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
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
8:25 PM
Week 6 July 28-Aug 2
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
8:25 PM
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
8:25 PM
This week we concluded our reading through the Psalms as a part of our spiritual practice as a congregation to commit ourselves to reading the Bible. The Bible is the church’s book that serves not only as guide to spiritual practice but as a means of inspiration and encouragement about what it means to be a person of faith.
In the final week’s reading, the psalmist focused upon two things: the need for God’s protection and the praise of God. Earlier in the Psalms we have seen these same concerns but this time they have a different twist. The psalmist asks God for protection from his own choices that could lead to trouble. "Set a guard over my mouth… Never let the oil of the wicked anoint my head."
The psalmist is aware that life is about choices and we need the power of discernment to know when to speak and how to speak. We need the power of discernment to know who to allow to anoint our heads because every anointing is not from above. God protect me from myself is the psalmist plea.
Then the psalms conclude on the high note of praise. This high note of praise speaks to what the psalmist sees as the conclusion of the matters of life. When life is put into prospective, there is never an occasion when praise is not in order. We have been made to enjoy the fellowship of God and for God to enjoy the praise we offer him. Praise is what we are encouraged to do because everything that has breathed is to praise the Lord. After all, it is the reason that we are breathing.
I hope you have been renewed and strengthened through our time together in the Psalms.
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 @ 8:25 PM EDT
