Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
Psalm 145:13 NIV
Of late, we have read a number of Psalms. One might gain an appreciation of the beauty of the verse and how only a few words, with such elegance say so much. The beauty and efficiency of the words clearly point to the author, to God. No word, message, idea or topic in God's word is in conflict with the loving relationship of God for man and creation.
One theme we have seen echoed many times is God and his faithfulness to those who seek him. One can recall 1 Samuel 2:30b NIV: But now the Lord declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor...' We are learning from our study of David the truth of God honoring David when David honors God. We have also read about times when David did not honor the Lord and we have seen God, who is faithful, just, compassionate and lovingly ready, after confession and repentance, to welcome David (and us) back. Despite God's faithful acceptance, we have a seen and will continue to see lasting consequences of sin.
The above 28 words from Psalm 145:13 so beautifly proclaim several of God's attributes; his eternal, powerful, regal, faithful attributes are clearly pointed out. In reading this verse, one might also consider a parallel verse, John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
How do you share the good news and through the Spirit, help others cross over from doubt to faith?
Pray for pastoral staff, as sermons are developed and for the Spirit to call you to attend worship on Sunday and to prepare your heart and mind for the Word.
In Christ,
David P
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
An Everlasting Promise (May 5)
David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
2 Samuel 8:15 NIV
And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever.
1 Chronicles 17:23-24 NIV
God desires obedience more than sacrifice. David doing what was just and right is, in fact, obeying God. As a result, God blesses David with a covenant promising to make his name great, like the names of the greatest men of earth,
2 Sam 7:9.
God has made a forever promise with us, a new and everlasting covenant that makes His name great through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Covenants may be conditional or unconditional. Old testiment covenants were conditional; if you do _______, then I will_______; if you don't_______ then I won't _______. The covenant we have in Christ, the forgiveness of sin, the eternal life, the sealing of the Holy Spirit is an unconditional covenant. This new covenant is not based upon our doing anything, but rather a free gift based on our faith in God's promise of salvation through His son's shedding of blood and resurrection.
It is by grace we are saved. We can, as a result, respond in joyful service. Give thanks!
How do you respond to God's gift of salvation, of eternal life?
Do you have any questions? Please ask.
Pray for spreading the Gospel message of salvation throughout the world.
In Christ,
David P
2 Samuel 8:15 NIV
And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever.
1 Chronicles 17:23-24 NIV
God desires obedience more than sacrifice. David doing what was just and right is, in fact, obeying God. As a result, God blesses David with a covenant promising to make his name great, like the names of the greatest men of earth,
2 Sam 7:9.
God has made a forever promise with us, a new and everlasting covenant that makes His name great through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Covenants may be conditional or unconditional. Old testiment covenants were conditional; if you do _______, then I will_______; if you don't_______ then I won't _______. The covenant we have in Christ, the forgiveness of sin, the eternal life, the sealing of the Holy Spirit is an unconditional covenant. This new covenant is not based upon our doing anything, but rather a free gift based on our faith in God's promise of salvation through His son's shedding of blood and resurrection.
It is by grace we are saved. We can, as a result, respond in joyful service. Give thanks!
How do you respond to God's gift of salvation, of eternal life?
Do you have any questions? Please ask.
Pray for spreading the Gospel message of salvation throughout the world.
In Christ,
David P
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Who's Arm? (May 4)
Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
Psalm 20:6 NIV
The Lord saves his people. We read in Isaiah 59:16 NIV He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
These passages provide strong evidence of God working out our salvation through His plan. Our salvation is apart from our own work or effort. Our hope is based on nothing less than Jesus, his faithfulness, work on the cross, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
God looked at humanity and noted for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NIV.
It was his effort and perfect plan that justifies us, makes us acceptable to him, saves us.
Think on the truth of God's word as you cross over from any doubt to faith.
What other proof do you need; what else do you need to see the nail marks, or to put your hand in His side to fully believe?
Pray for open eyes to see the Spirit's guidance.
In Christ,
David P
Psalm 20:6 NIV
The Lord saves his people. We read in Isaiah 59:16 NIV He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
These passages provide strong evidence of God working out our salvation through His plan. Our salvation is apart from our own work or effort. Our hope is based on nothing less than Jesus, his faithfulness, work on the cross, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
God looked at humanity and noted for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 NIV.
It was his effort and perfect plan that justifies us, makes us acceptable to him, saves us.
Think on the truth of God's word as you cross over from any doubt to faith.
What other proof do you need; what else do you need to see the nail marks, or to put your hand in His side to fully believe?
Pray for open eyes to see the Spirit's guidance.
In Christ,
David P
Against You, You Only, Have I Sinned...
First, congrats to the anonymous poster who did recognize the quote in my May 1st post as coming from Mother Teresa. If a person that all agree was one of God's lifelong and true warriors can have doubts, I think we can take comfort in the doubts that will plague us from time to time. It's natural, it happens, but the take-home message is simple--God will NEVER leave us. As promised, I'll give $50 to the Kids Against Hunger campaign.
I strongly resisted writing for these past two days, but I kept hearing a nagging inner voice telling me to write what I think. I don't claim any external inspiration for what I'll write, so here goes. Psalm 51 is a beautiful psalm, and David's post hit the important verses. One of our common Offertory responses is found in 51:10-12, which is an excellent reason for us to give the best to the Lord--he HAS forgiven us, and our meager offerings are nothing compared to what he gave us through the death and resurrection of his son.
However, every commentary I've ever read (including this Bible) states this psalm was written as a response to Nathan's rebuke, and in particular, the verse that has today's title has always driven me crazy--"Against you, you only, have I sinned..." I won't speak for others, but I suspect Uriah might have a different view regarding that verse and the truth behind it.
I recognize the power of David and the great things he did as a warrior for the Lord in his life, but he sure took a David-centric view of the world at times, but I guess that's the part of the story that can give us the greatest hope for ourselves. I'll go out on a limb, but I'm pretty sure none of us will send out a friend's spouse to his/her death so that we can cover up an affair. If David can be forgiven for an action as heinous as that, shouldn't we also be able to go before the Lord with our sins and be confident that we'll be forgiven?
One last note--I haven't read ahead, but I sense this is the last of David's truly abhorrent behavior. We read in 2 Samuel 3:1-3 that he was the Shawn Kemp of his day, having six sons with six different women, and he seems to pick up wives the same way people shop for shoes. But when we read his psalms, we see a man who is repentant and ready to change. I could be wrong--we still might read of some bad things he'll do, but it's just another reminder of what we are as Christians--we're not perfect, just forgiven.
Scott
Monday, May 2, 2011
Return (May 3)
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV
So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it.
2 Samuel 12:29 NIV
The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
2 Samuel 8:6b NIV
David, a rebellious man, is given victory by God's renewing, comforting, healing, abundant grace.
David's faith, trust, searching for the Lord and the Lord's will are examples for us to follow when we turn to the right or left, when we place our own will above God's will.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:13b NIV
Where are you placing your faith, trust, and hope?
Pray for Pastors that they have the gifts of strength, wisdom, and courage to clearly proclaim God's word and for hearts to be prepared to hear the word.
In Christ,
David P
Psalm 51:10 NIV
So David mustered the entire army and went to Rabbah, and attacked and captured it.
2 Samuel 12:29 NIV
The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.
2 Samuel 8:6b NIV
David, a rebellious man, is given victory by God's renewing, comforting, healing, abundant grace.
David's faith, trust, searching for the Lord and the Lord's will are examples for us to follow when we turn to the right or left, when we place our own will above God's will.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:13b NIV
Where are you placing your faith, trust, and hope?
Pray for Pastors that they have the gifts of strength, wisdom, and courage to clearly proclaim God's word and for hearts to be prepared to hear the word.
In Christ,
David P
Sunday, May 1, 2011
A Brief Diversion
Pastor Fay began his sermon this morning by reading some journal entries of a member who had occasions to wonder about God. At one point, he asked how many of us had similar doubts at one time or another, and he told us such doubts were natural.
This will be a nice test of blog readership. I will give $50 in the name of the person who can identify who made the following statement to the Kids Against Hunger campaign. I will tell you at the outset this person is not obscure, and all have heard of this person. Shout out your answers in the COMMENT section at the bottom, and the first person (if anyone) who gets it by the time stamp of their post will be the winner. Here's the quote:
I have no faith. I dare not utter the words and thoughts that crowd in my heart and make me suffer untold agony. So many unanswered questions live within me. I am afraid to uncover them, because of the blasphemy. If there be God, please forgive me. Trust that all will end in Heaven with Jesus. When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives and hurt my very soul. Love, the word, it brings nothing. I am told God loves me, yet the reality of darkness and coldness and emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul.
When I give the answer, it will be merely to reinforce what Pastor Fay preached this morning. We WILL have doubts, we WILL have questions and we WILL despair from time to time. I think you'll take great solace in knowing that the speaker of these words had the very same thoughts we all did/do.
Scott
I have Sinned (May 2)
My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?
Psalm 6:3 NIV
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:10 NIV
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
Psalm 38:4 NIV
O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
Psalm 38:9-10 NIV
Read today's text from 2 Samuel 11:2-12:24a where David, Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, and Nathan are the individuals of interest. There is much material here, so many facets to the events, so many important points, that one could probably study this text for several weeks.
An attibute of God can clearly be read today: Nathan declares God's forgiveness when he states that "The Lord has taken away your sin," in 12:13. Despite the Lord's forgiveness, there are consequences of sin that must be endured.
God's anointed, David, the King, clearly breaks four commandments today. David, however, is blind to his role in Nathan's narration of Chapter 12 until Nathan declares David's role in verse 7. David's Psalms above shed some insight into David's feelings after being enlightened. More importantly, as soon as David is enlightened to his role in these events; David states, "I have sinned against the Lord."
David's confession, his return to the Lord, is without delay or condition; it is heartfelt, sincere, and made with a contrite heart. As a result, the Lord removes the sin; so that David can continue in the Lord's service, doing the Lord's work.
Ask the Spirit to keep your eyes open, to shine a light in your life so that there are no dark, hidden, blind spots in life.
When you sin, for all have sinned and fall short, turn to the Lord in repentance. Do not give Satan a great deal of time to find delight in the sin. Do not be paralyzed by your sin, bring it to the Lord, the Lord will remove that heavy burden.
Remember, Jesus died for your sin and rose again so you can have new, eternal life.
How could you become aware of any blind spots in your life?
What burdens should you be taking to the Lord?
Pray for God to give you the wisdom, strength and courage to follow his will closely.
In Christ,
David P
Psalm 6:3 NIV
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:10 NIV
My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
Psalm 38:4 NIV
O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
Psalm 38:9-10 NIV
Read today's text from 2 Samuel 11:2-12:24a where David, Bathsheba, Uriah the Hittite, and Nathan are the individuals of interest. There is much material here, so many facets to the events, so many important points, that one could probably study this text for several weeks.
An attibute of God can clearly be read today: Nathan declares God's forgiveness when he states that "The Lord has taken away your sin," in 12:13. Despite the Lord's forgiveness, there are consequences of sin that must be endured.
God's anointed, David, the King, clearly breaks four commandments today. David, however, is blind to his role in Nathan's narration of Chapter 12 until Nathan declares David's role in verse 7. David's Psalms above shed some insight into David's feelings after being enlightened. More importantly, as soon as David is enlightened to his role in these events; David states, "I have sinned against the Lord."
David's confession, his return to the Lord, is without delay or condition; it is heartfelt, sincere, and made with a contrite heart. As a result, the Lord removes the sin; so that David can continue in the Lord's service, doing the Lord's work.
Ask the Spirit to keep your eyes open, to shine a light in your life so that there are no dark, hidden, blind spots in life.
When you sin, for all have sinned and fall short, turn to the Lord in repentance. Do not give Satan a great deal of time to find delight in the sin. Do not be paralyzed by your sin, bring it to the Lord, the Lord will remove that heavy burden.
Remember, Jesus died for your sin and rose again so you can have new, eternal life.
How could you become aware of any blind spots in your life?
What burdens should you be taking to the Lord?
Pray for God to give you the wisdom, strength and courage to follow his will closely.
In Christ,
David P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)