I appreciate Paul's honesty and vulnerability as he struggles with covetousness. I wonder what exactly he coveted; so many things can be coveted - abilities, looks, fame, money, possessions - - Paul was struggling, as we all do. This reminds me of the sermon yesterday - how we think we're "good" but by what scale?? If we look to people, we can always line up with someone worse than us. But if we look toward God -- He's simply holy and we suddenly realize, with Paul, that we're "as good as dead" vs 9
Paul points out in vs 23 "inside me is a sinful nature. It's always there urging me to think about myself" I think that's where the Devil trips us up -- thinking about ourselves. vs 25 gives the solution/hope "this problem has not been left for me to solve!!"
8:1 a great picture of "hiding" in Christ -- again - he's my offense and my defense!
I love the adoption analogy in chpt 8. With our deepest emotion we may call Him Father (vs 15) But along with being part of the family, we will experience good times and bad times together.
So -- with Jesus dying for us (7:4), God adopting us (8:15), the Holy Spirit ready to help us (8:26), we have hope!
Probably the best promise of all times is in 8:39 "nothing can drive a wedge between us and God's love as seen in Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I thought Paul was just using coveting as an example of breaking the law. Does your version make it sound like it was one of his personal struggles? Guess it doesn't matter though.
I liked the time he took to explain how we had no choice but our natural bent toward sin & the end result of death until the cross. Now we can surrender to the Spirit & though we will die physically, we have the victory & have eternal life. Again, the weird concept of surrendering to win.
I got a good preaching to on my run today. Just hammering home truths to my brain after years of lies. And the end of 8 was just adding to that. Nothing takes away your value as a child of God, nothing can take away His love from you. It will be tough at times, but He always loves you, will give you what you need & will bring you home victorious to things you've never imagined. So fill your mind with the Truth, give your life to the Way & He will give you Life!
Abram is 75 yrs old when God tells him to pack up & leave everyone. I know they were more accustomed to this nomad life but to leave all your support team & familiarity - that took a LOT of faith!
God affirmed Abram when He asked him to leave. It's so important for a father to do that for his son. God is asking Abram to look to Him as His Father from now on & tells Abram that He will take care of him, provide for him, defend & protect him.
Yet, the major promise, innumerable descendants, doesn't happen for 45 more years! And Abram has a few doubts throughout our reading today, but God is patient & continues to affirm both Abram & the promise He made to him.
So Abram didn't have a son when he went into Egypt & maybe he remembered God's promise about having tons of them so he started that all familiar routine of doing what he thought was necessary in order for it to happen. He made decisions based on what he thought was best instead of seeking God. Who knows what would have happened if he had said that Sarai was his wife. God could have worked a miracle no problem! God said He would protect him & God can't lie, so let Him do it.
Lot made a good decision in choosing which land would be beneficial to his physical needs & possessions. We usually think of those things first & our spiritual needs 2nd. What would our lives be like if we made our spiritual life our priority instead of our physical? I think we want to, but there are so many things on the outside to take care of that it doesn't usually happen.
I'm impressed that Abram had 318 trained men in his camp. I guess it would be necessary if you were a nomad, but I just don't take it into consideration until I hear about it.
Still have questions about Melchizedek, but I guess I won't get answers until heaven.
Is the smoking firepot symbolic of the HS & is the flaming torch symbolic of Christ? Just trying to think of what those meant & their application to us today when we make a covenant with God.
I was thinking about Barb leaving all her family behind; her support team!
12:3 "My intention is for you to be a blessing to the whole world" oops -- 12:19, good thing God is patient with us when we mess up His blessing for others. Abraham does pull through tho, in his confrontation with Lot 13:8 "The witness we're giving to our neighbors about God is not good" As with all of us, we grow - - - I look back at stuff I did when I was younger, and shudder at the disrespect or the insensitivity, and I'm still growing (thanks for being patient, God - - - and friends!)
13:17 "So go and live anywhere you wish in the length and breadth of this land" Sometimes I think God has A place picked out for us, but according to the nomadic Abraham story, He'll use us wherever we choose!
15:7 "the Lord reminded Abram of what He had done for him". When it's hard to believe/trust God -- look back, see how He's led. That gives you the courage for the next step - - and I think God understands our trembling whimpy hearts!
In my version it says "I will make a covenant with you as is customary among the people around you when two of them decide to become blood-brothers" Brothers - that watch each others back - lend to each other, help each other.
I wonder if the torch and lamp showed that there was a "something" carrying a light in each hand? OR - like you thought of Chris, if those lights were symbolic! It all sounds pretty strange to me - but apparently it was the custom of the day.
hmmmm - I wasn't totally inspired today, so a good morning for me to read something else! I was thinking about the city of refuge -- and how God is our refuge (but actually - the One we killed by our sins was HIM!) So I can't quite twist my mind around how He can be the refuge we run to in the middle of our guilt towards Him!
That's a good thought that Abram had when he & Lot split. The witness to their neighbors. I agree that God can use us wherever & that sometimes we do get to choose; other times He gives specific directions. Maybe though the specific directions are only in emergencies or for specific times. All the examples I'm thinking of are those types of situations. Interesting point.
Yeah Linda, I wondered if Jesus was there & holding those lights as well but Abram couldn't see Him.
I didn't feel inspired too much either today with the reading of land allotments. I do, however, still enjoy Joshua not backing down when the descendants of Joseph whined about the Canaanites being too strong for them. He told them to get to work & that they would be able to drive them out.
We have to make choices consistent with our faith/belief. Muscle is only built as we use the muscle we have. Same with faith.
That is an interesting thought Linda, about the cities of refuge & our Refuge & our guilt from His death.
I've been keeping up with the daily readings, but haven't been able to post because of health issues.
Today's word really spoke to me. It seems that boundaries are very important to the Lord. He has given us distinct areas in our lives that we need to conquer and maintain. (Josh 17:13) We women have been given an inheritance from the Lord just as the men have and we need to protect and keep those areas of our lives. (Joshua 17:4)
There are going to be people, enemies, and things that get in our way, (Josh 17:18 and Josh 18:3) but God wants us to fully possess what he has given us-- whether it's our home, family, church, ministry, job, health or whatever. Our assignment is to conquer and maintain and protect the areas in our lives that the Lord has given us. The enemy will always come to steal from us. That's his assignment. Our assignment is to not let him take root in the area God has given us. We can't let him take root in our homes, our families, our jobs, our church or our bodies or whatever God has given to us. We have to fight to maintain what the Lord says belongs to us.
Chapter 20--We've got our inheritance---now we need a place of refuge when we screw things up or when the enemy comes against us. And our refuge is the Lord. He is always our place of safety when things go wrong.
Great thought on the boundaries & applying them to us today Sherrie!
I love the gratitude David starts off with in 9. He's full of joy, laughing, & jumping for joy & all because of God. Gratefulness, even for simple things, like warmer temps even though it's pouring rain on you, can make it endurable with a smile. And I've found that verbalizing my thanks has a stronger effect then just thinking it. Satan can't read minds so verbalizing it is like punching him out & I like that!
9:10 (NLT) says that "Those who know your name trust in you". I remember hearing that God's name is the same as His character (Ex 33 I think). So that makes sense that those that know God would trust Him. That's why satan doesn't want us to have time to get close to Him.
MSG says that "God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked." I know at times I feel apprehensive when I'm asking for help. I hate bothering people. BUT, my friends have always put me at ease & I relax & accept the help they offer. I see God like that. Just wanting to help us, so very gracious. We make it harder than it has to be.
11:1 NLT - I trust in God for protection so why do you tell me to fly away like a bird? MSG - I've run straight to the arms of God for protection so why would I run away? Good reminders for me. Why do I get all worked up if I trust God? If I know His character? If I know His Love for me?
So your back to the Message Chris? I recognized the poetry of it!
Yeah -- I like the thought of verbally thanking God and not just thinking it -- good stuff -- I'm going to work on that today.
9:9 He is a place of safety in times of trouble. That is a good word pic for me "a place of safety" Relaxing in His care, letting Him fight the battles; He's out in front, I'm covered by His protection.
9:10 . . . "He rejects no one who comes to Him for help." That is a wonderful promise. It's when we lay down the trying to make it work on our own and bring our problems to Him to fix -- that He can step in and move.
10:1 OK -- I've felt this way too! "Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of difficultly?" That seems just the opposite of 9:9-10; but we get hit with doubts by Satan all the time -- and I think that's why we need to verbalize His goodness, love, faithfulness; we're in a battle.
and that's just what it says in 11:3,4 "What are the righteous to do when everything seems to fall apart? Look to the Lord"
Here's the ultimate promise: 11:7 "Someday the righteous will see His face" WOW! I can hardly wait! Can you imagine being blind, having an operation and being able to see your best friend's face for the first time? That's what it will be like -- we thought of God, talked to HIm, studied about Him, trusted Him, clung to Him -- but THEN, we'll be able to look right into His eyes and just feast on communicating face to face with our Friend, our God, our Brother, our Father!!
How heartless of Bildad to say in 8:4 "Your children must have sinned against Him, so their punishment was well deserved". He is so far into the false doctrine of "if you do right, you will always be blessed but bad only happens to sinners" that he can't offer any kind of comfort to his friend. He's actually jumping up & down on top of Job. Hurting him more. I'm just astounded.
In 7:4 Job says "I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain". Then he asks God 3 things. First, he'd rather die than go on living like this (v15); 2nd, if he's done wrong, show him (v20); 3rd, forgiveness (v21).
He keeps going back to the character, the heart of the One he knows. It is true also, that forgiveness is the key to healing & restoration. It's true in our relationship with God & it's true in our relationship with others. Justice & judgement are all fine & good, but they don't heal a wound. Only forgiveness does.
Agreed - - heartless Bildad; shame on him - I'm serious; how could anyone be that cruel, especially someone that you considered a friend. Maybe Bildad was jealous of Job and his wealth; jealousy and envy breed cruelty.
8:6 "If you were pure and upright. . . God would give back your health and restore you to your place of honor" hmmmm - I wonder what Bildad thought when that actually DID happen! Either he realized he'd misjudged or he arrogantly thought Job had taken his advice and repented.
7:21 "If you really want to play God, forgive me and accept me" It's obvious from this statement that Job had a deep relationship with God -- that he felt acceptance, even acceptance to question God "Why?" I really liked your thoughts on forgiveness Chris -- that's the key over justice & judgement (although J & J is where my humanness usually turns)
18:4 talks about how God quietly watches things on earth -- He is involved; He knows what each one of us is going through - our struggles, our needs - - a quiet Presence making a difference.
Both 18 and 19 talk about nations that don't recognize God -- yet He is working for their salvation as well! (18:7, 19:21) God's love is for everyone. It doesn't belong to a "church" or a "denomination" He's actively pursuing His entire creation.
21:9-10 talking about Babylon falling and bring freedom to our people -- shades of Revelation. Can hardly wait for the freedom from the tendency to sin -- the pull to sin.
22:2 "Why are the people so blind to their danger" I KNOW I'm blind to the dangers around me!! Scarey!
22:5 The Lord has chosen a day of trouble for Jerusalem. Why? vs 8 on -- they've built up their defenses instead of paying attention to the Lord, the very One who could have protected them! HE wanted them to turn to Him for help.
Teach me Lord to trust You - to turn to You - to leave my fears, my worries at Your feet; to leave them there and not constantly reach for them.
The leper took a risk, he broke protocol & approached a clean person. He could have been stoned for doing something like that. He only saw his Source of healing, of restoration to life. What was his life worth if he was still full of leprosy? He was going to die anyway. Then he put all the healing on Jesus. "If you are willing, you can heal me & make me clean." This didn't suggest doubt like satan did when tempting Jesus to make bread out of stones, etc. This guy knew Jesus could heal him. He appealed to the very character of God. Jesus came to restore, to heal. And Jesus didn't lecture at all; He simply said "I am willing" & healed him. I love this picture of God, wanting to deliver us from our fears, anxieties & sin. He wants healthy, restored sinners to show what His character is really like. We are His witnesses of what He can do in our lives. The question for us is are we willing? He always is.
Bam, bam! Two "outcasts" give testimony of their faith in Jesus. Then doubters who aren't 100% committed to following Him & the disciples lacking trust on the lake. The people having Him leave after He miraculously heals the demoniacs. The religious leaders questioning His authority to forgive & doubting when He restores the paralyzed man. His days were up & down just like ours! Just reading through the miracles in this reading today. The faith that was professed in Him vs the doubts that were expressed. That is just like us being on a spiritual high & then being slammed with a trial of our faith. Through it all though, He kept His eyes on the goal. He got strength from His Father to help Him through. He was detoured from His mission no matter what satan tried to throw in His path. The end of 10 shows He understood that what it would be like for not only Himself, but those who believed in Him. But it does give encouragement that since He knows how it's gonna go...He also has a plan & will get me through. The question circles back to the beginning of our reading. Am I, like the leper, ready to risk all for Him? God is willing, am I?
This sentence really spoke to me Chris: He only saw his Source of healing, of restoration to life. What was his life worth if he was still full of leprosy? He was going to die anyway.
That's not a whole lot different for us - we're going to die anyway; God is our Source - - I want to keep my focus on Him and it keeps getting deflected . . . daily surrender and focus like the leper.
This is a packed reading this morning, but here goes:
8:1 Great crowds followed him everywhere . . . 10:18 Jesus had no quiet time because huge crowds followed Him wherever He went . . . 9:36 Whenever He saw a group of people, His heart was moved with compassion because they seemed so helpless and misled.
Doncha wish you could have been in the crowd? The crowds didn't "turn His head" His whole being cried out for their salvation. Compassion on the very people who surrounded Him with their unending needs, some with physical needs, some with prejudice, some with jealousies, most with doubt, some with slander and accusations, some trying to trick him; all of them with spiritual needs - - they (we) are a people that is helpless and misled.
The patient Teacher; He didn't stop with just healing, He was after the whole person.
9:35 (Just after getting accused of being a demon) Jesus paid little attention to what the Pharisees said, but continued on His way. He refused to be distracted from His mission.
10:8,9 (on the disciples healing) "Do this graciously and freely as though you're giving gifts to people, because this power is also a gift to you". This is a call not to let fame or power go to their heads -- and just to make sure, they weren't to carry money with them, everything was to be done freely (a wonderful picture of God)
10:33 "Anyone who disowns me, I will disown before all the angels of heaven and before my Father" I can't help but think this was a very hard saying for Peter after he'd denied his Friend - - but how many times do I disown Jesus by being flippant or NOT saying something. Friends stick up for each other all the time! Disowning goes deeper than denying; I'm so grateful for forgiveness.
I appreciate Paul's honesty and vulnerability as he struggles with covetousness. I wonder what exactly he coveted; so many things can be coveted - abilities, looks, fame, money, possessions - - Paul was struggling, as we all do. This reminds me of the sermon yesterday - how we think we're "good" but by what scale?? If we look to people, we can always line up with someone worse than us. But if we look toward God -- He's simply holy and we suddenly realize, with Paul, that we're "as good as dead" vs 9
ReplyDeletePaul points out in vs 23 "inside me is a sinful nature. It's always there urging me to think about myself" I think that's where the Devil trips us up -- thinking about ourselves. vs 25 gives the solution/hope "this problem has not been left for me to solve!!"
8:1 a great picture of "hiding" in Christ -- again - he's my offense and my defense!
I love the adoption analogy in chpt 8. With our deepest emotion we may call Him Father (vs 15) But along with being part of the family, we will experience good times and bad times together.
So -- with Jesus dying for us (7:4), God adopting us (8:15), the Holy Spirit ready to help us (8:26), we have hope!
Probably the best promise of all times is in 8:39 "nothing can drive a wedge between us and God's love as seen in Jesus Christ our Lord!"
I thought Paul was just using coveting as an example of breaking the law. Does your version make it sound like it was one of his personal struggles? Guess it doesn't matter though.
ReplyDeleteI liked the time he took to explain how we had no choice but our natural bent toward sin & the end result of death until the cross. Now we can surrender to the Spirit & though we will die physically, we have the victory & have eternal life. Again, the weird concept of surrendering to win.
I got a good preaching to on my run today. Just hammering home truths to my brain after years of lies. And the end of 8 was just adding to that. Nothing takes away your value as a child of God, nothing can take away His love from you. It will be tough at times, but He always loves you, will give you what you need & will bring you home victorious to things you've never imagined. So fill your mind with the Truth, give your life to the Way & He will give you Life!
Yeah -- mine made it sound like coveting was something he struggled with personally - I'll go back and read it side by side with a translation:)
ReplyDeleteAbram is 75 yrs old when God tells him to pack up & leave everyone. I know they were more accustomed to this nomad life but to leave all your support team & familiarity - that took a LOT of faith!
ReplyDeleteGod affirmed Abram when He asked him to leave. It's so important for a father to do that for his son. God is asking Abram to look to Him as His Father from now on & tells Abram that He will take care of him, provide for him, defend & protect him.
Yet, the major promise, innumerable descendants, doesn't happen for 45 more years! And Abram has a few doubts throughout our reading today, but God is patient & continues to affirm both Abram & the promise He made to him.
So Abram didn't have a son when he went into Egypt & maybe he remembered God's promise about having tons of them so he started that all familiar routine of doing what he thought was necessary in order for it to happen. He made decisions based on what he thought was best instead of seeking God.
Who knows what would have happened if he had said that Sarai was his wife. God could have worked a miracle no problem! God said He would protect him & God can't lie, so let Him do it.
Lot made a good decision in choosing which land would be beneficial to his physical needs & possessions. We usually think of those things first & our spiritual needs 2nd. What would our lives be like if we made our spiritual life our priority instead of our physical? I think we want to, but there are so many things on the outside to take care of that it doesn't usually happen.
I'm impressed that Abram had 318 trained men in his camp. I guess it would be necessary if you were a nomad, but I just don't take it into consideration until I hear about it.
Still have questions about Melchizedek, but I guess I won't get answers until heaven.
Is the smoking firepot symbolic of the HS & is the flaming torch symbolic of Christ? Just trying to think of what those meant & their application to us today when we make a covenant with God.
I was thinking about Barb leaving all her family behind; her support team!
ReplyDelete12:3 "My intention is for you to be a blessing to the whole world" oops -- 12:19, good thing God is patient with us when we mess up His blessing for others. Abraham does pull through tho, in his confrontation with Lot 13:8 "The witness we're giving to our neighbors about God is not good" As with all of us, we grow - - - I look back at stuff I did when I was younger, and shudder at the disrespect or the insensitivity, and I'm still growing (thanks for being patient, God - - - and friends!)
13:17 "So go and live anywhere you wish in the length and breadth of this land" Sometimes I think God has A place picked out for us, but according to the nomadic Abraham story, He'll use us wherever we choose!
15:7 "the Lord reminded Abram of what He had done for him". When it's hard to believe/trust God -- look back, see how He's led. That gives you the courage for the next step - - and I think God understands our trembling whimpy hearts!
In my version it says "I will make a covenant with you as is customary among the people around you when two of them decide to become blood-brothers" Brothers - that watch each others back - lend to each other, help each other.
I wonder if the torch and lamp showed that there was a "something" carrying a light in each hand? OR - like you thought of Chris, if those lights were symbolic! It all sounds pretty strange to me - but apparently it was the custom of the day.
hmmmm - I wasn't totally inspired today, so a good morning for me to read something else! I was thinking about the city of refuge -- and how God is our refuge (but actually - the One we killed by our sins was HIM!) So I can't quite twist my mind around how He can be the refuge we run to in the middle of our guilt towards Him!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thought that Abram had when he & Lot split. The witness to their neighbors. I agree that God can use us wherever & that sometimes we do get to choose; other times He gives specific directions. Maybe though the specific directions are only in emergencies or for specific times. All the examples I'm thinking of are those types of situations. Interesting point.
ReplyDeleteYeah Linda, I wondered if Jesus was there & holding those lights as well but Abram couldn't see Him.
I didn't feel inspired too much either today with the reading of land allotments. I do, however, still enjoy Joshua not backing down when the descendants of Joseph whined about the Canaanites being too strong for them. He told them to get to work & that they would be able to drive them out.
We have to make choices consistent with our faith/belief. Muscle is only built as we use the muscle we have. Same with faith.
That is an interesting thought Linda, about the cities of refuge & our Refuge & our guilt from His death.
I've been keeping up with the daily readings, but haven't been able to post because of health issues.
ReplyDeleteToday's word really spoke to me. It seems that boundaries are very important to the Lord. He has given us distinct areas in our lives that we need to conquer and maintain. (Josh 17:13) We women have been given an inheritance from the Lord just as the men have and we need to protect and keep those areas of our lives. (Joshua 17:4)
There are going to be people, enemies, and things that get in our way, (Josh 17:18 and Josh 18:3) but God wants us to fully possess what he has given us-- whether it's our home, family, church, ministry, job, health or whatever. Our assignment is to conquer and maintain and protect the areas in our lives that the Lord has given us. The enemy will always come to steal from us. That's his assignment. Our assignment is to not let him take root in the area God has given us. We can't let him take root in our homes, our families, our jobs, our church or our bodies or whatever God has given to us. We have to fight to maintain what the Lord says belongs to us.
Chapter 20--We've got our inheritance---now we need a place of refuge when we screw things up or when the enemy comes against us. And our refuge is the Lord. He is always our place of safety when things go wrong.
Welcome back Sher! I'm glad you are feeling better - Chris told me some of the health battles you were up against:(
ReplyDeleteLoved the positive look at the boundaries and the call to conquer! Thank you for that!!
Great thought on the boundaries & applying them to us today Sherrie!
ReplyDeleteI love the gratitude David starts off with in 9. He's full of joy, laughing, & jumping for joy & all because of God. Gratefulness, even for simple things, like warmer temps even though it's pouring rain on you, can make it endurable with a smile. And I've found that verbalizing my thanks has a stronger effect then just thinking it. Satan can't read minds so verbalizing it is like punching him out & I like that!
9:10 (NLT) says that "Those who know your name trust in you". I remember hearing that God's name is the same as His character (Ex 33 I think). So that makes sense that those that know God would trust Him. That's why satan doesn't want us to have time to get close to Him.
MSG says that "God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked." I know at times I feel apprehensive when I'm asking for help. I hate bothering people. BUT, my friends have always put me at ease & I relax & accept the help they offer. I see God like that. Just wanting to help us, so very gracious. We make it harder than it has to be.
11:1 NLT - I trust in God for protection so why do you tell me to fly away like a bird? MSG - I've run straight to the arms of God for protection so why would I run away? Good reminders for me. Why do I get all worked up if I trust God? If I know His character? If I know His Love for me?
So your back to the Message Chris? I recognized the poetry of it!
ReplyDeleteYeah -- I like the thought of verbally thanking God and not just thinking it -- good stuff -- I'm going to work on that today.
9:9 He is a place of safety in times of trouble. That is a good word pic for me "a place of safety" Relaxing in His care, letting Him fight the battles; He's out in front, I'm covered by His protection.
9:10 . . . "He rejects no one who comes to Him for help." That is a wonderful promise. It's when we lay down the trying to make it work on our own and bring our problems to Him to fix -- that He can step in and move.
10:1 OK -- I've felt this way too! "Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of difficultly?" That seems just the opposite of 9:9-10; but we get hit with doubts by Satan all the time -- and I think that's why we need to verbalize His goodness, love, faithfulness; we're in a battle.
and that's just what it says in 11:3,4 "What are the righteous to do when everything seems to fall apart? Look to the Lord"
Here's the ultimate promise: 11:7 "Someday the righteous will see His face" WOW! I can hardly wait! Can you imagine being blind, having an operation and being able to see your best friend's face for the first time? That's what it will be like -- we thought of God, talked to HIm, studied about Him, trusted Him, clung to Him -- but THEN, we'll be able to look right into His eyes and just feast on communicating face to face with our Friend, our God, our Brother, our Father!!
I really liked Psalms in MSG but I'm doing NLT this year, just will read MSG along with it at times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing out the promise of seeing Him face to face!
How heartless of Bildad to say in 8:4 "Your children must have sinned against Him, so their punishment was well deserved". He is so far into the false doctrine of "if you do right, you will always be blessed but bad only happens to sinners" that he can't offer any kind of comfort to his friend. He's actually jumping up & down on top of Job. Hurting him more. I'm just astounded.
ReplyDeleteIn 7:4 Job says "I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. My bitter soul must complain". Then he asks God 3 things. First, he'd rather die than go on living like this (v15); 2nd, if he's done wrong, show him (v20); 3rd, forgiveness (v21).
He keeps going back to the character, the heart of the One he knows. It is true also, that forgiveness is the key to healing & restoration. It's true in our relationship with God & it's true in our relationship with others. Justice & judgement are all fine & good, but they don't heal a wound. Only forgiveness does.
Agreed - - heartless Bildad; shame on him - I'm serious; how could anyone be that cruel, especially someone that you considered a friend. Maybe Bildad was jealous of Job and his wealth; jealousy and envy breed cruelty.
ReplyDelete8:6 "If you were pure and upright. . . God would give back your health and restore you to your place of honor" hmmmm - I wonder what Bildad thought when that actually DID happen! Either he realized he'd misjudged or he arrogantly thought Job had taken his advice and repented.
7:21 "If you really want to play God, forgive me and accept me" It's obvious from this statement that Job had a deep relationship with God -- that he felt acceptance, even acceptance to question God "Why?" I really liked your thoughts on forgiveness Chris -- that's the key over justice & judgement (although J & J is where my humanness usually turns)
18:4 talks about how God quietly watches things on earth -- He is involved; He knows what each one of us is going through - our struggles, our needs - - a quiet Presence making a difference.
ReplyDeleteBoth 18 and 19 talk about nations that don't recognize God -- yet He is working for their salvation as well! (18:7, 19:21) God's love is for everyone. It doesn't belong to a "church" or a "denomination" He's actively pursuing His entire creation.
21:9-10 talking about Babylon falling and bring freedom to our people -- shades of Revelation. Can hardly wait for the freedom from the tendency to sin -- the pull to sin.
22:2 "Why are the people so blind to their danger" I KNOW I'm blind to the dangers around me!! Scarey!
22:5 The Lord has chosen a day of trouble for Jerusalem. Why? vs 8 on -- they've built up their defenses instead of paying attention to the Lord, the very One who could have protected them! HE wanted them to turn to Him for help.
Teach me Lord to trust You - to turn to You - to leave my fears, my worries at Your feet; to leave them there and not constantly reach for them.
The leper took a risk, he broke protocol & approached a clean person. He could have been stoned for doing something like that. He only saw his Source of healing, of restoration to life. What was his life worth if he was still full of leprosy? He was going to die anyway.
ReplyDeleteThen he put all the healing on Jesus. "If you are willing, you can heal me & make me clean." This didn't suggest doubt like satan did when tempting Jesus to make bread out of stones, etc. This guy knew Jesus could heal him. He appealed to the very character of God. Jesus came to restore, to heal. And Jesus didn't lecture at all; He simply said "I am willing" & healed him.
I love this picture of God, wanting to deliver us from our fears, anxieties & sin. He wants healthy, restored sinners to show what His character is really like. We are His witnesses of what He can do in our lives. The question for us is are we willing? He always is.
Bam, bam! Two "outcasts" give testimony of their faith in Jesus. Then doubters who aren't 100% committed to following Him & the disciples lacking trust on the lake. The people having Him leave after He miraculously heals the demoniacs. The religious leaders questioning His authority to forgive & doubting when He restores the paralyzed man. His days were up & down just like ours!
Just reading through the miracles in this reading today. The faith that was professed in Him vs the doubts that were expressed. That is just like us being on a spiritual high & then being slammed with a trial of our faith. Through it all though, He kept His eyes on the goal. He got strength from His Father to help Him through. He was detoured from His mission no matter what satan tried to throw in His path.
The end of 10 shows He understood that what it would be like for not only Himself, but those who believed in Him.
But it does give encouragement that since He knows how it's gonna go...He also has a plan & will get me through. The question circles back to the beginning of our reading. Am I, like the leper, ready to risk all for Him? God is willing, am I?
This sentence really spoke to me Chris: He only saw his Source of healing, of restoration to life. What was his life worth if he was still full of leprosy? He was going to die anyway.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a whole lot different for us - we're going to die anyway; God is our Source - - I want to keep my focus on Him and it keeps getting deflected . . . daily surrender and focus like the leper.
This is a packed reading this morning, but here goes:
8:1 Great crowds followed him everywhere . . . 10:18 Jesus had no quiet time because huge crowds followed Him wherever He went . . . 9:36 Whenever He saw a group of people, His heart was moved with compassion because they seemed so helpless and misled.
Doncha wish you could have been in the crowd? The crowds didn't "turn His head" His whole being cried out for their salvation. Compassion on the very people who surrounded Him with their unending needs, some with physical needs, some with prejudice, some with jealousies, most with doubt, some with slander and accusations, some trying to trick him; all of them with spiritual needs - - they (we) are a people that is helpless and misled.
The patient Teacher; He didn't stop with just healing, He was after the whole person.
9:35 (Just after getting accused of being a demon) Jesus paid little attention to what the Pharisees said, but continued on His way. He refused to be distracted from His mission.
10:8,9 (on the disciples healing) "Do this graciously and freely as though you're giving gifts to people, because this power is also a gift to you". This is a call not to let fame or power go to their heads -- and just to make sure, they weren't to carry money with them, everything was to be done freely (a wonderful picture of God)
10:33 "Anyone who disowns me, I will disown before all the angels of heaven and before my Father" I can't help but think this was a very hard saying for Peter after he'd denied his Friend - - but how many times do I disown Jesus by being flippant or NOT saying something. Friends stick up for each other all the time! Disowning goes deeper than denying; I'm so grateful for forgiveness.
He was & IS after the whole being! And after knowing He's after my whole being, yes, you're right, I still find myself disowning Him as well.
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