Psalm 119 - 12.10.25

Scripture

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. (Ps 119:11)

Observation

The only way to live a life without falling into sin, is to hide God’s word in our hearts (Ps 119:11). The whole of Psalms 119 is focused on the word of God, and the importance of having the word in our hearts. In the same passage we read today, we see the question, “How can a young person stay on the path of purity?” The answer is also in the same verse - “By living according to your word” (Ps 119:9). To live according to God’s word, we need to have his word in our heart. The scripture commands us that we should not conform to the pattern of this world, but should renew our minds (Rom 12:2). We renew our minds by reading and studying the word of God everyday consistently. 

Application

God does not promise us an easy life when we put our trust in Him. In fact, the opposite is true. Jesus said “in this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). When we walk through fire and through water (Is 43:2) and through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4), it is the promises in His word that strengthens us and holds us up. We need the word hidden in our hearts to draw out of during those times.

All of us want to live a life that pleases God. We can do that only by living a life that is based on God’s word. For that, we need to know the word. We need to have the daily discipline of reading God’s word every single day. Jesus is God’s word who became flesh (John 1:14). Jesus and his word are the same. We can’t have Jesus apart from His written word. When we consistently read the word every day and continuously recall what we read in the Bible, meditating on his word, we internalize it and it becomes hidden in our hearts. 

We are approaching the new year and it is time for some resolutions. Let me give you some ideas. If you don’t have a daily habit of reading the word everyday, that could be a good resolution. If you have cultivated the daily discipline of getting into the word, why don’t you increase it or double it? If you read one chapter, make it two in 2026. If you spend one hour with God everyday, consider doubling it to two hours.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for your Word. Please help me to delight in your law, and to meditate on your word day and night, so that I will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water (Ps 1:2). I pray that your word will be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Ps 119:105). I pray that the word of Christ will dwell in me richly in all wisdom (Col 3:16). I pray that I will not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind by feeding on your word, so that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom 12:2). Make my life be a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 118 - 12.9.25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 118:15, 16

“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous:  The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!  The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things.”

OBSERVATION:  The author gave thanks to the Lord for being so good and for showing such great love over him when he was hard pressed and afraid.  God helped him triumph over the fear of his enemies. The psalmist learned to put his trust in the Lord, and when he felt weak and defenseless, God became his strength and Defender. The psalmist praised God, gave thanks and proclaimed what the Lord had done!

APPLICATION:  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  His love never changes! How blessed we are that we can run to Him and be safe!  When we see God at work, and He answers our prayers, are we quick to give Him thanks and proclaim His good works? 

Because of the psalmist’s obedience to the Lord, he was able to experience God’s love and faithfulness.  He personally got to witness many of the mighty things God had done.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence Lord.  They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness.  For You are their glory and strength.”  (Psalm 89:14-17a).

PRAYER:  I thank You Lord for being so good, loving and kind! May I be like the psalmist who couldn’t hold back his praises to You!  Thank You for blessing me with the ability to enjoy Your presence, and to be able to experience Your faithfulness.  Thank You that I don’t need to be afraid - because You are the God Who saves me!

“I will sing of Your great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)

Amen

- Robin Orefice

Acts 4 - 12.8.25

Scripture

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Observation

In this passage, Peter and John were preaching to the people that through Jesus, there is a resurrection of the dead. This disturbed all the religious leaders. They wanted to stop the message of Jesus being spread amongst the people. So, they had Peter and John arrested and questioned. But, something happened as Peter and John spoke to these religious leaders. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke with such boldness and courage that it amazed all these religious leaders. I mean, how can these two ordinary, uneducated men speak with such authority? It was then that they realized that these men spent a significant time with Jesus.

Application

When people see you, can they tell that you spend time with Jesus?

You know as a parent, it’s funny to see your kids develop similar habits, (some good and some bad), the more and more they spend time with you. Whether it’s the way they talk, the way they behave, the music they like listening to or even their facial mannerisms towards certain things, they begin to look and act just like you. The funny thing is they don’t even know it! 😆 It comes so naturally to them because they spend day in and day out with you.

I believe the same can be said when we spend some good quality time with Jesus. Day in and day out, we communicate with Jesus through prayer, reading our Bible and just allowing His ways to rule over our own. You begin to hang out with others who follow Jesus so you can help encourage and pray for one another to grow in your faith. You keep doing these things long enough, you become more and more like Jesus every day (sanctification). It’s only natural that we begin to talk like Jesus, walk like Jesus, act like Jesus, and even “glow” like Jesus because we are shining His light onto others. ☺️

So, my question to you out there is, can people tell that you spend time with Jesus by the way you act? If not, I want to encourage you to spend some good quality time with Him daily by doing the things I just mentioned. Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to transform you each day to become more like Him. 

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” -2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

Prayer

Father God, thank You for coming out of the comforts of Heaven and sending Jesus to show us how to live. Thank You for giving us Your Word to instruct us and remind us of Your ways. Thank You for leaving us Your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, encourage us and convict us to repent when we wrong You. I pray for You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit today each and every day. May You continue to mold me and transform me to be more like Jesus each day. May others see it and be blessed by it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi