Daily Archives: August 19, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Giving Thanks

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And [King David] appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 16:4

Recommended Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:7-10

Children usually approach their parents to request something. Less frequently, it is to thank their parents. And the same happens in our relationship with God. We normally approach Him with requests rather than to give thanks. But based on the infinite reasons we have to be thankful, prayers of thanksgiving should far outnumber our prayers of petition.

When King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem for the first time, he appointed some of the Levites “to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel.” They were a permanent choir of leaders whose assignment was to offer thanks and praise to God. That choir of worship leaders were the forerunners of the choirs we have in our churches today—worship leaders who lead the congregation in songs of praise and thanksgiving.

How often do you dedicate a portion of your prayer life to giving thanks to God for the benefits and blessings of knowing Him? Begin the practice of allocating more time in prayer to giving thanks.

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
Ambrose

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Awesome God

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You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary. Psalm 68:35

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 68:1-4, 19-20, 32-35

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

As a landscape photographer, I’m drawn to photos I find online. Recently I came across “10 of the Most Breathtaking Places in the U.S.” A photo of a geothermal spring depicts a massive basin of multicolored luminescence. A snapshot of the Hoh Rain Forest shows a dense, mossy forest that looks like something straight out of The Hobbit. A stunning picture taken in Monument Valley, Arizona, could be a panorama of Mars.

These awesome images make me think of our awesome God. In Psalm 68, David gushes about God’s majesty: “Sing to God . . . extol him who rides on the clouds” (v. 4). Vividly, the psalmist proclaims God’s power over enemies: “May you blow them away like smoke” (v. 2). Yet God’s sheer majesty and power are contrasted with His intimate love: “Praise be to the Lord . . . who daily bears our burdens” (v. 19). David’s epic psalm reaches a climax with his breathless praise: “You, God, are awesome” (v. 35).

In landscape photographs, I find both immensity and intimacy. The sheer expanse of these vistas speaks personally to my soul. It makes me wonder if the landscapes of our world are really glimpses of God Himself—reflections of how He’s awesomely immense and breathtakingly loving. In that light, might we look for His reflected beauty around us today. When we see it, we might whisper to Him, “You, God, are awesome.”

Reflect & Pray

What visual experience has reminded you of God’s awesome ways? What about God does that reflect?

Dear God, please help me see Your breathtaking beauty.

Today’s Insights

Psalm 68 celebrates God as a mighty warrior who’ll defeat evil (vv. 1-2). It draws on the imagery of the song in Exodus 15 that celebrates God delivering His people from Egypt. In Psalm 68, He’s depicted as “[riding] on the clouds” (v. 4) while scattering “his enemies” (v. 1). The retelling of the exodus deliverance concludes by describing a victory parade that ends with God dwelling and reigning as king (v. 18).

The rest of Psalm 68 (vv. 19-35) praises the enthroned God, recognizing that His people are completely dependent on Him. The psalm entreats, “Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before” (v. 28). God is a gentle warrior who fights for justice, who “leads out the prisoners with singing” (v. 6) and “daily bears our burdens” (v. 19). Today, as we reflect on the awesomeness of God, we can celebrate His great love for us.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – How to respond to global religious persecution

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In June 2026, the Pew Research Center released its annual report on global restrictions on faith. The findings were staggering. According to their research, roughly three-fourths of the global population live in nations that limit the free practice of religion due to government restrictions, social hostilities, or both.

It’s a mind-boggling statistic, and an increase since their last report. The stark reality is that billions of people from all faiths or none are susceptible to persecution every day. It should spur new action.

However, these findings come at a time when the priorities of the United States and Europe are shifting, resulting in reduced political and financial support for defending religious freedom worldwide. To discern a way forward, we at the Everett Center for Global Religious Freedom at Dallas Baptist University undertook months of research, interviewing advocates from across the religious and political spectrum.

Based on our findings, no easy or quick answers exist. Yet our report, International Religious Freedom Advocacy in a Time of Disruption, does see a way forward for civil society and faith groups.

Continue reading Denison Forum – How to respond to global religious persecution →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Living Communion

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 So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it. 

—Psalm 106:15

Scripture:

Psalm 106:15 

The psalmist’s words in Psalm 106:15 remind us that prayer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Referring to God’s response to the complaints and cravings of the Israelites, who were freed from slavery in Egypt but then proved unfaithful in their trek to the Promised Land, the psalmist writes, “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it” (Psalm 106:15 NLT).

Having a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe is not a privilege to be taken for granted. God’s Word has much to say about prayer, and it all begins with the right attitude.

I sometimes hear people say, “I’ve been wrestling with God in prayer.” My first thought always is “I hope you lost.” If you’re trying to bend God your way with your prayers, you might as well save your breath. That’s not how prayer works. Prayer gives us the opportunity to bend God’s way.

That’s a lesson that’s probably been driven home to you time and time again if you keep a prayer journal. If you look back on some of your prayer requests, perhaps when you were a new Christian, you probably see some efforts to get God to come around to your way of thinking. To get Him to substitute your will for His will. And chances are, you cringe when you see them and rejoice that God had a better plan.

I’m certainly glad that God didn’t say yes to every prayer I ever prayed. When I look back on some things I’ve prayed for, I realize that if the Lord would have allowed them, they could have destroyed me. They were not the right things or the right situations. So, God graciously and lovingly said no.

Maturing as a believer includes learning how to pray—and especially, what to pray for. In John 15:7, Jesus gives an incredible promise regarding answered prayer. He says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). From the original language, this verse could be understood as, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My Word is at home with you, I command you to ask at once for yourself whatever your heart desires, and it will be yours.”

When I read a promise like that, I gravitate immediately toward the part that says I can ask whatever my heart desires and it will be mine. But before that, Jesus said, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My word is at home with you. . . .” If this is happening in your life, then you’re going to want what God wants. If you’re maintaining a living communion with God and His words are at home in your heart, then your outlook, desires—and in time, your prayers—will change.

And when you unleash the full power of prayer in your life, it will never be the same.

 

Reflection question: What would a living communion with God look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Jeremiah and Inspiration

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by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

Contained within the books of the Old Testament are nearly three thousand claims to its precise trustworthiness. Over and over again, the various authors claim to be communicating the very words of God.

A number of such claims were recorded by Jeremiah in his book. As we see in our text, Jeremiah was somewhat discouraged with the lack of response to his ministry. But, just as he decided to refrain from passing on God’s word to the people, he felt an inner burning, recognizing that these words were much too important to ignore. These words had come from God Himself!

On other occasions, he heard the words of God directly and was commanded to pass them on with precision. “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not [literally ‘to shave’ or ‘to lessen in effect’] a word” (Jeremiah 26:2). This straightforward teaching of verbal inspiration is applied to the written accounts, as well: “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book” (Jeremiah 30:1–2).

This book, which throughout contains such strong condemnation of falsehood and was written over a period of more than two thousand years by numerous authors without any contradiction, surely is the Word of the eternal, holy God. It is the information our Creator knows we need. JDM

 

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – How to Finish What God Called You to Do

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Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.

John 4:34 (AMPC)

I believe the Lord wants us to finish whatever He calls us to do, even when it requires patience, perseverance, and hard work. God wants us to grow roots and learn to endure until the fruit of His promise is manifested.

Be willing to endure patiently to see God’s plan take place in your life. If God has given you a vision of something He wants you to accomplish, keep doing whatever He has given you to do, even when the excitement for the work is over, and all the goose bumps are gone. If you don’t have a vision, ask God to show you something that you need to do, and then commit your work to the Lord until it is completed.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, please give me the patience and endurance to finish what You’ve called me to do. And when the excitement fades, help me stay rooted in Your promise and committed to Your plan, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Sufficiency in All Things 

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Soon after I began following Jesus, I sensed a desire to write Christian books. I cobbled together a manuscript and mailed it to fifteen publishers. Fourteen rejected it. I was beginning to think I should take the hint when one said, “Yes.” Before I knew it, my writing ministry was airborne.

It’s been over forty years and nearly fifty books. I seem to have more book ideas than I have time to write them. I am a testimony to God’s provision. Trust him. If he calls you, he will equip you. He will give you what you need when you need it.

“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV).

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Testify to the Truth

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Read John 18:1–40

In 1521, Martin Luther was summoned before the assembly of the Holy Roman Empire to recant his critique of the Catholic Church. He refused unless proven wrong by Scripture, stating, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” Luther’s unrelenting position led to his excommunication—and the start of the Protestant Reformation.

John 18 documents a series of intense confrontations, from the Garden of Gethsemane to the courtyard to the courtroom, culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus. Again and again, Jesus and His disciples were challenged. Would they speak truth—even when the stakes were incredibly high?

In the garden, the all-knowing Jesus initiated a conversation with the Roman soldiers by twice asking, “Who is it you want?” (vv. 4, 7). When they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus disclosed His identity. The arresting party fell to the ground in response.

When Annas and Caiaphas questioned Jesus about His teaching, Jesus replied: “I have spoken openly to the world” (v. 20a). He had communicated the truth with boldness—in synagogues and temples. Meanwhile, in the courtyard, the once-brash Peter was confronted by bystanders, asking about his association with Jesus. Out of self-protection, Peter denied Jesus three times. We see that, under pressure, our communication can reject truth as easily as we can confess it.

Finally, Pilate asked Jesus directly, “Are you the king of the Jews?” (v. 33). Jesus redirected the question, exposing Pilate’s assumptions and ultimately articulating His mission: “The reason I…came into the world is to testify to the truth” (v. 37b). Pilate’s cynical question—“What is truth?”—signaled his inability to understand Jesus’ message. Truth stood before him, but he did not see.

Go Deeper

How has God called you to speak truth even when it’s difficult? What can we learn from watching Jesus respond to His opponents?

Pray with Us

Jesus, You are our example for how to respond in difficult situations. You spoke truth with authority, but without fear or arrogance. Teach us how to do the same.

The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.John 18:37

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/