The Messiah Admonishes (verses 10-12)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:10-12&version=TNIV
The people of the nations can respond to God’s warnings. Once we respond, we can join together in reverent worship of our Lord Jesus Christ and celebrate His rule. May the body of Christ in Jefferson County demonstrate allegiance to God’s Son. God’s last word to us is to invite us to take refuge in Him.
Lord of the universe, give wisdom to the leaders of our society. Help us to serve our Lord Jesus Christ with fear and celebrate His rule with trembling. Lord, we take refuge in You.
Conclusion
Psalm 2 goes against conventional wisdom not to talk about religion or politics Politics has a religious purpose; and our religion has political implications. We need to care how other people are governed. The kingship of Christ is for our world now; not just for the future.
Great God, our heavenly king, in a day when many despise their governments bitterly and others depend upon them naively, grant us clear perspective. Help us to see that you are ruler over all and that our basic allegiance must be to you. Teach us to be responsible citizens who know both the function of governments and their limitations. Above all, teach us to crown Jesus Christ, your Son, as King of our lives. In his strong name we pray. Amen.
David Allen Hubbard (1928-1996)
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Messianic King (Psalm 2, Part 2)
God Reacts (verses 4-6)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:4-6&version=TNIV
God reacts to us by laughing and scoffing; rebuking and terrifying, because He has installed His King—Jesus Christ. The authority of the nations depends on God’s authority, not His on theirs. God’s people place their confidence in God Himself, whose kingship extends from heaven to earth.
We thank You, Lord, that You are far above all the malice and power of the political powers of this world and our society. You see the plots from heaven. You laugh, You scoff, You rebuke, You terrify. We thank You that You have installed Your King—Jesus Christ—on Your holy mountain.
God Decrees (verses 7-9)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:7-9&version=TNIV
In establishing His Kingdom which will extend over all nations throughout the earth, God has given authority to His Son. In the end His rule will bring stability. In His final charge to His disciples Jesus emphasized the nations and the ends of the earth. This Great Commission continues to motivate.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending Your Son, and for giving Him authority over the nations. May we declare Your decree that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Thank You for Your promised ultimate victory. May we Your church reflect the rule of Jesus Christ.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:4-6&version=TNIV
God reacts to us by laughing and scoffing; rebuking and terrifying, because He has installed His King—Jesus Christ. The authority of the nations depends on God’s authority, not His on theirs. God’s people place their confidence in God Himself, whose kingship extends from heaven to earth.
We thank You, Lord, that You are far above all the malice and power of the political powers of this world and our society. You see the plots from heaven. You laugh, You scoff, You rebuke, You terrify. We thank You that You have installed Your King—Jesus Christ—on Your holy mountain.
God Decrees (verses 7-9)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:7-9&version=TNIV
In establishing His Kingdom which will extend over all nations throughout the earth, God has given authority to His Son. In the end His rule will bring stability. In His final charge to His disciples Jesus emphasized the nations and the ends of the earth. This Great Commission continues to motivate.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for sending Your Son, and for giving Him authority over the nations. May we declare Your decree that Jesus Christ is Your Son. Thank You for Your promised ultimate victory. May we Your church reflect the rule of Jesus Christ.
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Messianic King (Psalm 2, Part 1)
Psalm 2 anticipates the establishment of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ.
The Nations Rebel (verses 1-3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:1-3&version=TNIV
The people around us are in turmoil because they have taken a stand against God and His anointed Son Jesus Christ. Nations, rulers and peoples rebel against God and His rule. Governments assume they can make laws and pursue policies without regard for God, playing god for the people they serve. Yet God governs history and determines the boundaries of the nations of the world. Nations will rise up against God until His messianic kingdom is established. We see this reflected in conflict all around us.
Almighty God, why do the nations conspire and people plot in vain? Rulers rise up and band together against the Lord and His anointed. We live in a society in rebellion to Your rule. And that rebellion extends even into Your church, the body of Christ. Lord, change in Your church to a submission to Your rule and authority.
http://www.geneva.edu/attach/42530?type=support&primitive=0
The Nations Rebel (verses 1-3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%202:1-3&version=TNIV
The people around us are in turmoil because they have taken a stand against God and His anointed Son Jesus Christ. Nations, rulers and peoples rebel against God and His rule. Governments assume they can make laws and pursue policies without regard for God, playing god for the people they serve. Yet God governs history and determines the boundaries of the nations of the world. Nations will rise up against God until His messianic kingdom is established. We see this reflected in conflict all around us.
Almighty God, why do the nations conspire and people plot in vain? Rulers rise up and band together against the Lord and His anointed. We live in a society in rebellion to Your rule. And that rebellion extends even into Your church, the body of Christ. Lord, change in Your church to a submission to Your rule and authority.
http://www.geneva.edu/attach/42530?type=support&primitive=0
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Way of God (Psalm 1) Part 3
The Future Ways of the Believer and Sinner Contrasted (verse 6)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:6&version=NIV
Everyone walks either in the way of the wicked or the way of the righteous. We live in a world filled with oppression, opposition, ridicule, and injustice. Jesus said that we who know Him (the righteous) do the will of God. We may resist temptation by remembering what God has done for us. May God’s righteousness so fill us that we become the aroma of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:14-15) attracting others to Him.
Lord, help us to respond in total commitment and obedience to You. Watch over our way as we serve those You love in our community. May we bring Your joy and blessing to people around us. Thank You that You reward those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
At the beginning of the psalms we are challenged to meditate on what we learn in these songs. Our obedience to their instructions demonstrates whether or not we are on the right path. God desires His children to be blessed. May the community of the blessed in Jefferson County bless the community of Jefferson County.
Lord, cleanse our hearts and our ways, that we may escape the doom of the ungodly, and enjoy the blessedness of the righteous!
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:6&version=NIV
Everyone walks either in the way of the wicked or the way of the righteous. We live in a world filled with oppression, opposition, ridicule, and injustice. Jesus said that we who know Him (the righteous) do the will of God. We may resist temptation by remembering what God has done for us. May God’s righteousness so fill us that we become the aroma of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:14-15) attracting others to Him.
Lord, help us to respond in total commitment and obedience to You. Watch over our way as we serve those You love in our community. May we bring Your joy and blessing to people around us. Thank You that You reward those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
At the beginning of the psalms we are challenged to meditate on what we learn in these songs. Our obedience to their instructions demonstrates whether or not we are on the right path. God desires His children to be blessed. May the community of the blessed in Jefferson County bless the community of Jefferson County.
Lord, cleanse our hearts and our ways, that we may escape the doom of the ungodly, and enjoy the blessedness of the righteous!
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Way of God (Psalm 1) Part 2
The Blown Way of the Cursed Sinner (verses 4-5)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:4-5&version=NIV
We see many people around us enjoying the momentary good life without accountability. They are blown around by every new idea or thought that comes along (see Ephesians 4:14).
God rejects those who do not meet His requirements. But it is impossible for anyone to meet God’s requirements. Yet our situation is not hopeless: Jesus Christ, God’s Son provides the way of entry into the assembly of the righteous. In this assembly God’s people relate together in His presence, and listen and respond to Him. How deeply do we want those around us to join us in the assembly of the righteous?
Father God, please remove all wickedness from our thoughts and lives. We pray that Your Kingdom be manifest in our midst and we ask You to remove all unrighteousness from us. Thank You for Jesus Christ who has opened the way into the assembly of the righteous. Help us to reflect the love of Jesus Christ to those who do not sit in the assembly of the righteous here in Jefferson County.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:4-5&version=NIV
We see many people around us enjoying the momentary good life without accountability. They are blown around by every new idea or thought that comes along (see Ephesians 4:14).
God rejects those who do not meet His requirements. But it is impossible for anyone to meet God’s requirements. Yet our situation is not hopeless: Jesus Christ, God’s Son provides the way of entry into the assembly of the righteous. In this assembly God’s people relate together in His presence, and listen and respond to Him. How deeply do we want those around us to join us in the assembly of the righteous?
Father God, please remove all wickedness from our thoughts and lives. We pray that Your Kingdom be manifest in our midst and we ask You to remove all unrighteousness from us. Thank You for Jesus Christ who has opened the way into the assembly of the righteous. Help us to reflect the love of Jesus Christ to those who do not sit in the assembly of the righteous here in Jefferson County.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
The Way of God (Psalm 1) Part 1
Psalms begins with a word of blessing, pointing out God’s appointed way for our lives. Our happiness is a gift from God.
The Planted Way of the Blessed Believer (verses 1-3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:1-3&version=NIV
Sin traps us in stages: To walk suggests small decisions we make—we may walk innocently into an act of sin. To stand suggests an increased commitment to sin. Simple sins can become habits in which we stand. To sit suggests when a habit becomes an entrenched way of life. Only Jesus Christ did not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
As we meditate on the psalms, we plant our roots deep in the life-giving water of God’s Word. We delight in the law of the Lord and respond to it in obedience. How often do we reflect on God’s Word in the course of our daily activities?
Jesus died on a tree. That tree will yield its fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
Lord God, please keep us from walking in step with the wicked. Help us not to stand in the way that sinners take, or take our seats in the company of mockers. May we take delight in Your law and meditate on Your Word day and night. We ask You to yield fruit in our lives.
New Song of Geneva College “Psalms of Praise” CD – Psalm 1 – 1A Arlington: http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm1A
The Planted Way of the Blessed Believer (verses 1-3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%201:1-3&version=NIV
Sin traps us in stages: To walk suggests small decisions we make—we may walk innocently into an act of sin. To stand suggests an increased commitment to sin. Simple sins can become habits in which we stand. To sit suggests when a habit becomes an entrenched way of life. Only Jesus Christ did not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
As we meditate on the psalms, we plant our roots deep in the life-giving water of God’s Word. We delight in the law of the Lord and respond to it in obedience. How often do we reflect on God’s Word in the course of our daily activities?
Jesus died on a tree. That tree will yield its fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
Lord God, please keep us from walking in step with the wicked. Help us not to stand in the way that sinners take, or take our seats in the company of mockers. May we take delight in Your law and meditate on Your Word day and night. We ask You to yield fruit in our lives.
New Song of Geneva College “Psalms of Praise” CD – Psalm 1 – 1A Arlington: http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_pop_psalm1A
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