Psalm 143 - 8.3.26
S - Psalms 143:8
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
O - This clearly shows the direction we all need to go! This scripture was written when David was running for his life. For David to have the insight to write this in desperation is a message to us to begin our day reading and prayer at the beginning of our day before the challenges of our daily lives begin.
A - My goal is to make a point of reading God's word and pray over my day and ask for the direction He has intended for me. Good or bad days started within his presence is better than being on my own.
P - Lord, I pray that you are the first thought of every morning and you continue to remind me of the importance of asking for direction according to your will. Amen
- Brian Moen
Acts 3 - 7.31.26
Scripture: Acts 3:17-19
“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Observation
Peter and John just healed the lame beggar at the Temple. The Israelites were amazed by this. This gave Peter a chance to witness to the Israelites about Jesus. Peter held nothing back, telling them they murdered Jesus, the Holy and Righteous one.They asked Pilate to release a criminal over Jesus. Peter then told them God raised Jesus from the dead. It was faith in Jesus' name that healed this beggar. Peter then pointed out their sin of ignorance. We were not any different before coming to Christ. Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
I think Peter's direct approach to witnessing to the Israelites was they were at the temple. They should have known about Jesus through Old Testament Scriptures.
Application
Peter in Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Peter told the Israelites to repent of their sins. They still have an opportunity to be saved by grace. We have the same opportunity, as the Israelites. to repent of our sins.
2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." That verse sounds refreshing and so does Psalm 103:8-12 “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. “
Prayer
Jesus, the Savior of the World, thank you for giving us a chance to repent of our sins and for being quick to forgive us. Jesus you are the great healer.
Thank you Jesus for remembering my transgressions no more. Help me to praise you in the midst of the pain in my body. May my pain turn into passion for You, Jesus. Refresh me when I read your word, refresh me when I pray and refresh me when I praise you. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.
- Robert Oberg
Acts 2 - 7.30.26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:29-36
“29Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. 36 Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
OBSERVATION
AI Quote: “The Book of Acts was written by Luke. This conclusion is supported by early church testimony and internal textual clues that indicate a common authorship with the Gospel of Luke. Both texts share similar literary styles and historical detail, reinforcing the identification of Luke as the author.” However, I found it interesting because Luke quotes both Peter in these scriptures, and David’s scriptures in Psalms.
I knew David was a shepherd, warrior, king and author. He wrote many of the Psalms, expressing deep emotions and spiritual insights. BUT I never thought of him as a “prophet”. But yes, in these scriptures Luke quotes scriptures of David who wrote of how God spoke to him
The book of Acts 2 speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit, and it was a turning point for the disciples, empowering them with divine ability and boldness. This moment fulfilled Jesus’ promise that His followers would receive power to be His witnesses.
APPLICATION
The Lord, speaks to us in His Word! I so cherish God’s Word and I, and each of us, learn something we hadn’t seen before every time we read His word. He sees us and knows what we need in every season of our lives. This scripture says it all:
Acts 2:37 speaks of how we are to live His word: “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
And how are we to do this? Daily..
-- repent (daily confess our sins and turn from them), read his word, write a SOAP note of what it meant to us. Memorize it so that you can repeat it when needed.
-- praise Him and Pray to Him in any way, anywhere, any time of day.
-- pray that God calls our families and our friends.
-- share our time and pray with fellow believers.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I am thankful and humble of the coming of you as our Messiah. And to read the words of those whom you loved and knew you when you walked in the Holy Land. You are with us now in the Holy Spirit. Lord, let me draw others to know you. I love your words Jesus—they are “New” every morning. And thank you Lord for your disciples and prophets and those who wrote your words of who you are. I pray today to be your witness. In humble gratefulness, be with my family and my church family, as we go into our new day. OUR FAITH IS IN YOU, Lord!
Lamentations 3:22-23: “ It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Amen!
- Charleen Zakarian