The Psalms in today’s and tomorrow’s readings focus on the purpose of praise and worship. His praise should always be on our lips and in our hearts.
Psalms 145: Great Is the LORD A Song of Praise. Of David.
1 I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendour of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]
14 The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Psalms 146: Put Not Your Trust in Princes
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 147: He Heals the Brokenhearted
1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters frozen dew like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!
Things to think about…
1. Our purpose on earth is to glorify God. But Psalm 145 says that we are also called to pass on our faith to the next generation, Ps 145:4 and to declare His mighty deeds and splendour to the children of men, vs 12. But look at how this is done. By showing that the LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love because He is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made, Ps 145:8&9. Grumpy, angry, discontented Christians, let the side down. If this is your disposition – STOP IT! You are a bad witness and your character is in denial of the character of Christ, who you say is yours. Do as Paul says – “Rejoice always and again I say rejoice”, Phil 4:4. This honours Christ and is a right witness from those who know, love and worship the Lord.
2. Look at all the energy, time and expense that surrounds the American elections. The world puts a lot of expectation upon its leaders. But the psalmist says we cannot rely on them, Ps 146:3. They have no power of salvation in themselves and one day they will perish. The exact opposite is true for our God. He is the Saviour for eternity. He is the One who sets the prisoners free, vs 7. It says He upholds the widow and the fatherless. We have many single parent families today. They need our love and support. The church to answer Christ’s call to our city to reverse this tragic situation where there is comfort, support and encouragement, regardless of the situation. My wife and I have come from non-Christian families. The church must be a place of peace for all of us and we fight to keep it being focussed on what a true family in Christ looks like.
3. Do you enjoy singing worship songs? If not, you are in disagreement with the writer of Ps 147, who says it is pleasant, good and fitting, vs 1. Lift up your voice this Sunday as we gather together to worship. If you struggle to do this, pray that the Lord reveals the source of the discontent. Please don’t think the source should be traced to the songs or the worship leader. While our worship leaders vary in style, their desire is to honour the Lord. Poor worship is generally the result of a heart that is proud and unthankful. Consider God’s electing love over you and the only appropriate response as described in vs 20. Praise the Lord!
4. Look at the provision of God over His people, Ps 145:12-14. This is not a prosperity gospel, but just the gospel outworking in the lives of believers. He provides abundantly and gives only the best, vs 14. But more than this he controls the weather patterns and the global cycles of rain, wind and snow. In Australia we have drought. We thank God for the rain that has fallen, but rather than being influenced by man, the psalmist says the Lord is the one who controls how much rain there is and where it falls.
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. Pray for the horror unfolding in Turkey and Syria – over 12000 dead. This, tragically will rise to many more over the coming days. Have mercy Lord Jesus!
2. That our Kids@Church and Chuwar Youth group grow beyond anyone’s expectations.
3. Pray for Chuwar Youth and Jarrod for Friday’s. Pray for Jarrod – he sprained his ankle - pray for healing.
4. New ministry leaders and coordinators.
5. How you can serve in ministry this year.
6. Pray for other building projects – café turf to be redone, roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. 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
