God’s Guidance and My Resistance

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I often pray for the Lord to lead me, guide me or show me what to do – and I think that many others do the same.  What I now wonder is how often the Lord has tried to lead me and found me an unwilling follower.  In Psalm 32 David perceived God saying this to him:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.”
                              – Psalms 32:8-9 (NKJV)

This is perhaps an overlooked point.  It might be wise for us to pray, not only for the Lord’s leading in a given matter, but for our own sensitivity to that leading, which He says will surely come. 

May we all receive His instruction, His teaching and His guidance this day.  And may we respond with complete willingness to whatever He reveals.

Simple Trust

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Truth does not have to be complicated to be deep.  Our relationship with the Lord is often made strongest by the simplest, most straightforward concepts.  The Psalms are full of them.  Take the following:

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
                       – Psalms 31:24 (NKJV) 

The first portion is something of a command: “Be of good courage.”  In any time of trouble or need, in the midst of any difficulty, this is what we have to remember.  It’s a decision not to fear, but to trust.  We can remain confident that our God is there, is watching, understands, and will give us all the grace and help that our specific situation requires.

Then comes the Lord’s part: “He shall strengthen your heart.”  This is a promise.  He is committed to strengthen your heart, to build your faith, to increase whatever courage was there to begin with.  The first step to “be of good courage” may have seemed difficult, but now the Lord supernaturally gives it momentum.

And to whom is this promise given?  “All you who hope in the Lord.”  No exceptions, no asterisks.  If we hope in Him we have access to the promise. 

Trust Him, simply trust Him.  Place your hope, your expectations, upon Him.  Our own resources will inevitably prove to be inadequate.  Let’s take advantage of all of His resources this day by exercising simple trust.

Palmer St. Podcast: John 5

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This week we’ll see Jesus heal a man at the pool of Bethesda who has had an infirmity for 38 years.  This will prompt a discussion with some of the religious leaders regarding the Sabbath.  In the process Jesus will make some radical claims regarding His deity.

Audio: John05.mp3

Study Notes: John05.pdf

Early Worship

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It’s interesting to realize how early in His life here on earth people began to worship Jesus.  Long before His death and resurrection, He was worshiped.  Before He ever preached a sermon or taught a crowd, He was worshiped.  Before He ever worked a miracle, He was worshiped.  In fact, before He ever did much of anything, He was worshiped.  He was worshiped before Mary and Joseph ever had the chance to leave Bethlehem.

The magi or “wise men” came to the land of Israel with one stated goal: to worship Jesus.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” – Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)

When they found Him, they wasted no time.  Worshiping Jesus was the first thing they did.  We can learn so much from their example!

And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)