9. Psalm 16 and the Secret of a Steady Heart
What’s the one thing that would make today a good day?
Psalm 16 says it’s simpler—and deeper—than you think.
In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through Psalm 16 and introduces a powerful idea: your life-scape—the inner world where your thoughts, desires, and attention live.
Most of us drift through our days reacting to whatever comes. But Psalm 16 invites us to something different: “I have set the Lord always before me.”
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What shapes your inner life (your “life-scape”)
- Why chasing “other gods” leads to restlessness
- How to center your day around one transforming focus
- What it means to live with a steady, unshaken heart
This is a practical invitation to live today with clarity, presence, and purpose.
📚 Today's Resources:
Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God
Jenn Johnson, “Goodness of God” @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo
Søren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing
🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.
Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
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EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com
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GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504
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Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF
00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – What Is Your “Life-Scape”?
00:46 – Psalm 16: The One Thing
01:07 – The “City Slickers” Illustration
01:34 – What Shapes Your Inner World
02:16 – The Illusion of Life Without Purpose
03:06 – The Search for “One Thing”
03:33 – What Scripture Says the One Thing Is
03:55 – “You Are My Lord” (Psalm 16)
04:19 – The Danger of Other “Gods”
04:44 – Modern Idols (Reputation, Ego, Control)
05:05 – “You Are My Portion”
05:30 – Living Where You Actually Are
06:02 – God Speaks Through Your Heart
06:51 – How God Guides Your Thoughts
07:38 – Recognizing God’s Voice
08:04 – “I Set the Lord Always Before Me”
08:18 – Jesus: “Seek First the Kingdom”
08:49 – The Freedom to Choose Your Focus
09:09 – Practicing God’s Presence
09:27 – A Story of Unexpected Grace
10:04 – Becoming a Blessing to Others
10:19 – What It Means to Be Unshaken
10:55 – God Will Not Abandon You
11:08 – The Path of Life
11:27 – Joy in God’s Presence
11:47 – Final Prayer: Walk With God Today
More description
What’s the one thing that would make today a good day?
Psalm 16 says it’s simpler—and deeper—than you think.
In this teaching, John Ortberg walks through Psalm 16 and introduces a powerful idea: your life-scape—the inner world where your thoughts, desires, and attention live.
Most of us drift through our days reacting to whatever comes. But Psalm 16 invites us to something different: “I have set the Lord always before me.”
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What shapes your inner life (your “life-scape”)
- Why chasing “other gods” leads to restlessness
- How to center your day around one transforming focus
- What it means to live with a steady, unshaken heart
This is a practical invitation to live today with clarity, presence, and purpose.
📚 Today's Resources:
Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God
Jenn Johnson, “Goodness of God” @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0FBb6hnwTo
Søren Kierkegaard, Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing
🙌 New episodes every weekday.
📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time.
Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
TEXT us at 51504
EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com
GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe
GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504
SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team
DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides
😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/
🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/
Music Credits:
Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE
Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF
00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:20 – What Is Your “Life-Scape”?
00:46 – Psalm 16: The One Thing
01:07 – The “City Slickers” Illustration
01:34 – What Shapes Your Inner World
02:16 – The Illusion of Life Without Purpose
03:06 – The Search for “One Thing”
03:33 – What Scripture Says the One Thing Is
03:55 – “You Are My Lord” (Psalm 16)
04:19 – The Danger of Other “Gods”
04:44 – Modern Idols (Reputation, Ego, Control)
05:05 – “You Are My Portion”
05:30 – Living Where You Actually Are
06:02 – God Speaks Through Your Heart
06:51 – How God Guides Your Thoughts
07:38 – Recognizing God’s Voice
08:04 – “I Set the Lord Always Before Me”
08:18 – Jesus: “Seek First the Kingdom”
08:49 – The Freedom to Choose Your Focus
09:09 – Practicing God’s Presence
09:27 – A Story of Unexpected Grace
10:04 – Becoming a Blessing to Others
10:19 – What It Means to Be Unshaken
10:55 – God Will Not Abandon You
11:08 – The Path of Life
11:27 – Joy in God’s Presence
11:47 – Final Prayer: Walk With God Today
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