Tag Archives: Kingdom of God

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

31 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 96, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 96: 7-13(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD,
I want to see your glory and strength.
I acknowledge your attributes.
You are holy, merciful, and just.
Thank you for your righteous judgments.
Help me see the good in others.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Again he said,
“What shall we say the kingdom of God is like,
or what parable shall we use to describe it?
It is like a mustard seed,
which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
 Yet when planted,
it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants,
with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them,
as much as they could understand.
He did not say anything to them without using a parable.
But when he was alone with his own disciples,
he explained everything.
(Mark 4:30-34).

* * *

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.

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 Parable of the Growing Seed

28 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 96, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 96: 1-6(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I want to praise you.
Give me news songs and new melodies to sing your praise.
Your goodness and love abound.
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Parable of the Growing Seed

He also said,
“This is what the kingdom of God is like. 
A man scatters seed on the ground.
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up,
the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
All by itself the soil produces grain—
first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.
As soon as the grain is ripe,
he puts the sickle to it,
because the harvest has come.”
(Mark 4:26-29).

* * *

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.

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 Lamp on a Stand

27 Thursday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 95, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 95: 7-11(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD, give me ears that hear your voice
gently speaking to me.
Give me a heart that is quick to obey.
I want a tender heart
that reflects your love for me and for others.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
A Lamp on a Stand

He said to them,
 “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?
Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?
 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed,
and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
 If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. 
“With the measure you use,
it will be measured to you—and even more.
 Whoever has will be given more;
whoever does not have,
even what they have will be taken from them.”
(Mark 4:21-25).

* * *

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.

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 Twelve Apostles

26 Wednesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 95, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 95: 1-7(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
you know all things.
We were created for your purpose.
Help us to live our lives in service to you.
We are the flock under your care.
Please extend your hand of mercy and blessing
to those we know who are suffering or grieving
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
The Twelve Apostles

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray,
and spent the night praying to God.
When morning came,
he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them,
whom he also designated apostles:
 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called the Zealot,
Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot,
who became a traitor.
(Luke 6:12-16).

* * *

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.

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 Is Lord of the Sabbath

25 Tuesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 94, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 94: 16-23(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I am so glad that first and foremost
I live under your Kingdom rule.
You are my King.
I find unfailing love and consolation in knowing you.
Guide the leaders of our land
into paths of righteousness,
wisdom, and truth.
Amen.

   — — — —

 

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields,
and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain,
rub them in their hands and eat the kernels.
Some of the Pharisees asked,
“Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Jesus answered them,
“Have you never read what David did
when he and his companions were hungry?
He entered the house of God,
and taking the consecrated bread,
he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat.
And he also gave some to his companions.” 
Then Jesus said to them,
“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching,
and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law
were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus,
so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 
But Jesus knew what they were thinking
and said to the man with the shriveled hand,
“Get up and stand in front of everyone.” 
So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, 
“I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath:
to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

He looked around at them all,
and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” 
He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious
and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
(Luke 6:1-11).

* * *

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.

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 Questioned About Fasting

24 Monday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 94, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 94: 8-15(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I confess that I need your discipline.
I want to become like your Son, Jesus.
Help me to learn from the difficult experiences of life.
I want to live my life as your obedient child.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Questioned About Fasting

They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray,
and so do the disciples of the Pharisees,
but yours go on eating and drinking.”

Jesus answered,
“Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?
But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them;
in those days they will fast.”

He told them this parable:
“No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one.
Otherwise,
they will have torn the new garment,
and the patch from the new will not match the old.
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins.
Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins;
the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined.
No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.
And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say,
‘The old is better.’”
(Luke 5:33-39).

* * *

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.

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 Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

21 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in Psalm 94, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 94: 1-7(NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
thank you for the peace and security I enjoy.
Many are not so fortunate.
I don’t want to take my peace and prosperity for granted.
Show me how I can be of help in this troubled world.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

After this, Jesus went out
and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth.
“Follow me,” Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law
who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples,
“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
 I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.”
(Luke 5:27-32).

* * *

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.

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 at the Temple

25 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 78, Psalms

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


Today’s Reading: Psalm 78:17-22 (NIV)*

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

LORD God,
I humbly ask you for the gift of faith—
faith to sustain me through the tough times ahead.
You are my help, my salvation, and my deliverer.
I praise you for your faithfulness.
Amen.

   — — — —

Gospel Reading:
Jesus at the Temple

Jesus entered the temple courts
and drove out all who were buying and selling there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers
and the benches of those selling doves.
“It is written,”
he said to them,
“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’
but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple,
and he healed them.
But when the chief priests
and the teachers of the law
saw the wonderful things he did
and the children shouting in the temple courts,
“Hosanna to the Son of David,”
they were indignant.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?”
they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany,
where he spent the night.
(Matthew 21:12-17).

* * *

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.

Obedience on the Day of Battle

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 78, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 78:9-16 (NIV)*

The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
    turned back on the day of battle;
 they did not keep God’s covenant
    and refused to live by his law.
They forgot what he had done,
    the wonders he had shown them.
He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
    in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
He divided the sea and led them through;
    he made the water stand up like a wall.
He guided them with the cloud by day
    and with light from the fire all night.
 He split the rocks in the wilderness
    and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
he brought streams out of a rocky crag
    and made water flow down like rivers.

Reflection

Today’s reading from Psalm 78 discusses the cowardly behavior of the men of Ephraim. Though they were well-armed, they turned back on the day of battle. There are numerous instances in the annals of war, when a superior force was overwhelmed by fighters who were fewer in number, poorly equipped or both. Why does that happen?

Undoubtedly, armchair generals can provide a list of reasons for the poor performance of “superior forces” in a variety of historic battles. In every instance, the psychology or spirit of the troops is a contributing factor to their success or failure in war. In the case of the men of Ephraim, the psalmist tells us they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them (v. 10-11). How could this forgetfulness lead to defeat in battle?

Actually, Christian men are daily defeated in battle because they refuse to live by God’s commands, and they forget God is all-powerful. Soldiers who do not obey orders can’t be counted on in the day of battle. An army that knows its proud history is likely to rise to the occasion, rather than slink off in retreat. It has often been said that past performance is the best predictor of future results.

In the daily battles of life, how are you performing? Are you keeping God’s covenant and obeying the orders of Jesus, our commander-in-chief? Do you realize He is victorious over death, hell, and the grave? He’s no second-class wimp. Compared to our Lord, Satan is the second-class wimp, and when you come under the Lord’s command you are on the winning side; so live like it and act like it. He is the miracle worker. Today, the first miracle He is working on is the transformation of your life and mine. Are you up for the challenge, or like the men of Ephraim will you turn back on the day of battle?

Response

LORD God, today I accept the challenge to follow you with all my mind, heart, soul, and strength. Give me ears to hear and obey your commands. I pray in Jesus’ all-powerful name. Amen.  

Your Turn

Why is daily obedience so crucial to the advancement of the kingdom of God? Have you been obedient to the Lord’s most recent command?

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.

Blessing so we might bless

13 Wednesday May 2026

Posted by in Psalm 64, Psalm 67, Psalms

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Today’s Devotion from Psalms 365 by David Kitz

Listen to today’s reading by Jonathan Dent:

Reading: Psalm 67 (NIV)*

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song.
May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
The land yields its harvest;
    God, our God, blesses us.
May God bless us still,
    so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Reflection

This is perhaps the most evangelical of all the psalms. By that I mean there is good news in this psalm, and the good news of God’s loving-kindness, which is found here, is not to be kept to oneself. It is to be taken to the whole world. Twice within this short psalm the psalmist declares, “May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.”

Like any loving parent, God draws pleasure from blessing his children. But is there a divine motivation that extends beyond the family of God. As the opening verse of this psalm makes clear, God desires to bless us, so his ways and his salvation may be known all over this world.

So then, Psalm 67 should be our prayer, not only for us, but for the world. That includes the world that does not know Jesus. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations (v. 1-2).

 In other words, God’s blessing is not to be selfishly hoarded. It is to extend around the world and beyond the family of God. Is God in fact, blessing us abundantly, so we may in turn bless others? Is he blessing us, so we may make his salvation known among all nations? That certainly would appear to be the plan according to Psalm 67.

There is a great harvest day coming on the earth. It is not a harvest of wheat, corn, or rice, but a harvest of souls that will be swept into the Kingdom of God. If this psalm is to be believed, it is a harvest propelled and swelled by our joyous praise.

Is your thanksgiving for God’s blessing extending beyond the borders of your family?

Response

LORD God, I thank you for all the blessings you have showered on my life. Most of all I thank you for my salvation through Jesus Christ. Show me how I can extend your blessing to others. Amen.

Your Turn

 How is your thanksgiving for God’s blessing extending beyond the borders of your family? How have you taken the message of God’s salvation across international borders?

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.