Month: May 2025

May 22, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Psalms 95, 97–99

Common Theme

These psalms proclaim the sovereign reign of the LORD over all creation and call His people to respond with reverent worship, joyful praise, and humble submission. God’s holiness, justice, and supremacy demand both awe and delight from those who know Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing God as King affect the way I worship, obey, and trust Him today?
  2. What does it mean to “rejoice in His holiness” (Psalm 97:12) in practical terms?

God Shot

The LORD reigns—not as a distant monarch, but as a present and powerful King whose justice, righteousness, and holiness define reality itself. He is not only exalted above all gods (Psalm 97:9), but He draws near to shepherd His people (Psalm 95:7), making His majesty both terrifying and tender.

May 21, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

2 Samuel 22–23; Psalm 57

Common Theme

God is a steadfast deliverer and protector for those who trust in Him. These chapters celebrate God’s faithfulness in raising up a righteous king, empowering him to overcome enemies, and responding to cries for mercy with saving power.

Questions

  • How do these songs of David help shape our understanding of God’s role in both personal trials and national leadership?
  • What does David’s legacy—both in his mighty men and in his final words—teach us about the kind of character God honors?

God Shot

God reveals Himself as a rock, fortress, and Savior who delights in rescuing the humble (2 Sam 22:2–20). He is the God who empowers His people for battle and establishes His covenant with those who fear Him. In Psalm 57, He is the Most High who fulfills His purpose, sends from heaven to save, and whose steadfast love reaches to the heavens. We see a God who exalts Himself above the heavens and yet stoops low to shield His servant with mercy and faithfulness.

Our Father, Our Guide: A Daily Devotion from the Lord’s Prayer

Shout out to my friend Kyle for providing this guide to our group!

Praying the Lord’s Prayer

Source: “Praying the Lord’s Prayer” by Brad Boyston, November 2006 – Original PDF document

Introduction

Jesus gave His disciples a model prayer—not simply a formula to recite but a framework to guide hearts in communion with God. The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13 teaches us how to approach God with reverence, dependence, and surrender.

1. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name”

This opening line affirms both intimacy and majesty. God is our Father—personal and present—but He is also holy, worthy of awe and adoration. To “hallow” His name is to recognize His sacred character in every prayer and every part of our lives (Matthew 6:9).

2. “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

Here we submit our plans and desires to God’s sovereign rule. This prayer aligns us with His purpose and invites His reign in our relationships, choices, and culture. We express our desire to see earth mirror heaven, yielding to God’s redemptive work (Matthew 6:10).

3. “Give us today our daily bread”

Jesus instructs us to ask for what we need each day—both physically and spiritually. This request nurtures our trust in God’s provision and reminds us of our dependence on Him, just as Israel relied on manna in the wilderness (Matthew 6:11; Exodus 16).

4. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”

This part teaches humility and grace. We acknowledge our need for God’s mercy while extending it to others. Forgiveness is both a gift received and a command to be lived out in community (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32).

5. “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

We pray for protection against both spiritual pitfalls and the schemes of the enemy. This final petition declares our dependence on God for moral strength and spiritual safety (Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Conclusion

The Lord’s Prayer is a daily invitation to center our hearts on God’s glory, kingdom, provision, grace, and power. It forms a rhythm of reliance and reverence that transforms our relationship with God.

Citations:

  • Matthew 6:9–13 – The Lord’s Prayer
  • Exodus 16 – God’s provision of manna
  • Ephesians 4:32 – Call to forgiveness
  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God’s faithfulness in temptation
  • Brad Boyston, “Praying the Lord’s Prayer,” November 2006 (PDF source)

May 20, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Psalms 5, 38, 41–42

Common Theme

These psalms express the cry of a suffering and often misunderstood servant of God, seeking mercy, healing, and hope. Despite emotional and physical anguish, the psalmists repeatedly turn their eyes toward God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.

Questions

  • How does honest lament open the door to deeper dependence on God?
  • What do these psalms teach us about God’s response to those who suffer in silence or are falsely accused?

God Shot

God is a compassionate refuge who listens to the groans of the afflicted and receives the prayers of the brokenhearted. He is unshaken by our mess and near to our pain—worthy of our trust even when we cannot feel His presence.

Waiting on the Lord: The Strength of Stillness

Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord

“Wait for the LORD.” — Psalm 27:14

Waiting might seem simple, but it’s one of the hardest things for a Christian to learn. It’s easier to charge ahead than to stand still. Sometimes, even when you really want to do what’s right, you just don’t know what to do next. What then? Give in to fear or frustration? Back down, panic, or make impulsive decisions? No—just wait.

Wait by praying. Talk to God about your situation. Be honest about your confusion and ask Him to help you. In moments when you’re torn between two paths, come to God like a child, humbly and simply, and let Him guide you. It’s a good place to be when you recognize you don’t have all the answers and are ready to follow His lead.

Wait with faith. Don’t just wait and worry. Trust that God is working, even if you don’t see it yet. Even if He seems slow, He’s always right on time. His promises never fail.

Wait with quiet patience. Don’t complain about what’s happening. Instead, thank God, even in the struggle. Don’t blame others or wish for the past. Accept your current situation as part of His plan, and hand it all over to Him—your thoughts, your fears, your decisions—saying:

“Lord, not my will, but Yours.
I don’t know what to do, and I’m at the end of my rope, but I’ll wait.
I’ll wait for You to calm the storm or clear the way.
I’ll wait as long as You want, because my heart is fixed on You alone.
I trust You, God. You are my hope, my rescue, my shelter, and my strength.”

Citation:
Inspired by Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, August 30 entry. Public domain.

Image Source: Heartlight.org

May 19, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

2 Samuel 19–21

Common Theme

God restores David’s kingship amid lingering consequences of sin and brokenness. Justice, mercy, and covenant loyalty are interwoven as God continues His purposes despite human failure.

Questions

  • How does David balance mercy and justice as he returns to power?
  • What does God’s response to Saul’s past sin teach us about the lasting impact of disobedience?

God Shot

God is both just and faithful. He remembers covenants (like with the Gibeonites) and holds leaders accountable, even across generations. Yet in the midst of chaos, He upholds His chosen one—restoring David and preserving His promises through human frailty.

May 18, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64

Common Theme
God is the unwavering refuge and righteous judge for those who trust in Him. In the face of false accusations, injustice, or fear, these psalms repeatedly affirm that the Lord hears, defends, and delivers the upright while ultimately silencing the wicked.

Reflection Questions
1. What does it look like to wait patiently for the Lord when your circumstances remain unjust or unclear?
2. In what ways do you find refuge in God when you feel attacked, slandered, or overwhelmed?

God Shot
God is a defender of the innocent and a refuge for the oppressed. He listens, responds, and acts with justice—not on our timetable, but in perfect wisdom and power. He is not silent in the face of evil; He hears the cries of His people and rises to act on their behalf.

May 17, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

2 Samuel 16–18

Common Theme
God’s sovereignty remains unshaken amidst betrayal, rebellion, and the flawed decisions of men. Even in David’s humiliation and Absalom’s rise, the Lord steers the course of events to fulfill His purposes.

Questions to Consider
– How does David’s response to betrayal reveal his trust in God’s justice and timing?
– In what ways does Absalom’s downfall reflect the consequences of pride and rebellion?

God Shot
God is a sovereign King who allows rebellion for a time but never relinquishes His rule. He frustrates the counsel of the wicked, protects His anointed, and executes justice in His perfect timing—not out of haste, but with holy precision.

How Prayer Shapes Your Spiritual Future

The Power of Prayer: Why I Can’t Afford to Go Without It

There are countless books on prayer, but every now and then, a quote hits with unusual clarity and conviction. This one, from Mark Batterson’s Be a Circle Maker, captures something deeply true about why regular, intentional prayer matters so much in my life.

“It is absolutely imperative at the outset that you come to terms with this simple yet life-changing truth: God is for you. If you don’t believe that, then you’ll pray small timid prayers; if you do believe it, then you’ll pray big audacious prayers.

And one way or another, your small timid prayers or big audacious prayers will change the trajectory of your life and turn you into two totally different people.

Prayers are prophecies. They are the best predictors of your spiritual future. Who you become is determined by how you pray. Ultimately, the transcript of your prayers becomes the script of your life.”

— Mark Batterson, Be a Circle Maker, p. 21. Copyright © 2011, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This quote reminds me that prayer isn’t just communication; it’s formation. When I take prayer seriously, it reshapes my mindset, refocuses my vision, and reorders my life. That’s why I can’t afford to treat it lightly—or sporadically. My future depends on it.

May 16, 2025 – Bible Recap Journal

Psalms 3–4, 12–13, 28, 55

Common Theme

God is a refuge for the righteous in times of betrayal, fear, and injustice. Each psalm expresses honest distress but ultimately turns to confidence in God’s justice, nearness, and deliverance.

Questions

  • What does it mean to truly cast our burdens on the Lord, especially when the betrayal comes from someone close?
  • How can we remain confident in God’s justice when the wicked seem to prevail?

God Shot

God is the unwavering refuge for the afflicted—He listens, defends, and acts. He hates lies, loves righteousness, and never abandons those who trust in Him. Even when His people cry out in despair, He sustains them, bears their burdens, and secures justice in His perfect timing.