Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! — Psalm 98:4 Charles H. Spurgeon, in The Treasury of David, says: There is no fear of our being too hearty in magnifying the God of our salvation, only we must take care the song comes from the heart, … More A joyful noise: can it be TOO hearty?
In 1 Samuel 9-10, our reading for today, Samuel meets Saul and anoints him king. Here is a devotional from Ligonier which highlights the providence of God in this passage: According to Westminster Larger Catechism 11, “God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all … More Samuel Meets Saul
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22, ESV) Coty Pinckney … More Jesus: looking at him, loved him, and said to him…
His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. —Psalm 97:4-6 Pastor Coty Pinckney comments on Psalm 97: What is the first verse in the Bible? “In the … More Reacting to God’s power
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 1 Sam 7:12 (1 Samuel 6-8 in our reading plan today) Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, … More Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come
Look for statements about God’s promises as we read 2 Cor 1:17-22 in our reading plan today: Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you … More Better Promises
“Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.” “Like a child.” What does Jesus mean? Coty Pinckney on Mark 10:13-16, “Childlike Faith, Childlike Giving” Does He mean: (1) Children are perfect? If you believe that, I welcome you to spend one … More How do we “receive the kingdom of God like a child”?
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness, tremble before him, all the earth! Psalm 96:9 (on our reading plan today) Spurgeon, from the Treasury of David: Beauty of architecture and apparel he does not regard; moral and spiritual beauty is that in which his soul delighteth. Worship must not be rendered to God in … More Spurgeon: A sacred trembling which is quite consistent with joy
1 Samuel 3-5 describes a very dark period in the history of Israel. In 1 Samuel 4:10-11 we read, “ So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. And the ark of God was … More Draw near in the dark days
In Him we have set our firm hope, that he will deliver us, as you join in working for us by prayer, so that the blessing that comes to us from the prayers of many persons might result in thanksgiving to God by many as they see our deliverance. —2 Corinthians 1 Pastor Coty Pinckney asks: … More What is prayer? Is prayer effective?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 