Podcasts about psalmist

Morning Offering, June 25, 2026 is brought to you by  Catholic Coffee: https://bit.ly/4vUfO9LSix months before Christmas, we reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation through one of Christianity's most beautiful ancient hymns.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, June 24, 2026 is brought to you by  Catholic Coffee: https://bit.ly/3Q9gM32A powerful reflection on Jeremiah, St. John the Baptist, and why destruction sometimes precedes God's greatest works.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, June 23, 2026 is brought to you by  Catholic Coffee: https://bit.ly/4uJzsV2Jesus teaches that sharing the truth requires not only courage but also the wisdom to recognize the right time and place.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, June 22, 2026 is brought to you by  Catholic Coffee: https://bit.ly/4geHlOXSt. Thomas More's life challenges us to remain faithful to God even when truth comes at a personal cost.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Morning Offering, June 21, 2026 is brought to you by  Catholic Coffee: https://bit.ly/3Qw3wW4Discover the powerful symbolism behind the holy oils of the Church and why baptism is seen as the beginning of spiritual warfare.Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

How do you feel about the Bible? Not what do you think about it, or what do you believe about it, but what is your relationship to the Bible? The Bible is the primary way God makes himself known. In its pages, God reveals his heart, tells the story of how he works in history, and announces the good news of Jesus. If that's true, our relationship with it matters more than than we think! This summer, we'll unpack Psalm 119 -- 176 verses of delight in the gift of God's word. Our hope is to see what the Psalmist sees in God's Word, join him in his joy, and give ourselves to running in God's ways!

Psalm 95 begins with a call to worship and ends with a warning against hardening our hearts in unbelief. The Psalmist tells us why God alone is worthy of worship, and then draws upon the experience of God's people in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of a hardened heart. The author of the book of Hebrews points to the warning in Psalm 95 to exhort us to hold fast to our hope in Christ as the one through which we are saved.DNA QuestionsDiscoverWhat are some reasons that God alone is worthy of worship?How did God's people put him to the test and to the proof?Why does the Lord say he loathed the generation that died in the wilderness?NurtureWhat does the name “Rock of Our Salvation” tell us about God's character?In what ways is it comforting to know that “we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand?” Are there ways in which that makes you uncomfortable?ActHow are we shaped by the way we worship? Are there characteristics to the way you worship that you would want to change? If so, why?Does believing that God is equally merciful and just influence how you tell unbelievers about Jesus? Does believing that God is equally merciful and just influence how you encourage and disciple fellow believers?

JUN. 2, 2026Experiencing God's presence each day."My Presence will go with you." Ex 33:14 NKJVNicholas Herman was a cook in a monastery. He worried about whether or not he was truly saved. One day while looking at a tree, he realized the truth of the Psalmist's words-that it had to be rooted in something other and deeper than itself (see Ps 1:1-3). That day, he decided to make his life an experiment in what he called a "habitual, silent, secret conversation of the soul with God." He's known today by the new name given to him by his friends: Brother Lawrence. He remained obscure throughout his life and spent the rest of his days in the monastery kitchen. But the people around him found that rivers of living water flowed out of him that made them want to know God the way he did. "The good brother found God everywhere," one of them wrote, "as much while he was repairing shoes as while he was praying with the community!" After Brother Lawrence died, his friends put together a book of his letters and conversations. It is called The Practice of the Presence of God, and it is thought to be one of the most widely read books of the last four centuries. This short-order cook has outsold many popular contemporary novelists, and his book is still on best-seller lists. Brother Lawrence said: "The most holy and necessary practice in our spiritual life is the presence of God. That means finding constant pleasure in His divine company, speaking humbly and lovingly with Him in all seasons, at every moment, without limiting the conversation in any way."Experiencing God's presence each day The presence of GodShare This DevotionalSend us Fan MailSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

They Boldly Spoke the Word of God Acts 4 by William Klock Chapter and verse breaks in the Bible are not part of the original text.  Chapter breaks were added about eight hundred years ago and verses about five hundred.  There's an old biblical studies urban legend that Robert Estienne, the French printer who published one of the early New Testaments with verse division, marked them out while riding on horseback from Paris to Lyon, explaining the often frustrating way they cut through thoughts and sentences.  Chapter breaks can be just as annoying.  I say this because last week we left off our study of Acts at the end of Chapter 3, but the end of Chapter 3 isn't where this story ends.  You'll remember that this story about Peter and John and the lame man followed right on the heels of Pentecost.  Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray when they met a lame man begging at the temple gate.  “Silver and gold have I none,” said Peter, “but such as I have I give.  In the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk!”  And he lifted up the man the man began to jump up and down and to praise God.  And as everyone began to gather around, Peter began to preach.  He reminded them of their own story, of God's promises going all the way back to Abraham, and how all those promises were fulfilled and how the story was brought to its climax in the death and resurrection and ascension of Jesus. I won't repeat everything I said last Sunday, but needless to say—and even if you aren't familiar with the story—you probably knew that trouble was coming.  But that pesky chapter break.  It saved you from an hour-long sermon, but it also cut the story in half.  So we'll pick up after the break, with Chapter 4, now.  [It's page 1083 in the pew Bibles.] Luke continues: “As they were speaking to the people, along came the priests, the chief of the temple guard, and the Sadducees.  They were greatly annoyed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming that the resurrection of the dead had begun to happen in Jesus.  They seized them and put them under guard until the next day, since it was already evening.  But a large number of the people who had heard the message believed it and the number of men grew to five thousand.” The idea of the resurrection of the dead was a big deal for the Jews and you'd think that announcing that it had somehow begun in Jesus would be good news.  And obviously it was for the thousands who believed.  Not so much for the Sadducees.  They were sad, you see, because they didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead.  Okay, not really.  Their name goes back to Zadok, the high priest in the days of David and Solomon.  That name, Zadok, is also related to the Hebrew word for righteousness.  So the Sadducees thought of themselves not only as the sons of Zadok, but also as the righteous ones.  And in the First Century, they controlled the priesthood.  They were aristocratic and they were in power and people like that don't usually like revolutionary ideas, and if there was there was a great revolutionary idea alive in Judah, it was the idea of the resurrection of the dead.  Resurrection means that things are broken and that God will, one day, come to set things to rights—and that implied that the Sadducees were part of the problem needing to be set right.  So they're upset at Peter's preaching.  The Pharisees didn't like this talk either.  As far as they—and everyone else who hoped for resurrection—were concerned, all God's people would be raised from the dead at the end of the age.  The idea that Jesus was raised all by himself was like heresy.  And, of course, if Jesus had been raised, it meant he was the Messiah and they refused to accept that idea.  So no matter how many eyewitnesses there were to the risen Jesus, it had never happened, so far as they were concerned. But back to the Sadducees.  They controlled the priesthood and the priests were the gatekeepers of Israel.  And this talk about Jesus as Messiah and his being resurrected, which means he'd initiated the age to come already, that was the sort of talk that might spark a revolution.  And, of course, a revolution was what was already happening as the gospel and the Spirit were beginning to do their work.  But just as they hadn't recognised it in Jesus, the leaders of Israel refuse to recognise it now and they have Peter and John locked up for the night.  Even still, Luke goes to the trouble to make the point that thousands believed anyway.  The gospel cannot and will not be stopped! Verse 5: “On the next day their rulers, the elders, and the scribes gathered in Jerusalem, along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family.  When they'd stood them in the midst, they asked, ‘How did you do this?  What power did you use?  What name did you invoke?'  Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit.  ‘Rulers of the people and elders,' he said, ‘if the question we're being asked today is about a good deed done for a sick man, and whose power it was that rescued him, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that this man stands before you fit and well because of the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.  He is the stone which you builders rejected, but which has become the head cornerstone.  Rescue won't come from anyone else.  There is no other name given under heaven and among men by which we must be rescued.'” Do you remember that scene in Luke 11 where Jesus is confronted after casting out a demon?  “You can only cast them out, because you're one of them,” they accused him.  The same thing is happening again.  I think Luke wants to highlight that what's happening here might be an “act” happening through the apostles, but it's still ultimately Jesus acting.  Or the Spirit, which amounts to the same thing.  Luke makes a point of saying that Peter was full of the Spirit when he answered the accusation.  So just like Jesus, when the council asks them in whose name they healed the lame man, not only is Peter bold to announce that it's Jesus of Nazareth, they boldly assert that he is the Messiah—the one they crucified, but whom God raised from the dead.  So Peter is reasserting everything: It's Jesus.  Yes the one they crucified.  And this isn't just about a lame man walking again, this is about the resurrection of the dead.  It's about the fact that Jesus is Lord and that the revolution has begun.  The age to come, new creation, the kingdom of God is here.  In fact, they quote Psalm 118 at the council to explain it all.  Psalm 118 is a psalm of the temple.  It's about people going up to the temple to celebrate God's new day to claim his rescue, his salvation.  It's a psalm about God's life-giving power and it's about God bringing his people through trouble and rescuing them from danger. It's a psalm about trusting in God's mercy and it's a psalm about God's victory over the powers of the world.  “It is better trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man…than to put confidence in princes,” says the Psalmist (vv. 8-9). So they're saying, “It's Jesus.  He really is the Messiah and he really has inaugurated God's new age.  But then it's like they're deliberately poking a stick in these folks' eye.  The Sadducees (and the Pharisees, too, and most people) were all about the temple.  It was the embodiment of Israel's hopes for God's rescue and for the fulfilment of his promises to one day come again to dwell with his people.  And so this whole episode started with a man who'd been sitting in the temple gate for years, hoping for a rescue, yet never healed, and now suddenly healed by Peter and John—in the power of Jesus.  So that's the first thing.  It says that God has, in fact, returned to dwell with is people, but instead of being in the holy of holies, he's indwelling the disciples of Jesus.  And then, in case they hadn't made the connection, Peter, inspired by the Spirit, quotes Psalm 118 at them.  Yes, the hope of God's return is happening—in Jesus.  Yes, God is now present in his temple—but that temple isn't made of stone, it's these Jesus people.  And yes, God has come to rescue us just as he promised, to set this broken world to rights, to wipe away the tears—through Jesus.  And at the same time, it would be hard for the council to miss the hint that the mortal princes, the people from whom God's people need to be rescued are not the pagan nations, but the Sadducees and elders and scribes who are rejecting Jesus.  (Yes, the pagan nations, too, but first, God's got to deal with the corrupt leaders of his own people.) It's the same thing Peter has been preaching, first on Pentecost, then to the crowd who gathered around the lame man when they saw him jumping up and down.  Every time, Peter grounds God's salvation in Jesus as the fulfilment of his promises and of Israel's story.  Every time, it's the announcement that Jesus is Lord; that he's come to rescue his people; and every time, it's a call to repentance and faith.  This sort of situational astuteness and gospel boldness is what it looks like to be full of God's Spirit.  And the council recognised this, even if they didn't want to admit what (or who) it was.  Verse 13: “When they saw how boldly Peter and John were speaking and realised that they were untrained, ordinary men, they were astonished and they recognised them as men who had been with Jesus.  And when they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.  They ordered them to be put out of the assembly while they conferred amongst themselves.  ‘What can we do to these men?' they said.  ‘This is a spectacular sign that has happened through them.  All Jerusalem knows it, and we can't deny it.  But we certainly don't want it to spread any further amongst the people.  So let's threaten them with awful consequences if they speak anymore in this name to anyone.'  So they called them in and gave them orders not to speak at all or to teach in the name of Jesus.” It's comical and I think that's what Luke intended.  It's like they've completely missed the significance of what Peter and John have seen.  They've seen Jesus risen from the grave.  They saw him ascend to his throne.  They heard everything he said.  They saw everything he did.  And now they're doing the same sorts of things themselves in his name.  They know, without a doubt, that in Jesus God has come, that Jesus is Lord, that the kingdom is now, and that the days of the principalities and powers, the old temple, and its priests are numbered.  Peter and John know which is the winning side…without a doubt.  Threatening them isn't going to change that. Brothers and Sisters, we really need to think on that.  Don't just read Acts and let it go in one ear and out the other.  Stick a finger in one ear if you have to, but let this sink in.  Because you and I have just as much reason to be as confident as Peter and John.  No, we aren't eyewitnesses to the resurrection or the ascension, but we have every reason to believe the accounts of them.  Someone a while ago asked me about difficulties with the creation accounts in Genesis and with the history of the Exodus.  There are difficulties in the Bible.  There are hard philosophical questions for which I haven't yet found the perfect answer.  But I do know that Jesus rose from the dead.  I've heard all the arguments against it.  And they don't hold up.  I don't want to get into those details here, because that's not what our text today is about.  My point is simply that we have every reason to believe that Jesus rose from the dead and just like St. Paul, confronted by that inescapable reality, we have to accept that Jesus is the Messiah and that the rest of it all is true—even we have to wait til the New Jerusalem to understand the ins and outs of exactly how some of it is true.  It's true.  As Matt reminded us last week: Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.  And not only do those three facts change everything, they ought to give us confidence and boldness to proclaim the good news that Jesus is Lord, that God has come to our rescue, and that his kingdom is now.  I'm not terribly concerned, for example, about Bill C-9.  But even if I were, I'm not going to let it stop me proclaiming the good news.  Because Jesus is King and in him the resurrection of the dead has begun.  And that truth ought to be as revolutionary for us as it was for Peter and John and the King and his Parliament and his Prime Minister ought to be just as afraid of this resurrection revolution as the Sadducees, the elders, and the scribes were. So Luke goes on in verse 19: “But Peter and John gave them this reply: ‘You judge,' they said, ‘whether it's right before God to listen to you rather than to God.  As far as we're concerned, we can't stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.'  Then they [the council] threatened them some more, and let them go.  They couldn't find any way to punish them because of the people, since everyone was glorifying God for what had happened.  After all, the man to whom the sign of healing had happened was over forty years old. Brothers and Sisters, don't stop talking about what you have seen and heard.  Peter and John were witnesses to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  You know what you're a witness to?  You're witness to the transforming power of those events.  Somehow most Christians seem totally unaware of this witness.  Maybe it's because we're so oblivious to our own history.  Maybe we need to read up on history so that we'll be aware of the power of the gospel.  The very thing that Peter and John looked forward to is now—at least partially—in our past.  Luke says there were five thousand believers in those days just after Pentecost.  Brothers and Sisters, today there are 2.6 billion.  They lived in a world in which no one outside Judaea had ever heard of Jesus.  We live in a world where Jesus is known the world over.  They lived in a little Jewish pocket surrounded by pagan nations so mired in moral filth it's hard for us to image the depth of depravity, because even as bad as might think the world is today, it has been so dramatically transformed by the gospel.  Our world, even the secular parts of it, value things like mercy and compassion, because of the transforming power of the gospel.  Brothers and Sisters, we live in a world that has been radically transformed by the power of the gospel.  If Peter and John had reason to be confident, you and I have even more. But notice, too, what they do when faced with opposition.  Verse 23: “When they had been released, they went back to their own people and told them everything that the chief priests and the elders had said.  When they heard it, they all together lifted up their voices to God.  ‘Sovereign Lord,' they said, ‘you made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them.  And you said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David, your servant, “Why did the nations fly into a rage, and why did the peoples think empty thoughts?  The kings of the earth arose and rulers gathered themselves together against the Lord and against his anointed Messiah.” It's true, Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the nations and the peoples of Israel, gathered themselves together in this very city against your holy servant Jesus, the one you anointed, to do whatever your hands and your plan had foreordained to take place.  So now, Lord, look on their threats and grant that we, your servants, may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, so that signs and wonders may come about through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'” It would do us well—and it would do the kingdom well—if we responded to opposition the way the disciples did.  We need to pray more and fret less.  There is a battle raging in the world.  Jesus has won the decisive victory, but that doesn't mean that the powers of this old age aren't trying to maintain their grip.  They're like the bad guys in the movies, hanging on to the edge of the cliff with their fingers—doomed, but unwilling to give up.  To pray is to stomp on their fingers and to send them falling.  Pray.  Pray the psalms.  Pray Psalm 2 the way they do here.  This was Israel's prayer, but Jesus and the events surrounding those first Christians reoriented it.  They cry out with the Psalmist: Why do the nations rage?  Why do the peoples think with empty thoughts? The kings of the earth have huddled together against the Lord.  Except this time Israel herself had become one of the nations, her priests huddled together with Pontius Pilate.  They'd crucified Jesus.  And yet the disciples, in their prayer, also acknowledge that God is sovereign.  Remember that for Jews to quote a line from a Psalm was to call to mind the whole thing.  And in Psalm 2, yes the nations raged and their kings gathered together against his anointed, but then—do you remember Psalm 2?—God laughs at them, because they're fools.  And God establishes his king on Mount Zion.  The once raging nations become his inheritance.  And Peter and John and the rest knew that in Jesus this psalm was being fulfilled.  The Psalm concludes addressing those kings, “Now therefore, O Kings, be wise” and just so the disciples pray, “Now therefore, Lord, look on their threats and grant that we, your servants, may speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand for healing, so that signs and wonders may come about through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  Brothers and Sisters, pray the Spirit-inspired scriptures back to God and things will happen.  Luke writes in verse 31: “When they had prayed the place where they were gathered was shaken.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they boldly spoke the word of God.” We should learn this prayer.  When the principalities and powers of the old age push back, pray this prayer.  When the local council or the legislature or Parliament or the King or the courts push back, pray this prayer.  When the gospel gets you in trouble with your family or at school or in your work, pray this prayer.  When you become discouraged, if you're struggling to keep the faith, if you're wrestling with sin, if you feel cornered by the world, the flesh, and the devil, pray this prayer.  Remember that you are a witness to the power of the gospel in the world.  And pray this prayer. And immediately Luke shows us the church—not just boldly proclaiming the good news—but also living it out as a community.  Luke shows us the church as the working model of God's new creation in the midst of the old.  Luke shows us the church being the new temple: the place of God's presence and the fulfilment of his promises of abundance and generosity.  Look at verses 32-37.  I was tempted to save these for next week as they lead us into Chapter 5.  I actually think they could warrant their own sermon.  But look at them now: “The company of those who believed had one heart and one soul.”  Remember Paul telling the Philippians to “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Jesus”?  Be of one Jesus-like mind.  That plays out in all sorts of ways and Luke shows us one here: “Nobody said that they owned their property; instead they had everything in common.  The apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power and great grace was upon all of them.  For there was no needy person among them, since any who possessed lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sale, and placed it at the feet of the apostles, who then gave to each according to their need.  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, to whom the apostles gave the surname Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement', sold some land which belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostle's feet.” As I said a few weeks ago when we looked at Chapter 2, this doesn't mean they became a bunch of proto-Marxists.  Luke's point is that they became a family that live out the generosity and abundance of God's new creation.  We know from what we read later, that they had their own homes in which to meet.  And the focus of their charity was on the truly indigent, especially widows—on people notably with no family to take care of them.  And Paul will warn in his own letters that the able-bodied should get jobs instead of mooching off the community.  Again, the point here is that they very visible became the community in which torah itself was being fulfilled.  They've become the land of overflowing with milk and honey.  They've become the people who truly love their neighbours.  They've become the new temple in which God has returned to dwell with his people.  And they're doing and being this community right in Jerusalem: showing up the old Israel, exposing the priest and the council, showing that the old temple and its sacrifices are done.  God has fulfilled his promises and he's done so in Jesus and in the people who gathered around him in faith. And, Brothers and Sisters, we ought to be the same sort of new creation, heaven-on-earth community here.  As in Peter and John's day, the powers that be will tell us to go away and concentrate on heaven while they run the earth.  They'll warn us not to shove our religion down anyone's throat, while they, of course, will do their best to shove their materialism, their commercialism, their hedonism down our throats.  They'll get frustrated with us when we refuse to worship in their temples to money and power and sex and politics and war.  And when that happens, Brothers and Sisters, pray.  And remember that Jesus has died, Jesus has risen, and that Jesus will come again.  Be shaped by that story.  Be confident, knowing that God has and is and will fulfil his promises.  Be bold knowing that the gospel has power and that we live in a world transformed by that power, even if everyone ignores it or denies it.  Pray.  Remember.  Be bold.  And then remember that we are the family of the Messiah, marked out by his powerful name in our baptism and that in those baptismal waters, he's plunged us in to his Spirit.  He has made us new and we're not the family meant be and to bring and to live out his new creation, to live out heaven on earth in anticipation of the day when Jesus finally sets it all to rights.  We are the family that refuses to stop singing his praises and proclaiming his glory.  That's what we were created to do in the first place.  That's what Jesus has rescued us to do right now.  And it's what all creation will one day, by his grace, do again. Let's pray: O Lord, hear us in your mercy, we pray, and grant that we, to whom you have given the desire to pray, may be defended and comforted by your mighty aid, and strengthened in all dangers and adversities, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

If I were to pinch you - you might cry out: "youch!" Yet many people - when facing difficult situation in life - refuse to cry out. They're told to "tough it out." "Be strong." "Don't let it get to you."This pattern exists even for Christians who may be inclined to respond to all of their suffering with a simple: "God is good all the time. All the time, God is good."While true - - it's not the language the Bible itself gives us to speak to our suffering.In this sermon, Pastor Kevin unpacks the "lament" of Psalm 44. In it, we see the trouble, turn, and trust of the Psalmist and we are invited to consider how we respond to suffering.

A thoughtful Catholic reflection on cosmetic surgery, beauty, and the danger of finding our identity in physical appearance.Morning Offering, June 20, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4eiSjjOEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Jesus teaches that the location of your treasure reveals the direction of your heart and the focus of your life.Morning Offering, June 19, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4vGwXnpEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Discover how the manna in the desert points to the Eucharist and what it means to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."Morning Offering, June 18, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4xok6baEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

St. Paul teaches that true life is found not by living for ourselves, but by dying daily so Christ can live within us.Morning Offering, June 16, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4vCxYN9Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

A powerful reflection on Elijah, Elisha, mentorship, and the importance of carrying forward God's work from one generation to the next.Morning Offering, June 17, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4fzAJu1Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Pastor Bryan shares a message from Psalm 116. Just as the Psalmist writes, we can love the Lord, even when we face the darkness and shame of life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1286/29?v=20251111

By comparing different understandings of Jesus, we uncover what makes the Christian vision of God so radically personal and compassionate.Morning Offering, June 15, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/4vCQiFTEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Jesus looked upon the crowds with compassion and reminded us that the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.Morning Offering, June 14, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com: https://bit.ly/444evcsEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Psalm 5 is a vital gift of guidance for navigating the storms of life. The Psalmist shows that we can take refuge in God by starting each day with intentional prayer, speaking and listening to Him out loud, and resting in His presence rather than relying on our own strength. While wickedness and worldly distractions seek to lead us astray, we can find true safety, favor, and abundant joy by embracing God's covenant and walking in His righteousness. God is the only secure shelter regardless of life's overwhelming challenges.

Last week we read the words of Psalm 93, “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty.” This week, in Psalm 94, we come to a very different kind of Psalm. This is a Psalm that deals with the evil in this world. Sometimes we see it - and other times we experience it. We personally experience it. We have been harmed and hurt deeply. There may be pain that never quite goes away. And in the midst of that, we may not have seen any real justice. As followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, as those who have placed their trust in Him, how do we deal with it? The Word of God teaches us how to rightly think about these very real issues in our lives. DNA QuestionsDiscoverIn what ways does the Psalmist describe what he sees going on around him? What words and phrases does he use?How would you describe some of the emotions that are expressed in this Psalm?NurtureHow does it help us to know that God sees and knows about these things?Why is it a blessing to live our lives knowing that God will deal perfectly with these things? Why do we often find it difficult to live our lives believing that God will deal perfectly with these things? ActIn what ways might the knowledge that God protects His people be reflected in our words and actions?How might we better embrace the truth that God is our stronghold?

It is Christ's desire to recover and save all who are lost. This parable shows how ready He is to pardon our sins, as well as the obstinacy of those who murmur at God's compassion. The prodigal son lived an extravagant wasteful lifestyle – a life of madness and self-deception. But it is a sign of God's mercy to not leave prodigals in their backsliding. The son came to his change of mind by remembering the kindness of His Father. The goodness of God leads us to repentance. The older son was a picture of the self-righteous moralist who cannot bear the idea of sinners receiving mercy. Proud and self-righteous people resent the compassion of Christ, and think that obedience is only outward and not from the heart. Let us remember the Psalmist's prayer in Psalm 25: "Remember not the sins of my youth; remember me for Your goodness' sake, O Lord!"

What do we owe God when life is good? In this Confirmation Sunday message, “Making Vows in New Canaan,” we explore Psalm 116 alongside Moses' warnings to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. While hardship often drives people toward God, abundance can tempt us to forget the source of our blessings. The sermon reflects on the meaning of New Canaan's name and its connection to the biblical land flowing with milk and honey. Against that backdrop, the Psalmist asks a profound question: “What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me?” The answer is found in remembering God through faithful living and keeping the promises we have made. As confirmands affirm their baptismal vows, the entire congregation is invited to remember its own commitments—to follow Christ, pursue justice, grow in faith, and participate in the life of the church. Because faith is sustained not by occasional inspiration, but by daily practices of remembering.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary reveals the cost of love, showing how a mother's suffering is inseparable from her devotion to Christ.Morning Offering, June 13, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company  (https://bit.ly/4g4uFtG)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

The devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us that God desires the salvation of every person and never stops pursuing us with His love.Morning Offering, June 12, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company  (https://bit.ly/3Q4zYij)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

One nation, two men anointed king.Saul is the people's choice, that is, the kind of king that the people wanted. A proud and fierce man, who battles for his authority and his country. But God's Spirit has left him, and an evil spirit troubles him.David is just a youngster, who must pass through many troubles before his rule begins - but he is God's choice, the man after God's own heart, who desires above all else, to please God. On him, God's Spirit has come.And now we see the two together, Saul the present king, troubled by his evil spirit, and David, destined to be king, playing his harp, and bringing comfort and healing.

(Key Question: Who decides that something is good or less than good in our lives? God!)Psalm 84 especially verse 11, Romans 8:28.My short imperfect answer before expounding Psalm 84 is a complex combination of primarily God, His Word and us in conversation, but God ultimately decides.(e.g. Jesus' dialogue with the Father on the Mount of OlivesLuke 22:39–44 “…yet not my will, but yours be done.”) At other situations Scripture seems to imply that we participate in how He answers, to what would be “good” (or beneficial for us); for example, Matthew 7:7–12, especially verse 11, but always in the context of the larger request to remain within God's will (Matthew 6:11); but God honors our part in the prayer dialogue.Also, what is deemed “good” (beneficial) to the Psalmist and us sometimes does not feel “so good,” there exists a journey factor in Psalm 84:5–7 “a Valley of Baka” (a waterless area) to be a traversed. But God by His presence with them all through their journey to the Holy Place (probably the autumn feast of Tabernacles) promising to give them extraordinary strengths (three times, in verses 5–7). And even though the travel is rough, doesn't feel very good, His water continuously refreshes the traveler's person. (84:6 pools, springs, autumn rains). Mysteriously and miraculously restores their strength. In the New Testament, according to Romans 8:28, Paul states a similar truth about the “good” that God wants to administer to Christ's disciple on his/her journey: “And we know (experientially) that in everything (or situation) God works only for the good of those who loves Him, who are called and (stay) within His purpose.”Like Psalm 84:11, God is both “Our Sun and shield” and is able to transform even what seems not so good into good (in all situations He works for our good); but we must stay in our calling to do His purpose. And He invites us to ask, seek, knock and communicate our need and discuss them with Him (Matthew 7:7-12, along with Matthew 6:32, 33)Back to Psalm 84, what are some truths we can learn from it?God's ultimate purpose in our journey with and to Him is that we succeed in reaching Him. In New Testament, His dwelling place is within us (1 Corinthians 6:19) or our persons (both now and forever in our glorified bodies. (1 Corinthians 15). And He is concerned and committed to help us to fulfill His purpose and provide all He knows we need (Matthew 6:32-33). Only keep our desire for Him our utmost goal (Psalm 84:2-4).We cannot avoid this sometimes-painful journey: it's part of our course. “The valley of Baka” (Psalm 84:6) was a waterless area where all God's pilgrims will traverse (this fallen world) but God promises strength, strength, strength (84:5-7) and in New Testament language the refreshing waters of the Spirit will refresh and restore us in our journey out of our belly will flow rivers of living water = the activity of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38). We need a continual refilling (Ephesians 5:18). And again, according to Romans 8:28, He is able to transform all things for “our good,” because we love and belong to Him.God wants our values to change to match His kingdom values: note 84:10 “So much better to be aligned with God and His purposes for our lives than earthly, worldly, prestige. Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” (needy for God and receiving from God); Luke 6:20-26 states, blessed are the poor for they have to depend on the God of Romans 8:28 and Psalm 84:5-7; see also again Matthew 6:32-33.Our ultimate dependence must continue to be in the Lord as we develop the values of the Kingdom or the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-11). Thereby we grow and fit in to God's kingdom as to our values and receive from God His transforming power, until we fully dwell with Him (Revelation 22:1-5).Finally, God wants to be our “sun and shield” throughout our lives (84:11) as He provides all good things both now and forever.

Jesus teaches that reconciliation is more than justice—it is the path to healing, freedom, and peace.Morning Offering, June 11, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company  (https://bit.ly/4uYpvnv)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

In ancient times, the king was also the judge. He was the last point of appeal, acting as the supreme court of his day. It's no wonder the Psalmist cried out to Jehovah, his king, to avenge the earthly persecution of the weak and the helpless. On The Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice, we'll be studying Psalm 94, as the Psalmist begs God to rise up in judgement against the evil of his day. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

A powerful reflection on commitment, conviction, and why spiritual indecision can be more dangerous than opposition.Morning Offering, June 10, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company  (https://bit.ly/4ukZs95)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

A reflection on purpose, identity, and how a stolen chalice reveals a deeper truth about what we were created for.Morning Offering, June 9, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company  (https://bit.ly/3QlaYmZ)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

The Beatitudes reveal a surprising truth: blessing is not the absence of hardship, but the presence of God within it.Morning Offering, June 8, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company (https://bit.ly/4xhyIsU)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

On Corpus Christi, we celebrate the astonishing truth that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist—body, blood, soul, and divinity.Morning Offering, June 7, 2026 is brought to you by The Catholic Company (https://bit.ly/49GYGfb) Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Discover why faithfulness to truth often demands perseverance, sacrifice, and the willingness to go against the crowd.Morning Offering, June 6, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/4o1DeYe)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

In Today's Uncertainty, We Need to Remember that God Wants to Walk with Us In All Our Life Situations, Both Good and Bad – Just Ask Him MESSAGE SUMMARY: “Lord is my helper and confident, why should I be afraid? What can man do to me?” For this confidence, you must know who Jesus is – both in your heart and in your mind. Jesus is the Son of God – God in the flesh. As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.". Therefore, You do not need to worry about troubling circumstances in your life because you know that He is with you; and He will guide you no matter how dark your life seems. Jesus is the light that shines in darkness.  As Jesus tells you in Luke 12:4-5, that when you have anxiety and fear in your life, you must determine if this anxiety derivative of the right kind of fear: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”. When you are faced with life's tragedies and the anxieties that result from just living your life, Jesus can turn those situations and your fears into ways and results that you cannot fathom, understand, or anticipate; but you can certainly appreciate. Why not give God a chance to walk with you in all your life situations -- good and bad? Ultimately, the Psalmist got it right in Psalm 23:4: “Even 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.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, everything in me resists following you into the garden of Gethsemane to fall on my face to the ground before you. Grant me the courage to follow you all the way to the cross, whatever that might mean for my life. And then, by your grace, lead me to resurrection life and power. In Jesus' name, amen.   Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 100). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart. I will trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  In all my ways I will seek to know Him, and He will make my pathways straight.   From Proverbs 3:5f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:4-9; Mathew 6:25-34; Psalm 23:1-6; Psalms 22b:17-31 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Our Awesome God -- Part 2: Trinity; Our Father” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

IntroductionHow do we know that God will keep his promises? It's a question we don't often ask out loud, but we might ask silently to ourselves. We may experience a setback in life, and we wonder if God is really looking out for us. Psalm 132 permits us to bring that question directly to God. Psalm 132 gives us God's answer. The Promise God MadeLong before Christ's entrance into history, God narrowed his redemptive promise to a single line. He started with the potential of all humanity. In Genesis 3:15, the Lord said, “The seed of the woman.” We do not know the genealogy or the promised heir, other than that the promised champion would arrive from humanity. This would give the Lord a lot of options and a lot of opportunities to bring about the heir. The Lord makes his promise very specific and very narrow. He narrows the promise from all humanity to the tribe of Judah and David's house. The Lord swears in 2 Sam 7 that he will build David's line through the eternal heir, the messiah, who is fully human and fully divine. Two natures in one person. This will establish David's line eternally. The second person of the Trinity will take on flesh to do what the first Adam could not and establish his eternal kingdom. This is wonderful, but then we see the stump of Jesse in Isaiah 11. It seems as if the line of David is cut off. This is the problem in Psalm 132. Where is David's heir? Sure, the line continues, but Israel is back in the land. They dwell there without a visible king. Will God fulfill his promise? Will there be an heir on David's throne for eternity? Sure, Isaiah shows us a shoot, but how strong is that shoot? The shoot seems like a small growth. Yes, we have assurance that the Lord has not forsaken his promise. However, can this small shoot carry the Lord's majestic promise? The Prayer God WelcomesPsalm 132 is in the context of the exile. The psalmist wants to know if God has forsaken his promise. The psalmist does something striking: he reminds God of his own covenant. There's no Davidic king on the throne. The land is restored, but the promise seems stalled. Rather than walking away in despair or stirring up doubt in the congregation, the psalmist brings the tension straight to God. He says, “For the sake of your servant David, do not turn your face away." This is simply, “Lord, you made the promise, and now fulfill your promise.”Scripture gives us that reminder and permission to bring our frustrations to God and remind him of his promises. We can come before God, name his promises, and honestly say: Lord, help me see what I'm missing. In fact, Psalm 132 is encouraging us to do this. We are not going to the community and stirring up unrest, but bringing our frustration to God. Lord, this is what you say, this is what I see, and I need reassurance of your provision. The Answer God GivesThe important thing is that we discern the Lord's answer. This might be through Scripture, it might even be by his providence, where we see the answer to our request. However, Psalm 132 gives us God's answer. God's response in verses 11–18 is not a scolding rebuke against the Psalmist. No, the Lord gives reassurance that his intention has not changed. We are impatient, but the Lord's timing is perfect. The Lord will clothe his priests with salvation. A horn (powerful king) will sprout from David's line. The Messiah will be anointed and equipped to perfectly fulfill his mission. His enemies will wear shame while his king wears a shining crown, and his priests are clothed with glory. In Christ, every one of these images finds its fulfillment. The Messiah came. The Lord fulfilled his promise in his perfect timing. ConclusionHas God forsaken His promise? The temptation is to think that God is looking for a new family to adopt. Psalm 132 assures us that God is not looking for a more deserving family to adopt. Apart from Christ, none of us is considered more deserving. But in Christ, we possess everything as heirs with Christ. Our Lord, who is our King, holds the promise. He wears the crown. He fulfills His word even when we think it is void. When we pray to God, and we rehearse the Lord's promises to us, we know that the Lord fulfills his promise. He has never once failed to keep his word. Rest in that assurance. Proceed in the confidence that you are the Lord's child as you take hold of Christ by faith. Live in the confidence and joy of that promise.

Discover how one missionary saint challenged evil, protected the innocent, and pointed an entire people toward Christ.Morning Offering, June 5, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/43Ed0S8)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Discover how Chesterton's classic novel challenges modern media culture and reminds us not to lose hope in the world around us.Morning Offering, June 4, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/49xP4U1)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

"Where is Thy faithfulness?" Something so grim had occurred in Israel that the Psalmist was led to question God's faithfulness to His covenant with the king. In fact, the Psalmist states in no uncertain terms that God is responsible for the demise of both king and country. Questioning God's faithfulness is not something the believer wants to readily admit, but most of us have experienced the feeling of abandonment and isolation when everything seems to go wrong. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

St. Charles Lwanga and the Ugandan Martyrs gave their lives defending purity, faith, and the dignity of others.Morning Offering, June 3, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/4wYhgcv)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

If Scripture is clear, why did St. Peter warn that some passages are difficult to understand and easy to distort?Morning Offering, June 2, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/4dFunYF)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

St. Justin Martyr's writings reveal what the earliest Christians believed and how they defended the faith before emperors and nations.Morning Offering, June 1, 2026 is brought to you by Catholic Coffee (https://bit.ly/4nXlU6B)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

The early Church faced a painful question: should Christians who abandoned the faith during persecution be welcomed back?Morning Offering, May 30, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.comEvery morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Give 'Em Watts! #RTTBROS #Nightlight"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." — Psalm 28:7It was June of 1780, and the situation on the ground at the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey, was getting desperate. British forces were pressing hard, American soldiers were outnumbered, and they were running critically short on wadding, the paper soldiers packed down the barrel to seat the powder and the ball. Without it, their muskets were useless. The line was about to break.That's when Reverend James Caldwell did something nobody expected. He was a Presbyterian minister, one of the fiery preachers the British called the Black Robe Regiment, men they feared almost as much as any general. Caldwell ran into the nearest church, gathered up armloads of hymnals, and sprinted back to the firing line. He threw those books to the soldiers and hollered what became one of the most memorable battle cries of the whole revolution: "Give 'em Watts, boys!"The hymnals were full of the sacred songs of Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer who gave us "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" and "Joy to the World." And those soldiers tore out the pages, loaded their muskets, and held the line. The songs of worship literally became the ammunition of war.I have thought about that story more than once sitting with people in hard seasons of life, and in some of my own hard seasons too. There are moments when you feel like those soldiers. Outnumbered, running low, not sure you have what it takes to hold your ground through another night. And in those moments, I think Reverend Caldwell's wild run into that church has something to say to us.Worship is not just what we do on Sunday morning when everything is fine. It is what we reach for when things are not fine. The Psalmist knew this. He didn't write Psalm 28:7 from a comfortable chair. He wrote it from a place of genuine need, trusting a God he could not see to be a shield he desperately required. And what came out the other side? His heart rejoiced and he sang.I'm too soon old and too late smart, but here is something I have learned. When the battle gets heavy and my resources feel thin, the best thing I can do is not strategize harder or worry longer. It's to give 'em Watts. Pull out a hymn. Speak a promise out loud. Remember what God did the last time the situation felt impossible. Let praise become the wadding that loads the musket.History is just HIS story, and that includes the story of a preacher running across a battlefield with his arms full of hymnals. God has a way of making our songs into something stronger than we ever imagined.So tonight, whatever battle you carried through the door with you, give it the Watts treatment. Let a song of praise be the last thing on your lips before you close your eyes.Let's pray: Lord, when I'm running low and the line feels like it's about to break, remind me that praise is not a luxury for easy days. It is the weapon You placed in my hands for hard ones. Teach me to trust You enough to sing. In Jesus' name, Amen.#RTTBROS #Nightlight #ChristianWisdom #BiblicalWisdom #Faith #Worship #DailyDevotion #PracticalBiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #HistoryIsHisStoryhttps://linktr.ee/rttbros#Freedom250 #America250Reflection Questions:1. When life gets hard, is your first instinct to worry or to worship? What would it look like to reach for praise before you reach for anxiety?2. Think of a time God came through for you in a desperate moment. How could remembering that story become "ammunition" for something you're facing right now?Call to Action: If this story encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear that their praise still has power. Like, follow, and subscribe to keep the Nightlight burning. Find everything at linktr.ee/rttbros.

A powerful reflection on the cursed fig tree, symbolic theology, and the hidden meaning behind Christ's final days before the cross.Morning Offering, May 29, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Just as newborn infants need milk to survive, our souls desperately need spiritual nourishment to grow in God.Morning Offering, May 28, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com (https://bit.ly/42RYLJa)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Oscar Wilde's life reveals how beauty, truth, and longing can still lead even the most broken hearts toward God.Morning Offering, May 27, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com (https://bit.ly/4f6492D)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

A powerful reflection on St. Philip Neri, priesthood, sacrifice, and the radical joy of following Christ completely.Morning Offering, May 26, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com (https://bit.ly/4a5D63Y)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

Discover why the Church honors Mary as the Mother of the Church—and how she helps reverse the tragedy of the fall.Morning Offering, May 25, 2026Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

A powerful reflection on the Tower of Babel, Mount Sinai, and how Pentecost fulfills God's plan for His ChurchMorning Offering, May 24, 2026 is brought to you by Rosary.com (https://bit.ly/4a718f0)Every morning, join Father Brad as he begins the day with prayer and reflection. In a few short minutes, Father Brad guides you in prayer, shares a brief reflection grounding your day in the Church's rhythm of feast days and liturgy, and provides you with the encouragement necessary to go forward with peace and strength. Disclaimer: The ads shown before, during, or after this video have no affiliation with Morning Offering and are controlled by YouTubeLet us do as the saints urge and begin our days in prayer together so as a community of believers we may join the Psalmist in saying, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3-4)________________

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” — Psalm 138:8 Most manifestly the confidence which the Psalmist here expressed was a divine confidence. He did not say, “I have grace enough to perfect that which concerneth me — my faith is so steady that it will not stagger — my love is so warm […]