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Archive for January, 2017

Ireland for Christ – Cliffs of Hope

Posted in Ministries, tagged , , , on January 27, 2017|

During my trip to Ireland last year, I visited a part of Ireland far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities like Galway and Dublin-the beautiful North County Clare. It is in this part of Ireland that you will find the Cliffs of Moher. Words don’t do them justice, so I’ll share some photos.

The beauty of the cliffs is only one reason for their fame. The Cliffs are also famous because in a nation plagued by suicide, the Cliffs of Moher are a spot from which many people cast their lives aside.

But God has seen fit to bring a different message from the cliffs. I became more acquainted  on my trip with John McCarthy, the founder of a ministry known as the Cliffs of Hope . The ministry also has a Facebook page Cliffs of Hope.

John McCarthy is a local business owner – he owns and operates Lahinch Surf School in Lahinch, just a short drive from the Cliffs of Moher.

John was something of a surf celebrity in Ireland. He continues to surf, but his heart is for the lost and hurting in Ireland. He shares stories and encouragement through videos. You can find a variety of them on his Facebook page and his website. I encourage you to check him out.

For some of the other ministries I visited check out North Clare County and Galway.

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Psalm 7

Posted in Psalms, tagged , , on January 24, 2017|

Read Psalm 7
1. What background and/or historical knowledge do you have for this Psalm?

2. What is the significance (meaning) of the name “Yahweh?”

3. What is David asking for in this psalm?

4. What does “selah” mean or signify?

5. How does David describe the evil or wicked one?

6. What do you learn about God’s character in this psalm? (verses 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

7. What is the change that occurs from the beginning of the psalm to the end in the mind/emotions of the psalmist?

8. What is the significance (meaning) of the name “Most High” (El Elyon) in verse 17?

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Psalm 6

Posted in Psalms, tagged , , on January 6, 2017|

Read Psalm 6

1. What background and/or historical knowledge do you have for this Psalm?

2. What is the prayer of David to God in the opening verses?

3. What do you learn about David’s situation, mental state? Give verses to support.

4. Where does the transition in tone occur in this psalm?

Going deeper: What does “sheminith” mean?

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Psalm 5

Posted in Biblical Literacy, Psalms, tagged , , on January 4, 2017|

Read Psalm 5
Because the Psalm is short, try to read it over several times during the week. Maybe even in different translations.

Psalm 5 is considered an individual lament psalm because it is a cry for help to God in a time of distress.

1. What background and/or historical knowledge do you have for this Psalm?

2. What is the Psalmist asking of God in the opening verses?

3. What does David (Psalmist here) have to say about God’s conduct and character? (Verses 3-6)

4. How does David describe his time with God? (Verses 7-8)

5. How does David describe his adversaries?
Going Deeper: From what you know of his life, who were some of David’s adversaries?

6. What do you learn about David from this Psalm? God? Believers (those who love God/righteous)?

7. What application can you make to your own life?

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Building Biblical Literacy in 2017

Posted in Biblical Literacy, tagged , , on January 3, 2017|

Hopefully, you were reading your Bible this year. There are many different ways to read systematically through the Bible. This is the most effective way of ensuring you are not “cherry-picking” scriptures to read – that is choosing those parts of the Bible that say the things that you like and don’t confront you in the areas where you are not lined up with God. It is important to study the whole counsel of God to know God and to be able to walk with Him consistently – in the good times and in the tough times.

The following are some links to help you find a schedule of reading that suits your desires:

Blue Letter Bible reading plans

Ligonier Bible Reading

Christianity.com

While it is not the time frame in which you finish reading the Bible through, it is the consistent, daily, verse-by-verse and chapter-by-chapter reading of the Bible that makes a huge difference. It is not that you will understand everything or apply everything, but it is the idea that you are exposing yourself to the entire revelation of God. By doing that consistently over time, you will begin to see that the word of God will change you.

I also recommend that as you read through the Bible, you write down verses or sections of scripture that minister or speak to you on any given day. This writing out of scripture helps to reinforce it in your mind. It also helps you to meditate on it as you write it out by hand.

The benefits of a journal are to numerous to go into here, but perhaps that is a topic for another post.

May the LORD richly bless your efforts to study His word consistently every day of 2017.

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