OK -- I'm doing somthing wrong -- I can't find anything to click on to enter a post -- other than editing an old post (sigh) I tried clicking on 3 comments, on home, on old post, new post -- not sure what I'm doing wrong --
Anyway -- yeah, I thought it was pretty sick that they got a virgin to warm David up -- what was wrong with one of his wives for the job? or as Sher said -- warm up a blanket. Seems like some warpage of minds to me!
Poor Israel -- waiting for David to act -- I can just see their heads turning in mass from one possible kinglet to another! Finally David found out what was going on. By the way -- does it seem to you that David had a weakness in holding people accountable? Like his sons whom he never disciplined him (vs 6) or the fact that he left some of the tough calls for Solomon, when David had granted grace?
Well, I can post Linda, but haven't read anything. Was in God's 1st book this weekend. :) Got a couple of good lessons too.
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Joab is an interesting character. Seems like sometimes he speaks with such wisdom, you think he's totally committed to God. Then he lies or kills without conscience to further his cause or David's, very selfish. He has an unconverted heart. God will use whatever means He needs to though to further His cause & sometimes He put inspired words in Joab's mouth to help David with decisions. Also shows the folly of putting our trust fully in man to be our best buds. We don't know their hearts like God does.
ReplyDeleteSolomon was very wise even before asking God for wisdom. This is shown in how he carried out his father's instructions.
Solomon asked for a "God listening heart" of discernment. I like the way that's put. And God told him to keep his eye on the "life-map and the God-signs as your father David did". Reminds me of the song "Treasure". I want to be alert & have a God listening heart & eyes that discern His life map for me too!
This isn't very spiritual, but I laughed and laughed at 1 Kings 1-4. It just tickled me that the King was cold so their cure was a young virgin. She must have been bored out of her mind while laying there beside David 24 hrs a day. I wonder if they picked a woman with a lot of meat on her bones, since a hefty woman would probably give off more heat.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't they have warmed blankets over the fire for him and and given him hot liquids instead of a virgin?
good one Sherrie! Except if you've ever been white from cold, you know that the only thing that works quick is skin on skin! :D
ReplyDeleteGood comparison by David of the physical thirst & spiritual thirst. I hope tho that my spiritual thirst is never quenched here on earth. I want to keep seeking Him.
ReplyDeletev2 kinda reminds me of the song "here I am to worship". "So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last!...My arms wave like banners of praise to you." The more I give & worship God, the more life I feel I have. Definitely I'm having more fun!
Then I can relate to David in 63:1 "I'm reduced to a whine...." I'm so fickle. I can lift my hands/heart in sincere praise & then turn around & whine a moment or so later if things get tight. Hmmm, seems like I'd fit right in with the Israelites in the desert! :((
His counsel in v10 though is good: "make praise your habit". I've noticed when I'm in a whining mood, if I starting thanking God, I can't whine. It's like Mandisa said, "my circumstances didn't change but my perspective did".
Interesting that in 65:1 David says silence is praise to God. When I'm quiet in His presence, submissive, waiting on Him, listening. Just like I enjoy it when people listen, really listen to me, God is praised when I do that with Him. Need to do it way more often!
Nice pic of the earth praising & worshiping God in the rest of 65. I was able to enjoy nature again & listen to it this past wkend. Very refreshing to my soul!
Love Psalms 63 -- it just reminds me of the 3rd Day song. The word pics bring me a lot of peace. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land (sounds like the world to me!) where there is no water.
ReplyDeleteI sing for joy in the shadow of your wings (love the thought of being under His wing, protected from the fierce heat) I cling to You; your strong right hand holds me securely (love the thought of being curled up and asleep in the cup of His hand - - resting with no worries or fears, because He's awake and watching over me)
I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on you through the night. Sometimes I wake up and pray to God about my concerns; but I like this idea way better -- waking up to think about His power, His glory, His love! Wow - - talk about a night of encouragement! I'm going to do that next time I'm awake in the middle of the night:)
PS -- thanks Chris! I LOVE having my box back:):)
O great thoughts Chris -- "make praise a habit!" I gotta ways to go.
ReplyDeleteAnd good thoughts on silence - - you blessed me today with those 2 thoughts.
Being teachable is so important in life. We can never feel like we understand life enough to stop learning. When people stop being willing to learn or try new things, I feel like they've given up living & growing. Of course I'm talking about things that aren't detrimental to ourselves & our relationship with God.
ReplyDeletev22-24 - Seems like God just wants to teach us, to open our small little minds to His expansive greatness! But we're content with our status quo & don't listen, don't change our sinful ways. A lot of the "fun" that this world has to offer is harmful & hurts others as well. Great description in v8-19 of it.
v30 - "...you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you..." I don't always think of the circumstances I'm in as a great "training" program. I whine instead & want out. But if I really believe God is in control of my life, I need to stop squirming & looking for the easy way. Man am I a wimp! This was a good translation for me to read, good smack upside the head! LOL
Kindof neat to be reading Solomon's words after reading about Solomon's coronation:)
ReplyDeleteI love how Solomon include's everyone as benefiting from his book: the simple, they young, the wise - - something for everyone.
The purpsoe is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives -- hmmm, that would indicate the two go hand in hand! We'd rather be successful without any discipline or accountability!
vs 19 - - Such is the fat of all who are greedy for money - - it robs them of life. I think this not only applies to the schemers, but also to the work-aholics; they also get robbed of life -- they're too busy trying to carve out the good life to enjoy the good life!!
Therefore (vs 31) they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way - - I'm not sure we let people eat the bitter fruit sometimes. (I guess I'm thinking of the government and many welfare cases) I know there are different circumstances, but sometimes people have to feel their need before they'll get off the couch and start making wise decisions -- not just what FEELS good.
But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm - - bring on the wisdome Solomon!
In Proverbs 1:7-8
ReplyDeleteWe're told that the first step to wisdom is to trust and reverance the Lord. I find it so difficult to trust sometimes---If I don't think that the Lord is acting fast enough on my behalf, I have a tendancy to take matters into my own hands. That's not trust.
In verse 23, it says I'll pour out my Spirit of Wisdom upon you. This sounds to me like wisdom isn't a mental thing that you can evolve into or get from education. Wisdom is a spiritual thing that must be poured out upon you from the Lord, like the Spirit of Discernment or any of the other gifts that are poured out over us.
oh Sherrie, great thought on wisdom!
ReplyDeleteJer 50:4-5 the promise of restoration when seeking God from a sincere heart, not just to escape punishment. The painful discipline of God worked to change their hearts, make them teachable. At least some of them.
ReplyDeletev6,7 - the spiritual leaders of that time were inept & just trying to take advantage of the people. Hmmm, sounds like some prominent preachers these days that make the news. Very sad & always a sad end too.
51:6-8 reminds me of the woman in Revelation 17 who had a cup in her hand full of sin as well. It's not a coincidence with the imagery here & in the NT. God does things with a purpose.
I think God's dealing with Babylon here in Jeremiah is also applicable to how He will deal with spiritual Babylon in the end. A clean sweep, nothing left to bother His people anymore. We will live in good/safe pastures (50:19,20)
Wonder how Seraiah felt reading about the doom of Babylon while Babylon was still prosperous. That took a lot of guts! God must have protected him though & they didn't do anything to him. Maybe they knew he was connected with Jeremiah & they seemed to leave him alone for the most part.
So Jehoiachin was in prison for 37 years! Wow! That's a long time to survive in there! I didn't think one could live that long in such a place, cuz they seemed to be really, really bad back then! Nice ending though for him.
Really liked your thoughts from yesterday Sher -- love how God pours wisdom on when we ask for it. Why don't we ask more???
ReplyDeleteDitto thoughts on spiritual Babylon and Seraiah Chris. Wonder what the people of Babylon thought!
49:22 Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor - - is anything as painful as childbirth!! LOL
I think God has a heart for the innocent children -- almost every prophecy of doom he mentions them. He must hurt so much to watch the innocents experience the punishment of the wicked.
I love 51:36 I will be your lawyer to plead your case, and I will avenge you. God never changes, He wants us to win this battle; whatever our battle might be.
Sad that Seraiah, who faithfully went to Babylon and read the prophecy was put to death (52:24) I wonder what happened to Jeremiah? Was he left in Jerusalem, or taken as a captive. Does anyone know?
I've always heard he was left in Jerusalem the whole time...think I got that from Ezra/Nehemiah, but I'd have to look it up again.
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures of Jesus compassion with people shown in these 2 chapters of Luke. It made me think of my own experience with Him. I remembered many different times when His heart broke (widow of Nain) with my pain so He healed/comforted; His INCREDIBLE forgiveness with my lack of trust, gratitude & love (Simon/Mary); our many, many lake experiences (ongoing);His healing touch (hemorrhaging woman), etc. Made me very grateful!
ReplyDeleteThe people in Nain where quietly worshipful after the raising of the dead man, then noisily grateful. There's a time for both!
I'm jumping around here but the comparison between John's ministry & Jesus' is interesting. No matter what method was used (& they were different), there were people who complained & wouldn't accept it. They could find fault with anything. So applicable today! I'm starting to notice that about people & not hang around people as much who always are negative about EVERYTHING! It's too draining! They have a choice to make but it's easier for them to complain & nit pick. Not fun at all!
To be so in love with Jesus that I don't care what people think of me & how they judge me...sometimes I'm there & other times, unfortunately, I'm not. Glad Mary's story is told multiple times for me to remember.
Beautiful sunny day, all going my way & then WHAM outta the blue something gets me all worked up & I forget to trust Jesus...ah yes, I can relate to the disciples in the boat.
The people of the village where the madman was healed asked Jesus to leave because it was "too much change, too fast & they were scared". So Jesus didn't push, He left & let the man tell his story over & over again so it'd sink in & then they welcome Him back. He didn't give up on them, He let them ponder it a while. He does this with me all the time & I'm am so grateful!
I think the woman being healed was an encouragement to Jairus when he was told his daughter was dead. At first though, he was probably impatient at the hold up. So similar to me. The thing I get impatient about & over react to usually turns out to be the biggest blessing & then I'm embarrassed that I reacted the way I did.
I wonder if it was tough on those Jewish elders to come and beg Jesus to help the Roman officer. The officer sent them -- so I don't think they had a choice; wonder if they cringed to ask Jesus to help them? I don't remember any other stories where they asked for His help.
ReplyDeleteJesus indicated that during His life, He didn't make a move without His Father's direction. IN chapters 7 and 8, I get the idea that God is orchestrating each move of Jesus' life to try and reach ALL the people around Him (and us!!) Like the reaction of the Roman officer (I'm not worthy) and Jesus commendation "I haven't seen faith like this" I think God was reaching out to the Jewish leaders.
I love the line in 7:13 "His heart overflowed with compassion" I believe that's true for each one of us that looses someone we love. And again -- God reaching out to the funeral party - and spreading the AMAZING news about the power of God.
I think Jesus resopnse in 7:22,23 to John was to send John back to the scriptures. He might have been refering to Isaiah 35 here - - I think when we stumble in our faith, that's a good way to go, back to the scriptures.
I never noticed before that in 7:30 the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism. Makes sense - - I'm sure their pride totally got in the way; so I need to make sure I stay open to God's direction in MY life and not let pride get in my way of His plan and desire for me.
Her sins (and they are many) have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Oooooo - another wake up call; I don't want to show "little" love to God - - I want to show "much" love. What JOY the prostitute must have had when she heard "Your sins are forgiven" and "Your faith has saved you; go in PEACE"
8 is full of God setting up Jesus for more faith lessons for the people around Him -- I just LOVE it! First the Parables - - then the storm, the demoniac (doncha LOVE how the demonica does JUST what Jesus says -- he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him) Jairus, the woman (I think Jesus had the woman tell her story to encourage Jairus to hang on to faith).
I want MORE faith, MORE love, MORE passion in my life!!
Oh yeah, & Jesus' response to the woman healed is so good too! "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!" 8:48
ReplyDeleteJesus recognizes our small steps, doesn't show impatience with a snippy "it's about time!". He's always encouraging!
I need to be more encouraging to others & less impatient! So much work to be done on this project! Glad He's the Master & up to the task!
Linda - hadn't thought about the Jewish elders not coming to Jesus by choice & that it was difficult to ASK for help. I had always thought they'd wanted to because the officer was worthy but since they felt they had to boost about him to Jesus instead of realizing Jesus would have done it anyway because of love.... Hmmm, your comment makes sense - good point!
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