Teen Worship GH

Let the world know! The Old Testament recounts many moments where God provided for His people. But one powerful retelling of God’s greatness is found in Psalm 105. Psalm 105 focuses on events found in the book of Exodus—when worshipers were encouraged to remember God’s faithfulness and show gratitude for what He's done. And while all 45 verses are worth studying, let’s take a closer look at the verse that sets the tone for this Psalm, and the four ways it invites us into worship…  “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done.”  Psalm 105:1 ESV  REFLECT ON GOD'S GOODNESS  Gratitude comes from recognizing what God has done for us. So in order to show gratitude, we have to recognize how God was at work in our past circumstances. When we do that, we can acknowledge God’s faithfulness and genuinely worship Him.   THANK GOD  In Psalm 105:1, the term “giving thanks” stems from the Hebrew word "yadah" which means, “to revere or worship.” To revere someone, you have to respect who they are. Giving thanks is an ongoing act of worship that involves recognizing who God is and offering up gratitude to Him for all that He’s done.  PRAISE GOD  The expression that’s often translated as “call upon His name” was often used in corporate worship to encourage people to seek the Lord.  God’s name carries authority and power and is above all other names, and we proclaim God’s greatness when we call on His great name. When we call on God’s name, we gain a greater understanding of who He is—and this can encourage us to praise Him even more.  TELL EVERYONE  God wants everyone to know Him personally, and we get to help people find Him when we proclaim His greatness. As people discover what God has done for us, it can inspire them to seek God for themselves and discover His love for them. We were made to worship God, and one of the ways we do that is by recounting His wonderful works. So today, intentionally set aside time to reflect on God’s faithfulness. And then—tell other people about His great works. Who knows? Your praise just might inspire others to worship God as well.

Reordering Our Priorities The northern tribes of Israel in Amos' time seemed like they were doing all the right things. They offered sacrifices to God and were exact in their religious observations. And yet, the book of Amos is written to them as a warning—a warning that destruction that would befall them if they refused to change? Why? Because they had neglected the true heart of loving and worshiping God. While they were doing many of the "right" things, it's what they weren't doing that God wanted to address. They failed to take care of the poor and needy. They turned their eyes away from injustice. Many had turned to idols for help and prayer. Through Amos, God told the people of Israel that it is just as important to be righteous inwardly as it is outwardly. We cannot say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our power to help. Just as James 1:27 tells us, true religion includes helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress. James goes on to write that faith without works is a dead faith (James 2:26). In short, faith is both believing in the Lord and doing the things He has told us to do. Take some time to think about your own life: how much time do you prioritize on your own spirituality versus serving others? What ways can you begin to take steps toward serving in your church, your neighborhood, or your school in order to help those in need. All of these are ways that our faith becomes complete in Christ as we follow after Him.

Your Response Matters When we’re in difficult situations, it isn’t always easy to stay calm or hold our tongues for very long. But in James 1:19, we hear how we should respond… Be quick to listen. Be slow to speak. Be slow to anger.  The world is the opposite: Be slow to hear what others have to say. Be quick to voice your own opinions. Be quick to accuse, argue, and fight. Why is it so important to James that Christ's followers don’t behave like this? Because “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:20) So what does produce the right kind of living that God desires?  The Word of God.  James told his friends to “get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21) He said that if they have the Word of God in them, and if they are obeying it, they will be blessed. (James 1:25) James is clear that if we are to be followers of God, we must know God’s word and obey it. That means we need to take time to listen to others, pace ourselves when we speak, and keep our anger at bay.   So next time you’re faced with something that makes you angry, take James’ words to heart. Take time to temper your emotions, think through your feelings and arguments, and humbly pray for God to help you respond with kindness and grace.

Humble Confidence When we become children of our Heavenly Father, we’re granted the privilege of approaching the King of all kings with our requests. Mark said it this way: "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 NIV God loves to give His children what they ask for—when asked with the right heart. Think about it this way... Is a child concerned about approaching their loving parent for a snack, for a hug, for advice, or for help? When we come to God with similar childlike confidence—in sincerity, humility, trust, and even desperation—we can be confident that He hears us. When we submit our request, we might get a ‘yes,’ a ‘no,’ or a ‘not yet,' but no matter what the answer is, we can know that God hears us as we trust Him with our prayers. Whether you need wisdom, direction, or practical help, you can come boldly before the throne of God (Hebrews 4:16). So today, go to Him with your praises and doubts, thoughts and concerns, thankfulness and disappointments. It gives God great pleasure to provide you with all you need (Luke 12:31-32).

Burden Bearers Everyone carries burdens. The things we go through shape the way we view the world—and ourselves. But we weren’t meant to carry our burdens alone.   In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says to the people following Him: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (NLT) A yoke is a heavy wooden beam that lies across a pair of oxen, evenly distributing the weight of the loads they carry. But the term was also used by Jewish Rabbis. “The yoke of the law” symbolized complete submission to God’s law, and Rabbis taught that becoming yoked to it would free the Jews from enslavement to the world. Jesus is using a phrase that His Jewish followers would have easily understood, but then He flips the illustration. He tells the crowd that they must yoke themselves to Him—because He is the fulfillment of their law.  When they do this, the burdens they carry won’t be heavy at all, because He will bear the weight of their burdens.   Paul references this teaching in his letter to the Galatian Christians:   “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”    Galatians 6:2 NLT  The law of Christ is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). But the only way we can fulfill the law of Christ is if we bind ourselves to Him. When we are yoked to Jesus, He becomes our source of strength.  He helps us endure hard situations and enables us to walk away from poor decisions. He fills us up with His love so that His love can overflow from us. He gives us the capacity to support other Christ-followers just like He supports us.    Just as Jesus bore our sins and suffering, we are called to bear the suffering of others. In this way, we show them the love of Christ and guide them toward Jesus. Right now, spend a few minutes talking to God about the burdens you need help carrying, and then allow Him to show you the people in your life He wants you to support.

Don't Worry About Tomorrow One of the easiest things to do is to worry. We worry about our relationships, our finances, our basic needs, and our future. In fact, worry is often our natural first response in many situations.  When we worry, we are trying to take control of something that we have no control over. If we could control it, then we wouldn’t be worrying about it. But Jesus says that we shouldn’t spend our time worrying about basic things, because God knows what we need and will provide those things for us (Matthew 6:25-26). God takes care of the birds, the flowers, and the rest of creation, but Jesus says that our lives matter more to God than all of those things. If God takes care of His other creations, then we can trust that He will also take care of us. Worrying about the future can’t make it any better—it just makes today worse.  The fear of the unknown can sometimes paralyze us in the present. But instead of worrying about the future, Jesus tells us to trust God. God is the only one who can control what’s to come. Since He is all-knowing and all-powerful, He is the only one who has power over the future. So instead of anxiously ruminating on “what ifs,” we should trust God. We should make the most of each day that we have, and let tomorrow take care of itself. Like Jesus says, each day has enough trouble of its own, and tomorrow is unknown—so don’t fixate on what might happen tomorrow. If you struggle with worrying, ask God to give you peace. Begin to shift your perspective from worrying about tomorrow toward focusing on what God has put in front of you today. Your trust in God grows as your worries lessen. So remind yourself of how much God cares for you. He will never give up on you. He will continue to take care of you and direct your paths.

True Freedom is Here Everyone thinks about freedom differently. Most people would say freedom is a virtue that should be sought, but that idea changes depending on how it’s defined. A lot of people think freedom is the absence of restraints—we are free when we're free from things that hold us back. Others define freedom by our human will—if we can choose what we want, then we can be free. But these ideas are a bit different from what we find in Scripture... According to God’s Word, freedom is found wherever the Spirit of God is found. Freedom is found when we live according to God’s original design for our life. When we begin our life with Jesus, He gives us a new heart and a new way to live. He also sends the Spirit of God to live within us. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is true freedom. That means all of us who believe in Jesus have access to this freedom. Freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever we want but from living according to the Spirit of God—who lives within us. And because we have that freedom, and the Spirit of God living in us, we are called to share it! The freedom we have in Christ isn't reserved for a select few. It's not meant to be kept to ourselves. Take a moment right now to thank God for the freedom you have in Him, and ask him to put a name on your heart. Then watch the video on the next slide.

A Call to Believe In John 20:19, after Jesus’ prophesied death and resurrection, we see that all of Jesus’ disciples have gathered, and Jesus went to see them. That is to say, almost all of them—Thomas wasn’t there. And when those who were present told Thomas that they had seen the Lord, Thomas did not believe it. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25 NIV A week later, when the disciples were gathered together again, Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27 NIV) Thomas immediately acknowledged that Jesus has, in fact, risen from the dead and is with them again. It’s here that Jesus says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29 NIV). Thomas believes, but Jesus is focused on even more than that. Jesus is addressing the rest of us, generations of believers to come who would believe without being able to see Him. Jesus didn’t just die for us; He rose for us. And He didn’t deny Thomas what he asked for, but He also makes it clear that there is blessing for those who believe without seeing. The truth of His resurrection doesn’t rest on whether or not we’ve seen it. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). For us believers, what a gift to be among these who Jesus calls blessed!

A Refuge to Run To We live in unpredictable times. The things we value, the people we care about, the lives we lead—all of it feels uncertain and unstable.   King David could relate. After years of faithful service to King Saul, the king plotted to murder David. Desperate, David fled to Gath—the home of the giant David killed in battle. After being recognized by the people of Gath, David was so overwhelmed by fear that he pretended to go insane. The king of Gath was repulsed by his “insanity” and so he threw David out of the city.  By this time, David had escaped death multiple times. He was surrounded by people who hated him, and he had every reason to be anxious and fearful. But in the midst of his uncertain circumstances, he creates a Psalm to praise God for His greatness.    I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. Psalm 34:1 NLT Worshiping God put David’s problems into perspective. Situations could shift, but God wouldn’t. He was still powerful, constant, and ever-present. He didn’t always remove David from hard situations, but He saw David through every difficult moment.    I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Psalm 34:4 NIV God was the one who rescued David from his enemies. God was the one who repeatedly provided for His people in the midst of hard times.  And if He did it before, He can do it again.   Right now, reflect on the ways God has been faithful to you. In what ways has He protected, provided, strengthened, and encouraged you?   If you’re struggling to think of examples, that’s okay. If praise doesn’t come easy to you right now, just read through Psalm 34 and let its words become your personal prayer.  The same God that David talks about is still doing great things in our world. He still listens to the cries of His people. God is still present in our pain, He is still at work in our uncertainty, and He is still all-powerful—even when we feel powerless.  When nothing in life makes sense—you can still run to Him and find refuge.

The Great Love of Jesus Love is the beginning of everything. You and I have life and breath at this very moment because God loves us. God created us because He wanted a people to love, and we are the recipients of His great love. In 1 John 4:9, John tells his readers that the primary way God showed His love toward us is through Jesus. Even while we were considered enemies of God, He sent Jesus to earth on our behalf. While Jesus was on earth, he lived a sinless life as a representative of humanity to God. His death and resurrection made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and begin a relationship with God. God now gives us His love freely. There is nothing that we can do to earn His love, and there’s nothing about us that deserves His love. This is why John says love comes from God (1 John 4:7). Love is our greatest responsibility in life. Jesus made it very clear to His disciples that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments. But the basis for all of this is the love of God through Jesus. John tells us in 1 John 4:7-8 that those who truly know God will also love others. Our relationship with God is the model for how we should love other people. We should never deny someone something we’ve been freely given. And since we have freely received love from God, we should also freely give love to others. Consider some ways you can love the people around you. Sometimes simply spending time with people is the best way to love them. There might also be someone you know who needs encouragement, or help meeting their needs. Think of one or two things you can do this week to show love to someone in your life.

Blessed are the Persecuted It’s not always easy to stand for what’s right—especially when someone makes fun of you, gossips about you, lies about you, or even abuses you because of your decision. But when sharing the eighth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus offered some hope: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 NIV Leading up to this verse, Jesus had spoken unexpected blessings over an unlikely group: the poor in spirit, those who were mourning, the meek, those craving righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. Finally, He offered a blessing to the persecuted. Jesus elaborated: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Matthew 5 : 11 - 12 NIV Now, we won’t be blessed for facing the consequences of our own terrible decisions. But Jesus is saying that you will be rewarded when you are shamed, canceled, or even physically persecuted because of Him.  Jesus knows what it’s like to suffer for the sake of righteousness. You will be blessed for standing up for what is right, for trusting in God’s Word, and for defending those who cannot defend themselves. And when it gets hard, remember: you’re not alone. The prophets before us were mocked, beaten, and even killed. Jesus’ disciples, the ones hearing these words, would also suffer and die because of their beliefs. They were persecuted for doing things differently: for loving their neighbors, fighting for sexual purity, resting on the Sabbath, and most of all, for declaring Jesus as Lord. So no matter what it costs you, you will be blessed for standing up for what is right. Jesus says that yours is the kingdom of heaven.

Working for Peace One look at the world around us and it’s clear: peace isn’t going to make itself. Nations are warring and people are fighting and arguing. You may even have some personal relationships filled with bitterness and contempt. Thankfully, we can lean into Jesus’ wisdom in the seventh beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV Let's be clear: peacemaking is different from peacekeeping. In fact, Jesus assured us that as long as we’re on this earth, we will face trouble. There will be chaos, division, misunderstandings, and a need for making peace. And that is why…  Peacemaking requires action. Yes, peacemaking compels us out of our comfortable bubbles. But for those who are willing to step into the tender space of making peace, here are some thoughts to help you lead the way: - Peacemakers lead the way with humility. None of us are perfect and we all need grace. None of us are God, but we all need Him. Leading with a posture of humility is key. - Peacemakers lead the way with empathy. Even when we disagree with someone, respectfully listening and seeking to understand their perspective is essential for making peace. - Peacemakers lead the way with truth and grace. Any time Jesus interacted with people, He did so with both truth and grace. We must have both to accurately represent Him. - Peacemakers lead the way to the feet of Jesus. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Apart from Him, we are nothing. When we realize our mutual brokenness, as well as our mutual need for Christ, everything can change. Seeking to be a mediator for those in disagreement doesn’t mean that every problem will be solved—immediately or ever. But when we invite God into those spaces and commit to the hard work of peacemaking, He can do more than we can imagine.

Is Your Heart Pure? What do you think about when you hear the word pure? Do you picture a tall glass of crystal clear water? A freshly washed load of white sheets? Or maybe someone who’s morally wholesome and good? In the sixth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV The word "pure" means clean or blameless, free from corruption or contamination, purified by fire, or unstained by guilt. None of us can truly be pure on our own—despite our best efforts. Before Jesus showed up, the highest ranking Levitical priests were charged with ministering and mediating in the holiest spaces (inside the tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the temple in Jerusalem)—where God’s presence dwelled on earth. But even they had to be purified over and over again. Now, because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, He has paved the way for us. His blood covered our sins, and when we accept the sacrifice, He makes us pure. Now and forever, we can “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God,” where we can find mercy and grace when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Now, our bodies are the modern-day temples where God’s Spirit has chosen to dwell. Being pure of heart is not about being perfect, but trusting in Jesus to purify our souls. As Isaiah once prophesied… “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1 : 18 NLT

A Great Mercy Think back on a time when you were shown mercy… Maybe you owed someone money, but they decided to cancel your debt. Maybe you hurt someone you love, but they gave you another chance. Maybe you made a huge mistake, but you received forgiveness instead of punishment. In the fifth of the beatitudes, a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus said this: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV Because we are imperfect sinners who have all fallen short of God’s standards, we all deserve death. We all deserve punishment. We all deserve to be eternally separated from God. “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2 : 4 - 5 NLT Jesus is passionate about justice and righteousness while simultaneously fervent about grace and mercy. That’s why He paid the ultimate price for us—so that we could truly live. That’s why He conquered the grave—to mercifully save our souls. That’s why He sent His Spirit—so that we could also show mercy. To be clear, grace and mercy, while similar, aren't the same. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve (an unwarranted gift) while mercy is not getting what you do deserve (judgment and wrath).  And while it’s easier said than done, His people are called to be merciful. Even when someone has wronged you. Yes, even when they don’t deserve your kindness. Yes, even when you don’t feel like being merciful. God has shown us a great mercy. And now? We can extend mercy to others.

What Do You Crave? Every day, multiple times a day, little alarms are triggered inside your brain. They make your stomach growl, your mouth water, or your mind become fixed on that which you crave. God gave us physical needs that mirror our spiritual needs. Needs that must be met to stay healthy and alive. Needs that must be satisfied over and over again. In fact, food is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for our spiritual needs (it's called "our daily bread" in Matthew and the "pure milk" of the Word in 1 Peter, to name a couple.) In the fourth beatitude, which are a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus said this: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV Do you long for righteousness and justice? Do you desire the ways of God? Do you yearn for His kingdom to come? Do you want to be someone who chases after that which can never truly satisfy, or someone who hungers and thirsts after God? In this upside-down kingdom where Jesus is Lord, the poor can be rich, the weak can be strong, and the empty can be filled. Jesus Christ not only holds the keys to “living water,” but He is the “Bread of Life.” So, when you feel Him prompting your heart—to fight for justice, to love the unloved, to stand up for what’s right (even when it’s not popular)—pay attention. He stands ready to fill you with everything you need.

The Other Side of Grief Can anything good come from grief? From mourning a deep loss? From weeping over a profound heartache? Even from grappling with your own sin? While grief is an unavoidable part of life, no one likes to grieve. But in the second beatitude—a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom—Jesus said this: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5 : 4 ESV No one can appreciate rain more than someone who’s lived in the desert. No one can value food more than someone who’s truly been starving. And no one can know God as their Comforter like someone who’s desperately needed comfort. Unfortunately, death, decay, and disappointment are a part of this world. But even in our sorrow, suffering, and shortcomings, God stands ready to comfort us—in unique and meaningful ways that only He can. The Holy Spirit is often called the “Comforter,” as well as “Helper,” “Counselor,” or “Advocate.” But regardless of what He’s called, it’s always who He is. Even in our grief, He’s always a God who has our best in mind. And so, how does God comfort us? He does this through His Spirit, through His Word, and by working in and through His people.  Do you have the eyes to see how He’s pursuing you? Have you opened your heart to His comfort? If you are a follower of Christ who is mourning today, remember: Jesus Himself promised that you will be comforted. He’s always good, He’s always faithful, and He’s right here—ready to help.

Hope for the Poor in Spirit Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5 : 3 ESV To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can’t pay their bills, can’t break free from the cycle of poverty, or can’t afford food, clothing, or shelter. So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that’s a good thing?  Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it’s humility, not pride or self-reliance, that’s a common characteristic in the kingdom of heaven. Those who are poor in spirit know that they can’t, but they trust that God can. If we’re honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable, and self-dependent. We would rather lack nothing. But even if we happen to be financially stable or wealthy, we cannot save our own souls. We were created to need God. So if you’re feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it’s okay. If you feel like you have nothing to offer, Jesus actually says that you are blessed.  When you have a need, He can meet it. When you’re not enough, He already is. And when you feel poor in spirit, you are in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.

True Humility When you think of humility, what comes to mind?  In our world, humility is often seen as a self-degrading concept that reveals our insecurities and keeps us from becoming our best selves. But true humility never leads to insecurity, because insecurity is a form of pride. Pride either puffs us up or tears us down. Pride is self-sufficient, but also self-destructive. If we’re doing great, pride makes our confidence soar. But if we’re going through a rough season, pride makes us sensitive to our failures. Pride links our worth to our accomplishments and prevents us from seeing who we truly are.  Pride makes us think that if we try hard enough we can be good enough. Humility helps us realize that we are not enough—but God is enough for us.  Humility will often ask us to risk something. It might mean laying down our social standing, our reputation, our financial security, our sense of authority, or our expertise.  But surrendering our self-sufficiency lets us embrace God’s authority. God did miracles through Moses, established David as king of Israel, worked through Isaiah in the midst of chaos, publicly honored Mary, abundantly provided for Peter, and glorified Jesus by raising Him from the dead.  When we surrender ourselves to God, we allow Him to be glorified through us. Humility might cost us something—but it leads to abundant life.  So today, how can you humble yourself before God? Take a few moments and process what you need to lay down in order to draw closer to God within the upcoming weeks.

Remembering God Have you ever been awestruck by a sunset? Or left speechless by the meticulous details of the living cell, the human eye, the mysterious ocean, or the vast universe? How often do you think about what God has made, or the ways that He has worked? The psalmist Asaph, wrote: “I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy, What god is great like our God?" Psalm 77:12-13 ESV One of the best things we can do is remember God—how He gives good gifts, writes the best stories, and is constantly making beauty from ashes. He created us, pursued us, and even gave His own life for us. But remembering God takes intentionality.  Remembering God doesn't happen on accident, which is why we have to intentionally commit to reflecting on Him each day. Purposefully remembering God’s bigness helps us recognize our smallness. Deliberately recalling His goodness helps us understand our deep need for Him.  Pondering God’s work and meditating on His deeds compels us to worship. That’s why Asaph also said, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11 ESV When we remember what God has done, we will want to celebrate who He is. So think about it: How have you seen God’s handiwork in nature? How have you seen His faithfulness in history? Where have you seen His fingerprints over the course of your life? Take some time today, and remember God.

YOUR SEASON OF INCREASE “1 Chronicles 11:9 KJV says; So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him. This verse begins with the word “So,” which is grammatically used here as a "discourse marker", indicating a consequence or result of previous events. This means David's greatness and increase were not random—they were outcomes of earlier chapters in his life. David’s journey to greatness didn’t start with a crown. He was a shepherd boy, tending his father’s sheep in obscurity. Even after being anointed king by the prophet Samuel, he returned to the pasture. He then faced Goliath and won, but instead of being rewarded with peace, he was invited into Saul’s palace where he became a target of jealousy and attempted murder. For about 13 years, David lived as a fugitive, hiding in caves and wilderness, carrying the weight of a royal promise while being hunted like a criminal. Despite rejection, betrayal, and hardship, David remained faithful to God. He didn’t abandon his calling or grow bitter. He didn’t complain to God and leave him. He chooses to believe in Him and hold on to the promise that one day he will be a king over Israel. These trying years became the training ground for his soul. When he was finally anointed king over all Israel in 1 Chronicles 11, his season of increase began, he waxed greater and greater. This wasn’t just growth in numbers, wealth, or fame—it was supernatural expansion. And the reason? “Because the Lord of hosts was with him.” This same grace is available for you. If your life feels like a desert, if you’re despised, falsely accused, rejected—even by those close to you—hold on to God. Don’t give up. Your suffering is not the end; it’s preparation. The same God who was with David is with you, and when your appointed time comes, He will increase you beyond measure. Prayer: Lord, help me hold on to You in all seasons. Be with me and increase me beyond measure in Your time. -------------------- Author: Minister Lucas Kaaya Telegram: @Bibleverses https://bibleverses3.wordpress.com