Shout Out, Bow Down, Listen Up! (Psalm 95)

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods (Ps 95:1-3). "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice, 'Do not harden your hearts...'" (Ps 95:6-8a). 

How to Live with God (Psalm 15). God will not abandon you (Psalm 16)

"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken" (Ps 15:1-5).

To enter God's presence. This brief poem of 5 verses instructs those who desire to enter the presence of God in the sanctuary. It gives 11 answers to the question of who can enter God's presence (Ps 15:2-5a).

Feeling Far From Father God (Psalm 77)

When You Feel Far From God: "I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me" (Ps 77:1). "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" (Ps 77:7-9)

• Have you ever faced something so difficult and so heartbreaking that it's caused you to question God's goodness, presence and love (Ps 77:7-9; 22:1)?

Why Churches Die

Why do churches die? Thom Rainer's list:

(1) because they refuse to admit they’re sick,

(2) they don’t take sufficient responsibility,

(3) they are too inwardly focused,

(4) they want to return to the glory days,

(5) they are waiting for the super pastor,

(6) they are unwilling to change.

Downcast, Disturbed, Discouraged, Depressed (Psalm 42-43)

In Psalm 42-43, the writer felt overwhelmed and discouraged.

1. Do you long for God as a deer pants for water (Ps 42:1-2)?
• Do you long for God more in good times or in hard times? 
• Do you long more for something else or for God? For answers [Why? Why? (Ps 42:5, 9, 11; 43:2, 5)] or for God Himself?

Universal Salvation, David Bentley Hart

Romans 5:18-19, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Romans 11:32, 1 Timothy 2:3-6, Titus 2:11, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Ephesians 1:9-10, Colossians 1:27-28, John 12:32, Hebrews 2:9, John 17:2, John 4:42, John 12:47, 1 John 4:14, 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 1:19-20, 1 John 2:2, John 3:17, Luke 16:16, and 1 Timothy 4:10. (Cited in Hart's That All Shall Be Saved, 95-102).

Forsaken (2024 Key Verse)

Found guilty as a criminal. 2023 began 2 weeks after 6 armed FBI agents came to my house unannounced at 7 am and hand-cuffed and arrested me. I was indicted and charged with serious offences of defrauding the U.S. government and committing health care fraud for an online job I did for 5 months in 2019. I reviewed charts of patients who had cancer or a family history of cancer to decide whether or not to order a genetic test. Unbeknownst to me, there was a fraud that involved labs and multiple marketing companies that targeted medicare recipients. I knew of this only after my defense attorneys informed me. I was paid $26,800 while the lab billed Medicare for 9 million according to my indictment. In Aug I went to trial. After 3 emotionally exhausting weeks 12 jurors found me guilty on one charge. On Feb 29, 2024, I will be sentenced and will receive prison time of up to 5 years and fines and forfeitures.

Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:6

Isa 49:1-3. What is the first command Isa 49:1? Who are the recipients of this command? Who is giving this command? What is the significance of the words “born” and “womb”? What are the qualifications listed of the Servant Isa 49:2? What is He called Isa 49:3 and what is His purpose? Isa 49:4. How might the Servant be discouraged in His ministry? Yet, despite the discouragement, what is His assurance?

Isa 49:5-6. What is the Servant’s purpose Isa 49:5? How is the Servant regarded and upheld by God Isa 49:5? What is the Servant’s purpose as described Isa 49:6? How does this remind us of what Israel was called to do (Isa 42:6)? Who is the light of the world? Isa 49:7. What will the nation of Israel think of the Servant? What is God’s ultimate promise to His Servant?

Isa 49:8-9. Who is the Lord speaking to Isa 49:8? How is the ministry of the Servant described Isa 49:8-9? How are these covenant blessings to be enjoyed by God’s people? Read Isa 49:9-12. How do Isa 49:9-10 describe God’s provision, protection, and guidance? What do Isa 49:11-12 promise for those whom the Lord brings to Himself?

Isa 49:13. What is the response of all creation when the Lord liberates His people? Isa 49:14. Yet, despite God’s promises, what is the response of His people, Zion? Isa 49:15-18. What is the Lord’s word of hope to His people Isa 49:15-16? What additional promises does the Lord make to His people Isa 49:17-18?

Isa 49:19-21. Because of the Servants work, God will bring blessings to His people. Isa 49:19-20, it is as though the Lord was speaking to Jerusalem/Zion; what does He say to the city? In Isa 49:21, what do the words “bereaved and barren” indicate? Yet, what is God’s promise?

Isa 49:22-23. How do Isa 49:22-23 describe the Sovereign Lord reversing the fortunes of His people?

Isa 49:24-26. What is the question being asked Isa 49:24? How is the question answered Isa 49:25? In Isa 49:26 we see some of the horrors of siege conditions. Through God’s deliverance of His people, what will all mankind know (Isa 49:25)?

Heaven (Revelation 21:1-8)

“I am making everything new!” (Rev 21:5)

• What is your idea of heaven? A pie in the sky? Playing harps on a cloud?
• Do you fear death? Going to hell?

1. What is significant about:
• a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1a; Isa 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet 3:13),
• the first heaven and the first earth (Rev 21:1b; 2 Pet 3:10) and 
• no more sea (Rev 21:1c; 13:1; Dan 7:3; Isa 57:20; Lk 21:25)? Is this literal (Rev 21:6; 22:1-2, 17)?
2. What is "the new Jerusalem" (Rev 21:2, 10, 16; Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22; cf. Exo 26:33-34; 1 Ki 6:20; 2 Chron 3:8)?
3. Why is the promise of God dwelling with man the best promise ever (Rev 21:3-4, 7; 7:16-17; Eze 37:27; Is 25:8; 65:19; 9:6)? What prevents this from happening (Isa 59:2)?
4. How does God make all things new (Rev 21:5; Isa 43:18-19, 2 Cor 5:17)?
5. Why is God "the Alpha and the Omega" (Rev 21:6; 1:8; 22:13; Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12)? [What is Alpha and Omega in the Greek alphabet?] What is it to be thirsty for the water of life (Rev 21:6b; Isa 55:1; Jn 4:13-14)? To be victorious (Rev 21:7; Gal 3:26)?
6. What is every person's worst destiny (Rev 21:8)? Are you afraid of dying? Hell? How can you not be cowardly (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:7; Heb 2:14-15; Phil 1:21; Ac 20:24)?

• How might the new heaven and the new earth be entirely and existentially different from anything you have ever experienced in your life? How can it help you handle trials, tribulations and temptations in your life?

Revelation is about the triumph of God over Satan and the forces of sin and evil through Christ, culminating in a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). The ultimate hope of God's people is heaven (> 500x in Scripture; ~50x in Revelation).

1. Bonus questions for your own reflection and rumination:

2. 1. What does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth signify to you?

   2. What emotions or thoughts does the description of the New Jerusalem evoke in you?

   3. How does the vision of God dwelling among His people influence your understanding of God's relationship with humanity?

   4. How does the absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem shape your view of worship?

   5. How does the concept of the second death in the lake of fire influence your understanding of divine judgment and reward?

   6. In what ways do you see God making things new in your life today?

   7. How can the promise of a life without mourning, crying, or pain bring comfort in your present situations?

   8. How can the detailed description of the New Jerusalem inspire you to live in anticipation of this glorious future?

   9. How can the vision of the New Jerusalem impact the way you handle trials and tribulations in your life?

   10. How does the vision of God as the Alpha and Omega influence your view of God's sovereignty?

   11. What does it mean to you to be called to "overcome," as mentioned in verse 7?

• In what ways will the new heaven and the new earth be entirely different from anything we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? How will the new heaven and the new earth be better from what we’ve experienced to this point in our lives? (v. 1-8)
• What does it mean to you that the Lord will dwell with us forever? Why is this important? (v. 3)
• Why do you think John includes this beautiful, comforting picture of God wiping away every tear from our eyes? Why is this important? (v. 4) 
• God prepares us for eternity and provides us with the perspective we need by means of His Word. How can you be more intentional about the time you spend in God’s Word moving forward? Alone? With your family? At church?
• ● What do you think it means to live with an eternal perspective? Are you living with an eternal perspective? Moving forward, how can you more intentionally live in light of the eternal destiny that’s in store for you as God’s people?

Re: Matthew 6:33 (2023)

😪

On Sun, Jan 8, 2023 at 4:07 PM Benjamin Toh <benjamintoh@gmail.com> wrote:

I. Joy.

In 2022 I don't remember why I chose "Be joyful always" (1 Th 5:16) as my KV for the first time in 40 yrs. But I do know that no matter what happens or no matter what does not happen I MUST have joy in my heart and soul. I'll start with joyful events.

The joy of studying and preaching Exodus for the first time in 2022. In brief, all people need only 3 things without which we will still be enslaved by someone or something and are no different from the slaves oppressed by Pharaoh in Egypt:

1. Deliverance (Exo 19:4; 20:2). We need a Savior (Mt 1:21). No one can save themselves. I need salvation to "be joyful always."
2. Obedience (Exo 19:5; 20:3-17). We need to obey the Law (Jn 14:15) to be happy. I need to obey God "be joyful always."
3. Tabernacle (Exo 25:8; 29:44-46). We need a tabernacle for God to dwell with us (Jn 1:14). I must build my tabernacle to "be joyful always."

In 2023, no matter what, the only 3 things I need--deliverance/salvation, obedience/Law, tabernacle--do not change one iota.

The most joyest event in 2022 is when Johnny, my youngest and 7th grandchild, was born on 2/13/2022. Christy and I baby sit him 3 days a week, 6 hours each day. It is the first time in my 6 decades of life that I've spent so much time with a baby, since I hardly spent any time with our own 4 kids and 6 prior grandchildren when they were babies. But by enjoying baby Johnny 3 days a week I realized that I had missed 10 previous opportunities to enjoy lovely babies.

Next, though this was a loss for our Podil members, it was a happy surprise that John and Maria became a part of our WL church community in mid 2022. Dasha tells me that WL stole John and Maria from them. At the end of 2022 we also celebrated the joyous white wedding of Sarah Gutierez. Finally, what is always joyful all year round without exception is knowing your prayer, love and support for me, despite my many shortcomings and sins. But things happened in 2022 that I was quite sad and sorry about, yet God wants me to never lose my joy in Him.

Departure of friends. When people leave the church after many years or even decades, I feel that I've lost some friends that I at least see every Sunday at church. And if they left the church because of me, I'm sorry that I said things that caused them to leave. Despite the departure of some long standing older and younger people, I know that God has comforted and helped me to keep my heart and to "be joyful always" only because of Christ.

Indicted for a criminal offense. In mid-December half a dozen FBI agents came to my house unannounced to arrest me in hand-cuffs at 7:15 am for committing health care fraud. Without going into detail about the charges, it completely surprised me. It's the first time I've ever been hand-cuffed as a potentially dangerous criminal. I was in detention with leg chains for a day with 2 other convicted felons in the same jail cell, and I was released on bond to be tried at a later date. If found guilty my maximum sentence is 10 years in prison + a fine of up to $500,000. This waiting for a jury trial and their verdict is uncomfortable and distressful with many unknowns. But my key verse says, "be joyful always." I learned practically that joy is a choice which has nothing to do with my situation or circumstances. Even Jesus saw the joy set before him while being tortured, crucified and executed on the cross (Heb 12:2). So "be joyful always" is still a great KV for 2023.

Why did this happen? I've been praying that God would sanctify and purify me to be more like Jesus. So, without a doubt God is faithful to answer my prayer. Would you also pray for yourself for God to truly sanctify and purify you?

II. Because of the possibility and prospect of being found guilty and sent to jail, a few key verses for 2023 are:

• Phil 4:8b--"if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."
• Isa 55:9--"my ways [are] higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
• Mt 6:33--"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness..."
• Heb 13:5--"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,'" which is from Dt 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

With these verses in mind, being in jail is no big deal in the big picture and in the scheme of things. I hope Christy will visit me in jail. But I have to confess that I will miss seeing my 7-8 grandchildren grow up.

In 2023, God willing, and with your love, prayer and support, John and I will preach. I pray to preach through Acts. Pray for God to bless our outreach and evangelism at UIC. Pray for Ukraine and the end of the war.

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you," therefore seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.