Author Archive: Pastor Mark

Praise Kindness remember

Praise the Lord and remember all His kindness!

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This set of Psalms starts off with one of the most famous Psalms / passages in the Bible – a psalm of thanksgiving and instructions on how to approach the Lord our God.

We move on through psalms of which talk of God’s justice and loving kindness stirring desires for personal integrity in believers.

Then to trust in difficult situations with expectation of God’s intervention.

A Psalm calling for praise and a recalling of all the acts of kindness God has shown.

Finally a psalm which reveals the power of God over His creation. Also His wisdom which proves true even when “man’s wisdom” claims they know better.

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Knowing living doctrine Paul Timothy

Knowing & living sound doctrine

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Knowing & Living Sound Doctrine

Series: Lessons from Paul to Timothy

Paul’s encouragement to Timothy was also to be Timothy’s instruction for the saints in Ephesus.

These are very practical truths but they are also foundational – meaning, without them the entire structure of our faith cannot stand!

According to Paul, our ability to present ourselves before God as approved and bear no shame directly springs out of embodying these truths. First among which inclides being established in, living out and able to share with others SOUND DOCTRINE!

Paul clearly states (as does Jesus Himself) that anything we do, think or converse about which is not in some way connected to sound doctrine – the living or spreading of it is empty talk for which we will be judged.

Blessings!

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Shout Psalms Book 4

SHOUT!

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These Psalms cry out to God as Israel’s avenger and own up to Israel’s failures.

More than anything else, these Psalms SHOUT out the praises of God – extoling His virtues, His power and deliverance and how GREAT God is to and among His people!

The word “Shout” or something akin to it show up more in these chapters than any other successive chapters in all the books of Psalms. (Though Psalm 29 holds the record for any single Psalm)

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Endure Reign Paul Timothy

Those who endure will reign

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Paul gives Timothy a hymnic creed – a sort of foundational doctrinal statement in an easily recalled and recited format.

This was often done in the church in order to solidify and fortify believers in the truth and as a type of confession of belief.

The 4 points of the creed include:
– If you died with Christ you must raise to a new way of living with Him as well.
– If you endure or overcome to the end you will be saved and reign with Him.
– If you deny Him, He WILL deny you
– If you are unfaithful to Him, He remain’s faithful to His Own character. He cannot deny Who He is!

This is a sort of Christianity 101 short course which is affirmed and repeated throughout the New Testament which we spend some time exploring in this message.

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Psalm Book 4 Moses

Psalms Book IV

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This begins the 4th division within the greater book of Psalms.

It starts off with a the only known Psalm by Moses who composed it in the wilderness in response to God’s wrath at Israel’s unwavering unfaithfulness. Moses acknowledges God’s power, eternal nature and sovereignty. He openly admits Israel’s failings but nevertheless cries out to God for a return of His mercies.

Psalm 91 is well known among Christians as a Psalm of God’s protection. However, this Psalm makes it clear that His protection is towards those who abide with Him, are lovingly devoted to Him and who know His name. It is an Old Covenant promise which still has some implications for those under the New Covenant.

Psalm 92 is an interesting Psalm for the Sabbath and has to be read in that context or you will miss its direction and meaning.

Finally Psalm 93 is simply a brief but exaltant praise of God – His power, majesty and eternal nature. In this way it addresses the key points Paul makes in Romans 1.

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