Francine Douglas

Q3. (Psalm 117 and Lamentations 3:22-23). Why are love and trustworthiness so important as the bedrock of the Old Testament faith? The men and women of Old Testament faith were firsthand witness of God's love at the Red Sea, Jordan River, the lion's den and so much more. God's delivering hand for them increased their faith in God that He is trustworthy always in the valley or on the mountain. What kinds of terms does the New Testament use to talk about these characteristics? faithful, compassionate, loving, gracious. Can you think of any New Testament verses that speak of these themes? 1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful../ Psalms 25 8:15 Good and upright is the Lord/ Psalm 36:5 'Your faithfulness O Lord reaches to the skies

Q2. (Psalm 145) Which aspects of God's character mentioned in Psalm 145 stand out to you in particular? Yaweh's LOVE, COMPASSION, RIGHTEOUSNESS Why is it important for "every creature," every human being, to praise him? We were created to return all praise and glory to God. Further, scripture tells us in Psalm 145 that the wicked God will destroy. Here the wicked refers to those who do not fear God reflective in lack of reverence and due praise to Him. What are you doing to help that happen? Declaring God's praise in my lifestyle, through my talents and commission to constantly tell of His works and awesome deeds wherever I go.

Q1. (Psalm 103) Which one or two aspects of God's character mentioned in this Psalm stand out to you? His LOVE and COMPASSION stands out to me. Why do you think the Exodus was so foundational in Israel's understanding of God? Because Israel had before experienced God's judgement in their captivity for their disobedience towards Him. No doubt as a people they felt like God had forgotten about them or that God was angry with them forever. The flipside for them was the moment of Exodus when God's love for them was made manifestly fierce, fighting for them and destroying all their enemies to finally lead them to experience deliverance with the parting of the red sea. According to Psalm 103:10-12, what are the limits to God's forgiveness? Limitless...

Psalm 126 was most impactful for me in the study moment. My soul is deeply encouraged to always lean on God's faithfulness and trust the purpose of God in my life whether in the suddenly or in the waiting. Hallelujah!!!

Q4. (Psalm 24) How do verses 1-2 establish the Lord's right as King? Verses 1-2 is evidence of truth that all earth/the whole world belongs to God because He founded earth and established it at His spoken command (Genesis 1) What do verses 3-6 tell us about the requirements of the King? To be pure in heart, serving God only with clean hands free from works of evil because God's throne is established in righteousness (Psalm 89:14). What do verses 7-10 tell us about the glory of the King? That the Lord God is King and that His glory longs to dwell in us but can only do so if we choose to walk uprightly in heart, surrendering complete trust and hope in Him. How does this psalm speak to you in your situation? To lift up my head having changed my thinking about the onset of the situation, knowing that God's glory in my life conquers all darkness poised against me, to birth wisdom, character and miracles.

Q3. (Psalm 126). In this psalm, the nation is going through some kind of crisis. How does the memory of God's deliverance in verses 1-3 prepare them for the prayer of verse 4? The memory of God's faithfulness and restoration power provided for them a strange experience of God's supernatural power and from this a testimony was birthed providing hope in the face of trials. Hence, they prayed from a place of knowing that God is Restorer and Deliverer. How do you understand the two metaphors of deliverance as follows: (1) a wadi or dry gully? That the God of the suddenly will deliver from the tempest of times. I have met God here, yet He appeared overnight after the season of waiting. (2) sowing and reaping? God always has a plan of deliverance for His children and takes us through seasons long and hard to build our character of trust, obedience and deliverance. How do these metaphors help you in your situation? To trust the God of my destiny and His timing rather than the speed of deliverance.

Q2. (Psalm 96) What does it mean to "ascribe" to God attributes of glory and strength? To give to or offer up unto God declarations that conforms to His unmatched character as Creator, Restorer, Deliverer, Saviour, God of love.... What happens when we fail to ascribe such qualities to him? We find ourselves on the path of deluded egocentrism and pride. Pride comes before destruction, a crashing of our self-centered agenda and many times to our demise. In what sense is praise to God "fitting" or "worthy"? In the sense that God is great Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:4) and That He is holy/light, in Whom there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

Q1. (Psalm 57) Why is praise difficult in the midst of trying circumstances? Our human frailty responds naturally via our emotions to external factors that cause us pain in the heart in relation to disappointments, loss, rejection abandonment...Hence, it takes the grace of God upon one's life to push ahead amidst the trials of life from a place of knowing (not feeling) that God loves us, is for us and not against us. How does praise affect our faith? Our faith is predicated on the word of God, which waters our soul. A soul watered by the truth of God's Word opens up our heart to believe in the Word which calls us to trust God and put our hope in Him in every season and circumstance. Our attitude? Our praise flows from our freedom in Christ. We become less worrying and more restful, and our perspectives shifts to God's faithfulness and goodness. Our motivation? We keep praising, then we keep believing, then we keep going, growing and glowing as we allow our life to testify of God's love and faithfulness.

Q. 4. Since Christians don't seem immune to accident, persecution, and death, how are we to understand these psalms of protection? That God will preserve the soul of His chosen, forevermore. Why don't some believers seem to be protected? Lack of faith. Does God really protect us? Yes God protects us in the land of the living from human enemies and evil powers seeking to devour us. How? Through the power of the Holy Spirit our comforter and through the power of His word when we believe and declare it.

Q3. (Psalm 121). What reassurance is it to you that God keeps you and watches over you? That I don’t have to worry or fear yesterday, today or tomorrow, but face life with confidence that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Amen. Hallelujah How does Psalm 121 make you feel? Alive and rejuvenated to pursue life fearlessly.

Q2. (Psalm 91) What does this psalm teach us about God's protection when in danger? That in God we are truly safe. And that such protection are covenanted with those who love God, know the name of the Lord and call upon Him. What does it teach about our authority to vanquish our enemies? That when our lives are truly anchored in God we can conquer in His name through Jesus Christ who conquered all evil for us. What promises does Psalm 91 contain? For those who abide in God, the promise to protect, shield, deliver, Honour, satisfy with long life How does this psalm make you feel? It gives me confidence that God is my refuge and Saviour in a troubled world.

Q1. (Psalm 61:1-4) What images does the psalmist evoke to communicate his trust in God's protection? God as a high rock, strong tower God’s tent and wings as a dwelling place and place of shelter How do the first four verses of this psalm make you feel? confident in God as ultimate protector

Q5. (Psalm 80) If you were to formulate a personal prayer for revival for your own life or for your congregation, how would you word it? Oh God purge my heart to be thankful and repentant in all things. Sovereign God of righteousness and truth, restore my mind and thinking to Your wonders and faithfulness. Creation never ceases to proclaim Your wonders and faithfulness. By Your great strength, may I never cease to adorn You with praise and thankfulness my King. Oh God as an individual and people, may our eyes see Your glory around us day by and glory in it. May we never forget Your wonderful works and might, for even in the pit Your glory shines bright for the groping soul. Let truth, faith, love and humility be strands of gold and precious stones that adorns us from within. May the light and glory of Your delivering hand, mercy and grace, find savour among us, to lead captives out of captivity as Your kingdom comes to the earth through our brokenness and yielding. You oh God are my delight and King forever. Amen. What elements should be present in a prayer for personal or congregational revival? faith, humility, contriteness of heart, love What would this prayer have in common with 2 Chronicles 7:14? Like the scripture, this prayer is a call to humility, confession, repentance, seeking God’s heart wholeheartedly. How does this kind of prayer pave the way for revival and restoration to take place? This kind of prayer channels the heart of the believer to seek revival beginning from within one’s heart. By this prayer, we are constantly reminded that the change must begin with the ‘me’ individual (as opposed to a ‘them’ way of thinking steeped in pride). Humility beckons us to work on ourselves first ensuring that we live repentant lives. As individuals, we must always take responsibility for the projection of sin in the world. Only By this will we truly ignite change and restoration. Scripture says judgment begins in the house of God.

Q4. (Psalm 40:17) In this verse David combines both humility and faith in his prayer to God. Why are both humility and faith necessary? A heart of humility is a yielding heart to God’s will and way concerning both the circumstance and heart posture, response or non response towards one's enemies. Faith in God says God, I believe and trust You to handle my life and circumstance, all for my good. What happens when one of these qualities is missing? when humility is missing, pride is present, and is the character of the devil, seeking to dethrone God. One who seeks to dethrone God partners with the devil out of fear and lack of faith and becomes a first enemy against his or her own deliverance being sought. When faith is missing, disbelief in God is present, making God a liar, an act of pride, which Satan constantly seek to perpetuate among the believers against the foundation of truth rooted in Christ Jesus, by the blood and the finished work of redemption on the cross.

(Psalm 40:5b) When you realize that God's thoughts and plans are focused on you in particular, how does that make you respond? safe, alive, confident and hopeful.

Q2. (Psalm 69:30-32) Why does this lament (and nearly all laments in the Psalms) end with an upswing of hope and praise? By now, the Psalmist would have experienced God’s deliverance through a repentant heart of praise and thanksgiving. In David’s lament of the soul, his spirit is quieted thereafter when reminded of God’s goodness and mercy in times past. What does this teach us about our own laments and prayers? This teaches us that while we as humans experience life’s pain that causes us to lament, our prayers must reflect pureness and thankfulness to God for His everlasting mercy, extended to us, even to our enemies. Here I pause to think of the scripture that it is God’s will that no one perish but that all people come to repentance. Why is praise, the language of faith, so important in our prayers, especially prayers of desperate pleas for help? Everything about praise to God communicates, trust in God’s deliverance/timing, also communicates hope that God will make good of that which was intended to devour us. The one who trusts and hopes in uncertain times partners with faith.

Q1. (Psalm 69:12-18) How could David dare to ask anything from God after the shameful things he had done with Bathsheba and Uriah? David’s approach to God after such a terrible act of sin, was not from a daring stance but from the stance of appeal to God’s mercy, love and grace. David above all, knew that he could rely on the undisputable character of God's mercy and grace. How does God's grace and mercy function in the face of our sins? The word of God teaches us that God’s grace and mercy endures forever. Therefore, God’s grace and mercy forever flows to us through the power of Jesus Christ blood when we, from the heart, confess and repent of our sins before Him.

What are the reasons given for praise in Psalm 98? God has done marvelous things God has come to judge the earth with righteousness and equity. Why do you think praise is so exuberant in this psalm? the strong arm of the Lord which works SALVATION for his people In context: Old Testament- salvation deliverance from enemies. New Testament - salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and from enemies and schemes of darkness. How exuberant is praise in your congregation, in your life? very exuberant outwardly with continuing emphasis on a worship lifestyle. In my life, a mindset cultured to Honour God through righteous living in my thoughts, actions, response to others, in my speech and definitely, in my exercise of daily trust and faith in God and His word through every season. Hallelujah amen Why or why not is it exuberant? exuberant because as a church and individual there is a like mindedness that God is Creator of heaven, earth and all in it, great, worthy, faithful, just Judge, Saviour. THANK YOU LORD “All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.145.10.NIV

In Psalm 95 we are commanded to worship the Lord. What are the reasons why we should worship contained in this psalm? God is God above all gods God is creator of heaven and earth God is the creator of man and we are His people Why do you think the warning in verses 8-11 is included in this psalm? because worship unto God begins in the heart which is grounded in obedience to God. Therefore, worship here is being clarified for the Christian believer to keep us in alignment with God’s purpose for us. How does this fit with the earlier elements of the psalm? it reinforces that we are God’s people created to worship Him.

Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise? This Psalm teaches us that praise is unlimited and due unto God, Christian or non-Christian. Not only humans praise but all creation; creatures and nature was created to praise God. Where should praise occur? As praise is without question in the sanctuary and in the heavens, Praise should occur where life is present whether at work, in the car, no limits. With what should praise be conducted? Praise should be conducted with all types of sounding instruments including our voices, hands and feet. Who should praise? The saints of God and everything that has breath. What does this psalm make you feel like after reading it out loud? Endless praise regardless of mood, circumstance

What about this short psalm seems to attract you? The essence of unity is captured in this Psalm as if a river flowing, from the head which symbolizes a made up mind. The flow continues mto the beard symbolizing a process of strength and wisdom. Then, to the collar of the robe symbolizing honour. Where unity abides, it reflects a heart that is determined, treasures wisdom and is strong in the Lord. Why is "dwelling together in unity" so difficult? Because outside of the spirit of peace and humility, people’s background experiences differ which has helped to shape their personalities and mindset. Also, selfishness and pride is another big issue that goes against the grain of unity. What kinds of commitments does unity require of us? Unity requires that we commit to a life of total surrender to God, practicing the fruits of the spirit according to 1 Corinthians 13 with a servant heart. How do the principles of unity and purity seem to conflict with each other? God's love is the premise on which unity and purity rests. Without unity there can be no purity. The strive for unity among brethren remain a constant struggle which exposes how easily we can be found wanting as believers where purity is concerned. Why are reconciliation and unity such high values in Jesus' teaching, do you think? I think a high value is placed on reconciliation and unity because love is the center pole of each and the foundation of Jesus’ teaching is love.

How would you use this psalm in your family to instruct your children? To reinforce the character of God as pure, while encouraging that a pure heart is one that is led by an untainted motive. Therefore, continuing to encourage the children to always ask themself what is the mood motivating the decision or action and test it against the word of God if that mood is a good character or a crooked/mean one. Is the mood selfish or selfless, based on a truth or a lie, peaceful or contentious? Which character, vile or honorable before God, is your crowd? What topics of right living does it cover? Truth speaking, honesty, loyalty, fear of God, honouring others, kindness, justice, mercy.

This short psalm seems to reaffirm what we already know: the righteous will succeed and the wicked will perish. Why do we need to be reminded of this? Firstly, it is important for all to remember that reward or doom is specific to the path we choose. Secondly, the righteous' faith is constantly renewed that God promises a hopeful end if even the process is rugged and uncertain. From an emotional standpoint, what lines in this psalm stand out to you. Verses 2 and 3 stand out to me that ‘my delight in the law of the Lord, cultured by my obedient love, yields for me unshakeable strength, multiplicity, prosperity. Why do you think you like them? Because it gives me a clear understanding and position of who I am in God and that in Him I have a secure and bright future, even by the blessed work of my hands.

This exercise (prayer) has opened up the opportunity for me to dive into the depth of God's love, challenging my soul seek for the treasures of His measureless goodness. OH LORD, for the areas of my soul that have yet to experience Your showers of newness and drenching, I seek of You to pour out and fill the burrows of my soul to overflow with Your bountiful measure. My heart is excited, just to think of Your lifting in this way, this way I confess that I know not its fullness, neither do I understand, but I perceive because I have tasted of You in seasons past. Your goodness is beyond my understanding, but when You come, You graciously take me higher there to be with the vastness of You. With all my heart LORD, I honour YOU. My soul waits for Thee OH LORD. I will be careful to sing YOUR praises until You come to bless and drench me with Your bountiful showers. Amen

Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? God's love is one with His faithfulness in all things and His faithfulness gives hope which inspires faith in all circumstances. God's love is my light which dispels the darkness around me. God's love for me remains forever, when things and people leave throughout seasons. What does this realization bring about in your life? realization of God's love for me brings me satisfaction, joy and peace in the storm and calm of life.