September 9

Lamentations
The writings of Jeremiah about the destruction and suffering of Jerusalem.
The people of Israel were facing great punishment for their sin. Enemies were taking over and destroying them. They were met with disaster and grief. God turned away from his people.
Despite this, Jeremiah still had hope for restoration and pleaded for God's mercy.

Some verses
1:8-10"Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns away. Her filthiness clung to her skirts; she did not consider her future. Her fall was astounding; there was none to comfort her. Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed. The enemy laid hands on all her treasures; she saw pagan nations enter her sanctuary— those you had forbidden to enter your assembly."

1:18 "The LORD is righteous, yet I rebelled against his command. Listen, all you peoples; look upon my suffering. My young men and maidens have gone into exile.

Chapter 3

31 For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.

34 To crush underfoot
all prisoners in the land,

35 to deny a man his rights
before the Most High,

36 to deprive a man of justice—
would not the Lord see such things?

37 Who can speak and have it happen
if the Lord has not decreed it?

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come?

39 Why should any living man complain
when punished for his sins?

40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the LORD.

41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:

42 "We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven.

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My thoughts...
- God is a just God who has anger and does punish sin. Sin deserves punishment. There is no escape from punishment. This is fair.
- The Israelites were God's chosen people. They had relationship with him and knew what their lives meant. They sinned greatly in the eyes of the Lord by compromising their holiness.
Today, the peoples of the earth will not acknowledge sin nor God. This does free them from punishment or judgment.
- Jeremiah pleaded for God's mercy and had hope that God is merciful.
3:33 "For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men."
- God wanted his people to be pure but they turned to sin and allowed pagan forces to desecrate his Temple
- I think the same thing is happening with today's Christians: We compromising on our faith to be inclusive in today's society. How can we reach out and be relevant to the lost world while standing firm and not allowing ourselves to be polluted by the world?
- How is God feeling about his people today? What manner of punishment or wrath is in store for the sinful?

February 25

Scripture Reading Psalm 62:1-8

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

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Absalom, son of King David took revenge on his brother Amnon for raping Tamar.
But he also then decided to conspire against his father. David found himself in danger

How do we get into a valley? Who's fault? Past sins and other people's carelessness?
David in the valley caused by his own son.
What happens when you stay in the valley for sometime?
Learn about yourself and how God may be trying to change you.
To stay there and be still.
Do you crack when under stress and turn to sin or God for relief?

February 4

"The Joyful Worshipper"
Psalm 19:7-11

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

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This was written by David in his times of trouble
Joy is not simply
a. an external expression. Look at James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

b. an emotional experience. Two examples, married couples as the years go on and Elijah. The prophet Elijah experienced one of the greatest emotional roller-coasters. In 1 Kings 18, he faced off against hundreds of prophets of Baal and Asherah. He humbled them in a display of awesome power from the Lord. But immediately afterwards, he was troubled by threats and prayed that he would die than go on.

--
The word of God has a profound effect on people. It's a source of joy.
Some applications. Set aside regular times for devotions. Instill consistency.

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Some personal thoughts..

There is much sorrow and false joy in the world today. Turn on the TV or read the newspaper. On TV, they are promoting joy through new products and re-invented lifestyles. Our sense of joy is being dictated to us by through clever marketing and programming that entices our base physical desires.

The news reports of suffering and crime all the time. I am sometimes overwhelmed and these stories and they trigger feelings of vengeance or leaves me with apathy.

When I read the Bible, there is much joy in the passages of Psalms. But there is a lot more dedicated to brokenness and sinfulness that reminds us of our need to be forgiven and healed by God.

How can I have more inner joy through the Lord? He has rescued me and each day is a blessing. What kind of joy gives me the strength to persevere?

January 28

Scripture Reading Psalm 9:1-10
1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.

4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.

7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.

8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.

9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.


Sermon Notes
The Victorious Worshipper
Where does your praise go?

January 21

Acts 2:1-8
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?

Sermon Notes
Spiritual renaissance on the way? What will it bring? A confessional life. Today's marketplace of opportunity has enormous calling for the temporal but we are all called to ministry in our lives.
The pentecost is a Jewish feast.
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is God, part of the Trinity, not a god but God Himself. What is the work of the Holy Spirit?
1) Agency of God fulfills the purpose of creation.
2) Starting of the church. produces fruit of the Spirit. Living within us. Guarantor of the future.
3) Empowers believers
How? To understand Jesus, point us to Jesus. The fruit resembles the qualities of Jesus.
Analogy of being filled with the Spirit like drinking water because we are dry and we leak.
Be immersed in God because we go thirsty and lose it apart from Him.

January 14

Psalm 119:113-120

113 I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.

114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.

115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!

116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.

117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.

118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.

120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.

Sermon notes
The awed worshipper from revelation to response
Does God want us to fear Him?

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Some battles that threaten us
1) Sabotage - Physical and spiritual threats against us.
2) Compromise - Bargaining with trust and surrendering everything.
3) Ridicule - Attack on how you view God.