Morning Study:

(First, Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  I dare you to skip the fluff and stuff associate with the holiday and find out why he’s someone worth celebrating.

Second, have you been to revival yet?  If not, come tonight! Service starts at 7pm.  We’re canceling Water’s Edge and the Shore this week so you’ll have time to come - it’s that important!)

Text: Psalm 78:1-8

Questions:

1. How does Asaph say he is going to speak? How would speaking in parables be helpful?
2. Asaph says he is going tell the next generation the great and powerful things God has done.  And the first thing he mentions is the giving of the Law.  Of all the things that he could have chosen to relate, he chooses the giving of the Law.  Why is this such a great thing?
3. How does Asaph say he intended for His law to be passed to future generations?  Are you learning God’s Word so you can pass it on?
4. When Asaph talks about passing on God’s Word, his first warning is that the people not stubbornly harden their hearts.  Why do you think that this theme comes up so often in the Psalms?

Prayer Focus: Pray for those you know who are struggling with health problems today - from those you know who are sick, to those around the world trying to cope with disease.

Evening Study:

Evening: John 7:37-52

Questions:

1. What promise did Jesus make to those who would beleive in him in verse 38? What does he mean by that?
2. According to verse 41, why were some hesitant to believe in Jesus. How does prejudice get in the way of what God is doing in the world today?
3. Why did the temple guards refuse to arrest Jesus?  How did the Pharisees respond to them?  How does arrogance get in the way of what God is doing in the world today/

Prayer focus: Pray for those who are suffering in our world from the effects of racism and prejudice. Pray that God would show you how to overcome that evil in the world.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 80

Questions:

1. How does Asaph describe God in verse 1?  What promise do those words hold for you?
2. Have you ever felt the way that Asaph describes in verses 4-6?  When you did how did you respond toward God?  How did Asaph in verse 7?
3. Verses 8-10 describe what God already did in the past for his people.  How has God already acted on your behalf?  How does remembering those things help you when you feel abandoned?
4. What promise does Asaph make in verse 18?  Have you made that promise to God?  Are you keeping it?

Prayer Focus: Pray today for those who are feeling what this Psalm describes right now.  Maybe it’s you, if it is, know that there are a lot of people praying for you this morning.  Maybe it’s not.  If not, pray for others.  Pray that God would reach through the isolation and depression are reach out powerfully to those who feel all alone.

Evening Study:

Evening: Jeremiah 7:1-15

Questions:

1. What does God ask Jeremiah to do in verses 1 and ?  In what ways is God asking you to stand in the gate for him?
2. In verses 3 and 4, Jeremiah is told to tell the people to reform their ways, to really change, and not just assume because they make regular visits to the temple that everything is OK.  Do we tend to assume that because we go to church we’re good people, instead of seeing and changing the things in our lives that need to change?
3. In verses 5-7, what things does God want his people to change?  What of these things need changed in your life?
4. In verses 12-15 Jeremiah warns the people of Jerusalem to see what happened in Shiloh, the last place where God had a temple.  Because of Israel’s sins, Shiloh had been destroyed and the people carried off into exile - all because they didn’t obey.  How do these warnings from the past help you to obey God today?

Prayer focus: Pray today for those who will be coming to revival tonight.  Pray that God would speak clearly to them, and to you.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 93

Questions:

1. Verse 1 talks about God’s majesty and power, and mentions that the earth is firmly established and shall not be moved.  How is the stability of the Earth a sign of God’s majesty and power.
2. How can verse 2 help you to face the challenges in your life right now?
3. Verses 3 and 4 compare God to the waves of the ocean.  What power do waves have?  What can (and do) the accomplish?  How is that a symbol of what God can do?
4. The ancient Hebrews were not a seafaring people.  For the most part Israelites were afraid of the ocean.  They didn’t trust it.  The sea was unstable, unreliable and dangerous.  It was, for many, the thing they feared enough.  How is the reassurance that God is bigger than your biggest fear encourage you?

Prayer Focus: Our special revival services begin today.  Spend some more time praying for our evangelist, Dr. Norman Wilson, and for all those who will hear him preach.

Evening Study:

Evening: Romans 6:12-20

Questions:

1. In verse 12, Paul quotes a popular saying in Rome - “Everything is permissible.”  In other words many people were claiming that because God forgives us, everything is allowed.  Nothing is unforgivable.  Paul does’t refute that statement, but instead he provides two better guidelines for choosing what to do.  What are they? What things in your life are allowed, but still not beneficial?  What things are allowed, but are still mastering you?
2. For what does Paul say our body was created?  In what ways does our culture preach the message that our body was meant for sexuality?  Is your hunger for God even stronger than your sexual appetite
3. How does Paul say that sexual sins are different from the other sins that people can commit?  How are sexual sins a sin against our own body?
4. Paul says “You are not your own, you were bought with a price.”  What price was it?
5. Paul also commands, “honor God with your body.”  How can we do that?

Prayer focus: Pray again for our revival services.  Tonight, our song evangelists Don and Shirl Gessner will begin ministering to us in music.  Pray that God would work through them to bring us into worship.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 23

Questions:

(We’ve been taking Saturday mornings to spend extra time allowing God’s Word to speak to us at a more personal level.  This week’s text is very familiar, which means it may be harder to read it with fresh eyes and ears.  I challenge you to really take the time to read this Psalm and hear it anew today.)

1. Read this Psalm out loud at least three times.
2. What word or phrase really jumps out at you?
3. How does that word or phrase apply to your life right now?  What are you going through that would cause that phrase to stand out?
4. What is God trying to say to you through this Psalm?

Prayer Focus: Spend some time today getting ready for worship tomorrow.  Ask that God would create a hunger and thirst for his presence in you.

Evening Study:

Evening: Jeremiah 5:20-31

Questions:

1. How does God describe his people in verse 21?  Do you fit that description?
2. What does God use to symbolize his power in verse 22?  What does he use to symbolize his faithfulness in verse 24?  How does this reminder of his power and faithfulness help you face the things you are going through right now?
3. In verse 25, God says that Judah’s sins have prevented them from enjoying the benefits of his faithfulness.  In what ways do we forfeit God’s provisions when we disobey him?
4. What is the horrible and shocking thing that God says has happened?  What is more shocking - the behavior of the religious authorities or the people’s response?  How can you, a member of the congregation, make sure you don’t fall for lies from religious authorities?

Prayer focus: Pray for tomorrow’s worship services.  Pray especially for Pastor Phil that God would use him to speak His Word to you, and pray that you would have eyes that see and ears that hear.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 95

Questions:

1. What does the Psalmist say about God in verses 3-5? What implications does that have for your life?  How can that knowledge help you with the challenges you are facing?
2. How does the Psalmist say we should worship God in verses 6 and 7?  Why?  Why do you think we don’t take that posture very often in worship?
3. What warning does the Psalmist give in verse 8?  How did God respond to our fathers?
4. How do we harden ourselves to God’s voice?  How can we prevent doing so?

Prayer Focus: Pray that God would help you to develop a humble and obedient spirit that hears and obeys His voice.

Evening Study:

Evening: Jeremiah 5:1-9

Questions:

1. What (or whom) does God send Jeremiah to search for in verse 1?  What does He say He will do if Jeremiah can find even one of such a person?  Can the righteousness of a few really save a nation?
2. What sin does God condemn in verse 2?  In what ways are we guilty of pretending devotion but practicing dishonesty?
3. In verse 3, Jeremiah condemns the people’s refusal to accept God’s correction.  In what ways do we resist God’s discipline?
4. In verse 7 and 8, God condemns the way that Judah has been ungrateful for his gracious provisions, and instead committed adultery and lust.  In what ways is our culture guilty of similar sins?  How have we committed spiritual adultery as well as marital infidelity.

Prayer focus: Pray for yourself and our country, that we would not reject God’s discipline but be open to his correction and respond to his guidance.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 70

Questions:

1. The Psalm beings with David asking God to strike down his enemies.  Probably (hopefully?) there aren’t a whole lot of people out there seeking to take your life.  However, there are a lot of problems and situations which threaten to cause you shame, confusion and hurt.  What are they?  How can God deliver you from them?
2. In verse 4, David prays for some blessings.  What qualities do you need to cultivate in your life to qualify for those blessings?
3. David says God is his help and deliverer in verse. In what ways has God been these things for you?

Prayer Focus: Pray with David that God would deliver you and your family from those things which would cause you shame, confusion and hurt.

Evening Study:

Evening: John 5:16-29

Questions:

1. What caused the Jewish leaders to have a problem with Jesus? In what ways do we tend to make our own rituals more important than people in need?
2. Jesus says he can’t do anything on his own, but can only do what he sees his Father doing.  If Jesus couldn’t do good on his own, why do we try to do our own thing?
3. Look at verse 21.  What does Jesus say his resurrection will mean for us?
4. How do Jesus’ words in verses 24-29 help you have hope?

Prayer focus: Pray for those in our church who are grieving the loss of loved ones.  Ask that God would give them comfort and hope.

Morning Study:

Sorry to those of you who missed the studies yesterday and this morning.  I made a mistake and they didn’t update.  Should be fixed now.

Text: Psalm 119:73-80

Questions:

1. Hebrew parallelism often connects to similar thoughts in each pair of lines in poetry.  In verse 73, the author connects God’s hands forming our bodies, and God’s commands forming our understanding. Are you allowing God’s Word to form his character in you?
2. In verse 76, to what does the Psalmist look for comfort?  Where do you go for comfort?
3. Read verse 77.  In what ways are you dependent on God’s compassion for your very life?
4. Look at verse 80; what does it mean to have a heart that is blameless toward God’s decrees/commands?

Prayer Focus: Pray today for our revival services which begin on Sunday.  Pray especially for the Gessners who will be leading us in worship, that God would prepare the to guide us into his presence in worship.

Evening Study:

Evening: Romans 1:28-2:11

Questions:

1. Why did God surrender the wicked to the depravity of their minds according to verse 28?  How would one avoid that?
2. As you read through the list of descriptions in verses 29-31 it’s easy to think those words are about someone else.  But verse 1 of chapter 2 points out that even as we judge others we do the same things.  What things on the list of sins in verses 29-31 can be seen in your life?  What needs to change in you?
3. When we judge others rather than seek change in ourselves, Paul says we show contempt for god’s kindness, tolerance and patience (v 4), pointing out that God’s kindness is designed to lead us to repentance.  How does God’s kindness help you to repent?
4. Who does Paul say will receive eternal life?  How can you do those things?

Prayer focus: Pray again for our revival services.  Pray especially for our speaker, Dr Norman Wilson, that God would help him to speak the words that you need to hear.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 56

Questions:

1. Look at the opening lines of this Psalm, before verse 1.  When did David write this?  What was going on in his life at that time?  Do you find it easier to praise God when times are good or bad?
2. Who or what are the “Philistines” in your life that are pursuing you right now?
3. How can the confidence of verses 3 and 4 help you face them?
4. Look at verse 12.  David has this confidence because he is under vows to God?  Can you expect God’s help if you aren’t keeping your commitments to him?

Prayer Focus: Pray today for those in our church and world who are struggling with uncertainty because of job insecurity or financial difficulties.

Evening Study:

Evening: Jeremiah 1:11-19

Questions:

1. In verse 11, God shows Jeremiah the branch of an almond tree as a symbol that God will keep His Word.  What symbols of God’s faithfulness do you see around you?
2. In verse 16, God lays out why he is about to punish Judah.  In what ways have you forsaken God, pledged yourself to other priorities or worshiped things you have made yourself?  What needs to change in your life?
3. What promise is God making to you in verses 17-19?
4. What is he commanding you to do in those verses?

Prayer focus: Pray for those who are being affected by violence around the world, either in wars or armed conflict, or crime.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 84

Questions:

1. Why do you think the Psalmist is so desperate to be in God’s house?
2. What does it mean to set one’s heart on pilgrimage?  What would that mean in your life?
3. What does the Psalmist mean when he says he’d rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than to dwell in the tents of the wicked in verse 10?
4. Does this Psalm reflect your attitude as you prepare for worship this morning?  How do you need to prepare?

Prayer Focus: Just spend some time talking to God about where you are at mentally, emotionally and spiritually this morning.  What’s going on in your life right now?  How do you need God’s help today?

Evening Study:

Evening: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Questions:

1. According to verse one, what do you know about Jeremiah’s father?  What does that tell you about Jeremiah?
2. What does God tell Jeremiah in verse 5?  What do those words mean for you?
3. What excuse did Jeremiah make when God called him?  What excuses do you tend to make to avoid doing what you know God wants you to do?
4. How did God reassure Jeremiah in verse 8?  How can those words reassure you?

Prayer focus: Spend some time today praying for your pastors.  Pray that God would give them both passion and vision for leading our church and that God would protect them from discoragement.

Morning Study:

Text: Psalm 138

Questions:

(First, take a little longer this morning.  You don’t have to rush off to school.  Spend some time really digesting this Psalm!)

1. Read this Psalm out loud at least three times.
2. What word or phrase really jumps out at you?
3. How does that word or phrase apply to your life right now?  What are you going through that would cause that phrase to stand out?
4. What is God trying to say to you through this Psalm?

Prayer Focus: Spend some time today getting ready for worship tomorrow.  Ask that God would create a hunger and thirst for his presence in you.

Evening Study:

Evening: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Questions:

1. How does the author of Hebrews describe Jesus, our great high priest, in verse 15?  Why does that make any difference?
2. What are we supposed to do since Jesus is that kind of high priest (verse 16)?
3. In verse 2, it says that high priest should be able to deal gently with those who go astray because of ignorance.  How has God dealt gently with you?
4. Why does verse 7 say that God heard Jesus prayers?  What does that verse mean for you?

Prayer focus: Pray for tomorrow’s worship services.  Pray especially for Pastor Phil that God would use him to speak His Word to you.