IkonJSJ

Psalm 29 3 God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness - God, across the flood waters. 4 God's thunder tympanic, God's thunder symphonic. 5 God's thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars. I like the imagery of thunder. Such a powerful and loud thing. Even though God can dwell in the silence, we cannot forget that God can become loud and thunderous. Something about it, as I was reading caught my attention. God is louder than my problems. God is louder than my worries. God is louder than what I can produce. God is louder than my barriers and thresholds. God is louder than my sins. God is louder than the 'impossibles' of my life. His thunder claps through it all. I love how the MSG version uses the word 'symphonic'. It implies that it is beautiful and carefully crafted. That it has the right timing, the right volume, and the right notes. It's a reminder for myself that God h...

I have been reading the Psalms using the Message version and in this Psalm, there's a line that I keep lingering on. "I hate all this silly religion, but you, God, I trust." This resonates deeply with me because the older i get, the more this is true to me. I hear horror stories about how people get hurt by the church and it sucks when I'm talking to non-believers who question my faith because of their experiences with the Church. Quite frankly, I seldom have a viable defense because, I too, am disappointed in the way the Church handles many issues. The only "light at the end of the tunnel" for me is that I know that our God is not who we often make Him out to be. I think a lot of times, we miss the big picture about who our faith is really all about, and I guess that's one of the reasons I appreciate Ekko so much. I'm not saying we're perfect, but I do think we do a pretty darn good job of placing Christ in the middle of everything that we do an...

I want this Psalm to be my song. Lately, I've been feeling a bit stuck. Actually, stuck isnt even the right word. I feel like I'm going backwards. My vices have been controlling me, not the other way around. I find myself slowly falling back into old habits of giving up when the going gets tough. However, I know I can push through the fight with God's help simply because I know what kind of God I serve. His faithfulness is evident in the course of my life and I know now is not the time to give up. --- Lord, thank you for reminding me of how good you are. May I be able to turn my frustration into praise and glorify you for no other reason than you being my God and being more than worthy of my praise. Amen.

Psalm 35 - Lift it up to God- Yahweh Nissi Reading this Psalm was difficult. I may come back to it too. It may be because of the season I'm in, but it seems different. When I read the first three verses, Contend, O   Lord , with those who   contend with me;   fight against those who fight against me! 2  Take hold of  shield and buckler  and rise for my help! 3  Draw the spear and javelin   against my pursuers!... I kept thinking of Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God. In this instance, David is calling God to fight for him and to declare an affirmation. Instead of asking to strengthen himself, David seeks God's help and asks for help. This is important to me right now because I haven't done that, and it isn't in my mindset to ask God to do it for me. Still....  I should. (Songs: More than Conquerors - Rend Collective ; Do It Again - Elevation Worship ) verse 24 "Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them ...

Psalm 34 - Taste! and See! Songs: Psalm 34 - Shane and Shane Rhythms of Grace - Hillsong United v.9  Oh, fear the   Lord , you his saints,      for those who fear him have no lack!  v.14  Turn away from evil and do good;      seek peace and  pursue it. v. 19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous,      but the  Lord  delivers him out of them all. These three verses stood out to me. I wanted to really dive deep into what it meant (this time around, as I read it) what it meant to "taste" and to "see". That's why I put separate exclamation points in my title. It's easy for me to lump the phrase together as an aphorism. I find myself thinking and realizing that I need to break down these phrases because I have grown too accustomed to them. I can understand what it means to "taste and see that the Lord is good," but I want to live it out and appreciate every aspect of it....

Psalm 28 8-9 God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader; Save your people and bless your heritage. Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd. God has definetly been in the process of stretching my faith. It's a lot of ups and downs. I feel more confident in the Lord, but at the same time there are challenges I have never faced before. Those can be financial challenges, emotional, and just really being stretched to be more of an adult. When I ask God, why all of these things are happening to me, it is like a good trainer. Just when I get comfortable, he will just add more weights to make me stronger. I can feel God say "I know it's difficult now, but I need you to get stronger for the blessings to come." It's tough for sure. Very tough. But God will never throw something you wouldn't be able to handle it. Like a good good father. He will gradually add those weights. Guide you where you need to be, and He...

Psalm 33 - In Awe of the Lord, We Worship I love that this Psalm follows up Psalm 32, because it had ended with "sing, all you who are upright in heart!" and now this Psalm is about how to praise and the heart/attitude behind it. V.6-11 are reminders of who God is and what He has done, which are points of praise and awe. This is a Psalm I'd want to keep throughout the week. Through any circumstance, we can and should keep our eyes on GOd. In reverant fear, in faithful hope, and in desperate need. I like how PM said that we can be in abandon in our praises/prayers to God. This Psalm ends with this hope that we can rely on God. That no matter what, God is unfailing and our hope truly can be held up on God. May the attitude of my heart and spirit be like this. To stay in awe and worship, to be reminded of God, and to not let up the worship in my heart and thoughts.

Psalm 32 - Blessed, so Rejoice!  Song that came to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wNpOeakhEM It's such a great reminder to be told that I am blessed, even though I have transgressions. I am blessed because, though I sin, Jesus covered me and still does not count them against me. It is a reminder of God's love and grace, and still a teaching reminder that it is because a spirit who is forgiven does not lie or cover up those sins. The end of verse 2 "...and in whose spirit is no deceit." and verse 5 "Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity". This psalm is a psalm of confession, yet being blessed to be able to confess and to receive healing and "unfailing love (v.10). I want to be able to rejoice and to not fret (as PB put it). And to do so is to continually acknowledge my sin and confess it to the Lord.

Psalm 27 1 Light, space, zest -- that's God ! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. 2 When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces. 3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool. That has been my stance lately, or at the very least the stance I want to have. Things are slowly ramping up. Still drawing, but not drawing nearly as much as I should. I'm probably falling behind, but I'm trying to keep my cool. My drawing tends to be bad if I'm not keeping it cool. Somehow as I'm responding to God, I'm expecting God that He will someway provide in my circumstance. All I need is to get in the school ! I had no idea it was going to be so grueling. Literally at this point I think I'm getting in by God's intervention. God's intervention that he will somehow convince admissions and what not haha. ...

I think this verse speaks to how powerful God really is. It's funny how easy it is for us to downplay God. I think that's because we don't include Him in our everyday lives. I'm trying to see how this idea translates into my life and the only comparison I can make is to the way I view important people in my life. For example, my dad is someone who everyone loves and respects. When he speaks, it draws attention and authority. When I think of my dad, I am aware of what he is capable of, therefore I grow in respect and admiration of him. That only came from years of being so close to my dad, and I think that's how it should be with God. I should know Him so intimately and He should be such an integral part of my life that I fully know what He is capable of. ---- Lord, I pray you unveil more of who you are as i pursue you. May I grown in your wisdom and open my eyes, ears, and heart to the wonder of who you are. Amen.

The  Lord  is my strength  and my shield;      my heart trusts  in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy,      and with my song I praise him. ----- It's so interesting to me to re-read verses that I grew up reading. It's refreshing to see how my faith has transformed and matured over the years. Before, I used to think that this verse was merely an overused, cheesy verse, however when I'm getting older I reread this verse with hope. It's no longer a verse that says that God will take away all my problems or even solve all my problems, but it's encouragement knowing that, despite the many circumstances in my life, God is the foundation in which my life is built and that same God is the one who equips me to deal with whatever circumstance comes my way. And because of that, I can sing with joy and give him praise. ----- God, Thank you for being the God that looks out for me. I pray I live in remembrance of this verse...

Psalm 26 11-12 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me. I'm on the level with you, God; I bless you every chance I get. This reminds me of a word I have received a while ago. "God will return your faithfulness with faithfulness." It's one of the few things that helps me keep going. Helps me keep taking leaps of faith for God. It's been a while, but I feel God's breath of life flowing in me. Colors just seem more colorful. And the days more hopeful as of late. I will take it. I will enjoy it, and pray that it lasts. After such a season of so many deaths (literally and figuratively), I can slowly feel God restoring things. Redeeming things. That's the word that caught my attention in the verse above (in the NIV version at least). It is as very very exciting. I pray and hope that God keeps me headstrong. And that the momentum of God's redemption will just increase more and more as I go. Thank you Lord ...

Psalm 31 - Even in the midst of the dark lows, take courage for there is GOD! WIth All I Am - Hillsong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CccNS4LW-fc) Man... this Psalm was so interesting. I've shared that I've been on the up and up, and that most things are coming more into place. Yet, I still so resonate with these verses. There seems to be such a strong feeling of depression, worry, and NEED for God. v.2 "Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!" v. 4"You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge" And yet, and yet, in the midst of all this, David calls out to God, calling out to the Rock and Fortress, to the one he can faithfully commit himself to, and tothe Lord who can be trusted. Even when it seems that everyone around him abandons him or judges him harshly, David still goes to God. While reading this, I feel my faith rising. In verses 22, David says that he...

Psalm 30 - Giving Thanks Always The song, Trading My Sorrows, comes into mind while going over this Psalm. It's a wonderful beginning when I get to smile and sigh. In the first three verses, David is praising God for His healing hands. Then in the next three verses, there is a reflection where David is able to praise God because although there were rough times, there is a definite joy that comes. When I read this, I think of having that frame of mind that is constantly giving thanks. God is always by my side, (song: By Your Side - Tenth Avenue North), and is so loving. This is something to celebrate and give thanks for! As I move through the week, I want to be reminded to continually give thanks as I  understand my journey. May the cross seem ever bigger before me.

One thing have I asked of the  Lord ,      that will I seek after: that I may  dwell in the house of the  Lord      all the days of my life, to gaze upon  the beauty of the  Lord      and to inquire [ c ]  in his temple. ------ This verse really stood out to me when reading. Especially after today's message. It reminded me that when I believe in the reign of Christ and trust He is sovereign in my life, I don't really need to worry or be tense about other things. If I truly trust in Him, then all I need to really care about is dwelling int he house of the Lord and building my relationship with him. This season has been so good for me in learning more about God, but more than learning about Him, I want to get to know  Him, as I would with anyone else. When a relationship is built, I feel like it's so much more natural to trust that person. That's what I want with God. ----- Lord, I've al...

When I first read this Psalm, it first seemed pretty arrogant. Arrogant in the sense that the Psalmist was bragging about his lifestyle and didn't seem to have the humility you would normally associate with a "Christian". It also seemed very legalistic. If there's one thing I've grown to become very annoyed with, it's technicalities and legalism. Just seems super annoying, shady, and conniving. I'm starting to try and understand the intentions and heart behind why i do what i do and the faith that I practice. Having said that, I reread this Psalm and tried to see it in a different perspective. I realize that it's not arrogance or legalism, but more of a confidence in his faith in God. The Psalmist seems so sure of the way he's tried to follow a God-centered life and merely asking God to remember that. I want to also be at a place in my faith where, though I recognize my brokenness, I can stand confident knowing that I lived a holy life. ---- Lo...

1 In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. The passage that stood out to me it's very simple. I had a really good prayer time during our time in intercession. We had some time leftover, and we got a chance to just to pray for each other. I shared my situation with art school, and how I was getting anxious about getting in and stuff. Then someone had a really good word for me. To just focus on "responding" to the call. Regardless if I get in or not. For it is something I feel God has called me to initially. And God willing, He's the one who's gonna help me get in. For a good Father wouldn't have made me gone through something I couldn't do it at the end. It is on God's responsibility to help me to open that door to art school. And then someone else had another word for me. About when Jesus asks the fisherman to throw down their nets. In their own power, they didn't catch anything. But with Jesus, they had a bountiful amounts of fish, to...

Psalm 24 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. This might sound weird, but this might be one of the few times I'm reading this in a positive light. As if this passage was being applied to myself. This I feel every Christian should be able to read this as own it. Believe it that this word is being spoken to them. For a long time I just couldn't do that. I had a hard time seeing myself as God saw me. Took me many years to understand that I am cherished and a child of God. Dare say even righteous, even though I can easily point out all of the flaws in my character. As I read this, I felt God's blessing on me. As if my soul starte...

Psalm 29 - Confident Declarations Yes. We should sing to the Lord and follow Him because it is due to Him. God deserves the glory and worship, but it isn't just that. God loves and watches over us and it bring sus to want to worship Him. What I love about verses 3-5 is that it demonstrates God's Majesty and power over the elements. I just learned of how God uses water because water was used to represent chaos and messiness. Thus, having God's voice over the waters is His presence over any chaos. Phew. I'm glad. I'm so so glad that God so loves us enough to reach out to us over our messiness, and allows us to be strengthened and blessed. I feel that I need to be more reminded of this type of prayer. It's all about God and so less about me/us. It's all about God, what the Lord does, and how the Lord is. I pray that I can emulate this this week, and spend some time go using on just God!

Psalms 28 - Waiting upon our Strong God Whom Shall I Fear I Will Not Be Afraid Better is One Day Seek Your Kingdom The way I read this psalms, is a declaration of faith and facts. This is our God, and in this confident declaration is a trust in God's protection and faithfulness. I like how there is a separation of evil deeds and God's people. Why? Because God truly is our strength and shield. Everything revolves around God and is because of God. Even the ending is all about God. For God saves(:

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. Tue to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. At the end of this day, boy do I feel tired. It was just filled with errands, and things to do, to enjoy, and to worry. But it feels nice to do this devotional at night. It was just the proper closing I needed. The part "catch my breath" really stands out. I was just feeling a bit stuffy. But just coming back to enjoy the Lord right now feels just right. I was feeling anxious over minor things. But I can slowly feel my body and mind less anxious. I can feel God's peace gently coming over me at this very moment. That's why I love this psalm so much. I tend to go back to it so many times in nights like this. Nights that I just need to slow down. And just rest in God. Thank you Lord, that you have brought me back to your feet. ...

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. 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. These two contrasting parts I feel it's very relevant to me. There are moments where I feel as if I can't feel God. I can go about my day, but suddenly I feel slowly getting far and away from God. And once I 'make a call' to God. He always seem to answer, even though it takes some warm up to get there haha. As a matter of fact, just happened this morning. This week I was so distracted. Binged in games more than I would have liked. Also had a date in mind that was distracting me. More in the sense that I wasn't interested, but I felt like I had to fulfill the promise to at leas...