before I became a pastor I should have dealt with the shadows
Failing to deal with the shadows I have become a shadow



There are dark shadows
but
are there light shadows
are there lighter shadows
are all shadows dark

How to get rid of shadows
can
they be gotten rid of
they be controlled
they be suppressed

I have asked so many questions
I have not found an answer
I am so weary and torn
I lost myself in questions



The shadows in my life are my fault
They are here because I am weak
They are here because I let them be
The shadows in my life are my fault

Living in a world of shadows
Shadows dwell around waiting
A time when we are weak
A time when we are strong
A time when we are in need
A time when we have too much

Shadows dwell around waiting
A time to cut off the Light
A time to make us their home
A time to disconnect us
A time to kill our soul
Shadows dwell around waiting

When you nervously think danger is here

Even dogs howl when shadows are near

Shadows bring with them disquiet and fear

Shadows seek to destroy all you hold dear

shadows divide and multiply

Destruction is their strength

All loss is to the shadows gain

Unseen the shadows seed death

the only hope against the shadows is Light

But shadows dwell at the edge of the Light

The hope is to dwell at the heart of the Light

Light and dark we do know

unknown the shadows grow

seed of hell the shadows sow

be fruit of hell before we know

Today I feel death all around me

My friend cut in two by plane smiles

The puzzle man calls out to me

Parts man lets me know it is near

The man I beat almost to death points

The dead cry out to me it is time

They let me know it is coming near

Near than it has ever been before

Others cry out more than ever before

Shocked friend give smell of death

Hose man speaks of coming death

The bodies pile and rise to greet me

“The pain will end and life will begin”

The body dies and corrupts away

Will all my pain also corrupt away

I hear them calling me to be free

I have not lost whats left of mind

I WILL NOT TAKE WHAT IS NOT MINE

I wait my Love to Your good time

But let their voices be still for now

I beg of You my Love please

August 3, 2024

“57 ¶ HETH. You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words.”

“58 ¶ I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.”

“59 ¶ I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.”

“61 ¶ The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.”

“62 ¶ At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.”

“63 ¶ I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 ¶ The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:57-64 NKJV)

God is my Bread

God is my Way

God is my Truth

I give thanks!!!

Prayerful question: Do I pray for unity and strength for those who are in God?

August 2, 2024

“49 ¶ ZAYIN. Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.”

“50 ¶ This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.”

“51 ¶ The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.”

“52 ¶ I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD, And have comforted myself.”

“53 ¶ Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.”

“54 ¶ Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.”

“55 ¶ I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, And I keep Your law. 56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.” (Psalm 119:49-56 NKJV)

O LORD

May I never forget your Word

May I never forget your comfort

May I never forget your judgments

May I never forget your Name

Prayerful question: Does my prayer remember who God is and what He has done?

August 1, 2024

“41 ¶ WAW. Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—Your salvation according to Your word. 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.”

“43 ¶ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. 44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.”

“45 ¶ And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.” (Psalm 119:41-48 NKJV)

I trust in your mercy God and I will walk in liberty

I trust in your Truth God and I will walk in liberty

I trust in your Word God and I will walk in liberty

Prayerful question: Do I prayer trusting I have the ability to ask anything of God?

Leaking

I leak
hope
faith
love
Fruit
joy
peace
grace
life
me
June 17, 2024

July 31, 2024

“33 ¶ HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.”

“35 ¶ Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it. 36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.”

“37 ¶ Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.”

“38 ¶ Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.”

“39 ¶ Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. 40 ¶ Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.” (Psalm 119:33-40 NKJV)

Make me walk

Turn away my eyes

Plant your Word

Revive me God

Prayerful question: Do I seek God’s guidance as I pray how to pray?

July 30, 2024

“25 ¶ DALETH. My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.”

“26 ¶ I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works.”

“28 ¶ My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.”

“30 ¶ I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! 32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.” (Psalm 119:25-32 NKJV)

Lift me from the mud and dust God

Please strengthen me to stand God

I choose to walk in your Way God

Help me finish your course my God

Prayerful question: Does my prayer’s foundation begin with my need for God?

I have the strangest feeling that I can feel the Earth move beneath my feet.

It looks like the sky is moving rather than the clouds.
It's as though every sense is running on overload and everything is very real to me. The wind smacks my face and the cold rips through me.
Pain from non-existent wounds tears my body and soul.
My mind wanders like the clouds going I know not where.
I am afraid to sit.
I am afraid to stand.
I am afraid to lay down.
But then fear melts away from weariness leaving emptiness. Leaving nothing.

July 29, 2024

“17 ¶ GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.”

“18 ¶ Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.”

“19 ¶ I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.”

“20 ¶ My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.”

“21 ¶ You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.”

“22 ¶ Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.”

“23 ¶ Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 ¶ Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.” (Psalm 119:17-24 NKJV)

Open my eyes to see You

I am a stranger guide me

Rebuke me from reproach

Your testimonies are my delight

Prayerful question: Do I pray for strangers who need guidance to God?

Why is today worse than yesterday

Why will tomorrow be worse than today
Why am I not getting better than before
Why am I getting worse than before
Why can't I love my family more
Why can't I love God more
Why haven't I dealt with the scars from my past
Why can't I deal with the scars from my past

July 28, 2024

“9 ¶ BETH. How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”

“10 ¶ With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!”

“11 ¶ Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!”

“12 ¶ Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes!”

“13 ¶ With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” (Psalm 119:9-16 NKJV)

I sought

God found

I left

Not found

Prayerful question: Do I cry out for mercy and grace every time I pray?

What does God think about me

Does God even think about me
Does God even care about me
Does God hear when I pray

I have turned my back on God
I chose pornography over God
I have abused the grace of God
I am not sure if I care for God

Reject grace
Choose hell

July 27, 2024

“1 ¶ ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.”

“4 ¶ You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.”

“7 ¶ I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!” (Ps 119:1-8 NKJV)

Jesus is the Way

Jesus is the Truth

Jesus is the Life

Jesus never forsakes

Prayerful question: Do I praise God for who He is when I pray?

 INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 119

This psalm is generally thought to be written by David, but when is uncertain; very probably towards the decline of life; and, as some think, for the sake or his son Solomon. It seems to be a collection of observations on the word of God and its precepts, the usefulness and excellency of it, he had made in the course of his life; interspersed with various petitions for the grace of God, to enable him to observe it. The psalm is a very extraordinary one; partly on account of the unusual length of it, it being more than double the length of the longest psalm in the whole book; and partly on account of its curious composition. It consists of twenty two parts, according to the number of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the names of which letters stand between each part; and every part consists of eight verses, all of which begin with the same letter: thus, for instance, the first eight verses begin with the letter א‎, "aleph," and the second eight verses begin with the letter ב‎, "beth," and so on throughout; hence the Masorah calls this psalm the Great Alphabet. This the psalmist did, perhaps to excite attention to what he said, and also to help the memory. And it is observable that there are very few verses in the whole, not more than one or two, but what has something in it concerning the word of God, and its precepts and ordinances; there are nine or ten different words used relative to it, which signify much one and the same thing; as laws, statutes, judgments, testimonies, &c. Luther {m } observes, that neither Cicero, nor Virgil, nor Demosthenes, are to be compared with David for eloquence, as we see in the hundred nineteenth Psalm, where he divideth one sense and meaning into twenty two sorts. And it may also be remarked, that there is nothing in it concerning the tabernacle worship, or the rites and ceremonies of the legal dispensation; so that it seems to be calculated for, and is suited to, the word of God, and the ordinances of it, as we now have them in their full perfection: and the design of the whole is to show the fervent affection the psalmist had for the word of God, and to stir up the same in others.

(From Online Bible)

July 26, 2024

“19 ¶ Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD, Through which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This was the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. 27 God is the LORD, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28 You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118:19-29 NKJV)

Jesus is the only door

please be open

The gate of righteousness

please be open

I will go through them,

And I will praise the LORD

Prayerful question: Does my prayer celebrate Jesus is my righteousness?

July 25, 2024

“10 All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 11 They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 12 They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. 13 You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death.” (Psalm 118:10-18 NKJV)

All surround me to hurt me

HELP ME GOD

They surround me like bees

HELP ME GOD

Prayerful question: Do I cry (scream) out for God to be my help?

July 24, 2024

“1 ¶ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the LORD now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 5 I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. 8 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man. 9 It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalm 118:1-9 NKJV)

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Let Israel now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD now say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

Prayerful question: Do I celebrate God’s eternal mercy?

Jesus declared He is the Truth

the truth of the LORD endures forever

We need Jesus to be our Truth

the truth of the LORD endures forever

July 23, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! 2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 117:1-2 NKJV)

God blesses all with the sun

My everyone praise the Lord

God blesses all with the rain

My everyone praise the Lord

Prayerful question: Does my prayer call for God to bless the lost and the found?

July 22, 2024

“10 ¶ I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 I said in my haste, “All men are liars.” 12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 116:10-19 NKJV)

I will choose the Cup of salvation

and have Communion with Jesus

I can not drink the Cup of God’s wrath

for Jesus drank every drop for me

Prayerful question: Does my prayer celebrate I have been set free from God’s wrath because Jesus drank it for me?

Slowly each part of me is peeling off

Slowly I am less able to live and serve

Slowly I am becoming not who I am

Thanks to God it is happening slowly

July 21, 2024

“1 ¶ I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD In the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:1-9 NKJV)

I love God for He hears me

Deliver my soul my God

I love God for He answers me

God delivered my soul from death

Prayerful question: Do I pray believing God hears me will answer me?

July 20, 2024

“9 ¶ O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, Both small and great. 14 May the LORD give you increase more and more, You and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S; But the earth He has given to the children of men. 17 The dead do not praise the LORD, Nor any who go down into silence. 18 But we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 115:9-18 NKJV)

Trust in God for He is your help and their shield

Fear God for He is your help and their shield

Fear God for He will bless those who fear the LORD

May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth

The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S;

But the earth He has given to the children of men.

bless the LORD From this time forth and forevermore

Praise the LORD!

Prayerful question: Does my prayer express the awe and wonder of who God is and all He does for me?

Sometimes my brain will work, sometimes not

Sometimes my hands will work, sometimes not

Sometimes neither will work, right now not

July 19, 2024

“1 ¶ Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 2 Why should the Gentiles say, “So where is their God?” 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.” (Psalm 115:1-8 NKJV)

Do not praise me, praise God

God is the source of all good

Do not thank me, thank God

Give thanks and praise to the glorious God

Prayerful question: Does my prayer call for others to give thanks and praise the glorious God?

God blesses His people who are suffering and dying every day.

Pray for them and for those like Voice of the Martyrs who help.

My wife and I have supported Voice of the Martyrs for decades and have used their resources often. Please support the Voice of the Martyrs through your gifts and prayers!!!

https://www.persecution.com/

July 18, 2024

“1 ¶ When Israel went out of Egypt, The house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 2 Judah became His sanctuary, And Israel His dominion. 3 The sea saw it and fled; Jordan turned back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, The little hills like lambs. 5 What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, that you turned back? 6 O mountains, that you skipped like rams? O little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob, 8 Who turned the rock into a pool of water, The flint into a fountain of waters.” (Psalm 114:1-8 NKJV)

Tremble at the glory of God

God cares for His people

Tremble at the glorious God

God controls all of Creation

Prayerful question: Do I pray for the health and safety of God’s people?

What is God’s name

Isn’t His name God

‘What is His name?’

God said “I AM WHO I AM.”

“11 ¶ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”” (Exodus 3:11-14 NKJV)

July 17, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, Praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD’S name is to be praised. 4 The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in the heavens and in the earth? 7 He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap, 8 That He may seat him with princes—With the princes of His people. 9 He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 113:1-9 NKJV)

Praise the LORD

Praise the name of the LORD

Blessed be the name of the LORD

Praise the LORD

Prayerful question: Does my prayer lift God up in thanks, praise and worship?

July 16, 2024

“6 ¶ Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.” (Ps 112:6-10 NKJV)

I can stand

in Jesus

my foundation

my glorious God

Prayerful question: Does my prayer stand on the foundation of Jesus?

Use your time of recreation for the re-creation of yourself in Jesus Christ

July 15, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.” (Psalm 112:1-5 NKJV)

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD

Who delights greatly in His commandments

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness

A good man deals graciously and lends

Prayerful question: Does my prayer guide in how to share God’s blessings? (Do I listen or just talk?)

July 14, 2024

“1 ¶ Praise the LORD! I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The works of the LORD are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them. 3 His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.”

“6 ¶ He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are verity and justice; All His precepts are sure. 8 They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:1-10 NKJV)

With all my heart I publicly praise God

With all my heart I accept the grace of God

With all my heart I follow the precepts of God

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom”

Prayerful question: Does my prayer trust in the awesome, wondrous most glorious God?

July 13, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! 3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. 4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.””

“5 ¶ The Lord is at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill the places with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.” (Psalm 110:1-7 NKJV)

The earth is God’s footstool

Our enemies are our footstool

Is the earth God’s enemy

Prayerful question: Do I pray understanding our need for the grace of God in Jesus Christ?

July 12, 2024

“21 ¶ But You, O GOD the Lord, Deal with me for Your name’s sake; Because Your mercy is good, deliver me. 22 For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. 23 I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like a locust. 24 My knees are weak through fasting, And my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness. 25 I also have become a reproach to them; When they look at me, they shake their heads. 26 Help me, O LORD my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, 27 That they may know that this is Your hand— That You, LORD, have done it! 28 Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice. 29 Let my accusers be clothed with shame, And let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle. 30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude. 31 For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, To save him from those who condemn him.” (Psalm 109:21-31 NKJV)

I am without and in need

Pain is constant as my heart

Shadows are more real

God stand beside me please

Prayerful question: Do I pray for God to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable?

July 11, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. 4 In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer. 5 Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.”

“6 ¶ Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few, And let another take his office. 9 Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. 10 Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg; Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places. 11 Let the creditor seize all that he has, And let strangers plunder his labor. 12 Let there be none to extend mercy to him, Nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children. 13 Let his posterity be cut off, And in the generation following let their name be blotted out. 14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out. 15 Let them be continually before the LORD, That He may cut off the memory of them from the earth; 16 Because he did not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, So let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, And for a belt with which he girds himself continually. 20 Let this be the LORD’S reward to my accusers, And to those who speak evil against my person.” (Psalm 109:1-20 NKJV)

Have You heard my praise God

Have You heard my prayer God

I surrendered myself to prayer

Please remember to be merciful

Prayerful question: Do I surrender myself to prayer and recognize God

is my hope?