Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 69:1-4 Save me, God, for the water has risen to my neck.
2 I have sunk in deep mud, and there is no footing; I have come into deep water,
and a flood sweeps over me.
3 I am weary from my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without cause are more numerous than the hairs of my head;
my deceitful enemies, who would destroy me, are powerful.
Though I did not steal, I must repay.
Read the Entire Psalm
Save me. There are so many two word prayers throughout the Psalms. Save me. Help me. Guide me. Teach me. Imagine yourself in David’s position. He describes it as like being in water that risen to his neck. He is reaching out his hand and saying God save me. When you consider the vast universe, it is easy to think of God powerful enough to save David. Think about this God, eternally satisfied. He is complete, powerful and wise. David also know Him as a God who cares. That is why David can cry out – Save me. God is love. Praise Him for His compassionate caring hand. He may not rescue as we desire, but He does love and care. If you need to pray – God save me. Praise the God who saves.
Scripture Reading
1 John 2:15-17 – New International Version
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Austin and Jenni as they are on their stateside assignment. Pray for their friend Mary to the respond to the truth and love of the gospel.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
“Do not love the world or the things in the world.”
The word “world” is used three ways in Scripture. It can describe the planet, people on the planet, or the beliefs, values and behaviors that disregard or oppose God. John is using “world” in this third sense. He warns that if we love the world, then the love of the Father is not in us. Clearly, this is not about being tempted or even that we will not still sin. He has already been clear that Christians will sin and must continually confess when they do. This is about wrapping our hearts around the things of the world rather than around God. Just as you can’t walk north and south at the same time (it is impossible), you can’t have your heart wrapped around God and the world at the same time (it is impossible). John is not using this as a test of salvation. He is talking to believers. He is giving this as a training tool. He has already said what “to do.” We are to love God and love one another. Now he is giving the what “not to do.” Do not love the world. This is helpful because the negative can help us understand the positive. In all kinds of training, it is useful to describe what not to do to make clear what we are to do. John will unpack what loving the world means in three phrases. We will look at those in the days to come. Today I want us to consider how we have agency in who or what we love. The idea that you cannot help who you “fall in love” with is deceiving. The very phrase “fall” implies we have no choice. No one “falls” in love; we all make certain choices to give time and effort to be in a certain kind of relationship with someone, and our hearts follow our investments. If we love the world, we didn’t “fall” in love with it. We made choices. If we love God, we didn’t “fall” in love with him, we made certain choices in response to his grace. Right now, you are making a choice to love God: you are spending time in his word and in prayer. Good job!