Grace Baptist Church

06/23/2026

Here’s our text that introduces the next section in, “Whom Shall I Fear,” “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭23‬-‭26‬.

The title of this section is, “God’s Power, Our Source of Freedom.” Remember, this devotional put out by Voice of the Martyrs is meant to help us follow Christ while facing persecution.

Psalm 73 is the first psalm in the third of the five fold breakdown of the Psalter. It was written by Asaph, and puts on display the believer’s struggle with the prosperity of the wicked. By the time we get to the above quoted verses, Asaph has acknowledged his folly and “changed his tune.” The immediate context reveals his personal evaluation with these words, “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you,” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73‬:‭21‬-‭22‬. In other words, when he was jealous of the wicked, he was being stupid like an unreasoning beast. Been there. Done that.

By the time we get the text at hand, Asaph has, by way of right thinking about God, “righted his spiritual ship” so to speak. Instead of being tossed around by the waves of envy, jealousy, doubt, and the like, he is focused on God to the point of being perfectly satisfied in Him. “God is the only source of happiness in the whole universe,” according to one commentator. Is He? Is He really that for you and I? If not, why not? If so, that’s great, but why not more consistently? Is there really nothing on earth we desire but Him? Are we living in Christ like dying is gain? These are all valid questions that we need to ask ourselves. The answers will determine how ready we are to handle persecution when it comes.

06/21/2026

https://youtu.be/IR7LOuc7wms

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06/16/2026

This video is essentially an overview of the Book of Daniel, which I am currently preaching through. I found it to be well balanced while at the same time pointing the listener to the prophetic nature of Daniel. I also just read this in my daily Bible reading, “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains,” Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ .

Every generation since Pentecost in Acts 2 has believed they were the ones who would see the return of Christ. If we are that generation is up to God. I just know it can’t come soon enough!

Did the prophet DANIEL foresee the Strait of HORMUZ more than 2,500...

06/15/2026

https://youtu.be/MPxAjQ6YgxQ

06/14/2026

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

06/12/2026

To finish up the section on how God’s love, mercy, and peace help us during times of persecution, “Whom Shall I Fear,” chose this great text which is also a benediction for the book of Hebrews, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬.

I like how Warren Wiersbe framed this, “This benediction seems to gather together the major themes of Hebrews: peace, the resurrected Christ, the blood, the covenant, spiritual perfection (maturity), God’s work in the believer. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ died for the sheep (John 10:11). As the Great Shepherd, He lives for the sheep in heaven today, working on their behalf (Hebrews 7:25). As the Chief Shepherd, He will come for His sheep at His return (1Peter 5:4). Our Shepherd cares for His own in the past, present, and future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!”

Even in our quest for holiness and perseverance, it’s all about Jesus! We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for God works. Just remember, you are never alone.

06/10/2026

The 4 verses for today remind us that prayer really is a vital part of a victorious Christian life, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭7‬. Typically, only verses 6-7 are quoted, but that doesn’t give us enough context. You know how I can be about context!

First, Paul wrote this letter from prison. Not prison like today with meals, gyms, libraries, and such; but, a dank dungeon of sorts. With no amenities at all, Paul writes to encourage all believers to rejoice in the Lord no matter their circumstances. Twice here and once back in 3:1 he says rejoice! Notice that the object of our rejoicing is the Lord not the circumstance! When He is our focus, our “reasonableness” can be made known to those around us. This word means, “being satisfied with less than one is due.” It is being content in whatever situation befalls us. It’s inner joy despite external pressures. Besides, the Lord is near! (A reference to His coming again, not His omnipresence.)

This is the groundwork for the call to not be anxious, but rather prayerful. The results of which include being guarded (military term) by God’s peace. A peace given, like to Paul throughout his persecutions, that boggles the mind.

Paul’s example is one to be imitated. God help us! And, don’t neglect to pray for your persecuted brethren who are currently undergoing the same kind of treatment as Paul when he wrote Philippians.

06/09/2026

Here’s a short meditation for you today, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it,” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬-‭24‬.

Paul’s desire for these fellow saints is the same as it is for us. To be holy! The Greek construction of “sanctify” carries the idea of “wishing or praying.” His earnest prayer is for all of us to be completely sanctified. Not perfection in this life, but through and through. To be holy in all areas of our existence is his desire.

Is this how we pray and view one another’s walk with the Lord? How about for ourselves, too? Are we banking on God’s work in us working as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (reverence and awe of God)? Verse 24 is reassuring to say the least! God always finishes what He starts in us by keeping us accountable to Him through the Word. Jesus said it best, actually prayed it on our behalf, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth,” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬.

06/08/2026

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭1.

You know how much I like seeing verses in their context, right?! Well, there are certain words that we come across that help us figure out context. Take the word “therefore,” in this verse for instance. When we see it, we should ask ourselves this question, “What’s the therefore there for?” See what I did?! This word marks a conclusion or result to something previously stated.

Here’s why the therefore is here, “He (Abraham) did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’ But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬-‭25‬

This paints a very vivid picture of the nature of faith. Neither of these two people could do anything about their situation. Sarah’s womb was barren. Abraham was far beyond his reproductive years. God spoke. They believed. Miracle happened. That’s the picture of salvation that Paul painted for us. God speaks the gospel. We believe it. We’re saved apart from works. Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. All of that being the basis of our being made at peace with God.

I just read Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount this morning. What we do with this new found peace with God is important, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬.

When it’s not beyond our control, we must do all we can to be peacemakers! We are instructed by Christ to bless those that persecute, love those who hate, turn the other cheek to get slapped again, and not be vindictive. A tall order, but not impossible through grace!

06/07/2026

https://youtu.be/KrSQCygy6VY

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