Psalm 106:13-18

But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them. When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the LORD, the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.

Lord, deliver Your Church from the entrapments of the culture around us. Bring us back to that witness to Your holiness, restore us as Your testimony to Your love and grace, set us as an example of the power of Your mercy; Lord bring revival fire now upon Your people. Lord, bring repentance NOW!

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 118

Mid-day: 119:17-24

Evening: Psalm 44

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 106:8-12

Yet he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make known his mighty power. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. So he saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.

You continue, in spite of our unfaithfulness, to lead us and stand between us and the armies of the Evil One. Time after time after time, You lift us up from the snare that we have entangled our selves in and set us before Your alter. We confess our sin, we repent and go out to sin again and again. How long will Your patience last?

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 117

Mid-day: 119:9-16

Evening: Psalm 43

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 106:6-7

Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

Lord, Your Church has abandoned Your for the blandishments of the culture. We have relegated You to a private section of our lives. We worship You when convenient; we obey You when not burdensome; we do not let You interfere with our acquisition of all the material goals of the world. We have sinned and continue to sin,

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 116

Mid-day: 119:1-8

Evening: Psalm 42

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. 

A few weeks ago an early season snowstorm was forecast for our area of southern Vermont and was supposed to be a whopper of a Nor'easter arriving around midnight on a Saturday. Betty and I, along with many others scurried all day to get our lawn furniture in the shed, the garden cleaned of the dead plants, the deer fencing down and put away until next spring's plantings go in, and made sure there was a adequate supply of firewood stacked next to the woodstove. The forecast, amplified many times throughout the day, emphasized that this could be a major storm with 8 to 14” of heavy snow for our area and significant power outages resulting from the expected high winds and trees with significant foliage. However, by nightfall, we were ready and all snug in our cozy home.

The next morning after a disappointing 6 to 7” snowfall and just before Worship, a friend, told me how he and his daughter, Hannah, had worked the evening before to move their flock of chickens from an old coop to a nice new one. They waited until the hens were all settled comfortably for the night in their nests and then went in to take the hens two at a time to their new home. As you can imagine, the hens were not pleased at this intrusion and spoke quite vehemently about it. Hannah remarked to her father that the hens were behaving just like we did when God puts us through some circumstance and we insist on an explanation.

Now I ask you, have you ever tried to reason with a chicken? Two squawks and a cock-a-doodle-do says “Trust me, it's for your own good?” It's no wonder that as a child I was convinced that the only good chicken was the one on my plate at Sunday dinner.

As I listened to the story, I realized that the Lord was providing me with the perfect tale to use for the children's message that morning. I knew that I was going to talk to them about 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” and Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” but was still in a bit of a quandary about how to approach it. Here, as a result of Hannah's insight, was what I needed.

Many of us often confuse God's plan for us with His will for us. We say things like, “I want to know God's plan for me so I can work/live in it” or “I will wait on the Lord until I know His will.” We quote Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” and tell God that we need to know His plans for us.

Brothers and sisters, we cannot know God's plans for us any more that Hannah's chickens could know her plans for them. We are not capable of understanding; God says, “I know.... trust Me” and we squawk. God never, so far as I have been able to determine, offers to tell me what His plans are for me, all He ever says is in Jeremiah 29:11—that the plan is for my welfare and not for evil, that it will give me a future and a hope. If I listen closely, I hear His gentile voice saying, “Trust Me, what more could you want?” “Trust Me for Romans 8:28 is true. Trust me for 1 John 3:1 is true. Trust Me for I am the Lord God Almighty. Trust Me!”

And now we come to God's will for us. An entirely different matter for His will is knowable and He tells me how to know it. I have found approximately 15 passages in the New Testament that state that we are to live in God's will. God is not some diabolical Joker putting up an unattainable goal. No, He is the loving Father who instructs us and leads us into a close relationship with Him as we learn and understand His will for us.

The key is in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Three simple phrases, but oh, so hard to master. “Rejoice always” “Pray without ceasing” “Give thanks in all circumstances” But as we strive to make these three little phrases a way of life for us, we find that we are indeed living in His will for us. They are the means by which the Holy Spirit transforms us from one degree of glory into another as we are transformed into the image of Christ. Praise the Lord!

One thing to keep in mind is that the will of God instructs us for the moment. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” In other words, keep your attention on right now - this is where the Holy Spirit is instructing you, this is the current circumstance that you are to give thanks in for He is with you. And we can know His will in that circumstance if we are rejoicing, praying and giving thanks.

This is not to say that we will not be gaining a sense of the direction in which God's will is taking us. I believe that Romans 12 :2 along with Psalm 119:9 and 11, Proverbs 3:5-6 and others indicate that as our mind is transformed into the mind of Christ, our understanding of God's intended direction for our life becomes clearer and clearer.

It is especially important to keep Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” before us. It is that constant and ever upward transforming of our minds that enables us to discern the direction of that good and perfect will of God. Frankly, my discernment of 30+ years ago as I first began to seek to follow the Lord, was weak and flabby compared to where I am today, but was certainly more robust than prior to that time. He was leading me from the very beginning of my acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of my life, but His plan for my life was cast and written in God's book (Psalm 139:16) long before I entered this world.

So, let us join together and support each other to do our best to present ourselves to God as ones approved, workers who have no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 4:15) and seeking His will as we advance the Kingdom through His plan for us.

Psalm 119:51

The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.

This seems to sum up the situation, Lord; how can I continue to endure a friend's derision and continue to love her? How do I continue to not react to her constant corrections and disagreements and not break the unity of our fellowship? Help me, Lord.

Lord, am I in error? Am I the source of the problem? Where do I need to repent and change? Help me, Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 115

Mid-day: 119:169-176

Evening: Psalm 41

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 106:4-5

Remember me, O LORD, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.

Show me all the ways, all the circumstances, all the places where Your Word has impact. Guide me into an understanding of all the effects of Your Word on these circumstances. Help me to see the opportunities for Kingdom advancement in each case. Be Thou my vision and my guide.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 114

Mid-day: 119:161-168

Evening: Psalm 40

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. 

Psalm 106:1-3

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise? Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

Lord, many times Your mighty works take forms that seem insignificant to the world; a phone call from a son; finding our dog's favorite toy, lost for several weeks; spending the day working with another son; a quiet afternoon with Betty; a hot dog and conversation with friends for supper; a refreshing night's sleep; all are small and simple but represent the graciousness of my Lord to provide comfort to His people.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 113

Mid-day: 119:153-160

Evening: Psalm 39

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

James 5:7-20

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Lord, this is a call to Your people to remain steadfast and continue to life the Kingdom life in the face of trial and tribulation. Help me to live in obedience to Your word and to serve as a living example of Your grace and mercy.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 112

Mid-day: 119:145-152

Evening: Psalm 38

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 105:42-45

For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant. So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing. And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil, that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

Lord, I should be bubbling over with joy, shouting Your praises and declaring my thanksgiving. I should be a living, walking example of the truth that to live in obedience to Your word is a life of joy, righteousness and peace in Your Kingdom; a life guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve and glorify You. I should but I am not there yet. Help me, my Lord and Savior.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 111

Mid-day: 119:137-144

Evening: Psalm 37

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 105:39-41

He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.

You supply my every need: for hunger-food; for thirst-water; for trials-wisdom and strength; for loss-comfort; for turmoil-peace; for illness-healing; for discontent-joy; for anxiety-serenity; for all the shortcomings of the flesh-you supply goodness and completeness. Truly You are Jehovah Jireh.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 110

Mid-day: 119:129-136

Evening: Psalm 36

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 105:26-38

He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen. They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham. He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words. He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die. Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings. He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country. He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land. He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country. He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number, which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground. He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength. Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.

Lord, You bring Your own out of the fiery pit. Israel out of Egypt; me out of my sin and apostasy. You lifted me up and set my feet upon the straight and narrow path that is life in the Kingdom. Not of my own doing but of Your grace and mercy. And it is through Your grace and mercy that I am growing into an image of You. Praise You, Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 109

Mid-day: 119:121-128

Evening: Psalm 35

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 119:42

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

The one who taunts me, Lord, is in my own mind. Doubts and apprehensions assail me, worries and cares on every side. But Your steadfast love sustains me, Your word provides guidance and stability, Your statutes are the answers for those thoughts that ask, "Did the Lord really say, ...." for the answer always is, "Yes, He did."

 Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 108

Mid-day: 119:113-120

Evening: Psalm 34

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.