Are you a David or Deborah?

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 108:6-13 (NIV)*

Save us and help us with your right hand,
   that those you love may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?
Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

Reflection

In today’s reading from Psalm 108, we get into the meat of David’s request or petition. He makes his plea before God: Save us and help us with your right hand that those you love may be delivered (v. 6).

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when David penned this Psalm, but it likely came early in his reign as king over Judah or Israel. When David assumed the leadership of Judah, Israel was in dire straits. The nation had been weakened by division under King Saul. The Philistines won a major battle which resulted in the death of King Saul and his heir apparent, Prince Jonathan. The nation was divided, despondent and in disarray. Meanwhile, enemies on every side were seizing the moment to press their advantage.

In many respects Christendom and the church world finds itself in a similar position today—divided, despondent and in disarray. We need a David or a number of Davids to arise and rally God’s people against spiritual foes and machinations too numerous to mention. Where are the Davids? Are you one of them? Over a number of years through a series of battles the David of the Bible turned things around.

But we need to always keep this in mind. Though God calls various people to leadership roles, He is the One who brings victory, and He is the One who deserves the credit. David clearly expressed this truth in his prayer. Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies (v. 12-13).

We look to the LORD for victory and deliverance. David did, and so must we.

Response

Father God, I want to play my part in turning things around in your church. Today let your Kingdom come and your will be done through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you a present-day David or Deborah? (See Judges 4-5.) What has God called you to do?


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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!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

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 Arrested

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 108: 1-5 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I always want to have a thankful heart
that is quick to praise you.
Help me to be steadfast in love
and praise even when the way ahead is difficult.
You are my help and my glory.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Arrested

Just as he was speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared.
With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs,
sent from the chief priests,
the teachers of the law, and the elders.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:
“The one I kiss is the man;
arrest him and lead him away under guard.”

 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.
 The men seized Jesus and arrested him.
Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest,
cutting off his ear.

“Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus,
“that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?

 Every day I was with you,
teaching in the temple courts,
and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

 Then everyone deserted him and fled.

A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment,
was following Jesus. When they seized him,

he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
(Mark 14:43-52).

* * *

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.

My heart is steadfast

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 108:1-5 (NIV)*

A song. A psalm of David.
My heart, O God, is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.

Reflection

This morning did you awaken the dawn or did the dawn awaken you? For those who are early risers awakening the dawn becomes much easier as the days get shorter, and we approach the winter solstice. I confess that this morning and most autumn mornings I am awake before sunrise.

There is something quite magical about watching the sunrise and spread its golden rays across the eastern sky. I was treated to a magnificent sunrise display last Monday. I was driving east across the prairies and as each mile slipped by the glory along the horizon grew more and more intense. I pity the poor atheist who has no one to praise when he beholds such a display.

For believers, praise for our God springs naturally from our lips when we see God paint the sky with golden hues of splendor. In such moments David’s call to worship becomes our own: Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Can you picture David taking up his harp and breaking into song as he locks his eyes on the rising sun? David was a most remarkable character. What sets David apart from other individuals we meet in the pages of scripture? He was a man of spectacular failings. His adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the treacherous means he used to dispatch her husband stand out. But there’s nothing remarkable about spectacular failings and shortcomings. These are common to man.

What stands out about David’s character is his steadfastness to the LORD. The opening lines of Psalm 108 hold the key to understanding David’s overcoming nature. My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Despite his failings, David remained steadfast in his love for God. Secondly, he was wholehearted in his praise for God. When things came off the rails, he did not turn away from the LORD or stop praising Him. He repented and God forgave him. Then David gave thanks. David’s example is there for us to follow.

Response

LORD God, I always want to have a thankful heart that is quick to praise you. Help me to be steadfast in love and praise even when the way ahead is difficult. You are my help and my glory. Amen.

Your Turn

What does being steadfast look like for you? What activities promote your steadfastness?


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!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

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.


Gethsemane

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 107: 33-42 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
thank you for my personal story of redemption.
Help me to always remain thankful.
I don’t want to be trapped in a cycle.
Help me to be steadfast in pursuing your will.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Gethsemane

They went to a place called Gethsemane,
and Jesus said to his disciples,
“Sit here while I pray.”

 He took Peter, James and John along with him,
and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.

 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,”
he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

 Going a little farther,
he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.

 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.
Take this cup from me.
Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.
“Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep?
Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.
 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
They did not know what to say to him.

 Returning the third time, he said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and resting?
Enough! The hour has come.
Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.

 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
(Mark 14:32-42).

* * *

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.

Are you steadfast or cyclical?

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 107:33-43 (NIV)*

He turned rivers into a desert,
    flowing springs into thirsty ground,
and fruitful land into a salt waste,
    because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

New Mexico desert river (Angus McIntyre)

He turned the desert into pools of water
    and the parched ground into flowing springs;
there he brought the hungry to live,
    and they founded a city where they could settle.
They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;
he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,
    and he did not let their herds diminish.
Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
    by oppression, calamity and sorrow;
he who pours contempt on nobles
made them wander in a trackless waste.
But he lifted the needy out of their affliction
    and increased their families like flocks.
The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.
Let the one who is wise heed these things
    and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD
.

Reflection

I wish I could say that I was always steadfast in my love for the LORD and steadfast in the pursuit of His will and purpose for my life. But in reality, my walk with God has been cyclical. There have been times when I have sensed God’s great love and intimacy, and other times when I have followed the Lord from a distance.

In this concluding portion of Psalm 107, we see the cyclical nature of our love for God on full display. As people cry out to the LORD in their distress, He hears and answers their prayers. The LORD blesses them abundantly. He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle (v. 35-36).

But with increased prosperity, people often forget God who brought the blessing. They assume that wealth and good times have arrived simply because of their own effort. Yes, God expects us to exert some effort. But we can put in effort and get no increase. Ultimately, God is the source of every blessing. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

When we forget to be thankful, we set ourselves on a downward spiral where again we will soon need to repent and call out to God for mercy. We need national and personal steadfastness to the LORD.

Response

Father God, thank you for my personal story of redemption. Help me to always remain thankful. I don’t want to be trapped in a cycle. Help me to be steadfast in pursuing your will. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you steadfast or cyclical in your pursuit of God? How can you become more steadfast?


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!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

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 Predicts Peter’s Denial

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 107: 23-32 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I want to see Jesus and experience him in my life.
Open my eyes to who you really are.
Jesus, please still the storms that roil the seas on which I sail.
I need to hear your calming voice speaking into my life.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

“You will all fall away,”
Jesus told them, “for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered,
“today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice
 you yourself will disown me three times.”

 But Peter insisted emphatically,
“Even if I have to die with you,
I will never disown you.”
And all the others said the same.
(Mark 14:27-31).

* * *

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.

Fear of Drowning

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading:

Reading: Psalm 107:23-32 (NIV)*

Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
They saw the works of the LORD,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
  that lifted high the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders
.

Reflection

There is something very primal or basic about our understanding of God and storms. We know that we cannot control the weather. Storms and floods are acts of God well beyond our limited power. All we can do is call out for God’s mercy just as the men in this vignette from Psalm 107 did. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress (v. 28).

Jesus’ disciples found themselves in an identical situation one day. Fear of drowning is one of those fears that haunts all of us.

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 (Mark 4:37-39).

For the disciples this was one of those experiences that confirmed the deity of Jesus. They were not following an ordinary man, but rather God clothed in human flesh.

Response

LORD God, I want to see Jesus and experience him in my life. Open my eyes to who you really are. Jesus, please still the storms that roil the seas on which I sail. I need to hear your calming voice speaking into my life. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you being hit by the storms of life? Pray and reflect on those times when God has helped you in the past. If you are at peace now, pray for others who are troubled.


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!

People have been praying and praising God using the Psalms for millenia. For those who love God’s word, this three-book series is an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord.

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 12: Humility and the Message Planted in You

You must stop doing anything immoral or evil.
Instead be humble
and accept the message planted in you to save you.

(James 1:21, CEV)

Reflection

Humility. Who needs it?

Humility is a much-overlooked character quality. But then, that’s rather unsurprising. Afterall, humility doesn’t announce its presence with loud shouts, a red carpet, or a trumpet fanfare. But here in today’s reading from the Epistle of James, we have humility playing the central role—a pivotal role.

Humility changes everything.

Change in the human condition cannot happen—will not happen without humility. Humility is the precondition for personal change. Furthermore, today’s verse is all about change:  

You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message planted in you to save you (James 1:21, CEV).

We have no trouble in agreeing with the first part of this verse. You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. We can all see that evil and immorality are rampant in the world. It’s all around us, in our newsfeeds, in the breakdown of societal norms, in harmful addictions, in crime and corruption. We have no problem identifying the problem. We are steeped in it.

We see the immorality and evil in others. But do we see it in ourselves? Far too often the words of Jesus apply to us. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3, NIV)

That’s where self-reflection and humility enter the picture. We only see our faults, imperfections, and misdeeds when we humble ourselves. Pride blinds us to our sins and shortcomings.

What can save us from our blind and wretched condition?

James 1:21 clearly tells us that the message is planted in you to save you. Jesus is the message of salvation. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus lived a sinless life and suffered in our stead to purchase our redemption.

Today will you receive the message—the gospel message? Will you let it grow within you? That will take humility. It means admitting your failures and your needy condition.

Who needs humility? I do.

Response

Lord God, forgive my pride. I humble myself before you. Thank you for sending Jesus. I need his help. Lord Jesus, I receive you as my Savior. Plant your word—your message within me. Help me to grow daily in my knowledge and love for you. I thank you for your amazing grace and love for me. Amen.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

He Led Them by a Straight Way

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to Psalm 107:1-9 read by Jonathan Dent.

Reading: Psalm 107:1-9  (NIV)*

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
 Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south.
Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things
.


Response

Father God, I am thankful that I have a story of redemption. You intervened in my life. You sent Jesus to pay the price for my sin. Your Holy Spirit led me to the cross. Today, I thank you for satisfying my thirst and filling my life with good things. Amen.

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.

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 Anointed at Bethany

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


Today’s
Reading:
Psalm 107: 17-22 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Father God,
send your word.
Send your word and heal those who are sick.
Send your word and save and transform those who are hostile to you.
Send your word and resurrect those who are spiritually dead
in their trespasses and sins.
LORD God, send your living word.
 Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Anointed at Bethany

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away,
and the chief priests
and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.

“But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper,
a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume,
made of pure nard.
She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another,
“Why this waste of perfume?

It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages
and the money given to the poor.”
And they rebuked her harshly.

 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus.
“Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
 The poor you will always have with you,
 and you can help them any time you want.
But you will not always have me.
 She did what she could.
She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.

 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world,
what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve,
went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.

 They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money.
So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
(Mark 14:1-11).

* * *

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.