Daily Devotions for May 2022

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 1, 2022

Psalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

Ed ran the blade along the cardboard cartons with speed and skill. He broke down the boxes and stuffed them in a crate. He had done the job a thousand times before, and it had become second nature to him.

Often he let his mind wander. On this occasion, it was a poor idea. With lightening speed, the blade ran across the back of Ed's hand, cutting deep and wounding him severely.

Just as a blade cuts deep into flesh, unkind words cut into the heart.

A sacred trust has been entrusted to Christians. That trust is the dignity and feelings of the rest of God's children.

We become our neighbor's keeper. It is our duty to love and defend them. The tongue has enormous power to build up or to tear down. How will we choose to use it?

Prayer: May every word out of my mouth be one that encourages, builds up, or praises. Remove from my heart the desire to hurt others by my words. Fill my mouth with Your thoughts and words, Lord. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms Tuesday May 3, 2022

Psalms 54:4
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

Mabel never walked alone. In her hand was an old leather Bible, which she read from all the time. It was bulging with papers and sayings and handcrafted bookmarks, and all her favorite passages were underlined in red pencil. She delighted in sitting down with someone and showing him all the history she had tucked away in her holy book.

Mabel was never without her holy book, never without her smile. Mabel loved the Lord, and nothing gave her more pleasure than sharing Him with the people she met.

Prayer: Help me to seek after You, Lord. In the morning and throughout the day, give me reminders that You are with me. Remind me to tell others of Your love, that I might share the great gift I have been given. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 4, 2022

Psalms 55:5
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

Liz sat crying in the small cafT. It looked as though she might be pregnant, and she was terrified. Her parents would yell at her, her boyfriend would probably leave her, and everyone would think she was somehow cheap and dirty; at least, that was how they would make her feel. This wasn't something she wanted or was proud of. She had made a terrible mistake. She had given in to sin. Now she was a very scared young girl, with nowhere to turn.

Sin makes us a prisoner. It takes away our freedom, and it controls us with fear and guilt. Luckily, we have a Savior who crushes the power of sin and sets us free. Jesus Christian died to let us know we are loved, and God forgives us when we fall. Nothing w do can separate us from that love, so we have nothing to fear at all.

Prayer: Lift me from the horrors of sin, Lord. Set my feet upon right paths, and lead me away from things that will harm me. Give me courage in the face of frightening situations. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 5, 2022

Psalms 55:6
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest.

The boat took off at a high speed, and the towline lifted with a jerk. Jeff's arms strained to hold on, but he held the bar tightly in his hands. As the wind filled the parasail behind him, he felt himself rise up into the air. He was flying!

The water rushed by beneath him, and he could see for miles. He let go of the bar and grabbed two steering guides dangling in front of him. He felt the freedom and joy of taking wing. His spirit swelled within him. He'd never felt a joy like this before in his life.

There are many breathtaking experiences in this life that God has given to us. He has reserved some special things for each of us. These experiences help us touch the wonder of God.

They involve us in His mystery, and they remind us of just how great He is. Embrace life fully. Try new things. The Lord is offering you new excitement and opportunity every day of your life.

Prayer: Grant me wings to soar, Father. Set me upon high places and show me the wonders of Your love. Open my heart to new things, and watch me grow. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 6, 2022

Psalms 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Table grace was originally intended to help people turn their attention to God. The meals we share are a gift from God, and He is to be thanked, but we are also to reflect on the many other good things we are given. By praying morning and noon and night, we cover our day with a knowledge of God's presence and abiding love.

We should take every opportunity to sing praises to God for all that He has done. Take time to pray. Make time to share your life with God.

Prayer: Father, I get so busy that I sometimes forget to be as appreciative as I ought to be. Help me to be thankful and attentive to the many gifts You have given me. All through the day, I will praise you. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 10, 2022

Psalms 58:3
The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Larry had developed quite a reputation over the years. Most people in his life said he couldn't be trusted. If there were a way for Larry to rip them off, he would do it. It had been Larry's nature from the time he was very small. As a child, he had told lies with unbelievable ease. He bullied other children without the least bit of guilt or remorse. In school he had cheated his way to the top of his class. He bought answers to tests in college, and entered the business world believing that anything he wanted could be gotten my means both legal and illegal. It was all the same to Larry.

There are people in our world who have lived their entire lives by selfish and evil means. It's as if something good was left out of them, and they are incapable of doing what is good. The way we deal with people like that is to forgive them and vow we will never be like them. Evil people are not to be hated, but pitied. They are our mission in life. Lives devoid of the Good News are lives not worth living. Reach out to people who do wrong through your prayers. They need them most of all.

Prayer: Lord, show me how to love even the most unlovable people. Instead of showing anger, let me show compassion, and grant me a deeper understanding of why people can be so bad. Fill my heart with Your love to share. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 12, 2022

Psalms 60:2
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Bombs burst, shaking the walls of the nearby houses. Villagers huddled inside, wondering when the thundering blasts would end.

Finally, the assault slacked off, and quiet replaced the horrendous noise. Cautiously, people made their way from their homes to view the devastation that lay around them. Their once-scenic village lay mostly in ruin, the bombs having torn apart the beauty that had existed before.

Wars come and end, and always God has slowly and carefully covered the scars of battle with beauty once more. His great power stands against the worst that humankind can do. So far we have not done irreparable damage, and by God's grace we never will, but it is good to know that the Lord is with us, to heal all wounds and make all things new.

Prayer: The power of humankind does not even compare with Your might, Lord. Save us from our own destructiveness, and renew Your creation, which we carelessly destroy. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 13, 2022

Psalms 61:2
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Eric ran back and forth behind the crowd. The parade was coming, and he really wanted to have a good spot to watch it from. Everyone was so much taller than he was. Wherever he went, somebody was standing in front of him. In frustration, he began to cry. Suddenly, two strong hands lifted Eric up and placed him on shoulders high up above the mass of people. From the vantage point of the stranger's shoulders, the entire parade was easy to see.

Sometimes we need a boost. Problems loom too large, and we can't see our way around them. Pressures build up, and we don't feel big enough to cope with them. God sees all that and He is ready to lift us up; to give us a new vantage point. Reach up to the Lord, and He will lead you to Himself, a rock which is higher than any problem we might have.

Prayer: Pick me up, Lord, and hold me in Your loving arms. Protect me from the pressures of the day, and remove the heaviness from my heart. Inspire me with the knowledge that You and I together can handle anything. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 14, 2022

Psalms 62:10
Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

Glenn prayed for things to get easier. Every day he lifted his concerns to the Lord. Each day he faithfully read the Bible and thought about the Lord's loving works. Finally, his financial woes began to turn around. He thanked God for hearing him and helping him. His wealth began to increase, but as it did, Glenn turned less and less to God. He rarely prayed, almost never did he turn to God's World, and he spent his time thinking of all the wonderful things he could do with his newfound wealth. Glenn attained a level where he could have been called a rich man. At the same time, Glenn attained a level of spiritual bankruptcy.

The cost of wealth is often our very faith. Let not the wealth of the world turn you from God. There is the devil's finest work.
 
Prayer: Forgive me when I let things come between us, Lord. Material wealth is nice, but not if it mea ns that I lose my relationship with You. Help me be satisfied with what I have, and keep my mind and my heart on You. Amen.

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316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 16, 2022

Psalms 63:9-10
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

Tracy couldn't believe the girls at school would be so cruel. She never did anything to any of them, but they were always finding some way to hurt her. It was all she could do to keep from telling them all off. Her mother told her to ignore them, but that was hard to do. Her mother also said that they would eventually have to pay for all the nasty things they did, but Tracy wished that day would come soon.

No one likes to be picked on. Some people love to spend time making others unhappy. These people will have to answer to God for their actions. We are called to love one another and to look for ways to give one another encouragement. While the nasty people will answer in shame for their deeds, the kind will rejoice with Christ in heaven.

Prayer: Help me to shrug off the unkind words and actions of the people around me. Lift me above the hurts that come from unthinking and cruel people. Teach me to respond in love, no matter how I am treated. Amen.

316Judith

Wisdom from the Psalms May 17, 2022

Psalms 64:2
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity.

The charges were ridiculous. Didn't people have anything better to do than create perverse fantasies about other people? Cliff had been helping Judy through a really tough time in her life. The two had spend many long hours together, often sitting up through the night in Cliff's apartment, talking. Now, a select committee from the school was calling into question Cliff's fitness to teach "young, impressionable minds." Important matters would take a backseat to an imagined scandal. It was ironic that when a person tried his hardest to do something good, his motives were most suspect.

Doing what is right and good is sometimes risky. There is always someone who will question our motives and try to undermine the good we hope to accomplish. Be assured that God sees all things, and He will richly reward those who continue to do right, even in the face of stiff opposition.

Prayer: I need to know that You are on my side and that You will not leave me to fight on my own. I am constantly made aware of how hard it is to do good things. Fill me with perseverance, Lord. Amen.

Healthyme7410

Wisdom from the Psalms May 18

Psalms 64:7
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow: suddenly shall they be wounded.

Jesus stood with a group of His followers. In the distance, a crowd appeared, pushing a naked woman along in front of them. They cast her down at the Lord's feet and said, "What should we do with this adultress?" They hoped to trap Jesus into advising sin.

Aware of the trap, Jesus gazed deeply into the eyes of the people. He stooped down and scribbled in the dust. Abruptly, He stood back up and said, "The one among you who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."

His answer struck like a bolt of lightning. Words of pure love and power exploded their conceit, and they were forced to look at the truth of God openly and honestly. The sin was not at issue. What mattered was forgiveness. The hateful crowd was shot through the heart by an arrow of God's goodness. Killed was the sin of unrighteousness, God will expose it for what it is.

Prayer: Turn my darkness into light, O Lord, and guide me away from things that are sinful and wrong. Teach me to love my neighbors rather than judge them. Let me cast love and peace, instead of stones. Amen.

Healthyme7410

Wisdom for the Psalms - May 19

Psalms 65:6
Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power.

Todd's teacher talked about the mountains he had visited just the summer before. The teacher said that thousands of years ago, the mountains weren't nearly so high. With each passing year, they jutted higher and higher. Amazing power pushed them skyward. Todd had walked along the ridge of one mountain, taking for granted that it had always been there. The world was a really fascinating place.

It is wonderful to think of our God as the creator of all that is. There is so much that truly is fascinating, and we cannot begin to understand it all. God set the mountains in their places, and He changes them ever so slightly all the time. A God powerful enough to do all that is a God worthy of our praise and devotion. Put your faith in God, and you will be moved no more easily than a mountain can be.

Prayer: Lord, You have done so many wonderful things. Your power is beyond imagining. Send t hat power to me, that I might stand fast in my faith and be unmoved in a world full of temptation. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 20

Psalms 65:7
Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

The two boys stood out on the rocks, looking at the crashing waves. They tried to shout above the roar of the surf, but finally gave up. The water thundered as it hit the rocks. Both boys were a little frightened and a little thrilled by the deafening sound.

When we get a little cocky and conceited, a trip to the ocean can bring us back to reality really fast. The water rolls into shore in great, whitecapped waves, hits the rocks, sending spray high into the air, and crates a noise that obliterates every other sound. The sound of the water on the rocks is the voice of God thundering out through creation, "it is good!" Human beings in all their wisdom and genius have created nothing to compare with the least of God's creations. His power, might, and majesty humble us and help us to remember that He alone is God.

Prayer: Show forth Your might through Your creation, O Lord. Remind me of Your greatness and power throughout the day. You are wonderful, Lord, and I thank You that I can worship You. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 21

Psalms 65:11
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.

Dick was thankful. The year had been a good one. He wasn't a wealthy store owner. He lived from week to week, and it was vitally important to him that things work out well. He watched friends of his go under all the time. There was no such thing as a sure thing in business anymore. The lord had been good to Dick, and he was indeed grateful.

Not everything in life does the way we would like it. Sometimes we make out okay, other times things just don't seem to work out. In both cases, the Lord is with us, and He wants to help us make the best of things. God has given good things to His children, and when one thing doesn't work out, we can rest assured that something else is soon to come along. When things do work out, we need to remember to give thanks to the one who made it all possible.

Prayer: You give so many good things, Lord. Help me to see past the things that are wrong in my life and see all the things that are so right. Thank You for all the blessings You have given me. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 22

Psalms 65:13
The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Each year the rice paddies were laid out and the tender plants were planted. Each year the people of the village waited with anxious hope, looking to see whether the storms would come and wash the fields away. Many times, the people would watch as their hard labor was destroyed, but other times they rejoiced to see their crops full and bountiful. After each harvest, the village offered a portion of their harvest to God, thanking Him for his mercy and grace.

What do we offer to God when we are blessed with good things? Do we even remember to say thank you? The Lord has given us so much, and we should always and everywhere give Him thanks and praise.

Prayer: In bad times, please be my strength; in good times, celebrate with me, Lord. Thanks for being with me, doing so much for me, and giving so much to me. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 23

Psalms 66:5
Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

In the days of Jesus, a common usage of the word [terrible] meant "incredible." To be terrible meant to be beyond belief. God truly is beyond belief. We cannot begin to understand all He has done and He continues to do in our world. A walk through the country will expose us to more miracles than we can count. A look at the night sky will fill us with wonder to the core of our being. God has offered us untold questions to explore and contemplate. Come and see the works of the Lord. They are incredible!

Prayer: Lord, I do not pretend to understand You, but I do surely love You. Show me new wonders and teach me new questions, that I might come to know You better each day. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 24

Psalms 65:6
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

Professor Marsh shook his head emphatically. He maintained that the story of the Red Sea was phony. Dr. Reed proposed that maybe they crossed somewhere else. Brother Allwell said true believers knew it happened just as it was written. For hours the men argued and fought. No one changed his mind, nothing was gained, faith was never spoken of, and the promoters of the debate thought, all in all, it was a great success.

What is the big idea? The fact is, the Hebrew people escaped the finest fighting force of its day by crossing a body of water that stopped the Egyptian army. A miracle is a miracle is a miracle. The [how] is not nearly as important as the fact that it [did] happen. Our God is a God of miracle and wonder. Praise Him for what He does, rather than for how He does it, and you will find your faith grows by leaps and bounds.

Prayer: When Your miracles get reduced to topics for debate, I find I lose interest, Father. Refresh me with the strangeness and awe of Your power, Lord. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 25

Psalms 66:20
Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Think of it! God is actually waiting to hear from us. It's not that God doesn't have other things to do, but that there is nothing He'd rather do than spend time with the children He loves. It boggles the mind to realize that God loves us that much. He has made us to be like Him, and He anxiously awaits our call. Offer your prayers to God. He will hear them, and He will send His mercy upon them.

Prayer: Hear me, O God. Though I may have nothing of much importance to say to You, I need to know that You will listen to me and respond. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 26

Psalms 68:2
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

The conference room was a fog of cigarette smoke. Everyone sat red-eyed, both smoker and nonsmoker alike. It was hard to utter a sentence without choking. Finally, someone discovered switches that turned on exhaust fans. The room cleared, and breathing was possible once more.

Evil is as oppressive as a thick cloud of smoke. It envelops people and chokes them, making it impossible for them to function. The Lord will one day dispel all evil as a fan dispels smoke. On that day, all good people will breathe richly of the fragrance of God, and no more will we be covered by the haze of sin.

Prayer: Lord, send the breath of Your Spirit to cleanse me of all sin. Free me from the oppression of all that I have done wrong, through Your blessed forgiveness. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 27

Psalms 68:5
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy h abitation.

Andy was a saint. It wasn't enough that he had a wife and a large family to take care of. He chose to adopt every person he met who was in need. He befriended a young boy in the neighborhood who had no father, and spent precious time with him. He sought out the widows and single women on the block and offered to do whatever they needed done around their houses. He never took payment for what he did. Instead, he shared a Christlike love and spirit, and served everyone unselfishly.

The Andys of the world are those rare individuals who take seriously their call to be perfect as God is perfect. They strive to be the best people they can be, and they do this by exemplifying love and sacrifice. God gives us the Andys to prove that it can be done. We, too, can walk in the steps of Christ, if we will only give ourselves totally to God. It means nothing more than giving to God what He has given to us.

Prayer: I want to walk in Your footsteps, Lord. Help me to be willing to share with others what I have been given. Teach me to use my time, my talents, my gifts, and my service to show Your glory. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 28

Psalms 68:19
Blessed by the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

When we ask God for our daily bread, what do we mean? Is it merely food to nourish our body? Is it all the basic necessities of life? Does it include the bread Jesus spoke of: the Word of God? It is all these things and more. Our heavenly Father wants us to have everything we need to affirm His image within us. God never calls His children to tasks they are not ready for, and He will not abandon us without the resources we need to succeed. Our God provides us with everything we need to be the best people we can be. Call upon the Lord to load you daily with benefits. He will do even more than you expect.

Prayer: Lord, I do not even know what I need to be better than I am today, but in Your wisdom, You see my every need. Give me what You will, in order that I might be an honor and a glory to You. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 29

Psalms 69
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

The canoe creaked once, twice, then a seam began to split. Water rushed in through the gap and filled the bottom of the small boat. The nearest bank was hundreds of feet away, and the current was swift. Jill and Ann began to scream and bail water as fast as they could. Trying to fight panic, they grabbed hold of their life jackets and plunged into the river. Their counselor saw their plights and acted. She moved up on them quickly and fished them out of the strong current.

As we fight to stay afloat in life. It seems like new leaks spring up every day. Luckily, the Lord of the fleet is watching over us, and He will never let the water rise above our heads. His loving kindness keeps us afloat and rescues us when troubled waters threaten us.

Prayer: I'm trying to keep my head above water, Lord. Thank You for being an island in the stream, where I can climb out of the water, rest from the struggle, and re new myself for the swim ahead. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 30

Psalms 69:3
I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

There comes a point where there are not more tears to cry. The sadness remains, but the waters dry up. It is in this calm after the storm that we can make sense of things. David cried unto the Lord often. He needed to vent the emotions and pressures that built up inside him. Being the king of a headstrong people was not easy. David experienced periods of intense joy, but also of excruciating heartache. He learned the value of a purging cry. In moments of desperation, David let down all his defenses to stand exposed before God. In those times, God was sure to come to him and offer David all the comfort he needed. In our times of desperation, the Lord will give us comfort, too.

Prayer: When there are not more tears to cry, Lord, fill me with Your peace and consolation, Father. Amen.

Healthyme7410

May 31

Psalms 69:4
They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of min head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

Being king isn't easy. Either people love you or they hate you. The same is true of every position of power and authority. Presidents, deans, prime ministers-the list can go on and on-all these people have to face the passions of the people they lead. Even God, Himself, has to face such problems. God is not loved by everyone. There are those who, for whatever reason, have chosen to reject God. There are those who curse Him as regularly as we praise Him. We are the subjects of the greatest sovereign in creation. Our Lord rules us with justice and love. We might not agree with everything He does or everything He calls us to do, but we owe Him our allegiance and loyalty. Be loyal to the Lord, and He will rule over you justly and with compassion.

Prayer: It is easy to bow down before a ruler of such love and grace, Lord. In every age, You have ruled fairly. I pray for all those who do not know Your greatness and Your goodness. Break through with Your light into their lives. Amen.