Digging Into Psalm 77 - Questions & Comments Deeply Desired

I have come to dearly love and appreciate the transparency of the Psalmists. I've always loved poetry, and I think of the Psalms as songs and poetry to God. Over the next few days, I'd like it so much if you'd come along with me as we dig  this Psalm out. Remember, with inductive study, we aren't rushing right off to a commentary.  If you'll play along with me, if you'll trust me, I promise that I'll tell you when  the right time to dig into a commentary may be. If you're a colored pencil kinda person, grab them now, and print off a copy of  this blog post.  I'll share with you what words to mark, and goodness...you'll likely share a few  with me too! We're just going to start with 3 verses today. Remember, before you ever open the Word of God, you want to pray and ask  His Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, as the book of John promises us that He will. I shared with the Jehovah's Witness ladies who have been coming to my door,  that I never, ever study my Bible without asking for the leading of the  Spirit of God, because my flesh is weak, and proud, and will lead me astray.... but the Spirit of my Loving God will never do that! Here we go... Psalm 77:1-3 My voice {rises} to God, and I will cry aloud; My voice {rises} to God, and He will hear me.    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; In the night my hand was stretched out without weariness; My soul refused to be comforted. {When} I remember God, then I am disturbed; {When} I sigh, then my spirit grows faint.  Selah. I just want you to take this slowly...I want to beg of you to ask some questions of the Word here. Normally, I would start with who wrote the Psalm, and we will do that...but later. For now, ask yourself ... Where was the Psalmist placing his hope? How did he feel about being completely transparent with God? What did he do when trouble came? Can you think of any promises that he might have known regarding what would happen for him when he sought the Lord? How successful was he at "keeping his prayers to himself?" What was his level of confidence that the Lord would care about his audible cries? What type of relationship or understanding of the Person of God must this Psalmist have had, to "put all of his eggs in one basket?" Do you see a contrast in these verses? Why is it important to see that? Ever have something so horrific happen in your life that it kept your focus, like this trouble did for the Psalmist? What was bringing comfort to the psalmist at this point, in these verses? What is he telling us in the last two verses? Has his trouble abated? Has he done all that a good believer should do to get what we want/need from God in a situation like the one the Psalmist was in? Selah has been said to be a pause, or a musical interlude. (That was a freebie, but I really do want you to think through these verses and answer from your heart.) Let's see if we can get an online Precept discussion going! I'll bring the popcorn!  No, I forgot, the kernels get all up in my gums and I look like a cow trying to slop them out. It's gross, I'll save you the pain of seeing it. I'll bring chips & salsa instead. ;) Love you all so! Would BEG you for your prayers as we will soon be looking for a home in Chattanooga. We're praying for a pool, as it helps so much with the MS in the summertime. Candee Sue told me to pray for the home that God has for me...the one He wants me in. I adamantly told her not to over-spiritualize things! I think she snorted something warm out of her nose when I shared that with her. Then she vowed that she would be talking with me more often, after I've taken my night-night meds. I wonder if she's up. They'll be hitting my system soon. :) I love you, Candee Sue. I love YOU too, sweet reader! Now, enough of this love stuff....ya'll have work to do! :) Comments....I need comments!  Big Hugs, Jes

Post Your Precept Classes on the Map!

Hey Everyone,

This came out from the ministry...it's so easy to do!

Would you PLEASE take 2 minutes and enter your Precept class on the map?

For those of you who are in the Leadership Development class with me on Monday nights, please enter any classes that you know God is calling you to lead in the fall, also.

Well...for ANY of you who know what you'll be leading in the Fall...post 'em, ok? :)

Love you all,

Jes

Hey all you who work so diligently every day to establish people in God’s Word!

Social media is conducting a “viral” experiment and could use your help!

Here’s the challenge:

·o To see how many inductive Bible study folks we can get on the WORLD map within the next 48 hours! AND, find out what they are or will be studying.

Please go to the below link where you will find more details.

Please SIGN the guestbook.

THEN, forward the link to those you know who are taking a Precept study or will be – come fall.

What a visual we hope to have by Monday morning of those who are being established in God’s Word – ACROSS THE WORLD.

http://preceptministriesinternational.blogspot.com/

Scripture Acting.. Proverbs 3:5-6

Oh my GOODNESS! Aren't they the CUTEST?!
Once I have permission from the Mommies, there will be 2 more videos of other verses posted here.
These are two little girls from a Speech and Drama class I've been teaching, called "Let's Act UP! Glorifying God through Speech and Drama"
I took this video on my Palm pilot at class yesterday, so their moms could have something to watch in order to learn the movements to help them practice at home for our upcoming Showcase night.
Scripture acting is such a wonderful way to teach the Word of God to kids. If you endeavor to do this, though, please don't just stop with the movements and the words...us the 5 Ws and an H to teach the children how to study God's Word out...so that they truly understand why it is TRUTH and how to apply the verses they've learned to their everyday lives.
This verse is Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
In the case of this verse, you might ask your child,
HOW do we know that we can trust in the LORD?
WHAT would it mean to trust Him with only part of our heart?
WHY do we want to trust Him with ALL of our heart?
WHAT is trust?
WHO is the LORD?
WHAT does it mean to lean on our own understanding?
Explain words like understanding and acknowledge TO them, and then continue with the 5Ws and and H...
So, if acknowledge means to "admit the authority of"...
HOW do we admit to God's authority in our lives?
HOW do we give over all control of our lives to God instead of trying to control it ourselves, by our own understanding?
WHY would it be better for God to be in control, than for us to run our own lives?
WHO knows the future?
WHO holds it in HIS hands?
WHO created us for a purpose and has a plan for your life?
WHY would we want to try to be the boss instead of letting God be?
WHEN we feel like we are boss, WHAT would be the right thing to do? (bow in submission to God)
Do you ever want to lean on ANYONE else's understanding?
Your friends'?
Hannah Montana's?
Big Bird's?
Or only God's?
What does it mean that He will make your path's straight?
Would it be better to live your life on a crooked path, never knowing what is ahead of you or where you're going...or on a straight path, directed by God?
WHY?
Don't DUMB DOWN SCRIPTURE FOR KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!
THEY DON'T REQUIRE IT!
Every week I use inductive Bible study skills to ask these children about what they've learned, and they amaze me with their application of the Scriptures!
A note about this video...
One of these little girls has been out of town and out of class for over a month, so she was going pretty slowly with this Scripture, and she happens to be the "leader" of this duo....but normally they are faster with it...she was just getting back into the swing. :)
Hey Let's Act Up! Mommies...
Have I told you today how much I love your precious children?!
They bless my life, and so do you!
Have a great day,
Jesica