Psalm 24 - 3.22.23

Scripture 

Psalm 24:1-6

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?

4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Observation

This is a Psalm of King David. First, he describes the greatness of God and then goes into the blessing of those who seek God with all their heart and turn away from idols. That’s the first of the 10 commandments! (See Exodus 20:3-6)

Application

Are we applying Pastor Levi’s sermon to our lives this week? 

On Sunday, Pastor Levi talked about repentance and illustrated it with the story of the Prodigal Son and also taking out the rocks (sin) in our jars (lives) to make more room for Jesus. (Here’s a link to the sermon if you missed it: https://youtu.be/PTdl9V70BGg).

What are some things that we need to let go of in order to receive refreshing and more of Jesus in our lives? What is Holy Spirit calling you to die to, lose or let go of in order to experience more of Him?

For me, sometimes, that’s taking a break on social media and living a quieter life to receive more of Him. Sometimes, it’s fasting a meal to focus my prayers and time in the Word completely on Him. Other times, it is putting a boundary on the amount of students I take in my piano teaching business, in order to have more time to serve our church body, trusting that He will be/is our family’s ultimate provider.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help us to have clean hands and a pure heart to approach Your throne. I pray that we would turn from our sin and get rid of anything that is holding us back from complete and deep fellowship with You. Amen. 

Check out this YouTube link of Kutless singing “Give Us Clean Hands”, which is based on Psalm 24: https://youtu.be/T9dDrK2a3Os

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Corinthians 16 - 3.21.23

SCRIPTURE:  1 Corinthians 16:13  "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love."

OBSERVATION:  While the Corinthian believers were waiting for Paul's return visit, Paul had directed them to be on guard and to be alert, otherwise their enemies might slip in and find a way to cause divisions among them, and bring disorder.  They were to stand firm in what they had been taught about the gospel, their salvation.  They were to be bold and courageous in dealing with any sins or internal problems that crept into the church.  And...the most important thing; they were instructed to do EVERYTHING in love!

Because of what Jesus had done by setting them free from the bondage of sin and a long list of laws and regulations, Paul encouraged the believers to use their freedom to stand against those who would try to enslave them with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved in Jesus.  

In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by satan, who is a vicious fighter.  In order for us to withstand their attacks, we must use every piece of God's armor, and fight in the strength of the Church that comes from the Holy Spirit.   

APPLICATION:  My good acts of service unto the Lord could never be used to earn God's love or favor.  I have been saved by faith, NOT BY WORKS!  God saved me by His grace when I believed.  And this is not my own doing; it is the gift of God!  My response back to God for ALL He has done for me is to love others, and to serve Jesus.    

PRAYER:  I pray I will be on guard, courageous and strong, and that as I stand firm in my faith, it will be evidenced by others experiencing God's love flowing in and through me as it touches them.   

- Robin Orefice

1 Corinthians 15 - 3.20.23

Scripture

1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT

“For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.”

‬‬

Observation

Paul is questioning the Corinthian Church here. He is asking why some of them are questioning the resurrection of the dead. Because the fact is if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Jesus wasn’t resurrected. And if Jesus wasn’t resurrected, all who believe would still be dead in their sins, and all their faith and preaching would be meaningless.

“If our hope in Christ is only for this life here on earth, then people should feel more sorry for us than for anyone else.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭ERV‬‬

But stand firm in your faith! We know that Christ was raised from the dead! Paul writes in verses 3-7 of this chapter that there were many eyewitness who saw the resurrected Jesus out and about.

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.”-1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Knowing that there were this many eyewitnesses is proof to me that the Resurrection was real. Knowing that all of Jesus’ disciples, (except John), died horrible martyrs deaths because of their preaching and their faith in Jesus tells me the serious truth about Jesus, because who is willing to go through all that for a lie? I know I wouldn’t. Knowing that the Resurrection is real, and knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, gives me all the faith I can need to hold on to everything Jesus says. It gives me hope and faith knowing the great things to come when we are united with Him again one day. 😊

Application

Be confident in the Word of God.

Know that the Bible is real. Know that everything in it is real (with people’s warts and all). Know that ALL Scripture is God-breathed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Make it a priority to read it, learn from it, and apply it to your life daily. Don’t let unbelievers bully you into doubting your faith and what the Bible says. Be confident that the Bible brings truth…and the truth will set us free!

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your Word, and the truth it brings. May You continue to speak to me through it. May Your Holy Spirit give me the wisdom to learn from it, grow from it, and tell others about it. Give me the boldness and courage, (knowing that everything in Your Word is truth), to share and teach it to those around me. Draw others to You Lord from this truth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi