Week 12 - Psalms, Songs, and Thoughts

Spend time reading these Psalms. Do they stir up songs in your head? Then don't leave them there; sing them to the Lord!

Psalms 63:1-3
Psalm 20:5-7
Psalm 104:1-3; 31-33
Psalm 32:1-7
Psalm 127
Psalm 8

Week 11 - Foolishness or Wisdom?

Read these:
Look up these scriptures in context on God’s foolishness and our wisdom:
Isaiah 55:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; 3:18-20; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 12:9-10.

Ask yourself:
Do I really believe that God can and does intervene in MY life…in spite of my weaknesses, my sinful nature, my self-centered attitudes?
Do I have to fully understand his logic to trust and obey Him? Just how powerful is this God?

Pray about it:
Talk to God…about stepping out into the unknown…taking a leap of faith…really trusting Him enough to work His plan in your life.
Praise Him for His “nothing-is-impossible” power.

Week 10 - Numbers or Nails?

Story: Safety in Numbers?
David's Census, 2 Samuel 24

Question:
What about me? Am I only at peace when my circumstances are under control—steady job, cancer-free, reliable car, healthy relationships? Am I happy only if I’m living the American dream?

Answer:
My strong confidence is in the fear of the LORD. Proverbs 14:26

I succeed not by might nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit. Zechariah 4:6

No weapon formed against me will succeed. The LORD defends his servant and gives me victory. Isaiah 54:17

The Lord’s grace is all I need; his power is strongest in my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but I trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

Moral:
There is only one safe place—in the Lord’s hands.

Week 9 - David at En Gedi--Living Water

Through the Desert:
Have you been through a desert recently? What (or Who?) quenched your thirst through this time?

At the Oasis:
Do you schedule regular times each week to drink at the oasis with the Lord? Look at your calendar and pencil in a date with God this week. Meditate on scripture; talk to the Father; praise Him for He is and what He’s done.

In the Word:
Read Psalm 63 each day this week. Seek out a deeper message each reading. Let the words of David become your own love song to God.

Week 8 - Repentance

What is repentance?
To think differently.

Think:
Think about a repetitive sin that you can’t seem to shake (we all have those). What thought patterns do you need to change about it to help you quit committing it?

Pray:
Ask the Lord to help you consistently think differently about that sin, to see it the way HE sees it. Then thank him for forgiving you for it.

Do:
Results of repentance are often visible. Do you need to make restitution to someone you’ve sinned against? Do it this week! You will be blessed and God will be glorified.

Week 7 - Confronting Our Sin

Read:
Meditate on 2 Samuel 11, 12 and Psalm 51, seeing yourself as David.

Ask:
How aware am I of my own sins?
If the “Nathan” in my life were to confront me tonight, which sin would he choose to talk about?

Pray:
Spend extra time this week discussing your sins with God.
Agree with him that you need His help.
Ask for His guidance if you should share this with a friend.
Thank Him for His forgiveness.

Selected Verses from Psalm 51 (The Message)

1 Generous in love--God, give grace!
Huge in mercy--wipe out my bad record.

3 I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down.
4 You're the One I've violated,
and you've seen it all,
seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.

6 What you're after is truth from the
inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

Week 6: Favorite Psalms

First and Last Verses

These six psalms were read on Wednesday night. Re-read one psalm in its entirety each day this week. Allow the rich language to enhance your own intimate communication to God and from God.

Psalm 23, Thursday, Oct. 11
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 51, Friday, Oct. 12
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
9 Then there will be righteous sacrifices; whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 63, Saturday, Oct. 13
1 O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God’s name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

Psalm 71, Sunday, Oct. 14
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Psalm 131, Monday, Oct. 15
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, both now and forevermore.

Psalm 139, Tuesday, Oct. 16
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Week 5: Finding Your Voice to Celebrate God

Ask Yourself…

1. What’s something I love to do (hobby, work, study) and/or spend a lot of time doing (or wish I could!) because it is important to me?

2. How do I see God’s presence in the midst of that activity? How is He a part of it? How do I see God working in me through it?

3. How do I show God that I love Him? How can I intentionally choose to celebrate His presence?

Week 5: A Passion for His Presence

I. First Parade (2 Sam 6:1-5)

Where is the ark of God now?

“LORD, if we obey your voice and keep your covenant, then we are your treasured possession among all peoples.”
From Exodus 19:5

II. Broken Plans (2 Sam 6:6-11)

When failure comes, do I lose my voice?

“LORD, where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?”
From Psalm 139:7

III. Victory Celebration

How do I celebrate His presence?

“O LORD, blessed are we who join in the festival,
and walk in the brightness of your presence.”
From Psalm 89:15

Week 4: David and Mephibosheth--Invited to the King's Table

1. Look at the first four categories of “Tonight’s Verses” below—all attributes of God’s nature toward us, echoed in David’s treatment of Mephibosheth.

2. Turn the tables. Ask yourself what your response is:
* How are YOU modeling those same attributes?
* Are you faithful to keep your word?
* Do you say “I’m sorry” first, or wait for the other guy to apologize?
* Put faces on the “the unlovable” in your life—how are you treating them?
* Are you extending grace to those at work; in school; at home?

3. Pray a 2-part prayer to God right now.
A. Thank Him for His faithfulness in loving you in each of these ways.
B. Then ask His help for YOU to live this way towards those you see this week.

Week 4 "Tonight's Verses"

Lessons from David and Mephibosheth:

Remembering Promises
2 Samuel 9:1-3
Genesis 3:14-15
Exodus 2:23-25
Romans 4:13-25
Galatians 3:6-18

Initiating Reconciliation
2 Samuel 9:4-5
Acts 17:24-27
John 3:16-17
Romans 5:6-11
John 9:39
John 10:10
John 12:32,46

Loving the Unlovable
2 Samuel 9:6
John 10:2-4,14
Exodus 33:17-19
Isaiah 43:1
Isaiah 45:3-4
Matthew 8:2-3
Luke 7:37-39
Luke 19:5-7

Extending Grace
2 Samuel 9:7,9-13
Luke 22:15-18,29-30
Luke 12:37
Revelation 19:9
Matthew 8:11
Ephesians 2:6-7

The Response?
2 Samuel 9:8
2 Samuel 19:26-28
Ephesians 2 (excerpts)

Week 3: Jesus and Goliath

Think:
Read 1 Samuel 17 looking for parallels: between the Israelites and us; between Goliath and Satan; between David and Jesus.


Talk:
Discuss your thoughts on this story with at least one other person this week. Ask what parallels they see. Discern the spiritual lessons you are to learn from the comparisons.

Week 2: He Knows

Think it:
Read PSALM 139 from an opposite, negative viewpoint…“O Lord, you have NOT searched me, and you do NOT know me.”

If God did NOT know everything about you, how would your life be different?


Tell it:
If you’re grateful that the Lord DOES know everything about you, let Him and others know about it!

Week 2: Who Knows Me?

My doctor may know something about
my body

My teacher may know something about
my mind

My broker may know something about
my money

My mother may know something about
my past

My friend may know something about
my quirks

My spouse may know something about
my habits

But who knows ALL

…inside my heart?

…inside my soul?

…inside my spirit?

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar."

Psalm 139:1, 2

Week 1: David's Advice on Baggage Handling

Read:
Reflect meditatively on different translations of Psalm 23.
Which verse speaks most to your heart?
Which verse do you have the most trouble believing?


Talk:
Do you perceive a “need” you feel is NOT being met? Dedicate time this week to talk it over with the Lord.


Listen:
Be on the lookout for His response to your prayer in predictable and unpredictable places.

Week 1 Psalm 23 (The Message)

1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.

5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.