My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has shown concern for His humble servant. (Luke 1:46-48) Metrical Psalms A metrical Psalter is a kind of Bible translation or paraphrase from the Bible’s Book of Psalms. It translates a Psalm into poetry, often for singing as hymns in a church. James 5:13 asks, …
Christ’s Friendship Toward Us
A “Yes” Face Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was our third president in the USA. One time, he and a group of companions were traveling on horseback and came to a flooded river which had washed away the bridge. Each rider forded the river on horseback, fighting against deadly currents. Another traveler, not part of the group, walked up to the President …
Seek First God’s Kingdom
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 24:4-5) Christ Still Teaches Jesus is the unique Son of God, fully divine and fully human in one person. He came down from His throne to save …
Loving Enemies and Forgiving
Jesus, teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but He (God the Father) who sent me is true. You do not know Him, but I know Him because I am from Him and He sent me. (John 7:28-29) Christ is Captivating …
Loving God and Neighbor
Nicodemus said, “Rabbi, we know we know without any doubt that you have come from God as a teacher and God is with you.” Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 3:12; 13:13) Sitting at Jesus’ Feet One day Christ and His disciples visited the home of two sisters, …
When King Uzziah Died, I Saw the Lord
In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah said: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne. And the hem of His robe filled the temple…. I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1,8) Big Idea: Sometimes, God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) takes away good things to give us better things. Blessed After a …
Better Than Optimism
I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” In my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:10-13) Do Optimists Live Longer? Faith in God (Father, …
Rest in the Lord
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 116:7-9) A Sweeter Song Ancient Greek sailors faced many perils at sea and this was reflected …
Love for God Should Drive Us
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:1-2) Success in Running and Life Jess Movold is a runner and coach in New York City. In a 2020 interview, she discussed principles for successful running …
Precious in the Lord’s Sight
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants (His saints, Jesus’ followers, His loved ones). (Psalm 116:15) The Pain of Death and Loss Liz Shepherd is a Boston artist and one of her works, “The Wait,” was done near the time her father was dying. Liz spent long days at her father’s bedside, feeling …