metro calvary

02.27.10

It’s about 10:00 am on Saturday morning Eastern Time. Valerie and I are at our daughter’s kitchen table in Brooklyn, New York. Deborah turns thirty tomorrow and it was a great reason to make a long over due trip to see her and Wells, and their new apartment. Sean is here too! It’s a great morning for reading! Their back yard is filled with snow. Deb made a great cup of coffee from with the house blend of a neighborhood coffee shop called “Cafe Pedlar.” I broke out my Kindle and began the Bible Bus reading for the day. Just a couple of verses in I came across Leviticus 20:6 — You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine. continue reading…

Some thoughts from a portion of our Monday Night Study in 2 Samuel 15 on Aug10, 2009

2 Samuel 15:21- 19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you also go with us? Go back and stay with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your home. 20You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you.”²¹But Ittai answered the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.”

THIS IS GREAT — David told Ittai — “Remain with the king.” Ittai answered back — “That’s exactly what I intend to do – I’m staying with the king — that would be you.” continue reading…

Recipe for Division and Recruits for Rebellion

2 Samuel 15:12

This past Monday night we were continuing our study in 2 Samuel 15 in which we the Holy Spirit sheds invaluable insights into the nature of divisiveness and rebellion. There the Holy Spirit gives to us the record of one of the sons of king David, Absalom; how he stole the hearts of the people from his father and then pronounced himself king in his fathers place. Here are some excerpts from my notes that focus on the necessary elements for division amongst the people of God and the devices of the enemy preparing a man or woman to play a part in rebellion against godly leadership. continue reading…

There is an amazing statement made by the psalmist-king of Israel. Davod made the statement after God made a mind-blowing promise to David.

1 Samuel 7:20 And what more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Lord God!

I can not think of any man who was — or is — more articulate than David. When I read the Psalms I have to stand in awe of his ability to express himself to God. In fact — when I need help in expressing my love to God I will turn to the psalms — because David was so gifted in expressing his love and thanksgiving and praises to God. Yet — as gifted as he was at articulating his emotions to God — the blessings of God brought himto the point of saying — “What can I say, God?” continue reading…

Each week as we get ready to begin Sunday and Monday services I begin by saying that our time together is BECAUSE of Jesus and FOR Jesus. We have the privilege of coming before the Living God BECAUSE Jesus loved us, and has washed us from our sins with His blood. (Rev. 1:5) BECAUSE Jesus has done that, we want our time together to be FOR Him — a time in which we respond to His great act of love in saving us by way of His death. We want to shower Him with love and adoration, with praise and worship; not only in song, but in our giving, our fellowship and in the study of His Word. The worship is to be extended beyond the doors of Metro into our daily lives. continue reading…

In it’s essence, Christianity is reduced to simple faith and obedience in the person of Jesus Christ. It begins that way, and is lived that way. Here are a few thoughts on the One who alone can save, drawn from the Book of Exodus. I hope they will encourage you to exercise simple faith and obedience in Him.

Ex. 12:1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,  2 This month shall be for you the beginning of months.  It shall be the first month of the year for you.

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Matthew 27:33-35 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.  35And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots.

continue reading…

1 Samuel 22:3-4 And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold

Here at the start of Chapter 22 David is in need of direction for his life! We can all relate to that on so many different levels. Thank God for giving us the account of this very moment in David’s life, because it sheds such precious light on our lives concerning the very common and real question; “Where do I go from here?” continue reading…