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.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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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