Psalm 150

     I grew up on praise chorus. We listened to them in the car, driving from place to place with my parents. We sang them at Saturday night worship. They were a staple of my college ministry experience.

     But here's the thing about praise chorus, or really any words we use to express our devotion to God. Our praise will always fall short. For God is always going to be worthy of more praise than we are able to express. 

     Yet, God loves the praise that we can bring. Becuase God loves us. 

     So, even when your words seem to fall short, give a shout of praise. Even when you don't know what to say, let a song burst forth from your soul. For we have been created to love and praise our God alone!

Psalm 150 Devo

 Spiritual Practices - Gratitude

Adapted from: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2005).

Week of June 27th, 2021

Sometimes we need a reminder of how we grow closer to God. A different way to think about continually being shaped and molded by our Lord. For the next five weeks, we will be inviting you to think of the ways different practices impact your relationship with God. Some may come naturally to you or are things you already do, perhaps take time to thoughtfully consider what they mean to you. Some practices may be new, give them a try and see if they are a fit for this season of your life. Let us bring our hearts and lives before the Lord!

Scripture for the week: Psalm 150

How do you respond to God’s love and grace in your life?

What is at the root of a thankful heart and life?

How do you delight in God daily?

Spiritual Practice: Gratitude

What prayers and songs help you to focus on God?

How can you share signs of thankfulness towards God each day?

How do you show gratitude towards people? How can this translate into showing gratitude towards God?

What leads you to notice the presence of God throughout your day?

Perhaps, keep a journal of the reasons your praise God. 

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

Psalm 136: 1-2

1 Thess. 5: 16-18

Phil 4:6

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Psalm 150

From the Sermon:

Psalm 150 praises _________ who he is, not what he has done.

God’s ________ flow out of his _____________.

God is the ____________.

The Spirit of God is what blessed us with the ________________ and each day that we draw breath in our lungs we can praise our Lord.

God is as _________ as our breath and beat of our heart.

God is worthy of _________________ praise because God has shown us love and mercy through ____________________ things.

For when we praise, we come and set aside _____________ in order to just express our love for God.

Reflection Questions:

Why do we praise God?

Where are we to praise God?

How do we praise God today?

How is God inviting you to praise through Psalm 150?

Prayer:

Lord, let our words and our lives be a sacrifice of praise for you. Let us lift up your name all day long! Let us bless your name, O Lord! Amen. 

Psalm 30

      Ask people why bad things happen in this world and you will get to know a lot about what they think about God.  Psalm 30 doesn't necessarily seem to be the opportune place to talk about this question of "why?" in the midst of David's song of praise. And yet, David is declaring his praise because of the relief he received from God. Because of the help and deliverance. The healing and restoration. Yet, what is our song when these things do not come when we ask?

    Then we end up with that "why?" question.

    Why does suffering exist? Perhaps it is easier to start with why not. Suffering does not exist because of God's absence. Especially in times when it is so easy to overlook the presence of God or not as easily be able to sense it - times of illness, natural disasters, or violence.

     The truth is, we do worship a God of healing and constant presence, but it is really hard to recognize at times from our human perspective - especially when it appears in a form we would rather not have. 

     No matter what, we can join David in the song of praise because God is God and God is present, even when suffering seems to persist. It is during those times when all we can do is cling to God that the love of God is made real to us. 

    How do you praise God during difficult times?

Psalm 30 Devotional

 Spiritual Practices - Examen

Adapted from: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2005).

Week of June 20th, 2021

Sometimes we need a reminder of how we grow closer to God. A different way to think about continually being shaped and molded by our Lord. For the next five weeks, we will be inviting you to think of the ways different practices impact your relationship with God. Some may come naturally to you or are things you already do, perhaps take time to thoughtfully consider what they mean to you. Some practices may be new, give them a try and see if they are a fit for this season of your life. Let us bring our hearts and lives before the Lord!

Scripture for the week: Psalm 30

How do you notice and praise God when things are going well?

Is this different from you notice and praise God when things are not going as you like?

What does it mean, to you, to praise God in all circumstances?

Spiritual Practice: Examen 

Take time at the end of each day to reflect:

What moment am I most grateful for?

What moment am I least grateful for?

When did I give and receive love today? When did I overlook moments to love?

What was the most life-giving part of my day? 

When did I have a deep sense of connection to God today? When did I not notice that connection as clearly?

Where did I live out the fruits of the spirit?

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

Col 1:9

Phil. 1: 9-10

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Psalm 30

From the Sermon:

Psalm 30 is a psalm of __________________________________________.

David is praising God for ___________________________.

God is God even in the _____________________.

God is still worthy of praise - even if it is through all of the ______.

God is with us, even in the ________________________________.

There are times that the way that God answers “yes” to our prayers is gently followed by a “__________________________________”.

Over time does it get warped more into a story about us than about God. About what ____ have done or made it through, more than what ______ has done and brought us through?

We are invited to praise God in ________________________.

Reflection Questions:

It is really easy to praise God when you’ve made it through to the other side, but what prayers are you praying in the middle of it all? What is your song when it seems like the foundations are crumbling in? What are you saying and believing about God in those moments?

Do we even remember God’s deliverance enough to tell the story?

Prayer:

Lord, let us be people who praise you no matter what we may face in life. Let us seek to make your presence known. Amen. 

Psalm 23

      King David wrote the 23rd Psalm, speaks of a mix of joy and pain. King David speaks of a God who can offer comfort, leading us to the richest places in life, restoring our soul. But he also speaks of a God who is always with us, even when things aren’t going well. In his words, even when we walk through the darkest valley. Even when we are in the presence of enemies. We serve a God, who gave everything for us in Jesus Christ, and have a Savior who promises us that he will never leave us nor forsake us, even in times like this. Even in seasons that we would rather not be in.  We have a God who is right with us in the midst of whatever we may face.

     Sometimes we make Psalm 23 too idealistic, too simplistic, and we miss out on the unrelenting love of God. A love that does not let us go - even when life is hard. The question that this Psalm leads us to ask is if we trust God just as much in time of rest as in times of pain? Do we trust God in all of life? And do we look for God's guidance and support in all seasons?

Psalm 23 Devo

 Spiritual Practices - Rest

Adapted from: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2005).

Week of June 13th, 2021

Sometimes we need a reminder of how we grow closer to God. A different way to think about continually being shaped and molded by our Lord. For the next five weeks, we will be inviting you to think of the ways different practices impact your relationship with God. Some may come naturally to you or are things you already do, perhaps take time to thoughtfully consider what they mean to you. Some practices may be new, give them a try and see if they are a fit for this season of your life. Let us bring our hearts and lives before the Lord!

Scripture for the week: Psalm 23

How does your relationship with God lead you to trust him as the the Good Shepherd?

How have you experienced the unrelenting love of God?

How has God made you rest?

Spiritual Practice: Rest

Think back on your life - how has resting in God’s presence helped you to honor God? 

How do you find refreshment in the Lord?

What helps you to delight in God’s goodness and love?

How are you refreshed in the Lord daily? How do you keep company with Jesus?

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

Psalm 62:1

Deut 33:12

Psalm 116:7

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Psalm 23

From the Sermon:

From the New Living Translation of Scripture - “I have _____________.” 

Jesus is the Good and perfect shepherd, then this Psalm starts out reminding us that he is going to provide for us what we need - even if it is not always what we ______________________.

God, who knows exactly what we needs, has to ______ us lie down.

We can only find refreshment in such a place, because we also _______ the shepherd.

It is the same posture of trust that allows us to lean into the _____________________ of God, even when things are not as picturesque.

Reflection Questions:

In what ways do you look to God to provide what you need?

How do you bear witness to God’s mercy and love?

Prayer:

Lord, let us renew our hope and trust in you as our Good Shepherd, perfect host, and dearest friend. Lead us by your compassion and mercy, we pray. Amen. 

Psalm 13

     I have spent quite a bit of this last year thinking about grief. Grief over the loss of life as we knew it, prior to the pandemic. Grief over the loss of rituals. The loss of loved ones. Grief has been palpable in 2020 and 2021. 

     In the midst of grief, you will always find people who tell you that grief isn't the right response. Those who offer platitudes and faulty misquotations of scripture in order to try to get you to be joyful. But the truth is, we see Jesus grieving in scripture. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn." Grieving is part of life.

     But we also need to feel free to bring that grief before God. We say that we worship a God who understands our grief and died our death. If that is true, we should feel free to come before God, like the Psalmist and let our hearts pour out to God. 

    When we try to short-change the grieving of others or not bring our own griefs before God, we miss out on the blessings of knowing the unmoveable, steadfast love of our God. 

    How can you free your heart to come before God with your whole life?

Psalm 13 Devo

 Spiritual Practices - Truth Telling

Adapted from: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us, (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2005).

Week of June 6th, 2021

Sometimes we need a reminder of how we grow closer to God. A different way to think about continually being shaped and molded by our Lord. For the next five weeks, we will be inviting you to think of the ways different practices impact your relationship with God. Some may come naturally to you or are things you already do, perhaps take time to thoughtfully consider what they mean to you. Some practices may be new, give them a try and see if they are a fit for this season of your life. Let us bring our hearts and lives before the Lord!

Scripture for the week: Psalm 13

What does it mean to be honest with God?

How do you minimize your emotions when you come before God?

How is your prayer life one of integrity? 

Spiritual Practice: Truth Telling

Reflect upon your prayer life with God - are you honest about what you are thinking and feeling? What do you try to hide from God? Why do you approach God in this manner?

Repent of times you have lied to God or others. 

When you catch yourself slandering others or engaging in gossip - stop and repent. 

Additional Scriptures to Meditate On:

Matthew 5:37

James 3: 5-10

Proverbs 12: 19-22

Sabbath. Study. Serve.

 Sabbath, Study, Serve 

Taking the Sermon Into Our Week 

Scripture of the Week: Psalm 13

From the Sermon:

The Psalmist starts out with this statement of “______________?”.

One of the gifts that God gave us when he breathed the breath of life into us, is ___________-.

When we deny our ______________, we are denying part of who God created us to be.

God wants you to bring your whole ________ before him, even the parts that are crying out “how long?”

God is the God of __________________________________________.

God wants us to be honest in our relationship with him - even and maybe most especially when we are ________________________________.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever had a time in your life when you couldn’t sense the presence of God? How did you respond?

What causes you to cry out to God?

Prayer:

Lord,  forgive us for the times we have tried to hide pieces of our heart from you. Allow us to come fully before your throne of grace. Amen. 

Psalm 100

    I think all too often we forget why we are on this earth - to worship God. And when we forget that, it is not too far behind that we start to forget what worship truly is - offering God honor and praise. Instead, we make it into an experience of what we like most or what we don't like at all... all the while forgetting God.

   One of the statements that saddens me most as a pastor is that someone is "not getting anything out of worship" - which more often than not means that they don't like the sermon or songs being sung or style of worship. I often find myself responding by asking what that person is putting into worship. As you can imagine this is not quite the response that they are expecting.

   This week we talked about praise in light of the Psalmist, specifically Psalm 100. Praise is bestowing worth upon God for simply being God.

   Why do you worship today? What worship hang ups do you experience? And what are you putting into worship?

(Reblog: 10/2015 - Let This Be a Place of Worship)