OUR DAILY BREAD : CHECK THE OIL

[cimi]

April 4
Friday


CHECK THE OIL

READ:
Psalm 5
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My voice You shall
hear in the morning,
O LORD; in the morning
I will direct it to You,
and I will look up.
__Psalm 5:3
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When I helped our daughters learn to drive, I included a little instruction on basic auto maintenance. We visited a local service station where they learned to check the oil every time they put fuel in the car. Today, years later, they often remind me of my six-word slogan, "Oil is cheap; engines are expensive." Adding a quart of oil is nothing compared to replacing an engine.

Maintenance is also important in our spiritual lives. Taking time each day to read the Bible, pray, and listen to God is a key element in avoiding a breakdown. In Psalm 5, David wrote, "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You" (v.3). In the following verses he poured out his heart in praise, thanksgiving, and requests to God.

Many people find it essential to begin every day with the Lord. Before checking email, catching the news, or eating breakfast, they find some quiet moments alone to read a portion of God's Word, praise Him for His greatness, thank Him for His love, and seek his guidance. Others spend time reading and praying at different times of the day.

I's not magic__it's maintenance, as we ask the Lord each day to fill our hearts with His presence on the road of life.
__David McCasland

````````````````````````Give me a strong desire, O Lord, to look into Your``````````````````````
```````````````````````Word each day. Help me hide it in my heart so that`````````````````````
````````````````````````I might not stray from Your truth. Feed me and```````````````````````
``````````````````````````teach me about Yourself and Your will for me.```````````````````````
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The roots of stability come form being grounded
in God's Word and prayer.

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 5**********************************

1 Give ear to my words, O
LORD, consider my
meditation. 2 Give heed to
the voice of my cry, my King
and my God, for to You I will
pray. 3 My voice You shall
hear in the morning, O LORD;
in the morning I will direct it
to You, and I will look up.

4 For You are not a God
who takes pleasure in
wickedness, nor shall evil
dwell with You. 5 The
boastful shall not stand in
Your sight; You hate all
workers of iniquity. 6 You
shall destroy those who
speak falsehood; the LORD
abhors the bloodthirsty and
deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come
into Your house in the
multitude of Your mercy; in
fear of You I will worship
toward Your holy temple.

5 Lead me, O LORD, in Your
righteousness because of my
enemies; make Your way
straight before my face.

9 For there is not faithfulness
in their mouth; their inward
part is destruction; their
throat is an open tomb; they
flatter with their tongue.

10 Pronounce them guilty, O
God! Le them fall by their
own conunsels; cast them out
in the multitude of their
transgressions, for they have
rebelled against You.

11 But let all those rejoice
who put their trust in You; let
them ever shout for joy,
because You defend them;
let those also who love Your
name be joyful in You.

12 For You, O LORD, will
bless the righteous; with
favor You will surround him
as with a shield.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In this morning prayer (vv.1-3), David called out to God to help him
live a holy and worshipful life (vv.7-8). He extolled God's justice,
holiness, and unfailing love (vv.4-7), and he affirmed his unwavering
trust in God's presence and protection (vv.4-8,11-12) even as he
faced slander, danger, and evil.