Due to our flesh, it is our natural tendency to want to complain. It’s probably the easiest thing in the world to do because it requires little to no effort to find something you don’t like and pick it apart. However, complaining never helps anyone. You want to know what helps? Doing the opposite.
Praising the Lord and taking stock in all the benefits that God has provided us is fuel for the soul. The Lord has given us more than we could ask or think when we truly consider the state of our souls and our security we have in Christ. Do yourself a favor today, praise the Lord for everything you do have, and enjoy the blessings He bestows upon you as He fills your soul with His goodness.
Pastor Jason Witt
The Thessalonian church was a church who loved the Lord. They were on fire. However, there was a rumor going around the rapture had already happened and that those who have died already missed it. But notice Paul says, “lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.” We have this hope for anyone who passes away that believes in the Lord. If we continue reading, we know that we will see them again.
I recently had a loved one pass away. Though it was tough, there was this peace (Philippians 4:7) that came over me. I kept remembering this verse and the hope that I have in the Lord that I will see them again. That’s what Paul was trying to get through to this church. Don’t worry about those who sleep in Jesus. You don’t have to grieve like those who have no hope. Our hope is that we will someday be with the Lord and with those who are in Him. How refreshing these words are to me and the importance for me to go out and share with everyone I know and love.
Joshua Navarro
As believers, prayer is an essential part of our daily lives. When things are going well, we pray to our Heavenly Father with joy and gratitude. When things appear to be going sideways in our lives, we pray a lot more often, and our prayers become impassioned pleas as we cry out to God with all we’ve got.
Our prayers are sometimes in quick response to a situation, or, like David’s intention in this verse, planned for with time set aside. When we have the privilege to approach the Lord in this way, our prayers become as incense set before His throne. Lit with the fire of His Spirit. Burning with sweet surrender. Our hands lifted to heaven as a sacrifice of praise.
Today, let’s take the time to set our prayer before Him with our full attention. It will definitely please our King, and it will strengthen our souls as we invest our time in the One who loves us beyond measure.
Jeff Deal
What does the law bring to man? It brings a curse, because to be justified by it, you must keep “all” of it and not fail in any of it, “Cursed is the one who does not keep ALL things written in the book of the law.” Our works aren’t graded on a curve, we don’t get points for doing better than others, or even end up in the upper percentile of law keepers. It’s all or nothing.
The law is a curse to those who think that they can earn God’s favor and be justified by trying to keep it when there is no way they can. So what is the law for? It is there to teach us that “The just shall live by faith.”
The law and faith are so contrary to one another, because if you want to live by the law, it’s up to you to do it. But faith is not of us, it comes from God. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather trust in what God can do in me, rather than what I can never do on my own.
Pastor Doug Hardin
Have you ever been in a trial so big that you feel that there is no way out? You feel like you are in the ocean being drowned by the waves and as soon as you can catch your breath, the next wave comes. Whatever your trial or storm may be, it is important to know that it is not too big for the Lord. Sometimes we make our problems big and our God small but it is important for us to remember that He is the Creator of all things and that nothing is too hard for Him.
If you find yourself making God small take comfort in the fact that people like Jeremiah and Abraham (Genesis 18:14) had to be reminded to put things in the right perspective. So whether it is financial troubles, illness, a rebellious loved one gone astray, or whatever it may be, there is nothing too hard for God!
Blessings,
Daniel Batistelli
No one likes a bumpy road or turbulence on an airplane. We enjoy a smooth, easy-going ride. The same goes for life. If there is any little bump that may occur, we can often think, “What have I done to deserve this?”
Be of good cheer! The Lord has promised tribulations in the world we live in. This is hard to think when you are in the thick of it but allow me to remind you. You serve a God that has overcome the world and the tribulations in it. Sit at the cross and let the word of God speak peace in your tribulations today.
Resting in Him,
Pastor Sean Boehm
There is a noticeable difference between people who are filled with the Spirit and those who just imbibe spirits. The latter is looking to be numbed and get away from the cares of the world. That person looks forward to the weekend and the fun and laughter of partying with his friends. He’s not usually aware it’s all emptiness at that point; at least I wasn’t aware of it when that used to be my life.
For those who are saved and drawing closer to God through prayer and reading His word, there is real joy. It’s the kind of joy that makes you start singing worship songs and praising the Lord. When I go to places where Christians are hanging out, inevitably someone breaks out a guitar and the whole room starts singing to God. So which one are you, the singer or the drinker? Turn to Jesus today and get to making some merry music!
Hallelujah!
Pastor Ron Kitchell
We are prone to go to extremes. One hears “liberty” and thinks “I can do whatever I want and God will forgive me.” Another sees the error in this and thinks “We must impose more rules.” The first extreme is a license to sin. The other extreme leads to legalism. We are called to liberty, free from sin and death, free from guilt and shame. But Paul issues a warning. Don’t fall into sin because of your liberty.
The danger is real, not because God’s grace will fail us, but because we fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15). So Paul gives this commandment, by love, serve one another. The key ingredient is “love.” When we add love to our liberty we are serving others. When we subtract love from our liberty, we serve only ourselves and we fall into sin. When we subtract love and liberty, we fall into legalism.
So with all that in mind, let us not ask “What can I get away with?” or “What new policy must we enforce?” but rather “Lord, how can I love others today that they may see Your love through me?”
With love and liberty,
Pastor Rod Harris
This is one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. I didn’t completely surrender my life to the Lord until I was 27 years old and in those previous years, I did a lot of dumb, destructive things. I could be left with a lot of regret over those years, but God’s promise to me, as His child, is that I will not only walk in His blessings, but He will somehow use and restore all of those wasted years.
I can truly testify that God has indeed used even my times of failure to minister to others and bring glory to His name. Whether it is personal weaknesses or broken relationships, God has a way of bringing things into His will.
Loving how He restores,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16
The word dwell here speaks of making our home in God’s presence and under His shadow, even as Paul prayed for the Ephesian saints (Ephesians 3:17) that God might dwell (katoikeo in Greek) in their house by faith, able to find a home in their heart and lives.
How comfortable are you in church, among other believers, when talk turns to the Bible and the things of God? True fellowship with God is like coming home to a place of rest, familiarity, and joy. If that is where you live, then the last three verses of this psalm finds God speaking directly to you! Read them again. May He find you today at home in Him!
My heart, Christ’s home,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
