confirmation 2008 Luke 2.41-52

reflecting God's image in the world is when a follower of Jesus is brightest

psalm 104

2 he stretches out the heavens like a tent

According to the latest studies of the universe, it is expanding and they talk of a space “fabric” that expands as the universe expands. Kind of like the surface of a tent that is expanding…If these words weren’t from 3000 years ago, wow, I’ll bet you this David guy would be on Oprah!

Pray for continued insight into the natural world.

psalm 103

16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
 as though we had never been here.

When you leave your mark of love and it is all about Jesus, the wind can blow and what remains can’t be seen. What God does through you is there; it’s just that they see Jesus instead.

Pray for your legacy to be blessing.

psalm 100

    2 Worship the Lord with gladness.

      Come before him, singing with joy.

Worship is the hub of what we do as the people of God and as such is the key emotion of our lives. So, our lives are to center on gladness. Ask yourself,

“What emotion is my life centered around? Is it gladness? If not, why not?”

Pray for gladness.

psalm 102

12 But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation.

Ask a twelve year old to tell you about Elvis. Sorry, only God has true buzz.

Pray that God be known through your life.

psalm 101

2 I will be careful to live a blameless life—

      when will you come to help me?

   I will lead a life of integrity

      in my own home.

“Do those who know you the best love and respect you the most?” This question from John Maxwell points us to “first” church. The home. Where we dwell. Is God a resident there and are his ways honored?

Pray to be a light with your family.

Psalm 99

8 O Lord our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, but you punished them when they went wrong.

Don’t netflix the movie The Punisher because it is far too violent. But, if you just happen to see it, you know what happens when man seeks vengeance. It is only a temporary relief from psychic pain at best.

God is The Punisher and his way of doing things is to discipline people in order to draw them to his love and mercy. We don’t know when it is from God and we don’t know why but we do know that it works. Even God knows this in Jesus.

“By his stripes we are healed.”

Pray for mercy from God’s discipline and turn to him.

psalm 98

 9 before the Lord.
      For the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
   He will judge the world with justice,
      and the nations with fairness.


It is not the nations that decide whether there is a God or not. It is God who judges the nations. Isaiah 9:6 lets us know it is God who rules. At least he will be fair. A good change of pace to have God in charge.


Pray for God to work in the world in stronger ways.

psalm 97

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
      every nation sees his glory

When we see the word, "heavens" like this, it usually refers to outer space. The place where the moon and the stars "dwell." This verse has much insight to realize that even the laws of physics tell of the greatness of the one who creates with the intricacies of mathematical formulas. His righteousness. His correctness. His fairness. All people can see God's ways straight ahead.

Pray for insight into God from the world around you.

psalm 96

9 Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness;
       tremble before him, all the earth.



When was the last time you trembled at worship? I can't help but think of the old hymn, "Were You There"-


...sometimes, it causes me to tremble, tremble, temble...


What causes you to tremble? Nothing? How much of God are you willing to see before the tembling starts? Maybe being more open and more ready is a start.


Pray for God to reach into your soul.

psalm 95

psalm 95

 9 where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.

Do you test God’s patience, even though you know he gives you life and every blessing? Join the club…But, don’t stay a member long.

Pray for actions that please God to be what you think of. 

psalm 94

psalm 94

7 They say, "The LORD does not see; 
the God of Jacob pays no heed."

When those who don’t follow God’s ways but do believe he exists, they are not being foolish, at least with the believe part.

Pray for those who treat God too lightly.

psalm 93

psalm 93

2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.

In the teaching of the world’s greatest thinkers from ancient times, the idea of an eternal God who creates a universe that has a beginning, well, that’s unknown. Except in the biblical God. That is exactly what is being said.

Thank God for creation.

psalm 92

psalm 92

 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

When God is working through us, we never retire. We are expanded when the Holy Spirit fills us with power to bring love and a message of hope to those who desperately need to hear. The “golden years” can, indeed, bring gold in the treasure of doing God’s work.

Pray for renewal exactly where you are.

psalm 91

psalm 91

 7 A thousand may fall at your side, 
ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

This is one of my favorite sections in the whole Bible. When you think of who is in charge of all of life and how he covers those who trust in him, God is way bigger than even my oldest brother…and he is tough!

God protects those he loves. Many times it takes place in this life; always forever.

Pray for protection.

psalm 90

psalm 90

        

"May our sovereign God extend his favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful!"

Some people are wary of using "success" language when it comes to life and faith, yet, what is the alternative? "Lord, failure is what I seek?" I want my life to go well. I want to be successful. On God's terms and in God's ways.

Pray for success.

psalm 89

psalm 89

"I will give you an eternal dynasty and establish your throne throughout future generations."

Christians see this psalm as referring to Jesus and why not? He is on the throne. That's a good thing.

Pray for Jesus to rule on the throne of your life.

psalm 88

psalm 88

"You cause my neighbors and friends to keep their distance; those who know me leave me alone in the darkness."

This is the only psalm that doesn't end on a hopeful or encouraging note. It is what it is. God's effectiveness isn't totally correlated to our attitude. He can work in spite of us.

Pray not to base so much on how you feel.