Sunday Morning Worship Service.
Pastor Josh Dekker 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 109
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Days one and two.
Spurgeon notes this psalm was written poetically to de scribe each day of the creation account in Genesis. However, the real focus is the greatness and majesty of God, who created everything (v. 1). Therefore, it is not surprising that God is praised throughout this entire psalm. This is the only fair conclusion one can arrive at. "He must be blind indeed who does not see that nature is the work of a king:' With this statement, perhaps Spurgeon is referring to Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory which was fairly recent in his day. In contrast to Darwin's theory, it is God who creates light (v. 2), which points to his personal glory. Poetic imagery using the king's chambers and chariots describe the skies, clouds, winds, and angels (vv. 3-4). The creation of earth covered with water concludes the second day of creation. As we reverently ponder these creative acts, we are filled with adoration for God our Creator. Day three. Spurgeon describes with awe the emergence of land, water, and vegetation, which provides him with important insights. God cares for us because he does the same for all of his creation (vv. 11, 13-14). This same attentiveness which extends even to wild animals is a reminder of the high value he places on each of his creatures. "Must everything exist for man or else be wasted? What but our pride and selfishness could have suggested such a notion?" In addition to God's care, we see his power at work, including in the plants (v. 14). This truth implies that without God working in the situation our efforts are in vain. We should also be attentive to the signs of his ongoing activity as we go through our day. A further insight reveals a God who wisely designed everything for a purpose. The trees are created so that the birds have a place for their nests (v. 17). When we walk through a forest, we hear the birds singing, which is a testimony of God's creativity. Lastly, nature provides illustrations for our spiritual lives. Like the birds which fly and have nests (v. 12), we should sing as "we flit through time into eternity;' knowing God is our dwelling place. Used by Permission “The Psalms of every day living”- David McKinley 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 108 I like painting pictures with words; using descriptions to create a visual image. For a few years now, being a visual person, I have been trying to gain a better image of who God is. Coming across Psalm 103 in autumn 2019 gave me much of the picture I was longing to gain. Over the 18 months following, God, as described in the verses of this Psalm became very real to me.
When I first read Psalm 103, the picture of God redeeming my life from the pit broke me. I often feel that I fall into pits of life: depression, despair and uncertainty. Then I feel guilty and a terrible cycle begins. But God is a redeemer. And not only does he redeem, he crowns us with love and compassion; he works righteousness and justice for the oppressed. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Hallelujah!!! And God showed himself to me as a healer. Following various unexplained physical ailments, God made a way for healing! He reassures me that he forgives my sins, removing them as far as the east is from the west. “Compassion” is used to describe God 4 times in the first 13 verses. He knows who we are, how we came to be, and that without him, we are nothing. God wants to shower me and you with his forgiveness, his compassion, his healing and redeeming love. Vs 13 and 17: The Lord has compassion and love on those who fear him. And he answers the prayers of those who ask without ceasing. Sometimes it seems the answers take a long time in coming. But how wonderful it is, when patience is kept and we keep asking, and keep seeking, and then experience the blessing of his answers and knowing him more intimately! Judith 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 107 "[T]he rebuilding of Jerusalem would be a fact in history for which the Lord would be praised from age to age'.'
The future generations. We are encouraged when we see God answer our prayers regarding desperate life situations (v. 17). While this has an inspiring impact on us, the psalmist is also thinking about future generations (v. 18). When they eventually read about God's mercy being shown in the past through the rebuilding of Jerusalem they will be encouraged. With this big picture perspective, "we ought to have an eye to posterity, and especially should we endeavor to perpetuate the memory of God's love to his church and to his poor people, so that young people as they grow up may know that the Lord God of their fathers is good and full of compassion:' It is easy to get caught up in the present. With a short-term perspective, we often fail to consider the future impact of our actions and decisions. When we adopt a long-term view, we will want to see countless future generations praising God for his loving faithfulness (vv. 21-22). Used by Permission “The Psalms of every day living”- David McKinley 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 106 Verse 2 "I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help, especially in my own home, where I long to act as I should."
Now I don't know about you, but I was taught to behave myself in public. Growing up in the parsonage this was really important because my dad’s job might depend on how well I could behave. (Or at least it was impressed upon me) I certainly was not a perfect child, and I did get punished from time to time, but at home, not in public. At home I could be freer to be me and that's where my rebellion raised its ugly head. Character is who you are when nobody is watching. Nobody but God that is. David says he is trying to walk blameless, but desperately needs God's help, especially at home. He wants so much to do what is right in every aspect of his life, not just what the people see in his kingdom (public) but also behind the scenes at home. Am I honest in all my dealings in business and at home? Am I selfish in my dealings with my kids? Am I forgiving? David gives a list of what he will not accept in his household and those he will invite in. He wants to set a good example of what is means to be God's servant and to do what is right in God's eyes all the time, not just in public. God knows what is done in public and in private. We can't hide from Him and the truth of our character. I cry out with David for God to help me be all that He wants me to be and to act as I should. Sharon 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 105:19-45 How does God Like to Be Praised? It is by Giving Grateful Praise
God has a desire for all the earth to shout for joy to Him. It is unlikely those who do not know God will do this. That is why in verse 3 a command is given “know that the Lord is God.” Knowing has the sense of acknowledging and experiencing that the Lord is God. To truly “know” the Lord is God brings a heart desire to worship the Lord with gladness. It also brings a heart of thanksgiving to God. I often loose this important attitude when I worship God personally at home or together with other believers collectively on Sunday. I find, when I focus on myself and what I want from worshiping God, then the joy is lost. Why? It is because the Lord is no longer God in my life, my focus has shifted to what I desire and how I feel and think. How can we maintain a heart of joy with grateful praise to God? May I suggest preparing your heart for Sunday worship and or personal worship with God by doing the following. The following involves preparing one’s heart before a time of worshiping the Lord is God. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Day in and day out God’s goodness, love and faithfulness watches and cares over me, over you (verse 5). When this above truth permeates our hearts and beings and then we come before the Lord in worship. A surprising development takes place. We are not so concerned about if we: like the music and songs being played, what was missed out in prayer, a bothersome statement, someone you thought should have said hi to you. No, we are focused on entering into His presence worshiping with thanksgiving and praise. Give it a try . . . I found it works . . . God deserves being given grateful praise! Gary 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 105: “The Lord is great in Zion; He is exalted over all the peoples.” Ps 99:2 I remember a few years back when “The Great One” played his last professional hockey game. I called out to my younger son to come and watch what I thought was a historical event. Interestingly, he had no interest, yet to this day he holds a collection of those hockey cards. The hockey culture has labelled a man, “The Great One”, for all the things that he has accomplished in the world of hockey. Being great is much more than what you accomplish it is about who you are. This Psalmist bring us to the real “Great One.” Why is God great according to the Psalmist? He is Holy, He loves justice, were two attributes the Psalmist used to describe God and why we are called to worship Him. We often worship God for the love that He has shown to us, but we must remember to worship and praise Him because He is Holy and Just. God’s Holiness is so pure that sin cannot be in His presence. With justice we can see the cost that needs to be paid to remove that sin. Without the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf we would have no way to stand before a Holy God. God is also great because Peter reminds us, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:16-19) In knowing this we can proclaim with the Psalmist, “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy!” (Vs 9) Pastor Paris 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 104 Sunday Morning Worship Service.
Join us for worship and the sermon. Please read the Psalm in preparation. Pastor Paris Perry 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalm 103 "Loud let our hearts ring out the honors of our conquering Savior ... The rule of Christ is the joy of nature'.'
Praise to the King. All creation is called to praise Jesus, the reigning king (vv. 6, 9). As his people, we can use all means, such as instruments, to praise him with exuberance. Reference to the harp (v. 5) suggests that we may elegantly express adoration to God. However, Spurgeon was wary of the use of musical instruments to adulate God. They can become a substitute for a proper heart attitude and the focus of worship, rather than God himself. "There is no fear of our being too hearty in magnifying the God of our salvation, only we must take care that the song comes from the heart, otherwise the music is nothing but a noise in his ears, whether it is caused by human throats, or organ pipes, or far-resounding trumpets:' With the universal acknowledgment of Jesus' reign, his entire creation praises him (vv. 7-9). Used by Permission “The Psalms of every day living”- David McKinley 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalms 101-102 Psalm 97:1-2 "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne" As you read through this psalm remember that it was written before Jesus came, back when there was a thick veil between the presence of God and his people. When it talks about clouds and thick darkness surrounding him it is because his glory and presence is too much for people to stand in front of. So just as the thunderclouds can veil the sun, so God's glory and righteousness must be veiled from humans. It is a good reminder as well that although we have the privilege of having God's presence with us through the holy spirit, that God's righteousness and power is still too vast and incredible for us to comprehend. Verse 7 is the centre verse of this psalm, and it is where the focus moves from God's power to our response. The psalm goes on to describe the difference between those who worship idols being put to shame, and the joy of those who put their trust in God. I find this shift beautiful, between describing God as this awesome and powerful God, to our response being filled with gladness and joy. I feel like a more appropriate response to the first 6 verses would be to come before him with fear, a trembling awe of the one who created and rules the world. But instead this chapter suggests a different response. We get to come before him with the joy that He fills us with. When we choose to serve him with gladness and live faithful lives then we can be covered with light and filled with joy in the presence of the powerful God we love and serve. I know for myself my constant prayer is that God would be merciful to me and my family and help us live faithful lives serving Him. That the light and joy would be evident in us as we love him, surrender ourselves to him, and rejoice in Him regardless of what our circumstances may be. Psalm 97:11-12 “Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.” Raelene 3 Month Reading Plan - Psalms 98-100 |
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