Foundations July 5, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 36-38

Personal Gratitude

Read: Psalm 138

Today’s Psalm was written by David and exhibits his courage and faith in the Lord.  Even though he faced great difficulty, he was confident in the Lord’s ability to rescue him.  He could look to the future with hope because he could recall how the Lord had answered him in the past.  All of us have times when we are in a crisis, when we are hurting or afraid.  Even so, we can sing praise to God because of His great love, mercy and power.  He can be trusted! When David praised the Lord he did so with his whole heart, not worrying about who saw him.  He relied on God’s loving-kindness and that God would give Him strength to persevere. 

Overview:

Verses 1-3: Confidence in God’s faithful love shown through answered prayers

Verses 4-5: Prayer that kings/nations will sing the praises of the Lord

Verses 6-8: Confidence in the Lord who will help the lowly and preserve him

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1. What are some of the signs of God’s care in your life?

2. Ask the Lord to continue to care for you, to preserve you (vs. 7), to fulfill His purposes for you (vs. 8).

3. Pray that as you seek the Lord in prayer and reading His Word you would feel more of His steadfast love and that your trust in His faithfulness would grow.

Foundations July 31, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Ezekiel 39-40

Thanksgiving

Read: Psalm 118

The Scripture is full of instances where God’s people praised Him for His love and faithfulness.  This often occurred at feasts as well as during the Passover.  In Ezra 3:10-11 we find the people praising God using this Psalm, as they rebuilt the temple. It was also recited as Jesus entered Jerusalem during the Triumphal entry (Matt. 21:9) and it will be recited again at His second coming (Matt 23:39).  This Psalm seems to describe either David or some other man of God who was opposed by his enemies.  He battles and then goes up to the house of the Lord to offer sacrifice and express his thankfulness.  During this trek the people bless him and wish him well.  Ultimately God is exalted!

Overview:

Verses 1-4: The faithful thank the Lord for His love

Verses 5-18: Narrative of the writers experiences and his faith

Verses 19-21: He asks for entry into the house of the Lord

Verses 22-27: The people recognize their Ruler and praise Him

Verses 28-29: God is exalted

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.   In what ways has God been faithful and loving toward you in the last month?  How about in the last year?  Praise Him for this!

2.   In what ways is God exalted through your life?  Can those in your sphere of influence see this? 

3.   What are some of the things that you have learned about God in the past month of studying the Psalms?  Ask the Lord to root these things deeper in your heart and to grow your confidence in Him. 

Foundations July 4, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 33-35

Personal Gratitude

Read: Psalm 40

Psalm 40 was a personal song written by David but was intended for use in public worship.  This Psalm recalls a time when David was forced to wait (verse 1) but as he looked back he saw that the wait was worth it.  Our society is one where we find it hard to wait.  We have drive-through fast food, one hour photo, microwave ovens, internet access on cell phones and email has replaced snail mail for many people (not to mention texting).  The world is at our figure tips yet we must wait patiently for the Lord.  Are you in the slimy pit, do you feel stuck in the mud and mire?  Do you need a firm place to stand on the rock?  Do you need a new song?  Are you willing to submit to God’s timing and His plans for your life?  If so, then after the troubles have gone you too will be able to agree with the Psalmists and say, “I desire to do your will, O my God.”

Overview:

Verses 1-3: Personal thanksgiving

Verses 4-5: A declaration of God’s goodness

Verses 6-10: Dedication to the Lord’s will

Verses 11-17: Prayer for deliverance from pressing trouble and the overthrow of enemies

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1. What area of your life requires waiting patiently…believing, hoping and praying? 

2. What things do you need to let go of in order to let God be your rock?

3. Ask the Lord to sustain you as you keep waiting; ask Him to grow your faith and to empower you to delight in keeping His will (vs. 8).

Foundations July 3, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 31-32

Corporate Gratitude

Read: Psalm 107

This Psalm is for the redeemed of the Lord (vs. 2) who celebrate Israel’s deliverance.  It praises the Lord for spiritual blessings with a theme of thanksgiving.  Did you notice how verses 6, 13, 19 and 28 repeat the same message of crying out to the Lord and His deliverance?  Sometimes we feel faint and weary but our Heavenly Father is all-powerful.  Our feelings can fluctuate but His character does not.  Our strength for the present and hope in the future is not based on our own stability or even our own perseverance but rather on the reliability of God. 

Overview:

Verses 1-3: A call for the redeemed to praise

Verses 4-9: Deliverance from the wilderness

Verses 10-16: Deliverance from foreign oppression

Verses 17-22: Deliverance from disease

Verses 23-32: Deliverance from the sea

Verses 33-42: The judgement of God on the rebellious and the mercies toward the righteous

Verse 43: Conclusion - those who study the works and ways of the Lord shall be sure to see and praise His goodness.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.     In what ways has God been faithful to you in the past?  In what ways has He saved you from distress, how has He delivered you? 

2.     What are some of the trials and troubles that are facing you today?  Do you trust Him to be faithful? 

3.     Write out a prayer of thanksgiving in your journal…

Foundations July 2, 2012

Prophet’s Reading Plan: Jeremiah 28-30

Corporate Gratitude

Read: Psalm 65

This hymn of praise was written by David and it tells of God’s great goodness to His people and that He is worthy of our praise.  Why?  Because He pardons our sins (vs. 3), He orders the affairs of the world (vs. 5-8) and He cares for the world (vs. 9-13).  Read through this Psalm again, as you do, write out each instance of God’s power and goodness.  For example, verse 2 – He hears our prayers, verse 3 – He forgives our sins, etc.  Notice the focus in verse 3, how the Psalmist is overwhelmed by his sins.  There is nothing that we can do to free ourselves from sin.  We are filthy and wretched and filled with sin YET God brings us into His courts through the forgiveness that He offers us by His mercy (verse 4).  This free gift is offered to all.  He answers our prayers (verse 5).  Look at His mighty works listed in verses 6-8.  He formed the mountains (vs. 6) and stilled the roaring seas (vs. 7) so that all people would fear Him and ultimately bring Him praise through songs of joy. 

Overview:

Verses 1-4: The way to approach God

Verses 5-8: The Lord performing wonders

Verses 9-13: The special harvest song, the fruitfulness of the land

PRAYER AND MEDITATION

1.     Spend some time praising God for His forgiveness of our sins (vs. 3).

2.     Think about your life, what are some of the awesome deeds of God that you can be thankful for.  Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of these things.

3.     Spend some time thanking God for His faithfulness; ask the Lord to give you a deeper level of gratitude for God and the great things that He has done for you.