Psalms 123

  Dependence or better yet dependent those are words this chapter made me think of when I read it.  Our dog Mara is dependent on Marion and I for love, affection, comfort, and food.  Mara is also dependent on us to be kind to her.  In Genesis chapter 1 we have a record of creation by God.  No matter who you are believer or unbeliever you're dependent on God whether you admit it or not.  If you don't believe me hold your breath for longer than a minute.  Try it.  Do you know why you're dependent on God and how I just proved it?  One word: Oxygen.  God didn't have to give it to you when you started breathing again. There was however oxygen available as a gift a display of God's "mercy".  Mercy pay attention to that word as you'll see it more.  

1. "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven."  This verse reminds me of a few things.  God's still on his throne and He's in control.  My dad once told me this fun fact.  these are the three fundamentals of life.  1.  There is a God!  2.  You are not Him!  3.  There is no vacancy!  In the words of Si from Duck Dynasty "And that's a fact Jack!"
2.  Who do we look to for mercy?  we look to God!
3-4.  we appeal to God for mercy because he has proven to be merciful daily and all thru his word.  Look around you the fact that you can breathe and see the beauty around you that is mercy at work.  

You can depend on God for mercy

Let this song remind you of God our King.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31xJ0qd1WJU This is Mercy by Casting Crowns.  Ask God for his mercy in your life.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjPrIVKlvsM  This is Lord Have Mercy by Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.  No matter what happens no matter where you are or what you do remember the words of this song straight from the Psalms because with God all things are possible.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEEfysu8oVY  This is Amy Grant's version of the late Rich Mullin's song Nothing is Beyond you.  the reason I said it that way is I get bugged when people credit the wrong artist.  lol sorry just a Zac thing.    

Meet the ultimate hero

Psalms 120 and 121

I have a hero mentality.  If you know me well you get this.  I have been a comic book, cartoon, video game, wrestling fan for years.  due to my wife and friends I have written stories of them and myself as heroes.  In Psalms 120 and 121 I'd like to introduce to the Ultimate hero the King of Kings.  Why you ask because "my help comes from the Lord."  

Psalms 120  

1.  "I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer."  That verse is pretty straight forward and easy to read.  Don't let the simplicity fool you.  Think about it you took your troubles to the God of all creation and he answered your prayer!  Just stop and let that sink in.  That ladies and gentlemen is a privilege not to be taken lightly.  

2-4.  God  doesn't like deceitful lips or actions.

5-7.  Sounds an awful lot like the world we live in today.  Searching for peace where there seems to be none but watch what happens in the next chapter because it's really cool. 

Psalms 121

"I look to the mountains-does my help come from there?  See Exodus 20:1-6 God is a jealous God who wants us to put nothing before him.  as humans we look everywhere for help.  Stop looking to people, idols, wants, desires, substances, the government.  you need help PRAY!  "Get on your knees and fight like a man!"  seek God with fear and reverence.  
2.  "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  can't get much bigger in the help department.
3-4.  There's a dumb idea people have tried to pass off over the yrs that God created everything then just left it alone.  It sayshere God never sleeps or slumbers.  There was also a misguided song that Bette Midler used to say "God is watching us from a distance."  If God never sleeps or slumbers and is keeping me from stumbling He is very closely watching.  
5.  "The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade!"  "All will be well."  
6-8 See also Romans 8:31-39

Our God is greater!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6YCrWhUdDs Our God by Chris Tomlin.  Before the birth of Christ Mary is told that  she shall call his name Emmanuel which means God is with us.  This is God is with us by Point of Grace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yf-OKHhv6k  By God thru his son we are forgiven.  This is You are my King by Newsboys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYgiq58wavA This is a reminder of your worth Psalms 139 as put to song by Rebecca St James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NlbJKbCn54  in Wrestling promos they have a thing called the go home line meaning you send the people watching something to think about to keep them hooked.  this song is your go home line it's all will fade away by Meredith Andrews.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDV9VEdBfIM

Psalms 119:161-176

Last week I was given an option as most life groups were coming to an end and then restarting again later.  I chose to keep this going you see my dad had told Marion and I during pre-marital counseling we were on the right track by studying God's word together.  I want to stay on that path with my wife and to you who read the blog and e-mail if God uses this to change the lives of even one person it will not have been done in vain.  I hope all of you are like me and choose to continue the mission God has called us to.  I have to be honest 2 yrs ago when this bible study started it didn't make sense and it didn't seem to be something any church would let happen.  it started with friends encouraging me to write fictional stories.  somewhere along the way people started saying it was good. then it turned into a bible study for people who worked nights meeting at Denny's. then when no one was signing up for a bible study at midnight it seemed God was turning this into a e-mail and blog version of a bible study.  my ability to write and convey thoughts is a gift from God alone.  when He provides the words for bible study only then do I start getting it ready I never want Zac to have any importance. 

161.  "Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word."  With the past few weeks I've been having at my job I can totally relate to this.  I keep finding myself asking God to restore me physically and emotionally because I been so incredibly drained. 
162.  "I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure."  God's word is, has been, and will always be a great treasure.  It always changes lives.
163.  It says he hates and abhors falsehood.  Falsehood is straight from the devil.  But the psalmist loves God's instructions.  Christian singers DeGarmo and Key put it simply "God good Devil bad.  It's an elemental truth, this law of the land, God good Devil bad and every child on earth has got to understand God good Devil bad." 
164-168.  We praise God many times a day for he has given us just regulations, rest, rescue, peace.  God sees all we do and loves us still. 
169-170.  He asks God for a discerning mind, rescue, and that his prayer be heard. 
171-172.  Do songs of praise flow from your heart to God?  There's a song by Misty Edwards and the beginning of it she addresses God and this just blows me away.  "I don't want to talk about you like you're not in the room.  I want to look right at you I want to sing right to you."  God is present and he longs for the praises of his people. 

173-176.  He keeps returning to God's commands as we should. 

This is Dove's Eyes by Misty Edwards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx3uo_aQo0E  It's a simple truth but sometimes we need a reminder and need to be blown away once more by the fact that God loves us.  it's easy to say but sometimes I fear we hear it so much we lose the wonder of Romans 5:8 "in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."  don't know what kind of week you've had but you need to be reminded God loves you and He is for you.  This You love me and Jesus loves me by Sandi Patti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZMRNddMQK0  in the words of Isaiah say to God "Here I am Lord send me."  This is Here I am by Rebecca St James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDk77SXRjOc  A theologian once said "The chief end of man is to glorify God in our mortal bodies."  This is Made to worship by Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8KIQTc4L-8  Praise your King.  This is Enough and No one like you by Barlow Girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61-Jhvxl_N0