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 119:17-24 Deal generously with your servant so that I might live; then I will keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction.
19 I am a resident alien on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
20 I am continually overcome with longing for your judgments.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, the ones under a curse, who wander from your commands.
22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept your decrees.
23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, your servant will think about your statutes;
24 your decrees are my delight and my counselors.
Psalm 119 is a long reflection on the wonder of God’s word. God’s word is a grace gift to us and requires grit (action) for us to apply it. Look for the grace in the Psalm. Notice all the things that the Psalmist asks for God to do. Then look for the grit, all the things the Psalmist says he will do or has done. Praise God for His wondrous word.
SCRIPTURE READING:
2 Timothy 3:1-6, 10-17 – Christian Standard Bible
Difficult Times Ahead
3 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.
6 For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions,
Struggles in the Christian Life
10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured—and yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving 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.
- Pray for the Onelink teams from River. Both teams have arrived to their location overseas. Ask God to empower them for the task in front of them this summer.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Ask the Holy Spirit to increase your desire for God’s Word. Ask Him to reveal any barriers—sins—that are keeping you from His Word. Then repent. Ask Him to help you prioritize your life around Him. Be determined to regularly engage with God’s Word and make it a part of your daily routine. Prioritize time in God’s Word and appreciate its beauty and glory. Let the Word bring you closer to God. Don’t give up; persevere and internalize God’s truth in your heart. Let Jesus be the foundation upon which you build your life.