Category Archives: Psalms

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 73, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I want to have your perspective.
I want to see as you see.
Help me to set my thoughts on the right path.
Remind me to take time to be with you.
But as for me,
it is good to be near God.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him,
and placed the child among them.
And he said:
“Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position
of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever welcomes one such child
in my name welcomes me.
(Matthew 18:1-5).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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.

The Brutal Honesty of the Psalmist

10 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)*

When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.
Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.
Those who are far from you will perish;
    you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
    I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
    I will tell of all your deeds.

Reflection

I love the brutal honesty of the psalmist. I always like to think I am the smartest one in the room, but the truth is I am very capable of pride and wrong-headed thinking. And wrong thinking often leads to hurtful words or unwise actions. Take a moment to consider the psalmist’s confession: When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you (v. 21-22).

That’s brutal honesty. Are we that honest with God when our reasoning goes off the straight and narrow rails? Or do we justify our thoughts and blame God or others when we are ticked off?

We need to come into God’s sanctuary to have our hearts and minds tuned into the LORD’s thinking. The LORD reminds us that He knows the big picture. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

When we are in God’s presence, we can have our affections adjusted. All too often I have my priorities all messed up. What about you? The amazing truth about God is He loves us despite our mess ups. The psalmist knows the power of that love. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (v. 23-24).

 What a patient, loving God we serve! This should become our humble confession: Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (25-26).

Response

LORD God, I want to have your perspective. I want to see as you see. Help me to set my thoughts on the right path. Remind me to take time to be with you. But as for me, it is good to be near God (v. 28). Amen.

Your Turn

How do you get your affections in tune with God? What steps do you need to take?

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.

The Temple Tax

09 Tuesday Jun 2026

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
bring me to your sanctuary.
Help me to enter into communion with you.
Help me discern what is of real value
in a world filled with idols and shams.
Give me your understanding.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Temple Tax

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum,
the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax
came to Peter and asked,
“Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house,
Jesus was the first to speak.
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked.
“From whom do the kings of the earth
collect duty and taxes—
from their own children or from others?”

“From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,”
Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not cause offense,
go to the lake and throw out your line.
Take the first fish you catch;
open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(Matthew 17:24-27).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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.

The Light of Understanding

09 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:12-20 (NIV)*

This is what the wicked are like—
    always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
    and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
    and every morning brings new punishments.
 If I had spoken out like that,
    I would have betrayed your children.
When I tried to understand all this,
    it troubled me deeply
 till I entered the sanctuary of God;
    then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
    you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
    when you arise, Lord,
    you will despise them as fantasies.

Reflection

Psalm 73 is all about the envy we often experience when we look at the lives of the rich and famous. We live in a world of glitz and glamor. Glitz and glamor are pumped at us relentlessly through various forms of media. The common man or woman is just an insignificant nobody in light of the celebrity culture that pervades our society.

I find it fascinating that a psalm written more than 2,500 years ago is so relevant for us who live in the twenty-first century. The psalmist laments, “This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth” (v. 12).

But there is a turning point in this psalm. The light of understanding comes on for the psalmist; the truth dawns on him. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny (16-17).

Understanding comes in God’s sanctuary. When we enter that holy place, the Lord can give us His perspective. We can see as He sees. A man’s arrogant boasting is exposed for what it is—a breath of hot air. There is no permanence to human wealth or achievement. In the eons of time, all is swept away. Only what is built on the Christ the solid rock will endure for eternity. True value, true worth and permanence are found in our union with God in His sanctuary—in His sacred place. I pray you and I will be found there.

Response

LORD God, bring me to your sanctuary. Help me to enter into communion with you. Help me discern what is of real value in a world filled with idols and shams. Give me your understanding. Amen.

Your Turn

How do you enter God’s sanctuary? Does your heart need to be prepared?

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.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 73, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
help me to tend to the garden of my own heart.
When envy raises its head,
help me to decapitate that thought.
I fix my affections on you
and not the things of this world.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

When they came to the crowd,
a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said.
“He has seizures and is suffering greatly.
He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples,
but they could not heal him.”

 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”
Jesus replied,
“how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you?
Bring the boy here to me.” 
Jesus rebuked the demon,
and it came out of the boy,
and he was healed at that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked,
“Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

He replied,
“Because you have so little faith.
Truly I tell you,
if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’
and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
(Matthew 17:14-21).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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.

Envy of the Arrogant

08 Monday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 73, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 73:1-11 (NIV)*

Surely God is good to Israel,
    to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
    I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
    they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
    they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity;
    their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
    with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
    and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
    and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, “How would God know?
    Does the Most High know anything?

Reflection

The last of the Ten Commandments warns us against the sin of covetousness. In one important respect this commandment is different from the other nine. Covetousness or envy is a sin of the mind. It is theft in germ form. It is the seed thought of adultery. Envy is the precondition of a sinful act, not the act itself.

Here in Psalm 73 the psalmist catches himself on a slippery slope leading to a more serious sin. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

I certainly can identify with the psalmist. I think we all have had moments when we thought in our hearts that God is not fair. Why is that person prospering when I am not? To the best of my abilities, I am doing everything right—by the book—yet the road is hard, and the rewards are meagre. Meanwhile, arrogant unbelievers are prospering—seemingly blessed by God. Where is the justice in that?

The root issue here is envy—our envy. God is not accountable to us; we are accountable to Him. Our hearts need tending, not God’s heart. In His time and His way God will deal with the arrogant and evil person. It’s my responsibility to deal with my thoughts and the attitude of my heart.

Response

LORD God, help me to tend to the garden of my own heart. When envy raises its head, help me to decapitate that thought. I fix my affections on you and not the things of this world. Amen.

Your Turn

Do you have moments of envy? What works for you in countering such thoughts?

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.

A Prayer for Strength and Faithfulness in Old Age

06 Saturday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 69, Psalms

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Listen to Psalm 71:9-18 read by Jonathan Dent

Reading: Psalm 71:9-18 (NIV)*

Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”
Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more
My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Response

LORD God, thank you for your presence with me since my youth. Continue to fill my life with joy, meaning and purpose. Day by day, be my help and strength until I see you face to face. Amen.

 

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.

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 Predicts His Death

05 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 72:12-20 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
help me to see my many blessings
as a gift from you.
Show me today how I can be a blessing to others.
You are my source.
Lord,
give me a generous spirit like you have.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Predicts His Death

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem
and suffer many things at the hands of the elders,
the chief priests and the teachers of the law,
and that he must be killed
and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
“Never, Lord!” he said.
“This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me;
you do not have in mind the concerns of God,
but merely human concerns.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit their soul?
Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come
in his Father’s glory with his angels,
and then he will reward each person
according to what they have done.

“Truly I tell you,
some who are standing here
will not taste death
before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(Matthew 16:21-28).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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.

The Conclusion of King Solomon’s Prayer

05 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 72, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 72:12-20 (NIV)*

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
    the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
    and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
    for precious is their blood in his sight. Long may he live!
    May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
    and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;
    on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
    and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever;
    may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
    and they will call him blessed.
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
    who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

Reflection

This is the concluding portion of Solomon’s prayer. Many scholars view this as David’s prayer for Solomon, rather than a prayer written by Solomon. In either case, it is a prayer calling for God’s blessing on the king and the nation. This brings us to a question. What is the purpose of God’s blessing? Is it only for personal benefit?

The answer can be found in the first few lines above. The righteous king is blessed and given wealth and authority so he can be a blessing to others. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight (v. 13-14).

The great danger for any of us is that when blessings come, we accumulate these blessings for ourselves alone. Along with God’s blessings comes a responsibility to share and identify with those in need within our borders and beyond. We serve a God with a big heart. His love extends far beyond our narrow interests. God blesses His people abundantly, so we can in turn bless others.

What a privilege we have to reflect the LORD’s character in a hurting world!

Response

LORD God, help me to see my many blessings as a gift from you. Show me today how I can be a blessing to others. You are my source. Lord, give me a generous spirit like you have. Amen.

Your Turn

Are you tempted to keep all of God’s blessings for yourself? How generous is your spirit?

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.

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

04 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 72:1-11 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD Jesus,
have dominion over me.
I willingly submit to your rule.
You are my King and my God.
I willingly bow my knees before you.
Reign over me,
and in me to the end of time.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied,
“Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah;
and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?”
he asked.
“Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood,
but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 
Then he ordered his disciples
not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
(Matthew 16:13-20).

* * *

Dear friends,
 if our hearts do not condemn us,
we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask, 
because we keep his commands 
and do what pleases him.
(1 John 3:21-22 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.