Categoria: News

I heard the Dark-billed Cuckoo yesterday afternoon at Green Pastures. It is only with us in the rainy season to eat the trillions of caterpillars. I also saw 3 Cajarana Plum Trees which managed to survive the drought and now look great.

We were so sad to learn that another of our pastors has cancer. He is Pastor Nezinho Abílio of our Diamante/Vazante churches. Happily we sent him a back-up worker in January as he wasn’t feeling well. Please pray for this pastor.

Last night Liz took part in the women’s fellowship meeting where she says all went off nicely.

I heard the Dark-billed Cuckoo yesterday afternoon at Green Pastures. It is only with us in the rainy season to eat the trillions of caterpillars. I also saw 3 Cajarana Plum Trees which managed to survive the drought and now look great.

We were so sad to learn that another of our pastors has cancer. He is Pastor Nezinho Abílio of our Diamante/Vazante churches. Happily we sent him a back-up worker in January as he wasn’t feeling well. Please pray for this pastor.

Last night Liz took part in the women’s fellowship meeting where she says all went off nicely.

I heard the Dark-billed Cuckoo yesterday afternoon at Green Pastures. It is only with us in the rainy season to eat the trillions of caterpillars. I also saw 3 Cajarana Plum Trees which managed to survive the drought and now look great.

We were so sad to learn that another of our pastors has cancer. He is Pastor Nezinho Abílio of our Diamante/Vazante churches. Happily we sent him a back-up worker in January as he wasn’t feeling well. Please pray for this pastor.

Last night Liz took part in the women’s fellowship meeting where she says all went off nicely.

 Psalm 84 is attributed to the Sons of Korah and is one of the most beautiful hymns of the Bible which expresses a deep yearning for God’s house and for God’s presence. The psalmists say that their heart and flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your temple Lord… even sparrow and swallow think so… blessed are those that dwell in your house. The writer goes on saying blessed are those whose strength is in you and have set their heart on pilgrimage… though one goes through dry and harsh valley of Baca God transforms it into a place of springs and autumn rain… better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere… better is it to be the door keeper of the temple than to dwell in the tents of the wicked… for God is sun and shield… blessed is he who trusts in God!

 Psalm 84 is attributed to the Sons of Korah and is one of the most beautiful hymns of the Bible which expresses a deep yearning for God’s house and for God’s presence. The psalmists say that their heart and flesh cry out for the living God. How lovely is your temple Lord… even sparrow and swallow think so… blessed are those that dwell in your house. The writer goes on saying blessed are those whose strength is in you and have set their heart on pilgrimage… though one goes through dry and harsh valley of Baca God transforms it into a place of springs and autumn rain… better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere… better is it to be the door keeper of the temple than to dwell in the tents of the wicked… for God is sun and shield… blessed is he who trusts in God!

Psalm 83 is a prayer of lament written by Asaph. It calls on God to speak out against his cunning enemies who plot against God’s people. Many nations have formed an alliance against Israel including even Assyria to destroy Israel as a nation! (some things never change!) Asaph prays that God will repeat the same sort of defeats as those inflicted in the past against Midian, Sisera and Jabin. Asaph prays that Israel’s enemies be dealt with like chaff in the wind or fire in a forest. Asaph prays that the enemies be ashamed and dismayed and perish in disgrace and let them know that the Lord alone is the Most High over all the earth!

Psalm 82 was written by Asaph and presents God as the supreme judge who gives judgement among the “gods” (Elohim). God reprimands those in authority who are unjust and show partiality to the wicked. They understand nothing and live in darkness. They are “gods” who will die like mere men. Asaph concludes invoking God to judge the earth because all the nations are his inheritance. 

Psalm 82 was written by Asaph and presents God as the supreme judge who gives judgement among the “gods” (Elohim). God reprimands those in authority who are unjust and show partiality to the wicked. They understand nothing and live in darkness. They are “gods” who will die like mere men. Asaph concludes invoking God to judge the earth because all the nations are his inheritance. 

 Psalm 81 is a celebratory song by Asaph which also calls Israel to repentance. It starts joyfully calling everyone to sing accompanied by tambourines, harp, lyre and ram’s horns (shofar) under a full moon! God then speaks recalling how he had freed Israel from slavery and how he tested them at the waters of Meribah. God calls Israel to listen to him decrying their stubbornness and idolatry because if they would follow God’s ways they would be fed with the finest wheat and with honey from the rock!

This psalm is again written by Asaph and is a poetic lament which uses the vine as a poignant metaphor. Asaph starts asking for the restoration of Israel by its Shepherd. He goes on to question how long God’s anger will smoulder and he then repeats his plea for restoration. Asaph then describes the vine Israel which was planted in Canaan and grew spreading from the Mediterranean Sea to the River Euphrates. He pleads for God to “watch over this vine” because it has been cut down and burned. The end of the psalm is clearly messianic appealing to the man at God’s right hand… the son of man… appealing to God for restoration, salvation and revival!

I have written my résumé of the second-longest psalm. Everyone knows that Psalm 119 is the longest but few know that the second longest is Psalm 78. I tested Liz to prove the point!

Last night I went to the Patos Men’s Fellowship meeting which I led with a word from Pastor Rafael. Parallel to this Liz went to a meeting with our Care Centre dentist Lariza, our social worker Marah Danielle, our dentist’s assistant Gisliany and our lawyer Murilo. Both meetings went very well.

Yesterday it rained a further 26 mm at Green Pastures taking the total rainfall for this year’s rainy season past the 400 mm mark for the first time with a partial total of 407 mm.

I have written my résumé of the second-longest psalm. Everyone knows that Psalm 119 is the longest but few know that the second longest is Psalm 78. I tested Liz to prove the point!

Last night I went to the Patos Men’s Fellowship meeting which I led with a word from Pastor Rafael. Parallel to this Liz went to a meeting with our Care Centre dentist Lariza, our social worker Marah Danielle, our dentist’s assistant Gisliany and our lawyer Murilo. Both meetings went very well.

Yesterday it rained a further 26 mm at Green Pastures taking the total rainfall for this year’s rainy season past the 400 mm mark for the first time with a partial total of 407 mm.

Psalm 79 is a gut-wrenching lament written by Asaph apparently following the invasion of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and the destruction of the temple. Initially the chaotic scene of destruction is depicted with the temple defiled, the city reduced to rubble, people’s bodies serving as food for vultures with no-one available to bury the dead. How long will this mess last? – the people cry out… may your mercy come quickly to meet us because we are in desperate need… help us, O God our Saviour, for the glory of your name… may you avenge the blood of your servants and stops the nations asking “where is their God”?… hear the groans of the prisoners… pay back our neighbours seven times… and we will praise you forever!

This is another psalm of Asaph which is the second longest, after psalm 119, with 72 verses. This is a teaching psalm passing on to all generations God’s faithful dealings with his people despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. Asaph says initially that parents should teach their children Israel’s history so that the children might trust in God, remember his mighty works and not repeat their past rebellious attitudes. Asaph then goes on to cite Ephraim as a negative example of past unfaithfulness who forgot their covenant with God. Asaph then goes on to recall God’s mighty acts bringing his people out of Egypt, opening the Red Sea, leading them with cloud and fire and giving them water from the rock. However the Israelites soon forgot and doubted, but still God sent them the bread of angels and quails, but whilst it was still in their mouths God’s anger rose against them because of their disbelief. Asaph goes on to remind people of the constant ups and downs of the Israelites between backsliding, punishment, superficial repentance and then slipping back to square one! In all of this topsy turvy process God’s mercy prevailed. Asaph then goes back to Egypt reminding people of the 10 plagues and the subsequent leading into Canaan. Asaph’s teaching goes on to remind about times of past apostacy when they reverted to idolatry and paganism which brought God to abandon the tabernacle at Shiloh. The psalm then closes with hope with the choice of Judah and David. David was the shepherd of Israel who with skill and integrity led the people of God.

This is another psalm of Asaph which is the second longest, after psalm 119, with 72 verses. This is a teaching psalm passing on to all generations God’s faithful dealings with his people despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. Asaph says initially that parents should teach their children Israel’s history so that the children might trust in God, remember his mighty works and not repeat their past rebellious attitudes. Asaph then goes on to cite Ephraim as a negative example of past unfaithfulness who forgot their covenant with God. Asaph then goes on to recall God’s mighty acts bringing his people out of Egypt, opening the Red Sea, leading them with cloud and fire and giving them water from the rock. However the Israelites soon forgot and doubted, but still God sent them the bread of angels and quails, but whilst it was still in their mouths God’s anger rose against them because of their disbelief. Asaph goes on to remind people of the constant ups and downs of the Israelites between backsliding, punishment, superficial repentance and then slipping back to square one! In all of this topsy turvy process God’s mercy prevailed. Asaph then goes back to Egypt reminding people of the 10 plagues and the subsequent leading into Canaan. Asaph’s teaching goes on to remind about times of past apostacy when they reverted to idolatry and paganism which brought God to abandon the tabernacle at Shiloh. The psalm then closes with hope with the choice of Judah and David. David was the shepherd of Israel who with skill and integrity led the people of God.

I have now got half-way through the book of Psalms having written the résumé or summary of Psalm 75 yesterday. Just 75 psalms to go!

Last night Liz went to the Ladies Prayer Meeting where they celebrated the birthday of our deaconess Deborah Maria who is an excellent worker visiting the flock. Liz also did some counselling work whilst at church.

Last night it rained 35 mm at Green Pastures taking this year’s total to 381 mm.

Psalm 76 is another psalm by Asaph. It is a victorious celebration of the majesty and power of God which should be sung accompanied by stringed instruments. God’s name which is great in Israel – he broke flashing arrows and all the weapons of war. God is described as “majestic more that mountains rich with game… and victorious over warriors, horses and chariots… who can stand before God when he is angry?!” “Surely God’s wrath brings him praise… and he is feared by the kings of the earth”!

Psalm 76 is another psalm by Asaph. It is a victorious celebration of the majesty and power of God which should be sung accompanied by stringed instruments. God’s name which is great in Israel – he broke flashing arrows and all the weapons of war. God is described as “majestic more that mountains rich with game… and victorious over warriors, horses and chariots… who can stand before God when he is angry?!” “Surely God’s wrath brings him praise… and he is feared by the kings of the earth”!

Psalm 75 is another psalm of Asaph, but this time it is a hymn of thanks to God and a prophetic declaration concerning God’s judgement. Asaph starts thanking God for his wonderful deeds and acknowledging that he judges uprightly and at the appointed time. To the arrogant, Asaph says, boast no more. God, says Asaph, is the supreme judge who brings one down and exalts another. He says that above all else he will sing praise to God forever and the wicked will be defeated whereas the righteous shall be exalted!

Whereas the previous psalm was a personal crisis of faith this psalm is a collective outcrying of desperation by the community faced by a national crisis. It is widely thought that this psalm was written after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. In the first 11 verses Asaph bemoans the catastrophic destruction… “everlasting ruins… smashed all the carved panelling… burned the sanctuary to the ground… no prophets are left… how long will the enemy mock you O God?” Then in verses 12-17 Asaph recalls God’s mighty works of the past breaking the heads of sea monsters, crushing the heads of the Leviathan and controlling day, night, sun and moon. So if God can do all this he can certainly restore Mount Zion! Then in the final verses Asaph cries to God to react and restore city and temple. He says “Rise up, O God! and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long!

Whereas the previous psalm was a personal crisis of faith this psalm is a collective outcrying of desperation by the community faced by a national crisis. It is widely thought that this psalm was written after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. In the first 11 verses Asaph bemoans the catastrophic destruction… “everlasting ruins… smashed all the carved panelling… burned the sanctuary to the ground… no prophets are left… how long will the enemy mock you O God?” Then in verses 12-17 Asaph recalls God’s mighty works of the past breaking the heads of sea monsters, crushing the heads of the Leviathan and controlling day, night, sun and moon. So if God can do all this he can certainly restore Mount Zion! Then in the final verses Asaph cries to God to react and restore city and temple. He says “Rise up, O God! and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long!

Psalm 73 was written by Asaph who clearly struggles to cope with the prosperity of the wicked as opposed to the suffering of the righteous. Asaph confesses that he envied the prosperity of the wicked as they have such an easy life! “Their mouths lay claim to heaven… they are always carefree increasing in wealth… surely in vain have I kept my heart pure… but how suddenly are they destroyed… but you Lord hold me by my right hand… you guide me with your counsel… whom have I in heaven but you?… God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… you destroy all who are unfaithful to you, but as for me it is good to be near God!  

Psalm 72 was either written by Solomon or for Solomon (probably the latter) and is messianic. It describes an ideal king in his justice, compassion, riches and global rule. “He will judge the people in righteousness… he will bring prosperity to the people… he will defend the afflicted and save the children… he will endure as long as the sun… prosperity will abound till the moon is no more… he will rule from sea to sea… all kings will bow down to him… he will take pity on the weak… Long may he live!… may his name endure forever… all nations will be blessed through him… praise be to his glorious name for ever!”

This psalm brings to an end the second book of psalms.

Psalm 72 was either written by Solomon or for Solomon (probably the latter) and is messianic. It describes an ideal king in his justice, compassion, riches and global rule. “He will judge the people in righteousness… he will bring prosperity to the people… he will defend the afflicted and save the children… he will endure as long as the sun… prosperity will abound till the moon is no more… he will rule from sea to sea… all kings will bow down to him… he will take pity on the weak… Long may he live!… may his name endure forever… all nations will be blessed through him… praise be to his glorious name for ever!”

This psalm brings to an end the second book of psalms.

Psalm 71 is a reflective poem about God’s help and blessing throughout life from birth to old age. The unnamed psalmist asks God to always be his refuge and deliver him from the wicked. He says God was with him at birth and had been his confidence since his youth. So he asks God not to cast him away when he is old. “May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace… I will always tell of your righteousness… since my youth I declare God’s mighty deeds… so don’t abandon me when I’m old and grey… your righteousness reached to the skies O God… I will praise you with the harp… my lips will shout for joy!

In this petition psalm by David he cries to God for swift intervention to help him against those who want to kill him. David seeks God’s blessing on those who seek the Lord and prays that God might be his help and deliverer as soon as possible and may all who desire his ruin be disgraced.

Psalm 69 is another Davidic lament crying out to God for help against his enemies and undeserved suffering. “Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck”! “I sink in the mud… floods engulf me… I am exhausted calling for help… many enemies seek to destroy me… zeal for your house consumes me… I am the song of the drunkards… answer me O God with your salvation!”  “Do not let the floodwaters engulf me… answer me quickly because I am in trouble… Pour out your wrath on my enemies… May they be blotted out of the book of life… I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me… I will praise God’s name in song… the poor will see and be glad… Let heaven and earth praise God… those who love God’s name will dwell in Zion!”

Psalm 69 is another Davidic lament crying out to God for help against his enemies and undeserved suffering. “Save me, O God, for the waters are up to my neck”! “I sink in the mud… floods engulf me… I am exhausted calling for help… many enemies seek to destroy me… zeal for your house consumes me… I am the song of the drunkards… answer me O God with your salvation!”  “Do not let the floodwaters engulf me… answer me quickly because I am in trouble… Pour out your wrath on my enemies… May they be blotted out of the book of life… I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me… I will praise God’s name in song… the poor will see and be glad… Let heaven and earth praise God… those who love God’s name will dwell in Zion!”

Psalm 68 is a triumphant Davidic hymn celebrating God’s victories and goodness to the needy. “May God arise and his enemies be scattered”, David commences. He prays that God’s foes be blown away like smoke in the wind. God is extolled who is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. David remembers how God led his people in the wilderness and gave abundant showers. God scattered the kings in the land and left them like fallen snow. David then seems to rejoice in God’s victorious ascent from Sinai to Zion. God is also praised as a burden bearer of his people and says that surely God will crush his enemies. Then David says, “Your procession has come into view, O God” as apparently a festive procession takes place. There are singers, musicians and maidens playing tambourines. David rejoices singing to God as God thunders with a mighty voice. “You are awesome O God in your sanctuary”.

Psalm 68 is a triumphant Davidic hymn celebrating God’s victories and goodness to the needy. “May God arise and his enemies be scattered”, David commences. He prays that God’s foes be blown away like smoke in the wind. God is extolled who is a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. David remembers how God led his people in the wilderness and gave abundant showers. God scattered the kings in the land and left them like fallen snow. David then seems to rejoice in God’s victorious ascent from Sinai to Zion. God is also praised as a burden bearer of his people and says that surely God will crush his enemies. Then David says, “Your procession has come into view, O God” as apparently a festive procession takes place. There are singers, musicians and maidens playing tambourines. David rejoices singing to God as God thunders with a mighty voice. “You are awesome O God in your sanctuary”.

This is a short prayer seeking God’s grace and blessing and asking that God’s ways be made known amongst all the nations. The prayer continues beseeching that all nations praise God and be glad under God’s perfect rule and guidance. Then it says that the harvest will be good, God will bless and be feared unto the ends of the earth.