March 13, 2010

Opening Hymns:
Cry of My Heart 42 (B/B)
You Are My Hiding Place 244 (B/B)

Scripture Reading:
Psalm 32: 1-11

1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Message
Guilt can be a blessing. In the beginning of this psalm, the psalmist talks about his guilt from his sins. He talks about how he kept his sin silent. He then felt the Lord’s hand “heavy upon” him. His guilt caused him to call out to the Lord. In a sense the regret is what led him to repent.

This past week I had been studying for TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course). I had been afraid about the complexity of the course. Because I was so fearful I studied hard for a half a month. It is amazing what positive things can come from the negative.

Jesus, out of Love, died for our sins. While the death of our Savior, the Son of God is truly tragic. However, through His death, there is forgiveness for our sins. Because He died, He was able to rise. From His life we are able to learn about how serve God and others… and from His death we are able to live.

Time of Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
What Wondrous Love Is This 292 Red Hymnal

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God