Lisa Notes: Take it personally

Take it personally

Twelve times.
That’s how often the author of Psalm 71 (supposedly David) cries out familiarly to God.

O LORD. O my God. O Lord. O God. O Holy One of Israel.

It’s personal.

When we approach God, is he personal to us, too?

The Lord doesn’t want us just to know about him. Knowledge alone is never enough (1 Corinthians 13:2; James 2:19; 1 Corinthians 8:1-3).

He wants us to know him—for personal reasons. So we will love him. Be loved by him. And love others.

I want to mean it personally when I recite Psalm 71:

In you, O LORD, do I take refuge. (Psalm 71:1)
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. (Psalm 71:5)
O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! (Psalm 71:12)
I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. (Psalm 71:22)

I don’t have a keep-your-distance, hands-off, passive Savior.

My God is the one who came in the flesh and lived with us. The one who gave us the right to be born his children. The one who says we can know God when we know Jesus.

And because we know him—not just what he is, but who he is—we have greater peace, greater joy, greater love. We live in him; he lives in us.

Forever we can call out to him, “My God!” over and over and over.

I take that personally. Because God is very personal indeed.

* * *

What’s a favorite scripture you take personally?

I’m still working on memorizing Psalm 71. Not easy, but easier today at the beach where my God is SO apparent.

Comments (28)

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Jody Lee Collins · 626 weeks ago

hey, we both chose the same scripture to make a pretty picture of.....smile.
May God drill down his words into your heart and soul this week at the beach.
Thanks for encouraging us, Lisa!
My recent post Finding my Name in His Story

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Yes, your picture inspired me, Jody! :-) When I saw it, I knew I'd have to do it too when I got down to the beach. So glad God is with us everywhere we go.

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bettydraper1947 42p · 626 weeks ago

I love Isaiah 30 :18 Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you (me). And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you (me). Just the thought of the creator longing to be gracious to me makes my heart more open to receive all He has for me. Good post Lisa.
My recent post A "Wick"

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Ooh yes. That is a great verse, full of such promise and hope from our Lord. Thanks for sharing it, Betty!
My recent post Take it personally

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fsamons 60p · 626 weeks ago

I can hear the passion in your words, Lisa. Excellent perspective. We should cry out to the One who loves and cares for us. I imagine the prowling enemy that only the majestic hand of our Father can hold in chains.

I also think of all the great things King David did and had, but rarely does anyone speak of all his great tribulation that God saved Him from. To attain the greatness he had, would we be so willing to endure what he did? I think not...

The Psalm and your post sing to my heart... I too am looking at the ocean as I type... Our God is merciful and good...
My recent post A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 626 weeks ago

I think you're right, Floyd. There is a reason David felt such dependence on God; they had been through so much together already. Is it a price we would be willing to pay in similar circumstances? I shudder to think how I might have responded had I been in David's shoes....

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miadevries 31p · 626 weeks ago

Dear Lisa
Yes, dear friend, He is soooo personal that I live in His Loving Embrace every moment of everyday. But, I know we all need to go through a lot of suffering before we learn to run to and rest in His arms!
Much love
Mia

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

I know he is very personal to you, Mia, your Pappa. I love hearing you talk about him. It's crazy good that we can each have our own unique and special relationship with him. Blessings to you, friend.
My recent post Take it personally

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bicroce 44p · 626 weeks ago

The Lord is MY shepherd, I refuse to want.

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Love that phrasing, Barbara. I "refuse" to want. I recite Psalm 23 in my head probably more than any other scripture. I hope I'll remember this phrasing...and mean it when I say it.
My recent post Take it personally

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Old Ollie · 626 weeks ago

Prov. 3:5-6 - it is also the basis of the Summer Camp I work at. This scripture resonates through my life.

Thanks for your prayers - so much better than advice.

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart" - I've got a feeling with life verses like that, you don't need my advice anyway. ;-) You've got good judgment and a good sense about people. I know you'll guide your friend well.
My recent post Take it personally

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Susan · 626 weeks ago

So encouraging Lisa, I love that it is so personal ..... it makes me cringe when you mention things like bible study ,scripture and our wonderful Saviour that people give the standard reply of " you must be religious".
Knowing Him this way,enabling us to love Him and receive His love, leading to the surrender and dependence that will give us contentment no matter what... is beautiful and personal
Susan

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Yes, Susan, I so agree--there is such a difference between "being religious" and knowing Jesus, loving him and being loved by him. I've been thinking more lately about surrender, so I'm glad to see you mention the link between knowing him and being able to surrender and depend on him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts; they're helpful!
My recent post Take it personally

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barbarah 65p · 626 weeks ago

That's one thing I like best about the Psalms -- the personalness of them. Some years ago there was a popular song that said, "God is watching us from a distance," and I thought, No, no, He is up close and personal!

One of my favorite verses to take personally is Isaiah 41:10: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with cmy righteous right hand."
My recent post A good idea…

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

That is indeed a beautiful verse, Barbara. It almost gives me shivers just to say it out loud. Brings to mind similar verses in Isaiah 43 and a song we sing from it:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
And the waves, they shall not overcome you
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name, you are Mine

For I am the Lord your God
I am the Lord your God
(I am) the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

When you walk through the fire, I will be with you
And the flames they shall not consume you
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you
I have called you by name, you are Mine

My recent post Take it personally

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jerralea 29p · 626 weeks ago

Yes! I love to take scripture personally, often reading my name into the verse. Right now I'm enamored of 2 Peter 1:3 NLT: By his divine power, God has given Jerralea everything she needs for living a godly life. Jerralea has received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called her to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.
My recent post Our Peace is in Him

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

I love that practice of reading our names directly into the verse. What a great verse you're hearing the Lord speak to you, Jerralea! May you continue to hear him over and over.
My recent post Take it personally

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Brenna · 626 weeks ago

Coming over from IP today. I loved this:
I don’t have a keep-your-distance, hands-off, passive Savior.

My God is the one who came in the flesh and lived with us. The one who gave us the right to be born his children. The one who says we can know God when we know Jesus.

Thanks for sharing today

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Thanks, Brenna. I kept thinking of John 1 and all the personal aspects about Jesus coming down in the flesh for us and for God. He's quite amazing!
My recent post This is today in April 2013

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dukeslee 37p · 626 weeks ago

I love looking at the Scriptures through your eyes. I love how you see things, Lisa. Twelve times, eh? Fascinating!
My recent post #TellHisStory: Holding The Story

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

I appreciate you giving us this #TellHisStory forum, Jennifer. We all are living out our lives with Jesus in unique ways and I'm always blessed to hear how he's at work in other people. He's awesome like that. :-)
My recent post This is today in April 2013

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Positively Alene · 626 weeks ago

Awesome post!! There are so many scriptures that I take to heart. So many God has impressed upon my heart at certain times for certain reasons. Oh how His word is precious!!!
My recent post let’s get uncomfortable together {here’s your invitation to join me for the guatemala mission trip}

1 reply · active 626 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 626 weeks ago

Forgetting about my post for a minute and concentrating on yours...you've got me praying, Alene...Thanks for leaving your comment so I could hop over to your blog.
My recent post This is today in April 2013

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Emmie · 625 weeks ago

I love this psalm, thanks for sharing your experiences with it. Different scriptures speak during different seasons, but I would have to say that psalm 139 has been my "life psalm" for many years. To me it just conveys completely the heart of God willing to meet us wherever we are "Even if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there..." Blessings to you.
My recent post Sandpaper numbers and salvation

1 reply · active 625 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 625 weeks ago

So glad you shared your experience, Emmie. Yes, some scriptures are just right for certain seasons, and some scriptures are for all the time! Psalm 139 is indeed a beautiful psalm that speaks to me, too. Thanks for reminding me of it.
My recent post When you don’t know what to say

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3dlessons4life 38p · 625 weeks ago

Lisa, I love this. One of my favorite Psalms is 34. God has used it in my heart over and over....
I am off to read Psalms 71.....
My recent post Spring

1 reply · active 625 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 625 weeks ago

Psalm 34 is one of my very favorites, too! Also 16 and 27 and 103. I've tried to memorize all of them at some point, but Psalm 34 is probably the one that has stuck the most (although I still am FAR from perfect on getting all the words right, ha). I read/prayed Psalm 71 tonight using The Message for variety, and it was a wonderful time speaking with the Lord using his own inspired words to David.
My recent post When you don’t know what to say

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