Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read the oldest psalm in the Psalter—Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses. How important to remember the context of the dark and disciplinary wilderness wanderings before we commence with the reading of this 3,400 year old song. Let these words also be helpful in mining the wisdom of considering our own mortality. There is much to glean about God’s special relationship with Israel in our reading of Romans 11:1-21; don’t miss it.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The psalmist struggles internally in Psalm 88—as we all do from time to time. I trust that these transparent lyrics will give us a sense that not only our temptations, but also our doubts and pains, are all “common to man” (1Cor.10:13). As you read Psalm 89 and Romans 10 be sure to note some of the common themes found in both chapters. May we see God’s persistent love for his covenant people.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 88-89

I Cry Ou...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

I hope our thoughtful reading in the Psalms today, is a perfect backdrop to the notoriously difficult doctrine of God’s sovereignty in Romans 9. Unfortunately the conditioning by our culture, which makes much of our autonomy, has made this section of Scripture one that many people avoid. May we read these God-breathed words with humility, modesty, and a contrite heart.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 85-87

Revive Us Again

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the So...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Psalm 82 we see a powerful reminder that our dealings on earth should reflect the righteousness, equity, and justice of the God in heaven. Let us see the grave responsibility we have as leaders, bosses, managers, parents, coaches, and teachers. May our reading of the second half of Romans 8 be a great encouragement to our hearts and minds today.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 82-84

Rescue the Weak and Needy

A Psalm of Asaph.

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The ardent calls for God’s compassion and grace in Psalms 79 and 80 can be an important prompt for us to take our sins seriously. We praise God for his mercy and forgiveness, but we should never cheapen them by thinking less of sin. I pray that the first half of Romans 8 is a cause for thanksgiving and joy that supersedes our earthly disappointments and struggles.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 79-81

How Long, O Lord?

A...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We receive a helpful biblical history lesson today in our reading of Psalm 78. In the New Testament we see a dramatic and frustrating depiction of the internal conflict that shows us the futility of attempting to please God without the regenerative and indwelling enablement of the Holy Spirit. Remember, when you read Romans 7 that Romans 8 is soon to follow in Paul’s argument. Perhaps a review of my take on this passage will help you to keep this experience in perspective (see sermon #10-08 on the Focal Point website).

— Pastor Mike<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May our reading of today’s psalms, which remind us of God’s overarching management of all things, encourage us, assure us, and fuel our resolve to trust and follow his revealed will. That resolve is clearly seen in the call of the Apostle Paul in Romans 6. Let us see our righteous obligations in clear focus as we read this great New Testament chapter.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 75-77

God Will Judge with Equity

To the c...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 73, which depicts our chronic temptation to evaluate reality by the short-term gains people make in this life. May we, like Asaph, be attuned to the perspective-building experience of “entering God’s sanctuary” and considering the long-term end that awaits both those who trust in Christ, and those who don’t. Let us not lament over life’s inequities, but “take refuge” in a God who will always be proven as the One who keeps his promises.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The heartfelt cries for God’s intervention in Psalms 70-72 can be a needed reminder for us to continue to look to God and to cry out for his deliverance when our troubles persist. May all of our temporal troubles be put into perspective as we consider the amazing transaction described in Romans 4, knowing that our ultimate and eternal trouble was remedied for us on the cross of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 70-72

O Lord, Do Not...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

While today’s two psalms remind us of the reality of relative, or comparative righteous behavior, Romans 3 impresses on us the truth that when it comes to absolute righteousness, “there is none righteous, no, not one” (v.10). Let us not deny the truth or the importance of the former, in our affirmation of the latter.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 68-69

God Shall Scatter His Enemies

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.

6...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Our Old Testament reading begins with a simple but profound truth: “Praise is due to you, O God.” What a helpful adjustment to our thinking that our worship and praise is not an extracurricular activity. God requires praise, as the Giver of all things—including our very lives. May our worshipful reading of his word today invoke praise, thanksgiving, and genuine worship.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 65-67

O God of Our Salvation

To the choirmaste...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read some very personal psalms of David that I pray will prompt us to pour out our hearts to God in prayer (and even with our written words). In our New Testament reading we commence with this year’s reading of the great Book of Romans. I hope that in the next couple of weeks, as we move quickly through Romans, we will gather the heart of Paul—as he seeks to inform regarding how the gospel works, and to motivate God’s people in response to it.

— Pastor Mik...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

David gives us some transparent prayers for deliverance in Psalms 59, 60, & 61. Let us learn to trust God and face our challenges fearlessly, especially when it is our fidelity to God that has led to the opposition in our lives. We close out Luke’s account of the “Acts of the Apostles” today with the end of Acts 28. Notice how it ends abruptly, which not only gives us a hint to the dating of the book, but also leaves the church with a sense that the story of the expansion of the gospel “goes on.”

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a great declaration in Psalm 56 of our need to trust God when circumstances tempt us to fear (compare v.3 and v.11). Let the praise of Psalm 57 and the sobriety of Psalm 58 be reflected in our thoughts and prayers today. In Acts 28 we see a fulfillment of Christ’s promise of protection when we give our lives and energy to reach others with the gospel in the name of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 56-58

In God...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Psalm 53 we read a set of sobering lyrics regarding the moral issues that drive bad theology (or no theology at all). May we see the world’s great need for Christ’s redemptive work through the words of this psalm. May we personally respond with the comforting perspective found in Psalms 54-55. Paul’s tumultuous journey continues in the second half of Acts 27. May his life and ministry remind us that most of ours are relatively peaceful by comparison.

— Pastor Mike

...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a relevant set of psalms we read today in our Old Testament reading. May our hearts be open to take in and ponder the eternal truths we encounter in this great triad of psalms. In the first half of Acts 27 we see again that God has his providential hand on his messenger, even while he was made to endure such challenging circumstances.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 50-52

God Himself Is Judge

A Psal...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we encounter two great psalms of triumphant praise, and a third psalm that can grant us perspective on the inequities we all observe in the present age. Acts 26 shows us Paul’s masterful defense before King Herod Agrippa II, the great-grandson of the “Herod” who murdered the children in Matthew 2.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 47-49

God Is King over All the Earth

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

47 Clap...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Again we can sympathize with the feelings of the psalmist in our Old Testament reading. Let us come through these kinds of tests with stronger faith, and confidence in the goodness of God and the wisdom of his timing. Paul continues to argue for the truth of Christ and the truth regarding his own life in Acts 25.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 44-46

Come to Our Help

To the choirmaster. A Maskil [1] of the Sons of K...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

David hurts over the attack on his reputation in Psalm 41. May we respond to the attacks on us with a resolve to seek God. Both Psalm 42 and 43 are very helpful in maintaining a proper perspective when things go wrong. In Acts 24, Paul shows great strength and perspective under pressure as he makes his defense against trumped up charges.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 41-43

O Lord, Be Gracious to Me

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of D...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

May the painful words of Psalm 38 be used by God’s Spirit to bring us perspective and comfort—knowing that difficult circumstances and even trying emotions are nothing foreign to the people of God through the centuries. May the perspective of Psalm 39 and the hope of Psalm 40 be the perfect counterparts to our reading in Psalm 38. We see more trouble for Paul in Acts 23. There are so many that hate him without cause. May we remember his dying testimony in 2 Timothy 4 as he wrote, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so t...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Let today’s Old Testament reading be cause for your own resolve to trust God regardless of the world’s situation, or the problems that you may encounter from day to day. “Refrain from anger” and “fret not” (Ps.37:8) because you know the One who has promised to bring his kingdom to earth at the return of Christ. Trust in him and be glad regardless. May we, with Paul in Acts 23, continue to live our lives “before God in all good conscience” (v.1) not shaken or rattled by the opposition we face, or the pervasive d...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read some energizing lyrics in Psalm 34 and 35. May they be just the God-breathed words that you need today to seek to live with a purpose to bring honor and glory to your Creator and Redeemer. May God’s Spirit bring your heart in line with these powerful words of praise and trust. Paul makes his defense in Acts 22, recounting his testimony and calling. I trust this will be the catalyst for some profitable recounting of your own.

— Pastor Mike

...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We encounter some tremendous psalms today in our Old Testament reading. May we be refreshed again by the amazing grace of God as we revisit Psalm 32 and consider the unthinkable act of a holy God forgiving sinful and rebellious human beings. Consider Paul’s quotation of this passage in Romans 4, where the unthinkable aspect of this forgiveness is brought into sharp focus as we learn that this “accounting” was no mere number’s game, but was accomplished only by the high cost of the death of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The foreboding words regarding Paul’s future are an apt complement to David’s words in Psalm 28, which tell us that God is our defense and the ultimate remedy for all the enemies and troubles we face. Let us be as resigned to the battles and confident in the ultimate outcome, as these two great men were.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 28-30

The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield

Of David.

28 To...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read a great triad of psalms from David. May we have the sensitivity regarding sin and the teachability that David demonstrates in Psalm 25, as well as the resolve he displays in Psalms 26 and 27. Let the reading of the remainder of Acts 20 give you pause regarding the important task of the pastors of Christ’s churches. May it also heighten your concern for sound doctrine and provide warning against the havoc that wayward “wolves” can wreak on a flock. May God protect our churches through the wise and biblical leadership of their pa...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read some memorable psalms. May we be impressed again at the masterful imagery of Psalm 23, which has become such an oft-repeated and cherished chapter of the Bible. Let us reflect the confidence and the comfort that is derived from knowing with certainty that we are God’s, and that he is the faithful and good Shepherd of our lives. Acts 20 shows us the powerful ministry entrusted to Paul by God’s Spirit. What an amazing thing it must have been to be present at some of these incredible scenes in Paul’s...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read the great Psalm 19, which highlights the truth that our God is a God who has clearly and loudly communicated. And if David could say that a thousand years before the coming the New Testament, how celebratory should we be and how blessed should we feel for being recipients of the definitive word for God—in the coming of Christ and the God-breathed writing of his apostles. The riot in Ephesus, which we read of in Acts 19, reminds us how the implications of true repentance and faith can transform a comm...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

David runs to God as his refuge in Psalm 18. Let us be similarly resolved as we seek to live for what is just, right, and good. Paul arrives with the gospel at Ephesus, which causes quite a stir both socially and spiritually. May we be more aware of the spiritual battles that we face when we are faithful to proclaim the whole truth of the gospel of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Psalms 17-18

In the Shad...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Psalm 14 begins by underscoring an important element in atheism and agnosticism—that beneath the philosophical outlook there is the moral motivation to be freed from the constraints of divine oversight and accountability. As Romans 1 tells us, the inherent theism embedded in the human heart has to be purposefully suppressed for the sake of pursuing unrighteous behaviors. Acts 18 reminds us of God’s call to continue to reason with the lost, not giving way to fear or intimidation. Paul’s travels also remind us that we should continue to look for the ripe harvest...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

How often do our prayers seem to hit the ceiling and go no further? Psalm 10 speaks of that experience, but also reminds us that “the Lord is king forever” (v.16) and that his seeming passivity does not suggest his lack of involvement in all the hurts and injustices that we experience. God will break through, and his truth will prevail. In Acts 17 we encounter one of the most powerful recorded sermons of Paul to the erudite scholars of Athens—what a great template for being willing to declare the truth without compromise no matte...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

So often in the Psalms we will encounter the cry of God’s people in response to the many injustices of this present world. When we experience the same, may we remember that frequently “the bad guys” seem to win, getting away with their unjust slander and attacks upon our lives. But God is ever watchful and will make every wrong right. Paul’s missionary journey continues, as God is careful to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere he goes. Let the same be true of us.

— Pastor Mike