When reading Psalm 91, I can’t help but be reminded of the power of standing on God’s Word. Around Christmas of last year, I went through some deliverance with a minister. While going through this experience, he confronted me and told me that I was believing the lies of the enemy over the truth of God’s Word, therefore making satan my God. It was a startling revelation, and honestly, one that offended me. But, it was true. When I began to exchange those lies for the truth, I began, as Kidner (2014) noted, “challenging the power of evil” (p. 363).
One pointed aspect of this psalm is in verse one where it discusses the benefit of dwelling in “the secret place of the most High” (Psalm 91:1, King James Version). This stich intrigued me, in that
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This can be seen in the demonstration of His omni-attributes. Indeed, there is no place that he can’t go, and no thing that is hidden from His sight; he is all knowing, and all powerful. In the commentary, Kidner (2014) was correct when he noted that, “any small thoughts that we may have of God are magnificently transcended by this psalm” (p. 500). As an illustration, verse four tells us that “for there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether” (psalm 139:4, King James version). This declares that God is one step ahead of us in time, having already heard what we are about to speak before we tell it. I mean, if the darkness and light are all the same to Him, and Heaven, Hell and the depths of the sea lying within His full view aren’t enough, surely being outside of time as we know it, demonstrates the authority of His rule in our universe and in our lives. In essence, this is no escape from Him. Everyone is accountable to God. But, I also believe that because we have this knowledge, we have an example in David that we should always take the approach he did with God. And, that is to take full responsibility for our actions and be completely transparent with God, no matter how embarrassing. This psalm is a lofty exemplification that God already knows it
... a cry for help “Save me god (commentary note)”. Maybe the psalmist is saying that it is this coming to awareness of our failing as human beings and our efforts to transcend those flaws are those that will bring true salvation. It may not be misfortune that Christ does not look at the drowning supplicant, but to the angel next to him; perhaps man is really alone, he finally must come to Christ, confessing all of his sins and weaknesses.
N. T. Wright’s The Case for the Psalms: Why They Are Essential reminds us of the differences found within the importance of God’s time, space, and matter in comparison to our time, space and matter perspectives. In our limited human capacity we as human kind take our miscues from the human perspective when chasing after the material gains of this world as we put our prayerful meditations and relationships to God on the back burner of our lives while redirecting our energies toward the relationships we cultivate with our wealth. If we as Christian cultivate our relationship with God we will be recognize the wealth we seek can only be found in our relationship with Our Father and Our Savior Jesus Christ as He is the provider of our wealth. He sees clearly our needs providing for them daily. If we could see the realities of our time, spac...
There is no doubt that the psalms are key to spirituality and take on a journey to true intimacy with God. In the book of psalms, the movement of the psalms portrays a life that is symmetrical and full of happiness to a life that has somehow ran itself into the ground. However, through God’s grace life is healed to a state of renewal where praises and thanksgiving are lifted up. These themes are common all throughout the Psalter. It is these themes that Walter Brueggemann refers to as periods of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation referred to above. It is these three themes that we must take in as one to fully experience the Psalter. For “the Psalms are not only addressed to God. They are a voice of the gospel, God’s good word for God’s faithful people” (pp. 2). Without the entire Psalter how can one manage to get the full aspect of the gospel. This is how the psalms become truly spiritual: orientation, disorientation, and new
Every writer leaves his mark, his imprint, in his writing; a thumb print left behind the ink if you know how to look for it, and Donne is no exception. The problem is extracting Donne’s imprint, and essence, from the poem, and understanding what that tells us about him. In one poem in particular this stands out, his Holy Sonnet IX, where Donne’s imprint lingers, giving another story behind the text, of his belief in God, but also his inner questioning, and confliction and doubt which come out as contradictions. Behind the text, Holy Sonnet IX, as Donne speaks through his speaker and poem, we come to understand that he is a religious man, though conflicted, which leads to doubt and contradictions, as he resents God in a way, while also just craving for his absolution and for him to forget and forgive his sins and wash them away, sins which weigh on him heavily and he believes taint him.
Psalm 89 of the Book of Psalms, advocates the message of consequentialism, foreground by man’s relationship with God, with direct lin...
In most Baptist Churches, the pastor serves until he passes away, voluntarily resigns or terminated by church for some ethical or moral indiscretions. Therefore, many Baptist churches have enjoyed their pastors for longer intervals than some other denominations. In my ministry context at Oak Grove Baptist Church (OGBC) the former pastor served for forty-six years and died unexpectedly. Unfortunately, OGBC did not have any procedures in place for pastoral transition and was unprepared for the change. Pastoral transition can be difficult for any church that does not have procedures in place. Once the church has selected a candidate the work of welcoming the new pastor and his family begins. In addition, the work of strengthening the relationships
Psalm 113 reads like a 1st century pep talk for those with spiritual burnout. The writer makes his case for the Lord by pointing to the many ways that God earns our praise. These nine verses of scripture are saturated with three specific reasons to praise the Lord – He is Su...
The roots of the Presbyterian Church go all the way back to Protestant Reformation, in the 1500 led by Martin Luther. But, the roots of the Presbyterian Church trace back to John Calvin. Born in Novan, France. He later studied in Paris and was influenced there by protestant ideas. Second in importance to John Calvin for the history of the Presbyterians is John Knox, a Scotsman who lived from 1514 to 1572. He led the reformation in Scotland according to the Calvin’s five points. After studying with Calvin in Geneva, returned to his native Scotland to establish Presbyterianism.
What is Christianity and why has it been able to develop into a continuously growing and evolving religion?
In the introductory section, consisting of verses 1-5, David makes two claims: “(1) his innocence and (2) the sins of his enemies” (Spurgeon 28). When you read a Psalm by David, God is usually the subject of Praise and thanksgiving, but that is not the case here, God is instead the one who is being petitioned to do something. The plea that David makes for God to not remain silent in verse 1b is a cry for help. The basis for David’s petition is then given in verses 2-5:
The following essay will evaluate the importance of the journey that takes place from Systematic to Practical theology; this view will be explored through Ronelle Sonnenberg’s research done regarding ‘being together’ in a youth setting. This essay will first build on the basis of Practical Theology; furthermore addressing the importance of the community aspect within a youth setting; this will lead to the process that takes place between a Systematic stance, leading to a Practical theological stance.
According to the Mariam- Webster dictionary salvation is, “deliverance from the power and effects of sin.” The concept of salvation is principal to Christianity. Looking at the history of Christianity, Jesus Christ is known as the savior, which is what spring the Christian movement. The religion of Christianity began and contined because Christians see Jesus as someone who brings God’s salvation to the people. When it comes to Christianity there is no real definition of salvation although it is very important to the religion. The meaning of salvation remains unknown exactly. When Adam and Eve went against, man and God became separated through sin. Death alone would not be enough to cover all the evils on sin. Sacrifice offered in the right way can pay for our sin. We work all our life to pay for the sins we are born with. Jesus Christ came and offered us the pure everlasting sacrifice, which is his death, and resurrection which would remove all debt of sin.
A philosophy of Christian education encompasses many aspects that overlap areas of a child 's life that could not be nurtured and molded in a public school setting. Therefore, the Christian philosophy of education must include so much more. The Bible must be used as the basis for the education of children. A child should be taught in a way that will best benefit the individual that God created. He should be trained in his own way, the way he learns best. In order to do that, teachers must be able to assess their students in a manner that will reveal the learning styles that best fit each child. By doing this, the best possible education can be given to each student. Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go..." The ways
... In order to understand the Bible we must read it as the Psalmist says “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psa. 119:97). However there some suggestions to cope with the study of the Bible in effective manner. The Bible was written a long time ago before us. That is why we need to deal with some back grounds, context, and theology differs with our time. Some hermeneutics principles can help us how to work in the better frame of interpret the Bible, such as the literary context, historical context and how to compare Scripture.
A pastor has a great responsibility to minister the Word of God and to be a shepherd to his people. The pastor must be committed to biblical truths when he engages the work of the ministry. Some of these truths include: The Bible is the infallible Word of God, his preaching must be from the Word of God, and he must do proper exegesis to get to the authorial intent and proclaim that to his congregation.