Category: Bible Study

Session 7: Mary’s Prayer

Do you remember setting up your family’s manger scene at Christmas time? I still recall how much I loved arranging each character in the nativity. Baby Jesus was always placed in His rightful position in the center, nestled in the manger. Next, I would put the Christ child’s parents flanking Him protectively. Fanning out on either side of Mary and Joseph, I’d arrange the shepherds with a few sheep and the wisemen with their camels, all looking on with reverence and awe. Finally, several barnyard animals and an angel affixed to the roof of the stable would complete the joyful scene.

I never gave Mary much thought as an individual—she was just one of the players in an incredible, dramatic story. Years later, after I had children of my own, I had a deeper appreciation for her and all that she must have experienced. As I’ve studied the few passages where Mary appears in Scripture, my esteem for her has only grown. I’ve been amazed to realize what a wise, godly woman she was in spite of her tender age. 

Consider, for example, Mary’s incredible knowledge of Scripture. During her pregnancy, a visit with her relative, Elizabeth, prompted her to sing a prayer of praise to the Lord that’s overflowing with quotes and allusions from the Old Testament. “Some scholars believe that Mary was so steeped in Scripture that the words just flowed from her.”1 Her song, called The Magnificat, begins by praising God and expressing gratitude at being chosen to bear the Messiah. Like many prayers we’ve studied, Mary focuses first on worship and adoration:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49, NIV)

Mary’s words echo praises to the Lord found in other portions of Scripture. Her prayer reveals her knowledge of words written by kings and prophets including David, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Jeremiah and Moses. It also reveals considerable knowledge of God’s character and the history of His Chosen People. Every verse correlates with other portions of Scripture. 

We’ll never know on this side of heaven how Mary learned so much of the Old Testament at such a young age, but we can let her example inspire us to pursue God’s Word with passion and consistency. Maybe, like me, it was Mary’s mother who first taught her stories from Scripture. I can’t help but think of the dedication I wrote for my mom in the opening pages of Extraordinary Prayer. She was the first person to introduce me to Jesus and to show me the value of studying God’s Word. I still picture her poring over her enormous Bible at our kitchen table surrounded by papers and commentaries. It was her example that spurred me on to prioritize studying the Bible and teaching it to others. 

My mom has been on my mind a lot lately. Last year around this time, I was spending every day with her as cancer delivered its final blows to her broken body. In her lucid moments, we talked about what awaited her in heaven. I remember her smile of anticipation at the thought of seeing Jesus face to face and of reuniting with my dad. Despite her pain, she exuded peace. My mom believed so firmly in the hope of the gospel she’d studied for years that there was no need for fear. Knowing Scripture guided her in life and reassured her as she prepared for death. 

A few days after she passed away, I came across two passages that jumped off the pages of my Bible: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, NIV) I realized this was exactly what my mom had done for me. She taught me about God’s faithfulness and helped me find reassurance in His Word whenever I needed it.

The second passage both comforted and surprised me: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did;” (Psalm 116:15-16a, NIV) It felt personal and affirming–as if God was telling me to continue the passion for Scripture my mom had modeled to me. Her time on hospice occurred as I was making final edits to the manuscript for Extraordinary Prayer. So, it seemed fitting to add those passages to the dedication I’d already included in the front of the book. To me, they’re a reminder to continue sharing what I’m learning in Scripture with others so that they can find hope, joy, and peace. 

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God’s Word is living and active. (Hebrews 4:12) My mom knew this, which is why she could believe promises written several thousand years ago applied to her personally. She knew her salvation was secure because of Jesus. My mom didn’t lose heart as her body began to fail because her eyes were fixed on what is unseen and eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) Mary also knew she could trust the Scriptures. This enabled her to take words from prophets and kings and apply them to her personal circumstances. Instead of being fearful about her pregnancy and all of the unknowns she faced, she rejoiced knowing God chose her to be part of fulfilling prophecies she’d heard all her life.

These examples remind me that knowing the Bible should change how we interpret personal events. When we trust the goodness of God’s character, hardships become spiritual growth opportunities. So, let’s continue to pursue studying Scripture and applying it to our lives, following in the footsteps of these godly examples and many others like them. 

Listen to Jenn Johnson and Bethel Worship sing “Goodness of God” and imagine it from Mary’s perspective. Then, make the words your personal prayer today.

1. Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer, page 175

Come Near to God

Tugging on her father’s sleeve and looking up at him with pleading eyes, the little girl asked, “Can we have some Daddy-Daughter time now?” Smiling, he stood up without hesitation, excused himself, and left the circle of adults to tend to his girl. I always admired the close connection between this pair of family friends. The little daughter approached her loving father with boldness and confidence knowing he would gladly respond to her request. She knew when she needed him, and he gladly received her.

This is a beautiful picture of what God will do for each of us. He says in His Word: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Throughout the Bible we see examples of the Lord in the role of a parent to His people: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a, NIV) Paul tells believers we can cry out to God using the name “Abba Father.” (Romans 8:15) Author and pastor Tim Keller explains, “We need to know the original language here. ‘Abba’ was an Aramaic term which is best translated ‘Daddy’—a term of the greatest intimacy. A child does not always (or even often) address his father as ‘Father’; likely, he has a different term for him that shows his loving, trusting familiarity with his father, such as ‘Dad’ or ‘Papa’ or ‘Daddy.’ And this is how Christians can approach the all-powerful Creator of the universe, who sustains every atom in existence moment by moment!”1

Despite this amazing truth, not all of us approach the Lord with such confidence and enthusiasm. For some of us, prayer feels like a chore. For others, it’s become stale and boring because we’re in a rut using the same words and praying for the same things. Others of us resort to prayer only when we’re really desperate, and some of us shy away from praying altogether, not knowing what to say or how to say it.

Maybe you recognize yourself somewhere on this spectrum. Even if you don’t, I bet that, like me, you have room to expand and deepen your prayer life. If you’re ready to dive in and grow in your connection with the Lord, I’d be thrilled to have you join me for the next few months doing my new study Extraordinary Prayer. We’ll use the Bible as our guide and will explore the prayers of people who cried out to God with authenticity and confidence. 

Opening your book each day will be your chance to tug your Heavenly Father on the sleeve and tell Him you’re in need of some Daddy Time. It’s your opportunity to steal away from the chaos of our world and connect with the One who made you and knows you best. 

Scripture tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  (James 4:8, NIV) Let’s learn more about how to do this together. Whether you’re participating in person at CPC Danville’s Focused Living or online through my blogs and teaching videos, I hope you’ll join me. In fact, why not grab a few friends and do it together? 

If you need a book, you can order one here. Each session includes group discussion questions. Teaching videos will be live streamed every Thursday morning starting on Sept. 9 and can be accessed any time after they’re recorded weekly on CPC Women’s Ministry YouTube channel. Click here to access teaching videos.

Let’s kick off the study by celebrating our loving Abba with Chris Tomlin’s “Good Good Father.”

  1. Tim Keller quoted from “3 Things You Can Learn from Tim Keller about Being a Child of God” on CrossWalk.com.

Marybeth McCullum, Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life, 2020.

A Faithful Man and A Good God

Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50 has always been one of my favorites. Studying it through Kelly Minter’s Finding God Faithful only made me appreciate it more. His story illustrates so many spiritual truths that it’s hard to decide which ones to highlight. Read on for just a few of the many inspiring aspects of Joseph’s journey from prison to palace.

The Lord was with Joseph

You probably remember that Joseph’s charmed life as Jacob’s favorite son made an abrupt shift when his resentful brothers sold him to slave traders who carried him off to Egypt. 

Despite his dire circumstances, Scripture reminds us four times in one chapter that “The Lord was with Joseph.” (39:2, 3, 21 & 23) Because of this, God’s favor rested upon him and those he served, “the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field.” (Genesis 39:5, ESV)

Note that the blessing upon Joseph and the anguish of being enslaved were happening simultaneously. It’s not unusual for good and hard situations to coexist in our lives. In fact, Jesus promises us, “In this world you will have trouble.” Thankfully, He finishes that statement with a word of encouragement, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV) Like Joseph, we can rest in the knowledge that God is with us: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23, NIV) What a comfort this should be to us!

Unfortunately, we often struggle living in the tension of knowing that life is hard, but God is with us. Is it difficult for you to trust the Lord and serve Him faithfully in challenging times? Are you tempted to get bitter or to wallow in self-pity when everything isn’t going your way? Perhaps it’s time to re-focus your attention on the truth that God is with you all the time. Can you believe Jesus and take heart knowing He has overcome the world, even when you can’t see how He’s working things out? These are convicting questions, but they might help to re-align your perspective if you’re in a difficult season.

Joseph’s Character Shines Through

No matter where Joseph found himself, his character remained consistent. His leadership skills and integrity always seemed to rise to the top like cream in a pail of milk. Consider these instances:

-Serving as a slave: “The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.” (Genesis 39:5-6, NIV)

-Behind bars: “So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Genesis 39:22-23, NIV)

-In Pharaoh’s court: “So Pharaoh asked [his officials], ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’…Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’” (Genesis 41:38, 40-41, NIV)

Despite receiving unfair treatment, being punished for false accusations, and living as a slave for 13 years, Joseph’s consistency of character continued to be recognized and respected. He used his gifts to bless others and in every situation, he proved his trustworthiness.

I’m inspired when I consider this. So often it’s natural to compartmentalize our lives and to show certain parts of our characters to select people.  We might be kind and friendly at church, but pull into our garages without acknowledging our neighbors. Or maybe we gladly sign up for service projects, but feel annoyed when someone who needs help interrupts our schedules. Perhaps we’re good at being like Jesus when people behave the way we want and don’t inconvenience us too much. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from Joseph and let the gifts God’s given us bless others wherever we find ourselves, whether it’s a place we’ve chosen or a place we’re forced to be.

Joseph Honors God Boldly

One of the most striking aspects of Joseph’s story is the reverence he showed to the Lord. He honored God with his behavior and pointed others back to Him. Joseph chose not to fall to the temptation of Potiphar’s wife saying, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9, NIV). Each time he interpreted a dream, he gave God the credit “‘I cannot [interpret your dream],’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’” (Genesis 41:15-16, NIV) Later, when the Lord blessed him with children, Joseph chose names that honored Him and pointed to His faithfulness. His older son’s name meant, “God has made me forget all my trouble” and his younger son’s meant “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:51-52, NIV)

Joseph was the only follower of the one true God while he was in Egypt, yet he spoke about the Lord and gave Him the credit for everything. His boldness and humility are convicting, but also inspiring. How apt am I to speak of God’s goodness to unbelievers? How often do I admit that it’s Him working through me when I have a positive impact on others?  It seems that Joseph’s quickness to acknowledge the Lord drew respect from everyone. Perhaps it’s time to pray for more confidence in this area. Do you need to do the same?

Through studying the life of Joseph, we found God to be faithful. Let Ellie Holcomb’s song “He Will” remind you that just as the Lord was with Joseph, He’s there for you in every situation too.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Genesis, Lifeway Press, 2019.

Judah’s Blessing

For the past few months we’ve walked closely with Joseph through Genesis 37-50 and have seen many examples God’s faithfulness. Now, as the end of the story comes into view, we’re beginning to notice many threads of the Lord’s redemptive plan weaving together. Today we’ll take a closer look at a prophetic blessing Jacob gave at the end of his life that still has relevance for us today.

As the favorite son of Jacob, we would expect Joseph to receive the most important blessing. So, it’s surprising to discover that instead, Jacob reserved the most significant blessing for one of Joseph’s older brothers:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came. He was talking about the Messiah.

Kelly Minter explains, “If I had written the story, no doubt I would have chosen for the Messiah to come through Joseph’s line instead of Judah’s. But God’s grace is on full display here. God sent a Savior through those and to those who don’t deserve it. And He raised up Joseph to save a nation, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate salvation…The One to whom the kingdom belongs has come. His name is Jesus. He will come again, and all nations will be obedient to Him.” (page 192) Let’s take a moment to unpack this amazing truth together.

The promise of the Messiah whom Jacob describes began with Adam and Eve. We see this when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continues with Abraham when the Lord says his offspring will be a blessing to all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that will ultimately command the obedience of the nations.

The name “Lion of Judah” next appears in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. In his vision of the heavenly throne room, John sees a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. Others in the vision provide hope to John:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophecies made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, crushing the serpent’s head and claiming His ultimate victory over death. At the same time, Jesus blesses all people on earth by making salvation from sin possible for them. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return one day to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing for Judah? He says Judah’s family line will rule until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that a day will come when the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah: Jesus.

Stepping back to view the bigger picture gives us deeper understanding of God’s greatness and shows how His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing. Pause for a moment and be amazed by our Savior. The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation.

So, what’s the appropriate response to this good news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Jacob and Joseph who are also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness, we choose to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus, to honor Him through the way we live, and to be filled with hope as we await His eventual return.

Revel in God’s redemptive plan that threads from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

*Some material for this blog came from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Lion-and-the-Lamb.html

Lion drawing by Brooke McCullum

Patterns through Generations

The large trunks sat untouched in the attic for years, gathering dust in a dark corner. Sometimes one of my boys or their cousins would ask if they could rummage inside them on a rainy day. And although my mom was usually a pushover for her grandkids’ requests, the answer about opening the trunks was always the same: No. She didn’t have an interest in being reminded of her painful childhood. 

Recently my brothers opened those trunks and found a treasure trove of old photos and other mementos dating back over 100 years. Among our favorite finds were dozens of pictures of our mom’s mother—the grandmother we never had. She contracted tuberculosis when my mom was six and eventually moved to a sanitarium in hopes of recovering there. Because TB is airborne, my grandmother couldn’t hug my mom or even hold her on her lap. They had to remain on opposites sides of the room during her brief, infrequent visits home. Three years later, my grandmother died in the sanitarium at age 32, leaving behind a grieving, young husband and a nine-year-old daughter. For my mom, the trunks were filled with reminders of what could have been.

With the newly discovered photos, we pieced together parts of our grandmother’s life we’d never known. There were pictures of her on high school sports teams, clowning around with friends, on a trip to see relatives in Europe, and on dates with my grandpa at the Jersey shore. This woman who had always been such a mystery came to life for us. She seemed funny, energetic, fashionable, and just a bit mischievous. We were surprised and delighted to discover the many interests we shared with her—sports, travel, friends, and the beach, to name a few.

The generations that go before us pass down their genetic code, but they also lay foundations and patterns in our lives, both good and bad. We often follow in the footsteps of those who have preceded us, whether we mean to or not. We see this regularly in the Bible, where God’s people follow familiar paths from one generation to the next.

Take, Abraham, for example. Before becoming the father of the Israelites, the Lord called him to leave his home and travel to a different land. He was 75 when he obeyed God by taking his wife, nephew, servants, and belongings to make a new start in the land of Canaan (described in Genesis 12).

In the opening session of Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, author and teacher Kelly Minter paints a picture of Abraham’s life. She describes his faithfulness to the Lord that laid the foundation for his great grandson, Joseph, who is the topic of her study. Minter highlights five key aspects of Abraham’s life that proved to be true in Joseph’s life as well. Abraham’s and Joseph’s obedience led to an outpouring of blessing for their descendants and for the entire world, including us. 

Here are the key points from Kelly Minter’s first video teaching:

1) When God sets you apart it’s an invitation to relationship with Him.

The call of Abram in Genesis 12:3 showed that God intended to use Him to bless the entire world: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This is the beginning of the good news stated in Galatians 3:8-9: “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”

2) Being set apart will always be in keeping with God’s grand plan of redemption. Joseph was set apart for the blessing of others. Blessing moves through us to bless others.

3) When God sets you apart for a task, He shoulders the responsibility for its outcome. When we respond with obedience, there’s no limit to what He can do.

4) Being set apart is initiated by God but carried out through our obedience.

5) Neither your history nor heritage has to be unblemished for God to set you apart.

Joseph’s story is one of redemption filled with practical wisdom. Through the lens of his life we’ll examine how to deal with difficult family issues and mend broken relationships. We’ll learn how to choose forgiveness and respond with wisdom amidst unexpected challenges and disappointments. Joseph will show us how to give mercy and kindness to the undeserving. And he’ll reveal how a good God and suffering can co-exist. 

I’m excited to learn how these truths played out in Joseph’s life and to see how I can apply them in mine as well. Join me on this journey and let God’s faithfulness breathe new hope into whatever you’re facing.

Abraham established a foundation of faith that we’re still benefiting from today. Let Pat Barrett’s song “Build My Life” remind you of the importance of building your life on the solid ground of Jesus’ love.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

Craving Koinonia

CPC Student Ministries Houseboat Trip at Lake Shasta, Summer 2019

Holding my breath, I stepped out on the front porch and scurried to pick up the newspaper on my driveway. I didn’t exhale until I was back inside and had closed the door behind me. Thick smoke hung in the air from wildfires raging throughout the Bay Area. It felt like we were in an impossible situation: Going outside meant breathing unhealthy air, confining ourselves indoors meant being cut off from other people to avoid exposure to COVID-19. 

It was hard not to feel stir crazy that week. What I missed most was just being around people. In fact, that’s what’s been hardest about the many restrictions we’ve had in the last 6 months due to the pandemic. When my husband and I finally connected with our small group for an outdoor gathering after the smoke dissipated, I realized what we’ve been truly missing: Fellowship.

Although it’s not a very widely used term, fellowship is something we especially enjoy as followers of Jesus. It comes from the Greek word “koinonia” and encompasses both a spiritual and a practical component. In essence, when we are walking with God and attuned to His Spirit, we connect with others who are doing the same, whether we’ve known them for years or are meeting them for the first time. I’ve experienced this close, spiritual sense of community at small group, Bible study, and church services, as well as on mission and youth trips. Any time people gather with Jesus at the center, they discover the benefit and blessing of Christian fellowship.

We have the privilege of experiencing this dynamic when we commit to studying God’s Word with others. Gathering with believers to seek Jesus and to apply the Bible to our lives bonds us to one another. It also allows us to have rich, deep conversations. After walking with Jesus for many years, I’ve learned it doesn’t take long for the Holy Spirit living in me to recognize Himself in someone else I meet, no matter where I am. True fellowship flows naturally when people connected with God engage with one another. Koinonia doesn’t just involve being in the presence of other believers–it’s about connecting to enjoy your mutual love for Jesus. 

Here’s a glimpse from Scripture of what fellowship looked like in the early church:

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47, NLT)

One of my favorite aspects of this description is in the last verse–the Lord was adding to their fellowship daily those who were being saved. It wasn’t a clique or a closed system. The fellowship wasn’t for insiders or only those who already believed. This reminds me that true Christian community always has room to welcome newcomers and seekers of truth.

After being “fellowship starved” for the last six months, I’m ready to dive back into Bible study with a group this fall. It’s going to be a bit different meeting outside or on Zoom, but it’s worth it. I hope you’re not going to let COVID hold you back from doing the same. Get your fellowship tank filled by engaging with godly, gracious people on a consistent basis.

Prioritize koinonia in your weekly schedule and watch how it encourages your faith and enriches your life. I can’t say it any better than Scripture: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

If you haven’t found a place to plug in yet this fall, consider checking out these opportunities starting up this week at CPC Danville. Click here to view the many options available.

Let Sidewalk Prophets’ song “Come to the Table” inspire you to pursue consistent fellowship this fall.

Final Thoughts on Psalm 23

Trying to muster enthusiasm, I opened my book and began the first week’s lesson. Although Jennifer Rothschild’s Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me was well written and filled with encouraging Scriptures, it wasn’t drawing me in the way a new study usually does. The topic felt well-worn and familiar; comforting, but not relevant to my current circumstances. It was late February when I began it. Little did I know how much I’d need those reassuring words within a matter of weeks.

My small group met twice to discuss the lessons in person. Each gathering filled us with encouragement and hope as we pored over the richness of Psalm 23. The group’s enthusiasm drew me into the study and helped me to approach it with a more positive outlook. 

As we were in those first weeks kicking off Psalm 23, information about a highly contagious virus that was spreading rapidly began to dominate headlines. Within weeks, coronavirus went from being a news story about events unfolding on the other side of the globe to something that was affecting everyone in our community. Terms we’d never used before like “social distancing,” “flattening the curve,” and “sheltering in place” dominated our conversations. The word “unprecedented” became the quintessential description for the strange times we found ourselves in.

And through it all, Psalm 23 suddenly had fresh relevance in a new context. The chapters of the workbook that had initially seemed a bit too long suddenly brought me hope, encouragement, and reassurance. As shelter in place orders went into effect in our state, I enjoyed having extra time at home to contemplate the truth I found in the lessons. I savored each page and found fresh application from familiar Scriptures.

In her final teaching, Rothschild does a beautiful job wrapping up the study and showing how Psalm 23 illustrates the way God meets all of our needs. For me, it was another reminder of how relevant and practical the Bible is for everyday life. I don’t think I can do a better job than she does closing out the study, so I’ll share some of the points she made that struck me.

Rothschild explains that God provides for us in ways that have been studied in Human Psychology, specifically in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. She describes this theory by American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, “which puts forward that people are motivated by five basic categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization. In this theory, higher needs in the hierarchy begin to emerge when people feel they have sufficiently satisfied the previous need.” In her book, Rothschild uses Maslow’s visual of a pyramid to show how Psalm 23 reveals God meeting all of those needs. 

The bottom of the pyramid encompasses the most basic requirements of all humans. In order to function properly, we must have air, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. Psalm 23 starts by addressing our physiological needs, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Here, God reveals Himself as our primary provider.

Our next basic need is for safety. This includes security of our bodies, employment, resources, morality, family, health, and property. Rothschild points to Psalm 23:2, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.” The verse reveals how the Lord provides us with peace and security.

The third basic need of all humans is for love and social belonging—friendship, family, intimacy, and sense of connection with others. Psalm 23:3 describes how the Lord restores us to relationship with Himself and His flock: “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Here we see the Lord as the one who heals us from sin so that we can be restored to right relationship with Him. It’s a surprising piece of foreshadowing about Jesus described more completely in the New Testament: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (2 Cor 5:17-19, NIV) 

Psalm 23:4 also shows the intimacy and belonging we have with the Lord, which even death cannot take away from us: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, For you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The Lord is present with us always. Again, the New Testament expands on this: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)

Our next need is for self-esteem, respect, and confidence. Psalm 23:5 illustrates this by showing how the Lord honors and esteems us, even in the presence of our enemies: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” The Lord gives us the power and tools we need to stand firm in the face of our ultimate enemy: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13, NIV)

The final human need at the top of Maslow’s pyramid is self-actualization. Jennifer Rothschild explains that Maslow later clarified and used the phrase “self-transcendence” instead. Self-transcendence is being able look beyond ourselves, our needs and our wants to pursue something greater. It includes a desire for spiritual contemplation and realization. Psalm 23:6 reveals this desire and awareness of the Lord in His followers, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

It shouldn’t surprise me that God’s Word supports what psychologists have discovered–especially because He’s the one who designed the brain in the first place. However, my awe for Him doesn’t stop there. I’m also amazed at how He orchestrated the perfect timing of this study for us. The team that chose Jennifer Rothschild’s book for our group set the calendar a year ago. They had no idea we’d be facing a pandemic and sheltering at home when it came time to open the study. But God knew. It’s just one more example of His love, care, and provision for us personally. David’s words in Psalm 23 and Jennifer Rothschild’s detailed study of them will always remind me of tender moments with the Shepherd of my soul at a time when I desperately needed to feel His presence.

Enjoy Psalm 23 in the song “Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy” by Shane and Shane.

Jennifer Rotshchild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

Psalm 23 quoted from the New King James version.

 Information on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs compiled from Rothschild’s Session 7 teaching video and www.thought.co.com. https://www.thoughtco.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4582571

Seeing God Here and Now

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  (Psalm 23:6, NIV)

In the final pages of her study on Psalm 23, Jennifer Rothschild encourages us to recognize how we can experience God’s presence now. She says “God invites us to dwell in His house forever…But forever has already started. You are dwelling right now in His house. The whole world is His sanctuary. Every created thing brings Him praise. Wherever God is becomes a sacred place. The planet is full of God’s presence.” (p. 195)

I’m captivated by the beauty of creation and feel the Lord’s presence and pleasure in natural settings. As we’ve been sheltering at home through the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been grateful to have continued opportunities to enjoy God’s creation through time outdoors. Since many of us are prevented from experiencing the magnitude and majesty of nature right now, I thought I’d bring it to you. As you read the Scriptures and gaze at His beauty captured in photos below them, let them remind you of His power and presence in this very moment.

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,  like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.”  (Psalm 19:4b-6, NIV)

  • Lake Shasta, CA
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,  who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations” (Psalm 65:5-7, NIV)

  • Sierra Nevadas & Tahoe
  • Makena Beach, Maui

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8 NIV)

  • Mexico Sunrise
  • Maui Sunset

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30, NIV)

  • A plant in a forest Description automatically generated
    Mount Diablo State Park
  • Mount Diablo State Park

“’I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’” (Luke 9:20, NIV)

  • A stone building that has a rock wall Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA
  • Half Moon Bay, CA

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25, NIV)

Mt. Saint-Michel, France

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”  (Acts 17:24-27, NIV)

  • A sunset over a sandy beach Description automatically generated
    Encinitas, CA

God is equally attentive to the small details and the big picture. Nothing that happens on earth is a surprise to Him and everything He’s created is meant to point us back to Him. Whatever emotions the COVID-19 pandemic uncovers in you, let the Lord reveal Himself in the midst of them. Keep looking up and letting Him teach you. Let Lauren Daigle’s “Look Up Child” remind you of this truth.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018.

A Good Guide

Speeding through the roundabout, traffic laws seemed to be mere suggestions to the tiny cars zipping by us. As pedestrians newly arrived in Rome, we approached intersections with apprehension, not entirely confident that cars would stop when we crossed. Nearing our destination, I walked in silence, my anxiety mounting with each step. Somehow, the bike tour I’d booked for our family didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.

Moments later we met our guide, Marco, a native Roman who loved his city and relished showing it off to tourists. As we climbed onto our bikes, he assured us that he knew all the safest routes to navigate us through the historic neighborhoods. Soon we were rolling over ancient streets that felt more like quaint alleys. And anytime we did cross a busy road, Marco got off his bike and held up an authoritative hand to stop traffic for us. Within minutes, we began to relax and enjoy the sites. Guided by Marco, we tasted Rome’s best gelato, got insider scoop on good places to eat, and heard fascinating stories about numerous landmarks. The tour far exceeded our expectations and ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the Eternal City. Never once had we felt unsafe under Marco’s watchful guidance. At the end, he invited us to give him a good review online so others could experience what we had. Marco had been an excellent guide not just for our good, but for the sake of his business. It was a win-win for us and for him.

I thought of that afternoon ride in Rome as I studied another verse from Psalm 23: “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3, NASB) Even better than our attentive bike tour guide, the Lord is the ultimate guide for our lives.  Jennifer Rothschild explains, “What God does, He does for His name’s sake. His actions are for His praise. The beautiful benefit, though, is that what brings Him glory brings us good.” (p. 104)

Maybe you’re wondering how to access the Lord’s guidance in your life. Not surprisingly, the answers can be found in Scripture.  It all starts with our attitudes. God guides those who want to follow His lead, not those who tell Him how they want things done: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” (Psalm 25:9-10, NIV) Letting our Shepherd lead us requires the humility to acknowledge that His ways are best. This is reiterated throughout Scripture, as we see here: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7, NIV) Trusting the Lord’s wisdom shows humility and leads to right living.

Another way to follow God as our guide is to study the Bible and apply what we learn. Jennifer Rothschild puts it simply, “Stay in his Word, and you will stay in His will.” (p. 100) The Old Testament advice of Joshua still applies today, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8a, NIV) Knowing Scripture helps us to align with God’s ways and equips us to follow Him. As we do this, we can say with confidence, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

In conjunction with His Word, God uses the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus explained this in one of His last teachings to the disciples before being crucified, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-14, NIV)

Anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior receives the Holy Spirit as a constant guide: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1;13-14, NIV) 

While the Spirit is there to guide us, we must be willing to listen to His prompting. This happens more consistently when we incorporate regular time to be still before the Lord, to pray, and to seek Him. When we fill our days until they’re overflowing and rush through life asking God to bless what we’re doing, this doesn’t lend itself to sensing the quiet and gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I recognize the Spirit’s prompting when I’m focused on Him and free of distractions. Often, it’s in the morning during my quiet time when I read something in Scripture that speaks to me in a specific way. The Spirit also gets my attention during worship services at church, when I’m outside enjoying His creation, and when I’m listening to music that honors Him. The more I place myself in a mindset to hear from the Lord, the more sensitive I become to His voice and prompting. 

As I write this, Marco’s fabulous bike tours in historic Rome are suspended indefinitely. We are in an unprecedented season as COVID-19 continues to spread and life as usual has come to a halt. The Wall Street Journal sums it up: “In a matter of days, the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped American society, unmooring people from the routines and activities that typically provide comfort in moments of crisis: work, worship, concerts, sports, gatherings with family and friends, the embrace of loved ones.” But in this chaotic time, let’s not forget God’s sovereignty. None of this is a surprise to Him. As we encounter life disrupted, let’s be expectant that the Lord is using this season for our good and His glory. As distractions are eliminated, we have the opportunity to hear God more clearly. Will you join me in praying for His guidance? Let’s ask how He wants believers to respond to this worldwide disruption. Perhaps He’s drawing us into a closer relationship with Him and guiding us to share His love, hope, and comfort with others during this unusual time.

Listen to Rend Collective’s “Your Name is Power” with the coronavirus pandemic in mind. Let it give you hope, encouragement, and inspiration. Then share that hope with someone else who needs it.

Photo credit: Fat Tire Tours, Rome

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 3.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Valerie Bauerlein, “How Coronavirus Remade American Life in One Weekend”, The Wall Street Journal online, March 15, 2020.

The Lion of Judah

Reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a child, I became captivated by Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Peter and their many adventures in the magical land of Narnia. As an adult, I re-read the books to my kids and reveled in them again. C.S. Lewis portrays the central character, Aslan, as a Christ figure. His choice to use a lion for this role is no coincidence; he knew the deep biblical symbolism associated with this majestic animal.

Near the end of Jacob’s life, he pronounced a blessing on each of his sons. His words for Judah relate directly to the symbolism C.S. Lewis borrowed to create the character of Aslan:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came (the Messiah). And ultimately, He would command the obedience of the nations.

The promise of the Messiah began in Genesis, first with Adam and Eve when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continued with Abraham, whose offspring would bless all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that would one day command the obedience of the nations. (We are still waiting for this part of the promise to be fulfilled).

The next time we see this term used is in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. The scene he describes is a vision of the heavenly throne room. In it, John sees that there is a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. But John’s fears are unfounded:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

This connection between the first and last book of the Bible amazes me. John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophetic statements made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who follow Him to share in His ultimate victory over death. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing to Judah? He talked about Judah’s family line ruling until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that one day the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah who the New Testament reveals as Jesus.

The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation. Taking a step back to view the bigger picture every now and then gives us an even deeper understanding of God’s greatness and the way His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing.

So what’s the appropriate response to this amazing news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness we, “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus and to honor Him through the way we live.

Revel in the consistency of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

*Some material for this blog came from an article on gotquestions.org. To read it, click here.