Psalm 130

I have not posted the outlines from Warren Wiersbe's study in several days because, as much as I liked them, they weren't relevant to where Beth was taking the study that particular day. However, the outlines for Psalm 130 spoke to me, and I want to share them with you.

Wiersbe says that Psalm 130 emphasizes what God does for helpless people who cry out to Him for mercy. No matter what our need, when we call upon the Lord IN FAITH, He hears us and makes the changes needed in our lives.

From Death to Life (vv.1-2)
"The picture is that of a person drowning and unable to stand on the bottom or swim to safety. We can cry out to God from the depths of disappointment and defeat and from the depths of fear and perplexity. Sin drags its victims to the depths, but God made us for the heights."

From Guilt to Forgiveness (vv.3-4)
"The psalmist moved from the sea to the courtroom, but there the sinner could not stand because of guilt. The only way we can get rid of the sin record is to come to God for His gracious forgiveness, and this forgiveness is made possible because of the work of Christ on the cross. But forgiveness is not a blessing to be taken lightly, for it cost God His Son; therefore, we ought to love and fear God. If you take seriously the guilt of sin, you will take seriously the grace of forgiveness. Salvation is a serious and costly transaction."

From Darkness to Light (vv.5-6)
"From the courtroom we move to the city walls where the watchmen are alert as they peer through the darkness to detect the approach of any danger. When the Lord forgives sinners, it is for them the dawning of a new day as they move out of darkness into God's light. If you find yourself forgiven but still in the darkness, wait on the Lord and trust His Word, but do not try to manufacture you own light (Isa. 50:10-11)."

From Bondage to Freedom (vv.7-8)
"The final visit is to the slave market and the theme is redemption, which means 'setting someone free by paying a price.' The slave has no hope, but the child in the family looks forward to receiving an inheritance. All who trust Jesus are children in God's family and not slaves, and their future is secure. Christian believers look forward to the coming of Christ and the redemption He brings."

Dear Friends

Just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you from week four, A Fruitful Vine. Many of you are aware of my recent divorce after 19 years of marriage. Well, it is not so recent anymore. It will be a year on February 28. WOW, that is hard to believe. This past week was very meaningful to me because I could see myself and my situation right in the middle of it. On day two, Enjoy the Blessing, Beth spoke words that I remember speaking so often in the early days of my separation. I spoke these words and on many days these words were what got me through the day. I would often say, "God is not ALL that I have, but WHAT I have!" PRAISE HIM!!!!!

As I worked through this particular day, Beth wrote this: "Blessedness describes the condition of a person who reveres God, steeps her life in Him and follows His ways. She looks to Him in every matter. HE'S NOT JUST THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF HER LIFE. HE IS HER LIFE."

I pray that I will never, ever forget or diminish the fact that..... HE IS WHAT I HAVE!!!!

Forever grateful,
Jan Carpenter

The Father's Love Letter

Ladies,

This a website I go to each year around Valentines Day:

http://www.fathersloveletter.com/flltextenglish.html

Be blessed as you celebrate those you love today, -mr

Psalm 127:3

I have struggled today with our text, "Children are a gift from the Lord"

I certainly can agree with the Psalmist. God gave us two beautiful daughters, and I have loved every moment of their lives--well there were a few days in those teen age years!!! God has indeed been good to me, and I am grateful.

Then I read Beth's blog and her tribute to her younger daughter who is to be married soon. It brought tears remembering when my girls got married. I tell you, a small part of me died then. I have two of the best sons-in-law anyone could possibly wish for. And if I started talking about my three grandchildren, well, I tend to get a little bit crazy there!!! I truly can say, my children are a gift from the Lord, one I certainly did not deserve. I am grateful.

Then I read Week 4 Day 1 and was reminded that so many desired to have children and have not yet been able to do so. Such is my sister, but she is the best "other" my grands could ever want. I know that she would tell you that children are indeed a gift from the Lord. And I am grateful for her.

Then I read Boo Mama and saw the faces of those children in Uganda. They are some mother's children, some aunt's niece or nephew, some grandmother's grand. And even in their horribly poverty stricken condition, they are a gift from the Lord.

And they might also need to be somebody's "other". jl

Sowing in Tears - Psalm 126

Sowing In Tears
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
Saturday, February 09 2008

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy." - Psalm 126:5

Psalm 126 describes an interesting process that goes against our natural tendencies when we are taken into a difficult period in our lives. Whenever we are hurled into a crisis that brings tears, our tendency is to retreat or recoil in fear and hurt. However, there is a better way that God tells us to handle such times of travail.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:5-6). God is telling us that if we will do what is unnatural for us in these circumstances, He will make sure that what we sow in tears will return in joy. This is one of the most important lessons I have learned when faced with difficult circumstances. Rather than sit back and allow self-pity and discouragement to consume us, we should plant seed during this time. Reach out to a person who needs a friend. Invest in the life of another. See where you can be a blessing to someone. Give of yourself.

The psalmist acknowledges that we are doing this while we are in our pain. However, during this time we are to sow seed. That seed will return to us in another form. Here is what will happen when we do this. "He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." We will receive joy and fruit from the seed that we plant during this time. Sheaves represent the fruit of a harvest. We will actually get a harvest from this seed.

"You must not let the circumstances destroy you! Too many in the Kingdom are counting on you to come through this because of the calling on your life!" Those were the words spoken to me by a friend one time when I was in the midst of a very difficult business and personal circumstance that was threatening to destroy me emotionally. This person saw what God was doing and the fruit that God wanted to bring from these circumstances. Sometimes we need others around us to push us through the difficult times. If you find yourself in a difficult place today, see where you can sow some seed. Soon you will be reaping songs of joy.

from TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

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