MVCC New Testament Challenge

Having read earlier chapters about plagues, God’s wrath, and judgment, the last thing I expected to read in Chapter 19 was “Hallelujah!”…but there it was, not once but four times in six verses. Hallelujah is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord” and I’m told this is the only place it’s found in the New Testament. After this celebration about the end of the city of Babylon (“the great prostitute who corrupted the earth”), events we’ve all heard about are the next topics:  the wedding of the Lamb, the defeat and judgment of Satan, and the great white throne judgment. People with a lot more education than I’ll ever have, disagree over the meanings of what’s contained in Revelation. I suggest that it’s not important for us to understand the details. I agree with my Study Bible that Revelation encourages us to “stand firm against persecution and compromise in light of the imminent return of Christ to deliver the righteous and judge the wicked.”   “Amen, Hallelujah!” Elsie Shepherd

Psalm 46:10-11 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted   among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”  The   Lord   Almighty is with us;  the God of Jacob   is our fortress. This chapter is a common one used when difficulties in life arrive. I am particularly struck by verse 10. "Be Still", is what we are told to do even when "the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."  Why are we to be still?...because we know the God who we serve. He is over-all! He is more powerful than any giant, any valley, any diagnosis, any struggle! He is greater! Know that He is with you today and that He, the one true God, is your fortress. Rest in Him today. May your heart be still knowing that He is God.  Pastor Tony

In Revelation 16 we see the great power of God, the wickedness of humanity and the unwillingness to repent. We see how the kingdoms of earth will all crumble. Chapter 16 is a difficult chapter to read. It will be such a horrible time, yet even that is temporary. The sufferings of Hell are eternal. Scripture is clear that there are two eternal destinations. We have the answer of how to live with God forever, are you willing to tell others about it?   We know that God wins in the end, yet we know that he has charged us with spreading His gospel to the world. We live in a society that is focused on legacy. "Being remembered". Why? Should that be what drives the way that we live our lives? If this life is temporary, and we are to be eternally focused should we be hoping that people remember us, or that they remember Jesus?  Listen to this song and ask God to open your eyes to someone in your life that needs to hear the gospel message. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_eQ

As I read through Revelation, I am reminded who wins! Who wins! Jesus wins! God wins! So many things in life are so difficult and take our perspective away from that, yet we must live looking forward knowing that God wins! I don't know all of what you are going through in your life, but let me remind you that you God wins. It is in the name of Jesus that we continue and press on.  This song is a powerful and wonderful reminder of pressing on in the name of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=XuLqNvCplYs    Pastor Tony

Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,      and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,      my salvation and my God.   Where is your heart at today? Are you struggling with discouragement. This verse is a wonderful verse of hope. The Psalmist is struggling in his life. He feels rejected by God, yet knows that his hope is found in God alone. Take a moment to evaluate your own heart, listen to this song and praise your living hope! https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=9f2FXxDVO6w   

What a great Psalm to speak to the heart of anyone who is in turmoil, to any who are discouraged, agitated, or worried! But before we get into the message of Psalm 42 let me explain something that some of us may never have noticed before.  Do you see Book Two written above the inscription of this Psalm? Did you know that the book of Psalms is divided into 5 books, each of which concludes with a doxology?  Psalm 150 is a concluding doxology for the whole book.  At our former church we studied the Bible in a course designed for pastors in other countries.  It was called Bible Training Center for Pastors .  Here is how the course designated the five books of the Psalms: Book One – Psalms 1-41 – Worship God as Creator Book Two – Psalms 42-72 – Worship God as Deliverer Book Three – Psalms 73-89 – Worship God in His Sanctuary Book Four – Psalms 90-106 – Worship God in the Wanderings of Life Book Five – Psalms 107-150 – Worship God by Obeying His Law For those in the middle