Bible: Psalms Archives - Baptist & Reflector

NOV. 22: COMMITTED TO HIS WORSHIP

November 16, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Psalm 99:1-9

Psalm 99 is part of a group of five psalms (Psalms 95-99) that are called by most scholars, “Royal Psalms,” or “Coronation Psalms.” They are a group of Psalms that exalt God as Creator, the righteous Judge, and the Sovereign Lord who forgives and saves.

Well, in the last of these five psalms extolling the greatness of our God, we are taught that God is our King, and therefore, He is to be worshiped as King over all! The question is, are we committed to worshiping God as King over all? [Read more…]

NOV. 1: COMMITTED TO HIS WORD

October 26, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Psalm 119:1-11

Remember the words: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and hide its word in my heart that I may not sin against God.” While we do not know who wrote Psalm 119, we can see that he was a person committed to God’s Word.

Throughout this psalm, the author writes of his love for God’s Word, his hunger for God’s Word, his desire to obey it, and his need for the Word of God in his life. The words of Psalm 119 should be the heart words of every faithful follower of Christ.

In our text, we see several key thoughts as we think about our commitment to the Word of God. What these verses tell us is that there are some benefits to living a life committed to the Bible. [Read more…]

OCT. 11: HONOR ALL RELATIONSHIPS

October 5, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:15-17; Psalm 37:1-6

As we come to the last three commandments, we need to remember that these commandments are just as important as the others.

They should not be thought of as add-ons just to make the commandments an even 10. They are as important as the first seven, and some scholars even believe that the tenth commandment may be the most important of all.

Matter of fact, the prohibition against theft (“thou shalt not steal”) and coveting are often treated in relation to one another, and for good reason. You see, most people understand they should not take something that does not belong to them (“steal”).

However, many forget that stealing, theft or burglary start inside a covetous heart. Martin Luther wrote: “Covetousness is a very seductive thing.” One of early Christianity’s greatest preachers, John Chrysostom, said that covetousness is more dangerous than the sins of the flesh. It is an unhealthy desire. [Read more…]

SEPT. 13: HONOR GOD

September 7, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:7-11; Psalm 145:1-7

Most have heard the famous line from Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to God, it is a big deal. Following the first two commandments prohibiting false worship and idolatry, God rightly turns to His holy name, and tells Israel, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

Now the average Baptist thinks, “Well, I am safe, because I have never taken God’s name in vain.” Most think this means that adding a curse word to God’s name is the only way this commandment is broken. However, keeping the third commandment involves far more than profanity. For example, we may break this command through disingenuous service for God. In other words, we serve “in Jesus’ name,” but out of routine or ritual, instead of serving Christ out of a heart of love and devotion (Philippians 2:3-5).

Another way we break the command is through the misuse or misappropriation of His name. In other words, we use His name or our title as “Christian” for personal advantages. Sometimes a believer misunderstands the will of God, and takes His name in vain, as he or she speaks on God’s behalf, saying, “The Lord spoke to me.” They then proceed to tell you they know the will of God better than you. It is like Eliphaz telling Job that God revealed to him why he was suffering, when Eliphaz had no idea (Job 4:12). [Read more…]

SEPT. 6: PLACE GOD FIRST

August 31, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage:
Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11

In 2011, I walked out of an airport and into a taxi in one of the largest cities in South Asia. It was a complete sensory overload. I never experienced anything like it in my life.

The sights, sounds, and even the smells were unforgettable. But one of the most shocking things I remember seeing was the literal idol worship on what seemed to be on every corner. From small shrines on the side of the road, to huge temples in the heart of the city, the idols and the idol worshipers seemed to be everywhere.

Immediately, I began to think, “How could these people so blatantly break the first two of the Ten Commandments?” I would later realize that this is exactly what people do who do not have a relationship with the one true and living God. You see, lost people “have other gods besides” the Lord. [Read more…]

DEC. 8: IS THERE A GOD?

December 2, 2019

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Psalm 19:1-6; 111:7-10

I remember as a boy walking to the deer stand on cold, clear mornings, well before the sun began to dawn. On those nights, away from the lights of town, the stars filled the sky with an occasional shooting star passing in sight. Those were times of wonder and awe as I looked into the vastness of space. I could see the visible wonders of the universe and knew in my heart there is a God who created it all.

Many years have passed since those carefree days of discovery. Yet, through these years, my wonder and awe of the creative power of God has grown. As pictures from telescopes and space voyages reveal, the universe is much larger than we can see or grasp. With hundreds of millions of stars in our galaxy alone, the next nearest to our sun being 4.2 light years away, truly we can proclaim with the Psalmist in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

The universe, the sun, the stars and all creation are examples of what scholars call “General Revelation.” They give a witness to every person on the planet that there is a God. They do not use words or language, their voice is not heard, but the message is loud and clear. There is a God who is majestic, caring, creative, detail oriented and dependable. [Read more…]

OCT. 20: GOD’S WILL AND THE BIBLE

October 14, 2019

By Jerry Price
Retired Pastor, Spring Hill

Focal Passage: Psalm 19:7-14

One of my favorite hobbies is woodworking. I have a few power tools which either came with a printed owner’s manual or one I downloaded from the Internet. Each manual begins with a statement similar to this: “Please read, understand and follow all instructions included in this book.”

Then follows three to five pages of detailed safety instructions that apply to that tool. Without exception, there are some of those instructions which include strong warnings that failure to follow them may lead to serious injury or even death. [Read more…]

JAN. 27: WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES OVERWHELM

January 22, 2019

By Greg Steele
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jasper

Focal Passage: Psalm 42:1-3,6-8; 43:3-5

There is a question that we like to ask when the trials and storms of life gather. “Why do bad things happen to good people.” Has this question ever plagued your mind? Of course, it has! One day, a woman asked R.C. Sproul that particular question and his answer to her was a classic. Dr. Sproul said this, “I don’t know, I haven’t met any good people.” His answer accomplished two purposes. First, it was designed to remind the lady that we are all sinners. None of us are really good people! Secondly, he wanted her to understand that no one is immune from trouble. This second truth is what we are looking at in the Psalm.

It would seem that the author of this Psalm is going through a time of stress, personal attack and inner struggle. His life has brought him face to face with circumstances that are out of his control and they have brought pain and confusion to his heart. [Read more…]

NOV. 25: A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

November 19, 2018

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Psalm 138:1–8

As we study Psalm 138, King David is teaching us about praise. We are to praise the one true God. David said he did this with his whole heart. That place in us where our true self is seated. Our emotions, devotion, love, intellect, all that we are is to be focused towards Him and giving thanks and praise to Him alone. [Read more…]

NOV. 18: A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

November 12, 2018

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Matthew 6:12–13; Psalm 51:1–7; Psalm 51:10–12

This week we focus in on confession and forgiveness. I must constantly admit my sins and ask for forgiveness. The word ‘debts’ (Matthew 6:12) is a New Testament Greek term for sin. We have all fallen short of God’s righteousness.

Our sin is what causes separation between us and God. My sin problem was eternally solved at the age of 13 when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

As a Christian these past 31 years, I have continued to sin and must go back to the Father and ask for forgiveness. I’m forever saved, but if I sin today, that is causing an issue between me and God. [Read more…]

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