Compiling stuff that came up over last week, just putting it out there so it doesn’t stagnate in isolation.
Verse of the Week October 11-17
- Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1
Paul planted, Apollos watered, but it is God who gives the growth. Here we see the critical value of acknowledging God in all we do – because when we do, we realize and appreciate that God builds the house as we build it. God guards with the watchman. And, also, consider: God planted as Paul planted, God watered as Apollos watered – It wasn’t written that God gives the growth AFTER, but apparently even DURING the entire process.
So He is with us. That’s already true, and we would do very well to be fully aware of this truth – for peace of mind, for assurance; Indeed, He is our Blessed Assurance.
Here and now, Jesus is mine.
Last Sunday, after service, we gathered the youth and did what we like to call the Word <> Worship program.
- We opened with an icebreaker; From a set of emojis, guess the Bible book/character/event. Was surprised to see the kids were able to ace this game.
- I followed with my Testimony.
- My first days of worship; How, during my very first time worshipping in a more contemporary service, I went ahead flowed with the people around, lifting my hands… first, at the waist level, then the chest, then up high.
- Eventually, started worshipping this way regularly, joining the evangelical services of the Episcopalian church we all used to go to, and then, ultimately, in the Pentecostal church I serve up to today.
- I WAS supposed to remind the team of their identity, and relationship with God through Christ… But I made sure, before worshipping, to encourage the entire team to be open to a word, a verse, a message, etc.
- Worship:
- This Is Amazing Grace, the Jeremy Riddle version which I always thought was superior
- God Is Able by Hillsong Worship
- Great Is The Lord
- I told the team to count off and gather in 3 groups to discuss their thoughts and revelations. They took more time than expected, and I told them to pray for each other. No worries.
- Compilation / Conclusion – Common theme between all three groups was God’s faithfulness, and the need to keep trusting in God; Because, apparently, even they get stressed in levels that we never thought they would.
- I also chimed in, and found out that the lyrics of Great Is The Lord comes from Psalm 48 – and I told them that in our worship, yes, the Lord works even when we don’t see or feel it, but when we worship collectively (The city of God, the joy of the whole earth) – the world sees it, and they rejoice with us.
- We then asked the Youth for songs they thought appropriate at the time… and we sang of The Goodness of God.
- Blessing/Benediction/Dinner
Because we’re going to have another Bible study tomorrow, I thought I’d share this quickly here: Notes from last Thursday, October 8:
Partners with the Gospel
facilitated by Dox
‘You cannot outgive God’
– Pastor Oscar
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:3-8
There is a rich revelation of insight in all things
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:32-33
‘in common’ in v32 is more towards ‘partnership’; So it isn’t a man-made Communism, it is Biblical partnership.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.Philippians 4:10-18
There’s a bigger context to Philippians 4:13. It is encouragement for the Philippians who have gone through so much, from Paul who has gone through so much, himself.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19
There’s a bigger context to Philippians 4:19 as well. It’s that in all we go through, God is rich, and God is our faithful supply.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.Proverbs 18:16
You gain entry to peoples’ presence with a gift.
Partnerships meet real needs. “This service not only supplies the needs of the saints…”
The ultimate result is not simply that people appreciate us – it is that people thank and glorify God.
Reactions:
- Heart posture matters in giving
- Me: We give according to how we appreciate God giving to us. We love according to how we appreciate God loving us.
Yeah, just leaving that last set of notes pretty raw because honestly, I wasn’t listening as much as I wanted to, considering I was also working at the same time.
Actually, forgive me, because all this is being hashed together, while I am also putting things together, financially. God is good, and through Christ, I can do all things, indeed. From the context we’ve learned.
God bless us all. Halleluyah, Amen.
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