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Issue #597 ~ February 3, 2020

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your encouragement and support. We pray you will be blessed daily through the Word. Please freely share this email with others.

Christ is All and in All,

Bible Teaching Resources

Enjoy the following 50% discount on products from BTR:

The Study of 1 John (exp. 02/29/20) coupon code 1John2020

Visit the BTR website and select CD's or Mp3 CD

Prayer for Protection

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."

Psalm 20:1

"May he send you help form the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion."

Psalm 20:2

Psalm 20 is a Psalm of preparation to go to war. In our personal lives and our relationship to the Lord, when you carry your kingdom and an unbroken will into this time of going to war, watch out. Things are going to get hot and there's going to be some sweating going on.

Victory, however, can be ours in the conflict, no matter what it is, if we are vulnerable, transparent, broken, and teachable.

Psalm 20 is a beautiful prayer on the part of the people as their king prepares to go forth to war.

C. H. Spurgeon said: "We have before us a National Anthem, fitted to be sung at the outbreak of war, when the monarch was girding on his sword for the fight."

Verse 1: "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."

You will notice right away that the word "May" occurs 6 times in the first 5 verses. This word is the key to the 6 requests being made by the people on behalf of their king.

The first 2 requests are here in verse 1: (1)"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress" and (2) "may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."

Don Wyrtzen said: "The most formidable weapons of the ancient world were impotent against the Name of the Lord...I too face confrontation - in the big hassles of life and the small hassles of daily living. I don't want to rely on modern insights or popular solutions....I'm a dependent person. When I am weak, then I am strong. As Sandi Patti sings so gloriously, 'There is power in the name of the Lord.'"

Verse 2: "May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion."

We now have our next request: (3) "May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion."

The key issues in this request are for "help" and "support" from the Lord. These are things you don't ask for if you are still in control.

Psalm 33:20: "We wait in hope for the Lord' he is our help and our shield" (NIV).

Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble" (NIV).

(3) "May he send you help...and grant you support from Zion."

Before you can pray like this, you've got to want it.

Supporting Bible Teaching Resources

We are grateful beyond words to everyone who lovingly supports this ministry. If you are considering supporting our ministry, please go to https://bibleteachingresources.org/support/ to find out how!

Praises & Prayer Requests

1. Pray: But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11 (NIV)

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2. Praise: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NIV)

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3. Praise: ...who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5 (NASB)

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4. Pray: May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. Psalm 20:1 (NIV)

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5. Pray: Pray for God's direction for the BTR Board of Directors at the next Board Meeting. Next meeting: February 23rd.

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6. Pray: For God to continue to supply the funds necessary to respond to the requests for Bibles from prison inmates. The need is great.

It seems most appropriate this morning for us to conclude our time of worship and study by singing Frances R. Havergal's great hymn "Like a River Glorious." Join me singing verses 2 and 3:

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow Never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry Not a shade of care;

Not a blast of hurry Touch the Spirit there.

Ev'ry joy or trial Falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial By the Sun of Love.

We may trust Him fully All for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.

Refrain

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.