“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…” Psalm 24:1 (ESV)
Prayers of the Bible (Numbers 10:35-36; Psalms 22-24) - By Don Newcomer
Rejoicing In The Lord's Strength - By Jared Synan
O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! - Psalm 21:1 (ESV)
Exodus 33; Psalms 16, 17, & 18 - By David Williamson
“I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” - Psalm 16:8 (ESV)
Wrestling With God - By Grady Huggins
The account of Jacob wrestling with God is one of the more confusing stories in the book of Genesis, yet it is clearly a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life. On this occasion, he is given the name Israel, meaning “he who strives or wrestles with God.” This name would commemorate Jacob’s wrestling match with God for generations to come. What is so significant about this story and what lessons is it intended to teach us?
God's Righteous Attentiveness - By Ben Palmer
Praise of God's righteous judgement weaves a common thread between Psalms 7 and 9. God saves the righteous, and those who champion His cause find comfort in this (Psalm 9:9-10). In Psalm 7, David leans heavily on this characteristic of God in a request to be delivered from his enemies. David comes to God in this psalm with a clear conscience even going so far as to call judgement upon himself “if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause” (Psalm 7:4, ESV). Let us ask ourselves if we also could so confidently extol the righteous judgement of God. I believe David prayed so powerfully partly because he continually repented and kept his conduct honorable before God and people. As a result, he could genuinely appeal to the righteous judgement of God. If we also live for the Lord, then we can more genuinely and effectively “give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness” and “sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17, ESV).
O Lord, In The Morning You Hear My Voice And Every Night I Flood My Bed With Tears: Psalms 4, 5, And 6 - By Carl Ballard
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!” - Psalm 4:1 (ESV)
Bonus Article - Week 1 Reading From Psalms 1-3 And Genesis 18:22-33 - By David Lauer
Praying For The Oppressed And The Oppressors? - Genesis 18:22-33 - By Cameron Piner
Gen. 18:22-33 is one of the first recorded “prayers” in the Bible. However, it is not what we’d typically refer to as a “prayer.” It is really more of a dialogue between God (through angels) & Abraham. Nevertheless, Abraham is talking to God and is interceding, much like is done in many of the prayers in scripture. Abraham intercedes for his nephew Lot, but also for the rest of the people in Sodom.
Too Broken for God?
When the Oxen Stumbled: Lessons from the Death of a "Good Man"
Fishers of Men
What Church Do You Belong To?
When people heard the preaching of the gospel in the first century, there was not a variety of churches to choose from where they could then become members. They were simply converted to the Lord and met with other converted people in their local community to worship Him. Why can we not simply do the same today?
The Creation: God Has Revealed Himself
The Right Medicine
How Does Love "Cover A Multitude of Sins"?
Love's Quest
The Fool's Laziness (4)
Over the past few weeks we have observed the prideful attitude, unrestrained speech, and quick temper of “the fool” described in Proverbs. To complete our picture of folly, we will now discuss the work ethic of the fool. The same lack of self-discipline apparent in his speech and temper is inevitably expressed in laziness as well…
The Fool's Temper (3)
Last week we observed how “the fool” of Proverbs is slow to hear and quick to speak. The imprudence of his heart is most evident when he opens his mouth. In addition to being wanton in his speech, the fool also fails to restrain his temper. Today we will observe how he violates the third principle of James 1:19. Not only is he slow to hear and quick to speak, but also quick to anger…
The Fool's Speech (2)
Last week we were introduced to “the fool.” Solomon mentions this character over 60 times throughout the book of Proverbs. We observed the numerous warnings against the fool’s pride and resistance to correction. If we want to develop wise behavior, we must avoid these attitudes. We must humble ourselves and open our hearts to receive instruction.
The heart of a fool will show itself in many different ways. Those who fail to guard their heart from folly will not guard their mouth, eyes, or feet either (Prov 4:23-27). We will observe these expressions of folly throughout the next few weeks. In this article we will discuss the speech of the fool…
The Fool's Pride (1)
The book of Proverbs was written for the one who wants “to receive instruction in wise behavior” (Prov 1:2). In order to develop wise behavior, however, it is important to avoid foolish behavior. A large portion of Solomon’s instructions warn us against the snare of folly. “The fool” is a prominent character in Proverbs, mentioned over 60 times…