Sunday Night, February 8

Expectation
Prior to the evening service there was that churning of our spirits in expectation as we met for intercessory prayer. The liberty of the prayer time spilled over into our worship once service began as needs were met and a completeness prevailed. We left knowing that, on this night, His will for the service was accomplished.

Message
A second reason came to me for the Maskil Psalms in preparing for this message. As you may recall when we started the session and the new focus I was unsure as to why the Lord was leading us this way. Then in preparing Psalm 78 the connection between the spirit of Elijah and the Maskil songs became evident in the need to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. Such turning of hearts would bring a generational unity in Christ reflected on the Last Days.

Another reason for this time of instruction came this week: Before David picked up his bow of bronze; he secured himself in the Lord. God became his refuge, his stronghold, his high tower (Frangipane, This Day we Fight, page 19). Thus, as we enter into greater spiritual warfare it is imperative that God be our refuge.

“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? -- the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” (Psalms 18:31-34).

Notice The past and present tense:

1. equipped me—that He has given us everything we need
   
2. made my way blameless—an understanding of grace
   
3. made my feet like a deer—empowered me to the utmost
   
4. set me secure on the heights—brought into His stronghold
   
5. He trains my hands to war—then he prepares me

Results: Spiritual power beyond our own abilities

A third reason, and one that ultimately brings us full circle back to generational unity: We can be destroyed by ignorance,“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6).

This is especially important in light of the opening Psalm 78 in sharing with the next generation and the spirit of Elijah in turning the hearts of the children to the fathers and the hearts of the fathers to the children. Therefore, we should be again encouraged to know that through obedience we are striding just where the Spirit desires His spiritual warriors to march!

A Warm Sunday

A Super Night
The continued provision by our Lord was again evident as the new vent-free 40,000 btu log set warmed our area of Winter Worship. Worship moved from being "unplugged"with a minimal amount of amplification and the Spirit warmed our hearts as heartfelt adoration combined with prophetic worship and prayer.

Word
Crimson House accepts the old statement, "All Spirit and you blow up; all Word and you dry up; but with the right combination you grow up." We are led by the Word as revealed by the Spirit. We live by faith and trust in the real God. He is taking us on a journey that is not governed by the natural eye or accomplished through our own strength. It is a journey that will give our Lord all the glory when the story is told. And there will be a story, but only because He has so chosen.

As the chapters continue to be written new players will be added, not to rewrite what He has already composed, but to fulfill what He is writing. Some players will depart, many having fulfilled their part in His plan for this place. In their role they were both blessed by what God is doing and were a blessing through the giving of themselves in ministry. However, none of us, from the pastor to the babies in the nursery, from the current congregation to those who no longer attend, are bigger than our God and what He desires to accomplish. It is all about giving glory to our God. Hence the reminder on the very front of our building, "To God be the Glory."

The message given at our last prayer meeting was from the Spirit as duly judged by all in attendance. I can especially attest to its validity since much of His word was a personal one to me and spoke of things only personally shared with Him in prayer. This I shared in our Sunday service two days later accompanied with the handout of the entire word given and my message text. In Acts we see where the interpretation of such a word can be conflicting (cf. Acts 21:10-14) but was not debated as to its origin. Ultimately their conversations concluded with "the will of the Lord be done" and, of course, it was.

Message
We reviewed the third of the Maskil Psalms, Psalm 52, written when David learned of Doeg's conversation to Saul that revealed his (David's) visit to Ahimelech. A visit that both continued Saul's pursuit of David and caused the death of Ahimelech and 85 priests.

Introduction
Even the malice (desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness) of a Doeg may furnish instruction to a David.

Proverbs 11:9 "With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered."

Anchor Points

1. I am an olive tree...
2. I will praise thee forever, because you have done it
3. I will wait on your name
4. I will do this because it is good before Your saints
   

No Service for Wednesday

Please take note that there will be no service Wednesday night, January 28; stay warm and stay safe.

We braved the cold for the last time (hopefully) as the new heating system should be ready for this Sunday.

Holy Spirit shared with us in Friday's prayer meeting that the spirit of apathy was working: "Oh, I tell you, a spirit of apathy seeks to overtake your people [congregation] and it seeks to work, it seeks to work by withholding my Word, because my Word gives hope and my Word gives direction—in my Word is life. But I say, I rebuke the enemy for your [pastor] sake and for the sake of my people [congregation]!"

How encouraging it is to know that we are not alone, but that Holy Spirit is battling with us and for us.

Apathy means an absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement; a lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. Friday night was not the first time Holy Spirit focused our attention on this particular battle, nor do I believe it will be the last. It was evident in the early church with Ephesus' loss of their first love (Revelation 2:4); and is seen as a characteristic of the last days: "And because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12). Thus, this distinct enemy will continue to try and suppress our passion for God even more as we see the day of His return approaching.

One aspect shared last night in winning this battle was found in the word entropy. Entropy means an inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society. John Ortberg writes that entropy is the great enemy of the human spirit:

"If you have ever bought a new car and driven it off the lot, you've witnessed entropy. You lose several thousand dollars as soon as it goes off the lot, because things have a way of deteriorating on their own. If you've ever seen a group of kids on summer vacation, you've noticed that by late August, when they're sitting around some body's house and one of them says, "What do you want to do?" everybody else says, "I don't know; what do you want to do?" That's entropy. Everything when left on its own—when not given attention and energy—has a tendency to deteriorate. That's the way it works in human life. When you become apathetic or complacent or settle for the path of least resistance in some area of life, entropy sets in and dreams die and hopes fade. Then a terrible thing happens: you learn you can live with mediocrity. It's not a great life, but you can tolerate it."

God has called us to an abundant and fruitful life, but it is one that must be cultivated and cared for--it will simply not take care of itself. The service closed with introspection of where mediocrity had been allowed in our lives and with a renewed determination to win this particular skirmish.

This Sunday
We will return to the Maskil Psalm series with Psalm 52; please prepare with the background reading.

Sunday Night

The Spirit truly blessed as He quickened us in love and confidence throughout the evening.

Sermon Summary
Maskil Psalm 142
David gives us an illustration in how to pray during times of distress.

Luke 11:1-13
The central New Testament passage on prayer: it is to be definite and not discouraged by delayed answers.

Anchor Points
In times of distress

1. turn to the Lord in fervent prayer laying it all out before Him;
2. call to mind what God has been to you in the past.

Additional Insights
Please share additional thoughts and inspirations with your comments.

Next Message
The third and fourth Maskil (chronologically) are Psalms 52 and 54; The background Scriptures for both are found in 1 Samuel 22:2; 1 Chronicles 12:17, 18; Psalm 141; 1 Samuel 22:3-5; Psalm 64; 1 Samuel 22:6-19; Psalm 35; 1 Samuel 23:1; 1 Samuel 22:20-23; 1 Samuel 23:2-6; Psalm 52; Psalm 109; Psalm 140; 1 Samuel 23:7-13; Psalm 31; 1 Samuel 23:14, 15; Psalm 13:1-6; 1 Samuel 23:19-28

Check it out

Two items for your review today. The first is our new web page. Items are still being added and built, but you can check it out here Thank you Shauna for your creativity and inspiration! The background Scriptures for this Sunday's message, Maskil Psalm 142, are 1 Samuel 19-22:1; 1 Chronicles 12:16; Psalms 11, 59, 7, 25, 26, 56.

Snow flurries are forecast for tomorrow evening; however, it should not hinder us from having service. Benita is cooking the dinner, either chicken and rice or sloppy joes, Myleena is creating the dessert, and all the teachers are preparing their lessons. I am looking forward to a full and complete time tomorrow night at Crimson House! Dress warmly and I hope to see you there.

Sweet Incense

The scent of Holy Spirit's sweetness was evident as we entered the building last night. He allowed us to go inside the veil (cf. Leviticus 16:12) and into a Presence that brought healing, hope and encouragement. Who can forget

• unified voices in worship;
• the sharing of visions received during intercessory prayer;
• the spontaneous call to prayer regarding wounds and scars;
  
• the spontaneous exhortation about the altar and its ultimate sacrifice;
• the song of Holy Spirit;
• the spontaneous lyrics in worship.
  

Sermon Summary
The Maskil Psalms--Psalm 78

Introduction
Encouragement of Holy Spirit's leading

1. Uniting the generations through the hope found in Jesus Christ
2. The bridging of the session themes between last session's The Spirit of Elijah and the current focus on the Maskil Psalms
   

Background

1. The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua
   
2. Moses' steadfastness of relationship and obedience versus man's approval and "ministry" results

Outline

1. Verses 5-8: the purpose of the Psalm
2. Verses 9-41: Israel in the wilderness
3. Verses 42-52: the Lord's goodness in bringing Israel out of Egypt by plagues and wonders
4. Verses 53-66: the history of the Israelite tribes to the removal of the Ark to Zion

Anchor Points

1. "For he established a testimony in Jacob..." (v. 5). That is, the Lord ordained, or appointed, that which would be a witness for him--a witness that would bear testimony to His character and His perfections presently.
2. It was by past memories and future hope the appointed would be encouraged to practice their present duties.