The Daily Dose

Don’t leave the ninety-nine

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? Matthew 18:12

We all need each other. In our journey of faith, we sometimes find ourselves drifting from the flock, like the one sheep in Matthew 18:12. But just as Jesus emphasized, every lost sheep matters, and it is our community that helps us stay grounded

Do you remember the old cartoons with the sheep and the wolf?  The wolf was always out to get the sheep to have for lunch, but the sheep dog, who watched out for the sheep would come along at just the right time to rescue the sheep.  The interesting thing was, the wolf was always getting the sheep that were off by themselves away from the rest of the flock. Much like those old cartoons where the sheep strays, making it an easy target for the lurking wolf, we too can become vulnerable when we wander away from the protective fold of believers. The wolf, representing life’s challenges and temptations, is always ready to devour those who isolate themselves.

It’s a similar picture of our walk through life.  We are to stay close with other “sheep” where the Shepherd is keeping watch.  We encourage and pray for one another and look out for each other.  It is a very important way of life for believers.  I know this from experience.  When I first started making my own decisions in life, I was headed in a direction that I thought was right to take care of myself.  My desire for independence tainted my ability to make good decisions.  In the process, I often found myself on the “edge of the flock” as it were.  Basically, I was out from under the protection and encouragement of the church and other believers.  Many times, I found myself vulnerable to the “wolves” of the world.  As I continued to go through life, often I felt the need to try to find my place in a body of believers, but because I didn’t want to take the time to invest in others or get to know other believers in my area, I didn’t stay on that path very long.  It was uncomfortable and awkward.

God was always so faithful to seek me out and come rushing in to protect me when I was in danger of being devoured. Much of my pain and lasting regrets from wrong choices could have been avoided had I stayed “connected” with God’s people.

Psalms 92:13-15 says:  Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

When you are rooted deeply into a body of believers, that is the place where you will flourish.  It is not just about going to church on the weekend because it is the right thing to do.  It is more about being growing where God has planted you.  That is why you find that mature believers are those who know where they are supposed to be and don’t jump around from church to church trying to find the place that is most pleasing.  Don’t be the sheep that leaves the flock and gets devoured off by themselves, stay right in the middle, serving and living in the place you were designed to fill.

Today I want to encourage you to stay connected with God’s people.  If you have a church you regularly attend and serve at, keep serving.  If you don’t, I strongly urge you to ask God to direct you to the church for you and to be planted there.  The place that He has planned for you to be “planted”.  It’s not always easy starting out, but it is the best place to stay accountable and to have a flourishing life.  If you find yourself on the edges, take a step today toward reconnecting. Find a small group near you, where you can build meaningful relationships and share your journey. It’s not always comfortable at first, but staying planted in a community is where growth happens.

Don’t wander away from the ninety-nine and find yourself distant from the flock where God has placed you. When you stay connected, you’ll soon realize how much you depend on the encouragement of others—and, in turn, you’ll be able to lift up and encourage those going through similar struggles that you’ve already overcome. In God’s eyes, life is all about relationships. He desires for us to remain connected—to Him and to each other!

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:6-14

6“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 

9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 

11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 

13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Child-like

And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3

Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He began teaching about the kingdom of heaven.  It was a radical teaching in that day because He taught that you cannot see the kingdom of heaven on the outside, it is inside of each believer.  (Luke 17:21) This is an important detail to keep in mind when reading scripture, especially the words of Jesus.  Every time he talked about the kingdom of heaven; he was not talking about the place of heaven that we go to when we leave this body in this world.  He was talking about the kingdom of heavenly principles that we live by after we repent and turn our lives in His direction.  Or you could say the kingdom of heaven is God’s government and statutes that He set up for His people so they could succeed at what they do in this life.  Things such as Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, love one another, tithing, reaping and sowing just to name a few.  The kingdom of heaven is the citizenship with authority over the curse of this world that you receive at the point of inviting Jesus into your heart and life.  (See Gal. 3:13)

In today’s reading, the disciples are trying to figure out who will be the greatest in heaven, like they thought someone would be greater than Jesus?  I don’t know exactly what they were thinking, but the interesting part is the answer Jesus gave them.  He said you have to become as a little child to enter His kingdom.  I’m sure this was not the answer they were expecting.  Maybe they were thinking it was the high priest or one of the prophets of old? 

Jesus went on to unpack this idea.  He said you must humble yourself as a little child.  When you receive a little child like this in His name you are receiving Him and if you cause one of these little ones to sin there will be a terrible outcome for you.  Then He went on to teach about how precious and valuable the lost are to Him.

Some of the childlike mentality to consider in this teaching are: Loving God and people, innocence, sweet and pure, honest, energetic and eager to learn new things especially about God’s ways and love for others.  Not weighed down with the cares of life.  Always rejoicing and ready to face each day.  When you consider these attitudes, it is easy to see the difference between a grown up and someone with a childlike heart.  That is how you become great in God’s kingdom.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look at your heart and attitude in your life right now.  Are you heavy with things going on in this world?  Are you worried about the latest conflicts and inflation?  Do you carry this weight around with you and talk about it everywhere you go?  Change the direction of your heart and life today by looking at your heavenly Father and His word about this life.  Be eager to believe what you read in His book of promises.  Enjoy the blessings that He has graced your life with such as family, friends and employment.  Drop those cares and concerns that the news and media would have you focused on and admit that these things are no surprise to God, and He is bringing everything together for the good of those who love Him in agreement with the power that you fill your life up with. (Romans 8:28)  Take on the kingdom of heaven mentality today and walk out all the blessings and purpose God has for your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:1-5

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 

3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Hear my prayer

Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. ~ Psalms 54:2

This chapter is so powerful and reminds me of how God is my refuge and deliverer in times of distress. It is a Psalm about David, surrounded by enemies, crying out to God for help: “Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth” (Psalm 54:1-2). Despite his dire situation, David placed his trust in God’s ability to deliver him. He didn’t focus on his circumstances but on God’s faithfulness and power.

I can personally relate to this psalm because of a time in my life when I felt completely overwhelmed and betrayed by some people, I thought I could trust. I was involved in a project that meant a lot to me, and I had put my heart into it, but things took a sharp turn. Suddenly, some of the people I was working closely with began to turn against me by turning others against the project and creating obstacles. I was left with feelings of isolation and felt very frustrated.

I remember feeling so helpless, unsure of how to fix the situation. Every attempt I made to reconcile or explain things, seemed to make things worse. Like David, I realized that there was only so much I could do in my own strength. I had to trust God to be my defender.

In verse 4, David declares, “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” That verse reminds me that even though people might fail me or misunderstand me, God is with me, and He will sustain me through the difficult seasons.

As I pray and entrust every situation to God, He moves in ways I can’t possibly predicted. Not everything will resolve immediately, but I can begin to experience peace that I hadn’t felt before. He helps me to forgive and let go of the bitterness I try to hold on to. He even opens new doors and brings clarity to situations that may seem hopeless.

Today I want to encourage you that if you are in a time of betrayal or distress, God is your refuge too. He hears your cries for help, and He is faithful to deliver you—not always by changing your circumstances immediately, but by strengthening you and giving you, His peace. If you’re facing a situation where you feel surrounded or misunderstood, take heart. God is with you, and He will sustain you, just as He did for David—and just as He has for me. Trust Him to carry you through it every circumstance in your life. Only then will you have peace as you navigate life’s struggles.

 Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 54

1 Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your strength.

2 Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth.

3 For strangers have risen up against me, and oppressors have sought after my life; They have not set God before them. Selah

4 Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.

5 He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth.

6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good.

7 For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies.

Do you seek Him

 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. ~ Psalms 53:2

 Psalm 53 paints a vivid picture of the world’s brokenness and reminds us that without God, we are lost. It speaks of the foolishness of those who say in their hearts, “There is no God.” Yet even in the midst of a world that seems distant from God, the psalm ends with a glimmer of hope: “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!” (Psalm 53:6).

This Psalm is especially impactful to me because it mirrors a season in my life when I drifted from my faith. I never outright denied God, but I lived as if He didn’t play a central role in my life. Like the people described in Psalm 53, I thought I could navigate life on my own, relying on my strength and knowledge. But that was a lie and a deception I was believing instead of the truth of God’s love.

I wasn’t even pursuing success; I was running after survival.  I didn’t consider that there was more to it in life or that I could have a life of fulness. Instead, I always felt the emptiness of selfishness and living for the moment. At one point, everything I had worked for seemed to unravel—plans failed, relationships were broken, and I found myself isolated. It was in that loneliness that I realized I had been living in a way that excluded God’s presence and wisdom.  Worse yet, I kept Him in the dark instead of letting Him be the light that shines out to the world around me.

Psalm 53 made me reflect on the importance of acknowledging God, not just in words but in the way I live. The verse that says, “God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 53:2) hit me the most. It was a wake-up call that I needed to seek Him again, not just when things were going wrong, but in all moments of my life.

When I humbled myself and returned to seeking God daily, I felt His peace and direction flood back into my life. It wasn’t about my circumstances suddenly improving, but rather about a shift in my heart. I was no longer trying to control everything on my own, and I was able to trust and commit all area to God’s plans for me that were better than anything I could manage on my own.

It can be the same for you today.  If you find yourself living this life for your own pleasure and fulfillment, you will discover that emptiness too.  Trust Him today with all areas of life and let Him guide you into His truth and blessings.  Seek Him first and the purpose He has designed for your life.  I promise you will not be disappointed when You follow His ways.  They are good and most of all, you will have His peace that passes all understanding.

Today I want to encourage you if you’ve ever felt like you’ve been living apart from God or trying to handle life’s challenges in your own strength, let Psalm 53 be a reminder that life without seeking Him is incomplete. Remember the good news that God is always ready to restore you when you turn back to Him. Even in the darkest moments, His grace and salvation are near, and He is ready to welcome you back to a place of joy and gladness. All you have to do is seek Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 53

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3 Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, no, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?

5 There they are in great fear where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, because God has despised them.

6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

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.