verse of the day.

[verna]

Apr 26, 2023 13:25:14 GMT -5 peggysullivan said:

From Psalm 55:


4 My heart is in anguish within me;

the terrors of death have fallen on me.

5 Fear and trembling have beset me;

horror has overwhelmed me.

6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest.

7 I would flee far away

and stay in the desert;[c]

8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,

far from the tempest and storm.”



9 Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,

for I see violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls;

malice and abuse are within it.

11 Destructive forces are at work in the city;

threats and lies never leave its streets.



12 If an enemy were insulting me,

I could endure it;

if a foe were rising against me,

I could hide.

13 But it is you, a man like myself,

my companion, my close friend,

14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship

at the house of God,

as we walked about

among the worshipers.



15 Let death take my enemies by surprise;

let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,

for evil finds lodging among them.



16 As for me, I call to God,

and the Lord saves me.

17 Evening, morning and noon

I cry out in distress,

and he hears my voice.

18 He rescues me unharmed

from the battle waged against me,

even though many oppose me.

19 God, who is enthroned from of old,

who does not change—

he will hear them and humble them,

because they have no fear of God.



20 My companion attacks his friends;

he violates his covenant.
21 His talk is smooth as butter,

yet war is in his heart;

his words are more soothing than oil,

yet they are drawn swords.



22 Cast your cares on the Lord

and he will sustain you;

he will never let

the righteous be shaken.

23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked

into the pit of decay;

the bloodthirsty and deceitful

will not live out half their days.



But as for me, I trust in you.

Have you ever felt betrayed? Most of us have. What if you have been betrayed by someone close to you whom you have confided in; who you trusted? David knew that well. It was hard for him to reconcile. But he knew the answer was in turning to God in whom he could always trust. It's a lesson for me....be careful who you trust. In turn, work on being a trustworthy person yourself, which for me is practically a full time job!

And what if you have been betrayed by the so-called God? Who do you turn to then?

[peggysullivan]

Apr 26, 2023 13:30:22 GMT -5 verna said:

Apr 26, 2023 13:25:14 GMT -5 peggysullivan said:

And what if you have been betrayed by the so-called God? Who do you turn to then?

That's a tough one, verna! I was processing this with a loved one in my family recently. She was angry with God. She felt He sort of betrayed her. This was mainly because of what she was going through at the time. Indeed. She had prayed about the direction of her life and made decisions based on that. But her life took a difficulty turn and she partially blamed God. But, where she was currently AT at the time was a result of choices and decisions she willfully made; she was not forced into anything. Still, she was ANGRY. She went to a therapist. The therapist told her, "You're not suicidal or bi-polar. Your main problem is you are angry". Wow. She needed to hear that from someone beside me who didn't know her before. It was an objective assessment. 

Anyways. Perhaps, if one feels betrayed by God, they need to figure out or verify if it was God who betrayed them, or someone or something else. I know for myself: There have been times when I have betrayed myself!

[SharonArnold]

Apr 26, 2023 13:30:22 GMT -5 verna said:

And what if you have been betrayed by the so-called God? Who do you turn to then?

There’s not a lot of expertise that I would claim in life, but one small area that I might claim it in, is under the heading of “Being mad at God”.

I've had a few betrayals in life, that were earth-shattering, foundation-shifting to me. And who do you ultimately blame? If you are a believer of a certain type, well, of course, God.

I can attest that there is no safer entity to be mad at than God. No matter how I raged, no matter how I threatened, the response was "No problem. It's okay. It's all okay."

And, before you think I am totally unmoored from the experience we all share called "reality" (if you don't already), I will offer these qualifiers:

I think it is all a matter of terminology. Be brave enough to discard what doesn't work for you anymore; fiercely hold on to what does.

When I was going through a great deal of upheaval in my life, I had a very wise friend who was a yogi. He told me "You know, you are going to have to make peace with that Jesus character some day". A couple of decades later, I think I have. I really have. He also sent me the Francis Thompson "The Hound of Heaven" poem. "As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace." I wasn't terribly open to it at the time, but even then, I could feel the rhythm of the poem, the relentless pursuit.

I personally believe that God speaks to us all, all the time. In many forms, in many languages, He is absolutely relentless in trying to find our native tongue. Sometimes it may be the majesty of the stars in the night sky, the gentle touch of rain on your face, the feeling of grass beneath your bare feet, the mystery of a germinating seed, the beauty of a soaring piece of music, the awe of a cathedral, firmly rooted in the ground, while reaching for the sky.

I started a list of the top 10 important things in life a couple of decades ago (obviously, during the time of David Letterman). Gratitude was unequivocally number one. It still is. Interestingly, I never got beyond numbers 4 or 5.

Now, I would simply say "Tell the Truth; see what happens."

[verna]

Apr 26, 2023 14:19:31 GMT -5 peggysullivan said:

Apr 26, 2023 13:30:22 GMT -5 verna said:

And what if you have been betrayed by the so-called God? Who do you turn to then?

That's a tough one, verna! I was processing this with a loved one in my family recently. She was angry with God. She felt He sort of betrayed her. This was mainly because of what she was going through at the time. Indeed. She had prayed about the direction of her life and made decisions based on that. But her life took a difficulty turn and she partially blamed God. But, where she was currently AT at the time was a result of choices and decisions she willfully made; she was not forced into anything. Still, she was ANGRY. She went to a therapist. The therapist told her, "You're not suicidal or bi-polar. Your main problem is you are angry". Wow. She needed to hear that from someone beside me who didn't know her before. It was an objective assessment. 

Anyways. Perhaps, if one feels betrayed by God, they need to figure out or verify if it was God who betrayed them, or someone or something else. I know for myself: There have been times when I have betrayed myself!

I just realized I responded to a fav verses thread. Apologies. Misplaced. Btw I’m not angry with God anymore as I see no good reason to believe in such an entity. I am grateful for many things in my life despite having a rough start. I am just very challenged to see an entity called god as the answer to my problems and get a little annoyed at times “he” is advocated as the answer. Simply didn’t work for me so yes - I was betrayed. Didn’t live up to the hype.

[peggysullivan]

Apr 26, 2023 17:30:09 GMT -5 verna said:

Apr 26, 2023 14:19:31 GMT -5 peggysullivan said:

That's a tough one, verna! I was processing this with a loved one in my family recently. She was angry with God. She felt He sort of betrayed her. This was mainly because of what she was going through at the time. Indeed. She had prayed about the direction of her life and made decisions based on that. But her life took a difficulty turn and she partially blamed God. But, where she was currently AT at the time was a result of choices and decisions she willfully made; she was not forced into anything. Still, she was ANGRY. She went to a therapist. The therapist told her, "You're not suicidal or bi-polar. Your main problem is you are angry". Wow. She needed to hear that from someone beside me who didn't know her before. It was an objective assessment. 

Anyways. Perhaps, if one feels betrayed by God, they need to figure out or verify if it was God who betrayed them, or someone or something else. I know for myself: There have been times when I have betrayed myself!

I just realized I responded to a fav verses thread. Apologies. Misplaced. Btw I’m not angry with God anymore as I see no good reason to believe in such an entity. I am grateful for many things in my life despite having a rough start. I am just very challenged to see an entity called god as the answer to my problems and get a little annoyed at times “he” is advocated as the answer. Simply didn’t work for me so yes - I was betrayed. Didn’t live up to the hype.

Thanks for your post, verna. 

[verna]

Apr 26, 2023 15:12:15 GMT -5 SharonArnold said:

Apr 26, 2023 13:30:22 GMT -5 verna said:

And what if you have been betrayed by the so-called God? Who do you turn to then?

There’s not a lot of expertise that I would claim in life, but one small area that I might claim it in, is under the heading of “Being mad at God”.

I've had a few betrayals in life, that were earth-shattering, foundation-shifting to me. And who do you ultimately blame? If you are a believer of a certain type, well, of course, God.

I can attest that there is no safer entity to be mad at than God. No matter how I raged, no matter how I threatened, the response was "No problem. It's okay. It's all okay."

And, before you think I am totally unmoored from the experience we all share called "reality" (if you don't already), I will offer these qualifiers:

I think it is all a matter of terminology. Be brave enough to discard what doesn't work for you anymore; fiercely hold on to what does.

When I was going through a great deal of upheaval in my life, I had a very wise friend who was a yogi. He told me "You know, you are going to have to make peace with that Jesus character some day". A couple of decades later, I think I have. I really have. He also sent me the Francis Thompson "The Hound of Heaven" poem. "As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace." I wasn't terribly open to it at the time, but even then, I could feel the rhythm of the poem, the relentless pursuit.

I personally believe that God speaks to us all, all the time. In many forms, in many languages, He is absolutely relentless in trying to find our native tongue. Sometimes it may be the majesty of the stars in the night sky, the gentle touch of rain on your face, the feeling of grass beneath your bare feet, the mystery of a germinating seed, the beauty of a soaring piece of music, the awe of a cathedral, firmly rooted in the ground, while reaching for the sky.

I started a list of the top 10 important things in life a couple of decades ago (obviously, during the time of David Letterman). Gratitude was unequivocally number one. It still is. Interestingly, I never got beyond numbers 4 or 5.

Now, I would simply say "Tell the Truth; see what happens."

I’m picking up what you’re laying down. I feel similarly. Thx. I have felt good with Jesus - well at least with my concept of him as a humble, kind and wise teacher. And the earth is magnificent! Poetry and music speak to my depths. Happy with, and in awe of, the mystery. I just think the way religion (and Christianity in specific) has chosen to package all of this is messed up.

[jonathan]

Psalm 25:14-22

14  The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

15  Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 

16  Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 

17  The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 

18  Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 

19  Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 

20  O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 

21  Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 

22  Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

[Deleted]

Pro 17:17  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

[Deleted]

2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 
2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

[Deleted]

Philippians 4:6-7

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

[curlywurlysammagee]

#1 – Psalm 137:9

“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”

[jonathan]

Ezekiel 34:1-6 The Message Bible

God’s Message came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, ‘God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren’t shepherds supposed to feed sheep? You drink the milk, you make clothes from the wool, you roast the lambs, but you don’t feed the sheep. You don’t build up the weak ones, don’t heal the sick, don’t doctor the injured, don’t go after the strays, don’t look for the lost. You bully and badger them. And now they’re scattered every which way because there was no shepherd—scattered and easy pickings for wolves and coyotes. Scattered—my sheep!—exposed and vulnerable across mountains and hills. My sheep scattered all over the world, and no one out looking for them!

Ezekiel 34:1-6 MSG
bible.com/bible/97/ezk.34.1-6.MSG

[chuck]

May 7, 2023 1:19:54 GMT -5 curlywurlysammagee said:

#1 – Psalm 137:9

“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”

That type of reaction is hardly surprising given it mostly likely happened to the writers children or children they knew.....

[Deleted]

Zep 3:17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

[Deleted]

Joh 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

[peggysullivan]

Psalm 94 vs. 17-19

Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 

When I said, "My foot is slipping", your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

[jonathan]

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One." NLT

[Deleted]

Matthew 13:41 KJV - The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;


This is from the parable of the tares and the wheat. And I just noticed this evening that it says that he shall gather "out of His Kingdom" these bad things. Glad that God is very aware of what needs removed.

[Deleted]

“The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”(Habakkuk 3:19)

[Deleted]

Psa 19:1  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 
Psa 19:2  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 
Psa 19:3  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 

[Deleted]

Psalms 34.

[Deleted]

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 
Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 
Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

[jonathan]

Psalm 82:4 "Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked"

[jonathan]

Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

[Deleted]

Psalm 34:17-19: When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

[Deleted]

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

[Deleted]

Psa 100:5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

[Deleted]

Isa 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: