Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 27:1 – 14 (KJV)
Psa 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psa 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Psa 27:3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
Psa 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
Psa 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psa 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Psa 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Psa 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Psa 27:9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psa 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
Psa 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psa 27:12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
Psa 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1John 2:15 – 17 (KJV)
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) Discipleship is Learning to understand how to live right now in the present time, knowing that God is aware of everything about us, and knows that we are tempted by many negative effects of the fallen nature and therefore are prone to do that which is sinful, but because of the faith He gives us from the hearing of His Word, we come to acknowledge Him and His extreme love for us and become more able to overcome sin through a knowledge of His Grace.
2) The Psalmist shows us that a constant secret fellowship with God is the means by which we receive His protection from others who “do not believe in Him”, and come against us because we “do believe in Him” and that rather than dwelling in the past, or giving energy to the pressures of the world or the enemies of God who threaten our future, we learn to call on Him and sustain a passionate relationship with the Holy Spirit, Who empowers us to live without fears pressed into us from these enemies against God; but rather to enjoy the “present” which is God’s gift to us who have trusted Christ Jesus, His Son!
3) John identifies our enemies as being the World, the Flesh and the devil, who are all dead set against us who believe, and are constantly responsible for pushing our minds from a place of present peace into a time of worries about things which God had promised to deal with and to secure us in the life of joy, which He has paid for with the very blood of Jesus His Only Begotten Son, Who has defeated even death the last enemy!