How Do We Learn About God?

How Do We Learn About God? A Study of Psalm 19

My teaching philosophy is that to help another person learn, I must be able to communicate the subject in a variety of ways.

Why is this important to me when I teach something?

Because I recognize that some of us learn in different ways.

Some prefer to learn by reading.

Others learn best by listening.

Still others learn best by doing.

And there are more ways than this to learn.

But the question before us today is: how do we learn about God?

Join me in a study of Psalm 19 to discover how King David answered this question.

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How Do We Benefit from God?

How Do We Benefit from God?

Merriam-Webster.com defines a benefit as something that produces good or helpful results, effects, or promotes well-being.

What benefit comes to your mind first, given that definition?

Perhaps your mind leaps first to the financial or medical benefits one receives from an employer.

Or are you thinking about healthy lifestyle activities that benefit you physically, mentally, and emotionally?

Maybe a strong network of friends and family struck you first.

What else would you list as a benefit based on the definition above?

King David from the Old Testament reveals his perspective on the greatest benefit of all.

Join me in studying Psalm 16 today.

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Asking God to Take Action Against Enemies

Asking God to take Action Against Enemies

A few weekends ago, I attended a retreat at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte that explored the Psalms through art, dance, drama, music, and study.

During one of the breakout group sessions, another participant asked the presenter if they prayed the imprecatory psalms, given that we are called to forgive and love our enemies.

This participant further shared that they had experienced a significant personal tragedy that forced them to wrestle with the topic of forgiveness, thus making the imprecatory psalms at best confusing to them and at worst contradictory to extending forgiveness.

But before we go any further, do you know what an imprecatory psalm is?

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Proverbs 25:20 |How a Heavy Heart Began to Sing Again

Singing Again

I’ve previously shared that I didn’t return to public worship for several months after experiencing the tragic death of my husband back in July 2024.

Although I streamed worship services in the privacy of my home during that time, I often crumbled into a pile of anguished tears and sobs during the music portions of the service.

Often, music can be a balm in times of discomfort. But I didn’t experience this.

Instead, all music, not just worship music, made my grief more intense.

Although I physically returned to public worship services in January 2025, just hearing the music still made me crumble into tears. It was exhausting to fight them while in public.

There was no way I could add my voice to the singing or even hum along.

My heart was still too shattered.

There were some who couldn’t grasp why taking part with music was so hard for me.

But God understood.

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Time to Heal From a Broken Heart

This is not a bible study post,  but recent events will probably influence one in the days to come.

Why do I say this?

This past week, I have suffered a tragic loss in my family.  The loss is quite deep and unexpected, and I am uncertain how long it will take to process.  I do know I need to take a break from my writing and let the Lord tend to my broken heart.  I am not sure for how long, but will follow His lead.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as I process my grief and make arrangements with family and friends.

In the meantime, I am meditating on Psalm 77—emphasis mine.

In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord

77 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

    I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, and he will hear me.

    In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;

my soul refuses to be comforted.

    When I remember God, I moan;

when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

    You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

    I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

    I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

    “Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

    Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

    Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

10    Then I said, “I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

11    I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

12    I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

13    Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?

14    You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

15    You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

16    When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

17    The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

18    The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19    Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

20    You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Blessings,

Barbara Lynn


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 77:title–20.

He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8

downpour

Discussing the weather is generally considered a safe subject.

But severe weather is another matter entirely.

Severe weather requires both humans and wildlife to seek protective shelter.

Sometimes severe weather takes us by surprise, giving us little time to find protection.

At other times, we can prepare a refuge ahead of the severe weather.

What is the purpose of severe weather, according to Job 37:5-8?

Continue reading “He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8”

Job 1:1-5 |Thus Job Did Continually

thebookofjob

Recently my daily Bible reading practice brought me to the book of Job.

This Old Testament book deals with suffering.

We all experience suffering. Some more than others.

What is striking in this book is the steadfastness of Job’s faith in God throughout his immense suffering.

How could Job refrain from turning away from God in the face of significant loss? Even as friends and family, encouraged him to curse God or confess a sin he had not committed?

The opening verses are key in answering this question.

Continue reading “Job 1:1-5 |Thus Job Did Continually”

Psalm 139 | How Well Do You Know God?

kingdavid

David, a lowly shepherd boy anointed King of Israel, experienced great highs and terrible lows in his lifetime.

He is the accredited author of Psalm 139, typically titled, Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart.

This title literally comes from the next-to-last verse of the Psalm where David is asking the Lord to monitor his motives.

Yet the verses prior to this request reveal the magnitude of who God is and how well He already knows David, and thus, us today.

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Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me

YouAreWithMe

I recently spent a month away from my home. Then, two weeks after being back, I traveled to a conference related to my day job for a week.

The first trip involved traveling solo, but upon arrival, I was constantly with family except for the occasional errand or taking a stroll in the evening.

I traveled with two coworkers to the conference that had over 600 attendees but had a room to myself at the end of each day.

Although both travel experiences varied, I had the same sense of longing during both.

I wished my husband and my pets were with me.

What does this have to do with Psalm 23:1-6?

Continue reading “Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me”

Where Do You Seek Refuge? (Part Three Psalm 2)

Psalms

It’s hard to believe it has been a full month since I last posted.

Thank you, readers, for your patience as I took this past month to care for both my parents. One parent, who had fallen the month prior, came home from rehab a day after the other one came home from knee replacement surgery. Thus, having someone in their apartment around the clock was wise. 

It was an honor to serve my parents in their time of need.

Now, as I settle back into my home and personal routines, it is time to finish our study of Psalm 2 with a focus on verses 1-6 and some final thoughts.

Continue reading “Where Do You Seek Refuge? (Part Three Psalm 2)”