Tag: Psalm 42:1-2
Sunday rest and reflection–prayer
Greetings on this day to rest and worship! The Sabbath or seventh day was made for man to help him recover and center his life again on the source of life. We have a tendency to center on ourselves, our work, our happiness, and to pamper our flesh. This book of Psalms helps us to re-center our lives in the source of life, God Himself.
We are designed with the unique ability to communicate. We can talk to God and hear Him speak to us. Many of the psalms are prayers that are written out as poetry or in the form of a song. Music and rhythm help us express the depths of our soul. In prayer we can share honestly with God our deepest feelings, hurts, fears, and longings. We can express our frustrations and ask for help, guidance, or divine intervention. Some of the psalms flow with troubles and needs. Often, they conclude with a re-centering on God and His ability to save, heal or deliver.
There have been some who advocate only speaking positive confessions about everything in our life experience. They say that if we speak about our troubles or fears, we open ourselves up for Satan to bring us further trouble. These psalms show us that we can be honest with God about our feelings, hurts and pains. We must come back to a good confession of trust in God’s ability to guide and help us, however. We should not live in negativity! Casting cares on the Lord is the right thing to do for it helps us remember God’s great ability to help us and brings us peace and comfort.
Psalm 42 is a great example of a prayer of centering in a time of trouble. Join the psalmist in this prayer of honest sharing of his heart’s needs. (Psalm 42:1-2) Cast every care on Him, He cares for you! (Psalm 42:5-6) Pray about everything, worry about nothing! (Psalm 42:7-8) May the peace that passes human understanding stand guard over your heart and life today and throughout the coming week! (Psalm 42:11) God bless you! In His Love, Pastor John
Paul speaks boldly to authority!
Scripture reading for February 28th: Acts 26, Psalm 42, Proverbs 11
Acts 26: 24-29 “And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am–except for these chains.””
God gave Paul the opportunity, at King Agrippa’s request, to hear Paul’s defense. Paul spoke boldly to King Agrippa, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, he presented the Gospel message of his own testimony and Christ’s resurrection. He directly appealed to King Agrippa, and even to Festus, the governor, to become followers of Christ. There was resistance as Festus accused Paul of being mentally unstable, and King Agrippa and his wife felt pressure and resisted action of faith. But Paul boldly proclaimed the Gospel message to those God had set before him, a prisoner of Jesus Christ!
Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing care to place Your people where they may reach even those in authority with Good News. I ask for open doors today and each day to present my testimony of Your saving grace in my life and the forgiveness of sins through Your Son Jesus Christ. May my life bring glory to You and much fruit in souls partaking of Jesus Christ the Tree of Life Eternal!
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”
Anticipation of the coming glory!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: 1st Kings 3, 2nd Chronicles 1, Psalm 42, Romans 8
Romans 8:18-23 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him Who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from the bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit grown inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Paul further explained that through the Holy Spirit, we have adoption into God’s family in token form for now. We are infilled by the Holy Spirit, but live in our bodies of flesh that still suffer pain, loneliness and longing for fullness of God’s promised redemption. We are promised a glorious body, like Jesus’ glorified body when He comes again. In the mean time, creation is under the bondage of sin and decay as well as human beings, saved and unsaved. As believers we groan inwardly too, awaiting Jesus’ return and anticipating with eager longing our full redemption. This is like the bride waiting for the Bridegroom!
Romans 8:23-25 “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Prayer: Father God, as I get older, I understand the groaning inwardly of my spirit for the fullness of redemption when Christ returns. That is my hope, the “Blessed Hope” of the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ! Thank You for the Holy Spirit, my down-payment of that coming glory Who groans with me, comforts me, and encourages me to be patient and wait and work!
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself interceded for us with groaning to deep for words. And He Who searches the heart knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pant for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirst for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
God of Peace!
Scripture reading for July 24th: Psalm 41-43, 1st Corinthians 14
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 14:26-28, 33 “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and God.” . . .”For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.”
Paul wrote to the church to instruct them in the use of spiritual gifts. They were to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy. As the church comes together, each person can use the gift or gifts they have received in an orderly manner. The gifts of tongues and prophesy were limited to two or three. Tongues plus interpretation is like prophesy. A tongue must be interpreted or not given. God is a God of peace, not confusion. The Spirit moving in the Church is like a living stream flowing within its banks, bringing cleansing, blessing and refreshing.
Psalm 41:13 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”
Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before the Lord?”
Prayer: Oh Lord, I bless You today for Your peace and order in Your world and in Your Church. May the living stream of the Holy Spirit flow with grace in my life and Your Church. Amen!