Psalm 29 - 7.15.22
Scripture
Psalm 29:11
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Observation – What does it say?
David writes of God’s greatness and glory and strength. He points to the incredible and unmatched power in his voice, and to God’s firmly established throne where he rules as King forever! But in this last statement, it get’s personal. This great and all powerful and ever-reigning God has an intimate relationship with his people where he gives them strength and peace.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Receive and rejoice in God’s strength and peace!
The God of the universe is looking to strengthen us, his people.
2 Chronicles 16:9
The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
1 Peter 4:11
If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
The God who will rule forever and ever blesses us with peace.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
But, as we also read today in 1 Chronicles, Saul’s downfall was that he was unfaithful to God and consulted a medium for guidance instead of inquiring of the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). God longs to give us all we need, but there is an element of us seeking him for it. We must trust him to provide the strength we need to face life’s challenges, the internal peace we need in the midst of external chaos, the guidance to discern what is best in the face of so many decisions.
Life Application
God, I don’t want to look elsewhere! All I want and all I need is found in you! May we be a people who don’t turn to cheap substitutes but who rejoice in our God and look to you to provide all we need. Thank you for your goodness and grace. Though you sit enthroned over all creation, thank you for showing such special care for me. I fix my eyes on you and receive your strength and peace today. Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Luke 11:2 07.14.22
SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:2 (AMP)
“When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name’
OBSERVATION:
Jesus gives a Three Part Lesson on praying—which Begins and Ends with a new way to relate to God—Father.
UNDERSTANDING:
One of the disciples watched Jesus as He was praying—once Jesus had finished—the disciple decided to ask Jesus if He would teach them all how to pray.
What came next was shocking.
As Jesus began to instruct His disciples on prayer the First declaration became “how to address God” in prayer—Abba, Father.
Can it be that HE, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, the Holy of Holies, the Infinite One—really regards me as His Child?
Prior to the time of Jesus, God was regarded as someone beyond reach. Only with fear and foreboding did anyone dare address themselves to HIM who sat in the ‘high and holy’ place. HE is referred to as Yahweh-the name which dared not even be uttered for mortal fear of offense. Now, here, Jesus, casting all restraint aside, teaches the disciples to approach God—openly—freely—as a child would come to their own Daddy and cry out—Abba, Dearest Father.
Jesus drew a line in the sand with His disciples that day…and the same line is there for us as Christ Followers Today. A line we are invited to cross over that undergirds our prayer life and identifies us in deep intimate relationship as ‘God’s Very Own Children’.
“And because we are HIS children, God has sent the Spirit of HIS Son INTO our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s OWN child. And since you are HIS child, God has made you his heir.” (Galatians 4:6-7 NLT)
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as His OWN children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we ARE God’s children.” (Romans 8:15-16 NLT)
LIFE APPLICATION:
When you pray, say—Father.
Jesus also explained in this Three Part Teaching that we may need to Pray for certain things with a degree of persistence.
What is on your heart that has gone unanswered? Jesus explains to His disciples the need for diligence to “KEEP ON” asking, seeking, and knocking.
“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:14-15 NLT)
Jesus closes this Three Part Lesson with a comparison between earthly Fathers and our Heavenly Father.
“If you, then, being evil [that is, sinful by nature], know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” (Luke 11:13 AMP)
How much More will Your Heavenly Father Give?
Your Heavenly Father Loves you with a Perfect Love-Perfect Wisdom-and Perfect Compassion. HE has Perfect Mercy and Perfect Grace towards you AND Perfect understanding of your situation and every need EVEN Before you ask.
So, When you go to God, and you unload what’s on your heart—persistently—remember—Your Heavenly Father is delighted with you. Because, HE, with His Perfect Love, and Perfect Wisdom, and Perfect Goodness and Perfect Provision—Knows Your Needs—and is able to GIVE the absolute BEST to His Children. (Inspired by John MacArthur)
Dearest Father,
Thank You for the GIFT of Your Love. Thank You for the Gift of Your invitation to be Your Very Own Child. Thank You for the Opportunity to Share this Gift. I pray You give me Your Heart to see as many people as You Provide in my pathway to receive this wonderful Gift to be called ‘God’s Own Child’. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Luke 10-7.13.22
Scripture
Luke 10:41-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Observation-What does it say?
Jesus was addressing Martha’s complaint against her sister for not helping her with the preparations. Instead of working to make everything perfect for Jesus, Mary was just sitting at His feet, listening to HIm.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Martha’s focus on the wrong thing led her to become worried and upset. Mary focused on Jesus and her relationship with Jesus. Martha focused on the work she needed to do for Jesus. Jesus is always great at digging at the heart. It wasn’t the fact that Martha was doing work for Him, (because working for Jesus is what being on mission means). It was Martha’s heart that was wrong. Her heart is what Jesus had to correct. Jesus pointed out that she had become distracted, worried and upset about many things. What she needed to do was focus on their relationship, just like Mary was doing.
Life Application
When we are worried and upset about many things, we must ask ourselves, “When was the last time I sat at Jesus’ feet in prayer and just listened?” “When was the last time I opened up God’s Word?”
The lesson we learn from Mary and Martha is still very relevant to many of us today. For myself, when I focus on the wrong thing and put my works for Jesus before my relationship with Him, I get anxious, worried, upset and overwhelmed. However, when I fix my eyes on Jesus first and my heart is in tune with His Spirit, I am at absolute peace and calm.
Need true rest and refreshing? Jesus is the only One who can calm our internal storms. (We kick off our Rooted Challenge on July 20th at our Worship Wednesday at 7p. Come participate with us!)
Holy Spirit, Please forgive me for focusing on the wrong thing at times. Please continue to remind me (and us) that when we focus on You and our relationship with You, that all of our distractions, fears, anxieties, anger and many worries will dissipate. I pray that we would not keep our relationship with You hidden, but boldly share with those around us so that they could also experience the fullness of Your love, joy and peace too. Thank you Lord! Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi