Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Psalms

Before You Complain

PSALM 103:1-5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so…

Am I Spirit-Filled and Controlled?

PSALM 136:1 – Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Here is a quick one-question test – “How do Christians know they are filled with God’s Spirit and living under His control?” Yes, there are multiple scriptural answers and multiple wrong answers. One correct answer is found in today’s scripture. Before we identify it,…

Gospel Joy

PSALM 92:4 – For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”   Joy is to characterize the Christian life. Christians are not to live grumpy lives. We are not to mope around with gloomy faces looking like a smile is rare or forced. Nor are Christians to give off…

Sleep Well For All Is Well

PSALM 4:8 – In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”    How did you sleep last night?  Last week? Last month? During this past year?  Some studies indicate 70% of adults obtain insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night. It is estimated…

The Greatest Gift of God’s Grace: Forgiveness

PSALM 32:1-2 – Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”   Recently, my wife and I were meeting with a dear young couple who are going through pre-marital counseling with us.  In the course of the session we…

Make It Count

PSALM 144:4 – Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”   Today’s scripture is truth that I think often gets ignored. Life gets going with all its busyness, pursuits, dreams, goals, highs, lows, and everything else in between and we just neglect pondering this important truth from the Psalmist’s pen.  We simply do life and sometimes forget…