In Awe & Wonder

In this episode we are looking at Psalm 96. It is a short psalm so this episode is also short. Psalm 96 is a gospel song, in that it calls on all nations, not just Israel, to praise God as King. It personifies elements of creation to praise God, as the creation looks ahead to the redemption and restoration of everything on the new Earth. The Lord is also our Judge, Who will judge with justice and equity. He is righteous and faithful to His people.

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In this episode we are looking at Psalm 95. We are in a series of looking at Book 4 of the Psalms, which starts with Psalm 90. Beginning in Psalm 93 through Psalm 100, the psalms have an overarching theme of showing God as King.

Psalm 95 calls believers to respond in two ways to God – Creator and King.

Verses 1 – a priest or worship leader calling a congregation together to worship.

Verse 3 – the reference to “gods” is to mythological gods.

Verses 6-8 calls believers to submit to God, our Creator and King. (Worship, bow down, kneel, do not harden your hearts)

Verse 8 – referencing the events at Meribah and Massah, which can be translated as quarreling or testing. Exodus 17:1-7 & Numbers 20:1-13

Verse 9 switches to God directly speaking.

Verses 11 “shall not enter my rest” – those who rebelled in the wilderness didn’t enter the Promised Land. Hebrews 3:7-4:13

Attributes of God in this psalm:

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In this episode, we are looking at Psalm 94. This psalm keeps with the theme of “God is King.” It is also an imprecatory psalm, which calls for the destruction of the evildoers. We discuss what that means and we take a closer look at the holiness of God.

This psalm can also be broken down into five perspectives for dealing with oppression and injustice. 1) Vengeance belongs to God. (v.1-7) 2) God knows what is happening in the world…even down to everyone’s thoughts and intentions. He’s sovereign and holding everything together, actively involved in humanity. (v.8-11) 3) True happiness, contentment, and fulfillment is available even while experiencing oppression and injustice. As His children, we have assurance that He is with us and is faithful to fulfill His promises. (v.12-15) 4) God can be looked to for protection and help during times of struggle. We should be relying on Him because He is trustworthy. (v.16-19) 5) Shows that people reap what they sow. (v.20-23)

Attributes of God in this psalm: Just, Judge, Holy, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Compassionate, Steadfast Love, Protector, Helper, Rescuer, Faithful, Trustworthy, Powerful, Mighty, and King.

Other Scripture cited: Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:30, Proverbs 1:18

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In this episode we are looking at Psalm 93. This is a short Psalm with just five verses. It is an introduction poem to a group of Psalms that have a main theme of praising God as King. The psalms with this primary theme go through Psalm 100.

The attributes of God we see in this psalm are as follows:

Other Scripture cited in this episode:

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In this episode, we are looking at Psalm 92. This psalm is labeled as “A Song for the Sabbath,” meaning it was specifically designed to be a hymn to use in musical corporate worship.

This psalm is symmetrical in that it contains 7 lines of 52 words, then verse 8, which is the heart of the psalm, and then 7 lines of 52 words. The first seven verses praise God and show how the prosperity of the wicked will be temporary. The second seven verses (9-15) after verse 8, shows the downfall of the wicked and prosperity of the godly/righteous, who praise God.

Verse 8, the main point of the psalm says, “But you, O Lord, are on high forever.”

May we be encouraged that we serve a God Who Is faithful, trustworthy, loving, powerful, and just. He is the One True God, on high forever.

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In this episode, I am talking about the name of God: El Shaddai, meaning God Almighty.

After that, I go through my current pile of books to read, just for fun.

Scripture referenced in this episode:

Genesis 17:1-21

Genesis 49:22-26

Psalm 91

Links for this episode:

Amy Grant’s song El Shaddai

In Awe & Wonder Looking at Psalm 91

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This is a special episode to update and inform listeners about the church and denomination we are joining. We moved to our current location almost three years ago, so we have been attending churches and looking around during that time. We have been attending the church we’re joining for over a year, though. We don’t like jumping around.

If you’re interested, you can read the brief history and articles of faith of the Bible Fellowship Church denomination. You can also search for a BFC church on their site.

If you’re searching for a solid, Biblically-based church and would like help or resources, let me know. We have lots of experience with moving and finding churches.

I hope you find this episode interesting and informative.

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This is the fourth episode of the month, which means we will be looking at a story of a great song or hymn of the Christian faith. We will look at the people who wrote these beautiful hymns, we will read the lyrics, and I’ll provide a link below to click where you can listen to the hymns we talk about.

Scripture references:

Psalm 98

Genesis 3:17-19

Romans 5:20

This time we are talking about the hymn “Joy to the World” by Isaac Watts, arranged first by George Frederic Handel , then by Lowell Mason.

You can listen the the tune, read the lyrics, and more at the Hymnology Archive site.

Here is a link on YouTube to listen to Joy to the World by Anthem Lights rendition of this hymn.

I referenced the book, “Then Sings My Soul, Book 2” by Robert J. Morgan. {This is an affiliate link, which means if you purchase the book through this link, I will get a small compensation at no extra cost to you.}

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This is the third episode of the month, which means we will be looking at a couple stories of martyrs for the Christian faith.

It is good to remember those who stood up and didn’t deny Jesus. And it can bolster our faith to read about what they faced.

The Christian martyr, stands on the objective truth of Jesus Christ and the gospel. Not only do they have the Holy Spirit with them to strengthen and comfort them, but they have peace, joy, and hope. They have Jesus and Jesus has them. They know that Jesus already died for them, to atone for their sins, having mercy on them, to adopt them into His family as a child of God, to impute righteousness to them in the greatest act of love and grace.

These martyrs died so the gospel message and the Kingdom of God might continue on. May their stories encourage you and point you to the Hope, the One True God.

Passages referenced:

Thomas is named among the Apostles in Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; and Acts 1:13

Thomas’ interactions are recorded in John. They are as follows:

John 11:5-16

John 14:5

John 20:24-29

John 21:2

Resources:

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This is the second episode of the month, so we will be reading a Psalm, discussing it, seeing what attributes of God we might see in it, and giving praise and thanksgiving to God.

This time, we are looking at Psalm 91. This is a refuge Psalm, meant to show the trustworthiness of God. It is an antidote to fears and anxiety.

Verses 1-2 are an affirmation that God IS our Refuge.

Verses 3-13 are a description of HOW the Lord is our Refuge.

Verses 14-16 are a CONFIRMATION by God that He is, in fact, our Refuge.

Scripture used in this episode: Psalm 91; Deuteronomy 5:33-6:2;  Proverbs 3:1-2; Matthew 4:1-11.

In Matthew 4, in the temptation of Jesus, we see Satan appealing to the most common temptations: physical drive, pride, and possessions. Also, in the second temptation, where Satan quotes Psalm 91:11-12 to Jesus, Satan wants to make faith into a presumption.

The promise of long life (quantity of life and quality of life) are tied to keeping God’s commands. This promise may not be fulfilled in the here and now, but will ultimately be fulfilled in our perfect, eternal life in the new heavens and new earth.

Attributes of God in Psalm 91: Shelter, Shadow, Refuge, Fortress, Trustworthy, Peace, Deliverer, With Us/Sees Us/Hears Us/Answers Us, Able, Protector, Compassionate, Faithful, Just, Victor, Rescuer, Life Giver, Satisfies Us, Savior.

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