Old Testament Scripture Reading: Psalms 44:1 -8 (KJV)
Psa 44:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
Psa 44:2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
Psa 44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
Psa 44:4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
Psa 44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Psa 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
Psa 44:7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Psa 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Peter 2:1 – 12 (KJV)
1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
1Pe 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1Pe 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Like the Psalmist, we’ve all had someone, a “parental authority” to testify to us of the goodness of the LORD and the facts of His deliverance and provisions for those who trust Him and His word and call upon Him in times of need or trouble, or even doubt, and then learning of His love, care, and provision and faithfulness.
2) Repentance is a life-long process, that begins at a moment in time when we begin to trust Jesus for our salvation, and continues throughout the rest of our lives as we continue as disciples of Jesus Christ learning the Bible and applying it to every matter in our lives, which continues to transform us from heathen to saint day by day.
3) Peter also teaches us about the value of casting out our old evil ways, and becoming like newly born babies, dependant more “Christ on the nourshing, cleansing comforting Word of God as we grow in hope looking forward to becoming -like” as we consume the Word of God from day to day in preparation of “Planning Our Futures With Jesus Christ.”
