Readings, readings, wherefore art thou readings? Psalm 38 – Exodus 20:1-21 – Colossians 1:15-23 – Matthew 3:13-17.

Jesus is fullness! That means that everything I am chasing after will not satisfy. None of it will – but Jesus does! So why do we chase all this stuff? Why do I think it will make me whole? Good question!

This Ashes to Fire thing just keeps on going! Psalm 5 – Exodus 15:1-21 – 1 Peter 1:13-25 – John 14:18-31!

I really dig the words of Psalm 5:11, “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.”  As the Psalms do so often, there is this contrast between the work of those who are into evil stuff and those who believe in God and strive to serve Him.  Gods servants may have a tough time and those who are against them might seem to have the upper hand and yet God is with His people.  In other words, God is with us and He will take care of us.  God actually longs for everyone to trust in Him!  How about you?  Where do you stand?

Once again Jesus is still alive – all week – all of eternity – alive!  Psalm 103 – Exodus 12:28-42 – 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 – Mark 16:9-20.

Check out Psalm 103:

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

18 with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all.

It is true for You – Believe it!

Yup – Readings – all for you! 2 Kings 10-11, 2 Timothy 1, Hosea 2, and Psalm 60-61!

How do these readings strike you?  What stands out?  What causes your heart and soul to be stirred up?  How is God just everything?

Sunday is here – Jesus is our rest! Let His Word fill you up!  Deuteronomy 17, Psalm 104, Isaiah 44, and Revelation 14.

Today we have a cool connection to what I will be preaching at the church this morning.  I will be preaching on John 7:37-39, where Jesus cries out: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture as said, rivers of living water will flow from within him.”  Jesus is talking about the giving of the Spirit, which is perfect for a day when we remember the events of Pentecost.  Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples of Jesus in Acts.  Isaiah seems to contribute to this idea, with God pouring out His Spirit upon the offspring of the people.  So we get the Spirit.  In fact we all get the Spirit and not just a little bit.  Notice that in all these verse and others talking about God giving His Spirit – God is pouring.  That’s right – God pours it on!  Question is this:  God pours out His Spirit, so why do I live like He gives me a drop or a tiny puff of breath?  Why?