The Guide for the Week
October 27- November 2nd 2024
Bible Passage for the Week
Proverbs 28:1-10
1 Timothy 1
Acts 4:1-22
Psalm 149
Verse to Memorize
Romans 8:29-30
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 35: What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
Who to pray for
Church: Syracuse Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Bushong
Ministry: The Upcoming Election
Civil Magistrate: Indiana State House of Reps
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 28:1-10
Verse 4: Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them.
Verse 9: He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Christians know that they are not saved by their own law-keeping. This is because they haven’t perfectly kept God’s law. We are only saved by grace through faith. Yet, we must not mistake this to mean that Christians don’t obey the law. No, we have been saved so that we can keep God’s law. King David said that he loved God’s law. As Christians, we too must love the moral law of God. We should treasure it and want to abide by it. We must not be those who turn away from listening to God’s law.
But we are tempted to turn away from it. We have all kinds of excuses for why we don’t read the Word of God and why we tune out to faithful preaching of God’s law. Our sinful flesh fights to stop up our ears as the Devil does everything he can to distract our hearing. We have all the reasons in the world for why God’s law is too harsh or doesn’t apply to us. But we must resist this temptation. We must, by faith, plead with God to help us hear. And then we must listen. If we don’t heed the Word of God and obey it, if we don’t love it, even our prayers are an abomination.
One clue to whether you love the law of God is whether you strive against the wicked or praise them. Do you find yourself downplaying evil? Those who don’t love the law of God are quick to embrace sexual immorality. They hate that God’s law says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, for example. And so, instead of striving against the onslaught of evil, they begin to praise it. This is the path of every apostate in our day. They deconstruct their faith and soon are waving pride flags and promoting feminism and abortion. It is because they didn’t listen to the law. They didn’t keep it. They let small sins into their own lives, and before you know it, they are defending the most vile of evils.
We must be a people who love the law of God. We should study His Word to be found blameless. And we should strive with or fight against evil. Take up the sword of the Word and fight with truth. Start by hacking away at your own sinful nature and your proclivity to sleep rather than listen.
Psalm 149
"For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand."
Psalm 149 gives us a beautiful and powerful image of the people of God, both as worshipers and warriors. The psalm reminds us that the Lord takes pleasure in His people. He doesn’t just tolerate us—He delights in us! Parents, this is an amazing truth to pass on to your children: God finds joy in His people, and He promises to lift up those who are weak, crowning them with salvation. Teach your children that though they are sinners, in Christ, they are beloved. Remember to take joy in your children. You must discipline but you must make your home a place of joy.
Worship in the Home:
Parents, this psalm calls your family to worship joyfully. Notice how the godly ones "sing for joy on their beds." Worship isn't just for church on Sunday; it's something that should fill your home every day. Encourage your children to praise God not only when gathered with others but also in private, from the heart. Take time to sing praises together, exulting in God's glory and His work in your lives.
Worship as Warfare:
But worship is not only about joy and gratitude—it’s also preparation for battle. Psalm 149 reminds us that God's people have "a two-edged sword in their hand." This isn’t a literal sword but points to the Word of God, which is described in Hebrews 4:12 as sharper than any two-edged sword. Parents, teach your children that when we read Scripture and praise God, we are preparing for spiritual warfare. The battles we face aren’t fought with physical weapons but with the truth of God’s Word. As a family, memorize verses, discuss biblical truths, and apply them to your daily challenges. This equips you to stand firm in faith when trials come.
Application Questions for Families:
Example Prayer for Weekly Prayer Concerns
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of praise. You are sovereign over all things, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Sustainer of our lives. We acknowledge Your holiness, majesty, and power. We confess our sins, for we have fallen short of Your glory in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. But we thank You for the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. We are humbled by Your grace and the assurance of pardon that we have received through His blood.
Lord, we lift up the expectant mothers in our congregation: Gabby Fluhr, Emily Leupp, Christina Puryear, Vivian Tocci, Danyelle Gehlbach, Courtney Parkes, and Caitlin Govanus. We ask for Your hand of protection over them and their unborn children. Grant them strength and peace as they carry these little ones, and may their pregnancies be healthy and safe. We pray for wisdom for the doctors and care teams, and that these children would be born healthy, ready to grow in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Bless these mothers with joy and trust in Your perfect timing.
Father, we also lift up Pastor Tim Bushong and Syracuse Baptist Church. Grant Pastor Bushong steadfast wisdom and courage as he leads his flock in truth and righteousness. Strengthen him by Your Spirit to preach Your Word faithfully and boldly, and to shepherd his congregation with unwavering faithfulness. Protect him from discouragement and the snares of the enemy. We pray that Syracuse Baptist Church would be a beacon of light, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples, teaching reverence in worship, and equipping families to walk in faith. Bless their outreach efforts, that they might bear much fruit for Your kingdom, and fulfill the Great Commission in their community and beyond.
As our nation approaches the upcoming election, we pray for wisdom and discernment. Lord, You establish rulers and authorities according to Your sovereign will. We ask that You raise up leaders who will honor Your purposes for government, seeking justice, peace, and the protection of life. We especially pray for the elections in Florida and Arizona concerning the issue of abortion. Father, we beg You to stay the hand of evil and protect the unborn from further slaughter. Let Your truth and righteousness prevail in our nation, and bring repentance to the hearts of its people. Grant us peace as we trust in Your good and perfect will.
We also pray for the Indiana State House of Representatives. Lord, we ask that You grant wisdom and discernment to each representative as they carry out their duties. Convict them of sin, and lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. May they govern with integrity and righteousness, recognizing Your authority in all matters. We ask that You raise up leaders who will serve with humility, seeking the welfare of Indiana according to Your Word. Let their decisions be in alignment with Your truth, for Your glory and the good of the people.
Father, we pray for the families in our church. We ask that You strengthen husbands to lead their wives in love, godliness, and self-sacrifice, just as Christ loves the church. May they serve their families with humility and wisdom, always pointing them to Christ. We pray for the wives, that they may submit to their husbands with gentle and quiet spirits, as unto the Lord. Let their homes be filled with grace, love, and peace as they seek to honor You in their marriages.
Lord, may You rule in the hearts of men and women everywhere, hasten the fall of the kingdom of sin, and establish the reign of Christ in every nation. Let the gospel be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, that Your name may be glorified. Bring about the full number of the elect. Put an end to evil and false religions such as Islam and Judaism which blaspheme your name. Lead the Jewish people out of blindness and hardness of heart and restore them to the Church as you also give grace to all the nations. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.
Church History Spotlight:
Alfred the Great
Key Verse: "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us."
— Isaiah 33:22 (NASB1995)
Alfred the Great: Defender of God's Law in the Civil Realm
Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, was a remarkable Christian leader who ruled during a time of great turmoil in England. Born in 849 AD, Alfred became king in 871, after his brothers died in battle against the pagan Danes. Although he was a skilled military leader who successfully defended his kingdom from Viking invasions, Alfred’s greatness is most evident in his love for God's law and his commitment to making it the foundation of English society.
Alfred believed that God's law, particularly the moral principles found in the Law of Moses, should guide civil governance. His commitment to God's Word shaped his efforts to rebuild England after years of war. He translated Christian works into English, promoted education, and ensured that God's law was reflected in English legal codes, protecting the rights of ordinary citizens. In this way, Alfred modeled what it looks like to seek God's kingdom first, even in the realm of civil governance.
Quote: "He seems to me a very foolish man, and very wretched, who will not increase his understanding while he is in the world, and ever wish and long to reach that endless life where all shall be made clear."
— Alfred the Great
Study Questions:
O Sovereign Lord, who brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Proverbs 28:1-10
1 Timothy 1
Acts 4:1-22
Psalm 149
Verse to Memorize
Romans 8:29-30
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 35: What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.
Who to pray for
Church: Syracuse Baptist Church
Pastor Tim Bushong
Ministry: The Upcoming Election
Civil Magistrate: Indiana State House of Reps
Notes for Parents:
Proverbs 28:1-10
Verse 4: Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them.
Verse 9: He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Christians know that they are not saved by their own law-keeping. This is because they haven’t perfectly kept God’s law. We are only saved by grace through faith. Yet, we must not mistake this to mean that Christians don’t obey the law. No, we have been saved so that we can keep God’s law. King David said that he loved God’s law. As Christians, we too must love the moral law of God. We should treasure it and want to abide by it. We must not be those who turn away from listening to God’s law.
But we are tempted to turn away from it. We have all kinds of excuses for why we don’t read the Word of God and why we tune out to faithful preaching of God’s law. Our sinful flesh fights to stop up our ears as the Devil does everything he can to distract our hearing. We have all the reasons in the world for why God’s law is too harsh or doesn’t apply to us. But we must resist this temptation. We must, by faith, plead with God to help us hear. And then we must listen. If we don’t heed the Word of God and obey it, if we don’t love it, even our prayers are an abomination.
One clue to whether you love the law of God is whether you strive against the wicked or praise them. Do you find yourself downplaying evil? Those who don’t love the law of God are quick to embrace sexual immorality. They hate that God’s law says that those who practice homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God, for example. And so, instead of striving against the onslaught of evil, they begin to praise it. This is the path of every apostate in our day. They deconstruct their faith and soon are waving pride flags and promoting feminism and abortion. It is because they didn’t listen to the law. They didn’t keep it. They let small sins into their own lives, and before you know it, they are defending the most vile of evils.
We must be a people who love the law of God. We should study His Word to be found blameless. And we should strive with or fight against evil. Take up the sword of the Word and fight with truth. Start by hacking away at your own sinful nature and your proclivity to sleep rather than listen.
Psalm 149
"For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand."
Psalm 149 gives us a beautiful and powerful image of the people of God, both as worshipers and warriors. The psalm reminds us that the Lord takes pleasure in His people. He doesn’t just tolerate us—He delights in us! Parents, this is an amazing truth to pass on to your children: God finds joy in His people, and He promises to lift up those who are weak, crowning them with salvation. Teach your children that though they are sinners, in Christ, they are beloved. Remember to take joy in your children. You must discipline but you must make your home a place of joy.
Worship in the Home:
Parents, this psalm calls your family to worship joyfully. Notice how the godly ones "sing for joy on their beds." Worship isn't just for church on Sunday; it's something that should fill your home every day. Encourage your children to praise God not only when gathered with others but also in private, from the heart. Take time to sing praises together, exulting in God's glory and His work in your lives.
Worship as Warfare:
But worship is not only about joy and gratitude—it’s also preparation for battle. Psalm 149 reminds us that God's people have "a two-edged sword in their hand." This isn’t a literal sword but points to the Word of God, which is described in Hebrews 4:12 as sharper than any two-edged sword. Parents, teach your children that when we read Scripture and praise God, we are preparing for spiritual warfare. The battles we face aren’t fought with physical weapons but with the truth of God’s Word. As a family, memorize verses, discuss biblical truths, and apply them to your daily challenges. This equips you to stand firm in faith when trials come.
Application Questions for Families:
- For Parents and Children:
- How does knowing that God delights in you affect the way you worship Him?
- What are some ways your family can “sing for joy” together throughout the week?
- For Parents:
- How can you help your children understand that praising God is both an act of worship and a way to prepare for spiritual battles?
- For Children:
- What are some "weapons" we can use in spiritual battles? How can you use God's Word to fight against fear, temptation, or discouragement?
Example Prayer for Weekly Prayer Concerns
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of praise. You are sovereign over all things, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the Sustainer of our lives. We acknowledge Your holiness, majesty, and power. We confess our sins, for we have fallen short of Your glory in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. But we thank You for the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross. We are humbled by Your grace and the assurance of pardon that we have received through His blood.
Lord, we lift up the expectant mothers in our congregation: Gabby Fluhr, Emily Leupp, Christina Puryear, Vivian Tocci, Danyelle Gehlbach, Courtney Parkes, and Caitlin Govanus. We ask for Your hand of protection over them and their unborn children. Grant them strength and peace as they carry these little ones, and may their pregnancies be healthy and safe. We pray for wisdom for the doctors and care teams, and that these children would be born healthy, ready to grow in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Bless these mothers with joy and trust in Your perfect timing.
Father, we also lift up Pastor Tim Bushong and Syracuse Baptist Church. Grant Pastor Bushong steadfast wisdom and courage as he leads his flock in truth and righteousness. Strengthen him by Your Spirit to preach Your Word faithfully and boldly, and to shepherd his congregation with unwavering faithfulness. Protect him from discouragement and the snares of the enemy. We pray that Syracuse Baptist Church would be a beacon of light, proclaiming the gospel and making disciples, teaching reverence in worship, and equipping families to walk in faith. Bless their outreach efforts, that they might bear much fruit for Your kingdom, and fulfill the Great Commission in their community and beyond.
As our nation approaches the upcoming election, we pray for wisdom and discernment. Lord, You establish rulers and authorities according to Your sovereign will. We ask that You raise up leaders who will honor Your purposes for government, seeking justice, peace, and the protection of life. We especially pray for the elections in Florida and Arizona concerning the issue of abortion. Father, we beg You to stay the hand of evil and protect the unborn from further slaughter. Let Your truth and righteousness prevail in our nation, and bring repentance to the hearts of its people. Grant us peace as we trust in Your good and perfect will.
We also pray for the Indiana State House of Representatives. Lord, we ask that You grant wisdom and discernment to each representative as they carry out their duties. Convict them of sin, and lead them to repentance and faith in Christ. May they govern with integrity and righteousness, recognizing Your authority in all matters. We ask that You raise up leaders who will serve with humility, seeking the welfare of Indiana according to Your Word. Let their decisions be in alignment with Your truth, for Your glory and the good of the people.
Father, we pray for the families in our church. We ask that You strengthen husbands to lead their wives in love, godliness, and self-sacrifice, just as Christ loves the church. May they serve their families with humility and wisdom, always pointing them to Christ. We pray for the wives, that they may submit to their husbands with gentle and quiet spirits, as unto the Lord. Let their homes be filled with grace, love, and peace as they seek to honor You in their marriages.
Lord, may You rule in the hearts of men and women everywhere, hasten the fall of the kingdom of sin, and establish the reign of Christ in every nation. Let the gospel be proclaimed to the ends of the earth, that Your name may be glorified. Bring about the full number of the elect. Put an end to evil and false religions such as Islam and Judaism which blaspheme your name. Lead the Jewish people out of blindness and hardness of heart and restore them to the Church as you also give grace to all the nations. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In Jesus' mighty name we pray, Amen.
Church History Spotlight:
Alfred the Great
Key Verse: "For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us."
— Isaiah 33:22 (NASB1995)
Alfred the Great: Defender of God's Law in the Civil Realm
Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, was a remarkable Christian leader who ruled during a time of great turmoil in England. Born in 849 AD, Alfred became king in 871, after his brothers died in battle against the pagan Danes. Although he was a skilled military leader who successfully defended his kingdom from Viking invasions, Alfred’s greatness is most evident in his love for God's law and his commitment to making it the foundation of English society.
Alfred believed that God's law, particularly the moral principles found in the Law of Moses, should guide civil governance. His commitment to God's Word shaped his efforts to rebuild England after years of war. He translated Christian works into English, promoted education, and ensured that God's law was reflected in English legal codes, protecting the rights of ordinary citizens. In this way, Alfred modeled what it looks like to seek God's kingdom first, even in the realm of civil governance.
Quote: "He seems to me a very foolish man, and very wretched, who will not increase his understanding while he is in the world, and ever wish and long to reach that endless life where all shall be made clear."
— Alfred the Great
Study Questions:
- How did Alfred the Great integrate God’s law into the legal system of England?
- Alfred saw the moral law of Scripture as essential for good governance. He incorporated provisions from the Law of Moses into English law to protect citizens' rights, demonstrating a biblical understanding of justice.
- What can we learn from Alfred’s commitment to both military defense and spiritual leadership?
- Alfred was not only a king who defended his people militarily but also a king who sought to nurture his people's souls. His commitment to both physical and spiritual welfare reminds us that leaders must care for all aspects of those under their authority.
- Why is it important for civil leaders to acknowledge God's authority in their rule, according to Alfred's example?
- Alfred understood that no civil authority can govern justly without first submitting to God’s higher authority. His leadership showed that aligning civil law with God’s law brings order, justice, and peace.
O Sovereign Lord, who brought your servant Alfred to a troubled throne that he might establish peace in a ravaged land and revive learning and the arts among the people: Awake in us also a keen desire to increase our understanding while we are in this world, and an eager longing to reach that endless life where all will be made clear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.