Psalms – Jim Gallagher

Ashamed

June 25, 2024pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Psalm 119:5-6
“Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments”

The devil is crafty and a master of deception. Paul referred to him as an angel of light, because of his ability to disguise himself in order to fool the Christian.

When we are first introduced to him in the garden, we watch as he tricks Eve into thinking the one thing that her loving God has forbidden, is of more value than all the fruit of the garden or the freedom she has been given. He has been deceiving people ever since, fooling us into thinking the ways of God are too restrictive and that sin will satisfy us. Once he has convinced us to walk outside the boundaries of God’s Word and get involved in that which is forbidden, his job is only half done. Instead of leaving us alone and moving on to deceive another, he turns his weapons back on us and begins an assault of shame. His fiery arrows begin to assault our minds with shame. We are defeated by the sin we have committed, and continue in defeat as we wallow in shame and guilt. We are repulsed by our failure, and instead of entering boldly into the throne of grace, where mercy and grace flow from our loving Father, we cower back with feelings of unworthiness. We question how God could love us and fear that we will never overcome the weaknesses of our flesh. There, in our miry clay, the devil holds us bound in shame and guilt; keeping us from abundant life or from impacting others for the kingdom of Heaven.

I want to assure you, that if you have received the pardon of sin that Christ offers on Calvary’s Cross, ALL your sins have been washed away. The blood of Christ is rich enough to pardon the sin that you have stumbled back into. Right this moment, receive that pardon and rise from the ashes of your failure to walk in the victory that is yours in Christ.

That being said, the Psalmist speaks here of one of the greatest ways to avoid pitfalls of the devil and ending up overcome with shame.

“Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.”

The key to avoiding the pitfalls of the enemy, is walking in the right direction, and staying in bounds. The key to remaining on track, is allowing the Word of God to shine continually upon your life and guide your steps. One of the ways we fail, is when we come to a crossroad and find ourselves face to face with temptation. On the one hand, we are being greatly pressed to step outside the boundaries and pursue what we know God has forbidden, while on the other hand, we desire to please Him and do what is right. Right there, in the midst of the battle, we will find great strength from the perfect Law of liberty. Like a valiant soldier, as we reach into the sheath, removing the Sword of the Spirit, we will find the enemy is vanquished with the power of the Word. Later, in times of confusion, when we are not sure what the way of the Lord is, we can find guidance that keeps us on track. Have you ever, when facing decision time or great temptation, taken a moment to search for what the Scripture has to say? Using an online concordance, you can look into the statutes of God regarding the situation you are facing. The light of the Word will shine in your life, and you will find the help you need to avoid falling again into shame.

Let’s be sure, today, to allow our steps to be directed by His statutes.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided up into 22 sections with 8 verses in each section. Each section starts with the letters in the Hebrew alphabet. It is said that Hebrew children learned the alphabet by learning this psalm.

The psalm is about the word of God and the benefits of studying God’s word.

ALEPH

Blessed are……do we seek to be obedient to the Lord in all that we do?
5 says “O that my ways were directed.” I am so grateful that the Lord does not force us to follow Him. That He shows us His grace and mercy always. In what areas of your life is the Lord drawing you closer to Him?

BETH

What do you see here about the importance of God’s word in our day to day life?
Notice throughout this psalm that praise and rejoicing are hand in hand with being obedient. Do you look at God’s word with joy and gladness or rules and regulations?

GIMEL

Have you ever asked God to see “wondrous things”?
Testimony- A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. God’s testimonies are a delight. God’s testimonies are lives changed by the Holy Spirit. What is God changing in your heart? Let Him in and be His delight!

DALETH

Revive me according to your word. For you shall enlarge my heart! What does this mean to you?

Sometime we study/read God’s word and feel like it is too much or over our heads. Here the psalmist is asking for understanding so that he can keep God’s law. Have you asked God for understanding of His word? Read John 14:26
The psalmist also asks God to establish His word. Read 1 Thessalonians 3:13

WAW

Verse 42, I will trust in Your word.
1. Trust- Confidence; reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person.

He that puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 28:25.

Verse 44, so shall I keep Your law continually. How often do we feel like we fail at following the Lord and being obedient? Remember, God knows as we step up to the plate that we do not plan or want to strike out but sometimes we do. God is cheering you on! Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Verse 46, I will speak of Your testimonies….and not be ashamed. Sometimes we feel intimidated or scared. Read Isaiah 41:10

ZAYIN

God’s word gives us hope. Is your hope in His word or in what He does for you?
God’s word gives us life. Read Psalm 34:8

HETH

We are encouraged here to think about all that the Lord has done and turn to God without haste. List the benefits that the Lord has brought into your life since you gave your heart to Him.
The earth is full of God’s mercies. What does this mean to you?

TETH

God deals with us according to His word. Everyone is offered the same opportunity. Psalm 55:16
How often do we quote verse 71 in our lives? Getting God’s perspective changes everything. How has God changed the way you look at your life?

VOD

How awesome is verse 1? Meditate on this for a moment and ask God for more of His understanding. How would this verse conflict with the teaching of evolution?
Hoping in God’s word. What has the Lord shown you this morning that gives you hope in His word?
What is the promise of God’s tender mercies?

KAPH

Our flesh will fail us often, but our hope in God’s word will revive us. What can you do to strengthen your hope in God’s word?
Memorize verse 88

LAMED

What is the promise of delighting in God’s word?
What is the promise of never forgetting God’s precepts?

MEM

What does the meditation of God’s word bring to our lives?
God’s word is referred to here as “sweeter than honey.” Have you ever thought about God’s word in this way?

NUN

Being guided by a lamp in the darkness is an interesting way to walk. We cannot see that far ahead, and the light is just enough to show us where to take the next step. We have to trust that we are on the right path and that we will end up in the planned destination. Where are you walking? What is your destination? Are you on your path or the Lords?
Verse 101 tells us that traps (snares) are set to get us off track or stop our walk. What protects us from these traps?

SAMEK

What does “double-minded” mean to you? Are you double-minded in any area of your life? Read James 1:8
More benefits of trusting in the Lord. Verses 116-117, what are they?
Being obedient to the Lord because of our love for Him is a wonderful relationship. We are not robots, God allows us to choose. What does verse 118 say to those “stray” from the Lord?

AYIN

Of all of our failures listed, the psalmist asks God to deal with us according to His mercies. We have read that God’s mercies endure forever. God has made it so simple for us. Read 1 John 1:9
We see the humility of the psalmist in verse 125. Take time to confess your sin and ask God for His forgiveness.

Father, I pray that you refresh me God’s word. That it brings light, gives understanding so that my soul longs for Jesus. That my mouth thirsts for You. I pray Your word directs my steps and that iniquity does not have dominion over me. Redeem me Lord; make Your face to shine upon me. Teach me your statutes. May my heart be broken and bring tears to my eyes for the people that do not know You. In Jesus name, Amen.

TSADDE

Looking around our world today we see all kinds of perceptions of what is right. It is a peaceful thought to know that God is righteous. Everyone is equal and has the same opportunity to have a relationship with Him. Do you have a relationship with Jesus?
Verse 144, what is our benefit for having a relationship with the Lord?

QOPH

Crying out to the Lord is a humbling experience and sometimes a bit of whining. Notice how the cry turns back to the focus on God’s word. Verse 148 says, “My eyes are awake…that I may meditate on Your word. Take time to purpose in your heart that when the cares of life press in, turn to God’s word.

RESH

Revive me is repeated here 3 times. May the Lord speak to you in the deepest areas of your heart and revive you today!
Revive– To return to life; to recover life. To recover new life or vigor; to be reanimated after depression. To recover from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity or depression.

SHIN

Great peace! Do you have great peace? I pray today after studying this chapter you will see the Lord for how much He loves you! That God does have a plan and purpose for your life. His word is here to protect you and that you will be revived and fall in love with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

TAU

What do you see here as the psalmist cry’s before the Lord that is different from verses 145-152?
Sometimes we ask for the Lords help only when we have messed things up. In verse 173 what is the psalmist asking for?
Did you know that God seeks for you when you go astray? Read Hebrews 7:25

Make Known His Faithfulness

June 10, 2024pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Psalm 89:1
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.”

The words of this Psalm became the lyrics to a worship song we used to sing when I first began following Jesus. Whenever I read it my mind becomes flooded with memories. My early days of following Christ were filled with firsts. I can recall one of the first times I raised my hands in worship. I was in a room filled with teenagers who were singing and I simply reached up toward the ceiling as if I were attempting to get as much from God as He would possibly give. I recall another occasion when I knelt before the Lord for the first time. We were at a retreat and I was standing near the back when lifting my hands and it did not seem like enough of an expression of praise. I slipped away into the far corner of the room and knelt before the Lord as if to say “I am all Yours, Jesus.”

These expressions came out of a recognition of the mercy of God. I was coming to realize that I did not deserve anything from God, yet He was desiring to give me everything. The apostle Peter wrote that God will give us all things that pertain to life and godliness, Paul wrote that since God gave us His Son He would also freely give us all things.

As time passes I do not want my experiences of God to be distant memories. It is exciting to think back over the years and recall the amazing ways God has been faithful to me but the greatest joy is in knowing that He will continue to express His mercies in new ways each and every day that we choose to seek after Him.

Perhaps this morning is a good time to drop to your knees and lift your hands in praise to God for His mercy and His faithful love.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 89

The writer of this Psalm is Ethan. It was written after the fall of Jerusalem. Knowing the promises that were made to Israel, it was confusing to understand what God was doing, yet……

Verse 1 “with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations”. How are you using your mouth? Are you proclaiming God’s goodness or complaining that things are not going the way you think they should?
Declaring God’s wonders and faithfulness. When is the last time you took the advice from the heavens? Make a list…..declare it! God wants to do something in your life….today!
Write down all the characteristics of God from verse 7-18. Did you realize how much God is on your side? How much He loves you?
After quoting all of God’s promises, in verse 46 Ethan starts to question what is going on. Did you know that it was ok to question God about things in your life? What questions do you have for Him?
After Ethan’s questions, how does he end his song? After you ask God questions, can you respond the same way?

Old Testament:
2 Kings 13- Crying Out
2 Kings 14- Secret Weapon
Psalm 90- Time Management

Clap Your Hands

May 20, 2024pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Psalm 47:1
“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!”

Sometimes knowing the setting in which a psalm was written is beneficial to understanding its content. Other times, like in this psalm, the setting is not given because the truth is universal. Whatever our condition, whether we would classify it as good or bad, blessing or trial, God remains the same and is always worthy of the highest praise. The truths tucked away in this psalm transcend every experience the child of God endures. Whatever state you are currently facing, it is a good idea to clap your hands and shout out the loudest praise.

The Psalmist declares that God is awesome because He is the great King who subdues all things under His feet. Our praise is often lost when we become frightened or overwhelmed by circumstances beyond our control. We wonder how anything good could come from the difficulties we are facing. It is during those times that we must realize God is King of all the earth, and capable of moving mountains in order to accomplish His purposes. We can then learn to celebrate Him, even when are circumstances seem bleak.

The Psalmist declares that God will select our inheritance for us because He loves us dearly. For Israel, the inheritance speaks of the land allotted to each tribe. For the Christian, our inheritance is the blessed life God desires us to experience. Israel needed to trust God beyond fear and circumstance if they were to walk in the land. We must do the same if we are going to walk out the life God intends for us. We must be willing to set emotion and selfish desire aside, take up our cross, and walk after the things of Christ if we want to find the inheritance He has laid aside for each of us.

Finally, the Psalmist speaks of the shields of the earth belonging to God. What a blessing it is when we realize, the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will. Sometimes, walking with the Lord will make us vulnerable and that can lead to worry and fear, unless we realize the center of His will is the safest place for us. Israel’s fear kept them from entering Canaan, which in turn put them outside of the protective care of God. What frightened them was the very thing keeping them from experiencing the protective care of God.

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!”

Pastor Jim

Old Testament:
2 Samuel 17- Be Prepared
2 Samuel 18- Pride
Psalm 48- Growing In Christ

Follow Your Heart

May 9, 2024pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Psalms 25:4-5
“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”

As I child, I remember watching a movie where a group of people were trying to escape a town. Whatever direction they took, or road they chose, they always arrived at the same destination. They continued trying until they found the one way out. According to Jesus, life is like that. He stated that life really only consists of two roads. One is wide and crowded, but leads away from God. The other is narrow and difficult, and sadly, often ignored, but results in eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14).

David knew a lot about walking on the right road, but he also knew what it was to wander down the wrong path in life. After fleeing from Saul, living in the wilderness, sleeping in caves, surrounded by criminals and constantly fearing for his life, David grew tired. In the midst of his trials, and the difficulty they created, He began to doubt the promises of God.

“And David said in his heart, ‘Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.’ Then David arose and went over with the six hundred men who were with him to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.” 1 Samuel 27:1-2

David had the promises of God telling him he would survive the threats of Saul and become king. He also had the difficulties of life casting a shadow of doubt on the promises. This led him to listen to and follow his heart; and his heart led him out of the will of God. After failing so greatly, it is easy to understand why the cry of his heart was, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths and lead me in Your truth” (Psalm 25:4).

One of the most common causes of failure in the life of the child of God, is following our hearts. After all, Jeremiah taught us the heart is deceptive above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). We must not let out hearts guide us. Instead, we must let the Word of God act as a lamp guiding the way of life and living. Instead of following what our heart says, let’s determine to become familiar with what God says, and live in line with His Promises. His ways are not our ways because they are so much better.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 25

According to verses 1-2, what struggle was David facing?
Notice his solution was to seek the Lord. Take some time right now to take your current situation to the Lord either thanking for the blessings or petitioning for help in the trial.
In his trial, what does David ask the Lord for, see verses 4-5?
David bases his petitions on God’s mercy and asks for forgiveness for his own sin. We must always come based on mercy, not merit. What does David hope for in verses 15-20?

Old Testament:
Psalm 26- His Habitat
1 Samuel 24- Conviction
1 Samuel 25- Heritage

Lift Up My Eyes

June 26, 2015June 20, 2020pjimgallagher1 Comment

Psalms 121:1-2
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.”

Life is filled with trying experiences. We are often faced with difficulties we would not wish on our enemies, or with circumstances we would love to change. These experiences can shake us at the core of who we are and cause us to look outside of ourselves for assistance. We can learn a vital lesson from the Psalmist, who, in the midst of his difficulty, chose not to look out to his friends, or back to his old ways, or around at what others might be doing, but instead, he chose to look up to the only One who could truly assist him in his time of need.

When life throws things at us that we cannot handle, we need to remember the One who created the heavens and the earth has the strength, resources and care, to provide what is lacking. I think it is also important to remember, God is not simply a supply line or distribution center for our earthly wants and needs. He allows us to face hardship so we will be drawn to Him. The goal is not the help He provides, but the work He accomplishes in us, as we learn to trust Him along the way.

God promises to meet our needs, as we look to Him, trust Him, and seek Him. He will not only provide, but will make us more like Christ through the process.

Looking to the hills
Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 121