Can you worship God without going to a "church" building? Can you worship God without gathering with a bunch of other people? Can you worship God all by yourself in your home, or in the woods, or on a mountain, or golf course? The answer to all of these is a resounding yes! You can …
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Provocative Devotion: Psalm 25
To be a follower of Jesus is to be a student. That is what a disciple is, a learner who follows a teacher in order to become like that teacher. A disciple of Jesus must be a student of Jesus, of His Word, and of the things of God. These few verses from Psalm 15 …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 24
I cannot read this Psalm without thinking of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem on what would eventually become known as Palm Sunday. It was the beginning of the final week of his life before being crucified for us. As he made his way towards Jerusalem it seemed as if the entire city came out to …
Provocative Devotion: One More Thought on Psalm 23
Shortly after becoming a follower of Jesus I read a book titled, "In the Presence of Mine Enemies". It was written by an American soldier, Captain Howard Rutledge, who was help captive as a POW during the war in Vietnam. The title obviously comes from verse 5 of the Psalm, You prepare a table before …
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Provocative Devotion: Further Thoughts on Psalm 23
So often our prayers are for God to deliver us from harm by removing us from the situation in which harm is a possibility. David never asks that of the Lord in this Psalm. Rather what David does is declare his confidence that God is with him in the midst of those times of extreme …
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Provocative Devotion: Psalm 23
There i certainly no more beloved and quoted Psalm than the 23rd Psalm. It is nearly a standard reading in almost every funeral or memorial service I have conducted, most often at the request of the family. The comfort derived from the description of the Good Shepherd has been a hallmark of this Psalm for …
Provocative Devotion: Further Thoughts on Psalm 22
Previously I reflected on the power of this Psalm, one quoted by Jesus as He hung on a cross. At the heart of the Gospel is the testimony of this Psalm, that Jesus willingly experienced the punishment for sin that I deserved. In the midst of that punishment He cried out in anguish because the …
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Provocative Devotion: Psalm 22
Typically I post the Psalm I am going to reflect on at the beginning of the post followed by some thoughts on how that Psalm impacts me. Sometimes it has been the entire Psalm and other times just a portion. As I was reading and reflecting on Psalm 22 it was abundantly clear that I …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 21
Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. 9 You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart's desire …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 19
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c] reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules[d] of the Lord …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 18
I love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. …
Dear Franklin, Here Is Why I Will Still Shop at Target
Recently Franklin Graham issued a call for Christians to let the shopping store giant Target know that they are not pleased with Targets move to make the presentation of some items in their stores gender neutral. Reverend Graham's concern is that such a move disregards the biblical teaching that God made humanity as male and female and …
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Provocative Devotion: Psalm 17
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. 7 Wondrously show[a] your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, 9 from …
Provocative Devotion: Psalm 16
7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.[d] 8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being[e] rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not …
The Provocative Christian 