Solomon’s Porch Devotional for the Week

Preparing Our Hearts cross mosaic

Psalm 51:3-12
[3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.  [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.  [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.  [6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.  [7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.  [9] Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.  [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  [11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

1. Perhaps there is some sin that lies heavy upon your heart.  Take a moment and consider the fitness of your soul

2. Ask the Lord to teach you the deeper wisdom of His way and to grant you a willing spirit,  not just to walk in His way but to forsake your own completely

3. Perhaps you feel that your heart needs to be created anew, that your spirit has become crooked, and you are lacking in peace and joy.  Confess your sins then AND RECEIVE the promise of forgiveness in Christ.  Sometimes we only give our sins to the Lord but refuse to or forget to receive forgiveness.  Hear the words of Jesus spoken to the paralyzed man, “Son (or daughter), your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)

Songs for the Week open hymnal

I am so thankful that Ms. Christy Hunt has agreed to begin to lead our singing each week.  Her first week leading us was wonderful, and I look forward to all of us learning some new and old songs together.

Holy Holy Holy by the Kings College Choir

God Be Merciful To Me by Indelible Grace

Brokenness Aside by All Sons and Daughters

Abide With Me by Indelible Grace

 

Scripture Readings open bible

Acts 2:14a; 22-32

Psalm 16

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

 

Sermon Synopsis

Last night we continued our Sermon Series through “The Lord’s Prayer”, focusing for the second week in a row on “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”.  Last week we spent some time looking at the conscience, an under taught on topic in the Church.  We looked at the role of the conscience especially in regards to it needing to be purged from “dead works to serve the Living God”.  We cannot approach God in our own righteousness, whatever we dream that may be.  Whether ceremony, service, or charity, none of these can erase the blot of sin upon our soul.  “Nothing in our hands may we bring, only to the cross may we cling.”  Once purged from these “dead works” by the saving work of Christ however, we stand before the Lord in a New Covenant, never needing cleansing again.pulpit

But then, we find that there is still corruption in us, and that we need to further seek the forgiveness and mercy of God.  It is important for us that all our dealings are built upon the grace of God.  Therefore Jesus has us begin praying not, “Lord forgive me”, but rather, “Our Father”.  It is four petitions into The Lord’s Prayer before we are told to seek forgiveness from God.  John 13:1-11 was the text we ended with last night, and in it we find Jesus telling Peter that he only needed his feet cleansed not his whole body.  This is analogous to us.  Christ has made us clean.  It is only our feet that need cleansing, and this is the type of cleansing that we seek from God now that in Christ we may call Him, “Our Father in Heaven”.

 

Children’s Catechism Questions catechism

86.    What does the fourth commandment teach us?
A.    To keep the Sabbath holy

87.    What day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?
A.    The first day of the week, called the Lord’s Day.

88.    Why is it called the Lord’s Day?
A.    Because on that day Christ rose from the dead.

89.    How should the Sabbath be spent?
A.    In prayer and praise, in hearing and reading God’s Word, and in doing good to our fellow  men.

90.    What is the Fifth Commandment?
A.    The Fifth Commandment is, Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days maybe long in the land that the Lord thy God has given thee

upcoming events

05.03.14 Hickory Hollow Farmers Market from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm located @ 5434 Bell Forge Ln East (next to the Antioch Post Office)

05.04.14 Our inaugural weekly meal is coming up next week.  I am excited about this addition to our worship gathering.  This weeks meal theme is italian food.  If you need more info about what to bring email Melissa Mundy at junglegirl94@juno.com.

05.24.14 We are in the process of planning a cookout and game night as well so stay tuned

Mission

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Downtown

 


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