Category Archives: Psalms

A Snapshot of the History of the World – Mike Spaulding

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earth-from-space-634x633

One of my greatest joys in life is to teach the Bible to people. Sunday, Wednesday or any other time is always a good time to open up the Bible and hear what God wants to say to us today.

Lately I have had an increasing opportunity to discuss events we are witnessing in America and around the world with many people. I see this as a great blessing from God and also as a responsibility that I do not take lightly.

Several passages have risen to the top of these many discussions as they represent focal points to seeing and understanding world events.

The Bible serves as a remarkable filter in this respect. One of the most often asked questions is “What is wrong with the world today?” This type of question is almost always followed by “What can we do?”

The answer to these two questions is found in Psalm 2. In 12 verses the psalmist succinctly describes a timeless truth. That truth is this – when people abandon God terrible things happen.

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Faith and Freedom Friday- God Contends With Those Who Contend With His People-Pt 1

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prepper recon psalm 35 pic

My friend Mark Goodwin – author of The Economic Collapse Chronicles, The Days of Noah series, and his latest offering, Behold Darkness and Sorrow, was kind enough to post my 5-part teaching through Psalm 35. His synopsis is below.

God will defend His people against those who oppose Him and them. How far will God go and how far should the Christian go in denouncing evil? Psalm 35 gives us an in-depth look into the answer to that question and much more. Buckle up for this 5-part teaching through Psalm 35. You might be surprised by what you will learn.

This Part 1 lays the groundwork for the studies that will follow and as such serves as an introduction to the principles that are drawn out of the text in the last 4 parts.

View other teachings from Pastor Mike on his YouTube channel HERE – Calvary Chapel of Lima.

Listen to Psalm 35 Part 1 here.

Marks’ website – www.prepperrecon.com

Having the Mind of Christ

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mind-of-christ

I have found the book of Psalms to be a gold mine of knowledge and encouragement and if grasped and applied, wisdom. As most of you who follow this blog and ministry know, I have been teaching through Psalms for nearly two years now and a conservative estimate is that it will take five to seven more years to complete. I say that because I have made it to Psalm 39 and extrapolating from there gives me a good idea of what to expect. Aiding the five to seven year time frame is the fact that I have already taught through Psalm 119. That chapter alone took me nearly nine months.  I say all of this to drive home the point that the Bible is so full of nourishment for believers that it is a shame so many Bible teachers hurry through it as if they have a schedule to maintain. In doing so they miss the rich texture and multi-layered significance of the Word.

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Love Lifted Me

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Jesus saves from drowning

I am in my study preparing for tomorrow’s sermon in which I will be teaching through Psalm 38.  I began this chapter last week and laid the groundwork for what I will cover tomorrow. Meditating on 38:4 created a word picture for me. Here is the verse:

“For my iniquities are gone over my head;
As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me” (NASB)

What do you picture? I picture a person lost at sea and becoming overwhelmed by the waves and slowly but inevitably losing the fight against the power of the ocean and sinking into death.

The Psalmist is describing sin in this passage. Sin is devastating to our physical and spiritual man. It will if left unchecked slowly swallow us up by shear force. What a picture this is of the person who refuses to cry out to Jesus in saving faith and instead slowly sinks into death.

Jesus casts a wide net to rescue all who are perishing in the sea of sin; all who cry out, “save me Jesus for I am a sinner.” Friends Jesus lifts us up out of our sin and puts our feet on the solid ground of trust, hope, faith, and love.

This picture reminded me of an old hymn I enjoy singing. Be blessed today friends in the hope and asurance that Christ brings to every soul who by faith belongs to Him.

Love Lifted Me

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain:
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves;
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

Words and music by James Rowe, 1912

Copyright: Public Domain

SER 15 – Dr. Mike Heiser – The Divine Council

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Mike Heiser

Psalm 82:1 in the NASB says, “God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.” Note that “rulers” used here in the NASB is better translated “gods” or elohim.

This same passage in the ESV says, “God has taken His place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment.” This is a better translation from the original Hebrew.

The Old Testament gives a clear picture of Yahweh utilizing a divine council of elohim to administer the affairs of the cosmos. Indeed the Israelites believed in a multitude of elohim but only assigned certain characteristics to one elohim, the divine name Hashem. Is this news to you?

Episode 15 is my interview with Dr. Mike Heiser on Soaring Eagle Radio. Listen here.

Dr. Mike Heiser is the Scholar-in-Residence at Logos Bible Software. He holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Hebrew and Semitic Studies and the University of Pennsylvania in Ancient History with a focus on Egypt and Syria-Palestine.

His websites for more information are:

Main site with a wealth of Bible studies and resources – http://drmsh.com/

His books The Facade and The Unseen Realm – http://www.readthefacade.com/

Divine Council information – http://www.thedivinecouncil.com/

This episode and every episode can be discussed on the SER website – www.soaringeagleradio.com