Psalm 78:32-55  (HCSB)32 Despite all this, they kept sinningand did not believe His wonderful works.33 He made their days end in futility,their years in sudden disaster.34 When He killed some of them,the rest began to seek Him;they repented and searched for God.35 They remembered that God was their rock,the Most High God, their Redeemer.36 But they deceived Him with their mouths,they lied to Him w...  Read More

Psalm 78:21-31  (HCSB)21 Therefore, the Lord heard and became furious;then fire broke out against Jacob,and anger flared up against Israel22 because they did not believe Godor rely on His salvation.23 He gave a command to the clouds aboveand opened the doors of heaven.24 He rained manna for them to eat;He gave them grain from heaven.25 People ate the bread of angels.He sent them an abundant supply...  Read More

Psalm 78:9-20  (HCSB)9 The Ephraimite archers turned backon the day of battle.10 They did not keep God’s covenantand refused to live by His law.11 They forgot what He had done,the wonderful works He had shown them.12 He worked wonders in the sight of their fathersin the land of Egypt, the region of Zoan.13 He split the sea and brought them across;the water stood firm like a wall.14 He led them wit...  Read More

Psalm 78:1-8  (HCSB)Lessons from Israel’s PastA Maskil of Asaph.1 My people, hear my instruction;listen to what I say.2 I will declare wise sayings;I will speak mysteries from the past—3 things we have heard and knownand that our fathers have passed down to us.4 We must not hide them from their children,but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful worksHe...  Read More

THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERDLive in a way that reflects the Lord and brings Him glory.KEY TRUTH: The Lord Is Our Perfect Provider (Psalm 23:1-3)KEY TRUTH: The Lord Is Our Perfect Protector (Psalm 23:4)KEY TRUTH: The Lord Is Our Perfect Peace (Psalm 23:5–6)FAMILY CONNECTION:  CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!Who is the Shepherd and who are His sheep? How does learning all the things our Shepherd do...  Read More

When is the last time you humbled yourself before God and truly listened for His voice?Who is someone in your life who needs your Christian example? Who can you be a good shepherd to?Who, beyond the Lord, of course, has been a shepherd for you? How have they helped you draw closer to God?...  Read More

John 10:9-18  (HCSB)9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep...  Read More

John 10:1-8 (HCSB)The Ideal Shepherd10 “I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of t...  Read More

Psalm 23:5-6 (HCSB)5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.Nathan PuttySuch an inviting set of scriptures, isn’t it? David speaks of a table prepared by the Lord! That’s a meal I can’t wait to atte...  Read More

Psalm 23:4  (HCSB)4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,I fear no danger, for You are with me;Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.Nathan PuttyHere we have David describing how God protects and cares for us even in the darkest of times. Again, David would have been speaking from personal experience. A certain fight with Goliath comes to mind. Sticking with the shepherd analogy, David uses...  Read More

Psalm 23:1-3  (HCSB)The Good ShepherdA Davidic psalm.1 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside quiet waters.3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.Nathan PuttySo, David would have been painfully aware that literal green pastures were not readily available where he was from. Of course, David is s...  Read More

KNOWING GODThe creation around us declares that God exists and is glorious and powerful.KEY TRUTH: Creation Reveals God, Its Creator (Psalm 19:1–6)KEY TRUTH: God’s Word Reveals His Attributes (Psalm 19:7–11)KEY TRUTH: Knowing God Better Makes Us Want to Be Blameless Before Him (Psalm 19:12–14)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What does the word psalm mean? What do the psalms ...  Read More