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“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Ps 119:1, NLT).
Recorded Sunday 12 January 2025
Psalm 124The verses of the Psalm describe Israel's trouble- vs. 3-5- deliverance- vs. 1-2, 6b, 7- praise- vs. 6a, 8. The psalm shows us “how serious the threat was, and how little confidence David placed in his own power to survive it” Kidner, 436. 124:1 Had it not been the LORD who was on our side- 118:6; vs. 1-2 provide the protasis, the ifs clause to a conditional sentence, to the stanza and vs. 3-5 the apodosis, the then clause of the conditional sentence- Miller, 402. The word if actually begins both vss. 1 and 2 (Gen. 31:42; Deut. 32:37; I Sam. 25:34; II Kings 3:14; Psalm 94:17; 106:23; 119:92; 124:1, 2; Isaiah 1:9). Let Israel now say- 118:2-4; 129:1. This “indicates that this psalm aims to encourage the congregation to give voice to their gratitude” Broyles, 453. 124:2 Had it not been the LORD who was on our side- This psalm has “abundant use of incremental repetition” Alter, 443. “To dwell on what might have been is often an unrealistic, fruitless exercise. Here it is used to good effect” Laymen, 688. “His presence has protected Israel from destruction on many occasions” VanGemeren, 785.When men rose up against us- Ps. 2:1-3 124:3 Then they would have swallowed us alive- Swallowed is used in Num. 16:30; Ps. 55:15; Prov. 1:12; Isaiah 5:14; Jer. 51:34; Jonah 1:17. 124:4 Then the waters would have engulfed us- Verses 4-5 “are an especially effective use of the emphatic structure of incremental repetition. Verse 4 displays semantic parallelism with verbal repetition in its two halves (waters/ torrent, swept us us/ come up past our necks” Alter, 444. Psalms 18:4-5; 42:7; 69:1-2, 15; 88:3-7; Isaiah 8:7-8; 43:2; Lam. 3:54; Jonah 2:3, 5 124:5 Then the raging waters would have swept over our soul- Psalm 74:12-15; 89:9-10; 93:3-4 The LORD's sovereignty over the raging waters. 124:6 Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth- The enemy is compared to 3. “A hungry lion that would have seized them as prey (vs.6)” Willis, 64-65. 124:7 Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper- Ps. 91:3 The snare is broken, and we have escaped- 119:110; 140:5 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD- Ps. 20:7 The name of the LORD in I Sam. 17:45; Ps. 118:10, 11, 12; Prov. 18:10. Who made heaven and earth- 115:15; 121:2; 134:3; 146:6 I Peter 4:19 Psalm 124 and Jesus124:1 The LORD is for us- Romans 8:31-39.124:3 The word swallowed as used in the LXX is used in I Peter 5:8 of Satan going about as a roaring lion seeking who he can devour (or swallow, same word). Death and Satan may be great monsters seeking to swallow us, but Jesus swallows up death- I Cor. 15:54; II Cor. 5:4. 124:6 Blessed in the LXX is the same word used in Eph. 1:3; I Peter 1:3 which Blessed God for the great salvation He accomplished in Christ. 124:7 The word translated escaped in the LXX is used in Col. 1:13; I Thess. 1:10; II Tim. 4:17-18 to speak of salvation in Christ. 124:8 The word help is used in Hebrews 4:16 of how we seek help for Jesus. 124:8 The name of Jesus is the name on which we must call- Acts 2:21, 38; 4:12.124:8 Jesus is Maker of heaven and earth- John 1:1-3, 10.
Our hope, the Psalmist declares, is not in human leaders; our hope is in the Lord (Ps 146), who is everlasting, who made us and loves us forever, who is with us and for us always. This is the hope that does not disappoint us, as the Apostle Paul proclaimed in his life and in his letters (Romans 5:1-15). This is the hope we have in our Savior Jesus Christ. *** Join us In-Person or Online for Worship Sundays at 9:30am and 11am. Find out more about upcoming events and ways to serve our community by joining our mailing list. Email office@stjohnslutheran.church and request to be added! If you are in need of prayer or pastoral care, email Pastor Jen at pastor@stjohnslutheran.church or Pastor Emily at am@stjohnslutheran.church. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing generosity of our St. John's community members, and the faithful financial support that contributes to our mission to “Know Christ and Make Christ Known.” Thank you! Ways you can Give: • Online stjohnslutheran.church • Text "Give" to 760-330-2326 • Mail a check: 42695 Washington St. Palm Desert, CA 92211 For more information about Worship and Ministry at St. John's, please email the Church Office at office@stjohnslutheran.church or call us at 760-345-2122 CCLI Streaming & Podcast License # CSPL129016
David knew how to stay in the seat and allow the Lord to meet his spiritual and physical needs. Could we learn this same dependence? With these eternal truths in mind, the next time you are faced with unexpected adversity, remember you can stay in the seat. Your Divine Protector will provide you everything you need. SUBSCRIBE to our sister podcasts:Your Daily Prayer: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-prayer/Your Daily Bible Verse: https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Full Transcript Below: Learning to Stay in the Seat By Megan Conner “The LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LORDForever.” Ps. 23 (NKJV) How many of us have heard this famous passage read aloud at funerals or observed it printed over a picturesque scene illustrating green pastures and still waters? The imagery conveyed, channels what we consider the anticipated likeness of heaven. However, despite its common reference as soothing biblical poetry, this psalm was not written during a moment of serenity. It is believed David penned this poem while avoiding the pursuit of King Saul who was attempting to capture and kill the warrior who once slayed Goliath. It is here, where David had left everything behind, when he had zero assurance of safety, and had no idea where his next meal would come from that he inscribed these timeless truths. When faced with our own seasons of adversity could we make these same bold declarations? Would we hammer our stake of faith in the ground and assert “I shall not want?” There have been countless times in my own life when I have stared down apparent want and responded with the complete opposite. Pain and fear can stimulate such strong feelings of doubt, and even resentment, when we are faced with undesirable dilemmas. However, our gracious God understands human frailty and weakness. Rather than abandon us for our faithlessness, he takes our hand and guides us to places of gentle rest and teaches us how we can trust in him. If we study the Hebrew translation of Psalm 23, we can discover the entire passage is filled with action verbs. Everyone remember those early grammar lessons during our years of primary education? These parts of speech are often referred to as dynamic verbs and describe the action being performed in the sentence. This tranquil psalm does not outline a sedentary, passive response. Rather, our Lord actively leads us to places of much needed sustenance and reprieve. He makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us by still waters. Like a parent making their child go to bed because it is what is best for them, our Heavenly Father sometimes allows circumstances in our lives that drive us into quieter, restricted places of separation. While unwanted, it is here, in these spaces of solitude, we learn how to receive from God. Even further, the Lord invites us to remain seated at the table he prepares for us in the presence of our enemies. I don't know about you, but when I am faced with deep worry or sadness I struggle to eat. My nerves turn my stomach into knots. I lose my appetite. Not to mention my inability to sit still. Whether I am physically running around or spinning in circles mentally, when I feel threatened, I plot, plan, devise, and fight for my own provision and deliverance. I know I need to trust the Lord but waiting patiently for it all to work out, especially when the results appear extremely delayed, is HARD. Have you ever found yourself feeling the same? David comprehended God's provision in a way I have misunderstood. He had absolute confidence that God would not only provide salvation but also sustenance. Even with the battle raging around him, and uncertainty before him, David knew how to stay in the seat and allow the Lord to meet his spiritual and physical needs. Could we learn this same dependence? While I am certainly not perfect, I have made significant progress surrendering my attempts to control outcomes. When the storms of this life start to swirl around, instead of rising up and striving for my own salvation, I remind myself to remain seated. The battle is not mine; it's God's (2 Chron. 20:15). I can follow the instructions of the psalmist. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Ps. 27:14, NIV). With these eternal truths in mind, the next time you are faced with unexpected adversity, remember you can stay in the seat. Your Divine Protector will provide you everything you need. Intersecting Faith & Life: Reread Psalm 23 with the fresh perspective gained from today's devotional. How has your understanding of this famous passage changed? Have you experienced times when you fought to control outcomes instead of resting and receiving from the Lord? Are you able to look back upon your life and discover moments when you could sense the Heavenly Father's nearness in the restricted and quieter places of grief or hardship? How can you apply what we learned today the next time you are faced with an unwanted dilemma? How will you remind yourself to stay in the seat? Further Reading: 2 Chron. Chapter 20 Psalm 27 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Following on from last week's message on Fear of the Lord Ps. Dan shares from James 4 and the issue of pride.
Psalm 37:4-5: “Seek your HAPPINESS in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desire. Give yourself to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will help you.” The love that God has for YOU is unconditional, He will never stop loving YOU. You are of infinite worth and value to Him, because He loves you. Just think about it - the greatest, the most powerful, the most important Person ADORES YOU. He prizes YOU as His most valuable treasure. You hold such value in His sight that He sent His most precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the earth to die in your place, to pay for your sins, all for the purpose of bringing you back to Him, so He could manifest His love to you, as He longs to do. Our wonderful Heavenly Father desires a very CLOSE relationship with all His children. He is calling and leading each one of us into a closer love relationship with Him, and He wants us to seek our happiness in Him, rather than in things. Psalm 27:8: “When You said: “SEEK My FACE (Presence)”: My heart said to You: “Your FACE (Presence) Lord, I will SEEK.” “My heart has heard You say: “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds: “Lord, I am coming” (NLT). To SEEK is to crave and search earnestly, until the object of your desire has been found. None of us is perfect, or ever will be in this life. But even though you may be struggling with some things in your flesh, or soulish realm, do not cut your self off from worshiping God. Do not deprive God of the very thing Jesus suffered & died to give Him - your love, worship and your intimate fellowship with Him (John 4:21,23-24). God is prodigal in His love for us. Prodigal means excessive, plenty too much, over the top. The Parable of the Prodigal Son, is not so much about the son, who was prodigal in his sinning, but it is mostly about the father, who was prodigal in his great love for his sinning son. This is a picture of God's love for us. Luke 15:20: “He arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” God longs to fellowship with us. When David cried out to the Lord (Ps 27:7), the Lord replied by saying: “SEEK My FACE” (v8). Ps 27:8: “When You (Lord) said: “Seek My Face (in prayer, require My Presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You: “Your Face (Presence), O Lord, I will seek.” God is the all-sufficient One, so He can never be lonely. From eternity, there has been perfect love, unity & fellowship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the Triune Godhead. God has NO NEEDS, but He has VERY STRONG DESIRES, such as His desire for our love. He loved us so much, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, and redeem us from our sins, and purchase us for Himself, so we might belong to God forever as His children (John 3:16). Ephesians 2:4-7: “God, who is rich in mercy, for His GREAT LOVE wherewith He LOVED US, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ (by grace are you saved), and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So that, in the Ages to come (for all eternity) He might show (demonstrate) the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” God is a Giver, not a Withholder! Seeing how much He loves us should make us want to worship Him. Isn't it breath-taking that we have the ability to bless such a loving Creator, the All-Sufficient One. How amazing that our love and worship can minister to God and give Him great pleasure! God has given us free will, so LOVING God is our CHOICE. He will never force us to love Him. WORSHIPING GOD is a CHOICE. God has placed within each one of us the ability to love, bless & minister to Him in return. But He will never force you to love Him. By giving us free-will, He has made Himself vulnerable to us. We can choose to love Him in return, or turn our back on Him, and break His heart. Hosea 11:3,8: “It was I who taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he does not know or even care that it was I who took care of him... Oh, how can I give you up Israel? How can I let you go? My heart is torn within Me, and my compassion overflows.” Will you break His heart by withholding your love from Him? Our loving worship BLESSES God immensely. It brings Him tremendous pleasure. He DELIGHTS in our worship. It brings Him JOY. If you knew what God really wanted from you, would you do it? Will you give Him your love? God LONGS for intimacy with us, more than we will ever understand in this life. He DESIRES sweet communion with us, more than we desire intimacy with Him. It is so amazing that Almighty God makes Himself available to us every moment of every day! We must EXPECT that He is giving us His undivided attention, when we come to worship Him. Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 37:4-5: “Seek your HAPPINESS in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desire. Give yourself to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will help you.” The love that God has for YOU is unconditional, He will never stop loving YOU. You are of infinite worth and value to Him, because He loves you. Just think about it - the greatest, the most powerful, the most important Person ADORES YOU. He prizes YOU as His most valuable treasure. You hold such value in His sight that He sent His most precious Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to the earth to die in your place, to pay for your sins, all for the purpose of bringing you back to Him, so He could manifest His love to you, as He longs to do. Our wonderful Heavenly Father desires a very CLOSE relationship with all His children. He is calling and leading each one of us into a closer love relationship with Him, and He wants us to seek our happiness in Him, rather than in things. Psalm 27:8: “When You said: “SEEK My FACE (Presence)”: My heart said to You: “Your FACE (Presence) Lord, I will SEEK.” “My heart has heard You say: “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds: “Lord, I am coming” (NLT). To SEEK is to crave and search earnestly, until the object of your desire has been found. None of us is perfect, or ever will be in this life. But even though you may be struggling with some things in your flesh, or soulish realm, do not cut your self off from worshiping God. Do not deprive God of the very thing Jesus suffered & died to give Him - your love, worship and your intimate fellowship with Him (John 4:21,23-24). God is prodigal in His love for us. Prodigal means excessive, plenty too much, over the top. The Parable of the Prodigal Son, is not so much about the son, who was prodigal in his sinning, but it is mostly about the father, who was prodigal in his great love for his sinning son. This is a picture of God's love for us. Luke 15:20: “He arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” God longs to fellowship with us. When David cried out to the Lord (Ps 27:7), the Lord replied by saying: “SEEK My FACE” (v8). Ps 27:8: “When You (Lord) said: “Seek My Face (in prayer, require My Presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You: “Your Face (Presence), O Lord, I will seek.” God is the all-sufficient One, so He can never be lonely. From eternity, there has been perfect love, unity & fellowship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the Triune Godhead. God has NO NEEDS, but He has VERY STRONG DESIRES, such as His desire for our love. He loved us so much, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, and redeem us from our sins, and purchase us for Himself, so we might belong to God forever as His children (John 3:16). Ephesians 2:4-7: “God, who is rich in mercy, for His GREAT LOVE wherewith He LOVED US, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ (by grace are you saved), and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So that, in the Ages to come (for all eternity) He might show (demonstrate) the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” God is a Giver, not a Withholder! Seeing how much He loves us should make us want to worship Him. Isn't it breath-taking that we have the ability to bless such a loving Creator, the All-Sufficient One. How amazing that our love and worship can minister to God and give Him great pleasure! God has given us free will, so LOVING God is our CHOICE. He will never force us to love Him. WORSHIPING GOD is a CHOICE. God has placed within each one of us the ability to love, bless & minister to Him in return. But He will never force you to love Him. By giving us free-will, He has made Himself vulnerable to us. We can choose to love Him in return, or turn our back on Him, and break His heart. Hosea 11:3,8: “It was I who taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he does not know or even care that it was I who took care of him... Oh, how can I give you up Israel? How can I let you go? My heart is torn within Me, and my compassion overflows.” Will you break His heart by withholding your love from Him? Our loving worship BLESSES God immensely. It brings Him tremendous pleasure. He DELIGHTS in our worship. It brings Him JOY. If you knew what God really wanted from you, would you do it? Will you give Him your love? God LONGS for intimacy with us, more than we will ever understand in this life. He DESIRES sweet communion with us, more than we desire intimacy with Him. It is so amazing that Almighty God makes Himself available to us every moment of every day! We must EXPECT that He is giving us His undivided attention, when we come to worship Him. Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Kids might be the best, and worst, thing for a marriage! On the one hand, they're a “blessing from the Lord” (Ps. 127:3) and Jesus himself said “let the little children come to me” (Mt. 19:14). But on the other hand, they're loud, messy, needy, don't listen, and can (unintentionally) create barriers between spouses. Being aware of both the joys and hardships of parenting as well as the impact your kids may have on your marriage is an important first step to preventing a future breakdown. In this episode Austin and Shay discuss the ways their kids have helped build up their own marriages. Then they acknowledge the following four ways that kids can break down marriage: Create isolation Create chronic stress Create disconnection Create anger, bitterness, and resentment towards your partner The great news is that there are several things you can do to build up your marriage in the midst of parenting stress! Austin and Shay recommend the following four practices: Plan regular date nights and getaways Schedule “state of the union” meetings Address “elephants” Express appreciation If you liked this episode, text it to a friend! And please consider rating WYITW on your podcast player and leave the team a review. You can subscribe to our newsletter at withyouintheweeds.com and follow us on Instagram @withyouintheweeds!
Sermon Outline: Trust in the Lord (Ps. 11:1) A. Refuge, 1a B. Counsel, 1b and don't waver! (Ps. 11:2-3) A. The Situation, 2 B. The Question, 3
The Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12), but this is not a popular belief in our society. How do you respond when you are challenged by people with an anti-Christian, anti-God attitude? Are you tempted to keep quiet, or are you willing to speak the truth gently?
Main Idea. Idol worshipers are called to take heed of the gospel of the true God and repent. What does Paul see? 1. The Problem of Rampant Idol Worship (vv. 16–21) How does Paul respond to this problem? 2. The Remedy is Preaching the Only God's Gospel (vv. 22–31) 11 attributes of God's nature: Attribute: God as Creator (v. 24) Application: Trust in what the Bible says (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:1; Col 1:15, 16). Attribute: God as Lord of All (v. 24) Application: Submit to his authority (Jas 4:7; Prov 3:5–6) Attribute: God's Transcendence (v. 24) Application: Worship God (Ps 145:3; Ps 95:3, 6). Attribute: God as Sustainer (v. 25) Application: Be thankful to God in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18). Attribute: God's Sovereignty and Providence (v. 26) Application: Rest in knowing that God is over all (Col 1:16–17). Don't be anxious about anything… make your request known to God (Phil 4:6–7). Attribute: God's Immanence (v. 27) Application: Pursue God (Jas 4:8). Attribute: God as the Source of Life (v. 28) Application: Steward the life that God has given you (1 Pet 4:10). Attribute: God as Father (vv. 28-29) Application: Be assured of his loving kindness to his children (1 Jn 3:1). Attribute: God's Holiness and Righteousness (v. 30) Application: Repent of sin (1 Jn 1:9). Attribute: God as Judge (v. 31) Application: Fear the Lord (Ps 9:7–8; Ps 50:6). Attribute: God's Faithfulness (v. 31) Application: Remember his trustworthiness and works (Ps 77:1). 3 responses: 1. Grow in holy jealousy for the worship of God. 2. Bear in mind God's sovereign authority over everything. 3. Be intentional with the gospel knowing God placed you where you are. (see v.27)
While praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded. He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching. Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: "Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple" (Ps. 27:2). Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: "Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord ... in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord" (Ps. 133:1-3), "I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it. The post The Ninth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
While praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded. He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching. Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: "Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple" (Ps. 27:2). Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: "Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord ... in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord" (Ps. 133:1-3), "I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it. The post The Eighth Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
While praying, he was often seen to reach towards heaven like an arrow which has been shot from a taut bow straight upwards into the sky. He would stand with hands outstretched above his head and joined together, or at times slightly separated as if about to receive something from heaven. One would believe that he was receiving an increase of grace and in this rapture of spirit was asking God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the Order he had founded. He seemed to seek for himself and his brethren something of that transcendent joy which is found in living the beatitudes, praying that each would consider himself truly blessed in extreme poverty, in bitter mourning, in cruel persecutions, in a great hunger and thirst for justice, in anxious mercy towards all. His entreaty was that his children would find their delight in observing the commandments and in the perfect practice of the evangelical counsels. Enraptured, the holy father then appeared to have entered into the Holy of Holies and the Third Heaven. After prayer of this kind he truly seemed to be a prophet, whether in correcting the faulty, in directing others, or in his preaching. Our holy father did not remain at prayer of this type very long but gradually regained full possession of his faculties. He looked during that time like a person coming from a great distance or like a stranger in this world, as could easily be discerned from his countenance and manner. The brethren would then hear him praying aloud and saying as the prophet: "Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication which I pray to thee, when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple" (Ps. 27:2). Through his words and holy example he constantly taught the friars to pray in this way, often repeating those phrases from the psalms: "Behold, now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord ... in the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord" (Ps. 133:1-3), "I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me; hearken to my voice when I cry to thee. Let my prayer be directed as incense in they sight; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 140:1-2). The drawing shows us this mode of prayer so that we may better understand it. The post The Seventh Way – The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.
Blessed Assurance August 11, 2024 Elwyn Johnston Psalm 84 Verse of the Week: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Psalm 84:10 1. Remain in God's presence “How blessed are those who dwell in Your house!” Psalm 84:4 “My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord” Ps. 84:2 “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young” Psalm 84:3 2. Rely on God's strength “How blessed is the man whose strength is in You” Psalm 84:5 “O Lord of Heaven's Armies” Psalm 84:1, 3, 8, 12 “the Lord's arm is not too short, that it cannot save; nor is His ear too deaf that He cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 “wait” – to bind together “Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a refreshing spring” Psalm 84:6 “I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants; and they will spring up” Isaiah 44:3 & 4 3. Rest in God's character “How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11 “Cease striving and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 “God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?” Numbers 23:19 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
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The Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12), but this is not a popular belief in our society. How do you respond when you are challenged by people with an anti-Christian, anti-God attitude? Are you tempted to keep quiet, or are you willing to speak the truth gently?
These messages are from Ocean City Baptist Church in Ocean City, NJ. Visit oceancitybaptist.org for more information.
Psalm 134 is the fifteenth and last psalm of the "Songs of Ascents" or what is also called the “Pilgrim Psalms”. The psalm closes the collection with a benediction and leads into a series of psalms that emphasize praising the Lord. It is interesting to note that when the pilgrim began his journey to Jerusalem, the first prayer of this section of psalms, Psalm 120, indicates that he was at a low point spiritually. “In my distress I cried to the LORD… Woe is me….” (vv. 1, 5). But now, in Psalm 130, having completed his time of worship and cleansing at the place of worship in Jerusalem, he loudly proclaims, “Bless the LORD”! A wonderful change has taken place in his life! We notice several great encouragements from this psalm. First, we have a God Who never sleeps (v. 1). As you review these fifteen psalms, you see that the pilgrims had a variety of experiences on their journey, but they arrived safely in the Holy City, fulfilled their obligations, and were now preparing to return home. It was night and they wanted to make one last visit to the temple. Directed by the high priest, the temple priests and Levites were responsible to make sure everything was in order for the next day's ministry. The pilgrims heard a temple choir singing the praises of Jehovah, and their ministry would continue all night. Pagan temples were silent at night, because their gods had to rest (1 Kings 18:27), but "He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4). The Lord gives sleep to His beloved people, but He stays awake and guards the city and watches over the family (Ps. 127:1-2). He also hears the praises of His people. "The LORD that made heaven and earth" (v. 3), also made the day and the night (Gen. 1:14-19), and “the darkness and the light are both alike to Him” (Ps. 139:11-12). When we go to sleep, we know that the Father is caring for us, and when we awaken, He is there to greet us (Ps. 91:1-6). If we awaken in the night, we can fellowship with Him and meditate on His Word (Ps. 119:55, 62, 147-148). If God never slumbers nor sleeps, why should we stay awake all night, tossing and turning and fretting? "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). Next, we have worship that never ends (v. 2). David arranged that the temple choirs praise the Lord day and night (Ps. 92:1-2; 1 Chron. 9:33; 23:30). While you and I are asleep in our part of the world, somewhere else on the globe, believers are worshiping God. Even more, Jesus Christ, our High Priest in heaven never ceases to intercede for us and enables us to pray and to worship. God gives us "songs in the night" (Ps. 42:8; 77:6; Job 35:10; Isa. 30:29), when circumstances are difficult and we cannot see our way. The greatest responsibility and highest privilege of individual believers and of churches is to worship God, for everything that we are and do flows out of worship. As the choir in the temple lifted their hands to heaven (see on 28:2), they were pointing to the Source of all good things and praising Him for His mercy and grace. True worshipers lift "clean hands and a pure heart" to the Lord (Ps. 24:4; James 4:8), for the Lord looks on the heart. We will worship God for all eternity (Rev. 4-5), so we had better start learning now. Finally we should realize we are blessed to be a blessing to others (v. 3). As the pilgrims left the temple, a priest on duty called, "May the Lord bless you from Zion". The pronoun "you" is singular, for the blessing of God is for each of us personally. To leave God's house with God's blessing upon us is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility, for we must share that blessing with others. If it is a joy to receive a blessing, it is an even greater joy to be a blessing. If the LORD who made the heaven and the earth never sleeps, and our worship never ends, then the blessing will not stop. God bless!
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Join us for this message from Pastor David Remedios on October 15th, 2023.
Join us for this message from Pastor David Remedios on October 15th, 2023.
God went to incredible lengths to provide a way for us to have relationship with Him. What a blessing we have! In response, we should live our lives in light of His sacrifice, worthy of His calling.
I Sought The Lord ( Ps. 34 )
Look To The Lord Ps. 27:1 #Nightlight #RTTBROS The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1. This powerful verse reminds us that with God on our side, we have no need to fear. When we walk with Him daily, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, He illuminates our path, showing us which way to go (Psalm 119:105). Even in life's darkest valleys, we can trust Him to lead us, one step at a time. Though fears and doubts may arise, we can remember that God has provided salvation through His Son. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). When we believe in Jesus, trusting Him as Lord of our lives, we receive the gift of eternal life with God. Knowing our future is secure, we do not need to be afraid. On this life's journey, storms will come, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), so we can boldly proclaim, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Hebrews 13:6). Though enemies surround us, God is our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1). Under the shadow of His wings we find shelter from every adversity (Psalm 91:1-2). Fear and anxiety frequently overwhelm us in life's uncertainties. But as Adrian Rogers exhorted, “Either Jesus is Lord of all or He is not Lord at all!” When Jesus is truly Lord of our lives, we do not need to fear. He lights our path and provides salvation from every fear. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros
09/17/2023 Psalm 148 Chris Breslin Music for Sunday's worship gathering Let Them Praise the Name of the Lord (Ps 148) by Crawford/Harris He Leadeth Me (Ps 23) by Gilmore/Bradbury Flourishing (Ps 119) by McCracken Bring in the Year of Jubilee (Ps 37) by Porter’s Gate Worship How Great Thou Art (Ps 8) by Boberg/Hine The Lord is My Shepherd […]
Listen to a powerful message of hope from Ps Luke de Jong (Senior Pastor) as he kicks off our new series "Ready & Willing: Living in Obedience." As we take up Jesus' invitation to 'Come, follow Me", we discover that obedience and trust aren't one-time events, but lifelong decisions that lead us towards His great plan for us and for others. _ To find out more about LIFE, visit us at lifenz.org
Heb 4:14-16 Good help is hard to find, so the saying goes. The psalmist looked to the hills as he asked, “Where does my help come from?” He then answered his own question: My help comes from the Lord (Ps 121:1-2). Where do we look for help, especially during our spiritual journey? Our text tells us we can find timely help because we have a great high priest. We can boldly approach the eternal throne.
God has invited us into the wonderful privilege of partnering with Him to be used in His work! As we remember the legacy that others have left, let's choose to continually be faithful in continuing His work.
These messages are from Ocean City Baptist Church in Ocean City, NJ. Visit oceancitybaptist.org for more information.
If we're being honest, none of us would want all of our thoughts displayed on a screen for all to see. We all think and do things we know we shouldn't. However, in spite our mistakes and shortcomings, we have a God who loves and forgives, abounding in grace and mercy, and calls us to live a greater in Him than we could ever live on our own.
This episode provides witnesses of those that because of their faith, and belief in the LORD Jesus received their healings instantaneously. Jesus once again emphasizes that the "kingdom of God" is associated with healing the sick. There were those that could witness, that when He healed them that He did it, suddenly. There was the man that sat by the roadside and heard of the man Jesus and called out to Him, Jesus informed him that his faith had made him whole. The man received his sight immediately, and Jesus granted him his request for sight. Prayer refers to the multifaceted communication of believers with the LORD God. In addition to such words as "prayer" and "praying," this activity is described as calling upon God (Ps. 17:6), calling upon the name of the LORD (Gen. 4:26), crying unto the LORD (Ps. 3:4), lifting up one's soul unto God (Ps. 25:1), seeking the LORD (Is. 55:6), coming boldly unto the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16), and drawing near to God (Heb. 10:22). Just as those in this message believed by faith that Jesus could deliver and that He could do it suddenly. Although, they might not have expected it to happen instantaneously. However, no one knows the Mind nor the Will of God. The man lay by the side of the pool hoping to be able to make it to the waters when the Angel came to trouble the water for there was none that would help him. Because of his belief, Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk. Thus, he did walk. Prayer is the necessary link alone with having faith, trust, and knowing that He is able to receive God's blessings and power, and the fulfillment of His promises. Not only must we pray according to God's will, but we must be in God's will if we expect Him to hear and answer us. God will give us the things we ask for only if we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The apostle John unequivocally states: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." Why are some prayers answered and others are not? John declares that an effective prayer life is related to our devotion to God. Obeying God's commandments, loving Him, and pleasing Him (John 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:9; Eph. 5:10; Heb. 13:31) are indispensable conditions in order to receive what we ask for in prayer. Know that Jesus said that men/women should always pray. Pray and believe. I heard a Pastor say, "And if He does not heal you on this side, it's not because He couldn't, know that your healing still awaits you." The New Birth Choir sings, "He did it suddenly". Blessings, Elder Barbara Full Life Bible
We find out from the 16th Psalm that Those who hope in God have all they need. This messages gets more specific to those benefits!
“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord” (Ps 2:2).
The Bible says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12), but this is not a popular belief in our society. How do you respond when you are challenged by people with an anti-Christian, anti-God attitude? Are you tempted to keep quiet, or are you willing to speak the truth gently?
These messages are from Ocean City Baptist Church in Ocean City, NJ. Visit oceancitybaptist.org for more information.
October 4, 2022 - Inspired by J.C. Ryle's treatise on Prayer. The extended introduction for our October episodes ends at the 7:20 mark, and while there is some benefit (I believe) in listening to it again, if you would like, you can fast forward to that mark and begin the episode. J.C. Ryle: “I have looked carefully over the lives of God's saints in the Bible. I cannot find one of whose history much is told us, from Genesis to Revelation, who was not a man of Prayer. I find it mentioned as a characteristic of the godly, that “they call on the Father” (I Peter 1:17), or “the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 1:2). Recorded as a characteristic of the wicked is the fact that “they call not upon the Lord” (Ps. 14:4).” Not only does the desire for fellowship with God through Prayer delineate saints from sinners, but those who live the abundant life now from those who do not. Our wonder stems not in knowing how those “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises…” lived that soul-satisfying abundant life, but… But how those who “experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment” lived the same soul-satisfying abundant life. Three guesses? Prayer. Glory to God in the highest. “What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more.” Robert Murray M'Cheyne Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard www.frponprayer.com freerangeprayer@gmail.com Facebook - Free Range Preacher Ministries Instagram: freerangeministries All our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition. For access to the Voice Over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.com Our podcast art designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 Instagram Season 5 Episode 004
David was alone. His life was in great danger and his spirit weak. When we feel isolated and disconnected there is a great temptation to turn inward or to those things which only bring further pain. David chooses to trust in God in the moment: “With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD” (Ps 142:1). Though we may feel abandoned by all others, we know he will never leave us or forsake us.