Lord God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the different as we pray to You in Jesus' name. Help us to desire to pray more in these last days. Bless us to always pray as Jesus instructed us in the Word. Help the Word to fall on good ground, open the eyes of our hearts, Lord, so we can see You as we pray, and enjoy You as we come into Your presence with thanksgiving and praises. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Help us to always praise You and give You glory, honor, and praise which You always deserve. We love You, Lord God Almighty. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
I will stay consistent in my walk when life tries me, I will stay constructive in my relationships when love fails me, and stay challenging to grow when complacency tempts me; and I will pray without ceasing as the Word instruct me to do.
Weekly Reading Assignment: Proverbs 25-28
I have finished my reading assignment for this week; I am almost finished with the book of Proverbs.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. 13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever: 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever: 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth forever.
17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
1). Incense is often associated with what in the Bible?
A fragrant composition prepared by the "art of the apothecary." It consisted of four ingredients "beaten small" (Exodus 30:34-36). "That which was not thus prepared was called "strange incense" (30:9). It was offered along with every meat-offering; and besides was daily offered on the golden altar in the holy place, and on the great day of atonement was burnt by the high priest in the holy of holies ( Exodus 30:7Exodus 30:8). It was the symbol of prayer (Psalms 141:1Psalms 141:2 ; Revelation 5:8 ; Revelation 8:3Revelation 8:4).
2). What do this verse means to you? (Psalm 5:3)
"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." I believe it mean I will seek You, Lord, early in the morning
3). How often should we approach God's presence?
As often as we can and desire; Daniel prayed three times a day, and he might as did some of it while he was working; praying to God is talking to Him daily, but coming into His presence is when we give up everything and just dwell in His presence.
4). Describe the word "order" in the Bible.
It is a means by which God initiates and establishes His purposes in the earth. Most notably we see it in His creation of day and night, seed time and harvest, and His institution through the Sinai covenant of the tabernacle, system of sacrifices and prescribed approach of the High Priest into the Holy of Holies.
5). Given the thoughtful and logical way in which things can be ordered, what then does it mean to order one's prayer life?
According to what I have studied, I also believe that we must order our
prayers to God in a way that keeps our focus on His, so we can come into
His presence with thanksgiving and praises in our hearts.
6). Name the five things David did when he prayed that illustrated his prayer life.
Praise and thanksgiving , Acknowledgement of Dependence, Confession of
God's Promises, Responsiveness to the Leading of the Holy Spirit , and
variety , which means petitions, complaints, laments, spiritual warfare,
prophetic declarations, litanies of God's faithfulness and hymns of praise.
7). What do praise and thanksgiving means to you?
To me praise and thanksgiving mean honoring, it means paying homage as to respect, honor, reverence, worship, obeisance, admiration, esteem, adulation, acclaim. Worship God in the highest matter possible.
8). Do you acknowledge your dependence upon God?
Yes, I do! I have learned down through the years I cannot do anything without the help of God, not even breath. God has revealed to me that He is the very essence of my being.
9). Do you confess God's promises when you pray?
Yes, I do! I always pray the Word now, which is God's promises to His people.
10). Do you respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your prayer life?
I try to, but I am sure I am not perfect in that area. That is my daily prayer. I call it my daily goal. I want to be led by the Holy Spirit daily!!
11). Name some of the types and foci of prayers in the Psalms.
I believe the center of interest of prayer is honoring God and giving Him praise of Who He is.
12). What does (Ephesians 6:18) says about prayer?
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; I believe it means to set aside some time to seek God through the Holy Spirit, so the Holy Spirit can pray through you; prayer, supplication, watching and steadfastness in my time with God is needed. We must pray for all Christians.
Glory be to God! Lord Jesus, we have learn how important it is to pray. We truly believe that prayer do changes things. You told us to pray at all times, You said, "a man ought to always pray." Thank You for sharing with us how important it is to pray, and thank You for demonstrating it for us while here on this earth. You prayed to Your heavenly Father all the time. Make us prayer warriors who pray wherever we are. Put a prayer in our hearts to pray to the Father always, and in our heart to love to pray always. Help us to be diligent in our prayer life; David prayed always and had a heart after Your heavenly Father. Father God, grant us the prayer to pray always. That pray includes "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face to shine upon thee; and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace; Your name is upon the children of Israel; and You have blessed them, and us through Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, AMEN.
Glory be to God! Lord Jesus, we have learn how important it is to pray. We truly believe that prayer do changes things. You told us to pray at all times, You said, "a man ought to always pray." Thank You for sharing with us how important it is to pray, and thank You for demonstrating it for us while here on this earth. You prayed to Your heavenly Father all the time. Make us prayer warriors who pray wherever we are. Put a prayer in our hearts to pray to the Father always, and in our heart to love to pray always. Help us to be diligent in our prayer life; David prayed always and had a heart after Your heavenly Father. Father God, grant us the prayer to pray always. That pray includes "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face to shine upon thee; and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace; Your name is upon the children of Israel; and You have blessed them, and us through Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, AMEN.
In Scripture, incense is often associated with prayer. David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8;8:3). As Zechariah the priest was offering incense in the temple inLuke 1:10, "all the assembled worshipers were praying outside."
"In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." Psalm 5:3 NAS
David, the shepherd, psalmist and king of the Old Testament, is the author of this remarkable declaration. In it he reveals the secret to a consistent, energized prayer life. The secret is contained in his use of the word "order" to describe the manner in which he prays. There is something compelling about the way David ordered or arranged his prayer time that drew him back again and again with genuine expectancy. That coupled with his enjoyment of God's presence led him to make a commitment to daily take his place before God to watch and pray.
So what is it about his choice of the word "order" to describe his prayer that led to such an eager commitment to daily watch and pray? The Hebrew word for order, "arak," means "to arrange" or "set in order." In other places in scripture it is used to describe how they built an altar, arranged wood to light a fire and/or arranged the offering on the altar. It is also used to describe the way in which the showbread was to be arranged and presented to God in the Holy Place. (Exodus 40:4) And it is used in reference to the setting forth in order of a legal case. (Job 13:18)
Order is one of the first principles instituted by God at creation. It is a means by which God initiates and establishes His purposes in the earth. Most notably we see it in His creation of day and night, seed time and harvest, and His institution through the Sinai covenant of the tabernacle, system of sacrifices and prescribed approach of the High Priest into the Holy of Holies.
Given the thoughtful and logical way in which things can be ordered, what then does it mean to order one's prayer life? I believe the ordering of David's prayer had to do with his choice of key elements of prayer and an intentional arrangement of their sequence to bring him into the presence of God. From a study of his life we can identify at least five things that David did when he prayed that illustrate this intentional arrangement of his prayer time to insure its vibrancy.
1. Praise and thanksgiving – In the reading of the Psalms we notice immediately that typically the first order of business in David's approach to God was to begin with worship. This priority was reflected in how he instituted singers and musicians to thank and praise God day and night within the tabernacle he erected to house the ark during the years before the temple was built. (1 Chronicles 16:4)
It is my conviction, both from Scripture and personal practice that establishing a vital and vibrant prayer time is directly linked to beginning with praise and thanksgiving. It literally is the doorway that ushers us into the presence of God. That is why we are clearly told "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." (Psalm 100:4 NIV)
2. Acknowledgement of Dependence – A critical touch point for David in his prayers to God was always an acknowledgement of his dependence upon God both for the forgiveness of his sins and the carrying of his burdens. He knew that if he tolerated unconfessed iniquity in his heart the Lord would not hear him and so he prayed repeatedly for God to cover his transgression and cleanse him from his sin. (Psalm 66:18 & 51:1-2) The other thing he did without hesitation was to make sure he regularly gave his burdens to God. "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22 ESV)
In order to experience an unfettered and rejuvenating time of prayer it is contingent that we make a point of laying all of our sins and burdens at the foot of the cross of Jesus. That secures a freedom from distraction and instills a confidence to proceed in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads.
3. Confession of God's Promises – The basis of our authority in prayer is the word of God. When we pray God's promises back to Him and declare the beauty of His character as revealed in the Scriptures we align ourselves with His will. He has promised that "if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15 NIV) There is power in praying God's promises that far eclipse praying our problems. Prayers that get answers and energize the pray-ers are prayers that declare the scriptures, because faith comes by hearing the word of God proceeding from our own mouths. (Romans 10:17) David repeatedly rehearsed God's promises as he prayed, choosing to stand on God's word and the faithfulness of His character as the foundation of his authority. (Psalm 86:15, 2 Samuel 7:21-29)
4. Responsiveness to the Leading of the Holy Spirit – An ordered or structured approach to prayer is like a launching pad for inspired spontaneity. Beginning with worship, proceeding through an acknowledgement of dependence upon God and then moving into a bold profession of God's will in His word positions the pray-er to sense the leading of the Holy Spirit and respond accordingly. In many of David's psalms as he proceeds to pour out his heart, we notice a sudden shift in the tenor and Spirit of his prayer. Often he concludes his psalms with confessions of faith and confidence in God. (Psalms 6, 7, 11, 13, 16 & 17 just to mention a few) In some we see an ebb and flow throughout the psalm of Spirit-inspired prayer mixed in with the other elements. (Psalm 18)
5. Variety – One of the salient features of David's prayers as demonstrated primarily in the Psalms is the variety of types and foci of prayer. There are psalms that are petitions, complaints, laments, spiritual warfare, prophetic declarations, litanies of God's faithfulness and hymns of praise. There are psalms focused on Israel, the nations, the enemy, the oppressed, the overcomer, the sinner, the forgiven, the past, the future, the wonder of creation and the glory of God. Variety is the byword and it is a critical ingredient without which sustainable and energized prayer would not be possible. Paul said it best. "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
These five ingredients that David used in ordering his prayer are by no means exhaustive.But in the whole scheme of things I am of the deepest conviction that when all five are incorporated into a person's daily prayer time, they like David will have a sustainable consistent, energized prayer life. I can personally testify that by God's grace, my commitment over the past year to ordering my daily prayer time using these five keys has reenergized my prayer life and relationship with Him.
Quiz: Week # 7
1.) What was David's occupation before he faced Goliath? cook scholar shepherd captain
2.) Why did the Israelite army fear Goliath so much? he was the smartest man in the land he was the king of the Philistines he was a giant he had three arms
3.) Who challenged Goliath? Saul Samuel David Jonathan
4.) Why did David want to kill Goliath? to free Israel and stand up for God to get money to show off to his older brothers to win the hand of King Saul's daughter
5.) Why was David so confident that he could kill Goliath? he was wearing more armor than Goliath was he had God on his side he knew he could outwit Goliath he had a secret weapon
6.) How did David kill Goliath? he stabbed him with a spear with a sling and stone he lured him into a den of lions he fed him poison in the night
Questions:
1). Incense is often associated with what in the Bible?
2). What do this verse means to you? (Psalm 5:3)
3). How often should we approach God's presence?
4). Describe the word "order" in the Bible.
5). Given the thoughtful and logical way in which things can be ordered, what then does it mean to order one's prayer life?
6). Name the five things David did when he prayed that illustrated his prayer life.
7). What do praise and thanksgiving means to you?
8). Do you acknowledge your dependence upon God?
9). Do you confess God's promises when you pray?
10). Do you respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your prayer life?
11). Name some of the types and foci of prayers in the Psalms.
12). What does (Ephesians 6:18) says about prayer?
Weekly Psalm of King David: Psalm 136
Weekly Prayer of David: Psalm 55
Self-Examination Time: What can you do today to stay The Course?
Father God, thank You for these psalms when read, those psalms that were left for our learning and comfort. They have been a blessing to us. David's life has encouraged us to have faith You through whatever we walk through. Bless us to always sing, pray, read, and enjoy these psalms. Father, bless us to stay focus, stay in confident, and stay calm in You and only You. The enemy is like a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour and destroy. Help us to in prayer always. Bless these studies to be growth for our life. We pray the Jabez prayer today, and always. "Oh, that You would bless us indeed, and enlarge our territory, that Your hand would be with us, and that You would keep us from evil, that we may not cause pain.' Please grant us this O Lord our God. AMEN.
In my situation now, I will stay calm in my heart when trials surround me. When a Goliath come up against me, then I will trust in God with all my heart, so I can stay the course. Glory to God!
Weekly Reading Assignment: Proverbs 21-24
I have finished this week's reading assignment. Good reading too!
1. Throughout his life David composed many songs. They are called___________________.
A. The Book of Psalms
2. Why did God punish David with wars that would never end?
The consequences for David's sins were spelled out and fulfilled precisely. Because David used the sword to strike down Uriah the Hittite, God said the sword would not depart from David's dynasty. The sword was often employed in David's dynasty. His son, Absalom, would kill another son, Amnon. Absalom would seek to overthrow David, and thus David would have to fight against Absalom and his forces to defend his kingdom. Joab would kill Absalom. Adonijah would seek to established himself as king in David's place, and Solomon would eventually have him executed. (1 Kings 1 and 2)
3. Which Psalms did David compose for God that is still being used in churches today?
B. Psalm 51
4. Who was Bathsheba?
Bathsheba was King David's third or forth wife
5. Why was David made King, even though saul was still alive?
I am not sure, but I would think because God wanted Saul taken down from being king over His people.
6. How did David displease God?
David displeased God when he committed sin and covered it up, not asking for forgiveness until Nathan came to him.
7. Did God make a covenant with David and establish the throne of his kingdom forever?
Yes, He did! The promise that David's "house," "kingdom," and "throne" will be established forever is significant because it shows that the Messiah will come from the lineage of David and that He will establish a kingdom from which He will reign. The covenant is summarized by the words "house," promising a dynasty in the lineage of David; "kingdom," referring to a people who are governed by a king; "throne," emphasizing the authority of the king's rule; and "forever," emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of this promise to David and Israel.
"And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods." And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (1 Samuel 17:43-44)
2). What was David's ringing statement to Goliath?
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands". (1 Samuel 17: 45-47).
3). What Goliath's need defeating in your life?
I believe the question is, "what needs to be defeated in your life?" In this case, I would say to keep my focus on God and His purpose for my life right now. The enemy (Goliath) keeps trying to take my focus off God when situations come into my life.
4). Are you afraid of anything?
Wow, that is hard to SAY, because I truly believe in what you SAY will happen unless you speak according to God's Word, amen. Now, the Word says that God has not given me the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound discipline mind of Jesus Christ. Amen. I speak those things which be not as though they were! When fear comes, I jump on it with the Word.
5). How can you run to meet your fears?
Wow, another one! LOL; Ok, just as I said earlier, I put the Word on it right away.
6). What is required to get rid of fear?
Love, God's Word tell us to love; "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18).
7). Why was David so confident that he could defeat Goliath?
David trusted in God! David's heart was so full of trust and love in God that he sing songs to God with his whole heart. It built his confident every time God saw him through situations. When you trust God and watch Him move in your life's situations, then you too can have confidence in God and His Word. I have learn to trust in Jesus and my God!! Glory to God!
8). Why didn't David wear Saul's armor?
It was too heavy for him, also, God didn't want him to trust in those armor, but in using God's Word.
9). Is David the only writer of the book of Psalms?
No, there were others who wrote the book of psalms.
10). David is noted as the author of how many Psalms?
David is noted for writing 73 psalms.
11). David is named as the author of how many Psalms?
He is named as the author of 76 Psalms.
12). David's psalms express a heart as what?
David's psalms express a heart devoted to God.
13). What do miktam means?
(Hebrew: מִכְתָּם) is a word that is part of the Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon whose meaning is not ascertained. It is a "technical term found in psalm titles" of the Bible. Miktam is one of several "collections" of psalms which include David, Asaph, Maskil, Mizmor, and Korah
14). What do Maskil means?
(Hebrew: מַשְׂכִּיל, plural maskilim) is an identifier for individuals and ideas of the Haskalah movement, the European Jewish enlightenment between the 1770s and 1880s, who sought to reeducate Jews so that they could fit into modern society; they established schools and published works of cultural importance.a sacred song or hymn, in particular any of those contained in the biblical Book of Psalms and used in Christian and Jewish worship.
15). What do Selah means?
Selah is also thought to be rendered from two Hebrew words: s_lah, "to praise"; and s_lal, "to lift up." Another commentator believes it comes from salah, "to pause." From salah comes the belief that selah is a musical notation signifying a rest to the singers and/or instrumentalists who performed the psalms. If this is true, then each time selah appears in a psalm, the musicians paused, perhaps to take a breath or to sing a cappella or let the instruments play alone. Perhaps they were pausing to praise the One about whom the song was speaking, perhaps even lifting their hands in worship. This theory would encompass all these meanings—"praise," "lift up," and "pause." When we consider the three verses in Habakkuk, we also see how selah could mean "to pause and praise." Habakkuk's prayer in chapter 3 inspires the reader to pause and praise God for His mercy, power, sustaining grace, and sufficiency.
16). What do Shiggaion means?
The prophet Habakkuk introduces his closing song this way: "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth." The ESV says, "According to Shigionoth," instead of "On shigionoth." The title of Psalm 7 says, "A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite."
