Category: Weekly Devotional

The Blessed Man Part 3

 

1. The Godly Man’s Prosperity

He Is Situated by the Waters (1:3)

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

In the symbolism of Scripture, water for cleansing customarily represents the Word of God; water for drinking symbolizes the Spirit of God.

Meditation in Scripture releases the river of God’s Spirit so that our lives are refreshed and revitalized.

 

The Psalmist notes seven things that mark the life of the man who is situated by the river.

  

 His Distinction. (standing) he is like “a tree.”

 

His Durability: (stability) he is like a tree “planted.” Unlike the grass, which is mowed down in successive harvests, a tree sends its roots down deep into the soil. It has a deep, hidden life.

 

His Location: (place) he is planted “by the rivers of water. ” The droughts which bring bleakness and barrenness to others do not affect him. He has an unfailing source of life.

 

His Efficiency:(output) he “brings forth fruit.” His branches run over the wall he is a blessing to everyone.

 

His Graciousness (good behavior) he brings forth his fruit “in his season.” He is not a freak. There are times for fruit-bearing just as there are times for growth and times for rest. So long as we are abiding in the Spirit we need not worry about the fruit. It will come in its season.

 

His Endlessness (forever) “his leaf also shall not wither.” There are two trees outside. One has leaves on it.  They look very pretty, but soon they will fall to the ground. The other tree has fresh, green pine needles. It is an evergreen. That’s what we are to be like–not affected by the winter or the weather–always the same.

 

His Wealth: (success)  whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Everything will prosper–his family life, his business life, his church life, his personal life. Such is the godly man, the happy, happy man. For God!  It’s not name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, It’s for God’s glory, not your gain. You don’t give to get, if you do you give for the wrong reason. (expound?)

 

This is not a way to riches is the way to God’s blessing on your life Spiritually prosper

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. KJV

 

Hebrews13:5 Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” NAS

 

The Amplified Bible

3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the stream’s water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither and everything he does shall prosper [ and come to maturity]

The Blessed Man Part 2

1. The Godly Man’s Pleasure

He Is Satisfied with the Word (1:2)

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; (the word of God) and in his law (the word of God) doth he meditate day and night.

Delight = pleasure; desire; a valuable thing;

 

1. The Word of God Has Captured His Full Affection

“His delight is in the law of the LORD.”

He has a different counselor than the ungodly man,

He finds different company than the sinful man,

He has a different cause than the scornful man.

His first love is for the Word of God.

 

2. The Word of God Has Claimed His Full Attention

“And in His law doth he meditates day and night.” He does not pore over the books of the scornful; he pores over the Scriptures.

 

MEDITATION The practice of reflection or contemplation. The word meditation or its verb form, to meditate, is found mainly in the Old Testament.

NT:3191meletao (mel-et-ah’-o); from a presumed derivative of NT:3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind:

KJV – imagine, (pre-) meditate.

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The Hebrew words behind this concept mean “to murmur, “a murmuring,” “sighing,” or “moaning.” This concept is reflected in Ps 1:2, where the “blessed man” meditates on God’s Law Day and night.

The psalmist also prayed that the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God’s sight (Ps 19:14).

Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Book of the Law for the purpose of obeying all that was written in it (Josh 1:8).

The Greek word translated as meditate occurs only twice in the New Testament. In Luke 21:14 Jesus instructed His disciples not “to meditate beforehand” in answering their adversaries when the end of the age comes. The word may be understood in this passage as the idea of preparing a defense for a court appearance.

Luke 21:14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;  15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. NKJV

 

Paul, in 1 Tim 4:15, urged Timothy to meditate, or take pains with, the instructions he gives.

1 Tim 4:12-16

Take Heed to Your Ministry

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.  NKJV

 

The idea of meditation is also found in Phil 4:8 and Col 3:2.

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Col 3:2 Set your affection (meditate) on things above, not on things on the earth.

The meditation the Psalmist advocates deliberately engages the conscious mind with the truths of God’s Word.

We come into God’s presence, open Bible in hand, and say, “Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth.”

Then we read the Bible in a disciplined, meaningful, meditating way, seeking to understand and appropriate its truths.

 

We ask the following questions, for instance, when meditating on the Bible:

Is there any sin here for me to avoid?

Is there any promise for me to claim?

Is there any victory to gain?

Is there any blessing to enjoy?

Is there any truth I have never seen before about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, about man, sin?

What is the main thing I can learn here?

 

That’s meditation, especially keeping a notepad and pen handy and writing down what the Holy Spirit brings to mind as we thus ponder (meditate) God’s Word. For writing maketh an exact man.

 

Bro Frank Holcomb said if it is worth remembering it’s worth writing down. Nothing wrong with having notes. If we cannot verbalize it, we haven’t learned anything.

The Amplified Bible

Psalms 1:2 But his delight and desire the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions. teachings of God) he habitually meditates (Ponders and studies) by day and by night.

 

The Blessed Man Part 1

 PRAY I encourage you to please seek God’s face before starting any Bible study.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)
¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, (the word of God) And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. NKJV

So, we start verse. 1

There are things we cannot do if we want to be blessed by God
*The Exclusions*

¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

THE GODLY MAN (1:1-3)

God finds a high note and begins there the book of Psalms begins with the word “blessed,” or as it can be rendered, “happy.”

 

In the original, it is not in the singular but in the plural.

We can render the first word of the Psalms:

“Oh the blessedness of the man, or even more Happy, happy is the man, or: Oh, the happiness of the man

 

or as Phil Robertson says’s “Happy, Happy, Happy”

BLESSED = ‘ashre “835”, “blessed; happy.” All but 4 of the 44 biblical occurrences of this noun are in poetical passages, with 26 occurrences in the Psalms and 8 in Proverbs.

Basically, this word notes the state of “prosperity” or “happiness” that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. In most passages, the one bestowing favor is God Himself: “Happy art thou, 0 Israel: who is like unto thee, 0 people saved by the Lord” <Deut. 33:29>.

The state that the blessed one enjoys does not always appear to be “happy”: “Behold, blessed [KJV, “happy”] is the man whom God correcteth: therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: for he maketh sore, and bindeth up…’ <Job 5:17-18>.

(from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas ‘Nelson Publishers)

 

Every blessing is a possible curse or pain

So,

“Happy, happy happy is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly who stands not in the way of sinners, who sit not in the seat of the scornful.

 

” Modem psychology tells us to emphasize the positive; God begins by emphasizing the negative.

The happy, happy, happy man is marked by the things he does not do, the places to which he does not go, the books he does not read, the movies he does not watch, by the company he does not keep. Surely that is a strange way to begin!

God begins this book not with the power of positive thinking, but with the power of negative thinking! In other words, a man who would be a happy, happy man begins by avoiding certain things in life, things which make it impossible for happiness to flourish because they are poisonous, destructive, and counterproductive.

 

1. The Godly Man’s Path

He Is Separated from the World (1:1)

The blessed man is not a widely ungodly man there is a definite difference

 

1. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man

“Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.”

Walk

Walk is a term that suggests passing by or “a casual movement along the way.”

With its entire phrase, it implies the idea of one who does not try to be like or go through the casual motions” of wickedness.

The word translated counsel comes from the Hebrew term meaning hard, firm Here, it means a definite, firm, planned direction. Consider this paraphrase of verse 1:

Oh, the happiness, many times over, of the one who does not even casually go through the motions or imitate the plan of life of those who live in ungodliness. . ..

It is not uncommon to flirt with the wicked life, occasionally copying the gestures of one without Christ. We may joke or, refer to the fun and excitement of ungodliness-or laugh at our children’s questionable actions.

The psalmist warns us against that. He tells us that we will be abundantly happier if we steer clear of anything that could give the erosion of spiritual compromise a head start.

Time will tell…

1. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man
2. He Does Not Linger with the Sinful Man

“Blessed is the man who., stands not in the way (or path) of sinners.”

Watch the progression first we walk the we stand.

Walk

Stand

The Hebrew word for “stand” has the idea of coming and taking one’s stand.

The word path or way comes from the word meaning “a marked-out path, a certain and precise way of life.”

Can you see the progressive deterioration toward more involvement in sinful living? The casual passerby slows down and before you know it, he takes his stand.

On the other hand, by taking a firm stand for righteousness, we will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water one that cannot be eroded by the winds of wickedness and unrighteousness.

“Blessed is the man who., stands not in the way of sinners.”

There is nothing wrong with being friendly with lost men and women, of course. Jesus was.

He made friends with all kinds of people, but He did so in order to lead them to a higher, holier way of life. They called Him “a friend of publicans and sinners.

If this verse teaches, we are not to stand in the way of sinners; we are not to participate in their sinful activities.

Abraham stood in the way of sinners when he went down to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan, where he told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister, and lost his testimony.

Lot stood in the way of sinners when he listened to the king of Sodom instead of the king of Salem, went back to Sodom, and lost his family.

Peter stood in the way of sinners when he warmed himself at the world’s fire during the trial of Jesus and consequently denied his Lord with oaths and curses.

2. He Does Not Listen to the Ungodly Man
3. He Does Not Linger with the Sinful Man

    3, He Does Not Laugh at the Scornful Man

“Blessed is the man who… sits not in the seat of the scornful.”

 

Walk

Stand

Watch the progression first we walk the we stand. and now we just sit and stay with them.

Sit

The next word the psalmist emphasizes is sit. This suggests a permanent settling down, an abiding, even permanent dwelling.

It is made even clearer using seat, meaning ‘habitation” or “a permanent residence.” Do not miss this:

His way of life is in the sphere of the scornful,” the one who continually makes light of that which is sacred.

 

Can you see the picture in the writer’s mind? We will be happy many times over if we maintain a pure walk, free from, even the slightest flirtation with evil. If we begin to walk in the counsel of the wicked,” it is easy to slip slowly into the habitation of the scornful.

“Blessed is the man who… sits not in the seat of the scornful.” The ungodly man has his counsel; the sinner has his way; the scornful has his seat.

Notice the progression: walking, standing, sitting. The one who is regularly influenced by people with little regard for God finds himself more and more at home with human viewpoints and misses God’s blessings.
Tony Evans Bible Commentary, The: Advancing God’s Kingdom Agenda.

Look at the progression in wickedness, the ungodly, the sinner, the scornful; and the corresponding progression in backsliding–walking, standing, sitting. As the company gets worse sin increases its hold.

What the Psalmist called the “seat” referred to what we would call the “chair” of the scornful. We speak, for instance, of the professor’s chair; the Hebrews would speak of their seat: “The scribes … sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2), under the authority, that is, they were professors of the law.

The happy, happy man avoids the seat of the scornful. he avoids the classroom of the atheist and humanist who delight in shredding the faith of the unlearned.

1. The Godly Man’s Path

He Is Separated from the World (1:1)

The Blessed Man, Introduction

Psalms 1

 PRAY I encourage you to please seek God’s face before starting any Bible study.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)
¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, (the word of God) And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. NKJV

 

THE HEBREW HYMNBOOK begins with two according to John Phillips “orphan” psalms, that is, with two psalms the authors of which are not given. During the entire Old Testament period, like its companion it stood fatherless on the sacred page. There it is, Psalms 1 without author or inscription, owning no stated author but God.

The book of Psalms is most blessed book the key verse the book of Psalms is found in Psalms 29:2

Ps 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  KJV       Expound….

The Psalms are quoted more often in the New Testament than in any of the books in the Old Testament

Of the 150 Psalms third or anonymous.

73 of the Psalms songs are attributed to David.

12 are of Asaph

11 to the sons of Korah

2 to Solomon and

1 to Moses in Psalms 90 and is the oldest of the Psalms

There are five divisions of the Book of Psalms

The last song in each division closes with the blessing and glory to God.

 

The first division is in Psalms 1 through 41

Ps 41:13 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel

From everlasting to everlasting!

Amen and Amen.   NKJV

 

The second is Psalms 42 through 72

Ps 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,

Who only does wondrous things!

19 And blessed be His glorious name forever!

And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen and Amen.  NKJV

 

The third 73 through 89

Ps 89:52 Blessed be the LORD forevermore!

Amen and Amen.   NKJV

 

The fourth is 90 through 106

Ps 106:48 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel

From everlasting to everlasting!

And let all the people say, “Amen!”

Praise the LORD!  NKJV

 

The fifth is 107 through 150

Ps 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD! NKJV

 

Each section last chapter gives a Blessing

You must get to know your weapon.  

I had a young man who worked for me years ago, and we were talking about guns, he said he had a 30-30 Marlin with a 3X9 scope on it and wanted to sell it. I said how much? His reply was $125.00 and I said sold! He said you haven’t seen it yet, and I said sold, I want it.

So, the next day he came in with the weapon, and it was levered open and had a round jammed in the chamber. He was smiling, I gave him the money and he handed me the 30-30. I then took one screw out of the end of the magazine tube, and pulled the spring out, releasing the pressure off the round and I just fell out. I pushed the spring back in and tighten the screw up worked the action and the rest of the ammo fell out. The weapon worked great. The guy then said he needed more money, I laughed and said, NO a deal is a deal. He said how did I know how to fix it so fast?

And here it is, I said You Have To Know Your Weapon! The same goes for the Bible. It is our weapon!

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Here is a little Breakdown of the Bible and How Jesus is in every Book!

I got this from a mentor Rev. Eddie T. Rogers.

OLD TESTAMENT      GENESIS TO MALACHI

LEGAL / PENTATEUCH 5

GENESIS 3:15 “THE PROMISED SEED”

EXODUS 12:21 “THE PASSOVER LAMB”

LEVITICUS 9:3 “OUR HIGH PRIEST”

NUMBERS 11:11 “A PILLAR OF CLOUD BY DAY AND A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT”

DEUTERONOMY 18:15 “THE PROPHET GREATER THAN MOSES”

HISTORICAL  12

JOSHUA 5:11 “THE CAPTAIN OF THE LORD OF HOST”

JUDGES 3:9 “MY DELIVERER”

RUTH 4:4 “MY KINSMAN REDEEMER”

1 SAMUEL 2:35 “A FAITHFUL ANOINTED PRIEST”

1,2,KINGS AND 1,2,CHRONICLES “A MONARCH THAT REIGNS ON THE THRONE OF ALL ETERNITY”

EZRA 8:32 “A TRUSTED GUIDE TO THE HOLY CITY”

NEHEMIAH 6:15 “THE REBUILDER OF THE BROKEN-DOWN WALLS IN MY LIFE”

ESTHER 6:8 “MY MORDECAI”

POETICAL   5

JOB 1:4 “SOVREIGN GOD”

PSALM 23:1 “THE LORD MY SHEPHERD”

PROVERBS AND ECCLESIASTES “THE WISDOM OF GOD”

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:1 “THE ROSE OF SHARON AND THE LILY OF THE VALLEY”

PROPHETICAL  5

MAJOR PROPHETS

ISAIAH 9:6 “THE MIGHTY GOD AND THE PRINCE OF PEACE”

JEREMIAH 23:5 “THE RIGHTEOUS BRANCH”

LAMENTATION 2:18 “A WEEPING PROPHET”

EZEKIEL 37:5 “THE BREATH OF LIFE TO THE PREACHER”

DANIEL 3:25 “THE FOURTH MAN IN THE FIERY FURNACE”

PROPHETICAL MINOR PROPHETS  12

HOSEA 3:2 “THE REDEEMER OF A BACKSLIDDEN BRIDE FROM THE SLAVE MARKET OF SIN”

JOEL 2:28 “THE BAPTIZER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”

AMOS 7:2 “MY BURDEN BEARER”

OBADIAH 1:21 “AMIGHTY SAVIOR”

JONAH 3:2 “A GREAT FOREIGN MISSIONARY”

MICAH 7:19 “THE GOD WHO THROWS ALL MY SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA”

NAHUM 1:2 “THE AVENGER OF GOD’S ELECT”

HABAKKUK 3:2 “AN EVANGELIST CRYING FOR REVIVAL”

ZEPHANIAH 3:17 “THE MIGHTY ONE WHO WILL SAVE”

HAGGAI 2:9 “THE GLORY OF THAT MILLENNIAL TEMPLE”

ZECHARIAH 13:1 “A FOUNTAIN OPENED FOR CLEANSING FOR SIN”

MALACHI 4:2 “THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ARISING WITH HEALING IN HIS WINGS”

 

NEW TESTAMENT      MATTHEW TO REVELATION

BIOGRAPHICAL   GOSPELS  4

MATTHEW “THE MESSIAH”

MARK 10:45 “A SERVANT GIVING HIS LIFE A RANSOM FOR MANY”

LUKE 19:10 “THE SON OF MAN”

JOHN 1:29 “THE LAMB OF GOD”

HISTORICAL

ACTS 2:2 “THE DESCENDING SPIRIT AT PENTECOST”

DOCTRINAL

PAULINE EPISTLES   13

ROMANS 3:26 “MY JUSTIFIER”

1,2, CORINTHIANS “THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT”

GALATIANS 1:31 “THE ONE WHO SET ME FREE”

EPHESIANS 1:7 “THE CHRIST OF GREAT RICHES”

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 “MY GOD WHO SUPPLIES ALL MY NEEDS”

COLOSSIANS 1:27 “CHRIST IN ME THE HOPE OF GLORY”

1,2, THESSALONIANS 4:17 “A SOON COMING KING”

1,2, TIMOTHY 2:15 “A FAITHFUL PASTOR”

TITUS 2:13 “OUR BLESSED HOPE”

PHILEMON 1:9 “MY MEDIATOR”

GENERAL EPISTLES  8

HEBREWS 9:12 “THE BLOOD THAT WASHES AWAY ALL MY SINS”

JAMES 5:15 “THE PRAYER OF FAITH THAT WILL RAISE THE SICK”

1,2, PETER 5:4 “THE CHEIF SHEPHERD”

1,2,3, JOHN 2:1 “MY ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER”

JUDE 11 “THE LORD COMING WITH TEN-THOUSAND OF HIS SAINTS”

PROPHETICAL

History in advance!!!

REVELATION 19:11-16

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

One needs to Build relationships

The promises that God knows the way of the righteous. For the next 4 weeks, we will look closely at this Psalm.

Where Do I Go When I Hurt? Part 2

CHASING AFTER GOD

 

Psalm 42:1-5, 11

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From the Hill Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
⁸ The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me– A prayer to the God of my life.
⁹ I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
¹⁰ As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

 

A young teenage boy had just gotten his driver’s license. When he got home, he asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him into his study and said to the boy, “I’ll make a deal with you. If you bring up your grades, study your Bible a little, and get a haircut, then we’ll talk about the use of the car.”

After about a month, the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car. They again went to the father’s study where his father said, “Son, I’ve been so very proud of you. You have brought up your grades, and you’ve studied your Bible diligently, but you didn’t get your haircut.” The young man waited a moment and replied, “Dad, I’ve been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, even Jesus had long hair…” His father interrupted him at that point and said, “Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!”

 

He was so close, but so far, from getting what he wanted. The boy was willing to pay most of the price, but not all of the price. The boy knew what he wanted. His desire was strong. But there was a problem: he wasn’t willing to go all the way. He wasn’t willing to pay the entire price.

 

Listen to me carefully. Most of us know what we want in life. Most of us have goals, objectives, and dreams. Most of us want a good job. Even though the salary is important and pays the bills, it is just as important for us to be happy in the job we have. Most of us would say that what we want in life is for our kids to grow up to be healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. Most of us want our marriage to work. And yes, most of us even know what we want in our relationship with God and the church. In most of those situations, we will do just about whatever it takes to make them work, won’t we?

 

Unfortunately, though, when it comes to our relationship with God and to His church, we sometimes allow other things to hinder that relationship. We are willing to go only so far with God. We are willing to go only so far with the church. When we get to that point, and I might add that point is different for each person, when we reach that point, we stop. At that point, we find ourselves backing up, pulling away, or being unwilling to get any closer to God or to our church family. We want to get close; we just don’t do it.

 

I want you to understand something. God has a desire for you. God’s desire is to have a close, personal relationship with you. God wants to be the driving force in your life. God wants to be the Lord of your life. Listen to me carefully. God wants to be more than just involved in your Sunday life. God wants to be involved in your everyday life. That’s God’s desire for each of us.

 

However, here’s the question for us. Are we going to let God be in control of our lives? Let me ask that question in a little different way: When you think about control in your life, what controlled your life last week? Was it your schedule that controlled you? Was it your job that controlled you? What about your family? What about your free time? What controlled you? What was the driving force behind what you did last week?

When we look at Psalm 42, we quickly see an individual who had one driving force in his life—he had one focus—he had one desire—worshiping God. Everything in his life seemed to revolve around his desire to worship God. For that writer, the greatest priority in his life was worshiping God. Period. That is it.

 

That is an amazing priority, isn’t it? It is really amazing when we read further in Psalm 42. As we continue to read, it becomes painfully obvious that the writer was not in a good situation. The writer was lonely. He was separated from everyone else. He felt abandoned. His entire life seemed to be crashing around him. However, the writer was determined not to let those things drag him down. His focus was certain—his hope was secure—no matter what came his way—he was determined to worship God.

 

But, notice what the writer tells us. He was so far away from the Temple or from any house of worship, that he just did not see how he could worship God. Because he could not worship God and without genuine worship in his life, he was afraid, he was alone, and he did not see how he could keep going. He wanted to worship; he just did not know how he could worship.

 

Can you identify with those emotions? Maybe a better question would be, who can’t identify with those emotions? Unfortunately, we are so often overwhelmed by our thoughts of loneliness, by feelings of being separated, or by feeling abandoned by those we love that we can’t seem to keep our focus on God. We want to focus on God, we just hurt so much that we can’t. When that happens, we find ourselves in desperation, feeling as if there is no hope whatsoever. It’s almost like we think it is us against the world.

 

Now, notice how the writer of this passage responded to his problems. As we examine these verses, we see three ways that the writer kept his focus on God. The writer found that these three things would endure no matter what the activities of the week, no matter what the emotion of the moment, and no matter what happened in his life that day. The writer found that these three things kept his focus on God and on worshiping God.

 

The first thing the writer found was this. He found that a HUNGER FOR GOD BRINGS FOCUS TO LIFE.

Too often, here is what we do as we think about worship. When we think about worship, we think that before we can worship we first must try to get away from the world. Before we can worship, we think that we must find the perfect place to worship. Before we can worship, we think that we must get closer to the heart of God. We think that when we do those things, then and only then are we ready to worship God.

 

Somehow, we have gotten the idea that we must wait until the work week is over, that we must wait until Sunday, so that we can gather in the appointed house of worship, at the right time, and with the right people. We think that we must have a pastor, a choir, ushers, and a special building before worship can begin. We think that if we do all of that, then worship can and will take place.

But here is what happens when we gather for worship with that frame of mind. We sit down and we wait for the action to begin. When the action begins, we simply sit and watch the action. Every so often, we glance at our watch to make sure that everything is staying on schedule. You know, the football pregame show comes on soon, the restaurant will fill up if the Methodists get out first, or the roast will burn in the oven if we are not home on time.

 

When we gather for worship like that, with that attitude, with that mindset, yes, worship is going to be comfortable. Worship is going to be easy. Worship will be somewhat satisfying and meaningful. But listen to me carefully. When we worship like that, we find that worship is not very demanding. That is the opposite of what the Bible says that worship should be.

 

The book of Psalms brings discomfort to that type of worship, it causes us to think, doesn’t it? Look again at Psalm 42. Notice everything that is wrong with these verses. Psalm 42 was not situated in the Temple. The writer was nowhere near a worship place. He was not in a place where life was easy. In reality, the writer was far away from Jerusalem. The writer was so far away from the Temple that he could only look back to the good old days of worship. Happiness and joy from worship were in the past. All he knew in his present was tears and sorrow. Because he could not worship, he was in despair, hopelessness, and in grief.

 

Notice how the writer responded to being unable to go to the sanctuary and worship God for so long. The writer was panting. He was dry. He was parched. He had a deep, painful, hunger to worship God. Now, the psalmist was not panting for air, thirsting for water, hungering for food, or crying from pain. The psalmist was not desperate for those things. His one desire, his one focus, was on God and on worshiping God.

 

Listen. That is what genuine worship is. Worship takes place when we focus on one need—our need for God. Worship takes place when we refuse to be content until we meet God in a real and personal way. Worship takes place when we admit that life is out of control until a relationship with God is restored. Could it be that you have the same need today, a need to meet God? Is that what brought you to church this morning? Are you searching for a real, strong relationship with God? Are you looking for God today? If you are, you have started in the right direction—by worshiping God.

 

Now, we must understand something here. Just because we have God as our focus does not mean that we are sitting on top of the world. Here is what having our focus on God means: we recognize our needs and we know that there is only one source of satisfaction. The psalmist concluded that there was no hope that could be found in human solutions. The writer said that there is only one center of focus. God was the only source of hope for him. Only God deserved to be worshiped.

 

Secondly, the psalmist found that a MEMORY OF GOD LEADS A PERSON TO PRAYER.

When we are focused on God as our only hope, He becomes the One we talk to when we pray. When we focus on God, He becomes the One that we turn directly to in prayer. When we go directly to God, as our only hope, we find something. When we pray like that, we find that we don’t mince our words. We don’t repeat what we think are the right words of prayer that will please God or will please those standing around us. When we go to God like that, we thirst, hunger, and pant after God.

Notice the verses again. The psalmist remembered the excitement of his hometown. He could still remember the days of worshiping with his family. He could still see people marching in procession to the Temple in Jerusalem. He could still remember people expressing thanks for the good things God had given, people praising God for His presence, and people looking to God as the Savior of life. But those were the good old days. Now, there were no more praises, no more parades, no more talk of God. The only question he was asked now by his friends was this: “Where is your God?” His friends told him that God had forgotten him. All the writer heard was mocking— “If God loves you so much, where is He?”

 

When we stop to think about God, when we focus on God, our thoughts will always lead us to prayer. But, prayer does not bring automatic success. Prayer does not guarantee that God will grant our request or meet our needs. Now, does that mean that all of our hope is gone? No. When we focus on God, when we turn to God in prayer, many of our words will be cries for hope and help. But here’s what happens even when our prayers are cries for help: when we pray, our prayer reminds us that we can trust and know that God’s love is still there. Even then, God can remind us that God is still our true source of comfort.

 

Okay, what is the result of our prayers? What is the result of focusing on God?

That is our third idea.

The psalmist found that HOPE IN GOD DISPELS DESPAIR.

Here is the reason we worship. Worship demonstrates our hope in God’s future actions. Listen. We worship—not because we have all the answers. We worship, not because God has cleared all the obstacles. We worship, not because the right people invite us to join them. We worship God because we have a deep-seated need to know God. We worship because we know that God is the only source of hope for our lives.

 

That is why we worship God. We do not worship for some magical reasons. We do not worship to get our way in the world. We do not worship simply to appease God. We worship for one reason—God is our only true hope in this world! We worship, we really worship because we love God.

 

Pappy was a pleasant fellow. His face was quite drawn from age, but when he smiled, even his wrinkles seemed to smile with him. Pappy owned a pawnshop. Everyone who knew him respected and adored him. There was a room in the back of his shop where he spent time tinkering with his own precious items. He referred to the back room as “Memory Hall.” In it were pocket watches, clocks, and electric trains. Pappy enjoyed spending time in Memory Hall. Sometimes, he would close his eyes to relive a sweet, simple childhood memory.

One day, Pappy was reassembling an old railroad lantern. As he polished his lantern, he heard the bell on the shop door. The bell had been in Pappy’s family for over a hundred years. He cherished it dearly. Pappy left Memory Hall to greet his customer. At first, he did not see anyone. His customer was shorter than the counter. Pappy said, “How can I help you?” The little girl looked at Pappy with her big brown eyes, then slowly scanned the room in search of something special. She said, “I’d like to buy a present for my grandpa. But I don’t know what to get.”

Pappy began to make suggestions. “How about a pocket watch? It is in good condition. I fixed it myself,” he said. The little girl did not answer. Finally, she walked to the door. She wiggled the door gently to ring the bell. The little girl smiled with excitement. “This is just right,” the little girl bubbled. “Momma says Grandpa loves music.” Just then, Pappy knew what she wanted, his bell. He did not want to break the little girl’s heart. “I’m sorry, but that’s not for sale. Maybe your grandpa would like a radio.” The little girl looked at the radio and sighed, “No, I don’t think so.”

In an effort to help her understand, Pappy told her the story of how the bell had been in his family for many years and that was why he didn’t want to sell it. The little girl said, “I guess I understand. Thank you, anyway.” Suddenly, Pappy thought of how the rest of the family was gone—that was, except for his estranged daughter whom he had not seen in a decade. Pappy thought, why not pass the bell on to someone who would share it with a loved one? He said, “I’ve decided to sell the bell.” The little girl, said, “Oh, thank you. Grandpa will be so happy.” Pappy felt good about helping the child even though he knew he would miss the bell.

Later that evening, Pappy prepared to close up shop. He found himself thinking about the bell. He thought about the child and wondered if her grandpa liked the gift. He knew that any grandfather would cherish anything from such a precious grandchild. Just then, as he turned off the lights in Memory Hall, Pappy thought he heard his bell. But he knew that was ridiculous, he had sold his bell. In a minute, he heard the bell again. He turned toward the door and there stood the little girl. She was ringing the bell and smiling. Pappy was puzzled, “What’s this? Have you changed your mind?” “No,” she grinned. “Momma says it’s for you.” Before Pappy had time to say another word, the child’s mother stepped into the doorway. Choking back her tears, she said, “Hello, Dad.”

 

God is waiting for you to come home to Him. He has done everything possible to let you know of His love for you. He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins. Now, He waits for you. Now, He waits for you to worship Him, to put Him first in your life, in every decision, in every avenue of your life. How about it? Will you do that today? Will you come home to God right now?

Where Do I Go When I Hurt? Part 1

Psalm 42

Psalm 42:1-11 (NKJV)
¹ As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
³ My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”
⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

A young boy had misbehaved and was sent to bed by his mother. Just 5 minutes later he cried out Mom, I’m thirsty, can you bring me a drink of water? No, go to sleep. Five minutes later. Mom? What? Can I have a drink of water? She says I told you no and if you ask again, I’m going to have to spank you. Five minutes later Mom? What??? When you come in to spank me, would you bring me a drink of water?

 

Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty. Your lips become dry. Your mouth is parched. Maybe your lips are even cracked from the dryness. But this is no water available.

 

Psalm 42 is referred to as a Maskil. A Maskil is a teaching, Psalm. While many of the Psalms are written by David, I believe this one is written by a different one; while many of the Psalms are written as praises to lift to the Lord this one is written to teach God’s people some specific truths that we need to understand. We need them

 

• When we are going through a time of discouragement
• When our walk with the Lord has become dry and plain
• When we are experiencing a time of depression
• When we are simply going through the motions and life has lost its meaning

 

Have you ever been there? More important, are you there right now?

The writer of this psalm is in a dark place. Many of us know what that is like. Because we have had a loved one who has gone through a very dark time—or on an even more personal level—we have been through this kind of darkness. I have several facts about depression. Let me share a few.

 

• Depression affects approximately 19 million Americans annually. About 10 percent of the population. By the way, these are only the ones who seek treatment.
• Nearly twice as many women are affected as men.
• The fastest-growing group using antidepressants today is children—under the age of 5.

 

The Psalmist gives us 3 questions here for us to consider. Let us look.

 

1. Where can we go when we need to meet with God? When do we need to hear from God? V. 2b.

² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

The writer here is in great need/pain. He is at a time in his life when his spiritual life has apparently dried up. He is thirsty. He says, My soul pants for you O Lord just as a deer pants for water. The word pant means to breathe quickly in a labored manner.

 

A deer pants for water when he has been running. Perhaps running to safety, maybe just tired but definitely in need of REFRESHMENT, and when a deer experiences this, they move as quickly as possible to take care of that thirst. They want water.

 

The writer here is in the darkness of his life and he says v. 3 my tears have been my food day and night.

³ My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”

He is too troubled to eat, the streams are streaming down his face; he can taste them constantly. And to top it off people are saying to him all day long, “Where is your God?” “Where is your God?” They are watching him. They watch us. They are testing him. They test us. Don’t you love it?

 

When Job was going through so many difficulties—he had lost the farm, His house, cattle, then his whole family—everything—his health, his friends did this exact thing to him. They said, call out if you will but who is going to answer you? Even his wife turned against him and said Why don’t you just give up, just curse God, and die? I think this is where we get the phrase, With friends like this who needs enemies? Too many of us when we see that someone is down—they are hurting—we only make matters worse. Men are saying to him all day long—where is your God now? Where is your God?

 

The psalmist remembers—he says it here—v.4.

⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

These things I remember. How I used to go with the multitude. I was the one leading the way to the house of God. And he seems to answer his own question. Where can I go and meet with God? ……. right here…at His house.

 

2. He then poses a 2nd question and again he poses the question to himself. This time he says in v. 5

⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:5 (HCSB) Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.

 

“Why are you downcast O my soul? Another version says why am I so depressed? Why am I so discouraged?” Perhaps you have asked that question before. It is a common question that believers ask. And they ask many times because of one of several myths. Lies that we as believers have bought into.

 

Several myths.

1. We believed that when we came to Christ, our lives would be easy. We believe that God owes us something. One TV evangelist told his listeners to put pictures of the things they wanted on their refrigerators

• A Cadillac
• A diamond necklaces
• A husband
• A house

 

Or whatever and then claim it in the name of Jesus. People shake their fists in the air and demand that God do a particular thing.

 

What we miss is an important truth. God is with us in our suffering. Immanuel. When all is well, we say we are blessed, God is with us. Let me give you a different truth here. God may be with you more in your suffering than He is in our times of prosperity. You just have not realized it.

 

2. A second myth. When we came to Christ, we believed that our happiness was based on circumstances. It is not. It is based on trust. You see there is always going to be something wrong. But it is a matter of focus. A matter of perspective. But sometimes we believe in our circumstances more than we believe in God. And we forget how much God has helped us in the past.

 

Again, he answers his own question. Why am I so discouraged? So depressed? Here is the answer. Put your hope in God. The word is Elpis. Not Elvis. Elpis means hope. When we say hope—I hope for this, I hope for that, we are speaking of desire. But in the NT, Elpis means desire plus expectation. Jesus is our hope—I not only desire to be with him, I expect to be with Him.

 

3. A third myth. We accepted the belief that Christians cannot/should not be depressed. Believers are not immune to this thing called depression. Nor are we immune to cancer. Or heart disease.

 

3rd question. V. 9.

⁹ I will say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

Why have you forgotten about me? We usually ask this question when we see a friend who seems really blessed, Things are going really well, yet we know they have been living like the devil. And we do not like it. We shout at God. Lord, have you forgotten about me? Have you forgotten my address? Can you not hear me? I have been there. You have been there. The psalmist asks why must I continue mourning.

 

My bones hurt. My enemies make fun. They ask again, Where is your God? Why am I down? What can I do? Here it is. Put your hope in God.

 

The story is told of a young man who was searching for God when he came upon a priest who was praying by the river. The young man interrupted him and said sir I want God more than anything in my life. Can you help me?

 

The priest jumped up, grabbed him by the arm, dragged him into the river, and plunged his head underwater. After holding him there for a minute the priest pulled him up out of the river. The priest again said, “Tell me, what do you want?” He said I want God more than anything else. He then dunked him another time asked the same question and then again, each time holding him under even longer. He then raised him out of the water and the man was kicking and screaming…… struggling to free himself. The young man coughed up water and was gasping to get his breath. When he eventually quieted down, the priest said now “Tell me, what do you want? The man replied “Air!” answered the man. I want air more than anything. The priest said, very well, now “Go home and come back to me when you want God as much as you just wanted air.”

Most of us do not really want God more than anything else in the world. We want Him especially when things are not going very well. When we are in trouble. When we hurt. When we cannot pay our mortgage. When life is caving in. But what happens when everything gets fixed? What do we want then? Not God. We put our focus on other things. If you are going through a struggle right now. Listen to these words from a pastor several centuries ago. “Don’t let your trials be wasted on you.” Whatever you are facing, give it to God. Ask Him to walk with you all the way through it. And whatever you do, never give up on God.

THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE FAITHFUL

Part 2

III. A LONGING TO IMPART,

Romans 1: 11-13.  (NKJV) ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established– ¹² that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. ¹³ Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

In verse 11 Paul states that his first longing is to impart spiritual blessings to them.

“Long to see you” in the original expresses a very intense yearning with something of regret that he had been kept from them for so long. Then the Apostle states why he was so anxious to visit Rome. Paul’s longing to go to the church was so he might give. He desired to confer some spiritual grace upon them that would strengthen their faith.

The gift or literally grace is spiritual in nature for it is derived from the Spirit and not simply the mind. It is a strengthening in the spiritual giftedness and graces of God, which they had already received, by the gift God had bestowed upon the Apostle for establishing people who in turn establish churches.
Some church gatherings today have lost the impact of the divine gift and have little more to offer than formal worship, pleasing music, gratifying entertainment, or intellectual discourse. May those churches and ministers who will not be filled with God’s Spirit, not be filled with God’s people.
God has also called and gifted me for this ministry to impart strength and establish you in His will. Though not of the caliber or giftedness of Paul, these messages from my heart and life are also rich in spiritual treasure for those who will receive them in the Spirit with which they are given. Even though lacking full sufficiency for the great task of preparing people for life and life eternal, God knows how honest I’ve been in presenting you, His message. Yet that desire alone is not enough. We must ask ourselves some probing questions. Are we being strengthened in faith to meet the day-to-day challenges, burdens, annoyances, sorrows, and opportunities of life by coming here? Is Christ becoming dearer and more real and nearer to you? Are our lives more transparently consecrated to Him? If our meeting together has not challenged and helped us become more like Christ then we have gathered in vain. And the sooner these walls crumble, this voice ceases and these pews are emptied the better.

Verse 12 states the reason for and the mutual blessing it would be for him to minister to them. “This is, to be encouraged together with you through one another’s faith both yours and mine.”

Paul knew he had much of the grace of God to give, but he also knew he needed to receive encouragement from others. He not only expected his spiritual gifts to cause spiritual graces, or a strengthening of their spiritual gifts and life, but he also anticipated being refreshed by their faith from their fellow-shipping together also.
Paul knew that like Elijah, after pouring out the power of God, he is apt to be discouraged. And Sunday after Sunday when one stands before a congregation and sees some solidly indifferent, and others slipping away from their faithfulness, and sees empty places where loved ones used to sit, he needs to be encouraged. If one has ice in the pew, it brings down the temperature in the pulpit. It is difficult to be alive with fervency amidst people that are all but asleep. It is difficult to keep a fire lit when it is kindled on top of an iceberg. [And if you do you may end up in hot water.] Your minister needs your up-building if you are going to be built up.

 

Scripture records (Mt. 13:58) of Jesus that, “He did not many works among them because of their unbelief.” Christ Himself experienced a hampering and restricting of His power that came from being surrounded by a chilly unsympathetic environment. And if you want your minister to preach better, and to do his work more joyfully and faithfully, the means is largely in your hands. Icy indifference, ill-natured interpretations, rasping criticisms, swift forgetfulness of messages and labors, all these things kill the life of any minister.
The true encouragement to give a man when he is trying to do God’s will is not a pat on the back and mentioning what a remarkable sermon, but to say your words have led me to Christ and He is giving me the grace to start living them out.
Beloved ones, the encouragement of the minister is in the conversion of his hearers and the growth of his disciples. I pray that I may come to you more and more with the expectant and humble spirit of knowing that I have a word from Christ and that you are becoming more and more receptive, not to my words, but to Christ’s truth. Then we will become helpers of one another and encourage each other in the warfare and work to which we have been called and separated out to perform.

DISCOURAGEMENT is a problem for many Christians. If they are not distressed about health, family, or work, they may be discouraged about their spiritual service. They compare themselves to others who are gifted with musical talents or the ability to teach the Bible or lead the church. They see people who are able to give generously and pray with evident effectiveness, but they think they can’t do these things. As a result, they feel they are useless to God. They need to realize, however, that every Christian is qualified to carry on at least one helpful ministry – the ministry of encouragement.

Renowned preacher Robert Dale was walking one day in Birmingham, England, where he was pastoring the great Carr’s Lane Church. He was under a dark cloud of gloom when a woman came up to him and exclaimed, “God bless you, Dr. Dale. If you could only know how you have made me feel hundreds of times!” Then off she hurried. Dale later testified, “The mist broke, the sunlight came, and I breathed the free air of the mountains of God.”

The apostle Paul knew how important it was not only to be encouraged by others but to be an encourager

Philippians 2:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.

 

Acts 20:2-3 (NKJV) ² Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece ³ and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

 

Acts 27:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵ And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. ³⁶ Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.

 

That is a ministry all of us can be involved in. Even if you have nothing else to give you can always give encouragement.

Paul prayed for the chance to visit these Christians so that he could encourage them with his gift of faith and be encouraged by theirs. As God’s messenger, he could help them understand the meaning of the Good News about Jesus. As God’s devoted people, they could offer him fellowship and reciprocal encouragement. When Christians gather, everyone should give and receive. Our mutual faith gives us a common commitment and a common purpose for encouraging one another.

Paul’s second longing was to share in the Gospel harvest. He had not yet visited them because God would not allow him to until it would be a spiritually fruitful visit as verse 13 states. “And I do not want you to be unaware brethren, that often I have planned to come to you – and have been prevented (cut off) thus far – in order that I might obtain some fruit among you even as among the rest of the Gentiles.”

The expression, “I would not have you ignorant,” is a mode of expression the Apostle uses to call their attention to something they should take special note of ;

Romans 11:25 (NKJV) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

1 Corinthians 10:1 (NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NKJV) For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NKJV) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

Many times, the Apostle had made serious plans to visit them but had been prevented by duties that demanded his attention. Yet Paul was confident that God would permit him to come but only when the time was ripe for fruit-bearing.

Our FAITH visitation teams understand this being prevented from visiting some folk. It seems that every time we intend to visit some of you we have been prevented. We need your prayer to be assured that it is God preventing us so that a more fruitful visit can occur later rather than Satan’s impediment.
The fruit Paul speaks of is certainly conversion fruit and the building up and pruning of disciples that they might be fruitful (Jn. 15), but also the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in

 

Galatians 5:1-3 (NKJV) ¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ² Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

CONCLUSION
Paul showed his love for these Christians by expressing his gratefulness and prayers for them. Our Christian faith gives us a common commitment and a common purpose for encouraging one another. Let us become encouragers of each other, for the greater glory of God.

It may seem insignificant, to say a word or two,
But when it is encouragement, what wonders it can do K.DeHaan

THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE FAITHFUL

Part 1

Summary: There is always a common bond between those who faithfully serve Christ. Their sharing in grace-gifted service for the Gospel of Christ gives mutual encouragement be it by distant learning or close fellowship.

Outline for this Lesson;

I. A Thanksgiving for Faithfulness, 1:8.

II. Faithful Praying, 1: 9-10.

III. A Longing to Impart, 1: 11-13.

A. A longing to share spiritual blessings

B. A longing to share in Gospel harvest.

IV. The Gospel Debt, 1:14-15.

Scripture:

Romans 1:8-15 (NKJV) ⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, ¹⁰ making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established– ¹² that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. ¹³ Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. ¹⁵ So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

And;

Ephesians 4:1-16 (NKJV) ¹ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
⁷ But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
⁹ (Now this, “He ascended”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰ He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
¹¹  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ– ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Having introduced himself, Paul now gives a general introduction common in his letters. He was writing to the Church in Rome because he had for a long time been touched -fortified- by their deep commitment to Jesus and the high quality of their faithfulness to each other. So, he continues his introduction with expressions of encouragement. It breathes the spirit of love toward his brethren and of gratitude and devotion towards God.

 

There is always a common Christian bond between those who faithfully serve Christ. And their sharing in grace-gifted service for the Gospel of Christ gives mutual encouragement, be it by distant learning or close fellowship.

Though there is much to say, Paul starts by expressing thanks to God for his readers in verse 8.

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ”

 

Paul begins his letter by complimenting them. Some tongues are tuned to praise and others are tuned to criticism. Some eyes are focused to find faults, other eyes are focused to discover virtues. When you talk of others what kind of words prevail? Do you find yourself praising them or criticizing them? When you look at other believers do you see their virtues or their faults?

Paul uses the term my God for although he belongs to God, he also possesses God as his own. He gives this thanksgiving “through Jesus Christ” for the only way to God is through Jesus Christ.

What was the reason for the Apostle’s thankfulness to God; “because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” His thankfulness for the believers was because of the demonstration of their faith in the world. Their faith was seen in the lives they lived and the deeds they did for Christ.

Rome was a city where, according to Roman historian Tacitus, “all vile and abominable things were encouraged.” Not only did the saints live pure lives there, they were experiencing explosive growth because church members were leading others to Christ. Thus, their faith was spoken of “throughout the world.”

 

10. FAITHFUL PRAYING 1:9-10.

⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, ¹⁰ making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

 

Appreciation for their faithfulness to Christ is followed in verse 9 with the deep and longing nature of his intercession for them.

 

A witness is one who tells what he has seen or heard. God has seen and heard all. So that the believers in Rome may know how earnestly he prays for them and how deeply he yearns to see them, Paul appeals to the Omniscient (or All-knowing) God, who cannot lie and who judges human hearts and motives, for confirmation of what he writes.

 

This reverent appeal to the searcher of hearts is often used by the Apostle

2 Corinthians 1:23 (NKJV) Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.

 

Philippians 1:8 (NKJV) For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Serve [is from which] means hire, hireling, so to serve for hire

Matthew 4:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰  Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ “

Luke 1:74 (NKJV)
⁷⁴  To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear,

Hebrews 9:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience– ¹⁰ concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³ For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Revelation 7:15 (NKJV) Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

Revelation 22:3 (NKJV) And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

He served God with his spirit. Paul’s spirit was made alive when he accepted Christ and by it, he now serves Him. The serving that Paul was doing in the Gospel, was not motivated by or in the flesh, but it was from his regenerated spirit.

Part of Paul’s serving is mentioning the Roman believers in his prayers. Notice Paul mentions church members in his prayers, not in gossip. Paul seems to have had a prayer list and the Romans were on his prayer list. They did not know of Paul’s prayer support, but the Lord knew about it and honored it.

You should let the people you are praying for know it. How encouraging it is to know someone is praying regularly for you.
Although Paul did not know the people in Rome personally, he nevertheless consistently upheld them before God in prayer. It is the disciple’s privilege and duty to bear our loved ones and Christian laborers before the Throne of Grace.

Paul states in verse 10 that his prayers also include the request for the fulfillment of his desire to minister to them in Rome. “Making request if perhaps how at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.”

One of Paul’s prayer requests was that he might visit them. The prospect of visiting those whom he had so longingly and devotedly prayed, for now, looks as if it will come about. But despite his great longing and desire, his prayer is that if it is “God’s will” he “may succeed in coming.” [ -to lead in the right way, to prosper one’s journey – succeed.]

Notice it is Paul’s voluntary act to subject himself to God’s will. He desires all things in his life to be ordered by God. So, he consciously subordinates his own wishes and adds, “by the will of God.” How Christlike this surrender is. Christ prayed “Not My will by Thy will be done” (Mt. 26:39-42).

 

God’s will be found in subjecting your will to His. Have you done this? If not, you will never find it and thus never fully walk in God’s will for your life.
Paul’s petition is that if it is the will of God for him to see the Romans, that God would bring it about in His time and in His way.

 

THE BELIEVERS AND HIS PRAYER LIFE Part 3

We saw:

1. The Challenge to Prayer
2. The Character of Prayer

And now I want to look at;

III. V. 17-18 THE CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER

James 5:13-18 (NKJV) ¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

 

1. God’s Promises in Prayer
2. To Hear Us –

Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV) ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Isaiah 65:24 (NKJV) “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.

 

2. To Help Us –

Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

God’s Performance in Prayer – We have a God who is able to do, as Paul says, “Exceeding, abundantly above all that we can ask or think.” Eph. 3:20. What James tells us about Elijah. God, moved in response to his prayer of faith!)

God does not always answer prayers to our liking, or on our timetable, but He does answer the prayers of His children!)

The Property is at Calvary Baptist Church, in Powder Springs, Georgia.  When I was a child and at Church during prayer services on Wednesday nights, I remember hearing the men crying out to God for the property behind the Church. Some 30 years passed and I got to see the Lord answer those prayers.

I sat as the CFO of the Church at the lawyer’s office and had the privilege of signing the paper and receiving the deed to said property. God hears and answers PRAYER.

This truth is also seen in the two following illustrations:

For several years after her conversion, Mrs. Hanover had prayed earnestly for her husband’s salvation. Then one day he was killed in an automobile accident. She thought God had not answered her prayers, so she became disillusioned with God and stopped living for Him.

Five years later, she met a man named Roger Simms, who told her an amazing story. The day Mr. Hanover was killed, he had picked up Roger, who was hitchhiking. When Roger, who was a Christian, witnessed to him about Christ, Mr. Hanover was so convicted that he pulled off the road, wept, and prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior. Hearing this, Mrs. Hanover wept for joy and grief–joy that her husband had been saved, and grief that she had stopped obeying God and had given in to discouragement.

And,

While Josh McDowell was attending seminary in California, his father went home to be with the Lord. His mother had died years earlier, but Josh was not sure of her salvation. He became depressed, thinking that she might be lost. Was she a Christian or not? The thought obsessed him. “Lord,” he prayed, “somehow give me the answer so I can get back to normal. I’ve just got to know.” It seemed like an impossible request.

Two days later, Josh drove out to the ocean. He walked to the end of a pier to be alone. There sat an old woman in a lawn chair, fishing. “Where’s your home originally?” she asked. “Michigan–Union City,” Josh replied. “Nobody’s heard of it. I tell people it’s a suburb of–” “Battle Creek,” interrupted the woman. “I had a cousin from there. Did you know the McDowell family?” Stunned, John responded, “Yes, I’m Josh McDowell!”

“I can’t believe it,” said the woman. “I’m a cousin to your mother.” “Do you remember anything at all about my mother’s spiritual life?” asked Josh. “Sure–your mom and I were just girls–teenagers–when a tent revival came to town. It was the fourth night–we both went forward to accept Christ.” “Praise God!” shouted Josh, startling the surrounding fisherman.)

God’s People in Prayer – According to James, Elijah was not perfect, but was subject to the same passions that afflict us all. However, God used Him to do great things through the prayers of faith. You see, God deals with us based on the here and now, He never holds our confessed past against us. This encourages me, because all of us a prone to failure, but it is a comfort to know that when we get into sin, we can come back to the Father and have our prayer lives restored by simply repenting before Him.

1 John 1:9-10 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you take the time to look at others in the Bible, Abraham, Moses, Jonah, Hezekiah, etc., you find that they were all men who failed God at one time or the other, yet they were all great men of prayer. I am grateful that we have a God who invites us to join Him bringing our needs to His attention –

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Great things happen when a saved people call on an omnipotent God!)

As we have considered the subject of prayer today, I hope your own heart has been stirred to think about revamping your personal prayer life. I would like to see us get back to a genuine prayer meeting before the Lord. Let us respond now as He has led us. Will you do that?

Three Prayers that we pray, I believe every prayer falls into one of these categories.

Prayer of Acceptance (Salvation) Repent = verb feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.

Prayer of Petition Your request

Prayer of Praise. Your Worship.

Adoration (Thanking Him for who He is)

Thanksgiving (Thanking Him for what He has done)

PRAY

THE BELIEVERS AND HIS PRAYER LIFE Part 2

1. The Type of Prayers to Pray – James says that our praying is to be “effectual fervent.” These 2 words are the translation of a word that means, “to display one’s activity; to put forth power.” It simply means that we are to pray in faith and then put our legs on our prayers for God’s glory. We have a tendency to ask, then sit and wait. God’s plan is that we ask, thank Him for the answer that is coming, and then get up and live as though the prayer had already been answered!

In Bristol, England, George Mueller operated an orphanage for two thousand children. One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning. Mueller called his workers together and explained the situation. Two or three prayed. “Now that is sufficient,” he said. “Let us rise and praise God for prayer answered!” The next morning, they could not push open the great front door. So, they went out the back door and around the building to see what was keeping it shut. Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food. One of the workers later remarked, “We know Who sent the baskets, but we do not know who brought them!”)

I believe that these words are an encouragement to us to be fervent, or excited about our praying. We should pray with a zeal of soul and a burden of heart. Prayer should never be a humdrum undertaking.)

1. The Type of Person Who Prays – James calls the effectual prayer a righteous man. This refers to a standard of life that reflects a commitment to God and His word and will. In other words, God has respect for the prayers of the holy. However, He does not hear the prayers of the sinful –

Psalm 66:18 (NKJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Proverbs 1:28-33 (NKJV)
²⁸ “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
²⁹ Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
³⁰ They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.
³¹ Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
³² For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
³³ But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

1 John 3:22 (NKJV) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

John 15:7 (NKJV) If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

If we are determined to be effective in prayer, then we must get our lives in line with God and His will for our lives.

1. The Type of Power in Prayer – James tells us that proper and God-honoring prayer “availeth much.” This simply means to “put forth much more than was expected.” When we pray in faith, it unlocks the great potential of God to work in our world. God honors the praying of His people because His people praying honors Him!

John Newton had received from the Lord some almost unbelievable answers to his petitions, and so he often engaged in “large asking.” In support of this practice, he would frequently tell the story of a man who asked Alexander the Great to give him a huge sum of money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The ruler consented and told him to request of his treasurer whatever he wanted. So, he went and asked for an enormous amount. The keeper of the funds was startled and said he could not give him that much without a direct order. Going to Alexander, the treasurer argued that even a small fraction of the money requested would more than serve the purpose. “No,” replied Alexander, “let him have it all. I like that fellow. He does me honor. He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks that he believes me to be both rich and generous.” Newton concluded the story by saying, “In the same way, we should go to the throne of God’s grace and present petitions that express honorable views of the love, riches, and bounty of our King!”)

A missionary family in Africa years ago had 2 small children. The second being born after they arrived on the mission field. The youngest was sickly and needed much care. It had to be wrapped in blankets most of the time to ensure that it stayed warm enough. The mother was heard to say, over and over, “I wish we had a hot water bottle.” Her thinking was that a hot water bottle, she could place it next to the child and provide it with some heat. After a few weeks, a package arrived from England. In that package were several items that were sent to the family anonymously to help them in their new location. Among the items, there was a hot water bottle. The mother thanked God, but couldn’t recall having prayed for it. As the last of the items were taken out of the box, the oldest child came to her mother and said, “Where’s my new baby doll?” Her mother responded, “There isn’t a doll in here.” The little girl asked them to look again, and when they did, under all the packing material was a little, new baby doll. The mother asked the girl how she knew there was a doll in there. She said, “Well when I asked God to send a hot water bottle for the baby, I asked Him to send me a dolly.” This story becomes even more remarkable when we stop to consider that this package had to travel to Africa first by ship, then by pack animals until it reached the family. It began its journey some 6 months before the baby had been born and before the little girl had ever begun to pray for those things! What a God we serve!)