Grasping the Word

Grasping the Word continues in 2024 (our 5th year) for Southern Oaks United Pentecostal Church.  THE THEME IS "REMEMBER."  All of the verses on this year's schedule are verses we have used in the previous 4 years.  This year we REVIEW, RENEW, REFRESH, REPLENISH AND REMEMBER.

The entire schedule is available on our website:  https://southernoaksupc.org/#grasp

Join Pastor Mark H Parker for this very first podcast of the REMEMBER series on Isaiah 43:10, 11.

Part of Southern Oaks UPC discipleship initiative in 2022.

This Proverb warns of the dangers and bitter end of adultery.  The seriousness of this subject is reflected by the fact that there are 5 passages in Proverbs that warns of the consequences of adultery.

Proverbs 2:16-22
Proverbs 5:1-23
Proverbs 6:20-35
Proverbs 7:1-27
Proverbs 9:13-18

This episode includes a reading of, "The Spider and the Fly" written in 1829 by Mary Howitt.

Discussion of the book, THE GREATEST QUESTION by Andy Stanley.
The first of 7 verses of different topics concerning wise and foolish choices.

GRASP 22 Psalm of the month for July, 2022.  Excerpts from an adult Sunday school lesson at MyOKCchurch.com by Andrew Parker.  The focus is on God Himself being our refuge and strength and 3 action points relative to that knowledge.

Grasping the Word 2022 Proverb of the month for May.

Grasping the Word is a discipleship initiative of Southern Oaks UPC in Oklahoma City.  Participants are encouraged to Grasp the Word by hearing, reading, memorizing, meditating upon and studying the assigned verse.

In this podcast Pastor Mark Parker and Assistant, Andrew Parker share thoughts on Psalm 23.   

The Proverb for the month of April, 2022 is chapter 6:16-19

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Although there are 7 things listed in these verses which are indentified as thing the Lord hates, the use of the phrase “six things , , , yea, seven” is a Hebrew literary style which implies the list is not exhaustive.

It is similar to the New Testament writing of Paul when he lists “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5. After listing 17 things the Apostle simply completed it with the words, “and such like.”  This phrase reminds us that there is more that could be in the list.

In Proverbs 6:16  There are parallel phrases which basically say the same thing.  The first phrase speaks of “doth the Lord hate” and the second phrase speaks of things that are “an abomination unto him.”

The Psalm of the Month for March, 2022 is Psalm 19.  Pastor MH Parker and Assistant Pastor Andrew Parker of Oklahoma City share insight and inspiration on this incredible Psalm of David.

One should choose to abide by the Word of the Lord because it pleases God and he will reward accordingly.  But one does reap many blessings in relationships with fellow man when they behave in a manner that is pleasing to God.

The year of 2022 Grasping the Word will focus on a Psalm of the month and a Proverb of the month.  We learn to worship according to "His excellent greatness" with the Psalmists and to "walk in wisdom"  through the Proverbs.

A key component in Spiritual growth is a relationship with God through prayer and the Word of God.  GRASP 2022 highlights one Psalm a month each can read, hear, meditate upon, memorize and study.  In addition, there will be one verse of the books of wisdom each month.  By all of us focusing on the same verses we grow individually and also in unity as the body of Christ. 

For the Grasping the Word schedule and more information go to
https://www.southernoaksupc.org/grasp-2022