May 10 2026

Sunday May 10

Happy Mother’s Day!

Psalm 15

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat today. Happy Mother’s Day!

I have been so blessed with wonderful mothers in my life. My mother was, I would almost say, the perfect mother. She loved us, cared for us, prayed for us, and set a wonderful example before us. We miss her so much. I’m sure there are many others out there whose mothers have gone to be with the Lord. We say, “God bless you,” and we trust that God’s grace and comfort will surround you today as you reflect on precious memories of your wonderful mother.

I am also married to one of the most wonderful mothers in all the world—and that’s Edith. She is a reflection of Christ in her love for our children and grandchildren. She is giving, kind, and the greatest cook in the world, as you can probably tell when you look at me! Our grandchildren come to be with us, I think, just to eat her cooking. We are so blessed, and I’m sure many of you are as well. So today, we say to all the mothers out there: Happy Mother’s Day!

As we were finishing our devotion yesterday on Philippians chapter 2, verses 1 through 4—the introduction where Paul is basically telling us to be kind to one another, thoughtful of each other, and to look out for one another’s interests rather than just our own—I couldn’t help but think of Psalm 15.

Psalm 15 is a psalm I memorized early in my Christian life. I memorized it because it only has five verses. It’s a short psalm. The last verse ends with these words: “He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” That caught my attention. “He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” You can tell I memorized it in the old King James Version. I thought, “Wow, if you do these things—what are these things?”

Psalm 15 has five verses, and David begins the psalm by asking a very important question—one that we should all ask. It is found in verse 1: “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” In other words, who can truly enjoy fellowship with God? Who can live in the presence of the Lord and experience communion with Him? That is a good question. Are you enjoying fellowship with the Lord?

That’s what Paul is talking about in Philippians chapter 2—and really throughout the entire book, for that matter. He is speaking of fellowship with the Lord and fellowship with one another, so that we become an example to the world around us as we live as citizens of heaven.

David is not asking how a sinner can be saved, because we know from the whole testimony of Scripture that salvation is given by grace through faith alone. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” No one earns entrance into heaven by good deeds. We are saved only through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

But Psalm 15 describes the character of the person who walks closely with God. It describes the kind of life that enjoys intimate fellowship with the Lord. You see, sin breaks fellowship. It does not remove salvation for the true believer, but it does hinder communion with God. Isaiah 59:2 says: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God.”

So David is asking, “Who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who can walk daily in the presence and blessings of God?” Then he begins to give us the answer in verse 2: “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.”  First, we find that the person who enjoys fellowship with God is a person who walks uprightly.

Over the next few days, I believe we are going to continue through this psalm and answer the question: “He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” What are these things? What are those qualities that lead us into true, intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ? That is what we want for all of our mothers, all of our dads, and all Christian believers who are reading or listening to our Pastor’s Chat today.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!