The psalmist's prayer in Psalm 119, verses 153-158, highlights the importance of relying on God's promises and faithfulness, even in the face of persecution and enemies. This reliance on God's word is contrasted with the wicked who seek not God's statutes. Jesus also felt righteous emotion at the hardness of people's hearts, emphasizing the need for a holy and indignant heart, stirred by the Holy Spirit. [... more]

When God comes to church, many wonderful things happen, and when that happens, we sometimes call it a spiritual awakening or revival. It happened in the church in Thessalonica, and to see their impact on a whole community. It also happened in America, God has done some unusual things in these United States. Today's message is a little unusual because I'm not going to be giving an exposition of Scripture, though at the end we will turn to 1 Thessalonians 5 if you want to turn there now. And we'll be talking about what to do while we are waiting for an awakening. But today I'm going to tell you the story of America's great awakenings so that, number one, faith might be quickened in our hearts and we might say, My goodness, if God did it then, why can't He do it now? [... more]

God the Father answers the request of God the Son and grants salvation to a repentant sinner, adopting him into his family. The same spirit that raised up Christ grants the spiritually dead sinner new life and declares him to be born of God. [... more]

Living with financial adversity requires wisdom, and Christians are called to live with integrity, no matter the circumstances. God's wisdom is available to anyone who humbly listens to Him and trusts His word, offering benefits such as discernment, guidance, blessing, good reputation, and protection. Following God's wisdom in finances and life leads to peace, purpose, and lasting joy, and Christians are encouraged to seek financial professionals who align with their biblical values. [... more]

Financial decisions reveal the condition of our hearts, exposing our true priorities and worship. Jesus taught that money has the power to shape our desires and test our trust, and that generosity reveals what's inside. To align our hearts with God's when it comes to money, we must recognize that money is a test of trust, practice gratitude, give generously, and seek first the kingdom. [... more]

When God comes to church, many wonderful things happen. Times of revival, known as times of God's special presence in power, bring new life to the church. In the 1700s, the first great awakening transformed Northampton and other places, with 50,000 people converted and taverns closed. The second great awakening, from 1790 to 1860, saw God working mightily through many people and in many ways, with an estimated million people coming to the faith. The third great awakening, from 1857 to 1859, was a businessman's revival, with 10,000 men gathering daily for prayer in New York City and 5,000 meeting for prayer in the evening in Chicago. [... more]

When spiritual trouble comes, remembering God's mercies and faithfulness can bring great comfort. The psalmist's plea for quickening, or spiritual renewal, is a universal need for believers. This is a call to remember God's word, to hate sin, and to see the importance of obedience and mercy in our lives. [... more]

David's prayers in Psalm 119 demonstrate a model for earnest, proper, and trusting prayer, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's mercy and faithfulness, and having confidence in His word. [... more]

The psalmist's prayer in Psalm 119 is a model for earnest and proper prayer, demonstrating the importance of crying out to God with a whole heart, acknowledging one's need for salvation, and trusting in God's sovereignty and power to deliver. [... more]

The psalmist finds comfort in God's word, even in times of affliction, and encourages believers to remember God's mercies and promises, leading to hope, joy, and a pilgrim's heart, and to sing praises to God in all circumstances. [... more]

The source of hope is God's faithfulness and promises, as seen in the Bible, particularly in Psalm 119. The Psalmist's hope is in God's word, which is a valid expectation based on God's character and promises. This hope is not an idle wish, but a positive expectation that is demonstrated through prayer and trust in God's word. [... more]

The paralytic at the pool of Bethesda is a fascinating story that ties into the concept of repentance, or shuvah, which is central to the idea of returning to God and being made whole. This concept is also seen in the story of the prodigal son and the idea of the Baal teshuvah, or master of return, which is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah, Jesus. [... more]

The idea of a beginning or a head, like the beginning of a river, is central to the concept of Rach, which has a lot to do with choices and the idea of a river. When considering something, one is fixing to make a choice, and this is closely tied to the idea of meeting with God on a regular basis, which is seen as a precept. The concept of hesed, or loving kindness, is also explored, and how it can be a source of comfort and guidance in times of difficulty. [... more]

The psalmist's request to be quickened according to God's judgments is explored in the 119th Psalm, revealing a profound concept of birth and life. The idea of God's womb, where judgment and refining occur, is compared to the physical womb, highlighting the complexity of spiritual birth. A personal account of suicidal attempts and the refining process is shared, illustrating the stakes and the life-giving process that God undertakes. [... more]

Understanding the Resh letter in the 119th Psalm reveals the importance of God's help in directing our choices and desires, leading us closer to eternity and away from worldly anxieties. [... more]

King David's intimate prayer to God, asking to be an eyewitness to the truth of his own testimony, reveals the value of knowledge and the importance of understanding one's character and behavior. This biblical concept of the 'kuff' highlights the refining process of judgment, which helps individuals develop holiness and spiritual growth. [... more]

The concept of the tree of life is deeply connected to the idea of righteousness and everlasting life. King David's psalm highlights the importance of understanding the word of God, which leads to spiritual life and eternal existence. This understanding is rooted in the story of Jesus, who died on the tree of life to make humanity right with God. [... more]

A Christian talk show explores the concept of going the wrong way in life, wasting time and resources, and the importance of being born again, purified, and quickened by God's love and word, leading to a life of faith, confidence, and loving kindness. [... more]

The 119th Psalm offers counsel for the soul, teaching us how to avoid affliction by focusing on God's word and living in union with Him. Through the concept of mitzvah, or doing God's commandments, we can experience connection with God and be quickened to live a life that honors Him. [... more]

As we delve into the 119th Psalm, we explore the concept of heart knowledge and the preciousness of time spent in God's presence. This idea is rooted in the pakudim, visits of God or coming into His presence, which quicken us and bring light to our understanding of the Bible. [... more]