I love this struggle between grace and the law - - the age old battle continues today:)
First of all -- I never understood so clearly before the illustration of Hagar and Sarah! YAY
Hagar: Ishmael was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise (saved by law)
Sarah: Isaac was born as God's own fulfillment of his promise (saved by grace)
and the results? You are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac.
soooo . . . get rid of the slave and her son (that sounds pretty harsh! Paul didn't mince words!)
So why in Romans does Paul say, does that make void the law -- God forbid! It's all about how the law is kept, I think.
5:13,14 You have been called to live in freedom ... use your freedom to serve on another in love. The whole LAW can be summed up in this one command, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So obeying the law is simply a result of God living in your life. Done vs. Do
I sure long for the amazing attributes of the fruit of the Spirit -- but just like any fruit, I have to wait while it rippens; can't rush the process - - have to keep growing with God as my Gardener.
Let's follow the Spirit's leading (verse 25) in every part of our lives.
Hee hee! God Paul (6:3) "You are not that important!" Thnx Paul, I need to remind myself of that daily!!
6:9 Let's not get tired of doing what is good . . . sometimes I do get tired, so I appreciate this encouragement.
4:17 "Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God's grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important." How many times have we seen (& even recently) people following another human being instead of studying the Bible for themselves. Really scary to give up our free will to another person.
5:13-15 always reminds me of when I was in legalistic mode. I was always looking down at people who didn't do the same strict things I did & thought I was more spiritual than them. Definitely biting & ravaging people to make myself look good - HA! I'm so glad God didn't just leave me in that frame of mind. I still have so far to go...but I'm glad I'm looking at Him now, instead of others. Still fight with wanting others approval at times, but God brings me back to Gal 1:10 ALOT!!!
Paul's care for the church & for people is so evident in 6:1-3. Sharing each other's burden, helping, not criticizing each other. We're not above that - it's Christ's example.
Love how Paul closes out 6 in the Message "May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!" That's what I want for sure!
Linda - Message laid it out pretty clear too about Ishmael/Isaac. Good stuff! I think when we abandon ourselves to God, we live the law & aren't even aware of it vs. monitoring every little thing on our own, not talking it over with God. He isn't going to mislead us!
There were only a couple of things here that really caught my attention. One was Galations 4:27 where he says he's going to give Sarah many more children than the slave wife has.
It's my understanding that Christians and Jews are the heirs of Abraham and Sarah and Moslems (Islam) are the result of Abraham and Hagar. I hear in the news all the time how Moslem populations are taking over European Countries because they believe in having many children and Christians do not. The fear is that Moslems will soon be more numerous than Christians here in the U.S.and around the world. But according to Galatians 4:27, that will not happen.
In 5:22 It says when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. I am not experiencing those things at the moment. I've been asking the Lord why? For the past few days, I've been convicted of watching tv shows like CSI-New York, Miami and LA and Law and Order, LA and other shows in a similar vein. The Lord is teaching me that when I watch shows that have things in them that break the 10 commandments such as murder, adultery and taking the Lords name in vain--then that gives the enemy a legal right to attack me. I'm now changing my tv viewing habits.
Can't say I got much out of Exodus for my personally. Nice that God gave such incredible talent to the people who made the sanctuary.
I liked the last part of the cloud sitting there until God wanted the people to move. Wonder if they ever got impatient to leave a spot or thought it was having them leave too soon. You know, like we get impatient for God to act or we want to stay longer in a place but He says MOVE!
Bezalel was amazingly talented/blessed. Not only could he make furniture, he could make incense and sew too!
When I read about the weight of the bases for the poles -- I think of them hauling all 100 bases around the dessert; hope they were allowed to put them on carts. and all those gold covered pieces of furniture would have been heavy; carried around on the priest's shoulders. I guess that's why the furniture is smaller than how I imagine it.
The chestpiece was only 9" square - that's small. But I like the idea of the tribes carried over the priest's heart. I wonder if the priest took that seriously - that he was a representative or mediator for these people. I wonder if little kids loved seeing their "stone" worn by the priest.
I bet Bezalel felt really affirmed when Moses inspected and blessed, and when God showed his happiness by inhabiting the temple.
I think God loves color and beauty - shown by Bezalel's weaving beautiful colors together for the priest's clothes. I've heard some people say we should dress simply - - but God apparently loves beautiful stuff. I think he wants us to enjoy colors and beauty and cleanliness -- it was all part of his temple.
Yeah -- I wish I had a cloud sometimes. It'd be an easy indication of when I should move and when I should stay!! I guess that the present way though is a good trust builder.
Wow---so many tiny details mentioned----are all these details really important to the Lord? I beleive the answer is Yes! Even the tiniest details of our lives are important to the Lord.
Ex.39:3--This must be where manufacturers got the idea for the underwire bra!
The sprinkling or annointing with Holy Oil means to make Sacred, to consecrate or to set apart, and dedicate for use to our CREATOR. I use this practice a lot to remind Satan to keep his hands off of God's property. I use it on my children, my grandchildren, at least the ones I can get my hands on-- especially when they're sick, my plants, trees, walls and doors of my apt, my vehicle, my kids vehicles when they're about to take a vacation etc. etc. I've learned the value of the Biblical practice of annointing with oil.
Sherrie, you crack me up! I thought the underwire bra? How'd you get that? But my brain connects things out of the blue at times too & people look at me like I'm crazy sometimes. I'm glad your my friend & join my brain train on the whacky track sometimes! LOL
Okay, so my eyes glaze over rather quickly with all the #'s & measurements & I do a lot of scanning (not looking fwd to Leviticus). But chapter 8 is refreshing!
Solomon is so humble before God, pleading, trying to think of every possible circumstance that the people might go through & just pleading with God to listen, forgive, heal, etc. In some ways though, I wonder if he's already being influenced by the pagan thought of worship, that you have to sacrifice sooo much & say just the right things, the right amount of times, etc. in order for the gods to hear & do something. I know there's a balance there though too as I wouldn't want to be presumptuous.
He's pretty clear too about what would happen if they disobey God & I like that. Most leaders today try to just say the part people want to hear to make them feel comfortable. We need to realize there are consequences, but then again, today, we don't want to hear that.
I like how God visited him again & confirmed it, how God visibly blessed the temple. That must have been really assuring to Solomon & the people. It's so nice to know that you've pleased God.
oh yeah, I like how Hiram gets stuck with some boonyville towns for all his gifts. It's like giving someone Nevada! But Hiram keeps on giving looks like at the end of 9. Kinda funny though.
Ha ha Chris! Bonnyville in Nevada! I thought the same thing - - just didn't now how to say it so eloquently!
Kindof interesting how the building of the 2 temples came back to back. I'm wondering if Husram and Bazelel will have a good talk about design when they get to heaven. Do you think Solomon called the shots on the design of this temple (as opposed to God's instructions to Moses) or did God give the directions to David who passed them on to Solomon) God also directed the building of the ark. It'd be neat if God directed the building of a modern building - - I wonder what the world's leading architects would say?
I always think of the temple as huge -- but it was no longer than 1/3 of a football field. That's not very big. The one think I'd really like to have seen was those huge 15 foot high angels. I wonder if people looked at them before they were installed in the temple?
At first in 8:13 I was thinking Solomon was a bit arrogant: "Now I ahve built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!" like -- who can contain God? But then he clarifies it in his prayer 8:27 - - so I think he meant his name would live forever.
I love how Saul got it right (as opposed to the Israelites in Jesus' day) 8:41-43 is all about everyone being blessed by the Lord. Foreigners who do not belong ... will come from distant lands because of your great name . . . all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people!" YEAH
Hard to believe that after Solomon SAW the Lord twice, heard the consequences of staying true to God or not staying true - - he STILL was influenced by the people around him. And HE was the smartest man around. Again, the importance of daily surrender to God.
I just couldn't get much out of todays reading. But I Kings 6:7 got me really excited where it says the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, axe or any tool on the building site. (Living Bible) No Sound---! And perhaps this is the answer as to why.....
Dr. Cleave Backster has been doing experiments with lie detector tests and how plants react to stress. When someone comes near a plant and pretends to hack them vs. really having the intent to hack them---plants know the difference and will remember that person. The FBI got a hold of these experiments and began testing animals to see if they had a memory of who the bad guy was at a crime scene. There may come a day when your plant or cat is on the witness stand in court and will actually identify the burgler, rapist or bad guy. Science is taking us to a level of technology tht is really advanced.
In a similar area, Quantum Physicist David Van Koevering was commissioned to take the sound out of objects. Objects have memory of sound. So in the future perhaps authorities can take an earring off of a dead woman and the earring can tell what happened and why she died. The old saying--If these walls could talk--may seem foreign to us now, but in the future it may be possible to extract the sound from walls.
David uses the name Shaddai 68. El Shaddai means God Almighty - the God who nourishes, supplies & satisfies. It seems like David is experiencing this in these 3 psalms. That is a very comforting word to me as well & makes me reflect on my own life & how El Shaddai has been there for me.
68:6 God has always provided me with a family when I needed that type of support as I don't look to my birth family for it. So caring of Him to do that! I must admit, a lot of times I didn't realize it, but looking back now I can see all the families that have helped me in my various wanderings...even in foreign countries.
Many times in 67 David says, "let people thank and enjoy You". It's easy to say a quick "thanks" but to enjoy someone is to give them your time, attention, energy. Not a quick wave of acknowledgement. I want to ENJOY God more.
66:10 says that God trained us. He doesn't just throw us out into life & say deal with it. But it's all a training process. I think if I would enjoy Him more & realize He is always my Supplier, my Shepherd, the One who satisfies me truly, then I wouldn't make the training so hard. Yeah, I'm the one that makes it hard...
And I went backwards in this because a lot of times it's AFTER the fact, when we reflect, that we see things better. The hindsight is 20/20 thing. So it made sense to me only after I was done reading all 3 & was going back over them. That's when the thoughts started coming.
66:13 Now I come to your Temple with offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you; yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. A lot of times (I'm totally guilty here) I'm quick to promise God something when things are going bad -- then I kindof forget it when things turn out right -- but not David. He remembers and gives God the "best" of his rams -- not just an "o, this'll do" gift. I want to be so in love with God and ENJOY (thank you Chris) Him so much, that I can hardly wait to give Him more gifts!
I liked 68:5 & 6 too. It made me think of all the foster parents and adoptive parents that God has arranged for children. He really watches out for us.
And then 68:19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior for EACH DAY He carries us in His arms. What a wonderful word pic. I think about when I was little and I'd fall asleep early. My dad would carry me in his arms (a limp rag doll) to bed. Just love this text!
And, I also love the word picture of my mighty Father: 68:33 Sing to the One who rides across the ancient heavens, His mighty voice thundering from the sky.
2 word pictures, one God. A tender Father carrying me in His arms, and a mighty warrior watching over me! I too want to ENJOY my God today!
These were great chapters to soak in - - much more inspiring than the architectural chapters of the temple:):)
Apparently, Solomon - who was granted great wisdom worked for that wisdom. If he was just bequeathed it - - how would he have known that it takes work to gain understanding? Cry out for it - ask for it - search for it. I think Solomon took the time to gain understanding, both in his profession (kingship - - what school teaches you that? But I believe he spent time with other successful leaders to learn their wisdom - - I believe He studied the scriptures He had) and His walk with God.
I also like Solomon's take on simply using common sense (2:7 and 3:21) Sometimes it pays to step back, stay unemotional and simply ask, does this makes sense?
Another thing I like about Solomon - - he was known as being very wise, yet he says (and I gotta think he's talking to himself as well as us) don't depend on your own understanding . . . don't be impressed with your own wisdom. I like this teachable-ness in Solomon. What a JOY it is to work with people who are teachable, God must feel the same way about teachable people. Lord, today - - help me to be teachable.
Good counsel to honor the Lord with your wealth and with the BEST part of everything you produce. Didn't we just read that about Solomon when he dedicated the temple? It's so easy to give the Lord our left overs - - why is that? It's like He's "Good Will" or something, we give Him what is surplus or we don't need. There's something wrong with that. Lord, give me a generous, grateful, overflowing with love for You heart.
And "don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when He corrects you. Easier said than done - - but I want to have that level of trust that He is actively involved in shaping me through the experiences I walk through today, this week, the next year.
Lamentations shows that though the deserving punishment doesn't happen quickly, it does come. God isn't ignoring justice. Just want He said would happen when Israel forgot Him, happened.
I'm struck by Jeremiah's thoughts in 3 though. He describes how he was treated, beaten down, face in the mud/gravel & in a pit with water rising over his head, thinking it's all over for him. And yet, he can't forget one thing - God's character. That God is love. It's like the Syro-Phenician (sp) woman, pressing Jesus for her daughter to be healed. Though Jesus said things that would seem to discourage her, she saw something in Him that made her press her case. Like Jeremiah in 3:21 it helped her keep her grip on hope.
v22 - His loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. Wow, that's pretty incredible to say when you're getting trounced by the enemy. I know I can give into despair pretty easily in certain situations. But like Jeremiah says, "I'm sticking with God, He's all I got left".
I love the thought of new mercy every morning, He is so faithful to give me life & a clean slate. Do I give people new mercy everyday or do I remember all their mistakes & hold it against them. I need to pass on God's forgiveness to others.
I've never thought of "passionately waiting" before God as possible. Seems like an oxymoron. I need to contemplate that a bit more.
28-32 "When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly."
I like the thought of entering the silence. This reminds me of Job & how after all his questions & God asking him questions, he decided he should have just kept silent & let God do his thing. And I thought Job didn't whine much at all compared to what I would have done.
Then the working both severely & tenderly. Wow, He wounds (for our good) & heals. The wounds are never fun but looking back, I wouldn't change my life...His healing has been & is so wonderful & faithful...& complete. Yes, I can definitely say GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!
Oh, hee hee! Linda, I was reading your comments & was wondering why you were talking about Solomon! Guess I needed Lamentations today more than Proverbs! So I'll read that tomorrow!
oh I don't know Sherrie. For sure 1 & 2 are depressing but 3 I've always been encouraged by. No matter how bad it seems....there's always Hope. I thought of it today when I heard this song by Josh Wilson on the radio "Before the Morning" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWAG-bnttQ
Okay, so today I read yesterday's reading of Proverbs & Linda, I had some of the same thoughts as you - go figure! LOL
The working, searching for wisdom. Also I think LISTENING to people & most importantly to God is how he got so much. You can learn a lot from other's experience. Just because God said he'd be the wisest man ever doesn't mean he didn't have to listen. I think that in & of itself shows wisdom.
3:25,26 is pretty pertinent to what we've been hearing "No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound". If I guard the Common Sense & Clear Thinking that Solomon talked about in v21 & I'm listening to God, these things/people don't freak me out. They make me press in tighter to God - not people.
v27 I like this counsel also to help someone as they need it, don't put them off when I'm able to help them right now. Maybe it's not convenient to my schedule, but am I going by my schedule or God's? It's my choice, but Common Sense should say - God's.
Glad you thought of passing that song on to Lorie, Linda! It's a great encouraging one!
Just had to share this thought today from Dear Jesus by Sarah Young, course the whole reading is good, but this will be enough to make you think. "Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be."
Most people believe that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations -- and if so, he may have written it after the fall of Jerusalem; so sad to see his country in ruins.
I think we will experience a similar feeling as we see the fate of the USA. There is so much that is anti-God these days; hard to believe.
I like it that Jeremiah still trusts God through all this turmoil. 3:55-59 shows that Jeremiah is totally content with God hearing him, being his lawyer AND his judge. He knows that even though this country has turned away - - God cares about the individuals that remained true.
YUK - I can't imagine any mother cooking and eating their own children. That just doesn't compute with me, no matter how hungry you are.
Jerusalem is desolate (5:18-19) but Lord, You remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. There you have it folks -- God is on his throne today - - Go forward boldly, knowing that He is in control:)
When He sends them out, Jesus tells the disciples to keep it simple, no equipment, "you are the equipment". That means Jesus is the One who makes the equipment work - the Source of Power. I like it put this way. Later in 10:18-20 that "...the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that's the agenda for rejoicing". I know I am more blessed by what God has done IN me than what I've done with my life. I'm so grateful that He uses the imperfect, the "cracked pots" (Patsy Clairmont) of life, not the people I think are perfect (like they really are anyway!)
In 9:11 "those that needed healing, He healed". I'm thinking those were the people who KNEW they needed healing & came for help. Maybe this speaks to me so much because I struggle asking for help & just try to figure things out on my own. I only like to talk about things after I've figured them out. I know it's good to quietly ponder things too. I'm still trying to figure the balance of it all.
9:23-27 is similar to what Matt/Mark said too but it was a good reminder to me again of becoming the woman God created me to be. It's by self-sacrifice. "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you".
After Jesus healed the boy & everyone was praising God - throwing a party - Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He was going to be betrayed & killed. At such a high, emotional moment, they couldn't understand what He was talking about. Why worry about the down side of life when it's all going your way right now. They were in the moment & He was seeing the big picture, trying to keep them on an even keel & not a emotional roller coaster. Reminds me of John 2:24,25 where Jesus didn't commit/get caught up with what people were saying about Him because He knew how fickle we can be.
9:62 - no backward looks after committing to God's service. The back n forth we do sometimes is detrimental to others who are weak & may look to humans to find Christ initially. It's wrong for them to do it, but then again...haven't we all looked at human beings for encouragement/direction at times?
K, Linda, I'm not gonna say anything about 10 (except what I already said above) so that if we got the same stuff, I don't post it all! :D
Luke 9:10-17 There are huge crowds that follow Jesus out to a deserted area---no food---no lodging---people are hungry. They have needs. In vs.12 the plan of the disciples is every man for himself----But Jesus says---YOU feed them!
This is an impossible situation and it wasn't brought about accidentally. It's brought about on purpose to manifest the Power of God.
Jesus didn't have to do it that way. Manna could have fallen from Heaven--but the Lord teaches us to trust him by commanding us to do things which are beyond our means to do. God delights in using the the little that we have to do great things. Jesus is not just sufficient--- He is an ABUNDANT GOD. (There was food left over.)
In Luke 10:17 The Seventy felt stupendous astonishment and superiority that the powers of evil obeyed and bowed down to them because of their connection with Jesus. And in vs.20 their power over demons was intoxicating. It is really exciting to watch a new Christian when they first learn this---but Jesus says, yeah that's cool, but the important thing is that your names be recorded in the the Book of Heaven.
Not what you do for God, but what God does for you -- man Chris; you nailed it! That's why they couldn't even take a change of underwear!! Why do we make it sooooo hard? That's what I keep wondering as I read more and more of the Bible!
These 2 books were soo full; now way to comment on it all
One thing on 9: After the disciples finished their outing, then came the disturbed quiet time with their Master. They must have really been looking forward to it, as ministry takes such a tole. But the fish miracle, I think, was Jesus way of saying, "you're not finished yet" Giving for people is a lifetime work. I'll give you the resources (spin off of the take nothing with you) I'll be with you -- but the work, the blessings continue - - and that ties into 9:62.
O -- and also, 9:58-26 to me says not to focus on the traditions of the church, not to look back on "how we've always done it" because that might not be where God is leading you. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. God has a million ways to reach people -- not just the same old same old. Traditions must make God sigh.
10:6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. That's really interesting! More peace is heaped on the peaceful, becuase they've learned I guess - to trust God. Works with finances, with time, with energy.
I wish I could have seen the look on Jesus face for 10:18. I'm guessing that Jesus, who had to have been sad at Satan's choices, still had sadness in his look and gaze.
I also would have liked to see Jesus face when he talked about the "despised Samaritan" that came along. I can imagine he was animated, and looking for the lightbulb in the crowd around him. It's not who you are, but whose you are! God loves a loving heart.
Ah . . . the Mary Martha story. I battle Marthaism all the time. Lord teach me to discover the "one thing" again today.
O Sher -- I like that reminder that the situation of handing out food was "impossible!" I guess, since I know the end of the story, I haven't really thought through that word before -- but that's what the disciples were thinking!
Yeah Sherrie - really like that Impossible thought. I've personally witnessed God multiplying one small pan of lasagna for 20-30 people with leftovers. It was sooo cool!
Wow Linda - hadn't thought about the traditions being the spiritually dead but yeah! Makes sense!
I love this struggle between grace and the law - - the age old battle continues today:)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all -- I never understood so clearly before the illustration of Hagar and Sarah! YAY
Hagar: Ishmael was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise (saved by law)
Sarah: Isaac was born as God's own fulfillment of his promise (saved by grace)
and the results? You are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac.
soooo . . . get rid of the slave and her son (that sounds pretty harsh! Paul didn't mince words!)
So why in Romans does Paul say, does that make void the law -- God forbid! It's all about how the law is kept, I think.
5:13,14 You have been called to live in freedom ... use your freedom to serve on another in love. The whole LAW can be summed up in this one command, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So obeying the law is simply a result of God living in your life. Done vs. Do
I sure long for the amazing attributes of the fruit of the Spirit -- but just like any fruit, I have to wait while it rippens; can't rush the process - - have to keep growing with God as my Gardener.
Let's follow the Spirit's leading (verse 25) in every part of our lives.
Hee hee! God Paul (6:3) "You are not that important!" Thnx Paul, I need to remind myself of that daily!!
6:9 Let's not get tired of doing what is good . . . sometimes I do get tired, so I appreciate this encouragement.
4:17 "Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God's grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important." How many times have we seen (& even recently) people following another human being instead of studying the Bible for themselves. Really scary to give up our free will to another person.
ReplyDelete5:13-15 always reminds me of when I was in legalistic mode. I was always looking down at people who didn't do the same strict things I did & thought I was more spiritual than them. Definitely biting & ravaging people to make myself look good - HA! I'm so glad God didn't just leave me in that frame of mind. I still have so far to go...but I'm glad I'm looking at Him now, instead of others. Still fight with wanting others approval at times, but God brings me back to Gal 1:10 ALOT!!!
Paul's care for the church & for people is so evident in 6:1-3. Sharing each other's burden, helping, not criticizing each other. We're not above that - it's Christ's example.
Love how Paul closes out 6 in the Message "May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!" That's what I want for sure!
Linda - Message laid it out pretty clear too about Ishmael/Isaac. Good stuff! I think when we abandon ourselves to God, we live the law & aren't even aware of it vs. monitoring every little thing on our own, not talking it over with God. He isn't going to mislead us!
ReplyDeleteThere were only a couple of things here that really caught my attention. One was Galations 4:27 where he says he's going to give Sarah many more children than the slave wife has.
ReplyDeleteIt's my understanding that Christians and Jews are the heirs of Abraham and Sarah and Moslems (Islam) are the result of Abraham and Hagar.
I hear in the news all the time how Moslem populations are taking over European Countries because they believe in having many children and Christians do not. The fear is that Moslems will soon be more numerous than Christians here in the U.S.and around the world. But according to Galatians 4:27, that will not happen.
In 5:22 It says when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce in us the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, etc.
I am not experiencing those things at the moment. I've been asking the Lord why? For the past few days, I've been convicted of watching tv shows like CSI-New York, Miami and LA and Law and Order, LA and other shows in a similar vein.
The Lord is teaching me that when I watch shows that have things in them that break the 10 commandments such as murder, adultery and taking the Lords name in vain--then that gives the enemy a legal right to attack me. I'm now changing my tv viewing habits.
woo hoo Sherrie! I can relate to the TV adjustment. One of the many reasons I don't have one!
ReplyDeleteCan't say I got much out of Exodus for my personally. Nice that God gave such incredible talent to the people who made the sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteI liked the last part of the cloud sitting there until God wanted the people to move. Wonder if they ever got impatient to leave a spot or thought it was having them leave too soon. You know, like we get impatient for God to act or we want to stay longer in a place but He says MOVE!
Bezalel was amazingly talented/blessed. Not only could he make furniture, he could make incense and sew too!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read about the weight of the bases for the poles -- I think of them hauling all 100 bases around the dessert; hope they were allowed to put them on carts. and all those gold covered pieces of furniture would have been heavy; carried around on the priest's shoulders. I guess that's why the furniture is smaller than how I imagine it.
The chestpiece was only 9" square - that's small. But I like the idea of the tribes carried over the priest's heart. I wonder if the priest took that seriously - that he was a representative or mediator for these people. I wonder if little kids loved seeing their "stone" worn by the priest.
I bet Bezalel felt really affirmed when Moses inspected and blessed, and when God showed his happiness by inhabiting the temple.
I think God loves color and beauty - shown by Bezalel's weaving beautiful colors together for the priest's clothes. I've heard some people say we should dress simply - - but God apparently loves beautiful stuff. I think he wants us to enjoy colors and beauty and cleanliness -- it was all part of his temple.
Yeah -- I wish I had a cloud sometimes. It'd be an easy indication of when I should move and when I should stay!! I guess that the present way though is a good trust builder.
Wow---so many tiny details mentioned----are all these details really important to the Lord? I beleive the answer is Yes! Even the tiniest details of our lives are important to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteEx.39:3--This must be where manufacturers got the idea for the underwire bra!
The sprinkling or annointing with Holy Oil means to make Sacred, to consecrate or to set apart, and dedicate for use to our CREATOR. I use this practice a lot to remind Satan to keep his hands off of God's property. I use it on my children, my grandchildren, at least the ones I can get my hands on-- especially when they're sick, my plants, trees, walls and doors of my apt, my vehicle, my kids vehicles when they're about to take a vacation etc. etc. I've learned the value of the Biblical practice of annointing with oil.
Sherrie, you crack me up! I thought the underwire bra? How'd you get that? But my brain connects things out of the blue at times too & people look at me like I'm crazy sometimes. I'm glad your my friend & join my brain train on the whacky track sometimes! LOL
ReplyDeleteOkay, so my eyes glaze over rather quickly with all the #'s & measurements & I do a lot of scanning (not looking fwd to Leviticus). But chapter 8 is refreshing!
ReplyDeleteSolomon is so humble before God, pleading, trying to think of every possible circumstance that the people might go through & just pleading with God to listen, forgive, heal, etc. In some ways though, I wonder if he's already being influenced by the pagan thought of worship, that you have to sacrifice sooo much & say just the right things, the right amount of times, etc. in order for the gods to hear & do something. I know there's a balance there though too as I wouldn't want to be presumptuous.
He's pretty clear too about what would happen if they disobey God & I like that. Most leaders today try to just say the part people want to hear to make them feel comfortable. We need to realize there are consequences, but then again, today, we don't want to hear that.
I like how God visited him again & confirmed it, how God visibly blessed the temple. That must have been really assuring to Solomon & the people. It's so nice to know that you've pleased God.
oh yeah, I like how Hiram gets stuck with some boonyville towns for all his gifts. It's like giving someone Nevada! But Hiram keeps on giving looks like at the end of 9. Kinda funny though.
ReplyDeleteHa ha Chris! Bonnyville in Nevada! I thought the same thing - - just didn't now how to say it so eloquently!
ReplyDeleteKindof interesting how the building of the 2 temples came back to back. I'm wondering if Husram and Bazelel will have a good talk about design when they get to heaven. Do you think Solomon called the shots on the design of this temple (as opposed to God's instructions to Moses) or did God give the directions to David who passed them on to Solomon) God also directed the building of the ark. It'd be neat if God directed the building of a modern building - - I wonder what the world's leading architects would say?
I always think of the temple as huge -- but it was no longer than 1/3 of a football field. That's not very big. The one think I'd really like to have seen was those huge 15 foot high angels. I wonder if people looked at them before they were installed in the temple?
At first in 8:13 I was thinking Solomon was a bit arrogant: "Now I ahve built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever!" like -- who can contain God? But then he clarifies it in his prayer 8:27 - - so I think he meant his name would live forever.
I love how Saul got it right (as opposed to the Israelites in Jesus' day) 8:41-43 is all about everyone being blessed by the Lord. Foreigners who do not belong ... will come from distant lands because of your great name . . . all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people!" YEAH
Hard to believe that after Solomon SAW the Lord twice, heard the consequences of staying true to God or not staying true - - he STILL was influenced by the people around him. And HE was the smartest man around. Again, the importance of daily surrender to God.
I just couldn't get much out of todays reading. But I Kings 6:7 got me really excited where it says the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, axe or any tool on the building site. (Living Bible) No Sound---! And perhaps this is the answer as to why.....
ReplyDeleteDr. Cleave Backster has been doing experiments with lie detector tests and how plants react to stress. When someone comes near a plant and pretends to hack them vs. really having the intent to hack them---plants know the difference and will remember that person. The FBI got a hold of these experiments and began testing animals to see if they had a memory of who the bad guy was at a crime scene. There may come a day when your plant or cat is on the witness stand in court and will actually identify the burgler, rapist or bad guy. Science is taking us to a level of technology tht is really advanced.
In a similar area, Quantum Physicist David Van Koevering was commissioned to take the sound out of objects. Objects have memory of sound. So in the future perhaps authorities can take an earring off of a dead woman and the earring can tell what happened and why she died.
The old saying--If these walls could talk--may seem foreign to us now, but in the future it may be possible to extract the sound from walls.
David uses the name Shaddai 68. El Shaddai means God Almighty - the God who nourishes, supplies & satisfies. It seems like David is experiencing this in these 3 psalms. That is a very comforting word to me as well & makes me reflect on my own life & how El Shaddai has been there for me.
ReplyDelete68:6 God has always provided me with a family when I needed that type of support as I don't look to my birth family for it. So caring of Him to do that! I must admit, a lot of times I didn't realize it, but looking back now I can see all the families that have helped me in my various wanderings...even in foreign countries.
Many times in 67 David says, "let people thank and enjoy You". It's easy to say a quick "thanks" but to enjoy someone is to give them your time, attention, energy. Not a quick wave of acknowledgement. I want to ENJOY God more.
66:10 says that God trained us. He doesn't just throw us out into life & say deal with it. But it's all a training process. I think if I would enjoy Him more & realize He is always my Supplier, my Shepherd, the One who satisfies me truly, then I wouldn't make the training so hard. Yeah, I'm the one that makes it hard...
And I went backwards in this because a lot of times it's AFTER the fact, when we reflect, that we see things better. The hindsight is 20/20 thing. So it made sense to me only after I was done reading all 3 & was going back over them. That's when the thoughts started coming.
66:13 Now I come to your Temple with offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you; yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble. A lot of times (I'm totally guilty here) I'm quick to promise God something when things are going bad -- then I kindof forget it when things turn out right -- but not David. He remembers and gives God the "best" of his rams -- not just an "o, this'll do" gift. I want to be so in love with God and ENJOY (thank you Chris) Him so much, that I can hardly wait to give Him more gifts!
ReplyDeleteI liked 68:5 & 6 too. It made me think of all the foster parents and adoptive parents that God has arranged for children. He really watches out for us.
And then 68:19 Praise the Lord; praise God our savior for EACH DAY He carries us in His arms. What a wonderful word pic. I think about when I was little and I'd fall asleep early. My dad would carry me in his arms (a limp rag doll) to bed. Just love this text!
And, I also love the word picture of my mighty Father: 68:33 Sing to the One who rides across the ancient heavens, His mighty voice thundering from the sky.
2 word pictures, one God. A tender Father carrying me in His arms, and a mighty warrior watching over me! I too want to ENJOY my God today!
Nice thoughts to close my day Linda, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese were great chapters to soak in - - much more inspiring than the architectural chapters of the temple:):)
ReplyDeleteApparently, Solomon - who was granted great wisdom worked for that wisdom. If he was just bequeathed it - - how would he have known that it takes work to gain understanding? Cry out for it - ask for it - search for it. I think Solomon took the time to gain understanding, both in his profession (kingship - - what school teaches you that? But I believe he spent time with other successful leaders to learn their wisdom - - I believe He studied the scriptures He had) and His walk with God.
I also like Solomon's take on simply using common sense (2:7 and 3:21) Sometimes it pays to step back, stay unemotional and simply ask, does this makes sense?
Another thing I like about Solomon - - he was known as being very wise, yet he says (and I gotta think he's talking to himself as well as us) don't depend on your own understanding . . . don't be impressed with your own wisdom. I like this teachable-ness in Solomon. What a JOY it is to work with people who are teachable, God must feel the same way about teachable people. Lord, today - - help me to be teachable.
Good counsel to honor the Lord with your wealth and with the BEST part of everything you produce. Didn't we just read that about Solomon when he dedicated the temple? It's so easy to give the Lord our left overs - - why is that? It's like He's "Good Will" or something, we give Him what is surplus or we don't need. There's something wrong with that. Lord, give me a generous, grateful, overflowing with love for You heart.
And "don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when He corrects you. Easier said than done - - but I want to have that level of trust that He is actively involved in shaping me through the experiences I walk through today, this week, the next year.
Lamentations shows that though the deserving punishment doesn't happen quickly, it does come. God isn't ignoring justice. Just want He said would happen when Israel forgot Him, happened.
ReplyDeleteI'm struck by Jeremiah's thoughts in 3 though. He describes how he was treated, beaten down, face in the mud/gravel & in a pit with water rising over his head, thinking it's all over for him. And yet, he can't forget one thing - God's character. That God is love. It's like the Syro-Phenician (sp) woman, pressing Jesus for her daughter to be healed. Though Jesus said things that would seem to discourage her, she saw something in Him that made her press her case. Like Jeremiah in 3:21 it helped her keep her grip on hope.
v22 - His loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. Wow, that's pretty incredible to say when you're getting trounced by the enemy. I know I can give into despair pretty easily in certain situations. But like Jeremiah says, "I'm sticking with God, He's all I got left".
I love the thought of new mercy every morning, He is so faithful to give me life & a clean slate. Do I give people new mercy everyday or do I remember all their mistakes & hold it against them. I need to pass on God's forgiveness to others.
I've never thought of "passionately waiting" before God as possible. Seems like an oxymoron. I need to contemplate that a bit more.
28-32 "When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly."
I like the thought of entering the silence. This reminds me of Job & how after all his questions & God asking him questions, he decided he should have just kept silent & let God do his thing. And I thought Job didn't whine much at all compared to what I would have done.
Then the working both severely & tenderly. Wow, He wounds (for our good) & heals. The wounds are never fun but looking back, I wouldn't change my life...His healing has been & is so wonderful & faithful...& complete. Yes, I can definitely say GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!
Oh, hee hee! Linda, I was reading your comments & was wondering why you were talking about Solomon! Guess I needed Lamentations today more than Proverbs! So I'll read that tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteYeah and I was reading your thoughts and wondered, "Where did she get that!!" I love how you tied so much of the Bible together. God is at work:)
ReplyDeleteLamentations----now this is a depressing piece of work! What a sad way to to begin a happy day!
ReplyDeleteoh I don't know Sherrie. For sure 1 & 2 are depressing but 3 I've always been encouraged by. No matter how bad it seems....there's always Hope. I thought of it today when I heard this song by Josh Wilson on the radio "Before the Morning"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfWAG-bnttQ
What a great song -- let me just say that again; what a great song.
ReplyDeleteI sent this on to Lorie -- Thank you Lord for the morning:) Thnx Chris for sending this!
Okay, so today I read yesterday's reading of Proverbs & Linda, I had some of the same thoughts as you - go figure! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe working, searching for wisdom. Also I think LISTENING to people & most importantly to God is how he got so much. You can learn a lot from other's experience. Just because God said he'd be the wisest man ever doesn't mean he didn't have to listen. I think that in & of itself shows wisdom.
3:25,26 is pretty pertinent to what we've been hearing "No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound". If I guard the Common Sense & Clear Thinking that Solomon talked about in v21 & I'm listening to God, these things/people don't freak me out. They make me press in tighter to God - not people.
v27 I like this counsel also to help someone as they need it, don't put them off when I'm able to help them right now. Maybe it's not convenient to my schedule, but am I going by my schedule or God's? It's my choice, but Common Sense should say - God's.
Glad you thought of passing that song on to Lorie, Linda! It's a great encouraging one!
Just had to share this thought today from Dear Jesus by Sarah Young, course the whole reading is good, but this will be enough to make you think.
ReplyDelete"Be willing to go out on a limb with Me. If that is where I am leading you, it is the safest place to be."
Most people believe that Jeremiah wrote Lamentations -- and if so, he may have written it after the fall of Jerusalem; so sad to see his country in ruins.
ReplyDeleteI think we will experience a similar feeling as we see the fate of the USA. There is so much that is anti-God these days; hard to believe.
I like it that Jeremiah still trusts God through all this turmoil. 3:55-59 shows that Jeremiah is totally content with God hearing him, being his lawyer AND his judge. He knows that even though this country has turned away - - God cares about the individuals that remained true.
YUK - I can't imagine any mother cooking and eating their own children. That just doesn't compute with me, no matter how hungry you are.
Jerusalem is desolate (5:18-19) but Lord, You remain the same forever! Your throne continues from generation to generation. There you have it folks -- God is on his throne today - - Go forward boldly, knowing that He is in control:)
When He sends them out, Jesus tells the disciples to keep it simple, no equipment, "you are the equipment". That means Jesus is the One who makes the equipment work - the Source of Power. I like it put this way. Later in 10:18-20 that "...the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God's authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that's the agenda for rejoicing". I know I am more blessed by what God has done IN me than what I've done with my life. I'm so grateful that He uses the imperfect, the "cracked pots" (Patsy Clairmont) of life, not the people I think are perfect (like they really are anyway!)
ReplyDeleteIn 9:11 "those that needed healing, He healed". I'm thinking those were the people who KNEW they needed healing & came for help. Maybe this speaks to me so much because I struggle asking for help & just try to figure things out on my own. I only like to talk about things after I've figured them out. I know it's good to quietly ponder things too. I'm still trying to figure the balance of it all.
9:23-27 is similar to what Matt/Mark said too but it was a good reminder to me again of becoming the woman God created me to be. It's by self-sacrifice. "Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you".
After Jesus healed the boy & everyone was praising God - throwing a party - Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He was going to be betrayed & killed. At such a high, emotional moment, they couldn't understand what He was talking about. Why worry about the down side of life when it's all going your way right now. They were in the moment & He was seeing the big picture, trying to keep them on an even keel & not a emotional roller coaster. Reminds me of John 2:24,25 where Jesus didn't commit/get caught up with what people were saying about Him because He knew how fickle we can be.
9:62 - no backward looks after committing to God's service. The back n forth we do sometimes is detrimental to others who are weak & may look to humans to find Christ initially. It's wrong for them to do it, but then again...haven't we all looked at human beings for encouragement/direction at times?
K, Linda, I'm not gonna say anything about 10 (except what I already said above) so that if we got the same stuff, I don't post it all! :D
Luke 9:10-17 There are huge crowds that follow Jesus out to a deserted area---no food---no lodging---people are hungry. They have needs. In vs.12 the plan of the disciples is every man for himself----But Jesus says---YOU feed them!
ReplyDeleteThis is an impossible situation and it wasn't brought about accidentally. It's brought about on purpose to manifest the Power of God.
Jesus didn't have to do it that way. Manna could have fallen from Heaven--but the Lord teaches us to trust him by commanding us to do things which are beyond our means to do. God delights in using the the little that we have to do great things. Jesus is not just sufficient---
He is an ABUNDANT GOD. (There was food left over.)
In Luke 10:17 The Seventy felt stupendous astonishment and superiority that the powers of evil obeyed and bowed down to them because of their connection with Jesus. And in vs.20 their power over demons was intoxicating.
It is really exciting to watch a new Christian when they first learn this---but Jesus says, yeah that's cool, but the important thing is that your names be recorded in the the Book of Heaven.
Not what you do for God, but what God does for you -- man Chris; you nailed it! That's why they couldn't even take a change of underwear!! Why do we make it sooooo hard? That's what I keep wondering as I read more and more of the Bible!
ReplyDeleteThese 2 books were soo full; now way to comment on it all
One thing on 9: After the disciples finished their outing, then came the disturbed quiet time with their Master. They must have really been looking forward to it, as ministry takes such a tole. But the fish miracle, I think, was Jesus way of saying, "you're not finished yet" Giving for people is a lifetime work. I'll give you the resources (spin off of the take nothing with you) I'll be with you -- but the work, the blessings continue - - and that ties into 9:62.
O -- and also, 9:58-26 to me says not to focus on the traditions of the church, not to look back on "how we've always done it" because that might not be where God is leading you. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. God has a million ways to reach people -- not just the same old same old. Traditions must make God sigh.
10:6 If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. That's really interesting! More peace is heaped on the peaceful, becuase they've learned I guess - to trust God. Works with finances, with time, with energy.
I wish I could have seen the look on Jesus face for 10:18. I'm guessing that Jesus, who had to have been sad at Satan's choices, still had sadness in his look and gaze.
I also would have liked to see Jesus face when he talked about the "despised Samaritan" that came along. I can imagine he was animated, and looking for the lightbulb in the crowd around him. It's not who you are, but whose you are! God loves a loving heart.
Ah . . . the Mary Martha story. I battle Marthaism all the time. Lord teach me to discover the "one thing" again today.
O Sher -- I like that reminder that the situation of handing out food was "impossible!" I guess, since I know the end of the story, I haven't really thought through that word before -- but that's what the disciples were thinking!
ReplyDeleteYeah Sherrie - really like that Impossible thought. I've personally witnessed God multiplying one small pan of lasagna for 20-30 people with leftovers. It was sooo cool!
ReplyDeleteWow Linda - hadn't thought about the traditions being the spiritually dead but yeah! Makes sense!
Thanks ladies!