Prayer request

Hi everyone I'm asking for your help in prayer regarding 2 things.  Marion and I are having trouble since I was moved to my new shift it doesn't work well for either of us.  me working nights is easier on the both of us.  I have to wait 30 days till my request to have my schedule changed is even looked at.  today is day 14.  also something that has been very heavy on our hearts is this.  we need Christian friends to spend time around. 

p.s. Bible study is coming soon I'm sorry for the delay. 

His love endures forever

Last week I mentioned that the book of psalms is the poetry and songbook for the nation Israel.  It is also a place where our modern day worship comes from.  Not sure if you have ever heard the song Forever by Chris Tomlin but Psalms 136 is where the lyrics come from.  There's a line repeated all thru this psalm but slow down when you read it.  Recently we did a series at church called Life Verse where the pastors spoke of verses they built their lives upon.  Psalms 18:19 is my life verse.  "He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because he delights in me."  In Job chapter 1 God says "have you noticed my servant Job?"  God delights in his people!  Lately I've been having some very rough days I need to remember the main theme of Psalms 136 so find someone today and remind them God's love endures forever.  "His faithful love endures forever."

 

1.  "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His faithful love endures forever."  people often think God is just waiting to strike them down I guess they missed this verse. 

2.  who else is God and has enduring faithful love.  That's right only God.

3.  God is the ultimate ruler of it all.

4.  Miracles belong to God.

5-9.  Hey all you evolutionists I think you left out the Creator of it all.

10.  "Give thanks to Him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever."  I have to admit this verse caught me off guard.  but really get some perspective Israel is in slavery if God didn't attack Egypt  how would they see him as redeemer?  How would we?  Think about it like this as God is writing a movie of sorts and he's trying to go from the worst case scenario to giving these people hope.  Historically speaking there's a movie that epitomizes this so humor me.  In Empire Strikes Back by the end of the movie you have Han Solo in carbonite, Luke loses his hand and fights his father.  It's all bad they're being hunted all over the galaxy.  Israel was in captivity worst case scenario but the God whose love endures forever steps into the picture. 

11.Rescue = God's people seeing Him as redeemer why because his faithful love endures forever. 

12.  See Isaiah 52:10

13-20.  History lesson of Israel to remind us and them His love endures forever.

21-22. God gave the land of kings to Israel why because He owns it all.

23-26 Give thanks to the God of Heaven for his love and all he does. 

 

Forever by Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_dsZpcA2R8

 

My Deliverer by Rich Mullins and the Ragamuffin Band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ANzUZ2Bhc

 

Show the Way by Kim Hill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCnbnJpm7hw there's not much more than the song and cd cover here but pay attention to the words as this song reflects what was being said in verse 10. 

 

How great is the Love by Meredith Andrews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhIZlNHpm6U  

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