We've all been called. So many times I think of spiritual giants as "called" like Saul or David - - but all of the Ephesians were called, so we must be too.
What if we all had character goals of being humbel, gentle, patient, making allowance for each other's faults, being united in His Spirit and being at peace with each other and ourselves -- GLORIOUS!
Also, so many times I've thought -- how will I know if I'm being spiritually duped? 4:14 promises that "we won't be tossed and blown about by eery wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
I appreciate the trade-in of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander for kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. Also the call in 5:4 to stay away from (and it's rampant in our society) obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes.
God's armor -- what my armor needs to be: truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and God's word -- remembering that we fight agains evil rulers authorities and spirits - - it's not a game or a sci-fi book; it's reality. But God is stronger and has given us the tools and the training IF we spend time learning His words of training and how to use the tools of His training.
I wonder if Paul had learned from his split with Barnabas & that's why he wrote about being unified in the Spirit here. It just made me think of that. Making allowance for each other's faults. He obviously was reconciled to John Mark later on. It's nice to see the pioneers making mistakes & growing from them since we make mistakes all the time. Sometimes we don't look at their faults, we only see our screw ups & get discouraged.
Been thinking today of forgiveness & how we differentiate sins. Some are REALLY bad & others aren't so bad, at least in our minds. But God forgives when we turn. There are some I'm just having a hard time wrapping my brain around, that God can forgive them. But the reality is they all stem from our selfishness. His forgiveness stems out of His love. And if I can't forgive, I'm again, reacting from my selfishness, my idea of fairness, me, me, me. Even though I don't FEEL like forgiving, Lord I choose to forgive because You have asked me to. And I ask you to give me a heart to forgive & let go. I give you permission to change my feelings & thoughts to ones of forgiveness. Just like you do to me all the time. Let me see through Your eyes, not my selfishness.
Interesting how Jesus teaches on forgiveness & then follows that up with the teaching on not judging each other in the Sermon on the Mount. When I do have to critique or check someone's work & help them improve, I don't have to do it in a condemning way. However, if I teach & the lesson is continually ignored, then action needs to be taken. Sometimes, it happens naturally as there is a consequences/result for all of our choices, good or bad. Other times, God leaves it up to us to mete out the results of decisions. Thinking of parents, bosses, teachers, etc.
Then there's the section of people who have claimed to be God's children & even done huge things in His name & He denies ever knowing them because they didn't do His will, they followed theirs & put His Name to it.
It all made me think of Micah 6:8. Do justly - what is right; love mercy - forgive, don't judge; walk humbly before God - keep my eyes on Him, the more I see Him, the lesser I appear in my own eyes, the more I will have mercy towards other because He had mercy on me. This is what God requires of us.
If I'm looking at Him, I also will know & obey His will, not what is convenient for me. So easy to type, but it's what we constantly battle.
Ah! Thanks for the Micah 6:8 reminder Chris. Since I'm in Leviticus, it's good to come back to the heart of the matter and step away from sacrifices of cows, birds & grain!
4:3 If a priest sins, he brings guilt upon the entire community (wow - think of Caiphus; the ultimate sins -- His blood is on us and our children)
So many times in chpt 4, it says if someone sins and they don't realize it, they're still guilty. Basically, once they DO realize it, they need to ask forgiveness. When I read things like this, I gotta remember that God is on our side, wooing us to step from a bum life to a beautiful life, and recognizing our sin; making amends for it -- is all part of healing, so more than appeazing an angry God, He's anxious to completely heal us from the past!
5:1 If your called to testify, it's sinful to refuse; help a person that needs your help. Work to cleanse this world of evil and injustice (do justly!)
It's love that gives God a way for all people to serve Him (thinking of the "if you can't afford a cow, birds. If you can't afford birds - grain) He's accessable to everyone.
6:4,5 I'm thinking that Jesus quoted this part of scripture to Zaccheus. If you've cheated someone, pay them back + 20%.
Jereboam's son was the only good thing God could find in Israel at that point & he let Him die. Not what you want to hear when you're rooting for the good guys. Sometimes though, it happens, as God spares some as Is 57:1-3 says. I really covet that peace sometimes. But it comes back to trusting that God knows what He's doing. He sees the big picture & I see my own little world. Even if I saw a bigger picture, I'm so selfish, I doubt it'd make any difference.
Also read Matt 8. To me, the leper represents the sinner who knows he's lost & realizes his only hope is Jesus. Hopefully, this is our 1st love experience with Jesus & we've all realized this about ourselves. We are totally bankrupt without Him. This is the mindset I need to stay in daily.
The Roman officer reps those that intercede for others. Whether it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. He trusted in the testimony of others. Which is why our testimony is so important. It doesn't say if he'd seen or listened to Jesus before. But his faith is astounding! As an intercessor, we plead the character of Christ, His mercy, power & love in asking for healing. There's no merit of our own & the officer makes no boast about him deserving Jesus to heal. He just states the facts - it's all on You, just say the word & I believe it's a done deal. He didn't even ask for it to happen at that moment, it could have been a longer recovery period.
I wonder if things happened quicker when Jesus was here because of the small time of actual ministry He had here on earth? It's the way God needed it to happen for Him to be glorified. Today, I'm just skeptical if it happens right now. Back then, they may have been skeptical if it had happened slowly or later.
God is so wise in how He does things. I feel like such a bumbling child, stumbling around, trying to walk & keep bouncing off things & falling down. He's a very wise parent, but like that child, I'm stubborn & don't want any help, gotta do it myself. Seems like it's important for a baby to hold onto the parent's hands when they are 1st trying to take steps so they get the mechanics down. You'd think, as an adult, I would get the spiritual correlation a bit quicker! The only difference being I should never let go of His hands.
73 is where I landed & pondered. Still pondering actually. It's a great paraphrase of my conversation with God when I was running this a.m. One of the types of conversations where what you're doing isn't important anymore. I actually stopped running & was walking, trying to comprehend all that was going thru my mind.
It's an incredible thing for God to only have to say 1 sentence or convey one concept & your whole "thing" is shattered into oblivion & you see things from a different perspective. I like that about Him. He cares enough about me to want me to get it. He wants me closer than I currently am.
I think that's why 73 really spoke to me. I see God doing the same thing in the psalm. Look at things from a different perspective, step back, breathe, relax, I really am in control.
And then just to remind me of His care for me. He gave me the 1st line of Ps 23. And I had to admit that yes, I do have all that I NEED. I have no reason to complain, judge, to not trust, etc. I'm so fickle!
One more gem from 73. After all this discussion & realizing the sorry state of my heart - all torn up inside & bitter (v22). V 23 says "yet I still belong to You, You hold my right hand..." God is just amazing!
What courage Asa had -- even going against his grandma; where did that courage and God-loyalty come from? It couldn't have come from his mom and dad. It would be fascinating to know.
Really sad the constant war that went on between Israel and Judah -- reminds me of the civil war here in the US where some of the soldiers knew each other that fought against each other.
OK -- I'd like to settle a minute on the widow that fed Elijah. What faith, that she would put a stranger ahead of her starving son? I guess it was her last ray of hope and she grabbed it. I can just imagine how Elijah loved that little boy. Do you find it interesting that God would send an unmarried man to stay in the home of a widow? Seems like that might not be a good thing for Elijah's reputation.
Side note: I found it interesting that God commanded the ravens and then a little later he instructed the widow (maybe that is why she had such great faith)
Even Elijah didn't understand why God would allow her little boy to die after she'd kept him alive. Life is confusing, even for God's prophets!
Obadiah is another person that'd be interesting to hear the rest of the story. Faithful, hiding prophets from Jezebel - - reminds me of the "Hiding Place" Anyway, it seems like he was highly valued by Ahab, if Ahab chose him to go along to check the springs.
Elijah was FEARLESS!!! Telling the KING that he was the troublemaker! hee hee -- no fear there! He also mocks the false prophets.
But - I love Elijah's very simple prayer. Prove . . . and why? so that these people will "know that you, O LOrd, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself" Elijah is all about the power and glory of God, and bringing people into a relationship with HIM!!!
God tested Elijah after the big show of power. He had to persevere in prayer for the small cloud. Sometimes the answers are immediate, sometimes we need to persevere.
Can you IMAGINE! the special strength to run and stay in front of a chariot! WOW - adrenaline rush!
I was intrigued by the journey of Asaph in 73. He realized that his feet were slipping and he was almost gone with bitterness, jealousy, and hatred (vs 2)
He envied the proud -- the ones that had everything, that had a pain-free life.
(interesting to me, as I'm reading that book on the benefits and safety found in pain)
Asaph is reliving the cry of the older brother in the prodigal story (vs 13-14) Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I got nothing but trouble all day long, every morning brings me pain.
Then he figures it out -- in the sanctuary. "I finally undestood the destiny of the wicked" "I realized my heart was bitter"
And the conclusion: "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth! My God remains the strength of my heart . . how good it is to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my Shelter."
I appreciated Asaph's struggle, that he was so vulnerable to question God and the why's. I appreciated him showing us the ugly side of his bitterness and jealousy. I think, in one way or the other -- we all go through and continue to go through that struggle until we find the contentment of realizing that it is good to be near God!
Might not be a good thing for the widow's reputation either. But maybe people were less likely to jump to conclusions then about that. Society changes/evolves about their ideas of who's doing what & living with whom. It used to be that 2 girls could walk down the street hand in hand & you'd know they were the best of friends. Now, your 1st thought is that they are gay.
We were both drawn to Asaph in Psalms. Like you said though, I think it's because he was so open & honest about what he was feeling. We can relate to that.
Today I was reading in Matthew 9. I like how Matthew was friends with disreputable sinners, or as the religious leaders put it - scum. I know tax collectors were looked down on, but I also like to think that Matt was a people person. He invited Jesus & his disciples to dinner & got his friends there to meet Jesus too. He didn't care about the religious leaders because they had already labeled him.
Jesus said He wants us to show mercy instead of offering sacrifices. Sacrificing was their way of worship back then. So Jesus would rather me show mercy than to worship Him. Judging comes so easy, but I like that thought He gave us last night about if I could change 1 person, to what I want them to be like, would I let them change me to what they want me to be like? What is their perception of me? They would probably want me to stop nagging them or reminding them or to smile at them more, to tell them their doing a good job, etc.
Also reminds me of the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns.
In Jairus daughter's death & his request for Jesus to raise her, there's another story. The woman who is bleeding & miserable for 12 years. A story within a story. But was Jairus so focused on his need, that he didn't rejoice when the woman was healed? Was he only impatient at the interruption?
There's more than just my need that Jesus attends to. He is working in people's lives all around me. If I'm so focused on me & what I need all the time, I miss the joy of what He's doing in other's lives. We all get this way & we all have moments when we are just overwhelmed with what is facing us. But if it's all the time, then I'm just being selfish & missing out on so much!
THAT is a God-thought! The story within the story. Yup - I'm guilty of doing that, being so focused on my needs that I miss the miracles that God is doing around me. Thanks Chris -- I love how God speaks through you to me!
Proverbs -- sometimes I wonder if Solomon actually wrote this! He's so vocal about prostitutes and being faithful to your wife -- the wife of your youth, not the hundreds that swarm around you in your old age - yuck. 5:21 "The Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes" Solomon -- did you actually believe this? Was this from your younger days?
I love the guarenteed loan advice; it's amazing how much peace you feel when you know your not on the hook for someone else's financial decisions/mistakes -- GAZELLE! (vs 5)
Laziness = poverty guarenteed. Sometimes hard work also = poverty, but at least you sleep well at night knowing you've done all you could!
I thought it was interesting that the 6 things the Lord hates all have to do with parts of our body:
haughty EYES a lying TONGUE HANDS that kill a HEART that plots FEET that race a false witness (that TONGUE again)
what he detests is the person that uses a combination of the above.
Also in vs 20 it's interesting that the father commands while the mother instructs! That's not always true, but many times that's how it plays out!!
Those are interesting observations, the last 2. And yes, who was writing all this stuff about women & faithfulness?
As I was reading Matt 10 this a.m. I was just astounded at our/my thick headedness. Jesus CLEARLY says in this chapter that we won't have an easy round being His follower. So why do I whine & complain all the time? Why do I want it easy & think I've done something wrong if "bad" things happen to me?
Seems like we should expect it. Not necessarily welcome it, but expect it. I was so touched though that it would be the Spirit of My Father speaking through me when I am called to testify for Him. He is My Defender once again. Just goes with the thoughts I've been having lately.
Why not be thrown in jail? Who else is He sending to talk to that inmate or that police officer or that judge? Why not get sick? Who else is He sending to that doctor in that office in that isolated town? Stuff along those lines. We're messengers, not the king. So why do I always want to be treated like royalty & have it easy? It's my selfishness, that's why.
In the end of 10 Jesus plainly calls us to give up everything & if we don't, we aren't worthy to be His. Might sound harsh for the view we have of Jesus to say something like that. But when you think about it, He gave up way more just for us to have the option! That's why giving up my life, I find it. the one He wanted me to have all along & it ends with living forever with Him. "Happily Ever After" :D
Luke 12 starts out with Jesus correcting the same mindset that had existed when Job was alive. If you suffer = you're a bad person. In order for us to think that, we become the judge of each other, a place God has never given us. I find it interesting that Jesus tells an intercessory story afterwards. I wonder if anyone picked up on the attitude we should have towards the fallen, the wounded, the suffering. Pray for them, dump loads of fertilizer (encouragement) on them, give them every possible advantage. If they make the choice to change GREAT! If not, then it has been their choice. We're not trying to manipulate or control anyone, just helping out in the ways God opens for us to minister to them.
The rest was good too, but I'll just comment on the last part - counting the cost. In our joy of redemption, a lot of times we are like the seed among rocks & follow Jesus with joy. At every point in our journey, God gives us places to stop & re commit to Him. He knows that we haven't fully counted the cost. We might say "take this world but give me Jesus", but we don't fully understand what it means. Only as things happen in our lives do we start to understand the path God is leading us down.
There are always cross roads when I'm hiking. There's always choices to make. Same in real life. I can continue following my map up the mountain or I can strike out on my own, cross country. Very easy to get confused & lost without a map or compass, even if you thought you knew the area.
Life is so like that. It just makes me love Jesus more when He stops & asks me to choose again. Am I sure I want to continue? Sometimes we sit & waste precious climbing time as I have to regain my strength & I might whine to Him of the arduous climb & what He's asking of me. But He just patiently waits for me to decide. I always feel free to turn back. It's so nice to have a relationship that is free from mind games & control. Now, I need to pass that gift along to those He brings across my path as well. Freedom to choose. Freedom to choose differently from me. Freedom even to choose NOT to follow God. He gives it to us, I can't not give it to others.
Chris, I really appreciated your last comment on the mind games and control and how God doesn't play that with us, so we need to be willing to give that same freedom to others. Freedom to NOT choose - - hard to believe how controlling I really am; my intense hope that others will choose like me! Appreciated the reminder that their story is between them and Him only. He may use me in their journey, but the only person I can change is myself:)
I wish I could have experienced the tension/joys that built up at each encounter. The leaders wouldn't/couldn't answer his questions -- the people rejoiced at His answers. Sounds like the people were sick and tired of the airs that the leaders touted.
The mustard seed grows (slowly, you can't see it or don't even notice it) the yeast permeates -- again, unnoticed the change happens. The kingdom of God is not about force or manipulation - - it happens deep within it's host.
13:32 I think he's able to KEEP ON casting out deamons and healing people even today because of the gift/event of the cross; his death which shows his incredible love. I believe this is what He's talking about because of the end of the sentence when He alludes to the 3rd day. That 3rd day comment must have sent the leaders squirming to try and figure out what in the world he meant - - I wonder if they "got it" after He rose, I wonder if any of them put the pieces of his comments together? I wonder if I would have taken the time to have done that if I was them . . .
I think 14:11 and 13:30 remind us of the same concept. We only need to be concerned about our relationship with Jesus -- he works for all, and it'll be fun to see the many people that take their places in the kingdom:)
The cost -- again Chris, you gave me pause to think this through -- have I really counted the cost, even after all these years. Do I hold on to my "things" lightly, ready for Him to take whatever He needs for my good or for the good of others. Counting the cost -- I wonder how many of us really do that? The chorus to "I'm Not Home Yet" is pounding through my mind. Easy to sing -- easy to do? He never promised it would be easy, but He did promise to be with us each step of the way, helping when we are willing to be helped.
Really like the comment of the seed & yeast working slowly, within. Can't see it, just the end result, which happens without my doing anything really. Lots to ponder there. Thanks!
I didn't put it together with how you did on 13:32. I like it! Just read thru it & said, yeah, the resurrection. But I like what you said.
We've all been called. So many times I think of spiritual giants as "called" like Saul or David - - but all of the Ephesians were called, so we must be too.
ReplyDeleteWhat if we all had character goals of being humbel, gentle, patient, making allowance for each other's faults, being united in His Spirit and being at peace with each other and ourselves -- GLORIOUS!
Also, so many times I've thought -- how will I know if I'm being spiritually duped? 4:14 promises that "we won't be tossed and blown about by eery wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
I appreciate the trade-in of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander for kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. Also the call in 5:4 to stay away from (and it's rampant in our society) obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes.
God's armor -- what my armor needs to be: truth, righteousness, peace, salvation, and God's word -- remembering that we fight agains evil rulers authorities and spirits - - it's not a game or a sci-fi book; it's reality. But God is stronger and has given us the tools and the training IF we spend time learning His words of training and how to use the tools of His training.
I wonder if Paul had learned from his split with Barnabas & that's why he wrote about being unified in the Spirit here. It just made me think of that. Making allowance for each other's faults. He obviously was reconciled to John Mark later on. It's nice to see the pioneers making mistakes & growing from them since we make mistakes all the time. Sometimes we don't look at their faults, we only see our screw ups & get discouraged.
ReplyDeleteBeen thinking today of forgiveness & how we differentiate sins. Some are REALLY bad & others aren't so bad, at least in our minds. But God forgives when we turn. There are some I'm just having a hard time wrapping my brain around, that God can forgive them. But the reality is they all stem from our selfishness. His forgiveness stems out of His love. And if I can't forgive, I'm again, reacting from my selfishness, my idea of fairness, me, me, me.
Even though I don't FEEL like forgiving, Lord I choose to forgive because You have asked me to. And I ask you to give me a heart to forgive & let go. I give you permission to change my feelings & thoughts to ones of forgiveness. Just like you do to me all the time. Let me see through Your eyes, not my selfishness.
Interesting how Jesus teaches on forgiveness & then follows that up with the teaching on not judging each other in the Sermon on the Mount. When I do have to critique or check someone's work & help them improve, I don't have to do it in a condemning way.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if I teach & the lesson is continually ignored, then action needs to be taken. Sometimes, it happens naturally as there is a consequences/result for all of our choices, good or bad. Other times, God leaves it up to us to mete out the results of decisions. Thinking of parents, bosses, teachers, etc.
Then there's the section of people who have claimed to be God's children & even done huge things in His name & He denies ever knowing them because they didn't do His will, they followed theirs & put His Name to it.
It all made me think of Micah 6:8. Do justly - what is right; love mercy - forgive, don't judge; walk humbly before God - keep my eyes on Him, the more I see Him, the lesser I appear in my own eyes, the more I will have mercy towards other because He had mercy on me. This is what God requires of us.
If I'm looking at Him, I also will know & obey His will, not what is convenient for me. So easy to type, but it's what we constantly battle.
Ah! Thanks for the Micah 6:8 reminder Chris. Since I'm in Leviticus, it's good to come back to the heart of the matter and step away from sacrifices of cows, birds & grain!
ReplyDelete4:3 If a priest sins, he brings guilt upon the entire community (wow - think of Caiphus; the ultimate sins -- His blood is on us and our children)
So many times in chpt 4, it says if someone sins and they don't realize it, they're still guilty. Basically, once they DO realize it, they need to ask forgiveness. When I read things like this, I gotta remember that God is on our side, wooing us to step from a bum life to a beautiful life, and recognizing our sin; making amends for it -- is all part of healing, so more than appeazing an angry God, He's anxious to completely heal us from the past!
5:1 If your called to testify, it's sinful to refuse; help a person that needs your help. Work to cleanse this world of evil and injustice (do justly!)
It's love that gives God a way for all people to serve Him (thinking of the "if you can't afford a cow, birds. If you can't afford birds - grain) He's accessable to everyone.
6:4,5 I'm thinking that Jesus quoted this part of scripture to Zaccheus. If you've cheated someone, pay them back + 20%.
Jereboam's son was the only good thing God could find in Israel at that point & he let Him die. Not what you want to hear when you're rooting for the good guys. Sometimes though, it happens, as God spares some as Is 57:1-3 says. I really covet that peace sometimes. But it comes back to trusting that God knows what He's doing. He sees the big picture & I see my own little world. Even if I saw a bigger picture, I'm so selfish, I doubt it'd make any difference.
ReplyDeleteAlso read Matt 8. To me, the leper represents the sinner who knows he's lost & realizes his only hope is Jesus. Hopefully, this is our 1st love experience with Jesus & we've all realized this about ourselves. We are totally bankrupt without Him. This is the mindset I need to stay in daily.
The Roman officer reps those that intercede for others. Whether it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. He trusted in the testimony of others. Which is why our testimony is so important. It doesn't say if he'd seen or listened to Jesus before. But his faith is astounding! As an intercessor, we plead the character of Christ, His mercy, power & love in asking for healing. There's no merit of our own & the officer makes no boast about him deserving Jesus to heal. He just states the facts - it's all on You, just say the word & I believe it's a done deal. He didn't even ask for it to happen at that moment, it could have been a longer recovery period.
I wonder if things happened quicker when Jesus was here because of the small time of actual ministry He had here on earth? It's the way God needed it to happen for Him to be glorified. Today, I'm just skeptical if it happens right now. Back then, they may have been skeptical if it had happened slowly or later.
God is so wise in how He does things. I feel like such a bumbling child, stumbling around, trying to walk & keep bouncing off things & falling down. He's a very wise parent, but like that child, I'm stubborn & don't want any help, gotta do it myself. Seems like it's important for a baby to hold onto the parent's hands when they are 1st trying to take steps so they get the mechanics down. You'd think, as an adult, I would get the spiritual correlation a bit quicker! The only difference being I should never let go of His hands.
73 is where I landed & pondered. Still pondering actually. It's a great paraphrase of my conversation with God when I was running this a.m. One of the types of conversations where what you're doing isn't important anymore. I actually stopped running & was walking, trying to comprehend all that was going thru my mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's an incredible thing for God to only have to say 1 sentence or convey one concept & your whole "thing" is shattered into oblivion & you see things from a different perspective. I like that about Him. He cares enough about me to want me to get it. He wants me closer than I currently am.
I think that's why 73 really spoke to me. I see God doing the same thing in the psalm. Look at things from a different perspective, step back, breathe, relax, I really am in control.
And then just to remind me of His care for me. He gave me the 1st line of Ps 23. And I had to admit that yes, I do have all that I NEED. I have no reason to complain, judge, to not trust, etc. I'm so fickle!
One more gem from 73. After all this discussion & realizing the sorry state of my heart - all torn up inside & bitter (v22). V 23 says "yet I still belong to You, You hold my right hand..." God is just amazing!
ReplyDelete1 Kings from yesterday:
ReplyDeleteWhat courage Asa had -- even going against his grandma; where did that courage and God-loyalty come from? It couldn't have come from his mom and dad. It would be fascinating to know.
Really sad the constant war that went on between Israel and Judah -- reminds me of the civil war here in the US where some of the soldiers knew each other that fought against each other.
OK -- I'd like to settle a minute on the widow that fed Elijah. What faith, that she would put a stranger ahead of her starving son? I guess it was her last ray of hope and she grabbed it. I can just imagine how Elijah loved that little boy. Do you find it interesting that God would send an unmarried man to stay in the home of a widow? Seems like that might not be a good thing for Elijah's reputation.
Side note: I found it interesting that God commanded the ravens and then a little later he instructed the widow (maybe that is why she had such great faith)
Even Elijah didn't understand why God would allow her little boy to die after she'd kept him alive. Life is confusing, even for God's prophets!
Obadiah is another person that'd be interesting to hear the rest of the story. Faithful, hiding prophets from Jezebel - - reminds me of the "Hiding Place" Anyway, it seems like he was highly valued by Ahab, if Ahab chose him to go along to check the springs.
Elijah was FEARLESS!!! Telling the KING that he was the troublemaker! hee hee -- no fear there! He also mocks the false prophets.
But - I love Elijah's very simple prayer. Prove . . . and why? so that these people will "know that you, O LOrd, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself" Elijah is all about the power and glory of God, and bringing people into a relationship with HIM!!!
God tested Elijah after the big show of power. He had to persevere in prayer for the small cloud. Sometimes the answers are immediate, sometimes we need to persevere.
Can you IMAGINE! the special strength to run and stay in front of a chariot! WOW - adrenaline rush!
I was intrigued by the journey of Asaph in 73. He realized that his feet were slipping and he was almost gone with bitterness, jealousy, and hatred (vs 2)
ReplyDeleteHe envied the proud -- the ones that had everything, that had a pain-free life.
(interesting to me, as I'm reading that book on the benefits and safety found in pain)
Asaph is reliving the cry of the older brother in the prodigal story (vs 13-14) Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I got nothing but trouble all day long, every morning brings me pain.
Then he figures it out -- in the sanctuary. "I finally undestood the destiny of the wicked" "I realized my heart was bitter"
And the conclusion: "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth! My God remains the strength of my heart . . how good it is to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my Shelter."
I appreciated Asaph's struggle, that he was so vulnerable to question God and the why's. I appreciated him showing us the ugly side of his bitterness and jealousy. I think, in one way or the other -- we all go through and continue to go through that struggle until we find the contentment of realizing that it is good to be near God!
Might not be a good thing for the widow's reputation either. But maybe people were less likely to jump to conclusions then about that. Society changes/evolves about their ideas of who's doing what & living with whom. It used to be that 2 girls could walk down the street hand in hand & you'd know they were the best of friends. Now, your 1st thought is that they are gay.
ReplyDeleteWe were both drawn to Asaph in Psalms. Like you said though, I think it's because he was so open & honest about what he was feeling. We can relate to that.
Today I was reading in Matthew 9. I like how Matthew was friends with disreputable sinners, or as the religious leaders put it - scum. I know tax collectors were looked down on, but I also like to think that Matt was a people person. He invited Jesus & his disciples to dinner & got his friends there to meet Jesus too. He didn't care about the religious leaders because they had already labeled him.
Jesus said He wants us to show mercy instead of offering sacrifices. Sacrificing was their way of worship back then. So Jesus would rather me show mercy than to worship Him. Judging comes so easy, but I like that thought He gave us last night about if I could change 1 person, to what I want them to be like, would I let them change me to what they want me to be like? What is their perception of me? They would probably want me to stop nagging them or reminding them or to smile at them more, to tell them their doing a good job, etc.
Also reminds me of the song Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns.
In Jairus daughter's death & his request for Jesus to raise her, there's another story. The woman who is bleeding & miserable for 12 years. A story within a story. But was Jairus so focused on his need, that he didn't rejoice when the woman was healed? Was he only impatient at the interruption?
There's more than just my need that Jesus attends to. He is working in people's lives all around me. If I'm so focused on me & what I need all the time, I miss the joy of what He's doing in other's lives. We all get this way & we all have moments when we are just overwhelmed with what is facing us. But if it's all the time, then I'm just being selfish & missing out on so much!
THAT is a God-thought! The story within the story. Yup - I'm guilty of doing that, being so focused on my needs that I miss the miracles that God is doing around me. Thanks Chris -- I love how God speaks through you to me!
ReplyDeleteProverbs -- sometimes I wonder if Solomon actually wrote this! He's so vocal about prostitutes and being faithful to your wife -- the wife of your youth, not the hundreds that swarm around you in your old age - yuck. 5:21 "The Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes" Solomon -- did you actually believe this? Was this from your younger days?
I love the guarenteed loan advice; it's amazing how much peace you feel when you know your not on the hook for someone else's financial decisions/mistakes -- GAZELLE! (vs 5)
Laziness = poverty guarenteed. Sometimes hard work also = poverty, but at least you sleep well at night knowing you've done all you could!
I thought it was interesting that the 6 things the Lord hates all have to do with parts of our body:
haughty EYES
a lying TONGUE
HANDS that kill
a HEART that plots
FEET that race
a false witness (that TONGUE again)
what he detests is the person that uses a combination of the above.
Also in vs 20 it's interesting that the father commands while the mother instructs! That's not always true, but many times that's how it plays out!!
Those are interesting observations, the last 2. And yes, who was writing all this stuff about women & faithfulness?
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading Matt 10 this a.m. I was just astounded at our/my thick headedness. Jesus CLEARLY says in this chapter that we won't have an easy round being His follower. So why do I whine & complain all the time? Why do I want it easy & think I've done something wrong if "bad" things happen to me?
Seems like we should expect it. Not necessarily welcome it, but expect it. I was so touched though that it would be the Spirit of My Father speaking through me when I am called to testify for Him. He is My Defender once again. Just goes with the thoughts I've been having lately.
Why not be thrown in jail? Who else is He sending to talk to that inmate or that police officer or that judge? Why not get sick? Who else is He sending to that doctor in that office in that isolated town? Stuff along those lines. We're messengers, not the king. So why do I always want to be treated like royalty & have it easy? It's my selfishness, that's why.
In the end of 10 Jesus plainly calls us to give up everything & if we don't, we aren't worthy to be His. Might sound harsh for the view we have of Jesus to say something like that. But when you think about it, He gave up way more just for us to have the option! That's why giving up my life, I find it. the one He wanted me to have all along & it ends with living forever with Him. "Happily Ever After" :D
Luke 12 starts out with Jesus correcting the same mindset that had existed when Job was alive. If you suffer = you're a bad person. In order for us to think that, we become the judge of each other, a place God has never given us.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that Jesus tells an intercessory story afterwards. I wonder if anyone picked up on the attitude we should have towards the fallen, the wounded, the suffering. Pray for them, dump loads of fertilizer (encouragement) on them, give them every possible advantage. If they make the choice to change GREAT! If not, then it has been their choice. We're not trying to manipulate or control anyone, just helping out in the ways God opens for us to minister to them.
The rest was good too, but I'll just comment on the last part - counting the cost. In our joy of redemption, a lot of times we are like the seed among rocks & follow Jesus with joy. At every point in our journey, God gives us places to stop & re commit to Him. He knows that we haven't fully counted the cost. We might say "take this world but give me Jesus", but we don't fully understand what it means. Only as things happen in our lives do we start to understand the path God is leading us down.
There are always cross roads when I'm hiking. There's always choices to make. Same in real life. I can continue following my map up the mountain or I can strike out on my own, cross country. Very easy to get confused & lost without a map or compass, even if you thought you knew the area.
Life is so like that. It just makes me love Jesus more when He stops & asks me to choose again. Am I sure I want to continue? Sometimes we sit & waste precious climbing time as I have to regain my strength & I might whine to Him of the arduous climb & what He's asking of me. But He just patiently waits for me to decide. I always feel free to turn back. It's so nice to have a relationship that is free from mind games & control. Now, I need to pass that gift along to those He brings across my path as well. Freedom to choose. Freedom to choose differently from me. Freedom even to choose NOT to follow God. He gives it to us, I can't not give it to others.
Chris, I really appreciated your last comment on the mind games and control and how God doesn't play that with us, so we need to be willing to give that same freedom to others. Freedom to NOT choose - - hard to believe how controlling I really am; my intense hope that others will choose like me! Appreciated the reminder that their story is between them and Him only. He may use me in their journey, but the only person I can change is myself:)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have experienced the tension/joys that built up at each encounter. The leaders wouldn't/couldn't answer his questions -- the people rejoiced at His answers. Sounds like the people were sick and tired of the airs that the leaders touted.
The mustard seed grows (slowly, you can't see it or don't even notice it) the yeast permeates -- again, unnoticed the change happens. The kingdom of God is not about force or manipulation - - it happens deep within it's host.
13:32 I think he's able to KEEP ON casting out deamons and healing people even today because of the gift/event of the cross; his death which shows his incredible love. I believe this is what He's talking about because of the end of the sentence when He alludes to the 3rd day. That 3rd day comment must have sent the leaders squirming to try and figure out what in the world he meant - - I wonder if they "got it" after He rose, I wonder if any of them put the pieces of his comments together? I wonder if I would have taken the time to have done that if I was them . . .
I think 14:11 and 13:30 remind us of the same concept. We only need to be concerned about our relationship with Jesus -- he works for all, and it'll be fun to see the many people that take their places in the kingdom:)
The cost -- again Chris, you gave me pause to think this through -- have I really counted the cost, even after all these years. Do I hold on to my "things" lightly, ready for Him to take whatever He needs for my good or for the good of others. Counting the cost -- I wonder how many of us really do that? The chorus to "I'm Not Home Yet" is pounding through my mind. Easy to sing -- easy to do? He never promised it would be easy, but He did promise to be with us each step of the way, helping when we are willing to be helped.
Really like the comment of the seed & yeast working slowly, within. Can't see it, just the end result, which happens without my doing anything really. Lots to ponder there. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI didn't put it together with how you did on 13:32. I like it! Just read thru it & said, yeah, the resurrection. But I like what you said.