The House You're Building

Hello blog followers from all over the world!  Our local group in Washington State is going to take a break from Psalms and start studying Hebrews with our church.  This series should run through summer so I won't be updated the blog until next fall.  If you'd like to study with us, the following link will take you to the sermon series which you can download and the following study guide.  Just click on Messages and Media. http://www.lifepointewa.com/ Thank you for following the blog!  I may write some devotionals here and there as God prompts me too!  I may also journal each week what I'm learning from the Hebrews study  I pray for you and hope that  your faith has grown through this website.  If you like these studies, please check out the archives as other series have been posted since 2011. God Bless! -Rayna

I've always been driven, a fighter.  I've always had a “what’s next.”  Due to my tenacity, I usually get what I’m after and the cycle repeats itself.  Take that same inclination and project it onto consumerism.  Now what’s interesting is that I am very disciplined with money.  I keep a budget.  I save and give.  I live below my means and as my spouse has the same agenda, live debt free (with the exception of our mortgage).  Yet I wouldn't say I was content. I realized last month that the gifts of Christmas didn't make me feel satisfied but instead awakened a desire for more.  Though many things on my wish list were satisfied, I was drawn to think of the things I didn't get…this unsettledness became clear as I was listening through a sermon series on the 10 commandments on coveting.  I had always felt like buying was okay as long as it was in the budget and I could afford it.  My allowance was something I could spend whims...

Psalm 37:4 says, “He will give you the desires of your heart.”   Does that mean you get everything you want?   No, it means that God gives us the desires He wants us to have if we are redeemed and serving Him.   These desires always match up with his word and character.   So how to you know His desires and what pleases Him for your life?   In Psalm 40 and others we will study this week we will find the answers through the work of His spirit…pray that He will open your eyes to see His truth for you!   Psalm 35 ·          This psalm describes David and his enemies and how each respond to one another.   List what his enemies have done to him.   How did he respond to them? ·          Read Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-36.   What does Jesus’ teaching relate to how we treat our enemies?   Did David follow Jesus as described in Psalm 35? ·  ...

“God’s anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”   Psalm 30:5   “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!   How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no decent!”   Psalm 32:1-2   Like David in these verses we too can be confident that, no matter how bad we screw up, God’s love for us is boundless and His capacity to forgive unlimited!   We only have to recognize our sin, confess, and ask for forgiveness.   God is faithful and righteous to forgive.   1 John 1:9     ·          Compare and contrast Psalms 28 and 29.   What is the main idea of each psalm?   ·          Read Psalm 30.   List all of the things David is thankful for.   Are you thank...

Psalm Study 4:   Psalms 22-27   “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”   This sentence opens one of the most well known, memorized psalms in the Bible.   It encapsulates (summarizes) in one brief phrase who God is and what He does for us.   Our next six psalms in this study also describe who God is and what He can do for you to bring you comfort, peace, restoration and answers to your troubles.   Read Psalm 22 ·          Compare with Matthew 27: 38-46, Mark 15: 22-37, Luke 23:33-46, John 19:17-37, Hebrews 2:9-12, Revelation 19:5 ·          When Davis and Jesus cried out these words, where does this Psalm say God is? ·          What does Psalm 22 promise?   Read Psalm 23 and John 10:1-16 ·          How do these verses help you understand your relationship t...

In whom do you trust?   If you wonder, ask yourself where you turn when life becomes stressful or you feel threatened.   Do you eat?   Do you work hard to avoid pain?   Do you try to make all things perfect in your life and never fail so you can stay safe? Do you lean on others’ sympathy, advice, or help instead of turning to God?   Do you rely on money to bail you out or to buy things to distract you when you are hurting?   As you study these psalms, find ways that God is more worthy and powerful and truly able to save other than the false things that you put your hope in.   Key Verse:          I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,                                 and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3 ESV)   Psalm 18 ...

*An apology to our regular followers...we've had a 6 week break from the study for relationship building but are back up to posting.  Expect a weekly update once again!  Thanks again for studying God's word along with us!   Psalms Study Guide 2:   Psalm 9 through 17   When nations are at war, God is there.   When the wicked seem to prosper, God is there.   When life is in chaos, God is there.   In every situation, God is there.   Our next nine psalms express the author’s grief over evil in the world.   Notice, however, the Psalmist’s comfort in knowing that in every situation God is there and knowing that He will judge the world to make all things rights.   Key Verse: “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”   Psalm 9:10   Read Psalm 9 ·          Make note of the repeated phrase in th...