Psalm 25 - 3.17.26

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 25:4-5‍ ‍

“Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

OBSERVATION:  In this prayer, David reminded us that if we are to grow and mature in the Lord, we must have humility, reverence for God, and expectation of Him.

David was suffering under a great deal of stress.  His enemies were coming against him, and even his own son, Absalom, had rebelled against him!  God had already graciously forgiven David of his past sins as he wept with godly sorrow.  David had discovered God’s heart of compassion, and the forgiveness he received caused him to have a deep trust in God. 

As David remembered all that God had done for him in the past, he remembered to depend on Him once again in prayer. David kept his eyes on the Lord as he acknowledged his great need of Him. 

APPLICATION:  Have you noticed that it’s generally in our times of trouble and overwhelming stress that we recognize our need for the Lord. When we go to Him in prayer, we are showing that we depend on Him, and that we trust Him.  How important it is to pray that God will make His ways known to us, and that He will guide us and teach us His truth.

Another important thing we should pray is for God to help us WAIT!  I know, no one likes to wait, but it’s in the waiting process that God helps us to grow, mature and depend on Him.  And when our prayers are answered, our trust in Him is deepened! 

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord for turning to us, and being gracious to us when You hear our prayers.  Thank You for coming to our aid and supporting us when we feel alone, stressed out, overwhelmed, and troubled. Thank You for guarding us, delivering us, and for inviting us to take refuge in You. Even though we would rather avoid the trials, I thank You that most of our valuable spiritual lessons are learned in the midst of trials.  I thank You that You always bring us through each one! I pray we will be quick to turn to You in prayer, and that we will trust You, no matter how long we have to wait.  I’m reminded that many times the reason our prayers aren’t answered immediately is because You’re helping us to grow and mature while we wait.  And then…when You know we’re ready, our prayers are answered, as we’ve learned to put our hope in You.  Amen

- Robin Orefice

John 9 - 3.16.26

S -  John 9:5-  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

O - This scripture reminds us of the grace Jesus has for us!  Without him we see the worst views of our society and only through Him we are gifted the light He provides.  What we see in people and situations, tends to be on the negative interpretation.  The disciples and the Pharisees viewed the healing of this man as a sin, whereas Jesus saw this as a way to be the light for this man to open his eyes regardless of his parents or his sins.  This scripture purely shows our ability to have full vision and not see it unless we have a relationship with Jesus.

A -  I  will make a conscious decision to view situations for what He (God) says it is and to continually seek the light, (His words) while being in the midst of worldly darkness. Be the example of His words by staying engaged and having intent for caring for others.

P -  Lord, I pray to not let legalism creep in and create blindness.  Knowing every situation that we have should incorporate your teaching. Amen

- Brian Moen

John 6 - 3.13.26

SCRIPTURE: John 6:9 - Jesus Feeds the five Thousand

 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many”

Observation

This boy did not have very much, but it feed many. He willingly gave it away.

John 6:11 - “As Jesus took the bread gave thanks he then distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”  Jesus gave thanks for the provisions, and he multiplied them.  If we gave Jesus thanks for everything, do you believe he could multiply them?  

The miracle of feeding the five thousand is the only miracle that Jesus performed that is mentioned in all four Gospels: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-15. There is great significance to be the only mircle Jesus performed to be in all the Gospels.

Application

Jesus uses the little things to Glorify his name. He used a boy with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed many, David used a stone to defeat Goliath. Jesus can use a church of our size to affect a community. How can Jesus use you to affect the people around you? We are closing in on Easter. Have you done the “Pray 10 Win 10” to invite people to Church? There’s still time!

I keep thinking of tithing in Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Just like how Jesus was able to use the little boy’s bread and fish to feed the five thousand, God can do mighty works with your tithe. Consider today how your tithe can fill the storehouse so God can pour out a blessing to you.

Prayer

Jesus you are mighty in Grace and full of Mercy and worthy of Praise. Throughout your Holy scriptures, you have shown how you can use small things in great ways.  A small pebble taking down a giant. A staff taking down an empire. A small boy with a few loaves and a couple fish feeding many. You used 12 disciples to spread the Gospel throughout the world. It’s all because of you Jesus and your great Love for us. Open our eyes and heart that what we see as little, you can make great and mighty.  Thank you in Jesus’ name Amen.

- Robert Oberg