From Suffering to Salvation | Psalm 22 | 5 Devotions on Finding Hope in Affliction
Psalm 22 gives voice to one of the most honest cries of anguish in all of Scripture—and yet, it doesn’t end in despair. This five-day devotional journey follows the path from suffering to salvation, helping us reflect on David’s lament, Jesus’ fulfillment of this psalm on the cross, and the hope that comes through God’s covenant faithfulness. Whether you are walking through a season of hardship or simply seeking to understand the depths of Christ’s love, these short devotions will encourage you to trust the God who hears, who saves, and who never forsakes His people.
Praising Through the Storm | Psalm 21 | 5 Devotions on Trusting in God’s Sovereignty
As we reflected on Psalm 21 in Sunday’s message, we were reminded that praise is not only for the calm but also for the storm. This companion devotion explores that same theme—trusting God through trials, rejoicing in His covenant faithfulness, and finding strength in worship.
Devotions: Beyond Chariots and Horses
Day 1: Trusting God in Times of Need
Scripture Reading: Psalm 20:1-5
Reflection: In the face of overwhelming odds, King Jehoshaphat turned to prayer, declaring his dependence on God. Psalm 20 echoes this trust, inviting us to seek divine help in our times of trouble. Where do you need to place your trust in God today instead of relying on your strength or resources?
Prayer: Lord, help me turn to You in every situation, trusting in Your power and guidance rather than my strength.
Devotions: From the Heavens to the Heart
Day 1: Recognizing God in Creation
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:19-20
Reflection: Paul speaks of God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—being clearly seen through what has been made, so that people are without excuse. As we reflect on creation's testimony, consider how nature points you toward the intricacies of God’s design and character.
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see the evidence of Your power and divinity in the world around me, that I may be drawn closer to You in awe and worship.
Devotions: Strength for the Battle
Day 1: God as Our Guardian
Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:1-3; Psalm 91:1-2
Reflection: Reflect on God being our refuge and fortress. In times of trouble, we can trust Him as our ultimate protector. Just as a fortress provides safety, God offers security and peace in His presence.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my refuge and strength. Help me to trust in Your protection and to seek shelter under Your mighty wings. Amen.
Devotions: Awaken to Righteousness
Day 1: Integrity Tested
Scripture Reading: Job 1:8-12
Reflection: Like David's, Job’s integrity was tested through extreme hardships. Reflect on how integrity shapes your responses to challenges in your life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to hold fast to righteousness when trials come, trusting that You see and value my faithfulness even when others do not.
Devotions: In His Presence
Day 1: The Nature of God as Our Refuge
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-3
Reflection: Consider how God being our refuge and strength offers immediate help in times of trouble, reflecting on the serene confidence this should instill in us, regardless of life’s upheavals.
Prayer: Lord, help me to feel the security of Your presence today. Teach me to rely on You as my refuge, especially when I feel overwhelmed by the challenges around me.
Devotions: Immovable
Day 1: Reflecting on Righteousness
Scripture Reading: James 1:22-25
Reflection: True righteousness isn't just about external adherence to the law; it's about being a doer of the Word. How does the mirror of the Word reflect your true character?
Prayer: Lord, help me to not only hear Your word but to act upon it, reflecting true righteousness in my daily life.
Devotions: Folly’s Echo, Wisdom’s Call
Day 1: Understanding Our Depravity
Scripture Reading: Romans 3:9-12
Reflection: Romans reiterates the theme of universal sinfulness, a concept explored in Psalm 14. Reflect on how acknowledging our sinfulness without despairing is possible only through understanding Christ's work on the cross.
Prayer: Lord, help me see my sin clearly but through the lens of Your mercy and grace. Grant me the humility to confess and the courage to change.
When God Seems Silent | 5 Devotions on Lament, Prayer, and Trust
Day 1: The Legitimacy of Lament
Scripture Reading: Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 42:9-11
Reflection: David's lament in Psalm 13 echoes the deep sorrow and confusion many of us feel during difficult times. He openly expresses his feelings of abandonment, showing us that it is okay to be honest with God about our struggles. Similarly, in Psalm 42, the psalmist cries out to God, expressing his soul’s turmoil. Both passages remind us that lament is a legitimate and important part of our faith journey.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for hearing our cries and understanding our pain. Help us to be honest with You about our struggles, trusting that You care deeply for us. Teach us to bring our laments to You, knowing You are a loving and compassionate Father. Amen.
Devotions: Enduring Words
Day 1: The Power of God’s Word
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30:5-6
Reflection: Today’s reading reminds us of God's word's perfect truth and reliability. Unlike human words, which can be flawed and deceitful, God's words are pure and protect those who trust in Him. As we navigate a world filled with misinformation and deceit, let’s anchor ourselves in the certainty and safety of God’s promises.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth and purity of Your word. Help me to rely on Your promises and teachings as my ultimate source of truth. Protect me from the temptation to add to or distort Your words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Devotions: Rising Above the Storm
Day 1: Trusting in God’s Refuge
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46:1-3
Reflection: Today's passage from Psalm 46 reminds us of God's unshakeable presence as our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Like the psalmist in Psalm 11, we are encouraged to trust in God’s protection when everything around us seems chaotic. Despite the earth giving way or mountains falling into the heart of the sea, our confidence remains firm in the Lord, who is our sanctuary.
Prayer: Lord, in times of turmoil and uncertainty, help me to remember that You are my refuge and strength. When fears assail me and the ground shakes, let my heart cling to You, the unmovable rock of my salvation. Amen.
Dwell in the Word: Psalm 17
Here in Psalm 17, we find a prayer of David and we again see a psalm where the psalmist is in distress and this psalm is a psalm of lament. These tend to unfold in a very similar way when we come across them. These types of psalms generally open with crying out to God. This is then followed by the psalmist declaring innocence in that situation, the one that's causing this distress that is making them cry out to God
Dwell in the Word: Psalm 16
Psalm 16 starts out with a powerful prayer. The psalmist cries out asking for God to preserve him. This is a prayer that each of us has probably said at some point, we may not have used those exact words, but we have come to a point where we feel as though we can't make it on our own, and so we cry out to God. And we see why David is crying out to God in the circumstances that he is facing here in Psalm 16. It is because he understands that God is his refuge.
Devotions: From Questioning to Trusting
Day 1: The Reality of Evil and Suffering
Scripture Reading: Job 1:13-22
Reflection: Job’s response to overwhelming tragedy is a profound example of trust in God’s sovereignty, even when life seems chaotic and unjust. Like Psalm 10, Job’s story challenges us to acknowledge the reality of evil and suffering while holding fast to the belief that God remains just and good despite our circumstances.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the face of suffering and loss, help me to trust in Your sovereign care. Teach me to respond with faith, knowing that You are just and all-knowing, even when I do not understand the reasons for my trials. Amen.
Dwell in the Word: Psalm 15
In light of what we looked at last time in Psalm 14, we see an interesting question here at the beginning of Psalm 15. O Yahweh, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? Well considering that we just saw in the previous Psalm that there is none who is righteous, not even one, This is an important question. Is anyone worthy?
Devotions: The Lord Reigns
Day 1: The Righteous Judge
Scripture Reading: Romans 2:5-11
Reflection: Today's passage reminds us of God's impartial judgment. He rewards each one according to their deeds, showing no favoritism. Reflect on how this understanding of God as a just judge influences how we live our lives, striving to act righteously in His sight, knowing that He judges fairly and righteously.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your justice and fairness. Help me to trust in Your judgment and live a life that seeks Your righteousness, knowing that You will reward each according to their works. Amen.
May 26 Sermon: The Lord Reigns
The news the past several weeks has been filled with stories of extreme weather. Now, the videos and images that we see can cause us to feel empathy for those affected, and it can cause us to be very thankful that we were not affected by it. And there are many in our congregation and in our community who have been deeply affected by events like this in the past, and with this comes a heightened sense of fear about this stuff. And part of the reason for this is because these type of things are not only unpredictable, but these type of things do not discriminate. It can happen anywhere, at any time, to anyone. Now, whether you've been personally affected by a storm or not, when you know that bad weather is coming, you're going to try to find a place to be safe. The better your refuge, the more confidence you have of the safety that you have when the winds and the rains beat against that place where you've chosen to flee for safety. Now, in my years of doing youth ministry, many years ago, I experienced some very interesting shelters between camps and music festivals.
From Prophecy to Reality | Acts 2:1–21 | 5 Devotions on the Spirit’s Global Mission
Pentecost was more than a dramatic moment—it was the launch of a global movement fueled by the Holy Spirit. In our sermon on Acts 2:1–21, we explored how the events of Pentecost fulfilled ancient prophecy, reversed Babel’s curse, and inaugurated the church’s mission to proclaim the gospel to all nations.
These five short devotions will help you reflect more deeply on what Pentecost means for us today—from God’s promise of the Spirit to the global vision of the church.
Devotions: Receive Your King
Day 1: The Sovereignty of God
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Reflection: Today’s scripture reminds us that Christ’s sovereignty extends over all creation. As the firstborn of all creation, Jesus holds preeminence in everything, including His authority and power over the universe. His ascension into heaven and seating at the Father's right hand mark the ultimate affirmation of His divine sovereignty.