Thursday Psalms: Teach Me Your Statutes!

In this short section of Psalm 119, the psalmist first reflects on our standing with the Lord.  The psalmist reminds us, not only does the Lord give us His promises [v. 58], but the Lord gives us Himself [v. 57a].  In the following five verses, the psalmist describes many attributes of Godly living.

Psalm 119:57-64 

⁵⁷ The Lord is my portion;

     I promise to keep Your words.

⁵⁸ I entreat Your favor with all my heart;

     be gracious to me according to Your promise.

⁵⁹ When I think on my ways,

     I turn my feet to Your testimonies;

⁶⁰ I hasten and do not delay

     to keep Your commandments.

⁶¹ Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

     I do not forget Your law.

⁶² At midnight I rise to praise You,

     because of Your righteous rules.

⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear You,

     of those who keep Your precepts.

⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of Your steadfast love;

     teach me Your statutes! 

In verse 59, turning my feet to the Lord's testimonies reminds usto read and study our Bibles, turning our hearts & minds to God's Word.  When we read verse 60, we're reminded to live intentionally, working hard at keeping God's commands and loving others as the Lord loves us.  When we read verses 61 & 62, we're encouraged not to be ensnared & trapped by wickedness, but remember God's will and run away from temptations.  Even though we cannot fully do so, following God's righteous rules gives us joy, and causes us to praise the Lord for His forgiveness when we stumble.  Lastly, verse 63 encourages us to be in community with other believers.  There is great strength in being companions with other disciples, as we encourage each other in striving to keep God's will.

God's commands and rules are not burdens which rob us of joy, they are gifts given in love for our great benefit!  

In Your gracious and steadfast love O Lord, teach me Your statutes!

Peace to you!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114

Pilgrim Worship Sunday July 16, 2023

The Sower    Eugène Burnand  1850-1921

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 16, 2023

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 9:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and Adult Bible study, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or later on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about today's worship service:

BIBLE READINGS

   Old Testament:  Isaiah 55:10-13

                Psalm:  Psalm 65
               Epistle:  Romans 8:12-17
               Gospel:  Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Words, words, words.  Throughout history, the constant prattle of human words keeps growing; today’s technology only amplifies the noise.  Even our most thoughtful words are limited in their effectiveness and power.  But God’s Word is completely different.  God’s Word is more powerful than armies, treaties, nuclear weapons, spy balloons or any other human thing.  God’s Word comes down from heaven and goes forth into the world, to accomplish His gracious purposes.  

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Peace in Christ, your Savior,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save"  Zephaniah 3:17     

Thursday Psalms: God Draws You Near!

King David may have written this psalm as a song of praise for a festival or as part of a worship liturgy.  I commend the entire psalm to your reading; it contains witness after witness to God's loving gifting and blessing for HIs creation.  All things and for all things, praise is due to You, O God, in Zion!  Today I'd like you to focus on these first few verses, as they highlight the blessed actions God has taken on your behalf.

Psalm 65:1-5

¹ Praise is due to You, O God, in Zion,

        and to You shall vows be performed.

² O You who hear prayer,

        to You shall all flesh come.

³ When iniquities prevail against me,

        You atone for our transgressions.

⁴ Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts!

        We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple!

⁵ By awesome deeds You answer us with righteousness,

        O God of our salvation, 

            the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;

Of course, our response to all God's blessings come from our thankfulness and our desire to be like Jesus in all we do.  We perform vows, we care for others, we love our neighbor as ourselves, etc....  The greatest and most blessed gift we see in verse three.  Our sins prevail against us, they win the battle in our hearts [nota bene:  Romans 7:19] and we give into temptations.  The penalty for your sins is death [Romans 6:32], but God atones for your sins, Jesus paid for your sins when He died on Calvary's cross!  You, I and all who confess their sins to God are truly forgiven and blessed!

Which brings us to the great encouragement for today, seen in verses four and five.  Your faith is a gift from God Himself, not a choice you make or any kind of thing you do.  If you believe in Jesus Christ, God has drawn you to Himself by grace, see Ephesians 2:8-9.  Nothing can separate you from God and the faith He has given you, even though the devil is constantly trying!  God has chosen YOU and has brought you near to Himself!  God has made YOU holy and has given to YOU His own righteousness!  

For His grace, mercy and forgiveness, give thanks to the God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas!

Peace to you!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

     We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

        Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your Word." Psalm 119:114