This week’s devotionals are based on Dave Holden’s message from our New Ground Sunday. You can watch the service and the message at https://vimeo.com/638751563
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you…” (Psalm 84:5 ESV)
This pandemic has been a challenge to us; we’ve been forced to question if our strength in God alone? Have we been leaning on and trusting in other things? When everything is shaken, we can, if we have the right attitude, come to see the One who cannot be shaken.
We need to come to the end of ourselves and our self-reliance. We are to come to see that God has all the resources that we need. His presence and power are all that we need. As is promised in Psalm 84, as we are humbled and come to rely on God, we are able to move forward into His great purposes for us. Our Father, through circumstances (providence), His word, our relationships etc. Is developing our faith and dependence. Paul writes,
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9 )
God will do great things through a community that has learned to say ‘all my strength is in you’. In what ways is God teaching you to say ‘All my strength is in you’? A very important response is that you and I keep seeking to be filled and empowered by the Spirit of God. In the various contexts that we meet with the church and in our personal devotions, let’s be seeking to be filled with God’s empowering presence. When we are tempted to despair because we feel weak and discouraged, let’s take that as a prompt to say, “All my strength is in you”.
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you…” (Psalm 84:5 ESV)
I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
1. Let's be praying and actively preparing to invite friends to our carol service on 5th December. Please make sure this is in your diary.
2. Don't forget to come along and invite your friends to our Christmas Pudding making event on 20th November. Go to the website to book tickets.
3. We have our next gift days on the 14th, 21st November. Let's be praying for How the Father wants us to get involved.
2. Icebreaker
How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday, Dave Holden spoke from Psalm 84:5-7
'Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.' (Psalm 84:5-7)