Tag: Psalm 134:1-2
Whose father is yours?
Scripture reading for November 2nd: Ezekiel 22-24, Psalm 134, John 8
John 8: 39-44 “They answered Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill Me, a Man Who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to Him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father–even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of My own accord, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear My Word. Your are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Jews came to Jesus and Jesus told them that if they would abide in His Word, they would know the truth and the truth would make them free. This offended them and they claimed that they were never slaves and did not need to be free. Jesus stated that everyone who sinned was a slave of sin. Freedom from sin could only come through Him. This really offended them and they were seeking to find a way to kill Jesus. Jesus carefully explained that if they were truly Abraham’s children, and God was their Father, they would love Him and believe His Word. But since they sought to kill Jesus and rejected the truth, they were under their true father, the devil. The fruit of this fatherhood is murder and lies! The fruit of true children of God is love, joy, peace and humble obedience and intercession for God’s people.
Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for revealing Your love and heart to me through Jesus Christ, Your Son. I respond to Your love by loving You and seeking humbly to obey. I stand against the evil one, Satan, and his lies and murdering ways. Forgive those who are under that spirit and use me to share Your love and the Gospel that they might be saved and bless Your Name forever and ever.”
Psalm 134: 1-2 “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!”
True disciples
Scripture reading for November 2nd: Ezekiel 22-24, Psalm 134, John 8
Key Scriptures: John 8:31-36 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly Truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.””
According to Jesus, true disciples abide in His Word. To abide means rest securely in Jesus Word, which is Truth. Knowing truth is the only way we can have faith. Faith comes from hearing Jesus’ Words and allowing them to abide in our hearts. Actions and good works will flow from Jesus’ Word. Real freedom is knowing and doing God’s will. Slavery is being bound by selfish lust and sin. Today we can choose freedom–forever! It is found in Jesus Christ, God’s Son Who is the Word made flesh.
Psalm 134:1-2 “Come bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the Holy Place and bless the Lord!”
Faith confession and prayer: I bless and honor You, Jesus my Lord, for the freedom of knowing and doing Your will. I will take in the Word of God and allow it to abide in me and produce good fruit, standing in the gap for Your will and freedom for a lost world.
Ezekiel 22:30 “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”
No boasting allowed!
Scripture reading for July 5th: 1st Corinthians 1, Psalm 134, Proverbs 10
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 1:26-29 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
Human pride loves to boast about talents, accomplishments, feats of strength, and mental acumen. Paul reminded those in the church that by the world’s standards for boasting, no one had much to boast about. In fact, God so ordered His church that their only boast could be in His own greatness, goodness and mercy expressed in Jesus Christ. All our human strengths or accomplishment pale before Christ Jesus our Lord.
Faith Confession: My boast is in the greatness, goodness, and mercy of my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. In my weakness and lost state, He is my wisdom from God, my righteousness, my sanctification and my redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Psalm 134:1-2 “Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord.”
Thankful for praying men!
Scripture reading for December 11th: 1st Timothy 1-4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 2:1-2, 8 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. . . .I want men everywhere to lift holy hands in prayer, without wrath or disputing.”
Paul was instructing Timothy, a young apprentice in the ministry about the ministry of prayer. Prayer is a foundation for all ministry work and prayer for people God has placed in authority takes priority. This helps establish a good atmosphere for the Gospel message to be preached to all men. Men, in particular, were to lead in this intercession with lifted hands! They were to maintain unity and calm hearts as they prayed and thanked God for those in authority.
Thankful for men lifting hands: “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” (Psalm 134:1-2)