Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

The Holy City

Psalms 48:1-2

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, Psa 48:2  beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 

God’s greatness is undisputed!  David understood that fact and took every opportunity to exalt and praise the Lord.  Here he goes even further as he looks to the city where God dwells.  Mount Zion is God’s Holy Mountain, but I think that David is looking not just at the city of Jerusalem, but to the celestial city where God’s eternal domain resides.  We see many verses in the Scripture referring  to the far north as the place where God dwells.  We see it also in Hebrews in relation to Christ entering the heavenly courts to make the final and perfect sacrifice for our redemption.

Therefore, when we think of God’s holy city, we see it as the place God dwells.  One day there will be a new heaven and a new earth where the New Jerusalem will be.   In Revelation 21:1-3, it is clearly seen. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 

When we think of God and being in His very presence, we should also praise and exalt the Lord like David did.  Truly, Great is the Lord!

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Thank you for praying for Shea Harris, Maggie Harris’s stepson.  His cardioversion went well.  His heart rate and rhythm are back to normal.   His BP is a little low, but they are giving him medication for it.

Continue to pray for Mary and the rest of the Marvin Silverthorne family as they remember Marvin in his homegoing. 

Please pray for Shirley Deal, Carolyn Tyson’s sister.  She is back in the hospital in Washington.  She is very weak but is starting to eat a little better to gain back her strength.

Please pray for Willie Pollard, Deb Skinner’s brother.  They put in a tube to drain his right lung, which went well.  He is feeling better and may go home Thursday.

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She was moved to rehab Monday for physical therapy and to help improve her eating.  

Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.  The doctor gave her iron, which is causing diarrhea.  Pray for healing and strength for her, for the tumors to shrink, and that the medication will not cause inflammation in her lungs.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.   She is home and some better but is still weak.  Pray for wisdom for the next step forward.

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She has some good days and some bad ones.

Linda Franks wants to thank everyone who prayed for her.  She is doing much better.

Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta.  She starts physical therapy on October 19^th.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  The doctors changed his meds which has helped him, and he is getting stronger. Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better physically. 

Pray for our Missionaries! 

Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia

Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries) 

Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia