Welcome to First Baptist Church Laurens. Whether you are exploring your faith for the first time or you have been following Jesus your whole life, you have a place at FBC-L. We are a congregation with opportunities for people of all ages to grow their relationship with God.
I really felt verse 7. “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” With all of the disasters that have surrounded us the last few days this verse reminds me that our hope is in the Lord. No matter what happens he has us!
It was verse 22 for me. “In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. How wonderful that even when we feel that we are out of God’s sight that he still sees us, cares for us and is always there for us.
The Message translation says this for verse 11: "Celebrate God! Sing together-everyone! All honest hearts- raise the roof!" What wonderful instructions from the psalmist to get us excited and filled with joy!
Verses 3 & 4 also speak to me. I’m so grateful that God leads & guides me & keeps me from traps I could fall into. I pray that God holds my hand daily and doesn’t let me veer from the path he has for me.
Oh so beautiful Bryson!! 😭.. I'm so sorry I missed seeing you today. I'm having a knee replacement Wednesday. My anxiety is very bad and I just haven't been out at all. You are such a blessing and your music soothes my soul🌹
I was drawn to verse 8. “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” My observation is that we are often quick to blame others for our situation or circumstance, but ultimately God is the one in control and knows the plan for our lives. My application is that I am going to strive to always trust God with my situation and remember that he has a plan and knows the future.
Verse 23 got my attention. “The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” My observation is that even when Joseph experienced difficult times he still trusted God and in his plan. My application is for me to be more trustworthy in God and the plans he has for me. It’s so easy to be let down by the world which also leads me to have a negative attitude. Trusting God leads to a positive mindset, which can help in tough situations.
I noted that family matters in this chapter - it does have an influence on us - we do not have to live like our ancestors BUT your family does influence the generations to come. Let us live like it matters to God how we live and show our children how to live Godly lives that honor Him.
I am enjoying the history being retold in Genesis. Over and over you read how God's chosen fall but get up and by faith are able to accomplish God's plan in spite of themselves. Miracles happened and still do today!
I too relate to verse 11. Not only has God provided me with all I need, but as Psalm 13:6 says, he has dealt bountifully with me! What a good God we serve!
God will accomplish His plan no mater how unlikely it seems to us that His paln will happen. Age, ability, circumstances, and even lack of faith are not limitations for God!
It is amazing and truly astonishing how God created the world with his plan! We see the environment around us and forget so easily how much God knows every minute detail of what is living and breathing around us and in us too!
Verse 3 talked about how there will be “scoffers” in the last days. The scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. I see so much evidence of that in our world today. Last Friday’s opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is the most recent example, but you can see this type of thing every day in the news, in comments to online articles or editorials, in mainstream entertainment, etc. Scoffing at Christians seems to be a favorite pastime of many in our world today. Sure feels like a sign of the last days to me.
Verses 5-7 also spoke to me in today’s scripture. This struck me as the perfect road map to follow for becoming more Christ-like. I also took note of verse 10, but probably for a different reason than others may have. My translation (NLT) says “… work hard to prove that you are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and you will never fall away.” The part about proving I am among those God has called and chosen gives me pause, maybe even doubt. I know I can never measure up or prove that I’m worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. It’s hard for me to reconcile this verse with my knowledge that I am saved by God’s grace and my trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior. There’s nothing I could ever do to earn that or prove that I am worthy of that.
Verse 7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I love this verse. Life is hard and often our minds are full of worries. We have to learn to just give those worries to the Lord. Let him handle them and ease our fears.
V. 11 - This world is not our home - a great reminder that we live for God and his home despite all the chaos that surrounds us on earth - peace and joy will be everlasting!
Verse 9 got my attention. “Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will”. My observation is that Jesus is saying he will be the ultimate sacrifice. That his blood, that one time will cleanse us all. My application is that because of Jesus we no longer need to offer a sacrifice. We are forever covered by him.
Verse 20 got my attention. “Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” My observation is that David is totally putting his trust in God to save him and protect him. My application is that I will also strive to completely trust that God is going to shield and protect me.
