God is a faithful shepherd who leads, restores, and protects His people, ensuring that even in the darkest valleys, we need not fear because His presence and provision are constant. In every season of life, whether in abundance or in want, God’s goodness and mercy follow us, and He prepares blessings for us even in the presence of our enemies. When we trust Him as our shepherd, we find rest, renewal, and the assurance that we will dwell in His presence forever. [03:27]
Psalm 23 (KJV):
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God as your shepherd today, allowing Him to lead you through uncertainty or fear?
We are called to bless the Lord with all that is within us, remembering that He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, renews our strength, and showers us with mercy and grace beyond what we deserve. God’s compassion is unending, and His blessings are not just for our physical needs but also for our souls, renewing us like the eagle and satisfying us with good things. When we pause to reflect on His benefits, gratitude wells up and we are moved to praise Him wholeheartedly. [05:24]
Psalm 103:1-5, 8 (KJV):
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Reflection: What is one specific benefit or blessing from God that you can thank Him for today, and how can you express that gratitude in a tangible way?
Persistent prayer is essential, not only for ourselves but for others, especially our youth and those facing challenges, because God hears and responds to the prayers of His people. Even when we do not know the details of someone’s struggle, we can intercede on their behalf, trusting that God is bigger than any problem and able to deliver, cover, and strengthen those we lift up in prayer. Our willingness to pray for others is a powerful act of love and faith, inviting God’s presence and protection into their lives. [17:54]
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV):
Pray without ceasing.
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally pray for today, asking God to cover, strengthen, and encourage them in their current season?
When you are on fire for God and striving to fulfill His purpose, expect opposition and attacks, but know that God’s power enables you to shake off every attempt of the enemy and keep moving forward. Like Paul, who was bitten by a viper yet suffered no harm, you may face unexpected challenges or criticism, but your response of faith and perseverance can become a testimony to others of God’s sustaining grace. Instead of letting setbacks define you, trust that God will use even your trials to elevate you and bless others through your example. [41:49]
Acts 28:3-6 (KJV):
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Reflection: What is one “snake bite” or attack you are facing right now, and how can you choose to “shake it off” and trust God’s purpose for you today?
God often allows us to go through difficulties not only for our growth but so that our faith and endurance can become a blessing and encouragement to others who are watching. When you overcome adversity with trust in God, your story becomes a testimony that inspires hope and points people to the power of God at work in your life. Just as Paul’s survival and faith led to opportunities to minister and bring healing to others, your response to trials can open doors for God to use you in ways you never expected. [01:00:16]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV):
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Reflection: Who in your life might be encouraged or helped by hearing how God has brought you through a difficult season, and how can you share your story with them this week?
Today is a day to rejoice and be glad, for God has given us another opportunity to gather, worship, and experience His presence. We are reminded through Psalm 23 and Psalm 103 of God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His mercy that renews us daily. As we come together, we not only seek God’s blessings but also offer Him our praise, recognizing that every breath and every new day is a gift of His unconditional love.
We are called to be a community that imitates Christ’s love, reaching out through acts of service, such as our annual Thanksgiving drive, and by supporting one another in prayer. The importance of standing in the gap for others, especially our youth, is emphasized, knowing that prayer is a powerful covering in a world where outward smiles often hide inward struggles. God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.
Drawing from Acts 28, we see Paul’s journey as an example of perseverance and faith. Despite being shipwrecked and bitten by a venomous snake, Paul’s response was not panic or despair, but trust in God’s purpose. He simply “shook it off,” knowing that God’s promise would see him through. This teaches us that when we are on fire for God, opposition will come—sometimes from unexpected places, even from within the very things we use to serve God. Yet, it is in these moments of attack that our faith is tested and our character revealed.
How we handle adversity matters. People may misjudge our struggles, assuming we are being punished, but often God is using our trials to display His power and to prepare us to bless others. Paul’s calmness in crisis led to opportunities for ministry and healing, showing that God can turn attacks into avenues for influence and elevation.
Spiritually, when we are bitten by life’s “snakes”—betrayal, criticism, setbacks—we are called to shake it off, not letting the poison of bitterness or discouragement take root. Jesus Himself modeled this on the cross, forgiving those who wronged Him and rising in victory. Because He overcame, we too can rise above every attack, trusting that God will use even our hardships for His glory and our good.
Acts 28:3-6 (KJV) — > 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
> 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
> 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
> 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV) — > 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
> 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
> 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
> 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
> 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
> 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
If you're not on fire for God, Satan has no reason to mess with you. Come on, teach pastor. But when you are on fire for the Lord, you're trying to do something right. You're trying to walk according to his plan. That's when the devil gets busy. You're trying to do something right. You're trying to walk according to his plan. You're trying to do something right. But when the devil gets busy. because he does not want you to fulfill what God has for you. [00:49:03] (26 seconds) #FireInvitesAttack
Oftentimes when folk perceive that you're going through some attack in your life, people will tend to look at your situation and think that you've done something wrong or that you're reaping some punishment because you're going through the storm. And so is there anybody in here that knows and can testify that every time you go through the storms of life, it doesn't mean that you've done something wrong. Sometimes God wants to use you because of your character and how you handle being attacked. [00:52:43] (40 seconds) #StormsTestCharacter
When you are attacked, do you throw in the towel? Do you curse God? Do you get angry with God? Or do you look at your situation and say, if he brought me to it, he can bring me through it? [00:53:26] (19 seconds) #FaithOverFear
You have to shake it off. You may ended up in the palace. Because sometimes God uses your attacks to elevate you to higher heights. And so now when I go through stuff, I don't throw in the towel, I don't get down. But all I do is just trust in God and know that he can use what the devil is trying to attack me. [01:10:22] (82 seconds)
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