fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384 
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Post by fearnot on Mar 4, 2017 14:59:52 GMT -5
3/4/17
Romans 1: 1-17
So many applications but probably the most well know:
v. 6 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..."
The secular ( and even much of the religious and spiritual ) world and demons) has tried to make the believer ashamed of the gospel since the beginning.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 5, 2017 15:41:04 GMT -5
3/5/17
Romans 1: 18-20
I know its best not to go verse by verse...or rather to read a whole passage or chapter first....
But the next 2 lines are so powerful and so full that its hard to go on:
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
v. 18 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
People to today, even Christians hate to talk about God's wrath. We have all heard unbeliever's rail against the God of the OT as angry, vengeful, mean, tyrannical, etc etc. etc.
But not many explain why God would be angry.....because to people, anger is BAD period!! So they stop right there and Christians trying to counter that bad press, push God love, mercy, forgiveness etc.
And of course God is all of that and more.
But I think if people don't know God is perfect, and Holy and cannot abide sin ( it is hateful, ugly, hurtful etc etc. against God and against others and even self).
If they cannot understand the wrath of God against sin and the wickedness of people, they cannot really understand the depth of God's love and the incredible sacrifice of Jesus.
And people are without excuse.
I need to apply these verses to my life in thinking on the hatred God has for sin...the sins I commit and gain an ever increasing hatred and wrath for them myself.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 6, 2017 13:53:17 GMT -5
3/6/17
Romans 1 : 21-32
v. 23 Gives a lot of the crazy 'alternatives' people make up, instead of the true God...
like worshiping "mortal human beings and birds and animals and reptiles"
v. 24 is another sin people have been involved in throughout human history
"...sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.."
And so v. 28 "................. so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done...
And then a list of all manner of sins
The only thing I can think of reading these verses is to beg the Lord to continue to help me hate these sins, and help me have victory over any that linger, or get me with a stealth approach etc.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 6, 2017 14:04:48 GMT -5
I really appreciated your talking about smiles and laughter even in the midst of terminal pain ( what I mean is it may last until this life is over).
I watched a Ted talk on youtube of a man born with a extreme terrible face ( many over the top disfigurements).
His mother at first could not even bear to look at him and left him in hospital but eventually after a few mts having talked to other children they brought him home.
He did have about 2 dozen operations but still his face is what most folks would call very ugly ( nose made out of a toe because he lost both legs ( from the knees down I think).
Anyway, to make a long story short, at 14 doctors offered to do a whole bunch more surgeries to make him far more presentable...
But...in moving his eyes again, one ( of many) possible complication might be he would lose his eyesight.
At this point a brother who had said nothing during this family discussion, finally asked:
What good would it be if he were (pretty, handsome...I forgot the exact word), if he could never see it?
He decided at that moment to own his face....he didn't bring God into his talk but I felt it was still a lesson, because it reminded me of you telling me about a friend who was not beautiful, but in fact, was beautiful.
It did not take long to over come, the less than movie star handsomeness of this man, and see real character and actually beauty of a quick mind, sense of humor, kind spirit ( and I am thinking if not now, someday a child of God....certainly I pray so).
I think that some days when I awake my first thought/feelings are pain, old, lack of purpose, even inability to glorify or do anything for the Lord, tired, and so on.
I would love if someday you could write a bit.....talking the words of Phil 4 and give some examples of your own musings
on each word, like:
Noble
We are to think on what is noble. I know our first thoughts of all those words would be how Jesus was ( and is).
But if we were to expand our thinking on those
what is truly noble in life? ( other than God....well nothing would be perfectly)
3/3/17
Acts 28: 11-31
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
Paul then travels up the coast of Italy til he comes to Rome, where he was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
But of course, being Paul, it only took him 3 days to start preaching again....in a few days he preached from morning to evening!!!
Oh to be like Paul:
v. 30 "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!"
Well, there is an application...
but one I will never ( most likely) be able to copy,
but then...
that was God's purpose for Paul...
and for me...
to do whatever He might wish, for whatever life, and quality of life, I have left.
Let me share something interesting here: “The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” (Acts 28:15)
The noun translated as an infinitive “to meet,” was used in Greek literature of an entourage coming out of a city to meet an official going to the city. It is also used in 1 Thes 4:17, which speaks of believers being “caught up … to meet the Lord in the air.” Like an entourage, believers will go up at the Rapture into the clouds to meet Jesus, their Savior and Lord, coming from heaven to take them to Himself. Paul looked forward to joining that group.
No wonder Paul thanked God and was encouraged by this! Just a little other info in case anyone wonders. Paul had written and sent the epistle we call "Romans" to the believers there 3 years before this happened, so that's how they knew about him. He was the very first apostle to ever get to Rome, although the church had already been started there.
We have a tendency to look at what Paul wrote and did and see it from our perspective, thousands of years later. We know what happened in the past, and we know what was happening then and what will happen and even how it all turned out in the long run. What we tend to forget though is that Paul didn't know anything other than what he himself had experienced up to that point. Like us, he wondered if he could be used by the Lord, or would be used by Him. He had no idea that the letters he wrote would be considered Holy, inspired by the Lord and become part of His Word. To him they were just letters. He could have looked at all the problems instead of the possibilities and not seen the opportunities the Lord was giving him. In fact, that's exactly what most of us do all the time.
Like you, I've often caught myself thinking there's nothing I can do for the Lord. After all, I'm home bound, sick, in pain, and getting old. I see a lot less people than even you do! I used to think that a lot. I know better now though so I don't allow my thoughts to go there. I realize that the reason I am sick, in pain, home bound and getting old etc. is because that is the very best place for me to be in my life right now. If it wasn't - if there was even the smallest thing that would enable me to serve the Lord better, then He would change my situation in an instant. But we think we know better. After all, if I could still walk and drive, or even if I could just go to church regularly, or somehow get to see other people, that's obviously better suited to serving God. But according to God, that's not true. He has every single tiny detail of every persons life worked out perfectly to suit His plan and won't allow anything or anyone to cause a problem with His plan. So as long as you and I are breathing, we can be assured that we can not only serve the Lord, but that we are in fact already serving Him! We are exactly where He wants us to be right now. The only thing we can do is be determined to ask Him for wisdom and direction daily and then do our best that day to do and say everything for His Glory.
We tend to think and believe that we can mess up God's plans and not do our part, but we can't. He knows everything of the past, present and future and has every possibility covered. Sure, we can sin and refuse to obey Him - like refusing to study with Him one day and taking that day off to do something else. But that's not going to surprise Him. His plan will still be carried out exactly the way He planned it. He has already worked it all out, so that to Him, it's all already happened, or rather it might as well have. This was really difficult for me to understand, but we can not be out of His Will. It's really that simple. I've read and heard other pastors say that exact same sentence and it shocked me at first. The first thing that comes to mind is often something like, "so it was God's will that so and so died, or that this or that horrible thing happened?" Of course not! God loves us and doesn't make plans to harm us. But at the same time, nothing, not even those terrible things, happen outside of His Will. God has His perfect will and His permissive will. We can know His Will through the bible. He tells us what His Will for us is in His Word. God tells us outright that He has given us everything we need to live a godly life and do His Will, and even tells us what His Will is - some very specific, some more general. Further, He tells us that He is the one who even causes us to want to do His will and then enables us to do it.
God is not a meanie. He's doesn't say one thing and do another. He causes us to want to serve Him and do His will. He enable us to do it. he sets us up in the exact situation and circumstances He wants us to be in so that we can do His Will, and then He does it through us. His will for you today may simply be to smile at a certain person, or to say one sentence to another person, or to see something in His Word that will prepare you for something that will happen later, or all of the above. Same for Paul, for me or others. That's what Paul saw when he looked at his situation. Instead of looking at his chains, or seeing the soldiers for what they were - people to guard him, he saw them as people who desperately needed to know about Christ, and taught them. He was bold because that's the way the Lord made him. I'm quite sure he had to work at it as well though. There may have been many times he didn't "feel like" teaching or doing something, and did it anyway. Other days maybe he didn't, maybe he rested instead. Whatever you or I are supposed to do for the Lord, we will do. After all, God is in control, not us. (even though we like to think we really are) We see the ways we fail - we're really good at doing that. But God uses even our failures as part of His plan and best of all, He works them out for our good and the good of others too, as well as for His glory. In other words, we can't fail.
I remember when I worked with the elderly. One thing I often got asked was "why am I still alive?" "Why doesn't God take me home, I can't do anything for Him anymore. All I do is lay in this bed"? While I didn't know then what I do now, the Lord gave me the words to answer them. I told them that they were very important and were still serving God; that it was because of them that I learned more about the meaning of sacrificial love, and more about waiting on God and being patient; that they'd shown me that material things mattered very little in this life, and that the most important thing was people - loving and caring for them. I told them that because they were much older than I was, that they often were able to give me godly advice. Advice that I couldn't have gotten from anyone else, because they had lived their advice, and they knew all the twists and turns in the road that was still ahead of me, therefore they could warn me about the hazards. They taught me how to deal with pain and illness and later I was able to add that they even taught me how to die. I have to remind myself of those things now and realize that they're true for me as well. I am still useful and God is still using me to do all the things He planed in advance for me to do.
God doesn't quit on us because we get old. In fact, the older we get, as long as we're spending time with Him daily, the closer we get to Him and the more we understand. God even promises us that we will still bear fruit even in old age. In other words, we will still be useful to Him and still be doing His Will.
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm 48:14)
“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”” (Psalm 92:14–15)
3/4/17
Romans 1: 1-17
So many applications but probably the most well know:
v. 6 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..."
The secular ( and even much of the religious and spiritual ) world and demons) has tried to make the believer ashamed of the gospel since the beginning.
3/5/17
Romans 1: 18-20
I know its best not to go verse by verse...or rather to read a whole passage or chapter first....
But the next 2 lines are so powerful and so full that its hard to go on:
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
v. 18 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
People to today, even Christians hate to talk about God's wrath. We have all heard unbeliever's rail against the God of the OT as angry, vengeful, mean, tyrannical, etc etc. etc.
But not many explain why God would be angry.....because to people, anger is BAD period!! So they stop right there and Christians trying to counter that bad press, push God love, mercy, forgiveness etc.
And of course God is all of that and more.
But I think if people don't know God is perfect, and Holy and cannot abide sin ( it is hateful, ugly, hurtful etc etc. against God and against others and even self).
If they cannot understand the wrath of God against sin and the wickedness of people, they cannot really understand the depth of God's love and the incredible sacrifice of Jesus.
And people are without excuse.
I need to apply these verses to my life in thinking on the hatred God has for sin...the sins I commit and gain an ever increasing hatred and wrath for them myself.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 7, 2017 12:52:48 GMT -5
I remember thinking waaaaaaay back years ago, that you were annoyed and frustrated with me, when I would start whining or bemoan something you had already gone over in detail......
I am not sure that was true ( it sure could have been LOL),
But it may have just been my less than perfect attitude back then ( I am hoping my attitude has improved a wee bit since then)
In any case, I am so thankful and grateful to you, for in fact, going over the same ground of whatever issue ( growing old, beauty or lack of, depression etc etc) 10 times or 20 times .....or more!!!
What is amazing is each time you go over 'it' ( whatever issue I am grumbling about) for me, you reword it ,or say it in a different way, or add new material etc.
It reminds me of pounding in a nail LOL
Slowly on ( the emphasis is 'slowly').....
I begin to see and understand,
thanks to your incredible patience!!!!!!
I 'used' to, for years and years,
read 5 psalm every day
and one proverb
( so that in a year I would have read them 12 times that year)......
But... ummmmmm .....I have not done so in quite awhile, except for reading a psalm in connection with some other part of scripture.
Sooooo I will start on them today :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 7, 2017 13:26:15 GMT -5
3/7/17
Psalm 1
This psalm has applications of what NOT to do
and
what TO do:
v.1 "....not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers
( I think many Christians, myself included, especially have trouble with the last one).
I have found myself mocking ( more in the past, but even now I slip up once in awhile) and mock the 'left' or comment on 'snowflakes' and their safe spaces etc.
However, the psalm also give the 'cure' for those sins:
v.2 "......delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night"
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Post by Cindy on Mar 8, 2017 11:29:47 GMT -5
I remember thinking waaaaaaay back years ago, that you were annoyed and frustrated with me, when I would start whining or bemoan something you had already gone over in detail......
I am not sure that was true ( it sure could have been LOL),
But it may have just been my less than perfect attitude back then ( I am hoping my attitude has improved a wee bit since then)
In any case, I am so thankful and grateful to you, for in fact, going over the same ground of whatever issue ( growing old, beauty or lack of, depression etc etc) 10 times or 20 times .....or more!!!
What is amazing is each time you go over 'it' ( whatever issue I am grumbling about) for me, you reword it ,or say it in a different way, or add new material etc.
It reminds me of pounding in a nail LOL
Slowly on ( the emphasis is 'slowly').....
I begin to see and understand,
thanks to your incredible patience!!!!!!
I 'used' to, for years and years,
read 5 psalm every day
and one proverb
( so that in a year I would have read them 12 times that year)......
But... ummmmmm .....I have not done so in quite awhile, except for reading a psalm in connection with some other part of scripture.
Sooooo I will start on them today :-)
Great! I'll look forward to doing the psalms with you!
3/7/17
Psalm 1
This psalm has applications of what NOT to do
and
what TO do:
v.1 "....not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers
( I think many Christians, myself included, especially have trouble with the last one).
I have found myself mocking ( more in the past, but even now I slip up once in awhile) and mock the 'left' or comment on 'snowflakes' and their safe spaces etc.
However, the psalm also give the 'cure' for those sins:
v.2 "......delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night"
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” (Psalm 1:1)
Sinners go from bad to worse. “Walk” refers to infrequent ungodliness. “Stand” describes the habitual practice of sin. The image “sit in the seat” is of those who instruct others in a community’s way of life, so that sitting with scoffers is hardened commitment to sin’s ways. The Bible reader’s companion
The psalmist knew that true joy & happiness come from knowing God & abiding in His Word. God created you & knows how you must live to give glory to Him. He revealed in His Word every precept you must know to do so. Every divine precept is right. It shows you the path that is right & true. What a wonderful confidence that is! While many around you may be discouraged or despondent because of their lack of direction & purpose, God’s Word is a lamp to your feet & a light to your path (Ps. 119:105). It guides you through the difficult mazes of life & gives your life eternal significance. Don’t live simply for your own pleasures. Your life has a high & holy purpose, & each day can be filled with joy as you see that purpose unfold. Drawing Near
In these verses we have a description of the kind of Christian God is able to bless. A. A person who is separated from the world (v. 1). The people God blesses are careful in their walk: though they are in the world, they are not of the world. By contrast, it takes little imagination to see the person walking near sin, then standing to consider it, and finally sitting down to enjoy “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25). If Christians start listening to the counsel (advice, plans) of the ungodly, they will soon be standing in their way of life, and finally will sit right down and agree with them. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
B. A person who is saturated with the Word (v. 2). Those whom God blesses are not delighted with what pertains to sin and the world; they delight in the Word of God. It is love for and obedience to the Bible that brings blessing on our lives. See Josh. 1:8. The people God blesses not only read the Word daily, but they study it, memorize it, and meditate on it during the day and night. Their mind is controlled by the Word of God. Because of this, they are led by the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. Meditation is to the soul what “digestion” is to the body. It means understanding the Word, “chewing on it,” and applying it to our lives, making it a part of the inner person. See Jer. 15:16, Ezek. 3:3, and Rev. 10:9. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines
Because of the new age connotation of meditation these days, I tend to use the word "reflect" instead of medication, although I mean the same thing. It's just that we never know how another person defines meditation anymore and I wouldn't ever want them to think that they're supposed to "empty their minds" like the new age and occult says to do.
How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? (in other words, go from head knowledge to heart knowledge) The rule of doing this is demanding but simple. It is that we turn each truth we learn about God into meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God. Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God. Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let His truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart. Enter His gates:
“He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)
Under the image of a fruitful tree, the psalmist declared that whatever the righteous do will prosper. Two qualifications need to be noted. 1st, the fruit, that is, the prosperity, is produced in its season and not necessarily immediately after planting. 2nd, what the godly person does will be controlled by the Law of God. So if a person meditates on God’s Word, his actions will be godly, & his God-controlled activities will prosper, that is, come to their divinely directed fulfillment. Bible Knowledge Commentary
C. The Christian is here compared to a tree that gets its water from the deep hidden springs under the dry sands. This world is a desert that can never satisfy the dedicated believer. We must send our “spiritual roots” down deep into the things of Christ and draw upon the spiritual water of life. There can be no fruit without roots. Too many Christians are more concerned about the leaves and the fruit than they are the roots, but the roots are the most important part. Unless Christians spend time daily in prayer and the Word, and allow the Spirit to feed them, they will wither and die. The believer who draws upon the spiritual life in Christ will be fruitful and successful in the life of faith. When Christians cease to bear fruit, it is because something has happened to the roots (Mark 11:12–13, 20; and see Luke 13:6–9). What kind of fruit are we to bear? See Rom. 1:13 and 6:22, Gal. 5:22–23, Heb. 13:15, and Col. 1:10. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines
“For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
Also translated: “For The Lord knows the way of the righteous” The word “know” in the Bible means much more than the mental understanding indicated when we say, “I know the names of the twelve Apostles.” In addition, it carries the idea of choosing and caring. “The Lord knows those who are His” (2 Tim. 2:19). “I know my sheep … As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father (John 10:14–15). Christ’s statement to the lost is, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23). The Lord knows the way of the righteous: He has planned it and marked it out (Eph. 2:10), and He keeps His eyes upon the righteous as they walk this way. The life of the godly person is an eternal plan of God! What he says, where he goes, what he does—all of these have eternal consequences. But the ungodly have “turned every one to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). The path of the righteous leads to glory (Prov. 4:18), but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Verse 6 sets before us the familiar teaching of the “two ways.” Jesus concluded His Sermon on the Mount with this picture (Matt. 7:13ff). Why are the ungodly lost? Because they will not submit to Christ and His Word. They prefer the counsel of the ungodly to the “whole counsel of God” in the Word (Acts 20:27). They prefer the friendship of godless people to the congregation of the righteous. They spend their days thinking about sin, not about the Word of God. They think they are secure in the earth—but they are only chaff! How can the believer practice Ps. 1:1–3? It begins with surrender to the Lord, a daily surrender of all that we are and all that we have (Rom. 12:1–2). It involves spending time with God’s Word, reading it and meditating upon it. It means living a life separated from the world (not isolated, of course, but separated from its defilement). It demands a life with roots that draw upon the hidden resources of God. What a blessed life, one that gives satisfaction here and hereafter. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 8, 2017 15:53:43 GMT -5
I really liked the idea of who the psalm increases from more and more wicked sin....until they are sitting in it!!
The thing that I misunderstood was I was thinking ( not that one sin is so much worse than another)
that wicked
was worse than sinner
( cuz I think sometimes it might have to do with demonic possession)
And a mocker was the least ( kind of like a kid calling names but not yet beating someone up, like a sinner...whereas the 'wicked' would kill them
however, the idea of walking near sin, standing and looking, or admiring it, and then sitting down with it, makes more sense.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 8, 2017 16:04:18 GMT -5
3/8/17
psalm 2:1-12
The nations seem to have always conspired against God, pretty much from the beginning.
People often see God as a 'kill-joy'....well, in one way, I suppose they are right.....if disgusting sin, is their idea of 'joy'....
but even then, God hates sin ( in part) because it is not good for people and will destroy them.
But God laughs at puny men trying to best Him
God gives good advise that is also good applications for me as well:
v. 11 "Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 9, 2017 12:33:44 GMT -5
I really liked the idea of who the psalm increases from more and more wicked sin....until they are sitting in it!!
The thing that I misunderstood was I was thinking ( not that one sin is so much worse than another)
that wicked
was worse than sinner
( cuz I think sometimes it might have to do with demonic possession)
And a mocker was the least ( kind of like a kid calling names but not yet beating someone up, like a sinner...whereas the 'wicked' would kill them
however, the idea of walking near sin, standing and looking, or admiring it, and then sitting down with it, makes more sense. 3/8/17
psalm 2:1-12
The nations seem to have always conspired against God, pretty much from the beginning.
People often see God as a 'kill-joy'....well, in one way, I suppose they are right.....if disgusting sin, is their idea of 'joy'....
but even then, God hates sin ( in part) because it is not good for people and will destroy them.
But God laughs at puny men trying to best Him
God gives good advise that is also good applications for me as well:
v. 11 "Serve the Lord with fear
and celebrate his rule with trembling.
12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry
and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 9, 2017 13:11:00 GMT -5
Sounds good to me....just let me know which ones to skip....for now it will be 8
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 9, 2017 13:21:04 GMT -5
3/9/17
Psalms 3: 1-8
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
This is certainly a psalm for me, especially when I might feel down and like David ( tho I have never had a military army after me, nor my son looking to kill me)
But I still can relate on some level to feeling overwhelmed by 'enemies' of all types:
v.1 "Lord, how many are my foes!"
V.3 reminds me of the armor of God, the shield of faith where I can quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.
v.3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me...
And v. 5 and 6 are something to muse on concerning sleep and awaking and fears
v.5 "I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear..."
and v. 8 is a cure for fear
"From the Lord comes deliverance.."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 10, 2017 17:39:39 GMT -5
Psalm 4: 1-8
v. 1 "Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer."
I second that!
I am thinking v. 4 and 8 are a part of helping me with sleeping and awaking:
v. 4 "Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
v.8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 10, 2017 17:46:41 GMT -5
l
I saw my physical therapist yesterday.....and I brought him some of the quotes you gave me on pain.....
He found them very interesting and we talked about them....
but what was funny was he said, I was the first person ever to bring him Bible quotes on pain LOL
Another thing was I found out he is a young earth, 7 day creationist and does not believe in evolution.
We actually spent all but the last 3 mins talking.
Yet another interesting thing ( he said he was a few years younger than Hossanah our daughter 43)
but he has 2 biological children, and 4 adopted children from all over the world.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 11, 2017 12:07:21 GMT -5
lol, no, I wanted you to do 8 next lol. Sorry had to get my dentures yesterday and today have to go do the shoping, be back as soon as I can.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 11, 2017 13:56:21 GMT -5
Oh LOLOL
will do 8 today then!
Psalm 8
V. 2 is a little curious
"Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger."
I know children could and can praise the Lord, but do infants?
And can we adult believers be included as children of God?
I can see silencing the foe but I thought an avenger in a way at least, was a good guy...
if so why would praise silence them?
Then the psalmist goes on the speak of the great things God has done but is confused about man..why would God even care about them.
He goes on to tell of all the things God has allowed us to be in charge of.
In any case, the psalmist begins and ends with:
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Which is what I should do.... at the beginning, ( middle), and end of the day....
praise the Lord for how majestic He is, and for all God has done.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 13, 2017 17:53:29 GMT -5
3/12/17
Psalm 9: 1-20
An application right in v. 1
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;....."
Many of God's feats are extolled
then there are these comforting verses (among others):
v.9 "The Lord is a for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble"
v.13 "......Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,"
v.18
"But God will never forget the needy;
will never perish."
I seem to have lost part I think arrrggghhh
but I will move on and do today's bible study.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 13, 2017 19:55:11 GMT -5
3/13/17
Psalm 10:1-18
I have been guilty of feeling like verse 1, but more often I have been so in my imaginations....the 'what ifs', and,
what if God decides to let the evil run its course etc.
I forget ( there are 2 different types/names of God's will....) one is His perfect will,
and one He allows things to happen ( for a reason, but too hard for me to understand an example would have been the foster man intent on beating me to death)
v.1 "Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
and yet, nevertheless
v. 17 "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
v. 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,..."
And as a fatherless child, God within a 36 hour period, not only found another home for me to go to and to be safe, but one where I would be adopted.
God, saw the trouble of the my affliction;
considered my grief and took it in hand....like v.14
That is only one of many many times, I 'thought', God was standing afar off, only to have Him prove over and over, His working miracles on my behalf.
I have never understood it.....
I know many a young woman who only made one foolish move, and died
I made many ( at least 20 life threatening ones)
God was in no way bound to do anything at all for my sinful rebellious foolish decisions that put my life in danger!!
Why would one (even a Godly) young woman, die, for walking once a little to late at night for example...
where I did soooooo much worse,
and yet the Lord did amazing things to get me out of what should have ended my life?
I know it was not because I was better in anyway, noooo I was much worse, and waaay more sinful....
but I am awed and so grateful....
Yet some of those foolish sins have grievous consequences ( tho I did not die) of course
2
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 14, 2017 13:11:24 GMT -5
3/14/17
psalm 11:1-7
v. 3 "When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
Not that I consider myself righteous, but It has often seemed this verse, is so relevant to USA today
basic foundational things, like the family, respect for authority, life of the unborn babies, justice, freedom of speech, freedom of worship etc.
However the application for me, is that nevertheless, I should not fear or get depressed because:
v. 4 "The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 14, 2017 17:48:46 GMT -5
I just wanted to update you that I have steadfastly kept away from secular series ( I think its going on 2 mts or more?)
Anyway, I believe its because the Holy Spirit convicted me ( and the Lord used you in my life).
To be sure there is still much to be repented of....
God continues to work on me....
but the joy is.... that He is doing a working on me
I am struggling with 'news' but one thing for sure, is there is much I am passing up.
Where before I would not use any or at least not very much discernment at all
Now, I dismiss almost all (99%) I know are gossip ( about some movie star or musician or whatever.....
but also most violent crimes, rapes, etc.
even 75 or more percent of politics
well, it took me awhile to drop all series...but it happened....I'd rather be pleasing to the Lord than into any worldly foolishness
anyway, just an update.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 15, 2017 11:41:57 GMT -5
  I'm finally back! You can read how I made it back in Christian Chat, but it was the Lord's doing, not mine or any humans! I'm sorry it took so long though.3/9/17
Psalms 3: 1-8
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
This is certainly a psalm for me, especially when I might feel down and like David ( tho I have never had a military army after me, nor my son looking to kill me)
But I still can relate on some level to feeling overwhelmed by 'enemies' of all types:
v.1 "Lord, how many are my foes!"
V.3 reminds me of the armor of God, the shield of faith where I can quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.
v.3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me...
And v. 5 and 6 are something to muse on concerning sleep and awaking and fears
v.5 "I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear..."
and v. 8 is a cure for fear
"From the Lord comes deliverance.."
Psalm 4: 1-8
v. 1 "Answer me when I call to you,
my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer."
I second that!
I am thinking v. 4 and 8 are a part of helping me with sleeping and awaking:
v. 4 "Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
v.8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety."
“Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:6–8) Then he goes back to what others are saying. Who can show us any good? In other words, who can really help us? They want a leader to save them from their troubles, and don't think any one can. His reply is that only God can help us and that He alone give us joy that's greater than any joy man can create on their own. God alone can make us dwell in safety, so God alone can show us good!
I'd like to have you reflect on the verses I just quoted, especially the portion about joy. As you continue to study the psalms, be looking for things like that. Why? Because David says that the Lord has filled his heart with greater joy than anything he can think of, and we know that this is said to remind us that the Lord does this for everyone He has saved. Because we also know that the Joy of the Lord is our strength, and that it was for this joy that the Lord Jesus was able to go to the cross for us. We need that joy and the Lord gives it to us. If we aren't experiencing it, than we need to be looking for more about it so that we can recognize it and experience it, right?
I love that verse 8 too and it's one of my memory verses. I often repeat it at night when I lay down to go to sleep.
One of my books had this to say about this psalm as well:
Good relationships are always built on the foundation stones of identity and worship. Even though these ideas may seem distant from our daily struggles, nothing can shelter our relationships from difficulty if we aren’t building community on this foundation. We often mistakenly think that our relationships are difficult because, like a child learning to walk, we simply lack the skills and experience not to fall. This may be true in part, but the greater problem is the foundation we are walking on. For our relationships to be what God designed them to be, the rebuilding, restoring, and reconciling must start with a solid new foundation. This foundation is not what we do and say. It begins in the heart, the source of the thoughts and motives that shape what we do and say. Your heart is always with you, and in profound ways it shapes your interactions with others. If our heart’s foundation is solid, based on God’s truth, design, and purpose for us, we will be able to build healthy, God-honoring relationships even though we are flawed people living in a broken world. By contrast, broken community is always the result of broken foundations. Heart of the matter
What was God seeking to produce by the cross? Was his goal a kingdom of unangry people? No, the cross was meant to produce people who are angry every day. Jesus died to produce a culture of people who are so in love with him, so committed to his righteous cause, and so distressed by what sin has done to them and their world, that they cannot help but be angry every day. This is not the old, selfish, unholy anger. These people are able to be good and angry at the same time. Jesus died not only to free you from your anger, but to enable you to take up his righteous anger. He died so that you would not rage inside because people and circumstances loom as constant obstacles to the realization of your little kingdom cravings. He died so that you would not be a captive to the self-absorbed anger of your claustrophobic little kingdom. He died so that you would be angry with sin and the way it has harmed you and everyone around you. He died so that you would be angry at the way sin has damaged the world you live in. He died so that your anger would be holy and pleasing to him. He died so that your anger would propel you to act in deeds of mercy, love, forgiveness, compassion, restoration, and peace. Heart of the matter
l
I saw my physical therapist yesterday.....and I brought him some of the quotes you gave me on pain.....
He found them very interesting and we talked about them....
but what was funny was he said, I was the first person ever to bring him Bible quotes on pain LOL
Another thing was I found out he is a young earth, 7 day creationist and does not believe in evolution.
We actually spent all but the last 3 mins talking.
Yet another interesting thing ( he said he was a few years younger than Hossanah our daughter 43)
but he has 2 biological children, and 4 adopted children from all over the world.
Oh LOLOL
will do 8 today then!
Psalm 8
V. 2 is a little curious
"Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger."
I know children could and can praise the Lord, but do infants?
And can we adult believers be included as children of God?
I can see silencing the foe but I thought an avenger in a way at least, was a good guy...
if so why would praise silence them?
Then the psalmist goes on the speak of the great things God has done but is confused about man..why would God even care about them.
He goes on to tell of all the things God has allowed us to be in charge of.
In any case, the psalmist begins and ends with:
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Which is what I should do.... at the beginning, ( middle), and end of the day....
praise the Lord for how majestic He is, and for all God has done.
NET | From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy.
NCV | You have taught children and babies to sing praises to you because of your enemies. And so you silence your enemies and destroy those who try to get even.
HCSB | Because of Your adversaries, You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger.
AV 1873 | Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength Because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
NASB95 | From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
NLT | You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you
"you have ordained praise because of your enemies" in Hebrew is: “you establish strength because of your foes.” The meaning of the statement is unclear. The present translation follows the reading of the LXX which has “praise” in place of “strength”; cf. NIV, NCV, NLT. The NET Bible
After looking at the other translations, I think it's saying that God has ordained that He would show His strength through us, His children (and infants - as we know so little compared to Him). By showing His strength through us, it will one day silence His enemies, Satan, his demons, the antichrist, the false prophet, and all the people who choose not to worship Him. See: 1 Cor 1:25, 1 Cor 1:27 and 2 Cor 12:9. Isaiah 40:29–31, 2 Cor 4:7. Also: I think that Verse 5 shows that this is the right way to view this. Back to "the children and infants" part of this: Remember that God often refers to us as His "children", and refers to those who are newly saved or who haven't grown in their faith as "infants". “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1) “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14) “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.” (Hebrews 5:13)
As for the avenger being the good guy, it depends on what you're thinking about. In the OT the avenger was the relative who killed the person who killed their relative. God made the Israelites have Cities of Refuge for the people who had killed someone to go to so that the avenger couldn't kill them before they'd had a trial to determine if they were guilty of murder of if it had been an accident. If the trial determined it was an accident, then the avenger wasn't allowed to kill them. But the next psalm and others tell us that God is also an avenger: “For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.” (Psalm 9:12) and Hebrews reminds us: “For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”” (Hebrews 10:30) Since Jesus came we are not to avenge anyone or anything ourselves but instead we're to wait on the Lord, because only He knows what's in people's hearts. So in that case, an avenger other than God would not be a good person. Praising God will silence him because it will be obvious that only God knows the truth and all things from the beginning to the end, and no man ever can.
Let me share what some books say about this:
David marveled that God uses strength from children to silence His enemies (and the foe and the avenger). (The niv translates ‘ōz, “strength” by the word praise because “strength” here may indicate “praise for [God’s] strength”; cf. Matt. 21:15-16.) The idea is that the Lord has ordained that the weakest shall confound the strong (cf. 1 Cor. 1:27). Mankind, even weak children and infants, represents the strength of God in the earth. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The introductory irony about infants sets the stage for a contrast between the dependent and the foolishly self-sufficient. The MacArthur study Bible
I don't think he's confused about men, instead, after speaking about the majesty of God and all He's done and created, it makes him feel like man is not all that great, the opposite of what people generally think about themselves. In other words, he's admitting that God is far greater than any man could ever be, and that we aren't worthy to even be considered His slaves, much less His children. Yet, because God is so great, He can and has declared us to be His children!
We never stop imaging God. When we use a phrase like, “he’s the spitting image of his father,” we usually mean that the son displays the physical characteristics of his earthly father. He looks (and perhaps acts) like his dad. In a similar, but far more profound way, we resemble the God of the universe, both in his character and actions. You are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8:4–8). God made us to reflect his image to the world. We don’t do this perfectly because of sin and disease, but no matter what, we never stop imaging God! The gospel is about renewing the true image of God through Jesus (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). This process is not derailed by illness or disability. Instead, God uses these things to make us more like him. God promises he will complete the work he began in each of us (Philippians 1:6). This means that God is doing his transforming work in you no matter what challenges you face. He is perfecting the character of Christ in you in the midst of your struggles. Heart of the matter That's good what you got from it too!
3/12/17
Psalm 9: 1-20
An application right in v. 1
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;....."
Many of God's feats are extolled
then there are these comforting verses (among others):
v.9 "The Lord is a for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble"
v.13 "......Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,"
v.18
"But God will never forget the needy;
will never perish."
I seem to have lost part I think arrrggghhh
but I will move on and do today's bible study.
3/13/17
Psalm 10:1-18
I have been guilty of feeling like verse 1, but more often I have been so in my imaginations....the 'what ifs', and,
what if God decides to let the evil run its course etc.
I forget ( there are 2 different types/names of God's will....) one is His perfect will,
and one He allows things to happen ( for a reason, but too hard for me to understand an example would have been the foster man intent on beating me to death)
v.1 "Why, Lord, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
and yet, nevertheless
v. 17 "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
v. 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed,..."
And as a fatherless child, God within a 36 hour period, not only found another home for me to go to and to be safe, but one where I would be adopted.
God, saw the trouble of the my affliction;
considered my grief and took it in hand....like v.14
That is only one of many many times, I 'thought', God was standing afar off, only to have Him prove over and over, His working miracles on my behalf.
I have never understood it.....
I know many a young woman who only made one foolish move, and died
I made many ( at least 20 life threatening ones)
God was in no way bound to do anything at all for my sinful rebellious foolish decisions that put my life in danger!!
Why would one (even a Godly) young woman, die, for walking once a little to late at night for example...
where I did soooooo much worse,
and yet the Lord did amazing things to get me out of what should have ended my life?
I know it was not because I was better in anyway, noooo I was much worse, and waaay more sinful....
but I am awed and so grateful....
Yet some of those foolish sins have grievous consequences ( tho I did not die) of course
2 3/14/17
psalm 11:1-7
v. 3 "When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
Not that I consider myself righteous, but It has often seemed this verse, is so relevant to USA today
basic foundational things, like the family, respect for authority, life of the unborn babies, justice, freedom of speech, freedom of worship etc.
However the application for me, is that nevertheless, I should not fear or get depressed because:
v. 4 "The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne."
Yes, the Lord will take care of it all!
I just wanted to update you that I have steadfastly kept away from secular series ( I think its going on 2 mts or more?)
Anyway, I believe its because the Holy Spirit convicted me ( and the Lord used you in my life).
To be sure there is still much to be repented of....
God continues to work on me....
but the joy is.... that He is doing a working on me
I am struggling with 'news' but one thing for sure, is there is much I am passing up.
Where before I would not use any or at least not very much discernment at all
Now, I dismiss almost all (99%) I know are gossip ( about some movie star or musician or whatever.....
but also most violent crimes, rapes, etc.
even 75 or more percent of politics
well, it took me awhile to drop all series...but it happened....I'd rather be pleasing to the Lord than into any worldly foolishness
anyway, just an update.
I know you'll probably do the next psalm before you read this, but after that one, how about if you skip over to Psalm 16, ok?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 15, 2017 13:04:48 GMT -5
You hit the nail on the head as the old saying goes....
it is hard not to be influenced by our culture, I was thinking if I say I am righteous ( when I still sin) that is not only egotistical and bragging, but being a hypocrite.....
But I can now say, I am righteous in Christ.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 15, 2017 15:21:00 GMT -5
3/15/17
Psalm 16
v.2 "I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Such a true statement, it reminds me of the verse, if a man gains the whole world, but yet loses His soul
Therefore even if a person could have everything on earth for as long as they lived it would not be good, because then they would spend eternity in Hell.
But verse 5 &6 and 11 tells how to have 'everything'
v.5 "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance. "
v. 11 "You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
So my application is to remember these verses when I am apt to bemoan loss of youth, aches and pains, lack of certain material items and the like.....
I really really would rather suffer, a kind of loss now, and gain what is 'everything' in the future.....
but actually, even now, I have so much more than even those with money, fame etc.
I can't remember exactly what.....
but I recently saw a headline about rappers
( big money famed ones)
turning to something like maybe yoga???
I can't remember, but it was because they were in so much stress
So tho they think they have it made ( by worldly secular standards):
money, fame, fancy cars, mansions, clothes, jewelry, parties, drink, drugs, women, etc etc.
They are NOT happy....and I suspect, their unhappiness is increasing.
As we know, quite a lot of famous people kill themselves, or overdose, or someone else kills them, and people often want to be around them, but ONLY because of what they can get from them....
But to be poor, and have God's word for comfort, Jesus's peace, joy in simple things like the beauty of His Creation, love of God and family etc.
And a promise of a 'real' mansion in Heaven,
riches soooooo far beyond whatever these folks have now etc etc.
there is no comparison...
But even more than all that...to be loved by the Creator of everything, to be His child....even all the glories and riches of Heaven, does not compare.
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Post by evafromgreece on Mar 15, 2017 16:33:21 GMT -5
Hey guys. These past weeks were tough from me. After a week sick from gastroenteritis, a little later I was sick again with tonsillitis and at the some days before I got sick I had an accident. I went to the movies and after the screening ended I fell off the stairs. I cannot find the right words in English to explain exactly what happened, but the result was really painful... So these past weeks I wasnt online and I felt also emotionally sick from all these. But... I yesterday finished the book of 2nd Timothy and now I will move on.
Hello Cindy! Yes, it have hurt a lot ! In fact it still hurts sometimes, but now I am ok.
How are you doing emotionally after all of this, and with the move and new job and all?
Its a bit hard to adjust again. Its hard that I need hour to get to work and one hour to return, a long journey... But, emotionally its better, at least at work. People are kind to me and they seem to see how hard I work, they respect me. So I prefer this working conditions , instead of being in Rhodes... I am tired of the journey. I come back home and fall asleep really soon... In fact I am not here often and I dislike this. But, in Rhodes things were extreme... Too bad... No respect , almost bullying...
How do you like the church you said you were going to? Have you been able to go regularly - except when you were sick? I do, on Sundays, but ... Its far. 1 and a half hour from here... And I didnt manage actually to build friendships in the church... I am thinking of trying something else closer, give it a chance. But my other options are pentecostal and apostolic churches. But here I have options at least.
Do you see your parents at all?
Not at all. No chance to go to the island. Its far and it is expensive... But we talk on the phone
How are you doing with them?
They seem to miss me... They didnt seem to really care when I was near to them
I've been kind of concerned about you lately....I think things will turn out better eventually but it takes time... I am in Thessaloniki, the 2nd biggest city in Greece. I used to live here from 2004-2012, I studied also here, its like a 2nd home :)
:) Eva:
Now I remember.....but I didn't realize you lived there before!!
I looked at some images and there are a lot with a round sort of castle looking structure and also a 'unique' looking sculpture, have you seen those and what are they?
Of course, when I was reading about Paul visiting there, I looked at images more from the biblical times.
It is right on the ocean, so can you see or get to the ocean from where you are living?
Are you still staying with a friend?
Which town/city were you born in? :) Yes and you should both visit it! Barbara, I was born in Rhodes and studied here in Thessaloniki, this is my 2nd home. I still live in a small room with an old friend. The sea its 30 minutes from here. But if you want to swim you have to travel about an hour.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 16, 2017 0:33:29 GMT -5
Eva:
So good to hear from you!!!
I have missed you!!
It does sound like a lot of your time is taken up in traveling: to and from work, even your church.....
But prayerfully, things will get better and we may hear from you more often.
Thank you for updating us!
Miss you.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 16, 2017 8:47:06 GMT -5
You hit the nail on the head as the old saying goes....
it is hard not to be influenced by our culture, I was thinking if I say I am righteous ( when I still sin) that is not only egotistical and bragging, but being a hypocrite.....
But I can now say, I am righteous in Christ.
 Yep. Remember we talked about this in a couple of different ways... about putting ourselves down, and about how it seems to be difficult for people to admit that they're mature in Christ. To hear most Christians talk, it sounds like we have a whole lot of infants, a few children and hardly anyone that's mature in Christ, when in fact quite a few are mature in Christ, including you. Maybe it's because we don't want to admit we've grown up, or more likely we feel like we don't know enough to be mature in Christ yet. That's the funny thing about being mature in Christ though. The more mature you are, the more you realize how little you really know!  3/15/17
Psalm 16
v.2 "I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Such a true statement, it reminds me of the verse, if a man gains the whole world, but yet loses His soul
Therefore even if a person could have everything on earth for as long as they lived it would not be good, because then they would spend eternity in Hell.
But verse 5 &6 and 11 tells how to have 'everything'
v.5 "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance. "
v. 11 "You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
So my application is to remember these verses when I am apt to bemoan loss of youth, aches and pains, lack of certain material items and the like.....
I really really would rather suffer, a kind of loss now, and gain what is 'everything' in the future.....
but actually, even now, I have so much more than even those with money, fame etc.
I can't remember exactly what.....
but I recently saw a headline about rappers
( big money famed ones)
turning to something like maybe yoga???
I can't remember, but it was because they were in so much stress
So tho they think they have it made ( by worldly secular standards):
money, fame, fancy cars, mansions, clothes, jewelry, parties, drink, drugs, women, etc etc.
They are NOT happy....and I suspect, their unhappiness is increasing.
As we know, quite a lot of famous people kill themselves, or overdose, or someone else kills them, and people often want to be around them, but ONLY because of what they can get from them....
But to be poor, and have God's word for comfort, Jesus's peace, joy in simple things like the beauty of His Creation, love of God and family etc.
And a promise of a 'real' mansion in Heaven,
riches soooooo far beyond whatever these folks have now etc etc.
there is no comparison...
But even more than all that...to be loved by the Creator of everything, to be His child....even all the glories and riches of Heaven, does not compare.
Here's what some of my books say about these verses:
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” (Psalm 16:5–6)
Joy is a proper response to God’s providence. Divine providence is the way God orchestrates all circumstances to effect the greatest good for believers. It's by far the most common method He uses to arrange & control temporal human events. When we consider God’s drawing together of millions of details & situations to accomplish His perfect purpose, the vast scope of providence is a much greater miracle than those 1–time supernatural occurrences we usually call miracles. A settled confidence & deep–down assurance is ours in knowing that the Lord through all the infinite contingencies, sovereignly controls the entire universe & He also graciously controls all the specific events in our individual lives, which should continually renew our faith & joy in Him. The pillars of Christian character
Unerring wisdom ordained your lot & selected for you the safest & best condition. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you're in, divine love would've put you there. You're placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it's the burden best suited for your shoulder, & will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word & work to the glory of God. Down busy self & proud impatience, it's not for you to choose, but for the Lord of Love! Morning and evening
Who or what owns your love: this is what big kingdom and little kingdom living are all about. The fundamental difference between big kingdom and little kingdom living is what has captured the love of our hearts. Remember, as Christ said during his earthly ministry, the kingdom of God is not a location. You couldn’t say, “Honey, let’s get up tomorrow morning and go visit the kingdom of God for the day.” No, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Both the big and little kingdoms are kingdoms of the heart. The big kingdom is shaped by a deeply thankful love for God, and the little kingdom is shaped by a love of self. When my true spiritual condition reveals that I, in fact, love me more than anything else, I will always shrink the size of my care and concern, sacrifice and discipline, and hopes and dreams to the size of my own life. If I love God more than anything else, I will be pulled way beyond the borders of my own wants and needs to the spaciousness of God’s kingdom, where redemption and restoration of all things is the order of the day, every day. Heart of the matter
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,” (Psalm 16:8–9)
Everything exists for the purpose of glorifying God. The Westminster Shorter Catechism of the 17th century begins by stating that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God.” The vastness of space and all therein glorifies God. In Isaiah 43:20, God says, “The beast of the field will honor Me.” The angels who appeared at the birth of Christ said, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14). Scripture explains that you exist to give God glory. May you follow the lead of David and set the Lord always before you. Truth for today
We Christ–ones know the keys to having a glad heart. They are spelled out for us clearly.… Enjoy what we have (enabled by God) as we accept our “lot”—which means accepting whatever “portion and cup” (Psalm 16:5) God has given. If we do that we won’t feel guilty if we “have” or cheated if we “have not.” … Live in the present with each moment being lived “to the hilt” and let God keep us occupied with gladness of heart. Enter His gates
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
The man who walks along the path of life lives in the presence of the joy-giving God. Just in so far as he is true to that path of life, and wanders neither to the right hand nor to the left, his joy becomes deeper; nay, he becomes partaker of that very fullness of joy in which God Himself lives, and moves, and has His being. And while such is his experience in the midst of all the trials of life, he has also the privilege of looking forward to grander things yet in store for him, when that higher world shall be reached, and the shadows of time have passed away forever. “At Thy right hand,” exclaims the psalmist, “there are pleasures forevermore.” Thoughts for the quiet hour.
I'm so sorry you're been sick Eva. And falling down and hurting yourself isn't good either. I'm sure that must have hurt!
Hello Cindy! Yes, it have hurt a lot ! In fact it still hurts sometimes, but now I am ok.
How are you doing emotionally after all of this, and with the move and new job and all?
Its a bit hard to adjust again. Its hard that I need hour to get to work and one hour to return, a long journey... But, emotionally its better, at least at work. People are kind to me and they seem to see how hard I work, they respect me. So I prefer this working conditions , instead of being in Rhodes... I am tired of the journey. I come back home and fall asleep really soon... In fact I am not here often and I dislike this. But, in Rhodes things were extreme... Too bad... No respect , almost bullying...
How do you like the church you said you were going to? Have you been able to go regularly - except when you were sick? I do, on Sundays, but ... Its far. 1 and a half hour from here... And I didnt manage actually to build friendships in the church... I am thinking of trying something else closer, give it a chance. But my other options are pentecostal and apostolic churches. But here I have options at least.
Do you see your parents at all?
Not at all. No chance to go to the island. Its far and it is expensive... But we talk on the phone
How are you doing with them?
They seem to miss me... They didnt seem to really care when I was near to them
I've been kind of concerned about you lately....I think things will turn out better eventually but it takes time... That's so neat to know that people are still living in the area where Paul taught, and still loving the Lord like he did!
:) I think Greece must be beautiful! :) Yes and you should both visit it! Barbara, I was born in Rhodes and studied here in Thessaloniki, this is my 2nd home. I still live in a small room with an old friend. The sea its 30 minutes from here. But if you want to swim you have to travel about an hour.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 16, 2017 17:57:12 GMT -5
3/16/17
psalm 17:1-15
v.7 "Show me the wonders of your great love,....
v.15
"......when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."
This is a good application for me for waking up when depression tries to gain a foothold....to be satisfied with 'seeing' the Lord.
Today was physical therapy again and we had a good talk again.
Plus we have been cleaning for landlord for the last 3 days so I am a bit weary, achy and tired so sorry for such a short study....
Tomorrow I only have to do some little brief things of cleaning for landlord, so I should have more time.
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Post by Cindy on Mar 17, 2017 11:17:06 GMT -5
I hope you saw my reply to you from yesterday.3/16/17
psalm 17:1-15
v.7 "Show me the wonders of your great love,....
v.15
"......when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness."
This is a good application for me for waking up when depression tries to gain a foothold....to be satisfied with 'seeing' the Lord.
Today was physical therapy again and we had a good talk again.
Plus we have been cleaning for landlord for the last 3 days so I am a bit weary, achy and tired so sorry for such a short study....
Tomorrow I only have to do some little brief things of cleaning for landlord, so I should have more time.
Did you notice verse 5? “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” (Psalm 17:5) it reminds me of a verse I gave you guys to memorize a long time ago. It's still one of my favorite memory verses: “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:18–19) This one goes along with what we we're talking about as far as what to think on in the morning as you wake up. When you wake up beginning to feel depressed, it means that our foot is slipping, so what is going to support you and stop you from slipping further? God's love! What will bring joy to your soul? The Lord's consolation will. Both of which are reflected in this psalm. These are all things you should probably be putting in your notebook so you don't forget them. Here's what one of my books has to say about verse 5:
Christians who are spiritually stable have a testimony that honors Christ. That’s the kind of testimony the apostle Paul had. Bound in chains as a prisoner of the Romanss, he remained content & confident in the Lord. Yet so many believers aren't confident that unbelievers find it hard to understand how Christians who believes in an all–sufficient God can live as though God were weak. Perhaps you've felt crushed, weak & unable to stand. You know what it’s like to lose your spiritual balance. We face strong temptations & trials in this life. Nevertheless, it’s vital for us to be spiritually stable not only for our own well being but also for our testimony. So make sure you're depending on God to help you stand, not on yourself. Truth for today
Another verse that speaks of His love for us is this one: “O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.” (Psalm 17:14) It's really amazing when you reflect on God's love for us and search His Word for examples of it or for verses that speak about it and see the words that are used to describe how God feels about us. He "cherishes" us. We are His "beloved children". That alone makes me think of how the Father called Jesus His beloved Son, showing His love for Him. It's easy for us to accept that, but we seem to skip over how often He calls us His beloved children! “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1) That is also translated as "beloved children" as that's the meaning of the word in the original language. In the original language it can also mean "favorite children". Here's another one that's also one of my memory verses: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) The words, "dearly loved" is that same word again, that's also translated "beloved" . God's love for us is described many ways in the bible. Here are a few of them: “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,” (Ephesians 2:4) In the next one we see that His love and kindness are linked together, and more importantly that His love will never be taken away from us or reduced in any way or for any reason: “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) Next we're shown how He demonstrates His love for us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Another one like this would be John 3:16. This next one is one of my very favorites, as to me it really shows how the Lord loves us so greatly: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” (1 John 3:1)
God’s love for us is unique. 1 John 3:1 may be translated, “Behold, what peculiar, out-of-this-world kind of love the Father has bestowed on us.” “Sons of God” or "Children of God" is not simply a high-sounding name that we bear; it is a reality! We are God’s children! We do not expect the world to understand this thrilling relationship, because it does not even understand God. Only a person who knows God through Christ can fully appreciate what it means to be called a child of God. 1 John 3:1 tells us what we are and 1 John 3:2 tells us what we shall be. The reference here, of course, is to the time of Christ’s coming for His church. This was mentioned in 1 John 2:28 as an incentive for holy living, and now it is repeated. Salvation, from start to finish, is an expression of the love of God. We are saved by the grace of God (Eph. 2:8–9; Titus 2:11–15), but the provision for our salvation was originated in the love of God. The Bible exposition commentary
Scripture declares that God is an intimate, caring, loving, Father. The significance of that truth is staggering! he's also perfect, so we can't allow our relationship with an imperfect human father to contaminate our relationship to our Heavenly Father by allowing the imperfect things a human father did to color how we see our Heavenly Father. Instead, we need to search the scriptures to find out what our Heavenly Father's characteristics are, so we can know Him better, and so we can easily catch any lies about Him we may hear, read or think of ourselves.
He conquers your fears and comforts you in times of distress. He forgives your sins and gives you eternal hope. He showers you with limitless resources and makes you the recipient of an imperishable inheritance. He grants you wisdom and direction through His Spirit and His Word. He will never leave or forsake you. When you humbly approach God as your Father, you assume the role of a child who is eager to obey his Father’s will and receive all the benefits of His grace. Let that take you beyond your present circumstances and motivate you to dwell on what’s eternal. Drawing Near
Another good verse about God's love for us is: “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:7–9)
I'd also like to share a verse which is another good one to study on. Of course to study it, we have to continue reading to see how He shows the extent of His love for us, but this is another good thing to reflect on when considering God's love for us. “It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” (John 13:1)
A scripture we often don't think of when we think about God's love is the parable Jesus told about looking for His lost sheep. ““Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” (Luke 15:4–6) Notice that He says He's joyful when He finds His sheep and that He goes home and tells His friends to rejoice with Him that the lost sheep has been found and brought home safely. We were each lost before Jesus found us and saved us, that's what He is talking about. We don't rejoice if we find something or someone we don't like or don't care about do we? Nor do we rejoice when we find an enemy (which is what we really were before we were saved). No, we only rejoice when we find something that's precious to us, so again, this shows us how much the Lord loves us. Another good one to reflect on is of course the parable of the lost son in Luke 15:11–32.
Finally, we know that God IS love, just as He is the way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) When we hear that God is love, it's like saying about a person that they are human. In other words love defines who God is, just as being human defines who we are. Actually love defines God much more than the other defines us. Love is not just a characteristic that God has that He can change or use at will, like if someone can play the piano they can choose to play beautifully or not. No, love defines everything about God. He is incapable of doing, saying, or being anything that is not loving. We have a problem believing that because we don't understand what love really is. Satan has corrupted the meaning of love in the world we live in. That's why God defines it for us in 1 Cor 13:4-8. (another of my memory verses lol) Therefore we know that even when God ordered Israel to put people to death, that it was because of His love for both those people and for Israel. (If anyone doesn't understand this, just ask and we can discuss it further, because we really need to see and understand that God does everything in love and with love, which is why He asks us to do the same.
“God is love” matches “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and “God is spirit” ( John 4:24).
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” (Deuteronomy 7:9) We are not Israel and don't have the same covenant that they do, but our covenant is also a covenant of love, and is called a better one than the one God gave Israel. (Luke 22:20 and Hebrews 8:6) It's better because all our sins from the past, present and even the future are paid for and we are saved and God's children for ever. It's not based on what we can or will do, but instead is based on what God has done for us, and what He did for us, He did because of His love for us. All this and so much more we can reflect on when we're feeling down, and I guarantee you, if we do this, we won't feel down for long!
How could we feel down knowing that we have a Father who loves us so very much and who lavishes His love on us every single day? The problem is that our eyes are often blind to the way our Father lavishes His love on us. We're blind to it because we don't look for it, and also because we don't expect it. Often it's because we don't really believe God loves us, or because we think His love is like the world's love which can be taken away temporarily or completely. But God isn't like that. He keeps His promises, especially His promise to love us and cherish us forever. Which reminds me of yet another scripture I love: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”” (Zephaniah 3:17)
You've asked me before to show you how to reflect on something - to give you an example of how I do it. Well, that's what I've just done. As I began speaking (typing) the reply to what you saw in the psalm, scriptures came to my mind and I simply followed the trail that the Lord gave me, looking at each scripture that came to mind, thinking about it, and writing it down, and then one or more other scriptures would come to mind and I'd go to those and continue with the process. Even now there are more that have come to mind that I could continue with and continue to write about, and think about, but I think this is more than long enough and I also think it shows you what I mean about reflecting or meditating about God's Word. I think sometimes people think they have to close their eyes to meditate, but that's not true. That's more the new ages and the occult's version of meditation. We can not only have our eyes open, but we can have His Word before us and be reading it as He brings a scripture to our minds.
Your next Psalm is Psalm 18 and it's a long one. Don't let that stop you or make you divide it up. Do it all in one day ok? It's important to get all his thoughts together so you know what he's feeling and thinking and can relate to it better. Also, I can't remember if i mentioned this before or not, but most people don't realize that the titles of the psalms, those that have them anyway, are also the inspired Word of God and shouldn't be ignored. Anyway, for now, continue to do the psalms in order through Psalm 27 ok?
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,384
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Post by fearnot on Mar 17, 2017 11:33:17 GMT -5
3/17/17
Psalms 18:1-50
This is a Psalm of the great strength of God
v.17 is one I can really relate to when I think of my sins
"He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me."
And verse 19 tells why the Lord rescued me
"he rescued me because he delighted in me."
I used to wonder, how could He delight in me a most wretched, rebellious and sinful person that I was ( and still am tho He is doing a work in me and will continue until its finished)
But then you once pointed out He delights in me because He sees who I will be ( or rather who I am in Jesus)
v. 30 and 32, speak to me why the Christians God is the real God, and all of false 'gods' ,do not measure up.
v. 30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
v. 31 For who is God besides the Lord?"
and my application is to learn how better to praise Him and do so
49 "Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name."
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Post by Cindy on Mar 18, 2017 13:01:58 GMT -5
3/17/17
Psalms 18:1-50
This is a Psalm of the great strength of God
v.17 is one I can really relate to when I think of my sins
"He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me."
And verse 19 tells why the Lord rescued me
"he rescued me because he delighted in me."
I used to wonder, how could He delight in me a most wretched, rebellious and sinful person that I was ( and still am tho He is doing a work in me and will continue until its finished)
But then you once pointed out He delights in me because He sees who I will be ( or rather who I am in Jesus)
v. 30 and 32, speak to me why the Christians God is the real God, and all of false 'gods' ,do not measure up.
v. 30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
v. 31 For who is God besides the Lord?"
and my application is to learn how better to praise Him and do so
49 "Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing the praises of your name."
I hope you realize that what I've been attempting to do in this thread with the psalms is what I was planning to do on the other thread, but since we're doing the psalms here, it seemed silly to do it on the other thread. So I figured I'd just use the other thread for things that didn't include the psalms. That's why, to me, theses studies are so important right now. They're to enable you to get over that waking up depression and the other things we've discussed.
Psalm 18 is truly a treasure. Beginning with verse 7, until verse 18, is an awesome picture of how much God loves us, that he hears our cries and comes rushing to our rescue! Someone is trying to harm His child; the child cries for help; an angry Father comes charging to His child's rescue! This is in 2 Samuel 22 too. Come to think of it, all this also sounds like a good description of the second coming! This shows us though, how God feels. He wants to help us, He wants to rescue us, He wants to guide us so that we won't fall into any of the enemies traps. Sadly we often ignore Him.
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.” (Psalm 18:16–17) I think that everyone who's ever been saved can relate to these verses. God came and saved us from ourselves!
To be used by God in difficult relationships, you need to understand how he pursues people. How is it that the all-powerful God of the universe doesn’t terrify us when he comes looking for us? Why don’t we run the other way? Part of the reason is that God has an established track record of being involved in his people’s lives for their good. God responded to Adam & Eve’s rebellion by promising a Deliverer who would free us from our slavery to sin. God remembered that promise for thousands of years & never turned his back on his people, even though they turned away from him many times. Instead, he continued to move all history toward the point when, at just the right time, Jesus stepped onto center stage. Jesus literally went to hell & back for you. His death guarantees your forgiveness; his resurrection guarantees your new life; & his Spirit guarantees that he will never leave you. Jesus has remained faithful to you, even through the many times you have not loved him with all your heart, soul, mind, & strength. He is committed to you for the long haul. He invites you to run to him to find safety. He is your rock, fortress, refuge, stronghold, shield, & strong tower. He invites you to find safety in him. Heart of the matter
Another passage that shows how the Lord loves us: “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19)
This next one can be confusing to some though: “The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.” (Psalm 18:20) David isn't saying that he never sins, he's well aware of his sinfulness, just as we are. But here he shows us the biblical way to see ourselves - the way God sees us. God sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and it is by that righteousness and that cleanliness that he deals with us. But, God also deals with us according to how we are dealing with Him. If we are doing our best to obey Him then He will reward us for that. If we are purposely and willingly sinning against Him, then He will deal with us in discipline according to that. Whenever we obey Him in the smallest thing, like picking up our bible and spending time with Him even though we don't "feel like it" that day, then He will reward us for that obedience and bless us for it.
Another important verse is: “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28) This is also translated as: “For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.” The light of the lamp, or the lamp itself are speaking of the light of wisdom and insight that God instills into our minds as we study His Word. It shows us that without God giving it to us, without Him teaching us, we wouldn't have this light of wisdom and insight; we'd remain in the dark.
“With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” (Psalm 18:29)
The danger in facing life’s crises is withdrawing into the valley of despair or seeking to surmount it with feeble self–resolve. Both tactics will end in ruin. The opportunity is to trust God to make your feet as “deer’s feet” (v 33) so that through Him, you may see God at work in your problems. Faith in God and His care for you will stabilize your footing and give you a confident grip in His ability. As God strengthens and equips you, you can ride on the divine winds of faith that help you seize the opportunity for faith in your crises and give you renewed hope in God’s active presence in your life. Enter His gates
“It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” (Psalm 18:32) Here and throughout the whole psalm, David shows us that every ability and talent and every victory we win, are all from the Lord and not from ourselves.
This is one of my favorites and another that's a treasure for us: “You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” (Psalm 18:35) A great verse to reflect on for sure! I just read an entire book who's main plot was all abut how God's stoops to make us great. Look what this says about the word "stoop": to descend from one’s level (as of rank or dignity) usually to do something <a king who would not stoop to consider the common people> to descend from a superior rank, dignity, or status. That's just what Jesus did for us and is what God does for us continually every day. He then continues along this line with: “You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.” (Psalm 18:36) A picture of a very loving Father.
Finally the psalm ends with a hymn of praise to the wonderful God who loves us so much that He stoops to make us great!
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I'm finally back! You can read how I made it back in Christian Chat, but it was the Lord's doing, not mine or any humans! I'm sorry it took so long though.
Yep. Remember we talked about this in a couple of different ways... about putting ourselves down, and about how it seems to be difficult for people to admit that they're mature in Christ. To hear most Christians talk, it sounds like we have a whole lot of infants, a few children and hardly anyone that's mature in Christ, when in fact quite a few are mature in Christ, including you. Maybe it's because we don't want to admit we've grown up, or more likely we feel like we don't know enough to be mature in Christ yet. That's the funny thing about being mature in Christ though. The more mature you are, the more you realize how little you really know! 
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