Psalm 113

Preached on this the other day, so here are a couple of points I made:
1. The language of praise - recognising the greatness (4-6) and the grace (7-9) of God
2. The lifestyle of praise - The bible gives importance to the need for genuine praise, worshipping 'in spirit and in truth'. Genuine praise will come from a heart that belongs to the Lord (a heart that has experienced His grace), and be part of a life that is lived for the Lord (a life that testifies to His greatness).

Ruth 1-4

Ruth chapter 2
Boaz, portrayed immediately as a godly man (2v4), finds his heart drawn to the sacrificing, serving, sojourning spirit of Ruth (2v11).

Judges 5-21

A recurring pattern emerges in the book. The people turn away from the Lord, then face life without His blessing. They cry out for deliverance, and God sends a rescuer. He delivers the people from their trouble/enemies, only for the people to turn away from the Lord again at a later date.

Clearly, the people are not able to hold to the covenant laws. The salvation they find at the hands of a God-sent deliverer is temporary, as it depends upon their own ability to be faithful to the Lord and to covenant laws. Judges sends a clear message - God's people need a saviour who can not only defeat the enemy, but can also maintain a perfect covenant relationship with the Lord on their behalf.

Acts 10

4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, lord?"
So he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

Giving is one way to pursue God.
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1 Kings 10-12

9 So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded.

Hearing from God is no substitute for obeying God.

7 And they spoke to him, saying, "If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever."

That is how to lead. Great advice.
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Acts 9

20 Immediately he preached the Christ[c] in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Why wait?
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1 Kings 7-9

"11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
12 Then Solomon spoke"

There is a place we get to where our ministry stops and God takes over. Nonetheless, it was when the Glory fell that Solomon spoke. God wants our response, and loves to respond to our ministry to Him. Relationship.

"when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple:"

Solomon directly links the peace/ plague within to the peace/ plague without. To the extent Christ reigns within us, we will establish His reign in the earth.
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