Sunday, January 12, 2025. Pastor James and Laurie Bolton. Psalm 40:1-4a I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust. ASCEND. To move upward, to rise from a lower level. To go up. To occupy. ASCEND. Authority and Anointing. Seek and Serve. Community. Endure and Establish. New. Never. Now. Dwell and Deliver. Authority and Anointing. (Joshua 1:3, Psalm 92:10, Matthew 5:14, Ephesians 1:19-23, Ephesians 2:4-6, 1 John 2:20 ) Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Seek and Serve. (Psalm 23, Psalm 34:10, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 84:10, Lamentations 3:25-26) Lamentations 3:25-26 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. God responds to spiritual hunger. Our need for God attracts His manifest presence. Psalm 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Community. (Psalm 122:1, Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:42-44, Colossians 3:15-16, Hebrews 10:25) Community. A group of people with a common interest. An interacting population of various kinds individuals. Joint participation. Fellowship. Endure and Establish. (Psalm 1:3, Psalm 18:36, Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 52:9, Psalm 57:7) Establish To make firm and stable. Cause to grow and multiple. Prove. Bring into existence. Gain recognition. Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. New. Never. Now. (Genesis 18:14, Psalm 36:8, Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 43:4, Psalm 66:5-6) Psalm 36:8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. Dwell and Deliver. (Psalm 34:4, Psalm 26:8, Psalm 27:4, Psalm 62:2, Psalm 90:1) Psalm 90:1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Psalm 27:4. One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.