Father God, remind us Lord that this is the month, day and second that You have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in this time that You have given us, no matter how difficult it may be.
Lord God, help us to face this new month in boldness and confidence. Help us to face this month exalting You and not ourselves. As chaos abounds and surrounds, may we cling to Your peace. Praise You Jesus that You are Peace. That Peace is indeed a Person and not some abstract thought, feeling or emotion.
Lord God, lead us and guide us this month. May we seek to grow in Christ this month. Lord God, it is the cry of my heart to apply Your Word. Lord God, You care WAY more about our character than what we know. And what we do know, You require us to display in our lives and to act upon it. James tells us very clearly that it is sin to know what to do and not do it.
Help us Lord to not just talk about You this month but to talk with You. To hear You in and through Your Word. Lord God, may we be a people who are like David, seeking Your face. May we long to dwell in Your house more than we want to dwell here on earth. Lord God, please God, protect the young people who do not know anything different than what is happening in this world now. Help believers Lord to navigate and fight the tension of living like Christ in an increasingly hostile world.
Lord Jesus, what a joy it is to serve You. Jesus I ask that You will be our Master more and more. I ask Jesus that You will increase in our lives and that we will decrease. Remove our pride and arrogance. Open our eyes and ears to where we are falling prey to deception and lies.
Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord, may this reader be blessed by Your salvation this month. May this reader seek Your Kingdom first. Praise You Jesus that Your Kingdom is already, but not yet. Praise You Jesus that You will return. May we be motivated to live by Your Spirit knowing that whether we are alive when You return or meet You in death, may we live confidently that You are who You say You are and that You will bring us home to You, where we will dwell in Your shalom forever and ever and ever.
Lord God, reveal to us what we are holding to tightly this month. Reveal to us Lord where we have set up idols. Reveal to us where we are placing things and people above You. Lord Jesus, I praise You that You are seated on the Throne and that You know the end from the beginning. Lord, again teach us to number our days. Not for greater gain or future reward but because we love You and long to please and glorify You. Thank You again for this reader Lord. May they be encouraged and be an encourager more this month. May all Your people glorify You more this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Lord God, thank You for shapes, colors, clouds, trees. Lord God, the way You create NEVER ceases to amaze me. Thank You Lord God for all the ways that You manifest Yourself to Your people.
Lord God, continue to point people to Yourself through nature and through Your Word.
Lord God, help us to deal with people who are difficult whether they are loud and obnoxious neighbors, difficult family members and co-workers, help us to endure and to not let our emotions over take us when we are annoyed.
Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord God, thank You that for believers in Christ our afflictions are momentary in light of eternity. Teach us Lord to number our days. Help us to remain humble, not thinking too highly of ourselves.
Lord God, draw this reader closer to You. No matter where this reader is located in Your world, thank You and praise You that Your Son is always shining. Thank You Holy Trinity for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Mangroves, Boca Ciega Bay. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, teach us to live more for You this month. Father God, guard Your people this month from attacks from wolves who seek to destroy our testimony.
Father God, as natural disasters are affecting millions, we are trusting You Lord to sustain and provide for Your people. Lord God, may we desire to share Jesus with our lost neighbors, friends, coworkers, family members more this month.
Lord God, help us to trust You and Your Sovereignty. May we trust Your Kingship more than our own earthly political systems. Nations are coming against nations and we know Lord these things will happen when Jesus’s return is coming near. Come Lord Jesus!
Lord God, thank You for this reader. May this reader trust You more and seek Your face more this month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Lord God, thank You for this new month. Lord God, thank You that Your mercies are new every single morning! Thank You Lord that You are in control and that You know what is happening even when we do not! Lord God, help us to live more like Christ in this new month!
Lord God, help us to NOT be like the scribes and the Pharisees who preach but do not practice (Matt 23:3). Help us Lord to be hearers, preachers and doers. Help us Lord to have words and deeds that glorify You, encourage believers and that point the lost to Jesus. Lord God, help us to not get bogged down with the sin that we see around us. Help us to cling more to You than to this world and our possessions. Help us Lord to prepare for the coming difficulties that we will face; may we prepare in faith and not fear. May we prepare in a manner that pleases You and not pleases ourselves. Lord God, as times become darker and more difficult, help us to care for people, may we not seek our own interests, but take an interest in others as well.
Lord God, thank You and praise You for the opportunity to see Your end time events unfold. Lord God, I know every generation since Christ’s ascension to heaven has thought this, may we not take the time that You have given us for granted.
Lord God, as You and Your Word are attacked more and more in the Western world, help Your people to be confident that Your Holy Spirit will give us words and guide us when we need to speak and stand for You. May we not shrink back in fear, may we not lose heart, may we keep pressing on, knowing that our eternity is safe and secure in You.
Lord God, I thank You and praise You that when You are ready You will hold all those who persecute and oppress Your people accountable. Lord God, I thank You and praise You there will be a day when You will put to an end food, weather, monetary, government corruption and manipulation. I thank You and praise You Lord that You are Just and that You will vindicate Your people. Lord Jesus, help us to not lose sight that You are our Victorious, Overcoming and Soon Returning King. Lord God, You amaze me! Lord, help us this month to be more like John the Baptist stating, “I must decrease and He must increase.” Lord, help us to increase our faith, trust, obedience and dependence on You this month.
Help us Lord to speak with unbelievers who are questioning what they see happening around them that does not make sense. May we affirm to them that without Jesus Christ like makes absolutely no sense and that everything is truly meaningless. Lord God, fill Your people with renewed passion and vigor for You this month!
Lord God, for those who are returning to school may You in Your common grace give them teachers and professors who care about ethics, morality and common sense, even if they are unbelievers. Lord God, for parents who have children going to school, Lord may they not forsake helping their children process what they are learning, even if they go to Christian school. Lord God, for those who are preparing for summer break, help them to finish their school year well. Prepare their parents to have their children home again this summer!
Lord God, thank You for the opportunity to pray with my brothers and sisters online! I know the internet is full of all kinds of evil, filth and trash; however, thank You for this platform and may Christians use the internet responsibly! May we never forget that You know every spoken and unspoken thought that enters our minds! Help us to be mindful in what we are taking in and pouring out. Lord God, help us to be more like Christ in our internet interactions.
Lord God, thank You for this reader! It is a joy and an honor to pray for men and women created in Your image. How much more amazing it is Lord to pray with and for likeminded believers. Lord God, for the person reading this blog who does not know Jesus, may today be the day of salvation. May today be the day where they acknowledge they are a sinner and that they need Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Master. Lord God, for my fellow believers, may we share Christ and be like Christ even more. Thank You Holy Trinity for this reader and for this new month. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunset. Bluebird on top of pine tree. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 ESV)
Lord God, in the midst of the chaos and uncertainty, help us to pause and meditate on You. Lord God, may we not let the sun go down on our anger. Lord God, may Your peace prevail in Your peoples lives, even when the storms and trials rage.
Lord God, may Your people love You and desire You more each day. May Your people be reminded that You will vindicate Yourself; You do not ask Your people to take vengeance into our own hands.
Lord God, as I pray sitting around the fire, I ask that You will remind us that the judgment that is coming will reveal our our hearts and actions. Lord You are an all consuming fire, may we never take Your grace and mercy for granted. Praise You Jesus that one day all the nations will bow before You.
Thank You Lord for this reader. May the glow of the sun and fire point this reader to the True Son, the One who paid it all. Lord, what a gift it is to have people to pray for! Even when we may be annoyed or agitated, thank You Lord for the opportunity to commune with You in prayer and interceding for others. Bless this reader as only You can. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPraying for y’all! Photo taken by Nathan Quinn.
Looking down on east side of the Temple Mount. 23 May 2017. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
24 A Psalm of David.
1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
In light of Holy Week 2022, I cannot help but meditate on David’s hymn.
David makes it clear that the earth belongs to Yahweh and that He is the Creator and Sovereign overall (vv 1-2). David’s understanding of creation theology is the antithesis of how Israel’s neighbors understood creation. For most of the Ancient Near East (ANE), they viewed the earth as flat and floating on a cosmic ocean. Water in the ANE was signified with chaos and disorder. (Each ANE civilization had a defeated sea god. For example: the Ugaritic (Canaanite) Baal was the storm/fertility god who defeated the sea god Yamm). To David, “these words signify that the Lord has manifested his wisdom in creating an orderly world, and therefore he rules over all. The biblical perspective is opposed to the deification of nature, for, while everything is glorious, its glory is derived from the glorious Creator” (W. VanGemeren, Psalms REBC, 2008, p. 258).
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?” (v 3). The hill that David is speaking of is Mount Zion. “The temple of Yahweh was built on a hilltop above the rest of the city. Thus, going to worship at the temple involved a modest ascent. The Temple Mount was the place of God’s throne, which is relevant in this psalm’s call to praise God’s kingship” (J. Hilber, “Psalms” ZIBBC, 2009, p. 342). While the temple was not constructed in David’s lifetime, I love what VanGemeren says, “The hymn instructs God’s people wherever they may be to live in the presence of the Creator-King in order to receive his blessing” (p. 260).
Holiness is required to enter the Lord’s presence! Only those with clean hands and a pure heart, who neither lift up their soul (life source) to what is false nor swear deceitfully (v 4), will “receive blessing from the Lord” (v 5). The Lord requires us to be solely and only devoted to Him. We cannot serve God and something or someone else. It was impossible in the Old Testament and it is impossible today!
“Purity of ‘hands’ and ‘heart’ is the condition of living before God in accordance with his precepts and out of the desire of his heart…The one who has ‘clean hands’ is innocent of wrongdoing and readily asks for forgiveness when he or she has sinned against God. In contrast is the sinner, whose ‘hands are full of blood’ and who needs cleansing, forgiveness, and reconciliation” (VanGemeren, p. 260).
Only a fool would enter the Creator-King’s Holy presence in a manner that is contrary to His Character and Workings. The people of God need to be sensitive and mindful of the condition of their hands and hearts when they enter into His presence. Failure to do so will lead to discipline rather than blessing.
For the “generation of those who seek him” they are the legitimate children of Jacob (v 6). Seek here is a Hebrew participle denoting continuous action. “To ‘seek him’ is an expression of a sincere desire to live in accordance with God’s standards so as to live in the presence of his ‘face'” (p. 260).
Scholars are not in agreement as to what David is referring to in verses 7 and 9. It could be that David is literally commanding the gates and doors of the temple to open or it could be referring to the ancient city of Jerusalem itself. Since the temple was not built in David’s time, I am more inclined to go with the latter; however, I am not dogmatic on this! As VanGemeren states, “Regardless of the referent, the point remains that Jerusalem had been a Jebusite city with a long history…over which Melchizedek ruled in Abraham’s days. It became the city of God because God chose to dwell in it. Consequently, both the city and the people were called on to receive with joy and anticipation the Great King. The repetition in v. 9…bears out the importance of proper preparation for ‘the King of glory'” (p. 262).
Verses 8 and 10 are verbless clauses where the people cry out, “Who is this King of Glory?” The answer is the Lord, Yahweh. “He brings blessing, victory, and vindication to his people because he is their God and Savior” (p. 262). Yahweh is the Divine Warrior (a significant theme in the Old Testament) who fights for Israel rather than against her. David describes the Lord’s divine power as “strong and mighty” and “mighty in battle!”
The Lord of Hosts (ṣebāʾôt) is also translated Almighty. “The Great King has at his command innumerable heavenly ‘hosts,’ reflecting the glory and splendor of undisputed lordship. He is the Divine Warrior, the Commander of all powers in heaven and earth. His battles always win him victory…The presence of the divine Warrior among his people is the ground for tranquillity that drives out fear” (p.263).
In Psalm 24, David celebrates the entrance of the great Divine Warrior, the King of Glory, the Lord Almighty Himself coming into Zion. Yesterday, April 10, 2022 Protestants remembered the Triumphal entry of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt, where the crowds met Jesus with palm branches, spreading their cloaks on the road, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” (John 12:12; c.f. Ps 118:25-26).
Only a few days later these same people along with their chief priests and religious leaders cried out for Pilate to “crucify” Him (Luke 23:21; John 19:6). In prophetic irony, Pilate put an inscription on Jesus’s cross which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19). Onlookers who were coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover would have seen this sign. For three hours Jesus suffered before succumbing to death. His body was then taken down and buried in a new, yet borrowed tomb (v 41); however, this was not the end, because on the third day, Jesus rose from the grave! This Overcoming King of Glory defeated death, the grave and Satan forever!
For those who believe in Christ, we know that Jesus is the Soon Returning Conquering King who will enter the holy city of Jerusalem bringing His reward with Him (Rev 22:12). For those who believe in Christ we know that our reward is being with our Triune God forever. For those who do not know Christ, their reward is separation from God and eternal torment (see Matthew 25). In a world full of uncertainty and zero guarantees, Jesus’s return is certain. None of us are promised tomorrow, please seek Jesus while there is still time!
Jesus is the ultimate Davidic King. Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is the King of Glory, the One who fights on behalf of His people. May we allow Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection take root more in our lives this year. For the reader who is a part from Christ, do not spend another day without Jesus being Your Redeemer, Savior and King. All glory to Jesus both now and forevermore.
Father God, prepare our hearts to worship You both now and in eternity. Thank You Jesus for coming to earth, being born of a virgin, living among sinful man, being crucified, dead and buried, rising on the third day so as to reconcile Your repentant sinful people to Yourself for the glory of God the Father. Holy Spirit, thank You for indwelling and sealing Your people. Thank You Holy Spirit for helping us to become more like Jesus each and every day. Help us to want more of You and less of ourselves. Lord God, help Your people to have clean hands and a pure heart. May we never forget that we come to You and stand in Your presence because of Your grace and mercy and not because of anything good in us. Lord God, may we never forget that salvation has always been by grace through faith, never because of our works! Lord God, help Your people to be a generation who seeks Your face. Lord God, help believers to not lift their soul to what is false nor swear deceitfully. Lord God, thank You for this reader! Lord God, You are strong and mighty in battle and NOTHING is too great for You. Thank You Lord that nothing will stop Your will from being accomplished. Thank You for this reader. Lead and guide this reader to love You more each and every day. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Lord God, thank You for today. Thank You Holy Trinity that You are intimately involved with Your Creation! Thank You Lord that for those of us who are in Christ we are no longer covered in sin and hell bound, but are a people alive with hope and purpose. Lord God, help us this week to live more for You. Help us to be more like Jesus. Lord God, stir our hearts to share Jesus while there is still time.
Lord God, thank You for this reader. May this reader take comfort and courage in You. May this reader be refreshed by Your Word and renewed knowing there is nowhere they can go that is out of Your grasp. Thank You and praise You Lord for this reader. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Sunrise, 24 January 2022. Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn.
For the first time in I don’t know how long, there was NO airport security line! While it is 47f in St Pete, FL as I type this, that sounds a whole lot better than the 25F in Lancaster, PA!
God willing, I will be with my mom today until early Thursday morning and then I will fly from Tampa to LA to visit with friends until next Monday. I am SO excited and appreciative to God for this opportunity! I am thankful that my dad and another friend will hangout with PQ while Nathan is at work! I am thankful for Nathan for supporting me in visiting my mom and our friends in SOCAL (Lord, please let it be warm there!!!).
Thank you dear reader for adventuring with me. We were never meant to travel on this Jesus road alone. I have never in my life thought I would make such great connections with folks through this blog. Please know that I love you and that it’s a joy and an honor to pray for you.
Lord God, thank You for this opportunity! Lord God, thank You for this reader! Lord God, take this reader on an adventure in Your Word. Lord God, may this reader read Acts and all the journeys that Paul went on. Or may they read Exodus and journey with Israel through the Red Sea or journey in Numbers through the wilderness. Lord God, may we all adventure through the Psalms feeling the grief, joy and hope of the psalmists. Lord, praise You that in Revelation You bless Your people who read it. May we live in confidence knowing that the road for those who are in Christ is leading us to victory regardless of what happens in this life.
Thank You and praise You Lord for this reader. May they be encouraged by who You are and how You work. May this reader embrace their journey with You knowing that without You life makes NO sense. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Father God, thank You for Your extraordinary color at the close of a very cold day! Lord God, thank You that the sun always comes out to set. Lord God, thank You that each sunrise and sunset are glimpses of Your Majesty, Might and Glory! Lord, I am humbled and awed by how involved You are with Your Creation. No wonder David said, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Ps 8:3-4 ESV).
Lord God, help Your young people to stay pure this weekend. Lord God, fill our youth with the peace of Your presence this weekend. Lord God, there is so much garbage in the world enticing Your young people to sin. Lord for those who are more mature in the faith, may they not forget what it was like to be young. Lord God, may those of us who are older in years not look down on the younger with contempt but rather with a heart to serve, mentor and guide.
Lord God, thank You for this reader. Lord, whether this reader is younger or older, new believer or seasoned saint, may they marvel at being a new creation in Christ. Lord God, for the reader who does not know You, may they seek Jesus while there is still time. Thank You and praise You Lord for who You are and how You work. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Lord God, thank You for Your faithfulness. Lord God, whatever troubles this reader today, I ask Lord that You fill them with peace. Lord, for the reader who is ill, I ask that You will heal them as You see fit. Lord God, for the reader who is rejoicing, may their praise be acceptable to You.
Thank You Lord for each day You give us to live for You. Thank You that in our sleeplessness we can cry out to You in prayer. Lord God, as no two sunsets are the same, thank You and praise You that You have created each person unique.
Lord God, for the reader who is far from You, draw this reader to Yourself by grace through faith in Christ while there is still time. Thank You Lord for this reader. Thank You for our identity and position in Christ. Bless this reader and encourage them, as You have blessed and encouraged me. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Photo taken by Mandy Sweigart-QuinnPhoto taken by Mandy Sweigart-Quinn
Blue Collar Theologian 