God's Word - Part 4
We have seen two emerging questions come from Psalm 119: Why should we value the Word of God? and, how should we value the Word of God? The reason why the Psalmist says we should value the Word of God is because it brings happiness (vv. 1-2), it produces cleansing (vv. 9,11), it gives liberty (v. 45), it provides direction (v. 105), and produces understanding (v. 130).
Another major emphasis in this Psalm is this: How we show that we value the Word of God. First, we study it. God’s purpose in giving His Word was to point us to reveal Himself. A good section to look at would be Psalm 119:2-10. It reminds us to seek Him with our whole heart.
Second, we obey its commands. We learn from our childhood that obedience has good consequences. We can sense in this Psalm that he wants to obey God’s Word, it is a delight and puts a jump in his step. There is a sense of making preparation to obey. I think we can learn something here.
Third, we will hide it in our hearts. This means we are to store it in our minds like we put things in the hard drive of our computer. All for the purpose that I might not sin against the Lord (v. 11).
Fourth, we will declare it to others (v. 13). As we study God’s Word, our hearts begin to burn within in such a way that we will not be able to keep it to ourselves. It would be like the two men who were walking with Jesus and didn’t realize it. It says, “They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” Let it be so of us.
Finally, we will constantly rejoice over the Word of God and delight in it. “I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” Psalm 119:14-16. Did you see it? Rejoicing (v. 14) and delighting (v. 16) are connected by the meditating (v. 15). Saturating on the Word of God will only bring inescapable delight that moves beyond the earthly realm and places you in a heavenly mindset. That’s where I want to spend my time — contemplating the things of God as I go about my business.
Take some time to meditate on Psalm 119 and begin to see how blessed we are because we have the very Words of God at our fingertips. If that doesn’t get you excited, then let me remind you that we have the Living Word of God living inside of us. That will cause you to say, “Hallelujah!”
May the God of peace strengthen you for the events of the day. I will look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
God's Word - Part 3
This is a continuation from last week’s Faith Builder. As we continue to look at Psalm 119, we look at the two emerging questions: Why should we value the Word of God? And, How should we value the Word of God? The reason why the Psalmist says we should value the Word of God is because it brings happiness, it produces cleansing, and it gives liberty. We continue his thought pattern by seeing that the Word provides direction. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light on my path” Psalm 119:105. If we listen to the voices around us we could easily be convinced that there are many paths we must travel. The problem with the direction of the world is that it always promises more than it produces. The Apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 4 that when we attain to be mature in Christ, we will no longer be infants, being tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. This goes right along with applying the written word to our lives. It exposes the enemy's ways and lights the path God has for us. Being careless with our choices by not saturating in the Word of God only invites misery and ruin.
The Word produces understanding. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” Psalm 119:130. Our walking and understanding are inseparably linked. The Word enlightens our minds so we can discern what we ought to do. It is as if the Lord takes the time we spend saturating in His Word and opens up new understanding every day. It becomes second nature.
Keep saturating in the Word of God. Let it guide you in all of your ways.
Wasn’t Sunday a blessing? I mentioned in the service that I always look forward to coming to church because you never know what you are going to see. It’s not the same to hear about the anointing of God. I want to be right in the middle of it; up close and personal. As our Chinese students say, “My heart is warmed by the presence of God.”
This Sunday we will have a special time of prayer for our nation. On April 28, the Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against redefining marriage in America. Marriage between a man and a woman has always been the cornerstone of the family. God has designed the family one way and He hasn’t changed His mind. The consequences this could have on our religious freedom and the freedom to stand for what we believe will forever be felt on all of society. We need to pray for the Supreme Court and the attorneys presenting the arguments, that truth would prevail and marriage would be what God intended from the beginning of time.
Come and anticipate a move of the Holy Spirit as we worship the God of the universe and stand strong on His unchanging, life transforming word.
If you think about it, also pray for the Twice Blessed Sale that is currently getting ready for a big weekend. Pray for some family to be impacted by the love of God and be drawn to come and know Him more.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
God's Word - Part 2
Last week we began to look at Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and is packed full of reasons to place a high priority on the Word of God. The Psalmist cannot contain his love for the Word and wants everyone to know the reason why he is overwhelmed with its beauty. The two emerging questions we are looking at has to do with the value of the Word of God. Let’s continue to look at the question, “Why should I value the Word of God?”
We value the Word because of what it is. It is God Himself speaking. It is God’s law for our lives. It is God testifying of Himself. It is God providing guidance for our walk in the world. The Psalmist displays this by referring to the Word of God with many different names throughout this Psalm.
We also value the Word of God because of what it does. The first two verses indicate that it brings happiness. “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep His statues and seek Him with all their heart” Psalm 119:1-2. In essence, he is saying that our happiness is tied to valuing the Word of God.
The Word produces cleansing. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:9-11. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to regenerate the heart of the believer. The Apostle Paul describes the kind of cleansing that takes place when he describes the love a husband should have for his wife. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” Ephesians 5:25-27. The Holy Spirit shows us what pleases God through the very Words of God. He is calling us away from sin and into purity of life.
The Word gives liberty. “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” Psalm 119:45. There is an element of seeking the truth found in this verse. By seeking the truth, you are on the path of freedom. The world tries to convince us that sin leads to freedom. Peter mentions, “They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” 2 Peter2:19. Peter knew this all too well. His own experience of disowning Jesus was on the forefront of his mind. But praise the Lord for the Truth. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32. Jesus is talking to people who put their faith in Him and live according to His Word.
Keep saturating in the Word of God. Let it guide you in all of your ways.
This Sunday we will be baptizing people in both services. It is always good to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of growing disciples. Let’s pray and anticipate a powerful service.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
God's Word - Part 1
What a powerful service on Easter Sunday. To hear the testimonies of others in our church renews not only the Spirit in our services but the fellowship of the believers. There were so many people who did a lot of preparation for that day. We are so blessed to have such a servant oriented-church that loves to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We are right in the middle of our best days as we faithfully follow God with all of our heart and stand strong on His word.
Today’s thought is found in the longest chapter of the Bible. It is just two chapters away from being in the center of the Bible. If you were to find the center of your Bible then the chances of you turning to this chapter are great.
The book is Psalm 119. The writer is unknown but it has been attributed to David by many scholars. The whole chapter talks about his delight in the Word of God. It consists of 22 sections with eight verses in each. The sections feature a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The whole chapter deals with different aspects of the Word of God but there are two themes that come to the forefront. It is broken down to two questions: Why should I value the Word of God?, How do I value the Word of God?
Let’s begin to unfold the first question, “Why should I value the Word of God?”
The Psalmist uses 10 names to refer to the Word of God: word, law, saying, statutes, way, commandments, path, testimonies, precepts, and judgments. This just shows how central the Word needs to be in our lives. We are to feed on it every day as we do food to physically survive. There are many word pictures in the Psalm that convey its importance. Ponder on the following pictures: water (vs. 9), a treasure (vs. 14, 72, 127, 162), a companion and counselor (vs. 24), a song (vs. 54), honey (vs. 103), light (vs. 105, 130), and a heritage (vs. 111).
At the very beginning of this Psalm, it points out that it brings happiness. “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart” Psalm 119:1-2. The word “blessed” means “happy.” In other words, our happiness is tied to valuing the Word of God. Some may say they value the Word but their life reflects it differently. Oh to be a person who reflects his inner most beliefs on the matter of God’s Word. His life will surely show it. I have often said that the enemy is good at what he does. His goal is to distract us from getting into the Word. The key is to live in God’s Word and let God’s Word live in us.
For the next several weeks, I will be spending this time to reflect on Psalm 119. We will focus on the first question, “Why should I value the Word of God?” Then we will address the second question. If God said it, then it is worth valuing. Why not take the next several weeks and read a section of Psalm 119 and allow the Word of God to read you in the process.
This Saturday we will welcome missionaries Mike and Julie Shalley and music by the Blackboard Brothers as part of our Faith Promise weekend. A meal is provided beginning at 5:30 p.m. Our elementary children's drama team is also scheduled to perform and share what they've been learning during the Power Plant Missions Emphasis Quarter. This event is where we hear what God is doing around the world and how we are able to make an impact in over 156 world areas. Hope to see you on Saturday night at 5:30. Child care will be provided for children three and under following the meal.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
*Thoughts on Psalm 119 come from “Opening Up Psalms” by Roger Ellsworth
Holy Humility
Is there such thing as holy arrogance? Following a very personal time with Jesus in the Upper Room, Jesus is talking to the disciples about how they are going to be afraid and scatter even to the point of denying they even knew Him. Peter speaks up and says that this is not going to happen. Look with me in Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Peter is essentially speaking for all of the disciples. He is always the first one to put his foot in his mouth. I would describe that as arrogance. Webster defines arrogance as, “intolerable presumption, overbearing manner, and insolent pride.” I think that pretty much sums it up. Peter and the disciples were telling Jesus that they knew better. Granted, they really meant what they said. They were so in love with Jesus that they were willing to die with Him. But Jesus was in such a close relationship with the Father, the Father revealed to Him that they would scatter.
The next verses lead us to Gethsemane where Jesus prays so intently that drops of blood fall from His face (Matthew 26:36-46). One of the purposes could have been to show that even though the disciples were willing didn’t mean they could fulfill their desire. The disciples were asked to stay and keep watch with Him. Three times Jesus returned and the disciples were sleeping. He asked, “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” Then he said to Peter, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
You have heard the following phrase many times, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” It hit me today that we are to live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh. We are not to live in arrogance but in humility. Yes, a holy humility. Paul tells us in Romans 8:5, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
The disciples were living and struggling in themselves because they were pre-Spirit times. The Holy Spirit had not yet been deposited. Now we are living in post-Spirit times. Jesus has died on the Cross for our sins, has risen from the dead, has ascended to heaven, and has sent us His Holy Spirit to indwell us. It is during weeks like this that we are reminded of the struggle of living in this world but are quickly reminded of the power of His resurrection that lives within us. I am getting excited just writing this.
I have an idea! Why not come to our Upper Room experience and walk through this week with a new awareness of what Jesus went through so you could have victory through His Spirit? Come to the church any time between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. There will be 20-minute intervals of reflection in the sanctuary. You will come and experience a taste of what it was like on the night before Jesus was crucified on Good Friday.
Continue to journey through this week by seeking the Lord with all of your heart. Plan to come on Sunday for a powerful service as we worship God in all of His glory. Remember to invite someone to attend with you. Services are at 8:30 and 10:45 with breakfast at 9:30.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
