Psalm 31 Ministries LLC, Stonecrest, GA (2026)

06/20/2026

Today's Quote: "When God Says No"

"And he killed James, John's brother, with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to arrest Peter too."
Acts 12: 2-3a

"Can you accept God's will when His answer is no? If you are praying in God's will, He will always answer you when you pray (Jer 33:3). However, sometimes His answer will be no.
King Herod arrested Peter and prepared to have him executed. During the night, as his church prayed, Peter's life was spared when an angel freed him. God miraculously answered the prayers of His people that night. Yet not long before, James, too, had been arrested by Herod. James, however, was executed. Surely the church had prayed for James as fervently as they did for Peter, yet that time God's answer had been no.
Did God love Peter more than James? Of course not. James had been one of Jesus' closest friends. Yet God allowed James to die while He continued to use Peter in His service. The church in Jerusalem did not become bitter toward God. They accepted His answer because they trusted His love and wisdom.
There are times when God wants us to persist in our praying until He has completed His work in us (Luke 11:5-8); 18:1-6). However, when God's answer is no, it is futile to continue pleading for a yes. Some refuse to take no for an answer, insisting that if you pray long enough and hard enough, God will ultimately grant any request you make. It is an affront to your Lord to continue pleading with Him when He has clearly said no. The purpose of prayer is not to conform God to our will but to adjust our will to God. We must learn to trust God so that if He says no, we accept that His will is best."

Henry T & Richard Blackaby's comments on Acts 12: 2-a from "Devotional: Experiencing God Day By Day"

06/20/2026

Thoughts for June 20

"God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6 (NASB)

"Even thought both men and women have emotions, we process them very differently. Generally speaking, women talk, while men act. Most of the time, when a woman is upset about something, she'll talk about it. (And talk and talk and talk.) Most guys don't usually do that. One article I read said that men talk on average about 7,000 words a day, while women say 20,000 words a day---with gusts up to 30,000!
Sometimes when my wife needs to process some difficult emotions, she'll invite one of her women friends over to talk (usually for hours). That works well for her, but I have never in my life had a dude call me to say, 'Hey Craig, could you come over to my house and sit with me for a half a day on my sofa and drink some tea so we can talk?' For most men talking doesn't feel like it accomplishes anything. Instead 'doing something' does.
The problem most of us face, women as well as men, is that we often allow our emotions to determine our actions. When we let our feelings call the shots, we're much more likely to cave to temptation. We sin, which only makes us feel worse and gives women more to talk about and men more to do something about.
While being emotion-driven often leads us to do the ungodly thing, bring Spirit-led NEVER does. If you truly want to do what's right, letting your emotions take over will rarely get you the outcome you want.
Feel what you feel, but do what God wants you to do."

Power Lift
"Lord, give me the strength to be obedient today no matter how I may feel when things go wrong."

from: "Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel For Your Soul"
by Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church

06/19/2026

Today's Quote: "Praying but Not Believing"

"'You're crazy!' they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true. Then they said, 'It's his angel!'" Acts 12:15

"You can say prayers in your mind but doubt in your heart. At times God will answer such prayers as He did when Peter was in prison, scheduled for ex*****on. The believers in Jerusalem were powerless to free him, so they prayed. When God released Peter, their reaction revealed the doubt in their hearts. They argued that Peter could not possibly be free, even as he stood outside knocking on the door!
Is is possible to be a 'person of prayer' and yet not have faith? Is it possible to fool yourself into believing that because you ask God for help, you have faith in His ability to meet your needs? Is your faith so weak that you are surprised when God answers your prayer? As a child of God, you ought to expect God to answer your prayers. Do you ask God do do something without adjusting your life to what you are praying? If you are praying for revival, how are you preparing for its coming? If you are praying for forgiveness, are you still living with guilt? If you have asked God to provide for your needs, do you remain worried and anxious?
Ask God to increase your faith, and then begin living a life that reflects absolute trust in Him. Out of His grace, God may choose to respond to your requests despite your lack of faith, but you will miss the joy of praying in faith."

Henry T & Richard Blackaby's comments on Acts 12: 15 from "Devotional: Experiencing God Day By Day"

06/19/2026

Thoughts for June 19

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

"About ten o'clock one night, my kids came to tell me that our dog was freaking out outside. 'Daddy! We think Sadie has caught something in the back yard!' Humm, maybe a cat? I thought and smiled to myself.
Now you may not know this about me, but cats don't like me (probably because I rarely have anything nice to say about them). And besides, Scripture says that the devil roams around like a lion---linking him directly to the cat family. So the thought of our dog treeing a cat brought a little spark of joy to my otherwise quiet evening.
'I'll go check on her,' I said, reassuring them.
Arming myself with my nunchucks and my iPhone flashlight, I headed out for search-and-destroy maneuvers. Once I had assessed the situation, sure enough, Sadie had treed not only our neighbor's housecat---but a bobcat!
Fortunately, my ninja training kicked in, and before I even realized what was happening, I was back inside my house, with the doors locked and the blinds closed and all the lights on. Then I remembered that Sadie was still out there. Thankfully she survived and lived to hunt wild cats another day.
It's funny now, and maybe I'm exaggerating (just a little). But what's real is the fear I felt in that moment with that beast snarling at me. We need to remember that we have an Enemy every bit as real and lethal as any wild animal. If we're not armed with prayers and God's Word, then we leave ourselves open to a major attack.
Never let down your guard spiritually. Be alert."

Power Lift
"Lord, help me to that the Enemy seriously and to remain alert for his snares. Protect me so that I may continue to serve you and grow in my faith."

from: "Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel For Your Soul"
by Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church

06/18/2026

Today's Quote: "A Way That Seems Right"

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Proverbs 16:25

"Things are not always what they seem. Proverbs warns that we can be deceived into believing we are going down the right path and yet be heading toward death, the opposite direction from God's will. People do not naturally seek God or pursue righteousness (Rom 3:10-18). Only as the Spirit awakens our hearts to the Person of Christ are we able to desire God's will. If we make decisions apart from the guidance of the Spirit of God, we will be like a ship trying to sail without a compass. We will do what makes the most sense, based on our own wisdom. But what looks attractive may actually lead to sin, ultimately destroying what is precious to us, for our most profound human thinking is mere foolishness to God (1 Cor 1:18-20). Only God knows the way that leads to life, and He wants to lead us to walk in it (Matt 7:13-14).
Don't assume every opportunity that arises is from God. Satan will disguise himself as an 'angel of light,' and his invitations will seem to be in your best interest (2 Cor 11:14). Yet his way leads only to death (John 8:44). The Word of God will be like a light to your path, guiding you in the ways of righteousness (Ps 119:105).
It can be perilous to follow a path that seems right without first consulting he Holy Spirit for guidance (John 16:13). Take time to seek the Holy Spirit's direction when you face decisions. He knows the full ramifications of your choices. The Holy Spirit will assist you to understand truth and to experience abundant life. Trust in Him as He leads you."

Henry T & Richard Blackaby's comments on Proverbs 16: 25 from "Devotional: Experiencing God Day By Day"

06/18/2026

Scripture to memorize durring Week 25

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

THREE VERSES FOR YOUTH . . . AND THE REST OF US!

" Shortly after I became a follower of Christ at age seventeen, someone told me three very important verse for young believers to know. I distinctively remember immediately writing them in the flyleaf of my Bible. . . Over these almost five decades of Christian living, I have owned dozens of Bibles in all sizes, translations, colors and languages. However, they all have one thing in common. These same three verses are found, written in my own hand, on the flyleaf of each of them.
The three verses highlighted in this chapter reveal three very important, even crucial questions we should ask ourselves as we anticipate which way to turn at one of these inevitable intersections of life. . .
CAN I THANK GOD FOR IT?
When we find ourselves at temptation's corner, we should ask ourselves, 'If I go this way, say this thing, or do this deed, then when all is said and done, can I thank God for it?' We are called to give thanks 'in everything.' . . . We are not called upon to thank God FOR everything but IN everything.

CAN IT DO IT IN JESUS' NAME?
'Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him' (Col 3:17). . . Can I do it in Jesus name? If we would ask ourselves that question when we stand at temptation's corner, the world of things we say and do might be different. . . .

CAN I DO IT FOR GOD'S GLORY?
'Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God' (1 Cor 10:31). The true believer is motivated by a desire to bring God glory in every facet of life. If we would ask ourselves this important question more often, we would not do many of the things we do or say many of the things we say. . . .

As you memorize this verse, meditate on the truth of God's Word: 'In everything give thanks.' 'Whatever you do . . . do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' 'Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.' And don't forget to ask yourself---Can I thank God for it? Can I do it in Jesus' name? Can I do it for God's glory?"

from: "The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture verses Every Believer Should
Know" by O.S. Hawkins

06/17/2026

Today's Quote: "Abba Father"

"And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba Father!'" Galatians 4:6

"The word FATHER conjures up different images for everyone. To some it brings the picture of love, laughter, respect, and acceptance. Unfortunately, others associate the term 'father' with fear, rejection and disappointment. That is why it is so important not to take your understanding of your heavenly Father from your experience. Take it from Scripture. You undoubtedly had an imperfect earthly father, perhaps even one who brought you harm. But as in all of your Christian life, the key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in light of the Bible. God is your model like a father in the truest sense of the word.
Your heavenly Father was willing to pay any price in order to save you (Rom 8:32). Your heavenly Father is always ready to meet your needs (Luke 11:11-13). Your heavenly Father loves you so much that He is willing to discipline you to bring you to Christian maturity (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:5-10). Even when you rebel against Him and reject His love, your Father continues to do what is best for you (Rom 5:8). He does not make His love for you conditional upon your love for Him. He loves you even when you are not loving Him (1 John 4:19). He has made you His heirs and reserves a home for you in heaven (Rom 8:15-17).
This is what a father is like biblically. If this has not been your experience, it can be now. There is One who has adopted you and who wants to love you in a way you have never experienced Take comfort and strength from Him---your heavenly Father."

Henry T & Richard Blackaby's comments on Galatians 4: 6 from "Devotional: Experiencing God Day By Day"

06/17/2026

Thoughts for June 17

"I do not understand what to do . . . For I do not do the good I wanted to do, but the evil I do not want to do---this I keep doing."
Romans 7:15, 19

"I'm as human as the next guy. One minute I'm seeking God in prayer. The next minute I'm in a very unnecessary argument with my wife. I can worship passionately at church, only to criticize someone on the drive home. Occasionally, only the grace and power of God, I've even been known to preach a passionate, Spirit-filled message!
But many days I wonder if I'll ever get it right.
Not only is it hard to serve God fully when things are going my way; it's even harder to be faithful to him when things DON'T go my way. You likely know what I'm talking about. You try to get ahead financially, but then your car or your air conditioner or your dishwasher breaks down, and you slip even farther behind. You work as hard as you can to get promoted into your dream job, only to get passed over for that annoying person you can barely stand. More and more it seems that when you decide to live for God with all your heart, everything bad breaks loose in your life.
Which makes it really hard to do what you know you want to do. The more you fight to get things right, the more frustrated you become. That's why you must remember this simple truth: Jesus has already won the battle for you. All you have to do is follow His lead."

Power Lift
"Today I want to give you control of my life. Lord I may sometimes struggle with sin in this life, but I know that you have won the victory once and for all."

from: "Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel For Your Soul"
by Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church

06/16/2026

Today's Quote: "The Spirit Bears Witness"

"The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children." Romans 8:16

"It is impossible to perceive all that became ours when we were born again. There is no way we can understand all that heaven is like. How could we ever comprehend all that is ours as fellow heirs with Christ? The knowledge that we will share Christ's inheritance with Him absolutely astounds us. Left to our own, we could not begin to understand all that we received once we became children of the King. The Holy Spirit convinces us that we are indeed children of God and helps us understand the riches of our inheritance.
Perhaps you did not have a loving father. The Spirit's role is to teach you how to respond to a Father who relates to you only in perfect love and how to live like a child of the King. Perhaps you grew up in poverty. The Spirit will show you the inexhaustible riches available to you as a child of God.
If you were simply declared an heir and then left on your own, you could not begin to use your inheritance. But the Father has given you His Spirit to serve as your Guide and Teacher. The Holy Spirit will lead you to the magnificent promises and resources that became available when God adopted you into His family. Take time to meditate on the wonderful promises of God that are available to you. Let the Holy Spirit convince you of the reality that you are, indeed, a child of God and a fellow heir of Christ."

Henry T & Richard Blackaby's comments on Romans 8: 16 from "Devotional: Experiencing God Day By Day"

06/16/2026

Thoughts for June 16

"Be made new in the attitude of your minds." Ephesians 4:23

"One time three teenage boys randomly flipped me off as they drove by and raced ahead---laughing hysterically at how much faster, cooler, and superior they were to poor old geek-dad driving his kids around in a soccer mom's SUV.
Even though I had three of my kids in the car, in that moment something snapped. My foot pressed down on the accelerator and I found myself in hot pursuit. I must have been a full two minutes of full-throttle car chase mayhem (not unlike a car chase you'd see in a guy movie) before I came to my senses and let them go.
Maybe it was catching the look of sheer terror in my daughter's eyes in my rearview mirror. Maybe it was the thought of having to explain to my wife why the kids and I were being held down at the police headquarters. Maybe it was remembering that I live in a relatively small town and that I'm a pastor, one who usually doesn't go over ninety miles per hour on the highway (with his kids along) just to teach three punks a lesson.
Maybe it was realizing that I was choosing the wrong battle to fight.
Today make sure you're fighting the right battle and not being distracted by something that ultimately doesn't matter.
Life is too short to carry a grudge. Your calling is too great to waste your energy in anger. God's grace is too powerful to keep to yourself."

Power Lift
"Father, thank you for your power to renew my mind and keep my attitude focused on loving and serving others, not seeking revenge."

from: "Daily Power: 365 Days of Fuel For Your Soul"
by Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church

Psalm 31 Ministries LLC

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