9 just wears me out reading it. The extra steps, the tact. Administration, blah. 10 isn't much better but the NLT version of v4-6 made is sound like WE do this & WE do that, so I checked in NKJ just to see what I've read before. It's just semantics I guess. Just seems easier to see it in God's power in the older version than the new. Maybe it's obvious that it's in God's power & it's just stating what happens.
So as far as speaking to me personally, it didn't really except to remind me that I really never want to be in administration again. Just weighs me down reading it all. Guess I'm gonna spend time elsewhere today.
Ha ha! So what in the world will you do if God calls you into administration? Will you fight it tooth and nail? or will you submit? YIKES and LOL!
Well to me, the first part of 9 sounded quite manipulative by Paul -- don't embarrass us, be good -- and then he moves to God loves a willing, cheerful giver - - so if they're so willing and cheerful, why did he even need to worry about being embarrased; maybe cuz he's dealing with humans and not angels.
A good thing to look for when evaluating leadership: authority buids you up; it doesn't tear you down 10:8.
Sounds like there was a lot of boasting and back-biting going on (hmmmmm -- sounds a lot like the campaigning going on right now for president). I very wise woman once told me, "it's windy on top" boy is that true -- leadership comes at a price - - people will just wear you down with their demands and expectations.
I don't know what I'd do. I might be in mourning for awhile! LOL.
I like how God wanted to be very close to His chosen people, the Israelites. He wanted to show them how accessible He was by giving them a way to worship & interact with them. But it's a fine line between accessible & so common place that you lose respect for the Holy. As humans, we toe that line all the time & go to extremes on either side of it often.
God had Aaron wear the stones representing the tribes on his chest, over his heart when he came into God's Presence. I like that thought as well.
Skimmed over the specifics of the furniture though.
Glad to be your barometer :) Just so much deception in today's reading. No patience & waiting for God, but Absalom just was a selfish person. Very manipulative. Definitely be wary of smooth talkers who always say what you want to hear. Or what they think you want to hear. I know people who always agree with me, don't really know me & I take them with a grain of salt. And if they are very flattering with their words...I really don't trust them. It just takes time for the other shoe to drop, but it always does.
It seems like David is just not a confrontational guy with his kids. More indulging. I think we talked about this last year. He might be that way because he thinks of all his sins & his shame keeps him from confronting sin in his kid's life. He did nothing with the whole Ammon/Tamar thing & now he doesn't seem to want to deal with Absalom. He almost acts as if he feels he's getting what he deserves. He expects punishment instead of realizing God's forgiveness. Interesting considering Psalms 51.
and speaking of Absalom and his selfishness; I was trying to draw some parrellels with Satan's rebellion against God -- found a few "I wish I were the judge / he stole the hearts / took 200 men that were clueless to his intent (angels) / he committed adultery with the concubines /
and yeah -- you're right; David didn't confront anyone, just applied grace and good will.
I appreciate Joab's honesty with David -- do you think David then appointed Amasa in 19:13 as a rebuke to Joab? a bit unclear what that appointment was all about.
Pretty sad about David's lack of gratitude for all the deaths - - I wonder why more were killed by the forest? That's also a little strange.
That Ziba is pretty sneaky; and I guess I believe Meph as he said Ziba could keep the land as long as Meph could be in David's presence (maybe at this point Meph didn't trust Ziba at all -- maybe Ziba locked him in the upstairs turret)
I was thinking Amasa was appointed because Joab killed Absalom, but you're right, it doesn't say. If I remember right though, it doesn't last long. And yes, I was wondering about the guys that were killed by the forest too. Definitely some stuff/plots better than TV shows these days!
Ps 57:1 "...I look to you for protection..." 59:1 "Rescue me...protect me..." v2 "Rescue me..." v9 "...I wait for you to rescue me...
As I read these I was struck that a guy was writing this. And it was a warrior guy. Sounds like something a girl would write who was waiting for her fairy tale prince on a white horse.
The difference of course, is that God actually shows up. But His timing is so different than what we (I) expect that I don't think He will. I think this is why David says in v9 that "I wait". He does ask God to Wake up & see what's happening in earlier verses, so I see David wondering if He's noticing. He does say in 57:6 that he is weary from all the distress. Constant harassing definitely wears you down. I think we can all relate to that.
Just wait, I trust You Jesus. And that is why David can say at the end of 59 that he sings praises to God for His unfailing love. I think he's praising without all the answers. He is acting on his faith, being grateful for what he know he will receive. I like that.
Chris -- I don't see your post here! I read it on my email, but where is it on the blog?? Anyway -- I never thought of the strong warrior David sounding so afraid, but you're right; he's hiding in the shadows. So great that he's man enough to admit his fear and let us admit ours as well; probably why he was so loved.
2 verses I really liked in 59
I love the word pic of vs 10 "In His unfailing love, my God wills stand with me. He doesn't abandon; he's right there -- with us through the good and the bad; a shoulder to cry on, and strong arms to fall into.
I love how David gains strength and joy from singing in verse 16. A lot of times if I'm discouraged or afraid -- I don't sing, I retreat
The blog's done that a couple of times to me, where it posts it & then takes it away & then it shows up again. Once it never showed up again, so I don't know what the issue is.
It would be nice to physically feel strong arms that you fall into, I've felt His hold me once & it was amazing!
And yes, I don't usually sing either, I hide BUT God does bring a song to my mind when I'm scared or hiding & it always makes me laugh at how He knows me so well. It always nails me dead on!
Still a bit confused as to why God is talking to Job like He is. Maybe what Job was saying is the old way of whining, but with more respect(?). Then at times he'd say he was trusting God with himself. What recourse did he have? All his friends & family were against him. So God is telling about His majesty & how involved He is in the littlest part of nature, of life. So doesn't Job see that he is being taken care of as well? That he could be wiped out in a nano second? Each generation has their own way of talking & saying things & the previous generations struggle to understand the next & sometimes just shake their heads & give up in frustration. But God has had to put up with all the generations & our variety of attitudes & independence. And He still wants to have a relationship with us. He doesn't give up in frustration. Interesting.
and . . . that's why I so don't understand Shakespear!! I've met so many people that gobble Shakespear up, and my eyes just glaze over:) hee hee
So, when God sets out to prove His Godness, He turns to what man can see and experience. First He recounts the amazing elements in 38/39 such as the earth, the sea, the sun, the snow, the rain, the stars and the clouds. Any one of those we could study for hours and be humbled and amazed at the way they function and serve us. Then God switches tactics to the animals around us: the lioness, the raven, the wild donkey, the wild ox, the ostrich, the horse, the hawk, and the eagle. Again -- each one with it's individual strengths and desires is so varied -- it just speaks to a Creator.
Then the challenge; do you trust in your strength and wisdom? or mine. The same challenge is presented to me -- and maybe that's why God hopes my thoughts will center & focus on Him and His creation on Sabbath. It is where we are brought back to the fact that He is God and we are not -- no matter what situation we walk through; He is God.
The people asked John "what should we do?". So did the soldiers & tax collectors. I was just thinking that we always think it's about us & what we have or need to do. Like we can earn our salvation. If we do just this or that, it'll be fine. We can fix it, we can do it.
But salvation doesn't work that way. I know John was led by the HS to say what he did & there were practical applications that he gave them. But if they thought that was it...they were wrong. Was their hearts changed? Did they understand WHY or WHAT led them to do those things?
That's why Jesus read what He did in the synagogue in Nazareth. And the people looked at Him afterwards for an explanation. This type of stuff they didn't get. They could physically release prisoners & physically help people, but the Jesus came to deal with hearts, not actions. He wanted the root to be dug up & replanted by the HS & only then, would the actions be right.
I want Him to dig up my roots of self & all the tendrils of pride that are in me & replant my heart with His selflessness & His servant ways. I want to surrender to win. I think that may be like the submission we were reading about last night.
Yeah -- as I was reading your post, I was thinking about the beautiful purple patch that Sarayu instructed him to dig up with her help -- we have a tough time getting rid of the things we want to protect - - guess that's why I have to learn to work under the direction and with the help of the HS
People were coming to John out of curiosity, instead of passion -- that's why he challenged them to prove by the way you live. Living that way won't be your ticket to salvation, as you say Chris -- but it's a sign that something is happening inside if you naturally veer to doing the right things. The "doing right naturally" can only come from Him changing you -- if He's not doing it; it's clenched teeth and an "I'm going to do this if it kills me"
Is there any other time in Jesus life that you can think of where we hear of the trinity all together -- other than Jesus baptism? It must have been a special time.
At the beginning of 4 we see how controlled Jesus was by the H.S. -- and, thinking of last night -- God moves in ways we don't always understand (not taking the trail around the lake or the canoe) -- the H.S. led him to the wilderness to meet his arch-enemy. We tend to want to avoid conflict/pain -- sometimes God leads us there to heal/conquer and move on.
4:40 "no matter what their diseases were, the touch of His hand healed every one" Wouldn't it have been a thrill to feel the touch of His hand physically? There is something special about the gift of touch -- it is healing when done with care, love, compassion (thinking of the gravel extraction). But think if His touch -- awesome. What a day that must have been.
9 just wears me out reading it. The extra steps, the tact. Administration, blah.
ReplyDelete10 isn't much better but the NLT version of v4-6 made is sound like WE do this & WE do that, so I checked in NKJ just to see what I've read before. It's just semantics I guess. Just seems easier to see it in God's power in the older version than the new. Maybe it's obvious that it's in God's power & it's just stating what happens.
So as far as speaking to me personally, it didn't really except to remind me that I really never want to be in administration again. Just weighs me down reading it all. Guess I'm gonna spend time elsewhere today.
Ha ha! So what in the world will you do if God calls you into administration? Will you fight it tooth and nail? or will you submit? YIKES and LOL!
ReplyDeleteWell to me, the first part of 9 sounded quite manipulative by Paul -- don't embarrass us, be good -- and then he moves to God loves a willing, cheerful giver - - so if they're so willing and cheerful, why did he even need to worry about being embarrased; maybe cuz he's dealing with humans and not angels.
A good thing to look for when evaluating leadership: authority buids you up; it doesn't tear you down 10:8.
Sounds like there was a lot of boasting and back-biting going on (hmmmmm -- sounds a lot like the campaigning going on right now for president). I very wise woman once told me, "it's windy on top" boy is that true -- leadership comes at a price - - people will just wear you down with their demands and expectations.
I don't know what I'd do. I might be in mourning for awhile! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI like how God wanted to be very close to His chosen people, the Israelites. He wanted to show them how accessible He was by giving them a way to worship & interact with them. But it's a fine line between accessible & so common place that you lose respect for the Holy. As humans, we toe that line all the time & go to extremes on either side of it often.
God had Aaron wear the stones representing the tribes on his chest, over his heart when he came into God's Presence. I like that thought as well.
Skimmed over the specifics of the furniture though.
OK -- when I read your post, that we're to the furniture section -- I went straight to Dear Jesus:):) I posted what I liked on your facebook page:)
ReplyDeleteGlad to be your barometer :) Just so much deception in today's reading. No patience & waiting for God, but Absalom just was a selfish person. Very manipulative. Definitely be wary of smooth talkers who always say what you want to hear. Or what they think you want to hear. I know people who always agree with me, don't really know me & I take them with a grain of salt. And if they are very flattering with their words...I really don't trust them. It just takes time for the other shoe to drop, but it always does.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like David is just not a confrontational guy with his kids. More indulging. I think we talked about this last year. He might be that way because he thinks of all his sins & his shame keeps him from confronting sin in his kid's life. He did nothing with the whole Ammon/Tamar thing & now he doesn't seem to want to deal with Absalom. He almost acts as if he feels he's getting what he deserves. He expects punishment instead of realizing God's forgiveness. Interesting considering Psalms 51.
and speaking of Absalom and his selfishness; I was trying to draw some parrellels with Satan's rebellion against God -- found a few "I wish I were the judge / he stole the hearts / took 200 men that were clueless to his intent (angels) / he committed adultery with the concubines /
ReplyDeleteand yeah -- you're right; David didn't confront anyone, just applied grace and good will.
I appreciate Joab's honesty with David -- do you think David then appointed Amasa in 19:13 as a rebuke to Joab? a bit unclear what that appointment was all about.
Pretty sad about David's lack of gratitude for all the deaths - - I wonder why more were killed by the forest? That's also a little strange.
That Ziba is pretty sneaky; and I guess I believe Meph as he said Ziba could keep the land as long as Meph could be in David's presence (maybe at this point Meph didn't trust Ziba at all -- maybe Ziba locked him in the upstairs turret)
Adrenaline rush for the 2 boys in the well --
I was thinking Amasa was appointed because Joab killed Absalom, but you're right, it doesn't say. If I remember right though, it doesn't last long. And yes, I was wondering about the guys that were killed by the forest too. Definitely some stuff/plots better than TV shows these days!
ReplyDeletePs 57:1 "...I look to you for protection..."
59:1 "Rescue me...protect me..." v2 "Rescue me..." v9 "...I wait for you to rescue me...
As I read these I was struck that a guy was writing this. And it was a warrior guy. Sounds like something a girl would write who was waiting for her fairy tale prince on a white horse.
The difference of course, is that God actually shows up. But His timing is so different than what we (I) expect that I don't think He will. I think this is why David says in v9 that "I wait". He does ask God to Wake up & see what's happening in earlier verses, so I see David wondering if He's noticing. He does say in 57:6 that he is weary from all the distress. Constant harassing definitely wears you down. I think we can all relate to that.
Just wait, I trust You Jesus. And that is why David can say at the end of 59 that he sings praises to God for His unfailing love. I think he's praising without all the answers. He is acting on his faith, being grateful for what he know he will receive. I like that.
Chris -- I don't see your post here! I read it on my email, but where is it on the blog?? Anyway -- I never thought of the strong warrior David sounding so afraid, but you're right; he's hiding in the shadows. So great that he's man enough to admit his fear and let us admit ours as well; probably why he was so loved.
ReplyDelete2 verses I really liked in 59
I love the word pic of vs 10 "In His unfailing love, my God wills stand with me. He doesn't abandon; he's right there -- with us through the good and the bad; a shoulder to cry on, and strong arms to fall into.
I love how David gains strength and joy from singing in verse 16. A lot of times if I'm discouraged or afraid -- I don't sing, I retreat
The blog's done that a couple of times to me, where it posts it & then takes it away & then it shows up again. Once it never showed up again, so I don't know what the issue is.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to physically feel strong arms that you fall into, I've felt His hold me once & it was amazing!
And yes, I don't usually sing either, I hide BUT God does bring a song to my mind when I'm scared or hiding & it always makes me laugh at how He knows me so well. It always nails me dead on!
Still a bit confused as to why God is talking to Job like He is. Maybe what Job was saying is the old way of whining, but with more respect(?). Then at times he'd say he was trusting God with himself. What recourse did he have? All his friends & family were against him.
ReplyDeleteSo God is telling about His majesty & how involved He is in the littlest part of nature, of life. So doesn't Job see that he is being taken care of as well? That he could be wiped out in a nano second?
Each generation has their own way of talking & saying things & the previous generations struggle to understand the next & sometimes just shake their heads & give up in frustration. But God has had to put up with all the generations & our variety of attitudes & independence. And He still wants to have a relationship with us. He doesn't give up in frustration. Interesting.
and . . . that's why I so don't understand Shakespear!! I've met so many people that gobble Shakespear up, and my eyes just glaze over:) hee hee
ReplyDeleteSo, when God sets out to prove His Godness, He turns to what man can see and experience. First He recounts the amazing elements in 38/39 such as the earth, the sea, the sun, the snow, the rain, the stars and the clouds. Any one of those we could study for hours and be humbled and amazed at the way they function and serve us. Then God switches tactics to the animals around us: the lioness, the raven, the wild donkey, the wild ox, the ostrich, the horse, the hawk, and the eagle. Again -- each one with it's individual strengths and desires is so varied -- it just speaks to a Creator.
Then the challenge; do you trust in your strength and wisdom? or mine. The same challenge is presented to me -- and maybe that's why God hopes my thoughts will center & focus on Him and His creation on Sabbath. It is where we are brought back to the fact that He is God and we are not -- no matter what situation we walk through; He is God.
The people asked John "what should we do?". So did the soldiers & tax collectors. I was just thinking that we always think it's about us & what we have or need to do. Like we can earn our salvation. If we do just this or that, it'll be fine. We can fix it, we can do it.
ReplyDeleteBut salvation doesn't work that way. I know John was led by the HS to say what he did & there were practical applications that he gave them. But if they thought that was it...they were wrong. Was their hearts changed? Did they understand WHY or WHAT led them to do those things?
That's why Jesus read what He did in the synagogue in Nazareth. And the people looked at Him afterwards for an explanation. This type of stuff they didn't get. They could physically release prisoners & physically help people, but the Jesus came to deal with hearts, not actions. He wanted the root to be dug up & replanted by the HS & only then, would the actions be right.
I want Him to dig up my roots of self & all the tendrils of pride that are in me & replant my heart with His selflessness & His servant ways. I want to surrender to win. I think that may be like the submission we were reading about last night.
Yeah -- as I was reading your post, I was thinking about the beautiful purple patch that Sarayu instructed him to dig up with her help -- we have a tough time getting rid of the things we want to protect - - guess that's why I have to learn to work under the direction and with the help of the HS
ReplyDeletePeople were coming to John out of curiosity, instead of passion -- that's why he challenged them to prove by the way you live. Living that way won't be your ticket to salvation, as you say Chris -- but it's a sign that something is happening inside if you naturally veer to doing the right things. The "doing right naturally" can only come from Him changing you -- if He's not doing it; it's clenched teeth and an "I'm going to do this if it kills me"
Is there any other time in Jesus life that you can think of where we hear of the trinity all together -- other than Jesus baptism? It must have been a special time.
At the beginning of 4 we see how controlled Jesus was by the H.S. -- and, thinking of last night -- God moves in ways we don't always understand (not taking the trail around the lake or the canoe) -- the H.S. led him to the wilderness to meet his arch-enemy. We tend to want to avoid conflict/pain -- sometimes God leads us there to heal/conquer and move on.
4:40 "no matter what their diseases were, the touch of His hand healed every one" Wouldn't it have been a thrill to feel the touch of His hand physically? There is something special about the gift of touch -- it is healing when done with care, love, compassion (thinking of the gravel extraction). But think if His touch -- awesome. What a day that must have been.