Morning Scripture Reading - Micah 5:1-6

Micah 5:1-6 English Standard Version

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem

1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;

    siege is laid against us;

with a rod they strike the judge of Israel

    on the cheek.

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

    one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

    from ancient days.

3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time

    when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

    to the people of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

    to the ends of the earth.

5 And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land

    and treads in our palaces,

then we will raise against him seven shepherds

    and eight princes of men;

6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

    and the land of Nimrod at its entrances;

and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian

    when he comes into our land

    and treads within our border.

Evening Scripture Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 English Standard Version

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 97:1-5

Psalm 97:1-5 English Standard Version

The Lord Reigns

1 The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!

2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;

    righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him

    and burns up his adversaries all around.

4 His lightnings light up the world;

    the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,

    before the Lord of all the earth.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Don’t Stifle the Spirit

Paul, in chapter five of his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, provides words of advice to the believers there. He tells them how they are to act as Christians and be God’s representatives to the world.

According to Paul and others in the Bible, it is not enough to just say that you believe in Christ Jesus and repent of your sins. It is a lot more. You have to live your life as a true believer. That is why in his letters Paul provides the churches with advice on how to live and conduct their lives as Christians. By living as believers and followers of Christ Jesus in a world filled with sin and evil, we show the world that it doesn’t have to be that way. 

We show those who walk in darkness that the things of this world are only temporary. They rot, rust and return back to the earth from where they came. When people try to find their own way, that path only leads to more emptiness and, ultimately, damnation. All have tried to fill that void in their lives with all sorts of things. Many have tried drugs, sex, alcohol and other vices to make themselves feel good on the inside. They only find that the void never gets filled. No matter how much or what you shovel into the void, it never, ever gets filled.

But, one day, they see us and they become curious and ask about our faith and about the joy we have found in our relationship with Jesus and the Father. So many of my fellow believers have shared the same story of how people they have known for years will all of a sudden ask a question about faith. They share their story with them and then a small prayer occurs. One leads the other to that peace that surpasses all understanding. 

However, it can only happen when we allow the spirit to work in our lives and live in accordance to the will of God. Each day is an opportunity for us to live as God leads us to live. 

Looking back at Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, specifically chapter five of that letter, he writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

I, like many of you, have read this passage repeatedly. It seems almost elementary to Christians, but one particular verse caught my eyes as I read it again. That verse talks about not stifling the Holy Spirit. In some translations, words like “quench” or “extinguish” are used. In any case or translation, the meaning is clear.

We should always be in tune with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is there to teach and guide us and is not to be taken lightly. He does a number of things in our lives. He brings conviction to our hearts when we have strayed away from the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit fills us and gives us wisdom and understanding as well as power.

For example, John, while recording the words of Jesus in chapter fourteen of his Gospel, writes, “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

If we stifle or quench the Holy Spirit and fail to follow his lead, we will soon find ourselves returning to our old sinful ways very quickly. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all that we need to know when it comes to our daily walk with the Lord and provide that gentle reminder of all those wonderful lessons and the words of the Father. Receiving all of this wealth of knowledge is contingent upon us not stifling or extinguishing the Holy Spirit who fills us.

Paul’s advice is very clear and to the point regarding our Christian lives. When you look at all of the things that Paul tells the Thessalonians and, by extension, us, to do, you can easily see that none of that is possible unless you are completely in tune with the Holy Spirit and following his lead. As you continue your daily walk with the Lord, do not dismiss the importance of the Holy Spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit. When you do all those things that Paul advised you to do and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, you can rest assured that you will stand firm in His grace. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 

Happy Father's Day!

Luke 15:11-31 New Living Translation

Parable of the Lost Son

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:9-10

Proverbs 3:9-10 English Standard Version

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth

    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,

    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Morning Scripture Reading - Philippians 3:17-21

Philippians 3:17-21 English Standard Version

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Evening Scripture Reading - Isaiah 30:18-22

Isaiah 30:18-22 English Standard Version

The Lord Will Be Gracious

18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,

    and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.

For the Lord is a God of justice;

    blessed are all those who wait for him.

19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 96:11-13

Psalm 96:11-13 English Standard Version

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;

    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

12     let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy

13     before the Lord, for he comes,

    for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness,

    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:5-8

Proverbs 3:5-8 English Standard Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh

    and refreshment to your bones.

Morning Scripture Reading - Matthew 19:13-15

Matthew 19:13-15 English Standard Version

Let the Children Come to Me

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Evening Scripture Reading - Luke 19:9-10

Luke 19:9-10 English Standard Version

9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 96:10

Psalm 96:10 English Standard Version

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!

    Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;

    he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:3-4

Proverbs 3:3-4 English Standard Version

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

    bind them around your neck;

    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success

    in the sight of God and man.

Morning Scripture Reading - Mark 5:35-43

Mark 5:35-43 English Standard Version

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Evening Scripture Reading - Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17-20 English Standard Version

The Return of the Seventy-Two

17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Psalms Scripture Reading - Psalm 96:7-9

Psalm 96:7-9 English Standard Version

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

    bring an offering, and come into his courts!

9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

    tremble before him, all the earth!

Proverbs Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:1-2

Proverbs 3:1-2 English Standard Version

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,

    but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life

    and peace they will add to you.

Morning Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 14:29-32

1 Corinthians 14:29-32 English Standard Version

29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

Evening Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Deuteronomy 34:10-12 English Standard Version

10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.