Psalms 146:3

He heals the brokenhearted
And He binds up all their wounds.

Encouraging Words

Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep and how the shepherd will leave the other 99 sheep in order to seek out the lost one to bring it home. This paints a picture of how great God’s love is for His children. This verse reminds us that God feels our broken heartedness and heals us. He knows of our wounds and binds them up for healing. He does this because He loves us. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Personal Challenge

We were created in the image of God. If we are a follower of Christ, then the Holy Spirit dwells within us. This makes it important for us to be cognizant of what we are doing with, and to, our bodies, for we are doing it to the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer our own because Jesus bought us with His own life. So, even though we are no longer governed by then law, we choose to do what is lawful in order to glorify our Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Psalms 146:1-2 (145:1-2)

Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I shall praise the Lord while I live;
I shall sing to my God as long as I exist.

Personal Challenge

Life can get busy. It can be full of distractions. We have the opportunity, and privilege to praise our God for all the wondrous things He does in our lives. We must adopt the mindset of the psalmist and praise the Lord with our all, even to the depths of our soul. We are to praise Him with every breath of our life, as long as we exist. Praise His Holy name!

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Psalms 145:18 (144:18)

The Lord is near to all who call on Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.

Personal Challenge

There is a little twist in this verse that tells us that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. We must call upon Him in truth. Whose truth? His truth. If we have made God out in our own special image, then we do not have one that we can call out to in God’s truth. A sobering thought. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Encouraging Words

Our salvation is a process that lasts our entire life. It all starts with our baptism, which washes us clean of our sins through the power and work of Jesus Christ. Our sanctification comes through our chrismation of oil and the reception of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. The justification is the rest of our life living out our faith in Jesus Christ and doing His works. Glory be to God!

Psalms 145:8-9 (144:8-9)

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy.
The Lord is good to all,
And His mercies are upon all His works.

Encouraging Words

God is the creator of all. He bestowed His image into all of mankind, whether they follow Him or not. Jesus gave His pure and perfect life for all of creation, and therefore all of mankind. That is why this passage reads so true for all of us. God is gracious and merciful, longsuffering, good to all, and constantly bestowing His blessings upon His creation. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Personal Challenge