Psalm of the Week - Psalm 31:1-8 - Week of March 31, 2014

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols;
    as for me, I trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
    for you saw my affliction
    and knew the anguish of my soul.
8 You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
    but have set my feet in a spacious place.

Personal Application

Lord, your are my refuge. I have turned to you. Let me never be put to shame and deliver me in your righteousness. Listen to me lord and come quickly to my rescue. Lord, be my rock and my fortress. For the sake of your name, lead and guide me. Because you are my refuge, keep me free from from traps set for me. I commit my spirit to your hands Lord. I know you will deliver me because you are faithful. I trust in you Lord, not in worthless idols. I am glad and rejoice in your love. You saw my anguish and affliction. You did not give me to the enemy, but set my feet in a spacious place. 

Would You Die for a Good Person?

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Romans 5:6-8 NIV

I Loved You At Your Darkest

I was shopping at Zazzle.com and saw a necklace with this verse, "I loved you at your darkest." The verse was labeled Romans 5:8. It wasn't one I recognized so my curiosity kicked in. Quickly, I went on over to Biblegateway.com and used the scripture search to read Romans 5:8 in four different editions of the bible. Apparently, the verse on the necklace is a personal application or a paraphrased version of the original scripture. My reflections on verses 6-8 are in the next paragraph.

Christ died for the ungodly and the powerless. Christ died for sinners. My question to myself is:  Would I die for my children, my spouse, or for another good person? I like to think I would die for my family members. However, would I die for a sinner? Someone I don't know? Essentially, that is what Jesus did. He died for powerless, ungodly sinners to reconcile them to God. Why did he do this? Love. God and Jesus love me. While I was still a sinner, at the bottom of dark, miry pit, I was loved by my Heavenly Father. I believe God and Jesus would say," I loved you at your darkest." 

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 22:1-11 - March 24, 2014

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
    Why are you so far from saving me,
    so far from my cries of anguish?
2  My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
    by night, but I find no rest.
3  Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
    you are the one Israel praises.
4  In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
5  To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6  But I am a worm and not a man,
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
7  All who see me mock me;
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8  “He trusts in the Lord,” they say,
    “let the Lord rescue him.
Let him deliver him,
    since he delights in him.”
9  Yet you brought me out of the womb;
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.
10  From birth I was cast on you;
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11  Do not be far from me,
    for trouble is near
    and there is no one to help.

Four weeks until Easter Sunday. 

My pastor used Psalm 22 in his sermon this Sunday.In verse one, David wrote the exact words that Jesus was to utter from the cross. Below, is a deeper look into the first eleven verses from The Bible Panorama by Gerard Crispin.

"V 1–2: HELPLESS
This Psalm is set in the immediate context of David’s position and sentiments. But it is also Messianic, depicting aspects of the death of Christ hundreds of years before death by crucifixion was known, as if it had already happened. The comments on this Psalm concentrate on the death of Jesus Christ as pictured here. It reflects the submission of the One who has put Himself in a place of helplessness, emptied Himself, and become forsaken on the cross by His Father. 

V 3–5: HOLY
God’s holiness is seen here as in His faithful dealings with Israel in the past.

 V 6–8: HUMILITY 
Beyond David’s current feelings and predicament, we see the self-humbling of Jesus in these verses as a ‘worm’, and not as a man. See the reproach, lies and spite of those who ridicule Him and mock Him. 

V 9–11: HISTORY 
Jesus, the Son of Man, although conceived by the Holy Spirit through the virgin Mary, knows God as His Father in eternity, from eternity and for eternity. In his vulnerable humanity, He seeks divine help."

from The Bible Panorama by Gerard Crispin

Personal Application

God is faithful. He does not forsake his children. God may not answer, but it doesn't mean he isn't there. 

David recalls that God is the Holy One of Israel (and for us) and that his ancestors worshiped Him. We need to remember what he has done for us. Make a list of blessings and/or answered prayers when God seems far away and then praise him for taking care of you. 

Remind yourself when you feel insulted or persecuted that Jesus submitted to mockery and insults wordlessly. He took all of our sins upon himself and died to reconcile us to his Father.

From the time we are born, God is our Father. In times of trouble, ask him to stay near. God is faithful.

A Fight Worth Having - Part 2

The videos for this series of posts have been removed from YouTube. My notes include all of the questions and scripture references from Beth's bible study.

Notes on Week 2 Video

• Age doesn't matter.
• We can change our behavior.
• If you are the common denominator in all your conflicts, maybe you are the fighter.
• If I am mad at everyone, if no one is doing me right, then I am the common denominator.

1 Timothy 1:8  We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

1 Timothy 6:12  

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were       called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• Paul's point: to be effective you have to learn to fight the good fight. The good fight of faith.
• What makes a good fighter?

Exodus 15:3  The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.

• The Lord is a warrior. He is the Ultimate good fighter.

Deuteronomy 1:30    TheLord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,

Deuteronomy 3:22   Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”

•  GOD will fight for you, or for something
• Look in your bible's concordance for the word fight. See how many times it will say, "God will fight..."
• A good fighter fights for someone or something, NOT with something.
• How we can apply this to the fights in our lives. Are we fighting with, or for?
• We have to learn to fight FOR not WITH
• God is constantly calling us to participate with him and to join him.
• He is teaching us and training us to be warriors.

Psalm 18:34 

He trains my hands for battle;

 my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the     authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Joshua 23:9-10  “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.

• When God participates in the battle and leads us in the battle, he will make us capable of routing or defeating a thousand. Just one.
• In our New Testament lives,he gives us a power that isn't our own when we are fighting God's battle.
• If what we are fighting for isn't something God would participate in , then it isn't worth fighting for.
• We are spending so much energy of fighting with, that we don't have energy to fight for
• What is it worth you fighting for? 
• Think in terms of your marriage. You can have a bad fight with your husband. That is fighting with, not for.
• Your marriage is worth fighting for, your kids are worth fighting for, a friend or loved one is worth fighting for, the lost who don't know Christ Jesus  are worth fighting for.
• Fight for, NOT with

A Fight Worth Having - Part 1

The videos for this series of posts have been removed from YouTube. My notes include all of the questions and scripture references from Beth's bible study.

Notes on Week 1

• When was the last time you had a really good fight? Did you win?
• Do you avoid or pick a fight?
• Is avoiding a fight the right way, or should you not avoid a good fight?
• 2 Timothy 4:5-8 NIV

 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 

• Paul knew he was facing imminent death.
• I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.
• We are called by Paul, just as Timothy was to fight the good fight.
• We need to learn how to have a good fight.
• Kinds of fighters:
•  defeated fighters - remains beaten down
• bully - not just the guy is the bully. A bully and beaten down person can be in all types of unhealthy relationships.
• Those who chose not to fight. They just want to keep bully happy.
• A dirty fighter isn't always a bully fighter.
• Passive Agressive fighter - the freeze out, the cold shoulder. They know exactly what to say to hurt you deeply. The fighter with a mean streak.
• How to become a healthy fighter

Beth Moore - Mean Girls

This is a wonderful video. We do not need to be provocative and attract another woman's man. My favorite line is, "Keep you breasts to yourself!"

And Paul Said,"...be patient with everyone."

Putting My Thoughts into Action

Since reading the "Girlfriends in God" post on patience, my thoughts have been circling my own need to be more patient with others. Putting my thoughts into action, I went to Biblehub.com and searched the word patient. As I read through the list of scriptures,  1 Thessalonians 5:14 caught and held my attention. After reading it slowly, I decided to read chapter five to make sure I understood the context of the verses. Paul was talking about being prepared for "The Day of the Lord" and the scripture below is part of his final instructions to the church at Thessalonica.  

And the Scripture Says

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

What Caught My Attention

"Be patient with everyone...strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances..."

Okay, I am adopting this part of 1 Thessalonians as a daily reminder of how the Lord wants me to act. I want to write these words on the "tablet of my heart". Actually, a 3 x 5 index card will assist me in my effort to remember and apply this scripture to my life. Have a blessed day!

I Only Have Patience in Certain Circumstances

Patience. I have patience with small children and intricate craft work. However, I have no patience at all with adults and waiting for God. Is practicing patience an issue for you too? Mary Southerland has written another great article on patience for "Girlfriends in God" , a Crosswalk.com daily newsletter for Christian women. Click on the link to read about patience from my favorite "Girfriend in God".

 http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/girlfriends-in-god-march-4-2014.html

Jesus, Thank-you

Jesus, thank-you for:

Dying on the cross for me.

My relationship with you, God, and the Holy Spirit.

My parents who raised me to know you.

My great grandparents and grandparents who loved me.

My husband and children.

My grandchildren.

The gifts you have given me - A house, a job, food on the table, health, a car, a motorcycle

The opportunity to serve you as an evangelist.

The gift of the Holy Spirit

I have so much to be thankful for.

Thank-you Lord. 

I am yours.

Amen.



Add your own thank-you list as a comment.
Sallee B.

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 27: 4-9 - March 3, 2014

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.

Personal Application

I only ask one thing,

I only seek one thing,

to stay close to the Lord all the days of my life.

To look on the beauty of the Lord

and to seek him in his temple.

When trouble comes,

he will keep me safe with him in his house

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent.

He will keep me safe, high upon a rock.

I will be above my enemies who are all around me.

At God's sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy.

I will celebrate and praise the Lord.

Lord, hear me when I call to you;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart tells me to seek your face.

I will seek your face Lord.

Do not hide your face from me,

or turn away from me, your servant, in anger.

Lord, you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God, you are my Savior.