PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 5:31-47

"But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything he says about me is true."  John 5:32 (NLT).

Picture this:  Someone is peddling a delightful beverage.  It's the best beverage ever.  They keep raving about the beverage, but you begin to notice something.  It's 90 degrees out with 100000000 percent humidity.  They're clearly sweating.  But they do not take a drink.  They talk so much, their voice begins to get hoarse.  You assume their mouth is dry.  You see all these cues... these symptoms... that would indicate they should probably drink something.  They have an entire case of this beverage they are raving about right there.  They are even waving an open one in your face.  But they don't drink it.  Something doesn't add up.

Do you buy their beverage?  Or do you size them up as crazy or hypocritical, not fully leaning into/believing in their product, and beat feet as fast as you can?

Picture someone else... in their living room alone, sipping on the best beverage ever.  It truly is.  They stay in their living room, enjoying their beverage quietly... savoring the moment.  When the beverage is complete, they go about their day, contentedly, but as though nothing phenomenal was encountered.  A neighbor pops by, sweaty from some yard work.  Though they have a whole pitcher of the best beverage ever in their fridge... more than they could drink on their own... they simply chat with their neighbor while they drink some regular water, and then send them on their way.

What gives?  Is it a lack of awareness?  Withholding joy?  Is it selfishness?  Whatever the reason, the end is the same:  something was withheld.

Now apply the same level of ridiculousness to Christians who mis-proclaim with mismatched words/actions or withhold the good news of Jesus.

It's probably not a testimony about Jesus if it's not true... it's probably not a testimony about Jesus if it's not proof... and it's probably not a testimony about Jesus if not about Jesus.  It's also probably not a testimony about Jesus if the words never come out of your mouth, no matter how much you authentically love him.

There's power in a life that bears witness to Jesus.

Is yours?

Does your mouth and your life match up and give testimony to Jesus?  Does your mouth open up?  John the Baptist did it.  The woman at the well did it.  Paul did it.  Even God did it.  We can do it too.

Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God.  And God has testified about his Son.  1 John 5:9.

Scripture says our sin testifies against us.  Isaiah 59:12 (NLT):  For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us.  Yes, we know what sinners we are.  Yuck.  Thankfully, we have Jesus, our redeemer and ultimate Thirst Quencher.  However, our testimony will be much more powerful if we LET Jesus do some redeeming and we LET Jesus do some Thirst Quenching in our own lives.

Let us individually and collectively pray for harmony among our words, our actions, and Jesus, and pray with the following heart this week, the following lyrics from For King and Country:   "Let my life be the proof, the proof of your love".

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 5:16-30

It's about to get real.

As if offering living water to a Samaritan woman or healing a paralyzed man and telling him to no longer sin wasn't already radical enough, Jesus responds to harassment and critical accusations from those who assert he has broken the rules by healing a man on the Sabbath.  Jesus explains in John 5:16-30 that he is the Son of God.

Read John 5:16-30.  Spend some quiet time reflecting on and praying about the following:

Who is Jesus to you?

Who does Jesus say he is?

In what ways might Jesus be trying to get your attention?

Jesus states in verse 24, "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.  They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life" (NLT).

Jesus says quite a lot of bold, attention-getting things in this passage.  

As Christians, it is important that we give Jesus our full attention and our full devotion, and that we fully lean into who he is.  This may not always be easy or intuitive, but thankfully, we have help!

Some may assert that Jesus was just "a nice guy" - someone to look up to with admiration because he was helpful.  Others may profess that Jesus was just "a prophet" - he did see good things and said some wise things, but no more or less than other prophets.  However, who does Jesus say he is?  Let us focus on that as we pray, allowing Jesus to help us come to a bigger and deeper understanding of who he is and who he wants to be to us, if we would let him.

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 5:1-15

In the previous passage, we saw how our prayer could be positively impacted when looking at the healing of the official's son.  In John 4:47, we saw it beautifully modeled how we can approach Jesus when we model how the official approached Jesus:  he heard, he went, and he begged.  But how do we respond when we are the ones who get approached by Jesus?  We can look to John 5 for some input.  In John 5, Jesus heals a paralyzed man lying by a pool.  

Read a bit of it below (John 5:3-6):

In these lay a multitude of invalids - blind, lame, and paralyzed.  One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"

In this passage we see that there were many people with many needs.  This man who was about to encounter Jesus had been dealing with his circumstances for THIRTY-EIGHT years.  Talk about patience... talk about potential frustration.  But Jesus saw him.  And Jesus asked him a very pointed question.  

"Do you want to be healed?"

Many needs.

Much patience.

Jesus sees.

Jesus asks.

In Psalm 142:4, the psalmist laments:  "Look to the right and see:  there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul."  Ever feel that way?  If so, be encouraged.  Hope abounds in Jesus.

When we're feeling washed over by waves of many needs, including our own... when we have been waiting (perhaps patiently, perhaps not so patiently) for what seems like eons... when we're discouraged that no one notices or cares, take heart that Jesus sees. We can approach him in prayer desperately, like the official did in the previous passage.  Or, sometimes in his care, Jesus makes the first move.  In his kindness, he offers the help and hope we desperately need, but that perhaps we have given up on.

Is Jesus asking you something?  Take the time to focus your attention and listen.

What is it that you need from Jesus?  Talk to him now.

Are you worried that Jesus cannot attend to your needs whilst attending to the needs of the MULTITUDES?  He can.  Set those fears aside and talk to the one who died on a cross for you, me, and everybody we know.  

I cry to you, O LORD; I saw, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living."  Psalm 142:5

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 4:39-54

Jesus had an honest conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well.  The woman at the well then had an honest conversation with the people in her town.  The chain reaction that happens when we let the Holy Spirit move through us as we spread the Gospel message layered with our story is not one we want to just read about, it is one we want to experience now.

And it is possible.

But we need to pray.

As we transition from the story of the woman at the well to the story of the official's son who was healed, we follow along our constant:  Jesus.

John 4:47:  "When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death" (NIV).

What did this man do?
He heard.  He was listening.  He was aware.  He was ready.
He went.  He moved.  He was active.
He begged.  He petitioned Jesus.  Like it mattered.  Because it did.

If we truly want to see, live in, and experience our city, transformed, in the same way Jesus transformed the Samaritan woman's town, we must endeavor to be aware - keeping our eyes and ears fixed on Jesus AND our city.  But being aware is not enough.  Our awareness MUST prompt us to action.  And when we intercede on behalf of our city, we should be praying urgently, as though we believe that

1.) There's a lot at stake (because, there is...) and

2.)  That we have a God who is worthy to be prayed to... and that we have a God who can do something about it (because He is... because we do).

Urging you this week to consider ways WE can pray TOGETHER sincerely and urgently for our city to know Jesus, and for our church to be one that hears the voice of God and the cry of the city, and that goes out to the city.

1 Timothy 2:1-4:  "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 4:27-38

"You're not you when you're hungry," according to the popular Snickers commercials, concluding that  a bite of the candy bar "satisfies" and turns those who are Betty White or Aretha Franklin when they're hungry back into their normal selves.

Who are you when you're hungry?

In John 4, Jesus' disciples urge him to eat.  Jesus responds to them with this powerful statement:  "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."

Deuteronomy 8:3b echoes this sentiment:  "...that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

How's your spiritual life?
Are you daily feasting on God, and partaking of his Word and prayer?
Are you actively engaged in His mission?
Or... are you hungry...?
What do you reach for to fill your hunger?

According to Jesus, his food is to be obedient to the will of God.  Food both satisfies us and fuels us.  If you feel dissatisfied in your soul and lacking in spiritual energy, take some time in prayer to consider if there are areas of your life in which you have not been obedient to God's will.  Perhaps it's doing something that God does not want you to do.  Or, perhaps it's not completing what God does want you to do.  Prayerfully ask him to show you areas that need (re)surrendering and ask God to help you with that now.  He is always present and he is faithful.

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 4:5-26

Private quiz... Are you ready?

Is your prayer life dry and crumbly, yielding little spiritual vegetation... or does it feel abundant, healthy, and fruitful?  How about your entire relationship with God?

Regardless of your answer to the above, the response is... the same!

In John 4, Jesus offers the woman at the well "living water".  In verse 14b, Jesus states:  "The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."  In the Greek, the verb that is used is hallomai (to well up).  This word is only used elsewhere in the New Testament, in Acts, where it describes a lame man leaping to his feet.  Can you picture it... this life-giving, unrestrained, burbling, living water?!

There's a wonderful promise from God illustrated in Isaiah 44:3:  "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."

Whether your prayer life and your relationship with God feel dried up or feel vibrant, the response is to spend time with God and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you up and to keep filling you up.  Keep pressing in.  Don't give up.  Don't let up.

Spend some time with God in prayer asking for his help.  We don't fabricate this living water on our own.  We cannot give this life-giving, living water to ourselves, or to anyone else.  It is a fruitless endeavor.

Jeremiah 2:13 outlines the problem and the resulting fruitlesness pretty well:  "for my people have committed two evils:  they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."

Don't settle for a second-rate version of your own creation that simply cannot get the job done.  The Holy Spirit is our helper.  Accept the help.

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - The Samaritans

John 4 presents us with the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus.  But before this encounter is described, Jesus has to go through Samaria first.

Thirst things first.

Samaria was despised.  Samaria was avoided.  Samaria was icky.

Who or what is your Samaria?  

Is it that neighbor or co-worker?  Is it your employer?  Is it a political party?  Is it an entire country?  

God may be calling you (and me, and everyone) to a season where you have to follow a missional impulse that involves intentionally going to "Samaria" and/or ministering in some way, be it through prayer or practiced action.

Thirst things first. 

Before the practiced action, it may behoove us to engage in some practiced prayer.  Before the practiced prayer, it may be helpful to ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and help gently point out who or what it is that we despise and avoid.

Spend some time with the Lord.  Lift up your "Samaria" to the Lord.  Do this with the strength of the Holy Spirit.

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." -Luke 6:27-28 (ESV)

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - John 4:1-4

In John 4, we learn fairly quickly that Jesus was leaving Judea, with the destination of Galilee in mind.  However, Jesus passes through Samaria on the way.  John 4 is about to get interesting as we follow Jesus on his holy pitstop.  Verse 4 says, "And he had to pass through Samaria."  The Greek translation of dei ("had to") is used at other points throughout John to suggest a divine necessity.

Jesus intentionally going to Samaria would be like us intentionally going to "the armpit of our neighborhood/city/state/country."  (You can decide what your own Samaria might be...!)  Does that make you reel?  Does that make you wrinkle your nose with... disdain?

According to Merriam-Webster, disdain is "a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior".  The Samaritans were the object of disdain from both Jews and non-Jews, alike.

Have you ever experienced disdain?  I have been on both the giving and receiving end.  Neither is preferable.  Disdain can be a way in which we re-order and re-define people so that they are less-than-human and have no value.  This then makes it "okay" for us to treat them differently, or ignore them outright.  And this is not what Jesus is about.

Remember that we are fresh on the heels of John 3:16:  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life", and consequently we can be excited that Jesus was willing to intentionally visit "the armpit".  (And, not just visit, but save everyone, everywhere, to the "uttermost", as it says, in Hebrews 7:25.

For God so loved the world (including Samaria)...  Personalize it... For God so loved the world (including *insert your name here*).  For God so loved the world (including *insert your "armpit" here*)...

How does all of this influence our prayer life?  How should we pray differently in light of this passage in John?

The intentions of Jesus can be lived out in our prayers and actions as we intentionally pray for people, situations, or places that we might otherwise mistreat or ignore out of our disdain.

Spend some time in prayerful reflection with God.

Who, what, or where is your "armpit"?

Ask God to help you replace disdain for his true compassion.  We can't generate it on our own.  This is where daily presence is going to come in handy!

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Thirst Things First - Psalm 63

Fruit punch makes me thirsty.  The more I drink it, the more I want it.  My time with God has some similarities to fruit punch, but some differences too (thankfully)!  The more time I spend in with God and in his word, the more I want more.  I'm thirsty for more.  Believe it or not, I didn't start out that way.  God grows my desire to spend more time with him.  However, whereas fruit punch does not quench my thirst, God does satisfy my thirst (even though at the same time I want more...)  

Simply, I cannot think of a better way to utilize this week's prayer blog than to let God's word speak for itself.  Simply, this week, I encourage you to soak in this beautiful Psalm.  If silence is most helpful - find some silence.  If some worship music helps prepare your heart and mind - I highly recommend "Psalm 63" by Shane and Shane (I know right...) or "Take Over" by Shane and Shane.  Get yo'self in God's presence.  Settle down.  Meditate on God's word.  Pray back the words of this psalm to God.  Praise God for the times you have seen his power at work.  Tell him how much you need him.  Picture yourself this week being cared for by God, taking refuge under the far-reaching shelter of his protection.  

Enjoy your time with God.

Psalm 63

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
    in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life
    shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
    they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But the king shall rejoice in God;
    all who swear by him shall exult,
    for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

FAMILY IT! — Wednesday Family Devotional — “Thirst Things First”

It’s summertime.  The sun is high in a cloudless sky.  You’ve been outside for over an hour, and you’re reading to come in.  What have you been doing?  Were you working in the garden teaching those weeds who’s boss?  Maybe you just rode your bike home from a friend’s house where you were playing soccer in the yard.  Perhaps the driveway is covered with your new chalk art.  Whatever you’ve been doing, you need a break.  Your cheeks are flushed from the heat.  Sweat is dripping down your face, and your shirt is plastered against your back.  

You walk into the house.  Where do you go?  To the shower?  To the fridge?  A cold snack sounds kind of good.  But before you do either of those, you need to take care of something else first.  More than anything else, what your body is craving is water!  You are dehydrated from the heat and the work, and your cells are crying out.  You’re thirsty!  You feel like you actually might die if you don’t get some water soon.  Can you feel the relief as you gulp down a full glass?  Can you hear yourself say, “Ahhhhhh!” when you finally take a breath?  

We all know what that’s like.  We know what it is to be “thirsty.”  Your body doesn’t just like water or even want water.  When you’re thirsty, it’s because your body needs water.  It is necessary for your cells to keep working, and as you use it you need to replenish it.  We make it a habit to keep glasses of water available to our kids all the time.  If they want something else, they need to ask.  But they can always drink water, whenever they want.  Some days the glasses just sit on the kitchen table, practically untouched.  Other days, usually on days when we’re more active, I refill them multiple times.  But that’s ok—I want my kids to drink the water they need.

The Bible talks about a kind of water—living water.  You may recognize that as a nickname for Jesus.  Even though he lived before Jesus, King David wrote a wonderful psalm about a longing he had for Him.  He described it like being thirsty, thirsty for God.  Read it together in Psalm 63.

Have you ever felt that way about Jesus?  Have you ever come looking for Him the way you go looking for a drink on a hot day?  Ever been in a place where you felt like you might die if you didn’t get some Holy Spirit in you soon?  It’s not that crazy an idea.  After all, your soul needs God in much the same way your body needs water.  Unfortunately, I think too many of us have never really felt that need, though.  Our Bibles sit there relatively untouched, just like my kids’ glasses on some days.  We aren’t really craving God, as a person, as a family.  How can we build that thirst?

Work for it.  Maybe that sounds silly, but just like we increase our desire for water when we work, we increase our desire for God in the same way.  Well, not exactly the same way.  You won’t build a thirst for him by playing outside in the sun.  But you will begin to long for him the more you interact with the Son.  The more you live like Jesus in your choices, the more you love like Jesus in your relationships with people, the more “Jesus” you use in your heart, and the more of Him you need to refill you.  If you want to create a thirst for Jesus in your heart and in your family’s heart, make a plan to use more Jesus each day.

What can your family do?  Are there ways you can serve in the community?  Are there people on your street or in your school who could use your help and love through friendship?  Where could you build in “Family Happy Hour,” a time where you gather together and “drink in” Jesus from scripture and your stories of how Jesus has been working in your individual lives?

Tauna at Proverbial Homemaker has a great resource called “Read, Pray, Love.”  It’s a year-long set of family devotions.  Each week features a verse for you to study and learn.  Then there are questions about how that verse can influence your prayers, how it impacts your choices that week, and how you can love others around you.  If you’re looking for a starting point to build a thirsty family, I’d recommend you check it out here: http://www.proverbialhomemaker.com/52-weeks-of-praying-for-your-family.html. 

Find Psalm 63 again.  End your time together by praying that psalm back to God.  Ask for his help in turning you into a thirsty family, thirsty for Living Water!

PRAY IT! THE TITHE

Let's talk about... tithing, baby!  [Gulp... gag... turns away in awkward embarrassment...]  Money stuff can rub people the wrong way.  It becomes something we *don't* won't to talk about because it can be awkward.

But... here we go, anyway!

Here are a few money/tithing moments that stand out to me:

When I was young, I went to a church that was always in need of a roof.  So, in efforts to raise money for the roof, the following fundraising endeavor occurred:  When it was someone's birthday/birthday week, they were expected to stand up on stage in front of the entire congregation.  The congregation would sing to them.  Then the person would be expected to put money into a birthday box that was equal to their age.  Happy Birthday.  The box never went away.  The roof needed to be re-done multiple times.  If it wasn't the roof, it was air-conditioning or carpet that wouldn't look so bad in wedding photos.  This left a general distaste in my mouth.  Not only was it awkward, but I began to tell myself that I could spend my money better than that church could.  Even though I was beginning to have mixed feelings about God anyway, I hypothesized that we shouldn't care about the color of the carpet nearly as much as starving people... And I was pretty sure in my youthful and cynical mind that the way to go about it probably wasn't the birthday box.  This fundraising colored my view of all things financial related to the church.  Why tithe?  This was not a win for tithing in my mind.

When I was young, I helped with children's church during the summer  It. Was. Amazing.  My mom developed such an awesome program, and one of the many components included tithing.  All of the children would receive ten pennies for that Sunday for their "work".  (Depending on the summer, theme it may have been work in the "orchard" or work in the "armory" etc.)  Pennies could be lost due to behavior.  One of the ten pennies was taken up for offering for God.  They were free to spend the other nine pennies at the store.  Although at first some of the children objected, it did not take long for them to see that they could give God one of the pennies and He still managed to meet their every want and desire at the store.  That was a win for tithing.

When I was older, I didn't attend church or believe in God.  Therefore, my money was mine.  My time was mine.  Everything was all mine... A win for me... Or so I thought...

When I first began re-attending church, I put anonymous cash in the offering plate because I did not want anyone to know how little I was contributing.  I was embarrassed.  And I wasn't all-in.  And I was ashamed that I was not all-in while simultaneously not wanting to change.  It wasn't just money - I wasn't all-in on multiple levels.  I did not have a regard for church or trust in God.  I also failed to have confidence that God could take my little bit and multiply it.  I failed to see the simple math.  I did not see that my little bit plus your little bit plus all the other little bits added up to contribute to some major Kingdom work.  But if I left out my little bit... and so did you... and so did everyone else... thinking that it was inconsequential and not useful... well, then we'd not have anything... 

And now?  I'm all-in with Jesus.  I'm all-in with the Church of the Nazarene.  I'm all-in with PoC.  I'm all-in with tithing.  I trust God to be who He says He is.  Plus, it all belongs to Him anyway... Not just my money... but my time... my "talents" (still trying to figure those out, ha, but I'm sure they exist!)  I belong to Jesus.  I am His responsibility.  

To be frank, there are a million and one thoughts that are zooming around in my brain at warp speed at any given time.  Tithing is not one that consumes my thoughts.  I simply don't have enough room in there.  For whatever reason, I take it with the childlike faith that God encourages us to have.  I simply tithe, trust God to take care of me, and don't think much about it beyond that.  A lot of this is God's transformation in me as I have grown to love and trust Him, coupled with what might be some natural hard-wiring.  (If you've seen the Big Bang Theory episode where Sheldon lends Penny money because she cannot pay her rent... she freaks out... he does not... Anyway, I think I might be Sheldon.  It's that simple in his mind... Penny needs money.  Sheldon has money.  Plus, it would be less awkward to give Penny the money than to pass Penny in the street living in a card board box.  Ha... but, I digress...)

I love Psalm 5:1-3.  I love it... in every version of the Bible.  Although it is not about tithing, this is the verse that comes to mind most often when I think about tithing... or when I think about how everything - all of me - belongs to God.  Here it is in the Message version:  "Listen, GOD!  Please, pay attention!  Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries?  King-God, I need your help.  Every morning you'll hear me at it again.  Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend."  

Every day, we have the choice - in our decisions, in our interactions with people, with our finances and health, in all things... from the biggest to the smallest decisions... to lay every last little bit down at the altar, and wait for God to do something with all of it.

So, that's what I try to do when it comes to tithing and when it comes to everything.

So... that's my tithing story.  

As you pray today, I encourage you to reflect upon your tithing story.  Maybe you've had experiences that have negatively impacted your view.  Or maybe your experiences have been great.  Maybe you've viewed your "little bit" as so little that it wouldn't be missed.  Maybe tithing is very simple for you, or maybe it is a battle every time to write that check (or push the give button if you tithe electronically...)  Regardless, I encourage you to spend time with God.  He loves you.  He cares for you.  He's listening.  Maybe He wants to have a conversation.  

Pastor Celia

PRAY IT! Street Hero - John 3:22-36

This passage from John 3:22-36 illustrates how John the Baptist recognizes Jesus for who he is, and is now willing to take a back seat, so great is his love for Jesus and others.  "He must increase, but I must decrease," states John.  

If you were to mentally ponder your typical prayers, how much of them dive right into an "I...I...I..." without acknowledging God in his power, or others in their plight?

Praying for yourself is not wrong.  You should do it.  So continue to do it.  (Psalms, anyone?)  But praising God in all his awesomeness is also a vital part of prayer, as is interceding on behalf of others.

Let John's humility, committed spirit, and love saturate your prayer life today.  

Perplexed on where to begin?  Ask for the Holy Spirit's help.  

Looking for some Scripture to assist you as you pray?

Psalm 34 is great.  An extra point to ponder in prayer:  Notice the beginning sentence before verse 1?  What behaviors do we need God's help with in changing for us to decrease and for Jesus to increase?  

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

[a] Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
    for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
    and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
    and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
    to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
    not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Pastor Celia