LAYING OUR MORNING PRAYERS BEFORE THE LORD

July 7, 2024

“O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3 ESV). David wrote this psalm describing his habit of seeking the Lord in prayer in the morning. He spoke of how he cried out to the Lord and then watched and waited for

PAUL’S TWO YEARS BY THE SEA

July 6, 2024

“When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison” (Acts 24:27 ESV). Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and delivered to Marcus Antonius Felix, the Roman Governor of Judea, at Caesarea Maritima. He was kept in custody there for two years,

TESTIFYING OF JESUS WHEN WE ARE WEAK

July 5, 2024

‘The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”’ (Acts 23:11 ESV). Paul had testified one last time before the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, but their hearts continued to be hardened. After being

WHEN EVERY NATION WILL BELONG TO THE SON

July 4, 2024

“The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:7-8 ESV). The book of Acts attributes this psalm to David. Yet David did not, nor did any other Jewish king,

WHOSE COUNSEL DO YOU FOLLOW?

July 3, 2024

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV). The first psalm begins with both

THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILETH MUCH

July 2, 2024

“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you” (2 Kings 20:5 ESV). Hezekiah, king of Judah, was sick to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came

HAVE YOU BROUGHT IT BEFORE THE LORD?

July 1, 2024

“Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord” (2 Kings 19:14 ESV). When King Hezekiah of Judah received a letter from the king of Assyria threatening to overthrow Jerusalem and mocking his dependence on

AN ALL-NIGHT SERVICE IN TROAS

June 30, 2024

“Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight… he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed” (Acts 20:7, 11 ESV). The disciples in the city of Troas gathered on a Sunday to hear the apostle Paul preach. They couldn’t get enough

CONFESSION AND REVIVAL GO TOGETHER

June 29, 2024

“Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices” (Acts 19:18 ESV). An amazing thing began to happen in the city of Ephesus, new believers began to confess their sin and turn from their sinful practices. Their faith in Christ led to life-change. And their confession and repentance led to

BEWARE PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES

June 28, 2024

“Put not your trust in princes” (Psalms 146:3 ESV). In this election year, most of the news and even daily conversations are around politics and who should be president. This is especially so after last night’s presidential debate. Yet this psalm reminds us that those who put their trust in political leaders and parties will