Be blessed with these three short but punchy psalms this morning! I pray your relationship with your Saviour deepens through the Lord’s Spirit speaking into your life!
Psalms 52: The Steadfast Love of God Endures To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, "David has come to the house of Ahimelech."
1 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.
5 But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
7 "See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!"
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
Psalms 53: There Is None Who Does Good To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?
5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Psalms 54: The Lord Upholds My Life To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Maskil of David, when the Ziphites went and told Saul, "Is not David hiding among us?"
1 O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
2 O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah
4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
5 He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.
6 With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 52 reminds me a little of Psalm 1. The evil will be judged but the righteous will be blessed – therefore walk in the ways of the Lord. These are simple, but practical and obvious truths. I love vs 9, let’s just wait and see what God will do ‘in the presence of the godly’. Our church is beginning to see His blessing – let’s continue to be patient and obedient!
2. Paul quotes Psalm 53 in Rom 3:10-12. There is no-one who does good etc. We all fall short of God’s glory. Sin separates us from God. But God restores the fortunes of His people – therefore let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad, vs 6. Thank God for your salvation this morning. The truth is – you don’t deserve it! Christ makes us worthy.
3. David knew what it was to have people hate him for standing up for the truth. In Psalm 54 he prays that God would protect him against the slander and actions of evil men. In this case Saul. Do you have people who are speaking against you? The promise is that the Lord will deliver you from every trouble and that you will triumph over your enemies. Satan is defeated. Don’t give him any ground today.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sermon and reading topic for this week – Sermon “Facing your past – a testimony”
Reading – Acts 22:1-22
1. Paul shared his testimony on at least 3 separate occasions in the book of Acts (Acts 9, Acts 22, Acts 27). What events do you remember about Paul’s testimony and who he was sharing to here in Acts 22?
2. There are a number of significant things that are part of Paul’s testimony here and that should be a part of our testimony. The ones mentioned on Sunday were 1. Must use and focus on the name of Jesus. 2. Must testify to the Lord’s guidance in your life with examples. 3. Must see supernatural evidence of God in your life 4. Make it personal – share the tough stuff that shows God has delivered you from sin. 5. Expect a reaction. For Paul they called for his death, but for Peter, 3000 got saved. The Holy Spirit determines the outcome. Discuss each one of these points and their relevance in your testimony.
3. When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone? What was the reaction?
Prayer Points
1. Continuing to get quotes for café roof.
2. Pray for other building projects – the repair of the house roof and solar.
3. Recharge youth and Kids@Church ministries. Pray for Maddison and Melinda as they Coordinate Kids and Youth ministries.
4. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Sunday’s message from Ps 42, 43 - “A passion for God” – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Saturday’s working bee was phenomenal. Everything back and neat. Thankyou all!
2. Sunday’s Potjie was something to behold. The food was incredible. Massive effort by the Safas – mammoth effort guys and super delicious!
3. Praise and worship – thanks Beatty boys.
4. More new folk on Sunday.
5. Finances are picking up.
Announcements
1. Back in church next week. Bring a friend.
2. Recharge on this week all high schoolers – 6:30pm-8:30pm Friday at church. $2 coin donation. Melinda Fourie heading up this ministry.
3. Men’s brekky TBA. But will be down at Colleges Crossing within the next month or so on a Saturday morning.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
