#437 - PSALM 10:1-11

Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, "Nothing will ever shake me." He swears, "No one will ever do me harm." His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims; like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. He says to himself, "God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees."
Psalm 10:1-11

ADORE

"In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Though I have had seasons in my life where I have not pursued you and your purposes for my life passionately, I am so thankful that there has never been a season where I believed that there was no room for you in my life. Thank you for gracing me with the humility to know that life without you and your love and guidance is impossible. Thank you for gracing me with the wisdom to never wander too far off the path that you have for my life. I praise you for protecting me from the type of pride that would say, "there is no room for God."

ADMIT

"God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees." I confess that there have been days when I have fooled myself into thinking that you would not "notice" my sin. Forgive me for foolishly believing that you would "turn a blind eye" to actions that were displeasing and dishonoring to you. You are aware of every movement of my hand and every motive of my heart. Forgive me for thinking otherwise. Forgive me for my sin, especially those that I thought I would be able to "get away" with. 

ASPIRE

"He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net." Heavenly Father, please protect me from the wicked. Protect me from the ploys of the ungodly. Protect me from all those who would want to take me out and steal your purposes for my life from my hand. Give me discernment to be able to distinguish a friend from a foe. Give me the understanding to differentiate a liar from one who is loyal. Surround me with godly men and women who would be able to make me aware of a wicked man or woman who's purpose would be to do me harm. I ask all this in Jesus name, Amen.  

#436 - PSALM 9:13-20

LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know they are only mortal. 
Psalm 9:13-20

ADORE

"But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish." Though I may forget our neglect the needy, I praise you Heavenly Father for being one who will never forget. I praise you for always having the least of these in mind. I thank you that you will give hope to those who are downcast. Though I know I am responsible for doing these things as well, to know that you actually do it day in and day out brings me great comfort. You love your creation more than I ever could and for that I am thankful!

ADMIT

"...let the nations be judged in your presence." I confess that though you are the judge, I have, may times, unnecessarily attempted to play that role. Forgive me for indicting those who should only be indicted by you. Forgive me for condemning those who should only be condemned by you. Forgive me for writing off those who should only be written off by you. You are God. I am not. Forgive me for the many times when I have got this confused. My judgements are biased. My judgements are faulty. My judgements are unaware of the whole story. My judgements are inaccurate. Please forgive me for the many times when I have judged others and from this day forward give me the wisdom to leave judgement up to you!

ASPIRE

"The LORD is known by his acts of justice..." I dream of the day when myself and the community of faith that I am blessed to be a part of will be known by our acts of justice. I don't want to be known only be what we say, teach, or proclaim. I want to be known by what we do day in and day out to bring peace, justice, and liberty to the community we are privileged to serve. Lord, give me opportunity to execute acts of justice and give me the courage to execute those acts when the opportunities present themselves. Continue to break my heart for what breaks yours. May everything I am and everything I have be for your Kingdom's cause. I pray all of this in Jesus name, Amen.  

#435 - PSALM 9:1-12

I will give thanks to your LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praise of your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished. The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgement. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the people with equity. The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.
PSALM 9:1-12

ADORE

"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Thank you Father for never forsaking me. You have poured out forgiveness in spite of my sin. You have blessed me with opportunity in spite of my impure motives. You have given me me your presence in spite of my rebellion. You have extended second chances in spite of my broken promises. You have been steadfast though I have been inconsistent. I praise you God for your consistent love, grace, direction, and blessing. You are my firm foundation.

ADMIT

"For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted." As I aim to grow in your character as the years go by, You know all to well that there have been times that, unlike You, I have ignored the cries of the afflicted. There have been days when I have not immediately and adequately responded to someone in need. Forgive me for my selfishness. Forgive me for my short-sightedness. Forgive me for my lack of empathy and concern for those who find themselves in pain. As you have responded to my afflictions, may I respond to the afflictions of others - with love and compassion.

ASPIRE

"I will give thanks to your LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Lord, please make me into a man who is not afraid to boast about what you have done. Develop me into someone who rejoices in what you have done, in what you are doing, and in what you will do. Give me the courage to shout out from the rooftops how You are moving, how You are saving, how You are redeeming, how You are transforming, how You are delivering, how You are blessing, and how You are bringing Your promises to pass! I ask all these things in Jesus name, Amen.

#434- PSALM 8

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe of the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
PSALM 8

ADORE

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" Heavenly Father, for the works of your hands, you are worthy of my highest praise and adoration. Living in the Bay Area, I am surrounded by towering trees, massive mountains, and beautiful bodies of water that echo of your creativity and power. And to think that the same God who has the ability to create those things also has the desire to love and know me is unfathomable. Thank you for being mindful of me even though there are so many other things worthy of being on your mind!

ADMIT

"You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor."  I admit and confess that there are days when I do not treat my fellow human beings as if they were created a little lower than the angels. I do not see them as you see them. I do not appreciate them as the beings crowned with glory and honor that they are. Forgive me for the times when I have not valued people of all races, all socioeconomic statuses, all religions, and all walks of life equally. Because we are all equally made in your image, I should treat each and every person I interact with as such.

ASPIRE

"LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" I look forward to the day when theMOVEMENT becomes a community of people so aware of your glory and majesty that praise, adoration, and thanksgiving for you is continually on our lips. I pray there will come a day when both our works for you and our worship of you are recognized not only as things we prioritize but also as things we do extremely well. Help me and help our community be so amazed by and in tune with who you are and what you've done that heavenly worship becomes a necessary and natural response. I pray all of these things in Jesus name, Amen.   

 

#433 - PSALM 7:12-17

If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
PSALM 7:12-17

ADORE

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness..." I praise you Lord for your holiness. I praise you Lord for your purity. I praise your Lord for your perfection. You have a perfect will. You have a perfect way. You have a perfect love. Everything about your character is blameless! I am so thankful that I serve a God who can do no wrong! It is because of your righteousness that I can trust you to do good in every situation. Regardless of the chaos around me both in my personal life and in the world, I trust that you are in control. I trust that you have a plan. I trust that you will ultimately work everything out for my good and for your glory. But this is not a blind trust. This is not a naive trust. This is a trust rooted in your righteousness!

 ADMIT

"Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made." I am all too familiar with this truth! I confess that I've dug a hole of debt and fell into it. I've dug a hole of irresponsibility and fell into it. I've dug a hole of inconsistency and fell into it. I've dug a hole of ignorance and fell into it. I have done stupid, selfish things that have not only caused me trouble, but they have also caused you pain, and for that I desire your forgiveness. 

ASPIRE

"The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads." Lord, I desire to have a church that can become a safe place for people who are suffering the consequences of their sin. I envision a hospital for suffering sinners. I see a church that welcomes people who are in pain because of the pain that they have caused others. I see a church that is sensitive to those who have gotten themselves into trouble because we are so aware of the many times that we have gotten ourselves into trouble. I also see our church as a place of healing and restoration for these people. I place where they can experience a "blank page" and a "fresh start!" I thank you for this reality coming to pass in advance! In Jesus name, Amen.  

#432 - PSALM 7:6-11

Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled people gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high. Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure - you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.
Psalm 7:6-11

ADORE

"Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure..." With so much wicked in the world today: murder, rape, sex trafficking, racism, bigotry, slander, adultry, etc., I am so thankful that, one day, you will bring an end to it all. All wickedness will cease. I praise you in advance for the day when the violence will cease, and every tribe and every tongue will confess that you are God! There will be a day when no one will have to look over their backs. There will be a day when no one will fear for their lives. There will be a day when your creation is living together in perfect unity. This will be the day when you return and bring your Kingdom to this earth, and I cannot wait for that day to arrive!

ADMIT

"Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High." I confess that I still have much room for growth as it relates to my integrity. Who I am behind closed doors and who I am when people are around is not as whole as I would like it to be. I think things I wouldn't want anyone to know I was thinking. I say things I wouldn't want anyone to know I was saying. I have motivations that, if they were exposed, people would be disappointed by. Sometimes, I say one thing and do another. For this lack of integrity, Lord, please forgive me. For this lack of wholeness and consistency, cleanse and forgive me. 

ASPIRE

"...you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts." I look forward to, by the power of your Spirit, growing in my integrity as the weeks, months, and years go by. I aspire to be a man who, because of my integrity, is respected the most by the people who know me best. I desire for my outer life to be more congruent with my inner life. I desire who I am when no one is looking to be who I am when people surround me. Strengthen me God. Fill me with your Spirit. May the fruits of your Spirit be at work within me both publicly and privately. I pray all of these things in Jesus name, Amen.  

#431 - Psalm 7:1-5

LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands - if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe - then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.
Psalm 7:1-5

 ADORE

"LORD my God, I take refuge in you..." Heavenly Father, I praise your name for not only loving me and caring for me, but also for being a God who I can run to for protection. I thank you for being my hiding place. I thank you for being my covering. I thank you for being my shield. You have surely saved and delivered me from many things I am aware of and many things I know I am not aware of! I worship you for being my refuge.

ADMIT

"...if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe..." I confess that I am guilty of this. I am guilty of repaying evil with evil. I am guilty of doing evil towards those who have not done evil to me. When I have been hurt, I have hurt others. When I have been shamed, I have shamed others. When I have felt entitled, I have brought judgement knowing full well that judgement and vindication is your responsibility. I am grieved by this sin as does not accurately reflect the grace and patience you have shown me. Forgive me. 

ASPIRE

"...if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe..." I look forward to the day when I have no desire to "repay my allies with evil." I look forward to the day when I fully trust that "Vengeance is mine says the Lord." I pray that your Holy Spirit would give me an ability to patient with, understanding of, and loving towards those who cause me harm. Take away any reflex in me that would desire to hurt those who hurt me. I pray this all in Jesus name, Amen. 

#430 - Psalm 6

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame. 
Psalm 6

ADORE

"...save me because of your unfailing love." I am so thankful for the unfailing love that you have displayed to me over the course of my life. For being born into a family with two parents who loved you. For introducing me to  the local church where I could experience your love at a very young age. For gracing me with the desire to respond to your love. For bringing me back to your love even when I had decided it wasn't a priority in my life. For making me aware of the depths of your love by understanding the various facets of the gospel. For giving me the opportunity to now extend this love as a pastor. Thank you. Without your unfailing love, I would not know what true love is.   

ADMIT

"How long, LORD, how long?" I confess that there are many days when I grow impatient with you. I grow impatient with the progress I am seeing in my character development. I grow impatient with the progress I am making as a husband. I grow impatient with the progress we are making as a church. I grow impatient with the progress I am seeing in others' lives. Forgive me for the days when I believe the lie that you have forgotten about me and the purposes you have for my life. Very rarely does my timeline line up with yours, and for that, I repent. Your timing is perfect. You don't need to hurry. I need to wait. 

ASPIRE

"All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame." I look forward to the day when all of my enemies, but more importantly, all of your enemies are defeated. The naysayers. The haters. The doubters. Like David, I have faith that all those who have tried to bring shame to your name will be ashamed. All of those who would defy you and your love - I pray that there will come a day when they realize the foolishness of their ways. I pray all of this in Jesus name, Amen.  

#429 - Psalm 5:7-12

But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your temple. Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies - make your way straight before me. Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies. Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Psalm 5:7-12

ADORE

"But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your temple." I praise and thank you for your great love for me. I thank you for choosing, by your sovereign grace, to open up my eyes to a need for a Savior. I thank you for revealing Jesus Christ as my Savior. I thank you for choosing me to choose you so that I could be adopted into the family of God and be transformed from a slave to my sin to a son of a King! I thank you for placing me into the global family of God, but I also thank you for placing me into a local body of believers, theMOVEMENT, who I can walk and worship with. I thank you for the "house" that I am a part of and have even been given the opportunity to lead! I am so thankful and in awe of your love for me!

ADMIT

"Let their intrigues be their downfall!" I confess that I have had intrigues that have not been pleasing and glorifying to you. I have had desires for wealth, success, prominence, and prestige that have been completely selfish and self-glorifying. Please forgive me for my self-satisfying intrigues. Forgive me for being more intrigued by things that would satisfy me than by things that would glorify you.  Forgive me for being drawn to and enticed by the desires of the flesh rather than the leading of the Holy Spirit. I confess and am aware that many of the most disappointing and difficult times of my life have come as a result of ungodly pursuits and desires. 

ASPIRE

"Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Heavenly Father, please protect me. From sin, temptation, and folly - protect me. From gossip, hatred, and arrogance - protect me. From greed, pride, and selfishness - protect me. I desire to celebrate, at least, 50 years of marriage to my wife Rebekah. I desire to serve faithfully, at least, 30 years in vocational ministry. I look forward to the day when I will finish well. But, I know that I cannot do that without your protection. Spread your protection over me. I ask all this in Jesus name, Amen. 

#428 - PSALM 5:1-6

Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest.
Psalm 5:1-6

ADORE

I praise you my King and my God. You are the one I serve. You are the one I worship. You are the only one who is worthy of my attention, my affection, and my adoration. Only to you will I bow my knee. Only to you will I lay myself prostrate before you in desperation. Only to you will I lift up my hands in complete surrender and say, "My life is yours, do with it as you wish." I will praise and pray to no other. You are my King and my God!

ADMIT

I confess that there are many days that I lay my requests before you, but unlike David, I do not wait expectantly. Instead of eagerly anticipating a display of your power, I doubt. Instead of boldly believing your ability to come through, I fear. Instead of patiently waiting, I anxiously worry. Forgive me for my unbelief. Forgive me for my little faith. Forgive me for my lack of confidence. 

I also confess and ask for your forgiveness for my arrogance. On many days I give myself more credit than I should for what I know, what I am accomplishing, and what I am capable of. I lose sight of your grace, that makes every good thing in my life possible, and I have a tendency to think of myself as better than others. Forgive me for thinking more highly of myself than I ought.

ASPIRE

Lord, I pray that you would grow my faith. Give me an unwavering confidence in what you will do in me and through me. I desire that my boasting would be not in my ability to work but in your ability to work through me! Give me an assurance like I've never had before that, indeed, He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! GIVE. ME. FAITH!

#427 - PSALM 4

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?" Let the light of your face shine upon us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
PSALM 4

ADORE

I first want to thank and praise you for the prayers you have answered over the years. To know that I serve a God who hears me and answers me is incredible! Prayers of provision, prayers of deliverance, prayers for strength, prayers for opportunity, prayers for wisdom - I am in awe and am so grateful that you have answered so many of my prayers! Who am I to deserve your time and consideration? There are so many other people whose concerns are greater and whose burdens are heavier, but you still take the time to listen to and answer me! I also thank you for the prayers you have decided in your infinite wisdom not to answer. I will never know the pain, difficulty, and hardship you have helped me to avoid by not allowing me to have the things I have asked for!

I also want to thank you for the joy that you have given me! You are worthy of my highest praise for you have prospered and blessed me in so many ways that have brought be great satisfaction and happiness. You have given me such enjoyable experiences, amazing opportunities, fulfilling relationships, and physical provisions that, in only 33 years, already seem like a lifetime's worth! Thank you Lord for prospering my life!

ADMIT

I repent for the times that, in my looking forward to what is ahead, I have not been fully present and thankful for what is now. I confess that over the course of my life, and especially during the course of my church planting journey, I have not taken enough time to praise you for how you have already blessed me, for how you have already been at work in my life, for how you have already delivered me, for how you have already provided for me, and for how you have already proved yourself as faithful to me! The prayers David prayed in Psalms 4 you have already, many times, answered. Please forgive me for not recognizing this and for not being in awe of this as I should.

ASPIRE

I aspire to be a man of God who is always believing for more, but also simultaneously grateful for what already is. I look forward to more excellently being able to balance the tension between hope for tomorrow and gratitude for today. I also pray that when I am faced with times of distress that, like David, I would cry out to you. I desire to be a man who approaches your throne with every feeling, emotion, need, and concern that I have. I envision a relationship with you that is ever growing in honesty, transparency, and desperation, and I praise you in advance for your Holy Spirit making this type of dynamic relationship between you and I possible! 

#426 - PSALM 3

LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though thens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. 
Psalm 3

ADORE

Heavenly Father I praise you for protecting me. In the summer of 2015, I experienced the most difficult season of my life and you protected me. You kept me out of harms way. You shielded me from the intentions of the enemy to discourage, destroy, and defeat me, and for that you are worthy of my highest praise! You lifted my head. You, by the power of your Holy Spirit kept me focused on you and your plans for my life rather than the obstacles that were thrown my way. Thank you. You sustained me. You gave me the energy, strength, and resolve to move forward. You delivered me. You have brought me into a season where I can minister from a more healthy place. You have surrounded me with people who can encourage me, support me, and lead with me as I pursue your call on my life. Lord I praise you for being the same God to me in my time of distress as you were to David during his!

ADMIT

I confess that, like David, there were things that I did to bring this distress upon my life! There were shortcomings in my leadership and there were errors in my ways. Forgive me Lord. Forgive me for the things I must hold myself accountable for in the "drama" that I went through. Forgive me for the pain I caused others. Forgive me for any distractions I caused that prevented people from seeing You. Forgive me for giving people a reason to lose faith in you and the beauty of the local church. 

ASPIRE

I look forward to taking my suffering from 2015 and turning it into fruit that brings honor and glory to your name in 2016. I look forward to becoming a more responsible leader. I look forward to becoming a leader who is more secure in the calling you have placed on my life. I look forward to becoming a leader who fears you more than I fear the opinion of man. I look forward to becoming a leader who is as wise as a serpent, but as gentle as a dove. Lord my desire is that in 2016, though troubles may come my way, may they not be troubles that I bring upon myself! I thank you in advance for a year filled with fruit as a result of a year in which I learned from my failure!   

#425 - Psalm 2:5-12

He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain." I will proclaim the LORD's decree: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2:5-12

ADORE

Thank you for rebuking those who rise up agains you! Thank you for Jesus! Though there may be world powers that rise up and earthly kings and rulers who try and establish their own kingdoms, you installed Christ! You sent Him to be a Savior. You sent Him to be a refuge. I also thank and praise you for the very clear warning in this passage. Your warning to "serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling" is one that is timely and necessary. Finally, I praise you for the promise of blessing to those who take refuge in you. This is a blessing I have experienced and I pray that I will continue to experience in the years to come!

ADMIT

I confess that there are times when I have not served you with the appropriate amount of fear and trembling. There are times when I have seen you too much as my friend and not enough as my King. I have not always given you the reverence, honor, and respect that you are worthy of. There have been times that I have shown more honor and respect in the presence of an earthly leader than I have in your presence. Forgive me for my irreverence. I also confess that there have been times that I have not taken refuge in you. Instead of looking to you to shelter, protect, and defend me, I have looked to earthly comforts and earthly forms of refuge. For this I also ask for your forgiveness.

ASPIRE

I look forward to this year being a year where I consciously, intentionally, and consistently take refuge in you! I pray that your Holy Spirit would remind me daily of the peace, safety, comfort, satisfaction, and joy that comes from running towards you and resting in you. I look forward to my life being one that is marked by having taken refuge in you. My desire is that people would look at my life either up close or from afar and see that I am a weak, broken man who has only been made strong by the strength of his Savior's hands!

#424 - PSALM 2:1-4

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying "Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles." The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them.
Psalm 2:1-4

ADORE

I praise you for being a powerful God. I praise you for being an "in control" God. I praise you for being a God who is not intimidated by even the most powerful people in the world. I praise you for being a Creator who is not at all fearful of the created! I am so thankful that even when it seems like the world is rising up against you and the people that love you that I do not need to fear because you are in control! You are mighty - to the point of laughing at those who would try to rise up against you! 

ADMIT

I confess that there are times when I am not as confident in you as I should be. There are days when I see all the disbelief in, hatred for, and slander towards your name and I feel like "the world" is going to win. There are days when I allow myself to believe that, in the end, you will not be victorious. Forgive me for my disbelief. Forgive me for my lack of confidence. Forgive me for believing in the power of the created rather than the Creator. 

ASPIRE

I look forward to my confidence in you and your power and might becoming more unwavering as the years go by. I look forward to being so aware of what you've done in the past, what you're doing in the present, and what you've promised to do in the future that nothing can shake the faith, hope, and trust that I have in you. I pray that regardless of what is happening around me, I will always be assured that the one above me is in complete control!

#423 - PSALM 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in he judgement, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. 
Psalm 1

ADORE

I praise you for being a God who watches over those who desire to follow you. Thank you for seeing, leading, and protecting those whom you've convicted to live a life that is pleasing to you. I praise you for being a just God. A God will will not allow those who choose wickedness to prosper. I also praise and worship you for your promises! The promise to prosper those who delight themselves in and meditate on your Word is sweet and inspiring! Thank you for this promise of blessing!

ADMIT

I confess that I have not delighted in your Word like I could or should. Though my hunger and commitment to your Word increased in 2015, there were still several seasons throughout the year where the consistent reading and reflecting of the Scriptures was not my priority. There were seasons during the year where I was guided by my own knowledge and strength rather than your wisdom and power. There is too much at stake in my life and in the lives of others for me not to be more hungry for, dedicated to, and reliant on your Word. I repent for delighting in the things of this world more than in the things of your Word.

ASPIRE

May this be a year that I look back upon and can say with all honesty and sincerity that I was committed to delighting in and meditating on your Word like no other year. May this be a year that I read more Scripture, memorize more Scripture, and enjoy more Scripture. I pray that your Holy Spirit fills me with a desire for your Word that comes not from myself but from above! I look forward to 2016 being a year that my life is guided, encouraged, and inspired by your Word like never before!