Season of Thanks: Day 8 - Psalm 136

Season of Thanks: Day 8 - Psalm 136

  Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 12:48 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)
Psalm 136
1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His faithful love endures forever.
2Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
3Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.
4He alone does great wonders.
His faithful love endures forever.
5He made the heavens skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6He spread the land on the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7He made the great lights:
His faithful love endures forever.
8the sun to rule by day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9the moon and stars to rule by night.
His faithful love endures forever.
10He struct the firstborn of the Egyptians
His faithful love endures forever.
11and brought Israel out from among them
His faithful love endures forever.
12with a strong hand and outstretched arm.
His faithful love endures forever.
13He divided the Red Sea
His faithful love endures forever.
14and led Israel through,
His faithful love endures forever.
15but hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
16He led his people in the wilderness
His faithful love endures forever.
17He struck down great kings
His faithful love endures forever.
18and slaughtered famous kings -
His faithful love endures forever.
19Sihon king of the Amorites
His faithful love endures forever.
20and Og king of Bashan -
His faithful love endures forever.
21and gave their land as an inheritance,
His faithful love endures forever.
22an inheritance to Israel his servant.
His faithful love endures forever.
23He remembered us in our humiliation
His faithful love endures forever.
24and rescued us from our foes.
His faithful love endures forever.
25He gives food to every creature.
His faithful love endures forever.
26Give thanks to the God of heaven!
His faithful love endures forever.

SHARING

How does this passage help you give thanks?

God's Lovingkindness

In our day to day, we may not see how God is working in our lives. When we do, we often seem to forget very quickly. If we spend time to reflect upon our lives, we may begin to see that God has been faithfully working in our lives all along. Psalm 136 proclaims praise and thanks to the God of heaven, who has demonstrated love for His people throughout generations and generations. The Psalmist thanks God for His faithful love during all the highs and the lows that the Israelites had faced until that time. 

God’s faithful love continues to be demonstrated through His work in our everyday lives. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The God who demonstrated His lovingkindness to the Israelites is the same God who watches over us today. While we can reflect on our lives and see his love at work, we can know that because He is faithful, that His love is upon you and He is working for you even today. 

Give thanks to the God of heaven! His faithful love endures forever. Amen!

SHARING

-  What is an instance in your life where God has guided or protected you?

-  In difficult times, how can we be reminded that God is faithful and His lovingkindness is upon us?

TAKE ACTION

As God has faithfully shown love upon you, consider how you can give/donate/volunteer to help others this season, so that they too may experience the love of God through His people.

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Season of Thanks: Day 7 - Psalm 111

Season of Thanks: Day 7 - Psalm 111

  Friday, December 4, 2020 at 3:43 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)

Psalm 111

1Hallelujah!
I will praise the Lord with all my heart
in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2The Lord’s works are great,
studied by all who delight in them.
3All that he does is splendid and majestic;
his righteousness endures forever.
4He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered.
The Lord is gracious and compassionate
5He has provided food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
6He has shown his people the power of his works
by giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7The works of his hands are truth and justice;
all his instructions are trustworthy.
8They are established forever and ever,
enacted in truth and in uprightness.
9He has sent redemption to his people.
He has ordained his covenant forever.
His name is holy and awe-inspiring.
10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his instructions have good insight.
His praise endures forever.

SHARING

How does this passage help you give thanks?

God's Righteous Plan

Psalm 111 portrays God in so many great ways: His works are great (v.2), everything He does is amazing (v.3), He exhibits grace and compassion (v.4-5), He reveals power through perfect judgment (v.6-8), and He keeps His promises for all time (v.9). As we consider these marvelous traits of our God in this season, let us be reminded that our God does not change. Throughout history, we see God display His amazing ways because this is who He is and this is His perfect plan. And in this plan, He shows that His righteousness lasts forever (v.3). Even when things overwhelm us, God’s works still prevail and He continues to show His never ending plan for each one of us in the midst of our circumstances.

As such, Psalm 111:10 calls us to ‘fear the Lord’ and follow His instructions. In both of these ways, we have an opportunity to submit to God’s righteous plan and to let Him lead us. Fearing the Lord is to acknowledge God’s plan and be in awe of who He is and what He is doing. Recognize that God is perfect and He is working out His perfect ways in you. Worship Him because of this perspective. Second, follow what He says and obey when He calls. God has given us His truth and wants it established in each one of us. Listen and follow His Word rather than the desire to follow our own ways, our own paths, and even our own dreams. Submit your future to God and we will begin to experience His wisdom and gain insight. Lastly, continually praise God because His works, His promises, and His character are forever. Praise the Lord!

SHARING

-  Of the traits listed in this passage, what has sustained you the most throughout quarantine? How so?

-  What gets in the way of you fully fearing the Lord and following His instructions?

TAKE ACTION

-  Openly share a praise/thanksgiving at an upcoming large gathering (v.1) and/or lead a time of sharing praises/thanksgivings with others this week.

-  Consider a few practical ways you can ‘fear the Lord’ and ‘follow his instructions’ more in your life in order to have more of His wisdom.

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Season of Thanks: Day 6 - Psalm 34

Season of Thanks: Day 6 - Psalm 34

  Friday, November 27, 2020 at 11:37 AM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE) 

Psalm 34:4-10
4I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and rescued me from all my fears.
5Those who look to him are radiant with joy;
their faces will never be ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him from all his troubles.
7The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and rescues them.
8Taste and see that the Lord is good.
How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!
9You who are his holy ones, fear the Lord,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10Young lions lack food and go hungry,
but those who seek the Lord
will not lack any good thing.

SHARING

How does this passage help you give thanks?

God's Presence

Our passage begins with the simple idea that God answers, rescues, and is with us when we seek Him. During the pandemic season, this promise has been even more magnified in our times of solitude and even isolation. Knowing that God is with us strengthens our faith, holds us together in times of trials, and gives us peace when we feel lost and alone. Many of these difficult situations we’ve experienced more intensely due to quarantine, so let us take this opportunity to give God praise for being near to us. A few verses later, the Psalmist in this same chapter recognizes that “the Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” In our times of feeling broken, lost, and maybe even crushed, how can we still find a way to be thankful?

As we seek the Lord and draw near to Him, our perspective and attitude can begin to change. Notice the effects of one who calls on God’s presence: answers and rescues (v.1), hears and saves (v.6), realizes God’s goodness and is happy (v.8), and does not lack any good thing (v.10). What a privilege it is to be able to call on God and to have His presence provide so much for us. Yet in all these benefits, the pinnacle of this passage is the simplicity of realizing how good God is. When God shows up, we focus on His goodness. Not our goodness, not the world’s goodness (or lack thereof), and not just good circumstances. Simply God’s goodness as He dwells with us and we take refuge in Him. Let’s marvel at this foundational truth and be thankful for God bringing His good presence with us this season!

SHARING
-  How has God revealed Himself to you specifically over the past few months?
-  What events in your life have driven you to seek God’s presence and goodness in your life?

TAKE ACTION
-  Write down some of the difficulties and sufferings that you are noticing this season of pandemic. (i.e. sickness and death, family struggles, anxiety, miscommunication, etc)
   -  Take a moment to pray for God to be in these areas of difficulty
   -  Use Psalm 34 to claim the promise of God’s presence over these areas and submit them to Him
   -  Pray that you would be an instrument of God’s presence as you continue to experience these difficult areas of your life
-  Recall some areas of difficulties and suffering in your past where you noticed God’s presence helping you and guiding you. Thank Him for those moments

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Season of Thanks: Day 5 - Psalm 107

Season of Thanks: Day 5 - Psalm 107

  Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 11:46 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)
Psalm 107:1-16

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his faithful love endures forever.

2Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim

that he has redeemed them from the power of the foe

3and has gathered them from the lands —

from the east and the west,

from the north and the south.

4Some wandered in the desolate wilderness,

finding no way to a city where they could live.

5They were hungry and thirsty;

their spirits failed within them.

6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;

he rescued them from their distress.

7He led them by the right path

to go to a city where they could live.

8Let them give thanks to the Lord

for his faithful love

and his wondrous works for all humanity.

9For he has satisfied the thirsty

and filled the hungry with good things.

10Others sat in darkness and gloom —

prisoners in cruel chains —

11because they rebelled against God’s commands

and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12He broke their spirits with hard labor;

they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;

he saved them from their distress.

14He brought them out of darkness and gloom

and broke their chains apart.

15Let them give thanks to the Lord

for his faithful love

and his wondrous works for all humanity.

16For he has broken down the bronze gates

and cut through the iron bars.

SHARING

How does this passage help you give thanks?

God's Deliverance

Scripture details numerous times the Lord delivered the Israelites out of trials and difficulties. Also detailed are many times the Israelites turned away from their God. Despite the Israelite’s repeated disobedience, God remained faithful and demonstrated His love and compassion for them. He showed this by taking them out of harm’s way and saving them time and time again.

Similarly, God has delivered us from trials and difficulties in our lives. He is indeed faithful and shows His goodness and compassion to us as well, despite our disobedience in sin. In fact, He loves us so much that He paid the greatest price to deliver us from the cost of our own sin, eternal death. This deliverance was given to us by the death of His Son, Jesus, on the cross so that we can be saved from our sins and have eternal life with Him. Let us give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His faithful love endures forever!

SHARING

-  How can we better remember God’s work of deliverance in your life?

-  How can you use an example of God’s deliverance in your life to build up your testimony?

TAKE ACTION

-  Finish reading Psalm 107

-  Write down three instances where God has delivered you. Spend time in prayer to give thanks to God for His work in those times.

-  Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for His ultimate deliverance. Thank the Lord for the salvation given freely to us by the sacrifice of Jesus.

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Season of Thanks: Day 4 - Psalm 46

Season of Thanks: Day 4 - Psalm 46

  Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 9:58 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)

Psalm 46:1-5
1God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
2Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
3though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil.

Selah

4There is a river —
its streams delight the city of God,
the holy dwelling place of the Most High.
5God is within her; she will not be toppled.
God will help her when the morning dawns.

SHARING

How does this passage help you give thanks?

God’s Protection

This passage describes the earth shaking, waters roaring, and mountains crumbling all around. And certainly this year has felt like everything is falling apart, our lives are being suppressed, and the world seems to be getting more and more out of control. Yet, in contrast to all this, the Psalmist says in verse 4, that there is a river of delight found in the city of God--a place where we dwell with God with a peace like no other. How can this be? God is the one who protects in the midst of all the turmoil that may be going on around us. 

Take note that our refuge and strength are found in God Himself instead of a reinforced, protected shelter or fortress. In God alone can we find a place of calm, peace, and even hope. Even with the chaotic world, we have a presence with us that will give us safety and sanctuary. Take this moment to acknowledge not just God’s presence with us, but also His shelter and strength in the midst of the craziness of this season. If you’ve been going through difficulty and suffering, use this opportunity to surrender it all to our Great Protector.

SHARING

-   Over the past several months, what has been a chaotic moment in your life? How did you react? Why?

-   In what ways has God been your calm, peace, and/or hope recently?

TAKE ACTION

-   Reflect & Journal: Knowing that God is our refuge and strength, how does that cause you to react and/or feel despite the circumstances?

-   Read Psalm 116 and pray that God would give you a new perspective through life’s chaotic moments.

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Season of Thanks: Day 3 - Psalm 95

Season of Thanks: Day 3 - Psalm 95

  Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 9:02 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)

Psalm 95:1-7a
1Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord,
shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation!
2Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving;
let’s shout triumphantly to him in song.

3For the Lord is a great God,
a great King above all gods.
4The depths of the earth are in his hand,
and the mountain peaks are his.
5The sea is his; he made it.
His hands formed the dry land.
6Come, let’s worship and bow down;
let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
the sheep under his care.

SHARING

In what way(s) does this passage show us how to give thanks?

GOD'S MIGHTINESS

It’s not uncommon for us to marvel when we see majestic mountains or when we view the expanse of the sea. Creation testifies the work of our God, the One who made the heavens and the earth. God’s power and mightiness are on display for all to see! Amazingly, this is the same God who created us, who used His mighty power to make each and every one of us. 

Paul writes in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who is against us?”. During uncertain times, we often forget who is on our side. We may think, “How can this happen?” or “Why did this happen?” Even as believers, we tend to forget God is with us, and sometimes we may feel alone. The Psalmist reminds us while God has made us His people, we are also under His care. We are taken care of by the same Mighty God who created all of creation! What a wonderful reminder for us that we, the people of His pasture, are taken care of by The Great Shepherd! Indeed, let us enter His presence with thanksgiving!

SHARING

-   What does it look like to practically “enter his presence with thanksgiving” and “shout triumphantly to him in song”?

-   What is a moment of ‘triumph’ you’ve experienced during quarantine that you are thankful for?

TAKE ACTION

-   Kneel before the Lord in prayer. Praise the Lord for being a Mighty God, and give thanks for how he has specifically cared for you this season of life.

-   Spend a moment this weekend to listen to a worship song that has helped you see God as mighty in your life. Use this time in honor and thanksgiving.

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Season of Thanks: Day 2 - Psalm 92

Season of Thanks: Day 2 - Psalm 92

  Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 11:02 PM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)
Psalm 92

1It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praise to your name, Most High,

2to declare your faithful love in the morning

and your faithfulness at night,

3with a ten-stringed harp

and the music of a lyre.

4For you have made me rejoice, Lord,

by what you have done;

I will shout for joy

because of the works of your hands.

5How magnificent are your works, Lord,

how profound your thoughts!

6A stupid person does not know,

a fool does not understand this:

7though the wicked sprout like grass

and all evildoers flourish,

they will be eternally destroyed.

8But you, Lord, are exalted forever.

9For indeed, Lord, your enemies —

indeed, your enemies will perish;

all evildoers will be scattered.

10You have lifted up my horn

like that of a wild ox;

I have been anointed with the finest oil.

11My eyes look at my enemies;

when evildoers rise against me,

my ears hear them.

12The righteous thrive like a palm tree

and grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon.

13Planted in the house of the Lord,

they thrive in the courts of our God.

14They will still bear fruit in old age,

healthy and green,

15to declare, “The Lord is just;

he is my rock,

and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

SHARING

In what way(s) does this passage show us how to give thanks?

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Over the past several months, we have had many disruptions to our normal way of life. Yet even though our circumstances continue to change—maybe even drastically, we can still seek a God who is faithful. In the Bible, God is often described as one who is faithful: He is trustworthy, unwavering, and steadfast. When God speaks and makes promises, He sees them through and fulfills them in His time. As we have read through Psalm 92, the author declares God’s faithfulness for each day. He acknowledges that it is revealed continuously and daily despite the changing circumstances (v.11) or we fail to recognize it with our own eyes (v.6).

 

Take a moment to recall God’s faithfulness in your own life. Remember some moments He has been present and revealed Himself to you in the past. Whether big or small, recognize and give thanks for God’s work in your life. Perhaps it was a simple reminder that He has been with you recently or a big spiritual step of faith from a previous life event. In any case, give thanks for these moments in your life, declare them in prayer, and share them with someone.

SHARING

  - Share a Biblical promise that God has reminded you of recently.

  - Share how God has been faithful to you daily/constantly or a significant spiritual life-event.

TAKE ACTION

  - Write down some things in your life that cause you to forget God’s faithfulness.

  - Pray in surrender and confession of these areas.

  - Over the next 5 days, start each day acknowledging that God has been with you despite what has been going on around you. Thank Him for His constant presence as you begin each day.

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Season of Thanks: Day 1 - Psalm 100

Season of Thanks: Day 1 - Psalm 100

  Friday, November 6, 2020 at 12:19 AM    Darren Lo

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READ THE PASSAGE ALOUD (TWICE)

Psalm 100
1Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord!
2Serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we are his—
his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
5For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever;
his faithfulness, through all generations.

SHARING

In what way(s) does this passage show us how to give thanks?

GOD'S GOODNESS

It may be difficult to consider how to give thanks during this season. Often, we don’t know what we should be thankful for. Psalm 100 is a psalm of thanksgiving that speaks of timeless truths and the wonderful and everlasting attributes of the Lord for which we can be thankful. The passage reminds us that the Lord is our Creator and we are His people. He is a good God, and His love and faithfulness endure forever throughout all generations. We may not always remember to give thanks to God, and often when we do, it is because He has blessed us in some way or, perhaps, He has answered our prayers. These are definitely times for thanksgiving. 

Reflect upon God’s goodness in your life:

  - Life and Heath

  - Food and Housing

  - Opportunities for Education

  - Family

  - Communication with Him

  - His Word to us

Other reasons may come to mind to give thanks to Him. We know His goodness to us is not limited to these things, rather, His goodness is more abundant than we could imagine. He is good to us, because He Himself is good. It is His nature to be Good. The passage instructs us to give thanks to God and bless His name for He is good, and his faithful love endures forever. No matter the season in life, His faithful love endures forever. Therefore, we can always give thanks to the Lord!

SHARING

  - How have trials in 2020 revealed blessings you can be thankful to God for?

  - What does it mean that God is good?

TAKE ACTION

  - Write down five ways God has been good to you

  - Pray a prayer of Thanksgiving for these things

  - Pray for a continual heart of thanksgiving

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