The Daily Dose

Be an Olive Tree

 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise You forever, because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good. ~ Psalms 52:8-9

This Psalm is a powerful reminder of the difference between trusting in worldly strength and trusting in God. The Psalm contrasts those who place their confidence in wealth and deceit with those who seek refuge in God’s steadfast love. It reminds us that no matter how powerful or secure someone may seem in this world, true security and peace come only from God.

In my own life, I remember a time when I thought I had everything figured out. I was working hard, making progress at my job, and everything seemed to be falling into place. But my heart wasn’t truly anchored in God—I was relying too much on my own abilities. One day I realized that all my successes in life were because I had God’s blessing with me. Even though I didn’t really realize it, He was watching over me, and He was the reason for all the good in my world.

Today’s passage reminds me that even when everything around me feels unstable, my life will “flourish” if I placed my trust in God’s love and provision.

As I began to shift my focus, turning to God in prayer, and seeking His direction in every area of my life, over time, I experienced a deeper peace.  A peace that wasn’t dependent on my circumstances, but on knowing that God’s love is constant. Things didn’t just fall into place overnight, but my confidence and sense of security grew.  That is when I made it my heart’s desire to trust in Him more than in myself.

Today I want to encourage you to be like that olive tree, firmly rooted in God, rather than placing your trust in things that can easily fade away. If you’re going through a season of uncertainty, remember that God’s love endures forever, and when you root yourself in Him, you can stand firm no matter what comes your way.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 52

1 Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.

2 Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3 You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

4 You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.

5 God shall likewise destroy you forever; He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6 The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,

7 “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

9 I will praise You forever, because You have done it; and in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.

Go fishing

“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”  Matthew 17:27

Have you ever been stressed about a bill you had to pay?  Maybe your house or rent payment?  Maybe one of your utility bills is coming due or maybe during tax time?  When you think about the time you worried about how you were going to pay or the hours spent trying to figure out a solution, was there anything accomplished?  Ultimately and hopefully, you turned the care of it over to God and He provided the funds or payment in some way.  All the stressing in the world couldn’t pay that bill, but when your heavenly Father got involved, there was nothing to worry about.

In today’s reading, it looks like Peter is concerned about paying the taxes.  Although he is not the one to bring up the subject to Jesus, he is the one that Jesus talked to about it.  Jesus knew what Peter was feeling and addresses the situation before Peter has a chance to turn it over to him.  Notice that Peter didn’t tell Jesus that he would figure it out or handle it.  He just listened and then did what Jesus told him to do.

Interestingly enough, Jesus told Peter to go fishing.  I believe this was Jesus’ way of letting Peter know that he didn’t need to worry about it.  Jesus basically told Peter to take the day off from the ministry and go do something he loved to do.  Since Peter was a fisherman before meeting Jesus, it was an activity that he was very familiar with and enjoyed.  I don’t believe Jesus was telling him to go to work because at the time his work was Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus was telling Peter to take a little time to step away from the problem and spend some time by the water resting.  If you have ever fished, you know it requires a lot of down time waiting and watching.

The rest of the story is that Peter did go fishing and found the money in the fish’s mouth.  The only detail that isn’t talked about this passage is how long before he pulled that first fish in and what he thought about while he waited.  My guess is that Peter caught the fish as soon as he stopped worrying about paying the taxes.

Today I want to encourage you that whatever you are stressing over, and what ever you are worried about, turn it over to Jesus.  Cast your care on Him and let Him provide the solution.  He may not rain a miracle of money down from heaven, but he will give you the wisdom and direction for what you need at the time.  Like Peter, you may be required to obey a simple step like go fishing or taking the day off, but when you take that step, you can be sure that provision is on the other side.  Don’t try to figure out what God is doing when He tells you to “go fishing” just be quick to follow direction and don’t worry along the way.  It may not make sense to you at the time, but most of the time the answer to our concerns come only when we stop worrying and start trusting that God our Father can handle it.  And He handles it in a way that is far greater than what we would ever think of.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 17:22-27

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 

23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 

27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Prayer and fasting

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”  Matthew 17:21

Prayer and fasting.  You don’t hear much about it today.  We have a National Day of Prayer and occasionally there may be a national “call” to prayer. However, the last president to call for a national fast was Abraham Lincoln.  Think about that.

 In Jesus’ day, it was a common practice, so common that religious leaders were fasting so whoever saw them would think they were “super spiritual.”  Jesus said, “when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”  (Matthew 6:16) Notice Jesus said, “When you fast”, not if you fast.  He was teaching them the right way because it was the right thing to do. 

So, what is fasting all about?  Fasting is a time of separating from the things of the world to “tune in” to the things of God.  It doesn’t have to be food, though it certainly can be.  It could be things such as social media, tv/movies, news, or gaming, anything that is taking time that you could be tuning into God instead.  The things you fast usually aren’t bad things, it’s just a time you purpose in your heart to spend with God in the place you usually spend with those other activities.  Fasting can also be a time when you decide to reach out to others more or in a different way than you usually do, a time of giving of yourself.

When fasting foods, it can be for a time of cleansing in your body for more healthy living.  The timing is also flexible.  It can be one day as the Israelites did weekly on the sabbath or three days as Esther did to seek God’s wisdom.  Daniel fasted twenty-one days, he still ate food, he just fasted “pleasant foods” and Jesus and Moses fasted forty days.  Fasting is not a ritual practice; it is a spiritual exercise.  In fasting, your physical body is forced to submit to your spirit/will so it must obey what you tell it to do instead of you obeying what your flesh normally does or demands to be comfortable.  It is not something you do to try to get God to move closer to you or in your behalf.  Fasting is for you to move closer to God and to get your ways and life in agreement with the good plans He has for your life. 

In today’s scripture, Jesus told His disciples that faith goes out by prayer and fasting and with it there is much power.  The disciples wondered why they couldn’t get the demon out of the boy when they had done it many times before.  Jesus told them this kind (of power) goes out only by prayer and fasting.  Concluding that prayer and fasting produces more of God’s power in your life.

I know this is not so interesting to some, but it is truly a powerful habit have in your life.  By putting your flesh in subjection to your spirit, your spirit becomes dominate and more discerning of the things God is speaking to your heart. 

Today I would ask that you consider and pray about prayer and fasting.  Read about it in the Word and listen to what God has to say about it.  It is not a bad thing, for sure, and it is not obsolete.  The same results can be had today that were given all through Bible times.  If nothing else, in fasting you show yourself just how serious you are about the things of God.

Today’s scripture: Matthew 17:14-21

14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 

16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 

18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 

21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Restore the joy

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. ~ Psalms 51:12

 There seems to be a recurring theme throughout the chapters of Psalms—maybe it’s because so many of them were written by King David, a man who experienced the full spectrum of human emotion and struggle. Most Psalms follow a similar rhythm: “I am hurt, so I call out to God for help. I am broken, so I cry out to God for healing.” Psalm 51 fits this pattern but goes deeper, exposing the rawness of David’s heart after his most devastating failure.

In Psalm 51, David is completely crushed under the weight of his sin. He acknowledges it before God and holds nothing back. He is brutally honest with God and with himself. David doesn’t shift the blame or say, “I’ve sinned against this person or that person.” He openly confesses that his sin is against God, “Against You, You only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). This is the heart of true repentance—recognizing that all sin, no matter how it impacts others, is ultimately a rebellion against God.

David’s humility in this Psalm shows us how to approach God when we are broken by our own sin. He lays everything bare, refusing to hide his guilt or shame. He doesn’t minimize his actions. He knows that sin, at its core, separated him from the One who loves him the most. Sin always creates a gap between us and God. And like David, when we realize this, we become desperate for His mercy.

But here’s the key element that deeply gets my attention—David wasn’t just looking for forgiveness. He longed for renewal. He cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). David didn’t just want the guilt to go away; he wanted to be transformed from the inside out. This shows us that true repentance isn’t about escaping the consequences but about becoming new, about real change.  It’s about stepping back into that right relationship with our heavenly Father.

Think about it.  In any relationship you have in this world, weather with your spouse, your children, your parents or friends, when someone has done something to hurt the other, there is a breach in that relationship.  You can try to go on as if nothing happened, but both sides know that it isn’t the same and cannot be made right until there is repentance.  Then the relationship can be restored and if don’t correctly will be stronger than it was before.

I can relate to this on a personal level. There was a time in my life when I made a decision that I knew wasn’t right. I thought it wouldn’t have any real consequences, but I was wrong. It ended up hurting people very close to me, breaking the trust that there once was in those relationships, and the weight of guilt was unbearable. I apologized to them, but the deeper pain came from realizing that my actions were rebellion against my Father in heaven. Like David, I had to come before God with my brokenness and acknowledge that my sin had created a gap in our relationship. God’s love for me hadn’t changed, but until I was honest with Him, I could not be restored.

When I finally poured my heart out to God, just as David did, it was like a burden lifted. There’s something powerful about admitting our need for God’s grace, His cleansing, and His restoration. God doesn’t just forgive us—He renews us, strengthens us, and empowers us move forward in purpose. No matter how deep we’ve fallen, God is always ready to restore us and get us back on track with His plan.

The bottom line is that sin puts a gap between us and our loving heavenly Father and robs us of the joy He desires to give us. He doesn’t stop loving us, but until we are honest with Him, that connection remains broken. This passage reminds us that God is merciful and compassionate, and He longs to restore us when we come to Him with a humble and contrite heart.

Today, if you find yourself feeling disconnected from God because of something in your life, remember that your Father is just a prayer away. Humble yourself before Him, lay it all out, and turn away from whatever is holding you back. He has promised that when we call on Him, He will restore the joy of our salvation. Don’t wait—step closer to the One who is eager to heal and renew you, because there is always hope and transformation waiting in His presence.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 51

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.

18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

He has no hidden motives

Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” ~ Psalms 50:14-15

 This chapter is such a good depiction of the character and love of God.  He has no hidden agenda; He just wants to be with the people He created.  He is not after our money or possessions.  In fact, this passage says that He already owns it all, so all He wants from us is our love and glory!  To lift Him high because He is good and has designed a good plan for us.  Not to control us, but to work with us closely to keep us on track.  The bottom line is God desires to have a close personal relationship with each one of His children.  No limits!

He wants us to come to Him not out of obligation, but out of love and trust. In Psalms 50, He reminds us that He doesn’t need our sacrifices or offerings because everything in the world is already His. What He desires most is our heart—our genuine thankfulness, our reliance on Him in times of trouble, and our willingness to glorify Him for His goodness.

When we face difficulties, God doesn’t expect us to handle them on our own. Instead, He invites us to call upon Him, promising to deliver us and show us His mighty power. Through this, we are reminded of His faithfulness, which draws us closer to Him. When we honor Him with our praise and thanksgiving, it’s not just for His benefit, but mostly for ours. We grow in peace and trust, knowing that God is with us, guiding us, and working everything out for our good.

So, today I want to encourage you to take to heart the message of Psalms 50: Remember that God wants a deep, loving relationship with you personally, built on trust, thanksgiving, and a mutual desire to walk together. When you call upon Him, He responds with grace and love, giving you every reason to glorify His name. It’s not about what you have to give Him; it’s about what He longs to give you—His love, protection, strength and guidance through every season of life.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 50

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.

3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people:

5 “Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah

7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God!

8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me.

9 I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.

13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

16 But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth,

17 Seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?

18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers.

19 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.

21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver:

23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

Wealth cannot save you

Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him. ~ Psalms 49:6-7

I’m not saying it isn’t important to have money. It is essential to work a job to provide for your needs and not be a burden on society. These responsibilities are crucial, and indeed, the scriptures encourage us to work diligently. However, there is a significant difference between working out of a sense of responsibility and working solely to accumulate wealth.

Having financial stability is undoubtedly beneficial; it allows us to enjoy life and provide for our families. But when the pursuit of riches becomes our primary focus, we risk losing sight of what truly matters. Wealth is fleeting and relying on it for our sense of worth and security is a dangerous choice. Today’s passage reminds us that wealth cannot save us when it comes to matters of eternity.

Material possessions are gifts for our enjoyment during our time on this earth, yet they hold no lasting value in the grand scheme of life. When we stand before God, it will not be our bank accounts, our worldly possessions or how much money we have in our savings that He is interested in. Instead, He will be looking at our love for others, our faithfulness to God, and the what we have given to impact eternity.

True security comes from knowing our identity in Christ and recognizing that we are loved and valued beyond measure. In a world that defines success by financial gain, we have to remember that our worth is not tied to our wealth. God sees us as His precious children, that have been blessed with His grace and mercy.

Psalms 49 calls us to shift our focus from material wealth to spiritual richness. Instead of striving for possessions that ultimately fade away, let’s seek to cultivate a heart of generosity, compassion, and faith. By doing that, we can invest in relationships and communities that show the love of God to others.

What are you going to leave behind? When you reflect on your life, will you be remembered for your possessions or for the love you shared with others? The Psalmist warns that wealth cannot redeem you or those you care about. Instead, aim to build a legacy rooted in faith and service.

You can choose to use your resources to help those in need, support your community, and spread God’s great gift of salvation through showing His love for all people. In this way, you will be investing in treasures that will last beyond your time here in this world. As you share your blessings with others, you are demonstrating the heart of God. He is generous and compassionate toward all no matter what season of life or circumstances they are in.

As you navigate life’s responsibilities and chase after financial stability, remember to keep your heart anchored in what truly matters. Wealth can provide comfort, but it cannot save you. Only your faith in God, your relationships with the Lord Jesus, and the love you share can bring lasting fulfillment.

Today I want to encourage you to pay attention to the priorities you set in your life. While it’s essential to work and provide, you must also cultivate a spirit of generosity and purpose. When you focus on the eternal and use your resources to uplift and support others, you contribute to a legacy that glorifies God and brings light into the world around you. Remember, true wealth is not found in material possessions but in the richness of your faith and the love you extend to others. In the end, it is this love that will last, and it will lead you through this life with purpose that will count for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 49

1 Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 Both low and high, rich and poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

6 Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches,

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—

9 That he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit.

10 For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling.

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah

16 Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.

18 Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light.

20 A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.

Stand with Israel     

God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. ~ Psalms 48:3

It’s no secret that Israel belongs to God, and His plans for that great city, Jerusalem, are still unfolding. He remains their refuge, protecting the land from the daily terrors it faces. A few weeks ago we read Psalms 24 and were reminded that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord, but why does this small nation, set in the heart of the world, carry such great importance? What is it about Israel that draws the attention and even the hostility of the world?

Some of these answers are in today’s reading. Israel is not just a piece of land—it’s a land blessed by God, chosen as the birthplace of His divine plan for redemption. God’s favor rests on Israel because through this nation, His Son, Jesus was born. Israel is God’s chosen people, His covenant family. While we, as Christians, are grafted into that family through salvation in Jesus, Israel retains a unique place in God’s heart and plans.

Israel is God’s family, and as believers in Christ Jesus, we, too, are part of this great family of God—not as Americans, but as Christians. We are the bride being prepared for the return of the Lord, ready to spend our eternity with Him. God’s love for Israel is a reflection of His love for all His children. Just as a father desires to protect and provide for his family, so does our Heavenly Father protect His people. He brilliantly ordained the family structure in the beginning so that we could better understand His own loving, protective nature.

Today, He is our heavenly Father and as our Father, we can understand Him better by looking at the position of a father to love and care for His family.  What father in this world doesn’t want the best for his family and always protect them?  That is what a good father does and that is what our heavenly Father does.  Matthew 7: 9-11 says:

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Psalm 48 paints a picture of God’s unwavering protection over Jerusalem. It speaks of nations that look upon this great city, marveling at its divine protection and, in their fear, turning away. Today, though many stand arrogantly against Israel and seek to take hold of God’s land, but He will not allow His people to be destroyed. His plans for Israel are eternal, and His promises remain unshakable.

We are called to stand with Israel, trusting in God’s protective hand. As we witness the ongoing struggles in the world, we can know and remember that the same God who protects Israel protects us. His dominion is eternal, His love unchanging, and His purposes unstoppable. Stand firm, knowing that God’s promises endure, and as His people, we are wrapped in that same protection, ready to witness His glory revealed.

Today I want to encourage you to stand with Israel.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Pray for the people of that region and God’s protection to be evident to all the nations surrounding them.  Then take time to consider your part in the family of God.  What role did He bring you into the family to fill.  Check in with Him each day and get your assignment and remember to pray for the family of God who are struggling around the world.  Lastly meditate on His great love for you, the love of a Father and be confident in His plan to keep you in all your ways.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 48

1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.

2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is in her palaces He is known as her refuge.

4 For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together.

5 They saw it, and so they marveled; They were troubled, they hastened away.

6 Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,

7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah

9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.

10 According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments.

12 Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers;

13 Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That you may tell it to the generation following.

14 For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.

Well pleased

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:5

It’s very popular in our culture to be proud.  It seems like it is the right thing to do to take pride in your work or be proud of who you are.  Even being proud to be an American.  Certainly, it is important to do a good job and work to the best of your ability in whatever you do.  It is for sure a good thing to like who you are and what you have become.  However, pride is not the right emotion to describe the feelings you should be having.

In today’s scripture, Jesus had been transformed into His glorified body.  Then Moses and Elijah showed up to talk to Him.  When Peter saw what was going on, he was excited and began to tell Jesus how good it was that they were there with Him.  Before Peter could finish his thought or get an answer to his idea, God interrupted from heaven and told all of them to listen to Jesus, His beloved Son because He was very pleased with Him.  This is where I want to point out that God doesn’t say: “This is my Son, and I am very proud of Him.”  The reason is because God hates pride.  All through the scriptures there are warnings about being prideful and the destruction that comes with it.  Below is a short list of verses about how God feels about pride and what you can expect as a result of pride being in your life:

Proverbs 11:2 – Pride brings disgrace; humility brings wisdom.

Isaiah 23:9 – The Lord will humble all who are prideful.

James 5:6 – God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble

Proverbs 8:13 – God hates pride, arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction.

Proverbs 6:16-17 – Pride is an abomination/atrocity to God.

The difference between being proud and being pleased with something is where your focus is being placed.  If you are proud of your child for an accomplishment, the focus is on yourself and the fact that you are responsible for their achievement.  If you are pleased with your child for their accomplishment, it puts the attention on the child and takes it from yourself and off of your part in getting them there.

Our focus should always be on others and how we can encourage and build them up. When you are preoccupied with your life and the things you are going through, that is an open door for pride to come in and trip you up.  I know it seems like a technicality but think about where you are drawing attention to the next time you us the word “proud”.  Don’t be fooled like some are thinking it is right to be proud because we have been given so much.  The truth is that we are blessed, but it has nothing to do with who we are.  It all about Who our God is.

Today I want to encourage you to consider if you have let pride creep into your life.  Take inventory of the feelings you have about the things you have accomplished in life.  Even if you don’t feel good about your abilities, you can still be in pride.  Your focus and preoccupation is on yourself.  The fact is when you are the center of your life, pride has entered in.  Make others your focus today.  Look for those you can bless wherever you are.  Listen to those who are around you and their cries for help and pray for the hurting people that God brings into your life today.  Eliminate pride from your life once and for all by asking the Holy Spirit to expose the hidden corners of your heart where it is lurking. If you guard against pride coming into your life, one day you will hear your Father say about you: “I am well pleased!”

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 17:1-13

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 

2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 

3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 

4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 

7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 

8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 

12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 

13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

He is working good

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.  Matthew 16:21

Have you ever been in a situation where someone close to you warned you about something difficult that was about to happen? Or maybe you were the one who had to break the news to your loved ones—perhaps about an upcoming surgery with uncertain outcomes, or a challenging journey ahead?

In today’s reading, that is exactly what Jesus did with His disciples. He plainly told them what was going to happen when they reached Jerusalem. He wanted to prepare them—so they wouldn’t be taken by surprise, so they would know how to respond when the time came. But instead of accepting His words, the disciples went into denial. Peter, in particular, pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him, insisting that these things wouldn’t happen.

Peter thought he was doing the right thing by protecting Jesus. However, Jesus, recognized the spiritual battle behind Peter’s words and sternly rebuked him. “Get behind Me, Satan!” He said—not to Peter himself, but to the enemy influencing Peter’s thoughts. Jesus knew that the real enemy was Satan, working behind the scenes to disrupt God’s plan.

This enemy still operates in the world today, planting thoughts and suggestions in our minds that go against God’s will. The good news is, just as Jesus did, we too can recognize and reject those deceptive ideas. When the enemy tries to convince you that you’re not enough, or that you’re going to fail, you can stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. For example, when faced with self-doubt, declare: “No, I am more than a conqueror through Jesus who loves me” (Romans 8:37). If you’re tempted to believe that God has abandoned you, remind yourself: “He will never leave me nor forsake me” (Hebrews 13:5).

God has given us powerful promises to keep in our hearts and minds—an arsenal we can use to counter the enemy’s lies and stay in agreement with His plan for our lives.

Today, I want to encourage you to start identifying the enemy’s voice, both in your thoughts and in the words you speak. If you find yourself thinking or saying things filled with doubt, fear, or unbelief, recognize that this is not the path God has for you. These thoughts lead you away from the life and blessings He has in store. Instead, take control by speaking God’s truth over your situation.

For example, rather than saying, “Things look bad, and I’m afraid of what’s going to happen,” declare, “I am thankful that I can call on my Heavenly Father, and He is faithful to carry me through whatever comes my way.” Speaking God’s Word brings life into your circumstances. You’re not ignoring reality, but instead choosing to speak faith into it, trusting that God is working for your good, even when things seem uncertain.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 16:21-28

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Become a fan

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! – Psalms 47:1

It’s football season, and around here, football is a big deal. Living only 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, we are definitely in Steeler territory. We used to be die-hard Steelers fans, but things have changed over the years. Back then we spent hours watching football each week—not just our team, but every team. It was a top priority. We spent money on Steelers merchandise, wore the gear, and made sure to catch at least one game at the stadium each season. And when the Steelers made the playoffs, everything else in life was put on hold.

Then, over time, we realized something: football wasn’t as important as we once thought. Slowly, our priorities began to shift. We started focusing on things that truly matter in life—things that bring lasting joy, not just momentary excitement. But one thing still stands out to me about being a football fan: the fans themselves. They’re passionate, loud, and proud. During a game, there’s so much noise—cheering, shouting, jumping up, and clapping. There’s almost no limit to what a fan will do to support their team. Even when they’re not at the game, they’ll defend their team to the end, especially if it’s the Steelers. “Here we go Steelers” isn’t just a chant you hear at the stadium. I’ve been at many random events around town where people start chanting, even when it’s not football season.   Steelers fans are absurd, to say the least!

But here’s the thing. As crazy as fans are for football, there’s something far more important that people rarely show the same enthusiasm for. We have a Savior, Jesus, who gave His life to rescue us from an eternity of punishment, and yet, where is the excitement for Him? It’s rare to see anyone shouting for joy over what God has done. In fact, some churches discourage clapping or showing any outward expression of joy during worship, as if being thrilled about our salvation is somehow out of place.

Psalms 47:1 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!” We are called to praise God with all our might, with excitement and passion. The same energy and enthusiasm we see at football games should be even greater when we think about what our Lord Jesus has done for us. He didn’t just win a game—He won our eternity. Our destiny was once eternal death, but now, through His salvation, we have eternal life. That is something worth shouting about!

Today I want to encourage you to become a fan of Jesus.  Don’t be shy about your faith. If you can jump, shout, and cheer for a football team, why wouldn’t you be even more willing to do that for your Savior. Your joy and praise should be so contagious that the whole world knows where true victory is found—not on a football field, but in the love and salvation offered by Christ Jesus. So clap your hands, raise your voices, and show the world the joy of being saved and what a true fan looks like!

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 47

1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

3 He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.

4 He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah

5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.

8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

9 The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.