Romans 8:28-30 Rodney Howell, Local and Global Outreach Pastor 07 16 23 by New Life of Asheville

Romans 8:18 - 27 Daniel Dixon, Guest Preacher 07 09 23 by New Life of Asheville

Romans 8: A New Identity - Rodney Howell, Local and Global Outreach Pastor 07 02 23 by New Life of Asheville

Romans 8 - Set Your Mind, Alan-Michael Sprinkle, Guest Pastor 06 25 23 by New Life of Asheville

Romans 8 - Delusion, Guilt, or Freedom - Joe Dillon, Guest Pastor 06 18 23 by New Life of Asheville

This little psalm of ascent was penned by king Solomon and is packed with wisdom. It reminds us that it’s possible to work hard, build a life, and raise a family and do it all in vain. Without reliance on God, all of our striving can lead us to a place of worry, anxiety, and empty toil. Solomon reminds us to rely on God for provision and protection. To rest in Him in the chaos of this life. And to trust Him to bless our families in ways we never thought possible in our own strength. It is God who builds, blesses, and provides rest. Learning to rely on Him is a huge key in unlocking the abundant life Jesus promised those who follow Him!

Psalm 126 is a community psalm of thanksgiving that focuses on the theme of restoration. We all need to experience restoration and renewal in different seasons of our lives. This psalm tells us several things about the supernatural restoration we all need; it’s God-supplied, awe-inspiring, joy-producing, and serves as a powerful testimony to the world. How do we get this type of deep life-changing renewal? Two ways: prayer and sowing. We pray for restoration and keep sowing the seeds of spiritual disciplines. Through tears even, we keep sowing the seeds of prayer, reading scripture, worshiping with the saints each Sunday, showing up to our community groups, practicing generosity–and when God sends the rains, and He will, we will reap a harvest of joy!

We’ve all experienced the pain of misplaced trust. Whether we placed our trust in a person who failed us, or perhaps an organization, or even a political party, misplaced trust can be pretty devastating. Conversely, placing our faith in the right things, can set us up for a life of success, fulfillment, and purpose. Psalm 125 gives us five things we can expect when we place our ultimate trust in God: stability, security, protection, goodness, and peace. Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, we can experience an abundant life even amidst the chaos and pain of the fallen world we live in.

As pilgrims on this journey called life, we all experience danger in various shapes and forms. King David, who wrote this particular psalm, certainly was no stranger to danger. As God’s people, what should we do when we stare into the face of the dangers of a fallen world? David points our hearts to a three-step process in Psalm 124: remember, praise, and apply. Remember the ways God has delivered you in the past. Allow His track-record to inspire your heart to worship even in the face of danger, and finally, apply these truths to your life in such a way that brings a sense of peace and calm only the Holy Spirit can bring to those who have been bought & redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

The psalmist looks to God with humble dependence, recognizing His sovereignty and mercy. The psalmist acknowledges his own lowly position and lifts his eyes to the Lord, trusting in His unfailing love and grace. The psalm emphasizes the importance of seeking God's mercy and relying on Him in times of difficulty, and ends with a call to trust in the Lord and His steadfast love.