Walk With God

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:17-24

SHOW NOTES: Have you considered Joseph’s story? Most often we turn to Luke 1 and read Mary’s account. God sovereignly chose Mary and Joseph to serve as the earthly parents of the God-Man, Jesus. Matthew informs the reader that Joseph was a righteous man and he had a tender heart. Caught in confusion, hurt, and disappointment, he had decided to quietly divorce Mary and he did not want to bring harm to her. God sent an angel to Joseph and gave him clear instructions, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the Child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit … and you will name him Jesus.” Joseph heard this message and he obeyed the Lord. 

“O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” We hope you are singing words of adoration to the Lord each and every day. He is worthy of our praise! (You are invited to listen to the song we have linked below.) 

SONG: "O Come All Ye Faithful" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wW4R4lfUQI

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:5-56

SHOW NOTES: Under the direction of God and in His perfect plan … the announcements of two births will shake the nation of Israel and the world! Two cousins will become mothers. One an older woman who has lived a righteous life and the other a young virgin, engaged to be married … both hand-picked by God to fulfill His promises of the coming Messiah. How amazing! Elizabeth rejoices in God’s good gift. And Mary offers words of adoration to the Lord, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.” Friends, we encourage you to take time this week to rejoice in the work God is doing in your heart and life. Praise His holy name and speak words of adoration to the Lord!

SONG: "Breath of Heaven" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWo3qlqyW1c

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7 

SHOW NOTES: This podcast season has drawn our hearts toward praise for the Lord and over the next few weeks, let’s grow to adore Him more. The Lord Himself came to dwell among us and save us from our sins. Our world is filled with darkness, but Jesus came to bring LIGHT into the world. Isaiah writes, “His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” As we meditate on these 4 names, our hearts will swell with hope and we will desire to Adore the One who offers these blessings to His children. Remember, even in the darkest hour of night or the darkest of times, there is a LIGHT from God that changes everything. And, we choose to turn our eyes to the Lord in praise and adoration. 

SONG: "Adore" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LQCz7y5Ht0

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 150

SHOW NOTES: When we praise God, no matter what our circumstances may be, we actively demonstrate our trust in the Lord. He is worthy of our praise – pull out the instruments, sit down at the piano, sing the words of Scripture. Let the Lord know it is your heart’s desire to praise Him for His mighty deeds and His excellent greatness! It is our prayer that you will be encouraged to praise the Lord this week – Happy Thanksgiving!

SONG: "A Thousand Hallelujahs" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga057VTHdP0  

SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30  

SHOW NOTES:  In this story found in 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat has just received bad news. “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom – the Moabites and Ammonites. In fact, they are assembled at Engedi.” The king responded with fear, a natural human emotion, however, he turned his face to the Lord and he called the people of Judah to fast. They gathered together in the temple court and cried out to God in despair. “Oh, Lord, we do not know what to do but our eyes are on You!” The Lord sent a specific message and assured the king and his people that God would win the battle for them. “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.” Jehoshaphat commands the temple worship leaders to march in front of the army as they go out to meet the approaching enemy. 

SONG: "The Battle Belongs to You" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=johgSkNj3-A

SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 / Deut. 7:7-9 

SHOW NOTES: In 1 Chronicles 16, David offers this beautiful Song of Thanks. God has allowed the Ark of the Covenant to arrive in Jerusalem. It is a symbol of God’s presence in His Holy City. David leads the people in worship and heartfelt praise to the Lord. In these verses, David gives us so many ways to offer our praise to the Lord. Even the phrase, “Praise the Lord,” is the Hebrew word, “Hallelujah! Praise unto Yahweh!” We are to declare His glory and His marvelous works. Great is the Lord and He is greatly to be praised!

SONG: "Great is the Lord" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwgNtLl0SsI

SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 22 / Psalm 18 

SHOW NOTES:  We all experience days when words of praise just don’t roll off our tongue. In our Scriptures today, David gives us examples for how we can approach those times when life is difficult and when it seems too hard for our lips to praise the Lord. In 2 Samuel 22 & Psalm 18, we see two versions of the same account in David’s life.

The book of 2 Samuel is set in an historical framework but each of these chapters is written as Hebrew poetry. David declares, “I love you, O Lord, my strength.”

He knows he can cry out of God. The Lord will rescue His children from their strong enemies. These words from a hymn penned over 150 years ago are filled with truth … “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay … On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” He is my rock and my salvation.

SONG: "Worthy Of My Song" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeL9mKnd38g

Scripture: Philippians 1:21, 3:7-9 / Select Passages in Acts

SHOW NOTES: Paul’s life included many journeys – he persecuted believers in Jerusalem and his famous Road to Damascus experience! After Paul returned to Jerusalem, he continued to learn and grow in his new-found faith in Jesus. His entire life was changed! The purpose of his journey was rerouted, and he was now “called” to be a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is much to study and learn from Paul’s three missionary journeys, as he reached many people and established churches in Asia Minor and Greece. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are attributed to Paul, and approximately half of the book of Acts deals with his life and works. Then, God allowed Paul to “sit on the shelf” in Caesarea for several years. He was a chosen instrument in God’s hand and from our human viewpoint, it looked like Paul’s ability and time were being wasted. But God’s perspective is very different. Paul continued to share with others every time he had an opportunity. And he boldly stated, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21) 

SONG: "To Live is Christ" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXL0dTzK5mc

Coming! A New Season - Praise & Adore Him! 

Scripture: Acts 9:1-28

SHOW NOTES: Life’s Journeys will bring us face to face with difficult people, even cruel people. Last time we met Saul, a leading Pharisee in Jerusalem, zealous for the Law, and persecuting men and women who were following Jesus. He was determined this new message would not spread any further into Judaism. Saul travels from Jerusalem to Damascus when suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice speaking to him. “Why are you persecuting me?” For three days, he could not see, and he waited in a house in Damascus. Then, the Lord spoke to Ananias, “Go, for this man is now a chosen instrument of mine.” The purpose of Saul’s journey was rerouted, and he was now “called” to be a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul’s entire life was changed!

SONG: "The God Who Stays" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHMVSdIjBcg

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3, 18:3, 22:3-4, 26:9

SHOW NOTES: In the time period of the early Church, we meet a Pharisee named Saul. Later in his life, He makes this statement, “I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh … circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:4-6). The new believers in Jerusalem were greatly afraid of the zealous work of this man. He was a leader in the great persecution of the Church in Jerusalem – arresting, binding men and women, and having them imprisoned. But we know God had His eye on this very zealous follower of the Law. No matter where you find yourself today … know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can come to the Lord … just as you are!  

SONG: "Come As You Are" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw6_SIUSacU