Tag Archives: Jesus

The Great Commission

03 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 89, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 89: 5-13(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I marvel at your wisdom and power.
But most of all I marvel at your love—
love that encompasses all—even me.
Help me to excel at pleasing you.
Thank you, LORD!
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him;
but some doubted.
Then Jesus came to them and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:16-20).

* * *

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us:
He has given us of his Spirit.
(1 John 4:13 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.

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

02 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by in James

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Day 2: Are You Numbered among the Twelve Tribes?

Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world. (James 1:1b, CEV)

Reflection

Every letter has an intended audience. Having introduced himself as “James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ,” James now goes on to identify his audience as “the twelve tribes scattered all over the world.”

So, who is James addressing? Who are these twelve tribes?

If you have read the Old Testament scriptures the answer to that question appears to be obvious. The twelve tribes are the descendants of the patriarch Jacob, whom the LORD renamed Israel after he wrestled with God at Peniel. (See Genesis 32:27-30.) More specifically the twelve tribes are the descendants of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulan, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamen. (See Genesis 49:1-28.)

So then, the Epistle of James is addressed solely to the descendants of Israel. But is this narrow interpretation correct? If so, this letter from James and the teaching found therein has no bearing on me. I am not a descendant of the twelve tribes. Why then is this epistle included in the New Testament canon? Does this phrase the twelve tribes scattered all over the world have a broader meaning?

There is ample evidence to suggest that the phrase “twelve tribes” is inclusive of all Christian believers regardless of race or nationality. Under the new covenant ushered in by Jesus, followers of Christ are the new Israel of God (Galatians 6:14–16).

The view that the phrase “twelve tribes scattered all over the world” is a description of the church as the new Israel is strengthened by Peter’s use of a similar phrase in 1 Peter 1:1. Peter addresses his letter to “the exiles of the Dispersion” (RSV) or scattering.

The son’s of Jacob seize Joseph their brother. Picture by Gracefiber.com

The point being made here is that the apostles saw all those who were redeemed by Christ as heirs of the new kingdom that he was establishing. This new kingdom is the “Israel of God” which James metaphorically calls the “twelve tribes” of the dispersion. According to Paul, the new converts are all the children of Abraham by faith. Thus, it includes all the redeemed who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7).

It logically follows that the Epistle of James is addressed to Christian believers everywhere and for all time.

Response

Lord God, thank you for including me in the Israel of God by your grace through faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ your Son. I praise you as a citizen of your heavenly kingdom. Amen.

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The Guards’ Report

31 Friday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 89, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 89: 1-4(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I am so glad that I’m your child forever.
You have loved me and welcomed me into your family.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Guards’ Report

While the women were on their way,
some of the guards went into the city
and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.
When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan,
they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say,
‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’
If this report gets to the governor,
we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed.
And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
(Matthew 28:11-15).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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.

Jesus Has Risen

30 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 88, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 88: 9-18(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
when I am down,
I cry to you for help.
You are my hope when all hope is gone.
Come to me in the dark times of my life.
At such times I need you the most.
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Has Risen

After the Sabbath,
at dawn on the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake,
for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and,
going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women,
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
Come and see the place where he lay.
Then go quickly and tell his disciples:
‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.
There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb,
afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said.
They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:1-10).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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 Guard at the Tomb

29 Wednesday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 88, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 88 1-8(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I need your comfort.
Hear my prayer and answer me.
In this time of sorrow show me a sign of your love and favor, Lord.
I confess that the never-ending love of Jesus sustains me.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Guard at the Tomb

The next day, the one after Preparation Day,
the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said,
‘After three days I will rise again.’
So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day.
Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body
and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead.
This last deception will be worse than the first.”

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered.
“Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
So they went and made the tomb secure
by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
(Matthew 27:62-66).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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 Burial of Jesus

28 Tuesday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 87, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 87(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for being so personal—so intimate with me.
I want to honor and serve you in my community.
Be present and active here.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Burial of Jesus

As evening approached,
there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph,
who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body,
and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
and placed it in his own new tomb
that he had cut out of the rock.
He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
(Matthew 27:57-61).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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 Death of Jesus

27 Monday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 86, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 86:14-17(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I want to see you as you are,
full of compassion and grace.
Help me to show compassion and mercy to others.
I want to meditate on your word
so that I can know you as you truly are.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Death of Jesus

From noon until three in the afternoon
darkness came over all the land.
About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

When some of those standing there heard this,
they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge.
He filled it with wine vinegar,
put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.
 The rest said, “Now leave him alone.
Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.
The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.
They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection
and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him
who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake
and all that had happened,
they were terrified, and exclaimed,
“Surely he was the Son of God!”

Many women were there, watching from a distance.
They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 
Among them were Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James and Joseph,
and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
(Matthew 27:45-56).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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.

A Devotional Journey through the Epistle of James

26 Sunday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalms

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Day 1: A Servant First

From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. (James 1:1a)

Reflection

Like most New Testament epistle writers, James begins his letter by introducing himself. There is something different, noteworthy, even startling about his introduction.

In his epistle to the Colossian church, Paul introduces himself with these words: From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is also a follower. (Colossians 1:1) Peter begins his first epistle with this introduction: From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:1) But James simply states that he is “a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The casual reader may well conclude that James does not call himself an apostle because he is not an apostle, but that is not true. Like Paul, he had a direct personal encounter with the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7-8), and Paul lists him first among the three esteemed apostolic pillars of the church. (See Galatians 2:9.) Proof of his authority can be seen as he presided over the Council of Jerusalem that welcomed Gentiles into the church. (See Acts 15.) In short, James occupied the highest earthly position in the New Testament church.

Furthermore, Paul identifies James not only as an apostle but as the brother of Jesus: I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. (Galatians 1:19) None of the other apostles can claim this familial relationship with our Lord.

But in his introduction James mentions none of this. Rather than refer to these extraordinary qualifications, he simply calls himself “a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A servant—that’s a genteel, sanitized description. The Greek term δοῦλος (doulos) translated here as servant might better be translated and understood as slave or bondservant.

Jesus in prayer before his arrest.

Why does James assume this lowly position? Why not announce his authority and declare his pre-eminent role in the church? The answer is James knew Jesus. He knew Jesus deeply—like no other human. Jesus came as a δοῦλος, a male slave. He did not exalt himself. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8b) Jesus calls his followers to do the same—to humble ourselves—to die to ourselves.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

James got the memo. Have we?

Response

Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you. Help me assume the position of a humble servant before others. You have shown us the way. We praise and thank you now. Amen.

New from David Kitz.

To view further details or purchase click here.

 

The Crucifixion of Jesus

24 Friday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 86, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 86:8-13(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
 unite my heart to praise your name.
I don’t want to be distracted by the pursuits of this world.
I set my affection on you.
Thank you for loving me as your child.
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
The Crucifixion of Jesus

As they were going out,
they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon,
and they forced him to carry the cross.
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).
There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;
but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.
Above his head they placed the written charge against him:
this is jesus, the king of the jews.

Two rebels were crucified with him,
one on his right and one on his left.
Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying,
“You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself!
Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 
In the same way the chief priests
the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him.
“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!
He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross,
and we will believe in him.
He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him,
for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”
In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
(Matthew 27:32-44).

* * *

The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.
And this is how we know that he lives in us:
We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 3:24 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.

 God of Israel, Lord Over All

24 Friday Jul 2026

Posted by in Psalm 86, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 86:8-13 (NIV)*

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
    no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made
    will come and worship before you, Lord;
    they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
    you alone are God.
Teach me your way, LORD,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

Reflection

Today’s reading from Psalm 86 begins with this prophetic declaration. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, but within this prayer David makes this prophetic statement about all nations worshipping the Lord. By the Spirit of God, David saw and declared what is to come. In the pantheistic world of his time, David saw that the God he served was not a local or national god. He saw that Yahweh, the LORD was, is and will be the Lord overall. How could David know that the God of Israel would come to be worshipped in every nation on the earth?

David grasped the big picture. Or a better explanation might be that the God of the big picture grasped David and revealed this truth to him. Through David’s line would come a Savior—a Savior named Jesus—a Jewish Savior for the whole world.

Stained glass of King David in St. Peter’s church in Fordham, UK (Flickr/Simon Webster)

Why was David able to receive such a profound revelation? We are given a clue in the words of his prayer. Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

The answer may lie in David’s heart. He had an undivided heart. In other words, he was wholehearted in his love for the Lord. He had a single-minded focus on God. He says just that in the next line of his prayer. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

Are you wholehearted in your love and praise for the Lord?

Response

LORD God, unite my heart to praise your name. I don’t want to be distracted by the pursuits of this world. I set my affection on you. Thank you for loving me as your child. Amen.

Your Turn

What are some of the things that distract you from loving and fearing God? How can you develop an undivided heart?

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.