Paul's plea for unity continues on to this day -- it's all about releasing our "rights" and letting Him control the situations.
I love his take on the world's wisdom and God's wisdom. The 2 "wisdoms" are on 2 separate planes, and one misses the other entirely. One doesn't understand the other - and visa versa. I've run into this many times in my short life - - and sometimes it is a step in faith to trust God's wisdom when the world is clamoring at you to come with them. I think this is why that quiet time with God is so very important -- things become more clear in His presence.
Paul's tip is to know nothing but Christ Jesus:)
I also liked 2:15: "he himself (someone who is spiritual) is rightly judged by no one". I think that is where Jesus found His peace -- I think this is where we find our peace and confidence. Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" and as long as we find our confidence in Him -- we will have the courage to walk boldly in a tough world.
I did like those passages too & I like your take on standing in God's peace even if worldly minded people don't get it (you don't have their approval)
I was thinking of the 1st part of 1 where Paul says that God has enriched their church by Christ's presence. They have all that they need because He is there. And then in the next verses he talks about the little petty divisions that are happening there. It seems so silly but those same ones & even smaller ones are still around today. Churches divide over stupid things like carpet colors!
So the encouragement I got was that even though these petty things exist, because of pride, Jesus is still working with us & the power of the cross, the beauty of the cross, is what can free us & bring us into unity.
I guess I've missed it all these years or maybe I it just didn't register before but after Laban left Jacob & Jacob went back to camp, he saw angels of God coming to meet him. Wow! I think they came as encouragement because Esau was coming to meet him, although he wasn't aware of it at the time.
I also am wondering about Dinah. She was raped but then the guy wanted to marry her. That's a mixed bag of emotions for sure. Since we don't know what she thought or if she was attracted to him, etc., I can only surmise what was going thru her heart.
So was it a relief to be taken back to her family when her brother's killed all the men & her husband or was she torn & want to stay. How you view her reaction depends on your background & where you are in your journey. Just another thing to wait until heaven to find out.
I don't recall reading where Jacob's mom, Rebekkah died. Must have been nice for Isaac to see Jacob again though. Doesn't say too much more about the interaction between brothers, except in burying their dad. Wonder how it all went.
Jacob realized that a spirit of generosity builds trust -- hoarding destroys trust. Esau got the message.
I was thinking about the wresting match -- at first Jacob was fighting off the "man" then, once Jacob realized the power and strength of "the man" and who He was -- Jacob clung to Him. God said that Jacob had prevailed.
In our own lives we seem to go through the times where we fight off God -- yet He's always near; hopefully, we come to the point where we cling to Him and rely on Him and not our own strength -- this is God's picture of prevailing -- giving up the fight and clinging to Him (laying down the sword)
in 34:19 it says that Shecham was more honorable than all his father's household -- wonder why when he'd done such a dishonorable act. Maybe because he was willing to go to great sacrifice for love, as opposed to the rest of them who were after gain for themselves (vs 23)
35:1 -- when Jacob was fleeing from his own blunders or his family blunders, God called him back to His presence (Bethel) Sometimes, in shame we want to hide from God -- like Adam, but God calls to us, as he did in Eden -- "Where are you?" or He wants us back in His Bethel presence.
A beautiful picture of Jacob and Esau working together to bury their father. Sometimes it takes a death to help us realize how precious those relationships are. Glad they made amends in the end:)
Yeah! That's the first time I read about the angels of God coming to meet him too! Must have been a relief, with Laban on once side, Esau on the other -- probably good to see God for courage in the middle of it all.
I thought it was interesting the notoriety given to Rebekah's nurse. She must have been loved. and yes, kindof a sad thing that we never hear about Rebekah's death -- if she actually got to see Jacob again or not.
Men! That's all I can say about today's reading. Oh one other thing. Did you notice that the Levite didn't tell his peers that the men of Benjamin were wanting to rape him? Shame is powerful. I'm glad though that the rest of the tribes defended the poor woman, since her husband obviously was a chicken to do so!
I can't believe that lousy Levite had a good night's sleep while his wife was being tortured and abused -- there seemed to be no remorse either -- ugh (that's the word I wrote in beside today's reading)
and kindof strange that whole business about Micah, the Danites, the idol, and the Levite - - hard to figure out the redeeming qualities there.
One good thing; I'm glad the Israelites didn't give up on God after defeat #1 and defeat #2 -- I'd have been wondering if there was any sin in the camp (thinking of Achan)
It reminded me a little of the civil war, where people fought against people they knew. That would be tough.
Just said 25:4,5 over & over again. I am definitely doing this all day long. Asking God to show what to do for the task at hand & also future things. I want to keep my heart/mind open before Him, to be teachable & humble. I am learning to place all my hope in Him alone, to trust more & deeper. Really enjoyed seeing it in words.
I read 25 out loud too as I wanted it to sink in deeper in my mind. It's like a prayer of commitment.
Thanks for taking me back to 25:4 & 5 Chris -- I said it out loud a couple of times for my day as well.
24:4 says that those who have a right to walk up to the Lord's hiss are innocent and pure in heart. Bummer -- as that's none of us; but, I believe He looks at 24:6 for His peeps (they long to be like Him). People that are longing to be like Him, are keeping their eyes on Him (instead of naval gazing), so -- even if they are not innocent or pure in heart -- they are changing by beholding HIM!
In my version, David asks for freedom from disgrace and shame both as the start to chpt 25 and they ending to the chpt (vs 2 and vs 20) I wonder what was going on in the king's life -- glad that even a king experiences some of the same emotions that all of us walk through.
I love the teachable, hold-me-accountable David that we see in 26:2. Not only examine me, but test me (this could be painful, you know -- think of Job)
26:8 "I love to come to your Sanctuary to worship because Your presence is there" This is a word picture that I want to keep in front of me.
I wonder if God put the conversations of Job's friends in the Bible to show us our ignorance & how easily we fall into a works religion instead of a relational walk with our God. Because as frustrated as I get with these guys...I keep seeing myself in them as well & how I've related to God. I still can trip & fall into that ditch again as well. Don't want to go bumbling into the other one either.
It's once again an oxy moron. When I am hiking, if I keep looking up into the trees for birds I stumble & fall & can get off the trail really easy. But in my walk with God, I have to keep looking up at Him or I will stumble & fall & get off the trail.
God continually amazes me as He asks me to do what is against MY common sense. Surrender to win, look up to not trip, etc. This must be how He plays "trust". Although, it's not a game, it's salvation.
Wow Chris -- I never thought of the Job story as the contrast between faith and works -- good insight. And -- when we read his friends version of salvation -- we shake our heads. I'm thinking God does the same thing for our pitiful little plans of "fixing it"
I was looking at the Bildad speech as a man's way of "fixing it" but then -- Job's wife's "fix" isn't much better -- so I think it's all about the human's approach.
Job is sure at the end, He's given up -- other than hanging on to God for the answer. He's fallen on the Stone all the builder's rejected. (vs 1, 11)
Also -- I like how we get the "end" picture for Job -- God meets the friends' arguments with something they'll understand (very similar to our end reward after we put up with the world's expectations & demands)
Bildad says in 17 that no one remembers him any more -- Hello! EVERYONE knows the story of Job!! How about "He shall have no offspring -- again, God counters later by giving Job a bunch of kids. In the end -- God scores; Bildad's theory doesn't hold water with God's passion for the people that cling to Him!
yeah, I like getting the end pic too. Gives me encouragement.
Isaiah is just packed with stuff today. I saw so many things to share, but I don't have time. Let me just say that I like God making it personal in this section. When I read it, I could put my name in a lot of places & hear His encouragement to me. He won't leave me, He'll guide me & give me understanding of His will.
And the end of it was great too. If I trust in Him, He will bring me thru. Sometimes though it's hard when it's dark & I'm not sure which way to go. I'm looking for my flashlight, instead of taking His hand. He's right beside me, but I don't respond because I'm looking for my own way out instead of trusting His eyes which can see thru the darkness & knows exactly what will happen & when.
Trust - Faith - it/they really need to be in what I can't see.
It was neat that God called Cyrus even though Cyrus didn't know Him! It's obvious from my version that God specifically named Cyrus and gave details of how Cyrus would conquer Babylon so no one could attribute it to the work of an idol.
in 45:8 I was thinking about the song "Let it Rain" fun to put the two together!
Can hardly wait for that time to come in vs 23 (every knee will bow and every tongue confess)
46:3,4 is such a beautiful word picture of how God is with us from beginning to end. (I have carried you in my arms since you were born)
46:13 The day of your salvation and the end of your captivity is near -- I'm thinking about His 2nd coming here -- so I wonder if the freedom from Babylon might have been an illustration of our freedom from sin.
I love God's bold proclamation of who HE is! in 48:12, 13, 17. He IS!!!
I can imagine the young boy, Jesus, pouring over 49: 1-13; trying to understand what disappointments and joys lay ahead of Him. I can imagine Jesus coming back to this passage again and again -- drawing encouragement from the plan.
49:16 I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands. Those scars were for me personally -- a personal reminder to Jesus -- every time He looks at them; kindof like we might tie a string around our finger -- but His reminder is permanant; so He will NOT forget us!!
Jesus synopsis of so many items this morning is -- what's in your heart? 23:11 "If you want to be great then go and help your neighbor and other people in need. Be kind to them, and help them in every way you can. vs 23 "you've forgotten to teach the things that are the most important such as justice (integrity), mercy (compassion), and faith (trust).
Food for thought for ALL of us when he says that "All you're concerned about (vs 25) are the externals of religion" and (vs 27) "At present your lives are hopeless"
When Jesus shows how utterly Jerusalem will be destroyed -- the disciples back-pedalled in the beginning of chpt 24 -- pointing out how massive and strong the temple was! Don't we do the same, thinking how safe and secure we are in our stick homes!! Like the 3 little pigs; the wolf can huff and puff at any minute (thinking of the mid-west storms this morning!) In a heartbeat -- all that seems so secure can be wiped out
and again in 24:4 Jesus goes right to the heart -- the MOST important thing for you to know is to be careful not to be deceived -- more important than earthly security.
24:36 on talks about the Noah's day attitude "they didn't think what Noah had been preaching would happen until suddenly the flood hit. By then it was too late . . . very few will really believe what my people will tell them. Most people will go about their duties with little thought about the future" - - sounds like everyone I know -- and I find myself caught up in this worldly way of planning way too often.
My version also has an interesting interpretation of the one taken, the other left verses. It says that Those who believe and those who don't will work together; one will be ready and the other will not, etc.
and Jesus comes back to the heart "the way to be ready is to keep putting God first in your life!"
I like the thought that the "sheep" didn't even realize they had been showing compassion, as it was a natural outgrowth of their changed lives -- it wasn't like they had the "do or die" attitude -- compassion and love simply poured out and overflowed from the people they'd become. Jesus parting thought in 25:46 "in my kingdom everyone cares about everyone else" who WOULDN'T want to live in a place like THAT!!
Paul's plea for unity continues on to this day -- it's all about releasing our "rights" and letting Him control the situations.
ReplyDeleteI love his take on the world's wisdom and God's wisdom. The 2 "wisdoms" are on 2 separate planes, and one misses the other entirely. One doesn't understand the other - and visa versa. I've run into this many times in my short life - - and sometimes it is a step in faith to trust God's wisdom when the world is clamoring at you to come with them. I think this is why that quiet time with God is so very important -- things become more clear in His presence.
Paul's tip is to know nothing but Christ Jesus:)
I also liked 2:15: "he himself (someone who is spiritual) is rightly judged by no one". I think that is where Jesus found His peace -- I think this is where we find our peace and confidence. Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" and as long as we find our confidence in Him -- we will have the courage to walk boldly in a tough world.
I did like those passages too & I like your take on standing in God's peace even if worldly minded people don't get it (you don't have their approval)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of the 1st part of 1 where Paul says that God has enriched their church by Christ's presence. They have all that they need because He is there. And then in the next verses he talks about the little petty divisions that are happening there. It seems so silly but those same ones & even smaller ones are still around today. Churches divide over stupid things like carpet colors!
So the encouragement I got was that even though these petty things exist, because of pride, Jesus is still working with us & the power of the cross, the beauty of the cross, is what can free us & bring us into unity.
I guess I've missed it all these years or maybe I it just didn't register before but after Laban left Jacob & Jacob went back to camp, he saw angels of God coming to meet him. Wow! I think they came as encouragement because Esau was coming to meet him, although he wasn't aware of it at the time.
ReplyDeleteI also am wondering about Dinah. She was raped but then the guy wanted to marry her. That's a mixed bag of emotions for sure. Since we don't know what she thought or if she was attracted to him, etc., I can only surmise what was going thru her heart.
So was it a relief to be taken back to her family when her brother's killed all the men & her husband or was she torn & want to stay. How you view her reaction depends on your background & where you are in your journey. Just another thing to wait until heaven to find out.
I don't recall reading where Jacob's mom, Rebekkah died. Must have been nice for Isaac to see Jacob again though. Doesn't say too much more about the interaction between brothers, except in burying their dad. Wonder how it all went.
Jacob realized that a spirit of generosity builds trust -- hoarding destroys trust. Esau got the message.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the wresting match -- at first Jacob was fighting off the "man" then, once Jacob realized the power and strength of "the man" and who He was -- Jacob clung to Him. God said that Jacob had prevailed.
In our own lives we seem to go through the times where we fight off God -- yet He's always near; hopefully, we come to the point where we cling to Him and rely on Him and not our own strength -- this is God's picture of prevailing -- giving up the fight and clinging to Him (laying down the sword)
in 34:19 it says that Shecham was more honorable than all his father's household -- wonder why when he'd done such a dishonorable act. Maybe because he was willing to go to great sacrifice for love, as opposed to the rest of them who were after gain for themselves (vs 23)
35:1 -- when Jacob was fleeing from his own blunders or his family blunders, God called him back to His presence (Bethel) Sometimes, in shame we want to hide from God -- like Adam, but God calls to us, as he did in Eden -- "Where are you?" or He wants us back in His Bethel presence.
A beautiful picture of Jacob and Esau working together to bury their father. Sometimes it takes a death to help us realize how precious those relationships are. Glad they made amends in the end:)
Yeah! That's the first time I read about the angels of God coming to meet him too! Must have been a relief, with Laban on once side, Esau on the other -- probably good to see God for courage in the middle of it all.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was interesting the notoriety given to Rebekah's nurse. She must have been loved. and yes, kindof a sad thing that we never hear about Rebekah's death -- if she actually got to see Jacob again or not.
oooo, like the thought about God's Presence & how He calls us back when we screw up.
ReplyDeleteMen! That's all I can say about today's reading. Oh one other thing. Did you notice that the Levite didn't tell his peers that the men of Benjamin were wanting to rape him? Shame is powerful. I'm glad though that the rest of the tribes defended the poor woman, since her husband obviously was a chicken to do so!
ReplyDeleteYeah - all in all; pretty disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that lousy Levite had a good night's sleep while his wife was being tortured and abused -- there seemed to be no remorse either -- ugh (that's the word I wrote in beside today's reading)
and kindof strange that whole business about Micah, the Danites, the idol, and the Levite - - hard to figure out the redeeming qualities there.
One good thing; I'm glad the Israelites didn't give up on God after defeat #1 and defeat #2 -- I'd have been wondering if there was any sin in the camp (thinking of Achan)
It reminded me a little of the civil war, where people fought against people they knew. That would be tough.
Just said 25:4,5 over & over again. I am definitely doing this all day long. Asking God to show what to do for the task at hand & also future things. I want to keep my heart/mind open before Him, to be teachable & humble. I am learning to place all my hope in Him alone, to trust more & deeper. Really enjoyed seeing it in words.
ReplyDeleteI read 25 out loud too as I wanted it to sink in deeper in my mind. It's like a prayer of commitment.
Thanks for taking me back to 25:4 & 5 Chris -- I said it out loud a couple of times for my day as well.
ReplyDelete24:4 says that those who have a right to walk up to the Lord's hiss are innocent and pure in heart. Bummer -- as that's none of us; but, I believe He looks at 24:6 for His peeps (they long to be like Him). People that are longing to be like Him, are keeping their eyes on Him (instead of naval gazing), so -- even if they are not innocent or pure in heart -- they are changing by beholding HIM!
In my version, David asks for freedom from disgrace and shame both as the start to chpt 25 and they ending to the chpt (vs 2 and vs 20) I wonder what was going on in the king's life -- glad that even a king experiences some of the same emotions that all of us walk through.
I love the teachable, hold-me-accountable David that we see in 26:2. Not only examine me, but test me (this could be painful, you know -- think of Job)
26:8 "I love to come to your Sanctuary to worship because Your presence is there" This is a word picture that I want to keep in front of me.
Bilhdad asks "Do you think we are stupid?" 18:3
ReplyDeleteI say Yes & YES!
I wonder if God put the conversations of Job's friends in the Bible to show us our ignorance & how easily we fall into a works religion instead of a relational walk with our God. Because as frustrated as I get with these guys...I keep seeing myself in them as well & how I've related to God.
I still can trip & fall into that ditch again as well. Don't want to go bumbling into the other one either.
It's once again an oxy moron. When I am hiking, if I keep looking up into the trees for birds I stumble & fall & can get off the trail really easy. But in my walk with God, I have to keep looking up at Him or I will stumble & fall & get off the trail.
God continually amazes me as He asks me to do what is against MY common sense. Surrender to win, look up to not trip, etc. This must be how He plays "trust". Although, it's not a game, it's salvation.
Wow Chris -- I never thought of the Job story as the contrast between faith and works -- good insight. And -- when we read his friends version of salvation -- we shake our heads. I'm thinking God does the same thing for our pitiful little plans of "fixing it"
ReplyDeleteI was looking at the Bildad speech as a man's way of "fixing it" but then -- Job's wife's "fix" isn't much better -- so I think it's all about the human's approach.
Job is sure at the end, He's given up -- other than hanging on to God for the answer. He's fallen on the Stone all the builder's rejected. (vs 1, 11)
Also -- I like how we get the "end" picture for Job -- God meets the friends' arguments with something they'll understand (very similar to our end reward after we put up with the world's expectations & demands)
ReplyDeleteBildad says in 17 that no one remembers him any more -- Hello! EVERYONE knows the story of Job!! How about "He shall have no offspring -- again, God counters later by giving Job a bunch of kids. In the end -- God scores; Bildad's theory doesn't hold water with God's passion for the people that cling to Him!
yeah, I like getting the end pic too. Gives me encouragement.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah is just packed with stuff today. I saw so many things to share, but I don't have time. Let me just say that I like God making it personal in this section. When I read it, I could put my name in a lot of places & hear His encouragement to me. He won't leave me, He'll guide me & give me understanding of His will.
And the end of it was great too. If I trust in Him, He will bring me thru. Sometimes though it's hard when it's dark & I'm not sure which way to go. I'm looking for my flashlight, instead of taking His hand. He's right beside me, but I don't respond because I'm looking for my own way out instead of trusting His eyes which can see thru the darkness & knows exactly what will happen & when.
Trust - Faith - it/they really need to be in what I can't see.
It was neat that God called Cyrus even though Cyrus didn't know Him! It's obvious from my version that God specifically named Cyrus and gave details of how Cyrus would conquer Babylon so no one could attribute it to the work of an idol.
ReplyDeletein 45:8 I was thinking about the song "Let it Rain" fun to put the two together!
Can hardly wait for that time to come in vs 23 (every knee will bow and every tongue confess)
46:3,4 is such a beautiful word picture of how God is with us from beginning to end. (I have carried you in my arms since you were born)
46:13 The day of your salvation and the end of your captivity is near -- I'm thinking about His 2nd coming here -- so I wonder if the freedom from Babylon might have been an illustration of our freedom from sin.
I love God's bold proclamation of who HE is! in 48:12, 13, 17. He IS!!!
I can imagine the young boy, Jesus, pouring over 49: 1-13; trying to understand what disappointments and joys lay ahead of Him. I can imagine Jesus coming back to this passage again and again -- drawing encouragement from the plan.
49:16 I have engraved your name on the palms of my hands. Those scars were for me personally -- a personal reminder to Jesus -- every time He looks at them; kindof like we might tie a string around our finger -- but His reminder is permanant; so He will NOT forget us!!
Jesus synopsis of so many items this morning is -- what's in your heart? 23:11 "If you want to be great then go and help your neighbor and other people in need. Be kind to them, and help them in every way you can. vs 23 "you've forgotten to teach the things that are the most important such as justice (integrity), mercy (compassion), and faith (trust).
ReplyDeleteFood for thought for ALL of us when he says that "All you're concerned about (vs 25) are the externals of religion" and (vs 27) "At present your lives are hopeless"
When Jesus shows how utterly Jerusalem will be destroyed -- the disciples back-pedalled in the beginning of chpt 24 -- pointing out how massive and strong the temple was! Don't we do the same, thinking how safe and secure we are in our stick homes!! Like the 3 little pigs; the wolf can huff and puff at any minute (thinking of the mid-west storms this morning!) In a heartbeat -- all that seems so secure can be wiped out
and again in 24:4 Jesus goes right to the heart -- the MOST important thing for you to know is to be careful not to be deceived -- more important than earthly security.
24:36 on talks about the Noah's day attitude "they didn't think what Noah had been preaching would happen until suddenly the flood hit. By then it was too late . . . very few will really believe what my people will tell them. Most people will go about their duties with little thought about the future" - - sounds like everyone I know -- and I find myself caught up in this worldly way of planning way too often.
My version also has an interesting interpretation of the one taken, the other left verses. It says that Those who believe and those who don't will work together; one will be ready and the other will not, etc.
and Jesus comes back to the heart "the way to be ready is to keep putting God first in your life!"
I like the thought that the "sheep" didn't even realize they had been showing compassion, as it was a natural outgrowth of their changed lives -- it wasn't like they had the "do or die" attitude -- compassion and love simply poured out and overflowed from the people they'd become. Jesus parting thought in 25:46 "in my kingdom everyone cares about everyone else" who WOULDN'T want to live in a place like THAT!!