Here’s a question I ask myself often—Why don’t I spend more time talking with God? I have my excuses, but they are empty rationalizations. Jesus made talking to his Father a priority.
Daily Devotion
Daily Devotion
ENGAGE: Listening to God
Good communication requires speaking and listening. Those same two things are required when we talk with God. Unfortunately, many of us do all the talking and tell God exactly how he should handle things. But…maybe…we should spend some time listening to him.
ENGAGE: Simple Conversations
Like many of you, I have a dictionary app on my phone where I can get the “Word of the Day.” I love checking out those words and dropping them, when appropriate, into conversation. We had a guy at our church years ago who always used big words. One person told me, “I love it when he teaches. I don’t understand half of what he says, but I love it when he teaches.” A lot of words strung together with some lofty ones peppered in can certainly be impressive to some people but not so much to God.
ENGAGE: A Conversation with God
Welcome to a 30-day devotional series on prayer. Let’s spend September learning how to talk with God and better our communication with God. I encourage you to use this devo with your children and pray together as a family.
Promises: He Alone is Worthy of Praise
Thanks for joining us for Promises in the Psalms—a devo series right from the Old Testament book of worship. We have learned that God is our helper and healer. He is always present with us and meets us wherever we are. He is right there when our hearts are broken. He tends to our deepest wounds. He is our great God! That’s why we praise him through our joy and our tears.
Promises: The Healer
God stands by the brokenhearted. But he doesn’t just stand by. He is not a passive onlooker. He comes to us in our brokenness as the Divine Doctor, the Sovereign Surgeon, the Holy Healer. He brings exactly what we need at the precise moment we need it, not a moment too soon, not a second too late.
Promises: Keeps Faith Forever
People will always let you down. Even those who love you the most. Even those you consider a mentor. Even those who want what’s best for you. It’s in our DNA—we disappoint others. But there is One who never disappoints.
Promises: Our Refuge
“Loneliness can drive us to some very dark places.” That’s what a fellow believer shared in a recent email, and that’s what David shares in today’s psalm. David wrote these words while hiding in a cave from Saul as he was trying to kill him. When we feel alone, we can hide in some very dark places.
Promises: Never Alone
Sometimes we remain still, trying to hide from God. Sometimes we are in a full-out sprint, trying to run from God. But regardless of how fast and far we run, we are still right there in his presence!
Promises: Always Present
Have you ever attempted to hide from God? I have. I think most of us have tried. We look for dark places where we rationalize that God can’t see our actions. We snuggle up in an emotional corner and focus on our feelings. We head for a mental open range where our thoughts can run free. But we can never hide from God! That’s one lesson God taught King David many times.
Promises: Maker of Heaven and Earth
Until 70 AD, when the temple was destroyed, practicing Jews would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate feasts and worship. During their travels, they would sing songs together. These “Psalms of Ascent” are found in Psalms 120-134. Today’s song reminds us that our great God is the Maker of heaven and earth.
Promises: Limitless Love
Yesterday we considered God’s amazing love. Let’s continue to do that today. Here are some encouraging verses from Psalm 103.