Oh for goodness sakes, I'm still stuck on John the Baptist's head being handed up on a platter. Angels announced his birth---couldn't they have come and rescued him from such a horrendous death?
Why didn't God send angels to rescue him? Isn't Gods word true? (Psalm 91:9) If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- (10) then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. (11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (12) they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (13) You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. (14) "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (15) He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
So is God a liar? Because he certainly didn't rescue John. Please Help me understand.........
Good question Sherrie. It is kind of an abrupt end to a life that had such impressive beginnings. There's a lot of what ifs that one could go into as well if John & Jesus had hooked up. They could have evangelized the whole area quickly & started a mega church pretty easily! For me, reading the book of Job is helpful because it shows the behind the scenes moves that happen between satan & God. It also shows how people (his friends) thing that only good things happen to God's people & if bad happens then you've screwed up & deserved it or Job would have been spared the loss of all his finances & his children. That kind of thinking leads us to be judgmental (as his friends were) of each other when bad things happen & think that successful people are right with God. This is a deadly error that can lead us to follow people instead of God. John spoke almost prophetically about his future when some of the religious leaders came to him & tried to create some angst between him & Jesus in John 3:22-36. In v 30 he said "He must increase, but I must decrease". John's sole purpose foretold in Malachi 3:1 & John quoted this in John 1:19-27 was to prepare the way for the Messiah. Doesn't say anything about working with Him. John was okay with this & pointed his disciples & the leaders to Jesus. There was moment of doubt recorded in Matt 11:1-6 but obviously John was okay with the answer as he was committed to whatever God's will for him was. Nothing else is recorded except his unfortunate death, no other squabbles or disputes did he excite between his followers & Jesus' followers. His death, I think, was a blessing to him in that instead of being cooped up in a prison cell when he was used to roaming the desert, he is now resting, his battle done, his faith proven & he will rise with the rest of the faithful when Jesus returns (1 Thess 4:13-18)
Hope that makes sense & not too long, but it's not a short answer question. Feel free to call if you have more. :)
Romans 13 & 14 did a lot of smacking upside my head! I love reading the last 4 or 5 chapters of Romans because they show the Christ-led life. Not judging, just keeping my eyes on Christ & hopefully pointing others to Him instead of me trying to dictate what/how they should live their lives. You just want people to be in the Word, studying, growing & sharing what He's teaching them, where's He leading them. Life is so much easier when the Holy Spirit is the one doing the convicting instead of us trying to convict each other & pushing each other away! Now, if I could only remember that & keep my mouth shut sometimes! I admit a lot of times after I realize I've said something I shouldn't have I pray that God will erase their memory or let them hear it that way He wanted them too as I've screwed it up AGAIN!!! :D
I also love how those 2 chapters, keep talking about living in YOUR convictions. Not the convictions of other people, but yours. The ones that you live by. But Paul reminds us that those convictions are between us and God.
The following verses, spoke the most to me: 13:14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And dont let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Then he leads from there right into living in our convictions but... 14:13 So lets stop condemning one each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. and 14:23 But if YOU have doubts about whether or not you should eat something you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following YOUR convictions. If you do anything YOU velieve in NOT right, you ARE sinning. (emphasis mine).
How much more clear could he be??? The first time I read this was in a personal heart search about clean/unclean meats. I remember reading this and realizing that it wasnt about what the church believes (any church), it was about what I believed and its about MY walk with God. But it was also about NOT offending or bringing someone else down. So while I have my personal convictions, I rarely discuss them because of this chapter.
Interesting to note that in a way he is also discussing days of worship and I believe all the differentiations in worship style, service, beliefs.
Again I am reminded, its not about ME (or my church alone), its about God and its about keeping my focus there!
Whenever I read about Jacob & Esau I just wonder how it would have worked out if Jacob hadn't deceived Isaac. How God would have worked things for the older to serve the younger. I know it would have been better for everyone (except maybe Esau). I wish I could remember this story when I try to make things happen instead of waiting on God & His perfect timing. Seems like He's always cleaning up after me. :(
On Romans 14 & 15 - - thoughts? A critical nature and judging others isn't God's plan for our abundant life! He makes it soooo easy, He says: I'll do the judging; all you have to focus on is your relationship with me. Why then, do I make it soooo hard?
and on to Genesis!
Lots of lessons for us ladies in this one: first, hospitality (I'm not real good at this) I would have thought -- water your own camels! But apparently, God has a different plan (exemplified by Jesus). Jesus lived to bless others - - teach me this one Lord - - pleeeeeeease!
A few other areas: notice that 26:35 But Easau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. Why do you think they did that? I'm guessing it was the birthright debaucle that Esau had eaten away - - and now, he was blaming his hunger pains on Isaac. But isn't it amazing what misery-causing ideas women can come up with?
Then of course, there's the plotting Rebekah. OK - she must have felt a big of remorse for being so blatent with her lie and encouraging Isaac in his? The whole family dynamics screams - disfunction! Don't you think that Jacob had to have felt pretty cheap with his lies? Obviously Isaac was very very suspicious.
We humans are a sorry lot - - God is amazingly patient and accepting with what he has to work with.
I wish soo much for a faith He can be proud of; instead of a worrying, manipulating, controlling, weak-kneed faith that I struggle with!
so here's a revelation to me. Maybe things (irritations, rude people, etc) are happening to me because I'm actually doing things right for a change. I'm usually looking at how I've screwed up & what did I do, how can I fix it & then go into my one of my self destructive cycles BUT I just had that eye opening thought & personally applied it instead of globally. Hmmm, that was quite freeing actually. Thank you Lord for popping that in there amid all the other junk! Which made me think of Job's friends who are like me & Job's got a pretty healthy perspective of himself so they can't relate & are trying to get him to be all screwed up in the head like them! No wonder God has Job pray for them when it's all over! So this wasn't over any reading but I had to make it public for accountability's sake & to give thanks to Jesus!
God knows humans so well (guess that goes along with being the creator!) Love how He nails it in verse 7:2 of Judges: If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.
How many times do I secretly take credit when something goes right? If I would daily remember to lay my life in the hand of God -- I'd realize it was His hand that guided the dialy outcome; not mine.
And I relate to Gideon -- had to be a bit nerve racking when 22,000 soldiers waved good-bye; then God commanded him to send all but 300 home to fight against the swarm of locusts with as many camels as the sand at the seashore.
Very kind of God to say in verse 10 "IF" you are afriad . . . (notice Gideon admitted to his afriad-ness!) But how BOLD he then became after God's sign -- GREAT story - - GREAT walk in faith
Can you believe the gratitude of the people around to Gideon after he drove out the Midianites? Along with others getting in his case for not letting them in on the fight --
Abimelech's a bully - - I appreciate the courage of Jotham - -
I love how God uses outcasts (like Jephthah), I'm amazed at the people's reasons for choice of a ruler (apparently Jephthah was as well).
And - - I wonder why we never here about the sacrifice of Jephthah (which seems similar to the sacrifice that Abraham was asked to give). Both were willing to give up a child for the honor and respect of God.
I've always liked the story of Gideon, his foibles & how God used him in spite of them. God knows how prone we are to doubt & be chicken so He makes it as easy as possible.
wow psalm 18 I felt like I was talking! The Message said some things so perfectly! Lately I've been surprised as God has shown me how much self-hatred I have in me still. Satan only has to push a small button & I'm off on well worn thought paths & even physical patterns. But I call out to God & He answers in dynamic ways. Sometimes I don't even know I'm in danger & need help but He does. In vs. 16-19 " But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning...He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!" His love always surprises me, undermines the hate, I'm stunned he thinks I'm worth anything, that He keeps rescuing me, but when I accept it, the enemy is defeated and peace is restored again. vs. 20-24 talk about God making my life complete as I lay everything before Him, holding nothing back. I can't be scared of Him, He is my only Hope & the more He comes thru, the more I trust Him. I also try not to take Him for granted & review every day how He has saved me, the little things He does for me that show me His love. The little sun peeks that happen in the middle of rain/wind. The way He puts colors together in nature, even on gray days, the birds He brings for me to look at & marvel, etc. These could be ignored but I choose to take them as gifts from Him to me & it makes me love Him more because He's wooing my heart. "I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." I feel like I'm actually living for the first time, not merely existing.
Ps 19 I've always liked how it has started with the glory of God splashed across the sky. If you notice it you can't help but feel blessed! v 7 "The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together." His law is a revelation of Himself & allowing Him to reveal Himself in us definitely pulls our lives together. That's the only way it can happen. Nicely put in The Message.
19 has always been one of my favorite Psalms. The last few verses I'm always thinking/praying but I especially like this part: "Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work..." Oh yeah! Amen, brother, preach it!
O Chris -- the way The Message words things - and your comments to boot -- I feel double filled up this morning!
I Love that Ocean of Hate phrase in the message - - sometimes that's what life surrounds us with, and we surround ourselves with - - and then! "I stood there saved - surprised to be loved!" Why do I make it so hard for God? He does everything in His power to show His love -- then I'm surprised by it!!
I'll be on the lookout today Chris for those sun peek gifts and splashes of color -- thanks for the reminder to slow down and absorb!
David puts such a positive SPIN on God's instructions in Psalms 19 -- so many times people I've met are anti instructions, anti commandments -- but David found that they revived his soul, made simple things wise, brought joy to his heart, gave him insight - - and that they were to be desired more than anything.
Also did a bit of thinking about David and his love of rocks 18:2 - - I could imagine David leaning up against a rock, hiding behind a rock, sitting on a rock, getting out of weather behind a rock - - it all fits:)
yes Linda, I too enjoy the reminder that God's ways, His Law/Instructions are good for us & reveal God to us, they don't hinder & aren't obsolete. I think David spent so much time in nature & all the hiding & protecting that rocks gave him, it was a simple object lesson for him & I'm grateful for the Strength it reminds me of.
So Job finally gets fed up with his friends & tells them they're "a bunch of pompous quacks!" & "I wish you'd shut your mouths— silence is your only claim to wisdom." LOVE IT! He definitely had more patience with them then I did! I was saying that the first time they opened their mouths! But then he turns right back to God & just opens up about how he's feeling about what's going on & saying it's too much for me, but "... even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping." So he's honest about his feelings & even questions God, openly not insidiously, but is totally aware of God's sovereignty & realizes Who is really in control here. Maybe his friends can't deal with the honesty part since we have 20+ chapters to go. I know that sometimes Christians think it's wrong to question God in this way, they can't handle the openness & think the person who is doing it is doubting God. I don't feel this is what Job is doing but he's putting it all out there, not hiding any thoughts from God. And though I realize God knows the thoughts anyway, it's really us who try to squash them & pretend they don't exist but this actually creates more doubt because we're not willing to dialog about what we're really feeling. We're not honest people because it's too hard sometimes. The only way be at peace & come clean is to acknowledge the whole, sometimes ugly truth, & be willing to listen/talk about it & if necessary make changes, even hard ones. In the end, we're happier people that God can use in more efficient ways because we don't have all of our garbage getting in the way. Oh, & we're HAPPIER! Did I mention that? :D
This section of Job reminds me of Ecclesiastes - - leaves me feeling frail and humanishly feeble. But then -- that's what we are!
I appreciate Job's honesty too - - I think God appreciates us stating what we're thinking, after all -- He probably knows what we're thinking anyway; no pretending with God! He LOVES honesty! So - why is that so hard for me? Why do I find security in pretending??
Isaiah 34 is bleak indeed -- but 35 is RICH in promise! I love how it talks about the affect of the Lord's glory on man - - the guy with the tired hands, the week knees, the fearful hearts! BE STRONG, and DO NOT FEAR! For your God is coming . . . to save you! HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE:):)
Then we move to the action packed meeting of Assyria and Judah! You can cut the tension with a knife! All the people are on the walls hearing Assyrias well-founded boast - - they were the mighty army; from all worldly aspects there was no hope for Judah. except that Hezekiah trusted God - - I love how Hezekiah went to the temple and spread out the boastful letter before the Lord - - that's the kind of faith, action I want to have when things aren't looking good.
Yeah - I really like Hezekiah until the very last verse - - right here he seems pretty selfish. He's blown it - - revealed his wealth; and when he gets news that his country will be captured, his sons made Eunichs - - he calls the message good since it won't happen in his lifetime. (Well - - at least he tried to find a positive spin for a very bad prediction!)
I love watching how Jesus interacted with people. I know we do see the conversations but I believe the HS can help us understand His tone, His facial expressions, His love for the people He was talking to & dealing with. It's making all the difference in the world to me to see this. I love the illustration of the child & how we need to be like one in our open trust of God, our honesty with Him & desire to know Him more. Just like a kid is always dogging your steps wanting to know why you're doing something & wanting to help, needing to be accepted. He loves that & doesn't get impatient with us, doesn't make us scared to ask questions by His replies or body language. He INVITES. And He asks us to do the same with others. To be that way with their questions, their need to be accepted, loved & encouraged. There were other neat things too but this is what really, really spoke to my heart this morning.
Thanks Chris for that reminder of reading the gospels -- I heard a speaker once say that when you read about Christ, put yourself in the story (never Jesus - but one of the people around Him) - - the story just JUMPS out and comes alive - - so when I read Matt 17-19, it took me a lot longer with a LOT more tones & facial expressions:)
This scripture is RICH with Jesus' interactins. Can you picture Jesus lighting up in chpt 17? Once night I had a "bright light" experience while I was praying -- I don't ever want to let that feeling of love and peace go.
But I LOVE how GOD tries to help out the disciples by saying "Listen to Him" and I think what God wanted them to hear was in the next few verses.
First - Jesus' longing for them to have just a tiny bit of faith -- instead of fixing situations in their own power - - and failing, again. Aaaargh, why do I always make it so hard by depending on my power (weak) instead of His (strong?)
But also - He told them 3 times about what was ahead of Him -- and them: 17:9, 17:11, and 17:22.
I guess God knows best - - I need to listen and not talk! He'll help me through the tough times!
Oh for goodness sakes, I'm still stuck on John the Baptist's head being handed up on a platter.
ReplyDeleteAngels announced his birth---couldn't they have come and rescued him from such a horrendous death?
Why didn't God send angels to rescue him? Isn't Gods word true? (Psalm 91:9) If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- (10) then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. (11) For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (12) they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. (13) You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. (14) "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (15) He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
So is God a liar? Because he certainly didn't rescue John.
Please Help me understand.........
Good question Sherrie. It is kind of an abrupt end to a life that had such impressive beginnings. There's a lot of what ifs that one could go into as well if John & Jesus had hooked up. They could have evangelized the whole area quickly & started a mega church pretty easily! For me, reading the book of Job is helpful because it shows the behind the scenes moves that happen between satan & God. It also shows how people (his friends) thing that only good things happen to God's people & if bad happens then you've screwed up & deserved it or Job would have been spared the loss of all his finances & his children. That kind of thinking leads us to be judgmental (as his friends were) of each other when bad things happen & think that successful people are right with God. This is a deadly error that can lead us to follow people instead of God.
ReplyDeleteJohn spoke almost prophetically about his future when some of the religious leaders came to him & tried to create some angst between him & Jesus in John 3:22-36. In v 30 he said "He must increase, but I must decrease". John's sole purpose foretold in Malachi 3:1 & John quoted this in John 1:19-27 was to prepare the way for the Messiah. Doesn't say anything about working with Him. John was okay with this & pointed his disciples & the leaders to Jesus. There was moment of doubt recorded in Matt 11:1-6 but obviously John was okay with the answer as he was committed to whatever God's will for him was. Nothing else is recorded except his unfortunate death, no other squabbles or disputes did he excite between his followers & Jesus' followers.
His death, I think, was a blessing to him in that instead of being cooped up in a prison cell when he was used to roaming the desert, he is now resting, his battle done, his faith proven & he will rise with the rest of the faithful when Jesus returns (1 Thess 4:13-18)
Hope that makes sense & not too long, but it's not a short answer question. Feel free to call if you have more. :)
Romans 13 & 14 did a lot of smacking upside my head! I love reading the last 4 or 5 chapters of Romans because they show the Christ-led life. Not judging, just keeping my eyes on Christ & hopefully pointing others to Him instead of me trying to dictate what/how they should live their lives. You just want people to be in the Word, studying, growing & sharing what He's teaching them, where's He leading them. Life is so much easier when the Holy Spirit is the one doing the convicting instead of us trying to convict each other & pushing each other away!
ReplyDeleteNow, if I could only remember that & keep my mouth shut sometimes! I admit a lot of times after I realize I've said something I shouldn't have I pray that God will erase their memory or let them hear it that way He wanted them too as I've screwed it up AGAIN!!! :D
I also love how those 2 chapters, keep talking about living in YOUR convictions. Not the convictions of other people, but yours. The ones that you live by. But Paul reminds us that those convictions are between us and God.
ReplyDeleteThe following verses, spoke the most to me:
13:14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And dont let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Then he leads from there right into living in our convictions but...
14:13 So lets stop condemning one each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
and 14:23 But if YOU have doubts about whether or not you should eat something you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following YOUR convictions. If you do anything YOU velieve in NOT right, you ARE sinning. (emphasis mine).
How much more clear could he be??? The first time I read this was in a personal heart search about clean/unclean meats. I remember reading this and realizing that it wasnt about what the church believes (any church), it was about what I believed and its about MY walk with God. But it was also about NOT offending or bringing someone else down. So while I have my personal convictions, I rarely discuss them because of this chapter.
Interesting to note that in a way he is also discussing days of worship and I believe all the differentiations in worship style, service, beliefs.
Again I am reminded, its not about ME (or my church alone), its about God and its about keeping my focus there!
Whenever I read about Jacob & Esau I just wonder how it would have worked out if Jacob hadn't deceived Isaac. How God would have worked things for the older to serve the younger. I know it would have been better for everyone (except maybe Esau). I wish I could remember this story when I try to make things happen instead of waiting on God & His perfect timing. Seems like He's always cleaning up after me. :(
ReplyDeleteOn Romans 14 & 15 - - thoughts? A critical nature and judging others isn't God's plan for our abundant life! He makes it soooo easy, He says: I'll do the judging; all you have to focus on is your relationship with me. Why then, do I make it soooo hard?
ReplyDeleteand on to Genesis!
Lots of lessons for us ladies in this one: first, hospitality (I'm not real good at this) I would have thought -- water your own camels! But apparently, God has a different plan (exemplified by Jesus). Jesus lived to bless others - - teach me this one Lord - - pleeeeeeease!
A few other areas: notice that 26:35 But Easau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. Why do you think they did that? I'm guessing it was the birthright debaucle that Esau had eaten away - - and now, he was blaming his hunger pains on Isaac. But isn't it amazing what misery-causing ideas women can come up with?
Then of course, there's the plotting Rebekah. OK - she must have felt a big of remorse for being so blatent with her lie and encouraging Isaac in his? The whole family dynamics screams - disfunction! Don't you think that Jacob had to have felt pretty cheap with his lies? Obviously Isaac was very very suspicious.
We humans are a sorry lot - - God is amazingly patient and accepting with what he has to work with.
I wish soo much for a faith He can be proud of; instead of a worrying, manipulating, controlling, weak-kneed faith that I struggle with!
so here's a revelation to me. Maybe things (irritations, rude people, etc) are happening to me because I'm actually doing things right for a change. I'm usually looking at how I've screwed up & what did I do, how can I fix it & then go into my one of my self destructive cycles BUT I just had that eye opening thought & personally applied it instead of globally. Hmmm, that was quite freeing actually. Thank you Lord for popping that in there amid all the other junk!
ReplyDeleteWhich made me think of Job's friends who are like me & Job's got a pretty healthy perspective of himself so they can't relate & are trying to get him to be all screwed up in the head like them! No wonder God has Job pray for them when it's all over!
So this wasn't over any reading but I had to make it public for accountability's sake & to give thanks to Jesus!
God knows humans so well (guess that goes along with being the creator!) Love how He nails it in verse 7:2 of Judges: If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.
ReplyDeleteHow many times do I secretly take credit when something goes right? If I would daily remember to lay my life in the hand of God -- I'd realize it was His hand that guided the dialy outcome; not mine.
And I relate to Gideon -- had to be a bit nerve racking when 22,000 soldiers waved good-bye; then God commanded him to send all but 300 home to fight against the swarm of locusts with as many camels as the sand at the seashore.
Very kind of God to say in verse 10 "IF" you are afriad . . . (notice Gideon admitted to his afriad-ness!) But how BOLD he then became after God's sign -- GREAT story - - GREAT walk in faith
Can you believe the gratitude of the people around to Gideon after he drove out the Midianites? Along with others getting in his case for not letting them in on the fight --
Abimelech's a bully - - I appreciate the courage of Jotham - -
I love how God uses outcasts (like Jephthah), I'm amazed at the people's reasons for choice of a ruler (apparently Jephthah was as well).
And - - I wonder why we never here about the sacrifice of Jephthah (which seems similar to the sacrifice that Abraham was asked to give). Both were willing to give up a child for the honor and respect of God.
I've always liked the story of Gideon, his foibles & how God used him in spite of them. God knows how prone we are to doubt & be chicken so He makes it as easy as possible.
ReplyDeletewow psalm 18 I felt like I was talking! The Message said some things so perfectly! Lately I've been surprised as God has shown me how much self-hatred I have in me still. Satan only has to push a small button & I'm off on well worn thought paths & even physical patterns. But I call out to God & He answers in dynamic ways. Sometimes I don't even know I'm in danger & need help but He does.
ReplyDeleteIn vs. 16-19 " But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out
Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,
the void in which I was drowning...He stood me up on a wide-open field;
I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!"
His love always surprises me, undermines the hate, I'm stunned he thinks I'm worth anything, that He keeps rescuing me, but when I accept it, the enemy is defeated and peace is restored again.
vs. 20-24 talk about God making my life complete as I lay everything before Him, holding nothing back. I can't be scared of Him, He is my only Hope & the more He comes thru, the more I trust Him. I also try not to take Him for granted & review every day how He has saved me, the little things He does for me that show me His love. The little sun peeks that happen in the middle of rain/wind. The way He puts colors together in nature, even on gray days, the birds He brings for me to look at & marvel, etc. These could be ignored but I choose to take them as gifts from Him to me & it makes me love Him more because He's wooing my heart.
"I feel put back together,
and I'm watching my step.
God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
I feel like I'm actually living for the first time, not merely existing.
Ps 19 I've always liked how it has started with the glory of God splashed across the sky. If you notice it you can't help but feel blessed!
v 7 "The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together."
His law is a revelation of Himself & allowing Him to reveal Himself in us definitely pulls our lives together. That's the only way it can happen. Nicely put in The Message.
19 has always been one of my favorite Psalms.
The last few verses I'm always thinking/praying but I especially like this part:
"Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work..."
Oh yeah! Amen, brother, preach it!
O Chris -- the way The Message words things - and your comments to boot -- I feel double filled up this morning!
ReplyDeleteI Love that Ocean of Hate phrase in the message - - sometimes that's what life surrounds us with, and we surround ourselves with - - and then! "I stood there saved - surprised to be loved!" Why do I make it so hard for God? He does everything in His power to show His love -- then I'm surprised by it!!
I'll be on the lookout today Chris for those sun peek gifts and splashes of color -- thanks for the reminder to slow down and absorb!
David puts such a positive SPIN on God's instructions in Psalms 19 -- so many times people I've met are anti instructions, anti commandments -- but David found that they revived his soul, made simple things wise, brought joy to his heart, gave him insight - - and that they were to be desired more than anything.
Also did a bit of thinking about David and his love of rocks 18:2 - - I could imagine David leaning up against a rock, hiding behind a rock, sitting on a rock, getting out of weather behind a rock - - it all fits:)
yes Linda, I too enjoy the reminder that God's ways, His Law/Instructions are good for us & reveal God to us, they don't hinder & aren't obsolete.
ReplyDeleteI think David spent so much time in nature & all the hiding & protecting that rocks gave him, it was a simple object lesson for him & I'm grateful for the Strength it reminds me of.
So Job finally gets fed up with his friends & tells them they're "a bunch of pompous quacks!" & "I wish you'd shut your mouths—
ReplyDeletesilence is your only claim to wisdom." LOVE IT! He definitely had more patience with them then I did! I was saying that the first time they opened their mouths!
But then he turns right back to God & just opens up about how he's feeling about what's going on & saying it's too much for me, but "... even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping."
So he's honest about his feelings & even questions God, openly not insidiously, but is totally aware of God's sovereignty & realizes Who is really in control here.
Maybe his friends can't deal with the honesty part since we have 20+ chapters to go.
I know that sometimes Christians think it's wrong to question God in this way, they can't handle the openness & think the person who is doing it is doubting God. I don't feel this is what Job is doing but he's putting it all out there, not hiding any thoughts from God. And though I realize God knows the thoughts anyway, it's really us who try to squash them & pretend they don't exist but this actually creates more doubt because we're not willing to dialog about what we're really feeling. We're not honest people because it's too hard sometimes. The only way be at peace & come clean is to acknowledge the whole, sometimes ugly truth, & be willing to listen/talk about it & if necessary make changes, even hard ones. In the end, we're happier people that God can use in more efficient ways because we don't have all of our garbage getting in the way. Oh, & we're HAPPIER! Did I mention that? :D
This section of Job reminds me of Ecclesiastes - - leaves me feeling frail and humanishly feeble. But then -- that's what we are!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Job's honesty too - - I think God appreciates us stating what we're thinking, after all -- He probably knows what we're thinking anyway; no pretending with God! He LOVES honesty! So - why is that so hard for me? Why do I find security in pretending??
comfort zone girlfriend! Comfort Zone! ;)
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 34 is bleak indeed -- but 35 is RICH in promise! I love how it talks about the affect of the Lord's glory on man - - the guy with the tired hands, the week knees, the fearful hearts! BE STRONG, and DO NOT FEAR! For your God is coming . . . to save you! HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE:):)
ReplyDeleteThen we move to the action packed meeting of Assyria and Judah! You can cut the tension with a knife! All the people are on the walls hearing Assyrias well-founded boast - - they were the mighty army; from all worldly aspects there was no hope for Judah. except that Hezekiah trusted God - - I love how Hezekiah went to the temple and spread out the boastful letter before the Lord - - that's the kind of faith, action I want to have when things aren't looking good.
Yeah - I really like Hezekiah until the very last verse - - right here he seems pretty selfish. He's blown it - - revealed his wealth; and when he gets news that his country will be captured, his sons made Eunichs - - he calls the message good since it won't happen in his lifetime. (Well - - at least he tried to find a positive spin for a very bad prediction!)
thanks Linda, I needed that first paragraph. I read it this morning but it didn't hit.
ReplyDeleteThere's soooo much of the Bible that I skim and don't digest -- that's why I'm lovin' this blog -- I get SO much out of what people notice:)
ReplyDeleteI love watching how Jesus interacted with people. I know we do see the conversations but I believe the HS can help us understand His tone, His facial expressions, His love for the people He was talking to & dealing with. It's making all the difference in the world to me to see this. I love the illustration of the child & how we need to be like one in our open trust of God, our honesty with Him & desire to know Him more. Just like a kid is always dogging your steps wanting to know why you're doing something & wanting to help, needing to be accepted. He loves that & doesn't get impatient with us, doesn't make us scared to ask questions by His replies or body language. He INVITES. And He asks us to do the same with others. To be that way with their questions, their need to be accepted, loved & encouraged. There were other neat things too but this is what really, really spoke to my heart this morning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris for that reminder of reading the gospels -- I heard a speaker once say that when you read about Christ, put yourself in the story (never Jesus - but one of the people around Him) - - the story just JUMPS out and comes alive - - so when I read Matt 17-19, it took me a lot longer with a LOT more tones & facial expressions:)
ReplyDeleteThis scripture is RICH with Jesus' interactins. Can you picture Jesus lighting up in chpt 17? Once night I had a "bright light" experience while I was praying -- I don't ever want to let that feeling of love and peace go.
But I LOVE how GOD tries to help out the disciples by saying "Listen to Him" and I think what God wanted them to hear was in the next few verses.
First - Jesus' longing for them to have just a tiny bit of faith -- instead of fixing situations in their own power - - and failing, again. Aaaargh, why do I always make it so hard by depending on my power (weak) instead of His (strong?)
But also - He told them 3 times about what was ahead of Him -- and them: 17:9, 17:11, and 17:22.
I guess God knows best - - I need to listen and not talk! He'll help me through the tough times!