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Dear friends, Today, we begin a look into the prayer Paul is praying for the church in Philippi. This prayer was written many years ago, but God can use it to transform our prayers for others today in 2025.  Here is the Apostle Paul’s prayer: Philippians 1:9-11 NIVAnd this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ– to…

Dear Friends, I want to explore Philippians 1:7-8 with you today.   Philippians 1:7-8 NIVIt is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  Paul expresses his deep love for Jesus and for this church. He is not ashamed or embarrassed to do so!  1.      His love for them is inclusive…

Dear Friends, For August 2025 we are memorizing Paul’s prayer from Philippians chapter one! This prayer will be the backdrop to our sermons this month. Let’s take a look into the introduction of this letter as Paul shares his prayers for this church. Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, I am excited to read about the prayers of the Apostle Paul for this church. His example humbles…

Dear Friends, As we conclude our look into Psalm 46, I want to quote the words of Marting Luther. This song was written from his meditation on Psalm 46. We are blessed to live under the watchful care of our God!  He is our Mighty Fortress! Be encouraged, Pastor Rick

Dear Friends, Psalm 46 concludes with a call to be still and know!  Let’s ponder these twin commands. Psalm 46:8-10 NIVCome and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” God will ultimately be exalted so that the entire universe will acknowledge His Sovereignty…

Dear Friends, As we are memorizing Psalm 46, I pray we are reflecting on the God who is revealed in this song! He is the great protector of His people and His city, Jerusalem. These praises seem to fit with the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem as it is recorded in 2 Kings 18-20. In the refrain of this song, we discover two more names for God. Psalm 46:7 NIVThe LORD Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress. “The LORD Almighty” is a profound name for our God. These names occur together eight times in the Psalms. Lord…

Dear brothers and sisters, Today we reflect once again on Psalm 46. In this song, we find many names for God. Each one highlights a different aspect of who He is!  Psalm 46:4 NIVThere is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,the holy place where the Most High dwells. According to the prophets, God lives in the temple in Jerusalem. However, it is reassuring to know that no building can contain Him. He is omnipresent! This verse reminds us of this fact. Here God is called the “Most High.” When our children are young, they believe the…

Dear Friend, How often do you get into trouble? We regularly sense the pressure rising around us and this kind of affliction can feel suffocating. The sons of Korah give us hope in Psalm 46:1 Psalm 46:1 NIVGod is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. How very comforting to all who find themselves in trouble! God is ever-present. He never abandons us. He abides in us as we abide in Him. We are never all alone and can be confident in our protection from God. The word “trouble” used in Psalm 46:1 is also used in the…

Dear Friends, As we examine Psalm 46, we see God portrayed in all His glorious omnipotence!  “God is our strength” is a promise for inner strength, which our God gives freely to all who trust in Him. God’s strength is perfect; it never grows old or weak. Since God never tires, we can always rely on His strength. See Psalm 121. David celebrates God giving strength in Psalm 138 as well. Psalm 138:1-7 NIVI will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and…