Psalm 65:5-8

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

All creation cries out in praise and joy acknowledging Your mighty works and following the way set forth by you in your word. For it was by Your word that all was formed and it is by Your word that all is sustained. It is Your word that governs the uprising of the waves and their calming after a storm; it is Your word that brings life to the earth each Spring and quiets it for Winter's rest in a blaze of Autumn's color.

Psalm 65:4

Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!

Thank You, praise You, bless Your Holy Name for You have pulled me out of the mire and stench of my sin. You have washed me whiter than snow and robed me in the garments of a prince of the Kingdom of God. I am a child of the King through Your righteousness; I am filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of my status; I am led by Him daily in the work that You prepared for me from before the beginning of the world. I am blessed beyond measure and description. Thank You, praise You, Lord.

Psalm 65:1-3

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song. Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. (2) O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. (3) When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.

It is true, Jesus saves, Jesus saves, I have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus saves. To be gathered into Your kingdom, to be adopted into Your family, to be appointed as one of Your Ambassadors, to have Your righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit that comes with life in the Kingdom. I have heard the joyful sound, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

Psalm 119:73

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Not just learn as by rote, but to learn with understanding and to Know Your commandments. This is appropriate as I set about the task of meditating on each aspect of the Law as a daily discipline. Guide me, Lord, give me wisdom and understanding and let that wisdom and understanding lead to obedience in all things.

Psalm 58:3-8

The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray from birth, speaking lies. They have venom like the venom of a serpent, like the deaf adder that stops its ear, so that it does not hear the voice of charmers or of the cunning enchanter. O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! Let them vanish like water that runs away; when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted. Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime, like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.

So many dear friends, trapped in lives of sin and deceit, perhaps coming faithfully to our studies and services within the prison, but yet with unrepentant hearts. "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." (2 Tim. 3:5) Bring that power, the fire of the Holy Spirit

Psalm 58:1-2

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David. Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth.

Lord, we see so many men in the prison who join us faithfully for worship and study but when released quickly revert to their old ways. What is missing in their transformation? Where are they not hearing the Word? Are we not conveying the proper message? Give us wisdom and understanding.

Psalm 57:11

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

You are the Mighty One, the One who redeems, the One who restores, the One who heals, the One who nourishes, the One who delivers justice, the One who loves, the One who is the source of all goodness, the One who upholds the world and all that is in it, the One who is light, the one who is from everlasting to everlasting, the One who is and was and ever will be. You are the Christ the Son of the living God. You are my Lord, my Master and my brother. May Your praise be ever on my lips.

Psalm 57:7-10

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

I know, Lord, that You are over all and that all things work together for the good of those who love You. Therefore I will not fret and worry, stew and fuss; You are in control and are managing this situation with T for Your glory and honor. Help me to leave it in Your hands and to not run ahead of You.

Psalm 57:4-6

My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts-- the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

Lord, my prayer is for T and that she will cry out to You for salvation in her distress; that You will open her eyes to the futility of the path she has chosen and to the glories of the life available through You. Bless, her, Lord, let Your eyes shine upon her that she might be saved. What a great testimony that will be among the youth of Springfield.

Psalm 57:1-3

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

Lord, we are certainly going through the wringer of adversity, trial and disappointment this week. It is a challenge to remember that You have called us to sow the seeds and till the soil but that You will give the growth. So, as this phase of our ministry draws to a close we will be called to ministry to Tasha in a new way but to carry the same message of Your love and forgiveness.

Psalm 119:71

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

You bring me to my knees and ask me to humble myself before You in order to drive me to the study of Your Law and Your Word. Not just learning, but incorporation into my life as my way of life. How else can I live the life of holiness that You call your people to live?

Psalm 56:12-13

I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Yes, Lord, even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will thank and praise You for Your great mercy and grace. You have removed the fear of death and filled me with Your life; You have provided a level path for my feet and furnished the light of Your word so that I would not stumble. Praise You, Lord.