DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY JUNE 8:
WORD OF WISDOM
The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.
___
DAILY DEVOTION
What's Slowing You Down?
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things
are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:12
If you want to be a victor in the race God has for you, you must learn the
discipline of laying aside some weights. Many times these weights are good
things in our lives. But good things are bad things when they keep us from
doing the best things.
Life would be simple if it were a choice between good and bad. But typically
it's a choice between good and best.
Our verse says "all things are not expedient." When you think of the word
"expedient," think of the word "expedition." You are going somewhere, and if
something doesn't speed you on your way, it's excess baggage and you need to
get rid of it.
Ask God, "Are there legitimate, lawful things in my life that are keeping me
from running the race You've given me?" If revealed, ask for discipline to
lay them aside!
___
DAILY BIBLE READING
Psalm 21-25 The Message (MSG)
A David Psalm
21 1-7 Your strength, God, is the king's strength.
Helped, he's hollering Hosannas.
You gave him exactly what he wanted;
you didn't hold back.
You filled his arms with gifts;
you gave him a right royal welcome.
He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,
and then made it a long life as a bonus.
You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,
then dressed him in rainbow colors.
You pile blessings on him;
you make him glad when you smile.
Is it any wonder the king loves God?
that he's sticking with the Best?
8-12
With a fistful of enemies in one hand
and a fistful of haters in the other,
You radiate with such brilliance
that they cringe as before a furnace.
Now the furnace swallows them whole,
the fire eats them alive!
You purge the earth of their progeny,
you wipe the slate clean.
All their evil schemes, the plots they cook up,
have fizzled-every one.
You sent them packing;
they couldn't face you.
13
Show your strength, God, so no one can miss it.
We are out singing the good news!
A David Psalm
22 1-2 God, God . . . my God!
Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
3-5
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?
We know you were there for our parents:
they cried for your help and you gave it;
they trusted and lived a good life.
6-8
And here I am, a nothing-an earthworm,
something to step on, to squash.
Everyone pokes fun at me;
they make faces at me, they shake their heads:
"Let's see how God handles this one;
since God likes him so much, let him help him!"
9-11
And to think you were midwife at my birth,
setting me at my mother's breasts!
When I left the womb you cradled me;
since the moment of birth you've been my God.
Then you moved far away
and trouble moved in next door.
I need a neighbor.
12-13
Herds of bulls come at me,
the raging bulls stampede,
Horns lowered, nostrils flaring,
like a herd of buffalo on the move.
14-15
I'm a bucket kicked over and spilled,
every joint in my body has been pulled apart.
My heart is a blob
of melted wax in my gut.
I'm dry as a bone,
my tongue black and swollen.
They have laid me out for burial
in the dirt.
16-18
Now packs of wild dogs come at me;
thugs gang up on me.
They pin me down hand and foot,
and lock me in a cage-a bag
Of bones in a cage, stared at
by every passerby.
They take my wallet and the shirt off my back,
and then throw dice for my clothes.
19-21
You, God-don't put off my rescue!
Hurry and help me!
Don't let them cut my throat;
don't let those mongrels devour me.
If you don't show up soon,
I'm done for-gored by the bulls,
meat for the lions.
22-24
Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship,
and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
give glory, you sons of Jacob;
adore him, you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down,
never looked the other way
when you were being kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;
he has been right there, listening.
25-26
Here in this great gathering for worship
I have discovered this praise-life.
And I'll do what I promised right here
in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God's table
and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
is here, praising him.
"Live it up, from head to toe.
Don't ever quit!"
27-28
From the four corners of the earth
people are coming to their senses,
are running back to God.
Long-lost families
are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge;
from now on he has the last word.
29
All the power-mongers are before him
-worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
-worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
-worshiping!
30-31
Our children and their children
will get in on this
As the word is passed along
from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
will hear the good news-
that God does what he says.
A David Psalm
23 1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
A David Psalm
24 1-2 God claims Earth and everything in it,
God claims World and all who live on it.
He built it on Ocean foundations,
laid it out on River girders.
3-4
Who can climb Mount God?
Who can scale the holy north-face?
Only the clean-handed,
only the pure-hearted;
Men who won't cheat,
women who won't seduce.
5-6
God is at their side;
with God's help they make it.
This, Jacob, is what happens
to God-seekers, God-questers.
7
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
8
Who is this King-Glory?
God, armed
and battle-ready.
9
Wake up, you sleepyhead city!
Wake up, you sleepyhead people!
King-Glory is ready to enter.
10
Who is this King-Glory?
God-of-the-Angel-Armies:
he is King-Glory.
A David Psalm
25 1-2 My head is high, God, held high;
I'm looking to you, God;
No hangdog skulking for me.
3
I've thrown in my lot with you;
You won't embarrass me, will you?
Or let my enemies get the best of me?
Don't embarrass any of us
Who went out on a limb for you.
It's the traitors who should be humiliated.
4
Show me how you work, God;
School me in your ways.
5
Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren't you?
6
Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!
7
Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God!
8
God is fair and just;
He corrects the misdirected,
Sends them in the right direction.
9
He gives the rejects his hand,
And leads them step-by-step.
10
From now on every road you travel
Will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs;
Read the charted directions.
11
Keep up your reputation, God;
Forgive my bad life;
It's been a very bad life.
12
My question: What are God-worshipers like?
Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.
13
They settle down in a promising place;
Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.
14
God-friendship is for God-worshipers;
They are the ones he confides in.
15
If I keep my eyes on God,
I won't trip over my own feet.
16
Look at me and help me!
I'm all alone and in big trouble.
17
My heart and kidneys are fighting each other;
Call a truce to this civil war.
18
Take a hard look at my life of hard labor,
Then lift this ton of sin.
19
Do you see how many people
Have it in for me?
How viciously they hate me?
20
Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble;
Don't let me down when I run to you.
21
Use all your skill to put me together;
I wait to see your finished product.
22
God, give your people a break
From this run of bad luck.
