What was the best year you ever had? What made it so great?
What was the worst year you ever had? Why was it so difficult?
When you are going through a hard time, do you pray more or less? Why? How do you pray in difficult times?
Read Psalm 116:1-3. What kind of situation might make someone feel they were entangled by death, or overcome by sorrow?
Do we deserve to have God listen to us? Why or why not? What do you think it means that he "turns his ear to us?" (the NLT says "he bends down to listen")
Read Psalm 116:10-11. How can the lies (or other mistreatment) of others cause us to feel greatly afflicted?
What is our natural response when people lie about us, or otherwise mistreat us?
Read Psalm 116:12-13. On whom is the writer's focus? What do you think it means to focus on God even when people are mistreating you?
THOUGHT: I cannot control what others do or say about me. I can only control whether or not I take it to God in prayer.
Read the rest of Psalm 116. It doesn't appear that the people who are lying and causing trouble are ever dealt with. Why do you think the writer decided it didn't matter whether or not they were brought to justice in his sight?
How can focusing on the salvation God has given help you look past the abuse others are giving you? How can you focus on God's salvation?
As a group, talk about the benefits we have because of God's salvation.
Spend a few minutes praying silently about the troubles in life you are facing. Then spend time praying prayers of thanksgiving aloud as a group.
1 comment:
Posted by David Rudd in Psalms on Thursday, May 5, 2011
What was the best year you ever had? What made it so great?
2003... I spend that year living life to the fullest. I was happier with myself and the people around me.
What was the worst year you ever had? Why was it so difficult?
2011... I met someone who took advantage of me... My family started lieing to me...People did really bad things to me during this year.
When you are going through a hard time, do you pray more or less? Why? How do you pray in difficult times?
I pray less, I pray in my head mostly...
Read Psalm 116:1-3. What kind of situation might make someone feel they were entangled by death, or overcome by sorrow?
Surviving a car accident brings about a lot of emotion. Knowing that it could have gone another way. To be overcome by sorrow brings me to the situation that I am facing today. People not truly understanding what it is that I was going through.. I caused it myself.. But people have been understanding..
Do we deserve to have God listen to us? Why or why not? What do you think it means that he "turns his ear to us?" (the NLT says "he bends down to listen")
Yes. Everyone deserves to have God listen to them, if they are truly trying to change and if they feel in their heart their hearts that they are trying to change. It takes more than just a simple prayer to really talk to God. He listens..
Read Psalm 116:10-11. How can the lies (or other mistreatment) of others cause us to feel greatly afflicted?
It can cause mistrust. It can make you question your faith. The statement everyone is a liar is like saying everyone is a sinner, and I do believe this.
What is our natural response when people lie about us, or otherwise mistreat us?
I have many responses. I become weak.. I may cry.. Become upset..I take it out on myself.
Read Psalm 116:12-13. On whom is the writer's focus? What do you think it means to focus on God even when people are mistreating you?
TO always have faith in God no matter what your circumstances. Don't ever turn to the flesh for anything you are going through in your life.
THOUGHT: I cannot control what others do or say about me. I can only control whether or not I take it to God in prayer.
Read the rest of Psalm 116. It doesn't appear that the people who are lying and causing trouble are ever dealt with. Why do you think the writer decided it didn't matter whether or not they were brought to justice in his sight?
Because God has freed you from your sins and that's what you should be focused on.
How can focusing on the salvation God has given help you look past the abuse others are giving you? How can you focus on God's salvation?
You can focus in on your own life and what you need to do to become a better person irregardless of what someone has done to you... It's not good to be focused on the bad of others.
As a group, talk about the benefits we have because of God's salvation.
Spend a few minutes praying silently about the troubles in life you are facing. Then spend time praying prayers of thanksgiving aloud as a group.
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