Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 77

Good Morning World!

Psalm 77 - A Psalm of Asaph

If we would take the Psalms written by Asaph and separate them into their own book we would have a very interesting word picture painted.  Asaph brings a different set of emotional experiences to the table.  His experiences seem to be quite different to those of David, and this chapter is not any different.

Have you ever asked the question, "Where is God?"  or, "God where are you?"

Have you ever wondered why God allows the world to go the way it is going?

So, does Asaph.  He asks this question over and over again through more than half this scripture.  Has God left us?  Is God so angry at us that He is refusing to show mercy anymore?  Has God forsaken us?  The questions keep pouring from the soul of this great singer.

The interesting part is Asaph doesn't come up with an answer.  God doesn't shower down a revelation into the situation, nor does He reveal His plan to Asaph.  Rather Asaph decides that God is still good, worthy and awesome, and begins to remember what God did for him and Israel in the past.  In remembering what God is really like, and remembering God's greatness in the past Asaph begins to praise and worship again.  This praise and worship leads to testimony and soul winning because no matter what you are going through right now God is still good, and He still cares for you!

So praise Him for what He has done, and Jesus will make Himself real to you again!

Yours for the Sacrifice of Praise,
Pastor Fred

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 76

Good Morning World!  We are back again!  WOW it really has been awhile, and Lord willing we won't have this much space between posts anymore.  Much has happened in our lives since the birth of our 5th and final baby from hospital visits to infections and the influenza, and it seems that life is once again normalizing. (If normal is a term that I can use for our life!)  Don't worry the baby has been fine and continues to grow much to "the mama's" dismay!  Little Jael isn't going to be little much longer.

Lord willing we can get through the rest of Psalms quickly as we don't have much left to read.

Psalm 76

We might as well say that we are reading from the book of Asaph as of late.  We again read a Psalm written by this great singer, and worship leader.  I rather enjoy reading Asaph as he seems to have great emotion sewn into his poetry and songs.  I also enjoy his word pictures, they help one see into the past and become apart of the writing.

The first verse really jumps out to me this morning.  "In Judah God is known."  This is a very powerful phrase.  It begs the question, "Is God known in your home, family, town, community or area?"  When other people look at you can or do they say, "He/She is close to God."?  When people visit your community can they feel the presence of the Almighty God as they enjoy the shopping, restaurants, hotels and other attractions?  We must not lower ourselves to the world around us, but we must stand fast and stay close to Jesus.  We must spend enough time with Jesus that the people of this day and age will say to us what was said to Peter and John, "They have been with Jesus!"

Wouldn't it be wonderful to know in your heart and spirit that you have spent time with the creator of the universe?  Wouldn't it be awesome to know that you made contact with the almighty God?  You, a nothing, a nobody, an insignificant being in an infinite universe took time to meet with the sustainer of all things!  I can't say that I have every been in the presence of earthly royalty, and probably never will, but I can say that I have been in the presence of Jehovah, our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.  He has condescended and allowed me to enter His holy presence, and I have rejoiced in Him and He has filled me up with His righteousness and goodness.

I want God to be known in my home.  I want God to be known in my community.  I don't mean I want to know God in my home, but I want the presence of God to be so strong in my home that when other walk by, or come to visit they know that they have been in the presence of God.  I want there to be a reputation that people can find God in our home.

Do you desire God to be in you home too?

Yours for a reputation of God,
Pastor Fred

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 74 & 75

Good Morning World!

There is something satisfying about a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  Especially when times are tough.  As Simon & Garfunkel sang, "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters", and another song, "Lean on Me when you're not strong"  These songs have been a source of refuge for many, because the words are so true.  We all need someone to lean on!

Psalm 74
This is another Psalm of passionate prayer and supplication.  The writer isn't David, but Asaph, and he is pleading with God for a desperate rescue.  In pleading with God Asaph begins to remind God of His covenants and promises to Israel.  Sometimes it is necessary to us to remind God what He said He would do.  It isn't so much for God's benefit as our own benefit.  Sometimes, it does us good to remember what God said He would do, and we must then make sure we are living up to our end of the bargain.  God is merciful and kind.   God is full of love and tender compassion.  However, God also loves a good contract.  He made many contracts with Israel and other throughout the Bible, and still continues to do so today.  So, if you are having a "go through"  try reminding you and God what the contract says, and then make sure that you are at least keeping your side.  You can be most assured that God will keep His side!

Psalm 75
Another song of Asaph.  I'm not sure of the time line, but I would like to submit that is was after the previous song of supplication.  Here we have a song of deliverance and rejoicing!  What wondrous things happen when we trust in the Lord, and we both keep our side of the contract!  God is good and greatly to be praised!  He deals righteously with the foolish and wicked, and raises up the righteous.  He takes care of His own and doesn't let the destroyer overcome them!

Praise the Lord and keep your trust in Him.  He will deliver and save you!
Yours for trust,
Pastor Fred

Friday, March 05, 2010

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 73 "Is the Grass Greener?"

Good Morning World!

Have you ever wondered why there seems to be so much injustice in the world today?  Have you ever wondered why it seems the bad are rewarded and the good are dealt an evil blow?  Well, I have and it seems we can have an answer today, and it comes from our Psalm of the day!

Psalm 73 - Book Three
David is confessing a questioning heart, and asking God for repentance because he almost turned away from God's way.  He looked around and saw that the ungodly didn't seem to have any problems, pain or poverty.  They seemed to have a silver spoon in their mouth from birth and acquired great riches easily.  This injustice was difficult for David to bare because he saw the righteous suffering on every hand, and he couldn't understand why!

Finally, he went to the temple to pray and seek and answer.  He got his answer!  He rejoiced and didn't slide when he saw the end of the wicked, and how they are despised by God, and cast away.  They are thrown into outer darkness, and are tormented for eternity.  This caused great joy as the truth that God is in control and does care about the affairs of man is still a fact!

May I put my two cents worth in.  After reading this chapter I got the thought that the righteous suffer now so they can be ready for eternal glory.  The wicked don't seem to suffer as much, but they will suffer for eternity in hell fire and the brimstone of damnation!

The military and police services both train their recruits for the worst that they can expect.  They put them through hell on earth so that they can be ready for anything when the time comes to be deployed!  We are in the army of God, and are being trained for eternal glory and a position the the court of the Almighty.  A little suffering down here will never out way the glory too come!

Praise God that I have been counted worthy to suffer down here that I may obtain an eternal crown and reward in glory!

Yours for daily training and suffering,
Pastor Fred

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 72 "A Prayer for Leadership"

Good Morning World!

This morning our reading is very important to everyone.  We all need and/or have a leader in our life.  We all have someone whether a person, police force, or government that we must answer to.  We all have people in our lives that lead us: teachers, pastors, business owners, mayors, presidents, prime ministers, premiers, kings and/or queens.  These people lead us, and teach us.  We hope that they are directing us in the right direction, however, sometimes they do not.  This morning's reading is a prayer for Solomon by the passing King David.  We ought to pray a similar prayer for the people in our lives who are leaders.

Psalms 72
 1Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
 2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
 3The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
 4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
 5They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
 6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
 7In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
 8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
 9They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
 10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
 11Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
 12For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
 13He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
 14He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
 15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
 16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
 17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
 18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
 19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
 20The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. (Psalm 72, King James Version)

Something to Laugh About!

Pastor Fred Online: Sermons & Puppets

Our Prayer Family: A List of Prayer Requests

  • Newfoundland & Labrador! That a wave of God's Spirit would flood this great province!
  • Your Neighbors, that Jesus would save their souls!
  • Springdale, Newfoundland: Pray that God's Spirit would awaken souls to their need of salvation and continued spiritual growth. Also, pray that Pastor Fred can teach many Home Bible Studies.
  • Pastor Fred and his family: Pray for Health, Strength, Inspiration, Revival and that God will lead him to many hungry souls
  • The Country You Live in: Pray for Salvation, Revival, Missionaries and the Moving of God's Spirit

Weekly Prayer for A Country on my counter:

Please pray with me for the country that is in focus each week. Thank You and may God richly bless your prayer life.


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A Prayer for Canada:



This week Lord Jesus we bring the country of Canada. Let the revival of your Word and Name sweep across this vast dominion. Let all ethnic groups that now call this great land home become hungry for something more, and find YOU! Let the Church arise to become the bastion of Truth that it is meant to be. Let you people become the light and power that spreads your Gospel throughout all this land!
We ask this all in the Name of Jesus Christ -- Amen!