The Family Bible Journey Podcast

Paul uses a pretty gross analogy to help us understand how the world views us. Our faith isn't just a little different than worldly ways. It is completely incompatible with worldly wisdom. But that's ok if our theology far surpasses the so-called "wisdom" of today.

We are encouraged in this psalm to seek the Lord where He may be found, in worship and His Word. The world seeks validation in dollar signs and followers, but we seek the signs of God's love where He promises to bless us. When we do, we are blessed, as we walk in His way.

It stinks when God's people are oppressed. Sometimes, people even conspire against us. When we find ourselves suffering, even unjustly, we have comfort in knowing that God will make all things right in the end.

In a world where people are tempted to divide themselves into smaller and smaller factions, Paul reminds us that in Christ jesus, we are united. Why then is it so easy for us to be divided? Because we often inadvertently fall into looking at each other in mere human ways. But the hope for our human relationships is found in Jesus. He Who reconciled us with His Heavenly Father can most certainly re...

Sometimes God chastises us by giving us what we ask for. In this way, he shows us a few things. The foolishness of sin. The wisdom of His way. The depth of his love when He forgives us.

In these two psalms, we hear the prayers of God's people when he allows them to suffer for their folly, followed by a plea for his love and forgiveness. In these twin psalms, we hear a beautiful expression of God's love for His people in the Hebrew phrase translated as, "may your face shine upon us." This is a tender expression of God's unending love which we can never outrun.

Paul spent months of his life peddling his tents and preaching the gospel in the shadow of the ancient Temple of Apollo. He took the Greek god of wisdom to task, by proclaiming the surpassing wisdom of the God Who is rich in mercy and love.

The enduring faithfulness described in this psalm works two ways. First, there is a detailed account of the Lord's enduring faithfulness to His people, despite their stubbornness towards Him. Second, it encourages us to endure in faithfulness by sharing Christ with coming generations. For those who are journaling with us through the Bible, it is a great double blessing!

Sleepless nights are the worst! When we are oppressed spiritually, and greatly distressed, it's good for us to remember God's deliverance of His people of old. He didn't save them because they were any better than you, but simply because He loved them. He will also deliver you and use your time of distress to draw you ever closer to Himself in love.

First century Corinth was so similar to our current age that there are innumerable applications to our lives. In our Corinthian episodes, we will learn how poignant these lessons are as we hear how deeply rooted Paul's preaching was in the life of this thriving ancient metropolis.

As Asaph wrestles with the terrifying reality of God's wrath, he finds hope in the Lord's promises. St. Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 3:25-26, where we see how God makes a way for His faithful people to enter His kingdom in Christ. Only in Jesus can we make sense of the forgiveness of sins, and the God Who will judge all in equity and justice.

There are times when it seems the whole world is falling apart. These times, that try our souls, God uses to bring our hearts and attention back to Him. But how do we pray, when it seems all is lost? By calling upon God's promises and remember his unchanging love.

Paul encourages us to embrace the victory we have over satan in Christ Jesus by bringing people together and encouraging them in Christ. When we invest our time, energy and financial resources in the Lord's kingdom, we are a blessing to others as He is a blessing to us. We also experience a measure of love, joy and peace that the world can not take away.

In this psalm, Asaph, the psalmist, wrestles with the temptation to find his purpose and glory in the fleeting desires of his heart. Confessing his sin, and expressing his inner turmoil, he finds his way as he considers God's perspective, and meditates on God's promises. When we are confused, and tempted to go the way of the world, God is there to forgive our sin and guide us in His truth.

This final psalm of the second book of psalms is a psalm of all the Redeemed. We join David in praising our Redeemer King, Jesus! His victory is our victory, and so we have every reason to praise Him, both now and forever.

This world adores the strong, popular and entertaining. So many are measured by likes and followers, that many are acting in outlandish and foolish ways, just to get noticed. Instead of seeking power or popularity, Christians are called to bear with the weak, endure suffering, and elevate others, instead of promoting themselves.

It is good for us to know that when we are down, we pray to a God Who knows exactly how we feel, because He's been there and felt that. Jesus became one of us so that He could know and carry our burdens. Even when we feel far from Him and doubt His love, He is there for us.

Too many see the Bible as just another religious text. The precise prophecies of this psalm are a powerful connection to God and His love. They prove that the Bible is more than just a human creation, it is Truth, Life and Love inspired by God's Holy Spirit.

If someone fails to obtain the salvation that Jesus has lived and died that all may know it, whose fault is it? We wrestle with a theory issue of theology in this episode.

This psalm crosses from the realm of poetry into prophecy! The Ascension of Christ, and our ascension into glory are both clearly proclaimed here, nearly 1,000 years before Jesus was even born! These powerful, well-documented prophecies, and the promises they contain, give us good reason to share our faith boldly with those whom we love.

Here we are challenged in what it means to praise and worship. Nature, by its mere existence, praises God. Why then is it so hard for us to find the time and desire to praise Him? When we live inline with His purposes, our lips naturally overflow with His praise, and our lives in worship.

This chapter encourages the faithful to live in submission to the authorities. How do we do that when they are so corrupt and even unjust? By trusting the Lord with judgement, and by seeking to live according to His way.

We learn from creation and the psalmist, to praise God not only for what He does, but rather, for Who He Is! Being loved for who you are is so much more fulfilling than being loved for what you do. In this psalm, we are encouraged to praise God not merely for what He does for us but, more importantly, Who He Is to us.

We have good reason to live lives of faith and love! In Christ Jesus, all of our sin is gone, and all of the good that we do in faith will remain forever! This fills us with joy as we live-out our faith, by sharing God's love.

After spending many chapters talking about those who reject the Holy Spirit, Paul pivots back to describing the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the saints. When the Holy Spirit brings us to faith, he continues to shape and mold us in the faith. We are transformed by a renewal of the mind. Imperfect though we may be, we strive to be the change we want to see in the world.