The Sacred Rhythm: Praise & Calling — Psalm 105:1

The Sacred Rhythm: Praise & Calling

Scripture: "Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!"
— Psalm 105:1 (ESV)

Psalm 105:1 reveals a divine rhythm for our relationship with God: thanksgiving, dependence, and testimony. This cycle isn’t linear—it’s a spiral of faith that deepens our trust and magnifies God’s glory.

The Cycle Deepened:

1. Calling in Dependence (Petition)
   We begin by humbly calling on God—not as a last resort, but as our first response. In weakness, we acknowledge His strength (Psalm 50:15). What burdens are you carrying alone instead of surrendering to Him?
2. Experiencing His Faithfulness (Provision)
   God responds with compassion. His help—whether dramatic or subtle—reveals His character. Remember: His answers align with His wisdom, not always our expectations (Isaiah 55:8–9).
3. Thanksgiving in Response (Praise)
   Gratitude erupts when we recognize His intervention. Praise isn’t passive; it’s active worship that shifts our focus from our circumstances to His sovereignty (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
4. Testifying to Others (Proclamation)
   Sharing God’s deeds fuels faith—in others and ourselves. Your story becomes a beacon of hope, inviting others into this cycle (Mark 5:19). Who needs to hear of God’s goodness through you?
5. Growing in Bold Faith (Progression)
   Experiencing God’s faithfulness emboldens us. We ask bigger, trust deeper, and seek His kingdom above all (Matthew 7:7–8). Each step in the cycle stretches our spiritual capacity.
6. Praising in Advance (Promise)
   True maturity: thanking God before the answer comes. This is faith rooted in His character, not circumstances (Daniel 3:17–18). We praise because we know who He is.

Application Questions:

1. When has God’s unexpected answer to prayer deepened your trust in Him?
2. Is your praise conditional on outcomes, or anchored in God’s nature?
3. What "deed" of God in your life have you hesitated to share? Why?
4. How can you cultivate praise while waiting for His help?

A Prayer:

Father, I come to You empty-handed but full-hearted.
I call on Your name now—for the burdens I carry, the needs I see, and the fears I hide.
Teach me to recognize Your hand at work, even in the waiting.
Stir my heart to praise You not just for what You do, but for who You are.
Give me the courage to proclaim Your goodness, so others may seek Your face.
And when doubt whispers, remind me: Your faithfulness is my anthem.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 p.s. This post was the output from DeepSeek to my prompt:

Improve and complete the following devotion:

 

The endless cycle of Praise & Calling

 

Psalm 105:1 ESV

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

 

#1 We can kick start with Calling upon God for help.

#2 We can then experience His answer and help.

#3 For the goodness and blessings that He answered us, we give thanks and praise.

#4 We tell others about how good God is. God can also be good to them.

#5 We rise in our faith to dare to ask God for more and to trust more.

#6 We can give thanks even before His answer comes because we know Him better.

 

Application Questions

 

A Short prayer

Growing Up in a Community of Love: Sharing Burdens, Living Christ's Law Scripture: Galatians 6:2

 Growing Up in a Community of Love: Sharing Burdens, Living Christ's Law

Scripture: Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
"Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."

Reflection:

1. The Nature of the Burden (Context: Galatians 6:1): Paul sets the stage in verse 1, speaking of restoring someone "caught in a sin." The "burdens" (v2) encompass more than just physical needs – they include the spiritual and emotional weight of sin, weakness, temptation, struggle, and failure. It's the weight someone carries when they are either blind to their fault (needing gentle correction) or overwhelmed by it (needing practical support and restoration). This burden-sharing requires humility, gentleness, and self-awareness (v1).
2. The Purpose of Sharing: Growth and Victory: Burden-sharing isn't just sympathy; it's an active partnership aimed at spiritual health and maturity. By coming alongside someone struggling – offering correction, encouragement, prayer, practical help, or simply presence – we help them stand firm, overcome their weakness, and grow stronger in Christ. We become instruments of God's grace in their journey toward victory, fostering resilience within the community. We share the load so they don't collapse under it, and together we move forward.
3. The Law of Christ: Love in Action: Why "the law of Christ" and not the Law of Moses? This is crucial.
• The Law of Moses: Primarily focused on defining sin and outlining standards of righteousness through external commands ("Thou shalt not..."). While holy and good (Romans 7:12), it ultimately exposed human inability and condemned sin, often fostering a spirit of judgment or legalistic striving.
• The Law of Christ: This is the law of self-giving, sacrificial love embodied and commanded by Jesus (John 13:34-35, 15:12). It flows from the grace of salvation received through faith in Christ. Having been loved and rescued by Christ, we are empowered by the Spirit to love others as He loved us. Burden-sharing is the active expression of this love. It's not about earning God's favor through rule-keeping; it's about responding to His grace by tangibly loving our brothers and sisters. It's love made visible in the messy realities of life.

Galatians 6:2 reveals that bearing one another's burdens is the practical heartbeat of Christian community, flowing directly from the love Christ has shown us. It's how we grow together.

Application Questions:

1. Self-Examination: Is there a burden (a persistent sin, a deep struggle, a crushing circumstance) I'm trying to carry alone out of shame, pride, or fear? How can I take a step of humility to share this with a trusted believer?
2. Community Awareness: Who in my church family, small group, or circle might be silently carrying a heavy burden right now? How can I sensitively and practically come alongside them this week? (Think: prayer, listening, practical help, encouragement).
3. Love vs. Law Check: When I see a brother or sister struggling, what is my first instinct? Is it judgment ("They should know better") or compassion rooted in Christ's love for me ("How can I help bear this?")? How does understanding the "Law of Christ" change my response?
4. Practical Step: What is one specific action I can take this week to obey the "Law of Christ" by helping to carry someone else's burden?

A Short Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing the ultimate burden of my sin. Fill me with Your Spirit and Your love. Give me eyes to see the burdens others carry and a humble heart willing to share my own. Grant me wisdom and gentleness to come alongside those who are struggling, not in judgment, but in the grace You've shown me. Help me truly obey Your law of love by lightening the load for my brothers and sisters, as we grow together in You. Amen.

 

p.s. This post was DeepSeek’s response to my prompt:

Improve and complete the following devotion:

 

Growing Up in a Community of Love

 

Galatians 6:2 NLT

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

 

#1 The context in v1 tells us the burden is about the wrongs or problems one is facing. It is either they are not aware of their faults or it is they are unable to fix the faults.

#2 Sharing each other's burdens is about helping each other to overcome their weaknesses and grow up to be stronger and victorious.

#3 What then is the Law of Christ? Why did Paul not use the Laws of Moses? What are the differences?

The law of Christ is about loving others after being saved by Christ. Saved for the good work of love.

The laws of Moses are about trying to fulfil God's demands. More passive in Not to sin.

 

Application Questions

 

A Short prayer

Fret Not of the Seemingly Success of the Evil and Just Trust God - Ps 37

 A good friend once told me that his friend who betrayed and cheated him seems to be living in great success and riches, and why this is so. Then, I came across this psalm 37. So I shared it with him. With today's GenAI, I asked DeepSeek for a devotion on the psalm. I like the answer.

Here’s a heartfelt devotion on Psalm 37, focusing on its timeless wisdom for navigating life’s injustices and uncertainties:

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Devotion: Fret Not of the Seemingly Success of the Evil and Just Trust God

Scripture: "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away." (Psalm 37:1–2, NIV)

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The Struggle We All Face

Look around: the wicked seem to prosper. Corruption goes unpunished; arrogance is rewarded. Meanwhile, the faithful face hardship, and prayers feel unanswered. Psalm 37 speaks directly to this tension. David, no stranger to betrayal and injustice, urges us: "Fret not... do not envy." Why? Because earthly success is fleeting. The wicked may bloom like grass, but they’ll fade just as quickly. God’s economy operates on eternal scales.

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God’s Counterintuitive Commands

David doesn’t just say "stop worrying." He gives active steps to replace anxiety with faith:

1. TRUST in the Lord (v. 3)
• Place your weight fully on His faithfulness. He can bear it.
2. DELIGHT in the Lord (v. 4)
• Find joy in His presence, not outcomes.
3. COMMIT your way to Him (v. 5)
• Surrender your plans; His path is secure.
4. BE STILL before Him (v. 7)
• Wait patiently. His timing is perfect.

"He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." (v. 6)

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Two Destinies in Sharp Contrast

• The Wicked: Temporary power, permanent ruin (vv. 9–10, 35–36).
• The Righteous: Inherit the land (v. 11), upheld by God (v. 17), satisfied in famine (v. 19), and guided step-by-step (v. 23).

God’s promise isn’t the absence of pain—it’s the presence of purpose. Even when you stumble, "the Lord upholds your hand" (v. 24). Your story isn’t over.

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The Anchor for Your Soul

"The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble." (v. 39)

When injustice screams, quiet your heart with truth:

• God sees all (v. 13).
• He defends the humble (v. 14).
• Your future is secure in Him (v. 18).

What looks like a delay is divine precision. The wicked build sandcastles; you’re building on the Rock.

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Reflection Questions:

1. Where am I "fretting" over others’ success instead of trusting God’s plan?
2. How can I "delight in the Lord" today amid uncertainty?
3. What step of faith (big or small) can I commit to His care right now?

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Prayer

Father, when my eyes fixed on the temporary triumphs of evil, pull my gaze back to You. Teach me to trust when I don’t understand, to delight when I feel empty, and to wait when I want to rush. Remind me that my inheritance is not of this world—it’s You. Uphold me by Your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Psalm 37 isn’t a promise of easy roads—it’s the assurance that walking with God leads to an unshakable destination. Rest in His rhythm. 🌿

 See also my reflection in Reflections on Chinese New Year - Trust & Fret Not

This is the essence of living out Psalm 37. It's a daily choice to:

1. Shift Focus: From others' apparent success to God's character and promises.
2. Cultivate Contentment & Joy: In God Himself and in the genuine success of others (rejoicing with them).
3. Act in Faith: Keep doing good, trusting that God sees and honors integrity.
4. Surrender Control: Commit your path, bend your desires to His will.
5. Embrace Patient Expectation: Wait wisely, knowing His timing is perfect and His promises are sure.

 

Grace-Fueled Legacy: Run the Race, Shepherd the Flock, Entrust the Word - Acts 20

 Today, the way to study the bible is to use Generative AI like DeepSeek, ChatGPT, etc. It has many advantages. It freed us from our prejudices or biases. It opens our minds to see truths that we could easily miss. It gives us a balanced view. Let's take an example, a study on Acts 20, a sermon I heard today.

First, I asked DeepSeek to give me the key lessons from Acts 20.

DeepSeek gave an outline of 8 topics with a summary:

1 Dedication to God's Call Despite Cost:

2 Integrity in Ministry:

3 The Primacy of Faithful Teaching:

4 Vigilance Against False Teaching:

5 The Shepherd's Heart:

6 The Value of Community & Encouragement:

7 Commitment to God's Grace:

8 The Call to Watchfulness & Shepherding:

In Summary: Acts 20 presents a powerful portrait of faithful, sacrificial, and vigilant Christian leadership, grounded in the proclamation of the whole Gospel, marked by integrity and love, and utterly dependent on God's grace, while soberly warning of the threat of false teaching and the cost of discipleship. It serves as a crucial guide for both leaders and congregations.

 

I then asked DeepSeek for the key verses.

1. Acts 20:24 (Most Commonly Cited as the "Key Verse"): "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
• Why it's key: This verse perfectly encapsulates Paul's entire motivation and life purpose. It reveals his radical commitment to Christ above all else—even his own life—and defines his mission: proclaiming the Gospel of grace. It's the heart of his farewell message.
2. Acts 20:28 (The Core Charge to Leaders): "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
• Why it's key: This is the central imperative Paul gives to the Ephesian elders. It defines their sacred responsibility: vigilant self-care, protecting the church (the flock), and nurturing it (shepherding), all grounded in the supreme value of the church (purchased by Christ's blood). It's the practical heart of leadership instruction.
3. Acts 20:32 (The Ultimate Foundation): "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
• Why it's key: This is Paul's final, trusting commendation. It shifts the focus from himself to God and His sustaining power. It emphasizes that the leaders and the church's growth, security, and future hope rest entirely on God and His word of grace.

I commented that

Acts 20:24 is a personal life mission. Acts 20:28 is about growing churches with strong leaders and not being dependent on self alone. Paul must lay the foundation for continuous growth after his death. Acts 20:32 is the foundation for all believers to live as Jesus's lights

 DeepSeek:

You've distilled the essence of these key verses beautifully! Your summary captures the core focus of each verse within the broader narrative of Acts 20:

1. Acts 20:24: The Personal Life Mission
• "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
• Your Insight: This is Paul's deeply personal mission statement. It defines his individual calling, sacrifice, and ultimate purpose: obedience to Christ above all else, focused singularly on proclaiming the Gospel of grace. His life is poured out for this mission.
1. Acts 20:28: Building Sustainable Churches with Strong Leaders
• "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
• Your Insight: Exactly right. This verse is Paul's strategic charge to leadership. He knows his time with them is ending. His focus here is on continuity and health after he departs. He's:
• Empowering Local Leaders: Recognizing the Spirit-appointed elders ("overseers").
• Delegating Responsibility: Charging them with the sacred duty of shepherding ("Be shepherds").
• Emphasizing Vigilance & Care: Urging them to watch over themselves (spiritual health) and the flock (protection, nurture, feeding).
• Founding on Christ's Sacrifice: Reminding them of the church's priceless value (bought with Christ's blood).
• Goal: To ensure the church doesn't collapse or stray when he's gone, but grows under faithful, local, Spirit-led leadership. It's about building resilient, self-sustaining communities of faith.
1. Acts 20:32: The Foundational Grace for All Believers
• "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
• Your Insight: Perfect. This is the universal foundation. Paul points both the leaders and the believers they shepherd away from himself and towards the true source of life and growth:
• Ultimate Trust is in God: "I commit you to God..."
• Source of Power & Growth: "...and to the word of his grace."
• Purpose: It "builds you up" (sanctification, maturity) and secures your eternal future ("give you an inheritance").
• Living as Christ's Lights: This dependence on God's grace and His Word is indeed the bedrock for every believer to live faithfully, reflecting Christ ("Jesus's lights") in the world. It's the source of identity, strength, and hope for the entire community.

The Powerful Connection:

These verses aren't isolated; they form a powerful progression within Paul's farewell:

1. Paul's Example (v24): He models a radical commitment to the Gospel mission, fueled by grace.
2. Paul's Charge (v28): He transfers responsibility for the ongoing care and protection of the Gospel community to local leaders, ensuring its survival and health beyond his presence. He provides the structure for continued witness.
3. Paul's Foundation (v32): He points everyone – leaders and flock alike – back to the true source of everything: God and His Word of Grace. This is the power that enables both the personal mission (v24) and the effective shepherding (v28). It's the engine for "living as Jesus's lights."

In essence:

• v24 shows how to live (personal devotion to Christ's mission).
• v28 shows how the community is to be led and protected for generational faithfulness.
• v32 shows where the power for both comes from (God's Grace), enabling believers to be Christ's light.

You've grasped the distinct yet interconnected roles of these pivotal verses perfectly!

 I asked for application questions and a short prayer.

 Application Questions

1. Your Race (Acts 20:24):
• What is the "task" or "race" you sense God has uniquely entrusted to you? How does Paul’s willingness to sacrifice comfort and safety challenge your own commitment to that calling?
• Are there areas where you prioritize personal safety, comfort, or reputation over obedience to God’s leading? What needs to change?
1. Shepherding His Flock (Acts 20:28):
• As a Leader: How are you actively "keeping watch" over your own spiritual health and the spiritual well-being of those you influence? Are you guarding against complacency or false teaching?
• As a Member: How do you support and honor the leaders God has placed over you? Are you helping build a church that isn't dependent on one person, but thrives through shared responsibility and diverse gifts?
• Does your view of the church reflect its true value – "bought with [Christ's] own blood"? How should this transform your attitude and involvement?
1. Anchored in Grace (Acts 20:32):
• Is your daily life and ministry primarily fueled by your own effort, or by dependence on "God and the word of his grace"? How can you practically shift towards greater reliance on Him?
• How does trusting in God's grace (not your performance) free you to run your race faithfully and shepherd others without burnout? Where do you need this freedom most right now?
• In what tangible ways does the "word of his grace" (Scripture) actively "build you up" and remind you of your eternal inheritance?
1. Integration:
• How does understanding God's grace (v32) empower you to pursue your personal mission (v24) and contribute to the health of the church community (v28)?
• Paul entrusted the Ephesian church to God's grace, not just human leaders. How does this truth alleviate anxiety about the future of your church, family, or personal calling?

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A Short Prayer

 God of All Grace,

Thank you for the powerful example of Paul – a life poured out for the Gospel. Give me courage like his: to run my race faithfully, valuing Your call above comfort or safety. Help me finish strong, testifying to Your grace.

Make me mindful of Your flock. Where You’ve placed me to lead, grant vigilance, humility, and a shepherd’s heart. Where I follow, make me supportive and engaged. Protect Your church from within and without; remind us constantly of the priceless blood that bought us.

Above all, anchor me – anchor us – in You and Your word of grace. Build us up through Your truth. Secure our hearts in the inheritance You promise. May our lives, leadership, and love flow from this unshakeable foundation, shining as lights for Christ.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

I hope you enjoy and learn much about using Generative AI and more importantly the Words of God to enrich and guide your life.

Some may ask, then, where does the Holy Spirit come in?
It comes in the ways you interact with the Generative AI and how you are led to apply the keys learned into your live. Let the application questions and prayer speak to you.