The Missing Psalm - Psalm 151 in 1 Chronicles - May 2, 2020

S. 1 Chronicles 16:7-36

“…That day David first appointed Asap and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner…”

O. David taught Asap and other worship leaders how to worship the Lord in this manner:

First, Give Praise (v.8-11) Praise God for who He is for His name and for all He does. Praise!

Second, Give Thanks (v.12-22). Remember all the great things He has done. Give Thanks!

Third, Worship Him (v.23-29) Ascribe unto Him glory and strength. He is Worthy!

Fourth, Give Praise. Let all give praise (.30-36) Let all of creation and His people give praise.

A. I will continue to praise God and worship Him in this way. I desire to seek His face. I’m glad for His hand and will humbly and thankfully receive His blessings, but I first and foremost want to seek His face.

P. Thank you Father for David’s instructions and encouragement to worship you in this manner. I desire to seek your face. I am thankful for your hand of blessing. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to a more intimate time or worship. In Jesus’ name!

Serve Jesus Without Scandal - Matthew 17:27 - April 30, 2020

S. Matthew 17:24-27

24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.

When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

O. Jesus doesn’t wait for Peter to ask Him about paying the temple tax. Jesus asks Peter who usually pays it. Peter replies (others not children) so Jesus shares, “that we may not cause offense” go catch a fish and the first fish you catch will have a coin, use that to pay the tax.

The word “offense” comes from a Greek word that we get our word “scandal” from. It means to “lay a trap, to trip over, a stumbling block or offense…”

Jesus did not want there to be anything that caused others to stumble or perhaps find fault with their ministry.

A. I do not want people to stumble or to find fault with the ministry that God has given me. I will pay my taxes. I will submit (yield) to the authority that is over me knowing that God has put that authority in place because I do not want people to “not hear” (trip over, stumble) the message of the Gospel of Christ due to my actions.

P. Thank you Father for this word. Holy Spirit fill me and give me wisdom to carefully balance the high call to serve you and in responding to governing authorities. In Jesus’ name!

Careful and Faithful Listening - Matthew 16 - April 29, 2020

S. Matthew 16:5-12

5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.”

8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

O. Jesus was teaching the disciples to be alert or on guard against the yeast of the pharisees. The disciples were thinking that Jesus wanted them to bring bread with them (v.7)

Jesus reminds them He can produce all sorts of bread (He’s the bread of life). They were not listening carefully or not listening with faith (or both).

Followers of Jesus need to think about what the world might be teaching and believe that He can do miraculous things if we would listen carefully and faithfully.

A. I at times do not pause long enough to think about my circumstances, how the Lord might use me and what He might be teaching me. I will be more mindful to think carefully and faithfully about what God is doing in my life and how He may want me to respond.

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Holy Spirit help me to be consistent in pausing, thinking, praying and asking “Lord, what are you teaching me today and how can I be of use for you today.” In Jesus’ name!