Psalms | Paula Wiseman - Part 2

STT: Studying Extremes

Something I've noticed in the course of reading and studying Scripture is how often God goes to extremes. By that I mean, when God says or does something, it is "all" or "none" or the "most" or the "least". Paying attention to those little words are tremendous food for the soul.

Try it on familiar verses like Isaiah 53:6 – "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

All of us are sinners. I cannot justify or excuse what I think or do. I am part of that 'all'. All of us have rebelled and God laid the guilt, the consequences and the judgment on Jesus Christ. Not some, or even most. Every last one of us. No one is beyond the reach of Christ's blood.

Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

No evil. None. Not even the most terrifying, threatening, stomach-churning, heart-pounding evil. I will not fear it. That's mighty big faith… but He's a mighty big God who is there with rod and staff to comfort.

And one of my personal favorites- Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;"

(Middle of a sentence, I know, but I'm trying to stay focused here.) Worry about NOTHING. Pray about EVERYTHING. There are no exclusions. Worry and anxiety is a sign that we don't believe God is in control. Of everything. Nothing has escaped His notice, and everything is part of His plan. But, none of our concerns are too small to bring Him. He is always ready and willing to hear our hearts.

So as you study and read, watch for extremes- all, nothing, everything, nothing, none, every… and be assured that God never does anything halfway.

(This is a repost -Fresh study tips return as soon as NaNoWriMo ends.)

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Isaiah, Philippians, Psalms

STT: A Divine Conversation

By Paula

I've heard it said that prayer and Bible study are two sides of a conversation. In prayer, we pour our hearts out to God and then He speaks through His word. If we're trying to get by with just one, communication breaks down.

I know you've heard, and maybe even said, "I prayed, but I don't know what God's telling me to do." Then there's "I never get anything out of it when I read the Bible." Those are sure signs that only half of a conversation is taking place.

Looking for an example in my notebooks, I ran across a 'conversation' I had a few years ago. I had made some strides in writing and was entering a dangerous area of success. I asked God, is it wrong to want to be successful? I want to write what He gives me, and I want that to reach as many people as possible, but when does it cross over into ego?

So after asking God these questions in prayer, a few days later, He started answering them as I read:

Psalm 110 v.1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

Success depends a lot on timing. Christ has to wait for God's timing, for the fulfillment of His purposes. So it is making me more Christ-like to learn to wait for His timing. Christ waits patiently, confidently because He is that assured of God.

v.4 The Lord has sworn And will not relent,

God's purposes WILL be accomplished. I need to submit to whatever those may be and to wait patiently and confidently for them to unfold.

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Granted- My definition of success may not be how God defines it.

This particular conversation is far from over, as "success" in my writing career is continually refined.

As you read and study, bear in mind God desires to have a divine conversation with you, a two-sided conversation.

Have you have your own conversations with God? What have you learned?

(This is repost.)

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Joshua, prayer, Psalms

STT: The Basics

By Paula

(In recognition of a new school year, this week's study tip is a review of the basics.)

Observation – What does the Bible SAY?

Let's look at a familiar example. "The Lord is my shepherd."

The- There is only one.

Lord- Ruler over all

Is-Present tense

My- personal pronoun

Shepherd-someone who tends sheep.

Interpretation - What does it MEAN?

Don't let this part throw you. You interpret Scripture all the time without realizing it. For instance, no one has to tell you you are not a sheep and God is not really a sheep-herder. Your command of language has already told you this is a metaphor, a word picture designed to make a point. So in comparing God to a shepherd, what does this mean? God selflessly cares for our every need. He protects us.

Putting that interpretation with what we observed, we find out The One Sovereign Ruler over all presently, currently takes care of me, personally.

Application – What do I DO?

Now that we know what the Bible SAYS and what that MEANS, how should we live as a result? Is there something that I need to change? If I know that God is taking care of me, maybe I won't worry about a rumor of layoffs, or test results from the doctor. Maybe I'll stop trying to do everything myself. Maybe I'll sleep better at night.

Take some time this week observing, interpreting and applying and see what you learn!

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Psalms

STT: Names of God

By Paula

One of the things we miss out on in our English Bibles is the variety of names for God used in the original Hebrew. Each one points to an intensely personal encounter with Him. The English doesn't leave the names out, exactly. You just have to learn to recognize them. I'll touch on four of the most used names.

God - This is Elohim, the most common used name. The 'im' ending means it's plural, but it takes a singular verb, indicating the three-in-one God. It's the word used in Genesis 1:1. The first part of the word "El" is used in other names for God like El Elyon, the most high God, and El Shaddai, Almighty God. (Interesting side note: When Jesus cries out from the cross, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" He uses a singular form.) "El" appears in proper names too, like Daniel- God is my judge, Ezekiel – God will strengthen, and Samuel – name of God.

LORD or GOD - (Usually appears in all caps or small caps) This is Jehovah, the covenant name God gave to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14. He called Himself the I AM, highlighting His eternal, self-existent nature. He is the covenant-maker, and the promise-keeper. This name is used in proper names too, and shows up as "jah" or "iah" at the end of a name, like Isaiah – Jehovah has saved. It also appears at the beginning of names as "Jo" like in Jonathan- Jehovah has given or "Je" like the Old Testament kings Jehoshaphat- Jehovah is judge or Jehoiakim- Jehovah raises up.

Lord - This is Adonai. It's used when the writer is focused on God's personal rule over him. David uses it in Psalm 51 as he confesses and asks forgiveness. The Hebrews used this name rather than take a chance on misusing God's covenant name, Jehovah.

LORD of hosts – This is a special one, translating the Hebrew name Jehovah Sabbaoth. That word looks a lot like sabbath, but it's the word for army. This is the vision Isaiah sees in chapter 6, Jehovah the Warrior King.

There are many others including El Roi: God Who Sees (Genesis 16:12), Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:13-14), and Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).

As you read, notice which names are used in the verses that stand out to you.

Which name is most meaningful to you?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Adonai, El Shaddai, Elyon, Exodus, Genesis, God, Isaiah, Jehovah, Psalms

STT: 30 Days

By Paula

Last week we talked about reading Proverbs during 31-day months like August. Today we'll look at what to do with the five 30-day months – April, June, September, November (plus February). Five times thirty is 150, which just happens to be the number of chapters in Psalms.

Tweak the schedule just a little -

In February, read Psalms 12 & 13 on the same day. Also read 14 & 15 together. This trims it down to 28 readings.
In September, read 116 & 117 together, then split 119 into three days to finish the month. (v. 1-56, 57-112, 113-176)
Then in November, read 133 & 134 together. (You had 120 left over from September, remember?)

This plan is an easy way to get through the Psalms in a year. Of course, you can rearrange the schedule and start in September. You'll just need to double up a couple days as you read through Psalms 61-90, in February. (61 & 62, 63 &64, 81 & 82 and 86 & 87 are good choices to pair up. Watch out for 78 and 89 – they are long!)

If you're super ambitious, feel free to read 5 psalms each day to finish the book in the month.

Do you read through the Psalms regularly? Do you use a schedule ?

Filed Under: Study Tip Tuesday Tagged With: Bible study, Psalms