By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Psalm 19:1-6; 111:7-10 

I remember as a boy walking to the deer stand on cold, clear mornings, well before the sun began to dawn. On those nights, away from the lights of town, the stars filled the sky with an occasional shooting star passing in sight. Those were times of wonder and awe as I looked into the vastness of space. I could see the visible wonders of the universe and knew in my heart there is a God who created it all.  

Many years have passed since those carefree days of discovery. Yet, through these years, my wonder and awe of the creative power of God has grown.  As pictures from telescopes and space voyages reveal, the universe is much larger than we can see or grasp.  With hundreds of millions of stars in our galaxy alone, the next nearest to our sun being 4.2 light years away, truly we can proclaim with the Psalmist in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.” 

The universe, the sun, the stars and all creation are examples of what scholars call “General Revelation.” They give a witness to every person on the planet that there is a God. They do not use words or language, their voice is not heard, but the message is loud and clear. There is a God who is majestic, caring, creative, detail oriented and dependable.  [Read more…]

By Jerry Price
Retired Pastor, Spring Hill

Focal Passage: Psalm 19:7-14

One of my favorite hobbies is woodworking. I have a few power tools which either came with a printed owner’s manual or one I downloaded from the Internet. Each manual begins with a statement similar to this: “Please read, understand and follow all instructions included in this book.”

Then follows three to five pages of detailed safety instructions that apply to that tool. Without exception, there are some of those instructions which include strong warnings that failure to follow them may lead to serious injury or even death. [Read more…]

By Greg Steele
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jasper

Focal Passage: Psalm 42:1-3,6-8; 43:3-5

There is a question that we like to ask when the trials and storms of life gather. “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Has this question ever plagued your mind? Of course, it has! One day, a woman asked R.C. Sproul that particular question and his answer to her was a classic. Dr. Sproul said this, “I don’t know, I haven’t met any good people.” His answer accomplished two purposes. First, it was designed to remind the lady that we are all sinners. None of us are really good people! Secondly, he wanted her to understand that no one is immune from trouble. This second truth is what we are looking at in the Psalm.

It would seem that the author of this Psalm is going through a time of stress, personal attack and inner struggle. His life has brought him face to face with circumstances that are out of his control and they have brought pain and confusion to his heart. [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Psalm 138:1–8

As we study Psalm 138, King David is teaching us about praise. We are to praise the one true God. David said he did this with his whole heart. That place in us where our true self is seated. Our emotions, devotion, love, intellect, all that we are is to be focused towards Him and giving thanks and praise to Him alone. [Read more…]

By Rick Elsey Pastor
West End Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Psalm 23:1-6

According to Wikipedia: “sheep are frequently thought of as unintelligent animals. Their flocking behavior and quickness to flee and panic can make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the [untrained].” Sheep need a good shepherd. As a shepherd himself, David would know this to be true. [Read more…]