Paul says Jesus is to "deliver us from this present evil age" I guess every age has its evils -- seems like things have gotten pretty raunchy in this age as well as back in Paul's day -- but God is BIGGER than all our raunch! For Paul, it is a marvel that we are so soon turning away (vs 6) Why do we always default to turning from the One who can actually save us? Why do I do that?? I think that's why practicing living in His presence is so important -- otherwise our attitudes get in the way.
Doncha love in 2:6 where it says "God shows personal favoritism to no man? He loves everyone with deep consuming love. Somehow that reminds me of the picture I get in "The Shack" It says it again in 2:20 "The Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" I know I've heard/said that many times -- but don't you find it amazing; that the Son of God would take such personal and painful interest in Me? You?
I appreciate the emphasis on faith as the key -- especially the reminder in 2:21 that "if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain" Paul really nails it there. It sounds like the law does have a purpose: "the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Also, somewhere it says faith comes by hearing the word. So maybe it's hearing, doing, faithing, justifying? One building on another and each level takes us deeper into relationship. Relationship is God's goal for us:)
A final reminder in 3:28 "we are all one in Christ Jesus" Let's just keep it that simple -- we're all in the same boat, in need of a Saviour; a God who loves us no matter who we are, what we do - - a God of patience who works with me one step at a time! (I need to be just a patient with the people around me - whew, I'm not very good at that) a
David just was not a disciplinarian with his kids. Must have left that up to his wives. Doesn't seem like he was with his men either as Joab literally got away with murder.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how old Joab was if the king was really old when Adonijah declared himself king.
I really like Solomon's humility & realization of his need of help from God to govern wisely. David sure dumped a lot of things on him to clean up that David should have taken care of.
I know it's easy for me to realize I need help from God, just not other people. Though I think I'm getting a little better at it. However, it just hit me that when we say we're relying on God to help us then it appears like we have great faith. But when we acknowledge we need help from a human, we tend to view it as weak & even doubting God. Very subtle twists that satan has woven around us to try & isolate us from each other. Easier to overcome one person who is alone than with people supporting, helping, praying for them.
Read your comments on Galatians. Your last paragraph made me think of the song Jesus Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns. And the comment made about how we want to be seen by the eyes of grace but we look at others through the law. We need to see others through the same eyes of grace that we want to be looked at.
ReplyDeletegood comments on the God/human help Chris -- and I'm convinced that many times God ordains the human help -- so when we reject human help that he sends our way (thinking about your story of the weekend) we reject Him -- ooo -- that's a scary thought, cuz how do you know for sure which is the help He sends and which is human-driven help. I guess it's a matter of waiting quietly before Him and asking for wisdom!!
ReplyDeleteOK - so I read the wrong week -- I missed last Tuesday, and that's what I read today (2 Sam 20-24) Here goes:
Lots of beheading going on -- not my thing.
David's age finally shows up in 21:15-17 and his men rally around him. Happens in every work place, every family. It's important to know when to quit, when to lean on others gracefully.
David's song of praise in chpt 22 takes me right to the mentality of Psalms! vs 31 God's way is perfect:) vs 34 He makes me as surefooted as a deer (not my case a week ago Friday!!) enabling me to stand on mountain heights. Mountain heights can be filled with physical, but also emotional/spiritual danger. Pride will often take us down.
I had a beautiful picture of David's mighty 3 standing around his bedside in his last days; recounting all the amazing battles they had fought side by side. A time of remembering and encouragement; maybe they repeated David's psalms to him. Beautiful pic for me!
Well, you might have read the wrong week, but I didn't notice. I didn't read this weekend since I was in God's 1st book. Maybe I'll read it Friday, who knows. Good thoughts though, liked the ones about the mountain & the dangers there.
ReplyDeletePsalms today, I can't wait for 63:11 to happen permanently. "...liars will be silenced". So hard when your character/reputation is attacked & maligned. Guess that's why the devil uses people to do it. I know Jesus only defended His Father & His relationship with His Father, don't remember Him defending Himself. So hard for me to not to defend myself. But then again, it's kinda tiring to do so. I notice Jesus just usually went to a different place to work (the baptizing controversy, His hometown rejection, etc). That's one way to spread the Truth.
Since David was a public figure, he had a lot of experience with people misrepresenting him, hating him, plotting, spreading rumors/lies, etc. Not unlike politics today. Heard some just plain mean things this weekend about people in positions of power. And all because of their race or party. Just made me sad that we're so judgmental, prejudice & narrow minded.
I like 64:8 "their own tongues will ruin them..." What goes around, comes around is the saying. I've definitely seen this happen to me when I've spoken/judged wrongly. The bite can sting & help, if we're teachable. But we're usually too bull-headed.
65 is full of praise & confidence in the Lord & His Providence. It's good to recount the blessing we receive from God. Keeps us in the gratitude state of mind. I'm definitely more content & not looking at others & what they have when I'm remembering His mercies & blessings to me.
Strong finish Chris -- so glad you ended on gratitude and contentment; if I can just live in that state, life will cease to be a struggle:)
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures of God's protection -- 63:7,8 finds David (and me) in the shadow of His wings, clinging to Him, being held securely by His strong right hand (ah, the sign of favor), I picture a parent sheltering a child in a fierce windstorm -- that's my Heavenly Father for me. It comes out again in 64:10.
65:7 You quieted the raging oceans and their pounding waves: I'm using creation here to think of my own life -- the raging oceans in my heart -- the waves that pound their worries and frustrations into my life -- HE quiets them.
And then, to borrow from the Shack and how the garden is our lives, let's move to 65:10-13. Once God has weeded and plowed our lives, He drenches us with water, His Spirit. That drenching levels us, takes down our bumps of pride, builds up our dips of discouragement and unworthiness. He softens us and blesses us and turns our hard uneven ground into lush pastures, carpeted valleys - - only You, Lord can make this miracle happen in my heart -- Thank You!
I like that illustration in your last paragraph of the HS as the water. It is true how it works in us, sometimes whether we want it to or not.
ReplyDeleteYes -- it fits well with the water you talked about - washing around us in your fb post:)
ReplyDeleteSo apparently, to spot someone who insists on being simpleminded (vs 22) you will see someone who hates knowledge, chooses not to fear the Lord, rejects advice, pays no attention to correction (vs 29) Who do they get this knowledge, advice, correction from? It could be what they read, their parents (vs 8), others who have been down that road, people that have given them wise advice earlier.
Anyway -- whatever the source, they INSIST on being simpleminded, even tho wisdom is calling out, shouting.
THEREFORE (vs 31) They MUST eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. I am not responsible for someone else's foolishness -- I can only change myself.
Good point. Sometimes, it isn't until the advice stops, that they listen - again, sometimes. It's nice when they come around after being taught some lessons, but not all do.
ReplyDeleteJust was thinking of how God extends me the freedom to choose, even when it isn't in my best interest. Even when it disagrees with Him. If He extends me that freedom & He's ALWAYS right. Why is it so hard for me to extend that freedom to other people ?
You're right, I can only change myself, including my allowing them the freedom of choice - even when it's blatantly wrong.
So I skimmed all the woes to the various kingdoms and skipped to the end - the fall of Jerusalem. What men builds are really like tinker toys (anyone remember those?) Just sticks and cardboard when it comes to the power of God. Don't put your trust in things -- put your trust in God.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I fully understand the power and the wisdom of God. I'm hoping that the more time I spend with Him, the more I will realize this. But -- reading these accounts should be a clue!!
you at least powered through it! I've been thinking a lot about contentment lately & what triggers my discontent. Says in 1 Tim 6:6 that "godliness with contentment is great gain." I have neither at the moment, but I'm definitely closer to the contentment part of the equation. It is a choice, but what triggers the discontent?
ReplyDeleteMost of the contentment that I can find in the Bible is dealing with physical needs. God keeps giving me pieces & asking me questions. Haven't put it all together yet, but I have a feeling it's close :)
Rich reading today:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference in philosophy; in 7:4, the elders were all about works -- if anyone deserves . . . manipulation. But how beautiful is the understanding of the Roman officer! "I am not worthy" THAT's a take home lesson -- he had caught a glimpse of who Jesus really was -- God!
I loved the simple line in 7:13 "His heart overflowed with compassion" That's underlined and something I can go back to time after time as I face death nose to nose.
John the Baptist had gone from proclaiming "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" to "Are you the Messiah?" This gives me courage to know that John -- none greater than John - vs 28 -- could be plagued with doubts. Jesus cure was to think about the bigger picture.
Who do you see yourself as: the immoral woman or the Pharisee (don't aswer that -- just something to think about)
Neither of them could repay, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. her sins -- and they are many -- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.
Very solemn words in 7:29 the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God's plan for them. How many times have I rejected God's plan for me. How many times have I not engaged or participated in His plan for me (vs 32)
Thinking about the storms that well up inside me: "He rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly, the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked me, "Where is your faith?"
2 types of crowds: 8:37, 40. One begs him to go away because of the miracle. One welcomes him because of the miracles. Change polarizes people.
Okay, gonna try to post now. So much in this reading, just could sit & ponder it for hours! Linda, you hit so much of the points that spoke to me as well.
ReplyDeleteI also thought of how in the storm there really are 2 types of situations there of God's provisions. The disciples, like me, want the storm stopped & now! And it does happen but the other side is that Jesus had faith to trust His Father IN the storm, during the waves crashing about Him, washing over Him & very threatening. He was sound asleep. Great lesson for me there. He believed His Father was in control & was totally submitted to whatever that meant for Him as His Son, His very Beloved Son. So, if I am His very beloved daughter.....
The familiar story of the seed being scattered also spoke to me. When I read v18 further down, it made me go back to the parable. 18 says "So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them".
How am I listening? How did those different people listen to the truth that was presented to them? The one who has the harvest "patiently produced a harvest". That takes time, commitment & worst of all, for me anyway, waiting. The nerve of this seed to have to sprout, need sun, weeding & watering. Just give me the harvest! The only way I understand the process others go thru is if I go thru that process myself. I can encourage, I can share what I've learned & I can show (hopefully) that God does change, does heal, does restore by how I live & interact with people.
The other thing I realized is that with all the distractions & things to do in this world (and not all bad) it is a demand of my time. The world demands. Jesus asks. Big difference there. Always a choice, but we give in way too easily to the demands & push away the One who simply asks.
Oh yeah, so 2 songs came to mind for the above. One was Sometimes He calms the Storm which is what we want. But the rest of the chorus says "..& other times He holds His child". Which is what Jesus believed & slept in all along.
ReplyDeleteThe other song was He is no Fool. Which uses Jim Elliot's saying of "he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose". If I'm heading north for my career & all of a sudden Jesus says head east, do I follow? Do I give up what I don't really have & definitely can't keep for what I can never lose?