Be Careful What You Ask For

Have you ever asked for something and then regretted it later? Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will look at one of the most amazing accounts of this in the Bible – the story of Jephthah.

As we examine Jephthah’s words and actions, we will be asking why he made and kept his vow. This sad passage can be very convicting as we see how similar we are to Jephthah in many ways – having a desire for idols, a wrong view of God, and a lack of faith. It is a powerful example of the horrific damage that can be done when we view life this way. It is also a gloriously encouraging passage as we realize that Christ came so we no longer have to live as Jephthah did.

Please read Judges 10:6-12:7 before coming to church tomorrow. Because of the length of the passage, I will be summarizing some parts of it and it will be helpful to you if you have read them beforehand.

A Model for Prayer

Tomorrow morning I am planning on preaching from 1 Chronicles 29:10-22. The
“Big Idea” as contained in this text is the theme of prayer. Hence the title of
the message, “A Model for Prayer”.

Could I encourage you all to read this chapter in its entirety, paying
particular attention to vss. 10-22 and try to identify various aspects of the
familiar A.C.T.S (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) acrostic we
often use to help us in praying? Note how David fills his heart with wonderful
truths about his LORD God, and how mighty and wonderful his prayer becomes as he
does so!

I am hopeful all of our prayer lives will be sharpened and strengthened as a
result of our time together tomorrow.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

I have heard of a TV show which challenges its viewers, “Are you smarter than a fifth grader”?
James presents a more significant challenge, “Are you wise?”
Biblical wisdom goes far beyond mere intelligence or knowledge. Wisdom involves living well before God. James has already spoken of our need for wisdom (1:5-8).
In today’s text (3:13-18), James contrasts the characteristics, the source, and the outcome of worldly versus godly wisdom.
The focus of James’ concern about the outcome of wisdom pertains especially to our relationships with one-another (which will be the subject continued in 4:1ff).
The characteristics of true wisdom correspond closely to the fruit of the Spirit and the Beatitudes. Every one of these qualities is exemplified in Christ.

Our passage is also related to what has preceded. Just as James had taught that true faith is demonstrated by works (2:14-26), so true wisdom will be demonstrated by its good behavior (3:13).
The wise person will speak (3:1-12) as well as acting well.

James emphasizes that true wisdom is characterized by humility 3:13). Does this mean that wise people are wimps and that a godly person cannot be an ambitious achiever?
Scripture teaches us that as we put away ambition for self-glory we can be zealous to do great things for the glory of God.

Who Can Tame the Tongue?

Each of us struggles to control our tongues. James says that it is humanly impossible to tame the tongue, but we will see that with God all things are possible.

Thirsting for God

Psalms 42-43 go together. They are Psalms of lament with an almost identical refrain. 42:5 42:11 43:5.
These Psalms are of special value to believers who feel overwhelmed or struggle with depression.
We can relate to the Psalmist as he describes his own spiritual drought, longing for God to satisfy his thirst.
He also describes his situation as being overwhelmed by the floods of sorrow.
Yet within this Psalm we find the answer to our despair. “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.”

Martyn Lloyd-Jones used Psalm 42 in the first chapter of his famous book, “Spiritual Depression”.
He tells us that a key to overcoming depression is to stop listening to ourselves (complaining and worrying) and to start talking to ourselves (about the hope we have in God).

Please read Psalms 42-43 before coming to church.

God Speaks Through His Word

This Sunday I plan to complete our consideration of Psalm 19.
Last week we looked at the first six verses which declares how God speaks to all humanity through His creation (General Revelation)
This week we will consider the Lord’s speech to His people through the Scriptures (Special Revelation) in verses 7-11, and then our response in verses 12-15.

As you read over Psalm 19 before coming to church consider the following questions:

Do you notice that the first six verses use the name God and verse seven and following use LORD. Why do you think that this is?
How are general revelation similar to each other? How are they different?
Where can you see the gospel in this Psalm?