Highest Praise 9am weekend service!
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We explored the theme of "Defeating Disappointment," drawing from the rich tapestry of scripture to understand how God meets us in our moments of despair. We began by honoring our veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices, and then transitioned into a time of worship, recognizing the presence of the King among us. Our primary texts were Ezekiel 1 and Psalm 107, which provided a framework for understanding how God operates in our lives, even when we feel like we've missed our appointments or opportunities.
Ezekiel's vision by the river Kabar, on what should have been a significant day in his life, serves as a powerful reminder that no place is too far for God to reach us. Despite being in Babylon, a place of exile and broken dreams, Ezekiel experienced the heavens opening and saw visions of God. This illustrates that even in our darkest moments, God is present and working.
Psalm 107 offers a structured approach to understanding disappointment through its four stanzas, each representing different types of disappointments: accidents, wrongs done by others, personal failures, and running from God. Each stanza ends with a call to give thanks to the Lord, emphasizing that crying out to God in our distress leads to deliverance. This psalm reassures us that God is never late, and He is always ready to guide us back to the right path, heal our wounds, and calm our storms.
We also discussed the importance of having an active relationship with the Holy Spirit, likening it to having an instructor who guides us through life's challenges. Without this guidance, we risk walking through life with a list of instructions but no understanding of how to apply them. The Holy Spirit is essential for living a life of faith and overcoming the disappointments that inevitably come our way.
Ultimately, the message is one of hope and encouragement. No matter the source of our disappointment, whether it be external circumstances, personal failures, or running from God, He is always ready to meet us where we are. We are reminded that God is not only present in our lives but actively working to bring about His purposes, even when we cannot see it.
**Key Takeaways:**
- **God's Presence in Exile:** Ezekiel's vision by the river Kabar teaches us that no place is too far for God to reach us. Even in our darkest moments, God is present and working, reminding us that we have not missed our divine appointments. [01:01]
- **Understanding Disappointment:** Psalm 107 provides a framework for understanding different types of disappointments, whether they are accidents, wrongs done by others, personal failures, or running from God. Each type of disappointment is met with God's deliverance when we cry out to Him. [19:48]
- **The Role of the Holy Spirit:** Having an active relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for navigating life's challenges. Without this guidance, we risk walking through life with a list of instructions but no understanding of how to apply them. The Holy Spirit is our instructor, guiding us in faith. [08:18]
- **God's Timeliness:** One of the most important truths is that God is always on time. We may feel like we've missed our opportunities, but God is already in our future, working things out for our good. Our disappointments are not the end of the story. [09:26]
- **Hope in God's Deliverance:** Regardless of the source of our disappointment, God is always ready to meet us where we are. He is actively working to bring about His purposes, and our role is to trust Him and cry out in our distress, knowing He will deliver us. [27:53]
**Youtube Chapters:**
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:01] - Opening Scripture: Ezekiel and Psalms
- [01:51] - Defeating Disappointment
- [03:51] - Personal Reflections and Humor
- [05:49] - The Importance of an Instructor
- [08:18] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [09:26] - Understanding Disappointment
- [10:24] - Personal Story of Disappointment
- [13:42] - Structure of the Psalms
- [15:24] - The Five Books of Psalms
- [17:13] - The Enemy Stealing Your Song
- [19:00] - Structure of Psalm 107
- [22:49] - Stanza Two: Disappointment by Others
- [24:20] - Stanza Three: Personal Failures
- [26:23] - Stanza Four: Running from God
- [28:26] - God's Deliverance in Disappointment
- [31:07] - Ezekiel's Vision and God's Timing
- [32:36] - God's Reach: Even in Babylon
- [35:17] - Crying Out to God
- [37:41] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement