God will provide rest when the Lord Jesus appears -- we're in a battleship, not a cruise ship; but God has a plan for rest once the battle is over.
the lawlessness is already at work secretly -- it will be interesting to see how the lawless one will be revealed and what that entity will claim.
God's people work hard -- that clear through the whole Bible (3:6) and they are people that others can trust (thinking about the many times God talks about using honest weights) Integrity and hard work -- hard to beat:)
I read another "adversity" devotional in DJ this a.m. it's pg 54 & wow! speaks directly to life again.
It's hard to see the good in frustrations, yet that's what God asks us to do. Jesus didn't get frustrated at every turn when the leaders ALWAYS were on His case & misrepresented Him. When His disciples weren't getting it either, He was always patient with them. True, He did upbraid them a couple of times but I blow my stack ALL the time & He never did.
Even when I don't show it outwardly, I'm fuming inwardly & whining to Him. Like He needs to be reminded about my situation. He ordained it!
"Consider the possibility that I may be bringing much good out of the very things that upset you. Open your eyes and your mind [and heart Chris] to look for something new. Seek to see things from My perspective, and you will discover treasures in your trials."
He actually wants me to thank Him for my trials. I definitely only do that AFTER the fact - when I have the blessing in hand - not during the trial. Wow is He patient with me!
The earth is also God's creation - His masterpiece, and in Lev 25 -- it is obvious that He cares about this part of His creation. To let the land sit during the 7th year, gives the land a rest -- but also, all the animals and humans that plant, prune and harvest. As with the weekly Sabbath; we are forced to lay down our workaholic ways and enjoy life!
I don't see the point of buying property back then, if you'd loose it all again in the year of Jubilee; and also, if the person you bought it from could buy it back anytime; but I think the point was so that no one could take advantage of anyone else -- it kept everyone as equal as possible; and I LIKE that! I wonder what life would be like if we had that year of jubilee now days:)
Chapter 25 sheds a bit of light on the kinsman redeemer aspect in the story of Ruth; and it is such a beautiful illustration of God buying us back from poverty, heartache, and hopelessness.
I'm thinking that when the scroll was found in the temple and read to the king -- they must have read Lev 26. The blessings of obedience are great; and the punishments for disobedience are terrifying. But -- sometimes it takes the terrifying to accomplish the purpose; for the land (verse 34) and His people (verse 41)
I didn't realize that Lev 27 talked about tithing - sweet! Again, keeps life in perspective; it all belongs to Him, we just manage.
I read 2 Thess today because 1 Chron was all lineage.
I noticed, like you pointed out Linda, that the rest is AFTER Jesus comes. So it's a blessing, a plus, when we get it now, not a requirement or entitlement. That's tough to hear. God sure is merciful to give us breaks because we're so wimply & whiny - speaking from personal experience anyway. And I haven't seen nothing yet!
In 3:3 it says that God will strengthen & guard me from the evil one. I used to think that this meant I wouldn't be touched at all by evil. Obviously, that's wrong. Jesus was touched by evil. I have been as well. So it's the inner me, my relationship, the Jesus will guard & strengthen. No one can take my character away from me, I let go of it, I make the choices that weaken it. I put the strain on my relationship with Jesus. It's my choice - not satan's. So God will strengthen & guard me to make right choices. To not be attached with more than I can take. It's intense in battle & it's going to get hotter. The prep time that I'm in now, God has to let get hot because it's going to be way worse the closer it gets to Jesus coming back.
So I need to stop whining, as Shaunna said in the fb group, about my spiritual training. I don't mind the physical training, but realize it's helping me physically. I need to recognize the help that God's giving me for my spiritual growth as well & embrace it. Much easier said than done, but needs to be done.
Interesting thought Chris - - the physical/spiritual training. Here's where I went with that; which "training" do I endure and which "training do I embrace? There's physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Yikes! I find myself whining about each one!!! Hmmmmmmm
Joyful are those you discipline, Lord (94:12) JOYFUL? Yes -- thinking again of the discipline of all the prep for the 1/2 marathon -- without that prep work, it would have been torture, impossible. He preps us for each challenge ahead -- discipline, pain is a GOOD thing; I want to get so I embrace it.
vs 14 He will not abandon His special possession. (I am especially fond of you)
vs 19 "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Again -- I keep thinking of the picture we saw in the shack; and then my own daily doubts. I was also thinking about PM sermon. Forgetfulness is a faith-killer; we gotta keep looking back at how He has moved.
22 God is the mighty rock where I hide. I was thinking about this -- how can you hide in a rock, unless it's a cave? Cave's seem dark and cold (kindof like under the feathers) but they are strong and secure - - offering the shelter we need.
Ya gotta love chapter 95; come to Him with thanksgiving!! vs 6 let us kneel before the Lord -- the posture of submission, respect, awe.
God's plea for me -- today: If only you would listen to His voice TODAY! So, my goal TODAY is to listen to and for His voice and to be THANKFUL:)
I enjoyed the read in Psalms today. Proclaiming the majesty of the Lord, even when things are going well, always raises my spirits. Reminds me of His work in the past of His timing, which is usually so different from mine. His however, is always perfect timing. Mine is just about me, very selfish.
94:19 "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Now, do I allow Him to comfort me? Or do I demand He comfort me? Different attitudes there. Different ways of asking for help. Differences in the heart.
Again, I'm impressed with the fact that how God gives us rest from our troubles & turmoils here is His peace that He promised. Not the end of all trouble. No end here until heaven. But having peace & assurance that He is in control, no matter what it looks like otherwise, that is a relief. I just want to always accept that peace instead of accepting the turmoil.
So much in the 1 chapter read in Proverbs today. A lot of it was impressing upon me again of how I may plan things out & have everything set the way I think it should be. However, God is really the one in control. He sees the big picture & does things quite differently than I would. It makes sense though, because my plans tend to be selfish & directed at my comfort or my ease.
v22 "Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools." & the last verse that counsels that patience is better than power, go together in my mind. Discretion would lead me to be patient & wait. A fool would just strike out with the power that he possess. This is what I tend to do. God is always working on this weakness. Discretion & patience leads a person to be in control of their emotions - mainly anger. They step back & look at the whole picture. They seek counsel from God & man.
There are times when an immediate response is required, but by stepping back in the other times & looking at things from other angles & talking to God about them. It enables one to do this on the fly as well. Always talking to God, always seeking His way.
Our plans seem to be a recurring theme in 16! It even starts and ends with the concept. I like the end verse "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall" So plans are good -- if we never threw the dice, they'd never fall, we'd just hold tightly on to them, with no chance at winning or loosing -- BUT, we need to realize that God determines the outcome, trust is huge here, thankfulness even when it doesn't work out like we'd like.
Mid-chapter there's a whole bunch about "the king" I wonder if David wrote this. If so, sounds like David tried to be fair and just, depending on the Lord - no wonder his subjects loved him. And I can see Solomon picking up the theme of "How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgement than silver"
Loved your thoughts, Chris on better to be patient than powerful; that little contrast works in just about every aspect of life I can think of. "Slow and steady wins the race"
At my stage of life - good to know that gray hair is a crown of glory:)
Nice take on having to throw the dice in the first place. Don't be indecisive. I can be at times.
Was meditating today on Ps 23:1. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need."
It made me start thanking Him for all I have. Really, I have more than I NEED.
Also reinforced in my mind about since He is my Shepherd & I trust Him (help my unbelief, my great lack at times Lord), I have all that I need WHEN I need it. Regardless as if it looks like I do.
Everything is at His disposal & He will give me what I need when I need it. I don't have to get it first & hoard it for when I think I need it. I have to trust Him to give it to me in His timing, not mine.
Well the first 6 chapters of Daniel sure do play out that trust idea. I've often wondered if I'd have the HUGE quantity of trust Daniel and company had. I mean, they were dealing with a king that thought nothing of "tear you limb from limb and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble" -- he had serious confrontation issues.
Anyway -- as you said Chris, He will give me what I need when I need it.
God honored their determination to stay true to Him (vs 9) I love how Daniel didn't panic when faced with execution, he "handled the situation with wisdom and discretion" He didn't just calmly sit there, tho -- He was pro-active, praying for God's intervention.
I wonder if the dream was more for the king, or more for Daniel. Daniel's praise song in 2:21 shows that he realized God was in control, even tho Daniel's own country was the underdog.
Daniel really goes out of his way to protect the "wise men" vs 24, 27 -- and he is humble enough not to take any credit for what's been done (shades of Elijah when Namaan tried to give him gifts)
I was quite impressed with Neb's mood shifts; from praising God to praising himself and back again. Pretty impressive how Daniel's God-miracles were proclaimed all over the then-known world; both by Neb and Darius.
Just going to end with the well known thought that the 3 friends totally believed God had the power to save them from the fire, if He chose. They trusted him with the outcome - even if the outcome wasn't good. Incredible faith.
Nic only got as far as the signs convincing himself that God was with Jesus -- he couldn't quite cross over to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah; very different response than the woman at the well.
The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life vs 6; that is the water that becomes a fresh, bubbling spring 4:13.
John really recaps Jesus talk to Nicodemus. 3:31-36 and 3:13 - 19. They were definitely on the same page as to who Jesus was, why he came, and man's response to the Savior.
I appreciate John's choice not to become jealous of Jesus, rather to be filled with JOY at His success.
You can't put God in a box -- or a religion. 4:23 and 24 make that clear.
Doncha LOVE the EXCITEMENT of the woman at the well? It must have made Jesus and all heaven rejoice! Capture that excitement, that love at first sight feeling - - no wonder Jesus was too filled up with JOY to eat!
and the Joy for Jesus continues -- 4:40 -- "they BEGGED Him to stay" how often do you hear THAT phrase in the life of Jesus! The "outcasts" were the ones that begged him to stay - - there are NO outcasts in heaven, Heaven is singing for everyone that "gets it!" And those Samaritans did get it -- "He is indeed the Savior of the world" THAT must have been refreshing for Jesus to hear -- no bickering, no jealousies, no hesitancy -- just child like faith.
Enjoyed reading your comments. I love the book of John. And 4 is definitely 1 of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I relate so much to the woman at the well. I just love meditating on Jesus' conversation with her. How He met people & talked with them always blows my mind!
God will provide rest when the Lord Jesus appears -- we're in a battleship, not a cruise ship; but God has a plan for rest once the battle is over.
ReplyDeletethe lawlessness is already at work secretly -- it will be interesting to see how the lawless one will be revealed and what that entity will claim.
God's people work hard -- that clear through the whole Bible (3:6) and they are people that others can trust (thinking about the many times God talks about using honest weights) Integrity and hard work -- hard to beat:)
I read another "adversity" devotional in DJ this a.m. it's pg 54 & wow! speaks directly to life again.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to see the good in frustrations, yet that's what God asks us to do. Jesus didn't get frustrated at every turn when the leaders ALWAYS were on His case & misrepresented Him. When His disciples weren't getting it either, He was always patient with them. True, He did upbraid them a couple of times but I blow my stack ALL the time & He never did.
Even when I don't show it outwardly, I'm fuming inwardly & whining to Him. Like He needs to be reminded about my situation. He ordained it!
"Consider the possibility that I may be bringing much good out of the very things that upset you. Open your eyes and your mind [and heart Chris] to look for something new. Seek to see things from My perspective, and you will discover treasures in your trials."
He actually wants me to thank Him for my trials. I definitely only do that AFTER the fact - when I have the blessing in hand - not during the trial. Wow is He patient with me!
The earth is also God's creation - His masterpiece, and in Lev 25 -- it is obvious that He cares about this part of His creation. To let the land sit during the 7th year, gives the land a rest -- but also, all the animals and humans that plant, prune and harvest. As with the weekly Sabbath; we are forced to lay down our workaholic ways and enjoy life!
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point of buying property back then, if you'd loose it all again in the year of Jubilee; and also, if the person you bought it from could buy it back anytime; but I think the point was so that no one could take advantage of anyone else -- it kept everyone as equal as possible; and I LIKE that! I wonder what life would be like if we had that year of jubilee now days:)
Chapter 25 sheds a bit of light on the kinsman redeemer aspect in the story of Ruth; and it is such a beautiful illustration of God buying us back from poverty, heartache, and hopelessness.
I'm thinking that when the scroll was found in the temple and read to the king -- they must have read Lev 26. The blessings of obedience are great; and the punishments for disobedience are terrifying. But -- sometimes it takes the terrifying to accomplish the purpose; for the land (verse 34) and His people (verse 41)
I didn't realize that Lev 27 talked about tithing - sweet! Again, keeps life in perspective; it all belongs to Him, we just manage.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI read 2 Thess today because 1 Chron was all lineage.
ReplyDeleteI noticed, like you pointed out Linda, that the rest is AFTER Jesus comes. So it's a blessing, a plus, when we get it now, not a requirement or entitlement. That's tough to hear. God sure is merciful to give us breaks because we're so wimply & whiny - speaking from personal experience anyway. And I haven't seen nothing yet!
In 3:3 it says that God will strengthen & guard me from the evil one. I used to think that this meant I wouldn't be touched at all by evil. Obviously, that's wrong. Jesus was touched by evil. I have been as well. So it's the inner me, my relationship, the Jesus will guard & strengthen.
No one can take my character away from me, I let go of it, I make the choices that weaken it. I put the strain on my relationship with Jesus. It's my choice - not satan's. So God will strengthen & guard me to make right choices. To not be attached with more than I can take. It's intense in battle & it's going to get hotter. The prep time that I'm in now, God has to let get hot because it's going to be way worse the closer it gets to Jesus coming back.
So I need to stop whining, as Shaunna said in the fb group, about my spiritual training. I don't mind the physical training, but realize it's helping me physically. I need to recognize the help that God's giving me for my spiritual growth as well & embrace it. Much easier said than done, but needs to be done.
Interesting thought Chris - - the physical/spiritual training. Here's where I went with that; which "training" do I endure and which "training do I embrace? There's physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Yikes! I find myself whining about each one!!! Hmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteJoyful are those you discipline, Lord (94:12) JOYFUL? Yes -- thinking again of the discipline of all the prep for the 1/2 marathon -- without that prep work, it would have been torture, impossible. He preps us for each challenge ahead -- discipline, pain is a GOOD thing; I want to get so I embrace it.
ReplyDeletevs 14 He will not abandon His special possession. (I am especially fond of you)
vs 19 "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Again -- I keep thinking of the picture we saw in the shack; and then my own daily doubts. I was also thinking about PM sermon. Forgetfulness is a faith-killer; we gotta keep looking back at how He has moved.
22 God is the mighty rock where I hide. I was thinking about this -- how can you hide in a rock, unless it's a cave? Cave's seem dark and cold (kindof like under the feathers) but they are strong and secure - - offering the shelter we need.
Ya gotta love chapter 95; come to Him with thanksgiving!! vs 6 let us kneel before the Lord -- the posture of submission, respect, awe.
God's plea for me -- today: If only you would listen to His voice TODAY! So, my goal TODAY is to listen to and for His voice and to be THANKFUL:)
I enjoyed the read in Psalms today. Proclaiming the majesty of the Lord, even when things are going well, always raises my spirits. Reminds me of His work in the past of His timing, which is usually so different from mine. His however, is always perfect timing. Mine is just about me, very selfish.
ReplyDelete94:19 "When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Now, do I allow Him to comfort me? Or do I demand He comfort me? Different attitudes there. Different ways of asking for help. Differences in the heart.
Again, I'm impressed with the fact that how God gives us rest from our troubles & turmoils here is His peace that He promised. Not the end of all trouble. No end here until heaven. But having peace & assurance that He is in control, no matter what it looks like otherwise, that is a relief. I just want to always accept that peace instead of accepting the turmoil.
So much in the 1 chapter read in Proverbs today. A lot of it was impressing upon me again of how I may plan things out & have everything set the way I think it should be. However, God is really the one in control. He sees the big picture & does things quite differently than I would. It makes sense though, because my plans tend to be selfish & directed at my comfort or my ease.
ReplyDeletev22 "Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools." & the last verse that counsels that patience is better than power, go together in my mind. Discretion would lead me to be patient & wait. A fool would just strike out with the power that he possess. This is what I tend to do. God is always working on this weakness. Discretion & patience leads a person to be in control of their emotions - mainly anger. They step back & look at the whole picture. They seek counsel from God & man.
There are times when an immediate response is required, but by stepping back in the other times & looking at things from other angles & talking to God about them. It enables one to do this on the fly as well. Always talking to God, always seeking His way.
Our plans seem to be a recurring theme in 16! It even starts and ends with the concept. I like the end verse "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall" So plans are good -- if we never threw the dice, they'd never fall, we'd just hold tightly on to them, with no chance at winning or loosing -- BUT, we need to realize that God determines the outcome, trust is huge here, thankfulness even when it doesn't work out like we'd like.
ReplyDeleteMid-chapter there's a whole bunch about "the king" I wonder if David wrote this. If so, sounds like David tried to be fair and just, depending on the Lord - no wonder his subjects loved him. And I can see Solomon picking up the theme of "How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgement than silver"
Loved your thoughts, Chris on better to be patient than powerful; that little contrast works in just about every aspect of life I can think of. "Slow and steady wins the race"
At my stage of life - good to know that gray hair is a crown of glory:)
Nice take on having to throw the dice in the first place. Don't be indecisive. I can be at times.
ReplyDeleteWas meditating today on Ps 23:1. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need."
It made me start thanking Him for all I have. Really, I have more than I NEED.
Also reinforced in my mind about since He is my Shepherd & I trust Him (help my unbelief, my great lack at times Lord), I have all that I need WHEN I need it. Regardless as if it looks like I do.
Everything is at His disposal & He will give me what I need when I need it. I don't have to get it first & hoard it for when I think I need it. I have to trust Him to give it to me in His timing, not mine.
Good thoughts for me to meditate on today.
Well the first 6 chapters of Daniel sure do play out that trust idea. I've often wondered if I'd have the HUGE quantity of trust Daniel and company had. I mean, they were dealing with a king that thought nothing of "tear you limb from limb and your houses will be turned into heaps of rubble" -- he had serious confrontation issues.
ReplyDeleteAnyway -- as you said Chris, He will give me what I need when I need it.
God honored their determination to stay true to Him (vs 9) I love how Daniel didn't panic when faced with execution, he "handled the situation with wisdom and discretion" He didn't just calmly sit there, tho -- He was pro-active, praying for God's intervention.
I wonder if the dream was more for the king, or more for Daniel. Daniel's praise song in 2:21 shows that he realized God was in control, even tho Daniel's own country was the underdog.
Daniel really goes out of his way to protect the "wise men" vs 24, 27 -- and he is humble enough not to take any credit for what's been done (shades of Elijah when Namaan tried to give him gifts)
I was quite impressed with Neb's mood shifts; from praising God to praising himself and back again. Pretty impressive how Daniel's God-miracles were proclaimed all over the then-known world; both by Neb and Darius.
Just going to end with the well known thought that the 3 friends totally believed God had the power to save them from the fire, if He chose. They trusted him with the outcome - even if the outcome wasn't good. Incredible faith.
Nic only got as far as the signs convincing himself that God was with Jesus -- he couldn't quite cross over to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah; very different response than the woman at the well.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life vs 6; that is the water that becomes a fresh, bubbling spring 4:13.
John really recaps Jesus talk to Nicodemus. 3:31-36 and 3:13 - 19. They were definitely on the same page as to who Jesus was, why he came, and man's response to the Savior.
I appreciate John's choice not to become jealous of Jesus, rather to be filled with JOY at His success.
You can't put God in a box -- or a religion. 4:23 and 24 make that clear.
Doncha LOVE the EXCITEMENT of the woman at the well? It must have made Jesus and all heaven rejoice! Capture that excitement, that love at first sight feeling - - no wonder Jesus was too filled up with JOY to eat!
and the Joy for Jesus continues -- 4:40 -- "they BEGGED Him to stay" how often do you hear THAT phrase in the life of Jesus! The "outcasts" were the ones that begged him to stay - - there are NO outcasts in heaven, Heaven is singing for everyone that "gets it!" And those Samaritans did get it -- "He is indeed the Savior of the world" THAT must have been refreshing for Jesus to hear -- no bickering, no jealousies, no hesitancy -- just child like faith.
Great line in 4:50 "Your son will live"
Enjoyed reading your comments. I love the book of John. And 4 is definitely 1 of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I relate so much to the woman at the well. I just love meditating on Jesus' conversation with her. How He met people & talked with them always blows my mind!
ReplyDelete