rockytopron

Q1: The Psalm teaches me that Praising the Lord should be a part of my daily life. Praising God should never grow stale or boring because there is so much to praise him for. Q2: The praise should occur everywhere, at anytime, but specifically in his sancturary and mighty heavens. Q3: Praise should be conducted with musical instruments. Q4: "Everything that has breath" should praise God. Q5: This Psalm makes me feel like praising God. It's Sunday, and I will have the mindset of praising God at church today!

Q1 - Unity attracts me to this Psalm. This world is in desperate need of Christians to unify. Christianity will soon become a persecuted religion because more good people are doing nothing about evil taking over. Q2 - Unity is difficult because after all, we are all sinners with different influences in our lives. It is hard thing to overcome our pride, be humble and change. Q3 - The commitments we need are humility towards one another even when it's hard, obedience to Christ, and a commitment to each other no matter what. Q4 - Not sure Q5 - Reconciliation is important for us to have a relationship with God and Jesus knows that. As disciples we must be unified because the world is evil and if we are not unified the world will pick us apart. In many cases, it already has. In the book of Acts you see one church in many cities, today there are thousands of different churches in any one city and there is no unity at all.

Q1: I don't have children, but if I did I would definately use this Psalm to teach them about righteousness and how to be righteous in a world where few people are, even children. Q2: Topics covered include: Who may walk with God?; Answered are: The righteous; those with integrity; those that love their neighbors; those that despise evil; those that keep their word; and those that are not greedy or love money. This is the life God wants us to live, not perfect, but making the effort with all of our hearts.

Q1 - I need to remember this because at times seeing evil men prosper tempts me to either go their way or at the least be jealous. By being reminded of the way of God it helps me remain strong against those temptations. Q2 - Verse 6"For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." Q3 - I like this line because it sums up God, his desire to have a relationship with me and the blessings that will come if I continue in his ways. The thought of having God "watching over me"fires me up and helps me to avoid the temptations of this evil world.

For my exercise I developed a short study to help someone who is struggling with "Seeking God Ernestly" using Psalm 27 & 63 plus a few other scriptures. Psalm 27:4-8 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. 7 Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 1. Must earnestly seek God 2. Does your soul thirst? If not, how do you get to that point? 3. Do you see your desperate need for God? 4. The world is a dry and weary land with no water - God provides the water - Do you thirst? Do you want to be quenched? Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. 1. If you seek with all of your heart/soul you will find God. Do you believe this? 2. What will it take to seek God with all of your heart & soul? 3. Are you actively looking? Where will you look? Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 1. God's promise is that you will find him when you seek him with all of your heart. 2. What will you do to seek God today? 3. What are you afraid of? 4. Your actions show your desire to seek God. Seeking God. Psalm 24:5-7; 53:1-3; Acts 17:26-28; Hebrews 11:6 Not seeking God. Psalm 10:3-5

Q3. (Psalm 63) Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? What does this realization bring about in your life? Q1: Without some idea of how great God's love for you is there is no reason for faith. Why would I have faith in a God whom I didn't think loved me unconditionally. I've been there and my faith was weak at best. Knowing how much God loves me allows me to have the kind of faith in him that moves mountains. Q2: This realization brings about peace and hope. I am so happy that I know that this life is not all there is. There is a real heaven and a real God that I can spend eternity with. No more tears, no more sorrows, no more pain and death. It's awesome!

Q1: To dwell in the house of the Lord meant that you were with God, in the very presence of God and were in a close relationship with God. Q2: Seeking God's face means to seek to be face to face with God. Perhaps being in front of God as we are with our close friends and family. David wanted to be so close to God that he could talk directly with him. Q3: David provides hope by knowing he would see God one day. He would dwell with God one day. David knew it would take time so his encouragement is to wait on the Lord for he knew at his time he would be with God.

Exercise I prayed through Psalm 19. Part 1 - Creation proves God exists. Even though the trees, the sun and the moon never talk they shout God's glory. I will pay more attention to God's creation and instead of seeing things the way I normally do when I see God's creation I will rejoice in them. Part 2 - God's word is priceless. It's a priviledge and an honor to be able to read the very words of God on a daily basis. To apply his scriptures to my life and see them come to life. I will look to use his word in my daily life.

Q3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist? In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do? 1. The Psalmist truly seems awed by the Creator. There is nothing God doesn't know about him, there is nothing he can do that God doesn't already know about. It's scary and fascinating at the same time to think about what that really means. 2. I believe he is asking God to truly look at his life, his thoughts, his actions and to see if there is anything he needs to change or get better at. This is true humility and surrender to God. If I am going to be known that well I have to be humble and vulnerable to God.

Q2. (Psalm 19) Verses 1 to 6 seem very different from verses 7 to 13, but there is a common thread that relates the first part to the second part. What is it? In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word? Have you ever felt that way? How does the psalmist's wonder in creation seem to affect him in this psalm? In the classic prayer of verse 14, what is David asking God to do? Q1:The relation of the two passages is how God speaks to us. First, through his creation and how can we all not see this. Second is through his written word given to us through the Bible. Q2: The psalmist basks in God's word the same way we bask in the sunlight. When I bask in the sunlight I feel the presence of God. The warmth of the sun gives me joy just as the word gives me joy. The sun gives me light and lifts my mood just as the word of the Lord does. Q3: Creation affects the psalmist in the way it should affect all people: Creation proves there is a God, there is a loving, kind God who takes the time to take care of each person. Take any part of creation and try to figure it out and we will see that God's hand had to be the one who made it. Q4: David is asking God to lead his personal worship so that it is pleasing to God. He wants God to delight in his worship of him.

The Psalm teaches me about how great God truly is and how no matter how hard we try we will never truly figure it out. It also teaches me how awesome God is and that he takes the time to consider me. This Psalm teaches me that human beings are important to God. All humans are important to God, even the ones who do evil. We are so small compared to the universe, but we are still important to God. This Psalm teaches me that Christ was willing to be made lower than the heavenly beings which is no doubt a humbling experience in itself, to give us the opportunity to be reconciled to God. Jesus is ruler over all things. This Psalm teaches me that I have a responsibility to take care of God's earth. It also saddens me to see how poorly we have treated his earth. I think we will be held accountable for our actions in regards to how we treat God's earth.