I just wanted to share Psalm 101 today. Since I read it sometime last week, I keep going back to it and reading it aloud as a confession. These are some powerful and assertive words penned by King David.

Psalm 101 NLT

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.
I will praise you with songs.
I will be careful to live a blameless life – when will you come to help me?
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.
I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.
I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.
I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.
I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.
I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.
My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.

Psalm 15 (New Living Translation)

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.

There’s just one quick thing I’d like to share today. It seems that each year I do the Daniel Fast, God uses it, especially during the first few days, to root out sin, wrong mindsets, etc. I think that’s only appropriate since it’s impossible to receive from God with a tightly closed fist that’s gripping something else. Got to let go of the “junk” and approach God with an open hand – ready to worship, ready to receive.

So this year started with forgiveness. There was old friend that I had been holding a grudge against. (Shocking, I know…who holds grudges in this day and age? Joking, joking…) I have always struggled with holding an offense against someone, especially if I feel that they’ve wronged close family or friends, and in turn, me. God had been bringing this particular offense up with me for awhile…but, being stubborn, I had refused to reconcile. I had refused to ask for forgiveness, and I had refused to forgive.

But, thankfully, He’s merciful. He’s patient. He’s faithful. He’s kind. And that kindness leads us to repentance.

It led me there. And I am amazed at how much God can do – how much love, grace, mercy, and sensitivity to His Spirit that He can pour out, simply because I let go of the anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness I had been harboring in my heart.

So…be open during this fast. Be open to what His Spirit is saying. Be open to what He’s leading You to do. And if there are areas in Your life or heart that He wants to cleanse, reorganize, or get rid of – be willing to do it. He’s FOR you, not against you.

He’s working things out for your good.

Steadfast = fixed in direction; steadily directed.

Psalm 89:1 Amplified

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

So if the love of God is firmly fixed or constantly directed, then what is His love directed at?

It’s you. It’s me. It’s us.

His love is firmly fixed in direction towards US. We are the fixed targets of the love of God.

Let that simmer just a bit.

…

…

Maybe you can’t feel it today. Maybe you can’t see it today. Maybe you don’t want anything to do with God or His love today or any other day. But that doesn’t mean that His love isn’t directed at you. If you’re still here – breathing, reading this post – then God’s love is directed at you. And whether you know it or believe it or not, He cares for you, wants the best for you, and is seeking relationship with you. He wants to know you. And He wants You to know Him.

May we not miss out on the pursuit from a loving God because we are too busy to notice His acts of invitation.

Psam 144: 1-2 Amplified

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight–My Steadfast Love and my Fortress, my High Tower and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in Whom I trust and take refuge…

A garbage truck.

I noticed it in front of me just as I was coming up to an intersection. And immediately I faced a decision.

Do I follow this truck along my normal route to work and endure its slow pace and random stops to pick up trash?

Or do I turn at the light and take a different route to work?

Instantly I thought, “How many times do we get behind garbage trucks in our spiritual lives?”

Maybe the garbage truck is a relationship. Maybe there’s some relationship that you need to sever or at least construct some Godly boundaries for yourself because all that trash and the constant starting and stopping is hindering your relationship with God.

Maybe the garbage truck is a habit. An addiction. A wrong mindset. A way of thinking that is getting you stuck in a rut. And the enemy is using it to slow you down – to keep you from being all that God intended you to be. To prevent you from living your life, passionately serving God in whatever capacity to which He has called you.

The garbage truck can be almost anything. If it’s preventing you from moving forward with God, it’s time to do something about it.

If you are at a crossroads, maybe you need to turn. Stop following that truck full of junk, and take the narrow path that leads to life.

Or maybe you don’t see an intersection for miles…there seems to be no place to turn…And there ARE some situations and circumstances in life from which we cannot run…We must face them for we can OVERCOME them. If you are stuck in traffic behind that type of garbage truck, get in the Word, pray, ask others to come alongside you in faith, look for a gap in the traffic, gun the engine, and PASS that hindrance. Leave it in the dust.

Above all, don’t give up now. Keep on keeping on. You will overcome. You HAVE overcome in Christ.

Don’t settle for less than God’s best.

For you.  For your family. For your friends. For your neighbors. For the world.

Don’t give up. Don’t lay down your confidence.

Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.   Hebrews 10:35 – 36 Amplified

For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]. Proverbs 3:26 Amplified

It is good to remember, especially on a day like today, that God is our healer. Enjoy.

Healer –  The Kelsie Constable Story

So, in this online devotional I studied Psalm 106. And what struck me several times as I was reading was the fact that the people mentioned in the psalm (the Israelites) FORGOT the love of God, FORGOT His works, acts, deeds, miracles, etc., and FORGOT to wait on His counsel and guidance.

And I thought, “How often do I FORGET the things that God has done for me in the past? How often do I just get caught up in my day and my needs and my wants and desires and COMPLETELY FORGET who God is, His love for me, and what He has done for me?

So, today – an experiment. I am going to use my linked Twitter and Facebook accounts to remember the things that God has done for me. Wanna join me? Just type what God has done for you in your Facebook or Twitter status.

I believe that my outlook on life will be much brighter EVERY day if I’d just take the time to REMEMBER who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing in my life. And then after all of that remembering, I have an opportunity to BE THANKFUL.

Want you join me today? Head on over to Facebook, Twiiter, or your blog. Let the world know what He has done for you!

In case you haven’t heard, Sunday August 9, 2009 is going to be a great day at Journey Church of Acworth. It is a day when we, as a church, are going to come together for an entire morning of worship. I promise, you do not want to miss this day! Bring family, bring friends – bring as many people as you like!

I want you to know that our team has been praying for you and practicing hard for this day. However, worship is ultimately not about a performance, perfect notes, awesome guitars, or cool music. Worship is about each of us making a connection with God.

Looking forward to seeing you there!