Truth Gleaned From Ruth

If you're in a rut of hurt, like Ruth
Be encouraged by this unchanging truth:
Yahweh is with us and for us
He will surely restore us
Don't walk away if you feel overwhelmed
God has a good plan and He's still at the helm
Don't let your suffering turn you sour
For in our weakness, God gives us power
He will take the bitter and make it sweet
As we humbly rest at the Lord's bless-ed feet
---
May 30, 2016

Praise to the Lord (Isaiah 25:1-9)

Exalt the Lord 
And praise His name
For in faithfulness
He has done great things

He is a refuge 
For the distressed and poor
He is a shelter 
From the heat and storm

He prepares a feast
With finest wines
The best of meats
On which to dine

He will conquer death
And wipe every tear
The Sovereign Lord
Has made it clear

Trust in Him, 
For He will save
Rejoice and be glad
For that great day
---
May 24, 2017

Psalm 119

Blessed are those whose ways are without fault
Who walk according to the LORD’s law
Who seek Him wholeheartedly and do not err
They follow His ways that He has shared
Oh, if I were faithful to obey Your decrees          
Then I could think of Your commands and not be
Ashamed. I will praise You with a heart upright
As I learn Your laws that are morally right

How can youth stay on the path that is pure?
By living according to Your word
From Your commands don’t let me depart
Your word I have hidden within my heart
That I might not sin; teach me Your decrees
I treasure all the laws that come from Thee
I meditate upon Your precepts
Your decrees I won’t neglect

Be good to Your servant while breath I draw
Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your law
Hide not Your commands from me, a stranger on earth
My soul knows Your law is of utmost worth
Remove from me the scorn and contempt
Rebuke the accursed, the arrogant
Though rulers convene and slander me
I will seek counsel with Your delightful decrees

My soul pants for water; preserve me
I confessed and You heard me
Help me to comprehend Your decrees
That I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds
My soul with sorrow is burdened
According to Your word, strengthen
Keep me from deceit and unfaithfulness
With broader understanding You have blessed

Teach me Your decrees that I may follow to the final part            
Give understanding so I might obey Your law with all my heart  
Direct me in the path of Your commands and not to disdain
Turn my heart toward Your statutes, away from selfish gain
Turn my eyes from worthless things, my life sustain       
Fulfill Your vow to Your servant for Your reverential name
Your precepts are good; remove the disgrace I despise
l long for Your laws; in Your righteousness keep me alive              

May I know Your unfailing love, Your salvation
According to Your promise, then against derision
I can with truth reply. Take not Your word, for in it I trust
I have put my hope in it; obey it, I must
I walk about in freedom for Your precepts I’ve sought   
I will speak unashamedly, I will not be bought   
I love Your commands; they bring much delight to me                   
I lift my hands as I focus on Your decrees

Remember Your word to Your servant who in You hopes
Through my suffering Your promise brings comfort to cope
The proud mock me but I turn not from Your laws
I am indignant for the wicked who forsake Your law
Your decrees I sing of wherever I may sleep
I remember Your name that Your law I may keep
I am loath to ever neglect
Daily obeying Your ancient precepts

You are my inheritance, LORD
I promise to obey the words You impart
Be merciful as You promised
For I have sought You with all of my heart
I have pondered my path and turned
To follow Your written law
Though the wicked try to ensnare me
I won’t delay in obeying Your law
I give You thanks for Your righteousness
During the night when I cannot sleep
I am a friend to those who fear You
LORD, by Your mercy, teach me Your decrees

Your servant knows the blessings
That come from Your hands
Teach me knowledge and discernment
For I delight in Your commands
Before I was disciplined, I went astray
But now, Your word, I humbly obey
You are good and You do good
Teach me Your righteous ways
Though the proud smear my name,
For their hearts are hardened and cold,
I wholeheartedly follow Your directions;
Your words are more precious than gold

You created me with a mind
Now help me to comprehend
May I bring joy to those, who like me,
Upon Your word, depend
I know that Your rules are fair
And You have rightfully brought me low
According to Your unfailing promises
May I, Your love and comfort, know
May Your compassion revive me
For I take delight in Your laws
May the scornful be disgraced
For they’ve aggrieved me without cause
I will meditate upon Your principles
May I faithfully follow Your decrees
That I might not be put to shame
May those who fear You, turn to me

My soul yearns for Your salvation
But my hope rests upon Your word
My eyes strain to see Your promise
“How long before I know comfort?”
Though I am withering and helpless
I do not neglect Your laws
How long must I endure persecution
From those who contradict Your laws?
They do not trust in Your commands
But my destruction they baselessly seek
Still I have not forsaken Your precepts
Save me so I may uphold the statutes You speak

Your word, LORD, is eternal
In the heavens it stands firm
Through all generations of the earth,
Your faithfulness endures
Your law remains to serve You
If it had not been to my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction -
Your precepts preserved my life
Save me, for I am Yours, 
I sought Your perfect precepts out 
While the wicked wait to destroy me, 
I ponder Your laws without bounds 

Oh, how I love to meditate on Your statutes
Your commands give wisdom and insight 
Since I obey I have more understanding 
Than my teachers and those who love to fight 
From Your sweet words, I have not roamed 
I have kept from doing evil so I might obey 
You have taught me from Your precepts 
Therefore every wrong path, I disdain 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on the way
I swear I will follow Your righteous laws
Save my life according to Your word, LORD
Accept my praise and teach me Your laws 
Though the wicked try to ensnare me,
I will not from Your statutes stray 
Your precepts are the joy of my heart
I aim to keep them the length of my days 

You are my refuge and shield 
I have put my hope in Your law
Begone double-minded evildoers
That I may keep the commands of my God
Sustain me, God, by Your promise
Don’t dash my hopes, or I’ll die
Uphold me and I’ll be delivered 
Your decrees I will lift up on high 
You reject those who stray from Your laws
Their delusions amount to naught 
You discard the wicked like dross
I tremble in fear, stand in awe 

I have done what is just and right 
Don’t leave me to my enemies
I seek Your promise of salvation
Look kindly and teach me Your decrees
Help me understand Your statutes 
Because I treasure Your commands
Oh, how I hate how Your law
Is being broken through the land 

Your statutes are wonderful; no wonder I obey 
Your words give light, the simple understand 
I thirst for them like water to drink in 
Your refreshing laws and commands
Show Your mercy as you always do
To those who love Your name 
Direct my footsteps, LORD
So I will not, to sin be enslaved
Redeem me from oppressors 
That Your laws, I may obey 
Make Your face to shine upon me
For I weep, when Your law’s disobeyed

You are righteous, LORD, 
And Your statutes can be trusted 
My enemies’ disregard for Your laws 
Thoroughly disgusts me
Though I’m humble and despised,
Your precepts I remember 
Your law is true and Your 
Righteousness will last forever 
Though troubles come upon me
Your laws give me delight
Your righteous statutes 
Give me wisdom for my life 

Hear my heart’s cry, LORD,
And Your decrees, I will obey 
I will keep Your commands 
When You answer me, and save 
I put my hope in Your word
I pray before the morning breaks 
In the middle of the night 
On Your laws, I meditate 
By Your love, preserve my life
According to Your laws
The wicked schemers are at hand 
But they are nowhere near Your law
Yet You are near, LORD,
And true are Your commands 
Long ago You established them 
To forever stand 

Consider my suffering and deliver me
For I remember Your eternal laws
Save me according to Your promise
Redeem me and defend my cause
Salvation is far from the wicked
For Your righteous laws they don’t seek
Your love and compassion is great
Save my life according to Your decrees 
Many are my persecutors, LORD,
But from Your statutes I have not turned away
I look on the faithless with loathing 
For Your true precepts they do not obey

Rulers persecute me without cause 
Yet Your word makes me tremble in awe 
I rejoice in Your treasured promises 
For I love truth and Your righteous law
Great peace have those who concur 
And nothing can make them fall 
I wait for You as I follow Your statutes,
Precepts, commands; oh, how I love them all

Hear my prayer, LORD, deliver me
According to Your good promise 
May I praise You and sing of Your word
For You instruct with laws that are righteous 
I chose to follow Your word which gives me delight
I long for salvation from Your willing hand
For, like a lost sheep, I still wander and stray 
Though I remember Your sustaining commands 
---
May 7, 2017


Prophecy is Unfolding (Matthew 24)

Prophecy is unfolding Before our very eyes   A new world  order  is coming    Ruled by deception and lies Do not be alarmed    When wars and...