Albion Church of Christ

06/09/2026

You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11
When is the last time you got really excited about something?
There is a great scene in 2 Chronicles 30 where king Hezekiah had called the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. It had not been observed since the days of Solomon (v 36), and the people kept the feast for seven days "with great gladness," the priests and Levites praising Jehovah every day "with all their might" (v 21). This was so important, they decided to continue another seven days, and so they went on for another seven days "with gladness" (v 23).
Now, honestly, when was the last time you were this excited about something? Was it when you were engaged in a period of intense worship and/or Bible study like during a special series at church? Was it when you prayed for yourself or someone else and saw God respond in a powerful way? Was it a baptism or the restoration of a loved one? Or was it that championship game? Or that promotion? Or when your child was honored with that big award? If we want to do a quick spiritual self-check to see where our priorities are, I think answering this question is as good as any. What do we get most excited about?

06/05/2026

06/02/2026

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Meditation is becoming a lost art. With every new electronic gadget our world is filled with more noise. Imagine a world without such distractions. There was a time when meditation was much easier. The farmer plowed his field and thought. The shepherd looked after his flock and thought. Now contrast that with our world: the 21st century saint has his play list running in his ears while a phone is in his right hand receiving texts and his left hand is on a mouse surfing the web at the same time! We are suffering spiritually! Meditation is nearly impossible with so much noise. Even if spiritual songs and sermons are on our iPod and only spiritual websites are bookmarked on our computers and we're staying connected with Christian friends on facebook, there still needs to be quiet in our day. We need time to process.
Some suggestions:
Commute to work in silence. Just drive in your car with nothing on.
Go on an electronics fast. You may not be able to do this at work, but sacrifice your free time when you'd normally be plugged in to something.
Take a walk. Find a park bench. Stretch out a blanket in a shady place. Make some quiet space and just sit there and think.
Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

05/18/2026

He leads me beside still waters.
Psalm 23:2

Sheep are easily frightened by a river or even a stream with a fast moving current, and so a shepherd must find a slow moving stream or a pond where the water is still for his sheep to drink.
Our Shepherd knows how fearful and insecure we are in life and though he often leads us through frightening valleys (Psalm 23:4), after we pass through them he finds peaceful pastures and waters where we can feel safe and secure.
And when there is no secure place for us to find rest and peace, it is then that our Shepherd carries us.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd:
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Isaiah 40:11
As we go through struggles and fearful times in life, our Shepherd has given assurance that one day we will not have to live in this world anymore. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Revelation 7:17
So with confidence we can face the mighty stream that threatens us daily and say...
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
Psalm 118:6
Good Shepherd, lead us beside still waters and let us drink of the living waters that give us life everlasting.

05/11/2026

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD."
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Psalm 32:5
Sin makes you sick. Literally, it does.
David describes the sickness he felt when he "kept silent" about his sin. He said his bones wasted away. He groaned all day long. God's hand was so heavy upon him. David said he felt his strength was "dried up as by the heat of summer" (and we can relate in the sweltering months of summer!). If this is the way you feel right now, that's a good thing. I would be worried about you if you didn't feel anything. If you felt nothing, then repentance would be impossible. If you feel sick because of sin, it's a sign that you care very much about God. You've disappointed God and you are feeling godly sorrow right now. What should you do? David tells you. "Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found..." (v. 6)
Confess your sin to God. He is merciful and just to forgive you of all your sins. And you'll feel better.

05/05/2026

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 34:1
Is it possible to be in a constant state of praise?
Not only is it possible, this is what the Lord wants for us! Consider a few ways to make continual praise a reality:
1. Make it a goal each day. Challenge yourself to see God's glory in everything around you.
2. Surround yourself with reminders of God's glory. Stick post it notes with Scriptures in strategic places at home, work, school, or in your vehicle.
3. Acknowledge God's glory when you see it. As you're driving down the road and you see something beautiful our Creator has made, tell God about how amazed you are! And don't just notice the big things but the little things as well (as when Jesus noticed the woman giving her two mites at the Temple).