Take a Deep Breath ... Preparing for Praying the Psalms

Take a deep breath...

 

It’s what we do to fully appreciate our surroundings in nature

…standing at a vista overlooking the water or the mountains

It’s what we do to relax when afflicted by anxious thoughts

...I need new perspective and fresh energy for facing this trial

It’s what we do when we’re about to jump into deep water

…how long will I be under until I resurface?

 

For Christians through the ages, reading and praying the Psalms has been our way of breathing deeply in the spiritual life. 

 

We take a deep breath of the Spirit when we praise God for creation along with Psalm 8 …

Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

We take a deep breath of the Spirit when we breathe in the words of Psalm 27:1 & 46:1 …

The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

We struggle for the deep breath of God’s Spirit in saying the words of Psalm 22, as Jesus did on the cross …

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

 

Lyrics from the popular song “Radioactive” by rock band Imagine Dragons remind us that not every deep breath is life-giving – it really matters what you’re breathing in!
 

I’m waking up to ash and dust;

I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust;

I’m breathing in the chemicals.

(audible deep breath and slow, labored exhale)

 

Alternatively, the deep breath God provides through the Psalms is aptly described in these lyrics from the song “Breathe” by the Christian rock band Superchick – itself a psalm sung, a prayer prayed, to the Lord:
 

Please tell me you’ll fight this fight

I can’t see without your light

I need you to breathe into my life

 

Starting in October and continuing through December, the focus of my weekly blog will be to take a deep breath from one psalm each week and learn how to pray it, to make it our very own prayer to God.  I invite you to follow along – http://lectiocoach.blogspot.com - as we invite God to breathe into our lives.

 

Together in Christ,

Pastor Kurt        

The Book of James - Understanding How It Fits in the Bible

James as the Introduction
to the Catholic Epistle Collection of the Bible
September 16-22

www.spu.edu/lectio

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You've Read the First Book - Now Read the Entire Collection!

The Catholic Epistle Collection:

• James
• Peter's Letters (1 & 2)
• John's Letters (1, 2, & 3)
• Jude

Since there's no specific scripture passage outlined for reading this week, I encourage you to read the entire Catholic Epistle section of the Bible this week.  You've already read James...just continue reading until you get to Revelation.  Dr. Nienhuis mentions that this entire section is shorter than 2 Corinthians (a lot of the books are really brief!).

As you read, remember these three themes common to all the books of the collection:

1. Believers experience TRIALS.
2. God doesn't leave believers to deal with trials alone, but gives them WORDS OF TRUTH (wisdom) for their salvation.
3. God's people must put these words of truth into PRACTICE, living pure and undefiled lives in the midst of trials & temptations.

James: Wrapping up the Study
Group Discussion

Compare two scripture passages that seem to be saying something different about the relationship between faith & works (belief & actions).

Paul: Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 5:5-6
James: James 2:14-18

1. What is Paul saying about faith & works in the Ephesians and Galatians verses?
2. How might someone take what he says to an unhelpful extreme?  How might someone use what Paul says to "disconnect" faith & actions?
3. What does James say about faith and works?
4. How does it differ from what Paul said?  How might adding it to what Paul says provide a balanced view?
5. How would you study the Bible knowing there are different perspectives on an issue in different parts of the Bible?

Next up...We begin our reading of the PSALMS!  My blog will focus on learning to PRAY the Psalms as we read them...

In Christ,

Kurt

The Book of James ... chapters 4 & 5

The Wise Community
James 4:11-5:20

September 9-15
www.spu.edu/lectio


Dr. Nienhuis divides up these concluding verses of the book of James into two main sections

• James 4:11-5:6 ... Wisdom from Below
• James 5:7-18 ... Wisdom from Above

Wisdom from below is "the way things are," ways of living and relating to others that God wants to see changed.  Wisdom from above is God's suggestion for how we should live.


Wisdom from Below - What God Wants You to Avoid
There are three examples given of wisdom from below.  Perhaps you'll recognize these in your own experience:

Slander (4:11-12)
In this life, you will run across people who think it's okay to slander others.  Slander may not be a word we use all the time, but it happens every day.  We slander others when we say anything false or not-yet-proven about another person.  A person has been slandered when their reputation has been injured. 

• How does slander happen in the circles you run in? 
• Think about your conversations with others during the day - what percentage of time is given to talking about other people?  
• How does this happen in Christian circles? 
• What are some strategies you can use to apply James 4:11?  
• How might you hold one another accountable? 

Arrogant Plans (4:13-17)
In this life, you will run across people who make arrogant plans as if they were in control of everything.  This section describes someone who is self-confident to a fault.  They are planning to go on a business trip to make a lot of money.  The problem is that there are limits to their control over what will happen in the future...even the near future of tomorrow.

• Do you know people who are sure they have everything figured out and therefore don't have any need for God or the church?
• How are you tempted to have this outlook?
• What things in life remind you that you're not in control of everything?
• What difference does it make to add the phrase "if it's the Lord's will" to your personal and professional plans?
• Read verse 17.  What do you think of the concept of sins of omission?  What is a recent example from your life? 

Rich People Who Deal Unfairly with Those Who Work for Them (5:1-6)
In this life, you will run across wealthy people who don't care about the people who work for them.  One of the reasons why low-wage workers get paid so little is that the money that could be used to pay them more is used for some other purpose before it gets to them.  Sure, businesses need to be developed and maintained, and investing profits in the business continues to provide job opportunities.  But profits are also diverted into the bank accounts, homes, cars, retirement plans, and vacation property of those at the top of the chain of command.

• Based on what you read in the first 6 verses of chapter 5, what do you think James would say to business owners and others in highly-paid positions?
• At this stage in your life, are you more like one of the wealthy James is describing or more like one of the workers? 
• Have you ever been a "grunt" worker at the bottom of the chain of command?  How did you want to be treated?
• Do you know of any major businesses that make it a point to "take care of" their workers?  Why do you think they do this?  What sacrifices might be made by whom in order to make this possible?

Wisdom from Above...God's Prescription for Living

Patience in Suffering (James 5:7-12)
Life isn't easy, but God gives us the strength to be patient in the midst of difficulties.  We are encouraged to be patient and stand firm.  And, in keeping with the major theme of "the tongue/words we say" in James, we are told not to grumble.

• When the going gets tough, what are you tempted to grumble about?
• What can you substitute for grumbling that will help you be patient and stand firm as you wait for God?

The Power of Prayer (James 5:13-20)
Life is full of troubles, but God calls His people to meet these needs with powerful prayers.  Sometimes we need reminding that prayer works. This section is mostly about praying for people who are in trouble - including sickness and being sick with sin.  We are given specific instruction and an important reminder: "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

• How is praying for someone and loving them similar? different?
• When you see someone who is troubled, what about telling them you'd like to pray for them.  What would keep you from doing this? What might strengthen you to be prepared to pray?
• Explore how you and/or your group might be able to make this happen:

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.


Next up...Psalms!

Pastor Kurt

Reading James - Who is Wise Among You? James 3:1-4:10

James 3:1-4:10
Who is Wise Among You?

www.spu.edu/lectio

Overview
Today’s reading is divided into three major sections, the first two (James 3:1–12, 13–18) building on what has come before, in order to come to a dramatic climax in the third (4:1–10)...

First Section
Thus far James has implied a good deal about the dangers of speech (1:13, 19, 26), but 3:1–12 will explain the problem in detail...

Second Section
We’ve been told that enduring the trials of life will require wisdom from God (1:5), and 3:13–18 will help us understand more precisely the difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world...

Third Section
After this, 4:1–10 will begin with some uncomfortable questions and conclude with a memorable call to repentance designed to send us to our knees, where real faith in God begins...

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Who doesn't need a reminder about "taming the tongue?" 

Is it a coincidence that we're reading this the week school starts up and life for many of us returns to normal? 

God may have a purpose in mind...why might God be bringing up this subject for you to consider?

Something to chew on: What do you think of this gem from Dr. Nienhuis? 
"Let’s state it plainly: The person whose speech is uncontrolled is doing the work of the devil."


Until next week,

Keep on reading the Word!