Psalm 119 - pt. 9

Are you looking to connect to a community?  Join us this evening at 4 PM.  We meet at Peak Community Church (500 Matthews Street / Fort Collins) - just two blocks from the CSU campus.

As a church we've been reading through Psalm 119 together.  We read a section every Sunday evening and I've been encouraging everyone to be reading and meditating on the next section of the Psalm throughout the following week.  Today we are reading Psalm 119:65-72.

If you are unable to gather with us this evening, join us in reading this passage where ever you may be.

Psalm 119:65-72

TETH

You have dealt well with your servant,

O LORD, according to your word.

  Teach me good judgment and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

  Before I was afflicted I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

  You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

  The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

  their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law.

  It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

  The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

119 - pt. 8

Over the last several weeks we've been reading portions of Psalm 119 together as a church.  Here is the passage for Sunday, July 11th.  

Psalm 119:57-64
HETH
The LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

  I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

  When I think on my ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies;

  I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

  At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules.

  I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

  The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes!

Family Worship

The Resurgence posted an article by Tim Smith (Worship Pastor at Mars Hill) about family worship.  In this article he suggests 7 practical tips on how to lead your family in worship.

I would fully recommend everything he says in this article - whether you have children or not.  Set aside time every day to worship with your spouse and anyone else who may be in your house.

In this article he mentions The Jesus Story Book Bible.  I would also highly recommend owning this book.  If you don't have it and you want it for FREE - join us on a Sunday and I will give it to you.  

Below is the article in full.  Be sure to check theresurgence.com often for articles like these.

1. Keep it short

I would recommend 15-30 minutes, as a general rule. If things are going well, you can always keep the conversation going, but the goal should be brevity. If you make a discussion too long, it will become tedious and can actually turn your kids away from God. This time should be an overflow of all the Scripture, prayer, and discussion going on in the rest of your lives—not the only place where it happens.

2. Read

Most importantly, family worship is a time for Scripture. Make sure to read small chunks, maybe only a verse or two, at a time and then unpack it together. You can go through a book of the Bible, pick a verse that applies to the day’s events, or choose something topical. The important thing here is connecting Scripture to life in a way that your kids can understand. For younger kids, the The Jesus Storybook Bible is pretty hard to beat.

3. Pray

Everyone should pray together. Thank God for what he has done and how he has provided. Take requests. Pray for each other. Pray for your city and specific lost people in your lives. Remember that you are building a rhythm, which is just as important as any specific prayer.

4. Sing

It doesn’t matter if you can play an instrument or your voice curdles milk—we should all sing songs to God. Scripture is full of song, and our families should be as well. Truth be told, you are probably more of the problem with this than your kids. Young kids naturally sing all the time without any self-consciousness. Get over your hang-ups and desire for perfection and just sing together. My girls and I are making family songbooks as a creative project, and they’re stoked.

5. Keep it regular

The sum is greater than the parts. You will have off days. You will miss days. You may even question your call to ministry. Whatever happens, just keep at it and God will make you equal to the task.

6. Older kids set the example

If your oldest kid is not engaged, your younger ones will follow. Challenge your oldest children to set the example for their siblings. Give them a bit of ownership and a role in how you structure these times, and it will be a huge help.

7. Limit TV

I’m not saying kill your television completely, but there is no doubt in my mind that excessive TV rots the attention span. If your kids, or you for that matter, can’t pay attention to anything for more than two minutes, then think about what other entertainment might be captivating your senses.