Here's how I would encapsulate these two chapters: "He's God and I'm not!"
9:11 "If God decides to set one of them apart to do something special for Him, the child is not given that honor because he earned it, but because it was given to him" verse 16 "God is not obligated to anyone. His decisions are freely and lovingly made, neither based on what man wants nor on his performance, but on God's choice!
It all makes sense that the salvation by law is a lousy theory because we are incapable of reaching that high standard - - we are bent toward sin. The only way we'll achieve salvation is depending on His substitution. Why can't I seem to understand that and apply it?? Change my heart God -- 10:8 "He's written His law in your hearts and put His word in your mouths"
9 makes it seem God doesn't give people the power of choice. Like He hardened Pharoah's heart, etc. But that also implies that He doesn't give us a choice to do the right thing. Which doesn't jive with Adam & Eve being given the chance to choose to obey & disobey. Paul is definitely confusing sometimes in the way that he writes.
I do like the beginning of 10 where it talks about the misdirected zeal of Israel. They don't understand God's way of making people right with Him & so they try to do it their way, by keeping the law. We as Christians get caught up in this as well. And then we compare ourselves to each other to boot. I'm soooo thankful God is patiently working with each one of us to get our hearts/minds in the right place. Yes, Linda, I too want to be the clay in His hands. I can just see me as a lump sometimes, with my hands on my hips saying, "what do You think You're doing? I have a better idea." What am I thinking?!
Circumcision was done on a part of the body that no one sees. No one sees the work the HS does on our hearts either. In both cases, it is felt more than seen. And then our actions show that the HS has been working on our hearts.
God told Hagar to return & submit to Sarai. In this alone, He showed the He didn't approve of her recent behavior. If He had justified her running away He would have confirmed that her contempt of Sarai was correct. This was His discipline. Yet He also encouraged her by telling her about her son. Although, having a wild child, can't be that consoling for any mother.
I wonder if Lot's wife looked back because she thought of her children being destroyed in the city. I know we've drawn parallels between her looking back & us turning back towards sin, etc.
Really good comment on all 3 points Chris -- all things I hadn't thought of before!!
I betcha that IS why Lot's wife looked back; so tough to leave kids behind, and especially back then, family units stayed together much more than now. But remember when Jesus said that He must be before family (Matthew 10:37)
It's hard for me to understand the incredible pressure women had to carry on the family line -- (thinking of Lot's daughters here - and what about Lot offering his daughters to the guys in Sodom - - just seems like a mixed up culture; I guess they had their own forms of disrespect.
I was thinking about the names of the two boys: Ishmael "God Hears and Answers Prayer" He hears because we're broken, we make so many mistakes - but He turns it around if we trust him. Issac "Laughter" This comes from the JOY of trusting in God's plan.
Pretty gracious of God to give Sarai the name Princess. Daughter of the King! after her mistrust in Him. I'm glad He works with us where we are - time and time again.
Abraham goes all out for guests -- doesn't hold back anything. God blesses generosity and gratefulness.
I couldn't even comment on Lot's treatment of his daughters & of theirs to him. Thanks for sharing about the names though, I enjoyed that.
I was really encouraged by Josh 21:44,45. God kept all His promises, not one failed. He helped them conquer all their enemies. Says it again later on. Just extremely reassuring to me right now.
Joshua commends the 2 1/2 tribes that kept their word & helped the rest of Israel take Canaan. They kept their word & God kept His with them. Also very encouraging.
23:10,11 - God fights for you, just as He promised....so love Him. The thought that God values me enough to fight for me is mind blowing! Why wouldn't I love Him?
If I give God my whole being, then I can know He will keep His promises & He will fight & conquer for me. BUT if I dabble in things that I know ruin my relationship with Him (23:12,13) then those things trip me up & make me doubt, just keep pestering me. Just like when Israel didn't drive out the people completely.
The people said they would never abandon God (24:16+) because of all He had done for them. I believe they were sincerely grateful. BUT, they did eventually. I thinking that like today, it's easier to be faithful to God when there is an outward, physical battle to be won. But if it's an internal battle, with self or mind battles, then it's easier to give up & not fight or be as faithful. Those are hard battles to keep fighting.
Since we tend to hide those battles we don't ask/get the help we need from each other. We don't know to pray for each other because everyone looks fine & says they are fine. The truth is that we are wounded & fainting from the ravages of spiritual warfare.
It took all 12 tribes to conquer Canaan. They had to help each other & fight together. What makes us think it's different today? It maybe a different battlefield but we have a proven way to win.
21:43 "So the Lord brought the children of Israel into the land He had promised . . . and gave them peace on all sides!" This just sounds like Heaven for us, and the follow up is/will be true too "The Lord kept every one of HIs promises that He had made. Not one of them failed." Can hardly wait to sing that song in Heaven!
22:5 must be where the lawyer got his statement from in Jesus' day! Sounds very similar (and I thought he came up with it on his own!) He must have known his scriptures.
22:10 on is a good reason why we should go to the person before assuming the worst!
23:1 -- Joshua was very old . . . hmmmm, I feel like that sometimes! but his message didn't grow old; God has fought for us and given us victory (yeah Chris, I liked that verse too!) vs 8 "hold on to the Lord your God and do what He asks you to do!"
When Joshua said as for me and my family, we've made up our minds, We will serve the Lord! can he really speak for all of his family? What if there was one in his family that didn't want to serve the Lord? I always thought everyone had to make an individual choice - help me out here guys!
So the gem of this reading is that the Lord will fight for us:)
It really discouraging to deal with people who you know are smiling to your face & stabbing your in the back at the same time. Seems like David has been worn down by this in 12. It definitely takes a toll on you when you're always having to watch & be careful. Can't trust anyone, never letting your guard down. Makes me tired just typing it! He turns to the only faithful One he can count on - God.
As David recounts God's promises, his gloom seems to lift. Great reminder to do that when I'm looking at all the gloom around me.
Another bad day in 13 possibly. Could have been longer than a day too, but I think some would say the Psalms are so melancholy or David is a drama queen. He's way up & then way down in his moods, trust in God, etc. It's refreshing that he's honest. If we're honest with our hearts, we can find something in the Psalms that we relate to on any given day.
I just like how he comes back around at the end of 13 though. I will trust in Your unfailing love...You've rescued me. So he's not a total basket case....but he is being very open about his feelings. I'm thankful for that.
I don't always understand why God allows some to die or suffer while others live in open defiance & seem to prosper. But it does make me think of that song "All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world but give me Jesus, this is not where I belong." So I guess, what the wicked have here is all they will have. I will have so much more in heaven & no one can take it from me.
Thanks for those words Chris -- such a precious thought to hang on to -- no one can take heaven away from me!!
13:3 "I plead with you to encourage me" I spent some time here -- I can think of several times when I've felt encouraged by God; a sunset, a song, an answer to a prayer. and, reading about the life of Jesus, who is God -- I believe God loves to encourage us whenever He can!
So many times I take the mind set that it's all on me - - I'm the one who has to muster up the trust, to pull myself out of the gloom; I forget that He is right beside me, many times carrying me in his arms when I don't have the strength.
WoooHOOO. I got so excited when I read today's word. Yayyyyy--God's word is true and he DOES hear the prayers and pleas of his people.
When I first moved into this complex, my neighbors were murderous, lying people. (and that's putting it mildly) Psalms 12:2--my old neighbors spoke flattering words to people's faces while plotting deceitful things in their heart. They thought they could say and do whatever they wanted and no one could stop them (vs.4).
Psalm 13:2---And I use to ask this question--How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?
Psalm 14:1--The empty headed fool says in his heart, There is no God! Psalm 14:2--But the Lord looked down from heaven and became my refuge and rescued me! He rescued me mightily in a moment without me having to do a thing. I just sat and watched in amazement while he removed my enemy. I am still rejoicing daily. I can walk out my door without feeling threatened or oppressed. I am still in awe of the way the Lord rescued me.
That's so cool Sherrie! It's so good to hear you praise God for what He did for you. I know you were hanging on to Him when your neighbors were there & He got you through it.
What can I say about Job's talk today? He's being very open (especially for a guy) about his feelings. Probably making his "friends" very uncomfortable with it too.
Seems like he's searched his heart & knows he hasn't done anything wrong BUT he does know that he is still a sinful being & in need of a savior, he can't stand before God (9:15).
I really appreciate this dialogue being included in the Bible. He confronts God in 10 about even being born. For what purpose? For this? Then I wish it hadn't happened. God can handle our honesty. And at the end of the book, God answers Job & Job worships again.
If we are really honest, then I think we are really humble, because we don't have answers, only God does. So when He answers, we are humbled & can only acknowledge His majesty & Sovereignty.
This must be a song God wants me to listen to, I think. Last night, during Steve Green's prayer he quoted a line from it, and this morning -- Psalms 9 reminds me of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt7OZyBj5Ik
He's God and we're not -- what a gift that He is interested in all that goes on in my life.
As Job was expressing his confusion in Job 10 -- I had to think that God was very close, longing to comfort him and bring him understanding - to make it all better; but it had to be (just as in Jesus' crucifixion) and each of us will be asked to trust when we don't really understand - - I appreciate God giving us the behind the scene look - the glimpse of the bigger picture we get in Job.
chapter 23 talks a lot about the pride of Tyre -- I wonder if Tyre is an illustration of the Kingdom of Satan? Wondering about the 70 years in vs 15 -- is that tied in at all with the 70 years of captivity Israel went through in Babylon? I couldn't make the connection -- except they both used 70 years.
I view chapter 24 as a picture of end times -- lots of descriptions about how our old world is falling apart. It's also the time when the Lord's sentence will be carried out on the fallen angels (vs 21) End time predictions seem to be tied into the sun and moon become dark (vs 23, but also Joel 3:15, Matt 24:29, and Mark 13:24) It's significant that the light has left the earth I think, both physically and spiritually.
As Pastor Mike points out in his end time series that we're finishing up, whenever God speaks of end times and how tough it will be, God always inserts His message of hope and encouragement. This comes out clearly in Chapter 25. I love how in verse 8 He lets us know that He will destroy the enemy of death forever. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes and remove the disgrace His people have suffered. (Shades of Rev 21:4)
Verse 9 reminds me of Johnny Williams prayers on Saturday morning -- this verse is very special to Johnny, and he always keeps it before us reminding us that Jesus will be coming for us SOOOON!
I don't know what your versions say, but 26:15 is a beautiful testimony to how it should be -- our focus off of ourselves and turned toward God. I circled "YOU" 5 times -- He is the one that has made us who we are -- all glory to Him!
26:19 reminds us that those who have died trusting in you will live again! Thank you Lord -- looking forward to spending time with my mom again!
Lots more stuff here, but just want to say that I thought there were some really good lessons about letting God lead out in bringing others to Him in 28:23-29. All He asks us to do is be willing to be used; He is the one that works - not us!
I'd never thought before last night's meeting how so MUCH of the controversy Jesus had to put up with had to do with the SAbbath issue! And I love the thought PM put out there, that when Jesus says to come to him, He will give us REST!
I wonder if Jonah was in the belly of the fish 3 days as a pre-illustration. So many events God uses as illustrations (thinking of old test. prophets here)
Pretty serious warnings about speaking against the Holy Spirit -- our one ticket to understanding our condition and need for forgiveness and grace.
13:11 You can understand because you really want to know what they mean. (That gives all of us hope -- it's when we're serious about learning that God can make a difference)
13 18 on is about people who half-listen are only half-hearted or so busy, they don't have time. Really flies in the face of how the lawyer condesed the 10 commandments "love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, and mind"
More to say, but I'm going to finish on 13:57, 58. It was because of jealousy that Jesus had to hold back the blessing of ministry. We need to guard guard guard against that tool of Satan to shut down the blessings. A few people, stuck in jealousy shut down blessings to their community - really sad, so easy to happen.
Here's how I would encapsulate these two chapters: "He's God and I'm not!"
ReplyDelete9:11 "If God decides to set one of them apart to do something special for Him, the child is not given that honor because he earned it, but because it was given to him" verse 16 "God is not obligated to anyone. His decisions are freely and lovingly made, neither based on what man wants nor on his performance, but on God's choice!
It all makes sense that the salvation by law is a lousy theory because we are incapable of reaching that high standard - - we are bent toward sin. The only way we'll achieve salvation is depending on His substitution. Why can't I seem to understand that and apply it?? Change my heart God -- 10:8 "He's written His law in your hearts and put His word in your mouths"
I want to be the clay in His hands!
9 makes it seem God doesn't give people the power of choice. Like He hardened Pharoah's heart, etc. But that also implies that He doesn't give us a choice to do the right thing. Which doesn't jive with Adam & Eve being given the chance to choose to obey & disobey. Paul is definitely confusing sometimes in the way that he writes.
ReplyDeleteI do like the beginning of 10 where it talks about the misdirected zeal of Israel. They don't understand God's way of making people right with Him & so they try to do it their way, by keeping the law. We as Christians get caught up in this as well. And then we compare ourselves to each other to boot.
I'm soooo thankful God is patiently working with each one of us to get our hearts/minds in the right place. Yes, Linda, I too want to be the clay in His hands. I can just see me as a lump sometimes, with my hands on my hips saying, "what do You think You're doing? I have a better idea." What am I thinking?!
Circumcision was done on a part of the body that no one sees. No one sees the work the HS does on our hearts either. In both cases, it is felt more than seen. And then our actions show that the HS has been working on our hearts.
ReplyDeleteGod told Hagar to return & submit to Sarai. In this alone, He showed the He didn't approve of her recent behavior. If He had justified her running away He would have confirmed that her contempt of Sarai was correct. This was His discipline. Yet He also encouraged her by telling her about her son. Although, having a wild child, can't be that consoling for any mother.
I wonder if Lot's wife looked back because she thought of her children being destroyed in the city. I know we've drawn parallels between her looking back & us turning back towards sin, etc.
Really good comment on all 3 points Chris -- all things I hadn't thought of before!!
ReplyDeleteI betcha that IS why Lot's wife looked back; so tough to leave kids behind, and especially back then, family units stayed together much more than now. But remember when Jesus said that He must be before family (Matthew 10:37)
It's hard for me to understand the incredible pressure women had to carry on the family line -- (thinking of Lot's daughters here - and what about Lot offering his daughters to the guys in Sodom - - just seems like a mixed up culture; I guess they had their own forms of disrespect.
I was thinking about the names of the two boys: Ishmael "God Hears and Answers Prayer" He hears because we're broken, we make so many mistakes - but He turns it around if we trust him. Issac "Laughter" This comes from the JOY of trusting in God's plan.
Pretty gracious of God to give Sarai the name Princess. Daughter of the King! after her mistrust in Him. I'm glad He works with us where we are - time and time again.
Abraham goes all out for guests -- doesn't hold back anything. God blesses generosity and gratefulness.
I couldn't even comment on Lot's treatment of his daughters & of theirs to him. Thanks for sharing about the names though, I enjoyed that.
ReplyDeleteI was really encouraged by Josh 21:44,45. God kept all His promises, not one failed. He helped them conquer all their enemies. Says it again later on. Just extremely reassuring to me right now.
Joshua commends the 2 1/2 tribes that kept their word & helped the rest of Israel take Canaan. They kept their word & God kept His with them. Also very encouraging.
23:10,11 - God fights for you, just as He promised....so love Him. The thought that God values me enough to fight for me is mind blowing! Why wouldn't I love Him?
If I give God my whole being, then I can know He will keep His promises & He will fight & conquer for me. BUT if I dabble in things that I know ruin my relationship with Him (23:12,13) then those things trip me up & make me doubt, just keep pestering me. Just like when Israel didn't drive out the people completely.
The people said they would never abandon God (24:16+) because of all He had done for them. I believe they were sincerely grateful. BUT, they did eventually. I thinking that like today, it's easier to be faithful to God when there is an outward, physical battle to be won. But if it's an internal battle, with self or mind battles, then it's easier to give up & not fight or be as faithful. Those are hard battles to keep fighting.
Since we tend to hide those battles we don't ask/get the help we need from each other. We don't know to pray for each other because everyone looks fine & says they are fine. The truth is that we are wounded & fainting from the ravages of spiritual warfare.
It took all 12 tribes to conquer Canaan. They had to help each other & fight together. What makes us think it's different today? It maybe a different battlefield but we have a proven way to win.
21:43 "So the Lord brought the children of Israel into the land He had promised . . . and gave them peace on all sides!" This just sounds like Heaven for us, and the follow up is/will be true too "The Lord kept every one of HIs promises that He had made. Not one of them failed." Can hardly wait to sing that song in Heaven!
ReplyDelete22:5 must be where the lawyer got his statement from in Jesus' day! Sounds very similar (and I thought he came up with it on his own!) He must have known his scriptures.
22:10 on is a good reason why we should go to the person before assuming the worst!
23:1 -- Joshua was very old . . . hmmmm, I feel like that sometimes! but his message didn't grow old; God has fought for us and given us victory (yeah Chris, I liked that verse too!) vs 8 "hold on to the Lord your God and do what He asks you to do!"
When Joshua said as for me and my family, we've made up our minds, We will serve the Lord! can he really speak for all of his family? What if there was one in his family that didn't want to serve the Lord? I always thought everyone had to make an individual choice - help me out here guys!
So the gem of this reading is that the Lord will fight for us:)
It really discouraging to deal with people who you know are smiling to your face & stabbing your in the back at the same time. Seems like David has been worn down by this in 12. It definitely takes a toll on you when you're always having to watch & be careful. Can't trust anyone, never letting your guard down. Makes me tired just typing it! He turns to the only faithful One he can count on - God.
ReplyDeleteAs David recounts God's promises, his gloom seems to lift. Great reminder to do that when I'm looking at all the gloom around me.
Another bad day in 13 possibly. Could have been longer than a day too, but I think some would say the Psalms are so melancholy or David is a drama queen. He's way up & then way down in his moods, trust in God, etc. It's refreshing that he's honest. If we're honest with our hearts, we can find something in the Psalms that we relate to on any given day.
I just like how he comes back around at the end of 13 though. I will trust in Your unfailing love...You've rescued me. So he's not a total basket case....but he is being very open about his feelings. I'm thankful for that.
I don't always understand why God allows some to die or suffer while others live in open defiance & seem to prosper. But it does make me think of that song "All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong. Take this world but give me Jesus, this is not where I belong." So I guess, what the wicked have here is all they will have. I will have so much more in heaven & no one can take it from me.
Thanks for those words Chris -- such a precious thought to hang on to -- no one can take heaven away from me!!
ReplyDelete13:3 "I plead with you to encourage me" I spent some time here -- I can think of several times when I've felt encouraged by God; a sunset, a song, an answer to a prayer. and, reading about the life of Jesus, who is God -- I believe God loves to encourage us whenever He can!
So many times I take the mind set that it's all on me - - I'm the one who has to muster up the trust, to pull myself out of the gloom; I forget that He is right beside me, many times carrying me in his arms when I don't have the strength.
WoooHOOO. I got so excited when I read today's word. Yayyyyy--God's word is true and he DOES hear the prayers and pleas of his people.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved into this complex, my neighbors were murderous, lying people. (and that's putting it mildly)
Psalms 12:2--my old neighbors spoke flattering words to people's faces while plotting deceitful things in their heart. They thought they could say and do whatever they wanted and no one could stop them (vs.4).
Psalm 13:2---And I use to ask this question--How long shall my enemy exalt himself over me?
Psalm 14:1--The empty headed fool says in his heart, There is no God!
Psalm 14:2--But the Lord looked down from heaven and became my refuge and rescued me! He rescued me mightily in a moment without me having to do a thing. I just sat and watched in amazement while he removed my enemy.
I am still rejoicing daily. I can walk out my door without feeling threatened or oppressed. I am still in awe of the way the Lord rescued me.
That's so cool Sherrie! It's so good to hear you praise God for what He did for you. I know you were hanging on to Him when your neighbors were there & He got you through it.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say about Job's talk today? He's being very open (especially for a guy) about his feelings. Probably making his "friends" very uncomfortable with it too.
Seems like he's searched his heart & knows he hasn't done anything wrong BUT he does know that he is still a sinful being & in need of a savior, he can't stand before God (9:15).
I really appreciate this dialogue being included in the Bible. He confronts God in 10 about even being born. For what purpose? For this? Then I wish it hadn't happened. God can handle our honesty. And at the end of the book, God answers Job & Job worships again.
If we are really honest, then I think we are really humble, because we don't have answers, only God does. So when He answers, we are humbled & can only acknowledge His majesty & Sovereignty.
This must be a song God wants me to listen to, I think. Last night, during Steve Green's prayer he quoted a line from it, and this morning -- Psalms 9 reminds me of it:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt7OZyBj5Ik
He's God and we're not -- what a gift that He is interested in all that goes on in my life.
As Job was expressing his confusion in Job 10 -- I had to think that God was very close, longing to comfort him and bring him understanding - to make it all better; but it had to be (just as in Jesus' crucifixion) and each of us will be asked to trust when we don't really understand - - I appreciate God giving us the behind the scene look - the glimpse of the bigger picture we get in Job.
chapter 23 talks a lot about the pride of Tyre -- I wonder if Tyre is an illustration of the Kingdom of Satan? Wondering about the 70 years in vs 15 -- is that tied in at all with the 70 years of captivity Israel went through in Babylon? I couldn't make the connection -- except they both used 70 years.
ReplyDeleteI view chapter 24 as a picture of end times -- lots of descriptions about how our old world is falling apart. It's also the time when the Lord's sentence will be carried out on the fallen angels (vs 21) End time predictions seem to be tied into the sun and moon become dark (vs 23, but also Joel 3:15, Matt 24:29, and Mark 13:24) It's significant that the light has left the earth I think, both physically and spiritually.
As Pastor Mike points out in his end time series that we're finishing up, whenever God speaks of end times and how tough it will be, God always inserts His message of hope and encouragement. This comes out clearly in Chapter 25. I love how in verse 8 He lets us know that He will destroy the enemy of death forever. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes and remove the disgrace His people have suffered. (Shades of Rev 21:4)
Verse 9 reminds me of Johnny Williams prayers on Saturday morning -- this verse is very special to Johnny, and he always keeps it before us reminding us that Jesus will be coming for us SOOOON!
I don't know what your versions say, but 26:15 is a beautiful testimony to how it should be -- our focus off of ourselves and turned toward God. I circled "YOU" 5 times -- He is the one that has made us who we are -- all glory to Him!
26:19 reminds us that those who have died trusting in you will live again! Thank you Lord -- looking forward to spending time with my mom again!
Lots more stuff here, but just want to say that I thought there were some really good lessons about letting God lead out in bringing others to Him in 28:23-29. All He asks us to do is be willing to be used; He is the one that works - not us!
I'd never thought before last night's meeting how so MUCH of the controversy Jesus had to put up with had to do with the SAbbath issue! And I love the thought PM put out there, that when Jesus says to come to him, He will give us REST!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Jonah was in the belly of the fish 3 days as a pre-illustration. So many events God uses as illustrations (thinking of old test. prophets here)
Pretty serious warnings about speaking against the Holy Spirit -- our one ticket to understanding our condition and need for forgiveness and grace.
13:11 You can understand because you really want to know what they mean. (That gives all of us hope -- it's when we're serious about learning that God can make a difference)
13 18 on is about people who half-listen are only half-hearted or so busy, they don't have time. Really flies in the face of how the lawyer condesed the 10 commandments "love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, and mind"
More to say, but I'm going to finish on 13:57, 58. It was because of jealousy that Jesus had to hold back the blessing of ministry. We need to guard guard guard against that tool of Satan to shut down the blessings. A few people, stuck in jealousy shut down blessings to their community - really sad, so easy to happen.
Hmmm, I wonder what happened to my post this a.m. I posted it & it was there afterwards but not now. Oh well, guess it wasn't meant to be read.
ReplyDelete