THE BEST STORIES THAT MOVE OUR HEARTS DO SO
BECAUSE THEY TAP INTO THE TRUE STORY,
THE STORY THAT BEGAN BEFORE THE DAWN OF TIME.
SO WE LOVE THESE TALES THAT TELL OF A GOOD KING
WHO MADE ALL THINGS RIGHT,
BUT THEN THERE WAS AN ENEMY…A BATTLE…
AND WE ARE ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS…
TAKE THE STORY OF THE GOOD KING ARTHUR
WHO FELL IN LOVE AND TOOK FOR HIMSELF A BRIDE…
KING ARTHUR WAS SO WONDERFUL AND GUINEVERE DID LOVE HIM.
AND HIS KNIGHT, SIR LANCELOT, LOVED HIM.
SO HOW COULD THEY BETRAY HIM SO?
BRINGING SO MUCH PAIN TO ALL
AND THE DOWNFALL OF CAMELOT.
“ONCE, A DISTANT TIME AGO, THERE WAS A LAND CALLED CAMELOT”
AND TRULY, ONCE, THERE WAS A LAND CALLED EDEN
SEE HOW THIS STORY IS A “MEMORY TRACE” OF THE TRUE STORY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzh6VKpB6qc
SUNDAY (Icebreaker)
1. In the above clip, see if you can:
A. Find winsomeness in King Arthur that reflects the winsomeness of the True King
B. Find descriptions of Camelot that reflect the beauty of Eden.
C. Do you see any other parallels to the true story?
2. If you know the end of the story, how did the infidelity of Guinevere and Lancelot impact King Arthur and Camelot?
3. With the above in mind, meditate on Psalm 2:12 and find an application for yourself today.
Monday-Wednesday Bible Study
Part I. WHO IS THIS KING?
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2:
The English word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word for anointed one.
B. Verse 6.
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 1:5)
D. Verse 8-9
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree,
6. Completely Optional (Because I promised not to overload you) Listen to the first twelve minutes of Reeves and comment if you like:
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
Part Ii. THE KINGS OF THE EARTH RAGE AGAINST THE TRUE KING AND HIS FOLLOWERS
Psalm 2 indeed is about a world gone mad, where, from the beginning, kings have raged against the King God set on His holy hill. And indeed, that is the first part of the truth of Psalm 2. The kings of the nations have always raged against the true King.
HEROD ORDERED THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS
THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF THE DAY CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM AND PILATE WASHED HIS HANDS OF HIM
NERO THREW CHRISTIANS TO THE LIONS IN THE 1ST CENTURY
2/3 OF THE WORLD HAS SEVERE RESTRICTIONS AGAINST CHRISTIANS
IN 2013 KOREA’S KIM JONG UN PUBLICLY EXECUTED 80 CHRISTIANS FOR READING THEIR BIBLES
Reports of Dreadful Persecutions are Coming From Syria and Much of the Islam World
Christianity Today reports that persecution has escalated everywhere, and though we are in the minority of the world where Christians are still free to worship, the scoffing has increased, and we too feel the growing storm and wonder what is ahead. Among our own, there are those who are experiencing scoffing right within their own homes, a place God intended to be a sanctuary, a place of rest. This is real persecution as well, and we must include these persecuted Christians in our prayers.
How vital it it to pray the Word so we are taken out of our self-centered cloister to pray for our brothers and sisters in enormous need.
5. Read the following page on praying for persecuted Christians and then put it into action right here through your prayers: Link
6. Read Psalm 2 and then pray Psalm 2:10-12 for the rulers of the world.
7. Pray the last phrase “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” and Psalm 3 for persecuted Christians.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY LISTEN TO THIS FREE KELLER SERMON: LINK
8. Share your notes here.
9. On the basis of what you heard, pray for your own heart.
Saturday:
What is your take-a-way and why?
375 comments
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2: “anointed one” in Greek is “His Christ” and in Hebrew “Messiah”
B. Verse 6: “I have installed My king on Zion, My holy hill”…”Zion” is the hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built.
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 5:5): At Jesus’ baptism, the Lord states that Jesus is His Son and the people should listen to Him. In Heb 5:5, Paul states that these words are spoken of Jesus…Jesus as the greatest high priest. Acts 13:33 references these words related to Jesus’ resurrection.
D. Verse 8-9: Christ is ruler and judge…those who receive His grace will live in His grace, those who don’t, will be ruled by His power and judged by His law.
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree,
(from the ESV GTB)…trust in the Lord is demonstrated by reading His scripture and practicing it. The Lord gave us the law and scripture for our benefit…if we follow, it will benefit us…it is an an act of love with our best interests at His heart.
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
Thank you for Your continuous love, Lord; You are always faithful. Thank You for Your work in my mind and heart; thank You for helping me to be attentive of Your presence, Your will for me, and Your continuous affection. Thank You for Your patience with me. Thank You that You are King and Lord of all and nothing rises above You. Thank You for Your continuing work to free me from my idols, freeing me from evilness pretending to be my friend. You are the only one deserving of glory and honor, my allegiance and obedience. Thank You for your continuing to work in transforming me…You know what is best for me, Lord, forgive me for falling astray. Thank You for Your welcoming embrace regardless and despite myself. Thank You for seeing/knowing my heart and loving me. In Jesus’ Holy Name…amen.
Laura-dancer has suggested we make our prayer requests in all caps to make them easier to identify. I think it is a good idea.
PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AS I PREPARE MY MESSAGES FOR MANY UPCOMING RETREATS!
Lord, we pray for quickening for Dee as she prepares for many retreats. She longs that her words be Your words Lord, please lead her. We pray that You would give her clarity of thought and direct her. We also pray You would begin now drawing those who You desire to attend, prepare their heart to hear Your voice. In Your Name we ask and for Your glory, Amen
I agree with Laura-D-great suggestion!
Lord thank you that you have gone ahead and are with Dee as we make preparations-quicken her heart and encourage her as she prepares-soften the hearts of the volunteers and the women who will come to hear you-I ask they would sense you, long for you and that you would create a strong desire in their hearts for you-open their eyes and their ears. In Jesus precious sweet name-amen.
Dee, praying for you as you prepare your messages…Lord, please tune Dee’s heart to hear Your voice…first, that You love her, and then, the words that You would have her share with the women who will come to hear her speak. Help Dee to be sensitive to Your leading, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Father, may Your river flow through Dee and be evident to those that hear, may Your words be made clear by what she says. We are confident that You will give her leading in the words she says, grant understanding to those that hear and draw their hearts to find true freedom in Your son, Jesus Christ. In His name! Amen.
Adding my voice in prayer for you Dee as you prepare for retreats. Such a lot of work, I am sure. We so much appreciate the way you lead us here and I know the Lord will lead you in retreats. On a practical side, I will also pray for your health and safety in travel. I wish I lived close enough to attend one of them. Eastern Canada feels like the end of the world sometimes, especially in the winter.
Praying for you as you prepare, Dee.
My name is Jan and I met Dee in Wisconsin and would love to join the psalms study.
Welcome Jan! So glad you’ve joined us!
Welcome Jan!!! I am excited you are joining us! 🙂
Welcome Jan!
Welcome, Jan- Quilter. Are you from Wisconsin, the same of Dee?
Welcome, Jan-Quilter! Want some fabric?? 😉
Hello Jan,
Good to have you with us.
Welcome Jan…I like you already! Because your a quilter!! You will love it here!
Welcome Jan — so glad to have you here!
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2: The first use of the word “king” in verse 2 is “kings of the earth”, so the “Anointed One” is not an earthly king. The word means Messiah.
B. Verse 6: This king has been installed by God on Zion. (Reeves said the word used here means ‘poured out’ as in a sacrifice)
C. Verse 7: “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” This is quoted in Acts 13:33 and is speaking about Jesus-that God raised Him up. It is quoted in Hebrews 5:5 speaking about Jesus’ glory as High Priest being given to Him by God the Father.
D. Verse 8-9: This king’s inheritance is the nations and the ends of the earth are his possession. This king will rule over all; it is useless to stand against him and those who do will be broken like pieces of pottery. This reminds me of Ephesians 1:20-22 (paraphrased) that God has seated Christ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title given and has placed all things under His feet and has appointed Jesus to be the head over everything.
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree.
The king described in this passage is one who immerses himself in the Scriptures all the days of his life. This king reverences God and is obedient to His Law. This king doesn’t think he is better than his brothers and he does not depart from the Law. Jesus fulfilled all of this perfectly when He lived on the earth. As the Blessed Man, Jesus delighted in God’s law and never followed ungodly counsel, never sinned, never mocked. Jesus was a fruitful tree.
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2:
The English word Messiah comes from the Greek word for anointed one. ( John 1:41)
B. Verse 6. (Isaiah 9:6-7),(Matt. 28:8),(Psalm 48:1-2),(Rev. 14:1),(Phil. 2:9-11)(Ephes. 1:22),(Acts 5:30-31)
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 5:5) (Matt. 3:17),(John 3:16),(John 1:14),(Psalm 89:27)(Isaiah 46:10),(Psalm 148:6)
D. Verse 8-9 (Psalm 22:27),(Psalm 89:27),(Rev. 12:5),(Psalm 89:23),(Rev. 2:26-27),(Psalm 110:5-6)
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree. I will be honest, I had to use the cross-reference to understand this, and Im finding this cross-referencing to be very enjoyable, something Im embarrassed to say I did not really understand all that well.
“Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” references back to “17:19 And it shall be with him and he shall read it in all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees”
Hi Staci,
Not stupid at all! In fact I am wondering how you did it….are you using an electronic copy of the bible or a hardcopy? I know I have cross references in my hardcopy, but not sure about the electronic copy. I usually use my electronic copy. I just wasn’t sure what to do with this part of the lesson so I skipped it 🙁 I was impressed with your list here! Now I will go back and check it out…..
Laura-dancer, oh good, I wasnt the only one that struggled, I was really frustrated…Im laughing at myself now. ON a good note, I learned how to use my husband’s Thompson Chain Bible that I bought him years ago. Has nothing to do with cross-referencing,but I killed two birds with one stone so to speak. I just went to google and typed in cross-reference bible and this one cool website popped up with squares and all the references and you pick and choose what seemed to fit with this scripture. Most fit and some ??? Hope this helps you. 🙂
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2: “Anointed,” means Messiah in Hebrew and Christ in Greek
(Acts 10:38: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power).
B. Verse 6. Speaks of Jesus’ being crowned King after His resurrection. My notes give Romans 1:4 “and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,”
C. Verse 7. God declares Him His Son. Acts 13:13: “this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’
D. Verse 8-9- Romans 1:5 “through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,”
Rev. 12:5 “She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne,”
5. Read the following page on praying for persecuted Christians and then put it into action right here through your prayers: Link
I really appreciate this link. I was reading and found they used a lot of prayer scriptures from Ephesians and it brought to memory a book I read years ago by Kenneth Hagin called the Believers Authority, a very small but powerful book on prayer using Ephesians.
6. Read Psalm 2 and then pray Psalm 2:10-12 for the rulers of the world.
Ephesians 3:14-21: I placed your or us with our leaders/government. This is how I read to pray scripture using this method from Believers Authority. There is much power in the Word and praying over people and nations. Ephesians 6 is a really good passage to pray as well with putting on the armor of God. I use to pray this a lot over myself and people when God led me to. I need to get back to doing this. Just watching the news this morning, there is so much turmoil around the world within governments and freedoms….
For this reason I kneel(X) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(Y) he may strengthen Our leadears/government/nations with power(Z) through his Spirit in their inner being,(AA) 17 so that Christ may dwell in their hearts(AB) through faith. And I pray that our leaders /government or our nations, being rooted(AC) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(AE) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(AF)—that our leaders may be filled(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(AH)
20 Now to him who is able(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(AJ) or imagine, according to his power(AK) that is at work within our leaders/government of our nations, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Staci, I love this prayer based on Eph 3:14-21. What a great way to pray! Thank you. and Amen.
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree.
Psalm 1:2 “his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Deut. 17:19 tells us the King meditate day and night: “And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,”
Also in Joshua 1:8—we see that the King is to study the Law and then is fruitful, as the tree is fruitful in Psalm 1 “ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
The Blessed Man of Psalm 1—who meditates on the Law, as does the King (Deut 17:19), and is prosperous, as is the King who meditates (Joshua 1:8), is the Anointed King of Psalm 2.
6. Listen to the first twelve minutes of Reeves and comment if you like:
I couldn’t stop at just 12 minutes-and I’ve listened yesterday and today. There is so much here…still trying to put all these pieces together and for me, many new ideas about the Psalms and how he connects it all. Here are some of my notes:
The book of Psalms is a Messianic book. Psalms 1 and 2 traditionally seen as one. Psalm 1 begins with “blessed” and Psalm 2 ends with “blessed”.
Psalms 1 and 2 together set up the scene for the Psalms to come – main theme of the war between God’s righteous king and the wicked.
Psalm 1 – a man who is blessed because he follows the law of the Lord. Is this just ‘any man’? It wasn’t the Pharisees-Jesus was always having a “go” at them, so it’s not meaning that blessed are the Bible readers. (Also liked the point Reeves made about translations with all-inclusive language, as in “Blessed are those…” it takes away the true meaning)
Reeves said Psalm 1 has someone very specific in mind-the blessed man-and it makes sense if you look in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. The king is the one who above all should be reading the Law daily. The Blessed Man in Psalm 1 is the Righteous King in Psalm 2 (in Psalm 2 we see a righteous king who is blessed by the Lord). We are shown in Psalm 2:8 how the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 prospers-the nations become his inheritance.
Consider Jesus as a child – meditating on God’s Law…in the Temple, debating with the Scribes and Pharisees at a very young age. The knowledge wasn’t divinely given to Him; He had to learn it. Jesus is God’s Blessed Man – the Ultimate Delighter in God’s Law.
Reeves pulls out a description of the Blessed Man in 1:3 – the tree – and says this isn’t just any tree…references Genesis (the tree of life in Eden)…Psalm 46:4 and Revelation 22:1-2 where we see a tree yielding fruit all year long, meaning no winter/death. Christ should be called this Tree of Life…the Spirit is the stream of water…Jesus becomes the vehicle of God’s blessing. So, blessed is the man (Christ) and blessed are all who take refuge in Him.
Looking at Psalm 2, so much language that doesn’t fit with any other king – particularly verse 6, the word “set” (or installed) means “poured-out” – this is strange coronation language; this word is always associated with sacrifice…Christ is crowned on His bloody Cross.
Psalm 45:6 “Your throne, O God” – do you call an ordinary king “God”? This is not a human king – this is Christ.
These last points were helpful to me…Reeves said that the genre of the Psalms is prophecy. 1 Chronicles 1:25 – David (and other kings) described as prophets. David foresaw things about Christ. Spurgeon quote about you can see both David and his Lord but “Let the sun shine though it conceal the stars”.
Reeves points out that Deuteronomy 17 is in the Law of Moses, so instructions about the king were put into the Law. The heart of the law is the Tabernacle – all sacrifices are a pattern of the heavenly reality, so the very existence of a king is proclaiming a higher reality. David and Solomon shadow Christ but it’s not really about them.
Applications made by Reeves were very helpful: This is how God’s revelation works – He doesn’t first ask us to do something. First, He presents how He is-what He is like. As He presents Himself, that affects our hearts and we change. So it’s not a message to us to do something, it’s a message about Christ. Hold out Christ first – however you may read the Bible, don’t let it take you an inordinate amount of time to get to Jesus.
If you don’t believe Psalm 1 is mainly about Christ, then what is it’s meaning? – YOU be the blessed man. It is moral exhortation. (I admit that’s how I saw it) Reeves explains that the primary reading should be “Blessed is The Man and blessed are all who take refuge in Him” – this is gospel – what has been done for you; therefore, kiss the Son.
Don’t allow Christ to be mere icing on your cake. Chronologically – Jesus is there in Genesis…we don’t “pop” Jesus into our theology, as in God has His ways and plans and Jesus fulfills them. Christ has to be there from the beginning. Have Jesus as foundational to your story and system.
Reeves’ message has given me a lot to ponder…I really did get excited when he started weaving lots of Scriptures together, from Genesis to Revelation. It does make sense but I’m not sure I’ve fully grasped everything. It’s hard to undo say, the way I’ve always read Psalm 1, as if it was telling me what I should be doing. And I always did read even the Messianic psalms with the slant that it was primarily talking about David but there was Christ in the shadows, so to speak. Spurgeon’s quote is a good word picture, to “Let the Son shine even though it conceal the stars”.
Thanks so much for these notes, Susan. It gives us an overview of what Reeves is trying to say. I have not had a chance to listen to Reeves this week yet, but you whet my appetite. Particularly, I am pondering this application of Scripture:
This makes me wonder anew if I should get the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. I understand it makes particular emphasis on Christ in Scripture .
Diane–I am really enjoying the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. With purchase, you also receive the online version. These are the notes for Psalm 2 (I’m assuming posting this small portion is OK!):
Psalm Ps. 2 Psalm 2 ushers the worshiper into God’s throne room. It reminds us that David’s emergence as a king from Judah was a midcourse confirmation between God’s promise to Abraham and his descendant bringing the final kingdom to earth (Gen. 49:10; cf. Gen. 12:1–3; Matt. 3:2). The first hint that the psalm refers to David’s Greater Son is in the title “Anointed,” which is Messiah in Hebrew and Christ in Greek (Ps. 2:2; Acts 10:38).Another clue is the prophecy of worldwide rule that demands a King with infinitely greater powers than David, but which also accords with God’s promise to David of an eternal and worldwide kingdom established by his descendant (cf. Ps. 2:8–9; 2 Sam. 7:12–14; Rev. 2:27; 12:5; 19:15). The apostles preached the gospel from this psalm. The author of Hebrews explained that Christ was this “Son” whom God sent into the world—the only Son who could truly fulfill the promises to David (Ps. 2:7; Heb. 1:5).Peter preached that Christ’s cross was the epitome of the nations’ rage (Ps. 2:1; Acts 4:25–27). Paul revealed that Christ’s coronation occurred after his resurrection (Ps. 2:6; Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4) and that he blesses the nations as they obey him by faith (Ps. 2:10; Rom. 1:5). John showed that salvation or damnation depends on one’s relationship to the Son (Ps. 2:12a; John 3:36). And Ephesians calls Christians to live courageously in the face of worldwide spiritual rebellion because Christ is actively ruling over all of reality (Ps. 2:12b; Eph. 1:20–22). In these various ways the New Testament reveals that ultimately Christ himself is the King who fulfills Psalm 2.
Susan
Thank you for sharing your notes. I just finished listening to Reeves and was able to fill in the gap where I missed writing down key points.
Susan–this is all so helpful–you are a good listener! I love this “He doesn’t first ask us to do something. First, He presents how He is-what He is like. As He presents Himself, that affects our hearts and we change.” Reminds me of the teaching we heard from Reeves when he said to show non-believers Jesus, and when they see Him, they will fall in love with Him, and then want to follow Him. It’s all about Christ.
Susan — I so love your hunger and heart for the Lord. I see so much in you that I think you have trouble seeing in yourself because of the constant persecution at home. But I believe the Lord is so delighted in your hunger and heart. You bless us here.
Susan,
You shared so many good things but the thing that popped out at me was:
It’s taken me years to learn this and still sometimes I forget but how wonderful to know we have the Holy Spirit who is the Holy Remembrancer. As I’m getting older I must rely on Him more and more— to bring things back to my memory.
Dick and I take natural supplements for our memory and many times we forget to take them 🙂
Part II
5. Read the following page on praying for persecuted Christians and then put it into action right here through your prayers: Father, my heart is burdened in the knowledge of those that suffer for their faith in Christ. God, may they have fundamental joy that they participate in the sufferings of Christ (1 peter 4:13), when they are insulted because of the name of Christ may they see they are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on them (4:14), may they not be ashamed, but praise God that they bear that name (4:16), for those who suffer according to God’s will may they commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (4:19). And the God of all grace, who called you who are suffering to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen (5:10-11). My prayers seem so inadequate, Lord, for those that suffer so extremely and their families but I pray Your words for them trusting that as they were written for those persecuted in Peter’s day that they still carry power and Your will for those who suffer today. In Jesus name, Amen.
oops, that posted twice, sorry.
Dee Brestin – thank you for your response. I am blessed to be part of this blog. Also I want to thank you for the book you wrote “Idol Lies”. I am reading it now and cannot put it down and it is a blessing in my life.
Susan – I am glad my answer to # 3 helped you see a deeper meaning of the “kiss”. I also had to think about this verse before I could answer the question.
since we are doing prayer requests, I want to put my sister in prayer: PLEASE HELP ME PRAY FOR MY SISTER WHO IS PREGNANT AND IS SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY (I TOO SUFFER FROM ANXIETY – WHAT PEOPLE WOULD DESCRIBE AS SOCIAL ANXIETY OR PHOBIA – EVEN THOUGH MOST PEOPLE FIND ME OUTGOING – I TEND TO NOT TALK ABOUT IT TO PEOPLE I DON’T KNOW ONLY MY CLOSEST FRIENDS BECAUSE I FEEL EMBARRASSED BUT I KNOW I HAVE FOUND IN EACH OF YOU MY SISTERS IN CHRIST SO THE PRAYER WAS FOR MY SISTER BUT SOMEHOW BECAME A PRAYER FOR ME TOO). IN ANY EVENT PLEASE PRAY FOR MY SISTER FOR HER ANXIETY TO GO AWAY AND FOR HER HEART. HER DOCTOR TOLD HER SHE HAS A RAPID HEARTBEAT AND NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED FURTHER. FATHER IN HEAVEN I PRAY THAT SHE WILL BE OKAY AND THAT HER HEART WILL BE PROTECTED AND COVERED BY YOUR MIGHTY HANDS. IN JESUS’ NAME – AMEN. THANK YOU LADIES. GOD BLESS
Karen Valdez, praying for your sister’s pregnancy, her anxiety and rapid heartbeat. Some in my family who struggle with depression and anxiety who I understand how debilitating it can be.
Amen to Diane’s prayer for Karen’s sister!
Karen–praying for your sister’s pregnancy, for peace and protection, and for both of you to find rest in Him from anxiety. Thankful you have shared and allowed us to pray for you both.
Amen, to Karen’s prayer
Karen, thank you for sharing your prayer requests with us. I will keep you and your sister in my prayers. Having a rapid heartbeat while pregnant can be frightening; I will pray for wisdom for her doctor’s and for God to protect her from fear and anxiety.
Karen,
I’m sorry you suffer from anxiety— what a burden to bear.
Father I ask in the precious name of Jesus, that you would touch Karen and her sister with your tender kindness.
Father— would you reassure Karen’s sister as she is walking through this frightening time— that You are with her and she isn’t alone.
I pray also that her doctor be given understanding and wisdom in how to deal with her rapid heartbeat and I agree with Karen and ask you to protect her heart, and her baby. Amen
Praying for peace for both you and your sister. May you feel thr presence of God’s Spirit
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
It seems clear from my study that this Psalm is clearly Messianic and speaking of Jesus. Cool!
A. In verses 1-2:
The English word Messiah comes from the Greek word for anointed one.
The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew, not the Greek.
B. Verse 6.
From ESV study notes: “Since the Lord is not dismayed, neither do his people need to be.”
He will establish his King as promised.
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 5:5)
It is Hebrews 1:5, not 5:5, that quotes verse 7.
From ESV study notes:
D. Verse 8-9
From ESV study notes again:
Romans 1:4, 5
Thank you Diane. God bless you.
COULD I ASK FOR PRAYER AS I LEAD MY WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY GROUP TONIGHT. WE ARE BEGINNING OUR STUDY IN “IDOL LIES” AGAIN. WE ARE ON WEEK 6 AFTER A PROLONGED BREAK AT CHRISTMAS. I DON’T FEEL READY MENTALLY, AND HAVE TO GET MY MIND AND HEART BACK INTO IT. PRAY FOR THE WOMEN THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REMEMBER THE THRUST OF GOD’S LEADING THROUGH DEE’S GUIDANCE.
Lord, thank You for giving Diane the opportunity to lead a group in Idol Lies. Lord, would You come and lift her up tonight–let her feel any burden or weight lifted. Remind her You are leading, You are our Teacher. Please give the assurance of Your presence to rest peacefully in Your arms. Please prepare the ladies hearts to be pierced by You, and transformed. Thank You Father in advance for all You have planned, Amen
Praying!
Thanks so much for your prayer, ladies.
Diane, how did it go?
Thanks for asking how it went, Jill. I want to thank all who prayed for my Bible study group last night. I am learning so much from studying the Scripture behind Dee’s book. There is so much depth there. I wish all who read the book also would take the time to study the Scriptures behind Dee’s teaching about idol lies.
Still, yesterday was hard slogging. I feel we had too long a break at Christmas. (Our focus got on to other things and it is hard to get back into the thinking process. ) Of our group of ten, three were not there – one for sure for health reasons. I am feeling that at least one’s enthusiasm is waning. And three other women have major health crises going on in their immediate families – one has a elderly mom in chronic health issues, one has a husband recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one has a husband with major heart issues. As we talk about God “shaking our world”, however, many of the women can truly identify and are seeing that suffering makes them lean in to God in a way nothing else does.
Wow, Diane–it does sound like a lot of heavy issues in your group, much pain. I love that you are focusing too on the Scriptures Dee uses. Maybe this group would be encouraged to later read God of All Comfort–so helpful especially in seeing Him draw near to us in our pain. You said your heart is “aching”–and that makes mine hurt for you–praying for peace, joy amidst the storms, and as Dee says “love beneath the waves”.
Oh, Elizabeth, thanks so much for the sympathy. We pastor a church that has a lot of seniors with serious health issues. Just today, I heard that one of our members is in the hospital AGAIN. Sometimes it is hard not to feel overburdened with others’ pains and feel just inadequate to help. Thank God that he carries our burdens and CAN help and IS helping those in need, and we can take participate with Him in helping, even if all we can do is pray.
Diane, Praying for you as you minister to others. Praise God for those receiving from the study, it is hard to others not engage but God has His timing….
“Still, yesterday was hard slogging.” Oh Diane so many needs. Your last sentence is precious— “they are seeing that suffering makes them lean in to God in a way nothing else does.” You have such a caring heart, it takes special people to minister to seniors and their needs— how do you do it?
Thanks for the encouragement, Cindy. You ask “how do you do it”. Well, it is easy actually. They are such sweet people.
Diane – I pray for your mind to be mentally ready for today’s bible study. That God may speak through you and encourage and teach the women attending the study and that you and they can be blessed by the teaching. I encourage you to mentally focus and let Him take control and your words will flow easily since He will be the one guiding you. I wish I could be part of it since I am also reading the book.
Dee – The same prayer goes for you. I pray for your messages to bless you and the listeners in your upcoming retreats. I know that you will let God take full control and I know you will do beautifully. I still have not heard you speak but I look forward to it. For now, I will search videos online of any preachings/messages you have delivered.
In Jesus’ name – Amen
Thanks for your prayers, Karen.
Just a techie note. If you want to reply to a specific comment, click the word “reply” next to the date/time note by a person’s name, your note will show up directly under their name when you are responding to something they said (like a prayer request). Otherwise, your note to a specific person can get lost below many other people’s comments.
Thank you, Karen.
Thank you Elizabeth for your prayers. Means a lot to me 🙂
5. Read the following page on praying for persecuted Christians and then put it into action right here through your prayers:Such good guidelines for praying for the persecuted church. As I also was praying about how how to follow through further, I realized I would need to go to a different site to get further information and wondered what I might do closer to home.
And I became troubled. I realized in my immediate world that sometimes Christians are the persecutors. Christianity has become so intertwined with politics and culture that it’s easy to live in fear of what and whom we don’t know.
Although I don’t see it as much now (evangelism methods have changed), I used to cringe when some students who put almost no effort into school and, behaviorally were a teacher’s worst nightmare, would use papers to “evangelize” their instructors; when they got low grades, they thought it was because they were Christians. In contrast, I am blessed by the humility, commitment, and honesty some Christian demonstrate through their work.
Father, grant me wisdom to know when/how to support those who are being persecuted, and the wisdom not to cry persecution for being a Christian when I am being challenged for being a jerk. May my relationships with unbelievers honor you and point to you. Grant me grace to accept and even be thankful for suffering in Your Name. In Jesus name.
I’m thankful that, as believers here, we can meet freely and don’t fear for our lives. Unfortunately, that isn’t true of everyone in this country, and was even worse in the past. I remember one week when anti-Muslim bias was so intense that students who even looked Middle Eastern were told to stay home for their own safety. Most of the persecution I see is against people of color and against gays. I am blessed by current and recent students who do reach out in love, build bridges, and point people to Christ.
I can think of a few times I have been treated poorly when it may have been persecution for being a Christian; I could sense the evil. My heart beats a little faster when I think of those situations. But I suspect that some of the other times, I either deserved the poor treatment — or the “persecutors” regularly acted like jerks. I also suspect that some of the times I’ve sensed evil have been times God has protected me from persecution.
It’s really difficult for me to untangle reasons for persecution (i.e., if it has anything to do with Christianity) in this country without knowing specific situations and trying to understand the persecutors. Yet, at the same time, risks for persecution are so evident when international students go home, especially after becoming believers; and how we interact with them here could increase their persecution. Lord, grant us wisdom in this global society.
6. Read Psalm 2 and then pray Psalm 2:10-12 for the rulers of the world.
Oh, I loved praying these verses for the rulers of the world. Seems that if all churches regularly prayed these verses, politics would be “nicer.” Recently, I saw an online interview of a Christian national-level politician from around here on a Christian website. I had no idea she was a Christian; I mostly associated her with speeding and ??? politics. Praying these verses made a dent in changing my heart, and I can see that praying them will help me pray for rulers, as well as not have my well-being tied up in the outcome of political divisions. I felt tremendous hope, knowing that He is King of Kings. I’m looking forward to the time when every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship together instead of killing each other off.
7. Pray the last phrase “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” and Psalm 3 for persecuted Christians.
So hopeful, comforting, and peace-giving to pray this.
Praying the Psalms already is changing me 🙂
Love your perspective as a professor, Renee. Campuses can be hot beds for persecution and/or healing Christian ministry. Praying for you as you teach and speak to students and fellow teachers and staff. I have worked at a universities at various times through my life – as library assistant, and administrative assistant,
Oh Renee — that’s quite a comment about students evangelizing when their character and behavior is so lacking. Glad there are others too. My sister, who led me to the Lord, came to Christ through a student’s paper, but that student lived it out.
Part I. WHO IS THIS KING?
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
A. In verses 1-2:
The English word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word for anointed one.
B. Verse 6.
The word installed leapt out at me. God is the one that is sovereign and righteous and Hoy and He has established Jesus as the King of Kings on His holy hill. Zion.
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 1:5)
To proclaim the decree of the Lord. What an honor! To declare the name of Jesus far and wide. I love the scripture in Matthew. Chapter 22 41 -45 Christ Jesus is asking a question of the Pharisees (it is so sad in away b/c for in this chapter and the last chapter the Pharisees r trying to outwit the King of Kings. At times He is so frustrated with them (Jesus had the strongest language for them) but still He tries to reach out. So in verse 41 of Chapter 22 Jesus asks them a question “What do u think abt the Christ? Whose son is he? They replied ” The son of David” Then Jesus asks them “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him “Lord”? For he says in Psalm 110 vs 1 -The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” Jesus continues by saying “if then David calls him ‘Lord’, how can he be his son. The Pharisees were trapped again but instead of repenting and acknowledging Jesus as the Christ they just stopped asking questions. It is sad b/c Jesus was/is the Son of Man, The Son of David, The Bright Morning Star, The King of Kings, The Lion of Judah, The Prince of Peace, The Lily of the Valley, The Righteous King, and His Kingdom will rein forever. They had the chance to worship the Christ, to reach out and touch Him, to walk with Him, to pray with Him, to cry with Him, to sit at His feet and delight in Him, O Living Christ how I long for u and how u fill my soul with your presence and I am glad! Just think of it to be able to see Him and touch Him and walk with Him. Is there anything greater? One of my best memories from my childhood ( is walking hand in hand with my father) One day I want to walk hand in hand with the Prince of Peace. My mind/my heart (some days) cannot take in that we r in the last days and we could see Him anytime/any day. I am still with that knowledge, sober/diligent in thinking -“what can I do in these last days that will please my Lord”?-
D. Verse 8-9
Father God is saying to Jesus -ask of me anything and I will give u the nations. We r Jesus’s reward. All of us who believe in Jesus and serve Him. We r His reward. Messianic Jews, charismatic Catholics (wonderful people); Evangelical Christians; Pentecostal Christians; Presbyterian Christians; etc. Do u ever remember singing this when u were a little girl. Red, yellow, black and white. They are all precious in His sight. Jesus loves all the little children of the world. We Christians are from every tongue, tribe, nation on earth and one day we will fill the temple with our songs. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Amen?
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree,
6. Completely Optional (Because I promised not to overload you) Listen to the first twelve minutes of Reeves and comment if you like:
//
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
I absolutely am enriched by taking this bible study and listening to Mike Reeves challenges me to see the Psalms in a different light. To see Christ in all the scripture. To see King David as a prophet. I never thought of him in this light before. Also I am going to order in Spurgeon -The Treasury of David- I will be honest. I received a Tim Keller book but his writing is above my ability to comprehend. His sermons I love and totally get. I will order in Spurgeon but I hope/pray I will understand it. I believe I am a heart person. To be a scholar of God. I will definitely pray about that. The precious Holy Spirit gives me understanding and I am glad. Since I was first saved and found Ps. 27 vs 4 I have loved it. I want it carved on my tombstone if the Lord shall tarry. I have enough airmiles to order in a guitar and I am going to do that so that when I worship in my room I can play a musical instrument with it.
Not sure why the pic is thr and I cannot seem to delete it. Pls. know that I am praying for all of the prayer requests. Thank u and blessings mellany
Mellany — such an interesting comment about difference between Keller’s sermons and books in reaching you. He is such a good speaker — and his books are just his sermons in print — how speaking can have power.
I really like that the persecuted church link had practical ideas (not that prayer isn’t practical and necessary!) – but I always feel like there has to be some way to reach out to our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ to meet a tangible need….I cannot even fathom what it must be like to live in a country that truly persecutes Christians. I DO pray that God would be near, that He would answer their cry and be their hope and refuge!
There was one line in the website that jumped out at me and rubbed me the wrong way…”Pray they have the courage to remain in their homeland”. I would have added “if God is calling them to minister there”. I don’t necessarily believe that a mother or father HAS to put their children’s lives in danger if their family is threatened with bodily harm/death. I’m sure that God DOES call some to stay and be a light in the darkness of their community, and to lead and strengthen other believers, but I also think it’s OK for some of those families to seek refuge in another country, to raise awareness of what is happening in their homeland, etc. Am I way off base here?
Rachel, I so love your heart-how you are deeply concerned and desire to care for our persecuted brothers and sisters-I see Him in you, and I agree with your last paragraph-you are so not off base-you are right and what you said is biblical. All over scripture we see this-whether to stay or go has to be led by God-sometimes He makes it clear and uses pressure and they are compelled to flee but sometimes not. I am grateful though that regardless, even in the moments we think we hear him and we might make a mistake that His grace abounds and He turns it around for good. 🙂
Love this – His grace abounds and He can bring good from any situation! 🙂
4. Read Psalm 2 and find hints as to who this King is, using cross-references in parenthesis.
2:12 – Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.” (Rev. 6:16 – They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
A. In verses 1-2:
The English word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word for anointed one.
2:2 – “his Anointed One” (John 1:41 and Acts 4:25-26 – “Christ” or “Messiah”)
B. Verse 6.
I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.
C. Verse 7. (quoted in Acts 13:13 and Hebrews 1:5)
2:7 –
“You are my Son, today I have become your Father.”
D. Verse 8-9
My Bible didn’t cross-reference vss. 8-9, but instead offered cross-reference for vs. 12:
“Kiss the Son lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Rev. 6:16: “They called to the mountains and the rocks. “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.”
5. Mike Reeves links The King of Psalm 2 to the Blessed Man of Psalm 1 in several ways. One is through Deuteronomy 17:18-20. Read it and see if you agree,
Yes, I agree. The king was to be a man of God’s Word. He was to have a copy of the law made for his own personal use, keep it with him all the time, refer to it daily, and obey it. Then he and his descendants would reign for a long time over Israel.
6. Completely Optional (Because I promised not to overload you) Listen to the first twelve minutes of Reeves and comment if you like:
Basically Reeves is saying that the “blessed man” at the beginning of Psalm 1 is the same as the “righteous king” who is the same as Christ. He used Deuteronomy 17: 18-20 to link the first and second Psalm (which he says was traditionally all one Psalm anyway). Reeves contends that the “blessed man” in Psalm 1 is the one who has the law of the Lord in his heart and obeys it. Deuteronomy 17 states that the king is to have a copy of the law with him at all times and live by it. He says later in the Psalms it is picked up that this is referring to Christ. This is seen in Psalm 2:7 — “You are my Son, today I have become your Father.”
I’m having a hard time keeping up. Sorry.
3. With the above in mind, meditate on Psalm 2:12 and find an application for yourself today.
Pay homage to the Son or He will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy. (Psalms 2:12 HCSB)
I had a hard time with this one. Anger flares seem inconsistent with what we know about Jesus. That’s why I think this refers to the gospel and the end of the age. To kiss or pay homage to Jesus is to accept His provision for salvation and meet Him in utter devotion. The urgency is not because He is temperamental but because He may come in the final judgment at any time. The admonition is to be ready. We may not have time to bandy about as in the film clip above. Jesus is patient as Arthur was but her behavior did much harm in the end. Can’t remember the end but I know it wasn’t good. I hope to watch at least part of it tonight.
Anne, your insight into the anger part was helpful to me. I also wondered about it, thinking that if I am in Christ, then He isn’t angry with me anymore-I am no longer under God’s wrath. If I had to worry about His anger every time I fail to “kiss” Him – meaning to sin or to drift away, I’d be in big trouble. “The urgency is not because He is temperamental but because He may come in the final judgment at any time.”
I understand your feelings, Anne, and feel that way too. Indeed, it may apply to end of time – yet still works as a gospel kiss, I think.
Dee, do you mean in that the gospel delivers us from His wrath? Like in Hebrews 12?
For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling. ) Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, to Jesus (mediator of a new covenant ), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18-24)
I think I do see that now.
This is a lovely set of verses, Anne. We are delivered from His wrath because of our salvation paid for by Jesus death on the Cross.
Diane. Yes! Are they not a kiss!
Thank you for your keen insight Anne on the anger part.
I skipped to the sermon because the rest of my week gets really full–wanted to make sure I got to it! Hopefully these won’t eat up as much space as last week’s 😉
Tim Keller-Jesus Our King-Psalm 2
“What did Jesus Christ come to do?” Some psalms are understood as Messianic—Jesus Himself quoted from them, they foreshadow His life, they reference Jesus. Psalm 2 is a Coronation psalm.
1. We Have a True King (v.4-9)
The King above all kings, installed by God. Every culture has legends of a great King who rules, leaves, and the people await his return—“the once and future king”. We have democracy because we are so sinful, none of us are really fit to be rulers, yet we are still fascinated by kings, royalty. Why do we have a need for kings?
Christians know democracy is medicine, not food—and you cannot live on medicine. You will find a King. There is a memory trace in the human race of a Great King, one who did rule with such power and wisdom and compassion and justice and glory so his power and wisdom and compassion and glory were like the sun shining in full strength—and we were built to submit to Him. If you reject the True King, you will find one—because you have to. You will find “saviors”, someone to adore—we were built for it.
+If we deny our bodies food, it will eventually gobble poison—because it must eat. Our spiritual body is the same. If we deny it the King, it will find something else—it must eat.
2. Humans Hate the King (v.1-3)
The natural heart, hates the King. The basic impulse of every human heart: “I want to be my own”. The one conviction that creates hell—‘I am my own, take the yoke off!’ People hate the Biblical God, not the concept of god. Many people use religion to avoid the King—moralism. Using morality and religion, or through skepticism—people hate the King and avoid the King.
+Do you know you hate God? Have you seen the hatred? Do you see how much you hate the yoke? If you know you hate God and that is a big part of your heart—then that proves you are a Christian and the Holy Spirit is within you.If you cannot admit you are His enemy—then you are REALLY His enemy. We must believe we are a helpless sinner with no hope except for God’s grace through Christ.
3. We Need the King (v.10-12)
If you see you have the King,and that you hate the King, then you must be persuaded you need the King. Serve Him, rejoice in Him, Kiss Him—and find a refuge and be blessed. If you do not serve, rejoice, kiss—you will be destroyed and perish. There is no refuge from the King, only in the King. The yoke is a refuge—the confinement becomes spaciousness, freedom. The yoke becomes a refuge. +But the yoke must be received by me—I have to choose to take it on.
To submit to the King:
OBEY-We cannot say ‘I’ll obey IF…’ Jesus is not a consultant. We must say “Thy will be done”
SUBMIT-Accept what He is doing in my life, that He must know what is best.
RELY- If you add anything to Jesus as a requirement for being happy—that is your real king.
EXPECT- Rejoice with trembling. Have expectations worthy of a King! “large petitions bring!”
I’m so grateful how you are able to sum up any of the audio teachings and sermons. I’m dyslexic and listening and writing at the same time is fruitless for me— I miss so much— so anyone who have this skill absolutely amaze me 🙂
Thank you so much Elizabeth.
Cindy–I posted a response here, but I’m not seeing it now–hopefully this isn’t a duplicate, but that you for your gratitude-it helps to know it can be of some help to someone and not just eat up space 🙂
Just finishing watching the rest of Camelot….oh my…I was in tears at the end fully seeing myself in Guinevere…the King continually initiating intimacy with her and she always keeps herself just far enough away to not let him gain access to her heart. But to see the King have no vengance, to have forgiveness over and over (though there is the issue of his denial but that may have been more patience and protection than denial) and to continue longing for her, seeking her, asking her to stay…… There was so much spiritual application. I am captivated.
Jill,
Your statement brought to mind a chorus we use to sing years ago titled Captivate My Heart!
Beautiful song, Cindy.
5. Read the following page on praying for persecuted Christians and then put it into action right here through your prayers:
Our Father, thank you that you take care of orphans and protect widows— for widows and orphans who are experiencing deep grief and brokenness, touch their hearts and bring healing as they walk the path— to forgiving those who brutally persecuted them.
Father lead these widows and orphans to those who can help them— provide them with places of refuge to protect them and may they sense Your presence and know they are not alone or forgotten.
And Father for those (right now) who are in need of critical prayer support, alert your intercessors. Amen
6. Read Psalm 2 and then pray Psalm 2:10-12 for the rulers of the world.
Our Father in heaven we unite with You and declare You have anointed— installed and placed Your King firmly on Your holy hill of Zion. May people from every tribe and language become Your followers so that
Your blessings brings transformation among all peoples.
Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world so that governments will rule with righteousness and justice.Father tear down strongholds and ideologies that resist the knowledge of God.
Fill those with courage who preach Your word fearlessly in other countries.
We lift up our voices in agreement with believers from Africa and Asia, from the Middle East and Europe, from North and South America, and from Australia and the Pacific Islands— together we cry:
Lift up your heads, O you gates!Be lifted up ancient doors so that the King of glory may come in!
Come fill the earth with Your glory as the waters cover the sea. Amen
7. Pray the last phrase “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” and Psalm 3 for persecuted Christians.
May our brothers and sisters in Christ run to You as their refuge.
Be their hope— as they cry out to You, may they find You faithful.
Lord You’ve protected others in the Bible from their enemies and I’m asking You to do it again. Let them lie down to rest as you cover and protect them from those who want to hurt them.
As they take refuge in You— may Your blessing and favor rest upon them. Amen
This song came to me after praying. It makes me cry every time I hear it.
He’ll Do It Againhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bk2wHAUOY0
Cindy–such beautiful prayers, it was good for me to pray them as I read them this morning–and what a beautiful song!
6. Completely Optional (Because I promised not to overload you) Listen to the first twelve minutes of Reeves and comment if you like:
I listened yesterday morning but ran out of time to comment. Where do I start? LOVE Reeves and what He saw in this. When you read Psalm 2 you see how Psalm 1 and 2 go together-How can you be a righteous King blessed by the Lord? Only by meditating on the Law of the Lord-He must have been delighting in the law of the Lord in order to be the righteous King. The blessed man of Psalm 1 is the righteous King of Psalm 2. I also like how he connected-how does he prosper by delighting in the Lord in Psalm 1 with Psalm 2-the nations are made his inheritance-that is how he prospers.
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
Oh Lord, You are worthy of honor, worthy of worship I confess it is in my nature to bend away-to not honor you-rather I can easily desire other things more and they become King of my heart..I have done this to You, the One who hung on the cross-who was willing to be forsaken by God-so that I wouldn’t be-so that you could be King of my heart-i can easily choose a worthless stick over you. I confess I often don’t kiss you and I haven’t revered you-for my dark heart has revealed itself in how I have responded to situations lately-yet I want you to be King of my heart-and that is from you..you have come again in your Word-and through Reeves and yesterday’s Keller sermon-and helped me to massage your Word in..Oh God help me to long for you-to want you above anything else..catch my heart lies and reveal them to me as they come today demanding I not trust you-I need you! Help me to worship You above all else-help me to wait on you-help me to massage your word in deeper and help me to ponder You and bring before you those dark places in my heart for you to light up-and thank you that you strengthen me to turn-that because of You rising from the dead I can be transformed-thank you..I am a fumbling mess and I need you to come into my garden and tend it. I love you-and I need you today for I am weak-help me to not trust in myself or in the circumstances that arise-Help me to not make anyone or anything else my King but to Honor and trust you above all. I plead this in your precious name.
Rebecca, I am praying along with your beautiful Spirit-inspired prayer…so much here…”I can easily desire other things more and they become King of my heart..I have done this to you, the One who hung on the cross-who was willing to be forsaken by God-so that I wouldn’t be-sot hat you could be King of my heart-I can easily choose a worthless stick over you.” Oh…
Such a good prayer, Rebecca. Amen and Amen.
Just read this in our mornng devotion from Spurgeon–wanted to share just a portion:”I will help thee, saith the Lord.”Isaiah 41:14″This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: “I will help thee.” “It is but a small thing for me, thy God, to help thee. Consider what I have done already. What! not help thee? Why, I bought thee with my blood. What! not help thee? I have died for thee; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help thee! It is the least thing I will ever do for thee; I have done more, and will do more…”
This Spurgeon devotion is a breath of fresh air to my aching heart, Elizabeth.
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
Dear Lord Jesus, I have seen that You are the Blessed Man, perfect in all Your ways. You are the Tree of Life, You are the King who was poured out on Zion, You are the sovereign Ruler and Judge and Owner of all the earth, to the very ends of it. I am so grateful for what You have done for me…You came to rescue me and You say that I can come and sit in Your shade…may I delight to sit in Your shade…You offer me protection and shelter and food, real food… yes, You are the Tree of Life. Help me to cling to You, to kiss you with my love and affection and submission to You. Lord Jesus, please dwell as King in my heart and take Your seat on the throne of my heart, where I so often want to sit but it belong rightfully to You. I am grateful that You love us so much that You give warning to us to be wise, to serve the Lord with fear and trembling, to kiss the Son lest we be destroyed if we continue in rebellion. You didn’t have to warn us but You did because You do not desire the death of the wicked, and you don’t give me what I truly deserve for sinning against You. You are merciful and compassionate and gracious, and You offer blessings if we will listen and take refuge in You. Help me to live in the lovely shade of Your branches today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
7. Pray the last phrase “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” and Psalm 3 for persecuted Christians.
Oh, Lord, there are many who suffer as a direct consequence of their faith in you. They are suffering taunts, threats, physical deprivations, abuse, imprisonment, and many other things. Oh, Lord, have mercy on them. Help them to find refuge in You, hope in You, strength in You.
Help them in the discouragement that they must be feeling when their enemies and the devil taunt saying, “God cannot save you.” Help them to know what they believe, to remember what you have done for them in coming to earth and dying for their sins. Be their shield, their glory and the lifter of their head. Grant them security in You, physical rest in You, freedom from fear in knowing that You are with them. I pray that they will gain access to Bibles so that they might be strengthened and comforted by Your Word. I pray that they would receive encouragement from other Christians, that the church might be strong in the Lord. I pray that they would boldly share the Gospel.
Answer their prayers, Lord. Rescue them in such a way that You are glorified. Give them joy in serving You, Lord Jesus; joy that the world cannot take away. Save them, O Lord, as only You can.
I think specifically of pastors and others who are in prison for their faith. Be glorified through them. Let them shine as a beacon of Your love to them and to their enemies. I pray for those who are tortured for their faith. O Lord, rescue. I pray for the women and families who are left to fend for themselves by the imprisonment and murder of men who are serving You. O Lord, rescue.
I do not understand why these things must happen. I cry to You for relief and salvation. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Save your people. You alone can rescue. You alone can save.
Reeve’s teaching on Psalms 1 and 2 really challenged me to consider a radical mental shift in TRULY seeing Christ in “all the Word”…just as He taught to the fellows He walked with on the Emmaus Road. Luke 24. I want to begin praying more diligently to see Jesus, truly…fully, in ALL the Word rather than just going to what feels so natural, “What does it say about ME!? What can I glean for MYSELF!?”. Oh Lord Jesus, free me of me, and exalt Yourself as King over everything…including the way I read and soak upon your Word!
Amen to your prayer, Ellen Mary.
Ellen Mary, wow–love your moldable heart..this post..wow..
8. Share your notes here.
Wow – this Keller sermon was SOOO good! Did anyone else hear the thesis of “Idol Lies” over and over throughout the sermon? We need the True King and will substitute anything to try to fill that need in our hearts, if we don’t acknowledge the fact that we are naturally enemies of the King and come before Him to serve and kiss Him!
Some of my favorite quotes from Keller: “There is no refuge FROM the King, only refuge IN the King.”
“(In the King…) Yoke becomes refuge, confinement becomes spaciousness, and service becomes freedom”.
So basic and so deep at the same time!
Rachel-YES!! I heard Idol Lies in it too!! If we love anything more than the King we aren’t treating Him as King. :))
Your favorite quotes are mine too-especially that His yoke becomes refuge, confinement becomes spaciousness and service becomes freedom. And you said this so well-it is basic and deep at the same time-SO Keller!
7. Pray that you would kiss this King, honor this King, long for this King to be King of your heart.
I long for you to be King in every area of my heart Lord— instead of the Kingdom of self ruling may you take your rightful place. I don’t want to just honor you as a guest just inside the front door— who can’t venture any further than the living room but may you feel welcomed in every room of my heart. I am so grateful Lord you don’t expect instant maturity but as I see you as you really are— I’m willing to risk opening myself further to you. I stand in awe of You and worship You as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Song O Lord You’re Beautiful – I Stand in Awe (Instrumental)
PRAYER REQUEST
A friend of my just received tragic news— she’s has stage 4 liver cancer.
Thank you for praying.
oh SO sorry Cindy–praying
So sorry, Cindy. Saying a prayer…
Oh, this is hard, Cindy. I will pray for your friend.
Thank you ladies for praying for my friend Lois.
I don’t have a lot of time. But I did want to comment on Keller’s sermon. This is a much more comprehensive and intellectual approach to the “everyone has a God shaped hole in them” Christianease that we often hear. I loved the concept “Even if you reject God intellectually you cannot reject Him ontologically (sp?).” So true. My heart is burdened for people who are walking around seeking and trying and just not seeing it! “Avoiding sin to avoid Jesus” – only our culture nowadays does that, not by following the rules, but by redefining sin. If everything is ok then I am not in sin, I do not need a savior because I am just as good as everyone else because we have no measure of right and wrong because everything is OK! Such sadness. Such selfishness, Oh God that I would not be among them, that I would see you, know you, love You and yet I know I cannot…. so wayward my heart. God, help me not to add anything to Christ for my happiness, may I serve Him alone. Amen.
LISTEN TO FREE KELLER SERMON – share your notes here:
Some Psalms have been designated as Messianic. Jesus quoted some Psalms saying they applied to Him. He is a greater David – a greater King. Psalm 2 is considered a coronation psalm and may have been written at the time of David’s coronation, but it was used on many other occasions.
Any king would be tested by their neighbors. Zion was a hill on which Jerusalem was established. So the Psalm can be read just as “God will give you aid” – that is one level.
However, Keller says no earthly king can justify the language of Psalm 2. Vs. 2 refers to “His anointed one” – in the Hebrew it means “Messiah.” The Lord has installed His Messiah.
Keller lists three principles:
(1) vss. 4-9 – we have a True King installed.
(2) vss 1-3 – Humans hate the True King.
(3) vss 10-12 – We need the King and we just kiss the King.
1. There have been so many legends that start out as “There was a king….” When the King was there, everything was in blossom and thriving. When the King leaves, things deteriorate. We look forward to the King coming back. “Camelot” and “Lord of the Rings” are examples.
Why do we have all of these legends, when the actual record of earthly kings is so abysmal?And all of these kings have been toppled and replaced with some form of democracy. In spite of that – why the fascination with kings? We turn athletes and movie starts into kings. The reason is that there is a memory trace in the human race of a great king in the past.
The Bible knows democracy is medicine, not food. If you reject the idea of the True King, you will find someone or something to adore, and it will poison your life.
Is the lavish praise in Psalm 2 just hyperbole to be heaped on any king, or did God actually say this to someone? Yes, to the Messiah.
2. ” Let us break their chains and throw off their fetters.” Keller prefers the word “yoke” to fetters. Kings are upset that they have an owner who demands that they be yoked. They want nothing to do with it. Every human heart reacts this way. The critical conviction in hell is “I am my own!” When we believe this, it creates a hell in all of our relationships and circumstances of life.
The Bible says we hate the idea of a King who has rights over us. Men are naturally God’s enemies.
People say that most people believe in God. They ask, “Is it easier to get up and say ‘I believe in God,’ or to get up and say that you don’t?” People hate the Biblical God who says “Have no other gods before me.” Jesus said, “Love me more than your mother and father.” We hate the Biblical King – we say “I believe in a God of love.” It is said that people who hate the king are opposed to Christianity. Do you believe you are a good person? Do you think you have hope of being accepted if God showed up right now? We use morality to avoid submitting to Jesus.
Do you know you hate God and hate the yoke? If you do – you are a Christian. Only the Holy Spirit allows to surface that repressed material.
3. We need the King – to serve the King – to Kiss the king – and to rejoice in Him.
If you find a refuge in Him, you will be blessed. There is no refuge FROM the king, only a refuge IN the king.
The yoke becomes a refuge. Confinement becomes spaciousness. Service becomes freedom.
The yoke has to be received by you. You cannot be made to do it. In every human being there is potential, only if you come under the yoke of the King. You cannot understand yourself until you submit to the king. When you serve Him, He serves you. When you kiss Him, He kisses you.
How to treat Jesus as a King:
1. Obey – Some think you are obeying, but you are not. You may be using Jesus as a consultant, not as a king. If you say “I will obey, IF….” then you are not obeying.
2. Submit – submit to the way God tells you. We need to say “God knows best.”
3. Rely – Kiss the Son. If you add anything to Jesus to be happy, Jesus isn’t your real king.
4. Expect – Rejoice with trembling. If you are too pessimistic in your expectations of Jesus, you are not treating Him as a king.
Deanna, love yours and Elizabeth’s notes-you both do a wonderful job summarizing Keller’s sermons! 🙂
I think I am seeing something different in Psalm 2:12 “lest He be angry” (which concerns me that I may be “off”..Dee?)! I do not see it as “lest He be angry with YOU”–but that He will be angry at sin, as God is a jealous God, He is jealous for my devotion. Spurgeon says my “kiss” is a sign of reconciliation. An act of reconciliation between me, a sinner, and my Savior. If I do not repent, reconcile, “kiss”–then yes, He is angry–He has a right to be angry if I do not treat Him as King. It is part of His holiness to be angry–but angry at sin, not the sinner. In my mind, I cannot separate His righteous anger at sin from Jesus–it is His holiness. In the end of the Keller sermon he says “there is no refuge from Him, only in Him”. There is something I like about His anger–part of His strength and power, and love for truth. Am I making any sense? :0
Elizabeth, this.
I can’t say I “like” his anger, but in a way I understand what you mean, and I respect Him for His righteous anger. This is not just a wimpy God, but one who is pure, holy, strong, justified in commanding our obedience, submission. And yes,
Diane–thank you for being so gracious to my “thinking out loud–online”. Of course after I posted, I thought I probably shouldn’t have! But you’re helping me make more sense of my thoughts. Yes, its too far for me to say “I like His anger”–but I like that fierceness, the lion who wants my heart for His own and is angered at the enemies ploys…that He is not “wimpy” like you say. And as Susan said above–I do not feel I am at danger of being the object of His wrath–but my sin, my idols, yes. I guess my main thought is that I do believe our loving Lord is entitled to a righteous anger over not being treated as King. OK, I’d really love more of YOUR wise thoughts on this–less of mine 😉
Elizabeth, you are on target with your thoughts here. Keller’s sermon this week dealt with this issue. Do we recognize that God is holy and won’t turn a blind eye at our sin, or do we not? In his second point he says,
According to my scanty notes, he says,
And you are showing the depth of your understanding of God when you tentatively admit that you like his anger. Only Christians can see and begin to understand His anger, for we see how dark our hearts are, how much we deserve His anger. You are brave to speak this online because as Keller says, many will get their backs up at this. Many do not want to admit that they cannot earn their way to heaven, that they deserve His anger. We can almost “like” His anger because we can take refuge in it, how He defends us and will on day “right all wrongs”.
Elizabeth, I like this. I was interpreting it as angry at me… but you make a good point about being angry about the sin and not the sinner. This would be consistent with his character, yes? Thank you for that perspective, anything that helps me break free of my “Angery Dad” image of God that I had for so long, is refreshing.
This does make a lot of sense — going to edit my comment below! 🙂
What is God’s holiness?
At one time I would have said, “Absence of sin” or “God can’t look on sin”. At least that’s what I was taught early in my Christian walk.
It seemed the Holy Spirit kept taking me back to the prodigal son in Luke 15. I would look at the Father and at my definition of holiness but the picture of the Father in Luke 15 didn’t match my definition of holiness.
Then I’d go back to Luke 15 and look at the Father again and how he treated both sons— the lost son and the self-righteous son. I had become the self-righteous son keeping all the rules, never skipping a day without prayer or Bible study and the list goes on and when I came to the place that I couldn’t do all the Christian disciplines because of a major chemical imbalance in my brain, I sank down into deep depression. I was lucky if I knew my name— it was the darkest time of my life.
I was angry at God— I blamed Him. How could he let this happen— I was such a good Christian in my eyes. Why would He leave me in my darkness and sin and not help me? I felt like an utter failure, filled with shame and guilt.
Now that I was in the pits of despair, feeling like I was hanging on to life by a thread, how could I ever approach this “Holy” God in my pitiful and weakened condition because of how holy He is?
Again I would go back to Luke 15 and look at the Father. (I know there’s great debate in the Church today about the holiness of God and has been going on for years.)
My image of God was one of—- He would love me as long as I did everything right and when I didn’t or couldn’t, I could expect Him to lash out at me with anger and displeasure till I snapped to attention. This god was more like a drill instructor than a loving Father who accepted me and desired a warm, close, affectionate relationship with me. I read all the books I could get my handson— trying to understand God’s holiness.
I confess I still don’t fully understand His holiness and what Psalm 2:12 means when it says, “lest he be angry”— all I know is, like the blind man in John 9, I once was blind but now I see Him and He’s just like the Father in Luke 15.
Holy Spirit shows us Your meaning of Psalm 2:12, enlighten our eyes with spiritual understanding.
Diane–honestly, just after I left my post above, I was talking with my husband and said “I really love Diane (yes, he knows of you via me talking often about my blog friends!)”–and that was before reading your gracious reply! I just appreciate your heart, your discernment. Thanks for taking time to help me sort through this. I was praying for you this morning, with the load you carry at your church, both you and your husband–I imagine so many are drawn to you and depend on you. I will pray for your strength–but I also thank Him He has placed you there, where there is so much need. You have such a tender heart and wisdom that runs deep. I do wish you lived closer–I look forward to meeting One Day–so thankful for you.
You are very kind, Elizabeth. Yes, I really look forward to meeting you One Day. You add so much here with your encouragement and seeking after God’s heart.
Thank you, Dee, for your help.
Jan, welcome, welcome! We are glad to have you with us-so wonderful your husband, you and Dee can get together and play pickleball! I haven’t heard of that before but it sounds like a lot of fun. 🙂
You are most welcome and I’m glad you are here.
Elisabeth,
I could teach a class on “How To Be A Good Pharisee.” 🙂
I think I’m seeing more of where you are coming from with Psalm 2:12.
A Scripture came to my mind as I’ve been pondering Psalm 2:12.
Jesus told us that the Scribes and the Pharisees tried to keep the external laws out of a self-willed determination to be holy rather than living under the love and freedom given to us in the righteousness of Christ.
The religious rulers of Jesus day did this when they seated themselves in the chair of Moses and that we should “not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” (That’s the trouble with Pharisees.)
I see the connection to Psalm 2:12— who is sitting on the throne of my heart. Is it me (a false king) or Jesus the true King? The way to tell who is seated on the chair or throne is— if it’s me high and lifted up, seated on MY throne, resentment and hypocrisy result, causing me to run, hide, and shift blame. If I voluntarily come to acknowledge the true King of my heart I will respond to His wooing and love Him without reservation and with complete abandonment.
Pleasing the Father was the ruling force of Christs’ life— since He’s in us and we are in Him, we will more and more want to be a Father pleaser too— and enjoy an intimate relationship with Him.
8. Share your notes here.
Keller is so refreshing and timely. I saved his sermon on my desktop. I thought of myself so much in the sermon. Keller is so calm and matter of fact. I agree with what Keller said about Job. Job wrestled with God and Job did not sense God’s presence and the things that Job saw and God was allowing to happened filled Job with terror but Job said God knows my frame and when I am tested I will come forth as pure gold. Hallejah! That quiets me and comforts me and I can rest in God’s love.
In the book of Revelations the Church of Laodicea were commanded to buy gold from Jesus that was refined in the fire so that we could become rich; and white clothes to wear, so we can cover our shameful nakedness and salve to put on our eyes, so we can see. I know in these last days I do not want to be lukewarm. That terrifies me a lot.
Again that same chapter of verse speaks about discipline and being rebuked b/c Jesus loves us. His command to us/me is to be earnest and repent. Jesus stands at the door and knocks (like in SOS) I like that I am hearing His voice and I am opening the door to my heart. To areas in my heart where I have kept them closed (little prisons) I run to instead of Jesus. He is knocking on the door of my heart and I am running to Him.
Mostly though I am just quiet, pondering, being sober (not from D/A but it is a state of mind), diligent in seeking God’s word and studying it, realizing there is a limit. God is holy and just and He will reward. I want to check and make sure my heart is clean before Him
Refiners fire,
My heart’s one desire is to be Holy
Set apart for you my master
Ready to do your will.
I chuckled a bit when Keller stated that Jesus is King of Kings not a consultant. That is how I have treated Jesus at times. Sometimes I feel like I am in the SOS when the lover comes to call. He is knocking and speaking so sweetly to her. She answered by saying, ” must I put on my robe again? Must I soil my feet again as I have just washed them? When she finally goes to the door with her hands dripping of myrrh Jesus was gone. Then simply put “bad things happened” It was not good.
So my prayer is that I will answer the door when Jesus knocks. That I recognize Him for who He is and cry out to Him. Help me. I love the scripture in Is. when Father God says “my ways are not your ways” and my thoughts are not your thoughts”. I find that so reassuring b/c God is far above me and I can worship Him. I love to do that. Worship God. Talk about God/Jesus. There is nothing I like to do better. I always battle with unforgiveness b/c of my past and choices I made but continually I ask for help in overcoming b/c I cannot do it on my own. I do not want to judge the speck in my brother’s eye and not get the plank out of my own. I do not want a bitter root to grow up in me to cause trouble or defile many. Jesus is asking me to close doors to lies, to bad choices, to anger/bitterness, depression, isolation, rejection, and to open the door to Him. Which I am doing. It is not easy.
Sometimes the door seems heavy in my hands but God always gives me grace and I will trust Him that He will never forsake me or leave me. Sometimes I/other people have been in prison (within their mind) for such a long time that they accept their prison as being home. Jesus is heartsick over this b/c like Keller said in his sermon and Jesus said Himself. That His yoke is easy and His burden light. I like the fact that in our DNA we were created to worship God and love God. God created us that way. It is so reassuring and gives me comfort.
9. On the basis of what you heard, pray for your own heart.
I guess I answered it above. I do want to do something for the Lord. I still see all those orphan children (from PBS channel on North Korea) with black faces (from not being able to wash), crusty noses, hurt and confused and sad and just wandering. I am joining a persecuted church website to write letters, to pray but I want to do something more. I am going to pray for an orphanage to be raised up in North Korea. Keller said we are coming to a King so large petitions do I bring. Our God is able to do far above anything we could see or imagine and I will trust in that. One day I will be able to comfort children the way I never was. It is my heart’s cry.
Blessings
Mellany
Mellany, I love your heart’s cry to comfort children.
That made me chuckle too.
PRAYER REQUEST: MY DAD HAS NOT BEEN WELL THIS WEEK AND YESTERDAY HAD A HEART ATTACK. HE IS IN THE CARDIAC ICU AND LAST NIGHT THE DOCTORS WERE OPTIMISTIC BUT OVERNIGHT HE HAD A STROKE AS WELL. ALTHOUGH HE RECOVERED FROM THE STROKE, HIS HEART IS NOW WEAKER AND THERE IS A TEAR IN ONE OF HIS HEART VALVES. THE DOCTORS ARE NO LONGER OPTIMISTIC, ALTHOUGH THEY WANT US TO BE OPTIMISTIC, THEY ALSO WANT US TO BE REALISTIC. MY DAD IS 82 AND STUBBORN AS A MULE, SO WE ARE TRYING TO BE OPTIMISTIC…BUT IT’S HARD. MY MOTHER WHO HAD DEMENTIA AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES ALSO RELIES ON MY DAD, SO THIS WOULD REALLY AFFECT MY MOM (THIS YEAR IS THEIR 60TH) AS WELL. I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO PRAY OTHER THAN HELP.
elizabeth, your morning Spurgeon post really lifted my heart and it was so timely. It was important enough for me to hear it, that the Lord said it twice, first through you and next when I opened the daily Spurgeon e-mail that I also get. I have rested in it a few times today.
Thank you my blog sisters I appreciate so much your prayers. In answer to the anticipated question of my dad’s relationship with the Lord. He was baptized (in Baptist Church) as a teenager, has spent most of his adult life in a Presbyterian Church (including leadership) and says he believes. I also see a man who is very, very stubborn and holds grudges, so I am not completely sure, my honest answer is that I hope so.
Mary-Canada, I am going to bed now, but I will pray for your Dad. Does he live in the same city as you?
My gosh Diane, you are up late:) Yes my parents live in the same city…and thank you so much for praying for my dad.
Praying with you sister, as I know the feeling of not knowing about a parent’s salvation. Many hugs to you.
So sorry to hear about your Dad. I am praying.
Mary Canada, I’m praying for your dad..this is so hard…I’m so sorry.
Also praying for you, Laura, as you start treatments for the cancer and for your dear mother.
I lift up your sister, Karen Valdez, for her anxiety (and yours), and for your sister’s rapid heart beats. God has her in his hands.
Cindy, I’m so sorry about your friend with stage 4 liver cancer…I’ll be praying for her. What tragic news:(
Dee, Praying for the Lord to give you the words for the retreats and also peace as so you don’t worry and give it all to him. You are such a blessing to thousands of us!
Oh so much pain and sorrow….I pray for all of you, sweet sisters.
Elizabeth your kiss from God and your notes you take are such a blessing! All the notes you all have wrote, just blow me away! I have trouble just keeping up, reading all the comments and praying!
PRAYER REQUEST:
COULD YOU PLEASE PRAY FOR MY MOTHER IN LAW BETTY. SHE HAS STAGE 4 SCLEROSIS OF THE LIVER AND ISNT EXPECTED TO LIVE MUCH LONGER. I really dont like typing in all caps, I just read we were doing this for prayer request, hope Im correct on that. Not to go into a long story on this, but my mother in law has been an alcoholic most of her life, and was diagnosed 2 years ago with sclerosis of the liver and given maybe 2 to 5 years IF she stopped drinking. Much ot our suprise she has been drinking, and hiding it from the family. She is in denial but now it doesnt matter, she also has permanent brain damage which causes other issues. None of that is my concern as much as her salvation and heart with God. She is a wonderful person in spite of all this, she truly has a heart of gold and it saddens me she could never come to terms with her drinking. I just ask that you pray for her heart to be right with God, she also is living in a gay lifestyle, something she chose about 7 years ago and is married to her partner. I know..its a whirlwind of stuff Im dumping here, but I really trust I can share my heart and how heavy it is for her salvation. I just dont know what God will think of her, it really worries me about her eternal life. She thinks she is fine with God and God loves all people, even if you choose to be gay. She is right about God loving you no matter what…but I just know its a sin….thus her salvation. I really need peace myself with this, it makes me very sad and heavy hearted not knowing if she will make it into heaven. Thanks for listening. I know I dont post a lot on here, but I do read all your prayer request and pray with you all as well.
Thank you,
Staci
Staci, You never dump here-we so welcome and love you and love to hear how we can pray for you-would love to pray with you for your mother in law.
Lord, we cry out to you with Staci on behalf of Betty and we ask that you would move in her heart to bring her to you-that she would see her need for you and where being in charge of her own life has led her-help her to see that the ways in which she is trying to satisfy her soul is empty and that only You can truly satisfy her-help her to need and want you and we ask that she would respond and come to know you-In your name alone and for your glory alone we pray.
Thanks Rebecca, my heart is so heavy and I cant stop crying. I even listened to Keller’s sermon and it just reassured me so much more for my mother in law needing God. I sent her a really heart felt email and the link to the sermon. Not sure she is able to get to her computer. I have just been sitting her crying, being in Europe and she is in the states. Our new Boxer puppy has never seen me cry, and was the funniest thing, she walked up put her paw on me and licked me…on the mouth…yuck…but the irony…a kiss from the king came to mind…made me laugh as my heart was heavy.
Oh, sweet Staci, do not hesitate to ask for prayer here. Amen to Rebecca’s prayer for your MIL. Your posts bring tears. This is so hard. Yet we have a loving Father who longs for Betty to run back to His arms. May He also comfort you and your husband in this difficult time so far from her in this crisis.
Thank you Diane, God is good, I find comfort in all the prayers as we have no one here to pray or talk to.
Oh Dear Staci…At first I wondered why she couldn’t get a liver transplant, as our daughter -in-law is on a waiting list for one from the same reason, drinking, but she has stopped and she is only 43 and loves the Lord…..no comparison. I understand your worry, the further I read. I’m praying as I type and will keep praying for her salvation. Oh Father, please help!
Thank you Joyce, no my mother in law would not stop drinking. She has been in denial most of her life. They gave her 2-5 years IF she stopped, a transplant really wouldnt help her. She is 65. She did stop for a while, and this news was given to her just as we moved to the Netherlands and she almost died back then. She has a lot of hurt and denial even without alcohol. So we are just praying God intervenes in her heart. My conversation with her on the phone left me hopeful. I know God will reach her. I will be praying for your daughter in law. Both my parents were alcoholics as well, so it hits a bad nerve with me seeing my mother in law do this her whole life. She is such a wonderful person, minus the alcohol.