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 119:1-5 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
Blessing and Obedience. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Its primary focus is on the benefit and splendor of God’s word. In these five verses notice that blessing generally comes to those who obey. Also notices at the end that the author acknowledges that he does not always obey. Blessing is found on the path of obedience but sometimes we wonder off the path. Ask God to help you be steadfast in obeying His word.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Haggai 2:20-23 – New Living Translation
Promises for Zerubbabel
20 On that same day, December 18, the Lord sent this second message to Haggai: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.
23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
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.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunities to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
The Kingdom of God in Christ Jesus is already, but not yet. The Kingdom has come in fullness (we can experience it’s transformational presence and power right now), but it is not yet here in completeness (we still experience real aspects of the Fall and sin). There remains a future day when Jesus’ rule and reign will be established in completeness. There remains a future day when God’s people will be renewed and restored in completeness. And there remains a future day when God’s judgment of the nations will be executed in completeness.
God’s desire to save the nations is a prominent thread that runs throughout the Scriptures (Gen. 12:1-3). But we cannot forget that God’s mission to save the people groups of the world is connected to His desire to rule those same peoples. Those peoples who will not turn from their sin in order to be saved and ruled by King Jesus will face a clear and final judgment when Jesus returns to bring His Kingdom in completeness.
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Rev. 19:11-16)
The reality of Christ’s future judgment of the nations is fuel for both global and local missions. All the peoples of the earth will bow before Jesus someday and confess that He is Lord. Some will make that confession unto eternal life and some will make that confession unto eternal condemnation. Our God-given prayer and mission as the church is to proclaim the Gospel so that the peoples of the earth might bow before Jesus now and not wait until He returns.
Pray that the King would break your heart for the peoples of the earth (which includes your neighbors as well as people on the other side of the world). Pray that He would give you opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. Ask Him for boldness to make the most of those opportunities.