32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
I get a kick out of verse 9 in this passage. In other words, don't be a dummy. Get some understanding!
It really chaps my hide when people who have never read through the Bible or studied it, think themselves experts on what the Scripture says about a certain topic, whether that be homosexuality, marriage, the purpose of the church, or even God himself.
Once you've studied it and learned, once you've gained REAL knowledge FROM THE SCRIPTURE ITSELF, on something then you can speak about what the Bible says about it as an expert.
It's almost like a politician who is asked a question about a certain topic that he should know something about, but really knows nothing, and instead of simply telling the truth and saying he doesn't know, he spouts off something that he heard from someone else without having any knowledge himself.
Now, I understand, all of you have very busy and full lives, and so you don't have time to actually study God's Word to the point that you can become an expert. That's why you called me as your pastor almost 15 years ago. You called me to be your advisor, just like your doctor is your advisor about your health, or your CPA is your advisor about your taxes and finances, so I am your advisor about spiritual things and about Scriptural knowledge. I know the Scriptures! I went to school for eight years (4 in college and 4 in seminary) to study the Scriptures so that I can help others understand and know the Scriptures. I still study the Scriptures a couple hours a day to keep up my knowledge and to continue to grow in it.
At the same time, it is very important if you want to live a life in that peace that passes all understanding, that you keep working on learning the Scriptures too. It's important so that
1. You don't make mistakes of going against God's will and mess up your life simply because you don't know what God's will is.
2. Because in the Scriptures you will find Jesus! Jesus means peace! Jesus means love! Jesus means forgiveness! Jesus means eternal life!
If you've been absent from worship or Bible Study, want to encourage you to get back into worship so that you can hear and learn God's Word for you life! Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding. Jesus loves you too much for that! He wants you to understand what it really means when he says "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." that it means eternal life and peace on earth for you!
Prayer: Lord turn those who don't care whether they understand or not, to become people who long for and are eager for God's Word of truth! Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:3-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir practice 7:15
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; basement reserved @1pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Jacob Cluver 8:30- Sarah Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers- Wed- Figura Family Sun- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Doug Walters, Don Tate
Altar- Wed Candles- Terry McKenzie; Sun Set up- Lucille Luebke ; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11 - Kailyn Blechle
Pianist- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Bueltmann 8:30- McKenzie; 11- Lydia Miller
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: On what day was every Israelites boy supposed to be circumcised after he was born? 8th day (Thanks again Don Nolte)
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Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners. The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets. Without that the youth would probably lose money.
It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.
I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!
Below is the Menu for each week:
March 2-
taco bar w/all the fixings
desserts
March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!
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