Daily Worship is a great resource designed to help you in your personal devotions. Each weekday morning, and once on the weekends, a new worship guide is published at 4:30am that includes a Scripture passage of preparation, a passage to read and meditate upon, prayer points, and a song of response related to the day's reading. For those that prefer the printed format, they can be downloaded here.
Prepare: Psalm 119:97-104 Read Titus 2:1-10 Think We are taking a 3-week look at this passage. Last week, Pastor Mike emphasized the way the "doctrine of God" looks on us when we wear it (like clothing). This week, we will consider specifically what this means for older men and women. What does it look like for an old man to "wear the doctrine of God"? Old women? Ho...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:93-96 Read Micah 6:1-7:20 Think In the midst of God's frustration with his rebellious people, he declares quite plainly and simply what he desires from them (6:8). Memorize this classic and powerful verse: do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with God! Instead, Israel's worship is self-centered and misplaced. What sins are they guilty of? What a...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:89-92 Read Micah 4:1-5:15 Think Can you identify the five pronouncements of salvation here? 4:1-5 salvation for the nations at Zion through the Lord our God. 4:6-7 salvation for the regathered remnant, including the needy. 4:8-13 salvation for the remnant by the power and plan of God. 5:1-5a salvation through a coming ruler from Bethlehem! Amen. ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:85-88 Read Micah 1:1-3:12 Think "Like Amos, Micah was particularly forceful in his denunciation of the social morality of Judah. His prophecies contain a heavy emphasis on attacking the mere externality of the people's worship." (Sailhamer) Woe to that people against whom God himself is a witness (1:2) and Judge (1:3-4). As we have previously seen...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:81-84 Read Jonah 1:1-4:11 Think Today we read the entire book of Jonah. What was Jonah's assignment from God? Why was it foolish to flee? Why is it foolish for us to flee from doing what God commands? Why was Jonah thrown into the sea? How did the seamen respond to this? Reflect for some moments on Jonah's prayer. What effect did the turning of Ni...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:77-80 Read Obadiah 1:1-21 Think "Edom" represents "the nations who were the professed enemies of God's people Israel" and "portrays God's judgment on these nations." (quotes all Sailhamer) In vv. 1-16, Edom is all too happy for the destruction brought against Jerusalem and Judah. God warns them against their gloating, rejoicing, and boasting over ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:73-76 Read Titus 2:1-10 Think Last week, Pastor Mike highlighted some of the character traits and behaviors associated with those who repudiate sound doctrine. In Titus 2:1-10 (the text of this week's sermon) Paul goes to the other side of that count. In this passage he provides specific life-style instructions for every demographic in the church ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:69-72 Read: Amos 7:1-9:15 Think: 1. (7:1-3) 2. (4-6) 3. (7-9) [note: what is a plumb line?] Beginning with v. 10, the prophetic ministry of Amos is explained. 4. (8:1-3) In the rest of chapter 8 follows the now familiar and unfortunate pattern: the people love injustice, God promises judgement, a famine of truth. 5. (9) A vivid vision of judgeme...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:65-68 Read: Amos 5:1-6:14 Think: Three woes are introduced, as destruction for a defiant and sinful people is prophesied. Memorable: the phrase "seek the Lord and live." Take that to heart! Ponder, perhaps even memorize, the powerful statement of God's creative glory and judgement (Amos 5:8-9). Woe #1: God calls out the sin of injustice and call...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:61-64 Read: Amos 3:1-4:13 Think: "This series of sayings draws out the implications of the previous oracles against the nations. If God would punish the nations for their wickedness, how much more would he punish Israel and Judah, who ought to have known better, given their special status before God." (Sailhamer) In ch. 4, their future captivity...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:57-60 Read: Amos 1:1-2:16 Think: The sheepherder from Tekoa was called by God to prophesy "fearful words of impending doom" concerning King Jeroboam and the soon to be exiled people of God (Sailhamer). "Within the book itself, Amos stressed the moral ruin of God's people and their mistaken assumption that since they were the elect, nothing bad c...
Keep ReadingPrepare Psalm 119:53-56 Read: Joel 2:1-3:21 Think: The day of the Lord in Joel "would soon come as an invasion that overtook the land by surprise" (Sailhamer). It is God sending an invading force to bring judgement upon his people. As v. 11 says, who can endure it? Yet, repentance is possible! Rend your hearts and turn to God. Note the character of God as describe...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:49-52 Rememberyour word to your servant,in which you have made mehope.This ismy comfort in my affliction,that your promisegives me life.The insolent utterly deride me,but I do notturn away from your law.When I think of your rules from of old,I take comfort, OLord. Read Titus 1:10-16 Think Last week Pastor Mike focused on Titus 1:9, and the call fo...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:46-48 I will also speak of your testimoniesbefore kingsand shall not be put to shame,for Ifind my delight in your commandments,which I love.I willlift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,and I willmeditate on your statutes. Read: Joel 1:1-20 Think: Elders are to teach the truth of this book to their children, indicating that this ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:41-45 Let yoursteadfast love come to me, OLord,your salvationaccording to your promise;thenshall I have an answer for himwho taunts me,for I trust in your word.And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,for myhope is in your rules.I will keep your law continually,forever and ever,and I shall walkin a wide place,for I havesought your precept...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:37-40 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;andgive me life in your ways.Confirm to your servant your promise,that you may be feared.Turn away thereproach that I dread,for your rules are good.Behold, Ilong for your precepts;in your righteousness give me life! Read: Hosea 9:1-12:14 Think: The painful poetry of Hosea continues, with God's ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:33-36 Teach me, OLord, the way of your statutes;and I will keep itto the end.Give me understanding, that I may keep your lawand observe it with my whole heart.Lead me in the path of your commandments,for Idelight in it.Incline my heart to your testimonies,and not toselfish gain! Read: Hosea 7:1-8:14 Think: The report of Israel's sin and "adultery"...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:29-32 Put false ways far from meand graciouslyteach me your law!I have chosen the way of faithfulness;Iset your rules before me.I cling to your testimonies, OLord;let me not be put to shame!I will run in the way of your commandmentswhen youenlarge my heart! Read: Hosea 4:1-6:11 Think: "This section is a catalog of Israel's sins, interspersed with ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:25-28 My soul clings to the dust;give me lifeaccording to your word!WhenI told of my ways, you answered me;teach me your statutes!Make me understand the way of your precepts,and I willmeditate on your wondrous works.My soul melts away for sorrow;strengthen me according to your word! Read Titus 1:5-9 Think Last week Pastor Mike began this study of ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:21-24 You rebukethe insolent,accursed ones,whowander from your commandments.Take away from mescorn and contempt,for I have kept your testimonies.Even thoughprinces sit plotting against me,your servant willmeditate on your statutes.Your testimonies are mydelight;they are mycounselors. Read: Hosea 1:1-3:5 Think: This unique minor prophet (not unimpo...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:17-20 Deal bountifully with your servant,that I may live and keep your word.Open my eyes, that I may beholdwondrous things out of your law.I ama sojourner on the earth;hide not your commandments from me!My soul is consumed withlongingfor your rulesat all times. Read: Colossians 4:10-18 Think: It is easy for us to skim over verses like these at the...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:15-16 I willmeditate on your preceptsand fix my eyes on yourways.I willdelight in your statutes;I will not forget your word. Read: Colossians 4:1-9 Think: If God has given you a position with authority, how does verse 1 tell you to carry out that authority? Why do you think Paul encourages "watchfulness" with prayer, and thanksgiving? Thinking of ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:12-14 Blessed are you, OLord;teach me your statutes!With my lips Ideclareall the rulesof your mouth.In the way of your testimonies Idelightas much as in allriches. Read: Colossians 3:16-25 Think: Read verse 16 again. What does it mean to have the word of Christ dwell in you? What can you do to have his word dwell in you richly? (These readings and...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:9-11 How cana young man keep his way pure?By guarding it according to your word.With my whole heart I seek you;let me notwander from your commandments!I havestored up your word in my heart,that I might not sin against you. Read: Colossians 3:1-15 Think: This passage emphasizes the believer's union with Jesus in His death, resurrection, and exaltat...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:7-8 I will praise you with an upright heart,when I learnyour righteous rules.I will keep your statutes;do not utterly forsake me! Read: Titus 1:5-9 Think: What was Titus's assignment from the Apostle Paul? Take a few moments to reflect on the qualifications for being an elder stated here. Try to think of an elder who well reflects this profile of ...
Keep ReadingPrepare: Psalm 119:4-6 You have commanded yourpreceptsto be kept diligently.Oh that my ways maybe steadfastin keeping your statutes!Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. Read: Colossians 2:16-23 Think: Paul mentions here some of the specific religious practices of the day, things designed to give the appearance of "godliness...
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