The Songs of Ascent teach us about importance of where our eyes and heart are focused.
Psalms 123: Our Eyes Look to the LORD Our God A Song of Ascents.
1 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.
3 Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.
4 Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
Psalms 124: Our Help Is in the Name of the LORD A Song of Ascents. Of David.
1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side--- let Israel now say---
2 if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 125: The LORD Surrounds His People A Song of Ascents.
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!
Things to think about…
The ancient pilgrims who travelled up to Jerusalem had to look up as they walked, so too the Psalmist says ‘to You I lift my eyes’, 123:1. So often troubles start when our eyes are focused on something/someone else, generally as we look down and back. We look at our past, the failures, hurts and the trails, knowing there is still a way to climb in this life. May our eyes look to the Lord, vs 1. The Psalmist says this life due to various influences provides enough contempt, vss 3, 4, let’s not look for any more.
Look at Ps 124. “The Lord is on our side”, vss 1, 2. It’s amazing Israel and Jerusalem have survived at all considering the wars and number of times the land and the city have been captured and occupied. I think Jerusalem has been attacked displaced by one group or another at least 40 times in its history. The wars over Israel in the 20th Century should be more than enough to convince the most hardened sceptic that the Lord protects Israel. We still see the land at war today, but Israel is always delivered. Isn’t this true of Christianity as well. Nietzsche said that God is dead. Of course, Christianity and the worship of God continues grow and have greater influence in the world despite being under constant attack.
Christ and His church continue to be built and as Ps 125 says of Mt Zion that it ‘cannot be moved’. This is the case with our assurance of salvation in Christ. If God is for us who can be against us, Rom 8:31. Trust Him today with all the issues of life, Rom 8:28. Praise God.
Consider Ps 125:3 “the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.” We are in the worls but not of it. When are called to be salt and light to the surrounding community we live in. We are not to embrace the leaven of the world. If this happens we the righteous are in danger of stretching out our hands to do wrong. Guard your thoughts and desires, making sure they honour the Lord. The Lord is the Judge of the wicked vs 5, but Israel and the people of God will be at peace.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray for the gospel and this week’s message - ‘Trump the world and the gospel.
2. Pray for Iran and pray for the demise of the IRGC of Iran.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast – starting to come online.
3. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
4. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
5. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
6. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
7. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
8. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
9. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
10. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
11. Finances to cover our needs
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for the Lord’s blessing over our service on Sunday
2. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
3. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
4. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
5. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Easter services – Easter Friday 3rd Apr – 9:00qm. Easter Sunday 5th Apr – 9:30am – Kids activities while the message is on.
2. Passion Play at Moogerah Dam – 28th March and Easter Weekend. Ladies and families welcome. Camping available.
3. Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church especially our Easter program.
6. Mothers Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 6. How could the Son of God suffer? A. Christ, the Son of God, became man that he might obey and suffer in our nature.
