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In Psalm 135, the worshipers who have been ascending to the LORD's house on Zion sing their praises to Him. All of the priests and the servants of the LORD are called upon to praise the LORD as the only true God who accomplishes His will of salvation. His praise sounds forth throughout all creation, even as His people know Him as the true God who delivered them from their enemies. All idols are nothing, and those who worship such idols become like them, but those who fear the LORD as the only true God dwell in eternal life, just as He does. Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 135. To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit trinitylutheranottumwa.com. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
Part of God's unchanging nature is that He is sovereign and does things His way. In Isaiah 55, we read that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. In other words, He's infinitely more powerful than we are, especially when it comes to perspective. We read in the Old Testament that sometimes other nations mocked the Israelites when they were exiled from their homeland. Really, they were mocking God because it was said that maybe He couldn't keep His promises. After all this, after the Assyrians and Babylonians conquered Israel, neighboring pagan nations remembered that God had promised to give the land to the Israelites. But did that mean God had lied, and was in reality no more powerful than man? No, not at all. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” In fact, God tells us clearly that He does exactly what He wants, when He wants. We see this in Isaiah 46. When God led the Israelites out of Egypt, but they were then confronted at the Red Sea by Pharaoh's army—did that mean God had lied when He promised to lead them out of slavery? Of course not. In fact, it was then He performed one of history's greatest miracles. In Psalm 16:10, we read that God would not allow your holy one to rot in the grave, and this is a reference to Jesus. Yet, when Jesus died on the cross, many assumed that God had either lied or was powerless to stop Jesus from being entombed. We know how that story ended, and the triumph of life over death. God did raise Jesus from the dead. His body did not decay in the grave. So, it's a matter of perspective, then. Humans, with their limited understanding, think from time to time that God cannot keep His promises, but He keeps them all the time. All promises fulfilled—100% of the time. He cannot lie. Let's pray. Father God, you alone are powerful and you are our strength. You are perfect in all of your ways and have demonstrated that time after time. Help us let others see that—those who might doubt you. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.
Feeling stuck in life's quicksand with no way out? In Psalm 40, David reveals the secret to moving from miry clay to solid rock. God doesn't just rescue us—He establishes our steps and gives us a new song! What 'pit' are you facing today that needs God's deliverance? Join Pastor Kevin as he begins the new series "Clay".
In seasons of hurting, it is difficult to find comfort and peace. But there is a source that we can draw from. In Psalm 34, we find the future King David running for his life in a cave, surrounded by others who are miserable. Yet, David can still praise God.Psalm 34 SuperscriptionPsalm 34:1-31. WHEN I AM HURTING I WILL PRAISE GOD PASSIONATELY AND PUBLICLY. PSALM 34:4-7Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise… PSALM 34:8-102. WHEN I AM HURTING I will trust God to be my protector and provider. PSALM 34:11-16 3. WHEN I AM HURTING I will pursue peace and I will reject evil. PSALM 34:17-224. When I am hurting, I am not condemned and I know I will be delivered.
In Psalm 125, we are reminded that the believer's security is not built on our fragile grip on God, but on His unbreakable hold on us. Surrounded by His presence, shielded by His promises, and shaped by His purposes, we can stand firm even when life feels uncertain. This message calls us to trust the One who determines the end from the beginning, knowing that evil will not have the last word—God will.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.org Connect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity! Instagram: @integrity_church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/
In Psalm 71:14-24 we come to the second half of this “Life Full of Prayer and Praise.” Last week we looked at the first 14 and a half verses under the heading “Lessons in a Life of Prayer.” Today we pick up where we left off and will look at “Reasons for a Life of Praise.” My prayer is that these same reasons would take root in us, shaping our own worship and deepening our joy in the Lord.
Psalm 96,Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12 let the field exult, and everything in it!Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness. You were made to worship God. That is true of every single human being that has ever existed. If you're here and you're a human, you were made for worship. Look around, most of us in this room would say that we were made for worship — so here's a question: What is worship? What is the meaning of true worship?You don't need to answer this out loud, but imagine for a minute that you're having a conversation with a friend or a co-worker — if they asked you to explain the meaning of worship, what would you say?See I wonder if worship might be the most important calling in our lives that we know the least about.So that's our topic this morning. We're gonna focus on the meaning of true worship because that's what Psalm 96 is all about. And I think we discover here at least two truths about what true worship is, and I can't wait to show you, but first let's pray again.Father in heaven, we recognize that there are countless things that could get in the way of our hearing you this morning. There are countless things inside us and outside us that would block our hearts from receiving what you have for us, and so right now, I ask that you would triumph over all those things. I ask that you break through every barrier to magnify your glory in the preaching of your word. In Jesus's name, amen.Here's the first truth we discover about true worship:1. True Worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God. In Psalm 96, there are 18 verbs spread across 12 verses and they're all about worship. Just listen to the verbs: It's … Sing, sing, singBless, tell, declareAscribe, ascribe, ascribeBring, worship, trembleSay, be glad, rejoice, Roar, exult, sing!This is most of the psalm.Now none of these verbs by themselves are true worship because you can sing, tell, and ascribe anything to anybody — and people do — so what makes this true worship, at the start, is that all of this is directed to God. And this makes sense. If it's true worship, of course, it must be to God, about God, and also because of God.This last part is really important. See, in the context of all these directives to worship God in Psalm 96, the psalmist grounds that worship in who God has revealed himself to be.We see this in verses 4–6 and in verse 13. And I want you to see it with me beginning in verse 4. Following the “For” in FourSo everybody find verse 4. This will be super easy. I want you to find the verse 4 and the word “for” — it's the very first word of the verse. Find verse 4, word “for” — if you see it, say Got it.Verses 1–3 has been sing, sing, sing, bless, tell, declare — here's why: 4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Skip to verse 12: Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. Our worship of God is because of God — this means that worship is a response. Now think about this: a response is something that comes second. It doesn't happen unless something else happens first. It's like answering your phone — you answer your phone after it rings. Most people still answer their phone after it rings. But what nobody does is just pick up their phone at random and say ‘hello' — if you did that we'd be concerned. You answer your phone in response to the ring.Worship is kind of like that — it's not an original act. It's a secondary act — we can only worship God because he first has shown us who he is. Without him doing that, we'd still be in the dark. We're not smart enough or good enough to worship God on our own. True worship is vertical in direction and vertical in source. God first has to tell us who he is — and he has through his world and his word. This is God's grace to us.The Greatness of God DisplayedAnd in his word, Psalm 96, we see the revelation of his greatness.We can see the word “great” in verse 4 — the Lord, Yahweh, is great and therefore he is worthy of our praise. And then we see that his greatness is demonstrated in two facts about him. Here they are: God is Creator and God is Judge. Now where am I getting that? …God Is CreatorFor Creator, we see it in verse 5. The psalmist does a little comparative religion here. He says:“The gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.”And that's why Yahweh is greater. See, back in the day — which has been most of human history before the last 300 years — people were much more aware of how enchanted our world is. People recognized little-g gods everywhere — tribal deities, geographic deities, all of that. The world is still as spiritual today as it was then, but people saw it then. They were awake to it. And that's what makes verse 5 so amazing. The psalmist was well aware of the competing deities of his day, and he calls them all “worthless idols.” He is radically unimpressed by them. They're pathetic. They're useless. They're powerless. But, in contrast, Yahweh made the heavens.Your ‘little-g' god is a block of wood, while Yahweh is the one who spoke trees into existence. See the difference? Yahweh is greater. He's the Creator.Now, in our day, in our society, most non-Christians are not bowing down to carved statues — some do, most don't — but our world is still full of idols. There are still countless things that people honor in the place of God. And there are dark spiritual forces at work here. The big three for a long time has been money, sex, and power. These are gods in America.I had a conversation yesterday with a neighbor — a great guy — we were talking and he said he wasn't religious and I explained to him that everybody is religious. Everybody has some god, the question is who. I told him the gods of our day, for a lot of people, are money, sex, and power and he was like totally. It made sense to him. And if we're honest, none of us are oblivious to their seduction…If I could just get more money, how much better life would be! …If I could just have a romantic relationship, then I'd be satisfied …If I could just get my way all the time, everything would be great …These are the idols of our day, and like the psalmist here, we should be passionately clear that God is greater than all of them. They will not deliver what they promise. And what we'll find if we chase these things is one dead-end road after the other. But Yahweh made the heavens! Yahweh is behind and before everything that is. Yahweh is greater, he's the Creator!God Is JudgeBut not only that, Yahweh is also the Judge. That's the concluding fact in verse 13:“The Lord [Yahweh], for he comes. For he comes to judge the earth.”You ever heard that before?God is going judge this world. We learn more about this judgment in the New Testament. It's carried out by God the Son, Jesus Christ. Paul says in Acts 17:31 that God has “fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed [that's Jesus]” 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” One day, every human being will stand in front of Jesus and be judged by him. We don't think about this a lot, but the Day is coming. I remember the first time I met my friend Ray. He visited our church for the first time, and I was talking with him after the service, and he told me he wanted to be baptized and get plugged into the church because, he said, “Jesus is coming back to judge the world.” True story. That's what he said. He's right. God will judge the world.And that's why he's great. God is Creator and Judge. Which means he is first cause and final say. You've heard the phrase “you're about to meet your Maker.” That's a threat in action movies, but it's theologically on point. Every one of us will meet our Maker. The one who gave you life will one day call you to account for that life. The hands that formed you are the same hands that will judge you. And that's why God is great.God is great and greatly to be praised. True worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God.Here's the second truth we learn about worship …2. True worship is a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God.We see this in verses 2–3. We've already seen here that worship is the theme of Psalm 96, but notice what this worship includes. Verse 2: Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!Now the keyword here is that word “tell.” Do y'all see that in the second part of verse 2? I want you to circle that word with your eyes. This is a special word in the Old Testament. It shows up in some key places. One big one is Isaiah 52:7. You may have heard this verse before. Isaiah 52:7,How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”Now that phrase “brings good news” — that's the word translated as “tell” in Psalm 96:2. In the Greek Old Testament, it's word euangelizō. In English it means “preach the gospel.”Did you know that preaching the gospel is part of worship?According to Psalm 96, preaching the gospel (telling the good news) is part of worshiping God. Worship is a vertical response to God for his greatness and there's a horizontal declaration of his goodness.This means that true worship has a missionary character. We're singing and ascribing, and we're telling and declaring, because we want others to join us in the singing and ascribing. And if there is no telling and declaring it means that our worship is deformed. It's less than true. That's the implication here.And that's the danger of an ingrown church. I'll use that phrase “ingrown church” a lot these days because that's a real temptation for any church that's been around for a decade, and maybe especially for a church that has a nice building like this. Can't we just come here and worship, just us? Do we really need more people here? New people here? Can't we just keep it us?I want to be clear here: if our worship of God is not something we want others to be a part of, then it's broken. And I believe Jesus doesn't like it that way.True worship includes a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God. Because he is good. We have good news. We have a God who saves. He saves! I want to end like this: I want to give you three facts about God's salvation. This is what we get to declare.1. God's salvation is for all peoples.The psalm says it — we declare his glory among the nations and his marvelous works among all the peoples! We call all the families of the peoples to ascribe to God the glory due his name.This is amazing. It means that God is not just for one particular tribe, or one kind of people. He truly is for everyone from everywhere. To make it personal, think about your own life, your own story. There's nothing about your person or nothing about your past that excludes you from God. Listen: God can save you wherever you're from and whatever you've done — amen? If you're not moved by that it's because either you didn't hear what I just said or you're self-righteous.Seriously — the most literal Pharisaical thing someone could do is to despise or ignore the universal reach of God's salvation. Everybody gets to be saved if they would just come home. Come home to the love of God! That invitation goes to everyone. God's salvation is for all peoples.2. God's salvation is from his wrath. To be “saved” is a great Bible word, but it doesn't make sense to a lot of people. If we were to ask someone if they're saved, the first thing they might say is, “Saved from what?”This is where Psalm 96 is really helpful. The perspective here keeps in view the coming judgment of God. Again, remember Jesus is coming, as Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Jesus is coming “with his mighty angels in flaming fire [to inflict] vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”What does it mean to obey the gospel? That's a phrase used in the New Testament. It has to do with the reign of God. That's part of what makes the good news good. It's that God reigns. We heard that in Isaiah 52:7; we see it in Psalm 96:10; and it was also how the apostles preached. The apostles didn't just say, “Your sins can be forgiven” — they said, “Jesus is Lord of all” (see Acts 10:36). They proclaimed that Jesus is risen from the dead and reigning. They preached the supremacy of Christ as good news because it is — and that is one way to divide the world. When we read in Psalm 96:10, “Say among the nations, ‘Yahweh reigns!”' — there are two kinds of people in the world. There are those who love the reign of God and those who hate the reign of God. No middle ground. And if you hate the reign of God, too bad, because it's coming anyway. And if you hate the reign of the King when the King comes, you will face the wrath of the King. That makes sense, right?Well, the good news is that you can be saved from that wrath if you bow to the King. That is the proclamation! That's what the herald says:Hear ye! Hear ye! The King is coming! He has conquered sin and death, and his victory is on the way! Receive it now while you can!And I mean that. In this room right now, I'm inviting you … Stop hating the reign of God. Bow to Jesus Christ and believe. Receive his salvation. Receive the goodness of his rule.3. God's salvation is awaiting final consummation. The salvation of God that we receive now is real. We receive it by faith in Jesus and it's effective. We become new creatures; we're filled with the Holy Spirit; our lives are changed. But also, it's a salvation not yet complete. There's a grand finale of our salvation that we're still waiting for at the return of Jesus.The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3 that as Christians, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it [from heaven] we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”And the theological word for this future transformation is consummation. It's the final and complete fulfillment of our salvation. When Jesus returns, every detail of brokenness will be restored and we will be made perfectly like him. The New Testament talks about this hope in several places, but Romans Chapter 8 is the go-to.Paul says in Romans 8:18 that we're waiting for a future glory that will be revealed to us … and then he says something that we didn't see coming. He says that all of creation is also waiting for our future glory. Romans 8:19, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.” The whole creation will experience the freedom of the glory of the children of God, and so the whole creation is groaning (or sighing) for that future day.Can you imagine that?Back in July, my family and I spent a week at the beach in North Carolina, and one of my favorite things to do at the beach is get up early and watch the sunrise. You're watching the giant orange ball in the sky right here, and then the waves are crashing here, and it's music. It's beautiful. And you can hear the longing in it, if you use your imagination. To think that all of us together are waiting for a future day. The sun and the sea, the seagulls and the sky — we're all waiting for something. So we can say:11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth.The day is coming. And we worship now in that hope.Two truths about worship:True worship is a vertical response to the greatness of God. True worship is a horizontal declaration of the goodness of God. And we come to the Table to do both. The TableAt this Table, we give thanks to Jesus for his death and we proclaim his death until he comes. Vertical response and horizontal declaration. It goes like this:If you're a Christian, if you have trusted in Jesus Christ to save you, let's eat and drink and give him thanks.If you're here and you're not yet a Christian, we proclaim him to you: Jesus is the Lord of all and he came to save you — put your faith in him. Come home.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Waiting for the Lord” from Psalm 27. Pastor Nate brings the message, "Waiting for the Lord" from Psalm 27. What can you do when fear threatens the security of your life? In Psalm 27 God gives us a way for fear to be defeated by a Biblically driven faith that waits for the Lord. What does that faith look like? Let's study Psalm 27 together to find out.
Safe isn't a place—it's a Person. In Psalm 91, Pastor Josh shows how real safety is found in knowing the Almighty, not just knowing His name.From ancient towers of refuge to the cities of refuge, God has always provided a place where His people could run and be safe. Psalm 91 declares that those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty—but this promise isn't just about knowing the name of God, it's about knowing God Himself.In this message, Pastor Josh unpacks the power of living in the presence of El Shaddai, our refuge and fortress. Just as God preserved Israel in the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day, fire by night, manna from heaven, and water from the rock, He still covers and protects His people today.Discover how the name of Jesus still drives out darkness, and how the ultimate fulfillment of the cities of refuge is found in Christ—the One we run to when we need safety, forgiveness, and life.
When we are confronted with our sin, shame can drive us to hide—but God invites us to come to Him for mercy. In Psalm 51:1–2, David cries out for God's cleansing and forgiveness, trusting in His steadfast love. Guest preacher Dr. Dan Trippie reminds us that no sin is beyond the reach of God's grace, and in Christ, we can be washed clean and restored.
In Psalm 48, we learn that God's covenant faithfulness gives us cause to rejoice, rest, reflect and respond.
Power. Protection. Purpose. In Psalm 21, we see a king rejoicing not in his own strength, but in the strength of the Lord a celebration of divine victory and unwavering trust in God's deliverance. Meanwhile, Isaiah 31 warns us against the temptation to rely on human power horses, armies, and alliances when what we really need is to return to the One who fights for us.Today, we're exploring what it means to truly trust God in a world that constantly urges us to trust ourselves. From the royal praise of David to the prophetic call of Isaiah, let's unpack what real security looks like and where it comes fromAs always be blessed and enjoy.Please follow, like, and share our podcast with a friend or family member!
Morning Prayer (8/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 38-40; Jeremiah 43; Acts 6; Metrical Psalm 86To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (8/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 41-43; Jeremiah 44; Hebrews 11; Metrical Psalm 86To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (8/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 41-43; Jeremiah 44; Hebrews 11; Metrical Psalm 86To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Morning Prayer (8/8/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 38-40; Jeremiah 43; Acts 6; Metrical Psalm 86To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Bible Reading: Psalm 139:1-10Malachi waited in the hallway, tapping his foot on the floor. "Almost time…"He didn't have to wait long. The door to his dad's office opened, and his dad appeared with his glasses pushed up on the top of his head. "Hi, bud," Dad said.Malachi grinned and started for the kitchen. He knew his dad would follow him.An hour later, Malachi positioned himself in the hallway again. This time his dad wouldn't just be getting water but also a snack. He was hoping he might share."Have you been standing out here all morning?" Dad asked as he stepped out of his office.Malachi shook his head with a grin. "What are you having today? Yogurt? A granola bar?"Dad gave him a sheepish smile. "How did you know I was feeling ready for a snack?"Malachi shrugged. Ever since his dad started working from home, he'd been paying attention and learning his routine.Malachi told his grandma about it that evening when she came to the house so his dad could go to a meeting. "I've memorized it all. He does everything at a certain time, even going outside to get a little fresh air."Grandma smiled. "It shows you care a lot about him for you to memorize his routine so you can see him when he takes little breaks from his work."Malachi nodded slowly. It did show that, didn't it? He wanted all the time he could get with his dad.Malachi frowned. "No one cares enough to memorize my routine. I don't think Dad even knows what time I get up.""Your dad might not, but someone does," Grandma said, scooping a homemade brownie onto a plate. "In Psalm 139, we read that God knows every move we make. Not only did He love us enough to send Jesus to save us from sin, but He cares about us enough to pay attention to our daily routines.""Really?" Malachi asked. "Well, that's cool."Grandma nodded. "Your dad loves and cares about you too, Malachi. If you're feeling lonely, maybe you should talk to him about spending more time together. But when your dad can't be with you, remember that God is. He knows everything about you and cares about your life. You can always talk to Him." –Emily AckerHow About You?Do you ever feel like no one really cares about you or pays a lot of attention to the things you do? If so, talk to a trusted adult about it so they can help. But know that God cares about you. He knows every detail of your life and wants to hear about everything you're going through. When it feels like no one cares, tell Him how you feel and trust Him to help you.Today's Key Verse:Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy. (NKJV) (Psalm 33:18)Today's Key Thought:God cares about you
Asaph envied the wicked until he refocused on God. In Psalm 73, we're reminded that fairness isn't the goal—faithfulness is. God holds your hand, gives you counsel, and is your portion forever. Don't live for what fades.
Ordained minister, Dr. Dennis Hall, discusses the miracle of DNA found in our genes and explains how it is the blueprint and guide for who we will become. In Psalm 139:14-16 God is telling us that our development was planned and that our days on earth were numbered even before we were born. He compares our spiritual development to our physical development, pointing out that when we become followers of Christ, God has a biblical plan for spiritual growth and points out that it's possible for believers to be indifferent, lazy or unmotivated. The podcast concludes with listeners being challenged to avoid the things that will harm God's plan for physical growth and to manage life in a way that spiritual growth is not damaged. Can be heard on all podcast search engines and viewed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/d7XIno8uvQ4
Evening Prayer (8/6/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 32-34; Jeremiah 40; Hebrews 9To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Evening Prayer (8/6/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 32-34; Jeremiah 40; Hebrews 9To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Morning Prayer and The Litany (8/6/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 30-31; Jeremiah 39; Acts 4To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Morning Prayer and The Litany (8/6/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 30-31; Jeremiah 39; Acts 4To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Title: The Pursuit Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way Passage: Psalm 119:57-64 Speaker: Daniel Fuoco Date: August 3, 2025 We're all chasing something—success, security, belonging. But not every pursuit satisfies. In Psalm 119:57–64, we discover that when God becomes our everything, everything changes—from our desires to our direction, and even our community.
Title: The Pursuit Series: CXIX - Lighting the Way Passage: Psalm 119:57-64 Speaker: Daniel Fuoco Date: August 3, 2025 We're all chasing something—success, security, belonging. But not every pursuit satisfies. In Psalm 119:57–64, we discover that when God becomes our everything, everything changes—from our desires to our direction, and even our community.
In Psalm 63, David expresses a deep longing for God and proclaims that His steadfast love as better than life. Pastor Brad dives into the Psalm talking about finding satisfaction, joy, and strength in His presence even in times of hardship.This sermon is from 8/3/25
Morning Prayer (8/4/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 19-21; Jeremiah 35; Acts 2; Metrical Psalm 76 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Morning Prayer (8/4/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 19-21; Jeremiah 35; Acts 2; Metrical Psalm 76 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
In Psalm 124, David considers what it would have been like for Israel if God had not been on their side to defend them. In our lives, we know that we can trust the power and goodness of God to carry us in the face of hardship--and even death.
As we continue our sermon series For Every Season, we hear from fellow church member, Dr. Matt Kim, a Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Leadership at Truett Seminary. In Psalm 95, we see a calling on our lives to worship and the how, why, and a warning.PSALM 95:1-111. THE HOW OF WORSHIP: We worship the Lord by coming to Him, by singing, by making a joyful noise, and by coming into His presence with thanksgiving (vs. 1-2).There is nothing complicated about the verb ‘come,' except to say that worship is all encompassing. Worship is personal and participatory at its core, never passive. - Doug Webster,The Psalms: So we have a parallelism here. Look with me to 1B and 2B.1B begins “Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”2B says “Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.” We come so often to God, if we come at all, as beggars. We ask and beg: give me; bless me; help me; guide me; grant me. And that's one necessary level of our existence. But in thanksgiving and adoration we come to God not to ask but to give! We come not whimpering but shouting praise; not in guilt but in gratitude. We feel not distant from God but close to God. We are like a traveler who is home again at last, the prodigal at a banquet. Those moments may be seldom, but when they happen we know that we were created for God. - Don Postema, Space for God 2. The Why of Worship We worship the Lord because He is a great God and there is no other! (vs. 3-7)There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign overall, does not cry, Mine! - Abraham Kuyper,. He [Satan] is a creature striving to be superior to the Creator. . . . Elevation of the Son is a problem for Satan, but bending the knee before God is what he disdains most. . . . Like any creature, Satan owes more to God than gratitude, though grateful recognition of the gift received is all God requires. In failing to give thanks, Satan is injuring God's merit; he is refusing to give God even a fraction of what is due to God. . . . The unquenchable desire to be superior to God holds Satan captive. - Miroslav Volf The Cost of Ambition, 3. The Warning of Worship In every season, worship the worthy Lord, before your heart grows hard, and your praise turns cold (v. 8-11).And I'll praise you in this storm, And I will lift my hands, For you are who you areNo matter where I am, And every tear I've cried, You hold in your hand, You never left my side, And though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm. - Praise You in This Storm, Casting Crowns
Send us a textTrusting God in Silence: How to Overcome Spiritual Despair (Psalm 13)When God feels distant and silence seems unending, how do you hold on? In Psalm 13, David gives voice to anguish and models a pathway from sorrow to trust. This episode explores how lament, prayer, and praise can lead weary hearts out of despair and into renewed faith.Episode HighlightsDavid's repeated cry, “How long, O Lord?” captures the agony of spiritual silenceLament is not a lack of faith but a faithful protest grounded in God's covenant lovePrayer becomes an act of communion, not just a cry for changeDavid moves from disorientation to praise, before circumstances improveTrusting God in silence is a deliberate act rooted in His steadfast lovePsalm 13 teaches that spiritual despair is not sin, but a place where God meets usJoy is often a decision before it becomes a feelingResources and Next StepsJoin the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/communityExplore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnowDownload devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.Listen and SubscribeListen now on the Lessons for Life Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://jameslongjr.org/applepodcastSpotify: https://jameslongjr.org/spotifyAmazon Music: https://jameslongjr.org/amazonmusic Or search Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr. on your favorite podcast app.Connect and ShareInstagram: @drjameslongjr – https://jameslongjr.org/instagramFacebook: https://jameslongjr.org/facebookYouTube: https://jameslongjr.org/youtubeHashtag: #LessonsForLifePodcast ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFEAre you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show! LinksWebsite – https://jameslongjr.org/Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/drjameslongjrInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/drjameslongjr/Apple Podcast – https://jameslongjr.org/applepodcastGoogle Podcast – https://jameslongjr.org/googlepodcast
Evensong (Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2025) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 24; Hebrews 6 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Evensong (Seventh Sunday after Trinity 2025) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 18; 2 Samuel 24; Hebrews 6 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
In Psalm 1, the psalmist provides us with a mantra for life. This song is simple and to the point, and the psalmist provides us with a way forward through the difficulties and anxieties of life. This way forward consists of simple, actionable steps that will bring us joy and happiness in this life.
Confession is a powerful tool, but it runs against our natural impulse to hide and present ourselves as put-together. In Psalm 32, David describes the freedom and joy that come when we forsake that impulse and begin trusting God with the whole truth. This message explores how honest confession leads not to shame but to restoration, guidance, and peace. Join us this Sunday to study this wonderful psalm and worship together.
In Psalm 139, David said that anywhere we would go, the presence of the Lord would be there. He is Omnipresent. His Word also states that there is fullness of joy in His presence. Join Pastor Dwayne as he leads us into the Word of God and explores just where His Word will take us and what we will find there.
Daily Morning Prayer (8/2/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 9-11; Jeremiah 31; John 21 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (8/2/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 12-14; Jeremiah 32; Hebrews 5 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
In Psalm 80, the people of God cry out to Him to stir up His might to come and save them. Calling upon God as the Shepherd of Israel who is enthroned in His temple, the people ask that God would turn them back to Himself and that He would turn His face toward them. The psalm recounts the history of God's faithfulness to Israel as His vineyard and God's judgment against Israel for their idolatry. The psalm prays for the LORD to bless the man of His right hand, the Christ, who will give His people life so that they will call upon Him for salvation. Rev. Jeff Hemmer, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Fairview Heights, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 80. To learn more about Bethany Lutheran, visit www.bethanylcms.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org
In Psalm 119:118, the psalmist says that God tosses aside, as if they were junk mail, those who stray from God's Word and deceive others with their lies.Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4
In Psalm 34:8, David urges his audience to “taste and see that the LORD is good,” a bold invitation rooted in his own experience with God. Refusing to be silenced, he speaks with conviction. Yet too often, our spiritual palates grow dull. In this memorable message, The Flavor of Favor, Dr. T. D. Stubblefield explores this powerful passage while preaching during the 2025 Summer Speaker Series at One Family Church—one of St. Louis's fastest-growing and most diverse congregations.
Daily Morning Prayer (8/1/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 1-5; Jeremiah 29; John 20; Metrical Psalm 69To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (8/1/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 6-8; Jeremiah 30; Hebrews 4 and a brief reading from The Books of HomiliesTo read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
We often think of praise as something we do at church or when things are going well. In Psalm 100 we are reminded that praise is not just for the moment, but it's a lifestyle. God doesn't just want weekend worshipers-He wants us to dwell daily in His presence and live a posture of praise.
David's darkest failure led to one of Scripture's most beautiful prayers. In Psalm 51, we see the power of true confession and sincere repentance. No sin is too great to be forgiven, and no life too far gone to be restored.
In Psalm 20, we hear a royal prayer for victory—a reminder that true deliverance comes not from strength, but from God's hand.Yet in Isaiah 29, we see what happens when people honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.This episode is about faith that's real, not ritual—and a God who sees beyond appearances to deliver with power.As always be blessed and enjoy.Please follow, like, and share our podcast with a friend or family member!
What do we do when God feels distant and our prayers seem to go unheard? In Psalm 77, Asaph voices the disorientation and despair we often face when suffering. He asks the honest questions many of us carry: Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His love ceased? But the psalm doesn't end there. Instead of deconstructing faith, Asaph reorients his heart by remembering God's past faithfulness. His mighty works, His redemption, and His presence through the storm. This sermon calls us to do the same: to look to Jesus, trust in His promises, and rest in what He has done, is doing, and will do.Support our mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples.alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit our website:www.alloflife.church
In Psalm 51, we dive deep into the heart of King David and discover what it truly means to have a heart after God. The central theme revolves around God's abundant mercy and our response to it. We learn that being honest before God and others, embracing forgiveness, and longing for closeness with Him are key characteristics of a heart that pursues God.SERMON NOTES:https://lifechurchww.cls.co/tPKDWebsite | https://lifechurchww.comFacebook | https://facebook.com/lifechurchww Instagram | https://instagram.com/lifechurchww Vida Music | https://vidamsc.com
Tim Sheppard - When it comes to putting the world to rights, God stands alone. In Psalm 96, we are invited to celebrate the salvation that only the Lord is accomplishing - and to see the wonderful truth that he is offering it to all the world.
In Psalm 70, We will see David sing a song-prayer. If there is one thing that we have certainly learned from David throughout the Psalms, it's that David's rescuer is not Superman. David's refuge, his Redeemer is God. It is God who has come through, time and time again for David.