Here is a GREAT summary from Dave (and the study questions are below as well):
| Our “ice breaker” question last Wednesday, was, “Talk about a beautiful place you have visited or would like to visit.” I cannot say what was discussed at the other tables but there were some great answers at the table where I sat. Most of us, including me, mentioned great works of God like the Grand Canyon and the Great Lakes. But a couple of guys spoke of simpler things. One was the view while sitting on his screened in porch as a child. The other was watching a farmer till his land and taking in the smells of the earth as it was being turned over. Simpler is certainly better, isn’t it? Close your eyes and think of a simpler time in your life and take in it’s beauty.Bucky covered Psalm 139; please take a few minutes and read the Psalm. What does this Psalm say to you? Here is a quick synopsis of what Psalm 139 says to Bucky. Verses 1-6 say God knows us intimately. Verses 7-12 say God is with us constantly. Verses 13-18 say God made us wonderfully, and verses 19-24 say God judges righteously. So, if David, knew these things about God, how did it effect his relationship with Him? If you are familiar with David’s life, you know he was far from perfect. But the Bible tells us David was a man after God’s own heart. How can that be? Well, in looking at the verses of Psalm 139 and how Bucky broke them down it is easy to see what David’s reaction was to each. Since God knows us intimately, David knew we must TRUST God. It makes sense, doesn’t it. If someone knows all about you shouldn’t you be able to trust them? If God is with us constantly, David knew we must ACKNOWLEDGE Him. It is amazing how David said that no matter where he went he knew God was there. God is everywhere. Since God is always with us shouldn’t we acknowledge His presence and act accordingly? I think it is funny that some people believe they can get away with something because, “no one is looking.” How untrue. God knows everything you think, say and do. So, when you sin, rather than shy away from God, do what David did; acknowledge Him and repent. You will feel better faster if you get on your knees and say you are sorry. Ask God to help you overcome your areas of weakness. Pete McKenzie says the real turning point in his spiritual life came when he got on his knees and said, “Lord, I am a failure at being a Christian. Would You help me become the man You want me to be? Well, I’d say God heard Pete and helped him get to his goal. Since God made us wonderfully, David knew we must PRAISE God. We’ve heard it before; God has a purpose for our lives. We have been given talents and spiritual gifts and must use them both for God, not our own personal gain. Many of us struggle with this one. We, as men, find our identity in our work. We justify why we need to put in 12 hours a day. I would like you to take a piece of paper and write down the five things that are most important to you. Then, HONESTLY put down how much time each day you spend on those five things. This will tell you what is really most important in your life. Lastly, since God judges righteously, David knew we must FOLLOW God, not try and be Him. In other words, it is not up to us to judge or take matters into our own hands. Judgment is reserved for God and God alone. This is my biggest challenge. I have a tendency to judge rather than listen with an open mind. Every Wednesday we end with, “How can we pray for you?” Well, if you are a man of prayer, my request is you pray for me and my judgmental attitude. Have a great week; I encourage you to spend some time with God and reflect on the blessings He’s given you. |
Please enjoy the study questions from our latest men’s group, and as always, please share your thoughts.
Talk about a beautiful place that you have visited or would like to visit?
Psalm 139-I Must Worship
1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
God knows us intimately—I must_____________him-vv.1-6
God is with me constantly—I must _____________him-vv.7-12
God made me wonderfully—I must____________him-vv.13-18
God judges righteously—I must _______________him—vv.19-24
Questions for Discussion:
1. What are some of the ways that you see and experience God in this life?
2. How does David’s knowledge of who God is affect his daily life?
3.How is God calling you to live a life of Intimate worship
-Trust
-Acknowledge
-Praise
-Follow
4. How can we pray for you?