Listen

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 66:18-19 which says,

“If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.”

David is saying that God listened to him. And he said that if he (David) had cherished sin in his heart, then God would not have listened. So, that basically means that David was not cherishing sin in his heart. Also, those who do cherish sin in their heart, would not be listened to by God.

If that’s true, then none of us should be heard by God. Why? Because we are all sinners! We all have cherished sin in our hearts! So, why does God listen when we pray to Him, and cry out to Him? Because Jesus died on the cross for us. He loved us so much, that He became the sacrifice that atones for our sin. He died and satisfied the Fathers wrath for us. Now when we cry out, God hears us, and He answers us. He hears when we pray to Him.

If you are not believing, then you may be cherishing sin in your heart. If you are not a believer, then why not come to Christ? Why not ask Him to come into your heart. But if you cherish sin in your heart, and God will not hear you, then how does he hear you when you cry out to Him? Well, Jesus will hear you if you cry out. Jesus intercedes for us, and He hears us if we cry out to be saved. So, cry out to Jesus today, and be saved!

Praise Jesus! He has loved us so much that He died on the cross for us. He made it so that the Father listens when we cry out to Him. So, let’s praise the Lord! Let’s love Him with all of our hearts. Let’s praise Him and give thanks for what He has done for us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for giving Your son for me. Thank You for hearing me when I cry out to You. Please help me to love You more. Please help me to cry out to You more. Please help me to praise You more. Please help me to be stronger in You. Thank You for blessing me so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Stilling

 

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 65:7 which says,

“who stilled the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    and the turmoil of the nations.”

David is talking about God. He said that God stilled the seas (Mark 4:39) and the turmoil of the nations.

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

God is mighty and David knew it. He said that God answered them with awesome and righteous deeds. God is mighty. He could calm the winds and the storm, and yet he answered them with awesome and righteous deeds.

God also answered our cry with an awesome and righteous deed. We were sinful and we cried out. God heard our cry, and sent His own son for us on the cross. Jesus died in our place. He did and awesome thing for us. He took the curse on Himself for us.

^“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”^{[a]”  (Galatians 3:13)}

Christ took the curse for us. He has calmed our thrashing hearts.

Are you saved? Have you accepted Christ as your savior? Have you seen what He’s done for you? If not, then please pray this simple prayer, and really ask Jesus to forgive you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that you would forgive me of my sin. Please help me to love You, and dwell in Your word. Please fill me with Your Holy-Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

It’s not saying the words that counts. If you truly want to come to Christ, then actually mean what you’re saying. He will calm your waves of sin, and He will still you

Believers should praise God! He has stilled us, and calmed us. He has loved us and given His own son for us. “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul!” Oh Lord, thank You! Thank You, You have stilled me, and calmed me. Thank You, Lord.

Believers should also help unbelievers to come to repentance.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Let’s help unbelievers to come to repentance, and have the waves in them calmed and stilled by Jesus.

Jesus certainly has calmed us. He has also saved us.

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Righteous Refuge

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 64:10, which says,

“The righteous will rejoice in the Lord
    and take refuge in him;
    all the upright in heart will glory in him!”

David asked God to hear him. He said that the righteous would rejoice in God when He brought the wicked to ruin. He said that the righteous would also take refuge in him, and the upright in the heart will glory in Him. He is saying that the righteous go to, and rejoice in God. They rejoice when the wicked are brought to ruin by God. God is the refuge of the righteous.

God is our refuge too. How? We are sinners, how can God be our refuge? Because Jesus came down and He died on the cross for us. He loved us so much that He died for us. Now, He is our refuge! He has saved us! Let’s take our refuge in Him,  for He is our rock and our salvation.

Unbelievers are not saved. If you are an unbeliever, then why not come to Christ? Why not be saved? If you want the refuge of Christ, then come to Him. Come and be saved by Christ? Jesus will save you if you come to Him, so be saved in Jesus!

David said that the righteous rejoice when the wicked are ruined. But we rejoice because Jesus has died for us! Let’s praise Jesus. Let’s give Him the glory. Let’s glory in Him! Thank You, Jesus! Praise God! Jesus is worthy to be praised. Praise God!

We can see that David was close to the Lord. He talked to God day and sometimes night. He was so close to God. The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart.

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22).

David was a man after God’s own heart, God said so Himself. We should also be people after God’s own heart. We should try to have a closer relationship with God. He has given His own son for us, so let’s also praise Him. He is our refuge, and He has made us righteous.

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for being my refuge. Please help me to be more thankful for what You’ve done for me. Please help me to praise You more. Please help me not to be proud. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Tank You for sending Your son for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Better Than the Life of the Desert

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 63:3, which says,

“Because your love is better than life, 
    my lips will glorify you.”

David is in the desert at this point in the Psalms. He is saying that he earnestly thirsts for God. He said that his whole being longed for God in a dry and parched land where there was no water. He said that he had seen God in his sanctuary, and he had beheld God’s power and His glory. He said that God’s love was better than life. God’s love was much better than the desert David was in, and so David said that his lips would glorify God.

We have a reason to glorify God too. What is that reason? It is because Jesus saved us. We were thirsting so much in a desert of our sins, then Jesus came and He died on the cross for us, and His love brought us out of our desert. His love is so much better than life. He loved us so much, that He died for us in our place. He went out to the desert and gave us the water of His love. He loved us so much!

Out in that desert there are lot’s illusions in the desert. Illusions of wells, and water. Some who are not believing in Jesus go to those illusions. They are really traps set by Satan. If you are an unbeliever, why not come to the true well? Why not come to the way out of the desert (John 14:6). God’s love is better than life, and He can get you out of the desert. His love will cleanse you from sin if you just come to Him. Come to the savior!

Praise God! Believers should praise God. Why? Because Jesus gave us love that is better than life, and He died on the cross for us. He brought us out of the desert. He rescued us from our desert of sin! Let’s praise Him! Let’s thank God! Praise God, He has rescued us from the desert, and showed us love that’s better than life! Thank You, Jesus! David said that his lips would glorify God, so let’s have our lips do the same thing! Praise God!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing me love that’s better than life. Thank You for rescuing me from the desert. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Please help me to love You more. Please help me to be more thankful. Please help me to trust You even more. Please help me to always go to You instead of the illusions of this life. Please help me to praise You more.  Thank You for blessing me so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verses:

The way out, John 14:6,

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Beginning verse, Psalm 63:3,

“Because your love is better than life, 
    my lips will glorify you.”

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Find Rest, Find the Rock

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 62:1-2 which says,

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; 
    my salvation comes from him.
² Truly he is my rock and my salvation; 
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

David is saying that God is his salvation, and his soul finds rest in God. He said that God is his rock, so he leans on God for his support. God is his solid rock and his fortress, so  that he would never be shaken. God was his solid rock, so when there was a hard time, he could just lean on God.

We couldn’t lean on God. Why not? Because we were full of sin, and God cannot bear to look on sin. But, then Jesus came down, and He lived a perfect life, and became the perfect sacrifice for our sin. Now, we can lean on God, because we look like we are perfect. We took Jesus’ perfectness, and Jesus took our sin. Now, we God is our rock and our salvation! God is our fortress in hard times. He is our provider, and He is our strength.

Unbelievers are not trusting in Jesus. Christ is not their strength. If you are an unbeliever, then why not come to Christ? Why not be loved by Him. Why not have Christ be your strength. Why not be loved? He will love you, and He will change your heart if you come to him. So, come to the savior, and you can be saved from your sin. Come to Christ and be saved! He will be Your strength (Philippians 4:13)

Believers should praise God. Let’s give thanks! Let’s praise God because He is our strength. He is our rock on which we can stand in the hard times. He is our rest when we are weary, so let’s praise Him! Let’s give thanks! Let’s rejoice in Him! Thank You, Jesus! He is our rock!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for blessing me so much. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Please help me to love You more. Please help me to rejoice in You. Please help me to praise You more. Please strengthen me in You. Thank You for being my rock, and my rest when I’m weary. Please help me to spread the Gospel to others. Thank You for all that You have done for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verses,

Strength, Psalm 62:1-2,

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Beginning verse, Psalm 62:1-2,

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; 
    my salvation comes from him.
² Truly he is my rock and my salvation; 
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Victory in Jesus

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 60:12, which says,

“With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.”

David said that God had rejected them. He said that God had been angry, then David said to restore them. He said that God showed them desperate times. He wanted God to save them. He wanted to be rescued. Then he said that with God they would win the victory, and he would trample down their enemies.

We needed to have our enemies of sin trampled down.  But, why would God trample down our enemy? We were sinful and deserving of death. We should have died, but then Jesus came and He died on the cross for us in our place. He loved us so much that He gave us victory by dying in our place. We have been saved!

Unbelievers have not been saved. If you are an unbeliever, then why not come to Christ? Christ will give you victory. He will trample down your enemies of sin. So, just come to Christ, and receive victory in Jesus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K7JiUEl23E&feature=related). Come to Jesus, and be saved from your sins. Come and have the victory in Christ!

Believers have been saved from sin. Our enemies have been trampled down, so let’s praise God! Let’s give thanks, and praise Him. Let’s sing of how Jesus came and gave us the victory! Let’s sing to Jesus! Let’s praise Him, for He died for us and trampled our enemies of sin and death. Jesus conquered death for us at the cross. He gave His all for us, so let’s be willing to give our all for Him. He loved us, so let’s love Him. He has given us strength, so let’s use that strength to praise Him! We have victory in Jesus!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for giving Your own son for us on the cross! Thank You for saving me from my sin. Thank You for trampling my enemies, and for giving me the victory. Thank You, Jesus! Please help me to love You more. Pleas help me to praise You more. Please help me to be more thankful. Please help me to be stronger in You. Please help me to share the Gospel with others. Thank You for blessing me so much. Thank You for all that You have done for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse:

Beginning verse, Psalm 60:12,

“With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.”

Song, Victory in Jesus,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K7JiUEl23E&feature=related

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Sharp Mouth, and God as Strength

Hello God has given me something in Psalm 59:16 which says,

“But I will sing of your strength, 
    in the morning I will sing of your love; 
for you are my fortress, 
    my refuge in times of trouble.”

David is saying that he would sing of God’s strength. He said that he would sing of God’s love, because God was his fortress and his refuge in the times of trouble. David started out by talking about his enemies, then he talks about singing of God’s love and strength.

We needed strength. We weren’t praising God… why would we? We were about to die for our sins. But then, Jesus came down and He died on the cross for us. He died in our place. He gave His own perfect life for us on the cross! He died for us! He actually died for us! Now, we should sing of God’s strength, and His deep love for us.

Unbelievers are not saved. If you are an unbeliever then why not come to the savior? Jesus is strong enough to save you. So come to Jesus. Come to the savior! Jesus will save you if you come to Him, so come and be saved, and praise Him. Be saved by the savior! You will be loved by Him.

Believers should praise God! Let’s rejoice in Him! Let’s praise the Lord, and give thanks to Him! Let’s sing of Christ’s love and His strength. Let’s praise the Lord! He is so worthy of our praise, so let’s do what David did, let’s praise God! Give thanks for He has done so much for us! “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” and “Give thanks with a grateful heart”. Praise God! Thank You, Jesus!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Thank You for saving me, by sending Your son for me. Please help me to love You more. Please help me to sing of Your strength and Your love. Please strengthen me so that I can praise You more. Please help me to spread the Gospel more. Thank You for blessing me so much. Thank You for all that You do for me. Please help me not to be proud. Please strengthen other believers, and help them to feel Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse:

Beginning verse, Psalm 59:16,

“But I will sing of your strength, 
    in the morning I will sing of your love; 
for you are my fortress, 
    my refuge in times of trouble.”

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

Surely the Righteous

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 58:11 which says,

“Then people will say,
    “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; 
    surely there is a God who judges the earth.””

David asked god to pretty much get rid of the wicked. He asked God to break their teeth, and rip the fangs out of those lions. He said that when the wicked were swept away, then the righteous would rejoice. The people would say that, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.”. If the wicked were blown away, then the people would know that there was a God who rewarded the righteous.

We were not righteous. Does that mean that we are wicked, and we will be blown away? By ourselves, yes, we would be blown away like the wicked… because we were wicked. So, why haven’t we been blown away? Because, Jesus came and He died for us. He lived a perfect life, and He was righteous, He was actually deserving of a reward. But, Jesus gave up the reward for us. He died in our place, and He made us righteous, so now, we can have the reward. What is our reward? Jesus, and heaven. We go to  heaven because Jesus has made us righteous, and then we can worship Jesus, our Lord.

Unbelievers are not saved. They are not righteous. If you are an unbeliever, then why don’t you come to Christ? Why not be loved? Why not be made righteous in Him, and cleansed from your sin? He is mighty to save, and He will save you, so just come to Him and you will be made righteous. Your heart will be filled with love for Jesus and for others. Your heart will be pure. So, just come to the savior.

Believers should praise God! We should give thanks, for He has given His son for us. He has made us righteous, and He has let us be rewarded by His perfection. Let’s praise our Lord and savior! Let’s give Him all we have, for He gave His all for us. “Jesus, thank You” He has given His own life for us in our place on the cross! He gave us His righteousness. He has loved us so much, so let’s love Him with all of our heart. Let’s give thanks! Let’s “Praise God from whom all blessings flow”!

Believers should praise God and help others. We should give the Gospel to unbelievers who need help, and also to believers who are struggling. Every believer is attacked by Satan in  some way, and when we see our fellow believer being attacked, then we should give him/her the Gospel. If they are being attacked with pride, then give them the Gospel and show them that we were sinners, and we were made righteous by Christ. If they are being attacked with sorrow, then let’s give them the Gospel, and show them how much Christ loves us. And, let’s give the Gospel to those who do not believe, that they might come to repentance.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving Your son for me. Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for making me Your child. Thank You for making me righteous, and letting me be able to go to heaven. Please help me to praise You more. Please help me to give thanks to You. Please send a revival and help other believers to be strengthened in You. Please help me not to be proud. Please help me to be stronger. Thank You for blessing me so much. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse:

Beginning verse, Psalm 58:11,

“Then people will say,
    “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; 
    surely there is a God who judges the earth.””

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

God’s Love

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 57:10, which says,

“For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Here David has just hidden in the cave from Saul. He asked God to have mercy on him. He also said that God’s love was great, so great that it reached to the heavens, and God’s faithfulness reached to the skies.He said that God’s love was great, and he did know that He had experienced the love of God. God had helped him defeat the giant Goliath. He had felt the love of God.

Unbelievers are not saved. They have not accepted Christ as their sacrifice. If you are an unbeliever, then why not come to Christ? He will love you,and He will make you new. You will experience the great love of God, if you come to Him. So, come to Christ, and be saved. He will cleanse you, so just come to Him, and feel His wonderful, great love.

Believers should praise the Lord. Let’s give thanks, for He has loved us so much. He has shown us great love (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2). He has given His own son for us, and shown us the greatest type of love, giving His own son for us (Romans 5:7). Let’s give thanks, and praise God! Thank You, Jesus!

Believers should also help unbelievers to see Christ. We should help them to see the love of God. God’s love is wonderful, so let’s share with those who have not had it. Let’s help them to see that Jesus loves them so much, and that He gave His own life for them. Let’s encourage other believers with the Gospel. Let’s help them when they are weak, or struggling through a hard time. God wants everyone to come to repentance, and He uses us to do that.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for giving Your own son for me. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Please help me to love You more. Please help me to spread the Gospel more. Please help me to praise You. Thank You for blessing me so much. Please help me to be more thankful for all the things You have done for me. Please help me to be stronger in You. Thank You for all that You have done for me. Please help others to see Your Gospel, and what You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verses:

Love, John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

Greatest love, Romans 5:7,

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”

Beginning verse, Psalm 57:10,

“For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland

God Is For Us

Hello, God has given me something in Psalm 56:9 which says,

“Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”

David is saying here that when his enemies turn back when he cries out for help, then he will know that God is for him.  He had just been seized by the Philistines, and he needed help. He knew that God could help him, and when God did help, David would know that God was for him. David also asked God to record his misery. He wanted God to see what had happened to him.

We needed help too. But, why would God be for us? We have sinned so much. Why would God help us? Believe it or not, He is for us, because He sent His own son for us. Jesus died on the cross for us in our place. He loved us so much that He died for us. God is now for us (Romans 8:31). God is for us, and now no one can be against us.

Unbelievers are not saved. If you are an unbeliever, then why don’t you come to Christ? He will love you. He will be for you. He will change your heart, and make you new. So, come to the Lord, and be saved from your sin. Come to the savior, and you will be loved and saved. Come to Jesus!

Believers should praise the Lord. Let’s give thanks! Let’s praise Him! He is worthy of all of our praise, so let’s give it to him! Thank You, Jesus! Let’s give thanks, for He has given His own son for us on the cross in our place. He has given us the Holy-Spirit. He has loved us, so let’s love Him! Thank You, Lord!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for giving Your own son for me. Please help me to love You more. Thank You for making me Your daughter. Please help me to praise You more. Please help me to rejoice in You. Please help me to give thanks more. Thank You for blessing me so much. Thank You for doing so much for me. Please strengthen me in You. Please always be with me. Please help me not to be proud. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verses:

God for us, Romans 8:31,

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Beginning verse, Psalm 56:9,

“Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.”

Peace and love, Joy Cleveland