Home Group Sheet for Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”

I know this is a bit choppy, but I made it for my personal use and it might not be reader-friendly. This is a condensed commentary on Matthew 5:4 for the homegroup I am leading right now. We are going through the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they [...]

A Christian’s life…

…is not guaranteed protection from hardships, trials, & pains in this life.  In fact, we are warned about it, that it WILL come, and when it does, to ENDURE.   1Pe 1:6  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pe 1:7  so that the tested [...]

2 Kings 11-13 “God Thwarts the Plans of the Wicked”

2 Kings 11-13 “God Thwarts the Plans of the Wicked”
Athaliah killed the entire royal family, or so she thought. There was a baby name Joash, who was taken and hidden in the house of the Lord. He later became king and Athaliah was eventually killed.
How can you not believe in providence? God chose Moses before [...]

1 Peter 4:12 “Deal With It (Suffering)”

1 Pt. 4:12 Deal With It (Suffering)
1 Pet. 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Is it just me or does it seem like most believers are perplexed when trials befall them? Do we not try to find [...]

Psalm 137 “When Worship Music Becomes Entertainment”

No, I am not mocking contemporary worship or dealing with the regulative principle or any of that. Instead, I am responding to what Israel’s captors asked of them in Psalm 137:

3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

Babylon is making a mockery [...]

2 Kings 1-2 “Fire From Heaven”

King Ahaziah sent two groups of 50 soldiers to apprehend the lone prophet Elijah and were destroyed by fire that Elijah called down on them. The third group of 50 begged for mercy and Elijah was permitted to go down with him where he subsequently prophesied the King’s death. In 2 Kings 2, the ascension [...]

Jesus on the Cross = Penal Substitution AND Sanctification

My evening readings were in 1 Pt. 1-2 and there is so much precious truth in it all, however 1 Pt 2:24 sticks out  for me today:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
I [...]

Psalm 136, “His Love Endures Forever”

My afternoon reading today was from Psalm 136. The refrain, “His love endures forever”, occurs in all 26 verses of this Psalm and was recited in responsive fashion before the congregation.
I know that some folks don’t like ‘7-11′ choruses in Church (7 words sung 11 times), and I would be the first to say that [...]

Ahab and 400 Apostate Prophets

I am reading through the following Bible plan. I read through the OT passage in the morning, the Psalms at midday, and the NT in the evening.  Anyhow, I thought I would offer some brief thoughts on each reading throughout the day.
In 1 Kings 22, we are introduced to the story of the evil king [...]

Making Mother’s day last

For those of you who take joy in celebrating mother’s day, may I encourage you to appreciate your mother/sister/gramma on an ongoing basis?  Should our appreciation for our moms shine one day a year?  We should intentionally acknowledge this day, this occasion more than once a year.  Let her know how much you love her.
Just [...]

to sometimes think like a child, as we grow older

There is great innocence and wisdom that can be learned from the minds of children.  I was just thinking of the joys and freedoms of childhood, if you’ve been blessed with a good, normal one, that is. (Which can be relative, I know)
Tonight, I was reminded of treasuring the simple joys of life, you know, [...]

ESV BCP Daily Lectionary

How’s that for acronyms? The English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible has a fantastic tool for performing the daily office of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). The ESV compiles the daily Bible readings: Psalms, OT, NT, Gospel – click this link. Not only that, if you use an RSS reader of some kind [...]

The everlasting Christmas celebration…

Every year the holidays come and go.  I, for one, don’t let go so fast.  I have always loved Christmas and all it represents, though as a child, I didn’t know all it represented but I knew I was missing something.   When I became a christian, it became all the more clearer why I loved [...]

3/20/08 Devotional: What is Maundy Thursday???

 
A lot of people will notice that the calendar notes that today is both Maundy Thursday and the first day of Spring. First of all, some of you may be wondering what “Maundy” means and think it insignifiant since everyone is working, the kids are in school, and the mailman will pay a visit. BUT, [...]

3/19/08 Devotional – Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd…”

 
Psa 23:1-6  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  (2)  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  (3)  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  (4)  Even though I walk [...]

3/18/08 Devotional – Psalm 22 “Jesus sought joy in going to the cross!?!?”

 
Psa 22:1-31  To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?  (2)  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, [...]

3/17/08 Devotional – Psalm 21 “God is pulling back the bow on His enemies”

Psa 21:1-13  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!  (2)  You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah  (3)  For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown [...]

3/16/08 Devotional – Psalm 20 “Horses and Chariots?”

 
Psa 20:1-9  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!  (2)  May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!  (3)  May he remember all your offerings and regard with [...]

3/15/08 Devotional – Psalm 19 “God is Sweeter than Honey”

 
Psa 19:1-14  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  (2)  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  (4)  Their voice goes out [...]

3/11/08 Devotional – Psalm 15 “Rejected”

  
Psa 15:1-5  A Psalm of David. O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?  (2)  He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;  (3)  who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up [...]

3/10/08 Devotional – Psalm 14 “I’m a sinner, this I know, for the Bible tells me so”

 
Psa 14:1-7  To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.  (2)  The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.  (3)  [...]

3/9/08 Devotional – Psalm 13 “Singing in a Dark, Cold, Depressing Cave”

 
Psa 13:1-6  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?  (2)  How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?  [...]

3/8/08 Devotional – Psalm 12 “God is Coming”

  Psa 12:1-8(1)  To the choirmaster: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.(2)  Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.(3)  May the LORD cut off all [...]

3/7/08 Devotional – Psalm 11 “Should we Curse or Bless our Enemies?”

 
Psa 11:1-7
(1)  To the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain,(2)  for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;(3)  if the [...]

3/6/08 Devotional – Psalm 10 “Will God do Anything to Stop the Wicked?”

 
Psa 10:1-18
(1)  Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?(2)  In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.(3)  For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses [...]

3/5/08 Devotional – Psalm 9 “Do you give God your all?”

 
Psa 9:1-20
(1)  To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. (2)  I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.(3)  When my enemies turn back, [...]

3/4/08 Devotional – Psalm 8 “Have you Bowed Yet?”

Psa 8:1-9
(1)  To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
(2)  Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and [...]

3/3/08 Devotional – Psalm 7 “God is Ready to Fire at Wickedness”

 
Psa 7:1-17
(1)  A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite. O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
(2)  lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.
(3)  [...]

3/2/08 Devotional – Psalm 6 “David Weeps a Pool of Tears in His Bed”

 
Psa 6:1-10
(1)  To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
(2)  Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
(3)  My soul also is greatly troubled. [...]

3/1/08 Devotional – Psalm 5 “David Wants Some More Flute”

 
Psa 5:1-12
(1)  To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
(2)  Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
(3)  O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare [...]