Mark 4 - 9.14.26

S - Mark 4:21-23

“He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?"  Isn't it to be put on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

O - These verses are a clearer understanding of what our responsibilities are as believers.  We as believers in the word of God having an understanding of His word, are not responsible for just stating the facts, but to be receptive to teach in a way that is shown and not necessarily factual. There are a lot of ways to convey the truths of our God.  Circumstances and His word guide us if we are able to listen in the midst of our daily lives.

A - Be a better listener.  I want to be used in a way that our God sees fit.  Not just my way!  I want to try to see it from God's perspective, and leave my judgemental thoughts or understanding out of the equation.

P - Lord I pray that I am used as a light and not kept in the dark by satan and worldly influence.  Please instill in me the light you intended for me to be. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide me in all situations.  Amen

- Brian Moen

Psalm 1 - 9.11.26

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

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1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.‍ ‍

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.‍

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

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Observation

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This psalm is a contrast between the righteous and the ungodly. Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled. In fact, in Hebrew the word is actually a plural, which denotes either a multiplicity of blessings or an intensification of them.” (Boice)

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The righteous man does not go the way of the ungodly, we can say these speak of thinking, behaving and belonging. The righteous man and the ungodly man are different in how they think, how they behave and to whom they belong.

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The righteous man is not afraid to take a less-traveled road, because he knows it leads to blessing, happiness, and eternal life.

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Matthew 7:13 - Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

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The righteous man delights in the law of the Lord or loves to read the word of God and meditate on it. He reads God’s word and applies it to his life. The righteous man only has God’s word on his mind two times a day…Day and Night.

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The righteous man digs his roots deep into the stream of Living Water and his life is full, alive, happy and prosperous.

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Not so for the ungodly, they are like chaff. Chaff is the light shell around a kernel of grain, which must be stripped away before the kernel of grain can be ground into flour. Chaff is light enough that it could be separated from the grain by throwing a scoopful into the wind and letting the wind drive away the chaff. The ungodly are unstable, worthless, lacking in substance, no life, dead leaves. Sinners don’t share the same glorious future of the righteous. They also don’t want to hang out with the righteous if they insist on remaining sinners.

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The Lord watches over the righteous and covers us in peace and protection.

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The ungodly walk on the broad path, they have lots of company, but in the end they will perish.‍

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Application

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This chapter gives us a clear contrast on the righteous, who walk with God, and the ungodly, who don’t. God watches over the righteous and they KNOW HIM. He prunes, chastens and molds us into His prize possessions. He covers us with protection, peace and blessings. Everything good and perfect gift comes from Him. Where are you walking? Are you walking daily with the Lord, reading His word, meditating on His truths and trusting Him to guide your path? Or are you walking on the broad path, worried about the cares of this world, only caring about your fleshly desires and not walking with God. It’s time to make a choice…Blessed Life or Death…it’s up to you.‍

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Prayer

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Dear Lord,‍ ‍

I pray for all those who are struggling with sin and can’t quite jump off the fence. I pray you make yourself so real to them that their heart burns with a longing to be in your presence. I pray for an awakening in their spirit and in their heart and a realization that better is one day in Your courts, then one thousand elsewhere.

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Psalm 84:10 – Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper inthe house of my God than dwell inthe tents of the wicked.‍

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- Michelle Craig‍ ‍

Romans 16 - 9.10.26

Scripture: Romans 16:20

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”

Observation: 

The power of peace.  This scripture stuck out to me, sandwiched between a long list of greetings and Paul’s doxology to the church of Corinth, this short passage in Romans 16 stands out in how the defining power the peace of God carries is expressed. 

Peace, from God, is powerful - powerful enough to crush Satan under our feet. The peace of God, peace who IS God, is mighty and powerful. True and steadfast peace is found in Him and our belonging we have in Him amidst all we face in our lives destined to a rollercoaster of experiences throughout our days.

Further, the peace of God is one that has the last word - see that word “soon?” We eagerly await the day when His will and His heart is the manifest reality everywhere we look after Jesus returns and when all attacks from Satan will be finalized and silenced; though, I know we need peace now. So, what do we do?

These past few weeks in church we have been turning a corner to become a church that even more than holds a church service, but one that beholds Jesus. This past Sunday Katie reminded us of the powerful rhythm it is to behold Jesus in the midst of our lives throughout whatever they may hold, she asked if we will become people who behold Him? This got me thinking how intimate and immediate our access is to not just the giver of peace, but the man that IS peace. Not only is He peace, but there is peace in the fact that He enters in all with us and advocates for us within whatever we may face. How does peace come into your mind and your heart when you truly ruminate in that the savior of the world calls you friend, to know that the blood of Jesus has the final say, to know that the truth is He is working all things for good to those who love Him. . . . When I am in the midst of a storm, because I know Jesus, I have the opportunity and access to behold the man himself that is peace and whose unwavering presence delivers peace. Peace far more powerful than a person, but greater in the form of a man available to behold. 

When we are in the midst of a storm, do we seek to behold the man of powerful peace talked about in Romans 16? Peace is found in His eyes, His face, His consistent heart. Peace is Him, Himself. Scripture says Jesus does not just have peace or does not just give peace, while both of these are true, what is even greater is that He himself IS peace (Ephesians 2:14). So whenever I am in the midst of a ruminating spiral, where all I can think about is what could happen or fear based thoughts - I have the opportunity to turn to the man who himself is peace, in whom I have full access to, whose availability is limitless when I am face to face with circumstances that need His power and a mind that needs His peace.

When I am in need of peace, I don’t just find a feeling from God, but I go and find the man that is peace. When you are in need of peace, may you be reminded that you can find it knowing there is no battle or victory you or I have been in alone, but this man has and will be in every single experience with us - holding our hand and never forsaking anyone.

Application:

As we are repeatedly calling our church to do, I echo this rhythm of life again and invite you in, would you behold him?

For those reading this, if your heart is weary or if you are carrying stress, maybe even more belief in fear than in faith, may you “be + hold”. Be where you are and be in your current state + hold Him. To hold him is to create space and picture Him, allowing space and margin for your mind to align with His face, His voice, His words, and His heart - not rushing past who He is in His entirety to hurry back into worry, but beholding Him in the midst will cultivate an understanding in our hearts that peace is not only on the way, but immediately available in the man who is peace himself and in all things with us that we face.

Prayer:

Jesus, show me who you are in the midst of where my mind is. Jesus, show me your face and reveal to me deeper who you are in the midst of my storm and in my worry - as I come to you in my truest most vulnerable state, will you show me who you remain to be no matter what. Thank you for BEING the peace that I have which surpasses all understanding. 

In Jesus mighty and peace filled name, Amen.

- Tess Schrupp