Feb 24
2022
An Abundant Fountain
"We fail to remember that God is as the Psalmist describes: an abundant fountain, a river of delights, a full house, a radiant light. The Psalmist knows God never operates out of scarcity. Where we must begin with Deeper is recognizing the ever flowing depths of the fountain of God. He is living water, because it is always abundant and always flowing. Scarcity mindset keeps us from going deeper, because we are afraid the safety net either isn’t there or doesn’t go deep enough. We won’t risk, because we can’t. We can’t possibly risk such things. There might not be anything left. There might not be any left for me. We are all like Goldilocks lamenting lost porridge, broken chairs, and occupied beds. But God always has room and always makes room. He is an overflowing fountain."
"We're called to rest and trust in God. As God says in Isaiah 30:15 “For thus said Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling...”. God's call to us every week is to remember him and to rest in him. Instead of being a burden, the fourth commandment reminds us to stop burdening ourselves with all the cares and troubles of this world and focus on God, our redeemer and our strength."
"The profaning of God’s name reaches a climax in His Son’s earthly life. Jesus didn’t assume humanity to become a divine cheerleader. Rather, He came to be profanity for us. He was despised and rejected; one from whom men hide their faces. We esteemed Him not. Yet He opened not His mouth as He bore our iniquities (Isaiah 53). We profane God. But, God silently and humbly bore our profanity in Himself. He took our profanity and nailed it to the cross in His body. So that we might share in His overflowing goodness and love. That we might be remade like Him and enjoy Him. This humble savior is the same God who is utterly transcendent beyond comprehension. So now, may we confess, call upon, and praise His incredible name in reverent adoration."
"Everyday requires an evaluation of our sight-limiting perceptions of God. Where are our graven images keeping us from hearing and understanding God when He speaks? How is our worship of the manmade image we’ve each created in our minds of Him causing us to believe He isn’t speaking, or even worse, causing us to imagine the words we think He should be speaking?"
"The ten words were given by God to Moses for the people delivered from Egypt, who were wandering in the desert. God is binding Himself to this wandering people as a Father does to a Son. God has called His people to image Himself to the world, and when we obey these ten words from the Lord, we do just that."
"Thankfully, God is there to remind me of the truths and promises that He gives to us. In the sermon text this week we see the passing of Jacob, his burial and his sons uncertainty of what the future holds for them. God continues to bless them so that they can carry on His story and pass on their faith. Hearing this is a great comfort to me because it reminds me that God’s story is much bigger than 2020, 2021, COVID, or the Untied States. His kingdom was around long before our time and will continue until Christ comes again." 
"So where do you look for happiness and blessing? Are you like a child writing a letter to Santa, expecting good things to magically appear? Or like an adult who thinks they have to earn good things for themselves, trusting in the willpower generated by New Year’s resolutions? Maybe this year it’s time to try an Impossible Prayer Request instead. When I seek blessing from God, I know it’s not something I’ve earned and I don’t have to put human limitations on it. I also recognize that the answer may not be what I want or expect - but I have the courage to ask anyway because I know that ALL God’s blessings are good."
"In light of the new testament, hopefully you can appreciate how Joseph and Judah anticipate Christ in typology and lineage. It’s no wonder that Jesus said all scripture is about him (Luke 24 and John 5). We don’t believe in myths or fairy-tales... but the abiding word God." 
"I will always struggle with a balanced perspective of knowing that eternity is coming but that I am purposed for the here and now. This is where the now and not yet tension exists. But when I recognize that the journey to the Promised Land is way better when I’m not journeying alone, then I’m able to sit in that tension. That is the crossroads for my ability to look forward to eternity, maintaining my eternal perspective, while also doing all that I can in the here and now to bring my brothers (and sisters) along with me, just as Joseph did."