Stillwater Reformed Presbyterian Church

David's responses to suffering provide searching direction to you in the valley of humiliation.

What is the use of the Law? What function does it serve for the believer and for the unbeliever? We delve into that. Hint: sin, righteousness, judgment.

Psalter selection: 143A. This meditation highlights how the Holy Spirit leads believers into new obedience arising out of justification. Four poetic prayers from David are explored: knowing God's way, being delivered from temptation, being taught to do God's will, and being led by God's good Spirit in the land of uprightness.

Seek God's blessing in the valley of humiliation.

In Head IV, which draws heavily from the prior three, we see the work of the Holy Spirit actually applying salvation to believers, working a change in state and in person, by grace alone through faith alone.

Selfish ambition is a sin of the flesh, therefore walk in the Spirit and crucify the flesh with its passions and desires.

In Head III we encounter the outward means by which the Lord saves, nurtures and strengthens His people. He doesn't "just zap us" but instead feeds us lovingly through these means. And we discover the blessing of hedges!

Baptism is a sign and seal of God's grace to you, therefore meditate on your baptism regularly.

Continuing in Head II, we see the work of the Son, our Prophet, Priest and King, Who has ransomed and redeemed us. We find that we are drawn into the covenant of love between Father and Son!

God brings the prodigal home through faith and repentance, not manipulation.

We look into Head II, and out of our perilous state from the Fall we see God acting to redeem us! Not only redemption accomplished and applied, but planned and secured.

Psalter selection: 130A. This meditation reads Psalm 130 in light of Romans 8, showing how the Holy Spirit helps believers cry out from the depths of sin and despair. The psalm's declaration 'there is forgiveness with you' produces faith, hope, and an active waiting upon the Lord, assured by the Spirit that there is no condemnation in Christ.

Do not avenge yourself but give room for God's wrath.

In Head I, points 2 and 3, we see God's work in creation and man's fall into sin, and how utterly foundational these are for understanding our lives & needs today.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Do you believe this?

We introduce the series and immediately see the high value of understanding these core doctrines as they apply to our real problems, real lives, real needs.

In affliction, take comfort in Christ, because He is God, because He will be glorified, and because He loves you.

Listen to Tamar. Realize the sinfulness of sin and make sure you hear the needy when they cry, and advocate for those who have no voice; for the Lord will rise up to defend them even though no one else does.

Psalter selection: 36B. This meditation focuses on the phrase 'in your light we see light' as a picture of the Holy Spirit's work of spiritual enlightenment. Beginning with the darkness of human wickedness, the psalm soars to God's mercy, faithfulness, and loving-kindness, showing that only by the Spirit's light can we see the beauty of salvation in Christ.

The forgiveness of sins does not guarantee relief from the consequences of sin. (Keddie) Nevertheless, even God's correction still demonstrates His grace.

Cry out to God in repentance sincerely, fully, promptly, and pleading with God for mercy.

Without repentance, one sin leads to another, therefore depend on Christ every day for the grace of repentance.

Sin starts in the heart. If you think you stand, be on the alert lest you fall.