katef

The world teaches to depend on no one but yourself. Look out for number one. Jesus teaches the importance of being gentle and humble. To truely be Christian, you have to acknowledge that your works do not serve God, and that all of our gifts are both given and used by the Holy Spirit. We are but vessels.

If you think you have it all, you will seek no more. If you think you have nothing, you will search. I had to be aware of my spiritual poverty before I could believe there was a reason to listen and read the Bible and the Word, that I could trust and believe what I read and heard. Sometimes you don't know how little you have until you start looking. Like you think you understand calculus, but then when you try to teach it and it evades you. You then realize how little you really understand. This creates a kind of sadness or mourning, and a desire to learn more and understand better. Becoming a Christian is continually learning and applying, listening and following. I experience mourning as a Christian whenever I watch the news. There is a lot of evil, abuse, and misplaced principles.

The two parts apear to be opposites, with the first being undesireable and the second desireable. I believe Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox because it is an "attention grabber". It is a completely different way of teaching which draws each person in to truely consider the words and their meaning. The realtionship to the Fruit of the Spirit is that none of the rewards can be redeemed by self works, but must come from the Spirit of God.

He makes me feel safe enough to rest comfortably (green pastures), unworried about potential enemies or troubles. He pays special attention to my fears, and helps me overcome them or go around this fear to make me feel safe (still waters). He "restores my soul" by rejouvinating me, refreshing me, like awakening after a good nights sleep. He guides me, He doesn't lead me, but walks with me and still allows choices. He is beside me, even mores so in troubling times. He has tools that I can see (rod and shaff) that I know are for my protection and assistance. He gives me more than I need, especially when I need it the most. My needs that are provided are food, drink, comfort, cleanliness, and rest. He lets me know that He will always be there for me, here and the here after.

He has stilled and quieted his soul. He recognizes what is not in his control and relinquishes that to God's way with total confidence.

Faith must come first. Through faith, even the darkest situations don't seem as dark, because God is with me. It's kind of like seeing the glass 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty. As per the lesson, there must be maintained two separate distiinctions of protection, one in this life, the other in the next life. This must always be kept in mind.

I don't feel like God is a 'mother hen' and resent the watchfullness. I am very greatful that God cares so much for me that He is always watching and protecting. It makes me feel like I can let go of some of my fears and some of the things that I think I am controlling.

God wants a relationship with us. We only need to want one too. When we have this relationship, He promises to be there for us, to rescue, protect, etc as per lesson. This psalm makes me feel thankful, but also somewhat overwhelmed. God wants me to know him, and he does all the giving.

The images that communicate trust in God's protection include 'calling from the ends of the earth' (with faith that he will be heard), 'as my heart grows faint' (when he is feeling like there is not much hope), 'lead me to a higher rock' (you can keep me safer). 'tower against the foe' (secure), and shelter of your wings (protected and loved). These verses make me feel more secure in God's compassion, abilitiy and love to take care of me, especially when I feel I need it most.

I think that when a person and a nation has drifted that far away from God, it will take a lot of prayer and work from the people to show God that their heart is true. When I am that lost, my first prayer is to help me see my sins. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" psalm 139:23-24. I have to admit I am wrong, but may not know why. After willingness and recognition, I would pray for forgiveness. My strongest prayer is always to pray for God's will instead of something specific, I have a hard time believing that I could have a better idea. I know the bible tells us to pray incesessantly and specifically, to ask and we shall receive, but I am still afraid of what I want. 2 Chron 7:4 says to pray, humble, and truely seek God by leaving all evil ways. I think I covered all of that. The prayer for a congregation would be the same, but I would have less ability to humble the community. It would require the effort of the whole church through a good leader here on earth.

I had not thought of that before. The lament is usually sandwiched between praises. I can see now that this will help us keep our troubles in perspective (small in comparison to the world and the abilities of God) and keeps "our eyes on Jesus", our focus on how the problem can be solved, through the will of God, and not on me and me concerns.

Have to have humility, we are human, God is not. We will make mistakes and to acknowledge that is necessary to recognize when we do need to ask for help or forgiveness. Faith is necessary because since we are human, we can't fix it. We must have faith in Christ to help us through our troubles.

Have to have humility, we are human, God is not. We will make mistakes and to acknowledge that is necessary to recognize when we do need to ask for help or forgiveness. Faith is necessary because since we are human, we can't fix it. We must have faith in Christ to help us through our troubles.

still small it must be a mistake I am starting to believe it, but it is still scary. It seems like too much to live up to. It's just me.