Psalm 56 - 9.26.24
Psalm 56:3-4
S - 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
O – This is another Psalm written by David when the Philistines had captured him in Gath. It reminds us to trust God’s care for us in the midst of fear. When all seems dark, one truth remains ….When God is for us, those against us will never succeed.
David was alone, desperate, and afraid. He was subjected to attacks, defamation, and slander from his enemies. David found himself fearing death and experiencing legitimate reasons to be afraid. (scripturalgrace.com)
A – Although we may not have anyone physically trying to capture or murder us, I am sure some of us can relate to things in our lives which can cause all-consuming fear. We too experience very real legitimate reasons to be afraid sometimes. Just watch all the political stuff for 5 minutes! This verse starts off by acknowledging the presence of fear…. WHEN I am afraid…However, we can choose to be like David and intentionally redirect our focus away from our fears by meditating on the character of God. David's heart overflowed with gratitude, leading him to praise God and place his unwavering trust in His presence. We can do that too!
Trusting God in the midst of fear is a choice we have to make daily…perhaps hourly some days. We humans have a very limited power over anything, but God’s power and His promises are limitless. WHY then do we spend so much time entertaining thoughts of fear and anxiety? Why do we let fear dictate how we feel and keep us from living the joyful life God wants us to live? With God on our side, we are more than conquerors. He has already given us victory over every earthly battle. We may never see the outcome of certain situations here and now, but we are promised that HE has already won the battle. It’s written throughout scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Deuteronomy 20:4 - "For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory."
Psalm 108:13 - "With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies."
Romans: 31 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
When you are faced with circumstances that bring overwhelming fear, the key to overcoming it lies in placing your trust in God Almighty. This involves actively experiencing and affirming His true nature as revealed in His Word. This happens by devoting time to reading His Word, by spending time with Him in prayer, and by journaling your thoughts and what He speaks to you. You will then be able to sense His reassuring and calming presence. It is through trusting God in this process that you can have confidence in His ability to intervene and bring about positive changes in your circumstances.
I currently have some things in my life that I am fearful over, but I am choosing to trust Him, abide in Him, persist in prayer and petition on behalf of those things, and know that He’s got me, as well as those I am praying for. I want to walk in His will and His way so that I can continue to be a vessel for Him while I am still here and able.
P – Lord Jesus, please help us to lay down any and all fears. Thank you that your Word is truth, and you have promised to fight for us. Thank you that we can unload that burden. Lord would you speak to anyone whose heart is filled with fear and/or anxiety in this moment. Would you replace that fear with a calm peace that can only come from you. Lord, help us to trust even though our circumstances may look unchanged at times, you ARE working for us and not against us. Help us remember that You love us, your plans for us are good and perfect. May the way we walk through our fears in a way that leads others to trust you with their fears and anxieties. May we walk through all the things thrown at us with assurance and confidence in the God we love to handle it for us….help us to pray and leave it all at the Throne! Help us to live lives that are FEARLESS!
In Jesus’ name, amen!
- Crystal Flory
Psalm 55 - 9.25.24
Scripture
Psalm 55
Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3 because of what my enemy is saying,
because of the threats of the wicked;
for they bring down suffering on me
and assail me in their anger.
Observation
In this Psalm, David is expressing his heartbreak and anguish over being betrayed and attacked. He describes feelings of anguish, terror, fear, trembling, and horror, and a desire to run away. After he pours his heart out to God, he reminds himself that God will sustain him and he declares, “But as for me, I trust in You.”
Application
I know David was going through a different situation, but his description of his thoughts and feelings reminds me of the times I have struggled with anxiety. In verse 5, David says, “Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.” Sometimes that is how I feel. At times it is in response to a specific situation and at other times because I am working myself up about things that haven’t even happened yet. But the best response to these feelings that I have found is to pour out my heart to God and release them to Him, trusting with my head - until it reaches my heart, that HE IS IN CONTROL. And my other response is to memorize and quote scripture. At times I have had had sticky notes with Bible verses throughout my house and on my desk at work, reminding me that God is for me, He loves me, He is going to be with me no matter what may come, and He is in control.
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"
Psalm 55:22
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken".
Prayer
God, thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for loving me in spite of my lack of faith. Thank you for continually surrounding me with your presence. But as for me, I trust in You.
Promises: https://youtu.be/36qxkc7IdMs?si=egcpBWr0oKpk2m42
- Debbie Dunn
Acts 17 - 9.24.24
SCRIPTURE: ACTS 17:1 – 4
When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
OBSERVATION: This Scripture highlights a custom of Paul:: going to the synagogue. I know it might not be anything new to think it was his “custom” to go to the synagogue. He is Jewish and you would think it’s common but his “custom” had a different meaning. Before his conversion to Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul was a leader in the synagogue and specifically hunted new believers in the early church to bring them to religious justice and persecuting new believers. According to Acts 8:3, it says “ But Saul (Paul) began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” After his conversion, maybe Paul had a special heart for those in the synagogue because of his past history? He was once in their shoes before his conversion. Although he reached many for Christ, Paul used his position as a synagogue leader to specifically reach these people for Christ. He also spent a lot of time in the synagogue - three days - as “he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead.” The synagogue was his special mission field and important enough to spend a lot of time with them.
I also love the fact this Scripture includes that Paul, in his ministry to the people there, was able to bring others to Christ including “a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.” Here’s a great example of how Paul took the Great Commission to everyone – to the Jews first and also the Greek. How wonderful to see the Scripture also noting there were “prominent women” who joined Paul and Silas. Many think that women were relegated to only traditional roles in Biblical times but this shows some were in “prominent” positions - possibly businessowners, leaders in the community, or ? We don’t know their prominent position but it was enough to show these women held a higher and special position.
APPLICATION: Paul took his experience from the past, as a leader in the synagogue, to connect with those who needed to hear that Jesus is the Messiah. Going to the synagogue was his extra special place to share Jesus’ saving message. When I first became a believer, I tried to reach those from my BC (before Christ) days. These people were deep into the world and drugs. Some listened but it wasn’t always easy. One slammed the door in my face and another would never talk with me again because he didn’t want to hear about Jesus. Thankfully the door slamming incident was later discussed with an “I’m sorry” and we were able to establish a relationship again. Sometimes sharing our faith doesn’t end in a positive way - just like in this Scripture which said only “some” of the Jews followed Paul. The key is to keep going!
Maybe you have a group of people that could be your special mission field? If not, there are plenty within our normal activities that could be a special mission field. Connecting with those around you, in your sphere of influence, at work, a neighbor or just someone you happen to meet along the way can all be a special mission field. Our Wednesday night event at the Canyon Country park or the upcoming Halloween event at Pastor’s house are all a wonderful chance to share Jesus. Each one is an opportunity to make a connection or to spend time getting to know people. As Pastor Levi has said in the past and our guest speaker Pastor Chris also commented this last Sunday, connecting and spending time with people is a great way to minister Jesus to the unsaved. These events are an opportunity to find your own “custom” and making it your special mission field.
PRAYER: Lord, give me your boldness and courage to step out and share your saving grace to all those I encounter. Forgive me Lord for letting fear of rejection or fumbling my words to keep me from not saying anything. My heart’s desire is to share your wonderful love, forgiveness and eternal life with everyone! Lord, give me your eyes and ears on who needs to hear about your saving grace.. Help me to find a special mission field and to make it my custom to reach others for you. Guide me in spreading your Gospel. In Jesus name…. amen!
- Mary Oberg