I love starting the Lord's Day out back with a cup of hot coffee.
This morning, it was raining, quit hard. I got all the buckets positioned under
the drips in the metal roof, and sat down to sip my coffee and pray. I was overwhelmed
by thankfulness to the Lord for all He has done for me, from saving my soul, to
leading me down paths for my good that I never would have taken on my own. He has
provided jobs, cars, food, health, healing, peace, and safety.He has 'set my feet in a broad place,"
to quote David in the Psalms. How I wish I could write of all the blessings He has bestowed on me.
There have been many trials, yes, but hindsight proves that they were all for my good......
and through them He was working me into being more Christlike. (that is a very scary thing for
me to say, for I know how far off the mark I am......but I also know that I am ever so slowly getting
closer. I think all of heaven perhaps just shook their collective heads and thought, "how far she has to go!")
Sunday School began a new quarter this morning, and I am excited to be studying the Psalm 119 there!
Today was just the intro, but what depth a little knowledge of the book will lend to it's full meaning!
I have always been amazed at the attention given to detail in this song. It appears to have been an intentional learning tool, structured in a way to foster memorization perhaps, or just to help remember it.
Tidbits from this morning's class:
The purpose of Psalm 119: "....to commend the serious and diligent study, and the steadfast belief and the constant practice of God's word, as incomparably the best counselor and comforter in the world, and as the only way to true blessedness." (Matthew Poole)
The various terms used for God's Word in this psalm are "used for the whole revelation of God, that the view of it's inexhaustible fullness might conciliate a more attentive regard to it's authority, and might add fresh strength to the obligation to read, believe, love and live in it." (Charles Bridges)
And to those who say the Book is old, outdated, ancient and not useful anymore: Society has changed much, but the heart of mankind has not. It is the same as it was when the Word was written. Neither has God's Word changed. His statutes are fixed, as is the plight of man, and are as applicable today as they ever were.
The sermon this morning was on forgiveness. Pastor Billy presented this in a way I've not seen before.
My words here will not do justice to it. He reminded us of Christ's suffering, for the sins of all who would trust in Him for forgiveness. When we forgive, it isn't about forgetting necessarily. But we suffer.......by not holding that grudge that we, in our sin, so desperately want to hang on to. By not taking vengeance, or even wishing for it. By loving the one who has offended, without ever bringing it up again. By bearing with one another. Typically people complain about being unable to forgive because they want it to be easy......they want the negative feelings to go away when they say, "I forgive." But it doesn't work that way. Forgiveness is work, and is hard. We can only really do this by God's help.
Tonight was the installation service for our supply pastor. I am so thankful for the leadership that God has given us. Coming from a different denomination where leadership was lacking, I am so very thankful for the leadership @ my church, and in the denomination I call my own now. The attention to teaching and training, examining, etc. is such a comfort and blessing to me.
Father......go with me through the week. Praise You for all that You are. That You are steadfast never wavering, unlike me. Give me strength for each day, to do all that You have called me to. Help me to delight in Your Word, and in the fellowship of believers. Help me to pray and study well.
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