What is Man?

Psalm 144:3,4 says, "O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Fortunately God values us in a much higher degree than we often value ourselves.  Although we have from the outset rejected him He continues to extend love and mercy to us.  Romans 9:23 says he reaches out "in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory.  Although mankind continually rejects him, He continues to be patient, loving, and merciful. His desire continues to be to restore value, to lift us up and plant our feet on a rock.

If God is calling to you, don't resist, but bow to him, and experience his glory and mercy!

Pastor Paul

Feeling Crushed?

Do you ever feel like the world is closing in around you?  That there is no light at the end of the tunnel? Perhaps life is just hard and you can't see over the top? Or perhaps sinful choices have left you in darkness.  I think these ideas may express what David felt as he wrote Psalm 143.

His own poor choices as well as his enemy's continual hounding made life extremely difficult.  Words such as pursued, crushed, and darkness describe how he felt.

Yet he remembers the past. He compares his present condition to a wanderer in the wilderness, his spiritual thirst to parched land, but God's care as something to be trusted.

In vs.1 and 11 he appeals to God's righteousness to intervene.  He understood God to be merciful rather than vengeful. His prayer is not to be vindicated or exonerated,  but rather to be restored.  His cry for mercy flowed from a repentant heart.  Vs.10 says "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Let's remember: Because God is righteous and loving he is always open to hear our call for mercy and he is always willing to pardon.

Pastor Paul

Psalm 142:1-3

One day last week my mind was taxed with a number of things.  I don't remember what they were now but I chose to bring my thoughts and problems to God asking him to help me and give me wisdom. It was amazing how quickly peace reigned in my mind and I could see clearly as I looked forward.

Psalm 142:1-3 says "With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plea for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint (my thoughts) before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!"

David, the writer of the Psalm, was not shy about sharing what was on his heart/mind. There is a great lesson here for us. David's understanding of God as a listening father gave him freedom to share his thoughts freely with this Father in  heaven.  God always has a listening ear.

How often do we carry heavy burdens that God is willing to help us carry?

1 Peter 5:7 encourages us with these words: "cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you."

Philippians 4:6,7-  "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (NLT).

Each of these verses, without exception, challenges us our independence. Rather than going along muddling through our day, fretting, angry, or in fear  we are challenged to present what is going on in our lives to God, and leave it with him.  David realized this, and I found it to be true as well.

Pastor Paul

Psalm 141:8-10

Good morning! It's God's morning! What a difference a couple letters in a word make!

What a difference a few weeks can make! The last few weeks of our lives have brought various feelings to the forefront in our lives.

Anxiety, fear, distrust, anger, helplessness, inadequacy, imprisonment (feels like), and for some really no change at all. 

When put into practice, the last few sentences of Psalm 141 will help us focus our eyes correctly. (8) "But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless." 

Jesus' words in Matthew 6:25-34 help us with perspective. By using the example of birds, which show no concern for the future, and the brilliance of the lily, Jesus encourages us to trust him because of our intrinsic value to him.  

141:9 is a clear call to ask God for wisdom. How do I live? How do I respond? "Keep me from the trap they have laid for me and from the snares of  evildoers."   Asking God for clarity in how to live in this time, along with listening to what he tells you, will give you confidence as you move forward.  Oh...by the way, you probably won't hear audible words, rather He will speak through his word, or by the wisdom of others, or with quiet confidence as you look to him.

Pastor Paul

Psalm 141:5-7

Good Morning! 

 Psalm 141:5-7.  

The context of these verses is unknown although it is wondered if they are words spoken while Saul was unjustly pursuing David. 

 

Probably one of the most difficult things for us to receive is the faithful rebuke of a friend, yet as we read this verse we are reminded of its goodness- it is a kindness, it is like oil on the head. Oil was used in celebration and to sooth. They are words that we should receive and learn from.

The end of vs.5 and 6 move us to think of a proper response to what may have been taken as an 'unearned' privilege. There are those who 'strike' us or rebuke us but their own lives don't match up with their expectation of others. That is when it is hard to be silent.  

Rather than seek revenge or push back, pray for this person, and respond with pleasant rather than abrasive and defensive words.

Pastor Paul Ford

Sage Hills Evangelical Free Church

Ashcroft BC

Church Info

This blog spot will keep you up to date on all things related to Sage Hills Evangelical Free Church in Ashcroft, BC Canada.  Stay tuned for more.

The congregation at the Sage Hills Evangelical Free Church will welcome you to this family oriented community church. We offer a variety of ministries each week. Please contact the church office for more information and please join us this Sunday morning 10:30 A.M. We have a “come as you are” attitude and hope that you will find our worship service friendly, multi-generational and meaningful.

We are located right on 1244 Mesa Vista Drive in the Village of Ashcroft, which is in the central part of Gold Country, British Columbia. When you come into town just go over the bridge, across the rail tracks and up the hill. Turn left on Mesa Vista Drive and go almost to the end. Our phone number is 250-453-9033.

We meet on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for Worship Service. There is a children’s program during the sermon time.