G’day folks. The Psalms in today’s readings are rich with principals for those who want to honour the Lord. Be challenged and encouraged!
Psalms 138: Give Thanks to the LORD Of David.
1 I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalms 139: Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!
20 They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
22 I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalms 140: Deliver Me, O LORD, from Evil Men To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men,
2 who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.
3 They make their tongue sharp as a serpent's, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah
4 Guard me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet.
5 The arrogant have hidden a trap for me, and with cords they have spread a net; beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah
6 I say to the LORD, You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O LORD!
7 O LORD, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked; do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah
9 As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
10 Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!
11 Let not the slanderer be established in the land; let evil hunt down the violent man speedily!
12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.
Psalms 141: Give Ear to My Voice A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me---it is a kindness; let him rebuke me---it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one ploughs and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
8 But my eyes are toward you, O GOD, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenceless!
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.
Things to think about…
1. Psalm 138 says that even kings will give thanks to the Lord. Sadly, today not many do. Pray for our leaders that they may ‘sing of the ways of the Lord’ vs 5. We know that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, but when the leaders of countries do it there is an influence that has a greater reach. The reverse is also true of course.
2. Do you praise God for His sovereignty? Ps 139 shows the complete all-powerful, all-knowing God who created all things. This God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made, vs 14. It is interesting that God knew all the elements of the earth that would go into making our being, vs 15 and ordains all our days which are written in His book of life, even before the first one has begun, vs 16. Doesn’t this blow your mind?!
3. There is such a thing as ‘righteous anger’ towards the wicked. Look at David’s words in Ps 139:19-22. Do you hate the wicked with a ‘complete hatred’. How do you balance this with Christ’s words where He says ‘love your enemies’? We often hear love the sinner, but hate the sin. While the sentiment is true enough, the statement is a bit trite I find. Sinners love their sin. Love rather the one who is made in the image of God. As you lift up Christ, they will be drawn to Him.
4. David had a great amount of stress early on with Saul, but I can’t help but think that David was writing Ps 140 as he reflected upon his cousin and commander of Israel’s army Joab and possibly his two brothers Asahel and Abishai. These were the sons of David’s sister Zeruiah. He says at one point “the sons of Zeruiah are too harsh for me”, 2Sam 3:39. There were all mighty warriors who did amazing things for Israel. But they were harsh, bloodthirsty men. David asks that he be delivered from them. It would finally fall to Solomon to deal with Joab. God eventually brings wicked men down. David states the original intent of heaping ‘burning coals’ on your enemy, vs 10. Not a pleasant experience. Jesus tells us that we do the same when we do good towards our enemies, even when they are against us. But don’t go softening the original intent of the phrase. God’s anger rests upon the wicked.
5. Look at David’s heart in his desire to honour God with his mind, words and will, Ps 141:1-4. He says “Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness”, vs 5. Is this the way you see, it or does your pride get annoyed by it? A gentle rebuke from someone who loves us is like oil on the head and we should never refuse it. Never refuse godly counsel from anyone, regardless of what it feels like, the Lord is showing you His love, mercy and grace.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s message – “On the Up and Up” – Psalm 120, 134
a. It was mentioned on Sunday that we can have highs and lows in life. But some of these are because of where we choose to dwell. Discuss what is meant by living in Meshech and Kedar in Ps 120.
b. When we move from an unhealthy situation to somewhere more positive it is greatly improved by others who are on the same journey who are making the same decisions. What does this look like in the life of a believer and how can we promote these things?
c. Discuss areas in your life that really belong to Meshech and Kedar, but not Jerusalem and certainly not part of the highest part of praise. Are you prepared to be held accountable to separate from those things that hinder your faith?
d. Pray how you can encourage others this year through some form of ministry.
Prayer Points
1. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
2. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s.
3. New ministry leaders and coordinators.
4. How you can serve in ministry this year.
5. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. More visitors on Sunday – pray they are integrated into the church
2. Kids Church and Chuwar Youth leaders Rosie and Jarrod. Thankyou guys!!
3. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Quarterly Members meeting 26th Feb after the service.
2. Chuwar Youth Friday nights – 6:30-8:30pm. Grades 7 to 12. Chat to the Youth Pastor Jarrod for more details 0478 845 123.
3. Working Bee - be prepared, will happen soon. Please get involved. Prob early March
4. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
5. Remember to check your duty rosters.
6. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
7. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for February...
Q. 5. Why ought you to glorify God? A. Because he made me and takes care of me.
Bible References – Rom.11:36; Rev.4:11; Dan.5:23.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
