“Walking Through the Psalms”“The LORD is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1 (NLT)“Fear Is a Thief” Your fear is robbing you. It’s robbing you of your joy. It’s robbing you of your peace. It’s robbing you of your LIFE. Every minute you spend worrying about “what will be” steals the moment you are living in. The same goes for worrying about “what might have been.” Thi...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” – Psalm 26:2 (NLT)“Doing the Right Things for the Wrong Reasons” Have you ever done the right thing for the wrong reason? I have. One of the most broken moments of my life was several years ago when God showed me that even holy things can be done with a dark heart. I was the pastor of a growing...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“I come to your altar, O LORD, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders.” – Psalm 25:6-7 (NLT)“A Prayer for Those in Deep Distress” I had the most awesome time of prayer today. As I went into the sanctuary to walk and pray, I thought about this very touching encounter I had with one of our older saints. Her compassion for me and the church warmed m...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!” – Psalm 25:16-17 (NLT)“A Prayer for Those in Deep Distress” “Lord, I lift up each and every person for whom this is their prayer today. I pray for those who feel horribly ALONE. I lift up that single mom or dad who is working so hard and struggl...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Overlook my youthful sins, O Lord! Look at me instead through eyes of mercy and forgiveness, through eyes of everlasting love and kindness.” – Psalm 25:7 (TLB)“You’re a Video, Not a Snapshot” It’s interesting how the internet and social media have changed how we view people. Now things you did many years ago can be brought back up to haunt you. It doesn’t matter if you...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“…teach me your paths.” – Psalm 25:4 (NIV)“Whose Path Will You Choose?” Have you ever thought about why you choose the roads you take to the places you go? Most of us probably choose them because they are the fastest roads. We might choose them because they are the easiest roads with convenient access points. Or maybe they’re the roads that avoid things we dislike, such...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Show me your ways, LORD…” – Psalm 25:4 (NIV)“Make His Ways Your Ways” When I read this passage today, it reminded me of what Paul wrote as a challenge to the church in Ephesians 5:1. “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Camp on this thought for a while. What is the primary responsibility of parenting? It is to teach our chi...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.” – Psalm 25:1 (NIV)“Crossing the Bridge of Faith” My brother-in-law, who is a pastor, told me of a cool object lesson he did with a group of kids. He had them all come to the front of the church, and he gave each of them a bright, shiny quarter. The kids were delighted. Then he held out his closed hand and said to them, “Who would l...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” – Psalm 24:1 (NLT)“Don’t Forget, It’s Not Yours” Have you ever noticed how extra careful you are with things that aren’t yours? Like when you borrow a car from a friend. You tend to drive more carefully, park in more protected places, and return it washed and filled with gas. Wh...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalm 23:5b (NLT)“A God Who Never Gives Up” I love how David ends this Psalm. After all that’s been said so far about our Shepherd, David saves the best for last. Our Shepherd never gives up on us. I’ll bet there are some of us who really ...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“You anoint my head with oil” – Psalm 23:5b (NIV)“You Anoint My Head with Oil” This is a beautiful part of the Psalm that often blows right past us. There are a couple of different meanings here that I don’t want you to miss. The first is that the anointing represents “honor.” Kings were anointed with oil as a symbol of their royalty. So were Priests. You are BOTH. As a...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4b (NLT)“Our Firm and Gentle God” Shepherds had to be both caring and courageous. The sheep were their responsibility, so they had to be diligent in keeping them safe. That meant they had to fight off predators like bears and lions that would try to eat the sheep. It also meant they had to keep the sheep from ...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.” – Psalm 23:4a (TLB)“Walking Through the Dark Valley of Death” The last six months, I’ve walked with a number of people dealing with the loss of a loved one. Death can feel a bit like an earthquake. It rattles you, shakes you, and stagger...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” – Psalm 23:3b (NLT)“Whose Path Will You Pick?” Several years ago, when I was a Youth Pastor, I had an incredible group of kids. They were from a variety of backgrounds. Some had wonderful Christian parents. Some had parents who were drug addicts or in jail. Some came from very affluent families. Some came fro...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.” – Psalm 23:2-3a (NLT)“Your Pace Determines Your Peace” One of the names given to Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” In Matthew 11, He gives us this wonderful invitation: “Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy with burden, and I will give you rest.” As our Good Shepherd, ...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“I have all that I need.” – Psalm 23:1b“God Has All You Need” I love this proclamation by David. After picturing God as a caring “Shepherd,” he makes this bold, defining statement. “I have all that I need.” Notice that David doesn’t say that he has all he WANTS. That’s a different matter altogether. You know how sheep are. Their eyes wander. Their desires are endless. A...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“The LORD is my shepherd…” – Psalm 23:1a (NLT)“Trust the Shepherd” This Psalm is the most popular Psalm and one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. The image of God being our Shepherd is one of great comfort and peace. At least, it should be, since WE are the ones who get to be His Sheep!And what an amazing Shepherd we have. Shepherds are STRONG. Living out in...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him.” – Psalm 22:27 (NLT)“It’s Probably Bigger Than You Know” The cross seemed like a huge defeat for the disciples. They were doing so well. Crowds were following. People were cheering. Life was good. But then, in a moment, everything changed. Jesus was ar...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.” – Psalm 22:24 (NLT)“Your Resurrection Is Coming!” Remember how this Psalm began? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” I shared with you how this was quoted by Jesus on the cross. We discovered that this Psalm actually has...

“Walking Through the Psalms”“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.” – Psalm 22:16-18 (NLT)“Jesus Came Anyway” Have you ever said, “If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have done it!”...