THRU THE PSALMS
Thomas Merton once said there is no aspect of the interior life, no kind of religious experience, no spiritual need of humanity that is not depicted and lived out in the Psalms. This summer we start a spiritual formation series as a church family "Reading Thru The Psalms."
The reading plan will cover two Psalms a day starting June 23 and ending Sept 6. If you fall behind in your reading, use the last week of each month to catch up. Meanwhile, each week you are invited to post your comments below or on the church Facebook page for your reflections and thoughts. These posts will serve as a virtual congregation to share issues of faith. Also be on the lookout for suggested resources to aid in your readings.
Dr. A. Louis Patterson, the recently deceased pastor of Mount Corinth Church in Houston, TX, once said the way to obtain more faith is through hearing more of the word of God. Through our spiritual formation summer series, the entire FBC-W congregation will be reading the same passages of scripture and praying, as well as reflecting upon their meaning individually and as the body of Christ at First Baptist Church-West.
One Psalm says thou word is a light into my path and a lamp unto my way. Let’s follow the light together as we look to grow in grace and knowledge of things concerning the faith.
p.s. Feel free to use a nickname if you prefer to remain anonymous.
Dr. Ricky A. Woods
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church-West
Friday, July 25, 2014
4:28 PM
Week 5 July 21-July 27
Friday, July 25, 2014
4:28 PM
Friday, July 25, 2014
4:28 PM
Psalms 57-70
Verse of the Week: Psalm 64:9
Then everyone will fear; they will tell what God has brought about and ponder what He has done.
This week's reading in the Psalms makes us aware of our need for protection in a world that can sometimes be hostile. A downed jetliner, fighting in Gaza and scenes at our nation's border are just a few examples of how hostile our world can be. The answers we seek are not always found in the work of policymakers, military might or world leaders. There are occasions when nothing less than Divine intervention will do.
The psalmist is clear in his view of life that we cannot do everthing for ourselves no matter how hard we try. There will be times when we will need help from above and the greatest need for help is for protection from all the possible pitfalls of life. Sometimes the psalmist asks God to lead him, sometimes the psalmist asks God to lift him and sometimes the psalmist asks God to surround him. In each request there is the cry for protection, for the Divine to lend His power to the struggle of life.
The expressions of faith made known in the Psalms speak to a people who would not wring their hands in helplessness but lift their hands upward to the Almighty. Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up. God is our salvation.
Recommending Reading:
My Soul Waits -- Marva Dawn
A Cry of Absence: Reflections for the Winter of the Heart -- Martin Marty
Answering God The Psalms as Tools for Prayer -- Eugene Peterson
Published on Friday, July 25, 2014 @ 4:28 PM EDT