July 16, 2006 - Psalms 16-17 and Acts 20:1-16
I pray that you will have a wonderful Lord's Day, as you worship our Lord Jesus Christ and set aside time for rest and reflection. The Psalms are very good for leading us to worship Him as we should. I hope God will speak to your heart this morning and that you will take time to speak to Him. He is right there with you. Reach out to Him.
Psalms 16 and 17 show us the close relationship that David had with the Lord. He knew that he was nothing apart from God. (16:2) He knew that God wanted to be close to him always, but it was up to David to decide to keep Him close. Look at 16:8. David said, "I have set the Lord always before me." He was at David's right hand. That is the place of the most trusted advisor. That is the place of power. David was confident that the Lord would show him the way to live. (16:11) That relationship brought him fullness of joy. Do you have that joy this morning? If not, take time to set the Lord before you. Ask Him to be at your right hand. Honor Him with all of your heart and your life. He will be there for you.
In Psalm 17 David speaks more about being delivered from his enemies, but he concludes with the realization that he would be with the Lord in heaven one day. (v.15) Do you live in that confident hope? You can know that you have trusted Him, and you are abiding under the shadow of His wings. (v.8) What a picture of a close relationship. Jesus draws us close like a mother hen guarding her chicks. That is how much He loves us, and that is how secure He wants us to be in our relationship with Him. Where do you find yourself today? Remember, it is up to you to draw close to Him and to set Him before you always.
Acts 20 is a refreshing story from Paul's ministry. Paul is in a hurry to return to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. (v.16) However, that does not keep him from visiting the churches on the way. He stops in Troas on the Lord's day. His message is kind of long. It goes until midnight. Paul is excited about the work of the Lord and the Word of the Lord. He can't help but keep sharing it. I hope you are excited about it, too. However, a young man falls asleep, falls three stories, and he is raised up. Why is that story in there? I think God is showing us that his messengers are always going to get excited about His wonderful works and His Word. They are going to get carried away by the grace of God. It will even go on so long sometimes that some may fall asleep. I am sure that will happen today at church, too. However, God has grace even on those who fall asleep. He wants them to be able to get excited, too. How about you today? Will you be excited or asleep? I pray that you will be excited.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 18-19 and Acts 20:17-38.
Psalms 16 and 17 show us the close relationship that David had with the Lord. He knew that he was nothing apart from God. (16:2) He knew that God wanted to be close to him always, but it was up to David to decide to keep Him close. Look at 16:8. David said, "I have set the Lord always before me." He was at David's right hand. That is the place of the most trusted advisor. That is the place of power. David was confident that the Lord would show him the way to live. (16:11) That relationship brought him fullness of joy. Do you have that joy this morning? If not, take time to set the Lord before you. Ask Him to be at your right hand. Honor Him with all of your heart and your life. He will be there for you.
In Psalm 17 David speaks more about being delivered from his enemies, but he concludes with the realization that he would be with the Lord in heaven one day. (v.15) Do you live in that confident hope? You can know that you have trusted Him, and you are abiding under the shadow of His wings. (v.8) What a picture of a close relationship. Jesus draws us close like a mother hen guarding her chicks. That is how much He loves us, and that is how secure He wants us to be in our relationship with Him. Where do you find yourself today? Remember, it is up to you to draw close to Him and to set Him before you always.
Acts 20 is a refreshing story from Paul's ministry. Paul is in a hurry to return to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. (v.16) However, that does not keep him from visiting the churches on the way. He stops in Troas on the Lord's day. His message is kind of long. It goes until midnight. Paul is excited about the work of the Lord and the Word of the Lord. He can't help but keep sharing it. I hope you are excited about it, too. However, a young man falls asleep, falls three stories, and he is raised up. Why is that story in there? I think God is showing us that his messengers are always going to get excited about His wonderful works and His Word. They are going to get carried away by the grace of God. It will even go on so long sometimes that some may fall asleep. I am sure that will happen today at church, too. However, God has grace even on those who fall asleep. He wants them to be able to get excited, too. How about you today? Will you be excited or asleep? I pray that you will be excited.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 18-19 and Acts 20:17-38.