Psalms 1:1-3, a short reflective devotion.

3/13/2019

Psalms 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does he prospers.

We, as disciples of Christ, always have a choice in our life journey. We can either have a collaborative, deferring, or self-directing life style in our relationship with God. I personally prefer a collaborative and at times a deferring relationship to God. A few authors would speak of a collaborative relationship with God, “When we use this collaborative coping style we see God as a partner to help us make sense of and cope with difficult situations. Those with a secure attachment to God often use this style. A deferring coping style is when we turn our problems and situation over to God, trusting him to work on our behalf . . .” (Cole and Pargament, 1999).

To strengthen your relationship to God, take a moment and answer these reflective questions

(1) List the areas of your life that are not given to God in the sense of collaboration? Ask yourself, why?
(2) List the things that you are passionate about and what about them that fulfills you. Do they draw you near to God?  Speak with God in reflective prayer about the things that you are passionate about. Ask God to show you what is his will for your life.
(3) List the things that can assist you to live life to the fullest.

The prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, I recognize you as the source of all success and strength.  Forgive me if I have not released all of my life to service for you.  I want to move in your direction.  I want to experience the joy and peace that you give. I want to have the strength of a tree planted by a stream. I want to hear your voice today.  In Jesus name, Amen!

© Dan Kinjorski, 1999

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Author

Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Dan and Maribel Kinjorski

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Counseling Education and Supervision.
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community.
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand).