Month: February 2023

The Shepherd

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Bible Reading: Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (NIV)

Metaphors—something we are familiar with that describes something we are not familiar with.

Biblical Metaphors for God: Rock, Refuge, Shield, Fortress, Bread of  Life, Living Water, Potter, Light, Vine, Lamb, Banner, Alpha & Omega, Cornerstone, Precious Stone, Living Stone, and many more.

#1—Shepherds in Israel

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s sons

#2—John 10:11—The Good Shepherd

          Exodus 3:14—Not good shepherds

          John 10:11-15—Hireling shepherds

#3—Hebrews 13:20—The Great Shepherd

#4—1 Peter 5:4—The Chief Shepherd

The Stone

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Text: 1 Peter 2:4-8

Bible Reading: Zephaniah 3:17 “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (NLT)

#1–God as “stone” in Scripture.

  • Genesis 49:24—The Rock of Israel
  • 1 Samuel 7:12—Ebenezer—The Stone of help
  • Joshua 4:9—symbols of the Lord’s help

Metaphor: something that represents or symbolizes something else. For example, God is often referred to as a “stone” in the Scriptures.

God chose “stones” to be symbolic of His help and not man-made bricks in order to show that it was His help and not man’s efforts that provided the needed help.

Text: 1 Peter 2:4-8

#1–Verse 4: A Living Stone—

          Reason #1—

          Reason #2–

#2—Verse 6: Cornerstone/Capstone

          Hebrews 12:2—

#3—Verse 7: Precious Stone

#4—Verse 8: Stumbling Stone

          2 Corinthians 2:14-16–

Psalm 34

/ Don McGarvey / Leave a comment

On today’s Thursday Prayer & a Psalm we talked about the many promises found in Psalm 34 for those who “fear the Lord.” In addition, David, the author, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provides a list of things that help define what it means to live in the “fear of the Lord.”

Below, you will find both lists, the promises along with the conditions found in Psalm 34.

Psalm 34:9—“Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”

Living in the “fear of the Lord” means to live our lives in such a way that we do not offend the Lord. It does not mean that we are perfect, since the only perfect one was Jesus. But it does mean that we are committed to living for the Lord at all times, even when no one is looking.

Promises:

  • Verse 4—delivered from their fears
  • Verses 6, 17—saved from trouble
  • Verse 7—angels encamped around them
  • Verse 9—needs supplied
  • Verse 12—abundant life
  • Verse 15—prayers heard
  • Verse 18—comfort us them His presence
  • Verse 22—redeems them

Conditions or what it means to live in the fear of the Lord

  • Verse 4, 10—seek the Lord
  • Verse 6—cry out to the Lord
  • Verse 7, 9—draw close to the Lord
  • Verse 13—keep our tongues from lying
  • Verse 14—remain separate from evil
  • Verse 14—do good and pursue peace
  • Verse 18—maintain a contrite heart
  • Verse 22—become a servant of the Lord

Two of my favorite verses from this Psalm are verses 18 & 19:

18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”

19 “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;”

The Lion’s Den

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Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Daniel 6:1-9

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 22:2-4 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” (NLT)

The Lion’s Den

Text: Daniel 6:1-9

#1—Verse 7—A Clever Ruse

          Verse 8 & 12—The Law of the Medes & Persians

#2—Verse 10—No Compromise

          Jerusalem vs Babylon

#3—Verse 14—A Helpless King

#4—Verse 16, 18—The Lion’s Den; A King’s Prayer; and a Sleepless Night

#5—Verses 20-23—A Joyful Reunion

#6—Verse 24—Judgment

Genesis 12:2-3

Too often we are tempted to compromise our belief in God; our confidence in His Word; and our commitment to stand firm in our faith. Be like Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abed-Nego). And live with NO COMPROMISE!

Found Wanting

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Troy Mills Christian Church

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Daniel 5

Bible Reading: James 1:19-21 “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So, get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (NLT)

Found Wanting

Text: Daniel 5:1-2

#1—King Nebuchadnezzar’s faith

          Daniel 2:27; Daniel 3:28-29; Daniel 4:37

#2—King Belshazzar

          King Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson

#3—A Great feast

          Daniel 5:1-2

#4—The sacred gold vessels from the Temple

          Daniel 5:3-4

#5—The Handwriting on the Wall

          Daniel 5:5

#6—Daniel’s explanation of the handwriting on the wall

          Daniel 5:18-24

#7—Daniel’s interpretation of the handwriting on the wall

          Daniel 5:25-28

          MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN

#8—God’s judgment upon Belshazzar and Babylon

          Daniel 5:30

Has God put “His finger” on something in your life?