Psalms 135

There's a song by Chris Tomlin called Made to Worship and it speaks of what we are to do as Christians.  "you and I are made to worship you and I are called to love you and I are forgiven and free."  We worship God out of love and for all he's done for us.  I remember a few yrs back I was very frustrated and it seemed God was trying to teach me something.  Very honestly I asked God.  "What do you want me to do I don't understand?"  As clear as day I received this answer "You praise me."  It fits very much with the nature of God.  My mom has told me on more than one occasion that she had been reading the book of Revelation and asked God why he deserved praise.  God gave her a history lesson and showed her why he was worthy of praise.  With the bible studies I've done there has been music involved I want your attention to be off of me and instead on God.  Music is a major part of church it is an act of worship.  The Psalms are Israel's songbook and poetry  As our old hymn says "this is my story this is my song praising my Savior all the day long.  Let's look at Psalms 135 and praise our King.

1-3.  Here's a list of who, when, and how to praise God.
4.  See God chose the nation Israel to praise Him

5-7.  The heavens, earth and seas declare the greatness of God.  So should we!

8-12.  Let's go on a history lesson.
13.  "Your name o Lord endures forever.  your fame O Lord is known to every generation."  Now think about that in context of today's 15 min of fame crazed world.  God's fame will last longer than any actor, singer, speaker, or ruler.  Elvis, Britney Spears, Selena, Hitler, Churchill, Lincoln, Stan Lee, Triple H, Jennifer Love Hewitt, well God's bigger than all of them when it comes to his name and fame.  Christian band Audio Adrenaline kinda said it best in their song by the same title when referring to God's own son.  "never gonna be as big as Jesus."

14.  God gives justice and compassion.  It's simple to say God gives compassion but let me give you an example because if you don't believe me you need to meet my wife Marion(it's our anniversary today).  Last year I met this young woman who has dealt with spina bifida, hearing and vision loss who volunteers at Driscoll children's hospital.  She got hit by a car, had her right leg broken she forgave the man who did it but what she said to me in the icu just floored me.  "I was told there is a shortage of beds in the icu my leg is merely broken they can have my bed and give it to someone who needs it more."  God's compassion for the hurt was pouring from her. 

15-17.  putting an idol in place of God and worshipping it is just stupid.
19-21.  God calls us all to praise him.

The question was possibly why should we praise God.  wrong question.  In light of verses like Romans 5:8 and John 3:16 the real question in light of all God has done for you and me why don't we praise God.  we have no excuse!  look around you read God's word see the love of God.  Be grateful dang it! lol


just going to list the songs and let youchoose which ones you want to use to praise God

Your Name by Phillips Craig and Dean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFzahXcNCQ
Your great name by Natalie Grant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSa5A-nVJo8

Praise the King by Cindy Morgan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLCrKmZd17U  this song leaves me in tears nearly every time I hear it.

No Other Name but Jesus by Sandi Patti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwNNVfRuVBU

Holy and Anointed one by Skillet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLucwS41uDI found a really cool video with this.

Psalms 130

Sorry about the lateness of this being sent out.  I had some days off work recently for my birthday and have just been enjoying the time with family, friends and most importantly my ever beautiful gorgeous wife.  This was a very hard bible study to teach Marion and I and you all as well.  I freely admit to being a grown man who cries.  You will soon see why.  I go to a church called Real Life Corpus and we are very real, raw and honest.  hopefully God will use this to teach you as well as I need to learn.

Psalms 130

My heart has been very heavy lately.  My schedule at work is once again subject to change and change is something I don't deal with very well.  My Mother-in-law and my nephew and I all have that in common.  Connor my nephew is autistic and if you change anything around him he does not respond well.  I'm trying to respond rightly not too good at it.  I could really use people praying for me.  

1-2.  "From the depths of despair."  Yep that's how I feel I'm constantly calling on God for his peace.  When you're in despair I suggest that you seek God first.  

3-4.  Aren't you so glad God keeps no record of our sins and forgives us in his great mercy?  I sure am.

5.  "I am counting on the Lord."  So am I.
6.  "I long for the Lord more than the sentries long for the dawn."  I work nights and those on the night shift long for morning.  We should long for God way more than this.  I mean the end of your workday is way less important than time with God. 
7.  Hope in God leads to his unfailing love.  "Now that, that's cool!"

8.  Redemption from sin sign me up please. 

been having to remind myself this today God is stronger than anything that can ever happen in my life.  hopefully this song with reach you like it did me.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tj8N5Bj6DE Stronger by Hillsong United.  since earlier verses spoke of forgiveness and God's unfailing love I wanted some song to remind us of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoezWBPGRAc this is Your love never fails by Jesus Culture.  it's really an awesome song.  For those of you who fall apart when change happens around you this song is for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6zeYPaYlc Hold me Jesus by Rich Mullins This final song is a plea to God when life seems at it's hardest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9heHX3M6g_c Jesus by Ashley Cleveland

All will be well

Psalms 124-125'

 

    On more than one occasion I have quoted the phrase "All will be well."  It is a mantra of the Blue Lanterns.  See Blue represents hope in the emotional spectrum of the Green Lantern comics.  Some of you may find it weird that I'm using this as an illustration but hear me out I have a point.  When a person becomes a Christian and decides to follow God all your troubles don't go away.  In fact it's more like Satan is like Admiral Piett on Return of the Jedi and he has just yelled "Intensify all firepower".  Congratulations you chose to follow God oh and by the way you're in a battle as of NOW!!!!!  John 16:33 says this "I have told you this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows but take heart because I have overcome the world."  I told you at the beginning "All will be well" why because there is hope and peace in Christ.  At the worst times we can say "It is well it is well it is well with my soul."  Take heart!

 

Psalms 124

 

1-5.  "what if the Lord had not been on our side?"  The results would be scary indeed.

6-8.  Freedom, broken traps, help from our Creator things are starting to look up now that God is on our side and our eyes are fixed on Him.  

 

Psalms 125

 

1-2.  My wife has turned me into a Duck Dynasty fan and when I read these 2 verses I can hear Si in my head saying "Hey now look here Jack those who trust in the Lord they're more secure than anything on this planet and that's a fact Jack!"  

3.  God will one day eliminate the wicked for the sake of good people to keep them from doing evil.  I've seen a lot of evil by people like 9/11, child abuse, rape, and anything else on the news today.  I'll be happy when that is gone.  

4.  I love the phrase in this verse "Whose hearts are in tune with you."  David was referred to by God as being a man after God's own heart.  Often I will pray asking God to make it where Zac is not seen but only God living thru me.  

5.  This is a cry for longing and peace.  

 

When I was getting this bible study ready I read this verse while reading Fearless by Max Lucado that seemed to go well with all of this.  2 Corinthians 4:17 "These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make our troubles seem like nothing."   

 

This is our hope in Christ.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDV9VEdBfIM All will fade away by Meredith Andrews, this is an old but true hymn.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPMCp25X0jA It is well with my soul by Rebecca St. James, There's a story behind this next song.  about 2 yrs ago I suffered one of the worst breakups ever and shortly after that my grandma passed away.  I was standing at church at Real Life Fellowship.  my heart broke when I heard this and God used it to reassure me how much he loved me.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKeeH4yB0wI this is By your Side by Tenth Avenue North. 

 

Another Reminder that God is on your side http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKyCeAc9A-I You will never walk alone by point of grace.  Our time here on earth is temporary.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vmcEQz1ny4 That's When I'll know I'm home by Geoff Moore and the Distance  Remember our Prince of Peace has Overcome  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8AB0vUU038 Overcome by Jeremy Camp

 

Psalms 123

  Dependence or better yet dependent those are words this chapter made me think of when I read it.  Our dog Mara is dependent on Marion and I for love, affection, comfort, and food.  Mara is also dependent on us to be kind to her.  In Genesis chapter 1 we have a record of creation by God.  No matter who you are believer or unbeliever you're dependent on God whether you admit it or not.  If you don't believe me hold your breath for longer than a minute.  Try it.  Do you know why you're dependent on God and how I just proved it?  One word: Oxygen.  God didn't have to give it to you when you started breathing again. There was however oxygen available as a gift a display of God's "mercy".  Mercy pay attention to that word as you'll see it more.  

1. "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven."  This verse reminds me of a few things.  God's still on his throne and He's in control.  My dad once told me this fun fact.  these are the three fundamentals of life.  1.  There is a God!  2.  You are not Him!  3.  There is no vacancy!  In the words of Si from Duck Dynasty "And that's a fact Jack!"
2.  Who do we look to for mercy?  we look to God!
3-4.  we appeal to God for mercy because he has proven to be merciful daily and all thru his word.  Look around you the fact that you can breathe and see the beauty around you that is mercy at work.  

You can depend on God for mercy

Let this song remind you of God our King.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31xJ0qd1WJU This is Mercy by Casting Crowns.  Ask God for his mercy in your life.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjPrIVKlvsM  This is Lord Have Mercy by Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.  No matter what happens no matter where you are or what you do remember the words of this song straight from the Psalms because with God all things are possible.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEEfysu8oVY  This is Amy Grant's version of the late Rich Mullin's song Nothing is Beyond you.  the reason I said it that way is I get bugged when people credit the wrong artist.  lol sorry just a Zac thing.    

Meet the ultimate hero

Psalms 120 and 121

I have a hero mentality.  If you know me well you get this.  I have been a comic book, cartoon, video game, wrestling fan for years.  due to my wife and friends I have written stories of them and myself as heroes.  In Psalms 120 and 121 I'd like to introduce to the Ultimate hero the King of Kings.  Why you ask because "my help comes from the Lord."  

Psalms 120  

1.  "I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer."  That verse is pretty straight forward and easy to read.  Don't let the simplicity fool you.  Think about it you took your troubles to the God of all creation and he answered your prayer!  Just stop and let that sink in.  That ladies and gentlemen is a privilege not to be taken lightly.  

2-4.  God  doesn't like deceitful lips or actions.

5-7.  Sounds an awful lot like the world we live in today.  Searching for peace where there seems to be none but watch what happens in the next chapter because it's really cool. 

Psalms 121

"I look to the mountains-does my help come from there?  See Exodus 20:1-6 God is a jealous God who wants us to put nothing before him.  as humans we look everywhere for help.  Stop looking to people, idols, wants, desires, substances, the government.  you need help PRAY!  "Get on your knees and fight like a man!"  seek God with fear and reverence.  
2.  "My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.  can't get much bigger in the help department.
3-4.  There's a dumb idea people have tried to pass off over the yrs that God created everything then just left it alone.  It sayshere God never sleeps or slumbers.  There was also a misguided song that Bette Midler used to say "God is watching us from a distance."  If God never sleeps or slumbers and is keeping me from stumbling He is very closely watching.  
5.  "The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade!"  "All will be well."  
6-8 See also Romans 8:31-39

Our God is greater!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6YCrWhUdDs Our God by Chris Tomlin.  Before the birth of Christ Mary is told that  she shall call his name Emmanuel which means God is with us.  This is God is with us by Point of Grace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Yf-OKHhv6k  By God thru his son we are forgiven.  This is You are my King by Newsboys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYgiq58wavA This is a reminder of your worth Psalms 139 as put to song by Rebecca St James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NlbJKbCn54  in Wrestling promos they have a thing called the go home line meaning you send the people watching something to think about to keep them hooked.  this song is your go home line it's all will fade away by Meredith Andrews.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDV9VEdBfIM

Psalms 119:161-176

Last week I was given an option as most life groups were coming to an end and then restarting again later.  I chose to keep this going you see my dad had told Marion and I during pre-marital counseling we were on the right track by studying God's word together.  I want to stay on that path with my wife and to you who read the blog and e-mail if God uses this to change the lives of even one person it will not have been done in vain.  I hope all of you are like me and choose to continue the mission God has called us to.  I have to be honest 2 yrs ago when this bible study started it didn't make sense and it didn't seem to be something any church would let happen.  it started with friends encouraging me to write fictional stories.  somewhere along the way people started saying it was good. then it turned into a bible study for people who worked nights meeting at Denny's. then when no one was signing up for a bible study at midnight it seemed God was turning this into a e-mail and blog version of a bible study.  my ability to write and convey thoughts is a gift from God alone.  when He provides the words for bible study only then do I start getting it ready I never want Zac to have any importance. 

161.  "Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word."  With the past few weeks I've been having at my job I can totally relate to this.  I keep finding myself asking God to restore me physically and emotionally because I been so incredibly drained. 
162.  "I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure."  God's word is, has been, and will always be a great treasure.  It always changes lives.
163.  It says he hates and abhors falsehood.  Falsehood is straight from the devil.  But the psalmist loves God's instructions.  Christian singers DeGarmo and Key put it simply "God good Devil bad.  It's an elemental truth, this law of the land, God good Devil bad and every child on earth has got to understand God good Devil bad." 
164-168.  We praise God many times a day for he has given us just regulations, rest, rescue, peace.  God sees all we do and loves us still. 
169-170.  He asks God for a discerning mind, rescue, and that his prayer be heard. 
171-172.  Do songs of praise flow from your heart to God?  There's a song by Misty Edwards and the beginning of it she addresses God and this just blows me away.  "I don't want to talk about you like you're not in the room.  I want to look right at you I want to sing right to you."  God is present and he longs for the praises of his people. 

173-176.  He keeps returning to God's commands as we should. 

This is Dove's Eyes by Misty Edwards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx3uo_aQo0E  It's a simple truth but sometimes we need a reminder and need to be blown away once more by the fact that God loves us.  it's easy to say but sometimes I fear we hear it so much we lose the wonder of Romans 5:8 "in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."  don't know what kind of week you've had but you need to be reminded God loves you and He is for you.  This You love me and Jesus loves me by Sandi Patti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZMRNddMQK0  in the words of Isaiah say to God "Here I am Lord send me."  This is Here I am by Rebecca St James http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDk77SXRjOc  A theologian once said "The chief end of man is to glorify God in our mortal bodies."  This is Made to worship by Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8KIQTc4L-8  Praise your King.  This is Enough and No one like you by Barlow Girl http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61-Jhvxl_N0 

Psalms 119:145-160

  Rescue is not a word I like most people if they really thought about it probably wouldn't either.  One reason I don't like the word is because I don't like the whole damsel in distress concept.  To me that plumber in Super Mario Bros. has a case of being nearly as stupid as the Princess he's trying to help.  She needed to stop getting into distress.  The real reason I don't like the word "Rescue" is this "Rescue" implies we need help.  We have a problem!  As humans that it's sometimes the hardest thing to admit.  It makes us feel weak and vulnerable and we don't like it.  As strong as the Hulk is he never wants to admit he needs puny Banner.  The Psalmist in these verses is crying repeatedly for rescue.  This past Sunday Pastor Micah challenged the men to daily surrender to God.  Daily to me is not often enough.  Rescue and surrender make us weak.  But remember this "in all of our weakness He becomes our strength giving us the power and the strength to carry on." 

145.  It says the Psalmist cried with all of his heart.  I don't know about you but that's a lot of crying out for help if I'm using all of my heart. 

146.  He cries to the Lord to save him.  Last I checked "Salvation belongs to our God."  Off to a good start so far. 
147-148.  This guy is seriously seeking God and His word day and night. 

149.  He's appealing to God's loving-kindness.  Wanna know a secret about that read Lamentations 3:22-26

150.  Here's the reason he needs to be rescued it's because of wicked people. 
151-152.  God's truth is established and will last forever.
153-154.  He's seeking rescue
155.  Wake up Wicked and seek salvation.
156.  He knows the secret about God's mercies
157-160.  Look at his focus it's utter dependence on God.

 

Fall on your face and express utter dependence on God http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqUZBGTyM9c You Alone by Kim Hill  Call upon your King for he will rescue you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVUy6UHVzEQ Rooftops by Jesus Culture,  This is a song called One more Round by Barlow Girl that reminds us in our battle in life we can't even claim a victory on our own because we depend on God.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwspoaMFtwU the video is a little weird because someone used the cartoon Avatar to depict it.  it's the characters Toph and Katara struggling but I liked it.  we have been talking about rescue this is My Deliverer by Rich Mullins and the Ragamuffin Band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac4GnpqXQAQ When you cry out to God remember to give Him all of yourself holding nothing back.   God of All by Sandi Patti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJaftSojO0s