Elwood C O'Dell

Praise is something which God expects from His creation. It should be a natural, common expression or response, from our heart, for all He is, all He had done and all He is doing for us. It is something that should be done at all times in all places, in all circumstances, using whatever

Others have posted excellent thoughts regarding the questions raised in our lesson. It's a blessing to read what they have to say. I have but one thing I would add and this is not an original thought by any means. Some one told me one time that one of the problems we face in the Church, is that we get "unity" in the body and "uniformity" (meaning everyone being poured out of the same mold and doing everything the same way) all mixed up. Our unity needs to be centered in and about Christ and the salvation He offers with a loving tolerence for the various methods by which we do ministry. I thought of the "music wars" that surfaced over the past decade or so. This psalm causes me to really think about how open I am to others and their methods or ways of praising the Lord.

When my children were young and at home, this psalm would have made a great basis for discussion with them during a time of family devotions or around the supper table. It offers all kinds of opportunity to use illustrations from their every day lives in order to share regarding such things as intregrity, speech, witnessing, honesty in our words or commitment, and the correct use of money.

Q1. (Psalm 1). 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? From an emotional standpoint, what lines in this psalm stand out to you. Why do you think you like them? I can't speak for others, but I find that the fact I am human I tend to have a short memory and need to be reminded of things over and over again. I get busy and other things tend to push their way in my life and I need to be reminded of God's will and direction for my life. With this thought in mind, the phrase that came forth to me as I thought on this psalm is "For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (1:6) How I praise His name for His faithfulness to me.

God is love and He has visibly shown that love to us through His Son on Calvary. Christ's willingness to do this inspires within me a sense of faith and trust in Him. He cared enough to die for me that I might live, therefore I can put my faith and trust in Him in all situations. The realization of His love helps me to be able to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. It is no longer I who live but Christ who live in me and the life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who gave himself for me.

Q2. (Psalms 42-43). What is the psalmist feeling during this spiritual struggle? How does he combat his spiritual depression? Have you ever felt this way? How did you reach out to God at this time? The psalmist is spiritually thirsty, craving for a quenching of his "depressing" condition. He is thirsting for a filling from God. Looking and seeking for a refresing in his dry land. He remembers better days and his current situation brings doubt to his mind. Oh, "where is God now in my current situation?" But he pauses, takes a step back, and takes time to really look at his situation. He reminds himself to put his hope in God. The uplook is always better than the outlook. He makes a choice to turn his hard times into a time of rejoicing and singing, remembering the hope that is his in God. He gives praise in the middle of his life's storm. Have I been there? Yes! How did God reach out to me? Through the love and support of His family and the precious written Word.

As I read and think about this psalm I gain a sense of how much David really desired to realize and know the presence of the Father in his life. David seems to have a burning desire to have a time of deep, personal, intimate, vibrant fellowship with his God in every area of his life. His hope for this lies in the fact that David knows that if he waits patiently upon the LORD, He will answer the longing of David's heart, and there will be a time of sweet fellowship with the Divine.

Off and on for years I have used the Psalms as a guide for prayer so I decide to make that my exercise for this week. I also am in the process of reading through the Psalms and Proverbs each month so my focus today was on Psalms 26-30. My prayer this day was from Psalm 27:4-5 "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. 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 uon a rock." I also spent time praying Psalm 28:6-7 "Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped"and 29:11 "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." How my heart sang for joy and what comfort came to my soul when these words became my personal words to my precious Lord and Master.

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? I feel that as the psalmist thought about the wonder of creation it made him pause and think about how beautiful and wonderful was his own creation in his mother's womb. It made him realize that the very God who created the universe is the one who was there and made all the intricate parts of his own being. This is so marvelous when you realize it is the same for each of us today. As I look at his concluding prayer I feel that he is asking God to examine his inner life and to reveal anything that would hinder or harm the intimacy of their having close fellowship. He asks God to know his heart, reveal any anxious thought, check on anything that is offensive, and to lead him "in the way everlasting." In a way I feel the psalmist could easily be singing a song like "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow." I feel he is making a commitment to follow the master all the way.

The common theme in this psalm seems to be how God speaks to mankind through both "the heavens" (His creation) and The Torah (the written Word). The Psalmist appears to bask in God's Word through taking time to think and meditate on it. As he meditates he is overshelmed by God's knowledge of what his life is really like, for God knows all about us, including our sins and short comings. With this in mind in verse 14 the psalmist is asking God to act as his kinsman redeemer and to be the very source of his strength.

What a beautiful reminder this psalm is regarding the glory of the excellence of God that can be seen through His creation of the heavens and mankind. Just to think that as creator He created us just a little lower than the angels and gave us the privilege of being a part of His creation. It thrills my heart and soul to realize that as creator He chose, through His son, to come into the world, in order to dwell among his creation and give Himself for their redemption. What a challenge that is to me to be a good steward of that which He has entrusted to me as I am a part of and share in His creation.

Hi, My name is Elwood but I go by Woody. I'm a retired minister, living in Centeral Florida, enjoying the many opportunities that God is putting in my path each day for ministry. I have particpated in the past in these Bible Studies and truly enjoyed the experience. I am lookiing forward to studying the Psalms together.

What does the "cup of blessing" teach us about our focus at the Lord's Supper? I really appreciate what Dr. Wilson said when he wrote: "the "cup of blessing" doesn't designate a cup that conveys blessings, but the phrase "cup of blessing" designates the cup that evokes blessing and thanksgiving towards God for all his blessings toward us, especially forgiveness of sin through the death of his Son." This cup causes me to focus on Who Christ is and What He has done for me which in turn causes within me a deep desire to give Him praise, honor and glory. Who is to be blessed when the "cup of blessing" is lifted heavenward? Again I found what Dr. Wilson had to say a great help. "We must take care not to be self-focused, but focused on Christ as we partake of the Lord's Supper. It is a feast of remembrance, of proclamation, of blessing God, and of thanksgiving towards him. " He should be the the one who receives the blessing. He alone is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.

Q3. What is the significance of the 12 Apostles drinking the Cup of the Covenant? To whom would they correspond under the ratification of the Old Covenant? (Hint: Exodus 24:11.) What is the significance of us drinking the Cup of the Covenant? By drinking the Cup of the Covenant the Apostles were confirming their commitment to the New Covenant. In a way they represented those of us who would follow down through the ages. Their actions corresponded to that of Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the 70 elders when they were the representatives of the people confirming the Old Covenant. For us today each time we share the Cup of the Covenant we renew our commitment to the New Covenant and Christ as our Redeemer - Savior. I found myself in agreement with what Dr. Wilson said. "I believe that whenever we celebrate the Lord's Supper we are sharing a Covenant Meal at Jesus' Table. We eat his Bread and drink his Wine, and so renew our commitment to the New Covenant he established so many years ago." What a privilege it is for us to sit at His table.

Q4. What do the Words of Institution say to us about forgiveness? Why is it important for us to repent of known sin before taking the Lord's Supper? For me these Words are a reminder of why Christ came. "This is my blood ... which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:28) He came and freely gave His life that I might be forgiven, reconciled, and be a part of God's great family. It reminds me that His forgiveness is for whosoever wills to come to Him. (John 3:16). It is a constant reminder that I do not have to perish but I can have everlasting life, for He made it possible. As far as the importance of repentance of sin before taking of the Lord's supper. I cannot truly have real communion with Him if there is sin in my life for it separates me from Him. It puts a barrier between me and my Lord. Anything between myself and the Master must be cleared up if I desire to truly enjoy the fellowship of His presence.

Q2. Why did Jesus refer to the violent nature of his death in the Words of Institution? What did this probably mean to the disciples at the time? What did it probably mean to them later? I believe Jesus did this to try and help them understand the magnitude of His death. Perhaps He was trying to help them understand that He would die as a martyr, as one giving up their life for the sake of a cause, the salvation of mankind in order that they might have life. They had to realize that the cost of their salvation was great and could not be taken lightly. At the time He did this, I am not sure the disciples understood what was truly happening. But after His death and resurrection, with His appearances to them, I feel the light began to dawn as they started to realize what He had done on their behalf.

Q1. How were Old Testament sacrifices a way of God showing grace and mercy to his people? God accepted the sacrifice as a substitute for the sin of mankind. The blood of the animal was shed instead of the sinner having to sacrifice or shed his own blood, or losing his own life. God through his grace and mercy accepted the sacrifce. The lesser, an animal for the greater, mankind. But the time would come, did come, when God himself gave the one supreme sacrifice, his only son, for the ultimate price paid for the redemption of lost mankind. No other sacrifice would ever be necessary. The greater, God, would die for the lesser, mankind. I feel the old testament sacrifices, in a way, pointed to this great plan of redemption. What mercy, what love and what grace.

Q4. How does Jesus voluntarily laying down his life for you encourage you? How does it speak to your value and worth as a person? What does it inspire you to do? Just to think that "God so loved the World" - that includes me - that he voluntarily laid down His life on my behalf that I might have life and have it more abundantly. WOW! It is just an overwhelming sense of encouragement that spurs me on in my daily walk to do my best to become more and more like Jesus. HIS love in my life is what gives me value and worth. Apart from Him I have nothing and am nothing. But because of HIM I am a Child of the King with all that goes with this. He is my greatest source of inspiration as I journey through this old world headed towards my final home in glory. Praise His Name!

Q3. Look at the verses above which include both the word "give" and a preposition that means "in behalf of." According to these verses, what was the purpose of Jesus giving himself in sacrifice? For me it means that Jesus stepped in, paid the price for my redemption, purchased me back from my old sinful master, guaranteeing that I am His child and He has given me the hope of spending eternity with Him. He died on my behalf so that I might truly live. He was the one and only, perfect sacrifice, acceptable by God through which this could be done.

Q2. (1 John 4:2-3) Why does Christianity insist on a physical birth, physical suffering, and a resurrection of the physical body? How would our faith be different if Christ hadn't fully entered the human condition? As I have been thinking about this question, I came to the conclusion that the physical birth, suffering, death, and resurrection of my Lord was what I needed to be able to point to as evidence of the fact that God provided for my salvation. For me it is rock solid, physical evidence of God's love for me that He planned for and paid the price for my redemption. Had this not taken place, then what evidence or what grounds would I have to base my faith for salvation? It is God's gift of salvation, physically through Christ to us that gives me the grounds for being able to say with Paul, "..I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Timothy 1;12b NKJV)

Q1. (1 Peter 2:24) Why do you think the Apostle Peter emphasized Jesus' physical body, when he talks about sin-bearing? Perhaps a part of the reason Peter did this is so that we might, in some small way, be able to relate as to the extreem cost involved on God's part to for give us of our sins and purchase our salvation. I think of those who have lost a loved one, those who gave their life in order that we might be free as a nation. They know and can relate to the cost involved for such a freedom. This reminds me of what Peter is writing about concerning the physical cost involved on Christ's behalf. The giving of one's life physically in order to rescue or save us, to have them pay the price so we don't have to, to have them stand in the cap in our place, causes us to think more deeply and appreciate more fully what was the cost involved to secured on our behalf, our freedom, our salvation, and give to us a hope of future glory.

As I listen to and read the lesson I felt that Paul was trying to help them realize that they could not be a part of two worlds. They could not share the cup of the LORD and at the same time partake in the cup of demons. A clear choice had to be made as to who they would really serve. This confronted a lot of what was happening in the church at that time as many were still holding on to their sinful ways and practices. I feel Paul was saying you can't continue to be a part of both worlds, for to do so would ultimately bring God's judgment as you can have no other God before Him.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? To whom is the proclamation made? Why is this important? What happens to the church when its proclamation shifts to a different central theme? The celebration of the Lord's Supper is a "proclamation" of what we as a Christian believe and it is a visual witness to those around us of the great salvation offered to mankind by God through Jesus Christ. This proclamation is made to both believers and non believers as they see those partaking of it claiming the truth concerning His body and His blood in their lives. I feel that Jesus gave us the reason for it's importance in that we are to partake of it "in remembrance of Him" for our own soul's sake and as a witness to those around us. Now, should a church shift to a dfferent central theme they would not be in line with God, for His central theme is His great love demonstrated on Calvary for mankind's redemption.

For me, remembering Christ's death through communion, keeps before me the price our Father paid for my redemption. It is a constant reminder of His great love and my need to continually focus on this fact. It reminds me that without Him I would be lost and have no hope. But through Him I am redeemed and have a glorious hope. If Christianity were to neglect remembering this way or if I personaly were to neglect this sacrament, it would be very easy to gradually neglect Him and forget what He has done on our behalf.

Generally speaking, the purpose of the passover meal for future generations was to keep a consistant reminder before mankind of how God had delivered his children from bondage and death. By repeating it there would always be a fresh reminder of what had taken place as to how God had kept them while in bondage, how he had spared them from the death angel, and provide for their journey. Should they stop this remembrance they could very easily have their hearts turned from God and again face bondage, especially spiritually.