Tag: joy

August 10, 2025

August 10th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 95-98

Highlight Verse:

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up in a very traditional church. All the songs we ever sang were contained in a hymnal along with liturgies for every occasion.

The church we are a part of now is, shall we say, a little more contemporary.

New songs are common.

While the people around me may not like to hear me butcher the words and the notes the first few times, I love to learn the new songs.

They help keep my worship fresh.

You might notice that this Psalm says nothing about church or synagogue.

Instead, it says to proclaim the good news each day.

Now, I’m not saying that you should walk down the street every day singing worship songs.

But then, why not?

If that is your way of sharing the good news of God’s grace, sing it.

These Psalms were literally written to be sung as the people travelled to Jerusalem. They shared the joy of worshipping God as the prepared their hearts for the various religious festivals.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to make singing part of our normal routine. If not in public, at least in our personal times.

You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable it might make your days.

Is singing praise and worship part of your daily life?
What effect does that worship have on your life?
August 6, 2025

August 6th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 23-24

Highlight Verse:
““Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Well, he was half right.

Jonathan died before he got to be King David’s right-hand-man.

But David did become king.

I’d like to think that Jonathan played a part in that by encouraging David.

Encouragement literally gives courage.

Jonathan believed in David so much that he encouraged David even though he knew that David would take his rightful place.

He put David’s courage and welfare ahead of his own.

I believe God is still rewarding Jonathan for that selfless act.

We would do well to give courage to those around us who need it.

Do you have stories about how encouragement made a world of difference to you? Share them.
How can we give courage to those around us?
August 2, 2025

August 2nd, 2025

Saturday – Open topic

Reading – Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35.

Highlight Verses:

““If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The other day, someone pulled across the road directly in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn.

I somehow managed to keep my mouth shut and fingers tucked away.

As the car passed me the driver gave me a look as if to say, “What’s your problem?”

At that point, the thought crossed my mind, “Do I really have to forgive someone who is unrepentant?”

I knew the answer. Forgiving that person, or anyone else who does me wrong in anyway, is essential.

In most cases, it makes no difference to the other person.

It makes all the difference to me.

Unforgiveness would make me a slave to anger. It would close me off from God’s forgiveness.

It’s not even an option in my book.

Have you ever struggled with unforgiveness?
Have you experienced the freedom that comes with forgiving others?
July 13, 2025

July 13th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 83-85

Highlight Verse:

“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, if I want joy, I should book a flight to Jerusalem?

That’s not exactly what that means.

The equivalent of that phrase in New Testament times would be “who have set their minds on following Jesus.”

Many stay away from faith and church because they fear that they would miss out on all the fun.

I fear that if I didn’t follow hard after Jesus, I would miss out on all they joy!

Yes, there is a difference between fun and joy.

Many sinful actions are fun. But the fun is fleeting. It is often followed by painful consequences.

Joy lasts.

It’s far more powerful than fun. It carries no bad consequences.

It brings blessings.

Like joy.

On a scale of 1-10, how joyful are you?
What brings that you true joy?
June 22, 2025

June 22nd, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 75-77

Highlight Verse:

“But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭75‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is no mistake that a sizable chunk of the Bible is actually music. (Psalms, Song of Solomon, and several other songs sprinkled throughout scripture).

In fact, as I write this Forrest Frank is blasting praise to God in my ear buds.

Music is powerful.

It doesn’t just entertain, it moves.

It doesn’t just alter moods, it alters perspectives.

It can make people more receptive to the Gospel and the movement of the Holy Spirit.

As this verse states, it helps us proclaim what God has done.

Did music have a role in drawing you to Jesus or to move forward in your faith?
Have you ever used music to proclaim what God has done?

In answer to that last question, I was once part of an outreach band. I ran sound and talked to people passing by as we brought music to the Santa Cruz Wharf, Pacific Garden Mall, and local jails. It grabbed attention and helped people realize that following Jesus could bring joy.
June 12, 2025

June 12th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This is my least favorite verse of today’s reading.

But it kept coming back to me as I dwelt on today’s reading.

Why?

I believe it is also the most misunderstood verse in today’s reading.

I’ve heard people use it to say that if the Christian life isn’t miserable, you’re not living it right.

Balderdash.

Paul and the church in that time and region were heavily persecuted. If they rejected Jesus, they would escape that persecution.

That wasn’t an option.

But the joy that awaited them in heaven was worth every moment of pain.

And the joy in that hope and in fellowship with Jesus and fellow believers made their present difficulties bearable.

For most of us, the difficulties of this life pale in comparison to what Paul and the early church had to endure.

But for those who are overwhelmed with the troubles of this world – there is hope, there is help, and there is life.

How has that hope brought you through tough times?
If you are in a tough time, have you reached out to God and to fellow believers for help and hope? If not, what’s stopping you?
June 1, 2025

June 1st, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 66-68

Highlight Verse:

“Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was I kid, I would sing “solo” – So low no one could hear me.

When I was a teen, I heard one worship leader say, “If God gave you a great voice, sing out loud in thanks for it. If He gave you a terrible voice, sing even louder and get even.”

From that moment I’ve sung out loud and unashamed.

I had the privilege not long after that, of attending a little country church in the hills of southwest Virginia.

We had no regular choir, but the song leader would put the call out each week for people to come sit in the choir section.

I always moved to that section.

I am sure that we sounded awesome.

Half of us were off key and too loud but we had undeniable joy.

I had come to church late enough times to know that the sound carried beyond those rafters to resound throughout Spring Valley.

The joy that went out in those rousing renditions of “Power in the Blood” and “Victory in Jesus” could make the dead rise.

When you sing in true praise and worship, proclaiming the greatness of God to the World, people take notice.

Many are those who have thought, “I wish I could be a part of that.”

You can.

And you can bring that joy to others.

What’s your favorite praise or worship song?
What has your experience in praise and worship been like?
May 23, 2025

May 23rd, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 61-63

Highlight Verse:

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Years ago, a couple we were close with had a tragic late-term miscarriage.

About a year later, they told us they were going to try to have another child, but they were praying that we would have one first.

We had tried for eleven years so we told them to go ahead and pray but don’t wait for us.

Within a month, our firstborn was on her way. Within another month, they were expecting too.

After eleven years of pain and disappointment, I can tell you the moment our first daughter entered this world was the

most joy

I had experienced to that point.

I firmly believe that joy was far deeper because of the years of pain and disappointment before she came along.

Sorrows will come in this life. That’s an unavoidable fact.

But if we had no sorrows, our times of joy would be much less powerful.

If you are in the midst of a difficult time, while I do not want to ignore the depth of hurt you may be going through, I do want to encourage you to think about the joys you have experienced.

Know that the joys to come can be even greater because of your current suffering.

What have you been through that magnifies the joy you can now have?
Have the joys you’ve experienced after pain helped encourage you through the tough times?
May 17, 2025

May 17th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 112

Highlight Verse:

“They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭112‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Bad news.

We’ve all had our share.

The expensive repair.
The painful diagnosis.
A friend’s betrayal.
The loss of a loved one.

Sometimes the news is saddening.
Sometimes devastating.

To say it will all work for the better is misleading and hurtful at best.

How can we live out this verse?

Trust that God is sovereign and compassionate before the bad news comes.

Know that terrible news comes to each of us.

The feelings of grief and anger and hopelessness are inevitable.

But so is the faithfulness of God that will outlast every feeling and doubt no matter how strong.

Trust and love Him with all your heart soul mind and strength and He will see you through it.

How have you gotten through bad news in the past?Are you in the midst of bad news now? Let us share in your struggle.
May 8, 2025

May 8th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I glance at this verse and wonder if it gives me license to start preaching “hell-fire and brimstone” to those in the church acting sinfully.

Tempting, but I honestly don’t think that’s the point here.

Knowing the heart of God in the context of the New Testament and Paul and the church he is writing to, I see the Father using every means possible to guide His children to the best life possible.

I also see His heart wanting to save people from hell.

It should also be noted that the first readers of this letter would be the leaders of the church. It urges them to lead.

The leaders of the church at Corinth were doing a terrible job of guiding people away from sin. For the sake of those people, the leaders needed to recognize sin and warn them of it.

While the people’s sin would not cause them to directly lose their salvation, when they wander too far down the path of sin, they were in real danger of losing their trust in God, thereby losing salvation.

Quite often people that far off the path pull others down that path with them, prompting Paul’s warning not to associate with them.

The point is, stay as far away as possible from the path that leads to losing faith and encourage other to stay of the path of faith.

Have you seen people pull others with them down a path away from faith? (I have, multiple times).
Have you ever started down that path yourself? What brought you back?

Tag: joy

While the people around me may not like to hear me butcher the words and the notes the first few times, I love to learn the new songs.

But then, why not?

You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable it might make your days.

I’d like to think that Jonathan played a part in that by encouraging David.

Encouragement literally gives courage.

We would do well to give courage to those around us who need it.

At that point, the thought crossed my mind, “Do I really have to forgive someone who is unrepentant?”

It makes all the difference to me.

Unforgiveness would make me a slave to anger. It would close me off from God’s forgiveness.

The equivalent of that phrase in New Testament times would be “who have set their minds on following Jesus.”

I fear that if I didn’t follow hard after Jesus, I would miss out on all they joy!

It brings blessings.

Music is powerful.

As this verse states, it helps us proclaim what God has done.

This is my least favorite verse of today’s reading.

I believe it is also the most misunderstood verse in today’s reading.

But for those who are overwhelmed with the troubles of this world – there is hope, there is help, and there is life.

From that moment I’ve sung out loud and unashamed.

The joy that went out in those rousing renditions of “Power in the Blood” and “Victory in Jesus” could make the dead rise.

And you can bring that joy to others.

most joy

Sorrows will come in this life. That’s an unavoidable fact.

Know that the joys to come can be even greater because of your current suffering.

Bad news.

How can we live out this verse?

But so is the faithfulness of God that will outlast every feeling and doubt no matter how strong.

Tempting, but I honestly don’t think that’s the point here.

The leaders of the church at Corinth were doing a terrible job of guiding people away from sin. For the sake of those people, the leaders needed to recognize sin and warn them of it.

The point is, stay as far away as possible from the path that leads to losing faith and encourage other to stay of the path of faith.