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RE Verse reading–Acts 2:41-47, 4:32-35  (day one)  “and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. . .taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with the people.  And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved”  (2:45-47) One of the most powerful  “visions” of our fellowship is the prayer to be “a New Testament Church”.  Our text this week is a scriptural summary of this beautiful goal.  Living under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the first followers of Jesus became united, generous and happy participants in a society that the world had never seen.  These qualities inspired the people of the 1st Century and led them to Christ.  As we read this week, consider what the same testimony would today.  “He has put a NEW song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God”  (Psalm 40:3)

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day seven)  “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”  (116:12)  Does God expect a return on investment from us?  After dismissing the unworthy idea that God is motivated by profit, the answer seems to be yes–and for our good.  Nothing is more unattractive than an ungrateful child (unless it is an ungrateful adult).  Gratitude is central to our moral and spiritual development.  Without it we are stunted and misshapen.  Psalm 116 uses a word (shub) that is normally translated “return”.  What shall I return to the Lord?  It proposes a conviction and life-discipline that those who have “freely received” should also “freely give”. (Matthew 10:8)  As we prepare for worship this morning,  will you take time to ask, “What attitudes or actions shall I take that will return something to God for His kindness toward me?”  “What can I do today?” Great Question!  I will see you in a few hours.

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day six)  “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?  I shall lift up the cup of salvation”  (116:12-13)  Do you know anyone who is discomforted by a gift or a compliment?  Someone who is awkward in receiving help?  The strange thought of Psalm 116 is that our best gratitude to God is to thankfully and continually receive more.  God is all-sufficient.  He is not poorer for His generosity.  We are ever needy.  To humbly accept this fact about ourselves (and about Him) is a form of gratitude.  Put another way, it dishonors God for us to refuse His help or imagine that we don’t need it.  Similar to Acts 16.  “What must I do to be saved?. . .Believe!”  “What must we do to express thanks?. . Receive!”  Other steps will follow later.  The beginning, however, must be a heart humble and open to the further and fuller gifts of God.

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day five) “I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of His people” (116:14)  We are being watched.  It is a good thing.  Real religion is both private and public.  Private in what God says to us, what He commands.  Private also in what we say to Him, what we commit.  How we follow through, however, is very public.  Paul made and kept a vow in Acts 18.  Jesus said that commitments should be straightforward. (Matthew 5)  What we do promise to God, however, is to be fulfilled in the presence of His people.  Marriage is an example.  A vow taken before God with others serving as witnesses and accountability partners.  No longer a private matter.  Once made, vows are to be kept, blessing both the one who took the vow and those who observe the integrity involved.  “May the words of my mouth. . .be acceptable in Thy sight”  (Psalm 19:14)

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day four)  “I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people”  (116:14)  Built into Psalm 116 is an important insight into gratitude.  To express thanks to God requires us to live with His people, for His people.  True gratitude is not private or isolated.  Yesterday, I sent my Father a card for Father’s Day.  I suspect my brother and sister did the same.  As sincere as our expressions of gratitude were, I do not think that they would have had the desired effect had we been at odds, tense and distant from each other.  (thankfully we aren’t)  As the writer of Psalm 116 knows, gratitude toward the Father requires the brothers and sisters to be together. “One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6)  To be my Father’s son, makes me my brother’s keeper. . .if I am grateful.

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day three)  “I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of His people”  (116:14)  The writer of Psalm 116 (some scholars think it is Hezekiah–Isaiah 38) is thinking about ways to express gratitude to God. ” What should I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”  Careful reflection is required. (See yesterday’s blog)  Deliberate action is also required.  Rather than just feel grateful, we are to act!  One resolution the psalmist reaches involves connecting and communicating with the people of God.  It isn’t enough to keep our promises, we are to do it in company with those who have made similar promises. (more later on witness to outsiders)  Our generation is experiencing a great defection from church–a loss of loyalty to God’s people.  Real gratitude to God must be expressed in public identification with these people.  “Therefore do not be ashamed. . .but join with me in suffering”  (2 Timothy 1:8)

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day two)  “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”  (116:12)  There is something very substantial here–a discipline frequently omitted by the blessed children of God.  It is possible to sing “Count your many blessings”  a thousand times and still never take the time to do what is being recommended.  Psalm 116 is a song of praise from a person who has recovered from a serious illness (see vs 1-11)  Rather than thank God for the lastest grace only, the writer wants to reckon ALL of God’s benefits, a whole lifetime of outpoured help.  To do so requires some reflection–for him and for us.  Will you start “this blessed arithmetic” (Spurgeon)?  Has He given you health?  Put it on your list!  friends? family?  opportunity?   A new bride cannot be overwhelmed.  Etiquette requires a thank you for every gift received.  Should we be less careful?  Will you begin your list today?

RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day one)  “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”  Great question.  Perhaps you remember the true story of the HMS Bounty and the mutiny that took place on it in 1789.  Led by Fletcher Christian, men on the ship rebelled rather than leave Tahiti as ordered.  The irony, and the lesson for us, is that even “bounty” fails to create gratitude.  Wanting more, we become mutineers too and against a greater grace.  “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks”  (Romans 1:21)  The RE Verse scriptures this week raise the issue of gratitude and duty.  How much does God have to give us before we begin to ask the question, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”  In Romans 1:14, Paul says “I am a debtor”.  May the goodness of God teach us to say the same.

RE Verse reading–Psalm 23, Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 116:1-9, Matthew 6:25-33 ( day seven)  “For in the day of trouble, He will conceal me in His tabernacle”  (27:5)  Most of us have friends enough for the good times.  People with whom we share success and joyful moments.  Friends who stay loyal in the “day of trouble” are more rare.  David discovered that God was the second kind.  2 Samuel tells of a hard moment.  David had made serious mistakes.  His wounds were self-inflicted.  The consequences ahead looked serious.  When offered a choice, David still preferred God.  “Let us now fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man”  (2 Samuel 24:14)  Interesting insight.  Even when we have made mistakes, even when we have offended His law and He is entitled to be be harsh toward us, He is still the best friend we have.  He is generous in mercy. He is a friend in need.

RE Verse reading–Psalm 23, Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 116:1-9, Matthew 6:25-33 (day six)  “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow. . . nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them”  (6:26) Out of our kitchen window, I have a bird feeder.  It is a new hobby with one early observation.  Feeding birds involves benevolence from me and near constant activity from them.  I don’t feed birds who will not make the effort to find the food.  I think Christ would not apply this principle to God’s provision for us.  God provides by setting us under an umbrella of supply and opportunity (both spiritual and financial)  Our part is to  apply for jobs, learn skills, go to work.  In and through this constant activity on our part (with time off for rest and sabbath), God does His promised work of feeding us.   This is not a passive promise.  God’s generostiy is seen as He give us “power to make wealth”  (Deuteronomy 8:18)