EAST eOpen House 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTwWlMQmzvM?w=450
EAST eOpen House | 17 March 2021 | 10:00am to 11:30am
Have you been considering seminary studies, but are unsure about what to expect? Come for the interactive EAST eOpen House to find out! Register here.
Join us over zoom to participate in an address from our President, a virtual tour of our brand-new campus, and discussion rooms with our lecturers, current students and alumni about the EAST learning experience!
EAST is a missional seminary which aims to develop Christ-like leaders for the Great Commission.
Gratitude for his blessings
Similar to Psalm 107 last week, Psalm 102:2 is one of gratitude towards God, for everything that we have through Him.
Psalm 102:3-5 details our blessings
“Who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
The ultimate blessing is God’s love to His people, and this Psalm serves as a reminder for us to sing praise wholeheartedly to Him for all of our days.
Praise does not exclusively mean singing songs of worship. We can praise God by passing on His blessings to those around us too. Recent news has reminded us all about the fallen nature of man and the ever-present need for forgiveness and redemption. Do recall this verse when you or those around you feel angry or disappointed, and be reminded that God’s love is truly worthy of our praise.
Give Thanks
Today’s verse is a simple instruction: Give thanks to God. Contextually, the Israelites have been brought together after decades in exile and suffering. Psalm 107 recounted much of what they went through, including being lost in a desert, dwelling in darkness, illness and being caught in a storm. Whether these descriptions are literal or illustrations of their suffering, the end result is the same; God loves them and has redeemed them.
The verse and psalm by extension is a reminder for us to continually give thanks to God, to remember His love for us. Not just thanks for what He has done for us previously, but continual, ever-present gratitude, mimicking His everlasting love for us.
“Forever, God is faithful
Forever, God is strong
Forever, God is with us”
Chris Tomlin – “Forever”
Joyfulness in every circumstance
Being joyful may be seen by some as being happy only within positive circumstances. Joyfulness in the Bible, on the other hand, is seen as a state of rest or peace that results from a deep trust in Jesus that prevails through varied circumstances, even negative ones.
We highlight two Bible verses which show this understanding of joy: Hebrews 12:2 stated: “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Likewise, James 1:2-3 note: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
God’s Strength and Provision
Paul’s letter to the Philippians is about living the Christian life. In Chapter 4:10-20 specifically, Paul speaks of God’s provision. He thanks the Philippians for their concern, but expresses that it was not needed. Paul has everything he needs when he has Christ. He is content no matter his situation, through Christ who strengthens him.
Do not take the verse out of context. Paul is not saying that God will empower all believers to accomplish anything they desire. God’s strength enables us to endure hardship and persecution, as Paul himself was experiencing at the time. Trust in the Lord’s timing and provision in everything we go through, so we can be content and not be consumed by greed and materialism.
That is Paul’s secret to contentment and the key takeaway from this part of his letter. Trust God, so much so that you can say: “Through Him, I can endure all difficulties no matter how seemingly insurmountable they may seem.”
EAST Library Catalogue
EAST Populi
National Library Board eResources
The Digital Theological Library
