"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FUTURE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FUTURE"

Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, and a prayer:

This Psalm, is simply called, "A Psalm of David" But, it's more than something simple.
It's chock full of truth.
Truth about God, about man, about grace, about sin, and about the ways of the Lord and the ways of man
It tells us of how the Lord acts towards people and what the future holds for people.

1. Sadly their are evildoers, and they shall be cut off.
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

Evildoers exist because of sin. We were all born sinners but we all do not have to remain in that state.
We can be born again, forgiven of our sins, and made children of God, heirs of God, and citizens of heaven.
And, we can look forward to spending eternity with God.

But, for those who refuse Christ, and insist on having their own way, the future is a far different picture.
They shall be cut off.
Cut off means that they will not enter heaven, but will stand before the Great White Throne Judgement of God and then consigned to the Lake of fire forever and ever.

This is what the future holds for evildoers.

2. Happily there are those who wait on the LORD, and they shall inherit the earth.
Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

But for those who have come to faith, trusted in Christ to save them, and have been saved from and forgiven of their sin, the future is glorious.

Notice what it says awaits those who wait or trust in the Lord. "The shall inherit the earth" This is speaking of our reigning and ruling with Christ during his 2nd coming back to earth for 1000 years, and inheriting the new earth that God will prepare for his people.

We as sinners, evildoers have had a terrible past, but in coming the cross we have been changed by God and have entered into His family, and enjoy the rich hope of the most glorious future available to any human being.

Some questions:

1. Have you personally come to Christ for salvation?

2. If you have not will you please today, turn from your sins, and place your faith in Christ?

3. Will you ask God to reveal His mercy, grace and love to You?

4. Do you know that God will take no pleasure if you die in your sins?

5. And do you know that there will be joy in heaven if you repent of your sins and come to Christ?

A prayer:

Father there are two roads. A narrow and a wide. We were all on the wide one leading to destruction, but You met us along the way and said, turn in here, turn and come onto this narrow road that leads to heaven. Oh Lord whom do we have in heaven but You to thank.
If it were not for Your mercies we would still be perishing. But now we are being saved. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT LIFE AND LIGHT"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT LIFE AND LIGHT"

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

This Psalm, Psalm 36, is called, "A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord"
In this Psalm, David covers the alphabet of life as it were.
From the terrors that we encounter as we serve God to the deliverance in the midst of those terrors, to the praise that fills our hearts as we see the wonderful faithfulness of God.
Let's just look at one simple but significant verse today. In this verse there are two important truths told us about God.

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

1. "For with You is the fountain of life"
Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life;

Here we are told what is with God.
And what is with God is not found anywhere else except with or in God.
It's called the fountain of life.

What a great visual this is for us. A fountain that gives life.
Who does not love a fountain?
But, when have you ever seen one that gives life?

You have in Jesus Christ.
He is the way the truth and the life.
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

We were in death, dead in our sins and trespasses, but God who is rich in mercy, even when we were dead in our sins, has made us alive together with Christ, for by grace we have been saved.

If you have Jesus you have life1st John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
1st John 5:12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

2. In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

This second truth about Jesus is that He is light.
John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
John 9:5 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

In the Bible "light" means truth. Jesus is the truth as compared to that which is not, or compared to the lies of the father of lies the devil.
But there is something more here.
The verse says that "In Your light we see light"
What does this mean?
It seems to mean, that as we look at Jesus ( who is the truth ) we see more truth.
Jesus is eternal.
There is not end to Him.
We can never fathom all the truth that He is.
We will enjoy forever seeing the truth, more and more.

But down here, we can learn and grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Questions:

1. What questions do you have for God right now?

2. Have you considered asking Him for the answers?

3. Do you know He promises to answer you and give you wisdom?

4. But, do you now that He wants You to have faith in Him, and not be double-minded.?

A prayer:

Father thank You for life and thank You for life. They both are ours's as believers. And, they both have come from You to us by grace, through faith. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT CHRIST AND HIS SECOND COMING"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT CHRIST AND HIS SECOND COMING"

1st Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, and a prayer:

Paul was not writing about the 2nd Coming of Christ, though he certainly mentions it.
He was actually writing about the ordinance of taking communion, or the Lord's supper.
There was a lot of disorder and lack of respectful worship taking place in the Corinthian Church, and even during the time of celebrating the Lord's supper there were some very ungodly things taking place. So, Paul was writing to bring correction to them about these problems.
But in doing so, he happens to mention in 11:26 this astounding and wonderful truth. Jesus is coming back once again to the earth.
And, we are to celebrate what He did for us on the cross by taking communion, and keep celebrating it, right up till the time of His 2nd Coming. So in that sense the Lord's supper is a good reminder, Jesus is coming again someday.

1. We can celebrate what Jesus did as often as we like to.
1st Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

There is no Biblical prescription for how often we are to celebrate the Lord's supper. It's really an individual matter for us personally, and also for the church leadership to determine as they feel led by the Holy Spirit.

Each time we do observe it though, we are looking back to the cross where Jesus died in our place, paying the full payment for our sins.
It's interesting that the Lord has given us this ordinance to celebrate, because it does help us remember what He did for us.
It actually focuses us very specifically on what He did for us.
He died in our place, He took our punishment when He deserved none.

2. We are celebrating the Lord's death on the cross for our sins when we take the Lord's supper.
1st Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Imagine that God wants us to be mindful on a regular basis of what He has done for us.
He certainly knows that we can have our minds so crowded out with so many things, that we can in a sense forget what He did for us.

So, knowing our tendency to forget and become so filled with so many other thoughts, He helps us by having us pause to simply remember what He did for us.

He is reminding us of the greatest act ever accomplished for mankind.
Without Christ shedding His blood for us we would not have a way to get to heaven.

3. We look back to the cross, but in doing so, we are instructed to look forward to the 2nd Coming.
1st Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

The communion service is a double blessing as it were. We not only look back, but we look forward.
Each look is focused upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

We look back to the cross.
We look forward to the clouds parting and Jesus descending to the earth once again.

The cross and the clouds.
The next time we see a cloud, which of course we see every day, may God remind us that Jesus is going to one day descend right through the clouds and make His return to the earth.

Questions:

1. Isn't it a blessing that God wants us to remember these two most glorious truths?

2. Isn't it wonderful that God understands our human weakness and frailty to forget?

3. Isn't it a blessing that He has given us these practical means to remember His Son?

4. God says, look back, and look forward. Thank You Lord.

A prayer:

Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Holy Spirit we pray that You would teach us more about His wonderful name.
We also pray that our lives would be supremely focused upon Jesus. That may sound like a lot to ask, but not for You. You can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. May we be found day by day, "looking unto Jesus" In His name we pray, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HAVING A BLESSED LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HAVING A BLESSED LIFE"

Psalm 34:12 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, and a prayer:

In these three verses the Lord gives us simple but profound and powerful truths that lead to a happy or blessed life.

1. Who does not want to have a blessed life?
Psalm 34:12 Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?

The question is asked, "Who is the man who desires life, etc, etc?
The answer is "everyone"
Have you ever met anyone that would say no to this question?
Most every human being wants to enjoy life and have blessed and happy life.
The blessed life is described as "many days" and "that he may see good"

2. Here are the ways of living that lead to a blessed life.
Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

The Lord tells us here what not to have in our lives, and what to have in our lives.

First of all, if we want to be blessed, than we are to keep our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking deceit.
So, it starts with our speech.
And, our speech is connected with our heart.
What is in our heart will come out of our mouths.
We need to put off the old ways of living.

Secondly, we are to depart from evil. Leave it, run away from it, have nothing to do with it.

Thirdly, we are to do good, or live in the way that is pleasing to the Lord and in keeping with His will.

Finally, we are to seek peace and pursue it.
That would be peace with God, and peace with man.
To live at peace, not unrest and trouble.
We can do this by Loving God and Loving one another.

Questions:

1. Are you seeking to have a blessed life?

2. Do you know that the way to a blessed life is found right in these few short verses?

3. Will you place your faith in God and ask Him to help you, giving you strength, grace and wisdom to walk in His ways?

A prayer:

Father we appreciate the fact that while life itself can be complicated, Your Word and Your ways are not. You lay Your will out for us in plain and easy to understand terms. It's Your good pleasure to give us the kingdom, and to bless our lives. It's up to us to trust You and respond to Your Word. Help us in both of those actions Lord. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE SCOFFER, THE WISE AND THE WICKED"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE SCOFFER, THE WISE AND THE WICKED"

Proverbs 21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Proverbs 21:12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, statements, and a prayer:

Proverbs has been given to us as God's book of wisdom. In it we learn how to walk through life, learning how to have wisdom, and avoid being foolish. These 31 chapters are chock full of practical teaching for us about life. Today's passages deal with three kinds of people.
The scoffer, the wise person, and the wicked person.

1. Scoffer's wind up being punished, but the simple is made wise
Scoffers are mockers. They talk arrogantly, they boast, they deride. A scoffer is an inflated person, it means to show oneself as a mocker. To deride, and to scorn.
The Bible says this type of person will be punished. They will experience punishment for being scoffers, that's just what happens to them.
And, when they are punished one benefit is that "the simple is made wise"
Sometimes it takes someone being punished for a simple man to to truly learn.
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

2. But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
On the other hand, this person, the wise person can be instructed, and in his being instructed he receives knowledge.
In other words he learns from instruction.
The scoffer is punished.
The wise man is instructed.
Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

3. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
This verse is telling us that God who is righteous know what is taking place in the homes of the wicked.
Nothing is hidden from His eyes.
And, eventually God will bring disaster upon the wicked.
Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin.

Some questions/statements:

1. Isn't it true that we make our own choices and we also reap the consequences of those choices?

2. And, isn't it true that God is calling out to us everyday to allow Him to lead and guide us in His ways?

3. What a blessing to know that we can make choices that yield blessed results and consequences in our lives.

4. Men may think they can hide their sins from God and get away with their wicked deeds, but that's not true.

5. God does not punish men immediately, and this leads man to think that he is getting away with his sins.

6. One day, God will make all things right, it will be in His time and His way.

7. A wise man once told me comforting words. "God, Time, and Truth. Rest in these my friend"

A prayer:

Father, You have given us 31 entire chapters with extreme detail of how to live our lives day by day with Your wisdom. And, by following Your ways, we can avoid so much trouble that we could otherwise bring upon ourselves. Thank You for forgiving us of our sins. And, we pray that You lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. And, help us Lord to learn Your wisdom from what we see going on around us day by day. In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD"

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,
Psalm 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

Some introductory thoughts, explanations, application, and some questions:

As with most Psalm's, this was written by none other than a man we will meet in heaven on day. A man after God's own heart, a man who was a shepherd boy chosen by God to be the king of Israel. There are some wonderful and encouraging truths about the blessings that come into the lives of those who wait on the Lord. Throughout the Psalm, David is contrasting the futility of trusting in man rather than God. May God bless this truth to our souls.

1. God's eye is upon those who fear Him, and on those who hope in His mercy.
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,

Here we are told who God's eye is upon. It's upon those who respect Him, and upon those who hope in His mercy, or hope in Jesus Christ who is the mercy of God.
He is our heavenly father, and we are his beloved children.
How He loves us.
He keeps His eye upon us because of that love and our relationship to Him.
He is looking at you this very moment.

2. God delivers his people from death, and keeps them alive in times of famine.
Psalm 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.

Here we have two promises from God.
He delivers His people from death.
And, He keeps them alive during times of famine.

God cannot lie, so we know these promises are true, and can be believed with all of our hearts.
We will never be separated from Him, and He will never be separated from us.
He will always deliver us, and He will always provide for us even in the most difficult of times.

3. God's people can wait on the LORD, because He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

This verse now speaks of what we ought to do.
And, it tells us why we ought to do them.

God's people wait on Him, or believe Him, trust Him, expect Him to do as He has promised.
The reason we can wait on Him, is because He is our help and our shield.
How wonderful to see that God really takes care of His people, helping them, and shielding them.
We could never do these things for ourselves, that's why God wants us to trust Him, He can do them.

4. God's people shall rejoice in Him, because they have trusted in His Holy name.
Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

This is speaking of what we will do.
In fact we already do it.
But one day we shall do it like never before.
That time is when we get to heaven.
My how we will praise Him.

5. God's people can pray for His mercy to be upon them, as they hope in Him.
Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

This is a prayer.
It's a prayer that is conditional.

The prayer is for His mercy.
The condition is "just as we hope in You"

God's mercy means we do not receive what we deserve.
And, as we hope in God, or actively believe Him, we find ourselves experiencing the richness of His mercy.

Some questions:

1. Isn't it a blessing to realize that right at this very moment, God is looking at you through eyes of love and mercy?

2. And isn't it a tremendous promise that He has and will deliver our souls from death. We are no longer separated from Him.

3. Do you know that God invites you to wait on Him, because He wants to help you and be your shield?

4. Try for a moment to think about how you will praise God when we first see Him face to face?

5. And isn't it great to know we can pray for His mercy and that we can hope in Him?

A prayer:

Father, Your Psalms are such a blessing to us. They lift us up, they comfort us, they instruct us, they bless us more than we can imagine. Thank You for giving us 150 of them. We believe that more people read the Psalms than any other book in the Bible. Lord the Psalms are one of our most favorite books in the Bible. They never cease to encourage us. And, may You help us Lord to be those that pass on Your encouragement to others. We love You.
In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS BY OUR LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS BY OUR LORD"

Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
Psalm 32:4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

This Psalm is called a Psalm of contemplation by King David. It's what he wrote after he had finally acknowledged his sins of adultery, lying, and murder. He speaks of the blessing of forgiveness, and the horridness of walking in unconfessed sin for well over a year, about 1 1/2 years to be exact.

1. God's blessing comes to His people through forgiveness.
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
Psalm 32:2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Blessed means, "Oh how happy". And that's what happens when God forgives our sins. Happiness comes back into our lives.
God forgives, God covers our sins, God removes our sins. And, God does not hold us accountable any longer for them.
And when a man or women confesses their sins to God, they are also no longer being deceitful. And that is a blessing in and of itself.

2. God's blessing is absent from our lives until our sins are confessed to Him.
Psalm 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
Psalm 32:4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

When David did not confess his sins, it affected as described in the two verses directly above.
His bones grew old, he was groaning all day long on the inside.
God's hand was heavy upon David.
David's vitality was turned to the drought of summer.

3. God is sure to forgive anyone who will take responsibility for their sin, and that is something to really think about.
Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Finally, David confessed his sins. God used a friend, a prophet named Nathan to confront David, and David took full responsibility for his sins.
He was no longer hiding it from God.
He agreed with God, that he had sinned.
And, here's the blessing, God forgave him of all of his sin.

Questions:

1. Have you had David's experience of walking in unconfessed sin?

2. I would imagine there is not a christian alive who cannot relate to these realities.

3. Have you experienced the blessing of God's forgiveness?

4. Do you know that God loves you and will forgive you today if you come to Him?

A prayer:

Father thank You for this tremendous testimony of Your grace and mercy. We are all sinners who need Your forgiveness from time to time. Thank You for never turning us away, and always being ready to restore us.
We pray for ourselves where this is applicable and for friends or family who need forgiveness today.
Please come them in Your mercy, grace and love. In Jesus name, amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.