Scripture Read:  Psalm 147, 148

Key Verse:  Psalm 147:4-5

“He determines the number of stars of calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.”

Observation:

The “immeasurable” number of stars are each known by God, who has placed each one in the galaxy.
 Just as he’s done with each person on earth. His power is grand & He understands all no matter how unforgivable it may seem.

Application:

It was hard to choose a verse out of Psalm 147 because the entire Psalm is a beautifully, descriptive reminder of all God has done, created, controls & provides for mankind. I can remember when I was a child and my favorite thing to do was explore my yard. I couldn’t wait to see what new insect I would find or new leaf pattern would fall from the trees.

I would study the veins in the leaves, the pinchers on a carpenter ant, the wings of a grasshopper and dig up dirt & clay to see what I could find. The weird part was, unlike humans, carpenter ants all seemed the same, as did caterpillars, worms and everything else I found. The detail was amazing,
but common among species. Little did I know, God makes each one slightly different, not visible to the naked eye. And each of them served a purpose more than I could understand in my quick examinations.  The insect world is similar to our own in that sometimes nationalities can look the same, but every single human being is made unique & He knows us each by name. Remarkable if you ask me. I cannot imagine 
having billions of children & keeping track of their every move. Yet He does. When you’re stressed, bored, 
complacent, remember Psalm 147 & read it again. If it doesn’t move you, take a biology class or watch
national geographic! What you cannot possibly learn in a lifetime, God created in 6 days.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember your beauty, your power, your promises & your understanding. You are truly an amazing God; full of detail and wonder! Keep us from becoming complacent with all that you have created. Remind us of our child-like faith & keep us fascinated with the little things. Thank you for love & greatness.

By Sandy 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 145, 146

Key Verse:  Psalm 146:8-9

“The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.  The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin”

Observation:

The Psalms are filled with great visual lessons of what God does and who he is. He opens the eyes when we cannot see, lifts up those who are down in spirit, watches over us while we are on our life and spiritual journey and gives sustenance to those who are without a father or spouse.  That’s my God!

Application:

It’s also a lesson of what I should be. If I am a follower than I should be striving to follow the example Jesus gave while on earth. Sure I will fall short, but in the journey my hope is I learn a little more about God, about his love for me and especially about his love for others. As I continue to draw close to him, God’s love for me will change my heart for other people and motivate me to show love beyond my own capacity to others.  It’s a journey but it starts when I say, “not my will but ours be done”.  My greatest power is in staying weak in my self so that I can be strong in him. When I am able to accomplish that than I know that anything I do is a result of God doing it through me.

Prayer:

God, keep me weak so that you can use whatever abilities you have given me for your will in your time for your people. Bring me low, so I can be lifted up and keep me humble so I do not get in the way. I need to remember that it’s your power, in me that changes lives, not any of my plans or efforts. Let my voice be amplified and demonstrated by your love working through my hands.

By Dan 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 143, 144

Key Verse:  Psalm 143:5

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.”

Observation:

Throughout the Psalms we see seasons; seasons of rejoicing, mourning, fear, waiting, hope and thanksgiving. David looks back at what God has done.  He remembers the work that God has accomplished, the victories he has experienced because of his faith in God and thinks back on those seasons when his current situations are particularly challenging.

Application:

Throughout my life there have been seasons of the same. I too can look at God’s track record in my life, in the lives of others, in David’s life and know that there is something amazing in store for me ahead as I follow God’s lead into the future. God is always faithful. That can never be questioned. I know what is true of God. The question is what is true of me? Will I be faithful in following and serving in obedience?

Prayer:

You are the God of the past, the present and the future. Thank you for your word and it’s record of your faithfulness. Thank you for the memories you have woven into my life of your steadfast love. Thank you for where you are taking me. I’ll follow and serve knowing who you are is never the question.

By Bonnie 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 141, 142

Key Verse:  Psalm 141:4

⁴Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds
in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!”

Observation:

Who we associate with and have as friends matters.  It is one thing to be friends with those who work iniquity.  Someone has to reach them!  It is a whole other thing to let them begin to influence you and trash your integrity.  Intentions matter to God.  Run with whomever you can influence to Christ and the intentions of them man will be honored by God.

Application:

Most of us need MORE friends who are well, honestly, pagan, crazy outrageous sinners.  This is what I love about our church family.  We can be honest with each other and celebrate the intentions and the heart behind our actions.  Legalism must never take a foothold in our church.  If there is a sin to confess, then a rebuke from a Christian brother or sister is encouraged (vs. 5).  It is “oil for our heads”  we must not hide our sins and at the same time we must understand the great opportunity that exists for us to tell our stories that reveal our heart intentions to love people.  As  we go into the fall with 217church, we must realize this is our opportunity to take the tickets & door hangers and INVITE, INVITE, INVITE

Prayer:

Lord, help us not to isolate ourselves but make us to infiltrate and infuse life into those who have no hope. Give me more friends to win to you!

By Josh 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 139, 140

Key Verse:  Psalm 139:4

“Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

Observation:

How AWESOME!!  Even before I speak or formulate a thought, God knows what it is!  He knows every intricate detail about me.  Each of us is wonderfully made in His image.  When He made us, He only had great thoughts and intentions!  We are all made with a specific purpose in mind.  Will I stop trying to control my life long enough to seek what God has for me?  Will I complete this journey doing what God has created me to do?

Application:

I will spend the rest of my life seeking God’s will.  I believe it is at times when I am surrounded by the overwhelming presence of God that I am on the right track.  It is at times that I feel confused and anxious that I am not living my life through God’s will or his purpose for it.

I believe that we have to discover the purpose in each of our lives, and diligently seek God’s desires for our lives.  I also believe that there are specific people who God wants me to be a blessing to, and if I don’t follow the path He wants me to take, I miss the opportunity to be a blessing.

It has often been said that this is not a dress rehearsal but the real thing, and we need to maximize our time here on earth. I believe, to take it a step further, it is not a dress rehearsal, but a preparation for our eternal life, and I want to give it the best that I’ve got!!!!

Prayer:

Lord, I am reminded that you knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb.  You created me for a purpose, and you have a special plan for my life.  Help me to focus and seek your plan and will for my life.  Help me, Lord to be still and not only know that you are God but to listen intently to what has yet to come for me.  Thank you so much for our relationship. I am so thankful for your love.  Walking through the Psalms has been such a blessing for me; it has created the desire for me to seek you even more.

By Debbee 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 137, 138

Key Verse:  Psalm 138:1

“I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;”

Observation:

The key praise that constantly pops is giving thanks.  In the pain and sorrow, give thanks, in the joy and happiness, give thanks.  But throughout life, we tend to only give thanks to God when things are going the right way, and to most of us, the RIGHT way is usually OUR way.  In this Psalm, David gives thanks for a multitude of reasons; God’s steadfast love, His faithfulness, His power, and the list goes on and on.  Not only will he (David) give thanks, but all the kings in all the earth will give thanks to the Lord.

Application:

You can tell how strong your relationship with God is by your attitude and first reaction when something goes wrong! When’s the last time I gave thanks to the Lord.  Obviously, it’s really easy to say when something good has happened recently in my life.  It’s always easy that way isn’t it?  When something that we think “good” happens, we always have the attitude of “Thank God!”   Why not the other way?  Why not when something bad happens do we give thanks to God?  It’s never easy and my mind always has a hard time wrapping my head around this idea.  Why be thankful for something bad happening?  As I’ve grown, I have realized I always learn better when I fail.  If nothing goes wrong, then I’m thinking, “Hey, I did such a good job.”  I’m the MAN!  Then after will I say, “God, you are awesome, thanks for everything,” thanks for making me the MAN!.  Have I really learned anything?  Did I really give all the glory and thanks to God?  Sometimes and sometimes not.  When I fail, I tend to learn what went wrong and why.  But that’s when I need to first turn to God and say, “God, I thank you that you are a solid rock in my life, because I sure as heck need you to understand why I failed.”

It’s really easy to say thanks in a good mood, but is He your first thought in a crisis mood?  Or something that just comes after you soak up all the glory. If you’re on the short end of the stick, if you’re like me, you’ll learn from it.  We have to learn to give thanks, learn from the situation and know that God will pull you through.

Prayer:

God, I pray that we would be able to trust in You in all that we do.  That all we did, we would constantly give thanks to You, be constantly reminded of Your faithfulness, Your love, Your grace.  Because of the sacrifice that Your Son gave, we are able to become free from the enemy, and because of that, we give thanks.  May our lives be a constant song of praise to You.

By Tim 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 135, 136

Key Verse:  Psalm 136:1

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Observation:

Both continue on in a poetic patter of repeating this line in the first verse. Repeated lines are rhythmic and encouraging.  A constant reminder directly of the consistency of God. These are great psalms to read in times of discouragement or when we are in need of assurance. Three things we should do. Give thanks, God is good and His love endures forever.

Application:

What an amazing set of statements. They all make sense together too. “Give thanks.” I wonder if I stop enough to thank God for the little things. For a hot shower, air conditioning, a roof over my head, a shirt on my back, or being part of this church family. But why should we stop to give thanks? I believe it is because when we PAUSE and give thanks, it is easier to remember that He is good. Not when we are running around. But when we stop to give thanks. Our God is good. Why, because His love endures forever. For those who feel like He can love you more or love you less I assure you God loves period. And He loves forever. Why is it that when we look back on what He has done we see His provision and blessing so much clearer than in the midst of our circumstance? I believe it is most likely because in the midst of our circumstances we are so preoccupied with taking control that we forget the blessings He has given us when we give it up. Let’s make it a discipline to give thanks to the Lord and remember that He is good. Be comforted that His love endures forever.

By Kevin 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 133, 134

Key Verse:  Psalm 131:3

“It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!”

Observation:

This Psalm has beautiful imagery.  Anointing with oil in the Old Testament was often a symbol for God’s recognition of a position, a sacrifice, etc. In the New Testament, oil
 was often used for healing of people. They’re using it to explain how they feel through the eternal life the Lord has promised us.

Application:

I feel I can understand what they’re trying to describe. When was the last time you felt that feeling of total pleasantness, serenity & thankfulness? I feel it whenever I’m reminded how God is in control, when I’m driving into work on a beautiful day, when I go to sleep at night with the mild breeze that cloaks me… I feel it often & it’s always when I take a moment to step out of the chaos of life & focus on the simple free beauties that God provides us with on a daily basis. Eternal life being one of them.

Tke time out of your day. Be a cliche. Enjoy the pleasantness God has given you right here, right now.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the free things in life; the sun, the moon, trees and subtle breezes on a  beautiful day. We often forget to take in the sights & be present in the moment. I pray that we can find time to do so even if it’s brief. Thank You for Your Word & allowing us to learn & grow. Thank You for the heavens and the earth! Amen

By Sandy 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 131, 132

Key Verse:  Psalm 131:3

“O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore”

Observation:

It sounds so easy, to hope in the Lord forevermore, to rest easy and let his peace wash over you. To be able to rest no matter your current circumstances, that’s my definition of contentment, which Paul talks about in Ephesians 4:12. I have chased contentment for most of my life. It sounds easy, because it really is.  Its just hard to live…everyday.

Application:

Why is it hard to live that out? For me, I don’t rest easy and sometimes it feels like I don’t rest much at all. Mentally my brain is always spinning, either worrying about the past or anxious for the future. Now part of that may be my German, Type A, A.D.D personality (I know how much that shocks those who know me as a peaceful tranquil man…LOL ). But I dare to say most of it is due to my impatience, my lack of trust and faithfulness in resting in God’s will. My wife on the other hand, though she is ALWAYS in motion, knows how to rest in God. Her Faith is unbelievable and her trust that God will provide is truly amazing! I envy her ability and commitment to STOP and just seek God and that faith is repaid as God speaks directly to and through her. It doesn’t take great ability to hear God, it takes great faith. But we will never know that until we STOP doing and start LISTENING.  This is where hope comes from.

God often speaks in the opposite way we want him to. If we tend to spring into action then his voice comes when we rest. If we tend to wait for the whole picture to be seen, then his voice comes when we get in motion.

Prayer:

God I ask that you will speak to me and our church family in a way that makes it clear that it is your voice. That we would Listen for you, Hear what you have to say and then Do what you ask.  Help us to place our hope in you.

By Dan 217staff team

Scripture Read:  Psalm 129, 130

Key Verse:  Psalm 130:5-6

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”

Observation:

I was watching and waiting throughout the night, like most on the east coast, as Hurricane Irene blew through NJ. In the darkness I listened intently to the night, the howl in the distance, the approach of the wind, the thrashing of the trees and the creaking of the walls. I prayed the scripture that came to mind and began listening differently. I was listening for God. I asked for wisdom to know what needed to be done when the time came. There were two clear instructions. The first: Get your shoes on. So at 3:30am by flashlight I found my sneakers and laced them up. The second: Close your eyes. And I laid on the couch eyes closed, shoes on, listening and ready.

Application:

I can wait out each challenge along life’s path, listening to the clatter around me and living for the sun to rise the next day. But I would rather live differently – listen differently. I want to be listening for God, ready for his instruction and to live out what he says.

Prayer:

My Creator and protector make me ready as I listen and obey so that I can do what is required of me when that time comes.

By Bonnie 217staff team