May 21-27th Family Worship Guide

The Guide for the Week
May 21-27th 2023 AD.
The Seventh Sunday of Easter

Bible Passage for the Week
Proverbs 3:13-26
Ephesians 4: 1-16
Micah 2
Psalm 73

Verse to Memorize
Psalm 47:7

Catechism Questions
Q. 124. How many petitions are there in The Lord's Prayer?
A. Six.

Q. 125. What is the first petition?
A. "Hallowed be thy name."

Q. 126. What do we pray for in the first petition?
A. That God's name may be honored by us and all men.

People to Pray for:
Church: Clearnote Church
                Pastor David Abu-sara
Ministry: Austin Keeler
Civil Magistrate: Indiana Sen
                                    Sen Chris Garten
                           
                           
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 3:13-26
Do you want to get a good night's sleep? What is one of the secrets to it? Wisdom. If you treasure wisdom and seek to live by it, you can rest safe and secure. You can sleep knowing that God is in control, and by His grace, you have worked hard to prepare as best you can.
Many people can't sleep because:

a. They haven't lived a life of wisdom. They haven't worked hard. They have been lazy or careless, and they are aware of it.
b. They are not trusting in God. Some individuals work themselves to exhaustion because they lack trust in God's provision. They believe they must have all the answers for every problem and be prepared for every possible scenario. They can't relax because, frankly, there are things beyond their control.

The wise person starts with the fear of the Lord. They plan and do what they can, then surrender what they can't do and control to the Lord. Their confidence is not in their own planning or preparation. It is not in their own efforts. Their faith is in God. As stated in verse 26, "For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."
Therefore, if you are lazy, get to work. If you are a control freak, trust in Jesus. Get a  good night's sleep by embracing wisdom, diligently fulfilling your responsibilities, and placing your faith in God.

Ephesians 4: 1-16
We are revisiting this passage again this week. In the previous two sermons, we discussed the foundation and purpose of our union. Now, we shift our focus to preserving our union. What does it entail to maintain the unity we have? And how can we accomplish it?
As you read through this passage again, pay attention to all the clues regarding the preservation of unity. Remember that our union is built upon God's truth and love. He is the one who establishes it on the foundation of truth and love.
Therefore, truth and love are crucial for its preservation. We must be a people who uphold and embrace truth while simultaneously demonstrating love for one another. This involves being willing to speak truthfully, yet doing so with humility and grace.

Micah 2
Micah 2 is a chapter that addresses the injustices and corrupt practices prevalent during the prophet Micah's time. The chapter begins with a warning to those who devise wicked plans and commit acts of oppression against their fellow countrymen. The greedy and powerful are portrayed as coveting and seizing the lands and homes of others, leaving the vulnerable and disadvantaged without shelter. Micah condemns their actions, highlighting that such practices are contrary to God's law and His desire for justice and righteousness. The chapter concludes with a promise of restoration, where God pledges to gather His remnant and restore their fortunes, bringing an end to their oppression.

When reading the prophetic books we are shown how much God does care about the mistreatment and unjust actions taken against His people by His people.  God is a God who protects and preserves the weak and needy.  He does not look kindly when widows, orphans, and vulnerable people are harmed.

It is sad that many leftists have taken these passages and twisted them to support political theories that in practice harm many.   Because these passages are abused in support of evil, we are tempted to recoil when we hear discussion about justice.  The social justice movement is another example of the devil’s counterfeit game.  We cannot however let the devil’s counterfeit keep us from holding to the real thing.  Christians do stand up for justice.  We do work to end oppression.   We do work to see people treated with dignity and respect.    We do so with God’s law as our standard.    Don’t let the devil and his minions keep you from obedience to God’s word.

Psalm 73
This psalm, along with Psalm 37, has been such a comfort to me over the past few years. We are living in a dark time, and it seems that the wicked are thriving. Especially as the month of June and all its rainbow craziness is upon us, this psalm is incredibly helpful. In this psalm, the writer expresses how he almost lost heart when he saw the abundance of wickedness around him. Wicked men and women were flourishing in their prosperity, proudly embracing their evil ways. They acted as if God did not exist or as if God approved of their sins. They flaunted their wickedness and seemed to face no consequences. The psalmist questioned whether his own sacrifices made in pursuit of righteousness were in vain. He suffered to honor God and wondered if God truly cared.

However, in verse 15, he has a moment of clarity. He recalls his experiences of worshiping God in the temple, where he caught a glimpse of God's glory. Through his study of the Word, he knows that God is holy and will judge the wicked. God will suddenly and completely destroy the wicked. The wicked, the sodomites, the tyrants, the violent, and the greedy do not emerge victorious. Those who hate God will be swept away by His wrath. Therefore, we must cling to God; He is all we have. He will be a refuge for the righteous. As Psalm 37 also states, the righteous will inherit the land. As Jesus said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." We can find comfort and assurance in knowing that the righteous will ultimately prevail and receive their inheritance.

Catechism/ Memory Verse
The Lord's Prayer can be divided into six sections or petitions, each teaching us about prayer and the desires of our hearts as we pray.

The first petition is that the name of the Father would receive glory, that God's name would be honored. This aligns with the first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." We were created to glorify God, and He created the world to bring Himself glory.

However, this doesn't mean that we or anything in the world can add something to God. When we say we were made to glorify God, we don't imply that God lacked glory and created us to provide some to Him. Instead, when we say we bring Him glory, we mean that we reflect His glory. God created us and the entire world as instruments to display His own glory. He pours out His glory on us, and we reflect it far and wide.

Due to the fall of man and the presence of sin, we are now poor reflections of God's glory. Yet, all human beings will bring God glory. Some will do so willingly as their hearts are transformed by the gospel. They will spend their lives praising God and living as beacons of light. Others will bring God glory in that, on the day of judgment, they will bow their knees. God will be glorified as these sinners provide an opportunity for His justice to be displayed in their condemnation. God's glory will be revealed.

This first petition reminds us that we were created to glorify God and teaches us to do so willingly. We also pray for others to glorify Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism offers a more detailed answer than our family catechism:
"Question 101: What do we pray for in the first petition?
Answer: In the first petition (which is, 'Hallowed be Thy name'), we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify Him in all that reveals Himself and that He would bring all things to His own glory."

People to Pray for:
Prayer for Clearnote Church
                   Pastor David Abu-Sara

Gracious and Merciful God,
We humbly come before Your throne, lifting up Clearnote Church in Indianapolis and its faithful shepherd, Pastor David Abu-sara. We give thanks for the work You are accomplishing through this congregation and for the steadfast commitment to the truth that permeates their ministry.
Grant Pastor David Abu-sara an abundance of wisdom as he leads Clearnote Church. May he be guided by Your Holy Spirit in every decision, every teaching, and every moment of shepherding Your flock. Strengthen his resolve to faithfully proclaim the unchanging truth of Your Word, even when it is unpopular or challenging.  Bless Pastor David as he and other men start a podcast as a means of expanding the reach of Clearnote Church's ministry. We ask for Your blessings upon this endeavor. May the podcast be a powerful tool in reaching the lost, encouraging believers, and providing sound biblical teaching to those who need the truth.
We pray, O God, for unity within the body of Christ. Protect them from the divisive tactics of the enemy and grant them a spirit of love, harmony, and mutual edification. Guard Clearnote Church and Pastor David Abu-sara from the temptations of the devil, the world, and the flesh. Strengthen them to resist the allurements of compromise, cultural pressure, and sinful desires.
Fill their hearts with unwavering faith, unwavering love for You, and unwavering commitment to Your truth.  In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray, confident that You hear us and will answer according to Your perfect will. Amen


Austin Keeler-Reformation Frontline Ministries.  
O God, our King,
We come before You with grateful hearts, giving thanks for, Austin Keeler, who has embraced the calling of a full-time street preacher and evangelist. Thank you for his work to proclaim the Gospel, to share Your law, and to lead others to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
We ask that You provide for his financial needs blessing him abundantly, O Lord, with the necessary resources and provisions to support his family and carry out the work to which You have called him. Open doors of provision, grant him favor with those who have the means to support his ministry, and supply him with all that he requires to fulfill his calling.
Father, we also ask for Your divine protection over Austin. Safeguard him, his family, and his ministry from any harm or danger. Shield them from the schemes of the enemy.  Protect him from pride, lusts, and other temptations to sin.
Lastly, we pray for Austin's success in preaching the Gospel. Give him words of wisdom, clarity, and conviction. Grant him the ability to effectively communicate Your truth and grace to those who are lost. Open the hearts of the hearers to receive the message, that many may come to know You as their Lord and Savior. In the midst of the challenges and trials that may arise, give Austin strength and encouragement in Your presence. Grant him perseverance and unwavering faith, knowing that Your purposes will prevail.  May his ministry bear much fruit, transforming lives, and bringing glory to Your holy name. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.


Prayer for Indiana State Senate
                                Sen Chris Garten

Almighty and Everlasting God,
We humbly come before Your throne, seeking Your divine mercy and grace for Indiana State Senator Chris Garten. We know that all have sinned and fall short of Your glory. Grant Senator Garten the grace of repentance and forgiveness for his sins. Cleanse his Heart, O Lord, and cause him to walk in the path of righteousness before You.
As your servant, Senator Garten bears a great responsibility to uphold Your moral law. Grant him the wisdom, discernment, and courage to faithfully champion the cause of righteousness in his legislative duties. Help him to recognize the sanctity of every human life, from conception to natural death, and to tirelessly protect the preborn children in Indiana from the scourge of abortion. Instill in him a deep reverence for the precious gift of life, reminding him that You have knit each person together in their mother's womb, fearfully and wonderfully made.
Moreover, Lord, we implore Your divine intervention to safeguard the state of Indiana from the encroachment of sexual perversion and moral decay. Inspire Senator Garten to be a steadfast defender of  the sacredness of marriage, the sanctity of the family, and the virtuous bond between a man and a woman. Grant him the strength to resist the pressures of a culture that seeks to undermine Your timeless truths and instead enable him to be an unwavering beacon of righteousness in the political arena.
We lift Senator Chris Garten into Your loving care, dear Lord, beseeching You to grant him Your wisdom, guidance, and protection. May he be a faithful steward of the authority entrusted to him, using it for the betterment of the people he serves and for the glory of Your holy name. Grant him the humility to seek Your will above his own and the strength to fulfill his duties with integrity, righteousness, and compassion.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we offer this prayer, trusting in Your abundant grace and unfailing love. Amen.


Church History Spotlight

John Eliot, Missionary to the American Indians
1604- May 21, 1690

John Eliot was born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1604 and graduated from Cambridge in 1622. He taught school for a while, came under Puritan influence, and determined to become a minister. In 1631 he went to New England and was ordained to preach at Roxbury. He developed an interest in Indian language and customs, and began to preach to the Indians in 1646, at first in English but within a year in their own tongue, Algonkian. He published a catechism for them in 1654 and by 1658 translated the Bible into Algonkian, the first Bible to be printed in North America. A revised edition was published in 1685. Eliot also wrote The Christian Commonwealth (1659), Up-Bookum Psalmes (1663), The Communion of Churches (1665), The Indian Primer (1669), and The Harmony of The Gospels (1678), and was a major contributor to the Bay Psalm Book.

Eliot planned towns for Indian converts, away from the white towns, in areas where they could preserve their own language and culture and live by their own laws. He prepared Indians to be missionaries to their own people. Daniel Takawambpait was the first Indian minister in New England, being ordained at Natick, Massachusetts, in 1681. Eliot's Indian towns grew to fourteen in number, with thousands of inhabitants, but they were scattered in King Philip's War in 1675 (King Philip was an Indian leader who undertook to drive the English out of New England), and although four communities were restored, they did not continue long.
Eliot died after a long illness on 21 May 1690.

A Prayer of thanks for John Eliot
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant John Eliot, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the native peoples of North America. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Upcoming Events:
Tuesday Morning Study Hour With Pastor 6-7AM
May 21 Genevan Pub
May 24 Women’s Bible Study
June 1 Evangel Presbytery Meeting
June 5th Monthly Outreach
June 9th Men and Boys Campout