Faith Stretching Friday
Someone I love dearly is struggling. It is hard to watch but God is right with me!
Psalm Study
Don’t forget to read Psalm 4 in a different translation. Here is the link to Biblegateway.com. Share which translation you read. What meant most to you?
After four weeks into the study I have been able to weed out many of the email problems. Many emails that are experiencing difficulties have the provider sbcglobal. If this is your provider, please contact them about the problem. For those who are not sbcglobal, I am still trying to resolve the issue.
RTW Teaching
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Psalm 4:3 Look at this: look who got picked by God!
He listens the split second I call to him.
This translation was from The Message. It really jumped out at me! I have been PICKED by GOD! -and He is there the instant that I speak to Him; amazing!
I also read the message version. I was a bit confused because I thought the He in this verse could go either way. As in the “He” is the servant, that’s why he was picked by God — because he listens and obeys as soon as God asks him to do something. But then I reread the NIV version which says the Lord hears when I call to him. I have asked God to give me a hunger for the word, and it’s been really fun. I never imagined I would read the Bible and then go and look for another version to study!
I found it interesting that in the Amplified version Psalm 4:1 speaks in the context of past tense: “You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress.” Other versions I read were in the present tense.
What caught my eye was the word enlarged – to increase the capacity of. Another word for enlarged is grow. So this was my take away – God gives us the capacity to grow in the midst of our distress.
Blessings!
Lynne
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction
Isaiah 48:10
Being pruned is painful, but when we walk through praising Him through it we become HIS CHAMPION!
I just listened to a sermon this week a friend sent me… life changing. RE: Suffering/Job
http://www.tsdowntown.com/all-sermons/all-sermons/video/358-gods-champion.html
Should work if you copy and paste link.. if anyone is interested I thought it a “treasure” message!
Actually you can just hover the link and click on it!! Was not expecting that but had to post to find out.
Blessings ladies!
My faith is being stretched because, I have the need of a new job, and I have a specific deadline by which I need to find it. That time is fast approaching and the prospects are not looking good, but I know God’s got my back!
Good Luck!!! I have prayed for you!
Wendy,
I read the message and it was so different than my version which is the Life Application Study Bible.
Psalms 4:1- When I call give me answers, God, take my side! Once in a tight place, You gave me room,Now I am in trouble again, Grace me, Hear me.
4:3-Look at this look, who got picked by God! He listens the split second I call to him.
I am trusting HE will take my side! A great reminder of HIS faithfulness to us! Period, I pray I learn this lesson, this time around. Thank You Father for your Grace and hearing us.
Love, Debra
I read the message version and I smiled at the fact that nothing is new to God… I often say things like well in this day we want more more more. But those are the words of the Message version. Showing me again that nothing is new to God and that He knows the end from the beginning.
Faith Stretching, I know of a couple people that are struggling with addictions. I am holding them up in prayer that this time they will succeed in their sobriety.
Have a blessed day and weekend everyone.
Lynn
I listened to a few verision read aloud on bible gateway.
what stands out to me is: Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself.
God has chosen me, he “set me apart for himself” I have a purpose… not that I am sure of the implications, BUT I am certian that He is clear on my purpose and that the Holy Spirit will guide me into what good He has purposed me for!
Glory be to God for he is GOOD!
Blessings.
I primarily read from the NLT but often find it very enlightening to read different translations. I love the translation from The Message for verse 3 also “Look at this: look Who got picked by GOD! He listens the split second I call to him.” What an awesome promise to stand on today. I Have been hand picked by God and he hears me the instant I call. Also verse 8 “At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, For you, GOD, have put my life back together.” WOW! At night I can sleep well knowing God has – not will – but already has put my life back together. Now this is truly something to rejoice. God hears me in my struggles the moment I call upon Him and He will put it all back together. Wendy I am praying these verses for your friend who is struggling now. That as she calls upon the Lord He will hear her instantly and give her rest.
Verse 5 the sacrifice of righteousness has spoke to me all week We just watched the movie Courageous and these men gave God the sacrifice of righteousness It is so easy in today’s world of economic decline and needing desperately money, a job, food to feed your family, for people to make poor choices. But when we give God the sacrifice of righteousness He honors that He blesses our obedience It may be material blessings as portrayed in the movie but much more are the spiritual blessings of hearing my Heavenly Father say good job my sweet princess, I am pleased with your righteousness heart! That overflows to others so I can then share why I am so blessed – happy!
I am praying that God will allow me to have teachable moments with my son about what the sacrifice of righteousness means!
Blessings this day
Joy from Mooresville
hi,
I’ve yet to receive one daily email – ? Hoping that will be cleared up by next week. Thanks so much for sharing your insights with these daily readings. I can’t tell you how much it helps me to understand!
God Bless You
Mary, have you emailed Wendy or signed up for her mailing list? There’s a place 2 do both on the right of this page?
I read from the Common English this morning. It put a different spin on it for me; versus 1, 2, and 8 really got me:
1 Answer me when I cry out,
my righteous God!
Set me free from my troubles!
Have mercy on me!
Listen to my prayer!
2 How long, you people,
will my reputation be insulted?
How long will you continue
to love what is worthless
and go after lies? Selah
3 Know this: the LORD takes
personal care of the faithful.
The LORD will hear me
when I cry out to him.
4 So be afraid, and don’t sin!
Think hard about it in your bed
and weep over it! Selah
5 Bring righteous offerings,
and trust the LORD!
6 Many people say,
“We can’t find goodness anywhere.
The light of your face has left us, LORD!
7 But you have filled my heart with more joy
than when their wheat and wine are everywhere!
8 I will lie down and fall asleep in peace
because you alone, LORD,
let me live in safety.
I have been having some issues with people in my life and this has helped me see that I need to let go and let God. Thank you for the help Wendy!!!! You are doing such a great job. Keep up the great work and I have been praying for you!!!
What spoke to me today was:
The Message Psalm 4:3 Look at this: look Who got picked by God! He listens the split second I call to him.
I have to mediate on the fact that HE picked me. I didn’t do it…HE did. Lord who am I that you would even take notice of me? WOW I am in awe of all He has done and is continuing to do for me.
My faith is being stretched while watching my daughter and two grandchildren go through the pain of her husband/dad leaving them for another woman. She will be homeless the end of this month and all we can do is pray and do what we can. Please pray as she is trying to get moved into a home that needs lots of work and everything turned on, heat, electric, and water and he has given her nothing for three months for money. I know my God is in control and praise Him for His direction and peace. I ask for prayer from my sisters in Christ and I thank you before hand. God Bless you all.
I read the New Living Translation but found that I really enjoyed the NIV better from the week. My faith is being stretched in that God is asking me to do something which for me has caused a great deal of whining about but the words that struck me this week from WEndy was Obeying God is trusting God. They continue to speak to my heart. It is really a simple request but requires more discipline and I have not responded the way God has asked. So I starting fresh tomorrow and being silent to hear Him tell me the hard parts my heart needs to hear. You are a blessing ladies. I have learned so much from you these past few weeks.
I find pleasure in reading several different versions. I use the YouVersion bible app, so it’s a simple click of a button. The amplified seems to make it so plain for me…really breaking the verses all the way down. I am faithful to be the peacemaker in marriage. Sometimes it is so hard to be the bigger person!! Love my hubby!!
I really like the NKJV and that is what I read this week, I have been reading several versions but decided to do something a little different tonight. It says in verse 6b, “Lift up the light of your countenance upon us.” Countenance meaning=appearance, expression. I took away from this that the very person of who God is will shine out of us as we are open and pliable vessels for His purpose. His expression will be on our face. Wow! What a God we serve.