WOW! 29 weeks down! 23 to go!! Is that right? my math is a little rusty:) Anyway, sure having a wonderful time journeying through the Bible with you guys! (all except Monday -- Leviticus is SUCH a challenge!!!)
Hmmm, I wonder what the people thought when they heard these words from Paul "It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special"v4. It would make me feel uncomfortable, maybe that's because I look at my life & don't see myself doing anything special. So I wonder if they looked at their daily lives & thought the same.
Then Paul says in v7-10 that their reputation is all over the place. They are well known for their Christian lives, how they've allowed Jesus to live/work in them & transform them. He says that they ARE the Message! So living a transformed life is something special. To see the turn around in people & hear their stories of how God has saved them & given them the 180 treatment is encouraging & special.
It's obvious that Paul really liked spending time with these people because they were so open & receptive to Truth. Sounded like they were encouragement to him as he went thru his trials from people who were against the Message. No wonder he wanted to come & visit them & be refreshed in their towns.
I decree 1 Thess 1:1 over my life daily. I have spiritual blessings, divine favor and peace. (Amp Bible) It's an awesome promise. And in vs.4 I'm in awe that the Lord has chosen and selected me! And in vs.10, God has invested me with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ. And I remember that at one time I memorized chapter 3:13---tht He may strengthen and confirm and establish my heart faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father. Amen!
Yeah Chris, there's nothing more powerful than someone's story. I enjoy seeing how God has worked in your life -- from a MP to Kelso-Longview! and your life to Sher! Can't believe all the experiences you've had! I know that He's working in my life too -- and it's soo exciting.
I like 1:5 "the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true." Sometimes I worry about being able to tell truth from error -- but right here it says that full assurance is mine. I just want to make sure it's the HS I'm listening too, and not my own interpretation. The Bible is my safe guard; so the HS impressions will need to line up with the Bible teachings.
and I LOVE 2:4 "Our purpose is to please God, not people. Then it tells 3 ways that snare us: friendships (longing to be accepted by others), money (longing for wealth), praise (longing for fame). God wants us to find our purpose and joy in a relationship with Him -- He's not fickle!
and me too Sher! I underlined the 3:13 promise. Mine says: May He . . . make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again!! I want a pure heart:) only He can purify it!
Linda, I had to go back & look at 2:4 this a.m. to see that again. Thanks for bringing that out. MSG has the words "hidden agendas" in there, which makes it interesting.
Leviticus reminds me of a method of teaching someone said once. You tell them what you're going to tell them; then you tell them; then you tell them what you told them. All in different ways of course (hopefully).
God is doing this today, but He keeps referring back to the fact that He is GOD, there is no other. He knows how bad our memories are.
Whew! I found this section of Lev a little more interesting.
Seems like 19 was a version of the 10 commandments with more commentary! God really cares about the underdog; whether it's the poor, the foreigner, the hired worker, the deaf, the blind, those getting slandered, those being threatened.
Really appreciated it saying don't nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives -- sometimes I have to push thoughts out of my mind that damage my relations with others -- I WANT to go over the hurts and pain and unfairness, but God says don't nurse hatred.
Also (vs 17) - confront people directly (I'm learning that -- I'd rather go underground and not deal with it) but the last 1/2 of the verse is interesting - - so you won't be held guilty for their sin. That puts an interesting spin on it -- especially since typically, the people I need to confront, I sometimes feel like they deserve what they get (sigh -- I'm so human, and God has such bigger plans for my character!)
Don't seek revenge or bear a grudge (I wonder if David read this verse? - - apparently God was working with him on his character too)
Weird command about not mixing up 2 different things -- like the animals, the seed and the thread - - wonder what that symbolizes?
Hey Chris -- since you've worked in a greenhouse -- do fruit trees bear fruit better if they aren't harvested for 5 years?
I also thought it was interesting where the respect part of standing when someone elderly entered the room - never noticed that before (32)
20:12 -- thinking of Judah and Tamar, although this was written after the fact.
20:17 -- thinking of David's son and daughter -- forgot their names.
21:5 -- I think the priests of Baal practiced the shaved heads and cutting themselves -- not sure. I remember it talking about them cutting themselves on Mt. Carmal. 1 Kings 18:28
21:10 -- here's where Caiphas disobeyed God by tearing his robes for effect at Jesus mock trial (Matthew 26:65)
Ok Linda, technically, I guess it was more interesting in some ways, but I had to read Dear Jesus to get some to speak to my heart. :)
I really have no idea about the fruit trees. I asked once why we didn't carry trees (except arborvitae) & was educated in the fact that we were a greenhouse not a nursery. So I pass that bit of knowledge on to you! LOL
Well Linda--I think you and I must have opposite personalities. I have no problem confronting people---(Lev: 19:17)----I actually enjoy it--- now that I see that the Bible backs me up in this, I think I'm vindicated in my confrontations---LOL. In this verse it also says don't hate your brother. My brother and I get along fine---it's my sister that I haven't spoken to for nearly 6-7yrs.
Yeah Linda---I agree with you about mixing up 2 different things like seed and fabric. My Bible says don't wear clothes of half wool and half linen-----I found that very strange.
And I have no idea what I was going to say because I was interrupted a few hours ago. So that's all for now.
Ahaz comes across as a weak, people-pleaser that you can't trust. He builds a rep of the altar that impressed him in Damascus BUT he still wants to use God's altar for guidance (NIV). Interesting. Don't I sometimes want to do the ways of the world but want to keep God in my back pocket to fall back on when I need Him, just in case things don't work out. Hmmm...
Finally, another decent king in Hezekiah. But yet at the end he was kinda selfish too in that he was just concerned with his reign & not his sons. Maybe he knew his sons temperament & knew they needed the chastising, but it doesn't seem like the rulers were too involved with their kids at all so I doubt it.
I am always impressed by how Hezekiah laid the letter before God & didn't whine, but praised God, talked about His sovereignty & wanted the notoriety to go to God not man.
Well said Chris -- those were exactly the things I had underlined to comment on. Ahaz thought the "new ways" were better than God's design; something we need to be very careful with as we look for relevant ways to worship God. I heard it once that the "message" never changes, but the "method" needs to be relevant. Hmmmm - wonder if changing the alter out is changing the message or the method. Need to think on this.
Yeah -- breath of fresh air that Hez finally got rid of all the pagan shrines. I like the laying the letter out too -- but again, I wonder why he didn't go to the temple in the first place, instead of stripping it of all it's gold? And then on top of that -- the enemey knew that he stripped all the gold from God's temple - - I wish he'd gone straight to the temple. But God honored his faith, even if it was preceded by man's attempts.
yeah Linda, I too wondered about stripping the gold out, but thankfully, God honors my turn to Him when I try things my way first too & then realize DOH!
As for the method being relevant thing, I believe that's true, but when it's a God ordained article vs a pagan article then it shouldn't be done.
I was thinking about this with my repeating what that father said Sunday after he let his little girl out of the stroller & she had all the energy & was running up the hill & he was beat & had to keep up with her. Though when I repeated his response to me I changed it from "Oh God" to "Oh god", no one else knew that. They only knew what they've always heard & used. So any one who knew of the altar in Damascus & what it was used for & then saw the replica here, would be thinking about the other & having a hard time setting the Real God apart & holy.
Does that make sense? Maybe not the greatest modern day illustration.
Yes - it makes sense. It really lines up with; who is on the throne. Is what we're doing God-honoring, or are we trying to bring honor to our ways and theories.
So important to keep God on the throne, and myself OFF the throne.
Psalms today is definitely all over the place with emotion. Seems like melancholy personalities have huge highs & very low valleys.
One moment God is being praised for His faithfulness & the next is "where are You?". But I like 88:13 "I'm standing my ground, God, shouting for help,at my prayers every morning, on my knees each daybreak." Standing my ground, even if I don't get an answer right away. Like the mother that pleaded for Jesus to heal her daughter & wouldn't give up even though He played like He wasn't willing to. She had heard enough to know that He was her only hope & had seen something in Him that caused her to press her case.
89 is full of praise again until v38 so I wonder if they were rehearsing God's miracles in their behalf & also to "remind" God of His promises so when they came to their present situation they'd be encouraged to press on in their petitions.
Sometimes when I'm rehearsing God's goodness to me & then I'm praying about the situation I'm currently in, I realize that I've walked away from Him & I'm the cause of my crisis. He hasn't changed, I have. Then I have to acknowledge His wisdom & ask for forgiveness & wait for His guidance. It makes me teachable.
I saw a neat window sticker yesterday: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. It was refreshing.
Hey yeah Chris -- I liked the picture of the persistent mother. Good connection.
I love the reminder in 89:11 that EVERYTHING belongs to God - - even me:)
Both Heman and Ethan were Ezrahites (it appears they wrote 88 and 89. At first I was thinking that these guys were on total opposite ends of the emotions -- but then Ethan gets to the verses you were talking about, Chris, 38 on. I was wondering if these 2 chapters came out of the coup created by Absolum? 38 on seems to describe that pretty accurately.
Anyway -- I love the ending: Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen! Good ole Ethan seemed to have it down. Recite God's attributes in the face of the disaster -- and hang on with praise, even if you don't understand the moment. Hope I can be as faithful in the middle of my upcoming disasters!!
My heart breaks for the writer of Psalm 88. He is near death and his life is ebbing away. He is surrounded by terrors. My heart breaks for him.
Psalm 89 is powerful! I use many of its decrees daily. I love that the Lord's covenants with us are forever.----not for a minute, or an hour, but forever!
Psalms 89:3 says "All heaven shall praise your miracles". I wonder if the Lord does miracles in heaven today as he does on earth.
Verse 17 says "our power is based on your favor." The Lord is teaching me about the shield of favor and how to use it in warfare. I'm learning that it is a powerful tool against the enemy.
In verse 20, David was annointed with holy oil. Today we get the annointing of the Holy Spirit to outwit our enemies, give us mighty power and make us strong.
Did you notice there's quite a bit in this chapter about money? Maybe it's because we just finished the Dave Ramsey seminar that I'm sensitive to it.
Anyway - - 13:3 was customized for me (even though it wasn't about money!) I wish I could take back so many things that I've said -- but once it's out, it's like toothpaste -- pretty hard to put back in.
13:7 -- I know some people who are poor and pretend to be rich, leasing stuff -- going in debt, etc. But I had to stop and think about the 2nd half -- others who are rich and pretend to be poor; I think those are people who are hoarders and do not have a generous heart with the money God has blessed them with.
Pride leads to conflict (vs 10) that's true; I think it's the kernel of conflict in most instances.
(20) Walk with the wise and become wise -- that's why I'm doing this blog with you ladies; you are helping me to think and to pull stuff apart! Thank you!
I admit this a.m. I was talking to God about other things & after reading this chapter nothing really stood out. It all seemed like wise counsel.
Reading your thoughts Linda, I can relate to foot in mouth disease a LOT. I like what you said about people living with a generous heart, seems like we keep coming back to that theme between the 2 of us.
I think that's what comes to my mind in 9 where the lives of good people are brightly lit streets but the lives of the wicked are dark alleys. Although I admit I like the dark because it allows me to observe unseen & hide. Although, I've definitely been coming out of my shell the last couple of years!
I also like v10 where it says a know it all stirs up discord but wise men & women LISTEN to each other's counsel. That's why I like this blog, I learn so much from you ladies! And I just because I'm coming out of my shell, I don't need to announce it, I need to be willing to bloom in obscurity....not very good at it....LOL
OK -- you guys might as well know it; I'm coming clean. Ever since I was a little kid -- I've been afraid of the dark (when I'm by myself) - - but . . . I am WAY better than I used to be. I think it has to do with taking Toby out to pee every night before I go to bed! Night is growing on me a bit -- but if I hear any strange sounds - - -
Give me daylight and sunshine, that's when I'm happiest! OR . . . I also like nights inside, curled up with a blanket and a good book -- I'll take that too!
I'm wondering if Ezekiel was someone who the people watched just to see what he was doing next. I suppose there were some who understood & appreciated his holy calling & listened with their heart, but others might have just been wondering what the latest greatest was. Wonder which one I would have been back then or if I would have gone back & forth. What am I now with church & God's weekly message?
I'm thinking that these first chapters talking about what God will do with Israel are pointing to heaven & spiritual Israel. I say that because David is long gone at this time & yet God says David will be over His people. So I'm thinking He's using David as a symbol of Jesus & in heaven we'll never have to be afraid of what will come against us & we'll gladly serve God forever. It will be seen that we were punished for our sins & justly so, but that God has restored as we've turned back to Him.
All the big nations coming against Israel to attack it reminds me of the scene described in Revelation with the city of God coming down from heaven & satan & the lost surrounding it & thinking they can take it. Fire comes down from heaven & destroys them once & for all. All our enemies are gone & we're finally alone with our God forever.
Whether this is a prophecy of that time or not, I can't wait for that day to be at rest in heaven with my Father, Jesus & the Holy Spirit finally face to face, forever!
I loved the dry bones -- because I think that as a church, we are just dry bones until God breathes His Spirit on us and fleshes us out with His love, character, purposes. I love how the bones come together, because as Christians focused on HIM -- we come together as a body to make a difference (not for ourselves - but for Him!)
Sometimes I've felt completely dried out (vs 2), but God makes me feel alive - I feel content in His presence.
Yeah Chris! I looked those texts up in Rev -- I think it IS referring to spiritual Israel -- or is an illustration of God's plan for us to come back for exile (our life here on earth) to home (heaven.
Ez. 39:6 corresponds really well with Rev 20:8-9; and Ez 39:17 corresponds really well with Rev 19:17-18.
I gotta admit I skimmed all the measuring; just couldn't get into it. But I WAS thinking that God must have given the prophets like Ezekiel and Moses and Noah (anyone who had to remember the specifics of a big project) incredible memories.
I skimmed thru all the measurement stuff too. There are some things in the Bible that I will ask Jesus why they are there when we get to heaven.
When I read what Jesus' reaction was to all the accusations thrown at Him, I'm am just amazed. He was so surrendered to His Father & He KNEW He was going to die & yet He didn't defend Himself. I want to be that abandoned to Him & His plan for me that I am like that. I'm so far though. Every week I have things come up that give me the opportunity to grow in this area though so I knew He wants me there too. I'm so glad He hasn't given up on me.
24:32 "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" Time with God, just resting in His Presence, listening to Him speak to my heart. It's rejuvenating! Sometimes it's a fire, other times (especially lately) it's a calming, love engulfing peace that surrounds me.
Amazing, isn't it? How everyone recognized down in their gut that Jesus was the Messiah. Pilot hesitated, Herod hesitated - - both found Him innocent; The thief knew, the Roman officer knew - - amazing that the roar of the crowd drowned out all of their consciences - - or maybe it didn't.
Forgive them, He said. Those weren't just holy words -- they were a desire to see those men that were crucifying Him - justified. Made completely just, as if they had never plotted, planned cruelty and murder . . .
It's like God revealed Himself at just the right time: 24:8 says Then they remembered, 24:31 says suddenly their eyes ere opened, 24:45 says Then He opened their minds. I need to stay very ready to information God wants to reveal to me - - even when it doesn't take the path that I've pre-planned! (O yes -- seems I have a plan for everything; I gotta let loose of my ideas and be ready for His!!)
Hmmm, I wonder what the people thought when they heard these words from Paul "It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special"v4. It would make me feel uncomfortable, maybe that's because I look at my life & don't see myself doing anything special. So I wonder if they looked at their daily lives & thought the same.
ReplyDeleteThen Paul says in v7-10 that their reputation is all over the place. They are well known for their Christian lives, how they've allowed Jesus to live/work in them & transform them. He says that they ARE the Message! So living a transformed life is something special. To see the turn around in people & hear their stories of how God has saved them & given them the 180 treatment is encouraging & special.
It's obvious that Paul really liked spending time with these people because they were so open & receptive to Truth. Sounded like they were encouragement to him as he went thru his trials from people who were against the Message. No wonder he wanted to come & visit them & be refreshed in their towns.
I decree 1 Thess 1:1 over my life daily. I have spiritual blessings, divine favor and peace.
ReplyDelete(Amp Bible) It's an awesome promise.
And in vs.4 I'm in awe that the Lord has chosen and selected me! And in vs.10, God has invested me with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ.
And I remember that at one time I memorized chapter 3:13---tht He may strengthen and confirm and establish my heart faultlessly pure and unblamable in holiness in the sight of our God and Father. Amen!
Yeah Chris, there's nothing more powerful than someone's story. I enjoy seeing how God has worked in your life -- from a MP to Kelso-Longview! and your life to Sher! Can't believe all the experiences you've had! I know that He's working in my life too -- and it's soo exciting.
ReplyDeleteI like 1:5 "the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true." Sometimes I worry about being able to tell truth from error -- but right here it says that full assurance is mine. I just want to make sure it's the HS I'm listening too, and not my own interpretation. The Bible is my safe guard; so the HS impressions will need to line up with the Bible teachings.
and I LOVE 2:4 "Our purpose is to please God, not people. Then it tells 3 ways that snare us: friendships (longing to be accepted by others), money (longing for wealth), praise (longing for fame). God wants us to find our purpose and joy in a relationship with Him -- He's not fickle!
and me too Sher! I underlined the 3:13 promise. Mine says: May He . . . make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again!! I want a pure heart:) only He can purify it!
Linda, I had to go back & look at 2:4 this a.m. to see that again. Thanks for bringing that out. MSG has the words "hidden agendas" in there, which makes it interesting.
ReplyDeleteLeviticus reminds me of a method of teaching someone said once. You tell them what you're going to tell them; then you tell them; then you tell them what you told them. All in different ways of course (hopefully).
God is doing this today, but He keeps referring back to the fact that He is GOD, there is no other. He knows how bad our memories are.
Whew! I found this section of Lev a little more interesting.
ReplyDeleteSeems like 19 was a version of the 10 commandments with more commentary! God really cares about the underdog; whether it's the poor, the foreigner, the hired worker, the deaf, the blind, those getting slandered, those being threatened.
Really appreciated it saying don't nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives -- sometimes I have to push thoughts out of my mind that damage my relations with others -- I WANT to go over the hurts and pain and unfairness, but God says don't nurse hatred.
Also (vs 17) - confront people directly (I'm learning that -- I'd rather go underground and not deal with it) but the last 1/2 of the verse is interesting - - so you won't be held guilty for their sin. That puts an interesting spin on it -- especially since typically, the people I need to confront, I sometimes feel like they deserve what they get (sigh -- I'm so human, and God has such bigger plans for my character!)
Don't seek revenge or bear a grudge (I wonder if David read this verse? - - apparently God was working with him on his character too)
Weird command about not mixing up 2 different things -- like the animals, the seed and the thread - - wonder what that symbolizes?
Hey Chris -- since you've worked in a greenhouse -- do fruit trees bear fruit better if they aren't harvested for 5 years?
I also thought it was interesting where the respect part of standing when someone elderly entered the room - never noticed that before (32)
20:12 -- thinking of Judah and Tamar, although this was written after the fact.
20:17 -- thinking of David's son and daughter -- forgot their names.
21:5 -- I think the priests of Baal practiced the shaved heads and cutting themselves -- not sure. I remember it talking about them cutting themselves on Mt. Carmal. 1 Kings 18:28
21:10 -- here's where Caiphas disobeyed God by tearing his robes for effect at Jesus mock trial (Matthew 26:65)
Ok Linda, technically, I guess it was more interesting in some ways, but I had to read Dear Jesus to get some to speak to my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteI really have no idea about the fruit trees. I asked once why we didn't carry trees (except arborvitae) & was educated in the fact that we were a greenhouse not a nursery. So I pass that bit of knowledge on to you! LOL
Well Linda--I think you and I must have opposite personalities. I have no problem confronting people---(Lev: 19:17)----I actually enjoy it--- now that I see that the Bible backs me up in this, I think I'm vindicated in my confrontations---LOL. In this verse it also says don't hate your brother. My brother and I get along fine---it's my sister that I haven't spoken to for nearly 6-7yrs.
ReplyDeleteYeah Linda---I agree with you about mixing up 2 different things like seed and fabric. My Bible says don't wear clothes of half wool and half linen-----I found that very strange.
And I have
no idea what I was going to say because I was interrupted a few hours ago. So that's all for now.
Ahaz comes across as a weak, people-pleaser that you can't trust. He builds a rep of the altar that impressed him in Damascus BUT he still wants to use God's altar for guidance (NIV). Interesting. Don't I sometimes want to do the ways of the world but want to keep God in my back pocket to fall back on when I need Him, just in case things don't work out. Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteFinally, another decent king in Hezekiah. But yet at the end he was kinda selfish too in that he was just concerned with his reign & not his sons. Maybe he knew his sons temperament & knew they needed the chastising, but it doesn't seem like the rulers were too involved with their kids at all so I doubt it.
I am always impressed by how Hezekiah laid the letter before God & didn't whine, but praised God, talked about His sovereignty & wanted the notoriety to go to God not man.
Well said Chris -- those were exactly the things I had underlined to comment on. Ahaz thought the "new ways" were better than God's design; something we need to be very careful with as we look for relevant ways to worship God. I heard it once that the "message" never changes, but the "method" needs to be relevant. Hmmmm - wonder if changing the alter out is changing the message or the method. Need to think on this.
ReplyDeleteYeah -- breath of fresh air that Hez finally got rid of all the pagan shrines. I like the laying the letter out too -- but again, I wonder why he didn't go to the temple in the first place, instead of stripping it of all it's gold? And then on top of that -- the enemey knew that he stripped all the gold from God's temple - - I wish he'd gone straight to the temple. But God honored his faith, even if it was preceded by man's attempts.
yeah Linda, I too wondered about stripping the gold out, but thankfully, God honors my turn to Him when I try things my way first too & then realize DOH!
ReplyDeleteAs for the method being relevant thing, I believe that's true, but when it's a God ordained article vs a pagan article then it shouldn't be done.
I was thinking about this with my repeating what that father said Sunday after he let his little girl out of the stroller & she had all the energy & was running up the hill & he was beat & had to keep up with her. Though when I repeated his response to me I changed it from "Oh God" to "Oh god", no one else knew that. They only knew what they've always heard & used. So any one who knew of the altar in Damascus & what it was used for & then saw the replica here, would be thinking about the other & having a hard time setting the Real God apart & holy.
Does that make sense? Maybe not the greatest modern day illustration.
Yes - it makes sense. It really lines up with; who is on the throne. Is what we're doing God-honoring, or are we trying to bring honor to our ways and theories.
ReplyDeleteSo important to keep God on the throne, and myself OFF the throne.
Psalms today is definitely all over the place with emotion. Seems like melancholy personalities have huge highs & very low valleys.
ReplyDeleteOne moment God is being praised for His faithfulness & the next is "where are You?". But I like 88:13 "I'm standing my ground, God, shouting for help,at my prayers every morning, on my knees each daybreak." Standing my ground, even if I don't get an answer right away. Like the mother that pleaded for Jesus to heal her daughter & wouldn't give up even though He played like He wasn't willing to. She had heard enough to know that He was her only hope & had seen something in Him that caused her to press her case.
89 is full of praise again until v38 so I wonder if they were rehearsing God's miracles in their behalf & also to "remind" God of His promises so when they came to their present situation they'd be encouraged to press on in their petitions.
Sometimes when I'm rehearsing God's goodness to me & then I'm praying about the situation I'm currently in, I realize that I've walked away from Him & I'm the cause of my crisis. He hasn't changed, I have. Then I have to acknowledge His wisdom & ask for forgiveness & wait for His guidance. It makes me teachable.
I saw a neat window sticker yesterday:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. It was refreshing.
Hey yeah Chris -- I liked the picture of the persistent mother. Good connection.
ReplyDeleteI love the reminder in 89:11 that EVERYTHING belongs to God - - even me:)
Both Heman and Ethan were Ezrahites (it appears they wrote 88 and 89. At first I was thinking that these guys were on total opposite ends of the emotions -- but then Ethan gets to the verses you were talking about, Chris, 38 on. I was wondering if these 2 chapters came out of the coup created by Absolum? 38 on seems to describe that pretty accurately.
Anyway -- I love the ending: Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen! Good ole Ethan seemed to have it down. Recite God's attributes in the face of the disaster -- and hang on with praise, even if you don't understand the moment. Hope I can be as faithful in the middle of my upcoming disasters!!
My heart breaks for the writer of Psalm 88. He is near death and his life is ebbing away. He is surrounded by terrors. My heart breaks for him.
ReplyDeletePsalm 89 is powerful! I use many of its decrees daily. I love that the Lord's covenants with us are forever.----not for a minute, or an hour, but forever!
Psalms 89:3 says "All heaven shall praise your miracles". I wonder if the Lord does miracles in heaven today as he does on earth.
Verse 17 says "our power is based on your favor."
The Lord is teaching me about the shield of favor and how to use it in warfare. I'm learning that it is a powerful tool against the enemy.
In verse 20, David was annointed with holy oil. Today we get the annointing of the Holy Spirit to outwit our enemies, give us mighty power and make us strong.
Blessed be the Lord forever, Amen!
Did you notice there's quite a bit in this chapter about money? Maybe it's because we just finished the Dave Ramsey seminar that I'm sensitive to it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway - - 13:3 was customized for me (even though it wasn't about money!) I wish I could take back so many things that I've said -- but once it's out, it's like toothpaste -- pretty hard to put back in.
13:7 -- I know some people who are poor and pretend to be rich, leasing stuff -- going in debt, etc. But I had to stop and think about the 2nd half -- others who are rich and pretend to be poor; I think those are people who are hoarders and do not have a generous heart with the money God has blessed them with.
Pride leads to conflict (vs 10) that's true; I think it's the kernel of conflict in most instances.
(20) Walk with the wise and become wise -- that's why I'm doing this blog with you ladies; you are helping me to think and to pull stuff apart! Thank you!
I admit this a.m. I was talking to God about other things & after reading this chapter nothing really stood out. It all seemed like wise counsel.
ReplyDeleteReading your thoughts Linda, I can relate to foot in mouth disease a LOT. I like what you said about people living with a generous heart, seems like we keep coming back to that theme between the 2 of us.
I think that's what comes to my mind in 9 where the lives of good people are brightly lit streets but the lives of the wicked are dark alleys. Although I admit I like the dark because it allows me to observe unseen & hide. Although, I've definitely been coming out of my shell the last couple of years!
I also like v10 where it says a know it all stirs up discord but wise men & women LISTEN to each other's counsel. That's why I like this blog, I learn so much from you ladies! And I just because I'm coming out of my shell, I don't need to announce it, I need to be willing to bloom in obscurity....not very good at it....LOL
OK -- you guys might as well know it; I'm coming clean. Ever since I was a little kid -- I've been afraid of the dark (when I'm by myself) - - but . . . I am WAY better than I used to be. I think it has to do with taking Toby out to pee every night before I go to bed! Night is growing on me a bit -- but if I hear any strange sounds - - -
ReplyDeleteGive me daylight and sunshine, that's when I'm happiest! OR . . . I also like nights inside, curled up with a blanket and a good book -- I'll take that too!
Yeah Linda, sun definitely makes me happier!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if Ezekiel was someone who the people watched just to see what he was doing next. I suppose there were some who understood & appreciated his holy calling & listened with their heart, but others might have just been wondering what the latest greatest was. Wonder which one I would have been back then or if I would have gone back & forth. What am I now with church & God's weekly message?
I'm thinking that these first chapters talking about what God will do with Israel are pointing to heaven & spiritual Israel. I say that because David is long gone at this time & yet God says David will be over His people. So I'm thinking He's using David as a symbol of Jesus & in heaven we'll never have to be afraid of what will come against us & we'll gladly serve God forever. It will be seen that we were punished for our sins & justly so, but that God has restored as we've turned back to Him.
All the big nations coming against Israel to attack it reminds me of the scene described in Revelation with the city of God coming down from heaven & satan & the lost surrounding it & thinking they can take it. Fire comes down from heaven & destroys them once & for all. All our enemies are gone & we're finally alone with our God forever.
Whether this is a prophecy of that time or not, I can't wait for that day to be at rest in heaven with my Father, Jesus & the Holy Spirit finally face to face, forever!
I loved the dry bones -- because I think that as a church, we are just dry bones until God breathes His Spirit on us and fleshes us out with His love, character, purposes. I love how the bones come together, because as Christians focused on HIM -- we come together as a body to make a difference (not for ourselves - but for Him!)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I've felt completely dried out (vs 2), but God makes me feel alive - I feel content in His presence.
Yeah Chris! I looked those texts up in Rev -- I think it IS referring to spiritual Israel -- or is an illustration of God's plan for us to come back for exile (our life here on earth) to home (heaven.
Ez. 39:6 corresponds really well with Rev 20:8-9; and Ez 39:17 corresponds really well with Rev 19:17-18.
I gotta admit I skimmed all the measuring; just couldn't get into it. But I WAS thinking that God must have given the prophets like Ezekiel and Moses and Noah (anyone who had to remember the specifics of a big project) incredible memories.
I skimmed thru all the measurement stuff too. There are some things in the Bible that I will ask Jesus why they are there when we get to heaven.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read what Jesus' reaction was to all the accusations thrown at Him, I'm am just amazed. He was so surrendered to His Father & He KNEW He was going to die & yet He didn't defend Himself. I want to be that abandoned to Him & His plan for me that I am like that. I'm so far though. Every week I have things come up that give me the opportunity to grow in this area though so I knew He wants me there too. I'm so glad He hasn't given up on me.
24:32 "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" Time with God, just resting in His Presence, listening to Him speak to my heart. It's rejuvenating! Sometimes it's a fire, other times (especially lately) it's a calming, love engulfing peace that surrounds me.
Amazing, isn't it? How everyone recognized down in their gut that Jesus was the Messiah. Pilot hesitated, Herod hesitated - - both found Him innocent; The thief knew, the Roman officer knew - - amazing that the roar of the crowd drowned out all of their consciences - - or maybe it didn't.
ReplyDeleteForgive them, He said. Those weren't just holy words -- they were a desire to see those men that were crucifying Him - justified. Made completely just, as if they had never plotted, planned cruelty and murder . . .
It's like God revealed Himself at just the right time: 24:8 says Then they remembered, 24:31 says suddenly their eyes ere opened, 24:45 says Then He opened their minds. I need to stay very ready to information God wants to reveal to me - - even when it doesn't take the path that I've pre-planned! (O yes -- seems I have a plan for everything; I gotta let loose of my ideas and be ready for His!!)