LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 11 AUGUST 2020
PSALM 103 VERSES 1 – 5
“Bless the Lord O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy
name. Bless the Lord O my soul and
forget not all his benefits; Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all
thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with
lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;
so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”
David in these verses calls to his soul to arise and praise, it is as
if he has awakened from sleep.
Psalm 92 verse 1 “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and
to sing praises unto thy name, O most High.”
The apostle Paul reminds us as we come to prayer:
Philippians 4 verse 6 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God.”
Let’s tonight as we pray take time to reflect and thank God for what He
has done for us
1.
His compassion – verse 3 God’s
forgiveness. Where might we be tonight
if not for God’s pardoning grace. As
they nailed Christ to the cross he cried “Father forgive them for they know not
what they do.” He pardons ALL that will
come to God by Him. Jesus says “him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
2. His
concerns – verse 3 He healeth all our diseases.
We see here God’s pardon but now also we see his great power to heal the
body. The centurion came to Jesus about
a friend who was sick. Jesus was
concerned about him and said He would come and heal. The centurion said that I am not worthy that
you should come under my roof, but speak the word only and my servant shall be
healed. Jesus spoke and it was done.
3. His
crowning – verse 4 He redeems our lives, saves us from eternal destruction
and he crowns our lives with loving kindness every day. Psalm 23 “surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Revelation 1 verse 6 “He has
made us Kings and Priests.” An
appointment only God can make and an office only He can give.
4. His
contentment – verse 5 He satisfies.
“Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other name for me.” Paul came to that place in his life of full
surrender to God that he could say in Philippians
4 “Not that I speak in respect of want for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am therewith to be content.”
5.
His consolation – verse 5 He sustains us
even in old age, none are cast off.
Moses at 80 years of age was sent of God to Egypt to rescue the children
of Israel. Joshua 15 verse 11 Caleb puts
his strength and vision down to the hand of God. “I was 40 when God gave me the promise of
land and I have kept that promise in my soul ever since, now 45 years later.” Joshua 14 verse 12 “Give me this mountain.”
Let’s take time tonight to reflect on our God tonight and his wonderful
benefits.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 4 AUGUST 2020
ACTS 16 VERSES 35 – 40
“And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying Let
those men go. And the keeper of the prison
told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go; now
therefore depart and go in peace. But
Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and
have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? Nay verily;
but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates; and they
feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them
to depart out of the city. And they went
out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia and when they had seen
the brethren, they comforted them and departed.”
We have followed Paul to the city of Philippi and have seen his work in
that city and now we want to look as he leaves.
We have seen the souls saved during his stay and we have seen his
suffering and pain and imprisonment also.
Paul’s mind is on the fellowship in this city as he leaves.
1.
The witness of the fellowship. Verse 35 the magistrates on hearing that Paul
was a Roman citizen and the treatment he received was wrong wanted Paul to leave
the city quietly. They sent word to let them
out of jail. Paul refused to go until the
magistrates would come down themselves and release them. Paul perhaps felt that if he was to leave
under such circumstances then it would throw a shadow over their character which
would in turn reflect badly on the church.
Our lives should always reflect well and bare a good witness for the church
of Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 4 verse 12 “Let
no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
2. The
work of the fellowship. Verse 40
Paul is leaving but the work will and must continue. He encourages the brethren. In the little book of Jude we find there
advice in difficult times, the advice there was to stay together, worship and
pray together. Jude 1 verse 20 “But ye,
beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Ghost.” Paul couldn’t just walk away
because he wanted to see the work grow and others reached. He wanted to encourage the believers to get
involved in reaching out and striving to see souls saved. The work of God is not just in one man but the
church reaching out. The man might leave
but the work continues.
3.
The welfare of the fellowship. Paul perhaps felt that his presence in the city
might cause problems for the little fledgling church and it was now time for
him to leave. Paul had the welfare of
the fellowship on his mind. Paul had to
leave the little church of Thessalonica in a hurry when the crowd turned
against him, but the welfare of that little fellowship was much on his mind, he
wrote 1 Thessalonians 3 verse 10 “Night and day praying exceedingly that we
might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” Making every effort to see them, but 1
Thessalonians 2 verse 18 “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul,
once and again; but Satan hindered us.”
PRAYER POINTS:
·
Let us remember tonight the work of the church
of Jesus Christ.
·
Let us pray that God would move and save precious
souls in these days.
·
Continue to pray for our fellowship and the
folks that cannot join with us.
·
Pray for wisdom in these very uncertain
days.
·
Pray for our Drive In again this Sunday in the
will of the Lord.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 28 JULY 2020
ACTS 18 verses 11 – 24
“Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to
Samothracia and the next day to Neapolis.
And from thence to Philippi which is the chief city of that part of
Macedonia and a colony and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by
a river side, where prayer was wont to be made, and we sat down and spake unto
the women which resorted thither. And a
certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which
worshipped God; heard us, whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto
the things which were spoken of Paul.
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying,
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide
there. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain
damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying. The same
followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most
high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul being grieved, turned and said to
the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of
their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace
unto the rulers. And brought them to the
magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our
city. And teach customs, which are not
lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. Ad the multitude rose up together against them;
and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon
them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. Who having received such a charge, thrust
them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.”
Paul has been waiting on guidance from the Lord, that guidance came by
the way of a vision of a man from Macedonia waving to Paul, “come over into
Macedonia and help us.” Verse 10 we see
them depart in obedience to this call taking it as the will of God for their
lives to do so. God it would seem to them
had opened a door into Europe for the gospel.
1.
Their arrival – verse 12 Samothracia,
Neapolis then Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia. There was no large crowd awaiting Paul, no fanfares,
no presidential greetings, no red carpet.
Paul after a few days in the city went out to a little prayer meeting
where a few womenfolk met to pray. We
might say any interest in the gospel was very low key. However Paul knew he was there in God`s will
to do God`s work. Perhaps where God has
placed you or me, we might feel there is no recognition, we might feel we are
overlooked and the things we do doesn`t really matter. There may be no great events, no blowing of
trumpets in celebration of what we do, but God knows. 2 Kings 5 we read there of the healing of
Naaman, a mighty and well respected soldier of his nation, but he was a
leper. In his house was a wee maid, not
even named but God used that wee maid to see Naaman delivered of this awful
plight.
2. Their
attention given – the devil knew all about Paul’s arrival and his
ministry and he sought to do all that he could to disrupt the gospel
course. Verse 16 “a certain damsel”
followed them drawing attention to what Paul was preaching. This young girl was demon possessed and Paul
would not allow the devil to use her against the gospel so in the name of Jesus
Christ Paul was able to cast that demon out.
Satan will do all in his power to oppose you as you try to serve the
Lord. Nehemiah 2 verse 10 it was said of
Nehemiah in his day coming to Jerusalem, that the enemy knew a man had come to
seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
3.
Their arrest – verses 19 – 24 Paul found
himself in trouble and arrested for delivering this young girl of the spirit of
divination. This young girl was being
used by others to earn them money and now she was of no value to them they were
angry. Paul was arrested and beaten and
cast into prison. Things might not
always go as we think they should. As
Christians sometimes we suffer as we serve the Lord. 1 Peter 3 verse 17 “For it is better if the
will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. Even in prison Paul was used to bring the
jailer and his family to Christ for salvation.
In our service let us, as Paul says, do it: Ephesians 6 verse 6 “Not
with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will
of God from the heart.”
PRAYER POINTS:
·
Pray for those of our fellowship that have been
bereaved in the past week.
·
Pray for those who are not able to join us in
our services.
·
Pray that God will move and save souls in these
days.
·
Pray for the Drive In Services and
·
pray for one another tonight.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 21 JULY 2020
ACTS 16 VERSES 6 – 10
“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia;
and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed
to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to
Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in
the night; There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying Come over into
Macedonia and help us. And after he had
seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia; assuredly
gathering that the Lord had called for us to preach the gospel unto them.”
Last week we left Paul looking at an open door. He had waited and watched as God had seemed
to close doors before him into Asia and Bithynia then the door into a new field
of service opened for him. From this
take notice:
1.
The clarity Paul got. Verse 10 After he had seen the vision. Paul eager to find the will of God in this
instance was given great clarity.
Nothing was left to chance. Paul
was given clarity as to what he should do and where he should go. God will give us leading and clarity in the
way we should go if we wait on him.
2. The
course that was set. Verse 10
immediately we endeavoured to go. God
set the course through the man’s plea in the vision to Paul, come over and help
us. Acts chapter 8 we read of Philip and
the course that was set for him and the gospel.
God showed him that he was to go toward the south, down a desert way,
there he would meet a man seeking for salvation. Philip didn`t know this of course, he just
obeyed and followed the instructions, God makes no mistakes. We need to keep our eyes on the course that
God sets for us.
3.
The confidence he enjoyed. Verse 10 assuredly knowing that the Lord had
called us. They went with the assurance in
their hearts that this was the Lord`s doing.
The route was patiently sought out, then obeyed and blessing
followed. We need to wait patiently for
the Lord and His leading in these days of uncertainty and he will not fail.
PRAYER POINTS:
·
Continue to pray for the great need of our
land. We need a mighty outpouring of God’s
Holy Spirit in these days.
·
Pray for those in our fellowship who can’t join with
us.
·
Pray for our Sunday Drive In service again this
Sunday.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 14 JULY 2020
ACTS 16 VERSES 6 – 10
“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia;
and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed
to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to
Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in
the night; There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying Come over into
Macedonia and help us. And after he had
seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia; assuredly
gathering that the Lord had called for us to preach the gospel unto them.”
As we go into our time of prayer this evening, let us be mindful of the
leading of the Lord in these days of uncertainty, we do not want to be hasty in
any of our decisions and actions.
Let us notice here:
1.
God’s objective – It is God’s objective
to have the gospel preached throughout the world and in so doing he desires to
use the church, you and me. This is the
Great Commission, “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel” – Mark 16
verse 16. God called Paul for this very
reason. We see in the call, Acts 13
verse 2 “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called
them.” Then we see Paul’s testimony. 1 Corinthians 1 verse 17 “For Christ sent me
not to baptize but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the
cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
2. God’s
obstacles – Paul’s own intuition was to preach the gospel in Asia, but the
Holy Ghost prevented that route, then Paul thought he would go to Bithynia but
again he felt the door closing. These
were God’s obstacles and that’s where we need to take care. God closes doors also. There are times when Satan throws obstacles
in our way and we need discernment to recognise when God is leading. Paul writing to the Thessalonian church and
speaking of how he longed to come to them said 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 18 “Wherefore
we would have come unto you, even I Paul; once and again, but Satan hindered us.” Whereas n Romans 1 Paul says “oftentimes I
purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto).” Sometimes God says NO to our well thought
plans, we need to be able to recognise the difference.
3.
God’s opportunity – God opens the door
for Paul. He will have Paul go into Asia
and Bithynia but not at this particular
time. Verse 9 God brings before Paul the
vision of the man from Macedonia pleading come over and help us. Paul says 1 Corinthians 16 verse 9 “For a
great door and effectual is opened unto me.”
Paul went through the door that God opened and had a fruitful
ministry. Acts 16 verse 10 “And after he
had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly
gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” These are days of uncertainty, but we can be
certain of one fact, God is in control and wishes to lead us. Let’s keep looking to Him as new
opportunities arise.
Once again keep in mind the prayer requests for those who need our prayers. Pray as the lockdown is eased in many areas
that we might not see a spike in this virus.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 14 JULY 2020
NEHEMIAH 2 VERSE 17 – 20
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how
Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come, and
let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which
was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this
good work. But when Sanballat the
Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian, heard
it, they laughed us to scorn and despised us and said What is this thing that
ye do? Will ye rebel against the king?
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will
prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build but ye have no
portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”
The Work of God. We see this
building program going on in Jerusalem.
1.
Vision for the work. When this great leader Nehemiah heard of the
conditions in Jerusalem, he heard of how the people who had returned from
captivity in Babylon were in affliction, he heard of how the walls of the city
were broken down and the gates of the city were burned. His reaction is recorded in his own
words. Nehemiah 1 verse 4 “And it came
to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned
certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven. God sent him forth to rebuild. These are difficult days, but we need to keep
focused on the building program of God, the building of God’s church in the
midst of very different times.
2. The
voice for God’s work. Verse 18
Nehemiah now shares with the people this vision for the work. Verse 17 ye see the distress that WE are
in. Verse 18 then he tells them of how
God has placed this vision in his heart.
Chapters 2 verses 8 and 9 no doubt testifies to how God provided for
him, and how God has paved the way for him to come. He told them of how God touched the king’s
heart and granted him permission to come and lead this work. He tells them of how the King provided timber
for the building and had given an armed escort for him. In hearing this news, the people with one
accord and one voice said – “let us rise up and build” chapter 2 verse 18.
3.
The value of the work. Verse 18 a good work. What value do we place upon the work of God
and just as importantly what value do we place upon our role in that work? To this people this was a good work, to
Nehemiah himself it was a GREAT work.
Nehemiah 6 verse 3 “I am doing a great work.” It’s a great work reaching men and women,
boys and girls with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To tell people of how Jesus loves them and died to save them and to see
them added to the church of Jesus Christ.
Let’s keep focused and building, your input is so valuable and necessary
in that work.
·
Let’s pray for our land that God again would
send a mighty revival
·
Pray for those in our fellowship that are
unwell, pray for those in hospital and those just out of hospital.
·
Continue to pray for all the frontline workers
still battling Coronavirus
·
Pray for our Drive In Services again this Sunday
11.30 and 7.30 pm
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 30 JUNE 2020
Nehemiah 2 verses 17 - 20
“Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how
Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come, and
let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which
was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this
good work. But when Sanballat the
Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian, heard
it, they laughed us to scorn and despised us and said What is this thing that
ye do? Will ye rebel against the king?
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will
prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build but ye have no
portion, nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.”
Nehemiah is a man on a God given mission. Nehemiah 2 verse 12 we read how God put this
work into his heart. Verse 18 “then I
told them of the hand of my God which was upon me.”
1.
A mission of challenge – Nehemiah 2 verse
17 “Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem
lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire; come and let us build
up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.” This work came as a challenge to the people
of Jerusalem, LET US build the wall.
After the return of the people from Babylon complacency had set in and
the repair work had stopped. The city
was in ruins, the walls were broken down, the gates of that city had been
burned and the people were in despair.
God sent a man with a challenge to rebuild. With shops and businesses reopening after the
lockdown we hear much of the challenge to rebuild our economy. That economy has been under pressure these
past few months. There is a challenge
tonight in the spiritual also. You and I
as God’s people need to recognise the damage that has been done through
sin. There is a call tonight to rebuild
the walls that have been broken down over the years.
2. A
mission that demands co-operation.
Verse 18 we see the response of the people to this clear call and
challenge, the people didn’t shy away from it.
They knew this was a gigantic task but with one accord they answered the
challenge. And they said, “Let us rise
up and build.” This wasn’t a task for
one man, this was a work for all. Every
man that day consented to God’s will and to the work. 1 Corinthians 12 Paul speaks of the need for
harmony and unity in the work of God.
Paul likened the church to a body, a body like the human body consisting
of the individual limbs, arms, legs, hands, eyes and for the body to work
effectively all the limbs must work together.
Every limb is important in the functioning of that body and one relies upon
the other. You and I in the work of God
must work together in unity and harmony for the furtherance of the kingdom of
God.
3.
A mission that demands courage. Verse 18 “so they strengthened their hands
for this good work.” They made that day
a resolve that they would set about and continue to do this great work for God’s
glory. The enemy continually threatened
them and tries to discourage them and that is why they needed courage. Let’s you and I tonight join with one another
in the place of prayer and set about to build God’s Kingdom, every one of us
doing our little task.
·
Pray for one another tonight in the work of God
·
Pray for those again on the front line
·
Pray for those in our fellowship that are no
longer able to be with us in the meetings but we do not forget them.
·
Pray for the sick and for the families bereaved
in these past days.
·
Pray for the Drive In Services again this Sunday
11.30 and 7.30 pm
·
Pray for God’s wisdom as we consider the
reopening of services in the church building in the coming days.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020
PSALM 40
“I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me, and heard my
cry. He brought me up also out of an
horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established
my goings. And he hath put a new song in
my mouth, even praise unto our God, many shall see it and fear and shall trust
in the Lord. Blessed is that man that
maketh the Lord his trust and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside
to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy
wonderful works which thou hast done and thy thoughts which are to us-ward;
they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee; if I would declare and speak of
them, they are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears has thou opened;
burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the
book it is written of me. I delight to
do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great
congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O lord thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my
heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation; I have not concealed
thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me,
O Lord let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about
mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they
are more than the hairs of mine head; therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me, O Lord
make haste to help me. Let them be
ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it, let them
be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their
shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. Let
all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy
salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified. But I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh
upon me; thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying O my God.”
Good advice for today.
The Psalmist here in Psalm No 40 offers very timely
advice even for us in 2020.
Following the good news of the easing of
restrictions regarding churches reopening it is wise to be careful and to tread
cautiously. After some thirteen weeks of lockdown and not being able to meet as
we did, it is natural to grow impatient.
The Psalmist here speaks of Patience.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
[1] Exercise of Patience. David here was willing to exercise patience,
not just merely to wish for it. He tells
us here he waited, and he waited patiently. Day after day calling upon the
Lord, maybe at times feeling as if he wasn’t heard or no one listening, but
still he waited. V2 David explains the
situation he was in was like being in a horrible pit, almost drowning in
desperation.
Yet he waited with patience knowing that the Lord
would answer his plea. Moses was raised
in Pharaoh’s household. He was called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He was
there that he might deliver the Children of Israel from Egypt but sadly he
moved before God’s time. As we pray, not
only tonight, but in our own quiet time let us exercise patience knowing that
the Lord will answer, and in His time we might safely gather again to worship
as we once did.
[2] Example in Patience. “I waited patiently for the Lord.” It was to the Lord that David waited for. He
never lost sight of the Lord through this terrible situation. David wasn’t looking to any other source, he
didn’t look to any outside body, he looked and waited for the Lord.
It is good to hear news from the government and the
officials when they say churches can reopen, but for you and me today as
believers, lets keep praying and waiting for the Lord and His instructions as
to what we should do. Psalm 121 my help
cometh from the Lord.
[3] Encouragement for his Patience. The Lord heard his cry, his patient cry. Psalm 40:2 “He brought me up also out of an
horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established
my goings.” Psa 40:3 And he hath put a
new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the LORD. The Lord
lifted him out of that trouble, gave him a sure foundation, granted him
guidance and direction in his life, put joy in his heart and gave him a
wonderful testimony to live before others.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
·
Continue to pray for those families that
have suffered the loss of loved ones over these months.
·
Pray for those who remain in hospital.
·
Pray for the front line workers and
their families.
·
Pray for those in our fellowship that
are unwell.
·
Pray for a real move of God that we
might see a turning again to God and the salvation of many precious souls for
whom Christ died.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2020
2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 16 “At my first answer no
man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid
to their charge.”
Paul is describing to Timothy who of course was a
young pastor about an experience he was going through. A time when he was
arrested, and his friends forsook him. This of course was to encourage Timothy
and to show him that we have a God who never forsakes us and never leaves us
alone.
Paul speaks of
[1] Paul’s Plight. Verse 16 “all men forsook me”. This
of course was during a time of arrest and imprisonment when no one stood by him
to offer support. This surely must have been a very lonely time. Paul must have missed the fellowship and the
friendship when things changed so quickly for him. Things changed so quickly for the church in
these past days, we no longer can enjoy one another’s company and friendship
and maybe we feel forsaken.
[2] the Presence he felt. Verse 17 “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with
me,” Paul was so aware that the Lord was
standing by in the absence of his friends.
Jesus is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. When Daniel was cast into the lions den, he
was aware that the Lord had not forgotten nor did He miss what had happened,
the Lord has sent His angel to close the lions mouths. As we miss one another in fellowship and
prayer we know that the Lord stands by us.
[3] the Peace that brought. Verse 17 “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with
me “ verse 16 “let it not be laid to
their charge” Paul had a peace about the
situation. He wasn’t angry nor sought revenge but was at peace.
Even in the prison house Paul had a great peace, he
could write in his letter to the Philippians that “the things which have happened
to me have fallen out for the furtherance of the Gospel.” Paul had a peace to know that God was in
control and knew exactly what he needed.
God knows all about you and me tonight, He knows about our circumstances
and situation and He has all in His control.
[4] the Power he realised. It was in this situation, a time of
loneliness that Paul realised the Power of God helping him. 2 Timothy 4 verse 17 “Notwithstanding the
Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be
fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of
the mouth of the lion.” You and can be
assured tonight when we feel at our weakest then we can be strong through God’s
Almighty Power working in us and through us for His Glory and Honour.
·
Continue to pray for God guidance and
help in this pandemic.
·
Pray for those at greatest risk. Pray
for those who are cut off and laid aside.
·
Pray for our Drive Ins each Sunday
and that God will save souls.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 9 JUNE 2020
Romans chapter
1 verse 8-15
“First I thank
my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of
throughout the whole world. For God is
my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without
ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. Making request, if by any means now at
length, I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto
you. For I long to see you that I may impart
unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established. That is, that I may be comforted together
with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren
that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) that I
might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the
Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are
at Rome also.”
Pauls Prayer
of Concern for the absent church. We see
the heart of this child of God burning for those he was absent from. Distance
did not deter him
[1] Paul’s Commendation
of them. Verse 8 “That without ceasing I
make mention of you always in my prayers; “
He may be absent from them but they are very much on his heart, we may
be absent from each other in the fellowship but we need to remember one another.” Romans 1 verse 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for
you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Paul prays
for them all, that’s important, for Paul realised the importance of each and
every believer in the fellowship. Some might be saved longer than others, some
may be more knowledgeable in the scriptures, but all are equal in the eyes of
God. Romans 1 verse 12 Paul speaks of
“the mutual faith both of you and me.” Paul
recognized the equality of all---it was faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that had
saved him and them.
[2] Paul’s Channel
of prayer. Verse 8 “First, I thank my
God through Jesus Christ for you all,” Paul’s
channel for prayer is the same for us, through the Lord Jesus Christ we come to
our Heavenly Father. 1 Timothy 2 verse 5
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus;” We have one channel tonight and
that is The Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him hear our voice tonight as we come
together to pray for others.
[3] Paul’s Comfort
in prayer. I think this is very
appropriate tonight for us to pray as a church, there was a day that Paul was
praying specifically for, a day that he was looking forward to. Romans 1 verse 11 “For I long to see you,”Paul
looked forward to the day when he would join with them in the work set before
them. We look forward to the day when we
can come together, our Drive In’s are good we can see one another but won’t it
be nice when we can sit again beside each other and pray one for another.
[4] Paul’s Challenge
in prayer. To see the Work going on. That was the reason that Paul desired their
company, Romans 1 verse 15 “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the
gospel to you that are at Rome also.”
Let us remember the work that God has called
us to and the responsibility that we have in that work. Let us tonight pray for
souls to be saved, remember those unwell and cannot meet as they once did, pray
for the Drive Ins and pray for the move of God that we long for and need in our
Land.
LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH
BIBLE STUDY – TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2020
1st Samuel chapter 1
Hannah’s prayer.
Hannah had no children and this caused her great
distress as she comes under ridicule from those in her house. Hannah made her way to the Temple, to where
she would trust the Lord to meet with her and hear her prayer. As we see Hannah approach the Lord bringing
her great problems to Him.
[1] Hannah’s Sincerity. Hannah came to the Lord in sincerity,
believing that the One she came to was well able to do far more than she could
ever ask or think. So she got before the
Lord and cried to Him in her despair. 1 Samuel
1 verse 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and
wept sore. She was bringing a problem to
the Lord that she could no longer carry nor do anything about.
[2] Hannah’s Simplicity. 1 Samuel 1 verse 11 “And she vowed a vow, and
said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine
handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto
thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of
his life, and there shall no razor come upon
his head.” She just cried Lord hear me,
Lord grant my prayer, give me a man child.
She was simple in her language and was direct.
[3] Hannah’s Success. “and the LORD remembered her.” 1 Samuel 1 verse 20 “Wherefore it came to
pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a
son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”
The Lord heard the sincerity of her
prayer and the simplicity as she asked in faith and the Lord heard her and
answered prayer.
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