Post by Admin on Apr 26, 2018 6:10:54 GMT
Tonight, we opened the discussion with some introspection: to think about a problem or a dilemma that we have faced for more than one year. With that problem in mind, we next considered why we think the issue has dragged on, presumably when we have given our effort to resolve it. Is it because we have not truly let God have control of the problem, even when consciously we say we have? When God does not respond to our problems, do we think He is ignoring us – or are we not tuned in to Him?
Psalm 40 has some really beautiful lines. Verse 2 describes being in a slimy pit then lifted out to firm rock – we talked about how the pit would feel, and what attitudes (including bitterness and anger) close in on us and make us feel that we are in a dark and slimy place, away from God’s warmth and light (the firm place). Verse 3 is about a grateful joyousness that prompts us to sing – we talked about whether God makes us sing, or if our response to God’s love comes out of us in song. Verse 5 says that God has done too many good things to talk about, while verse 12 counterbalances with a statement that troubles number more than the hairs on our heads – we discussed whether good things outweigh bad things, or the other way around, or if they balance out.
Hebrews 10 (starting at verse 3) quotes part of Psalm 40 (starting at verse 6), stating that this is what Christ said. Of course, the Psalms were written well before Christ. We looked at the verses to see how they reflected Christ’s life, particularly since they start with the statement that God doesn’t desire sacrifice and offering. This was interesting territory since God established the rules for sacrifice and offering, although our understanding matches the words of this Psalm: God wants our hearts, not our rituals and forced rule-abiding. Christ is certainly the model for doing God’s will, and living with His law of love, and speaking of God’s love everywhere.
We closed with a song, “Bless His Holy Name,” written by Andrae Crouch. Don had brought the verse of a song to share tonight as well, this one a familiar chorus his mother sang, “I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me.“ Turns out, it was also written by Andrae Crouch, who was a gospel singer and a pastor (with his twin sister) at a church in Pacoima. He also wrote "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." So here are verses from both songs.
I don't know why Jesus loved me
I don't know why He cared
I don't know why He sacrificed His life
Oh, but I'm glad, so glad He did
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name.
He has done great things,
He has done great things,
He has done great thing,
bless His holy name.
Psalm 40 has some really beautiful lines. Verse 2 describes being in a slimy pit then lifted out to firm rock – we talked about how the pit would feel, and what attitudes (including bitterness and anger) close in on us and make us feel that we are in a dark and slimy place, away from God’s warmth and light (the firm place). Verse 3 is about a grateful joyousness that prompts us to sing – we talked about whether God makes us sing, or if our response to God’s love comes out of us in song. Verse 5 says that God has done too many good things to talk about, while verse 12 counterbalances with a statement that troubles number more than the hairs on our heads – we discussed whether good things outweigh bad things, or the other way around, or if they balance out.
Hebrews 10 (starting at verse 3) quotes part of Psalm 40 (starting at verse 6), stating that this is what Christ said. Of course, the Psalms were written well before Christ. We looked at the verses to see how they reflected Christ’s life, particularly since they start with the statement that God doesn’t desire sacrifice and offering. This was interesting territory since God established the rules for sacrifice and offering, although our understanding matches the words of this Psalm: God wants our hearts, not our rituals and forced rule-abiding. Christ is certainly the model for doing God’s will, and living with His law of love, and speaking of God’s love everywhere.
We closed with a song, “Bless His Holy Name,” written by Andrae Crouch. Don had brought the verse of a song to share tonight as well, this one a familiar chorus his mother sang, “I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me.“ Turns out, it was also written by Andrae Crouch, who was a gospel singer and a pastor (with his twin sister) at a church in Pacoima. He also wrote "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." So here are verses from both songs.
I don't know why Jesus loved me
I don't know why He cared
I don't know why He sacrificed His life
Oh, but I'm glad, so glad He did
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name.
He has done great things,
He has done great things,
He has done great thing,
bless His holy name.