IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

For those of you who have been faithfully studying along with me, I have failed to meet my challenge of writing 20 blogs on the first 20 weekdays. I feel it would be unfair of me to publish 5 for you to do over the weekend, so this month will be easier for you. The requirement to go ice skating will be only 15 blogs completed. Make sure that you haven't missed any. We'll set a date and time for ice skating at youth group next Sunday (the 31st) if you have completed all 15. Good luck and God bless.

P.S. Sarah, you missed the first blog post "in the beginning", so don't forget that one!

Rock of My Salvation - January's Final Post

• Read: Psalm 95
• Memorize:Romans 8:28-29
  

Many idols have been carved out of stone by the hands of man that have done nothing more than pose as decorations in all their existence. Our God is a rock, not literally as in he is carved out of stone, but metaphorically. When the psalmist says "let us shout to the rock of our salvation." He is urging us to praise God for is unchanging character and immovable faithfulness. As a large boulder cannot be budged, so God cannot be budged from his place of sovereignty and compassion on us. This is why God is our rock - that which we can place our trust in and hang our confidence from. He will never let us down.

As creator and ruler, God has control over the deepest valleys and the highest peaks, the great oceans and vast continents of land are under his power, yet with all of this might, he gently cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. We can trust God to save us from our sins and to work everything in this life out for our good - the good that make us more like Christ. We can trust this because God was, is and is to come, yet remains the same through the ages. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Comment:

1. What aspect of a rock reminds you of God's faithfulness?
2. How does a shepherd care for his sheep? How does God similarly care for you?
   

There Is None Like You

• Read: Psalm 86
• Memorize: Psalm 86:11

If you haven't heard it on a playground, then you've seen it in a movie - the classic scene of two little kids arguing, "my daddy can beat up your daddy!" In a very real way, this was the attitude of the kingdoms of David's time. They assumed that every time they won a battle, it was because their "god" was better than the other kingdoms "god". These people would take it so far that they would change gods, or add another to their pantheon if an opponent proved worthy. David was different from these others though. He recognized that any victory was granted by God, but he didn't waver in hard times either because he had the firm assurance that comes from a knowledge of who the one true God is.

David held firm to that hope and confidence, praying "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." An undivided heart is one that is faithful to God only, and is not pulled away by the temptations of idols of the heart. (Things we desire more than God.) To walk in truth we also need to learn the ways of God by studying what he has revealed to us.

"Among the gods there is none like you" for "you alone are God." The One True God created the universe and every person in it; those that praise him and those that worship man-made statues. His works throughout history testify to his majesty. His justice is firmly established and yet he is slow to anger and abounding in mercy. No other god can create or destroy, no other god can hate sin and yet love sinners, no other god can redeem his people, no other god can offer sweet fellowship to those who believe in his name, none that is, but the One True God.

Comment:

1. How can we have confidence that our God alone is the true God?
2. Why is it important to have an undivided heart?
   

Better Is One Day In Your Courts

• Read: Psalm 84
• Memorize: 84:10

In 1995 Matt Redman wrote a song that brought Psalm 84 into the spotlight. "Better Is One Day" is a powerful and sometimes literal adaptation of the original song written by the Sons of Korah. They began this thousand year old masterpiece-turned pop Christian hit, "how lovely is your dwelling place..."

Where does God dwell, or live? We can say that because he is omnipresent, God lives everywhere. We could also accurately say that God lives in heaven. God the Holy Spirit lives in us. The Jews understood that God dwelt in the Holy of Holies, which was the innermost part of Solomon's temple, where only a single high priest could go once a year. But this psalm was written in the time of David, before his son Solomon had built the permanent temple, so perhaps it refers to God's presence in the tabernacle.

With all of these literal possibilities, the real meaning is much simpler and poetically figurative. If we look to verse 10, then we see that it is better to be a doorkeeper in the house of God, than to live in the tents of the wicked. While there are several actual possibilities for the house of God, there is no literal "tents of the wicked", so we conclude this is not about where we stand physically, but where we stand spiritually.

Those that spiritually dwell in the house of God are the spiritual household or family of God. That means that there is a family connection (adoption by grace through faith), a family resemblance (becoming more like Christ every day) and the blessings of intimate fellowship with the Father.

The Sons of Korah had it right, and we would do well to follow in their line of thinking that it is far better to spend one day in intimate fellowship with God than to spend a thousand apart from him. What a great blessing it will be when we are able to be in his presence physically, but until then, "My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you."

Comment:

1. What do the Sons of Korah mean when they say "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere?"
2. Verse 4 says "Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you." How are you blessed when you walk closely with God?

Tell The Next Generation

• Read: Psalm 78:1-8
• Memorize: 1 Corinthians 10:11-12

I like to tell a modern day parable that many of us can relate to:

Charlie is Jim's little brother, who always tags along and imitates what Jim does. Their mother cooks a lot and Jim, being a boy, is intrigued by the steady blue flame of the gas stove burners. (What is with boys and fire anyway?) Jim's mother warned Jim "don't touch the stove, it's hot." But Jim just can't resist, so he pulls up a chair, climbs up, reaches out his hand and instantly recoils in pain. Jim's mother consoles him as he cries loudly, saying "I wish that you had listened to my warning and avoided the painful consequences of disobeying."

In comes copycat Charlie. He heard his mother warn Jim about the stove, but the urge to imitate is too strong. "Mom didn't tell me not to touch the stove, she gave that instruction to Jim," Charlie thinks to himself, "and besides, I'm sure that I won't have the same consequences. There's no way I'm getting burned." So guess what Charlie does...

Now when we look at Jim and Charlie, it's easy to see that Charlie is being foolish, yet when we come to God's instructions, we too often respond just like Charlie.

A man named Asaph wrote Psalm 78 to remind Israel that they should do two things: #1 follow God's instructions to your forefathers and #2 pass these instructions on to future generations. Paul wrote about the Old Testament stories and commands in his first letter to the Corinthian church, "these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings to us." We should be careful to learn the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, and pass on whatever we have learned to the generation after us. Then together we can follow all of his commands with hearts loyal to him and spirits faithful to him.

Comment:

1. Why is it important to know about the choices and consequences of people in the Bible and throughout history?
2. With whom can you share the lessons you learn? How can you do this?
   

Your Love Is Better Than Life

• Read: Psalm 63
• Memorize: Psalm 63:3
  

Psalm 63 sounds an awful lot like a love letter, and rightfully so, because much in the same way that two lovers cannot think of anything else, so David is completely caught up in his passion for God. As I read his words, I pray them for myself and I find myself remembering how important God is to me and how much I long to be in his presence.

"My soul thirsts for you... in a dry and weary land where there is no water." - if you have ever worked outside on a hot Red Bluff day, then you understand this one. That super strong urge to ingest anything cold and liquid just won't go away. I've heard that if you suck on a rock or chew gum it helps to keep your mouth moist, but those parlor tricks can't stave off that thirst. In the same way we can only find the living water that quenches our spiritual cravings in knowing and being known by God.

"Your love is better than life" - if this is the case, then we will willingly give up our lives in order to receive and respond to the love that God freely gives.

"I think of you through the watches of the night" - I remember the nights before I was married, when I would stay up all night, unable to sleep, because I couldn't keep my thoughts off of Lindsey. We should have a similar, all encompassing desire to know God more that will not be satisfied day or night.

"I sing in the shadow of your wings." - God's "wings" refers to his protection and the security that we have in knowing that he loves us because he created us. We don't have to earn that love and we can't lose it. I love to sing loudly in the car, where nobody can hear me and nobody can put me down. Living in the embrace of God's love has the same effect; God hears us, but we trust that he will never put us down.

God's love truly is better than life itself.

Comment:

1. What freedom do you feel when you consider the security of God's love?
   
2. Why do you long to be in a growing relationship with God?
   

Against You Only Have I Sinned

• Read: Psalm 51
• Memorize: Psalm 51:17

King David had moments of great faith and times of great failure, yet he is identified as a man after God's heart in 1 Sam 13:14. What gave David this high honor was not his perfect obedience, but his repentance when he did sin. Psalm 51 follows a series of events culminating in a hard judgment on David.

A man named Uriah was an elite soldier among David's 30 fiercest and most loyal men. While he was at war fighting for David, the king ordered Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, into his palace and committed adultery with her. She soon sent word to David that she was pregnant, so called Uriah back in an attempt to make it look like the child was Uriah's. But Uriah was so honorable, that he refused to go home or enjoy any pleasures while his fellow men were still out there fighting. David then went to plan B and asked Uriah to deliver a message to the commander. In it, King David ordered the commander to attack with Uriah in the front, then fall back and abandon him to be slaughtered by the enemy.

This sin was very grievous, and almost incomprehensible for a man who had served God so faithfully. The prophet Nathan confronted David and when he came to grips with what he had done, David tore his clothes and went into mourning. It was in the midst of this mourning that David penned Psalm 51.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin... Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight." Certainly David's sin impacted Bathsheba, Uriah and the baby, but ultimately the problem of sin was in his relationship with God. The greatest infraction was committed against him. It was only when David rightly saw his offense as directly against the almighty and most holy God that he could properly repent. It was only then that God would wash him and make him whiter than snow.

Comment:

1. In your own words, explain David's statement "against you, you only, have I sinned."
2. What lessons can we learn from David's mistake?
   

Can't Take It With You

Read: Psalm 49:16-20 (or the whole chapter if you are able)
Memorize: 1 Timothy 6:6-7

The California gold rush went into full swing in the year 1849, not getting caught up in the pursuit of riches is the focus of Psalm 49. There is no theological point in that, but hopefully it will serve as a mnemonic device that triggers a reminder of the emptiness of wealth whenever you think about the intense pursuit of it.

This psalm is written by the Sons of Korah, who worked in the temple to assist the people in worship. They conclude their right discussion of wealth with a warning for us: "Do not be overawed when a man grows rich... for he will take nothing with him when he dies." There is a danger in getting caught up in the idea that our lives are only blessed when we have everything we want. For if we have many possessions without the right understanding that their source is God, their duration is temporary, and their purpose is to bring God glory, then verse 20 aptly points out that we are merely like the beasts that perish... The application of these verse should go beyond net worth, and so I am reminded of an empty pursuit of my own:

On a shelf in our youth room sits a trophy. The cheap plastic, gold colored, figurine stands as a testament to my greatness... or so I thought when I won it. In the 3rd grade I ran a mile at a blistering 12:38, good for first place in the competition and bragging rights among my friends. That trophy began a multi-year pursuit of success in the athletic arena. I won races, earned awards, set records and grinned proudly when I overheared others whisper in awe "wow, there goes Chris, he won that race two year in a row you know!

What I soon learned is that they were wrong to be overawed at my "athletic prowess" (and I was the most wrong) because not only will it not matter to anyone when I am dead, but it doesn't matter even a handful of years later. The only thing that plastic trophy is good for now is to remind me and you to not be overawed at temporary things, but to have a right understanding that God is their source, their duration is temporary, and their purpose is to bring him glory.

Comment:

1. What have you pursued that you later found out wasn't that important?
2. What would have made that pursuit more valuable eternally speaking?
   

Delight Yourself In The Lord

• Read: Psalm 37:1-13
• Memorize: Psalm 37:4

Sometimes it seems like life is not fair. The guy that cheats on his homework gets a better grade, the team that plays dirty wins the basketball game and the girl who is mean and gossips is the most popular. But David recognizes something in Psalm 31; God is in control and he knows their evil actions. While they may get away with sin for a while, God keeps track and will hold them accountable for every action.

God works everything out for our good and his glory (Romans 8:28-29). And while that often means that he blesses those who live righteously, there are instances that display one of his glorious characteristics better through hardship or trial. This is the contextual setting for the well known, and often misused, verse Psalm 37:4.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" does not set up God as a vending machine. We can't just put in a "coin" of happiness at church, then select whatever we want. Remember that this verse is in the middle of a discussion of good things happening to evil people and bad things happening to good. David recognizes that to keep from getting frustrated, we can't want God for what he can give us, but we have to be completely satisfied with God himself.

When we get to that point of contentment in God, then we begin to desire the right type of things - things that have eternal value. So Psalm 37:4 is not a fulfillment of wishes, but a change of desires to want the things that God wants. When we think the way God thinks, then it doesn't matter that people get away with sin now, because we know that it is all part of God's plan, for his glory, and his justice will prevail in the end.

Comment:

1. What does it mean that "he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn"?
   
2. How might fretting about injustice lead to more evil? (vs. 8)

Blessed Is He... Whose Sins Are Covered

• Read: Psalm 32
• Memorize: 1 John 1:9
  

If you were at youth group last night, then you laughed along with us as we joked about David's "emo" psalms - those that go from rejoicing in God's blessing to wallowing in despair, then back again. Though we treat it lightheartedly the source of David's extremes is not mood swings, but a proper understanding of the severity of sin and the graciousness of God.

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven... notice that David does not start of with blessed is he who is without sin. All of us have sinned and fallen far short of God's standard. We all bear the guilt of our sin and must face the harsh consequences - unless those sins are forgiven.

David describes a depression coupled with physical ailments, all as a result of ignoring sin rather than repenting of it and seeking forgiveness. We will face the same difficulty if we continue in unrepentant sin. Our consciences will weigh on us heavily and the guilt will turn to despair, but if we respond as David did in verse 5, by confessing our sins, then God will forgive us and we can rejoice in God's grace as our despair is lifted.

Comment:

1. How have you seen unrepentant sin negatively affect someone?
2. Why is confession important for forgiveness?
   

The Lord Is My Shepherd

• Read: Psalm 23
• Memorize: Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd is perhaps the best known passage of scripture among Christians and non-Christians alike, making appearances in mainstream media including bestselling books and blockbuster films.

I think perhaps that the reason these verses appeal to such a varied group of people is that it holds words of hope and promises of something better. When life hits us hard and it's too much to handle, it's nice to know that there is someone looking out for us. If the Lord is my shepherd, then that means that he protects me, makes sure I have everything I need and cares for me.

In a crazy world, I long for the soothing comfort described by the metaphors of green pastures. In a life full of difficult decisions, I want to know how to choose wisely. But the life of goodness and love that David describes contains more than just a relaxing vacation from this world's hardships.

Think about the rod and staff that comfort. A shepherd uses those tools to protect, but also to keep the sheep in line. How can it be comforting when the Good Shepherd uses his rod against me? It reminds me of his love; that he would care enough to teach me what is right. And it affirms to me that I will dwell in his house (be a member of his household) forever, because as the author of Hebrews says, "the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

I guess it comes down to the popular phrase "sometimes love hurts". It's those times that it hurts paired with the times of soothing that we can say to ourselves, "surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Comment:

1. Which metaphor in Psalm 23 is the greatest comfort to you? Why?
2. How does discipline demonstrate love?
   

Pleasing Meditations On God's Revelation

• Read: Psalm 19
• Memorize: Psalm 19:14

Psalm 19 deals with the whole of God's revelation of truth to mankind. The first seven verses address God's general revelation (creation), while the final seven verses focus on his special revelation (the Bible).

God's Word is so comprehensive that David chooses to use six words to describe its characteristics and lay out its benefits. Five of these words are synonyms; law, statutes, precepts, commands and ordinances. Many commentators try to distinguish between them and associate different scriptural passages with each, but it seems to me that David is purposefully employing the use of synonyms for effect (remember that this is a song, written in poetry.) The emphasis is not the separate effects of individual passages, but the corporate effect of the whole. Knowing and living by God's special revelation will have the effects of reviving the soul, making wise the simple, giving joy to the heart, giving light to the eyes, and giving great reward because it is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, sure, altogether righteous.

The sixth word in the list, fifth in the order, breaks with the synonym mold and reveals our proper response to God's revelation. Understanding of God's revelation fosters in us a healthy fear, a pure fear that endures forever. This fear causes us to heed the warnings that God gives us and receive the great reward in living righteously.

This isn't about salvation, because works don't affect that (eph 2:8-9), but about our ongoing development in becoming Christlike. David even clarifies that the obedience he seeks is in the times when he knows what is right and wrong, when he says "keep me from willful sins; may they not rule over me." We will all accidentally sin, but a right understanding of God's special revelation coupled with a healthy fear of God himself will enable us to live in such a way that we can repeat after David in sincerity, praying "may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my Rock, my Redeemer."

Comment:

1. What is the difference between general and special revelation?
2. Why do you think that God gave us two different types of revelation?
3. Which of the benefits of knowing and living according to God's Word is most helpful to you? Why?
   

The Heavens Declare The Glory Of God

• Read: Psalm 19
• Memorize: Psalm 19:1

If you have never hiked a mountain in the moonlight, to experience the exhilaration of reaching the peak, then you may not understand Psalm 19 the way I do. You see, when I am alone at night on a mountain, I feel closer to God. David rightly recognizes that the heavens declare the glory of God and proclaim his mighty works. I can begin to grasp what he means as I stand alone on a high mountaintop and behold the vast expanse of space filled with radiant stars, considering the difficulty of crafting such magnificence. When I think about how complex the details of our solar system, galaxy and universe are, I can come to no other conclusion than that a Creator who is great beyond my highest imagination displays his power in designing these things to point me to Him.

From time to time people have raised the question, "what happens to the people who never knew about God?" The short answer is that they don't exist - everyone knows about God because the heavens reveal the existence of their Creator; "Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Through creation, all people are made aware of God's existence and he promises that whoever responds to that revelation by seeking him, will find him; (Acts 17:24-27) while whoever ignores what is made clear to them will have to give an account for their unbelief. This is why Paul declares in Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse"

Comment:

1. What is the your greatest experience of God's glory as displayed in his creation?
2. How does creation "pour forth speech" and "display knowledge"?
3. Of what or whom does creation give us knowledge?

The Fool Says In His Heart

• Read: Psalm 14
• Memorize: Romans 3:23-24

"National Atheists Day: April 1st" reads the now familiar bumper sticker, along with an excerpt from Psalm 14:1 "The fool says in his heart 'there is no God'". While we may get a laugh out of poking fun at atheists for being mentally deficient, the joke is on us when we realize our ignorance of the proper meaning of this word and verse. The Hebrew word that is translated "fool" does not mean that a person is dumb, but rather that he is morally deficient. In other words the psalmist says that the real danger is not a theoretical atheism (saying that there is no God), but the real danger is in practical atheism (living like there is no God.)

The problem for us is that we all start out as fools. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman Christians, quoted excerpts from this psalm saying, "there is no one righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Paul's point is that none of us can live the perfectly righteous life that God requires for us to enter his presence. That is where Jesus Christ comes in. David looked forward to the salvation that would come for Israel; a national restoration, but also a personal reconciliation with their Creator and Father in heaven.

In God's great kindness, he provided for both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) to participate in the personal reconciliation of unrighteous men and women with a perfectly righteous God. Paul concludes his point about the foolishness of mankind by declaring that "this righteousness from God comes through faith to all who believe... and are justified freely by his grace." Respond to this gift by saying in your heart and with your life "there is a God and I seek to know Him."

Comment:

1. How can actions tell more about a person than their words alone?
2. How can we seek God and gain understanding?
   

How Majestic Is Your Name

• Read: Psalm 8
• Memorize: Psalm 8:4

Important words and phrases repeat themselves throughout the Bible and in the book of Psalms we find the term "name" used over a hundred times. God is not trying to draw attention to the word that labels him as much as he wants us to learn about his character. To understand David's message in this psalm, we have to think about the use of the term "name". More than a title, the name of the Lord is his character and reputation; it's who he is. So when David says in verse one "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth", what he is proclaiming that God's character and essence is supremely great and completely sovereign.

In light of the all-surpassing majesty of God's name (character), David wonders aloud at the magnificent benevolence of a God who would love so much the small part of his creation that mankind is. God placed us in a position of superiority above all creation except the angels, and just below them at that. In some ways, we have an even greater position than the angels as we can be recipients of God's grace and so experience an aspect of his nature that the angels can only observe.

Along with this rank comes a responsibility to care for the flocks and herds, fish and birds. You see this ruling authority that God has granted to us is actually a duty entrusted to us to manage God's creation in a way that brings him glory. This position and task should not stir up pride or arrogance, but rather increase our gratitude for undeserved favor. We should respond by ascribing to the Lord the greatness that he is due. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.

Comment:

1. What part of creation reminds you of how undeserving we are to receive God's affection?
2. What confidence do you have in knowing that God has entrusted you with a responsibility to be a wise steward of his creation?
3. Describe in your own words what it means to say that God's name is majestic.

In The Beginning...

Every year on January 1st people make resolutions to do something different; lose weight, save money, spend time with family, and among the church-going folks, there's the annual commitment to read the Bible in a year. This year I have chosen an approach that I think will be more practical and helpful for me and I hope for you. Rather than read the Bible with an emphasis on quantity, I want to emphasize quality. You see God does not instruct us to read the Bible daily, but to meditate on His Word day and night. This is more practical and more beneficial. Through high school and college, my profs required that I read texts. Many times, in my hurry to finish the requirement, I missed the benefit of comprehension and application. What I have learned to do in my study of God's Word is to read with the goal of finding something worth meditating on, that is something worth thinking about all day and all night. In this way I am able to interact with the text and at the same time follow the instructions for blessing that God gave through Psalms 1: meditate on His law day and night.

• Read Psalm 1:1-6
• Memorize Prov 13:20

Notice the progression in verse 1, of the man who walks, stands and sits. These are various levels of involvement with people who live foolish lives. Living foolishly doesn't happen suddenly, but gradually, we allow ourselves to be influenced by those who live their own way rather than God's way. Think to yourself, what influence do your friends and acquaintances have on you? When you hang out with people are you encouraged to live in a way that honors God or are you distracted from that great purpose? If you have the awareness to recognize which friends build you up and which drag you down, and the courage to take action, then you can choose to spend more time with wise so that you become wise. This is why Solomon warns his son in Proverbs 13:20 that "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."

Comment:

1. What is the danger of spending time with people who are not pursuing God?
2. In Psalms 1, what does God promise to those who live righteously?