Psalm 27 - 2.27.25

Psalm 27:1-3

S - 1The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

O - Like many psalms, King David wrote this from a season of trouble. Yet it is a song of confidence and triumph: because David was not in darkness or ultimate peril because the LORD was his light and salvation. (Blue Letter Bible). God offers help for today and hope for the future. Unwavering confidence in God is our antidote for fear and loneliness.

A – Fear is darkness. It envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. It can overwhelm us, causing physical and emotional sickness. We all experience fear at one time or another. I believe how do we react in the face of our fears, and how we get through it, says a lot about our walk with Jesus. Are we allowing HIM to be our helpmate, our protector. Do we put our trust in HIM to make it through?

Hebrews 13:6 6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
                 What can mere mortals do to me?”

Seriously! What can they do? People may not like us, there may be bills we cannot pay, the economy and decisions being made on a global level are indeed troublesome. We may be in a relationship that is volatile and hurts us emotionally and/or physically. We or someone we love may have a sickness we cannot escape. However, if we REALLY believe that God is who He says He is, and that we as Christians have already received our eternal salvation, then WHY do we spend so much time being fearful over temporary circumstances and situations? Especially ones outside our control. Why do we let ourselves go down a rabbit hole of worry and/or depression. People are so lost and hurt, fearful, and full of anxiety. They are angry, sad, lonely, and many are suicidal, or one step away from becoming so.  Mental illness statistics have become increasingly alarming.

2024 results of the American Psychiatric Association’s annual mental health poll show that U.S. adults are feeling increasingly anxious. In 2024, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year, up from 37% in 2023 and 32% in 2022. Adults are particularly anxious about current events (70%) — especially the economy (77%), the 2024 U.S. election (73%), and gun violence (69%). This increase may be due to the unprecedented exposure that we have to everything that happens in the world around us, or to an increased awareness and reporting of anxiety. (psychiatry.org) 

In 2025, the United States witnessed a significant rise in suicide rates, reaching levels not seen since 1941 according to the USN. The age-adjusted suicide rate climbed to 14.7 deaths per 100,000 individuals, surpassing the 2022 rate of 14.2. This marks a concerning 30% increase over the past two decades. Notably, the number of suicide deaths in 2024 exceeded 49,300, indicating a persistent upward trend. (nchstats.com)

Those numbers are astounding and should NOT BE! As Christians, we need to always be praying. Praying for ourselves, our friends and family, our community, the leaders, our nation and our youth!

Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious [or fearful] for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

As Katie has discussed in our recent Dream Team meetings, Science has been able to prove that there are so many positive, physical changes to our brains as we pray. We can literally rewire the way our brains work by praying regularly and reduce the fear and anxiety within. Attached is a link for anyone who wants to delve further into this. It’s pretty amazing.  New research says praying can change your brain, no kidding | Broadview Magazine

P – Lord, I pray that as a church family we would encourage one another to pray! To pray alone, pray corporately, to pray with and for others around us. May we be the light needed in the darkness to defend ourselves and others from the darkness that tries to defeat us with worry and fear. I pray we would turn off the “News” loops and the social media that add to our fear and anxiety and instead, turn to Your Word for comfort and guidance. Help us to point others in the same direction. Help us to pray in a way that changes the trajectory of our suicide, anxiety, and mental illness percentages. May we be like David, filled with that unwavering confidence and assurance that comes from YOU alone!

Amen!

- Crystal Flory

2 Kings 13 - 2.26.25

Scripture

2 Kings 13:4-6 Then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him, for he saw how severely the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. The Lord provided a deliverer for Israel, and they escaped from the power of Aram. So the Israelites lived in their own homes as they had before. But they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, which he had caused Israel to commit; they continued in them.

Observation

The book of Kings tells the stories of the kings of Israel who came after David. With few exceptions, they were corrupt and followed other gods, leading the people farther and farther away from the one true God, until the collapse of Israel and the exile of its people.

In the middle of a long line of kings who refused to follow God, Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor and the Lord listened to him. God granted favor. But even then, the people did not turn from their sin and continued on the path to ruin.

Application

We cannot earn God’s love and salvation. He freely gives it, even though we do not deserve it. When we ask, He shows us mercy and grace, forgives our sin, and restores us into relationship with Him. But that does not mean that we should test God. 

We are humans and no human is, or ever will be, perfect. We have all sinned, and even when we come into relationship with God, we will continue to sin. So how do we reconcile that with Jesus' command to go and sin no more? This is a question I continue to wrestle with. If I truly love and want to serve God, why would I continue to sin? Here is an understanding that I am coming to: I continue to try to earn my salvation. My goal should not be to attain perfection, my goal should be to follow God. When I focus on my sin and my failure, I am putting the attention and importance on myself instead of God. Following God is not about working in my own strength to attain perfection for myself. It is about putting God first and following Him with my whole heart. 

Romans 6:15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

When I acknowledge my weakness and failure, I acknowledge His lordship. When I acknowledge my sin, I understand my need for a savior. The more I pour myself into running after God, soaking Him in, letting Him fill me up and change me, the less room I have for sin. 

Prayer

Lord, may my heart’s desire first and always be to please you. May I love the Lord My God with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind. May I always be open to your promptings and correction. Thank you for your unfailing love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. 

- Debbie Dunn

Psalm 25 - 2.25.25

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 25:4 - 5

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

OBSERVATION

This is a Psalm of David which shares his trust and faith in God. It was hard to choose which specific scripture of this Psalm to use because each and every part of it is wonderful. I love how David is so open and real about what he’s done in life (vs 7: Do not remember the sins of my youth) and in his praises (vs. 2: I trust in you; vs 8: Good and upright is the Lord; vs 10: All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful).

In reflection, this scripture is very similar to one of my favorite Psalms in 139:23-24 (which was also written by David):

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” 

APPLICATION

The heart of this scripture really points to being humble before the Lord. David is asking to be shown God’s ways, teach His paths, and to be guided in His truth. If David (or us) were not humble before the Lord, it would be impossible to ask for these things. It’s similar to when we think there’s no need to ask for instructions, directions, or input from those around us because in our own mind, we’ve got it all covered. That’s the opposite of being humble. It is very easily revert to the “I can do it myself” mentality. For me personally, I’m inquisitive and like to figure things out on my own but know my limitations. As an example, I tought myself how to work on computers (software and hardware) and how to do regular maintenance on my mom’s Chevy Vega (yes, cue the jokes). After gathering the right tools, I learned how to change the oil and do a tune up on the car. But if I needed to overhaul the engine, I knew that was beyond my abilities. Knowing your limitations is important in life but when it comes to anything relating to approaching the Lord’s throne, there’s no other way but in humbleness.

There are 73 references in the Bible where the word “Humble” is used. Many of them are in the Old Testament with 16 references in the New Testament. I guess the topic of being humble is important! One of my favorite scriptures about being humble is James 4:10 which says “ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James is referencing this because earlier in James 4:6 he quotes Proverbs 3:34 ““God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  I sure don’t want to be opposed by God and would rather have His favor.

God is willing to show us His ways, to teach us, to guide us down the path He has for our life, and to reveal all His truths.  All it takes is a humble heart before God. We can then receive God’s hope – all day long – because of our humbleness before God.

PRAYER

Lord, I’m so thankful for your Word which comforts my heart. You, Lord, are the only one worthy. My trust is in you! Thank you for allowing me (and all of us) the opportunity to come before your throne, in humbleness, to ask for your help in following you, to teach me all that you want me to learn, and to guide me each step of my life’s journey. I need you, Lord, for everything. You are my all, my everything, my life. Help me to always be humble before you, to seek you for everything, and to never rely on anything other than you. In Jesus name! Amen

- Mary Oberg