It has been a beautiful day, although I am tired and not feeling well this afternoon.
Sunday School was on the first 8 verses of Psalm 119. One in the class brought up the repetitive, almost redundant nature of this long Psalm and wondered if there is enough material to carry a whole quarter of teaching. While I understood the notion, my immediate response was , "oh no! God's Word is alive, and active!" I am looking forward to the study of each section to see what God has there for us!
Blessing. Where is it found? We live in a society that tells us to 'follow your heart'. Do what seems best to you. Dream big, and make your dreams come true. We tend to see blessing as wealth, health, financial security, social status, etc., etc. But here in Psalm 119:1-8 we find that it is only found in God's approval.
We find this approval/blessing when we seek Him with our whole heart. Not half. No hypocrisy, not lukewarm, not sometimes, but with all of our heart, mind, strength and soul......all of our whole being...all the time. This requires activity and effort on my part. I have to know His Word, and to do that I must seek it. It is there that I begin to really know God, and knowing Him puts me in my place.....weak, sinful, and totally dependent on Him for everything, even the will to come to Him.
The Psalmist pleads for help in obeying the Law's of God. He cannot do it alone!
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Sermon text: John 12:12-19. Palm Sunday. Parades. Anticipation. Disappointment. and the great Parade to come........
The same Jews who celebrated Jesus arrival in Jerusalem that day gathered as a mob and demanded His crucifixion a few days later. They anticipated a King who would overthrow the Roman rule over them. He didn't (at least not the way they expected). Hopes were dashed. Within days of this triumphal entry, Jesus was a one Man parade carrying a cross, with back laid bare, bleeding and dying. What contrast!
And someday......there will be another parade....when He comes back to collect His own. Oh how I long for that Day!
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Evening service was to be held @ a different location with another church. I wish I could have gone, but not feeling well, I decided to stay home. Spent some of the afternoon studying for 2 studies this week.
Reading in Hebrews 12.
I was struck by all of the commands to action. We cannot endure the race without intention. Lay aside, run, look, consider, remember, endure, strengthen, pursue. The race isn't won passively. It requires our effort.....diligent, ongoing effort. It also requires the efforts of our Father to 'chastise', 'discipline', or 'train' us. I have notes written in my Bible that the word 'trained' means 'exercised'. Just like a serious runner trains his body and mind for the race, so must we train for the spiritual race we run. God is like our coach, pushing and prodding us, teaching us our errors and weaknesses, then shoring us up, encouraging us, and teaching us the right techniques and moves to win the prize.
The Hebrews were being persecuted, and it was about to get way more intense for them. Some were returning to the 'safety' of the old ways, the law and the sacrifices, simply because there was familiarity and safety there. How we must beware of this! Father help me stand when the going gets tough! Teach me to see the roadblocks and discern their value....whether legitimate or not. And strengthen me to endure.
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