YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB
Two of my daughters are expecting babies this week. Anne, we think, is first. Here she is — 9 months and four days pregnant. She is praying labor happens naturally, but if it doesn’t, she will be induced this Thursday. Beth is due next Monday. I am going to start driving to be near them (Nebraska and Iowa) tomorrow. The psalm we “happen” to be on, certainly is timely for our family, but it is enormously timely for each of us.
This week will conclude A Woman of Worship, but we will be doing some interesting passages until we begin a new study in the fall.
Before we begin the study, I’ve a question for you to ponder:
What are the strengths of an internet study? How could we better use this gift to make this study better? What are the weaknesses? What could be done to overcome the weaknesses?
BIBLE STUDE — TAKE A QUESTION OR TWO A DAY, OR ALL AT ONCE IF YOU PREFER
READ PSALM 139 IN ITS ENTIRETY, ASKING GOD TO GIVE YOU THE BIG PICTURE
1. Contemplate THE WONDER of Psalm 139:1-6
A. List the ways God knows you — find as many as you can.
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP: What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12.
A. What mood shift do you see here — and why do you think it happened?
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
C. 
Imagine (since I don’t have the tech savvy to do this) that on the top line you would write “God’s holiness” and on the bottom line “My sinfulness.” As you grow in Christ, God’s holiness will grow greater to you, and you will simultaneously see the depth of your sinfulness more clearly. This is part of what is happening in this psalm, what happened to Job, and what happens to each of us as we contemplate the greatness of God. What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?
4. 
This is my daughter Beth and her husband Seth. (We wouldn’t have done a picture like this in my generation, but I realize pregnancy is nothing to be ashamed of — it’s beautiful. I think that the change in maternity clothes to revealing instead of hiding is healthy, so, I’m posting this picture of my beautiful pregnant daughter.)
Meditate on Psalm 139:13-18.
A. What causes the Psalmist to be filled with wonder? Be as specific as you can be.
B. In A Woman of Worship, if you have the song, “I was made to praise You,” comment on it.
C. What thoughts does verse 16 bring to you — especially those of you who have lost loved ones?
D. Compare this passage with Ecclesiastes 11:5. What do you see?
E. If you have had the privilege of becoming a mother by biological birth or adoption, what wonder do you remember?
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical? Explain.
6. Make Psalm 139:23-34 your own prayer. You may want to write it out here.
7. What do you think would happen in your life if you made the above prayer a regular part of your life when you faced problems, decisions, or the end of the day?
Love to each of you — on to a new exciting adventure next week! Please come!
I have a few minutes before I have to dash off to work. I see the greatest strength of an internet study to be it inclusiveness. Anyone with internet connection can participate which means we could have sisters from faraway countries come join us. That would be exciting!!
The one weakness for me is the fact that I can’t see each of you face to face. I want to give each of you a hug. I love to greet with hugs.
Susan, I’ve already begun praying for your family. I ask for ya’ll to pray for me. I’ve got to have a diagnostic check ran on my one and only vehicle. I know it needs some work and I know my Husband already has the situation worked out, but I confess I have a tendency to fret. The car is scheduled to go in Friday morning. Love to all and Judy, I will be praying for your Shannon this week. Have a wonderful day everyone.
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE!!! LET’S ALL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!!
Hi Tammy!
Lord, I ask that you calm Tammy’s heart this week as she awaits the time her car is going to be checked. Remind her this week that regardless of what they find you are going to provide for it. Thank you Lord for providing her with a car and that there is a place she can take it to make sure it is in good working order.
*hugs* Tammy :) Oh, Father, no fretting for Tammy. You said that fretting only leads to evil doing. (Psalm 37:8 NASB). You are intimately acquainted with ALL Tammy’s ways so you know just what she needs, how she needs it, and when she needs it.
Help her to “Be still” this week and know that You are God. (Psalm 46:10)
May her heart be free form fretting and worry and filled instead with TRUST and joy! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Okay sisters I got the report on my car. After 13 years and 118,000 miles, my minivan needs a new engine. Susan, your prayer for an honest mechanic was answered. The guy I took it to was the head of the service department at the Ford dealership from where my mininvan was purchased. After the dealership closed last year, Joe opened his own shop and has been doing very well so I feel really confident he will do me right. I find out the estimate next week.
Gloris it was your ‘no fretting for Tammy’ prayer that kept me reminded to trust my eternal husband to work it all out. I’ve been blessed with more work so finances have been provided for the repair work. And, since my vehicle is paid for it’s cheaper to get the new engine. I know when I need a newer car the Lord will provide. Girls, He has been so faithful to all of us all week!!!
Susan don’t forget. 9 am EST tomorrow I’ll be at church praying for you and your family.
Tammy, AMEN!!!
Lord we do have much to rejoice in this day! I pray for Your provision for Tammy beyond what she can imagine. She has been faithful to remember Your promise to be her Husband and so we ask that Your provision would abundant for her need.
Thank You for Your protection over Shannon for she was not even burned, but she has suffered emotional trauma and loss of property. Continue to provide for her according to Your great love and mighty power. Also we are so grateful for the strength you gave Judy during this time.
Help us Lord to bless Your name in all that we do. Amen
As you remember strength was what I was praying for. God has given me strength and you all have added to the strength with your prayers. Each one of you is a unique, wonderful individual and I know that God has a unique and wonderful plan for each of our lives since while we were still in our mother’s wombs He knew us and formed us. There is nothing about us that He does not know.We cannot move away from His spirit, He is with us constantly. How wonderful.I ask that God continue to sustain me with His strength and bring us closer together.
Judy, When you mentioned your strength, I remembered. We are so blessed in each other and the Holy Spirit that binds us together and meets our needs as we pray for each other.
I want to repost my prayer for Dee’s family that I posted at the beginning of last week’s study. Why? Because as I reread last week’s comments I noticed that I’d prayed Psalm 139 in this prayer! What a coinky dink! Also, the Lord suggested we bang on his door with our prayer requests [remember the story about the needy man who bangs on his friend's door in the middle of the night for a loaf of bread, and keeps on banging till he gets it?] so this is me banging for Dee, Ann, Beth and Zondervan:
“Oh, Father, thank you for Dee, Ann, Beth and Zondervan,
Thank you that your are intimately acquainted with all our ways. (Ps. 139:3 NASB) So, you are well aware of Anne’s suffering these days, and Dee’s concern that the God of All Comfort reach those it could help.
Please may Anne’s cyst not be a problem during her labor. And may Zondervan make your decision about that book.
You are the God of all Comfort. Please may Anne [and Beth] be wrapped in your comfort like a cooling cloth on her forehead during labor.
And help them to be tough, tough, tough. May your angels minister to them and may they know feel your presence in the labor room with them.
Please may Dee feel your comfort deep in her soul today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I am thinking and praying about the first question and will try to list some things now.
Strengths:
1. The ability to share our needs and pray for one another in writing is so valuable and I think we are seeing God move in this area.
2. The opportunity to study in a group of women who are like minded in the things of the Lord. I think we have already listed many of those things. I have been blessed doing studies on my own but here we have the ability to share what the Lord is showing each one of us.
3. I find having my study on a word document so much easier than trying to write in a book. I can say all I want without running out of space and my hand does not cramp like it did with writing in the book. Of course I also run the risk of talking too much.
Weaknesses:
1. Not having the ability to pick up non verbal ques from each other. Many times, after expressing myself, I worry that I may have hurt someone else in what I said. I pray that we will sharpen one another but I don’t want to be insensitive.
2. Meaning can be lost in the written word particularly when one is not a skilled writer. When I read back over some of my stuff I see that I left some meanings inferred and that just won’t work.
3. I am spending a little too much time on the computer and get behind in my daily reading and I think the Lord spoke to me right from the start that I should not get behind in that.
Dee, I was thinking how beautiful your daughters are & what beautiful babies they will have & Sally does have! They are just like their mom, beautiful inside & out!
Joyce, so wonderful to see your beautiful face!
1. Contemplate THE WONDER of Psalm 139:1-6
A. List the ways God knows you — find as many as you can.
Well…let’s see: my thoughts from afar, my going out, my lying down, all my ways…I think it’s pretty safe to say that God know me in EVERY way humanly possible…and then some!
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12.
A. What mood shift do you see here — and why do you think it happened?
It’s still praising God, but it feels overwhelming to me. We can’t go anywhere to be away from God. He’s with me no matter where I am, or what I’m doing. It’s scary to think that He might not like what he sees. I just need to remember that He saw it before it happened…and He still thought I was worth dying for.
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
It’s comforting that God is always there. But, then again…He’s ALWAYS there. He sees EVERYTHING we do, even (and maybe especially) the things we don’t want ANYONE to see.
C. Imagine (since I don’t have the tech savvy to do this) that on the top line you would write “God’s holiness” and on the bottom line “My sinfulness.” As you grow in Christ, God’s holiness will grow greater to you, and you will simultaneously see the depth of your sinfulness more clearly. This is part of what is happening in this psalm, what happened to Job, and what happens to each of us as we contemplate the greatness of God. What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?
Well, honestly, the dark parts weren’t there a few years back. At least…they weren’t wholly formed then, I hadn’t fed the bad dog, so to speak. But now…now I’m very aware. But I’m also aware of the good parts that I didn’t know existed, either. Like how good it feels to actually let God be enough. And the fact that I am strong enough (with God’s help) to face my fears and choose not to take the easy way out.
I like that, Lizzy — “Like how good it feels to actually let God be enough. And the fact that I am strong enough (with God’s help) to face my fears and choose not to take the easy way out.”
Love you, Mom
What are the strengths of an internet study? How could we better use this gift to make this study better? What are the weaknesses?
What could be done to overcome the weaknesses?
I think the strengths of an internet study
include having so many people from various
areas in the world be able to take part,
having time to study on our own time instead
of finding one particular time that works for
everyone (a definite weakness of local
studies) and feeling a little more free to be
open with people with whom I’m less self-
conscious compared to people I see all the
time. That’s just me, but it’s a plus.
I can’t think of anything that can be done
better… the topics are wonderful, the group is great!
The only weakness I can think of regarding an
internet study is that we don’t know one
another as well as we might in a face-to-face
study, but I see this being overcome more and
more as we share.
READ PSALM 139 IN ITS ENTIRETY, ASKING GOD TO
GIVE YOU THE BIG PICTURE
1. Contemplate THE WONDER of Psalm 139:1-6
A. List the ways God knows you — find as many
as you can.
He’s searched every part of me, knows when I sit, rise, knows my thoughts, knows when I lay down, when I go out, familiar with all my
ways, knows what I’m going to say before I say it, is both ahead of me and behind me, laid His hand on me.
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
God has questioned Job on how he, a mere human, can question the actions of God. To me, Job 42:3 sounds very contrite because Job
has seen how little he really knows about God and His ways. In this Psalm, it appears that these words come from a contemplative heart
that has seen all the ways God knows us, and seeing that these things are too wonderful to know is a delighting, worshipful phrase.
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP:
What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
To be honest, I’m really not sure. Perhaps it is that if our character needs a nudge in a certain direction, God knows us so intimately that He knows what trials will bring us closer to Him?
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12.
A. What mood shift do you see here — and why do you think it happened?
The mood shift indicates that the psalmist is now moving how God knows him to how God is omnipresent and inescapable. To me this is a very comforting part of this psalm because it assures me that I am never without God. He is there even when the darkness threatens to engulf all things, except for Him!
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
It’s wonderful for the reasons I mentioned above, but is terrible because we cannot hide anything, even in our hearts, from God. He will know when we sin and give way to the darkness in our hearts. Such knowledge makes me extremely thankful that Jesus washed me white as snow in the vision of such probing eyes!
C.
Imagine (since I don’t have the tech savvy to do this) that on the top line you would write “God’s holiness” and on the bottom line “My sinfulness.” As you grow in Christ, God’s holiness will grow greater to you, and you will simultaneously see the depth of your sinfulness more clearly. This is part of what is happening in this psalm, what happened to Job, and what happens to each of us as we contemplate the greatness of God. What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?
I see that I’ve depended too much on myself and “outer works” to feel like a good Christian and OK with God. In short, He’s revealed pride I didn’t know I was harboring, but I trust Him to forgive me and lead me in the way He wishes for me.
4. This is my daughter Beth and her husband Seth. (We wouldn’t have done a picture like this in my generation, but I realize pregnancy is nothing to be ashamed of — it’s beautiful. I think that the change in
maternity clothes to revealing instead of hiding is healthy, so, I’m posting this picture of my beautiful pregnant daughter.)
Meditate on Psalm 139:13-18.
A. What causes the Psalmist to be filled with wonder? Be as specific as you can be.
This passage just blows my mind with how much God loves me. Verse 14 comes to mind when I am tempted to put myself down, sometimes in an effort to sound humble. We are wonderful works only because we are His creation, and that’s something to celebrate and not be self-depricating. I think when people go on about how terrible they think they are, they are almost saying that God didn’t create them correctly.
Verse 16 gives me comfort that God knew about all my days — the good, the bad and the ugly — long before I was born, and He’s been
there ever since in the midst of it all, loving me. Verses 17 and 18 astound me, that my Creator would think if me, a mere creature, sinful and lowly, with such marvellous thoughts. Outnumbering the grains of sand… wow!
C. What thoughts does verse 16 bring to you — especially those of you who have lost loved ones?
The days we have on earth were planned by God before we were born. Somehow, although we cannot see it just now, that length of time
was planned by God for a purpose of His. I may not understand but He is still in control.
D. Compare this passage with Ecclesiastes 11:5. What do you see?
As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God, the
Maker of all things.
It’s OK to not know, as long as you trust God.
God = Plan. Plan = Not a hopeless situation, even when we don’t understand.
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical? Explain.
It seems logical to me because the psalmist has just reviewed so many wonders of God, from His intimate knowledge of us, His omnipresence and His careful, loving planning of us in the womb that he sees those who turn against God as all the more vile in contrast to Who God Is. Because the psalmist knows how good God is, he wants nothing to do with evil. He wants God to vanquish it.
6. Make Psalm 139:23-34 your own prayer. You may want to write it out here.
Dear Christ,
Because You know me so exquisitely, I want all I do to please You, from what I meditate on in my heart to what I say and everything
in between. Sometimes I am so afraid of accidentally displeasing You, but I know that if I commit myself and all of my ways to You,
You will supernaturally and miraculously guard me from that. I surrender myself and my intentions to You, Christ, for You are the
Author and Finisher of my faith. I give You the worries about offensive ways… You alone can cleanse me. May my life be pleasing to You, which by reflection will be pleasing to my soul.
In Christ’s Name,
Amen.
7. What do you think would happen in your life if you made the above prayer a regular part of your life when you faced problems, decisions, or the end of the day?
I’d worry a lot less about being offensive to Him and I’d dwell on how close He is to my every second so much more. The problems would dissolve away in the light of Who He Is.
Tracy, I like your soft heart toward the Lord — “Sometimes I am so afraid of accidentally displeasing You.” Oh, that we would all care about that.
Father, thank you for Tracy. Thank you for her desire to please you. Thank you, too, that you ARE so pleased with us because of Christ. You said of Him, “my son in whom I am well-pleased” and now He lives in us, so when you see us you see you someone with whom You are well-pleased. We are your temple, your dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16) and Your Spirit lives in us. Thank you, Father, that you house so great a treasure in these jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7) Like Lilo said to Stitch [one of my favorite movies]when he was going to sing like Elvis on the beach, “It’s all about you!” In Jesus name, Amen!
Thank you so much for the prayer! :-)
Some good thoughts on your first day yesterday!
I’m headed out to be with my girls — love your prayers. I’m on Midday Connection today too, love your prayers for that.
You are dear women.
Dee
Dear Heavenly Father,
I lift up Dee to you today as she begins her drive to be near her daughters and I ask that You would be with her and keep her safe on the roads as she travels. Please keep her car running without any trouble, and protect her at all times.
I pray for her daughters, Anne and Beth, that You would be with them in these days of waiting to deliver; please ease any anxieties they may be experiencing. I pray for uncomplicated, safe deliveries for each of them, and may Your hands guide these little ones out into the world as You have already seen them as they have been knitted together in their mothers’ wombs. When they cry their first cries, may it be the praise that You have ordained from the lips of infants!
Please just be with Anne and Beth and Dee and all the family at this time, and let it be a time of great blessing and joy!
Praying in the Name of Your Son, Jesus,
Amen
Amen!
Heavenly Father,
I lift up Tammy to you this morning, and ask that You would give her Your peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding, that will guard her mind and her heart in Christ Jesus. Thank you for being Tammy’s Heavenly Husband, her Provider, her Supporter, and her Strength; her Rock and her Fortress, and that You cannot be moved or swayed.
Lord, may You direct an honest, caring mechanic to take care of Tammy’s car, a man of good and honest character and one who is skillful at his work. You know that Tammy depends on her car, and we trust that You will see to all the details of this matter. We place it all into Your capable and reliable hands!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
I agree, Father. Amen.
1a. The wonder of Psalm 139:1-6 is how God knows everything about David and is concerned with every detail. God cares enough to search out every detail.
1b. God knows the position of David’s body, where he travels and where he rests. He knows his ways so God is not surprised by anything that David does. He knows his thoughts and what he is going to say. God is with him and encircling him and even placed His hand on Him indicating that nothing that happens to him is out of God’s control.
1c. Job is amazed also because of God’s knowledge about everything, including himself.
What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life? God knows how I will react in every situation. He also knows everything about me, my strength and weaknesses. He can tailor the events of my life to cause the growth that He knows I need. This reminds me of the precision of using a laser for brain surgery. The beam is prepared, measurements taken to direct the beam to the exact spot where it is needed and that dangerous, destructive beam penetrates the brain to destroy only the bad cells. The beam is never out of control. That is how God uses suffering in our lives. It is always controlled by His hand and it brings about our growth.
Great word picture, Anne! — “This reminds me of the precision of using a laser for brain surgery. The beam is prepared, measurements taken to direct the beam to the exact spot where it is needed and that dangerous, destructive beam penetrates the brain to destroy only the bad cells. The beam is never out of control. That is how God uses suffering in our lives. It is always controlled by His hand and it brings about our growth.”
I agree! Anne, that’s very vivid. Also reminds me that sometimes we have scars from sin even after we’ve been “treated.”
Dee, I just listened to you on the radio over the noon hour. I was cleaning the bathroom (ugh!) but listening to the stories and encouragement and songs on Midday Connection made scrubbing the toilet a joy! Thanks :)
Have you heard anything from Zondervan about “God of All Comfort” yet?
Ok. On to the study…
2.C. “What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?”
I’ve realized recently how in love I was with the world’s entertainment. That realization started when I turned off the TV during the day as part of a corporate fast with my church. And, for 3 weeks, my family would only watch TV at night if it was something really important, so not often. :)
Chip Ingram said on the radio this morning, “Decide who you wanna be in the future, when you’re 50, 60, or 70. It might mean you watch a lot less T.V. now, eat a lot less food. It means when other’s are sinking down [with the culture] around you, you’re swimming upstream”
And he asked, “Are you spending your life, or investing it?”
He was talking about Psalm 90 and the verse, “The length of our days is seventy years– or eighty, if we have the strength…they quickly pass, and we fly away…
Teach us to number our days that we present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:10, 12)
So, I pray that, Father, Psalm 90, for all of us. Thank you that there’s NOWHERE we can flee from your presence. That’s a good thing, ’cause if you weren’t around to watch us, what trouble we’d find ourselves in then. So, thank you that you hem us in, behind and before and have laid your hand upon us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
I like Chip Ingram, too. He has a way of making everything practical right down to our daily lives.
Someone said about the web that it’s the great leveller (levelor? levellor?!). We can’t see each other’s physical differences, so our prejudgements and insecurities don’t interfere with our ability to share or learn from one another.
Another advantage is “delete” and “backspace” buttons, and the “edit” option at the bottom of our entries! Wish we had that ability face-to-face!
LOL! Gloris. I agree wholeheartedly. I use them liberally and wish I had them face to face!
Ditto what Anne said. LOL! I do like the edit and delete. We can be more thoughtful about what we say than we can in person. There is less of the throwing up our words on here. ;p
And another thing…sorry to monopolize, girls! I’m not the quiet one OR the “answer in one breath” ;) type at face to face studies, either!
But, I just wanted to mention that, over at my devotional blog (click Gloriadelia next to my avatar to get there), I’m recording a virtual bike ride across America that my husband and I are doing. It was Dave’s idea to ride our bikes around our area, but keep track of our miles on a map as if we were riding from the east to the west coast. We started in Florida in March and, by October, hope to be in San Diego. (can you say, “midlife crisis”?)
Anyway, I started a series this week using our ride as a springboard to dive into some really great verses and encouragement from the Word.
Thought you might be interested. Gloris
What are the strengths of an internet study?
I like that participants come from all over and that we are able to “be together” even though we have different schedules and time zones (i.e., we don’t have to be online at the same time). In addition, there are SO MANY online resources that can inform our studies. I appreciate the encouragement to allow God to speak through all our senses rather than just conducting intellectual exercises! I like online classes because they often require some preparation/thought before making comments. An Internet study also has the potential to reflect the diversity of the computer-using population and reach people who are home-bound (a blizzard won’t prevent me from participating!)
How could we better use this gift to make this study better?
I think it’s pretty good as is :) (good inclusion of both audio and video!) but I have been thinking about this question. I teach online and have been asking the same question about my online classes. I think people get tempted to use online “bells and whistles” just for the sake of the technology itself. Will keep thinking about this as I prepare for fall classes—right now, the only (seemingly appropriate) additional thing that might be useful is a collaborative wiki.
What are the weaknesses?
For me, the biggest weakness is that I spend WAY too much time on the computer even though much of it is for work. While the info I find when searching is often useful, I also get very distracted because I like learning (and can get interested in almost anything!). I’ve gained weight since I started teaching online. In the past, I have walked to class or Bible Study, walked to the library to get resources, and at least walked to another room for a different version of the Bible. Now, I SIT.
Another weakness is that those with the fewest financial resources may not have regular computer or Internet access. (also true of the very oldest). But most congregations are not very diverse in terms of socioeconomic status or ethnicity either.
What could be done to overcome the weaknesses?
-I’m hoping to make space for a stand-up work station. Also, I can memorize/ meditate on Scripture when walking.
-Thinking off the top of my head here (not prepared!!): I was thinking of people who might not have computer access — and also thinking about Gloris’s study. I wonder if we could use this study as outreach and provide group reports. For example, I could take my computer to a homeless shelter, senior citizen’s center, domestic abuse shelter etc (someplace that would allow a Bible study) and we could discuss the questions and report back (I’d still get to be a participant because I wouldn’t prepare new questions :) ). I do know of refugee and immigrant communities that have their own churches— could probably contact them (I don’t know about computer access in the one with which I’m most familiar).
Renee! That’s a creative idea. Hmmm…(ideas spinning through head…it could work…too complicated…where could I do something like that in my area?…could it work?!) Oh, Father, if it’s your idea, please make it work. You’re a God of order and discipline. (2 Timothy?) In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Renee and Gloris, I think Renee is on to something.. I do think we can make this study more widely known as well as spreading the word even further about Dee’s studies. As we know they are truly deep and God uses them to change lives. You don’t walk away from one of her studies unchanged in some way.
I knew you’d have good input.
Love your solution of taking materials to immigrant communities.
1. Contemplate THE WONDER of Psalm 139:1-6
A. List the ways God knows you — find as many as you can.
He knows:
-my physical state (sitting, sleeping, sleeping in!, getting up, awake, half-awake);
-my thoughts (He DISCERNS them!–although I’m not sure what that means)
-my path or behaviors
-my words even before they pop out of my mouth
-what I need to be kept safe
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
Job spoke the words in 42:3 after the Lord spoke to him. In this context, he is acknowledging his guilt in contrast to God’s holiness and omniscience.
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP: What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
This question immediately reminded me of I Cor 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
God knows EVERYTHING about me. When I combine His comprehensive knowledge with His character, His faithfulness, I can trust that He is with me through everything, including suffering, and will provide me with strength to endure suffering.
4. Meditate on Psalm 139:13-18.
A. What causes the Psalmist to be filled with wonder? Be as specific as you can be.
I think it’s the general wonder of childbirth and new life. The fact that we don’t see the baby until it is complete, but God is right there with the child “knitting it together.” The young life is so intricate and delicate. And God made it. The same God that made the lion made the tiny little, totally vulnerable child.
C. What thoughts does verse 16 bring to you — especially those of you who have lost loved ones?
It makes me think of a novel. I write (kind of) and have been working on a novel for a while now. I know how the story ends, and when each character’s thread will be cut, but the character itself doesn’t know that. So, to me, it kind of makes me feel like a character in a book. And it’s nice to know that the author of my story won’t just kill me off for dramatic affect. ;)
D. Compare this passage with Ecclesiastes 11:5. What do you see?
It makes me have a little thrill of wonder just reading it. The thought of “growing” a baby inside of me someday makes me so excited. And it really is a good comparison. I don’t exactly know how it works, I mean, I know that at certain points in a pregnancy certain things will be happening, and how the egg and sperm connect…but it’s still so magical. And wonderful. And intricate. And perfect. Just like all of God’s works. Even if the child comes out with “problems,” that we think are wrong, it’s how God designed them to be. And they are perfect. A child being born with a problem isn’t in OUR plan, it’s not how WE think it should go, but it was how God planned it. Just like how our lives don’t always go “according to plan.” But we just have to remember that it’s not our plan that matters. And no matter what “problems” we may see, it’s still perfect.
Liz, you show great understanding of how God views the life He creates. Very wise.
Liz, you are wise beyound your years! That is exactly how I view my daughter born with many problems. She is perfect in God’s eyes.
Thanks, Joyce! I don’t feel that way most of the time. And I’ll be praying for you and your daughter. Your love for her is amazing. I pray that God continues to give you grace and show His love for you and your daughter. *hug* :)
1. Read Psalm 139 in its entirety. Contemplate the wonder of verses 1-6.
A. List the ways God knows you. Find as many as you can.
O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;
Thou dost scrutinize (literal “winnow”) my path and my lying down,
And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Thou hast enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Thy hand upon me,
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
What a picture of being known, really, really known, inside and out. To think that the Lord searches us, looks deep into our hearts and minds and knows the words that will come out of my mouth before I even speak them. He knows where I am and what I am doing every second of the day.
I thought the (verse 3) part about scrutinizing, or “Thou dost winnow my path” was interesting; I had to look up winnow in the dictionary and it means to remove chaff with a current of air or to get rid of something undesirable or unwanted or to separate desirable and undesirable elements. At first I thought the passage may mean that God makes a smooth path for us or removes obstacles in our path, but after reading the definition of winnow I don’t think so.
I think it may mean our spiritual path of becoming more like Jesus, the “sanctification process” and the things God allows in our lives, even suffering and trials, to get rid of the chaff in us, the sinful habits and attitudes. I guess this is the refining we go through.
I think the amazing thing is that God has tons and tons of children, and His way of knowing each one of us and the path He has laid out for each one of us is so individualized; no cookie-cutter parenting here!
I have trouble keeping up with the likes and dislikes of just 3 children, just in what they like to eat! And I often make the mistake of thinking what worked for one will work for the other.
And David says that God is intimately acquainted with all my ways. How often to I long to be known intimately by another person, but at the same time I’m kind of afraid of being known that well, because I may be rejected. Yet God offers that to me and does not turn away.
Susan, the definition of winnow is very interesting. I found also this definition: to subject to some process of separating or distinguishing; analyze critically; sift: to winnow a mass of statements. How blessed we are if we allow this process in our path.
Another word I found in KJV was compassest which is not in the dictionary because of the suffix. Compass can be a noun or verb and I think in this use it would be a verb. Here is an interesting definition as a verb: to bring about or achieve. There is also encompass…
They are all good things but I don’t know how to figure out which meaning is intended…understanding Hebrew would be very helpful right now.
That’s helpful, Anne!
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
In what context did Job speak these words?
Job had been asking God alot of questions and talking about things he didn’t know much about. In Job 38:2-3, God says to Job, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!”
Job had been searching for an explanation for all of his suffering, but at the end, he “raises the white flag” and admits that there are things too far beyond his human mind to ever understand.
That’s what David expressed too, that God being able to know him like this was something he could never grasp.
All of this reminds me of how many times I try to explain what God’s motives must have been. Or after 9/11, I heard alot of Christians and preachers saying things like, “God let this happen because…..”
And it’s like God says, in the passage in Job, who do you think you are? But He’s not being mean, He’s trying to get through to us that He is God, and we are not, and to trust Him and to leave the deep things that are too wonderful, too high for us, to Him.
For me, the bottom line is that I can know God because He has revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus, and through His Word, but I cannot explain Him. If that makes any sense!?
C. What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought and word, and the suffering He allows in your life?
Well, I immediately thought about how I know certain persons in my life who use intimate knowledge, particularly of my weaknesses, to hurt me, or “stab” at me, to tear me down.
But God has this intimate knowledge of me, all my sin, my weaknesses, the immature parts of my character, and He never, never uses this knowledge for anything but for my good. He wants always to bring me in closer to Himself.
Last night, I went to my friend’s church because on Tues. nites they have open prayer. I went because I’ve been so sad this week about my nephew. My friend Linda and the man who started this prayer nite, just the three of us, prayed and talked together. And I went through my whole list of “what ifs” and “if only I had….done…or said…or understood…..then maybe, my nephew wouldn’t have died”.
And this man prayed , “Jesus, show Susan what You blame her for.”
And there was nothing, because I’m covered by Him. He doesn’t see me as guilty. And we talked about how Satan likes to hit us where we are vulnerable and weak, and this is hindering my being able to work through my grief and heal. Satan uses our suffering against us, but God uses it to bring us to a higher place than we were before.
And I also realized that my thinking that by doing or saying something I could have changed the outcome, I am putting myself in the place of God, as if I had the power to change my nephew. And this man reminded me that I need to focus on Jesus, and by doing these other things, I am keeping my focus on myself. The truth I saw last night is that God doesn’t blame me for my nephew’s death, God loves me. And I can’t “play the Holy Spirit” in other people’s lives; I can pray for them and that’s keeping my focus on God.
Susan, that helps me so much also to hear what you learned tues. evening.
I loved the man’s prayer and God’s answer!
Love what he prayed, “Jesus, show Susan what You blame her for.”
And your response:”And there was nothing, because I’m covered by Him.”
That’s so freeing for us all.
“Satan is the blamer, the shamer, He’s so much lamer than he lets on. Jesus is our lover, He’s our cover. So tell the blamer to be gone!”
AMEN! (like the rhyme, too)
Hi all! Thanks for all your amazing responses!
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP: What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
The link that I see between God’s intimate knowledge of me and the suffering He allows within my life is the link of trust and therefore purpose.
His intimate knowledge of me, makes Him great, but it is not just the knowledge He has of me that makes Him great, but the love He has for me, it is the combination of both that makes Him both great and trustworthy. I can trust Him in my suffering, I can “let go” for underneath are the “everlasting arms”. I don’t know that we will always know why we suffer in the sense of why God allowed this or that, but in our suffering we can bring glory to God because we know that He knows and for some reason He has allowed it – He is allowing us the opportunity to trust Him, and that gives us purpose in our suffering. Do we trust Him? Do we believe He is the One He said He was?
Help us believe Father, help us to bring glory to you in our suffering! You delight our hearts!
It is wonderful to hear from you Fellowsojourner! We have missed you. Yes, I think you are right, faith is the ingredient allowing Him to transform us through suffering.
Thanks Anne, Joyce and Gloriadelia!
Missed you too! Thank you for reminding myself to trust God in our suffering. I pray it brings glory to you, Lord.
I agree! — “Help us believe Father, help us to bring glory to you in our suffering! You delight our hearts!” — Amen!
Hi Fellowsojourner,
Wow, another sharp sister on here!! This thread is loaded with, as Dee Calls it, women with depth! =) Praise God!
I am looking forward to reading more of your responses. :)
Hi Rebecca! Nice to meet you too! =)
Welcome back, Fellowsojourner!
I’m out of town so not on here as much these days.
Thanks Renee! =)
1. Strengths: A. Time. This allows for us to really hear God with just one or two questions for a day. We can bask in one question for a day or we can take three or four. However the Holy Spirit leads and we can get online when God brings something to mind and share. I like that.
B. We can get mentored by Dee somewhat in a live way. Philippians 3:17-21. This sounds silly but a few years ago I was asking God to bring me an an older wiser woman with great passion for Jesus to mentor me face to face, and when God brought Dee’s daughter in law into my life I learned more about Dee and how godly and studied she is. After hearing about her and going to one of her conferences, I really wanted to learn from her one on one and of course I felt kind of silly asking Julie about it, but this online study is a great way to do that along with using her bible study books! =)
I think it is important to have women in your life who follow the pattern set by Jesus and Paul in which we can follow. In my Philippians bible study I picked Dee, and Julie, and two other awesome women as those women. :)
C. All of the strengths listed above. I totally agree with! :)
D. You can invite other women to come here who may be too busy or hesitant to get into a face to face study. Even though face to face is preferred some women can’t do it and this provides a great way for them to be discipled.
Weakness:
A. The ones listed above are what I was thinking.
Improvement:
A. It would be great if everyone could put their picture icons in with their comments. It personalizes it more. If you want, here is the website to do it: http://en.gravatar.com/. You just go there and sign up and then make sure you use the same e-mail address you use on here.
Thank you, Rebecca….I was wondering how to do that!
Rebecca, I put one of Kendra’s pictures here because gravatar won’t let me adjust my pictures (The lines & little arrows) to focus in closer on a picture. Do you know what I’m doing wrong?
Joyce, Hmmm.. I will go over there and see what it is your talking about. I am not sure.. Be back..
Joyce,
I just changed my picture and it worked fine. I wonder what the problem is. Hmmm.. When you downloaded a picture did you see the large and small version on your right hand side?
Kendra is beautiful by the way!
Thanks, I got it to work
So, is that you, Joyce, or Kendra?
Thanks for the website, too, Rebecca. That’s a great idea. It does help to have a face. :)
Rebecca, yes, I see the large & small size. It will be fine , thank you.
Great to see all these faces — thanks Rebecca — and for your kind comments.
2a. In verses 7-12 it seems that the mood shifts from wonder to fear. He seems to have the desire to hide from being known so intimately. He realizes that he is quite sinful.
b. God’s omniscience and omnipresence are wonderful because our greatest desire to be known and loved. They are terrible because we are shot through with sin. We can’t hide it in the presence of God. As long as we can keep Him at arms length in our own minds we feel like it is hidden from His eyes. When I was a child I thought that if I hid under the covers nothing that I feared could get me. It was really just a game in my mind and I knew it but it made me feel safe. I think as adults we tend to play it with God but the safety is only a feeling.
c. When Job saw the greatness of God, he saw his own sinfulness. Isaiah in chapter 6 was quite undone when he saw God’s glory. The thing that I have seen most acutely is the hardness of my own heart and how I have built walls around it. This is a time when I like communicating on line because I don’t think I could even talk about this face to face. I would just cry. Another thing I see is that I am completely powerless to change myself. I can only wait on Him and allow Him to winnow my path.
4. Beth is indeed beautiful and I see Seth’s great love for her as a picture of God’s love for us. Without Him we are far from whole but in Him we are complete and glorify His name. You have a very good photographer in your family…
a. As I meditate on verses 13-18 I think this is where the lines on the triangle meet. The psalmist has seen God’s glory and confessed his own sinfulness. He sees that God loves him and can begin to see the glory of God in the creation of himself. He is filled with praise and in verse 18 he sees that it is ok that he does not understand it all.
b. “I Was Made to Praise You” celebrates the fact that we were created to glorify God. That is not just when we praise with our lips but as we live out our lives in dependence on Him. If we ‘handle’ our problems ourselves He is not glorified. We praise Him in every circumstance because we depend on His help. I think that it is man and woman together that create the image of God, by that I mean that the unique attributes of each are found in the attributes of God. Marriage is synergistic in that the 2 together make a greater whole than the 2 separately. In this way marriage illustrates God’s relationship with His bride, the church or His people individually. He is glorified when we walk with Him in every circumstance and prove ourselves able to endure as none can without Him. This is at least one way we were made for Him.
Loved the synergistic marriage comment and comparison to us with Jesus.
C. What thoughts does verse 16 bring to you — especially those of you who have lost loved ones?
Well, it says that God has our lives planned from beginning to end. I guess it would be presumptuous of me to ask God to change His plan for my desires. That does not change the pain of losing a loved one. I often think of Hezekiah’s reaction when he was told to prepare to die. God granted his desire to live longer but nothing good happened after that. Maybe I read the story wrong but that is how it looks to me.
D. Compare this passage with Ecclesiastes 11:5. What do you see?
Just as Job can’t do all of the things God does, I can not understand His ways or His purpose in any circumstance.
e. When my sons were born the thing I remember the most was how my heart was knit to them. I can’t even describe it because love does not seem to express totally what I mean. Even though they were not perfect, they seemed that way to me. Their faults were covered by my love and protection. If anything their shortcomings made me love them more.
1. A. List the ways God knows me, as many as I can think of:
God knows what I think of first thing in the morning and every thought thereafter. He even knows of the dreams I have at night. He knows what every single complicated thing is doing in my body to keep it working. He knows every bad thought that leads to wrong attitudes. He knows how deeply I love my husband and children-he gave me that. He made every intricate part of me and nothing is hidden from him. He knew me before He put me in my mother’s womb. He made my soul and he made my spirit before he put flesh on me. THAT is too deep and too wonderful to comprehend.
B. Compare verse 6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
Job was righteous yet suffering tremendously and he couldn’t figure out why God would allow this, so Job questioned God’s wisdom which revealed his short-sightedness in regard to God’s sovereignty. God answered Job back reminding him of who He is. In this verse Job was humbled. God’s knowledge in contrast with Job’s in regard to the “why’s” in life was obviously supreme, and His ways too wonderful for Job to comprehend. As righteous as Job was, this was an area God wanted to mature him in.
c. CHALLENGE QUESTION FOR THIS AMAZING GROUP: What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He allows in your life?
The suffering in my life is tailor made or allowed by God to refine me in the areas he is so familiar with that need changing. Most areas I am not even familiar with. HELLO PSALM 139: 23-24!! ;p
LIGHT BULB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING, every second, minute, and every event and person in my life is orchestrated by God in relation to how He knows me so that when trials come, whether as a result of my sin or not, they all have the same purpose. To refine me to maturity bringing me closer with Him and ultimately bringing Him glory.
I’ll stop here.. This has given me a lot to meditate on today..
Amen, Rebecca! –” LIGHT BULB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYTHING, every second, minute, and every event and person in my life is orchestrated by God in relation to how He knows me so that when trials come, whether as a result of my sin or not, they all have the same purpose. To refine me to maturity bringing me closer with Him and ultimately bringing Him glory.”
That has always been a stumbling block for me, suffering. How can God be good, yet allow his children to suffer?
God has used the comments here, and Dee’s insights and questions, plus SO MANY other “coincidental” sources to enlighten me these days. ~~Gloris
P.S. Thank you, Father. You ARE intimately acquainted with our ways, including our confusions. Thank you for using these women and this study to clear some things up for me and to “lead me in the everlasting way”! (Psalm 139:24)
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gloris,
NO doubt! The question for me today is how am I going to view the people, trials, places and things that come into my life and will I trust that God knows what he is doing and that none of it is an accident, but God has either allowed it or orchestrated it. Either way He is in control for His good reasons. Too wonderful for me to fathom. :)
But why doesn’t God make ME suffer instead of our special needs daughter that doesn’t understand much more than a 5 year old. She has seizures & then breaks her foot from a fall & then has vomiting for awhile now & had to be put out to determine she has ulcers but the ulcer medicine doesn’t help her vomiting so she she has a ultra sound & now she has gall stones & has to have her gall bladder out. Another surgery & the dentist wants to put her out to do work & the GYN wants to put her out to do a pap smear and she is scard of death of Doctors & hospitals. It’s all too much. I’m suffering emotionally is all. I wish it was me that had to go through all she has to go through. She’s just a little girl in a big body. I’m having a really hard time with this. Please pray for her.
Lord, there is so much we simply do not understand and it hurts. I know that Joyce means wholeheartedly that she would rather go through this than to watch Kendra go through it. I know that You also feel the same. So I say again that I do not understand. We trust in You for Your best way for Kendra and for Joyce. Walk ever so close to them in this valley. Pour out on them Your peace both now and when they go to the doctors and again when they go for anesthesia and surgery. Give wisdom to the doctors taking care of Kendra and if possible maybe they can do some of these things all at the same time. Thank you for giving her a mother that loves her so. May Kendra be calmed by the presence of Joyce and her father in all of the places that she must go.
Amen
Hi Joyce!! I have been praying/thinking about you and am freer now to pray with you since it is so early! :)
Lord, Joyce is a precious woman whom you have so wonderfully made and who loves you and the faith you have given her astounds me Lord. It is obvious you have your hand in her life. Lord you know Joyce’s suffering for her daughter and you are grieving right there with her. I am so thankful you are close to the broken hearted!! You know her broken-ness right now. You know every thought and Lord you want to hold her and love her through it and you will listen to her as she crys out to you. There is nothing worse than watching your child suffer wishing it could be you. Lord, you know that feeling too well. Today just wrap your loving arms around Joyce and give her your strength and peace as she seeks your face in this.
Lord you have knitted Kendra together in her mother’s womb and we are so glad that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. Lord she is afflicted and suffering right now and you know that but we ask that you would heal her quickly and that her precious body would get a break from the onslaught of ailments that seem to be hitting her right now. This is so hard to understand that Kendra would have to go through this on top of her disability so help Joyce and Kendra to know you are here with them and that you love them deeply. In Jesus precious name, Amen.
Joyce, I must say your humility astounds me. It can only come from God. I remember when Isaac was diagnosed with Autism. He was two and 1/2 and when a mom goes through that there is a ‘process’ of learning to trust God with it.
I phoned another believer who had a teenage son with it. We talked and I was going through a tough day kind of putting my feet in the future where God didn’t want them, so I was worrying. Thinking she would understand because she has been there. She is a believer and I thought she would put her arms around me and just listen and love me like Jesus does. I asked her, “How will he turn out?” “Is he ever going to learn to talk?” “will he have friends?” “Will he be able to work?” “Will he be able to enjoy or experience human interactions?” etc…I started crying.
She stopped me and sharply said, “You’re not trusting God.” That was the worse thing she could say. She didn’t mean to discourage me though. She meant well but I wasn’t there yet. I had only had a year in dealing with his diagnosis and going through intensive in home therapy with three little ones under foot was difficult. She was right but her timing was wrong. I wasn’t mad at her, but refrained from calling her.
To hear your responses in regard to trusting God and his working in Kendra’s suffering is a great witness to me of God working in your heart. Even when you have days of struggling.
SORRY this is so long, but my mother went through what you are going through when my brother was burned at 6 years old. He had first, second and third degree burns all over. His lungs were burned and he almost died two times in the hospital. My mom wishes it were her. She lost weight, she struggled with anger and the why’s. My brother then had to undergo ridicule and teasing from other children. They called him a monster and said ‘take your mask off’.. I used to set them straight. =)
flash forward, my brother just turned 50 and he was the one who led me to Jesus. I saw a huge change in my brother in the way he treated me. My testimony is a long story but an awesome one!
I don’t know why he still has to have scars and had to deal with all of that at a young age. All I know is that God had a plan for his life and it was knowing Him and making Him known. My brother started a legacy of faith to pass down to his five children and to me and as a result, my family. God could have took him home when he was six, but he didn’t. I also know that when we are all together face to face with Jesus some day his body won’t have scars. I look forward to the day when he is free from that.
O.K. I’ll stop. Sorry this is so long!! You have a blessed day sis! :)
Your love for Kendra reminds me of God’s love for us, only He was able to actually do what you wish you could. He was able to take our place. Kendra’s frailities mirror our spiritual weaknesses, our sin. We vomit on ourselves regularly and hurt ourselves. God not only wished He could take our place, but did it.
Oh, Father, when I’m not suffering so horribly, it’s easy to talk about it and all the good that comes from it. But Joyce is REALLY suffering. Big time. Every day, every minute. BUT I know you are there with her, You DO love her, You are able to carry her and Kendra through this.
Now Joyce sees in a mirror dimly. I know you promised that some day we’d see face-to-face, but I ask in Jesus’ name that Joyce could see more clearly now. Face-to-face. May she see you in the dark. May she see how you guide her and strengthen her and encourage her and LOVE her BIG TIME, every day, every minute. She maybe can’t understand it any more than Kendra can understand how much her mommy loves her. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Joyce, you are such an encouragement to me. Lately I have been thinking a lot about being a mom someday, and it terrifies me. I know that I will be ok as long as the kids are, say, 2. But as soon as they are older than that…*Shudders* :)
It is so encouraging to me to see that, even when it is hard, you always love your child. And that you CAN find good support groups, like this one, and that God extends grace to fit every situation.
My heart breaks for you and your daughter. I will be praying for you. God loves you and your daughter, and if my heart is breaking, then I know his broke before she was born. He has a plan for you and your daughter.
Whenever God closes a door, like the door of a normal life, he opens a window. Just he doesn’t always open the window as fast as we want him to. ;)
Joyce,
Awww, Joyce I feel so much for you and Kendra! I will pray for her. Just know we all love you and are praying for you all.
I can’t relate to the physical issues, but I can relate in other ways in having a special needs child. I can encourage you that God knows everything you need to grow in maturity and while you may not see it now I am confident He is going to use this in your life to bring Him glory somehow. With all of us it is different in how He works in our lives. God is working in your circumstances even though you can’t see it right now. Perhaps he will bring along a woman in the future who is going through what you are and you can be there to help her along. Only He knows. :)
I will pray for you real soon. I would like to pray now and write it but my boys are starting to fight and I need to get off and deal with it. Yikes!!
Dear Gloris, Just reading your responses – how beautiful your heart for your daughter! I do think sometimes God does use suffering to shape our character, but I also think that God uses suffering to show us the depth of love He has for us. When we were powerless Christ died for us, the same way sometimes in our suffering. Sometimes we suffer things that are beyond our control, like sickness, but that is not the end of the picture – only the beginning. Sometimes we are forced to let go, because there is nothing we can do about it, but it is here that we find Him, and in finding Him, we find that He is all that we need. God transends time, He is not limited by sickness, there is no place where He cannot go – He truly is the lover of our soul Gloris. I hope this helps. I know God is near.
I’m sorry Gloris, I was reading Joyce’s note about her daughter and put your name down! Sorry! I apologize to you too Joyce – what a great heart for your daughter!
Thank you, Fellowsojourner
So good to have you here Fellowsojourner. You’ve been missed.
Thanks Dee! And thank you Dee for being so faithful in your studies! Thanks Dee – you are appreciated! =)
First of all I would like to say thank you for all of your prayers for me this week. It has really made a difference. Next, I would like to tell ya’ll if my picture comes up (thanks for the link Rebecca) that the picture was taken January of this year. That’s me with Gospel singer Ivan Parker.
1.A. List the ways God knows you.
God knows when I’m sitting down driving, peeling peaches, watching tv, at the computer, in bed reading a book, in a pew at church, and at my special meeting place with Him.
God knows my thoughts-oh, my thoughts! Many are the times I’m glad we human creatures cannot read each others minds because I confess there have been critical and judgmental thoughts flowing through my brain. Since I’ve been practicing meditating on God’s word those type of thoughts are becoming less frequent. What excites me is God hears my thoughts of meditation. I find myself striving to stay focused on thinking about God. I need to ask myself am I thinking about what is true, noble right, pure, lovely, admirable excellent, and praiseworthy.
God see the paths I daily take. Each route I take to the homes of my clients, the aisles I walk up and down in the supermarket, the two blocks I sometimes walk to church. Do I choose to walk the path of peace and righteouness or do I walk the path of the flesh?
God sees me when I am lying down sleeping at night or I may be lying down on the floor looking under the bed for something.
God sees all my ways. He knows me better than I know myself. He knows what causes me to weep and what will make me laugh.
He knows the very words I am going to speak before they are spoken.
He has confined me within His boundaries and has marked me with His brand.
B. Compare v.6 with Job 42:3. In what context did Job speak these words?
Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Job 42:3
You asked, who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
In chapters 38-41, God puts Job in his place. In chapter 42:3, Job has realized he has no clue as to how and why God truly operates the universe. Modern day translation: Open mouth. Insert foot.
C. What link do you see between God’s intimate knowledge of your every move, thought, and word and the suffering He has allowed in your life?
The first word that came to my mind when I read the question was sovereignity. The link I see is God’s sovereignity-God rules over all and nothing happens without God’s permission.
The year before I experienced my devastating trial, I was involved in a Precept study of Romans chapters 9-11. One lesson focused solely on the sovereignity of God. If you have ever done a Precept study you know you spend a lot to time digging into the word of God. Looking back I can see God’s providence lead me to be involved in this particular study because He knew what I would be facing in the days to come and He knew I would be looking for an explanation as to why I experienced this trial. I know now my trial came by God’s permissive hand. I didn’t realize when I was going through my trial that God knew He could trust me to bear the trial. I base that conclusion on James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith, develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything”.
The following scriptures give insight into the sovereignity of God: Romans 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, and Ephesians 1:11.
After completing the study, I came to understand God allows trials to happen to help me attain spiritual maturity, develop the fruit of the Spirit, and complete my conformity to the image of Christ. How I respond to my trial reveals whether I am allowing God complete sovereignity in my life.
2.A Psalm 139:7-12. What mood shift do you see here-and why do you think it happened?
I think David shifts from awe of God’s comprehensive knowledge of him to excitement because he realizes that God will never take His eyes off of him. No matter where David goes, God is right there with him.
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
God having perfect knowledge of everything that is past, present, or future is wonderful because He knows what is best for my life. He prepares me in the present for what is to come in the future. At the same time, God’s omniscience is terrible because He is the only one who sees the real me. I can’t even see the real me.
God being present everywhere, in all the universe, at all times, in the totality of His character is wonderful because He doesn’t miss one thing that in this world. He is always with us. Comforting and sobering words. He doesn’t miss seeing the good works I do nor does he miss seeing the sins I commit. The sins which bring grief to his heart.
C. What dark parts of your heart do you see today that you were not able to see a few years back?
As I stated earlier, I have a tendency to be critical and judgmental in my thinking. I’m also coming to terms with how spiritually lazy I can be. Like Gloris I too have been running more to the world than to God’s word.
Tammy and Gloris, isn’t it funny how we all do that? Well, I guess funny isn’t a good word because it isn’t really funny but you know what I mean. When I run to the world rather than to God’s living word I realize that it is my nasty, ugly, poopy flesh. I am so sick of my flesh! IT is like my flesh is constantly veering toward the world and my spirit is veering toward God.
I can’t help but think that God knows that too and He also knows we will struggle with it until we are face to face with him, but in the meantime He is using it to help bring us to maturity.
Paul comforts me when he says: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” NIV. Romans 7:15
God knows me in every way possible. He knows my thoughts, He knows my feelings, He knows my sorrows, He knows my fears, He knows all the love and joy I have experienced throughout my life. He knows my motives when many times I don’t, He saw me when I was a child and sat on my great-grandmother’s steps and prayed, He saw me kneeling on the walnut tree in the rain on a February day when I was nine years old asking that my 47 year old grandmother not die with cancer. As I knelt there rain falling down my neck I die He was saying no, I knew that He would not heal her in this world. He was there on the day I met my future husband in the fourth grade. He was there through all the fun we had being together as teen-agers. God was there through out my marriage and the birth of three children and three grandchildren. God was very much at my wedding where we were so young and hopeful. He was there when we argued and when we made up. He was there when I worried about my children and when I was proud of them. God prompted me to go to college and graduate school and learn to help His people that where hurting. God was there on the scary day my son died. God was there when we would sit around our supper table and laugh and talk with our children. God was there when we simply sat in a room, reading and my husband and I were just enjoying being together. God was in the drive way with my daughter, my grandson and myself when my husband died. God knew every feeling I experienced and every thought I had during all these times.
After God’s conversation with Job I think Job felt that overcome by God’s massive creation and control of all things which exist, I think he was simply overcome by the marvels of God’s creation of past wonders and His plans for future wonders. We know so little and got a glimpse of all we don’t know.
Because God has so deep and intimate knowledge of us He knows how to shape and create each of us through circumstances to become the best we can be on this earth and to prepare us to serve Him. If Frank had not died I would have not felt called to a greif counseling mission. I would never have been able to help people who have expeirnced he death of a child. None of our suffering is wasted. If we will allow to do so He will take our suffering and use it to help His children and furthur His plans for the Kingdom. God prepares us, uses us and than takes us to Heaven.
This is a beautiful list of how intimately God knows you (and the rest of us.) It really touched me!
Thanks, Judy. What a great way to flesh out that verse.
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12.
A. What mood shift do you see here — and why do you think it happened?
He realizes that not only does God know every molecule in his body he sees EVERYTHING including his sinful thoughts and actions. Even when he tries to flee God’s presence God knows is where he is at. God is such an awesome God but He fears Him too.
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible? Because His ways are too hard to comprehend/fathom. He is perfect. For example, He is a God of love, grace and mercy, yet a God of justice.
C. I see plenty of dark places the closer I get to God. It is almost overwhelming sometimes. I find myself saying how much I hate my flesh. A lot of times my flesh just pops out even when I am having a great day of fellowship with God, my flesh rears it’s ugly head-sometimes it seems out of nowhere.
4 a. He realizes the complexity and the wonder of birth, of the creation of a baby in the womb, he also sees that God knew him before he was conceived in the womb and he had all his days ordained for him and written in His book before his first day came to be. He was filled with wonder about how many and vast are the thoughts of God too many to fathom.
C. Just as God knows the day we are going to be born and all the days in our lives before we were conceived he also knows the day we are to die. We can trust Him with that since He ordains it.
D. We CAN NOT understand the work of God, so we shouldn’t try, but the focus needs to be on trusting God with it since He is the maker of all things. ( I REALLY LOVE THIS COMPARISON.)
D- is sticking with me right now. God literally says we can’t understand it so the logical conclusion is that that isn’t where my focus should be, rather I need to trust God. For me this is trusting God in slowly letting my children go as they get older. My oldest is 11 now and I am struggling letting him grow up. I don’t understand why he is going through some of the changes he is going through hormonally but he is still my baby and it is hard to let go. I don’t want him making any unwise choices with friends and I don’t want him to do anything foolish that would ruin his life. I think I am way too protective at this stage in his life. So, I don’t understand why I am so fearful of letting him go. If anything bad happened to him I would be crushed. I am fearful of having him in middle school. We are doing public and that scares me half to death. We homeschooled and private schooled.. Long story short but he is really hard to home school due to his aspergers. I spent most of the time with him and his three brothers didn’t get what they needed. His brother with Autism needed more than I could give him as well. LONG STORY, but the point is that it is hard to let go and trust God with this. This is another area I need to grow in.
Rebecca, your pain in letting go & letting God is exactly what I need to do too. We as mothers want to protect & guard our children from any bad thing that might befall them, but we can’t no matter how hard we try to. This is where we need to just give them over to God & entrust them to him. He knows best & what the outcome will be. Judy, you have been through so much pain, but your love for God shines through. Please Lord let all our pain & suffering we are all going through, glorifly you and help us to draw nearer to you. Please help Anne with the labor pains & make them short so they may hold your precious gift you have given them this day!
4 E. I had the privilege of becoming a mom four times! I had two miscarriages so that would be six! :) The wonder I remember is feeling the flutters, the kicking and how their personalities were reflected even in the womb. It just amazed me how our bodies work to provide for the child and then to give birth. The way God designed our stomachs to harden and contract in order to aid in pushing the baby down and that incredible feeling I can’t describe the whole time I was pregnant, from the changes in my body to the connection to my boys as they were in my stomach. Immediately I would have given my life for them. God gives us that, and to imagine that He loves us and them that way but even more. To me that is hard to grasp but beautiful and wonderful to know.
Rebecca
YOU ARE A JOY!!!
Tammy, Thanks, what a sweet thing to say! :)
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE –
I am with my daughter Anne who is in labor so we would love your prayers. She was going to be induced this morning but went naturally last night. It’s slow, but we’re so thankful to all be together and to have it be happening naturally.
I’ll be reading over your comments between contractions.
Dee
Just about to dash off to work.
Lord thank you for new life about to be born. Thank you for Dee’s safe trip. You are with Anne holding her hand and even though she can’t see you, she is aware of your comforting presence. Amen.
Lord, thank you for the wonder and beauty of child birth that you are giving to Anne for the first time this morning! Lord protect and strengthen her as she is having contractions and as the pain grows. this is amazing as we get to go through Psalm 139 in real time with the birth of Anne’s little girl! You know the days of her life before you made her soul and before you put her in Anne’s womb! Protect and keep her little girl healthy as she is traveling out of her safe place and as she takes her first breath into this world. How scary this must be for her, but how beautiful that you have provided this little one with everything she needs. Thank you for all the love you are going to surround her with as she meets some of the members of her extended family today! We praise you for this wonderful blessing you have given to Anne and her husband! We ask that you work in her heart to bring her into a relationship with you Lord at your appointed time.
I’ll be praying!
Praying for Anne, Dee. For you also! What a great day! The Lord be with you! :)
Thanks for all your prayers and good thoughts through the internet. She’s half way there we think and doing great.
And Gloris asked about Zondervan — they decided to bring The God of All Comfort out in paperback and get it placed on a general instead of just grief shelf so women might do it in small groups.
Thanks so much for all your prayers — that is such a benefit of this study I hadn’t imagined.
Praying for you, Anne, and this study! (and looking forward to baby news :) )
It is great to hear that Anne is progressing, I’ll keep praying. :-)
Also, what great news about the book! Praise God!
Waiting to hear of baby news!! Yes and it is great to hear about the book!!
One of my favorite verses in Psalm 139 is verse 5:
“You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.”
But, I never quite understood what “you have laid your hand upon me” meant. So last night I was looking up various translations, and I found one that brought joy to my heart.
The New Living Translation says:
“You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.”
I see that because of Christ, I have God’s blessing on my head, so whatever I go through, whatever happens, I bear His mark of ownership upon me. It doesn’t matter how I am feeling on any particular day, the hand of God’s blessing cannot and will not change!
Tracy, this brings me encouragement this morning, and I just prayed these verses for someone in my life today! Good to think of being “hemmed in” by God, and His placing His hand of blessing upon our heads!
It’s late. Hope all went well with the new little baby today. The day a baby comes into the world is a wonderful day.
Psalm 139: 7-12. I think there is much reality in the response of the psalmist. When he first beholds the power and wonder of God, God’s ability to be everywhere and where ever we are, God’s knowledge of every part of each person, I think he is overcome by awe and fear. “Where can he flee to escape from the Glory of God?” Nowhere. When my grandson was taken to the Mall to see the Easter Bunny at the age of two He took one look at this overwhelming, large rabbit and screamed at the top of his lungs. He was swiftly carried to safety by his mom and dad but all the way down the hall he kept looking back and saying, “Big raddit”. I don’t mean to compare God to the Easter bunny but God was as unexplainabe and overpowering to the psalmist as the Easter Bunny was to Gabe. Over the next several verses the psalmist began to sound as though he is gradually allowing the safety and security of God to surround him. He says,”Your Hand will guide me, Your right Hand will hold me fast. The dark will not be dark to God, the night will shine like the day.” The psalmist progresses from fear, uncertainty and awe to wonder that God can hold him secure and light up the dark places of his life.
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical? Explain.
I am not sure, but I think maybe David wrote this during the time he was running from Saul, I recall he ran and hid for ten years, but I could be wrong about that length of time. David struggled trusting God to deal with Saul, hence he ran and hid. He was anxious and stressed in this time of testing. As David was worshiping God and his attributes it strengthened his faith. I think he then trusted God with this issue and trusted God would take care of Saul in his time.
6. Lord search my heart, you know my thoughts and you know of the ways that aren’t pleasing to you and you know of the areas I am not trusting you in, so draw them out and test me so that my faith would grow. Thank you Lord that you love me so much and know what I can handle and when I can handle and you know just how far to push me before I fall on my face before you and learn what you are trying to show me. You even coordinate my circumstances to that end. What a loving and perfect daddy you are!! Lord may I press on to maturity and become more like Jesus, for your glory, and for your glory only and for your witness to a dark and lost world. I’m yours Jesus and I want you to say “well done” when the race is finished, may I press on toward the prize of the upward call in you Lord Jesus.
Praying for you, Dee, and Anne, this morning. Awaiting news on the new baby!
Miabelle Meredith Lano was born last night and she is perfect and beautiful — definitely favoring her mother with Asian eyes and nose. 7 pounds 14 ounces. David liked the name Mia and Anne liked Belle and my name is actually Meredith. They will call her Mia, I think. It was a very long labor, but an answer to prayer in that she went into labor after I arrived but before she had to be induced. I was in the room and had never seen a birth, and was amazing to have it be my daughter’s birth.
We are very thankful to God and to each of you for your prayers.
How wonderful, Dee! And what a blessing to see with your own eyes your granddaughter come into the world! It must have been a very special time for all of you. So thankful for the good news, and yes, a reason for praise and thanksgiving to God for His goodness!
Dee, Congratulations to you all!!! What a blessing that you were there to see it and that all is well! Praise God!
Congratulations! How exciting and what a great blessing for your family. :-)
Congratulations! I’m so glad you were able to be there. I hope to see pictures of Miabelle soon.
Congratulations Grandma Dee!!! Give Princess Mia a kiss for me. Love to all.
Dee, Congrats to you and your family! When I got on the computer, I was on a mission to learn about the baby :)
Miabelle Meredith Lano. What a beautiful name! Congratulations to all!!!!!
Thank you, Father, for Anne’s safety and for Dee getting to see the miracle for herself. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
2. Meditate on Psalm 139:7-12. What mood shift do you see here – and why do you think it happened?
As David writes in verse 6 that “such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it” I get the sense that he is feeling the awesome magnificence of this God whom He loves and His holiness and His being so far above and beyond the ways of man.
Then in verse 7, David starts out with saying “Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence?”
As I read that, I remembered in the gospels, when the disciples and Jesus were out on the boat, and Jesus calmed the storm, and Peter says to Jesus, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man!” In the presence of this One whom Peter realizes is definitely not just a mere human being, he is hit with his own unworthiness to be in His presence.
I also sense the continued sense of wonder that David goes on to describe, having just written about how God knows him through and through, even his very thoughts; and therefore he must realize that there is nowhere on the face of the earth or the depths of the sea or even in the netherworld, “Sheol”, where he could ever escape the presence of God. In verse 11, David realizes that there isn’t any darkness so deep that would ever cover him enough so that God couldn’t find him.
“Can a man hide himself in hiding places,
So I do not see him?” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24)
I feel that in the presence of God’s Holiness, I would want, in some way, to be “covered”; there would be a feeling of nakedness in His presence, knowing that everything about me is laid bare. Isaiah describes this feeling in Isaiah chapter 6 upon seeing his vision of the Lord. Thankfully, Jesus Christ provides that covering!
B. Why is God’s omniscience and omnipresence both wonderful and terrible?
I think that’s the mood David was catching in verses 7-12. Oh, to be so fully known is wonderful, but…. terrifying, too! All my sins, all my thoughts, revealed, before a Holy God! And I can’t run and hide from Him; I can never do anything in secret where He doesn’t see me. But, what a wonderful kind of love that does NOT look the other way when I sin, that does not hide its eyes from my wickedness. True love is not overlooking our sin. Even when I have sinned, He doesn’t walk away from me and leave me all alone. That would be terrible, to be rejected and deserted. When God asked Adam, “Where are you?”, He already knew what had happened. But here is God, already pursuing Adam and making the first move to bring about reconciliation.
God always makes the first move!
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
Know that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
Giving thanks and praise for Anne’s safe delivery of Miabelle!
4.A.Psalm 139:13-18 What causes the psalmist to be filled with wonder?
I’ve gone back to the KJV for this section for the beauty of the language and for digging into the Hebrew meaning.
13) For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14) I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15) My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17) How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
18) If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
The psalmist is marvelling at the fact that God has redeemed his soul. David knows Who he belongs to. Even without attending a physiology class, David knows the body is a sight to behold. He has eyes to see the beauty of the desert and sky, ears to hear the bleating of the sheep he tends (if he wrote this as king then I am referring to people), a tongue to enjoy cool water and the sweetness of dates, figs, and rasinscakes, and the sense of touch.
David knows that it was his Creator who placed him in his mother’s womb. For nine months David was being fashioned. Before his mom knew he was developing in her womb, his little heart was beating and he could feel. 1 Samuel 16:12 tells us David was ruddy-red haired or red-faced complexion, and with a beauitful countenance, and goodly to look at. In modern day terms, he was a handsome guy. But, as we also know from scripture, God chose David not because he was pretty on the outside, but because he was pretty on the inside; he was sensitive to what was important to God. David knows God planned all his days. Wrote them down in a book before David was even conceived. God knew David would be a brave, tender-hearted shepherd who would grow up to be king. He also knew David would be a warrior who would shed much blood. In spite of his shortcomings, David is close to God. He goes on to marvel at the fact that God thinks about him…so many numberless thoughts. Until this week I had never considered this verse..God thinks many thoughts about me. The plans He thinks for me are for my good…the thoughts of correction are for my good…sometimes I do wonder if He talks about me with the heavenly hosts. I know as the trinity God sure does talk about me alot because he is keeping me in correction mode. Sometimes I wonder if he tells the angels: “there’s my girl Tammy. Take good care of her today. She’s precious to me.”
You know my sisters I was just thinking how blessed we are because we are choosing to be intimate with the Trinity. God planned this blog for us and everyone who chooses to participate. We get to bring praise and glory to the very throne room of God as we show His love to another in prayer and when we share His love in our respective communities.
B. I have loved this song from the very first time I heard it back in 2008. This song has gotten me through many rough days since the annullment of my marriage. I was made for a specific purpose-to praise, glorify, express gratitude, love, worship, and obedience to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The first section expresses knowledge of existence. The second section expresses willingness to follow the ways of God.
Tammy, love how you put this — “There’s my girl, Tammy. Take good care of her today. She’s precious to me.”
Congradulations Dee & to all of you on the birth of precious little Miabelle! I love that name!
Thank you! It means My Beauty — and she certainly is. We pray she will glorify Him with her life.
Her billirubin is high, so she’s under lights and we’re praying that will come down. And so her mother begins to learn turning her child over to the Lord!
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical?
It seems that the psalmist is angry. He has meditated on God and loved Him deeply. I think he is now looking at those who hate God. Not at the wicked who do not believe in Him but at those who invoke His name for their own purposes. They make me angry too but here is where the sword of the Word pierces my own heart and I think it also pierced the psalmist’s heart. In verses 23 and 24 he asks God to search his heart because he knows…yes I think it is logical.
Invoking His name for their own purposes.
How easy it is to use God for our agenda instead of His. I have. I don’t want to. Change my heart, O God!
Kendra is scedualed to have her gall bladder & stones out monday morning. Hopefully this will finally end her nausea & vomiting. Thank you for your prayers.
Joyce, That is great! I will continue to pray for her.
Lord, wrap your loving arms around Kendra on Monday morning. Give her comfort and confidence that you are in control. Keep her from being afraid of Doctors and I ask that the Doctors would be sensitive to her fears and be understanding. Bring her nurses who understand and will help to calm her in a loving way. Lord I ask that you would give Kendra relief from her ailments and that you would be glorified in the hospital through Joyce and Kendra.
Amen Rebecca!
Joyce, I will be praying for Kendra on Monday morning. I hope all goes well. Dee, How wonderful to have a new granddaughter, I am sure your husband was watching from Heaven as that new soul entered into the world. What a great blessing to be born into a Christian household.
Thank you all for your prayers, warm wishes…
I see in my daughter what many of you have learned, are learning — turning a child over to the Lord. Annie has been anxious about the high billirubin, yet also giving Mia to the Lord.
In August I’ll be posting some contemplations and Bible study from the new book I’m working on…I’m praying about what to do for the fall. Thinking of The Friendships of Women — but not sure. Appreciate your prayers.
Lord, I thank You for Your faithfulness to Annie and Seth and little Miabelle. Help them to remember today Your faithfulness in the past and be lifted up in their faith in You. Please give wisdom to the doctors caring for Miabelle and bring healing for her jaundice. Protect her little body, so fearfully and wonderfully made. Amen
Dee, I like the idea of Friendships of Women. God has been teaching me some things in this area and I think it is important.
I have a friend that has been sort of distant lately. We had much difficulty getting together and I was beginning to wonder if I had said or done something to offend her. Finally we were able to go to dinner one evening and she shared some of her conversation with her husband and I began to understand the conflict. He is a wonderful husband, although not that close to the Lord, and loves her very much. She works full time and he is very jealous of her time. He wants to be everything for her. She told him that he is wonderful but sometimes she just had to talk to another woman. I think that just sums up a lot so I would love to explore why it is so. Sometimes we girls just have to talk. How can we support each other and be the friend God has ordained us to be?
Dee, I love Friendships of Women.
Lord, your will be done, though, for our fall time together her on the web. I pray the thinking and planning and implementing will be a blessing to Dee. We trust You to carry the weight of leading a study like this. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I pray this also in your name, Dear Jesus. ( Gloriadelia,this picture is of myself. I had Kendra’s up there for a short time as I couldn’t get my picture centered right)
#7. I think it would keep me humble and keep me clinging to Him. It would also keep me from allowing my flesh to instruct me because God would bring to mind the things that are deep that He needs to change in me and then instruct me on how He wants me to live in that area.
Gals, I want to share a recent praise in our lives.
Isaac is 10 and usually doesn’t get invited over to anyone’s house to swim or play and on his last birthday party only one showed up which was our next door neighbor. It was a really sad day for him.
Two nights ago he was invited over to a classmates house to swim! There were several boys from his school there. Patrick, my husband, went with him because Isaac isn’t that great at swimming yet. He told me the boys went out of their way to include Isaac and even slowed down one of their games a bit so he could do it with them. They also helped him when he veered off to the part of the pool that changed from shallow to deep.
I have seen God’s care for Isaac in so many ways, and I wanted to share how God has taken care of most every concern I have had. There have been bumps in the road but God is using that as part of how he is caring for Isaac.
Rebecca, I am so happy to hear that! I’m praying for Isaac & your whole family.
Joyce, Thanks and I am praying for you all too! I covet your prayer sister!!
This so wonderful Rebecca! I pray that Issac will grow into every good work that God has ordained for him. I am sorry for the pain he has endured but grateful for his beautiful heart. Thank You Lord for his wonderful new friends. Bless them as they open their hearts to appreciate Isaac in his differences. Thank You for this encouragement for Rebecca, her husband, Isaac and all of us. Amen
Anne, He indeed has a beautiful heart! One of my fears after he was diagnosed was that he wouldn’t understand the gospel. God took care of that one. He prayed once all by himself in his bed three years ago.. I was hesitant and he said, no mom,I believe. I am ready and he just started praying. I asked him questions earlier and he understood, but I wanted him to wait. He didn’t want to wait and put his little hands together and started praying and the prayer melted my heart.. it was humble and obvious to me he was desiring to follow Jesus. The evidence of that fruit is his sensitive heart toward his sin and when he prays his prayers are pretty deep for a ten year old child.
Thanks so much for praying!
That makes me so happy to hear!! I’m glad he had found friends who have good hearts. :)
I am so glad God is supplying friends for Isaac. That is very important. Wonderful how God can meet all your needs.
Liz, yes! As his older brother kind of breaks off from him a bit and is developing his own friendships I grew concerned that Isaac would be somewhat left alone, but God is taking care of him. He has made it obvious to us throughout Isaac’s life that his hand has been on him.
So many challenges for mothers of special needs children and the children themselves — so good to see God coming to the rescue. Thanks for this story.
Dee, I love what you said, “God coming to the rescue” because that is exactly what he has done in Isaac’s life!
5. Meditate on Psalm 139:19-22. Why do you think the abrupt mood change? Is it logical? Explain.
Wow, and I think MY thought processes don’t make sense?? He goes from saying how wonderful God’s thoughts are to begging him to kill the wicked. I don’t understand at all, actually, how he got from point A to point, like Z. I can track my own rabbit trails, but not his one. I mean, I understand his feelings, but not how he got there.
6. Make Psalm 139:23-34 your own prayer. You may want to write it out here.
Father, you know my heart and mind better than I do, help me to understand them. Show me if there is something that I’m doing wrong, even if I don’t realize it’s wrong. Like, should my favorite shows not be my favorite shows? Show me a way to live that’s higher than my current life and will mean something years from now.
7. What do you think would happen in your life if you made the above prayer a regular part of your life when you faced problems, decisions, or the end of the day?
I would think a lot more about what I do, I wouldn’t just make decisions. If I’d thinking about how a decision would affect me years from now, I wouldn’t have made SO many of the decisions I made this past semester. My life would really start to matter to me, I think. I think I’d find a purpose finally.
Liz, I think what has happened is that in the previous verses his love for God was so stoked that he experienced anger toward God’s enemies in verses 19-22. I have frequently felt the same toward people who use God for their own purposes which is what I think he is describing here. Then I realized that I do it myself. That was an eye opener.
I know that God has a wonderful purpose for your life and that you are moving toward it. Look how far you have come.
I am praying for your friends and their father. How devastating. I pray that they will each find hope and healing in the Lord.
Liz — love your honesty. Your answer to 5 made me smile.
Liz, I love your answer in #7, “I would think a lot more about what I do, I wouldn’t just make decisions.” I can see how God is really giving you a heart for Him!
Hey, ladies, I have a prayer request. Two of my friends, Ciera and Essence, just lost their mother last Saturday. Today they are having the funeral. They are both having a really hard time, so if you could pray for strength for them and for their dad, that would be awesome. Thanks, guys. :)
Lord, I do lift up Ciera and Essence and their dad to You. A mom is irreplaceable in their hearts. Lord, You promise to be close to the brokenhearted and I pray that You comfort them, giving them courage to face this and walk with them through this journey of grief. Lord, show them Your compassionate love for them and draw them near to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Tammy, this morning I said to myself, “Tammy’s at church praying for my family.” Thank you so much! I feel better today than I did earlier this week; I think prayer nite on Tues. helped lift alot of the burden off. Next hurdle to clear will be his birthday August 10. He would have been 23. I’m so glad God sent you an honest car mechanic, too!
Joyce, I will be praying for Kendra Monday for her surgery.
Thank you, Susan
Susan
Thank you for letting me know your next hurdle. The word celebration has been coming to mind alot and I wonder what your family would think of choosing to celebrate Thomas’ birthday as a way of remembering the joy he brought to each one of your lives. I know the first year is really tough and ya’ll may not be up to doing that but maybe ya’ll could consider it for the future. This idea is something that came to mind and I felt I should share it with you. Have a blessed week!
The closer you get to contemplating God’s Holiness the more you see your own sinfulness. I look back and see that I felt quite prideful about simply doing what God wanted me to do and help people but than I realized that God was simply letting me help Him much as I used to let the children cook. I could have done it simply and more effortlessly but I wanted them to learn and I also wanted them to have the experience of working with me to help develop our relationship. Contemplating this pretty much took pride out of the picture. I simply said,” Thank you Lord for letting me help with your work and please don’t let me mess up too much.”
I like this Judy.
The Gospel at once humbles us, for we are so bad He had to die, yet exalts us, for we are so loved He did.
Have a great Sunday.
I’m excited to take you on a new journey starting tomorrow! Finish up your contemplations on this psalm journey.
I would also be thankful if you would pray that Mia, my new grand-daughter, would be touched by God’s healing hand. Her billirubin count is high and they are having trouble lowering it and are taking her to newborn intensive care. She also has exhausted new parents. Thanks so much.
Will be praying for Mia and her parents today.
I will be also
Will be praying also.
4.C/D My thoughts and insights on Ps 139:16 and Eccl. 11:5
I’ve been pondering these questions for a few days now and I confess I have had a hard time coming to grips with this truth. It’s easy for me to understand when someone lives beyond 70 or 80 that they have lived their ordained days but when someone close to you dies in their youth it’s hard to comprehend they have lived their ordained days. On the other hand, because I know my loved ones are with Christ, I do not have to weep as those who have no hope.
When I moved on to the verse in Eccl. 11 I immediately saw the truth. Just as we can never see the wind or a baby being formed in the womb we will never know or see God’s hidden works. I’ve come to accept that there are things we just can’t know while we are on this earth. If we did know everything we would be as God. I think sometimes the enemy wants to keep us focused on trying to figure out the hidden things of God so we actually stay away from the true purposes of God. By doing so he’s still perpetuating the original lie ‘you can be like God’.
Because of who You are I give You glory.
Because of who You are I give You praise.
Because of who You are I will lift my voice and say,
Lord I worship You because of who You are.
Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider.
Jehovah-Nissi, Lord You reign in victory.
Jehovah-Shalom, my Prince of Peace.
And I worship You because of You are.
Tammy, So true and such a beautiful post.
Rebecca
The words at the end of my post are from a new song our choir is learning. It’s been flowing through my mind ever since I’ve first heard it. It’s one of those songs that keeps me focused on WHO is really to be my focus. I hope ya’ll had a blessed time of worship this morning.
Ladies, could you pray for us today as we go and visit a new church plant in our area. They are having an informational meeting and are opening the doors in September. I am hoping, if it is God’s plan, to help out on their worship team as it is just forming. From what we have read about this church it seems to be really solid.
We are hoping we find one before the Fall so our boys can get their roots in as well, so pray we would be sensitive to God’s leading today and the rest of this month as we go to their worship and planning meetings.
Father
Rebecca and her husband are seeking your wisdom as they search for a new church family to share worship with. Give them confirmation that the up and coming church is where you would have them be. Rebecca desires for her boys to grow in the teaching of your word. Lead them Lord for its obvious they seek to follow you. Also, thank you Lord for bringing laughter to Isaac through the kindness of his peers. Amen.
5. I see the mood shift to anger and frustration. David and the nation of Israel are surrounded by pagan nations who make gods of wood and stone and worship with such abandonment from all that is decent biblical scholars won’t even describe their worship practices. I’m sure David thought, as he was writing the words ‘for they speak against you wickedly’, of the day he slew Goliath who, as we know, taunted the army of Israel for forty days before David entered the fray and showed the enemies of Israel the mighty power of God.
I appreciate the words of Anne for I often think the same thing. People claim to know Christ and then turn around and criticize someone who is in a terrible situation instead of coming along side the person and letting them know someone cares. I hear too often human reasoning being spouted instead of biblical wisdom. Sometimes, when I hear someone say well this is what I think and they begin to spout worldly wisdom, I just want to scream ‘I don’t want to know what you think. I want to know what God says’. All we have to do is turn on the news and we hear and see the evidence of sin and evil in our world. And the unfortunate truth is sometimes I only have to look into the mirror to see someone who commits sinful acts. I’ve been coming to accept how much I grieve Jesus.
So I would say yes to the second question. It is logical that Christ followers would be righteously angry at the evil that is in the world.
6. My prayer for verses 23-24. Lord, I open my heart before You. I do not want to hide any longer. I want to be known and loved by You. You knew me when I was only dust and dust I would remain but for Your mighty power and great love. When evil was found in me You made a way for me to be clean through Your precious Son. Thank You for Your patience with me. Search my heart Lord, reveal to me the motives You find there and please lead me in the everlasting way. What a beautiful term…the everlasting way. Please help me to remember to regularly open my heart to You in this way.
7. What do you think would happen in your life if you made the above prayer a regular part of your life when you faced problems, decisions, or the end of the day? I would follow a lot fewer rabbit trails and I would find myself used by the enemy much less often. At the end of the day I might experience more peace and less regret. I might not find myself facing the same problems repeatedly if I allowed myself to be changed by the difficulties I face. I would be able to see that the problem could be in me and not around me. I’m sure I would find my mind renewed and strength to become more like Christ.