"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S SEARCHING OUR HEARTS AND LEADING US"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S SEARCHING OUR HEARTS AND LEADING US"

Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;”

Psalm 139:24 “And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. We can pray like David did, and know that we are praying according to the will of God.

Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;”

This is one of those those prayers that is a great example for us.

Many of the prayers in the Bible are prayers we can emulate and repeat to God.

Praying according to God's will is so important.

Praying is to discover God's will not attempt to impose our will on God.

This particular prayer is one that is according to God's will.

It's one that you can pray often, and God will hear and answer and bless you.

2. We can ask God to search our hearts, know our hearts and try us, and know our anxieties.

Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;”

There is much said that's very important in this one short verse.

Here's how it reads in the NLT:

Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.”

That seems to shorten it up a little.

But essentially, the prayer is for God to search or examine our hearts.

It includes a request to know what is in our hearts (which we can't always know apart from God helping us).

Finally, the prayer includes a request for God to test or try our lives, and to know our thoughts.

In other words, it's a prayer that opens up one's heart to God and asks Him to shine His knowledge of our lives into our minds and hearts.

It's a prayer that is asking God to help us understand who we really are and what we really are, and what we really are doing in our lives, and what we really need from Him.

3. We can also pray for two very important blessings from God.

Psalm 139:24 “And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

The first one is to ask God to see if there is any wicked way in our lives.

Or to point out in us, anything that would be offensive to Him.

This is really a prayer to please and honor God by asking His help in revealing our true hearts.

Secondly, it's a prayer asking for help and guidance.

It's a prayer asking the Lord to lead us in the way everlasting.

Or to lead us along the path of everlasting life.

God has a path for us to walk on and a path of following Him in obedience.

Jesus said my sheep hear my voice and they follow Me.

This prayer is along that line.

It's a prayer to be led by God in the path that He has chosen for us.

Questions:

1. Don't you want to pray so as to have your prayers answered?

2. Do you believe that if you pray according to God's will He hears You?

3. Do you believe, truly believe that if you ask God for His will to be revealed He will reveal it to you?

4. Will you try and take this model prayer and put into regular practice in your life?

5. Do you realize what will happen if you pray according to God's will?

6. Do you believe God will do just as He says He will do?

7. Will you take a moment to pray this prayer like David did?

A Prayer:

Father, how we love the Psalms. They seem to resonate so often with what is going on in our lives. They have an attraction to our hearts and we say, yes, that is what I need, that is where I'm at, this is what I want to do with God's will in my life and so on. Father, this is such a great example of a prayer that is pleasing to You, and right along the line of Your will. Will You please help us to make what's in this prayer, a regular part of our own conversation with You, and may we respond in obedience to Your leading. Thank You in advance for what You will do as we pray according to Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S HELP FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S HELP FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE"

Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.”

Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God is able to help you when you are in trouble.

Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.”

God helps His people in the midst of their troubles.

Even though you may be surrounded by troubles, God is able to help you. 

You can count on God helping You, He has promised to do so.

2. God will revive you and also stretch out His hand against your enemies, and save you.

Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.”

Again, this is what God does.

He promises to do these things for His people.

He will revive or preserve you against the anger of your enemies. 

God will win the battle, because it belongs to Him.

God will clench His fist against your enemies.

God's great power will save you.

3. God is going to perfect that which concerns you.

Psalm 138:8 “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”

In other words, God is going to work out His plans for you.

He has plans for You. Plans that work together for your good. 

He does this because of His great love for you.

God loves you.

God is also faithful.

God is also merciful.

God will not forsake you, never, never. 

You can be certain He will not abandon you. 

He will not abandon You because He made you. 

You are the work of His hands.

Questions:

1. Can you remember thinking that because I'm a christian I'll not have any trouble?

2. Can you remember the very first time you really went through a time of trouble?

3. Do you remember how afraid you were?

4. Can you recall how God led you to put your trust in Him?

5. And hasn't God been faithful to You?

6. Do you know that God never changes?

7. Do you think He will continue to help you?

8. Will you take just a moment to say thank You to our Lord?

A Prayer:

Lord God, in the start of our walk with You, all we knew was Your love and Your forgiveness. But as time goes on, we have come to learn so many other things about who You are, and what You do in the lives of Your children. We simply want to say thank You for being who You are, and blessing us so. And the best is yet to come. One day, and who knows how soon it could be, we will behold Your Glorious Face, and be with You forever and ever. And with all those we have known who have gone on ahead of us. And we will meet countless multitudes that we have read about in Your Word, and meet additional multitudes of others just like us who have been saved by Your grace. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD DURING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD"

Revelation 9:18 “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.”

Revelation 9:19 “For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.”

Revelation 9:20 “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.”

Revelation 9:21 “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Taken from today's reading In "The One Year Bible”.

1. Notice the tremendous loss of life spoke of here.

Revelation 9:18 “By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.”

Jesus said over and over again, that there will be this time of great tribulation.

In fact, it's described as having never been before, nor ever being again.

It will be like nothing the world has ever seen. 

God says this is coming upon our world one day.

2. God will allow evil to do it's evil work of destruction on the earth.

Revelation 9:19 “For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.”

God is in control of all things.

He will be in control of what takes place during the tribulation.

Satan and his demons will be unleashed, as it were, to do their evil and destructive work as never before.

Harm will be done to innumerable multitudes of people.

The loss of life will be unheard of.

3. Many people will still refuse to repent of their sins even though they see the evil all around them.

Revelation 9:20 “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.”

Revelation 9:21 “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.”

Here we see the power of sin.

And we see the willfulness of man.

Seeing what they see, many will refuse to repent.

It's a choice they will make.

Unfortunately for them, it will seal their eternity in the lake of fire.

Questions:

1. Have you ever read through the Book of Revelation?

2. Do you know what God says is in store for our world?

3. Are you aware of the signs of the times we are living in?

4. How different is the world today than when you were a young child?

5. How different do you think it's going to get in the days ahead?

6. Have you repented and given Your life to Jesus Christ?

7. Are you assured of your salvation?

8. Will you offer yourself to God to serve Him in these last days and be an instrument in His hands for the gospel's sake?

A Prayer:

Father, the Book of Revelation can be very frightening to a person who has never read it. But, it also promises a great blessing to those who read it. And, in the last few chapters we see into the future beyond this present world. How glorious heaven is, and how wonderful it will be to be with You. Lord, in the meantime, would You please awaken us from sleep if we need it? Make us sober if we need it, and use us as You please. Please do so, Lord. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE JEALOUSY AND VENGEANCE OF GOD"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE JEALOUSY AND VENGEANCE OF GOD"

Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;”

Nahum 1:3 “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God is a jealous God

Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;”

It's not often we hear this about God, but it's true.

God is a jealous God.

He has every right to be jealous.

He loves His people and is jealous for them.

And, how thankful we are that He is this way.

2. God also avenges and is furious.

Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;”

Here is another aspect of God's nature.

He avenges and is furious.

We often read that Vengeance belongs to the Lord and it does.

God is also furious.

The context here has to do with God's actions towards the enemies of His people

3. God will indeed take vengeance on His adversaries.

Nahum 1:2 “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;”

Along the same line as above.

There is no question that God is going to take vengeance upon His enemies.

He has reserved His wrath for His enemies.

One only has to read through the Old Testament to see what God did to the enemies of Israel and Judah.

And one only has to read through the book of Revelation to see what God is going to do towards His enemies.

It's a terrible time that is coming on the earth, upon those who reject His love and grace.

4. God is slow to anger and great in power but will not acquit the wicked.

Nahum 1:3 “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.”

Along with God's jealousy, and vengeance here is another truth about Him.

God is slow to anger.

Aren't you happy He is?

I am. 

God does not fly off the handle like people do.

He is very measured.

He is slow to anger.

But at the end of the day, this does not mean he will acquit the wicked.

No, He will not acquit the wicked.

He will judge them.

Not a popular subject even in the church today.

But, it's clearly all through Scripture.

God will one day punish the guilty.

Questions.

1. Can you see why it's so important to be saved?

2. Can you see how gracious God is in extending His patience against a wicked world?

3. Can you personally thank God that He has saved You from the wrath to come?

4. Can you see why it's important that we do all we can to share the gospel so people can be saved from the wrath to come.?

A Prayer:

Father, we are living in the day of Grace as it were. But there is coming a time when You will pour out Your wrath on the wicked. Today is the day of salvation. And today is the day when time is to be redeemed, and we the church are to be awake and ready to share Christ with those You bring along our path. May we be moved with a sobering fear of what is coming upon those who do not know You, and be filled with joy to share the life saving Gospel with them.

Lord, please use us in these last days. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WORD AND GOD HIMSELF"

"SHARING GRACE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD'S WORD AND GOD HIMSELF"

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

Proverbs 30:6 “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. Each and every Word of God is pure.

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

The Bible is God's Word.

Every part of it is God's Word.

And every word in the Bible is pure. 

Or to put it another way, every word in God's Word proves to be true. 

God's Word can be depended on from start to finish.

2. God Himself is a shield to those put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”

Here is another blessing about and from God.

Not only is everything He says true and dependable, but He is a shield.

God is a shield or will defend all who put their trust in Him,

He can be trusted because He is true and dependable. 

How wonderful of God to protect us.

3. We are warned to leave God's Word as it is.

Proverbs 30:6 “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Here God tells us what not to do.

We are not to add to His words. 

In other we are to leave His Word as it is.

God's Word is complete, and does not need anything added to it.

All we need God has given us in His Word.

There is this warning here to those who might try to add to God's Word.

He may rebuke that person.

And that person will be found a liar.

This is a good warning to take heed to.

What God says does not need human additions. 

Or that human will get themselves into trouble with God.

Some Questions:

1. Don't you find it comforting to know that God's Word is pure and true?

2. And, don't you also find it comforting to know that God is Your shield and Your protector?

3. Have you run across anyone who has tried to add to God's Word?

4. If you have found anyone like that will you please pray for them?

A Prayer:

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thank You for giving us Jesus and the the written Word of God also.

Thank You that You are pure, Your Word is pure and it's do beneficial to us. There is nothing like it in the entire world. 

Lord, help us to not stray from Your Word by thinking we need to add anything to it, or correct it to fit our own thinking.

Father, You feed us and You protect us. Thank You for what You do. You are true and cannot lie. We love You Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BLESSING OUR GREAT GOD AND BEING BLESSED BY HIM"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BLESSING OUR GREAT GOD AND BEING BLESSED BY HIM"

Psalm 134:1 “Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!”

Psalm 134:2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.”

Psalm 134:3 “The LORD who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!”

Taken from todays reading in "The One Year Bible”.

1. God's servants can bless the Lord.

Psalm 134:1 “Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!”

This is a call for God's servants to bless or exalt the Lord.

God's servants in the temple worked in shifts.

There were always some servants in the temple serving God.

They were all called to bless the Lord.

God has His servants all around the world today.

Somewhere when it's night here, it's daytime somewhere else.

And God's servants are blessing Him.

Today is a day when you and I, who are servants of His, can bless Him.

We want to exalt and revere our God.

2. God's servants can lift up their hands and bless the Lord.

Psalm 134:2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.”

This lifting of the hands was one of the ways the Jews would show their praise to God.

Even in the New Testament, we are called to "lift up holy hands" to God.

It's a way of showing reverence and submission to Him.

It's a way to acknowledge that He alone is above all. 

Let's today be those who show that same respect to our God.

3. God's servants can pray to be blessed by the Lord our creator.

Psalm 134:3 “The LORD who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!”

Now a different thought.

Rather than God's servants blessing Him, God is being asked to bless them.

We also can ask the Lord to bless us.

We can do this day by day.

His blessings come in many forms.

He is the great blesser of men's souls. 

May God bless you today from heaven itself.

Some Questions:

1. Isn't it very amazing that we humans can actually bless our God?

2. Isn't it amazing that He takes great delight in our looking to Him and blessing Him?

3. And isn't it amazing that we can also ask God to bless us from heaven where He is?

4. Will you please bless the Lord today, and will you ask Him to bless you today?

A Prayer:

Father, You are in heaven above, and we are here on earth below. Someday we will join You in heaven, and be with You forevermore. In the meantime, may our lives be a reflection of Your love, grace, and mercy to this sin sick world we live in.

May we represent You in a way that blesses You, and may You show us how to do that, and give us the love and grace to do so. And finally, Lord, would You this very day, bestow many blessings on each of us who are reading and praying this prayer? We ask it in Jesus’ name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia