Psalm 62:11-12

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Lord, this is indeed a day to put our trust completely in You to orchestrate and organize the events of the day. You will direct our footsteps as we seek to carry on the ministry in the prison; You will give us the wisdom and discernment to speak words of unity and peace as we are led to bring harmony into this disagreement in a way that glorifies and honors You.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 10

Mid-day: 119:73-80

Evening: Psalm 85

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 62:9-10

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

All the efforts and promises of man are a vapor, as an early morning mist, obscuring my vision of You and preventing me from seeing the path You have laid out before me. Lord, burn off the fog, open up the vista before me to clearly see the Way. Help me to comprehend where these worthless promises are just that -- worthless. Help me to reject them and turn to Your word for guidance. Teach me the signs of the Evil One's wiles so that I will not be led astray. Help me, Lord.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 9

Mid-day: 119:65-72

Evening: Psalm 84

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 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Lord, my greatest fear, the terror of my heart is knowing that someday I will have to stand before You and admit that I have not been a good and faithful servant; that I have disobeyed You at every turn. I did not make disciples as I went, I served my own selfish interests, protected my pride, and obeyed my self will.

Forgive me, Lord, change me and fill me with Your Holy Fire. I want to hear Your Well done, good and faithful servant.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 8

Mid-day: 119:57-64

Evening: Psalm 83

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 62:5-7

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Keep me waiting, Lord, You know my tendency to go off half cocked. I must be transformed into one who waits patiently for the fullness of Your strength and wisdom to be revealed. You are the source of the Strength, the outpouring of the Glory, the mighty Rock, the impregnable Fortress, the Rock of my salvation.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 7

Mid-day: 119:49-56

Evening: Psalm 82

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 62:3-4

How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah

Lord, I am concerned about the future of the ministry in the prison with the our former partners leaving and the responsibility falling on Betty and I. Not worried but concerned that the ministry to the inmates continue to honor You and bless them. Help me and show me Your path here as we seek to bring the message of love, mercy and grace to those who need to hear it. Also help us to be an encouragement to those who are Your disciples and are seeking to walk before You in a very hostile world.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 6

Mid-day: 119:41-48

Evening: Psalm 81

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.

 

Over the years I have had a great deal of difficulty in being obedient to Paul's dictum to be constant in prayer, Romans 12:12. No matter what scheme I tried, the result was always the same; I would come to the end of the day and have to hang my head in shame with the lame excuse—I forgot.

Yet the discipline is so important, how can I draw close to God, James 4:8, when I spend the major portion of my day ignoring Him? Have I really accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Master when I do not seek His advice and approval about my various activities that supposedly are to bring glory and honor to Him? If I had an employee like me, I would have advised some corrective behavior and if not followed, termination of employment would have been in order.

Praise the Lord, His approach is far more gentle, He keeps sending reminders through the Counselor to prick my conscience, urging me to include Him in my life. I need to go through the 119^th Psalm and count the references to constant prayer and communion with God. And then there is the rest of the Psalms, the various prayers scattered throughout the Scriptures from the Prayer of Moses to Paul's many spontaneous prayers for the communities that he is writing to.

I have tried various approaches to reminding me to pray during the day, all without significant success. Setting reminders on my wrist watch, posting Post-its prominently around the office, special software packages, even prayer itself. Being recently come to the smartphone era, (yes, I have an iPhone but have already signed the Manhattan Declaration), I explored the various apps offered for prayer support. None were quite what I needed.

All this fussing did not alleviate the the realization that I need to develop a discipline of regular prayer, a discipline that will take me out of the affairs of the day to spend some time with my Lord in a focused conversation. I must establish a habit of stopping at specific times during my day to examine where I am in relation to my main task of advancing the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit continues to exercise me in this regard.

However, I realized yesterday that I now have a new level of technology available to me through Google calender and an app that synchronizes my iPhone with my Google account. It has become very useful in managing my appointments, tasks, and trips but when I tried to set the task function up as a prayer list, it just didn't work. The solution was to define a separate calendar specifically for prayer that is synced with my main calendar. That calendar is currently set with seven periods of prayer, the topic associated with that period, and reminders at 10 and 2 minutes prior to the time. There is a 3^rd reminder at the actual time. The reminder is an annoying buzz, I need to find a copy of “Sweet Hour of Prayer”to use as a ringtone.

The times and topics that I am using are as follows:

1. 6AM—Prayer and meditation based on the Psalms

2. 8AM—review the plans for the day, specifically with regard to their role in advancement of the Kingdom.

3. 10AM—Evangelizing and discipling activities, praying Luke 10:2 and similar Scriptures

4. 12PM—Praise and thanksgiving with an emphasis on creational theology

5. 3PM—Intercession This is one area where I need to develop a way of managing a prayer list.

6. 6PM—Relationships. The Trinity, Church, family and friends

7. 10PM—Wrap-up. A discussion with the Lord about the day and issues before us in the next day.

I've finished 24 hours and it is working so far (mostly). I continue to wrestle with taking the 2 warning reminders as indicating that I need to prepare for prayer, not try and squeeze one more task or phone call in before the 3^rd alert.

If anyone else tries this somewhat over the top approach to managing their prayer life, or has another approach, I would be very interested to hear from you. Post your comments and keep the conversation going.

 

 

Psalm 119:91

By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

Your word does not pass away. It endures. It never changes. It is always a guide to lead me in the way of life, into life in the Kingdom according to Your word.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 5

Mid-day: 119:33-40

Evening: Psalm 80

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 62:1-2

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

You are the source of my salvation from sin and evil who cleansed me and set me free. You are the source of continued salvation as I walk day by day, minute by minute along the King's Highway. You direct the placement of every step providing firm and sure footing so that I will not stumble -- if I keep the eyes of my heart fixed on You and am always watching and waiting for Your direction. Then and only then will I have the peace that comes from knowing that all is in Your hands and need not fret.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 4

Mid-day: 119:25-31

Evening: Psalm 79

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 61:5-8

For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

I come before You, Lord, in humility and in full recognition of my fallen state, knowing that without You I am capable of nothing, that I am a sinful and prideful man. But with You and by You, I am healed and restored; I am lifted up and seated with You in glory; I am called to be Your Ambassador of Reconciliation; I am a son of the living God. Hallelujah!

Therefore I , as a called out one, am committed to serving Your name wherever and whenever You send me. I am pledged to do that. I have promised to do that. I will serve You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I will obey but through Your strength not mine. So help me God.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 3

Mid-day: 119:17-24

Evening: Psalm 78

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 61:3-4

for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

Lord, there was an assault on that perfect peace last night; an introduction of cares and uncertainty into my life. Now, I need to be constantly reminded that as You have in the past, You will continue to do in the future and will lead me along the King's Highway. All is in Your hands. May Your peace reign in my heart, mind and life.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 2

Mid-day: 119:9-16

Evening: Psalm 77

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 61:1-2

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

Lead me to that Rock that is not only higher than I, but stronger, does not crumble and disintegrate at the slightest blow, the Rock of my Salvation, the holy and righteous One. Lead me, LORD, to the foot of the Cross where I find perfect peace; teach me to leave my sorrows and cares there and walk into the Kingdom in joy, peace and righteousness in the Holy Spirit. This is truly the Rock of my Salvation.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 1

Mid-day: 119:1-8

Evening: Psalm 76

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 60:9-12

Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Lord, whatever it takes to awaken Your Church to its needs for repentance and revival. What do You need to do to bring the Church to an awareness that we are following some other gospel, the Your Word is not heeded, that we have assimilated the culture, that we no longer stand for righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit but that we are following the gods of the age. Arouse us, send Your fire through the Church and make Your face shine upon us that we may be saved