If you're reading this, please pray for me.
I'm falling into that old trap. I know what committments are important. But, I'm over accepting and getting distracted by "bright shiny objects." By bright shiny objects (here on out= bso), I mean things like the computer, the phone, putting off errands (things that really need to be done) to play or even just plain day dreaming. I get so caught up in reading my books, that I'm not digging into the Word as I NEED to be.
I'm sitting here tonight, dizzy. My brain is racing in all different directions. I know it's an attack from the enemy. However, I needed to confess my part. I've allowed the distractions in.
I want clarity, disernment and calm.
Earlier today, I had to make a visit to my former place of employment. Would you believe I hadn't set foot in there since I dropped off my last time sheets? Seriously. Gripped by unnecessary anxiety. Irrational anxiety has kept me from exercising, which has further clouded my thinking.
So. That's it. It's out. Time for me to read...the Bible. I think tonight I will head into Proverbs as I have been doing lately (yeah, I've been reading daily, just not digging and giving God the time he so deserves and wants to work on me). Tomorrow, I'll dig out my old notebooks/journals and see if anything sticks out for a study. That, and I'll pray. I know He has a plan and a path....
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
It's 2:00 AM
Yep, it really is. I'm up. I hadn't done my reading yet & knew I needed to. I missed my appointment with Him. So here I am. Being met.
I made a goal to complete an STS this week- very purposeful study. Sure enough, the word is coming alive. So, I had to share a brief snippet...Psalm 103:5 was the target. I'm crossing the word "good."
NIV:
Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Normally, we know I'd quote The Message next. Rather, Amplified!
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
I'm not going to bother reformatting. Don't need to distract. Just wanted to share.
I made a goal to complete an STS this week- very purposeful study. Sure enough, the word is coming alive. So, I had to share a brief snippet...Psalm 103:5 was the target. I'm crossing the word "good."
NIV:
Psalm 103
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Normally, we know I'd quote The Message next. Rather, Amplified!
5Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
I'm not going to bother reformatting. Don't need to distract. Just wanted to share.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Back to STS format
I'm pleased to share that I have found a small group Bible study. God had a good plan.
I'm back to the STS format for analysis. I grabbed a passage from Bible study. It was one of those that just kind of jumped off the page and said read me! It's perfect for getting back into the passenger seat and being along for the ride...
Acts 8:26-40
Philip and the Ethiopian
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."[b]
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
I've gotten started and will share more as I progress.
I'm back to the STS format for analysis. I grabbed a passage from Bible study. It was one of those that just kind of jumped off the page and said read me! It's perfect for getting back into the passenger seat and being along for the ride...
Acts 8:26-40
Philip and the Ethiopian
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a]eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth."[b]
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
I've gotten started and will share more as I progress.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Focus
I haven't been along for the ride. I took the driver seat. It all became painfully aware today.
I'm having some life changes. Opportunity for growth and character development.
I'm having some life changes. Opportunity for growth and character development.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
woah
I came home from AWANA tonight to a message on my machine from the gal I'd written about before. I admit, I was more than surprised.
I was re-reading 2 Peter again tonight. It was what we were discussing in small group the other day....I felt God speak in new ways. I was really drawn to the first chapter...
I Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Message:
3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I feel very met.
I went into prayer. I prayed about the situation again, asking the Lord to prepare my heart, etc. I got to thinking how alike she and I are (perhaps her personality is a tad stronger than mine). I started thinking more about the scenerio. Then, He smacked me, right between the eyes. I was reminded (thank you Lord) of the time not all that long ago when I had a run in with a CSR at Target. I let her have it. Then, I gave her a dirty look following that "event." Oh, my goodness. I would be so embarassed to run into her at church/Bible study/etc. My actions were so not Christ-like. So, I get it, even more than I got it before.
This is what happens when you ask God to mold your character. :)
I was re-reading 2 Peter again tonight. It was what we were discussing in small group the other day....I felt God speak in new ways. I was really drawn to the first chapter...
I Peter 1:3-11
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Message:
3-4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
5-9So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.
10-11So, friends, confirm God's invitation to you, his choice of you. Don't put it off; do it now. Do this, and you'll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I feel very met.
I went into prayer. I prayed about the situation again, asking the Lord to prepare my heart, etc. I got to thinking how alike she and I are (perhaps her personality is a tad stronger than mine). I started thinking more about the scenerio. Then, He smacked me, right between the eyes. I was reminded (thank you Lord) of the time not all that long ago when I had a run in with a CSR at Target. I let her have it. Then, I gave her a dirty look following that "event." Oh, my goodness. I would be so embarassed to run into her at church/Bible study/etc. My actions were so not Christ-like. So, I get it, even more than I got it before.
This is what happens when you ask God to mold your character. :)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
It's a small world after all...
Ok, here's one of those times that my flesh doesn't want to learn something new.
During spring break, there was a group of moms that came into work a couple times. I had to deal with them in regards to supervision of their children/safety. They were extrememly snotty, rude- glares and eye rolls. Which of course led their children to eye rolls and glares. I didn't go off on them. In the back of my head, I kept thinking- what if I were to see them in church? What if they were new and saw me? Would they want to stay?
I let it go- for the most part. Unfortunately, the one negative memory from spring break did stay.
Then, this morning, I went to try out a small group. Guess who was sitting there? Yep, the one I saw as the ringleader of nastiness. Part of me really wanted to say something- but it wouldn't have been out of love and it wouldn't have been appropriate. Another part of me was really uncomfortable and wanted to leave.
As I drove away (after it was all over), I got kind of irritated. Wrongfully so, irritated with God. I didn't want to see her again. But now, not only do I see her, I find out we go to the same church. I, in fact, hadn't forgiven her and the other ladies for the way I was treated. And now, God's going to work on my heart- if I submit. So really, there's no if. It's a no brainer. I want to grow closer to God and will not allow such a petty thing to keep me from Him. I suspect though, I'll be praying a lot on this one.
During spring break, there was a group of moms that came into work a couple times. I had to deal with them in regards to supervision of their children/safety. They were extrememly snotty, rude- glares and eye rolls. Which of course led their children to eye rolls and glares. I didn't go off on them. In the back of my head, I kept thinking- what if I were to see them in church? What if they were new and saw me? Would they want to stay?
I let it go- for the most part. Unfortunately, the one negative memory from spring break did stay.
Then, this morning, I went to try out a small group. Guess who was sitting there? Yep, the one I saw as the ringleader of nastiness. Part of me really wanted to say something- but it wouldn't have been out of love and it wouldn't have been appropriate. Another part of me was really uncomfortable and wanted to leave.
As I drove away (after it was all over), I got kind of irritated. Wrongfully so, irritated with God. I didn't want to see her again. But now, not only do I see her, I find out we go to the same church. I, in fact, hadn't forgiven her and the other ladies for the way I was treated. And now, God's going to work on my heart- if I submit. So really, there's no if. It's a no brainer. I want to grow closer to God and will not allow such a petty thing to keep me from Him. I suspect though, I'll be praying a lot on this one.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
There is hope...
Well, following redemption was the word hope. I strongly feel this is from God. I think I even know what situation He's referring to. The more I pray, the more He speaks. This is just the tip of the iceberg...
Tonight, we had our home group. Parts of me were really tired and not so sure I wanted to venture out. But we did. Our study tonight just happened to hit the leaders today- Faithfulness. It came from a book about the attributes of God. Timely to say the least.
Back to hope. I topic searched it, just like before.
I had no idea the word could be used so many ways:
v. intr.
To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
Archaic To have confidence; trust.
v. tr.
To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.
To expect and desire.
n.
A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.
Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.
One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.
often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
Archaic Trust; confidence.
Alright, the definition doesn't do a whole lot for me, but it's part of the model I was using for studying.
I found Romans has quite a bit to say about hope.
Romans 4:20-21
20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
The Message:
19-25Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
I was so encouraged as I read that the first time. Even more so now. Knowing that God has the power to do what he promises. Well duh! Why do I sell it short by worrying? Like Abraham, I should have it strengthen my faith. Reading what the message had to say just about blew me away (I italics the parts again). I love the point "He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions." He was ready for God.
Romans 5:5
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hope does not disappoint us. Amen. God enabled.
The Message:
3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Ok, again, WOW! Passionate patience, steel of virtue. And again, that reminder to be ready for God to work. The trust to know he doesn't shortchange.
Romans 12:12
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
The Message:
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
It's so easy sometimes to get so distracted. The comes discouragement. I've made a conscious choice this last week that when worry/sadness/concern or anything else creeps in, to take it to the Lord in prayer. I have a feeling someone reading this has been prayed for a couple times this week as well. ;)
I haven't mentioned my job on here...I don't think anyway. I saw the obvioius provisions- break for me, fun for the kids (they get to play in another area), a little extra money. Well, the best provision is time to pray. There aren't a lot of demands on me and it's fairly quiet (with lots of white noise). What a perfect time to walk and talk with God.
Tonight I'll end with:
I Thessalonians 1:3
3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Message:
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.
Tonight, we had our home group. Parts of me were really tired and not so sure I wanted to venture out. But we did. Our study tonight just happened to hit the leaders today- Faithfulness. It came from a book about the attributes of God. Timely to say the least.
Back to hope. I topic searched it, just like before.
I had no idea the word could be used so many ways:
v. intr.
To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
Archaic To have confidence; trust.
v. tr.
To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.
To expect and desire.
n.
A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.
Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.
One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.
often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
Archaic Trust; confidence.
Alright, the definition doesn't do a whole lot for me, but it's part of the model I was using for studying.
I found Romans has quite a bit to say about hope.
Romans 4:20-21
20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
The Message:
19-25Abraham didn't focus on his own impotence and say, "It's hopeless. This hundred-year-old body could never father a child." Nor did he survey Sarah's decades of infertility and give up. He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions. He plunged into the promise and came up strong, ready for God, sure that God would make good on what he had said. That's why it is said, "Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right." But it's not just Abraham; it's also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe the One who brought Jesus to life when the conditions were equally hopeless. The sacrificed Jesus made us fit for God, set us right with God.
I was so encouraged as I read that the first time. Even more so now. Knowing that God has the power to do what he promises. Well duh! Why do I sell it short by worrying? Like Abraham, I should have it strengthen my faith. Reading what the message had to say just about blew me away (I italics the parts again). I love the point "He didn't tiptoe around God's promise asking cautiously skeptical questions." He was ready for God.
Romans 5:5
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Hope does not disappoint us. Amen. God enabled.
The Message:
3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Ok, again, WOW! Passionate patience, steel of virtue. And again, that reminder to be ready for God to work. The trust to know he doesn't shortchange.
Romans 12:12
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
The Message:
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
It's so easy sometimes to get so distracted. The comes discouragement. I've made a conscious choice this last week that when worry/sadness/concern or anything else creeps in, to take it to the Lord in prayer. I have a feeling someone reading this has been prayed for a couple times this week as well. ;)
I haven't mentioned my job on here...I don't think anyway. I saw the obvioius provisions- break for me, fun for the kids (they get to play in another area), a little extra money. Well, the best provision is time to pray. There aren't a lot of demands on me and it's fairly quiet (with lots of white noise). What a perfect time to walk and talk with God.
Tonight I'll end with:
I Thessalonians 1:3
3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Message:
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Redemption
Since I'm on an updating streak today, it's only natural to update here as well...
As I went to have my quiet time tonight, the word redemption kept going through my mind. I've watched some issues and ugliness come up recently, to which, there is no worldly hope. Thankfully, I have a God who is stronger than a hopeless situation.
Redemption brings hope. We have hope because of redemption. I decided to do a quick topic study on remdemption, it took me all over and ofcourse gave me periphreals (I know I spelled this wrong, but I don't feel like spell checking) all over.
dictionary.com defines is as (bolding is mine):
1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.
2. deliverance; rescue.
3. Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.
4. atonement for guilt.
5. repurchase, as of something sold.
6. paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.
7. recovery by payment, as of something pledged.
8. conversion of paper money into specie.
One of the synonyms listed for it is freedom. I like that. Or, justification and purification. I honestly hadn't put that into context until just now.
The first passage I went to was Psalm 65:6-7
6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
At first, I wasn't sure why it came up for redemption. So, I glanced down at the study notes (which I've stopped doing most of the time). The commentary referenced God restoring peace from turmoil. Uhm, yeah. I get that. We have a God of order. Chaos and turmoil aren't his. Check out the passage in The Message:
2-8 We all arrive at your doorstep sooner or later, loaded with guilt, Our sins too much for us— but you get rid of them once and for all. Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your place! We expect our fill of good things in your house, your heavenly manse. All your salvation wonders are on display in your trophy room. Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser, Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot— Far and wide they'll come to a stop, they'll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, "Come and worship."
Next reference was Romans 3:24. I'll paste in 3:23 as well...
Romans 3:23-24
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
or, Message:
21-24But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
I really like how The Message expanded it. I have such a long and sorry record. Restoration.
Next,
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
I added 16 in. It hit me, right, smack in the forehead. It was the term "worldly point of view." IMO, the worldly view cares not about their eternity and often times lacks grace- something I've been freely given.
Message:
16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
Ofcourse, more meaning comes...I feel like the study tonight was personalized by God for me. I'm blessed to be met this way. Anyway...I italics the part that stood out so very much. I honestly don't know off the top of my head of any relationships I need to settle. But I do know I was given this passage for a reason.
I went on to Philippians. The verse I was sent for wasn't what popped out. What popped off the page was Philippians 1:9:
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
I had earlier highlighted the summary note- "Real love requires growth and maturation." I'm pretty sure I overuse the word love.
Message:
9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Again, WOW!
Oddly, tonight, I used the last page in my notebook. I have more I could write, but, this is probably enough of an entry for now. We'll see what other thoughts God brings to me.
As I went to have my quiet time tonight, the word redemption kept going through my mind. I've watched some issues and ugliness come up recently, to which, there is no worldly hope. Thankfully, I have a God who is stronger than a hopeless situation.
Redemption brings hope. We have hope because of redemption. I decided to do a quick topic study on remdemption, it took me all over and ofcourse gave me periphreals (I know I spelled this wrong, but I don't feel like spell checking) all over.
dictionary.com defines is as (bolding is mine):
1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.
2. deliverance; rescue.
3. Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.
4. atonement for guilt.
5. repurchase, as of something sold.
6. paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.
7. recovery by payment, as of something pledged.
8. conversion of paper money into specie.
One of the synonyms listed for it is freedom. I like that. Or, justification and purification. I honestly hadn't put that into context until just now.
The first passage I went to was Psalm 65:6-7
6 who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
At first, I wasn't sure why it came up for redemption. So, I glanced down at the study notes (which I've stopped doing most of the time). The commentary referenced God restoring peace from turmoil. Uhm, yeah. I get that. We have a God of order. Chaos and turmoil aren't his. Check out the passage in The Message:
2-8 We all arrive at your doorstep sooner or later, loaded with guilt, Our sins too much for us— but you get rid of them once and for all. Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your place! We expect our fill of good things in your house, your heavenly manse. All your salvation wonders are on display in your trophy room. Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer, Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser, Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot— Far and wide they'll come to a stop, they'll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, "Come and worship."
Next reference was Romans 3:24. I'll paste in 3:23 as well...
Romans 3:23-24
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
or, Message:
21-24But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.
I really like how The Message expanded it. I have such a long and sorry record. Restoration.
Next,
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
I added 16 in. It hit me, right, smack in the forehead. It was the term "worldly point of view." IMO, the worldly view cares not about their eternity and often times lacks grace- something I've been freely given.
Message:
16-20Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
Ofcourse, more meaning comes...I feel like the study tonight was personalized by God for me. I'm blessed to be met this way. Anyway...I italics the part that stood out so very much. I honestly don't know off the top of my head of any relationships I need to settle. But I do know I was given this passage for a reason.
I went on to Philippians. The verse I was sent for wasn't what popped out. What popped off the page was Philippians 1:9:
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
I had earlier highlighted the summary note- "Real love requires growth and maturation." I'm pretty sure I overuse the word love.
Message:
9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Again, WOW!
Oddly, tonight, I used the last page in my notebook. I have more I could write, but, this is probably enough of an entry for now. We'll see what other thoughts God brings to me.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A little bit of this and that...
This is kind of a catch up post, but just mainly highlights from recently.
I was drawn to Hebrews the other night...
Hebrews 2:1
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
It was interesting to me because I've been reading a lot of Proverbs lately.
Hebrews 2:8
and put everything under his feet."
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.
This was a perspective thing for me. Big picture...trust.
2 Timothy 2:4
4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
and in The Message:
1-7So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
I sometimes get so caught up. Busyness. Things that don't matter distract me from where God wants me.
I just got done reading Gracia Burnham's book, In the Presence of My Enemies. Many, many things stood out to me. The most immediate though was spending time in God's word and continuing memory work. Gracia and Martin were in the jungle for 15 months, without a Bible. I kept thinking, what would I do? Would I be able to remember passages? Would I hold true to God's truths? Seeing God's faithfulness throughout their time is trully amazing. At one point, she talked about how she'd prayed so long that they would be released that she decided to change her prayer. She'd pray for a hamburger- because after all, to have one, she was pretty sure they'd have to be released first. Uhm, no, God is pretty funny and pretty clear. It was about the time their ransom money came through. The terrorists asked them if there was anything they wanted (as they were all celebrating the money) and Martin says "well, Gracia's been praying for a hamburger." Sure enough, someone went across the water and brought them back burgers, fries (I think) and cokes. Gracia is an amazing woman. I got to hear her speak recently and was extremely moved.
I'm off to read for now.
I was drawn to Hebrews the other night...
Hebrews 2:1
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
It was interesting to me because I've been reading a lot of Proverbs lately.
Hebrews 2:8
and put everything under his feet."
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.
This was a perspective thing for me. Big picture...trust.
2 Timothy 2:4
4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.
and in The Message:
1-7So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
I sometimes get so caught up. Busyness. Things that don't matter distract me from where God wants me.
I just got done reading Gracia Burnham's book, In the Presence of My Enemies. Many, many things stood out to me. The most immediate though was spending time in God's word and continuing memory work. Gracia and Martin were in the jungle for 15 months, without a Bible. I kept thinking, what would I do? Would I be able to remember passages? Would I hold true to God's truths? Seeing God's faithfulness throughout their time is trully amazing. At one point, she talked about how she'd prayed so long that they would be released that she decided to change her prayer. She'd pray for a hamburger- because after all, to have one, she was pretty sure they'd have to be released first. Uhm, no, God is pretty funny and pretty clear. It was about the time their ransom money came through. The terrorists asked them if there was anything they wanted (as they were all celebrating the money) and Martin says "well, Gracia's been praying for a hamburger." Sure enough, someone went across the water and brought them back burgers, fries (I think) and cokes. Gracia is an amazing woman. I got to hear her speak recently and was extremely moved.
I'm off to read for now.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Due...
I'm due for a long, lenthy post. I honestly don't have that in me tonight. I can tell you that God has met me in so many different ways recently. One of them, I'll share. I was having an "issue" of epic proportions. I had finally chosen to escalate it as I knew there was no truth to what was being said. I was talking to my dear, wonderful, godly friend and she says "so, have you spent 5 minutes with Jesus?" Uhm, well, no, I hadn't...I...uh...usually do my reading at night. ;) Good call, friend (and that's of course one of the many reasons I love her). So, I spent that 5 minutes with Jesus. Opened my Bible and for lack of knowing where to go, I went to the Proverbs chapter cooresponding to the day. I'll be darned, found 2 verses that totally fit the situation. I finished reading and prayed. No surprise, the phone rang within a few minutes. It was the escalation. I calmly walked into the other room, without my list of wrongs and explained the situation. Didn't have to spill it all either. It's now handled and handled well.
I got to go hear Gracia Burnham speak this last weekend. Wow, amazing woman. I remember vividly when she and her husband were kidnapped and remember praying for them. She made an interesting point at the very end. I'm going to paraphrase here as I don't remember her exact words...but she was talking about the best things having already happened and just keeping on. God showed her how there was so much more to come. I think there are times I've thought that perhaps I just missed out...that instead of becoming a midwife and delivering bbies in 3 world countries (like some of the wonderful women I met at VCF), I was wasting my time. I don't think God thinks like that. I think that He knows the potential he's put in me and He's willing to mold me and make me. I think I like that. I'll go along for that ride and let Him just do...
I got to go hear Gracia Burnham speak this last weekend. Wow, amazing woman. I remember vividly when she and her husband were kidnapped and remember praying for them. She made an interesting point at the very end. I'm going to paraphrase here as I don't remember her exact words...but she was talking about the best things having already happened and just keeping on. God showed her how there was so much more to come. I think there are times I've thought that perhaps I just missed out...that instead of becoming a midwife and delivering bbies in 3 world countries (like some of the wonderful women I met at VCF), I was wasting my time. I don't think God thinks like that. I think that He knows the potential he's put in me and He's willing to mold me and make me. I think I like that. I'll go along for that ride and let Him just do...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Goodness...
God is so good and provides in so many cool ways.
I've been deliquent in posting. Thankfully, I've been reading and shown some great things. I just haven't been making it here to post them.
So, the day after I posted my last note, I went to the final session of a women's Bible study. It was just a short one while the other was on winter hiatus. It was on worship. She did an excellent job. She went through discussion of the tabernacle and it's parts and their symbolism. For example, the bronze basin the priests used to wash was a mirror so they could see themselves- we need to come face to face with ourselves. The lampstand that was to be kept burning at all times- Jesus is the light of the world. Another cool point she brought out was how God had prepared for it. The skillful craftmanship required- there were Israelites with those skills. God knew before he put them in the desert. There was much much more. One of the greatest parts was it gave me passages that I wanted to know more about.
I've been drawn to James. So, that's the next book I'll study. I was crossing James 4:8 and came across a few Psalms. The recurring theme was "return to me and I'll return to you."
I also crossed Hebrews 10:26-27:
26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
I followed the cross reference all the way through and appreciated 1 Timothy 2:14 where it basically says that God's desire for everyone is to be saved and know truth.
Ok, last little bit here...On days I didn't know what to read, I would read Proverbs. Somehow, on the 9th, I was looking for something else and Romans 16:17-18 about jumped off the page at me:
17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
I've been deliquent in posting. Thankfully, I've been reading and shown some great things. I just haven't been making it here to post them.
So, the day after I posted my last note, I went to the final session of a women's Bible study. It was just a short one while the other was on winter hiatus. It was on worship. She did an excellent job. She went through discussion of the tabernacle and it's parts and their symbolism. For example, the bronze basin the priests used to wash was a mirror so they could see themselves- we need to come face to face with ourselves. The lampstand that was to be kept burning at all times- Jesus is the light of the world. Another cool point she brought out was how God had prepared for it. The skillful craftmanship required- there were Israelites with those skills. God knew before he put them in the desert. There was much much more. One of the greatest parts was it gave me passages that I wanted to know more about.
I've been drawn to James. So, that's the next book I'll study. I was crossing James 4:8 and came across a few Psalms. The recurring theme was "return to me and I'll return to you."
I also crossed Hebrews 10:26-27:
26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
I followed the cross reference all the way through and appreciated 1 Timothy 2:14 where it basically says that God's desire for everyone is to be saved and know truth.
Ok, last little bit here...On days I didn't know what to read, I would read Proverbs. Somehow, on the 9th, I was looking for something else and Romans 16:17-18 about jumped off the page at me:
17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Feeling encouraged
I'm finally feeling pretty good health wise- aside from a little fatigue. Children sleeping would really solve that though.
I've been reviewing and doing a lot of cross referencing. Building off my last post/subject, I decided to go all the way through Colossians.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The Message:
2-4Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
The verse pretty much jumped off the page at me. I smiled to myself as I looked at the cross ref's. Went to Luke 18:1, which was a memory verse for the class I took.
Colossians 4:5-6
5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Message:
5-6Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
This was a good reminder. Clearly, one to memorize. It crossed to:
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The Message:
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
What amazing timing. The way things flow...
I've been reviewing and doing a lot of cross referencing. Building off my last post/subject, I decided to go all the way through Colossians.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
The Message:
2-4Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don't forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I'm locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I'll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.
The verse pretty much jumped off the page at me. I smiled to myself as I looked at the cross ref's. Went to Luke 18:1, which was a memory verse for the class I took.
Colossians 4:5-6
5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
The Message:
5-6Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.
This was a good reminder. Clearly, one to memorize. It crossed to:
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The Message:
1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
What amazing timing. The way things flow...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Laodicea
As I mentioned before, I felt compelled to research this a bit. Last night, I started in Revelation.
Revelation 3:19-20
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
The Message:
19"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
Then, I moved back into Colossians. I was impressed by 2:20-23
20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
The Message:
20-23So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.
I put the phrase that just hit me in italics. Hmmm...God trying to work on me and focus? Well then.
I admit, I'm a little distracted tonight. My son is out here, sleeping in my chair (LazyBoy) because he doesn't feel good. He has a nasty cough that was swabbed today to see if it's whooping cough. He's on antibiotics, now. Poor little guy, I gave him Delsym, which I think it an awesome med and he's still coughing. So, yeah, pulling it back in....I'm going back to Colossians to see what God has for me tonight.
Revelation 3:19-20
19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
The Message:
19"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
Then, I moved back into Colossians. I was impressed by 2:20-23
20Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
The Message:
20-23So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice. They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But they're just another way of showing off, making yourselves look important.
I put the phrase that just hit me in italics. Hmmm...God trying to work on me and focus? Well then.
I admit, I'm a little distracted tonight. My son is out here, sleeping in my chair (LazyBoy) because he doesn't feel good. He has a nasty cough that was swabbed today to see if it's whooping cough. He's on antibiotics, now. Poor little guy, I gave him Delsym, which I think it an awesome med and he's still coughing. So, yeah, pulling it back in....I'm going back to Colossians to see what God has for me tonight.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
When a little makes a lot
No, I'm not talking about Jesus feeding the multitudes. I was just thinking about quiet times. The more I choose to take a few minutes, the more time I seem to have to do them. I truly see that as a blessing from God. I try not to be a clock watcher. I'm not a "have to get 30 minutes in" type person....that just screams legalism to me. Personal view, other's might consider it "structure." But, I find that the more I choose to be in the word, the more time is provided to me. Just a thought.
On 1/24, I started re-studing Colossians 3. I was picking it apart, verse by verse. It led me all over the place. I'll highlite a few. My thoughts follow the bolded passage.
Philippians 3:13-14
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Loving it in "The Message" translation:
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
I tend to lose focus...I know, shocker. Anyway, I got the message to move on and remember what the real prize is.
1 Peter 1:13
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Ok, and again, "The Message:"
13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
Here's that focus thing again. ;)
Then, I got into 1 John. WOW! My memorize, need to memorize list is getting long. I'd better get a crackin'.
Here's the key from there:
1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Message:
9-10People conceived and brought into life by God don't make a practice of sin. How could they? God's seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It's not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.
This hit me, deep. It goes back a couple weeks. Our home group is watching a series of videos on world vision. Specifically, a couple weeks ago was Dr. David Jeremiah. He was speaking on the parable of the sower. He talked about bearing fruit and how important it is to examine our lives- are we bearing fruit. It's stayed on my mind/heart.
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Message:
12-13We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don't be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.
Kind of a "well duh" moment...but applied to me toward being set apart.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Message:
18-20My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
This was a direct answer to a question I posed to the Lord. I'm still seeking specifics. One of the things though that really sticks out is the "in truth." I will not enable. Still thinking....
The above crossed over to Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Message:
9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
So, I kept reading and got to Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
This is where I'm planted right now. I'm crossing words, etc. God had a lot to tell me on this one. I've done the word cross on affliction and need so far and just don't feel done. I'll perhaps post more on that later this week, but thought I'd catch up for lack of posting.
Ok, and if you're reading going "why on earth does she use The Message so much?" Well, my main study doesn't. I typically pull it up either when I pull up the verse in Biblegateway.org or if I don't understand a passage/verse, I'll look at it in a few translations.
As I typed and looked at my notes, I think something I'm going to look more into is Laodicea. It's come to mind several times. I don't want to be a luke warm Christian and I don't want others to see me as such. Goes back to that fruit thing.
I need to read, and pray and probably read some more. We'll see where He takes me.
On 1/24, I started re-studing Colossians 3. I was picking it apart, verse by verse. It led me all over the place. I'll highlite a few. My thoughts follow the bolded passage.
Philippians 3:13-14
13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Loving it in "The Message" translation:
12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
I tend to lose focus...I know, shocker. Anyway, I got the message to move on and remember what the real prize is.
1 Peter 1:13
13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Ok, and again, "The Message:"
13-16So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
Here's that focus thing again. ;)
Then, I got into 1 John. WOW! My memorize, need to memorize list is getting long. I'd better get a crackin'.
Here's the key from there:
1 John 3:9
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Message:
9-10People conceived and brought into life by God don't make a practice of sin. How could they? God's seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It's not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.
This hit me, deep. It goes back a couple weeks. Our home group is watching a series of videos on world vision. Specifically, a couple weeks ago was Dr. David Jeremiah. He was speaking on the parable of the sower. He talked about bearing fruit and how important it is to examine our lives- are we bearing fruit. It's stayed on my mind/heart.
1 John 3:13
Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.
Message:
12-13We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don't be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time.
Kind of a "well duh" moment...but applied to me toward being set apart.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Message:
18-20My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
This was a direct answer to a question I posed to the Lord. I'm still seeking specifics. One of the things though that really sticks out is the "in truth." I will not enable. Still thinking....
The above crossed over to Romans 12:9
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Message:
9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
So, I kept reading and got to Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
This is where I'm planted right now. I'm crossing words, etc. God had a lot to tell me on this one. I've done the word cross on affliction and need so far and just don't feel done. I'll perhaps post more on that later this week, but thought I'd catch up for lack of posting.
Ok, and if you're reading going "why on earth does she use The Message so much?" Well, my main study doesn't. I typically pull it up either when I pull up the verse in Biblegateway.org or if I don't understand a passage/verse, I'll look at it in a few translations.
As I typed and looked at my notes, I think something I'm going to look more into is Laodicea. It's come to mind several times. I don't want to be a luke warm Christian and I don't want others to see me as such. Goes back to that fruit thing.
I need to read, and pray and probably read some more. We'll see where He takes me.
Haven't posted much lately...
but, I have a notebook full of good stuff. I've spent time in the word daily- even through the flu. God is so good. I asked Him to lead me where I should go. I've been working passages deeper than I did before. Cross referencing is awesome! I'll try and come back with some of the findings later today. :)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Blockage....
I'm having a serious stumbling block. I have some things I need to finish and I just can't git-r-done. So, I'm off to read my Bible and spend some time with the Lord.
Edited to add: He totally came through on this one. Down to, I asked Him to please wake me up in the morning with enough time to complete it- yes, that would be BEFORE the kids got me up.
Edited to add: He totally came through on this one. Down to, I asked Him to please wake me up in the morning with enough time to complete it- yes, that would be BEFORE the kids got me up.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Crossing again...
Wow. Cross referencing brings whole new light. Over the weekend, I was crossing Isaiah 55:8 and last night, did 9. Reading the specific crosses and text around it brought me the following:
From 8:
Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It's funny, as I was pulling this next one up, I felt compelled to look at it in the Message translation....wow.
Isaiah 53:6 (The Message)
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
From 9:
Job 11:13-15 (The Message)
Reach Out to God 13-20 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him,If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home,You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless.You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs.Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy.Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing.But the wicked will see none of this. They're headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to—nothing."
From 8:
Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It's funny, as I was pulling this next one up, I felt compelled to look at it in the Message translation....wow.
Isaiah 53:6 (The Message)
2-6The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field.There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look.He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum.But the fact is, it was our pains he carried— our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures.But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed.We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him.
From 9:
Job 11:13-15 (The Message)
Reach Out to God 13-20 "Still, if you set your heart on God and reach out to him,If you scrub your hands of sin and refuse to entertain evil in your home,You'll be able to face the world unashamed and keep a firm grip on life, guiltless and fearless.You'll forget your troubles; they'll be like old, faded photographs.Your world will be washed in sunshine, every shadow dispersed by dayspring.Full of hope, you'll relax, confident again; you'll look around, sit back, and take it easy.Expansive, without a care in the world, you'll be hunted out by many for your blessing.But the wicked will see none of this. They're headed down a dead-end road with nothing to look forward to—nothing."
Friday, January 18, 2008
In the quiet...
It's funny. I've had all evening that I wanted to do my reading/quiet time. I just wasn't settled. Then, everyone went to bed. The time was suddenly right. So, I'll share now, where the Lord took me last night...
Part of my problem lately has been lack of direction. Probably more that I haven't sought it and let myself get distracted. So, I decided that I would just start back over the things I learned in the class I was taking. Isaiah 55 stood out. So, I started the passage and was immediately hit by verse 2. Why waste time, money, emotions trying to fill a God shaped hole? It reminded me of the concept in The Gospel of Wholeness about digging dry wells in an attempt to fill the void only God can fill. I think, my next series of study will revolve around the GoW verses. I just don't have them ready for tonight's reading- which is going to build from the key verses from last night.
I started crossing the verses that stuck out at me last night. Verse 6 took me a few places. Things that stood out to me weren't necessarily the specific cross reference, but in the surrounding verses...
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 33:10
Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Acts 17:27
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
The last one hit me, deep. So, tonight, I'm going to build off those verses and see where He takes me. Funny, when I started, I had no clue where to go. I asked, I was drawn. Amazing love.
Part of my problem lately has been lack of direction. Probably more that I haven't sought it and let myself get distracted. So, I decided that I would just start back over the things I learned in the class I was taking. Isaiah 55 stood out. So, I started the passage and was immediately hit by verse 2. Why waste time, money, emotions trying to fill a God shaped hole? It reminded me of the concept in The Gospel of Wholeness about digging dry wells in an attempt to fill the void only God can fill. I think, my next series of study will revolve around the GoW verses. I just don't have them ready for tonight's reading- which is going to build from the key verses from last night.
I started crossing the verses that stuck out at me last night. Verse 6 took me a few places. Things that stood out to me weren't necessarily the specific cross reference, but in the surrounding verses...
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 33:10
Many are the woes of the wicked but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Acts 17:27
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
The last one hit me, deep. So, tonight, I'm going to build off those verses and see where He takes me. Funny, when I started, I had no clue where to go. I asked, I was drawn. Amazing love.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Come Home Running....
I was listening to Chris Tomlin, (not to us) today. I was almost overwhelmed when I listened to the words of Come Home Running. I know a lot of people hurting or with drama in their lives right now...Jesus is the only answer. Here's a little bit of it, it inspired me:
"Oh heart of mine,
why must you stray
From one so fair
You run away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shame
Oh, heart of mine
Come back home
You've been too long
Out on your own
And He's been there all along
Watching for you down the road
So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
And He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are
Oh, child of God
So dearly loved
And ransomed by
The Saviour's blood
And called by name daughter
and son
Wrapped in the robe
of righteousness"
I got to thinking earlier today about the title of my blog and was once again reminded of how much I need to be in God's word daily. Last night, I wanted to go to bed, but ofcourse hadn't had my quiet time. So, I stopped, grabbed my Bible and read. Big shocker, but God spoke to me. If I'm going along for the ride, I've got to get in the car. It's again, being intentional.
I spent time with a friend this morning that I'm just getting to know. She's such a blessing and a gift from the Lord. She's one of those friends that encourages me to grow closer to Christ.
So, with that, I'm ending this to go read my Bible.
"Oh heart of mine,
why must you stray
From one so fair
You run away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shame
Oh, heart of mine
Come back home
You've been too long
Out on your own
And He's been there all along
Watching for you down the road
So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
And He understands
He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are
Oh, child of God
So dearly loved
And ransomed by
The Saviour's blood
And called by name daughter
and son
Wrapped in the robe
of righteousness"
I got to thinking earlier today about the title of my blog and was once again reminded of how much I need to be in God's word daily. Last night, I wanted to go to bed, but ofcourse hadn't had my quiet time. So, I stopped, grabbed my Bible and read. Big shocker, but God spoke to me. If I'm going along for the ride, I've got to get in the car. It's again, being intentional.
I spent time with a friend this morning that I'm just getting to know. She's such a blessing and a gift from the Lord. She's one of those friends that encourages me to grow closer to Christ.
So, with that, I'm ending this to go read my Bible.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Dry spell
I'm in a dry spell. It sucks and is totally my fault. I need to be actively reading my Bible. I'll get more into this. I just needed to get it out there.
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