Psalm 3 | Bible Study Wednesday

 

This week we are going to study Psalm chapter three. It is a Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom, his son. You can read 2 Samuel 15:1-18:18 the story of how Absalom deceived the people and was able to win them over with his craftiness. David ran away for his life and devised a plan for how to overcome this treason. Let's read today's passage in light of what we know has taken place.

Verse one David calls upon God. Notice when David needed strength, help, healing, or anything he always turned to God. He knew that God would help him because He had done so over and over throughout his life. He tells God the problem right away. David is overwhelmed by the amount of people coming against him. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like you were outnumbered and you didn't even know why everything seemed to be against you?

Verse two David told God what others were saying about him. Have you ever told God what others were saying about you? I have experienced people being cruel and lying on me. I told God what they said and how it made me feel. It is better to take these issues to God in prayer, than to retaliate and tell others what is going on, broadcast it on social media, or gossip.

Verse three David begins to brag on God. The reason it is best to go straight to God with our burdens is because of who God is. He is a shield for us. He is our glory and He lifts up our heads. We get beat up by the enemy and like a good, good Father, He steps in between us and the ammunition of the enemy. He protects us and He picks our chin up. He encourages us.

Verse four David is rejoicing. He was so overwhelmed and dismayed when he first started this prayer, but now God has already begun to turn things around. David is jubilant because he knows that God heard his prayer. We do not have to worry when circumstances weigh heavy on our minds and we feel defeated. God hears our prayers and He is on the move. He is shielding us and lifting us up.

Verse five David got rest! When problems are many and solutions are few, we often find ourselves unable to sleep. We toss and turn and often sleep eludes us. However, when we give our burdens to God and leave them there, He will take care of it. We can then sleep and be well rested. David gives God the credit. He said he laid down and slept and was awakened only because God sustained him. In Proverbs 3:24 it reads, "When thou liest down, thou shall not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet." Isn't that a wonderful promise?

Verse six David gets his courage back. He said he will not be afraid of 10,000 or more people that have surrounded him. David started remembering how God spared him with the lion and the bear when he was shepherding sheep. David remembered how God kept him alive when Saul tried to kill him over and over again. David remembered the many battles he fought and won because God had His Mighty hand on him. We need to get our courage back, too. How many times has God paid the bill with money we never saw coming? How many times have we found favor we knew we didn't deserve? How often has God come through for us to deliver us in our times of great need? Over and over God has proven Himself faithful.

Verse seven David calls on God for help. He says God has struck his enemies in the face and knocked their teeth out. In other words, God has disarmed the enemy. He has helped David by cutting the enemy off at the knees and rendering them helpless. God will do the same thing for you and me. He is fighting on our behalf and the good news is God has never lost a battle and He never will.

Verse eight David ends in praise. He proclaims salvation is God's to give and He acknowledges that God has blessed His people. We can go to God in tears and anguish over the trials and tribulations of this life. We should go to Him. He wants us to. Then we need to remember how good God is and we can go to sleep and rest well knowing God is taking care of it. Finally we can step back and watch God shield us and lift us up all while knocking the enemy out and winning the battle for us. He is a good and faithful Father and friend. He loves us and He will help us. He helped David and He will help you and me and like He has over and over again.

Friends I have enjoyed taking a look at Psalm 3 with you all. I hope this has encouraged you. I pray that this Bible study today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

How Great Is Our God | Thankful Thursday

Have you ever been to the ocean? I am surprised to learn that many people have never seen the ocean. It is so beautiful and one of my favorite places to be. I am sharing a photo today that I love. I don't like having my picture taken very often but my daughter took this picture as I was staring over the ocean in Biloxi, Mississippi. The sky was breathtaking and looked like cotton candy. The ocean, so vast - with white caps and small waves rising and crashing. The ebb and flow of the water at the edge of the white sand was so relaxing I could have easily been lulled to sleep. The salt in the air and the beauty around me filled my heart with gratitude and thankfulness. What a joy it was to be surrounded by God's beautiful creation.

As I sit in Indiana, surrounded by white SNOW and not white sand, I long for the warmer temperatures. I do not like winter, and I never have. Far from the beautiful place God sent us for 16 months, I am reminded that I can no longer just take a short walk to see the beautiful water. Instead of longing for what I cannot have, I am thankful for the memories. I am grateful for the experience. I am happy that I had those opportunities to grow exponentially in my faith and our little family of four connected like never before.

What about you? Is there something that you want? Something you miss? Something you may not be able to get back but you long for it? Friends, don't get discouraged. If God has removed something from your life, rest assured He has something better to give you. It may not feel like it, and maybe if you are mourning the loss of a beloved pet or family member maybe it is not going to be replaced, but I know that God gives beauty for ashes and strength for fear, gladness for mourning, and hope for despair.

PSALM 33:6-12, 18-22 (6)By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. (7)He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses. (8)Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. (9)For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. (10)The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect. (11)The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of His heart to all generations. (12)Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. (18)Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; (19)To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (20)Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. (21)For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy name. (22)Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

What an incredible passage. I encourage you to go back and read all of Psalm 33. It is SO good. It is refreshing to the soul. The words make a huge impact on me in this season of waiting and not seeing anything around me change. I am staring at the horizon, much like in this picture, and I am waiting, hoping, expecting, and sometimes doubting but I repent and try harder to believe and wait and hope and expect again. Verse seven says He gathers the water together in a heap. The ocean is so big and so deep and so wide and yet God who is far greater and bigger than the ocean He created, just gathers it in a heap! Verse eight says let all the people in the world stand in awe of God. 

I was in awe at the ocean. I feel so small, so minuscule next to the ocean, but I don't feel insignificant. And I think that is part of what draws me to the water. It is so incredible to see that the very one who knows how many drops are in the ocean, is the very same God who loves me so much He sent His Son Jesus to die for my sins and then rise on the third day. How can we not feel loved and cared for by the Master of the wind when we feel the breeze blow into our face? How can we wonder if God is real when proof is painted in every sunset of every single day.

This passage reminds us that everything was made at the voice command of God, Elohim, our Creator. And if we are going through a situation where we need to see and experience a move of God, we can ask the star-breather to speak life into our hopeless situation and He will do it. We will be amazed at the way He comes through for us. Just stand still and know that He is God. Verse 20 says our soul waits for the LORD because He is our help and our shield. He is everything we need. He is the giver and protector. He sustains us and lifts up our heads. We can rejoice in our hearts because we trust Him. He is always faithful.

I am thankful for many things this week. I am thankful for the heat, and the water, electricity, and reliable transportation to get my husband to work safely and back home safely, too. I want to tell my family and friends in Tennessee and Texas that I am praying for you all. I am praying you get your water and power back. I am praying you stay warm and safe. I am praying the ice melts soon and that warmer temperatures can come and thaw out the frozen pipes and things that have plagued so many families. I am praying for the safety of the emergency workers who are risking their own lives to save others. And as David says in verse 22, Let Your mercy LORD be upon Your children according as we hope in You. Keep hoping in Jesus. Let's keep Him first. Keep a praise and a grateful heart toward God. Let's love one another and help encourage each other. Jesus is coming back so soon and we want to be ready!

I pray that something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Legacy | Fuel For The Weekend

God told me to share my faith on Fridays and call it Fuel For The Weekend. It's my desire that the posts I put up on Fridays will give you something to think about, ponder, consider, and reflect on throughout the weekend.

Happy New Year! It is the year 2021. God has blessed us to see another year begin. We have no idea what all this year will bring, but we can trust in God to order our steps and help us through whatever comes our way. Amen?

I want to share something with you. It's two verses in the Old Testament and yet it is powerful. It would be easy to overlook the incredible account, because it's sandwiched in the middle of verses about kings and disobedience and so forth, but there is something I think we need to take from these verses and apply it to our lives in 2021.

Without sharing too much, God has spoken to me about specific deaths that will happen in 2021. I do not want to go into detail and I have not been released by God to talk about it, other than to say, none of us are promised to live beyond this moment. Sure, we live like we will never die. We plan ahead and save money and book the trips, plan the events, do the things because we do not anticipate dying any time soon, if we are honest. Tragedy strikes and for a brief time we talk about how short life is and we may even become intentional about living life on purpose but when enough times has passed we simply go back to living for tomorrow.

I don't want to talk about death, but I do want to talk about legacy. What impact will your life have on those who are left behind long after you have gone on? My grandfather instilled God's Word deep in my heart. I am ashamed to say it, but I tried to run from it. I didn't fully understand it. I didn't think it was for me, necessarily. I needed to find God on my terms. I am so thankful He is a loving and merciful God that will allow us to explore who He is. My grandfather died when I was 17 years old, in the middle of my senior year. My grandfather was my hero. I highly esteemed him and now that I am 42 years old I can promise you those lessons were not lost on me. His legacy still impacts me today.

Do you think it's possible to live your life so devoted to God that you can have a direct impact on others even after you are dead and buried? I am here to tell you that it's not only possible, it happens! And in today's text we see the resurrecting power at work long after the prophet has been dead and buried!

2 KINGS 13:20-21 (20)And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. (21)And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Can you believe that is all that it says about this incident? It was like this huge miracle takes place and someone adds it in the middle of this chapter and I'm like, "WAIT! I want to hear more! What did the man do when he came back to life?" This is phenomenal! I knew from reading about Elisha that he was a man of God. God gave him great power and might to do many exploits for Him but this seems like it needs it's own chapter, right?

So Elisha died and they buried him. That's good. I would expect that. And then the Moabites come along to carry on the annual tradition each spring of invading the land. Unfortunately another man has died and is being buried and just as they are lowering him into the ground, they see the raiders coming at full speed. They know how awful the Moabites are and so they basically throw him on top of Elisha! There is still so much power on that man of God that this corpse comes back to life, and stands on his own two feet, and walks right out of the grave! Wow!!

Do you know the things Elisha has done? Have you read the stories of how God gave him a double portion of Elijah's anointing? He was a brave, courageous man of valor. He had times of being scared and fearing for his life... but he was human after all. He was an incredible prophet! God used him mightily! There was so much anointing on his physical body that even after his spirit went back to God who gave it, there was resurrection power all over him that he caused a dead man to live again!

Wouldn't that be an awesome legacy? I hope that when my time comes to be with Jesus, that my life will be remembered as one devoted to God. I know I stumble. God says, Go! and I ask for specific details. But my heart is absolutely His! I want to serve Him. I want to run well. I want to win the crown of life He has laid up for me. I want to see His face and hug Him so tight! I want to kiss His nail-scarred hands and nail-scarred feet. I want to touch the side that was wounded for Me. I want to bow before my King and honor Him. I want to thank Him for everything He brought me through, every trial, every moment of fear, every time I was tormented.

I want others that knew me to be touched by the Master through me. I want to live my life so that it would please Him and bring Him honor. I want to glorify Him in the words I speak and the thoughts I think and the way I behave. I hope when it's all said and done that I lived a life that would please Him. I don't want anyone to remember the trips I took, the things I bought, the stuff I had. I don't want them to think about the clothes I wore, the vehicle I drove, or the career I had. I want them to look at my life and only see one thing: JESUS! I want them to see His hands that sustained me, His love that kept me, His blood that redeemed me, His grace that was sufficient. I want them to know that He is there for them too and that they don't have to wait to get to Heaven to experience His love, His mercy, His grace, His healing, and His forgiveness now. I want my legacy to be one of faithfulness to my Jesus!

God bless you all!

~Bridgett Owens

Battles and Spoils | Thankful Thursday

The LORD impressed on my heart to carve out a section of my blog to share what I am thankful for. I started it on a Thursday and decided to call it "Thankful Thursday." Each week I share what I am thankful for. Come back each week so we can count our blessings together.

I am thankful that God is faithful. I am thankful that I serve a God is who is able to deliver. I am so glad that I can call upon the name of the LORD and be saved from all of my troubles and afflictions. The Bible clearly tells us we WILL have hard times in this life. (Psalms 34:19) We do not get a free pass because we are children of the Most High God. That would be nice, sometimes, wouldn't it? But God loves us too much to leave us in our pain and suffering. Jehoshaphat knew exactly what to do when He was outnumbered by the enemy.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 we read that an army in Moab, an army in Ammon, and a multitude of others from beyond the sea across from Syria were marching in unison to wage war on Jehoshaphat. When he heard the news he was scared and he went to God for help! He declared a fast for everyone in Judah. Everyone in all the cities of Judah came together and asked God for help. Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD, before the new court and this is what he said.

2 CHRONICLES 20:6-13 (6)And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee? (7)Art not Thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever? (8)And they dwelt therein, and have built Thee a sanctuary therein for Thy name, saying, (9)If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in Thy presence, (for Thy name is in this house,) and cry unto Thee in our affliction, then Thou wilt hear and help. (10)And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; (11)Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. (12)O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee. (13)And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

I wasn't there for this great gathering. I did not hear the speech myself, but I can almost see it in my mind. A terrified king gathered with the people of Jerusalem and Judah and king Jehoshaphat starts praying but he is really reminding the people of God's faithfulness. Are You not the God in heaven? Of course He is! Don't You rule over all the kingdoms, even those who don't acknowledge You? Of course He does! And in Your hand is there not power and might so that no one is able to defeat You? Yes!!!

He prays on asking, Aren't You the God who drove out the people that lived in the land in front of Your people Israel? You gave the land to the seed of Your friend Abraham! They lived here and built a sanctuary for Your name's sake, God. They said when evil happened to us we could stand in this house in Your presence because Your name is here, and we can cry to You in our affliction and You will hear and help!

That's a powerful reminder! Sometimes we need to pray back to God all that we remember He did. It isn't to remind God. He didn't forget. It's to encourage ourselves as we look back and see the hand of God all over our lives. 

King Jehoshaphat says to God, just look at the armies coming against us now, the very ones You told Israel not to destroy and they obeyed You. Now they pay us back by coming to run us out of our inheritance that You gave us! Please do something God because this problem is bigger than us! This obstacle is too difficult for us. We do not even know what to do but... and I love this part.... but our eyes are upon You!!!

When we get down to the nitty gritty with our circumstances, when the bills are due or late and the money isn't coming in... when we get the bad diagnosis and the time we thought we had now looks a lot shorter... when the job we love gets downsized and we find ourselves out of work... when the move comes at what feels like the worst time... when the sickness comes but does not go.... when our kids do everything we told them not to do or try and it looks like there is no hope.... when we think we have a future with our spouse and death or divorce changes that picture forever...are we still looking at the overwhelming, terrifying enemy marching at us, or do we put our eyes on Jesus? The very God who brought us through time and time again is still in power, still in control, still capable of fighting the enemy and winning!

Oh, yeah, that's easy for you to say, Bridgett! No it isn't! I have shared story after story of the times God came through when all hope seemed gone. I have a million more that I never shared and that is no exaggeration! It is hard to trust when it seems like the odds are stacked against us, but God is bigger and stronger and better than the enemy! God is mighty to save and able to heal and capable to deliver! He is God all by Himself and He needs NOBODY else! He has got things under control. Do we trust Him?

Here's the incredible part, the Spirit of the LORD came in the middle of the congregation and said, Everyone listen! Everyone who lives in Judah and Jerusalem and you, too, king Jehoshaphat. Don't be afraid and don't be distressed because of this great multitude because the battle is not yours it is God's! Do you hear Him saying that to you right now? I know I needed this message and Lord I am listening! Thank You for fighting my battles. God says we don't need to know how we are going to fight this battle because we are not going to fight. He will fight for us! Remember Exodus 14:14!

He instructs them what to do for the next day. He tells them to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD with them. Again He says don't be afraid or in distress, tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD will be with you! You're not going alone. He isn't up in heaven saying, "Oh that's a lot of people. Well, you're on your own. Wish you the best!" No!! He is telling them and He is telling us today, keep going and I am with you! 

They all fell on their faces to the LORD and worshiped Him. This week I was so lost in God's presence, I literally felt like I was bowing at His feet and I never wanted to leave. The Spirit of God was so tangible that I felt completely enveloped in His love and His light. We need to get serious about seeking God's face more than His hands, but when we do need His hands, we need to worship and magnify how great He is! He is worthy of all honor and glory and praise!

The next day king Jehoshaphat told the people, "Believe in the LORD your God and you will be established. Believe His prophets and you will prosper." Then he appoints singers to praise the beauty of Holiness as they went before the army. They were to say, "Praise the LORD; for His mercy endures forever." They began to sing and praise and God started sending ambushments against the armies of the people in Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir and they were struck down. None survived. That vast army of armies was slain every single one! And when the king and his people came to take the treasures that was found there were so many riches it took them THREE DAYS to get all the precious jewels and treasures.

When you get to the other side of this storm you're facing, when you've watched God fight your battles and you have cleaned up the treasures awaiting you, there's something more for you to do. On the fourth day they assembled themselves together and blessed the LORD. They even named the valley they celebrated in to reflect what God had done. It's time to rename some areas of our lives to declare what God has done. They went back to their lives and their routines with JOY because the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. There is joy and celebration on the other side of this battle. Keep your eyes on the LORD!

I love what verse 30 says, "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave Him rest round about. The whole kingdom was at peace. God gave them rest on every side. I am thankful for the times God saw me through, fought my battles, and helped me overcome obstacles I never could have done on my own. I am thankful for the times He provided food, paid the bills with money we did not expect, got me safely home when I was out of gas, healed my body, helped us out of situations and circumstances we got ourselves into but He fought the battles. I am thankful for the victories and I am thankful for the peace that follows the victory.

What are you thankful for this Thursday? This world is in the middle of a pandemic, we see empty chairs around our table as loved ones are not here for one reason or another, danger is on every side, the earth is full of wicked deeds, but God is in control. He is in charge and He is victorious. He has never lost a battle and I know that He never will! I am thankful for the victorious King I serve and I am thankful for every battle He has won for me!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens