The Daily Dose

The House of the Lord

 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. ~ Psalms 84:11

The House of the Lord holds a special place in my heart. Having grown up in the church and now working on staff at a great church, I consider it an incredible privilege to work for the Lord in the role He has entrusted to me. It amazes me how many don’t share that same love for coming together with other believers each week to worship and celebrate the greatness of our heavenly Father.

I understand that life can be distracting. People get caught up in their busy schedules or maybe just haven’t fully discovered the purpose that they were created for. Some may even hop from one church to another, searching for the next big experience or emotional high. But there’s something powerful and transformative about being firmly planted in the House of the Lord where He has called you to grow, serve, and support others.

In Psalm 84, the psalmist lists the blessings that flow from making God’s House a priority in your life. These include strength for the journey (v.5), joy in His presence (v.4), and the assurance that no good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly (v.11). When we commit to being part of a church family—serving, worshiping, and contributing to the community, we position our lives to line up with God’s purposes and experience His abundant grace and glory.  That’s an extremely awesome deal and worth the extra effort. What a great promise to know that He will not let any good thing be withheld from us.

Being planted in the House of the Lord isn’t about checking off a box on your spiritual to-do list. It’s about becoming part of something greater than yourself. It’s about showing up consistently, building relationships, and following your Father’s leading and use your unique gifts to bless others. It’s also about receiving the encouragement, teaching, and fellowship that strengthen you to face life’s challenges in the coming week.

If you’ve been searching for a church home or wondering how you can deepen your connection with God and His people, start by asking Him to show you where He wants you to plant your roots. Once you find that place, commit to showing up when the doors are open, not just physically but with your whole heart. Serve where there’s a need, build relationships, connect in groups and watch how God makes you a blessing not only others but you, also.

Today I encourage you to know the Lord is both your light and your protector, and He gives generously to those who follow His ways. When you prioritize His House, He will meet your needs, fill your life with purpose, and make your life an impact on others for His glory.  So, plant yourself in the House of the Lord. There’s no better place to grow, thrive, and walk into the fullness of God’s blessings.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 84

 1 How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

9 O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face of Your anointed.

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

When God seems silent

 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! ~ Psalms 83:1

When God seems silent, it can be one of the hardest things to endure. The psalmist’s cry in Psalms 83:1 spoke what many of us feel in those moments: “Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God!”

I’ve had seasons in my life where I felt like God was distant, and I doubted if He was even listening to my prayers. Looking back at those times, I now realize that my “prayers” were often more like complaints about my circumstances or instructions to God on how He should take care of my problems. Many times my approach was more from my frustration rather than my faith.

Early on in my walk with the Lord, I didn’t fully understand that it’s the prayer of faith that moves His heart, my faith and belief rooted in what He has already spoken in His Word. God isn’t obligated to respond to complaints, but He honors prayers that trust in His promises and in line with His Word and plan.

Through those silent seasons, God was showing me to shift my focus. Instead of telling Him what to do, I learned to remind myself of Who He is. Instead of dwelling on what I didn’t have, I began to thank Him for what He had already provided. As I grew in faith and understanding of His Word, I realized that God’s silence doesn’t mean He isn’t there for me or listening.

Sometimes, God’s silence is an invitation to seek Him more deeply, to press in close. It’s a call to lean into His Word, to bring our hearts into agreement with His, and to grow in trust, even when we can’t see or feel what He’s doing. His silence may be preparing us for something greater than we can imagine.

So how do we prepare for the seemingly silent times when we really need to hear the heart of God to receive His peace? How do we step into that knowing that He is there and He is working on the situation even when we cannot see it in our outward circumstances?

First of all, pray with faith. When you pray, base your requests on God’s promises. Speak His Word back to Him, trusting that He is faithful to perform it.  This will require you to take some time to get into His Word so that you know just exactly what He has promised He will do when you ask.

Next, seek His presence by positioning yourself to spend time in worship and His Word, even when you don’t feel like it or even when you feel nothing at all. Many times the silence is where He shapes your faith and character the most.  By pressing into Him and taking time to sit in His presence, you show yourself and the Lord just how serious you are about the situation.  You are prepared to grow your faith by hearing and hearing His Word and believing His promises.

Then, trust His timing. Remember that God’s delays are not His denials. He is always working, even when it’s behind the scenes.  Know that He is working every part of the situation together for something good because you love Him and trust Him with your life.

Lastly, give thanks and cultivate a heart of gratitude for what He has already done in your life.  Take time to thank Him for the times He has already brought you through to victory.  You will realize that He has never let you down when you truly trusted all the details to Him.

Today I want to encourage you that God’s silence is never permanent. He hears every prayer, sees every tear, and knows every need. As you continue to seek Him in faith, you’ll find that He’s been closer than you realized all along. He knows that sometimes a good friend just sits with you while you cry it out. Be consistent to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and trust that His answers will come at the perfect time, in the perfect way. God’s silence may be the very invitation that you need to step into His greatest work in your life. ❤️

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 83

1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God!

2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people and consulted together against Your sheltered ones.

4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You:

6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites;

7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah

9 Deal with them as with Midian, as with Sisera, as with Jabin at the Brook Kishon,

10 Who perished at En Dor, who became as refuse on the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves the pastures of God for a possession.”

13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind!

14 As the fire burns the woods, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire,

15 So pursue them with Your tempest and frighten them with Your storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O Lord.

17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish,

18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.

Defend the poor

 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalms 82:3-4

I spent over 10 years of my life as a single mom.  Though I often worked two jobs, I didn’t have a lot of extra money.  However, during that season, I don’t ever remember considering myself to be poor, though I certainly had my share of struggles.  I rarely looked to others for help, and I really despised having to be on public assistance for a time.  I do remember times that I called out to God for help, and I also remember many times that He got me that promotion and raise above others that may have been more qualified. 

I didn’t know this scripture in Psalms 82 then, but it is a cry to God to defend the poor and do justice for the needy.  As low as I was at that point in my life, I didn’t realize the depth of my affliction.

Now I have the honor of working with single moms in a ministry that I began co-leading last year.  It has been a joy and blessing to get to know so many wonderful ladies who desperately need the love and support of a Christian community.  This ministry does not have all the resources to meet their material needs, but what it does do is support them through struggles by connecting with other single moms who may have already come through the current crisis.

This scripture in Psalms 82 is not just a call for God to defend the poor and needy but also direction for us as His people to step up and take part in that mission. God in His amazing grace recycles our experiences, our resources, and our testimonies to deliver justice and extend His love to those in need.

Looking back on my journey as a single mom, I now see how God not only defended me but also shaped me through my struggles so I could one day turn around and help others. It’s why co-leading this ministry for single moms has been so meaningful. It’s a reminder that our pain and challenges are never wasted when we let God use them for His glory and to serve others.

Here are some ways that you can defend the poor.

First of a pray. Spend time in prayer asking God to open your eyes to those around you who are struggling. Ask Him how you can be His hands and feet in defending the poor and needy.

Then watch for tangible ways to help. Whether it’s offering a kind word, mentoring someone, or providing practical resources, every small action can make a big difference.

If you’re not already involved in a ministry or outreach that supports the vulnerable, consider giving some of your time or resources. Outreaches and church ministries always need extra hands to expand their impact.

As you take these steps, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. God equips and strengthens us for the work He calls us to do. Whether you’re offering support to a single mom, standing up for justice, or sharing your own story of God’s provision, know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Today I want to encourage you that as you step out to defend and uplift the poor and needy of the world around you, remember that you are living out the heart of God’s command in Psalms 82. You are His instrument to bring hope, justice, and deliverance to others.  Know that He will be with you every step of the way. ❤️

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 82

1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.

2 How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from the hand of the wicked.

5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

6 I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.

7 But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all nations.

Launch Day! Grab From Pain to Purpose for $0.99 Today!

Hi Daily Dose friends,

I’m beyond excited to announce that my new ebook, From Pain to Purpose, launches TODAY! 🎉

📖 Get your copy now for only $0.99!
Here’s the link: Amazon – From Pain to Purpose

💬 After reading, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star review on Amazon—your feedback makes a huge difference in helping the book reach more people!

About the Book:
From Pain to Purpose is a collection of heartfelt short stories about finding hope and meaning in life’s hardest moments. Through both fiction and real-life challenges, these stories reveal how faith and resilience can transform brokenness into strength, hope, and renewed purpose.

🌟 Why today?
This special launch price of $0.99 is only available TODAY, so don’t miss out!

📣 Spread the word:
Feel free to share this link on your social media and with anyone who might be encouraged by these stories.

Thank you so much for supporting this launch—it means the world to me!

With thanks and much love for you all,
Lynette Lyden

P.S. Don’t worry if you don’t have a Kindle! You can download the Kindle app for FREE and read on any device.

📖 Link again: Amazon – From Pain to Purpose

Your support makes all the difference. Thank you for being a part of this journey! ❤️

His Enemies are His footstool

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?  Matthew 22:44

In the last section of Matthew 22, Jesus asked a question to the Pharisees that were gathered together at that time.  He asked them what their thoughts were about the Messiah and whose Son is He?  I think the right answer is He is the Son of God.  However, the Pharisees answer Him from the scriptural and genealogy perspective.  They said He is the Son of David.  So then Jesus quoted a portion of scripture that is originally from Psalms 110, but also shows up in the New Testament after Jesus ascended into heaven.  He quoted that David wrote about the Christ that the LORD said to David’s Lord (the Messiah) Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.  Then He asked the Pharisees if David called the Messiah Lord, how can He (the Messiah) be David’s Son?

If Jesus was trying to silence the Pharisees, He accomplished what He set out to do.  He also let them know that if you are My enemy, you will be made My footstool.  Then He gave them the picture that HE would sit at His Father’s right hand.  Another reason for them to hate Him.

Mostly, I believe He wanted to let them know that the Messiah/Christ was indeed the Son of God and not just a man born from the line of David.  He was declaring His Lordship to them and letting them know that if they take the side with His enemies, they would be put under His feet.

This is contrasted with who we are today as Christians, Believers and Children of God.  Ephesians 2:6 says we sit together with Him in heavenly places.  We are not under His feet, but we are His body under His head.  He is the head of the church the body of the anointed Christ and His head directs and moves the body to complete the mission we have been placed here to do.  We don’t always get it perfect, but the message has successfully survived for 2000 years as His Spirit has given utterance to spread the good news.

So I guess my encouragement today is if you are a part of His body, the body of believers in the world today, then get in line with His plans for the role you play in the days we are living.  Step away from the distractions of this world and begin to make His Word, His heart and worship your priority.  Join together with the rest of the body to lead the lost ones to the knowledge of salvation in Christ Jesus and use your gifts and talents to invest in your eternal future by serving others in love.  If you do not know Him personally, then start that conversation today.  Invite Jesus into your life and world by praying this prayer right now:

God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 22:41-46

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 

42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:

44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’?

45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 

46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

Hello, friends and family,

I’m thrilled to share that my new book, From Pain to Purpose, officially launches TOMORROW, and I’d love your support in making this release a success!

Here’s how you can help:

💻 Grab the Kindle version for just $0.99 on launch day (Sunday only!).
Your purchase will help spread the word about the book quickly, and I deeply appreciate your support!

⏰ Don’t worry about forgetting!
I’ll send a reminder email tomorrow with the link to purchase the book.

A little about the book:
From Pain to Purpose is a collection of inspiring stories, real life and fiction that show how moments of brokenness can lead to discovering meaning, faith, and hope. These heartfelt accounts of overcoming challenges will uplift and encourage you, and I promise you’ll be blessed by its message!

P.S. You don’t need a Kindle device to read the book! Simply download the Kindle app to access it on any device.

Thank you for your support—I couldn’t do this without you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

With many prayers and thanks for all of you,

Lynette Lyden

Dailydoseonline.com

Love God, Love your neighbor

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  Matthew 22:37-39

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, His response was “love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and mind”.  But He didn’t stop there, He connected it to loving your neighbor as yourself.  Nobody asked Him what the second commandment was just for the first commandment.  Jesus connected these two because the second part demonstrates the first part.  In other words, by loving your neighbor as yourself, you are showing outwardly your love for the LORD your God and showing others God’s heart of compassion for them.

This brings me to the question how do I “love my neighbor as myself”?  It has always been something hard for me to grasp.  Almost like a vapor, very cloudy, because I think I didn’t feel it was attainable or I just didn’t know how.  Then God showed me a practical way to view my neighbor so I would know how to love them with the God kind of love.  When I see my neighbor, I see myself.  If I see my neighbor struggling with something, what would I do if I were struggling with the same thing or what would I want someone to do for me if I was in their place?  If I see my neighbor rejoicing about something, how would I want others to rejoice with me if I were celebrating something?

Now that I looked at it from this angle, it seemed very simple to understand, but not so simple to follow through. The first thing to identify is, who is my neighbor?  Is it those who live next door to me or in my neighborhood?  What if I live in the country and don’t have anyone living close by?  Secondly, how do I know what to do to “love” them? In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate loving your neighbor as yourself.  In this parable, there were strangers who passed by a man that had fallen among thieves, and yet He called the man who showed mercy his neighbor.  The Samaritan didn’t even know the guy and he certainly didn’t live next door to him. I also want to make the point that this was not a fellow believer, this was a dirty, hurting, dying, helpless, and hopeless sinner. The point is that anyone you can do good to is your neighbor.

The last thing to consider is why does God want me to love my neighbor as myself?  Is it only to make rules for me to keep me under His control?  Is it to make me look like a good person?  No, the reason is to show others the very heart of God!  The only way others can know God is if they see His heart in our actions.  The other part of that is, we can see God’s heart in action when we are showing it to others.  If you want to see a great act of God, then watch it play out in your love for your “neighbor”.

Today and every day I encourage you to look for those God will send across your path to “love” as you love yourself and do good to them as you would do for yourself.  Let your actions toward others reflect the heart of God’s love for them.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 22:23-40

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.

26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.

27 Last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,

32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

 

Many are called

“For many are called, but few have chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

Twenty years ago, God placed a desire to write in my heart. At the time, I tried, but the results were far from great. Today, I write a daily blog of encouragement, and I enjoy it immensely. I have no formal training and no childhood dreams of becoming a writer. I don’t aspire to be on a bestseller list or expect to become a well-known author. My heart’s desire is simply to help and encourage others by helping people avoid the traps I once fell into and to guide as many as I can to discover lives of significance and purpose. I started this journey later in life, and I pray my example will inspire others to answer God’s call at a much younger age than I did.

Here’s the point: God has called me to write at this stage in my life, so I do it. Many are more qualified, and others have more availability. Some use their gift of writing to seek fame, never considering how they might use their God-given ability for the Kingdom of God. Others think about it but delay, caught up in the pressing issues of daily life.

Yet, only a few take the time to answer God’s invitation right now. Here’s the thing: God doesn’t always call the qualified, but He always qualifies those He calls. Answering His call is less about being prepared and more about being willing.

In today’s reading, Jesus told a parable that illustrates this truth. The invitation to a great banquet is first sent to the upper class, who reject it. The king then extends the invitation to those in the highways and byways, the outsiders. The Kingdom becomes filled with the lower class because they were willing to answer the call and accept the invitation.

So here’s the question for you: What is in your heart to do? What have you been putting off? What dreams or ideas have you dismissed because they seem too daunting to pursue?

Each of us has something we can do right now that could lead to the next open door. It doesn’t matter if you’re experienced in that area or not—if God has placed it in your heart, He will equip you and lead you through the process.  The key is to surrender that idea or desire to the Lord and allow Him to guide you.

Today, I encourage you to set aside time to pursue what God has put in your heart. Maybe it’s writing, speaking, or teaching. Perhaps it’s creating art, coaching, or mentoring the next generation. Whatever it is, surrender it to God today. He will guide you, equip you, and open the necessary doors to make your calling effective.

Remember this: Very few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ~  1 Corinthians 1:26-27

Answer His call. He is ready to do incredible things through you.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 22:1-14

1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,

3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’

5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.

6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.

7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’

10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.

12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

 

What will you do with Jesus?

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?  Matthew 21:42

In today’s reading, Jesus told a parable about a vineyard. This story symbolizes God sending prophets to His people and how they were rejected throughout generations. Then, when God sent His only Son into the world to save the people, He was rejected above all others and ultimately killed.

Jesus summed it up by saying that the One who has been rejected is now the chief cornerstone—the foundation upon which the age of grace is built. He concluded with the profound truth that this cornerstone cannot be destroyed. The priests and Pharisees clearly understood Jesus’ implication, and they were indignant. They wanted to kill Him right then and there. At that moment, they faced the most important decision of their life. They had a choice: to receive Jesus as their Messiah or to reject Him as the vinedressers did in the parable.

As we know, they rejected Him, and by the end of that week, they crucified Him. They missed the opportunity to receive and walk in their chosen heritage.

Today, we have been given the same opportunity to receive the gift of God’s salvation through His Son, Jesus. However, it is an even greater gift because Jesus’ work here on earth is finished. We no longer have the ability to physically harm Him, but we do have the power to accept Him and all that He died to restore for us.

Scripture says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). Through salvation in Jesus, we have the opportunity to restore our relationship with God, our Creator. We have the authority to invite the Lord into our hearts and lives, rescuing us from an eternity separated from the Father who loves us.

So, the question today is: What will you do with Jesus? Will you receive His love and the sacrifice He made to save you from this lost and dying world, or will you reject the good news and refuse to believe it is true? Perhaps you think you can put off the decision until a better day, but I assure you, there is no better day than today to make the choice that will change your life forever.

So today, I encourage you to receive God’s gift of salvation and accept Jesus into your heart and life. He will transform your life, your circumstances, and your world. It is the greatest decision you will ever make.

Pray this simple prayer today, and Jesus will come into your life, turning what the enemy meant for evil into good:

Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner, and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new. I know Your Son, Jesus, died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.

At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. From this day forward, I dedicate my life to Him. I now have a right relationship with You, my Father, through salvation in Jesus. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and empower me to do the things You have planned for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Don’t wait another moment. Jesus is waiting for you with open arms. The cornerstone that was rejected has become the foundation of a new life filled with grace, purpose, and eternal hope. Say “yes” to Him today and experience the transformation only He can bring.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:33-46

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.

34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit.

35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another.

36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.

37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’

39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

Open wide

I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. ~ Psalms 81:10

On the side of our garage, there’s an awning that attracts birds every spring. They eagerly try to build their nests there, despite our attempts to discourage them for safety reasons. In years past, I’ve walked out to get something in that space and have seen baby birds with tiny open mouths poking out of their nests, waiting for their mother to return with food. This simple scene took on a new meaning for me after reading Psalm 81, where God proclaims His desire to abundantly provide for His people if they will only listen and follow Him:

Those baby birds, stretching their beaks wide, remind me of how we are given the opportunity each day to trust God completely for His provision. Just as the mother bird faithfully meets her baby’s needs, God longs to fill our lives with His blessings and meet every need, to the overflow.

According to this passage, there are ways you can position yourself for God’s overflow. The text provides insight into how we can position ourselves to receive the abundant blessings God wants to pour out:

1. Listen to His Voice (Psalm 81:8-10) Just as baby birds instinctively trust their mother to provide, we must trust God by listening for His voice through His Word, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Actively seeking Him and following the directions He has given in His Word positions us for the blessings He’s prepared.
2. Reject Idols (Psalm 81:9) God warns His people to have no other gods before Him. In our lives, this might mean letting go of things that compete for our trust—whether it’s reliance on our own strength, material possessions, or approval from others.
3. Open Wide Your Mouth (Psalm 81:10) This vivid image is an invitation to approach God with faith and expectancy. Are you opening your life to His provision, or are you holding back out of fear or trying to control people and circumstances on your own? Like the baby birds, we must stretch ourselves wide to receive all He wants to give.
4. Praise and Gratitude (Psalm 81:16) The passage ends with a beautiful promise: But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock, I would satisfy you.  Gratitude positions our hearts to recognize and receive His goodness. When we praise Him for who He is and thank Him for what He’s already provided, we get our lives in line with His abundant nature.

Today I want to encourage you to take some practical steps to receive God’s overflow by staying close to the source: Just as baby birds depend on their mother’s presence, prioritize spending time with God daily through prayer, worship, and Bible reading. Follow His leading to unlock blessings. Ask yourself if there’s any area in your life where you’ve been resistant to His instructions and take steps to get on the path of His will. Expect His goodness to show up by shifting your mindset to anticipate His provision and favor, even in challenging circumstances. Lastly, be open to His surprises. Sometimes, God provides in ways we don’t expect—like “honey from the rock.” Trust that His timing and methods are perfect.

Remember, the sight of those baby birds, helpless yet fully confident in their mother’s provision, is a beautiful reminder of how we should live in dependence on our Heavenly Father. As this Psalm reminds us, God is faithful and eager to meet our needs, but He also invites us to position ourselves to receive His overflow. Open wide your heart, trust Him fully, and watch as He fills your life with His abundant blessings. 

Today’s Scripture reading: Psalms 81

1 Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.

2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.

3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day.

4 For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.

5 This He established in Joseph as a testimony, when He went throughout the land of Egypt, where I heard a language I did not understand.

6 “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets.

7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me!

9 There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god.

10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 “But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me.

12 So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.

13 “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!

14 I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.

15 The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever.

16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”