Psalm 119:18

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Time for more lessons in the beauty of the Law and its applicability to all of life. Its consistency and coherence. Its completeness.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 89

Mid-day: 119:1-8

Evening: Psalm 15

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional. Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 and  Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 may be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 76:4-6

Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains of prey. The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil; they sank into sleep; all the men of war were unable to use their hands. At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.

Death is slain; Christ is triumphant! The Kingdom is being restored, shalom is coming. I am being transformed from glory into glory, into the very image of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord reigns! The Lord reigns! Everything has been place under his feet! The Lord reigns! The Lord reigns!

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 88

Mid-day: 119:169-176

Evening: Psalm 14

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional. Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 and  Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 may be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Psalm 76:1-3

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. (2) His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. (3) There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah

God with us, Emanuel, God is with His people, He is with His Bride, He has established His temple in the Church, we are the Temple of the Living God. We are charged with the task and responsibility of carrying His word and making disciples for Him as we go throughout all the nations. We are the Ambassadors of Reconciliation in His service.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 87

Mid-day: 119:161-168

Evening: Psalm 13

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional.  Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 and  Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 may be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

What a picture of the completion of the Restoration Project, Lord. All things restored in totality to Your authority, Your Bride alive in You, and the gift of a purified and healed creation given to God, the completion of His direction to You. It takes my breath away to dwell and contemplate on the beauty of that event.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 86

Mid-day: 119:153-160

Evening: Psalm 12

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm 75:9-10

But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

This is a concise summary of my call to evangelize and encourage. To lift up the spirits of the faithful and to convict the spirits of those whose despise You. Praise You, Lord, for You have promised the Helper to lead and teach me in this task.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 85

Mid-day: 119:145-152

Evening: Psalm 11

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm 75:2-8

"At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah I say to the boastful, 'Do not boast,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with haughty neck.'" For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Lord, as the world appears to be spinning out of control, as the culture moves further and further away from You and Your Law; it becomes more and more difficult to remember that You are in control. Your Word is Law! Your Word will be! You are watching and moving events so that You will be glorified. Oh, help me to stay steadfast in that knowledge and to so order my life and actions. I must not lose sight of Your Lordship.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 84

Mid-day: 119:137-144

Evening: Psalm 10

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm75:1

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.

Yes, Lord, I want to start this day as a day of praise and thanksgiving. I want it to be a day that I acknowledge and recognize Your hand in everything I see, everything I hear, all actions and events; completely and totally seeing that all things are under Your dominion. Then help me to remember so that I may recount Your wondrous deeds.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 83

Mid-day: 119:129-136

Evening: Psalm 9

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm 119:9

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Here's the key to avoiding false hopes and goals. To guard my heart according to Your word.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 82

Mid-day: 119:121-128

Evening: Psalm 8

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Revelation 22:6-17

And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place." "And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Lord, I look forward to Your coming again but do I live in eager expectation? Is this part or all of the problem in sensing Your immanent presence? That I do not live minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day anticipating that this will be the instant of Your return? Is my conversation salted with reference to the Shout and the Trumpet?

No, none of the above, I do not live eschatologically, I live for myself.

Help me, Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 81

Mid-day: 119:113-120

Evening: Psalm 7

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm 74:9-23

We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long. How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever? Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them! Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. You split open springs and brooks; you dried up ever-flowing streams. Yours is the day, yours also the night; you have established the heavenly lights and the sun. You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter. Remember this, O LORD, how the enemy scoffs, and a foolish people reviles your name. Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. Have regard for the covenant, for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. Let not the downtrodden turn back in shame; let the poor and needy praise your name. Arise, O God, defend your cause; remember how the foolish scoff at you all the day! Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually!

Lord, that small faithful band of men in the prison, struggling day to day against the wiles and temptations of the Evil One, fighting to overcome the ravages of sin, seeking to draw near to You, a small, insignificant church by Christendom's standards, but precious in Your eyes. Strengthen them, Lord, build them up. Transform them into shining jewels reflecting Your glory, examples of Your transforming grace, messengers of Your love. Equip Betty, Bill and I to be faithful pastors and teachers, serving the needs of this flock.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 80

Mid-day: 119:105-112

Evening: Psalm 6

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Psalm 74:1-8

A Maskil of Asaph. O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does your anger smoke against the sheep of your pasture? Remember your congregation, which you have purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your heritage! Remember Mount Zion, where you have dwelt. Direct your steps to the perpetual ruins; the enemy has destroyed everything in the sanctuary! Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs for signs. They were like those who swing axes in a forest of trees. And all its carved wood they broke down with hatchets and hammers. They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground. They said to themselves, "We will utterly subdue them"; they burned all the meeting places of God in the land.

Lord, as I think of the church gathered in the prison and the conditions of turmoil and temptations that the men live, I am overwhelmed by the burden of temptation. Continue to guide and strengthen them in their witness; give Betty and I wisdom to encourage and exhort. Bless all of us as we come together to refresh our hearts and prepare for battle.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 79

Mid-day: 119:97-104

Evening: Psalm 5

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.

Lord, I have always read the "Do not be conformed" as an instruction but more than that, it is a warning to not allow myself to be conformed to the ways of the world. This is a condition that I need to intentionally guard against, be vigilant in not allowing myself to be lured in by the world's siren call. I need to test continuously to discern Your good and perfect will.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 78

Mid-day: 119:89-96

Evening: Psalm 4

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and Volume 1, Psalms 1 through 75 can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. Volume 2, Psalms 76 through 150 will be available for sale shortly.