Psalm 122 - 12.23.25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 122:1-3 “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.  Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.” 

OBSERVATION:  This is a Davidic song of ascents.  Going up to the city of Jerusalem was an uphill climb.  (That’s where this Psalm got its title). “Faithful Jews probably sang Psalm 120 while they were still traveling out of foreign lands. They sang Psalm 121 as they caught glimpses of Jerusalem in the distance.  As they sang Psalm 122, they were actually standing inside the walls of the Holy City praying for peace”.  (Gene Getz).

David prayed for the peace of Jerusalem, “May those who love you prosper.  May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your fortresses.”

APPLICATION:  One day we will enter the New Jerusalem!  What a glorious day that will be!  But for now, as a member of the body of Christ, do I find myself rejoicing that I have the opportunity to go to the house of the Lord?

As a Christ follower, I have the responsibility of not only praying for my church family, but for my city. What would it look like if I prayed that my city would be solidly joined together in Christ? 
Jesus prayed, “May they be one, as You Father, are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me.  I have given them the glory you have given Me.  May they be one as We are one.” (John 17:21-22).

PRAYER:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for helping me find peace that is found by focussing on Your promises.  Another way I am able to obtain peace is by obeying You. My ultimate peace will come the day Jesus returns, but until then, I pray I will align my prayers with Yours by praying for peace and oneness.  It is Your desire that people will come to know Jesus is Lord, and that He came to earth to redeem us from our sins, and to give us new life, with the promise of inheriting eternal life. I pray I will be totally devoted to You God, and I ask that You use me to help others find You. I thank You that those who love you will prosper and receive Your peace.  Amen

- Robin Orefice

Acts 18 - 12.22.25

Scripture: Acts 18:28

“For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Observation:

Paul's dedication to defend and teach the Jews is by having a clear understanding of the word of Jesus the Messiah. This enables Paul to have the understanding of the power of growing his knowledge in the bible, which better prepares him to defend the words of the bible to the individuals he is preaching and teaching to. As Christians, we need to be able to explain the gospel to unbelievers. How would it look to non believers if we as Christians cannot explain the Good News about being saved? Ouch, this hits home with me personally! We as Christians and the examples of the church body need to continually increase our knowledge to become better in making disciples. Colossians 3:16 confirms that we are to dwell in the word richly, so that we can be the light, provide sound teaching and to be ready when we are called upon. This is a large responsibility, but does not compare to what it cost God to provided it to us. 

Application:

God is telling me to be more diligent in reading his word. I believe God is also letting me know as a Christian and part of the church body that we carry a responsibility and to prepare for greater things to come. I will commit to not letting life's distractions get in the way of his teaching. This is a reminder for me personally to not let these worldly distractions become my complacency. 

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that this is a reminder for me to remain steadfast in your word and to continue the fight. I pray that you give me the grace, wisdom and knowledge to be a light in all circumstances.  Amen

- Brian Moen

Acts 15 - 12.19.25

Scripture

Acts 15:1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

Observation

The early church has the same problems some of our current churches do. You are saved with conditions. The estimated amount of laws that Moses gave out, beside the Ten Commandments, were around 613 laws. The men in that early church were told to be circumcised and follow the laws of Moses or they were not saved. That is so burdensome and can cause discouragement. Think about today’s believers or people we are talking to about Jesus. If we said you are saved if you follow a bunch of rules they would be discouraged and maybe check out mentally.

We were saved by grace and not by works Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:8 - For it by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast

Application     

The burden of following lots of rules can be heavy for us. If it is heavy for us, think about a new believer?  As leaders, we should not put a heavy yoke on a new believer. Jesus did not put that kind of yoke on us. We need to mentor others with mercy and grace just as Jesus does for us. Jesus also broke these commandments and rules down to two commandments.

Mark 12:29-31 As we look at the Greatest Commandments Jesus answers, “the most important one is this: hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love you neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

If we follow these commandments, the others will take care of themselves because our love for Jesus.

The book of Titus is just three chapters and is a great guide on how, as men and women of the Lord, we are to mentor others.  

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy on us. In Matthew 11:28-30 you said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  As a leader, let me lead by your example, Jesus. Let your Holy Spirit guide me. Let me be humble and gentle with my words and may my words glorify you always, Jesus. In Jesus name amen.

- Robert Oberg