Author: Stephen Trammell

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Praise Psalms Thanksgiving

Global Thanksgiving and Praise

“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:3-4 (ESV) Go global with your thanksgiving and praise. Go global with your gratitude for all that God has done to rescue you, to restore you, and to reconcile you to Himself. God has poured out His mercy and He has dispensed His grace so that you can know Him personally and intimately through a saving relationship with Jesus. God has lavished you with His love. You have a new identity in Christ and you have a message to declare. Your eternal destiny has been sealed by the Holy Spirit. How will you respond to what God has done to transform your life? Will you give thanks to Him among the peoples? Will you sing praise to Him among the nations? Thank the Lord for His steadfast love. Praise Him for his faithfulness. Acknowledge where you would be without Him. Affirm your dependency upon the Lord. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (ESV) Infuse your prayer life with thanksgiving. Begin to specify before the Lord the people you are thankful for. Name them and express your gratitude for each person the Lord has brought into your life. Thank the Lord for their influence. Praise the Lord for His activity in their lives. Bless the Lord for the impact they have had on your life. Thank the Lord for the circumstances He has brought you through. Praise Him for His divine intervention in the situations that He has shielded you from. Praise the Lord for revealing His peace, for distributing His provisions, and for healing your hurts. Testify of His faithfulness. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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1 Chronicles 2 Samuel David

Mourning into Dancing

“Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, ‘Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.’” 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 (ESV) When you see God at work you can rest assured that Satan is also at work. God loves you and has a plan for your life. Satan hates you and he also has an plan for your life. God’s plan is for you to honor Him and benefit others. Satan’s plan is for you to compromise your commitment to the Lord and for you to become casual in your Christianity. In opposition to Israel, Satan incited David to drift from God’s will. David’s decision to number Israel was in violation to God’s will. “But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.’” (1 Chronicles 21:7-8 ESV). David recognized his own iniquity and acknowledged his sin before God and asked God to remove the iniquity. Mourning over his sin, David confessed the foolishness of his actions. God gave David the opportunity to choose the consequences. David chose the pestilence of the land and 70,000 men of Israel fell. David personally experienced the mercy of God. “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV) Have you mourned over your sin? Confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness and allow Him to turn your mourning into dancing. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Praise Psalms Thanksgiving

Express Your Praise

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:1-5 (ESV) We were made to worship. God placed within us the desire to worship. In the natural, we choose to worship created things instead of the Creator. When we worship things or other people, we commit the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is a perversion of God’s intended purpose for our lives. We combat the gravitational pull of idolatry by surrendering to the Lordship of Christ and yielding our allegiance to Him. Choose to sing to the Lord. Sing to the Lord when you are alone. Sing to the Lord when you are joining fellow believers in corporate worship. Sing to the Lord when you are sitting, walking, jogging, or driving. Sing to the Lord when you are in the valley and when you are on the mountaintop. Even if you are not a gifted vocalist, make a joyful noise to rock of your salvation. Express your praise to God for He is a great God. He is a great King above all other gods. The earth is His. The mountains are His. The sea is His. The dry land is His. You are His. There is no one else like you. God has uniquely created you so that you can uniquely worship Him and express your praise to Him. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Psalms Pursuing God Thirst

Thirsting for God

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV) What are you passionate about? What makes you come alive? Consider your relationship with God. Long before you thought of God, He thought of you. Long before you could pursue Him, God pursued you with His redeeming love. Life in a fallen world has a confetti of allurements clasping for your attention. Your appetites crave being fulfilled. In temptation, Satan seeks to get you to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Don’t allow the magnetic tug of this world to erode your passion for God. Does your soul pant for God? Does your soul thirst for the living God? Focus your faith and allocate your affection. Nothing deserves your passionate pursuit more than the Creator of the universe. He has created you for His pleasure. You have been uniquely designed by God to fulfill His will. Pursue the Lord daily and eliminate idols. Remove anything that dilutes your passion for the Lord. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:11 (ESV) Place your total confidence in God. Praise Him for He is your salvation and your God. When you experience frustration, hope in God. When you face challenging circumstances, hope in God. When you go through seasons of uncertainty, hope in God. Start each day with God by having a daily quiet time. Spend time feeding on God’s Word and communing with God in prayer. Thirst for God and pursue Him daily. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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2 Samuel David Mephibosheth

Keep Your Word

“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, ‘There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.’ So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. And David said to the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the Lord?’” 2 Samuel 21:1-3 (ESV) The Gibeonites requested that King David bring seven of Saul’s sons to them so they could terminate their lives. David desired to position the Gibeonites to bless the heritage of the Lord. Their request would have a fatal impact on Mephibosheth. “But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul” (2 Samuel 21:7 ESV). David kept his word. He and Jonathan establish an oath before the Lord and David demonstrated integrity by protecting Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18 (ESV) Ask God to give you wisdom to make decisions that will honor Him and benefit others. May a harvest of righteousness be sown in peace as you seek to make peace. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Praise Psalms Trust

New Song

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV) God answers prayer. As you wait patiently for the Lord He will incline His ear and He will hear your cry. When you express the agony of your soul, God will respond with His comfort and compassion. The Lord invites you to walk intimately with Him as you surrender to His Lordship. God intervenes. The circumstances of life can sometimes generate seasons of heartache. God will draw you out of the pit of despair and He will make your steps secure by placing your feet upon a rock. God intervenes by rescuing you from your self-sufficiency and reminds you of your total dependence upon His daily provision. God puts a new song in your mouth. When you became a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, your eternal destiny in heaven was secured. You have the privilege of having a song to sing that expresses your new identity in Christ. The new song in your mouth is filled with the grace and mercy of God. Your life is a testimony of God’s activity. As others view your life, you can affirm the promises of God and know that He places you in the display window of life to draw others to Jesus. Praise God that you have a new song to sing. Your life has been transformed by the grace of God. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Memorial Day Ministry Reconciliation

Memorial Day

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Cor 5:18-19 (ESV) The freedom we enjoy in America comes at a great price. Thousands of men and women have given their lives in service to our country to preserve our freedom. We are blessed to worship God corporately without fear of invasion. Thank God for our fallen warriors and their families. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our reconciliation. Jesus died to provide for the forgiveness of our sins and to remove the barrier separating us from Holy God. Jesus was obedient to death on the cross to satisfy the righteous requirements of God. As the sinless sacrifice, Jesus provided to us heaven and eternal life. Now that you have been reconciled to God, extend the ministry of reconciliation to those disconnected from Christ. You are reconciled in order to reconcile. You have been given this life-changing ministry from God. God has empowered you to be a minister of reconciliation. Build intentional relationships with those who are disconnected from Christ. Join God in reconciling the world to Him. Your reconciliation qualifies you to partner with God in reconciling others through Christ. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 57:11-12 (ESV) Because of God’s faithfulness, you have been given a ministry to extend. Give praise to the Lord by sharing His steadfast love with those who don’t know Christ. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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2 Samuel David Grief

Dealing with Disappointment

“And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.” 2 Samuel 18:5 (ESV) While all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands, King David stood at the side of the gate. His fatherly compassion was articulated as he instructed the commanders to deal gently with Absalom. David’s own son had become an enemy. Absalom had orchestrated an ambush on David and his fighting men. David wanted Absalom brought to him unharmed. In the midst of Absalom’s pursuit of David, the mule he was riding went under some of the thick branches of a great oak. Absalom’s head got wedged between the branches and the mule continued on leaving Absalom suspended. When Joab heard about Absalom’s vulnerable status, he violated King David’s request and took matters into his own hands by thrusting three javelins into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak (2 Samuel 18:14 ESV). When the news of Absalom’s death was personally delivered to David, he went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. “And as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’” (2 Samuel 18:33 ESV). How do you deal with disappointments? People are fallible and will let you down at times. Occasionally, your own family members will disappoint you. There are times when you may disappoint others. Seasons of disappointment arise related to unfortunate circumstances that you find yourself in. Find comfort in the fact that God is on His throne and nothing will thwart His will. If God allows a disappointment to come into your life, He will use it for your good and for His glory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Psalms Refuge Strength

My Strength and Shield

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 (ESV) How many years have you been walking with God? Think through each year and decipher when your love relationship with God catapulted to a new level. Sometimes God will use a season of adversity in your life to bring your experience with Him to a deeper level. Sometimes God will bring someone into your life to spur you on in your daily walk with Him. As you navigate the terrain of living in a fallen world, you come to know by experience that the Lord is your strength. He nourishes your soul and infuses you with power to be on mission with Him. You also come to learn that the Lord is your shield. He extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. The Lord shields you from the onslaught of darkness, doubt, and defeat. Your help comes from the Lord. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 (ESV) Exalt the Lord and give Him thanks for all that He has done to provide you with everything you need for life and godliness. Sing praise to His Name for He alone is worthy. Place your burdens before the Lord and rest in His sustaining power. Learn to praise Him when you are on the mountaintop and when you are in the valley. Learn to trust Him when the path is clear and when the fog refuses to lift. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your faith grounded in the reality of God’s redeeming love. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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2 Samuel Brokenness David

Desperation and Prayer

“But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. And it was told David, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’” 2 Samuel 15:31-32 (ESV) What do you do when your world is falling apart? David had to combat discord within his family and within his kingdom. Absalom tried to usurp King David’s authority and sought to generate a conspiracy to overtake the throne. David entered a season of brokenness and wept before the Lord in prayer. The people with David emulated David’s posture and covered their heads and wept as they went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives. In desperation, David prayed for God’s divine intervention. David asked the Lord to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness before Absalom. How do you respond to adversity? What do you do when you experience unfair treatment by another person? You can choose to become bitter and allow your circumstances to dictate your feelings or you can choose to turn to the Lord in prayer. In desperation and brokenness before the Lord, express your pain and your plight to the Lord in prayer. Unveil your feelings and your frustrations. God invites you to come before him with the truth of your circumstances. If God allows adversity to come into your life, He will use it for your good and for His glory. Allow God to conform you into the image of Christ in the midst of the challenges you face. Trust God to work in you and through you to accomplish His plan. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

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Confession Forgiveness Psalms

Uncover Iniquity

“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 (ESV) The prophet Nathan confronted King David about his sin by sharing a parable and announcing, “You are the man.” King David could have had Nathan killed, but instead, the king got real about his own sin before God. David acknowledged his sin, uncovered his iniquity, and confessed his transgressions to the Lord. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Psalm 86:5 (ESV) God forgave David for his sin of adultery and murder and enabled David to become a man after God’s own heart. David became a portrait of God’s grace and a mascot of God’s mercy. Spend some time reviewing your life and invite the Lord to search your heart and to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life. The convicting work of the Holy Spirit will illuminate the areas of your life that are out of alignment with the holiness of God. Confess sin instantly and specifically. Claim the shed blood of Jesus over your life and walk in the victory you have through the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Satan seeks to discourage you and to defeat you. Don’t give him a foothold. Keep walking in the light God gives you. Avoid sin. Take ways that are firm. Fear God and keep His commandments. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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2 Samuel David Temptation

Predictable Process

“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’” 2 Samuel 11:2-3 (ESV) We have God-given desires that are natural and are vital to life. For example, we have the desire for food. Without that desire we would die. We also have the desire for rest. Without that desire we would die. Yet, both desires can become sin when we take them beyond God’s intended purpose. If we take our desire for food too far, we commit the sin of gluttony. In like manner, if we take our desire for rest too far, we commit the sin of laziness. King David experienced a fatal attraction. His lust lassoed him into a sinful spiral. Not only did he commit the sin of adultery, but he committed murder to cover up the affair. David could have won the victory over sin by avoiding the temptation from the start. Arm yourself with the knowledge of the predictable process of temptation. We idolize something we desire. The next step is that we rationalize why we should have the desire fulfilled. In other words, we talked ourselves into compromising convictions. Then we strategize by coming up with a plan to obtain the object we are idolizing. Ultimately, we capitalize on the opportunity by seizing what we have desired. Remorse and guilt follow. Look back over poor choices you have made in your lifetime. See if you can identify this predictable process. Here’s the key to victory: The sooner in the process you avoid the sin, the more likely you will overcome the temptation. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Marriage Prayer Psalms

Unhindered Prayer

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:18-19 (ESV) Sin is an offense to God. Sin is absent in heaven and yet fully present on earth. Sin saturates the landscape of life on this broken planet. The curse of sin can only be reversed through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, sin is removed and the righteousness of Christ is imputed. The new Christian is placed positionally right with God. Without purity, there is no power in prayer. As a child of God, it is imperative to stay close and clean by confessing sin instantly and receiving God’s forgiveness intentionally. You have to combat the impact of memory. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3 ESV). David had to navigate the reality of his memory. Even after confessing his sin of adultery and murder, he had to acknowledge that his sin was ever before him via memory. What hinders prayer? The most vicious impediment to prayer is sin. Sin violates the covenant relationship you have with God. Sin grieves the heart of God and quenches the Spirit of God living in you. Husband, when you do not live with your wife in an understanding way, your prayers are hindered. “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) The purity of your relationship with God and the purity of your relationships with others has a direct impact on the effectiveness of your prayer life. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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God's Provision Psalms Trust

Where Is Your Trust

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 (ESV) Trust is a fragile item in the life of a believer. Trust is like the petal of a rose. Trust can beautify a difficult path and create an aroma pleasing to Christ. Trust can also wilt when betrayed. Like a gem in the hand of a jeweler, trust in God can lead to an irresistible life in which God’s glory radiates. Where is the trust? In our society draped with affluence, it is so easy to trust in materialism. If we can only acquire one more object of our affection or jump into one more activity that produces an adrenaline rush, then we will be fulfilled…so we think. The things of this world just don’t deliver what they promise. The chariots of our culture and the horses of our entertainment are not trustworthy. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV) Only God can deliver on the magnitude of His promises. God always lives up to the level of His nature and character of perfection. There is no lack! There is no discrepancy! God is all sufficient and more than enough! Place your trust in the Lord. Anchor your faith to the Rock of ages. He is the source of your strength and empowers you to fulfill God’s agenda. As your faithful Shepherd, the Lord will help you overcome obstacles and live in victory. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Agnostic Athiest Psalms

From Atheist to Authentic Christian

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Psalm 53:1-3 (ESV) The atheist is a fool and believes there is no God. The agnostic believes that there may be a God, but that you cannot know Him. In both cases, the reality is that there is no one who seeks after God. God is the Seeker and pursues us with His redeeming love. Before we had the capacity to know God, in His mercy, God took the initiative to make Himself known. God took the initiative to demonstrate His love for us by allowing His only Son to pay the penalty of our sin in full. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (ESV) As Dr. David Fleming says, “You cannot be wrong about Jesus and right with God.” It does matter what you believe about Jesus and it does matter whether you believe in Jesus. Eternal life is found in Jesus alone by grace alone through faith alone. Do you have the Son? Have you transferred your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation? The bad news is that Jesus is the only way. The good news is that Jesus is the only way. Jesus is our only hope. What will you do with Jesus? Even an atheist can become an authentic Christian by receiving the gift of eternal life found in Jesus alone. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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2 Samuel David Mephibosheth

Unleash God’s Love

“And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’ And he answered, ‘Behold, I am your servant.’ And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.’” 2 Samuel 9:6-7 (ESV) What does your love look like? Is your love reserved for those who can benefit you or do you lavish your love on those who can do nothing in return? Unleash God’s love by living a life of love that benefits others. King David unleashed God’s love by blessing the most unlikely person. Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son. Mephibosheth was lame in both his feet. King David gave all that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth and offered unlimited seating at the King’s table. That’s right! Mephibosheth would now eat at the King’s table. “‘So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 7:12 (ESV) “‘I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’” Matthew 25:43 (ESV) When you unleash God’s love to benefit others, you are continuing the ministry of Jesus. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Value others the way you want to be valued. Serve the underprivileged. Go beyond yourself to bless and benefit those who can do nothing in return for you. As you love others you will be loving Jesus. As you honor others you will be honoring Jesus. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Blessed Psalms Righteousness

Blessed Nation

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” Psalm 33:12 (ESV) We acknowledge verbally in our pledge of allegiance that we are one nation under God. How accurate is that statement? Are we really one nation under God? The Psalmist affirms that a nation is blessed whose God is the Lord. God has chosen them as His heritage. Would the United States of America fall into that category? We desire the blessing of God. Do we choose to bless God as a nation? We want God to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out his abundance upon us, but are we ready to open our hearts and surrender to the Lordship of Christ as a nation? “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.” Psalm 36:5-6 (ESV) “‘O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!’” Psalm 39:4 (ESV) Affirm the steadfast love of God. Acknowledge the faithfulness of God. Consider the righteousness of God and the soundness of His judgements. Rejoice in the redemptive activity of God. God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. The Lord God knows the measure of your days and how fleeting you are. Stay humble before the Lord and acknowledge your dependency upon Him. Set the example by honoring Him with your life and validating your faith by your love. Pray for national revival and let it begin in you. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles David Gratitude

Cultivate Gratitude

“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!’” 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (ESV) King David expressed utmost gratitude for what God had done for him. Cultivate gratitude. Put gratitude in your attitude. Consider Jim Elliot’s insight, “One of the greatest blessings of heaven is the appreciation of heaven on earth.” Be thankful. Be appreciative. Be grateful. As you cultivate gratitude, you will notice that your perspective on life will become healthier. Your interaction with others will be seasoned with grace. Instead of being critical of others, you will become compassionate towards others. Gratitude will enable you to enjoy what God has given you and will enable you to appreciate the blessings God has lavished on you. “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” Psalm 105:1 (ESV) “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’” Revelation 7:11-12 (ESV) Cultivating gratitude will unleash God’s love in you and through you. Be thankful for what God has done to reconcile you to Himself. Be appreciative of God’s invitation for you to join Him in His activity. Be grateful for the opportunities God gives you to spread the love of Christ. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Gladness Psalms Serve

Serve with Gladness

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV) Through the experience of surviving a Jet Ski accident at age sixteen, God called me to preach. My entire life was redirected. I had always dreamed of becoming an architect to design and build great buildings. God had a different plan for my life. He refocused my life on building lives for eternity. I had the joy of being an interim pastor the summer before I entered college. My first business card had a tag line which stated, “Serving the Lord with gladness.” My mother and mamaw modeled the value of serving the Lord through the local church my entire life. My mother played the piano and my mamaw played the organ. My junior year in college, I met Tonya and we got married a year and a half later. Tonya has faithfully modeled the value of serving the Lord with gladness through the local church. Our desire is to model that consistently before our children. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) Where do you serve? How are you exercising the spiritual gifts God has given you? God has saved you so that you can serve Him with gladness. He made you and you are His. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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God's Provision Psalms Shepherd

My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV) God never intended for you to walk through adversity alone. Maybe you have heard someone say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. That’s not true. God will not put more on you than you can handle with His help. When you come to know Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you find the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Pt. 2:25). The Christian life is not a solo flight. God does not launch you into the world and expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God provides refuge when you need to retreat, strength when you need to endure, and help when you need relief. Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need and the exact moment you need it. Are you in need of help? Are you hurting, lonely, or discouraged? Share your heart with God in prayer and anticipate His response. No need to count sheep, just talk to your Shepherd. He will lead you beside still waters. His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles Ark of the Covenant Obed-edom

Entrusted with the Gospel

“And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.” 1 Chronicles 13:14 (ESV) Obed-edom must have been a very special man to be chosen to bring the ark of God into his house. For three months, Obed-edom took care of the ark of God. He was entrusted with the sacred ark. The Lord’s favor was upon Obed-edom’s household and all that he had was blessed by God. “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (ESV) “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV) As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been entrusted with the gospel. You have been chosen by God to declare His glory among the nations. You have the privilege and the responsibility of making Jesus known. Now that you know Jesus personally, make Him known intentionally. What are you doing with the gospel entrusted to you? How are you communicating the saving news of Jesus Christ? Think about the opportunities God has given you to make Jesus known. Seize the divine appointments God orchestrates for you to join Him in His redemptive activity. God wants to use you in spreading the fragrance of Christ. Does your life draw people to Christ? Commit to point people to Jesus. You have been entrusted with the cure for the cancer of sin. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Disobedience Moses Numbers

God’s Way

“Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.’” Numbers 20:6-8 (ESV) God’s way is always the best way. When you are contemplating a direction you should take or a decision you should make, remember that God has a specific plan for you. God’s will is to be done God’s way. Moses and Aaron learned a painful lesson about doing God’s work God’s way. Instead of speaking to the rock to provide water for the people of Israel, Moses struck the rock with his staff twice. Water came out abundantly and the congregation and the livestock drank. Everything appeared to go as planned until God spoke. “And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them’” (Num 20:12 ESV). Disobedience brings discipline. “Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” (Heb 12:9-10 ESV). God’s way is always the best way. God blesses obedience. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Protection Psalms Unity

Ensure Unity

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV) Division breeds disunity. The absence of unity signals the presence of division. Where there is division, there are two visions. God’s vision for us is that we will dwell together in unity. As His children, we are the body of Christ. Unity in the midst of diversity is a mark of spiritual maturity. God desires that we do life together in unity as fellow believers in His family. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesian 4:1-3 (ESV) “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8 (ESV) Ensuring unity requires sympathy, sensitivity, and humility. Love compels you to place the needs of others before your own. Love inspires you to forfeit your own personal agenda in order to embrace God’s agenda. In humility, you ensure unity by being considerate of others and being conscientious of God’s will. Think about the health of the relationships in your life at this time. Is there anyone sowing discord? Is there anything creating suspicion and eroding trust? Do your part to confront the disunity in order to ensure unity. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles David God's Timing

Trust God’s Timing

“All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them.” 1 Chronicles 12:38-39 (ESV) Before David became king, he genuinely served King Saul and waited patiently for God’s timing. David endured severe persecution and unfair treatment by King Saul. David’s own family doubted his suitability. By the world’s standards, David did not fit the mold. “When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV) God continued to work and paved the way for David to become king. In God’s perfect timing, David fulfilled the position God had established for him. Nothing can thwart God’s will and nothing can dismantle God’s impeccable timing. God will always accomplish His plan in His perfect timing. Do you trust God’s timing? Is there anything you are worrying about or fretting over? Release your fears and reaffirm your faith in the Living God. Pray specifically about those things that are weighing you down. Submit your uncertainties and your frustrations to the Lord in prayer. God looks at the heart and He knows your heart. Before God formed you He knew you personally and before you were born God set you apart for Himself. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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Compassion Forgiveness Psalms

Father of Compassion

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14 (ESV) Three comparisons are made to demonstrate the vastness of God’s love toward us. The immense gap between the heavens and the earth is one picture of  how great God’s steadfast love is toward us. God’s love is grandiose. Try to measure the distance between the east and west and you will be able to capture the distance between our sin and us. God places our sin as far as the east is from the west. Infinity is the immeasurable distance. You cannot place a measurement on the distance that God places between our sin and ourselves. When God removes our sin, He completely removes our sin. Just as a compassionate father shows compassion to his children, our Heavenly Father shows compassion to us. The abundance of God’s compassion cannot be depleted. God’s compassion is endless. The ultimate portrait of His compassion is found in Romans 5:8, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God created us and knows our limitations and the frailty of our humanity. He knows our frame. He knows every fiber of our being. God has not forgotten that we are dust. As God’s steadfast love is lavished on us and His compassion is dispensed, He knows the challenges we face in this fallen world. He is our Father of Compassion! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles Justice Saul

Keep the Faith

“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (ESV) Where do you turn for guidance? What is your source for knowing God’s will? Saul drifted from God and forfeited his faith through his willful disobedience. Instead of seeking God for guidance, he consulted a medium. Instead of keeping the command of the Lord, Saul went his own way. He did not keep the faith. As a result, the Lord allowed Saul to be put to death and gave the kingdom to David. You have the capacity to choose how you will live your life. You can embrace the way of selfishness and choose the way that satisfies your personal ambition and fleshly cravings or you can choose the way of the Lord. You can bypass the faith and take paths that are contrary to the will of God or you can seek the Lord and obey His promptings. The Apostle Paul, in his final letter to Timothy, affirmed the heavenly reward of keeping the faith. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith. The Lord will award you with the crown of righteousness. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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God's Way Psalms Rebellion

Walk in His Ways

“‘But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!’” Psalm 81:11-13 (ESV) God miraculously delivered the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. They witnessed the ten plagues of Egypt as orchestrated by God. He enabled them to cross the Red Sea on dry ground and supernaturally provided them with manna from heaven in the morning and quail in the evening. God quenched their thirst with water from the rock and their clothes did not wear out. However, they did not listen to God’s voice, they would not submit to Him, and they refused to walk in His ways. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV) “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) To walk in God’s ways, you must know Him personally by transferring your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation. Once you come into union with Christ, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in His ways. Walking by the Spirit is synonymous with walking in Christ. To walk in God’s ways is to walk as Jesus walked and to do what Jesus did. As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will learn what God values and what God hates. You will discover God’s will and you will detect God’s agenda. Align your life with the heart of God and submit to His authority. Walk in His ways! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles Commitment David

Do Your Part

“These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.” 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 (ESV) God blesses order. As one of my mentors would often say, “Where there is order, there is fruitfulness.” As you examine creation, you will quickly detect that God values order. God designed order in the family unit as well as in the establishment of government. David positioned the worship leaders to minister with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. They performed their service according to their order. In God’s economy, everybody matters. Everyone has a contribution to make in God’s order. ” I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV) Who is more important, the one who plants or the one who waters? Who is more important, the one who builds a tabernacle or the one who ministers with song? Neither! It is all about God and all about what God wants to accomplish through His people. God gives the growth. God gets the glory. We are created in God’s image to fulfill God’s plan. Your function in the body of Christ is vital. You are a crucial component to the redemptive activity of God. Do your part! Invest your time, energy, and resources in doing your part to advance God’s work on the earth. Make an eternal difference right where you are. Bloom where God has planted you! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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David Integrity Psalms

Heart and Hand

“With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” Psalm 78:72 (ESV) Does the tongue in your mouth line up with the tongue in your shoe? Is your talk in alignment with your walk? If so, that’s integrity! Honesty and truthfulness are garments that every child of God should feature. To be a person of integrity is to be honest about who you are and truthful in your conversation and your conduct. Perhaps you know of people who are loaded with talent, but lack integrity. In many cases, their talent took them farther than their character could sustain them. We have watched countless talented men and women fall into grave immorality due to the lack of integrity. In God’s economy, talent and skill are insufficient without integrity. God wants us to use the gifts and abilities He has blessed us with through the avenue of integrity. The level of our integrity determines the veracity of our testimony. Purity, honesty, and authenticity are vital components for the person God uses. King David was not perfect. He made some poor choices and leveraged his position to indulge his sinful appetite. Yet, in brokenness and humility, he confessed his sin and received God’s forgiveness. David shepherded the people with integrity. He led the people with skillful hands. God’s grace was more than sufficient for the race. David learned to depend upon God and to trust in His daily provision. If God can make someone like King David into a man after God’s own heart, then there’s hope for us. We can walk in integrity through our daily dependence upon God. Without His ample supply of grace, we have no chance of living a life of integrity. Let’s surrender completely to the Lord’s control and allow Him to live His life of integrity through us. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

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1 Chronicles Jabez Prayer

Prayer of Jabez & Jesus

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (ESV) You can discover what is important to people by listening to their prayers. Jabez prayed for God’s blessing, for God’s abundance, for God’s provision, and for God’s protection. As Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He requested to be glorified by God so that He in turn could bring glory to God. There are 650 prayers in the Bible and the Gospels record nineteen occasions upon which Jesus prayed. The longest prayer we have of Jesus is found in the twenty-six verses of John 17. The Disciples had the privilege of overhearing this prayer of Jesus while they were in the Upper Room. Jesus prays for Himself, He prays for the Disciples, and then He prays for future followers, which includes us. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’” John 17:1 (ESV) As you study the life of Christ in the Gospels, you will discover that Jesus oriented His life around the focus of bringing glory to God. His message, His miracles, and His personal touch ministry were featured to bring glory to God. What do you value? What have you been praying? Your prayers indicate what you value. Do you value bringing glory to God? God deserves all of the glory for what He has rescued you from and saved you for. Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell