Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Reflections on Psalms 46-50

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Refuge – Psalm 46 gives us great help in the midst of great trials. It reminds us that God is our refuge and strength and help and fortress.  He is present with us in the midst of our trial.  He calls us to be still and know that he is God.  Trust him.  Lean on him.  Look to him today.
  • Praise the Lord – Psalm 47 reminds us that God reigns as king over all the earth. And so we should praise him with loud songs of joy.  Psalm 48 reminds us that God is great and greatly to be praised.  Psalm 50 reminds us that God owns everything.  We should give thanks to God for his many blessings and glorify him.  Take some time to praise the Lord!

The Stones Cry Out

On By BrianIn Stones Cry Out

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Ocean Jasper

As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—
the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice
for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him,
“Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered,
“I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
– Luke 19:37-40

And the stones do cry out – proclaiming the glory and beauty of our Creator!

Reflections on Psalms 41-45

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Which psalm or verse especially reflects your heart today?  Use those words to talk to the Lord.

  • Desire – In Psalm 42 & 43, the psalmist pants and thirsts for God (42:1-2). He wants to go to the temple and praise the Lord with God’s people (42:3-4, 43:3-4).  Because he can’t go, he is downcast, yet he hopes in God that he will again go and praise the Lord (42:5, 11, 43:5).  Do you have this longing desire for God?  This intense desire to gather and worship?  Ask God to help you grow in these desires.
  • Help – Psalm 44 recounts God’s past help before crying out to God for help in the present. How has God helped you in the past?  How do you need him to help you today?

Psalms 41-50: Coming Together into God’s Presence

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(42-43) With what attitude should we come together into God’s presence according to 42:1-4 & 43:3-4?

Why is our attitude important as we come together?  What affect will it have on our gathering?  On ourselves?

With what attitude do you come to church?

(50) What do you learn about God in v1-6?  How should that affect the way we come together into His presence?

Why wasn’t God pleased with the way Israel came before Him in v7-23?  How might we come in similar ways today?

How should we come instead?

How do you come?  In what ways might you need to change your approach?

(48) What two things does the Psalmist say they do as they come together into God’s presence in v9-11?

In what ways do we do these same two things as we come together?

(47) How might this psalm help us to praise the Lord as we come together?  For what can we praise Him?

(41-50) Which verse(s) or psalm especially speaks to you, and why?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

They Know My Voice – Matt Rogers (GCD)
The subtle danger of the unrelenting noise in our lives is that we may miss the voice of God.

Do You Think You’re the Exception? – Jon Bloom (DG)
Behind every willful sin, every conscious act of disobedience to God, is a presumption that what God, or his rightful authority (whether government, school, employer, or parent), says is best for the masses around us need not apply to us.

Every Click Counts: What You Should Know About the Internet – David Mathis (DG)
Every click is a kind of vote. Every time you click, you say, in effect, I want this — and more of this.

Church Member! Fight to Attend Your Church Weekly! – Geoffrey R. Kirkland
Attend the sweet times of fellowship where you remember the gospel, feast upon Christ, receive conviction by the Spirit, and edification from God’s people. Prioritize it!

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our Lord with your local church!

Sermon Songs: Mark 4:35-41

On By BrianIn Mark Hymns1 Comment

MusicNotes

See Jesus on the storm-tossed sea
As the boat begins to fill
Hear Jesus – sleeping and weary
Wake up and say – “Peace, be still”
The wind and waves quickly obey
Behold His amazing power
So in your storms trust Him today
He’ll be with you ev’ry hour
Tell me the story of Jesus
Write on my heart ev’ry word
Tell me the story most precious
That I might live what I’ve heard

(Some words by Fanny Crosby, to the tune of “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”)