More Psalms to Our God

By Rick Corum

As a follow-up to the book I Psalmist, More Psalms to our God, this serves as a second 365-day devotional. The author's heartfelt writings make a great individual devotional or small group resource. Each day contains a short teaching, a prayer, and a scriptural reference. It can be started at any time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781646709151

Book preview

1

Are you considered a VIP? Our world has created an entire class of people who are considered to be a very important person. Lebron James is a VIP, Mitch McConnell is a VIP, Jennifer Lawrence is a VIP, and so is Mariah Carey. These VIPs and others are thought of as more valuable than other people in the culture. Celebrities, star athletes, and politicians are lifted up by the world. Guess what, we are VIPs as well! As Christians, we claim to be a child of the King. Our God has made us the most important person in his eyes, and there is no better situation to be in.

Father God, you have made me your child—you have made me royalty. Through your love and kindness, you have saved me—you have made me your precious child. Your love has provided for me a path into your eternal kingdom. Jesus has promised that I will have a mansion in the Father’s kingdom, which will be far richer than any Hollywood estate. Eternal life with you my God is the sweetest thing in the world to me.

Galatians 3:26

2

We could have one hundred people tell us that up is down and down is up, but that does not make it so. There are so many people in our world that outright lie to us, trying to get us to abandon what we know to be true in our hearts, for a new truth. Believing a lie is dangerous, even deadly. We believe advertisements we see on television, we believe what we are taught in a classroom, and we believe what are government leaders tell us. We need to believe in only one thing, the Bible. Not what some people say about the Bible, but what we read in the Bible. Remember that the Bible is God’s holy word. We need to read it, hear it, and live it.

Oh, Most Holy God, your word is beyond comparison. Your word comforts me, inspires me, teaches me, warns me, and directs me. Being in your holy word helps me to grow in my faith. It helps me understand the events and issues in this world and keeps me strong until you call me home.

First John 2:21

3

When we surrender to God, we give all of our life to him. We surrender our will to his. We allow him to do with our life as he sees fit. We become in the truest sense of the word a servant, a servant of God. It’s odd but once we surrender to him, our life becomes more rich and fulfilling than we could ever make it without God. Surrendering to God is our acceptance of his will for our life. God will provide everything that we need and will one day bring us to live with him forever.

Lord, I surrender my life to you. I beg you to take over my will. I have made so many poor choices, and I realize you would run my life perfectly. Help me to always stay in your will in everything I do. Make all of my decisions honorable to you in every way my king. My desire is to please you in always and at all times. I live only for you.

Daniel 3:16–18

4

Jesus Christ was not murdered, he was not killed, he was not suicidal, nor was he tricked or ambushed. Jesus made himself a sacrifice, a sacrifice for our sins. He knew, as we now know that we could never pay the consequences of our sin, so he willingly gave us his life for us. His entire earthly ministry was a sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus’s sacrifice is unrivaled in all of the world, throughout all time. He did it for us, so we need to accept and acknowledge his gracious gift every day.

Sweet Jesus, thank you, thank you for paying the high cost of my sins. This was a price that I would never been able to pay. Your unfailing love is difficult for me to comprehend sometimes, yet I am forever grateful. You took the first step toward forming a relationship with me, while I was hopelessly lost in my own sin. You have given me hope and now I love you more deeply than I could have ever imagined.

John 10:18

5

Does your soul thirst after our God? Do you work hard to quench this thirst? Do you really hunger and thirst for our God, or do you just try to squeeze him in a few hours a week? God wants all of you, and does not like sharing you with the world, especially when, for many the world gets so much more. God is always thinking about us. Are we always thinking about him? Be sure to make him your priority every day.

Oh, Heavenly Father, it is the greatest desire of my heart to spend more time with you. Time praising you, communicating with you, or learning about you via the scripture. I know you love me beyond all measure, and I want to show you my love, my love for you beyond all measure. Keep all of the distractions away from me, oh Lord, so I can stay focused on you. Help me, dear Lord, to fulfill my desire to be with you every day of my life.

Psalm 42:1–2

6

Many Christians have an odd perspective on death. As believers, we should not look upon death as an ending; rather, it is a glorious beginning. Whether it is our own death or the death of a believing loved one, an earthly death is the start of an eternal life with Christ in heaven. Death often marks an end to earthly pain and suffering, and the beginning of the greatest joy we could ever experience. Our death is certainly not something to be feared. Just as a child playing outside at dinner time, being called home is a happy wonderful event; something that Christians should be looking forward to with great anticipation.

Everlasting Father, your love is overwhelming. Because of your great love and mercy, I am made worthy to enter into your holy kingdom. I can hardly wait to be in your presence, yet I know this is in your plan and timing and not mine. For now, I am content to be a faithful servant to you wherever you place me.

Philippians 1:23

7

Do you enjoy your prayer time? We are so blessed that our great God even allows us to communicate with him. Prayer offers us so much; it offers us tranquility, confidence, wisdom, and joy. Praying is a perfect opportunity to offer thanksgiving to God for all the wonderful and beautiful things that he has given us. Prayer definitely puts us in touch with the plan that God has for our life. The more we pray, the more we want to pray. Another important reason we should pray often is that it pleases our God.

Almighty King, I offer my humble prayer to you again. I thank you for everything you have given to me, and everything you have done for me. I deserve nothing from you, not even your time; yet you encourage me and lift my soul. As I pray, I feel the connection strengthening between us. You are my God and I rejoice in pleasing you every moment of the day. There is no one as wonderful as you.

Second Chronicles 6:21

8

Are you fishing for the souls of people? Jesus promised the disciples that he would show them how to catch men and women instead of fish. Unlike regular fishing, where the fish eventually dies; fishing for souls leads people to eternal life in Christ. Just as the disciples caught fish for their livelihood, their life was transformed by Jesus; there new livelihood was learning to fish for people. Commercial fisherman work very hard to meet quotas and to catch enough fish to sustain their families. Jesus did not say fishing for people’s souls would be easy, but it is very necessary.

I rejoice, oh powerful God, that you sent someone out to fish for me. I was so adrift in this sinful world until I landed in the net. Now my heart and my soul belong to you, oh loving Father. Guide me to be a fisherman for you; to fish for the souls who are so in need of being in your catch. Give me the word and the way do fill the nets for your glory.

Luke 5:4–7

9

We have many reasons to praise our God. He is worthy of praise; it is one of the reasons we were created. Our God delights in our praise. There is no limit as to how many times per day that we should praise him, nor is there only one method we can use for praise. Praise should be a natural by-product of a joyful heart, a heart in which God resides. If you do not feel like praising God, perhaps your heart is not right with him. Praising our God is a natural expression of our love for him.

Lord, it is my desire to praise you night and day. As my soul longs to know you better, my heart longs to praise you. You, and you alone are worthy of my praise. You have loved me when I was unlovable. You have bestowed me with blessings beyond my ability to count. I praise you with words, with deeds, silently, and in song. I want my life to be total praise of you.

Jeremiah 20:13

10

Hope can be a beautiful thing. Hope is focused on the future, and it is focused on good and positive things. Hope is what sustains us through hard times. Hopelessness is one of the most destructive things in the world. When one has no hope one has no value, no purpose, and no desire for life. It is very possible for one to lose hope, just as it is for one to find hope. We have a true, everlasting hope in Jesus Christ. We have hope that will help us through the most difficult times in our life. Jesus is a hope that will never fade away, a hope that will never fall short.

Oh Lord, my God, you are my hope forever. All confidence I place in you; your promises do not fail. I have total confidence in you and the plans that you have for me. I do not even care to know what plans are, I know they are good. Your love and faithfulness have allowed me to place all hope in you.

Isaiah 40:31

11

We hear people say things like My god would not be against homosexuality or any of the other culturally significant issues of the day. Even if the Bible speaks of God’s opposition to something, people try to change the rules to fit their choices. So many people do not understand what it means to have a God, or even a king. God sets the rules, not mankind. We have no say in any of them. So, if your god seems to be contradicting scripture, you are worshiping the wrong god.

I recognize that you alone are God. The world and its judges and trendsetters are not my god; if the world is in disagreement with you, it is wrong, and it needs to change not you. Putting any other god or person or issue above you is an act of the devil. It breaks my heart to see how our world treats you. I implore you oh lord to move in the hearts of the people, to know you as their God and King.

Psalm 24:7–10

12

As amazing as it can be to receive a blessing, it is equally as easy and amazing to be a blessing to someone else. Jesus wants us to love one another, and many people think that means be a hero, like donating a kidney or letting someone move into your home. While these are definite signs of love, showing love does not have to be all encompassing. Sometimes, what people need is simple, a smile or a kind word; maybe helping an older person pump gas or get across a busy street. It is important that people see the love of Jesus Christ in and through you every day.

Father God, your love for me is overwhelming. We both know that I am not deserving of your awesome love; a love that I so deeply appreciate with every fiber of my being. I want to share that love with everyone that I meet; I want to bless them with your great love. I want to be your hands, your feet and your heart to the people, all the people here on earth until you call me home.

Psalm 1:1–3

13

Do you worship with reckless abandon? Have you ever seen anyone worshipping without boundaries? You tend to do this when you are totally connected with our God. It’s just you and him, even if you are in a church or auditorium with hundred or thousands of people. In worship, God’s spirit is moving inside your soul. Our worship needs to be joyful, drawing its energy from within you. Powerful worship is contagious, but that is not the purpose. We need to forget the people around us, the people on the platform and what plans we have for the day. Just your soul celebrating our God to the most extreme.

Heavenly God, I open my entire being to you in worship. I know that you are more than worthy of my worship, and pray that you will lovingly receive it. I know that I get to share a very special connection with you as I worship you.

First Chronicles 16:23–31

14

Are you living a life worthy of the calling to be a Christ follower? Paul tells us to be humble, gentle, loving, and patient, and the benefits of these behaviors will contribute greatly to keeping the unity of the Spirit. Those of us who claim the life of a Christian, or desire that life need to work to fully obtain these attributes. This is the time to select what side you are on, the world’s side or God’s side. You cannot keep one foot in the world, and one foot with God; God wants all or nothing. What is your decision? Will your actions reflect that decision?

Oh, sweet Jesus, I have decided to follow you. I am all in for you, I have learned that what the world offers is junk, total junk compared to what you offer. I will seek to kind, I will seek to be humble, and I will seek to be loving-just as you are. You and you alone are the one desire of my heart.

Ephesians 4:1–7

15

Our God has called us to live a holy life. We need to ask ourselves if we are living a holy life, are we trying to live a holy life, or do we even want to try and live a holy life? Holiness does not imply perfect. It means being totally devoted to God. Holiness is God’s desire for us, and if you do not desire to live a holy life, you are outside the will of God. Being outside the will of God is not where any of us want to be. Think about holiness and try to get in step with our God.

My Heavenly Father, it is my great desire to live a holy life. I work hard, often failing, but always getting back up and trying again. I can only be truly holy when I am walking close to you, and I realize that how close I walk to you is up to me, you never move from me. Hold me close, oh Lord, keep me by your side, and help me to be totally devoted to you, and your alone.

Second Timothy 1:9

16

How much are you willing to give to God? I do not refer to your money or possessions, rather I am referring to your life. Do you know how much of your life God wants from you? He wants it all, every bit of you. Do you think that is that too much to give? Think about how much life that Jesus gave to you and to me. He gave it all, 100 percent, he held nothing back. You may hear people say that they would be willing to die for God, but how about living for God? Are you willing to live for God today?

Gracious God, you hold nothing back from us. Your love is overwhelming, pouring into us beyond compare. Jesus held nothing back from us, suffering and dying for all of our sins. The Holy Spirit holds nothing back, encouraging and supporting us as we walk through this life. I want to give 100 percent to you, I want to hold nothing back from you, all of my life is yours, and I freely offer it to you, use me as you will.

Matthew 16:25

17

Jesus told us that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is no sense in having a discussion over who our neighbor is, we all know the answer to this. What is important about this lesson is that it is a command, not a suggestion or an ideal. A command is something that we must do. It is not an option. We do not have the right to skip loving someone, we do not have the right to rationalize why we do not love someone. We have been commanded to love everyone, love them as we love ourselves, love them as Jesus loved each of us.

Oh, loving God, help us to be strong in our willingness and ability to love our neighbors, all of our neighbors. We must love like Jesus, love without expecting anything in return. Love, even when we are ignored or hated. We know that love can overcome hatred, love can soften even the hardest of hearts, and love can turn sinners away from sin and toward our loving God.

Leviticus 19:18

18

Rejoice in the Lord, rejoice every single day. Do you realize how blessed we are, and how important each of us is to our God? What a great blessing to be considered valuable and important to our God. When you think of how unworthy we are to even be in the presence of our God, much less to be in his heart it should make everyone pause. God did not create us to abandon us, he wants to be in our life, but he has left that option up to us. If you want God in your life, get into his life. Prayer and reading the scripture are the vehicles we can use to connect with our God, and he with us.

When we are going through good times, we rejoice in you oh Lord. When we are going through difficult times, we rejoice in you, oh Lord. We can show our appreciation for all you do for us by rejoicing in you. You and you alone our worthy of praise and rejoicing! We may not always understand what is happening to us, but we trust that you have our best interests in your heart, and you will never do us wrong.

Colossians 1:11–14

19

What is the source of your joy? Is it family, friends, career, food, drink, or other substances? Any and all of these things will fail you, some deliberately, some not deliberately. The source of true joy can be found