Psalm 131 - 1.1.26

Scripture:

“My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭131‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation: 

I believe David writes in this psalm to testify about the importance of where we find our contentment and where we focus our minds.

He uses this metaphor of a weened child to help us visualize what it means to know the source of our life. A child knows that their mother is what brought them into this world and lives in dependence. This psalm invites us to rid ourselves of dependence on anything else and live humbly dependent on our abba father.

As I read this psalm, I was so thankful that this was going to be offered to us to read as a church on the 1st day of 2026. So often, the first day of a new year brings us to feel like we have to add so much to our lives in order to change them into our ideal lives.

David is testifying to us of what it looks like to be people who live letting go of what is futile and what clutters our minds. To care for this world by not consuming it to the point of destroying ourselves, rather consuming Christ and finding hope and contentment fully in Him, in order to love this world and God’s people well. In order to walk into this new year and strongly represent Jesus as His disciples and His children, we must be strengthened by the things we consume and what we focus our minds and hearts on. This psalm offers us a chance to declutter our minds and souls by fixating on what brings true contentment to our lives always—resting our hope in the Lord and living to prioritize His presence. We must see that in order for 2026 to be the year that God has for us, finding all our hope in the Lord and living to prioritize His presence will be the pathway there.

Like a weened child, 2026 can be the year of knowing we need a beautiful relationship with the source of all peace, all hope, all joy, all love, and all life. We will undoubtably find that if we daily and moment-to-moment choose to fixate our eyes and whole lives on our ultimate comfort rather than temporary comforts or distractions found on our phones, in the media, and in this world.

Application:

* Today, a way you can tangibly apply this scripture is to physically set aside your phone and any media for the first day of 2026. Put your phone in a drawer for an hour or the whole day to help you notice the noise and eliminate it. I love this quote from John Mark Comer:

“This new epidemic of distraction is our civilization’s specific weakness. And its threat is not so much to our minds, even as they shape-shift under the pressure. The threat is to our souls. At this rate, if the noise does not relent, we might even forget we have any.” - John Mark Comer from Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

By setting aside distraction for the first day of 2026, you may recognize how much your mind is consumed with noise and weight that is not yours to carry. In this time pick up time in the beautify and presence of the Lord. 

* As our church heads into 28 days of prayer and fasting, print this psalm out and put it somewhere you can continually see it - do this to remind yourself that letting go of what is not meant for you and handing it to God, who is meant to hold it for us, and is worth it in the long run. 

Prayer:

Abba father,

Thank you for being the father who cares to carry us and all we try to hold on our own, even when it is not ours to hold. Thank you for your patience with us as we navigate living in this world while not becoming it. Lord teach us the way David lived. Show us the fruit that comes from setting aside the things that consume our minds when they are not supposed to be carried by us. Teach us to lay things down and find contentment in being dependent on you, rather than comforts of this world.  Help me not concern myself with what is too great for my arms to hold, help me learn to hand this off and into your arms and strength.  I love you so much Lord, I love you and all you are. In your name, Amen.

- Tess Schrupp

Acts 27 - 12.31.25

Scripture: Acts 27:22-25

But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

Observation

Paul is on a ship with other prisoners bound for Rome. He is going to plead his case before Caesar. On the way, the ship is overcome by a devastating storm. Even though it looks like all will perish, the centurion in charge follows Paul’s advice, and although there is a shipwreck, all survive.

Two things stood out to me as I read Acts 27:

1. Even in the midst of what looks like the most impossible situation, God is faithful and will fulfill his purposes.

2. Paul’s faith and leadership resulted in many others being saved.

Application

We now know how God used Paul’s trip to Rome to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul took the gospel directly to the center of the Roman Empire. He spent two years under house arrest, preaching about Jesus to all who would hear and writing letters to churches throughout the empire. I don’t think Paul knew the huge role he would play in spreading the gospel. He just knew that God had called him to go to Rome, and he had the faith to believe that God would fulfill his promises.

Not only was Paul a man of great faith, he used that faith and his God given wisdom to influence and impact others. In this instance, he advised the centurion in charge and the centurion listened and followed his advice. And because of that, ALL on the ship survived the shipwreck. There are many other instances in the Bible where Paul was shown favor. Even those in power who may not have understood that God’s hand was on Paul sensed that there was something about him worth listening to and respected him.

Prayer

God, please fill me with faith and wisdom. Fill me with your presence and let it overflow so that those I come in contact with will feel it. Help me to walk in obedience and faith, regardless of the circumstances around me.

- Debbie Dunn

Acts 26 - 12.30.25

SCRIPTURE:  ACTS 26:19 – 23

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

OBSERVATION

Verses 19 – 23 are known as Paul’s “proclamation.” I see it as the icing on the cake. His testimony brings everything together on the who, what and why he is preaching the Gospel of salvation to all Jews and Gentiles.

Paul was in a tough position. His life was on the line. He was speaking before the King to prove the charges against him were not true. He gives a powerful testimony of his conversion and witness to God’s plan of salvation. He turned his current and very difficult situation into a very compelling sermon. Paul was bold under pressure. He was focused on the situation before him and brought it all back to God’s saving grace.

Besides sharing the Gospel message, he gave God praise by saying “But God has helped me to this very day.” Even through being beaten, under arrest, falsely charged, he was giving God all the glory. He also knew that God was with him, directing his words, giving him the boldness he needed in a difficult circumstance. Through his trust in God, and God being faithful, Paul was well equipped for this event.

I loved how he said “I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen.” Besides being in the presence of the King, who knew about Jewish customs, the Jewish leaders were listening. They understood the importance of his statement by quoting the prophets and Moses but sadly they didn’t believe him.

APPLICATION

I can’t imagine being in Paul’s shoes. He provides a compelling example of composure in an extreme situation. He was also bold in his presentation – not letting anything affect what he knew needed to be said. I am amazed and inspired by not only his testimony but how he:

Trusted in the Lord:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

Was confident and bold:  “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” 2 Corinthians 3:12

He had no fear:  “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  Proverbs 29:25

Gave God the Glory:  “that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”  Psalm 30:12

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for Paul’s example. His speech before the King and Jewish leaders was compelling, composed, and clearly led by the Holy Spirit. Lord, fill me with the right words when I speak about you before anyone. Help me to study your word, to be better equipped, and prepared just as 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  Forgive me for the times where I fell short of being an approved worker. My goal is to correctly handle the truth, and to never be ashamed. Holy Spirit, fill me with all that I need to speak and share your truth and saving grace. You are faithful and I will forever praise you for everything and in everything. In Jesus name. Amen!

- Mary Oberg