JanMary

Q4. (Psalm 24) How do verses 1-2 establish the Lord's right as King? He created all that exists! Before He created, there was just the Godhead...Spirit. He IS King, by right of ownership through creation! What do verses 3-6 tell us about the requirements of the King? His righteousness through Salvation/ His cleansing from sin. What do verses 7-10 tell us about the glory of the King? They tell us that even the gates of Jerusalem are ordered to lift up in praise in the Glory of His Presence. They are to open wide to Him. He is The Lord, strong and mighty and in battle victorious over every enemy! He is the Lord of hosts. He IS the King of Glory! How does this psalm speak to you in your situation? I shared our situation in Q3....dire and frightening...apart from His glorious intervention! This Psalm comforts me...it promises that He is Lord of ALL....(leases, impossible rent increases, having to move at age 70, long awaited promises, ravages of time, the calendar, emotions, people and their agendas) It reminds me that my husband and I are His responsibility as His children who have been bought and cleansed with the Blood of His only Son, Jesus, and who seek His precious face. It reassures me that He is mighty in battle and is victorious over every enemy. It causes praise and worship to rise up in me because He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we are His! As King of all that exists, He is aware of our most minute circumstance and need and has promised to take care of us. We can trust Him because He is Holy and Faithful!

Q3. (Psalm 126). In this psalm, the nation is going through some kind of crisis. How does memory of God's deliverance in verses 1-3 prepare them for the prayer of verse 4? Their present need was brought into the perspective of faith for NOW as they remembered God's goodness and faithfulness of the past deliverance...They remembered their joy and exuberance and looked forward to seeing and experiencing God's wonderful intervention in the present circumstance. How do you understand the two metaphors of deliverance: (1) a wadi or dry gully and (2) sowing and reaping? A wadi or dry gully speaks to me of lack, barrenness, failure of either nature or of humans, wilderness and drought. Sowing and reaping speak of abundance, reward, fruitfulness....seed to plant now from an abundant crop last year, and reaping abundance from that seed planted in expectation of a good crop. Deliverance is God's hand in the process from wilderness to promise! How do these metaphors help you in your situation? Our current situation is that we are faced with a rent increase of $500.00 per month. We are already at the maximum of what we can afford on retirement and Social Security income. We can move to another apartment, but rent is about the same everywhere in our area. Or we can "move" and stay here, permitting them to refurbish our apartment "around us" then pay the increase. We've been told no lease will be signed in Sept. for us unless we allow the refurbishing of our apartment and the increase. BUT....we have a promise from God from 1986 of a new home. (We owned our own home when He gave the promise that the "latter house will be greater than the former".... I gave Him our home for His purposes, thinking He would "use it" with us living there. But He took me at my word and literally "took it". So we have been in a wilderness since 1991....homeless, living with other people, and living in an apartment with "just enough"....since then. I believe we are on the cusp of entering the promised land. The brook Cherith is drying up here....and we'll follow the Lord wherever He leads. Nearly every day in prayer, He says "Wait and trust Me". So we praise and worship and wait and trust. I believe it will be to the place of abundance....we've sown and sown and sown in every way over the many years. I believe now is the time for harvest.....deliverance....more than enough in order to help others and to sow even more into the Kingdom of God. V4 "Turn to freedom our captivity and restore our fortunes". This is our prayer! The wilderness has been a place of learning to trust for daily bread, to praise and worship because He is worthy, of being humbled and learning to humble ourselves, of speaking God's Word to our circumstances, tithing on the little that comes in and being faithful with what He gives us daily. Our small apartment has become a "comfortable prison" and He alone is our deliverer. We will enter the "Promised land" as different people than when we went in! Thank you Jesus!!! When we entered captivity, we were unsure of God's love for us. Now we truly know that we are loved. We know that we're forgiven. We understand Grace. We know that His timing is perfect! So we wait!

Q2. (Psalm 96) What does it mean to "ascribe" to God attributes of glory and strength? It means to acknowledge and render to God, Who His is, and Who His Word says He is. It means I'm in agreement with Him that He is all glorious and Omnipotent! What happens when we fail to ascribe such qualities to him? Then the tendency is to elevate ourselves and minimize Who He is, in our minds eye. Our problems then seem insurmountable and He seems diminished and impotent. Faith weakens. Then we feel abandoned and try to figure out the solution on our own. It's a downward spiral, and one that I'm certain pleases God's enemy and ours! We were created to Praise and worship. When I fail to praise Him, I'm not fully functioning as a human being and as His redeemed child. In what sense is praise to God "fitting" or "worthy"? It's fitting because He is the ONLY one worthy of praise! He alone is Almighty God, Creator of all that exists, Savior of my soul, the giver of life, the Holy One!!! To give Him less than praise and worship is to think too highly of myself., and dishonors Him as my Lord and master. A devotion I read this morning talked about how the cursing and abuse of His holy name, so prevalent in the world, hurts Him. But when a child of God speaks the name of "Jesus", it brings Him joy. If just speaking His name delights Him, then how much more, my praise and worship delights His heart! Amazing to think that we can actually bless Him!

Q1. (Psalm 57) Why is praise difficult in the midst of trying circumstances? Trials and difficulties drag my thoughts back to the circumstances....keep me focused on "What If's". I tend to focus on fighting against old fears and calling my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ....it takes an effort of my will to worship and praise God in those times. It's a sacrifice because during painful times it feels like my heart and mind have an anchor tied to them, weighing me down. How does praise affect our faith? Praise raises my hope of a confident expectation of a good outcome, because when I lift my voice and arms in worship, I've let go of the problem, and am seeing that God is bigger than any circumstance in which I find myself. Praise changes my perspective and my outlook. He is worthy of praise, No matter what is going on in my life!!!! Our attitude? When I praise, I refocus. My attitude shifts from "what about me?" to "It's all about YOU, Lord". Our motivation? When I praise, my motivation shifts from hanging on by my fingernails in survival mode, to having the desire to honor my Lord, and to choose to put my trust in Him.

Q5. After you've studied the psalms in this chapter, what do you think it means to "rest" in God? I think it means to cease striving, and to surrender to His superior wisdom, control, and power, and to rest in His love. "Let go and let God". How do you seek God's peace when you have a dozen things coming against you? I get quiet with my journal and my Bible...writing down on paper what is coming against me, helps me. It gathers up all of those fleeting thoughts, fears, etc, like corralling dust motes! When I've got it written down, I go through each one and surrender it to the Lord. I pray promises out loud so that I can "hear" what His Word says about it. If I'm still troubled, I ask Him to quiet my mind so that I can hear His voice. I read Psalms. I put praise music on. I sing praise and worship. If I'm REALLY troubled after all of that, I'll call a Christian friend to agree with me in prayer. Then when darts of anxiety "hit", I take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Sometimes it's a messy process! There are sometimes tears, or anger. Sometimes I think to bind Satan and take authority in Christ over the opposition. Sometimes just surrendering to Christ is all I need to do. I try to let the Holy Spirit lead me to His peace and comfort, and follow His lead.

Q4. (Psalm 46) How does the imagery of the river and streams in verse 4 function in Psalm 46 to speak peace to the harassed and harried person? I love the sound of water. It's a peaceful, happy, soothing sound. So for me, I can close my eyes when I read those words and feel calmness and peace. I can sit by a stream or a river and feel trouble and stress flowing away in the water as it goes down stream. Streams are for beauty, and refreshment, sustenance, and cleansing. No flood tide in those words....just gladness as they flow out from God our Source. Verse 10 tells us: "Be still and know that I am God." How does knowledge of who He is affect our peace? Thirty eight years ago when I was told I most likely had cancer, and had been told by my Mother that I would die of cancer, the Lord appeared to me in radiant light, so much brighter than the sun. I had been crying and almost sick with terror. I had only recently accepted the Lord, and had no knowledge of Scripture. I was in a church which had no ministry outreach, so no one to call. Suddenly, there was the Lord in my presence and He said "Be still and know that I am God.", then before I could run to Him, he was gone. I felt like warm honey or oil had been poured over me, inside and out. (Then I realized He hadn't said "You don't have cancer", and I was afraid again, but not as before. The next day the diagnosis was "No cancer". I realized He was saying "Whether there is cancer or not, TRUST ME...I AM GOD. Cancer is just a name, and My Name is greater than any name that can be named! I am in complete control of all that concerns you!" How should it affect our words? Words are powerful...for life or for death. For blessing or for cursing. My words are to be filled with His words, His love, His promises. Instead of speaking and focusing my problems, I'm to speak what He says about it! Why does He command us to "be still" as a result of this knowledge? Be still....cease your fretting....stop trying to figure out what is too much for you....commit the problem to my care and let me work it out! When I let go, I let God! Stillness reflects that I've moved into faith and rest, and am no longer striving in self effort.

Q3. (Psalm 31) What does it mean to say to the Lord, "Into your hands I commit my spirit" (31:5)? It seems to mean "I surrender all that I am to your care, Father. I no longer live for my purposes but relinquish all that I am into your care! I give you total control of my life!" How does that statement bring peace to a person? When I did that in my early walk with the Lord, it felt like a "death"....and was. My flesh was "dying" to self in preference to living for the Lord. At the same time it was like transferring a heavy load...one to heavy for me to carry, onto His shoulders. I felt relieved of the burden of trying to figure everything out, and worrying about outcomes. In later times, not so much a "death" and more like taking a dip in a refreshing pool. Once again I've put the Lord in complete charge of all that I am, have, and desire, and there is great peace in being reminded that He is the Universe maker, planet breather, all Powerful, and Loving Father, and I'm His needy child who just remembered that I'm not designed to carry burdens...He's the burden bearer. How does the statement, "My times are in your hands" (31:15), bring peace to the troubled soul? I don't know about others, but for me it's like when a child has walked too far with no strength left, and a loving parent picks her up in His strong arms and carries her home. (I never had that kind of parenting, but I can easily imagine my Heavenly Father carrying me!) That is pure peace~!

Q2. According to Psalm 23, how does the Lord our Shepherd quiet his sheep and give them confidence? He makes His Presence as my Lord, known! He reassures me that He is on the throne of Grace....in control, on top of every detail, aware of every next step into the future, and because He lives outside of time, I need have no concerns about the future. He reassures me that as my Shepherd, not only is He keenly aware of all my needs, He is my provider and provision, and promises they will be met in abundance. Because He is the Shepherd, I can enjoy just being His lamb, because He constantly guides, guards and protects me. How many ways can you find in this psalm? As my Shepherd, He is in authority. My care and protection and provision are His responsibility....I still have to "eat" or receive, but He leads me to the green pastures and cool, still waters of refreshing. He MAKES me lie down....that means when i'm physically tired, He wants me to rest. When the cares of the world have encroached and made in-roads into my soul, He commands that I stop and "lie down" on the inside....in His Presence, to bask in His peace and comfort and Presence. (He's been know to allow affliction, or enforced "rest" if I press too far away from His rest.) Though the path might be steep and slippery, His feet are sure. (like it is right now....uncertainty abounds. We've been told our lease can't be signed in Sept. unless we agree to a complete refurbishing of our apartment, since all of them must be completed and ours is one that has not been....we either have to move out, or allow them to work around us, which will be like moving. After the completion they've said our rent will increase to $2,0000.00 per month...a $500.00 per month increase, which we cannot afford. He gave a promise in 1988 of a new home, before we lost ours in the 1990 recession. We're waiting with confident expectancy, as we have been since 1990....is this the time? It is impossible...but then Abraham and Sarah's promise was impossible...so we are waiting for His next step for us...) In the meantime, our needs are met, He refreshes and restores, teaches and trains, loves and protects.....my "wolf" is Satan, who lurks and whispers, "You're going to be homeless! You can't afford the new rent on social security. Social security is bankrupt, and will end soon and you'll be living in a cardboard box on the street. You're too old to withstand another move.....You've waited all these years and you've been deceived....on and on he goes. But my Shepherd brings the promise to life again. He reminds me of His other Promises to care for us. He replaces anxiety, with hope and assurance. He hides me from the ravening wolf, under the shelter of His "wings"....close to His breast where I can feel His warmth and reassurance. He is with me. His rod of authority and staff of guidance are my promise that He'll show me the next step of comfort. We are blessed with favor. I marvel that in this 100 + degree heat wave, we have air conditioning! We are surrounded by beauty! Our table is spread with plenty...I was given blueberries, blackberries and strawberries from a friends garden yesterday! Surely only His goodness and unfailing love surround me like a shield...and wherever the steps lead, I'm on the journey to everlasting life in his mansion, so I'm at rest. I will trust and praise and worship my Lord and sure footed Savior and God.

Q1. According to Psalm 131, just how does David quiet his inner person before the Lord? David remembers who he is...though he may be King, he's not God! He's God's creature, and comes in humility and utter dependence upon the Lord. He's laying aside intellectual pursuits and questions in order to praise and worship and acknowledge His dependence upon God and His solution to whatever was causing David's unrest. (As he elevates God in his thinking and speaking, his problem shrinks and enables him to leave it in the Lord's capable Hands.) What are the elements mentioned in this psalm? Humility, purposeful rest of mind and spirit, self talk to refocus on God and to stop fretting, shifting his burden to the Lord in confident expectation and hope/faith that the Lord will rescue him now and forever. Surrender. (I love that David doesn't try to advise God, counsel God on how to fix things, or to try to bluff God that he's really on top of things but is just checking in, as I used to do in the very early days when shame induced pride and fear kept me from being honest with God about how desperately I needed Him)

Q4. Since Christians don't seem immune to accident, persecution, and death, how are we to understand these psalms of protection? Paul came to mind when I read this question. He suffered greatly in every area and was martyred, in the end. But only the Lord knows the things Paul was spared from that would have been more than he could bear. (He promises to not allow more than we can bear! 1 Cor 10:13) And Paul (2 Cor 7:6 ) speaks about God's comfort and encouragement during those trials. God is in control, and only He can take a life! Ultimately though we may suffer pain, or illness, or accident, or persecution, anything that touches us must pass through God's "O.K" first. I believe He allows whatever will make us strong and our roots to grow deeply. Satan has some access, as we read about in Job, and as we have all experienced. But Satan cannot take a life. He cannot destroy our spirit! though he may buffet us in every area, he is on God's short "leash" Why don't some believers seem to be protected? I believe this is Romans 8:28 and 29 being lived out differently in the lives of believers. "We know that God causes all things to work together to and for the good of those who are called according to His purpose....v29 THAT WE MAY BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON." That is God's destiny for each of us..."that at that day we will be like Him." (Phil 1:6) Some trouble may come as "correction" to rebellion or disobedience. Some for His glory (Joni Erickson Tada comes to mind...she was a believer who broke her neck in a dive into a shallow lake and has been a quadriplegic since high school. She brings great honor and glory to God from her wheelchair! She has prayed for healing, but is still paralyzed, yet lives a joyful life in His grace.) At times, a believer will take his own life. I've known several who chose to end their lives rather than endure any more of the torment they were in. I believe they fell into "the everlasting arms" which the Bible declares "are beneath us." In that sense, though their lives were cut short by choice, perhaps to continue on would have been too much to bear and they may have committed unspeakable acts which would have been too much to bear for their loved ones to live with. Does God really protect us? How? My two children and I were protected from death in a major rollover car accident, and suffered extremely minor injuries. Mine was a back injury, which the Lord healed miraculously several months later through a Word of knowledge on a Christian T.V. program, which demonstrated to me, a new believer, the reality of God and His love for me, and brought glory to Him. So we went through the accident but were not destroyed. David Wilkerson, the 85 year old Saint (The Cross and the Switchblade) just died in a car accident in Texas, but his wife was spared. God called him home when his destiny was completed. Taking his wife at the same time may have been too much for their children to bear! And He left me here to fulfill my destiny. What I do know is that God is faithful! He hears and answers prayers. He hears and delivers us when we cry to Him. His wisdom and mind are far beyond my understanding. I have to leave it there.....He is God and I am not, but He is a Holy, Righteous, Loving, merciful, all knowing, all wise Father. When we are there, I believe we will thank Him for doing just as He has done with us and in the lives of our loved ones. In the meantime, I cry to Him whenever I'm in trouble, or ill, or afraid....and He comes "running". He is trustworthy in all His ways.

Q3. (Psalm 121). What reassurance is it to you that God keeps you and watches over you? It's what I longed for all the years that I was neglected and abused! I felt abandoned, alone, without resources or protection. When I finally ran into His arms, I found my home, my refuge, my protector. He is my provider and champion. I am at rest and at peace. I trust Him. I no longer feel vulnerable nor alone, because He is always with me. At night if I'm awake, I'm aware that He is never asleep or unaware of me or what I am going through. I feel complete in Him. How does Psalm 121 make you feel? I love that He has obligated Himself to keep and protect me. I feel stable and at ease, no longer looking behind me nor fearful of what is coming. I know that He loves me and rejoices over me with singing.....I feel blessed and full of gratitude. I feel amazed that I am one of His children, when so many have no desire to be His. I don't understand why so many have no desire to know Him, when He is the perfect Father, the most trusted Savior, the only Holy Spirit...who loves each one! I rejoice in Him! I delight in Him!

Q2. (Psalm 91) What does this psalm teach us about God's protection when in danger? God's protection comes from His secret place, and allows me to remain stable and fixed and unmoved during trouble. He is my Refuge, Fortress, Strong tower. He is Reliable, Trustworthy, my Deliverer, Who snuggles me close to His breast and hides me beneath His Wings. He gives His angels especial charge over me to accompany, defend and preserve me. What does it teach about our authority to vanquish our enemies? We vanquish our enemies by crying to our Father for help and deliverance. His power and authority are what tramples our enemies.He gives us the authority in Jesus' Name to trample our enemies underfoot. V 13. What promises does Psalm 91 contain? When I call upon Him, He WILL answer me. He WILL be with me in trouble. He WILL deliver me and honor me. He WILL satisfy me with long life (eternal life) and satisfy me. He WILL set me on high (In Christ I am now seated with him in Heavenly places) He WILL never forsake me nor leave..no not EVER! He is merciful, loving, and kind. He promises we WILL trample our enemies underfoot. His angels will guard and protect us. He is my dwelling place and refuge. He hides me as I witness the destruction of my enemies. Thousands may fall at my side but it shall not come near me. He promises that I need not fear the terror of night, (terrorists, snipers, missiles,) or slanderers. He is my shield and buckler. He delivers me, and is my refuge and fortress. He protects me from deadly pestilence. He promises I can lean on Him. He is my God Who has all power and might to defend me!!! How does this psalm make you feel? I feel cherished, reassured, protected, peaceful, nurtured, safe, beloved and thankful that I am His.

Q1. (Psalm 61:1-4) What images does the psalmist evoke to communicate his trust in God's protection? David speaks of the Lord as his Rock....higher than himself. He uses the images of a Shelter, Refuge and a strong Tower against the adversary and a Tabernacle and God's Wings sheltering and protecting him. How do the first four verses of this psalm make you feel? When I read those words or remember them, I feel safe, cherished, guarded, comforted, sheltered, unafraid, protected, peaceful, relieved, and loved....grateful that I am His and He is all of those things to me! He's the perfect Father! I love that He snuggles me close to His breast!

Q4. (Psalm 40:17) In this verse David combines both humility and faith in his prayer to God. Why are both humility and faith necessary? God honors the humble and resists the proud. Humility knows that the Lord is our provider, healer, deliverer, soon coming King. Pride urges independence from God, pretends it is not really needy and can go it alone. When a desperate need arises for the proud they have little faith in God and much reliance on self/ flesh. When even a small need arises for the humble, there is no reliance on self/ flesh but knows that the need rests entirely on the Lord, and looks to Him alone to meet it and it will be met. What happens when one of these qualities is missing? Not much!

Q5. (Psalm 80) If you were to formulate a personal prayer for revival for your own life or for your congregation, how would you word it? Dear Father, my love walk has grown cold from disappointment, rejection and long trials and hardship. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness. I pray for my heart to be softened and pliable once again. I ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit to fill me. I surrender ALL to You. I cast my cares upon You now for You care for me....I've tried to carry burdens too large which have left me exhausted....ones You never intended for me to carry. Unbelief crept in and I forgot Your Promises to me. You are the Mighty God of all Creation! You saw this day in my life before you flung the first stars into space! Thank you for bringing my condition to my attention so You can heal and restore me! I love you Father! Thank you for loving, teaching and training me! Thank You that I'm your precious and beloved daughter! What elements should be present in a prayer for personal or congregational revival? Confession of sin and repentance and a cry for God's Forgiveness and mercy, for having a cold or hardened heart (or for whatever has caused the need for revival). Revelation of where I've gone astray and what needs to change, and for the grace needed to do so. A fresh anointing and filling of the Holy spirit and the desire to follow Him with a whole heart and His power to walk faithfully with Him. Thanksgiving to Him for the valley and for loving so much that He cares about the "heart condition", and His willingness to always forgive and restore when we / I come to Him in humility and repentance. What would this prayer have in common with 2 Chronicles 7:14? How does this kind of prayer pave the way for revival and restoration to take place? It's our fallen nature to look at what others are doing or not doing and place self righteous blame. It's His nature and desire "For My people " to humble themselves and pray and seek HIS face and turn from OUR wicked ways. I believe if the Church / body of Christ were walking in holiness and love, those we want to blame for the condition of our nation / the world would see Jesus in us and want to turn from their wicked ways and join us as brothers and sisters in Christ. I think in large part, we look pretty much like those we look down on...and have not turned from our own wicked ways and repented...when that happens, I believe true revival will flood the earth. It's good to remember where I came from, and what I was like when He redeemed me! The unsaved have no means of "doing or being better"...they don't have the King of Glory living inside them, as I do. I want them to be drawn to our Precious Lord, not repelled through judgment and criticism. Lord, help me to live out your love so they'll know the real You!

Q3. (Psalm 40:5b) When you realize that God's thoughts and plans are focused on you in particular, how does that make you respond? Although I've been a born again Christian for 38 years now, I am always filled with joy and delight knowing that I am always on His mind....He never leaves me for a second and promises to never forsake me. It's too wonderful for words, but when I'm reminded of this, it causes praise and worship to bubble up out of me. It brings peace like a river to recall that He has it all covered, no matter how circumstances may look! I'm more carefree, laugh more easily, and love Him more deeply. It brings a deeper intimacy and closeness to Him. And though those around me may be thoughtless or neglectful, as long as He loves and thinks of me, It doesn't really matter what people do.

Q2. (Psalm 69:30-32) Why does this lament (and nearly all laments in the Psalms) end with an upswing of hope and praise? First he pours out his heart to God regarding his pain and the circumstances he is in, then "casts his care" upon God, remembering that all help and deliverance is in God's hands. He refocuses on God and wills himself to praise God, trust God, and reminds himself of what God has said in His Word, and in what He knows of God and His goodness and faithfulness in times past. What does this teach us about our own laments and prayers? It's a beautiful pattern. An honesty and vulnerability which nurtures intimacy with God...pouring out the heart to Him. God requires "truth in our inward parts", not denial and phony Pollyanna manipulation and fake words. After expressing all of the cares and concerns and casting them on Him, to focus on God and His Word...His promises, concluding with praise and worship sets things right. He has now been invited into our "world", and has been invited to intervene, and can work on our behalf. Why is praise, the language of faith, so important in our prayers, especially prayers of desperate pleas for help? Praise elevates God in our minds and mouths to His rightful position. (Sin shrinks God and elevates us in our own minds) It requires faith to "see the unseen" when we are hurting and the pain is more real than what we can only hope for, and to reach for what God has said when it may seem impossible. We have to choose to believe God's Word...that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him and that He is our defender, shield, buckler, strong tower, provider, healer, and the lover of our souls...the perfect Father!

Q1. (Psalm 69:12-18) How could David dare to ask anything from God after the shameful things he had done with Bathsheba and Uriah? David had experienced God's grace, favor, forgiveness and deliverance many times before. He was relying on God's goodness and on his relationship with his Lord. He was no stranger to God, and no stranger to prayer and cried out to God to extend mercy and forgiveness to him for the despicable sin. He had been delivered from the lion and the bear, from Saul's spear many times, and from Goliath. Now he was in anguish because of the sin/mess of his own making. How does God's grace and mercy function in the face of our sins? At the cross, Jesus died for our sins....he died 2,000 years ago. Every sin He died for was future to His death. That precious blood cleanses us once and for all for everything we have done or will do. We live in the age of grace, which includes mercy and favor, since He took all of God's wrath upon His own body at the cross, so that we don't ever have to experience wrath, anger, or punishment. I John 1:9 tells us that If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (This precious grace doesn't give us a license to sin intentionally or carelessly, because we may reap consequences and those around us may as well since none of us are islands! We also may bring disgrace upon the body of Christ, and upon the Lord for our actions.)

Q3. (Psalm 98) What are the reasons given for praise in Psalm 98? He has done MARVELOUS things! He has wrought salvation for Him (saved me!) His righteousness is shown before the nations. He has remembered His mercy and loving-kindness, and His truth and faithfulness to the house of Israel and all the ends of the earth have witnessed the salvation of our God! He is coming to rule the earth and to judge the world and the peoples with equity! Why do you think praise is so exuberant in this psalm? It is speaking of life and life eternal....salvation and that it extends beyond Israel to all people. It speaks of His return to reign and rule on the throne of David forever!!!! How exuberant is praise in your congregation, in your life? This psalm describes the praise and worship in our congregation! It is exuberant, heart felt, and joyful! Grown men worship with tears running down their faces. Sometimes I weep for joy, because as the worship goes up, the presence of God manifests. Recently the praise just continued....God's presence was so powerful that the service just didn't end and the people coming for the second service thought they were late....I had prayed about 9 years ago, asking the Lord to teach me to worship. Shortly after that we were led to this church. It is amazing how the joyful worship carries over into how the people treat each other....very loving and kind, which one might not expect so readily in a multi-cultural church with so many different racial groups! As a result of the powerful worship, God's power is manifested at the altar and lives are changed, demons are cast out, the blind are healed, cancer is cured, minds are restored to normal....it's glorious! Why or why not is it exuberant? It is exuberant because the Word of God is taught...the whole counsel of God....worship is taught and caught! I was stunned to learn that Jesus said "I will worship my Father in the midst of the congregation! When I learned about that in Hebrews 2:11 and 12 it caused me to see what a privilege it is to worship! (Jesus said "I will declare Your (the Father's) name to My brethren; in the midst of the worshipping congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You." He is saying there that He sings praise to His Father though each believer's voice! So if I choose not to worship, I deny Jesus my voice to use to worship His Father!!!!! l

Q2. (Psalm 95) In Psalm 95 we are commanded to worship the Lord. What are the reasons why we should worship contained in this psalm? He is the Rock of our Salvation; for the gift of salvation; for His presence; because He is great; He hears us; He holds the creation in His hands; His power and strength; He is creator; He made us; He is our God; He speaks to us; He's a God Who desires relationship with His children. He is our Shepherd and guide. Why do you think the warning in verses 8-11 is included in this psalm? Rather than being thankful for their deliverance from Egypt and slavery, their hearts were hardened, they were grumblers and murmurers, rather than praising their God and Savior! We are commanded to worship, so the warning is about disobedience and the heart attitude. Worship is to be a lifestyle not an occasional flurry of words to "get a checkmark in the box". How does this fit with the earlier elements of the psalm? He was leading them into the land of promise. Because of their lack of praise and gratitude, which they replaced with whining and complaining, the Lord was angry and swore in His wrath that they would not enter His rest and the promised land. They all died in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise? Praise is unrestrained, exuberant, can be loud, soft, musical, from the heart, imaginative, at all times, always desired and appropriate, and commanded. Where should praise occur? In His holy temple....I'm His temple, and His presence is everywhere like the air....so there is no place where praise should not be lifted up! With what should praise be conducted? Voice, hands, feet, instruments, the heart! Who should praise? Everything that has breath! ME! I hear the birds praise when I wake up and the last thing I hear them do before they roost is perch on the topmost branch in the tree and sing a song of praise! I am privileged to have a voice and hands to sing and clap praise and to blow kisses to Him! What does this psalm make you feel like after reading it out loud? Joy! Fulfilled! Flowing in the Spirit! Uplifted! Gratitude! Content! Happy to be His beloved child! Thankful that my Lord is so GOOD, and that He is so worthy of praise!

Q3. (Psalm 133) What about this short psalm seems to attract you? It is refreshing to read about the peace and harmony that comes from relationships which are in unity! I long for PEACE in the midst of all of the turmoil around me! We were created for "connection" and relationship....we're at our best when we are living in harmony and unity with those in our lives, and especially with our Lord! Why is "dwelling together in unity" so difficult? I think it's because as fallen people we are selfish by nature...we want what we want, we think our ideas are better than the next guy's, we have different personalities, so we are like sand paper to one another. It takes maturity and a surrendered will to the Lord Jesus Christ to make compromises, to overlook faults in others, to give up the desire/ need to "be right", "number one", etc. What kinds of commitments does unity require of us? The commitment to love one another as much as we love ourselves. To settle disagreements quickly through peaceable means, and to offer love, acceptance and forgiveness. How do the principles of unity and purity seem to conflict with each other? I'm totally stumped! I can't find that in the Psalm so I won't even try to comment as I have no context...am using the Amplified version today. Why are reconciliation and unity such high values in Jesus' teaching, do you think? These qualities bring Him honor and glory, because they are only possible through His work in us as we abide in Him. He's a God of peace who reconciles the fallen to Himself...so because that's Who He is, He desires that environment for us. He commands us to live in unity and brotherly love! We thrive in peace and unity. Ego is suppressed when we live in consideration for others. Our heritage as God's children is "Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!".....He loves us and wants us to have the best possible lives!

Q2. (Psalm 15) The Wisdom Psalms are meant to instruct us. How would you use this psalm in your family to instruct your children? After asking the question "Who shall dwell permanently on God's holy hill/tabernacle, the rest of the Psalm teaches about godly behavior in how to treat others. I'd go through the verses and come up with appropriate examples for the age levels of the children, and end with the promise of eternal life for those who are in Christ. What topics of right living does it cover? It covers: Right living, right thinking, right speaking. (which includes speaking words of blessing while warning against negative speaking about/ to others) Hating sin and evil (not the sinner), and giving honor to those whom honor is due. (Believers) Though offended or hurt, still behaves in a godly manner. Wisdom in handling finances in a Biblical way.

Q1. (Psalm 1). This short psalm seems to reaffirm what we already know: the righteous will succeed and the wicked will perish. Why do we need to be reminded of this? I was reading Ps. 73 this morning before I opened Pastor Ralph's email to begin this lesson. I had remarked to my husband how that psalm is such a great reminder to keep our focus on the Lord rather than looking around at the wicked who are prospering and seemingly without trials or hardship of any kind, and in their arrogance and pride, rail against God and His people! During long difficult trials of loss and humiliation a number of years ago, I complained to the Lord about the immoral, prideful people I saw who "have it all....prosperity, travel anywhere they want to go, dining out, more cars than they can drive, wasteful foolish spending....while we were suffering, just as the Psalmist had been writing about. Then V16,17,18,19: But when I considered how to understand this, it was too great an effort for me and too painful. UNTIL I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood, for I considered THEIR END. For You do set the wicked in slippery places. You cast them down to ruin and destruction. How they become a desolation in a moment, etc". Then I felt, as the Psalmist did, FOOLISH! For who do I have but God? Then the Lord showed me this: He knows the future, and He knows who will come to Him and who will not. He allows many who will never come to Him to have a prosperous life and worldly pleasures without measure, because this is all they will ever have...then their eternal destruction. This made sense to me after I thought about it....He's a gracious and just God. Why not allow them to enjoy this life when this is it for them, if trials would not soften their hearts to draw near to Him? In psalm 1, the Psalmist expresses the same viewpoint about the wicked, but from God's perspective in His eternal purposes. Though the righteous go through trials and hardship (for the purpose of cleansing and spiritual growth in faith), we are HAPPY, FORTUNATE, PROSPEROUS AND ENVIABLE (AMPLIFIED), and everything we do shall prosper and come to maturity (because we are His, and because He wastes nothing...not even our tears, which He stores in a bottle.) We need to be constantly reminded that this life is but a vapor, and all that we go through here is to prepare for our eternal life with Him. Therefore we can praise Him in the trials and hardship because they carry an eternal weight of glory, and because He is in us and around us as we go through life. The wicked are utterly alone in this life (if they fail to repent and come to Him for salvation) and will be cut off from Him in the next, standing unjustified in the judgment, while the righteous receive our rewards! From an emotional standpoint, what lines in this psalm stand out to you. Why do you think you like them? I love this Psalm! Especially these verses: V1:"nor stands submissive and inactive in the path where sinners walk, etc" This reminds me that my home is in the Kingdom of God...that I have choices about where "I walk and dwell"....I may be among the least in this world, but I have been chosen by my Father to be the Bride of His Son! (Where I choose to walk reflects Him, so I'm careful where the path leads. V2 "His delight and desire are in the teachings of God...." When I learned that Jesus is the Word made flesh, I realized that when I read the Bible, I'm not only spending time with Him, but I'm learning about Him as well as renewing my mind, so reading His Word is no longer "a duty, or an "I should". It has become my "food" during the long years in the wilderness, and is primarily how He speaks to me. It (He) is my delight! V3 "Like a tree firmly planted and tended by streams of water, ready to bring forth fruit in its season..." This reminds me that though it may be utter desert conditions around me, my roots go down deep in Jesus. He's the true Vine, and I am a branch, so I won't wither and may still produce eternal fruit because He is my Living Water. I smiled when I read "firmly planted and tended"....He is the gardener...the vinedresser. I'm not allowed to grow like a wild vine! I'm carefully tended! V6 "For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous...." I love that He surrounds me and dwells in me, is never away from me, so I am never alone nor forsaken, nor forgotten. He knows everything about me and whatever I am going through, and He "tends the fire" so to speak. I can go through it without being burned, and His purpose for the "fire" will be made manifest some day, and will bring Him glory. (I haven't always known this, and I'm so grateful that He continues to teach and train, no matter how old we are!)

Q3. (Psalm 63) Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? I would say it's because Love is Who God is....it's His nature, and character. God IS love. His Word declares that's Who He is. If I didn't recognize that He loves me, it wouldn't be the God of the Bible that I believed in and know, but some concocted fictional entity, with whom there would be no relationship...like believing in the the man in the moon! It wouldn't be the Loving Father, Savior, Holy Spirit, Creator God, Who is the Word become Flesh. But because Love first drew me then lifted me out of the miry pit and set my feet upon the Rock of His Son Jesus, His love is the basis of my faith and the reason that I trust in and rely totally upon Him. What does this realization bring about in your life? He IS my life. If I didn't know that God loves me, I'd either be dead or sitting in a mental institution in a corner sucking my thumb! It was the knowledge of His love for me that drew me to respond to His wooing! In Him I live and move and have my being. He's the air I breathe, as the song goes. His love makes sense of the world, even in the mess it's in. His love has made me whole. He is the reason I want to wake up in the morning....to draw close to Him, to hear His "voice", to see what kind of day He's made for me to live in. When I think back to my B.C. life, broken and wrecked from abuse, divorce, neglect, hopelessness and despair, I marvel at what His love has brought about in my life! I'm nearing the end of my life and I have all of eternity to look forward to....of completely unbroken fellowship with my Lord, and with the other beloved children of God. I love Him because He first loved me! Words fail me to adequately praise Him...so I do that in a Heavenly language when I run out of words.