4:5 & 6 What a contrast; Satan blinds, God makes light shine -- how true.
I really like the encouragement found in 4:17-18; really, it's all about where we fix our gaze; keep lookin' up:)
What a neat goal in 5:9 -- to please Him! and He makes it so easy to please Him!
Yeah, it seems like it's a constant battle for churches -- to lay down having a "spectacular ministry and instead work with the sincere heart.
and again, what a goal in vs 15 that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves (Lord help me here -- I'm pretty weak in this area) Instead, they will live for Christ!!!
and also, good advice for every Christian -- every person that I know (that includes me big time) "stop evaluating others from a human point of view vs 16 (boy does THAT make me think of chapter 9 from last Fri night!!)
Finally was able to go back & read this today. And then as I read your comments again, I realized you had mentioned all the points that stood out to me as well! :D
5:16 I was thinking of how God stops me when I judge people so quickly & asks me to look at them thru His eyes instead. It really softens my heart towards them.
Good catch with the Chap 9 comparison.
In 4:8-10 I was thinking of how the inconveniences that I face & things that frustrate me are showing what's in my heart. How frustrated do I get? How do I react? If I give it to & just keep talking to Him thru it, I surrender easier to Him & only then can people see that He's making a difference in me. If I give into my frustrations, then...eh, not good.
At the end of 5 it says we are to reconcile people to God. If I'm giving into self, then there's no way I can reconcile to God. Only as I submit, that surrender to win thinking, can I reconcile those around me to Him. And the really cool thing about it is that I will probably have no idea I'm making a difference. That way I can't get a big head!
Ex 17:7 says the people tested the Lord by saying is He with us or not? I know I've thought the same thing at times. I can usually look back at how He's led & gain the confidence that it was Him who put me where I am. I may not SEE His deliverance or KNOW exactly what He's going to do but if I know He has led me to the edge of a cliff, then I have to trust that He will make a way to get off of it as well.
I think it depends on the attitude I have when I ask this question. My attitude will come from my heart. So am I teachable or stubbornly demanding my way?
We may have commented on this last year but it hit me again how God could have supernaturally strengthened Moses' arms to stay up with no problem. He could have had angels hold them up, but He didn't. He used the tools that Moses had nearby.
I wonder if Moses had to ask for help with his arms. Did he have to acknowledge his weakness, that he couldn't complete the task without help? Did he ask God to strengthen his arms before he asked Hur & Aaron? Working together, with a common goal, was what got the job done. Of course God worked, but He worked thru weak humans that had to acknowledge their short comings & work together. Moses had to hold the staff, not Hur or Aaron, their job was to hold up his arms. Hmmm & hmmm....
2 events that Moses needed to ask for help -- the arm raising war and the solving relational conflict wars. I wonder if sin has made us so intent on accomplishing "stuff" independently - - it's so different, I bet, from the atmosphere of Heaven, where everyone works together - total team, and loving every minute of it.
Anyway, very cool that Moses listened and followed -- and Jethro must have been quite a personality. He was a Midianite, yet he rejoiced at what God had done for Israel (no jealousies there) and Moses was willing to submit to his wisdom.
I like the thought of friends coming along side to support you when you are viewing the ups and downs of your life. . . those friends are special treasures for sure.
Moses wasn't afraid of God -- he led the way to the stormy mountain, he went right into the cloud, he "but Lord"ed God again in verse 23 - - no, Moses didn't worry (No, don't worry -- from Amy Grant)
20:6 -- never realized this precious promise "But I lavish unfailing love. . . on those who love me and obey my commands" I like this version way better than the KJV
and vs 24 explains why they were always building alters back then -- a command of God wherever I cause my name to be remembered!!
I didn't get a lot personally out of all of the reading today except the part of Michal having contempt for David's worship. It strikes me every time I read it. Maybe because I'm so judgmental too. God has been working with me to stop & with His help, look at people thru His eyes.
It's easy to criticize when it's something that goes against what you've seen or experienced before & seems a bit overboard. Seems like Michal had never fully fallen in love with the Lord. I wonder also if she was bitter about being taken away from her 2nd husband. Who knows.
Sure seems a bit snippy in her & David's convo afterwards. She tries to shame him & quash his exuberance & he reminds her that her dad was rejected by God & her family roots aren't all that.
The words might change, but I see this happening over & over again between people. And unfortunately, have participated in it myself.
Just need to look thru Jesus' eyes at me & also others. Keeps my mouth shut longer. :)
The Lord did it! 5:20; David is always giving the success back to the Lord -- really appreciate his emotional honesty. It comes out again in 6:8 and 9 when it says David was angry (he must have cared about Uzzah) and then afraid. Maybe he realized how very powerful God was -- interesting that he was afraid.
It seems like he moved the ark to Obed-edom's home as a test. If Obed-edom was struck down -- then don't do anything; but when OE was blessed; well hey! Let's get in on some of that blessing too -- I'm not sure how I feel about that. Why didn't they just ask God what had gone wrong and fix it as opposed to using OE as a pawn to protect the king?
Michael was filled with jealousy -- that's interesting, as David had all kins of wives and concubines. I looked concubine up and it's a woman with a lower status -- bother, why all the hierarchy's? I just can't handle the many wives lives that happened back then.
Anyway -- David was pretty in your face reminding Michael that the Lord chose him over her father and that the servant girls would indeed find him distinguished. This was an all out word fight. I'm surprised Michael was so vocal -- seems like David had the power to off her head as opposed to just word sparring.
7:6 "I have never lived in a house" reminded me how we can't put God in a box. Yet, he was pleased that David wanted to do whatever he could to honor God in his own small thinking.
Do you think 7:12-14 is talking about Jesus? If so -- why would it say, "If he sins?" What would Jesus think while reading that?
I like the word pic that David went in and sat before the Lord -- and then the humble words "Who am I?" I've thought that before when God has poured out his blessings. Other times - I've taken the blessings for granted. It makes way more sense to realize that God is Sovereign and Who am I?
Yuck -- I don't like the making people lay down game in chapter 8. Brutal.
I remember a sermon that compared our lives to Mephibosheth - and God as the merciful King that provides for crippled abandoned us; even letting us feast in His house.
yeah, that measuring off with the rope thing made me think again of a friend I had in college who was from Hungary & had escaped a massacre in her town because she was one of the "every other one". War is brutal.
Psalms 51:16,17 Sometimes we try to cover up a lack of relationship with God by "big religious show". God just wants us honest. If all I have right now is 2 widow's mites worth of faith in Him, then He'll take it. He just wants me to admit that I'm not taking the time I need to with Him or I screwed up on something & didn't listen to Him. Not the big picture frame to hide the crack in the wall.
I am really appreciating the fact that I can be brutally honest with God. I'm realizing that it helps me sorts things out faster because I'm not throwing excuses around. He can get to the heart of the matter a lot faster when I'm open & honest. Even when it's embarrassing.
Chris -- that thought of the widow's mite of faith is amazing. I never put the two together -- but that makes SO much faith! We bring what we have - give it to Him; He'll bless it and grow more for us - - thank you for those 4 little words today.
Ps 51 was the best part of today's reading for me -- I guess we all struggle with sin; it stains us - - stains are awful, they mess up the material -- really, make it ugly and useless. God purifies us -- restores us -- makes us whiter than snow (so did David see a lot of snow? Mt Hermen?) That was probably the whitest thing around, as I'm guessing they didn't have bleach.
David is hoping for joy again (vs 8 and 12) -- last time we read of this man he was leaping, dancing, celebrating. Now he's wanting to experience joy again -- I've felt that way before -- totally flat, simply wanting to feel joy, probably everyone has.
And yes Chris -- I love the very simple needs God hopes from us; a broken spirit and a repentful heart -- then He can work and bring back that joy. When we try to create the joy, it gets lost in our "self"
It's tough reading Elihu's words -- because we KNOW he's a bag of wind. vs 4 "I am a man of great knowledge" O bother -- who'd want to listen to THAT! and then in vs 9 talking about God he says "He shows them their sins of pride" well OBVIOUSLY he doesn't class himself with the wicked -- because God hasn't shown HIM any sins of pride" and we can all see it so clearly.
I think the basic problem here is in 36:21 where he says "God sent" When dealing with people off course, it seems like God simply allows evil to take it's course until someone that is off course wakes up and gets back on course; asking for His help - His protection. I don't think God initiates evil or bad to happen. We just have a natural bent toward sin.
Job's situation is kindof similar to Jesus situation -- where God withdraws His protection for someone living a God-centered life. It was for a bigger picture/purpose - - and maybe that happens as well more than we know; but God never sends or creates the evil in my book -- that's not in His character.
Well one thing Elihu did get right -- his bit about the rain that pours down drom the clouds!! and I need to remember that everyone benefits; life would be pretty somber without any rain (sigh -- but I'm so anxious for summer sun) You enjoy your sunshine this weekend Chris down in sunny CA!!!!
Yeah Linda, his view of God is definitely NOT full of wisdom. Just shows that there were people who followed their own thoughts about God back then too. I know they didn't have a Bible per se, but seems like God appeared more to them back then. So easy to get off track & think we know it all.
So I'm not reading Jeremiah...as you can tell by my lack of comments. But I have been chewing on something the last couple of days from Dear Jesus. It kinda ties into our shack discussions.
"...If you think it is your spiritual disciplines that keep you close to Me, you are at risk, Some days you may skimp on your time with Me or not be able to concentrate well. if you're depending on your own efforts to stay near Me, you will feel distant from Me at such times. But if you are relying on Me - what I have done, am doing, will do - you know My Love for you is always assured. So you can rest in Me, trusting in My unfailing Love, flourishing in My abiding Presence." p 237
I like this & not really enough space to comment all I'm getting out of it but today I'm dissecting the Rest in My, Trust My Love for you Chris so you can flourish (grow) in My Presence.
Yeah-- and thanks for that DJ comment, I get so stressed over my "lists" Bible reading lists as well -- that I feel guilty when I miss a day; not an emotion God has in mind for me I'm sure:)
So I'll be reading today during my flying break -- but not commenting -- more tomorrow; right now - I'm off to a DJ reading!! Enjoy your run
15:5 Jesus said nothing; much to Pilate's surprise. Sometimes silence gets people's attention more than defense -- makes them think. We're soooo quick to jump in and justify ourselves. Often the less said the better.
Why in the world would the crowd WANT a prisoner to be released? vs 8? I don't get that.
vs 19 mock worship. Makes me think of Matt 15:8; and how often to I play around with mock worship -- dear Lord, please forgive me - - help me to realize how deep is your love and your sacrifice, your care for my good.
Everybody was coming down hard on Jesus -- wait; there was the Roman officer (vs 39 and the women vs 40) hmmm, not what you'd think of as the ones to go to for advice on who was right or wrong -- but THEY were right.
interesting footnote on vs 43 that Joseph was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. Was this a comment that he was re-evaluating?
and finally -- I think Jesus rebuked the disciples in vs 14, as they still had lessons of humility to learn. No doubt they were thinking (as I would have thought) if Jesus was alive, he'd have shown himself to US first; after all -- we're his CLOSEST followers. It was another lesson in humility and faith -- one that I also need to learn; I can learn from everyone -- I don't have all the answers; often, I don't even know what questions to ask. God can work through anyone, and HE is the one that decides through whom His lessons will come -- I don't get to assume or dictate that.
I was thinking of how the religious leaders misused the trust of the people confinding in them all their hopes, dreams & disappointments & manipulated them to ask for Jesus to be crucified. A sad misuse of trust & position.
I like your comments on humility. I can always use more of that. I wonder if that comes with waiting. Because I have to give up my agenda the longer I wait. It makes me admit I know nothing, can't see the big picture and His way AND timing is best.
4:5 & 6 What a contrast; Satan blinds, God makes light shine -- how true.
ReplyDeleteI really like the encouragement found in 4:17-18; really, it's all about where we fix our gaze; keep lookin' up:)
What a neat goal in 5:9 -- to please Him! and He makes it so easy to please Him!
Yeah, it seems like it's a constant battle for churches -- to lay down having a "spectacular ministry and instead work with the sincere heart.
and again, what a goal in vs 15 that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves (Lord help me here -- I'm pretty weak in this area) Instead, they will live for Christ!!!
and also, good advice for every Christian -- every person that I know (that includes me big time) "stop evaluating others from a human point of view vs 16 (boy does THAT make me think of chapter 9 from last Fri night!!)
Will try to read this later...didn't get around to it last night. :)
DeleteFinally was able to go back & read this today. And then as I read your comments again, I realized you had mentioned all the points that stood out to me as well! :D
Delete5:16 I was thinking of how God stops me when I judge people so quickly & asks me to look at them thru His eyes instead. It really softens my heart towards them.
Good catch with the Chap 9 comparison.
In 4:8-10 I was thinking of how the inconveniences that I face & things that frustrate me are showing what's in my heart. How frustrated do I get? How do I react? If I give it to & just keep talking to Him thru it, I surrender easier to Him & only then can people see that He's making a difference in me. If I give into my frustrations, then...eh, not good.
At the end of 5 it says we are to reconcile people to God. If I'm giving into self, then there's no way I can reconcile to God. Only as I submit, that surrender to win thinking, can I reconcile those around me to Him. And the really cool thing about it is that I will probably have no idea I'm making a difference. That way I can't get a big head!
Ex 17:7 says the people tested the Lord by saying is He with us or not? I know I've thought the same thing at times. I can usually look back at how He's led & gain the confidence that it was Him who put me where I am. I may not SEE His deliverance or KNOW exactly what He's going to do but if I know He has led me to the edge of a cliff, then I have to trust that He will make a way to get off of it as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the attitude I have when I ask this question. My attitude will come from my heart. So am I teachable or stubbornly demanding my way?
We may have commented on this last year but it hit me again how God could have supernaturally strengthened Moses' arms to stay up with no problem. He could have had angels hold them up, but He didn't. He used the tools that Moses had nearby.
I wonder if Moses had to ask for help with his arms. Did he have to acknowledge his weakness, that he couldn't complete the task without help? Did he ask God to strengthen his arms before he asked Hur & Aaron? Working together, with a common goal, was what got the job done. Of course God worked, but He worked thru weak humans that had to acknowledge their short comings & work together. Moses had to hold the staff, not Hur or Aaron, their job was to hold up his arms. Hmmm & hmmm....
2 events that Moses needed to ask for help -- the arm raising war and the solving relational conflict wars. I wonder if sin has made us so intent on accomplishing "stuff" independently - - it's so different, I bet, from the atmosphere of Heaven, where everyone works together - total team, and loving every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, very cool that Moses listened and followed -- and Jethro must have been quite a personality. He was a Midianite, yet he rejoiced at what God had done for Israel (no jealousies there) and Moses was willing to submit to his wisdom.
I like the thought of friends coming along side to support you when you are viewing the ups and downs of your life. . . those friends are special treasures for sure.
Moses wasn't afraid of God -- he led the way to the stormy mountain, he went right into the cloud, he "but Lord"ed God again in verse 23 - - no, Moses didn't worry (No, don't worry -- from Amy Grant)
20:6 -- never realized this precious promise "But I lavish unfailing love. . . on those who love me and obey my commands"
I like this version way better than the KJV
and vs 24 explains why they were always building alters back then -- a command of God wherever I cause my name to be remembered!!
I didn't get a lot personally out of all of the reading today except the part of Michal having contempt for David's worship. It strikes me every time I read it. Maybe because I'm so judgmental too. God has been working with me to stop & with His help, look at people thru His eyes.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to criticize when it's something that goes against what you've seen or experienced before & seems a bit overboard. Seems like Michal had never fully fallen in love with the Lord. I wonder also if she was bitter about being taken away from her 2nd husband. Who knows.
Sure seems a bit snippy in her & David's convo afterwards. She tries to shame him & quash his exuberance & he reminds her that her dad was rejected by God & her family roots aren't all that.
The words might change, but I see this happening over & over again between people. And unfortunately, have participated in it myself.
Just need to look thru Jesus' eyes at me & also others. Keeps my mouth shut longer. :)
The Lord did it! 5:20; David is always giving the success back to the Lord -- really appreciate his emotional honesty. It comes out again in 6:8 and 9 when it says David was angry (he must have cared about Uzzah) and then afraid. Maybe he realized how very powerful God was -- interesting that he was afraid.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like he moved the ark to Obed-edom's home as a test. If Obed-edom was struck down -- then don't do anything; but when OE was blessed; well hey! Let's get in on some of that blessing too -- I'm not sure how I feel about that. Why didn't they just ask God what had gone wrong and fix it as opposed to using OE as a pawn to protect the king?
Michael was filled with jealousy -- that's interesting, as David had all kins of wives and concubines. I looked concubine up and it's a woman with a lower status -- bother, why all the hierarchy's? I just can't handle the many wives lives that happened back then.
Anyway -- David was pretty in your face reminding Michael that the Lord chose him over her father and that the servant girls would indeed find him distinguished. This was an all out word fight. I'm surprised Michael was so vocal -- seems like David had the power to off her head as opposed to just word sparring.
7:6 "I have never lived in a house" reminded me how we can't put God in a box. Yet, he was pleased that David wanted to do whatever he could to honor God in his own small thinking.
Do you think 7:12-14 is talking about Jesus? If so -- why would it say, "If he sins?" What would Jesus think while reading that?
I like the word pic that David went in and sat before the Lord -- and then the humble words "Who am I?" I've thought that before when God has poured out his blessings. Other times - I've taken the blessings for granted. It makes way more sense to realize that God is Sovereign and Who am I?
Yuck -- I don't like the making people lay down game in chapter 8. Brutal.
I remember a sermon that compared our lives to Mephibosheth - and God as the merciful King that provides for crippled abandoned us; even letting us feast in His house.
yeah, that measuring off with the rope thing made me think again of a friend I had in college who was from Hungary & had escaped a massacre in her town because she was one of the "every other one". War is brutal.
ReplyDeletePsalms 51:16,17 Sometimes we try to cover up a lack of relationship with God by "big religious show". God just wants us honest. If all I have right now is 2 widow's mites worth of faith in Him, then He'll take it. He just wants me to admit that I'm not taking the time I need to with Him or I screwed up on something & didn't listen to Him. Not the big picture frame to hide the crack in the wall.
I am really appreciating the fact that I can be brutally honest with God. I'm realizing that it helps me sorts things out faster because I'm not throwing excuses around. He can get to the heart of the matter a lot faster when I'm open & honest. Even when it's embarrassing.
Chris -- that thought of the widow's mite of faith is amazing. I never put the two together -- but that makes SO much faith! We bring what we have - give it to Him; He'll bless it and grow more for us - - thank you for those 4 little words today.
ReplyDeletePs 51 was the best part of today's reading for me -- I guess we all struggle with sin; it stains us - - stains are awful, they mess up the material -- really, make it ugly and useless. God purifies us -- restores us -- makes us whiter than snow (so did David see a lot of snow? Mt Hermen?) That was probably the whitest thing around, as I'm guessing they didn't have bleach.
David is hoping for joy again (vs 8 and 12) -- last time we read of this man he was leaping, dancing, celebrating. Now he's wanting to experience joy again -- I've felt that way before -- totally flat, simply wanting to feel joy, probably everyone has.
And yes Chris -- I love the very simple needs God hopes from us; a broken spirit and a repentful heart -- then He can work and bring back that joy. When we try to create the joy, it gets lost in our "self"
It's tough reading Elihu's words -- because we KNOW he's a bag of wind. vs 4 "I am a man of great knowledge" O bother -- who'd want to listen to THAT! and then in vs 9 talking about God he says "He shows them their sins of pride" well OBVIOUSLY he doesn't class himself with the wicked -- because God hasn't shown HIM any sins of pride" and we can all see it so clearly.
ReplyDeleteI think the basic problem here is in 36:21 where he says "God sent" When dealing with people off course, it seems like God simply allows evil to take it's course until someone that is off course wakes up and gets back on course; asking for His help - His protection. I don't think God initiates evil or bad to happen. We just have a natural bent toward sin.
Job's situation is kindof similar to Jesus situation -- where God withdraws His protection for someone living a God-centered life. It was for a bigger picture/purpose - - and maybe that happens as well more than we know; but God never sends or creates the evil in my book -- that's not in His character.
Well one thing Elihu did get right -- his bit about the rain that pours down drom the clouds!! and I need to remember that everyone benefits; life would be pretty somber without any rain (sigh -- but I'm so anxious for summer sun) You enjoy your sunshine this weekend Chris down in sunny CA!!!!
Yeah Linda, his view of God is definitely NOT full of wisdom. Just shows that there were people who followed their own thoughts about God back then too. I know they didn't have a Bible per se, but seems like God appeared more to them back then. So easy to get off track & think we know it all.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm not reading Jeremiah...as you can tell by my lack of comments. But I have been chewing on something the last couple of days from Dear Jesus. It kinda ties into our shack discussions.
"...If you think it is your spiritual disciplines that keep you close to Me, you are at risk, Some days you may skimp on your time with Me or not be able to concentrate well. if you're depending on your own efforts to stay near Me, you will feel distant from Me at such times. But if you are relying on Me - what I have done, am doing, will do - you know My Love for you is always assured. So you can rest in Me, trusting in My unfailing Love, flourishing in My abiding Presence." p 237
I like this & not really enough space to comment all I'm getting out of it but today I'm dissecting the Rest in My, Trust My Love for you Chris so you can flourish (grow) in My Presence.
Yeah-- and thanks for that DJ comment, I get so stressed over my "lists" Bible reading lists as well -- that I feel guilty when I miss a day; not an emotion God has in mind for me I'm sure:)
ReplyDeleteSo I'll be reading today during my flying break -- but not commenting -- more tomorrow; right now - I'm off to a DJ reading!! Enjoy your run
15:5 Jesus said nothing; much to Pilate's surprise. Sometimes silence gets people's attention more than defense -- makes them think. We're soooo quick to jump in and justify ourselves. Often the less said the better.
ReplyDeleteWhy in the world would the crowd WANT a prisoner to be released? vs 8? I don't get that.
vs 19 mock worship. Makes me think of Matt 15:8; and how often to I play around with mock worship -- dear Lord, please forgive me - - help me to realize how deep is your love and your sacrifice, your care for my good.
Everybody was coming down hard on Jesus -- wait; there was the Roman officer (vs 39 and the women vs 40) hmmm, not what you'd think of as the ones to go to for advice on who was right or wrong -- but THEY were right.
interesting footnote on vs 43 that Joseph was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. Was this a comment that he was re-evaluating?
and finally -- I think Jesus rebuked the disciples in vs 14, as they still had lessons of humility to learn. No doubt they were thinking (as I would have thought) if Jesus was alive, he'd have shown himself to US first; after all -- we're his CLOSEST followers. It was another lesson in humility and faith -- one that I also need to learn; I can learn from everyone -- I don't have all the answers; often, I don't even know what questions to ask. God can work through anyone, and HE is the one that decides through whom His lessons will come -- I don't get to assume or dictate that.
I was thinking of how the religious leaders misused the trust of the people confinding in them all their hopes, dreams & disappointments & manipulated them to ask for Jesus to be crucified. A sad misuse of trust & position.
ReplyDeleteI like your comments on humility. I can always use more of that. I wonder if that comes with waiting. Because I have to give up my agenda the longer I wait. It makes me admit I know nothing, can't see the big picture and His way AND timing is best.