Anderson Hills

The focus this week is psalms that both praise and proclaim. While laments were typically written for calling on God’s help in the midst of stressful situations, this type of psalm gives praise and thanks to God for what He has already done through past troubles. After praising the Lord, the writers move into a testimony of why they want to glorify God. How do we move from death to life, from sorrow to praise? Do what these psalmists did. Keep the memory alive of what God has done for you – avoid complacency and self-sufficiency. Remember His salvation and transformation and proclaim it!

The focus this week is psalms that both praise and proclaim. While laments were typically written for calling on God’s help in the midst of stressful situations, this type of psalm gives praise and thanks to God for what He has already done through past troubles. After praising the Lord, the writers move into a testimony of why they want to glorify God. How do we move from death to life, from sorrow to praise? Do what these psalmists did. Keep the memory alive of what God has done for you – avoid complacency and self-sufficiency. Remember His salvation and transformation and proclaim it!

This week, we are reading psalms of lament which comprise the largest category of Psalms, making up about one third of the entire book. Lament psalms teach us that it’s never wrong to cry out to God. God hears us in our pain and welcomes us close. When you are overcome with anguish and sorrow, it helps to remember God is there and He’s ready to shoulder your burdens, suffering, and distress. Not only does God understand and see you in the center of your pain, but He is available to you, listening and ready, as you cry out your heartache, anger, or sadness. Are you bold and transformed to move through brokenness and complaint, to prayer and trust, to move through agony to ecstasy?

This week, we are reading psalms of lament which comprise the largest category of Psalms, making up about one third of the entire book. Lament psalms teach us that it’s never wrong to cry out to God. God hears us in our pain and welcomes us close. When you are overcome with anguish and sorrow, it helps to remember God is there and He’s ready to shoulder your burdens, suffering, and distress. Not only does God understand and see you in the center of your pain, but He is available to you, listening and ready, as you cry out your heartache, anger, or sadness. Are you bold and transformed to move through brokenness and complaint, to prayer and trust, to move through agony to ecstasy?

This week, by reading psalms of praise, we will more clearly see the One who deserves our thanks and praise. God is glorified in the praises of His people and the Psalms have been a blueprint for praising Him for the last several thousand years. We will explore thankfulness by seeing where we fit in God’s plans and having the right view of ourselves in relationship to Him. Throughout the centuries, many songs have been written based on the language found in the Psalms. The music and melody of the words themselves draw us toward God and the beauty of His creation. Psalms reminds us of God’s deep love for us and His glorious majesty that existed before time and will continue forever.

This week, by reading psalms of praise, we will more clearly see the One who deserves our thanks and praise. God is glorified in the praises of His people and the Psalms have been a blueprint for praising Him for the last several thousand years. We will explore thankfulness by seeing where we fit in God’s plans and having the right view of ourselves in relationship to Him. Throughout the centuries, many songs have been written based on the language found in the Psalms. The music and melody of the words themselves draw us toward God and the beauty of His creation. Psalms reminds us of God’s deep love for us and His glorious majesty that existed before time and will continue forever.

Psalms 1 and 2 are known as a deliberate psalm pair, meant to introduce the book of Psalms. Psalm 1 contrasts the way of the righteous, who meditate on God's law or instruction day and night, with the way of the wicked who do not follow God's path. Psalm 2 introduces God's anointed earthly king (Messiah), whom God calls "my son." God rules through the King and provides a place of refuge for God's people. Together, Psalms 1 and 2 provide a lens or window through which the reader is invited to read all the psalms as a way to meditate on God's instruction (Psalm 1) and in hope for God's messianic reign of peace and justice (Psalm 2).

Psalms 1 and 2 are known as a deliberate psalm pair, meant to introduce the book of Psalms. Psalm 1 contrasts the way of the righteous, who meditate on God's law or instruction day and night, with the way of the wicked who do not follow God's path. Psalm 2 introduces God's anointed earthly king (Messiah), whom God calls "my son." God rules through the King and provides a place of refuge for God's people. Together, Psalms 1 and 2 provide a lens or window through which the reader is invited to read all the psalms as a way to meditate on God's instruction (Psalm 1) and in hope for God's messianic reign of peace and justice (Psalm 2).

Love is the hardest thing in the world. In fact, apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, the love envisioned in Scripture is impossible. Your only hope of becoming a person of real love is Jesus in you. This is what waking up is all about. It means with each passing day, becoming more fully alive to the power of God, which is the love of Jesus Christ. If the journey of the awakening begins with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life,” it finds its fulfillment in 1 John 3:16. “This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, therefore we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” A profound love for God will produce an ever-increasing love for others.

Love is the hardest thing in the world. In fact, apart from the working of the Holy Spirit, the love envisioned in Scripture is impossible. Your only hope of becoming a person of real love is Jesus in you. This is what waking up is all about. It means with each passing day, becoming more fully alive to the power of God, which is the love of Jesus Christ. If the journey of the awakening begins with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life,” it finds its fulfillment in 1 John 3:16. “This is how we know what love is, Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, therefore we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” A profound love for God will produce an ever-increasing love for others.