Psalm 77 - 6.5.23
Scripture
Psalms 77:11-12 NLT
“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”
Observation
This is a psalm of Asaph. He is crying out to God because he is in deep trouble and sorrow. But he feels God has left him. He is getting no answer, no response from God regarding his prayers. But, then Asaph takes a moment to pause and reflect on ALL the wonderful things God had done. His heart begins to turn from a heart of sorrow and despair, to a heart filled with hope and joy. He comes to an understanding of just how great and mighty the God He serves is.
Application
God is BIGGER and MIGHTIER than any problems that I will face.
I love this quote I heard from Pastor Greg Laurie:
“If you have a ‘big God’ you will have relatively small problems. If you have ‘big problems’ then you have a small God.”
It just puts things in perspective for me. How big is my God? 🤔 Like Asaph in this passage here, God doesn’t always answer my prayers right away. It may even feel that God is not listening to me, or He is punishing me for something. But I put my faith in what God’s Word says.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”-Deuteronomy 31:8
I know that God is good. He will never leave me or forsake me. I know that the God who did all those miracles for Abraham, Moses, and David…is the same God I serve. So no matter how bad life gets for me, I will choose to remember God. I will remember the great and mighty things He has done in the Bible, and I will remember the great things He has done for me in my life. I will choose to worship Him. Because I know at the end of the day, God loves me and has my back. No matter how big an obstacle is that I may be facing, my God is BIGGER!
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” -Jeremiah 32:27
Prayer
Father God, You are awesome in power. There is no one like You. Nothing is too big or too small for You to handle. I know that You are always with me no matter where I go, and no matter what I’m going through. I give You praise in advance for the times You give me the strength to get through it, and I give You praise for the times You get me out of it. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi
Titus 2 - 6.2.23
Scripture
Titus 2:7
In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness…
Observation
Paul encourages Titus to lead the young men well by setting a good example for them. He tells him to show integrity in his teaching.
It’s one thing to teach, it’s another to have integrity when it comes to what you teach. Demonstrate what you declare. Show what you say. Practice what you preach.
It reminds me of the adage, “You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce who you are.” If Titus was going to raise up young men to be strong and to follow Jesus well, he need to not just be a good preacher and teacher, he needed his life to be his greatest sermon illustration.
Application
I don’t just want to preach the truth and tell people how to follow Jesus, but I want to demonstrate it with my life.
Prayer
Jesus, I need you. Please help me, and help all of us who have chosen to follow you. May we not just tell people about following you, but may we show them how. May we all be able to say like the Apostle Paul, “follow me as I follow Christ.” Amen.
-Levi Thompson
Titus 1 - 06.01.23
SCRIPTURE - Titus 1:2-3 NLT
“This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.”
OBSERVATION
Titus also came to faith in Jesus through Paul’s ministry and had served Paul well on special assignments to the church in Corinth (2 Corinth 8).
Paul is giving Titus instructions (much like in his letters to Timothy) and begins by
by emphasizing the importance of KNOWING the TRUTH. Paul says to “Teach them to Know the TRUTH that shows them HOW to Live Godly Lives” (vs 1).
APPLICATION
READ and KNOW God’s WORD—
I am SO thankful for our Pastor Levi who shares the TRUTH of God’s WORD.
What an important teaching we heard last Sunday on the Belt of Truth.
This is our Core and EVERYTHING else is attached to it.
I am SO thankful God has placed me at Desert Streams where reading and applying God’s WORD is an Important part of our daily life.
As Pastor Levi said on Sunday, The World has many viewpoints that point in many directions.
The Bible is our compass for True North.
God’s Truth AND His infinite Love will Prevail.
“Jesus said to him, “I AM the way, and the TRUTH, and the life.” (John 14:6a ESV)
“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”” (Isaiah 40:8 NKJV)
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” (Psalm 119:89 ESV)
PRAYER
Lord Jesus,
What an amazing example of Love you have given us. In every parable and story, in day after day of compassion filled ministry and teachings we have only to look at your unbelievable mercy and grace…and you summed it all up like this…Love God with ALL your heart and Love others as you would Love Yourself…and IF you do this…you will fulfill the law…
I pray my mouth gives utterance to Your Holy Spirit life-giving Word.
I pray Your Word is committed more and more to my memory—ready for the time it is needed. I pray, like Paul, my life will be FULLY committed to YOU by Your Strength and Supply. In Jesus Name.
Tina L Kudelka