Your Eternity is in His HandsRecently, our family lost a dear loved one.  At his homegoing celebration, one of the pastors used Psalm 16 to give us comfort and hope.I don’t know everyone that may read this, but for all of us, our eternity lies in the hand of the Eternal God.  David, even in the midst of terrible circumstances, finishes this psalm with wonderful words of hope: “You reveal the path ...  Read More

Nothing GoodWhat do you have that you consider “good?”We would probably answer that question by naming things in our lives that we love: our families, our cars, our homes, our jobs, our friends, etc.David wrote in Psalm 16:2, “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.’”All of those things listed above are great, but in comparison to the Lord they are nothing.David had ...  Read More

The Lord is Our Protector“Protect me, God, for I take refuge in you.”—Psalm 16:1Security is something that we value.  We have locks on our homes and vehicles to secure them and keep us safe.We have alarms to alert us that our homes or vehicles are in danger.Many people carry weapons for self-defense for their own safety, as well as the safety of their families.David was concerned for his life.  At...  Read More

Troubling ThoughtsDo you ever have trouble sleeping?Sometimes my thoughts decide to wait until bedtime to come around.Many times, it’s the events of the day. Often, it’s my fears and worries that keep me awake.Psalm 16:7 is a wonderful reminder that God is near, even at night.“I will bless the Lord who counsels me—even at night when my thoughts trouble me.”What a blessing it is to know that God is...  Read More

Where is my focus?Psalm 16:8-9 says, “I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely.”I find that when I focus on worldly things, my focus brings me anger, frustration, and even sadness.When my focus is on my favorite sports teams, all is well when they are winning.  But when...  Read More

Repentance RequiredMatthew 4:17 (NIV) -From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."Christ’s message was repentance.Repentance means to quit living for self and start living for Christ.Repentance is an act of faith.Repentance is necessary to receive Christ as your Savior.If you have received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your fa...  Read More

Prepare the WayLuke 3:3-4 (NIV) - 3  He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4  As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”John the Baptist’s role was to prepare the way for Christ.You might not personally share...  Read More

Show CompassionLuke 18:40-43 (NIV) - 40  Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41  "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. 42  Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." 43  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised G...  Read More

Acts of Devotion2 Chronicles 35:26 (NIV) - The other events of Josiah's reign and his acts of devotion, according to what is written in the Law of the LORD.Josiah had a heart devoted to God.We know this because he sought God while he was still young.His devoted heart led to acts of devotion.Josiah’s acts of devotion to God led the nation in acts of devotion to God.Here is the sequence: your devote...  Read More

A Restored RelationshipEvery person is a sinner.Our sin separates us from God.The only way to overcome this separation is through Christ.Only Christ has already done everything necessary for us to live in a restored relationship with God.This relationship happens when we trust Christ as our Savior.If you have received Christ as your Savior, my prayer is that you are growing in your faith and shari...  Read More

Stop Opposing God2 Chronicles 35:21 (NIV) - But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you."Josiah had been a godly leader.Now, however, Josiah was opposing God by going to battl...  Read More

Setting Your Temple in Order2 Chronicles 35:20 (NIV) - After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle.Josiah set the temple in order.The temple was repaired, Scripture was honored, the people pledged themselves to live for God, and the leaders were serving as God intended.Each...  Read More