I LOVE 1 Corinthians 15 -- when my mom died, this chapter was a real encouragement to me.
First of all -- I love how Paul encapsulates the GOOD NEWS! 15:4 He died for our sins - - He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day! (OOOOOO! I just GOT why the group 3rd Day is called 3rd Day!!)
It's interesting to see how the Son and the Father work in the middle of chpt 15: The God gave authority to Christ (27) and then when all things are back under Christ's authority - - the Son gives all authority back to the Father who will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere - - this is such refreshing cooperation & love between the Father and the Son -- no problem with personal agendas here.
(33) Bad company corrupts good character -- that sounds like something right out of proverbs, and sooo true!
I Love the illustration of the seed. Just paints such a beautiful picture of death and resurrection.
Love God's plan for that resurrection - - I compared it with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; made it pretty clear when that last trumpet would be blown! Can hardly wait.
So much pride! What a terrible way to learn a lesson. The common people had more brains than their ruler because they brought their servants/livestock in from the plague of hail. Finally in 10:7 the servants break with custom & even council Pharoah to let Israel go. They realize the God of Israel was way more powerful than their god Pharoah. He just couldn’t lose face though. I know I struggle with pride, I just hope as God shows it to me I surrender to Him instead of trying to argue with Him like Pharoah!
Different approach to plundering: just ask! God’s ways are so different than ours. When we let Him fight for us, be ready for anything & be ready to do it in a way that is extraordinary…or very simple. Just be open to Him. That’s seems to be the hardest part. I think it needs to happen a certain way so I go about “making” it happen. Unfortunately, I’ve usually left God behind, instead of consulting & listening to Him step by step. Like the POG song says…”we run on up ahead, we lag behind You…teach our restless feet to walk beside You…” Need to be on the same page – “Steady On”
I always wondered why it says God hardened Pharaoh's heart -- pretty clear here that there was a bigger picture. 9:14-16 You will KNOW that there's no one like Me! and to show YOU my power. I never thought about God loving the Egyptians; but maybe after this amazing show of power -- some of them acknowleged Him as the one true God. Is this a glimpse into why sometimes bad things happen to good people? a Jobian moment? God's ways are so much higher than ours.
Then, the bigger picture continues in 10:2 - - you can tell your kids and grandkids and you will know that I am the Lord. I was also thinking that this display of power paved their way when they got to Canaan as well -- people were pretty terrified of them when they showed up at the River Jordan!
A bit of a humorous, yet pathetic picture in 9:11 that even the mighty magicians were unable to stand before Moses because of their boils - - ah humility, at it's finest!
I think I've heard that one of the Egyptians god's was the sun god Rah (not sure if that's true or not) but that would certainly speak to the plague of darkness. I'm guessing each of the hits God threw at the Egyptians was against one or another of their "gods"
I was thinking about Jesus reading these stories - - and applying them to His own life. The blood that they smeared and trusted in that blood to save them. The bread that they ate without the yeast (or sin) and, maybe he thought of that story when He said, "I am the Bread of life", the lamb that they ate - - without any broken bones, and how He needs to be part of our lives - - we need to hunger and thirst after His righteousness - - so many symbols that he must have studied, and hoped that we would study too.
I was wondering why only the Jews celebrate passover now? Seems like it would be a beautiful op for us to think back on His power and share that with our children, like he instructed in 12:24-25. It does say that it must be observed forever (that would apply to now!) Maybe it's because of the end of the chapter - - vs 43 on where it talks about no outsider could eat it, or uncircumcised - - well then, I was wondering about the Gentiles of Paul's day. They were not required to be circumcised - - did they eat the passover? I wish I knew more of Biblical history here.
During this time of Passover, let's ask Jesus to INSPECT us and EXAMINE us!
Let's ask Him to search our hearts and show us the sin (spiritual leaven) in our homes. Let him search our hearts, our words, thoughts, actions, and the motives of our hearts.
Let's ask Him to SET us APART from anything that is UNCLEAN, so that we can become more like Him. Let's kill whatever's unpleasing to Him, so that we can be WITHOUT defect, spot, wrinkle, blemish or stain.
Thank you Linda, for bringing out how God must have loved the Egyptians as well. I too, hadn’t thought about it, but yet we read where there were some Egyptians that left with the Israelites, though seems like they caused some trouble later if I remember the story correctly. We’ll see…
So in today’s reading I’m just so impressed with how David wouldn’t kill Saul though it seemed like time & again he was placed “miraculously” into his hands. I would have probably thought that God gave him to me to kill. But David said in 26;10-11 His time will come, somehow, some way, but it’s not for me to determine, God will take care of it, it’s not up to me (my paraphrase). Incredible patience there! Guess that’s why I’m not in line to be Queen of anything! LOL
Even though Saul went to home after that, he still had “spies” out looking to see where David was all the time until he went into Philistia. Such insecurity when God isn’t with us. Or when we (read I) don’t let Him take care of us. Just really sad to see the depths Saul went to, did he realize he was dealing with satanic forces when he went to the witch? Each little step down makes the next one easier. What a lesson to learn!
Man David’s men were fickle in 30 when they wanted to stone him! Course they’d just lost their families & when you’re on the move/run all the time & the little you have is taken from you, you turn to desperate measures so I can understand that. Glad David sought God to help him & didn’t try to defend himself. For some reason I think God’s trying to drill that into my head. :) It’s what I keep seeing over & over again.
Chris--- I think David was respectful of the 'office of aurthority' Saul had been given by the Lord ---and not so much his personhood. As Americans (well--we used to) usually respect the office of the presidency whether we like Obama or not.
There is so much in today's reading that I don't know where to begin to comment.
How about in Chapter 26:19-20--- Saul tells David-- Go, serve other gods-- By driving him from the land and the ritual of true worship, David was being forced into foreign and heathen countries. Saul was exposing him to all sorts of idolatry and the seductions that come with it.
20..... as when one doth hunt a partridge-- I read somewhere that in the East, that when people hunted partridge and other birds, they'd go after them, until they become fatigued. Then they'd knock them down. This was how Saul went after David. He drove him out of his hiding-place time after time, hoping to make him weary of his life. Maybe David would even commit suicide if Saul didn't get the chance to kill him.
25. So David went on his way--Notwithstanding this sudden relenting of Saul, David placed no confidence in his professions or promises, but wisely kept at a distance and awaited the course of Providence.
This is how Satan pursues us---he hammers at us again and again until we're tired out.
Chris and Sher -- I LOVE reading your comments -- just makes my reading come alive with new ideas! Wow Sher -- great word picture on partridge hunting, and yeah - - it's easy to see that David put very little confidence in what Saul said. I know people like that - - I simply don't believe anything they say.
It sure was obvious that David was trusted by the Philistine King -- he even wanted him to be his personal body guard; and yet, David was lying to the king as to who he'd been raiding. Do you think David had to raid to supply his city with food and clothes? I wonder why he didn't just lie low? Maybe Ziklag wouldn't have gotten sacked?
Sad sad ending to Saul's life - - what a waste; he'd turned from a mighty warrior into a mighty worrier - - I wonder what it would have taken to turn his life around, back to trusting God instead of in his own power?
One of my favorite lines in this reading is 30:23 "Don't be selfish with what the Lord has given us" Good reminder that the gifts we have are given to us by God -- it would have been easy for David to have thought (as Saul often did) Look what we've done! How clever of us! We beat up the Amalakites and got all their stuff! Yeah us! Instead, he reminds his troops where the gift of victory comes from. Lots of applications there!
yep Sherrie, you & I say the same things a lot of the time but with different words. Great thought on the partridge hunting! Linda - I skipped right over that verse (30:23) thanks for bringing it out for me to "get it".
I can’t tell if this first song is about David or Jesus. It seems to go back & forth between them. I like 44:10 though; it’s a picture of God’s love, His crazy love for me. "Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here—the king is wild for you. Since he's your lord, adore him.” I need to forget my former lovers & believe His love for me. When I think of how He’s proved that over & over again – why wouldn’t I adore Him? Why would I want the former?
46 starts out with being fearless through supernatural forces of nature. I’m not afraid in nature, I know it obeys it’s Master. It’s humans that I’m afraid of, they don’t obey. I can hike by myself because I know God controls the animals & they listen to Him. But “intelligent” people? Bah! We hurt each other right & left. I like the constant reminder throughout this Psalm of who our God is & who protects us.
All of these Psalms have elements of praise to God throughout them. It’s very uplifting to read them. My heart can’t help but think of all God has done/is doing for me. Praise is a powerful weapon in our hand! If this is David writing it must have been when he was very aware of God’s Presence & was seeing Him work in his behalf.
Whoa! What a GREAT scripture for this morning -- Psalms 47 just begged me to proclaim it OUT LOUD!
I was thinking about 45 and bride picture. In Rev -- we're the bride; so God delights in our beauty - we're being led to the King by our bridesmades (the angels?) The procession is enthusiastic as we enter the King's palace - - Let All Heaven Rejoice! (couldn't resist - hee hee!)
God is my refuge and strength - always ready to help in times of trouble. That's good, because so many times I need to hide, I need to be held up.
and a constant battle for me is 46:10 Be STILL, and know that I am God. It's such a peaceful, calming command. Be still - rest; how like Him to give us this beautiful command. When the world hollars; keep going - keep pulling -- keep trying; God simply asks us to be still.
Great song Linda! I'm more in a listening mode today. In Message 46:10 translates thus: "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." I've been trying to do that since Sunday, step out of traffic & listen. Ever listen too hard & miss the answer right in front of you? Hmmmm....
So Job blatantly answers his friends accusations with examples to plead his case. And for once, they can say nothing, can't counter with anything. They must have known the pure life that Job had led too then. He wasn't saying he was perfect (31:33,34), he was just saying he had dealt openly & honestly in everything & if someone disagreed then bring it up. I like how he wants God as his judge. Since God can read hearts & knows motives He'd be the fairest one to preside over a hearing. He'd know everything. Job's not so much trying to convince his friends, his heart is clear. Will be interesting to see what Elihu has to say. I had to look ahead a bit, but sounds like he's got a lot pent up. I don't remember that Job ever got the answer as to "Why" God allowed this to happen to him. We'll see...
It is great Chris, that when Job states his actual examples - - his friends are silent. They have watched his love of mankind and his life of integrity -- They must be as confused as Job; as they think they have God and his ways figured out - - and Job's life just isn't adding up.
OK -- then comes Elihu; I can remember when I was young, and was pretty sure I had life figured out. I had answers to everything - - but the reality is, I didn't have a clue; and I'm still learning how much I don't know and how many problems in life simply don't have a good answer or solution!
I too, will be interested in hearing what this young man has to say. But, that'll be next week (I didn't peek!!)
I was really struck by 17:7,8 the previous verses show the folly of trusting in human strength & then the opposite is shown. Real trust in God = peace in any circumstances. Man do I want that, need that desperately. Those who really trust God don’t panic when things going in the opposite direction they should be. If, as these verses say, the tree always gives FRESH fruit EVERY season it’s proof their sustenance is in God because if it’s dry as a desert with no rain, a tree will not produce fruit – normally. But with God ANYTHING is possible & people like this can still sing praise in hard times, still love, be patience (I’m so far from this one), forgiving, remain cheerful & still trust that it will turn when God needs it to turn, not before & not late. This always makes me think of the extreme, putting on the front. There is a balance here though, don’t know that I’ve found it. I feel like I keep going from one ditch on the side of the road to the other like a weaving drunk. But I just love that picture of the tree blooming in the desert in spite of the circumstances that say it should be dead. It gives life to those who happen across its path. That’s what we should be as Christians, fresh fruit, reviving people. Can’t give what you don’t have though. That tree has a DEEP tap root! I want that too!
I was talking to a friend who had been a Sunday keeper until she found out that Sabbath wasn’t a Jewish thing. She said in her experience there was never a Sunday rest like we’re supposed to have a true Sabbath rest. People went from church to the store, did yard work, house work etc. But when she found the Sabbath & how God rested at Creation & we should follow His example, it was so beautiful to her. I can see why God has Jeremiah remind the people of not making the Sabbath their day. It’s the Lord’s Day. What a blessing to rest & enjoy His presence even more on His day because we stop all our other work & are reminded of Him & His work in our hearts, making us more like Him. Can’t wait ‘til heaven to see how we celebrate Sabbath there!
Great encouragement for me in 18 with the potter & clay.
20:11 “But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side. Those who are after me will be sent sprawling…” even those negative thoughts that keep running thru my mind will be sent sprawling because of my fierce Warrior God. Love it!
Ooooo - great thought Chris about the negative thoughts being our persecutors - - sprawl away thoughts in the presence of my Defender!!
Yeah, I liked the tree verse as well in 17. Mine said such trees are not bothered by the heat and looooong months of drought. I want to get to that place too. Total trust, total peace - - you're right Chris, it's the roots that make all the difference.
There is such a joy to putting all the stress and the to do list down on the Sabbath; God wants us to have that abundant life - - and we fight against it (go figure) Who wouldn't want to have a vacation every week?
God is so good to paint us so many word pictures -- the clay, the shattered pot. I think he is pleased when we use word pictures to communicate truth about Him. Jesus did it all the time; God does it through his prophets; and that's what we try to do when we use dramas or tell illustrations @ church! Love the word pics.
I was wondering about Jeremiah's claim in 17:16 that he did not urge God to send disaster - - then when I skip over to 18:21-23; well that sounds pretty disasterous to me!
So -- they finally come around! 21:1,2 They begged Jeremiah, Please speak to the Lord for us and ask Him to help us.
God in His mercy, still provides the escape. Stay in the city = disaster and death; go out and surrender and live. Seems like an easy choice since we know the whole story -- but I was wondering what I would have chosen?
The connection Jesus had with His Father was so close. He knew exactly where to go & what to say because He listened. I just panic & go pell mell into it & then stop in confusion & ask “what am I supposed to do now?” If I’d of listened better, I would have known better.
Jesus tells His disciples exactly what to say to anyone who asks about them taking the colt. And they replied exactly as Jesus told them to. Sometimes I add to what He says, like I think I can explain Him better than He can. Kinda like Eve telling the serpent that God said they couldn’t eat or touch the fruit when God just said don’t eat it. We add to His perfect rules, His simple explanations, etc. The disciples had no problem because they said just what Jesus told them to. Hmmmm….
Nice that we’re reading about the people singing Hosannas to Him since we’re doing that in Journey now too!
I wonder if Jesus knew that He wouldn’t find figs on that tree & that it was there just for a lesson to His disciples on faith & to encourage their faith in Him as the Son of God.
I like Jesus’ explanation of the commandments in 12:29-30 “…love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself”. I like the word passion in here. I’ve been in passionless churches, had a passionless experience (is that really an “experience”?) myself. I really love that God wants us to be passionate about Him, because He is passionate about us, about me!
Wow:) Reading Mark 11 brings Journey all back into focus - - what an amazing honor that we get to experience a small microcosm of that experience - -
11:11 After llking around carefully at everything; he left . . . I'm thinking this "looking" could have been at the symbols (the alter and the services that pointed to Him and his sacrifice) or maybe he was looking at the people and how clueless they were. Observant - - I think being still and observant gives us an op to hear God more clearly -- weak point in my character.
Jesus is able to get SO much out of each act of his life - - like the fig tree. A lesson on faith, and an illustration about "by your fruits, you'll know them"
You must REALLY believe it will happen and have NO doubt in your heart -- not even in a corner? Not even leave room for "in case it doesn't happen" This is something I don't totally understand - - unless God is talking about spiritual miracles here and not physical miracles.
The 2 aspects tied with answers to prayer are: faith and forgiveness - - I wonder if he was specifically talking about disciple dynamics (along with our own dynamics) when he talked about this forgiveness -- they were kind of a rowdy bunch!
(Sigh -- those pharisees wear me out with their endless testing)
Jesus must have been thrilled when the teacher recognized that LOVE is more important than all the ceremonies and traditions - - pay day for Jesus! Someone actually got it! All those ceremonies and traditions pointed to God's love for man - - it's all about loving God and loving others; His amazing goal for us, for me!
I LOVE 1 Corinthians 15 -- when my mom died, this chapter was a real encouragement to me.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all -- I love how Paul encapsulates the GOOD NEWS! 15:4 He died for our sins - - He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day! (OOOOOO! I just GOT why the group 3rd Day is called 3rd Day!!)
It's interesting to see how the Son and the Father work in the middle of chpt 15: The God gave authority to Christ (27) and then when all things are back under Christ's authority - - the Son gives all authority back to the Father who will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere - - this is such refreshing cooperation & love between the Father and the Son -- no problem with personal agendas here.
(33) Bad company corrupts good character -- that sounds like something right out of proverbs, and sooo true!
I Love the illustration of the seed. Just paints such a beautiful picture of death and resurrection.
Love God's plan for that resurrection - - I compared it with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; made it pretty clear when that last trumpet would be blown! Can hardly wait.
So much pride! What a terrible way to learn a lesson. The common people had more brains than their ruler because they brought their servants/livestock in from the plague of hail. Finally in 10:7 the servants break with custom & even council Pharoah to let Israel go. They realize the God of Israel was way more powerful than their god Pharoah. He just couldn’t lose face though. I know I struggle with pride, I just hope as God shows it to me I surrender to Him instead of trying to argue with Him like Pharoah!
ReplyDeleteDifferent approach to plundering: just ask! God’s ways are so different than ours. When we let Him fight for us, be ready for anything & be ready to do it in a way that is extraordinary…or very simple. Just be open to Him. That’s seems to be the hardest part. I think it needs to happen a certain way so I go about “making” it happen. Unfortunately, I’ve usually left God behind, instead of consulting & listening to Him step by step. Like the POG song says…”we run on up ahead, we lag behind You…teach our restless feet to walk beside You…” Need to be on the same page – “Steady On”
I always wondered why it says God hardened Pharaoh's heart -- pretty clear here that there was a bigger picture. 9:14-16 You will KNOW that there's no one like Me! and to show YOU my power. I never thought about God loving the Egyptians; but maybe after this amazing show of power -- some of them acknowleged Him as the one true God. Is this a glimpse into why sometimes bad things happen to good people? a Jobian moment? God's ways are so much higher than ours.
ReplyDeleteThen, the bigger picture continues in 10:2 - - you can tell your kids and grandkids and you will know that I am the Lord. I was also thinking that this display of power paved their way when they got to Canaan as well -- people were pretty terrified of them when they showed up at the River Jordan!
A bit of a humorous, yet pathetic picture in 9:11 that even the mighty magicians were unable to stand before Moses because of their boils - - ah humility, at it's finest!
I think I've heard that one of the Egyptians god's was the sun god Rah (not sure if that's true or not) but that would certainly speak to the plague of darkness. I'm guessing each of the hits God threw at the Egyptians was against one or another of their "gods"
I was thinking about Jesus reading these stories - - and applying them to His own life. The blood that they smeared and trusted in that blood to save them. The bread that they ate without the yeast (or sin) and, maybe he thought of that story when He said, "I am the Bread of life", the lamb that they ate - - without any broken bones, and how He needs to be part of our lives - - we need to hunger and thirst after His righteousness - - so many symbols that he must have studied, and hoped that we would study too.
I was wondering why only the Jews celebrate passover now? Seems like it would be a beautiful op for us to think back on His power and share that with our children, like he instructed in 12:24-25. It does say that it must be observed forever (that would apply to now!) Maybe it's because of the end of the chapter - - vs 43 on where it talks about no outsider could eat it, or uncircumcised - - well then, I was wondering about the Gentiles of Paul's day. They were not required to be circumcised - - did they eat the passover? I wish I knew more of Biblical history here.
During this time of Passover, let's ask Jesus to INSPECT us and EXAMINE us!
ReplyDeleteLet's ask Him to search our hearts and show us the sin (spiritual leaven) in our homes. Let him search our hearts, our words, thoughts, actions, and the motives of our hearts.
Let's ask Him to SET us APART from anything that is UNCLEAN, so that we can become more like Him. Let's kill whatever's unpleasing to Him, so that we can be WITHOUT defect, spot, wrinkle, blemish or stain.
Yes Sher! I think that is what HE is longing for! A real sincerity from us!
ReplyDeleteSearch me, O God and know my heart!
Thank you Linda, for bringing out how God must have loved the Egyptians as well. I too, hadn’t thought about it, but yet we read where there were some Egyptians that left with the Israelites, though seems like they caused some trouble later if I remember the story correctly. We’ll see…
ReplyDeleteSo in today’s reading I’m just so impressed with how David wouldn’t kill Saul though it seemed like time & again he was placed “miraculously” into his hands. I would have probably thought that God gave him to me to kill. But David said in 26;10-11 His time will come, somehow, some way, but it’s not for me to determine, God will take care of it, it’s not up to me (my paraphrase). Incredible patience there! Guess that’s why I’m not in line to be Queen of anything! LOL
Even though Saul went to home after that, he still had “spies” out looking to see where David was all the time until he went into Philistia. Such insecurity when God isn’t with us. Or when we (read I) don’t let Him take care of us. Just really sad to see the depths Saul went to, did he realize he was dealing with satanic forces when he went to the witch? Each little step down makes the next one easier. What a lesson to learn!
Man David’s men were fickle in 30 when they wanted to stone him! Course they’d just lost their families & when you’re on the move/run all the time & the little you have is taken from you, you turn to desperate measures so I can understand that. Glad David sought God to help him & didn’t try to defend himself. For some reason I think God’s trying to drill that into my head. :) It’s what I keep seeing over & over again.
Chris---
ReplyDeleteI think David was respectful of the 'office of aurthority' Saul had been given by the Lord ---and not so much his personhood. As Americans (well--we used to) usually respect the office of the presidency whether we like Obama or not.
There is so much in today's reading that I don't know where to begin to comment.
How about in Chapter 26:19-20---
Saul tells David-- Go, serve other gods--
By driving him from the land and the ritual of true worship, David was being forced into foreign and heathen countries. Saul was exposing him to all sorts of idolatry and the seductions that come with it.
20..... as when one doth hunt a partridge--
I read somewhere that in the East, that when people hunted partridge and other birds, they'd go after them, until they become fatigued. Then they'd knock them down.
This was how Saul went after David. He drove him out of his hiding-place time after time, hoping to make him weary of his life. Maybe David would even commit suicide if Saul didn't get the chance to kill him.
25. So David went on his way--Notwithstanding this sudden relenting of Saul, David placed no confidence in his professions or promises, but wisely kept at a distance and awaited the course of Providence.
This is how Satan pursues us---he hammers at us again and again until we're tired out.
Chris and Sher -- I LOVE reading your comments -- just makes my reading come alive with new ideas! Wow Sher -- great word picture on partridge hunting, and yeah - - it's easy to see that David put very little confidence in what Saul said. I know people like that - - I simply don't believe anything they say.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was obvious that David was trusted by the Philistine King -- he even wanted him to be his personal body guard; and yet, David was lying to the king as to who he'd been raiding. Do you think David had to raid to supply his city with food and clothes? I wonder why he didn't just lie low? Maybe Ziklag wouldn't have gotten sacked?
Sad sad ending to Saul's life - - what a waste; he'd turned from a mighty warrior into a mighty worrier - - I wonder what it would have taken to turn his life around, back to trusting God instead of in his own power?
One of my favorite lines in this reading is 30:23 "Don't be selfish with what the Lord has given us" Good reminder that the gifts we have are given to us by God -- it would have been easy for David to have thought (as Saul often did) Look what we've done! How clever of us! We beat up the Amalakites and got all their stuff! Yeah us! Instead, he reminds his troops where the gift of victory comes from. Lots of applications there!
yep Sherrie, you & I say the same things a lot of the time but with different words. Great thought on the partridge hunting!
ReplyDeleteLinda - I skipped right over that verse (30:23) thanks for bringing it out for me to "get it".
I can’t tell if this first song is about David or Jesus. It seems to go back & forth between them. I like 44:10 though; it’s a picture of God’s love, His crazy love for me. "Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: forget your country, put your home behind you. Be here—the king is wild for you. Since he's your lord, adore him.” I need to forget my former lovers & believe His love for me. When I think of how He’s proved that over & over again – why wouldn’t I adore Him? Why would I want the former?
ReplyDelete46 starts out with being fearless through supernatural forces of nature. I’m not afraid in nature, I know it obeys it’s Master. It’s humans that I’m afraid of, they don’t obey. I can hike by myself because I know God controls the animals & they listen to Him. But “intelligent” people? Bah! We hurt each other right & left. I like the constant reminder throughout this Psalm of who our God is & who protects us.
All of these Psalms have elements of praise to God throughout them. It’s very uplifting to read them. My heart can’t help but think of all God has done/is doing for me. Praise is a powerful weapon in our hand! If this is David writing it must have been when he was very aware of God’s Presence & was seeing Him work in his behalf.
Chris - - just getting ready to jump into Psalms this am -- but reading your post made me think of this!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQI5wxtH6OY
Whoa! What a GREAT scripture for this morning -- Psalms 47 just begged me to proclaim it OUT LOUD!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about 45 and bride picture. In Rev -- we're the bride; so God delights in our beauty - we're being led to the King by our bridesmades (the angels?) The procession is enthusiastic as we enter the King's palace - - Let All Heaven Rejoice! (couldn't resist - hee hee!)
God is my refuge and strength - always ready to help in times of trouble. That's good, because so many times I need to hide, I need to be held up.
and a constant battle for me is 46:10 Be STILL, and know that I am God. It's such a peaceful, calming command. Be still - rest; how like Him to give us this beautiful command. When the world hollars; keep going - keep pulling -- keep trying; God simply asks us to be still.
Great song Linda! I'm more in a listening mode today. In Message 46:10 translates thus: "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything." I've been trying to do that since Sunday, step out of traffic & listen. Ever listen too hard & miss the answer right in front of you? Hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteSo Job blatantly answers his friends accusations with examples to plead his case. And for once, they can say nothing, can't counter with anything. They must have known the pure life that Job had led too then. He wasn't saying he was perfect (31:33,34), he was just saying he had dealt openly & honestly in everything & if someone disagreed then bring it up.
ReplyDeleteI like how he wants God as his judge. Since God can read hearts & knows motives He'd be the fairest one to preside over a hearing. He'd know everything. Job's not so much trying to convince his friends, his heart is clear.
Will be interesting to see what Elihu has to say. I had to look ahead a bit, but sounds like he's got a lot pent up.
I don't remember that Job ever got the answer as to "Why" God allowed this to happen to him. We'll see...
It is great Chris, that when Job states his actual examples - - his friends are silent. They have watched his love of mankind and his life of integrity -- They must be as confused as Job; as they think they have God and his ways figured out - - and Job's life just isn't adding up.
ReplyDeleteOK -- then comes Elihu; I can remember when I was young, and was pretty sure I had life figured out. I had answers to everything - - but the reality is, I didn't have a clue; and I'm still learning how much I don't know and how many problems in life simply don't have a good answer or solution!
I too, will be interested in hearing what this young man has to say. But, that'll be next week (I didn't peek!!)
I was really struck by 17:7,8 the previous verses show the folly of trusting in human strength & then the opposite is shown. Real trust in God = peace in any circumstances. Man do I want that, need that desperately. Those who really trust God don’t panic when things going in the opposite direction they should be. If, as these verses say, the tree always gives FRESH fruit EVERY season it’s proof their sustenance is in God because if it’s dry as a desert with no rain, a tree will not produce fruit – normally. But with God ANYTHING is possible & people like this can still sing praise in hard times, still love, be patience (I’m so far from this one), forgiving, remain cheerful & still trust that it will turn when God needs it to turn, not before & not late. This always makes me think of the extreme, putting on the front. There is a balance here though, don’t know that I’ve found it. I feel like I keep going from one ditch on the side of the road to the other like a weaving drunk. But I just love that picture of the tree blooming in the desert in spite of the circumstances that say it should be dead. It gives life to those who happen across its path. That’s what we should be as Christians, fresh fruit, reviving people. Can’t give what you don’t have though. That tree has a DEEP tap root! I want that too!
ReplyDeleteI was talking to a friend who had been a Sunday keeper until she found out that Sabbath wasn’t a Jewish thing. She said in her experience there was never a Sunday rest like we’re supposed to have a true Sabbath rest. People went from church to the store, did yard work, house work etc. But when she found the Sabbath & how God rested at Creation & we should follow His example, it was so beautiful to her. I can see why God has Jeremiah remind the people of not making the Sabbath their day. It’s the Lord’s Day. What a blessing to rest & enjoy His presence even more on His day because we stop all our other work & are reminded of Him & His work in our hearts, making us more like Him. Can’t wait ‘til heaven to see how we celebrate Sabbath there!
Great encouragement for me in 18 with the potter & clay.
20:11 “But God, a most fierce warrior, is at my side. Those who are after me will be sent sprawling…” even those negative thoughts that keep running thru my mind will be sent sprawling because of my fierce Warrior God. Love it!
Ooooo - great thought Chris about the negative thoughts being our persecutors - - sprawl away thoughts in the presence of my Defender!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I liked the tree verse as well in 17. Mine said such trees are not bothered by the heat and looooong months of drought. I want to get to that place too. Total trust, total peace - - you're right Chris, it's the roots that make all the difference.
There is such a joy to putting all the stress and the to do list down on the Sabbath; God wants us to have that abundant life - - and we fight against it (go figure) Who wouldn't want to have a vacation every week?
God is so good to paint us so many word pictures -- the clay, the shattered pot. I think he is pleased when we use word pictures to communicate truth about Him. Jesus did it all the time; God does it through his prophets; and that's what we try to do when we use dramas or tell illustrations @ church! Love the word pics.
I was wondering about Jeremiah's claim in 17:16 that he did not urge God to send disaster - - then when I skip over to 18:21-23; well that sounds pretty disasterous to me!
So -- they finally come around! 21:1,2 They begged Jeremiah, Please speak to the Lord for us and ask Him to help us.
God in His mercy, still provides the escape. Stay in the city = disaster and death; go out and surrender and live. Seems like an easy choice since we know the whole story -- but I was wondering what I would have chosen?
yeah Linda, I was wondering what I would have chosen as well. I'm so good at rationalizing things away. Scary thought!
ReplyDeleteThe connection Jesus had with His Father was so close. He knew exactly where to go & what to say because He listened. I just panic & go pell mell into it & then stop in confusion & ask “what am I supposed to do now?” If I’d of listened better, I would have known better.
ReplyDeleteJesus tells His disciples exactly what to say to anyone who asks about them taking the colt. And they replied exactly as Jesus told them to. Sometimes I add to what He says, like I think I can explain Him better than He can. Kinda like Eve telling the serpent that God said they couldn’t eat or touch the fruit when God just said don’t eat it. We add to His perfect rules, His simple explanations, etc. The disciples had no problem because they said just what Jesus told them to. Hmmmm….
Nice that we’re reading about the people singing Hosannas to Him since we’re doing that in Journey now too!
I wonder if Jesus knew that He wouldn’t find figs on that tree & that it was there just for a lesson to His disciples on faith & to encourage their faith in Him as the Son of God.
I like Jesus’ explanation of the commandments in 12:29-30 “…love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.' And here is the second: 'Love others as well as you love yourself”. I like the word passion in here. I’ve been in passionless churches, had a passionless experience (is that really an “experience”?) myself. I really love that God wants us to be passionate about Him, because He is passionate about us, about me!
Wow:) Reading Mark 11 brings Journey all back into focus - - what an amazing honor that we get to experience a small microcosm of that experience - -
ReplyDelete11:11 After llking around carefully at everything; he left . . . I'm thinking this "looking" could have been at the symbols (the alter and the services that pointed to Him and his sacrifice) or maybe he was looking at the people and how clueless they were. Observant - - I think being still and observant gives us an op to hear God more clearly -- weak point in my character.
Jesus is able to get SO much out of each act of his life - - like the fig tree. A lesson on faith, and an illustration about "by your fruits, you'll know them"
You must REALLY believe it will happen and have NO doubt in your heart -- not even in a corner? Not even leave room for "in case it doesn't happen" This is something I don't totally understand - - unless God is talking about spiritual miracles here and not physical miracles.
The 2 aspects tied with answers to prayer are: faith and forgiveness - - I wonder if he was specifically talking about disciple dynamics (along with our own dynamics) when he talked about this forgiveness -- they were kind of a rowdy bunch!
(Sigh -- those pharisees wear me out with their endless testing)
Jesus must have been thrilled when the teacher recognized that LOVE is more important than all the ceremonies and traditions - - pay day for Jesus! Someone actually got it! All those ceremonies and traditions pointed to God's love for man - - it's all about loving God and loving others; His amazing goal for us, for me!