Psalm 66 - 5.19.23

Scripture

Psalm 66:6c

…come, let us rejoice in him.

Observation

In light of all God has done in the earth, for mankind and me personally, throughout history up to the present, I should rejoice in him! The temptation of course is to turn to other pleasures and look for joy in other places, being deceived into thinking that there is less joy to be found in God.

What is the chief end of man? What is the purpose of our existence? According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” This is God’s desire for us! He wants to be enjoyed. And the more we enjoy him, the more we glorify him. The more we rejoice in him, the more we find ourselves talking with great love about him. As John Piper has said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”

Application

Enjoy God and rejoice in him today!

Not only will I set aside time to worship and thank him for what he’s done, but as I go throughout the ordinary moments of my day I will seek to fill my heart with praise to him.

Prayer

God, thank you for being so amazing! Thank you for all your works throughout history, your great love, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for revealing yourself to me and changing my life, filling me with life and hope and joy and peace. May I not turn to empty things for joy, but to you my God; my joy and my delight. Amen.

-Levi Thompson

1 Timothy - 05.18.23

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:5 Amp

“But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

OBSERVATION:

Paul had apparently been released from the prison in Rome for some period and able to continue his ministry before he was martyred. Here we encounter a letter sent to Timothy  that seems to imply they were traveling together as Paul asked Timothy to stay on at Ephesus while he continued on to Macedonia. Paul hears of some trouble that Timothy is encountering with “certain individuals” who want to focus their teaching on-fables, myths, speculations, and meaningless arguments (vs 4)—So Paul reminds Timothy to not get distracted with foolish arguments but to stay focused on the Primary “Goal”.

Paul explains there is ONE Primary Goal in mind:

The Instruction of LOVE—which is springing from a Pure Heart and a Good Conscience and a Sincere Faith.

This is the Gospel Message. The only way we can truly Love others is to have our own hearts cleansed by God THROUGH the Cross of Christ where God’s sacrificial Love was supremely demonstrated. And—To Love from a Pure Heart means we daily learn what it means to take up the Cross to Follow Jesus—dealing with our sin of selfishness and pride—seeking the highest good for others.

APPLICATION:

Love God and Love others—

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8 NLT)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus,

You said two commandments would fulfill ALL the Law—Love God with ALL my heart, soul, and strength, and to Love my neighbor as I Love myself. Teach me Lord how to Live this out in a way that is honoring and pleasing to You. I pray my faith shows a sincerity and strength that draws others to You. And give me greater courage and boldness to share the stories of all You have done for me. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Jeremiah 3 - 5.17.23

Scripture:

Jeremiah‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion.”

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Observation:

Jeremiah compares the faithlessness of Israel to an adulterous woman who had chosen to give herself to every other man, except for her husband. In this chapter, the Lord is urging her (the nation of Israel) to return to Him.

Application:

Return to the Lord. He wants us back!

Take some quiet time right now to humble your heart and confess (or ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you) any ways that you have been rebellious against the Lord, either in the past and/or currently. I recently did that last week where I acknowledged a past sin as rebellion against God and asked for His forgiveness and cleansing. It did a world of healing for my heart AND for our relationship too!

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. 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. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” -Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I do not want to be an adulterous wife in my relationship with You. Thank You for being such a faithful God, even through the times that I have broken Your heart. When the enemy tempts me to be wayward and rebellious, help me Holy Spirit to always choose You alone, since You continue to choose me first. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi