Jun 28

Do You Get Tired in Worship?

Psalm 150

The question is not, “do you get tired OF worship?” but “in” worship?  We I read Psalm 150, I feel exhausted.  All the praising, the music, the sounds, the exuberance leaves me out of breath.  This worship is not contrived, or a manipulation, it is the out flow of the praise of God from his people.

This praise is an out flow of who the Lord is, his exalted place, his wonders of creation, his mighty acts of deliverance, and just because he is fantastic.  In the Gospel reading this week, the woman at the well wants to overcomplicate worship.  Jesus simply responds that God is Spirit, and those that want to worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. 

This Psalm also invites all things with breath to praise the Lord.  This shows the inclusiveness of praise and worship.  The Psalmist enjoins all the living to praise God, and does not exclude any one. 

Pastor Greg

Jun 26

Green Pastures and Dark Valleys

Psalm 23

Yes, this is the best-known passage of Scripture.  When I conduct a funeral for a family not familiar with the Bible, they always ask for “The Lord is my shepherd.”  Those of us who are so familiar with this Psalm we can recite it from the King James Version, sometimes need to look at this Psalm with different perspective.  Too often we assume that this Psalm is about going to heaven when I die.

Yes, we love the green pastures, the still waters, and dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.  Here David is not in a pie-in-the-sky by-and-by mindset, but he is recounting the security he feels as he is protected by God.  The dark valley, the desert journey, and being face to face with his enemies are times where David boldly claims the protection of God.  And by example, invites us all into that protection and comfort of my shepherd.

This is a Psalm of comfort.  It is not just for the time of death.  It is an assurance of the Lord’s comforting rod and staff, and the Lord’s lifting us above our enemies.  The comfort from this Psalm keeps us on the paths of righteousness that leads us to the House of the Lord.

Pastor Greg

Jun 17

The Prayer of Struggling Faith

Psalm 13

Some Christians in their hyper-piety are scandalized at the thought of questioning God.  But the God of the Bible invites us into conversations where we do ask questions, and we are not upbraided because of them.  This is one of those places.  The questions are very blunt, the emotions are very raw, and the danger is very real to David as he is fleeing for his life from King Saul.

I have met many Christians throughout the years that actually turn away in anger and condemnation when I express my questions about God and the walk of faith.  I am so glad that the Psalmist does no hold back in his questions and his lamentations.  “How long O, Lord?  How long will you forget me?  How long will you remain absent?”  I suspect that the reason that some believers cannot hear these questions is because they have buried such questions in their own souls.

In these brief 6 verses of Psalm 13, we are carried though life-shattering questions, terrifying enemies, and then the dedication of David as he realizes the nature and character of his God.  That is what we rely on, God’s steadfast love.  We see the world through his love, and not his love through our immediate situation.

Often our emotions are shaped by our perspectives.  Looking at a problem situation and seeing only our limits and lack, then we are prone to panic.  Looking at a problem through the perspective of God’s unfailing love, promises, and faithfulness, we gain a strength to face the situation head-on, not denying the problems, but realizing that we are truly not alone as we deal with even the most difficult parts of life.

Pastor Greg

Jun 03

Psalm 100—Not Just for Thanksgiving Day Anymore!

It is not unusual that we keep things for “special times.”  We have a set of dishes that we get out just for Christmas, or a meat platter just for the turkey on Thanksgiving.  We do that with so many things, but somethings are meant for more than that singular use.  We do that with Psalm 100; we only pull it out in November.  It is excellent for our purpose in a Thanksgiving Service, but it is not only for a single day.

The 100th Psalm needs to be pulled out regularly and used in our daily life.  It is not like the platter used only for turkeys; it is the dish used for our bologna sandwiches or chips and dip.  We cheat ourselves when we don’t bring it down to our day to day lives. 

This Sunday begins a series of sermons from the Psalms.  Psalms is a song book of God’s people that expresses the tremendous breath of our human emotions and experiences with God.  From questions of “why has God forsaken me?” to certainties of “I will live in God’s house forever.”  The Psalms cover it all!  The 100th is a foundation for all of life’s experiences.  Because, no matter what, we are under the care of our loving God that directs our paths.

Let me challenge you to make Psalm 100 a regular part of your Bible reading and prayer life.

Pastor Greg