One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship, especially in the Temple in Jerusalem. 

Today, we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is.

Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”

Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, who loved to worship God with music and even dancing. His heart was open to God, and this inner life could be seen by anyone; this earthly king worshiped the King of kings.

In this introductory psalm, we read about the contrast between those who love God and those who don’t. And we are encouraged to “meditate” on His Word every day.

Our God is the great God, and loves each of us more than we can even imagine.

That love is a song in your heart.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your love for us is eternal and we are so blessed to receive it, as David did, all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One reason people use for rejecting the claims of Christ is that there somehow isn’t enough evidence to prove that the events in the New Testament actually happened. In other words, some say the Bible isn’t true.

We’re talking about the life of Jesus this week. So, what is the true story?

Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” 

There are more than 25,000 ancient copies of the books of the New Testament, in various languages. There are only a handful of accounts of Hannibal crossing the Alps 200 years before Christ was born. Yet no one doubts that it happened.

There are plenty of reasons to believe the biblical accounts of history are true. The apostles gave up their lives claiming that Jesus lived and was resurrected from the dead. That narrative says salvation comes through Jesus, and He is the path to being reconciled to God and eternal life.

But only one thing matters: What do you believe?

Let’s pray. 

Lord, your Word promises us that Jesus saves us from our sins. We thank you that you provided a way of escape from judgment for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Who is the most loyal person you’ve ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend?

Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary.

As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. 

John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Jesus gives us loyalty that cannot be broken. Are we willing to stay true to Him, as well? In other words, if life’s road gets rough, do we stay on the path He has set for us? Like Peter, we tend to think nothing could pry us from Jesus, but our choices can do that. Then we regret being disloyal to Christ. 

Resolve to never let that happen to you. Keep His sacrifice for you in your mind and heart. That will help you stay true to Him when life isn’t so great.

He promised to never leave you. Tell Jesus that you love Him for that, and keep your eyes looking ahead to the eternity He has made for you.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, make us strong in our loyalty to our Savior. Then let that light shine for those who see us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence for the existence of God is so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God.

All those stars…

Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.”

Astronomers tell us that each star is as unique as we are. We can see some burning dramatically, others are smaller-but-no-less-beautiful. All those infinite numbers dot the black backdrop, causing even the most cynical of us to marvel.

God has always intended for you to share your faith. Like a message written with stars, your story will resonate with people who wonder why you have joy in a crazy world. They will stop and consider what you have to say, because the light of Christ shines from the inside out.

That is a message worth telling!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, give us the courage to tell our stories, to share the Good News of what Christ has done for us! In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One of the biggest criticisms of those who follow Jesus Christ is that such a model is very exclusive. In other words, it seems on the surface that Jesus leaves some people out of the salvation plan, because He says that He is the only way to God.

But what is He really telling us?

John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Jesus is actually showing us the way. He gives us the path to being reconciled with God the Father. Sin separated us from Him long ago, but in His mercy, we can find eternal peace. In that way, we are able to fill the “God-shaped” hole in us. Solomon wrote about that.

When it comes to loyalty, we see that Jesus is in fact totally inclusive. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin for all men, women, and children in every era of history. What could be more open and loving than that?

If you’ve rejected Christ because you heard His love isn’t inclusive enough, we hope you’ll realize the opposite is true. He loves everyone equally.

Especially you. 

Let’s pray. 

Lord, your Word shows us the expansive love that you have for all people. Help us share that Good News with everyone we come in contact with. In Jesus' name, amen.

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When we as Christians talk about the saving power of Jesus, what exactly do we mean?

In our discussion this week of this all-important topic, are we clear about who Jesus is? 

Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

The facts are that Adam and Eve broke their faith in God by disobeying Him. Some dispute that this even happened in history, or some are just upset that God would demand complete obedience. But if we believe He is the Creator, we understand that He set the rules.

Because of that original sin, it became necessary for someone to pay the penalty for sin. God hates sin, and so He sent Jesus to earth as a human to save mankind. Eventually, He would be crucified, and in this way paid the blood penalty that God demands. As we read in Romans 10:9–10, Jesus is the path back to God. 

He longs to save us.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, there are competing views in this world, but you have set Jesus as the standard. Help us pass on this knowledge. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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It’s interesting watching the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear. 

Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words!

Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Our country emerged from a very scary time to become a people determined to embrace the future. Those who survived those dark days were known as The Greatest Generation. They were because they decided giving in to fear was not an option. It was a simple choice, honestly. They gritted their teeth and went to work.

And prayed like never before.

As individuals, we face our own depression, and our own wars. Any of us can be overwhelmed by the life-altering decisions we must make. Doing all of that living in fear can’t be sustained.

The Psalmist clearly understood that God would rescue him; the words he wrote about it were words of life.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are great, the greatest, and your love for us is the only thing that should overwhelm us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When Hurricane Katrina rolled through, the spinning white satellite image on TV screens actually looked evil. For residents of New Orleans waiting for that hurricane, that’s exactly what it felt like. Thousands of people were affected by the brutal storm that poured in from the Gulf. In many ways, the city still hasn’t recovered. But in the chaos, God was there. 

For more than 20 years, water pump operator Rufus Burkhalter and Bobby Brown had worked at pumping station number 6 along the 17th Street Canal. When they realized how bad it was going to be, the pair did an amazing thing. They stayed at their posts. They kept working even after the levees broke. One of the world’s largest pumping stations was still being operated by two good men who risked their lives for others. When it was all said and done, both lost their homes due to storm damage. The seawater and raging winds devastated their lives and yet they chose to help others. That kind of love for one’s fellow man is rooted in the love of Christ.

Psalm 93:4 says “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty.”

God is infinitely stronger than the storms in your life. He’s there guiding you and He is there caring for you through it all, all the time. In the horrifying days of Katrina and through the aftermath, many people displayed a reliance on the Lord who stood up to the evil that invaded their community. When we lean on God in every situation, especially during the storms in our lives, it builds our faith and places us on solid ground.

Let’s pray.

Father, Almighty One, nothing is scarier than the dark deep waters that overwhelm us sometimes. We know though that your word is our anchor established and true. We can rely on it every single time. Thank you for guiding, protecting, and loving us always, in all of your ways in Jesus’ name, amen.

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The worst of times brings out the best in some people. As we think about sacrificing for others this week, we find some extraordinary stories. One such story from 70 years ago spotlights a very brave woman.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

During World War 2, Romanian Princess, Catherine Caradja, defied her government’s alliance with the Nazis. When Allied bombers flew over, targeting oilfields, several planes were shot down. 

The ever-smiling Princess Catherine made sure the crews were taken to hospitals to be treated. She then made sure they escaped through Italy, and back home! In all, she saved over 1,000 men. The terrible conditions brought out the best in the Romanian princess.

Such examples show us very clearly that courage can be found when necessary. Who knows, maybe you will be called on one day to sacrifice all for someone in danger. Just know that the Lord has always known your destiny, and He knows you will stand strong that day.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, Jesus is our ultimate example of a friend that lays down His life for His friends. Thank you for His ultimate sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, and mom. She knows something of how fear can derail a person’s entire life. You see, Debbie wrestled with fear and anxiety for years. And her recovery didn’t happen overnight, but she did come to think about it all in a different way. 

She turned to the Lord, and He showed her practical things she could do to alleviate her fear. 

Now, for one thing, she began to notice something. When she thought about her fear and she studied her own patterns related to being anxious, she realized that the majority of her fears didn’t actually happen. And this is where a journal can come in really handy. By keeping a log of your fears, and then after a certain period of time, say a month later, check back and see how many of those fears actually manifest themselves. And you’ll probably be shocked at how low the percentage really is.

Next, Debbie said that she began to read words of life, as she says, “Soaking them in over and over, praying them out loud.” And she makes the great point that there’s power in the Bible’s words because it is God’s Word. Isaiah 35:4 says, “Tell everyone who is discouraged, ‘Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.’” 

Debbie also advocates what she calls guarding your heart. And this involves a daily concentrating power that reminds you of truth, even in the midst of confusion.

Again, this is where reading words of life is so critical. In this way, you’re making the peace in your own heart a top priority. And it’s okay to say that to yourself—as many times a day as you need. With just these few things, overcoming fear is within your reach. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, how powerful your promises are to us. Your words of life bring harmony. Help us to be on the lookout for friends and family who are struggling so that we can remind them of the times you’ve delivered us from fear and anxiety. Help us to make guarding our own hearts a priority. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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