A Throne of Cherubim

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 99:1-5 (NIV)*

The LORD reigns,
    let the nations tremble;
he sits enthroned between the cherubim,
    let the earth shake.


Great is the L
ORD in Zion;
    he is exalted over all the nations.
Let them praise your great and awesome name—
    he is holy.
The King is mighty, he loves justice—
    you have established equity;
in Jacob you have done
    what is just and right.
Exalt the LORD our God
    and worship at his footstool;
    he is holy
.

Reflection

What does it mean to be holy? There are several shades of meaning for the word holy. It can mean being consecrated or dedicated for a special purpose. It also means righteous. But the definition that fits best in the light of Psalm 99 reads like this: “awe-inspiring—having a character that evokes reverence” (Encarta Dictionary).

The psalmist is effusive with his praise for the LORD, but three times in this short psalm, he centers back to this phrase: he is holy. Yes, the LORD reigns, He is righteous and exalted, but what has really caught the psalmist’s attention is the LORD’s holiness. That’s what sets Him apart and elevates Him above the stratosphere.

Has the LORD’s holiness caught your attention? Have you been filled with awe by the holiness of God? I fear that far too often we have diminished God. We have tried to make Him like us—powerful but a bit quirky—maybe short-tempered or set in His ways. What nonsense! Our God is holy. We need to wake up to that fact. It must be central to our understanding of God.

In the Beatitudes from his Sermon on the Mount Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). To clarify, I might add the pure in heart will see the true God, not a distorted caricature. Our sinful nature has a way of distorting our view of the LORD. That’s why personal purity and holiness are so essential. The apostle Peter provides this admonition: As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Response

LORD God, I want to see you at work in my life. Help me with the help of your Holy Spirit to clean up those areas that distort my view of you. You are holy. I worship you in the beauty of your perfect holiness. Amen.

Your Turn

Are there times when you have seen God as short-tempered or set in His ways? Have you avoided God’s call to holiness?


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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

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Day 6: The Poor and the Rich

Any of God’s people who are poor should be glad
he thinks so highly of them. 
But any who are rich should be glad when God makes them humble.
Rich people will disappear like wild flowers 

scorched by the burning heat of the sun.
The flowers lose their blossoms,
and their beauty is destroyed.
This is how the rich will disappear,
as they go about their business.

(James 1:9-11, CEV)

Reflection

I confess I would rather be rich than poor. I would rather be honored than humbled. But in today’s reading from James, we see that God turns that kind of thinking on its head. God thinks highly of the poor. And on the opposite end of the wealth spectrum, James writes the “rich should be glad when God makes them humble.”

That’s the reverse of how the world operates. The rich are honored and the poor and needy are despised.

From where did James get the values reflected in the passage above? He got them directly from his half-brother, the Lord Jesus, the risen Christ.

Jesus begins his epic Sermon on the Mount with these words:

 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
(Matthew 5:3-5, ESV)

Jesus blessed the poor and honored the meek and humble in heart. That’s the kind of Savior we have. He hears the pleas of the beggar by the roadside of life. (See Mark 10:46-52.) Our Savior saves his rebukes for the rich, the proud, and the self-righteous. See Matthew 23.

There is no certainty in wealth. Paul gives this sound advice to Timothy: Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life. (1 Timothy 6:17, CEV)

But it’s not just wealth that is uncertain. Our very lives are uncertain. Later in his epistle James issues this warning: What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist that appears for only a little while before it disappears. (James 4:14, CEV)A rich man named Job declared, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart” (Job 1:21). Our security for now and all eternity must rest in Christ our Savior.

Response

Lord God, help me to put my complete trust in you rather than this world’s wealth. In practical ways help me to reflect your care for the poor and needy. If I prosper help me maintain a heart of humility and gratitude because all I have comes from you. I pray in the all-powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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Let the Earth Be Glad

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to Psalm 97:1-7 read by Jonathan Dent.

Reading: Psalm 97:1-7 (NIV)*

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the L
ORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!

My Lighthouse in the Storm – photo by Eric E. Wright

Response

LORD God, it is my prayer that all people will see your glory and bow before you, the magnificent King of Righteousness. Extend your reign I pray. Let the distant shores rejoice because you reign. Amen.

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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

The photo of Jerusalem on the cover of Psalm 365, Volume II


Take a journey to the cross.


To view further details or purchase click here.


* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 98:7-9 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
in the past I have dreaded your judgment,
but now I recognize your goodness.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
I want to see this world
set right through your power and grace.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

The apostles gathered around Jesus
and reported to him all they had done and taught.
 
Then, because so many people were coming and going
that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 
But many who saw them leaving recognized them
and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
 
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd,
he had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd. 
So he began teaching them many things.


By this time it was late in the day,
so his disciples came to him.
“This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.

 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside
and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages!
Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 
So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
 
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven,
he gave thanks and broke the loaves. 
Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.
He also divided the two fish among them all.
 
They all ate and were satisfied,

 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 
The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
(Mark 6:30-44).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.

(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Singing Mountains

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 98:7-9 (NIV)*

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the LORD,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity
.

Reflection

What comes to mind when you think of God’s judgment? Do you envision pictures of doom, gloom, and destruction? If that’s your response, you are not alone, but maybe you have the wrong set of pictures? Maybe you have a wrong understanding of God? Should the redeemed live in dread of God’s judgment?

Psalm 98 is a joyous anthem of praise to God—praise for the salvation the LORD has won for us. The psalmist begins this psalm by calling us to sing to the LORD a new song. In today’s reading, that call for praise and worship is extended to all of nature. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy (v. 7-8).

Have you seen any mountains singing for joy? Have you heard the rivers clap their hands? I love the pictures such thoughts put in my mind. All of creation is speaking daily. The earth, sea and sky are telling of God’s mercy and glory. The setting sun shouts out the praises of God. Can you hear it? 

According to the psalmist, there is a cause for this great celebration by the sea, the rivers, and the mountains. These elements of creation are celebrating because the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity (v. 9). In other words, God’s judgment should bring joy not dread. The LORD will set things right.

For far too long we have lived in a world of injustice, suffering and death. When the LORD comes, He will bring all this pain and perversity to an end. The environmental degradation that we have caused will come to an end. The Eden that was lost because of mans’ sin will be restored. Once again, we will have access to the Tree of Life. Best of all we will walk in sweet communion with our heavenly Father. All this is possible because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The power of sin was broken at the cross. Since God’s coming judgment will bring about all this glorious restoration, why wouldn’t we join the mountains as they sing for joy?

Many of us have a wrong understanding of God and a wrong understanding of the purpose for His judgment. His judgments are good. They bring about peace—the shalom of God. Here in Psalm 98, we have the promise of His word on that. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

Response

LORD God, in the past I have dreaded your judgment, but now I recognize your goodness. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. I want to see this world set right through your power and grace. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you fear God’s judgment? Is that always a good thing? How can it be misunderstood?


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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 98:1-6 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
am so grateful
for the salvation you purchased for me
through the blood of Jesus.
I want all the ends of the earth
to know about that great salvation.
Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 
Calling the Twelve to him,
 he began to send them out two by two 
and gave them authority over impure spirits.

These were his instructions: 
“Take nothing for the journey except a staff—
no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.
 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.
 Whenever you enter a house,
stay there until you leave that town.

 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you,
leave that place
and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

They went out and preached that people should repent.
 They drove out many demons
and anointed many sick people
with oil and healed them.
(Mark 6:7-13).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.

(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Break Forth with a New Song

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 98:1-6 (NIV)*

Sing to the LORD a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.
The L
ORD has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;
 make music to the LORD with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the LORD, the King
.

Reflection

Once again in Psalm 98 the psalmist calls us to break forth with a new song of praise to our God. This call to worship is a frequent theme in many psalms. In this case the cause for worship is well worth noting. We are to worship in music and song because of the salvation of our God. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God (v. 2-3).

To some extent these words trouble me. What salvation is the psalmist talking about? Is he referring to the miraculous redemption and rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt? That’s the most significant act of national salvation in the Old Testament. On the other hand, the psalmist could be referring to the restoration of the Jewish nation after the destruction of the temple and the Babylonian captivity. Again, this is a very significant event that was witnessed by the surrounding nations. Since we do not have a timeline or date for when this psalm was written, we are left guessing the answer.

For the New Testament believer, we see the fulfillment of this psalm in the salvation that was won for us by Christ at the cross. There the ancient powers of sin, hell, and the grave were defeated. Death itself was vanquished through the resurrection of Jesus. In reality, the true enemies of the people of God are not foreigners or foreign nations. Our enemies are spiritual; they lurk within us. Salvation from those enemies was purchased at the cross with the precious blood of Jesus.

Now here is a bizarre twist. Salvation arrives with our surrender. It arrives when we surrender our lives to our Savior and kneel before our King on a cross. That’s a salvation worth singing about!

Response

LORD God, I am so grateful for the salvation you purchased for me through the blood of Jesus. I want all the ends of the earth to know about that great salvation. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn

Have you knelt before the King on a cross? Take some time to do that now. How can a fresh acknowledgement of your allegiance to the King affect your day-to-day conduct?


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* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

A Prophet Without Honor

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 97:8-12 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

 

LORD God,
it is my prayer
that all people will see your glory
and bow before you,
the magnificent King of Righteousness.
Extend your reign I pray.
Let the distant shores rejoice because you reign.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
A Prophet Without Honor

Jesus left there and went to his hometown,
accompanied by his disciples.
 
When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue,
 and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked.
“What’s this wisdom that has been given him?
What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?

 Isn’t this the carpenter?
Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?
Aren’t his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.

 Jesus said to them, 
“A prophet is not without honor except in his own town,
among his relatives and in his own home.”
 
He could not do any miracles there,
except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.
 
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
(Mark 6:1-6).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.

(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

Loving the LORD & Hating Evil

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 97:8-12 (NIV)*

Zion hears and rejoices
    and the villages of Judah are glad
    because of your judgments, LORD.
For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
    you are exalted far above all gods.
Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
    for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous
    and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
    and praise his holy name
.

Reflection

Love and hate are two extremes—two opposites. Almost always we see love as a good thing, something to be encouraged or applauded, while hate is regarded as a universally negative emotion. But is this a correct view of love and hate?    

The addict may love his crack cocaine pipe, but is that a good or wholesome kind of love? Strange as it may seem, the battered wife may love her abusive husband and yet feel locked into that relationship despite its toxic or even deadly consequences. Is that a healthy kind of love? Of course not, but the addict and the abused partner both use the term love when they describe the object of their affection.

Similarly hate—that polar opposite emotion—is universally viewed as negative. Is it wrong to hate injustice, murder, or pedophilia? Of course not. Hate is the right emotional response when we see these things taking place. The devastating consequences of sin and criminal wrongdoing are repulsive. Seeing such harmful conduct should prompt us to hate those actions.

In today’s reading from Psalm 97, we see a different perspective on love and hate. Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked (v. 10).

Are you loving God and hating evil? All too often we see there are those in this world who love evil and hate God. Why do they hate God? Could it be because the LORD expects—no requires—better from them, and they thinking they know better, have gone their own selfish way?

Note that we are commanded to hate evil. We are not commanded to hate evildoers. God in His great mercy may yet redeem the evildoer. It is by God’s grace that we ourselves are not caught up in evil, so wisdom urges us not to be haughty. We do well to focus on loving the LORD. We can draw encouragement from these words: Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart (v. 11).

Response

LORD God, teach me to identify and hate evil when I see it. I want your light to shine on me, so I can walk the path you have set out for me. Let my love for you and others grow day by day. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you loving the LORD and hating evil? How can you learn to hate the sin, but not the sinner?


bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look, click here.

Jesus Calms the Storm

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Today’s quote and prayer from
Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 97: 1-7(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
it is my prayer
that all people will see your glory
and bow before you,
the magnificent King of Righteousness.
Extend your reign I pray.
Let the distant shores rejoice because you reign.
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Calms the Storm

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, 
“Let us go over to the other side.”

 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along,
just as he was, in the boat. 
There were also other boats with him.
 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat,
so that it was nearly swamped.
 
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
The disciples woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,
 “Quiet! Be still!” 
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 He said to his disciples,
 “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other,
“Who is this?
Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
(Mark 4:35-41).

* * *

God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
We saw his son and are now telling others about him.

(1 John 4:14 NIV)

Para la publicación de Salmos 365 de hoy en español haga clic aquí.

bgbg_v4.3_1501818
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Pray for peace in Israel, Iran and the Middle East
and continue to pray for peace to return
to Ukraine and Russia!

Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and Volume II has won the Best Devotional of the Year Award. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. To purchase or for a closer look click here.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.