Messages by Peter C. Steele
Praying the Psalms – Seeing God; being seen by God
This Sunday is the final week of our series Praying the Psalms. Pastor Peter opens the word to Psalm 123. 1 I lift my eyes to you,the one enthroned in heaven.2 Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand,like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand,so our eyes are on the Lord our Goduntil he shows us favor. 3 Show us favor, Lord, show us favor,for we’ve had more than enough contempt.4 We’ve had more than enoughscorn from the arrogantand contempt from the proud. Psalm 123
Praying the Psalms – Spiritual loneliness – The Silence/distance of God
This Sunday, Pastor Peter continues our series on Praying the Psalms. Today we open the word to Psalm 44 and hear what we can do when God feels distant. 1 God, we have heard with our ears—our ancestors have told us—the work you accomplished in their days,in days long ago:2 In order to plant them,you displaced the nations by your hand;in order to settle them,you brought disaster on the peoples.3 For they did not take the land by their sword—their arm did not…
Praying The Psalms – Praying Psalms of Righteousness as wretched people
This week, we continue our series on Praying the Psalms by looking at some of the ways God works in us as we pray Psalms of righteousness despite our sinfulness. 1 God, listen to my prayerand do not hide from my plea for help.2 Pay attention to me and answer me.I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,3 because of the enemy’s words,because of the pressure of the wicked.For they bring down disaster on meand harass me in anger. 4 My heart shudders…
Praying the Psalms – Prayers of Righteousness as wretched people
This Sunday, we continue our series on Praying the Psalms by looking at some of the ways God works in us as we pray Psalms of righteousness despite our sinfulness. Vindicate me, Lord,because I have lived with integrityand have trusted in the Lord without wavering.2 Test me, Lord, and try me;examine my heart and mind.3 For your faithful love guides me,and I live by your truth. 4 I do not sit with the worthlessor associate with hypocrites.5 I hate a crowd of evildoers,and I do not sit with…
Praying the Psalms: God as our Refuge
This week Pastor Peter focuses his message on how God is our Refuge. God is our refuge and strength,a helper who is always foundin times of trouble.2 Therefore we will not be afraid,though the earth tremblesand the mountains toppleinto the depths of the seas,3 though its water roars and foamsand the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah 4 There is a river—its streams delight the city of God,the holy dwelling place of the Most High.5 God is within her; she will not be toppled.God…
Praying the Psalms – Shaped by the Psalms
This week Pastor Peter teaches on why reading all the Psalms is important in our prayer lives. I lift my eyes toward the mountains.Where will my help come from?2 My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to slip;your Protector will not slumber.4 Indeed, the Protector of Israeldoes not slumber or sleep. 5 The Lord protects you;the Lord is a shelter right by your side.6 The sun will not strike you by dayor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will protect you…
Psalm 131
Today Pastor Peter teaches us how to position our hearts below God through the words in Psalm 131. 1 Lord, my heart is not proud;my eyes are not haughty.I do not get involved with thingstoo great or too wondrous for me.2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soullike a weaned child with its mother;my soul is like a weaned child. 3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,both now and forever. Psalm 131: 1-3 (CSB)
Ephesians – week 19
This Sunday was our final week through the book of Ephesians. Pastor Peter unpacked Ephesians 6:10-24 with us. 10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that…
Ephesians – week 18
5 Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as you would Christ. 6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will from your heart. 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is…
Ephesians – week 17
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. 4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4 (CSB)