Psalm Topic – Individual Lament An individual lament is a topic of the Psalm in which the focus is sharing a deep struggle in one’s individual life to God. Followed by a prayer of deliverance from the struggle they facing. Finished off by a prayer of trust and praise that is based on an attribute of God that the Psalmist is relying upon to get them through their current situation. Often times an individual lament song can sound a little like complaining, which we’re called not to do (Philippians 2:14), however we do it anyway.
What we see in the individual lament Psalms is the psalmist taking his “complaint” to God. Voicing his struggle to the God who is able to help him. We see by the examples of these Psalms that if we’re going to complain, we should share our complaint with God. We see a great picture of honesty in the individual lament Psalms. This at first seems a little wrong when reading these types of Psalms. However, the reason I believe they are justified in coming before God in this way with their “complaint” is that they always finish off their Psalms of individual lament with a prayer of deliverance from life’s problems, a whole-hearted trust in God’s qualities to stand true in the midst of their struggle, and a whole-hearted declaration of praise to Him in the midst of their struggle.
Complaining happens when we forget that God is in control, that we can trust in Him, and when we question, not necessarily the situation, but His sovereignty in it. When we acknowledge his sovereignty and control and trust in him in it, we have the freedom to “complain” to him, and be completely honest with Him. Which is what the Psalmist says in Psalm 3. The first couple of verse focus on the struggle that he’s having. David talks of many foes that are against him and that are rising up against him. Yet, he puts His trust in God as His protector in verse 3-4. He declares to God in verses 5-6 that he is not going to fear death, because it is the Lord that sustains him. In verse 7 he cries out to God in a prayer of trust to deliver him, because he believes and trusts in the qualities of God that he mentioned in verses 3-6. In verse 8 he declares that God again is the source of deliverance and prays that the people of Israel would find favor and blessing because of that. So in this Psalm we see that back a forth nature of complaining/being honest with God, and trusting in his qualities that should be a part of our prayers everyday.
All prayers should declare exactly what you’re feeling, thinking, and experiencing, but should always be laid on a foundation of continual trust, knowledge, and belief in the characteristics of a faithful and unchangeable God.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Intro to the Psalms
Again, the Psalms are just extra readings for the weeks if you’re interested. Try to keep in step with the New Testament Reading Plan, and use the weekends to catch up. However, if you’d like we’ll be talking a look at the Psalms each weekend. Though the Psalms are listed on the weekend, if you are planning on reading them, it might be helpful to take a Psalm a day and read it throughout the week and do a few more on the weekends, simply because the Psalms are meant to be read slowly and prayed through individually.
When trying to understand the Psalms it can be helpful to understand their specific focus of writing. Not all Psalms are praise, prayers, or complaints. Not all are prophetic, have words of wisdom, or Psalms of celebration. They often are just one of these and understanding what type of Psalm they are entering each Psalm can be helpful for understanding its intended meaning. Each week we’ll take a look at a specific type of Psalm, define it, and share what type of Psalm each Psalm is. We’ll also hi-light one Psalm a week and discover what God teaches us through it.
When trying to understand the Psalms it can be helpful to understand their specific focus of writing. Not all Psalms are praise, prayers, or complaints. Not all are prophetic, have words of wisdom, or Psalms of celebration. They often are just one of these and understanding what type of Psalm they are entering each Psalm can be helpful for understanding its intended meaning. Each week we’ll take a look at a specific type of Psalm, define it, and share what type of Psalm each Psalm is. We’ll also hi-light one Psalm a week and discover what God teaches us through it.
Persevere!...(Jan 25: Luke 14-16)
Luke 14:25-34
Observations
Jesus tells us two parables. Why is Jesus trying to tell us in these two parables? Jesus gives his explanation in v 33 by saying "In the same way(**the words "in the same way" are our clue that it is an explanation) any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." WELL, HOW DO THOSE WORDS OF CHRIST EXPLAIN THE PARABLES???
I think Jesus' explanation is actually instruction on how to follow the lessons from the parable. If the builder doesn't not consider the cost, he will be ridiculed, if the king does not first consider the power of 10,000 men, he will be defeated, and if a disciple doesn't consider giving up everything (i.e. hating his family) he must not be able to finish. This is awesome. Jesus knows that no disciple can stay the course and remain on the straight and narrow path unless he forsakes everything else. Just like the parable of the sower when the word gets choked by the world. The person in which the word gets "choked" out of must not have first considered giving up everything. If he had, there would be nothing to choke it out. Is there a consequence for not finishing. What happens to salt that loses its saltliness? V35 says that salt which loses it's saltiness, is thrown out.
Questions I have?
Why does Jesus urge the churches in Revelation 1-3 to persevere? Seems pertinent to this passage...
Application is my prayer
Jesus seems to promote forsight. Can I think of something that exists in my life right now in which could pull me away 5 years down the road? A wife, a child? Do I have any ambitions for my later life that takes the focus off Jesus? What have I not forsaken? What competes with my passion for God and his glory? If God calls me to a remote people group in Papua New Guinea, but in order for my child to live through malaria, we have to leave permanently. What do I do? If God sends me to a hostile country where they treat their women terrible and my wife gets beaten, do I leave? What do I do? Will I persevere in a distant land? Or have I not given up everything? Have I given up health? Have I given up safety? Have I given up my family?
Father in heaven, maker of heaven and earth, you save the humble and bring low those eyes who are haughty. Oh Father reveal to me by the power of your Holy Spirit what may hinder me from persevering? Is there anything in my heart in which I do not hate in comparison to you. I forsake such things in the name of Jesus. You alone are my portion. You alone are my shield. Jesus I am committed to following you all of my days. As a priest of God and a heir I forbid anything of this world to take me off the narrow path in the name of Jesus. Father protect me from evil, deliver me from temptation. Do not let my eyes depart from your word. I love you Jesus. I submit my entire self to you. My hunger, my pain, my health, my comfort, my shelter, my thirst. Those who come to you will never go hungry and those who believe in you will never be thirsty. My confidence is in you and you alone. Because of Jesus' finished work on the cross I can pray. Amen
Luke 14-16, in my opinion, contains some of the most difficult parables in the Bible.
Did anyone learn from the shrewd manager???
Observations
Jesus tells us two parables. Why is Jesus trying to tell us in these two parables? Jesus gives his explanation in v 33 by saying "In the same way(**the words "in the same way" are our clue that it is an explanation) any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." WELL, HOW DO THOSE WORDS OF CHRIST EXPLAIN THE PARABLES???
I think Jesus' explanation is actually instruction on how to follow the lessons from the parable. If the builder doesn't not consider the cost, he will be ridiculed, if the king does not first consider the power of 10,000 men, he will be defeated, and if a disciple doesn't consider giving up everything (i.e. hating his family) he must not be able to finish. This is awesome. Jesus knows that no disciple can stay the course and remain on the straight and narrow path unless he forsakes everything else. Just like the parable of the sower when the word gets choked by the world. The person in which the word gets "choked" out of must not have first considered giving up everything. If he had, there would be nothing to choke it out. Is there a consequence for not finishing. What happens to salt that loses its saltliness? V35 says that salt which loses it's saltiness, is thrown out.
Questions I have?
Why does Jesus urge the churches in Revelation 1-3 to persevere? Seems pertinent to this passage...
Application is my prayer
Jesus seems to promote forsight. Can I think of something that exists in my life right now in which could pull me away 5 years down the road? A wife, a child? Do I have any ambitions for my later life that takes the focus off Jesus? What have I not forsaken? What competes with my passion for God and his glory? If God calls me to a remote people group in Papua New Guinea, but in order for my child to live through malaria, we have to leave permanently. What do I do? If God sends me to a hostile country where they treat their women terrible and my wife gets beaten, do I leave? What do I do? Will I persevere in a distant land? Or have I not given up everything? Have I given up health? Have I given up safety? Have I given up my family?
Father in heaven, maker of heaven and earth, you save the humble and bring low those eyes who are haughty. Oh Father reveal to me by the power of your Holy Spirit what may hinder me from persevering? Is there anything in my heart in which I do not hate in comparison to you. I forsake such things in the name of Jesus. You alone are my portion. You alone are my shield. Jesus I am committed to following you all of my days. As a priest of God and a heir I forbid anything of this world to take me off the narrow path in the name of Jesus. Father protect me from evil, deliver me from temptation. Do not let my eyes depart from your word. I love you Jesus. I submit my entire self to you. My hunger, my pain, my health, my comfort, my shelter, my thirst. Those who come to you will never go hungry and those who believe in you will never be thirsty. My confidence is in you and you alone. Because of Jesus' finished work on the cross I can pray. Amen
Luke 14-16, in my opinion, contains some of the most difficult parables in the Bible.
Did anyone learn from the shrewd manager???
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Seek First...(Jan 24: Luke 12-13)
Well, I'm convinced that Luke 12 and 13 have to be 2 of the most challenging and applicable passages in the Bible! Wow. Here are a couple of my highlights:
~ Luke 12:4-5 - "I tell you my friends. do not be afraid of those who can kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear how who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Well, okay then. If you put it that way...whenever I find myself fearing man over God, its usually because I've forgotten this truth. People really can do nothing of eternal significance to us, only God can. He is the only one worthy to be feared. This truth was an awesome reminder to me.
~Luke 12:22-34 - This is one of my favorite passages! I find it very reassuring that we are more valuable to God than birds. :) No really, vs. 30 is awesome. YOUR FATHER KNOWS what you need! Why don't we believe this? Why don't we trust, even when things seem crazy, that the One who knows better than we know ourselves, KNOWS what we need? Why don't we "seek first his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well?" That's a promise...seek first...these things WILL be given. Why don't we believe that worry is a sin? Jesus specifially says, "Do not worry!" We often say thoughout our day, "I'm so stressed about this and that." So, that means, we are worrying, and not believing that God knows what we need! Hmmm...very challenging.
Father, I pray and ask in Jesus' name that you would help us to forsake the fear of man. You are the only one who deserves our reverence, honor and praise. I ask that you'd help up to know and love the truth in your word. Help us to seek first your kingdom, to repent when we worry by asking forgiveness and turning to you in prayer, and to cling to the truth that you know what we need. Thank you for your goodness to us. Amen.
~ Luke 12:4-5 - "I tell you my friends. do not be afraid of those who can kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear how who, after the killing of the body, has the power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." Well, okay then. If you put it that way...whenever I find myself fearing man over God, its usually because I've forgotten this truth. People really can do nothing of eternal significance to us, only God can. He is the only one worthy to be feared. This truth was an awesome reminder to me.
~Luke 12:22-34 - This is one of my favorite passages! I find it very reassuring that we are more valuable to God than birds. :) No really, vs. 30 is awesome. YOUR FATHER KNOWS what you need! Why don't we believe this? Why don't we trust, even when things seem crazy, that the One who knows better than we know ourselves, KNOWS what we need? Why don't we "seek first his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well?" That's a promise...seek first...these things WILL be given. Why don't we believe that worry is a sin? Jesus specifially says, "Do not worry!" We often say thoughout our day, "I'm so stressed about this and that." So, that means, we are worrying, and not believing that God knows what we need! Hmmm...very challenging.
Father, I pray and ask in Jesus' name that you would help us to forsake the fear of man. You are the only one who deserves our reverence, honor and praise. I ask that you'd help up to know and love the truth in your word. Help us to seek first your kingdom, to repent when we worry by asking forgiveness and turning to you in prayer, and to cling to the truth that you know what we need. Thank you for your goodness to us. Amen.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sometimes it feels like homework... (Jan 23: Luke 10-11)
I had some catching up to do today, so I read Luke 4-11. I had to have something profound to say for this post, so I read quickly, underlining phrases that stuck out.
But to be honest, I felt like I was cramming for a test. That's never a good approach to reading the Bible, but as I found out today, it's better than no approach at all. Reading hastily is better than not reading at all.
There is so much good stuff in the words of Jesus. My heart is stoked to pray with faith, abandon every worthless thing to pursue Jesus, love enemies, forgive, and be aware of what Jesus has saved me from.
What do you guys do when reading the Bible feels like homework? What did God speak to you about from today's reading?
But to be honest, I felt like I was cramming for a test. That's never a good approach to reading the Bible, but as I found out today, it's better than no approach at all. Reading hastily is better than not reading at all.
There is so much good stuff in the words of Jesus. My heart is stoked to pray with faith, abandon every worthless thing to pursue Jesus, love enemies, forgive, and be aware of what Jesus has saved me from.
What do you guys do when reading the Bible feels like homework? What did God speak to you about from today's reading?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Deny Yourself...(Jan 22: Luke 8-9)
Title - "Deny Yourself"
Scripture - Luke 9:23-27
Observations - This reminds me again today to let go of myself and to really care about God's kingdom. The call to deny myself seems to be one that Jesus talks about a lot and that I need to listen to way more often. There's lots of other places in scripture where Jesus challenges us to give up ourselves and it seems like something I need to pay attention to more in my life to live the life that Jesus wants for me. So what does this look like Mike? (Don't worry, I don't always speak in the 3rd person)
Application - I think when it comes to denying myself the specific application that jumps out to me is that I need to stop caring so much about what others think of me. I do a lot of stuff and am hindered from doing a lot of things because I'm always thinking about what other people think of me. I really need to, when I'm talking to people, or doing anything really, think about what the Lord wants in that situation rather than what people think of me.
Prayer - God, help me to deny myself and take up my personal cross daily and follow after you. I want to lose my life and the things I care about for your sake, but it's just really hard to do that. Help me by your great power to be able to give myself up to you because I know in that I'll find the best life possible. Thanks Lord.
Scripture - Luke 9:23-27
Observations - This reminds me again today to let go of myself and to really care about God's kingdom. The call to deny myself seems to be one that Jesus talks about a lot and that I need to listen to way more often. There's lots of other places in scripture where Jesus challenges us to give up ourselves and it seems like something I need to pay attention to more in my life to live the life that Jesus wants for me. So what does this look like Mike? (Don't worry, I don't always speak in the 3rd person)
Application - I think when it comes to denying myself the specific application that jumps out to me is that I need to stop caring so much about what others think of me. I do a lot of stuff and am hindered from doing a lot of things because I'm always thinking about what other people think of me. I really need to, when I'm talking to people, or doing anything really, think about what the Lord wants in that situation rather than what people think of me.
Prayer - God, help me to deny myself and take up my personal cross daily and follow after you. I want to lose my life and the things I care about for your sake, but it's just really hard to do that. Help me by your great power to be able to give myself up to you because I know in that I'll find the best life possible. Thanks Lord.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock (Jan 21: Luke 6-7)
Title - The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock
Scripture - Luke 6:46-49
Observations - I heard this song a lot when I was growing up but somethign struck me today as I was reading it. Whe Jesus said that the man who hears his words and "puts them into practice" is the one who builds his house on a good foundation. That was a great reminder to me today of my need to not just hear God's word, but for it to go the 18" from my head to my heart. If I don't memorize the word, put it into practice in some way, it's going to just be reading. I might be able to check off a box, but there's no eternal reward or purpose in just reading God's words without putting them into practice. This of course doesn't mean that I'm going to just stop reading God's words whenever I don't feel like it. There's definitely some eternal value to the discipline and the continued practice of reading the word. But if that's consistently how my life with the Word of God looks, that's a real bummer and will lead to a hungry, unsatisfied life and a life that's built on a foundation of sand that's going to wash away.
Application - Slow down your reading of the Bible and take it in and put it into practice!
Prayer - God, help me to see your word as living and active and something that can completely change and transform my life. Help me to take time with it, study it, meditate on it, and love it with all that I am. This world is a dry and weary land without you my Lord. May I never find satisfaction in anything but you.
Scripture - Luke 6:46-49
Observations - I heard this song a lot when I was growing up but somethign struck me today as I was reading it. Whe Jesus said that the man who hears his words and "puts them into practice" is the one who builds his house on a good foundation. That was a great reminder to me today of my need to not just hear God's word, but for it to go the 18" from my head to my heart. If I don't memorize the word, put it into practice in some way, it's going to just be reading. I might be able to check off a box, but there's no eternal reward or purpose in just reading God's words without putting them into practice. This of course doesn't mean that I'm going to just stop reading God's words whenever I don't feel like it. There's definitely some eternal value to the discipline and the continued practice of reading the word. But if that's consistently how my life with the Word of God looks, that's a real bummer and will lead to a hungry, unsatisfied life and a life that's built on a foundation of sand that's going to wash away.
Application - Slow down your reading of the Bible and take it in and put it into practice!
Prayer - God, help me to see your word as living and active and something that can completely change and transform my life. Help me to take time with it, study it, meditate on it, and love it with all that I am. This world is a dry and weary land without you my Lord. May I never find satisfaction in anything but you.
Jan 20: Luke 4-5 "Look Out for the Sick"
Title - "Look out for the Sick"
Scripture - Luke 5:31
Observations - Jesus loved sick people and hung out with those way more than the religious people that supposedly agreed with him. Jesus noticed that the people that were really in need were those who didn't know him and who were deep in sin. I need to view people who don't know Christ in the same way that Christ viewed those people. He loved them for who they are and for what there need in there life was. To know Him. God's love is great and the way that Jesus loved sick people needs to be modeled in my life.
Application - I need to keep hanging out with some of my friends who are into drugs and drinking, because they are the sick ones. They need the help. I can't forget the Christians in my life, but it's those guys that really need the help.
Prayer - God, help me to see the sick that are around me and reach out to them. It's way more comfortable and I feel like I'm held more accountable to hanging out with the Christians in my life, so help me to love those who you love. The hurting and the needy. Thanks for loving me when I was sick and healing me yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Love you God!
Scripture - Luke 5:31
Observations - Jesus loved sick people and hung out with those way more than the religious people that supposedly agreed with him. Jesus noticed that the people that were really in need were those who didn't know him and who were deep in sin. I need to view people who don't know Christ in the same way that Christ viewed those people. He loved them for who they are and for what there need in there life was. To know Him. God's love is great and the way that Jesus loved sick people needs to be modeled in my life.
Application - I need to keep hanging out with some of my friends who are into drugs and drinking, because they are the sick ones. They need the help. I can't forget the Christians in my life, but it's those guys that really need the help.
Prayer - God, help me to see the sick that are around me and reach out to them. It's way more comfortable and I feel like I'm held more accountable to hanging out with the Christians in my life, so help me to love those who you love. The hurting and the needy. Thanks for loving me when I was sick and healing me yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Love you God!
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