I was drawn again to Matt 11:28-30. Jesus says "...let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls..."
I was just thinking of how He was like that when He dealt with hearts. How important for those of us who He asks to work with Him, learn from Him in dealing with hearts.
He was never about numbers or self glory. He was about the hurting soul in front of Him. He didn't coerce or pressure. He was gentle and humble with everyone He encountered who was searching. Very important lesson there. Even the Son of God let the HS do His work in God's timing. Even He submitted. So much to learn from. Jesus was content to be a seed planter, so how can I strive (stress) to be anything more? That's another reason why His yoke is easy & His burden is light. I only need to do what He gives me to do/say in that moment. No concern about the next minute or next 5 years. I just need to be present in time with my Father.
Wow Chris -- when I put Matt 11:30 (rest) with Hebrews 4 -- begging us to enter His rest TODAY! Over and over again Paul emphasizes TODAY -- don't wait, God has prepared this rest for YOU!
Also I love the counsel in Hebrews 2:1 "we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it" How true THAT is!
Us humanoids tend to drift drift drift away from all God has prepared, like we're paddling toward our own view of good. Well -- I guess if we're paddling, we're not drifting! Why do we make it so hard.
I loved your sentence Chris "He was about the hurting soul in front of Him. I want to slow down to be like that for the people around me:)
I appreciated the humility of David that Solomon talked about in 2 Ch 6:8. David WANTED to do a certain task -- but he was humble enough to let God call the shots and have someone else do the task -- it shows that David was not after fame for himself.
Lots of sheep and cow sacrifices went into that dedication -- can't believe they could get it accomplished in such a short time -- the Glory of God flashed down and filled the temple -- can't imagine how awesome that would have been -- a picture hard to forget:)
I never realized that God's talking to Solomon was in direct response to specific requests Sol had -- almost to the sentence: 7:14 is in response to 6:24 and 7:17 on is in response to 6:17. God never forgets his promises -- but we forget our requests and promises -- even a wise wise man like Solomon seems to have brain freeze when put in a position of power.
9:23 is also kind of a response to Solomon's larger view of who God was a God for! 6:32, 33
Pretty sad ending to the corrupting influence of power: 10:4 and also an easy explanation to the splitting of Israel into Israel and Judah 10:16 on
Yes, I had those same thoughts yesterday, but had to be to work early so didn't get to comment on them.
Reading some praise in Psalms today. I am constantly telling God that it's all Him and redirecting my mind like David did in 115:1 "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory". Affirmation is hard for me, but when it's so obvious to me that it's God and people compliment me, it just scares me. We tend to be grateful to what we can see and heap praise on a person, but it's God who used them to reach us. We should only follow people so far...as I learned almost the really hard way earlier this year. They have their own path to walk, we have ours.
The constant reminder in 9 & 11 to trust God, He is your Helper! The One and Only, the True Helper. Goes with what I said above.
116:1,2 "I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath." He bends down to listen to me, His erring, stubborn, know-it-all child. Such a tender pic to me. I'm so grateful He listens AND answers.
15 "The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die." What an endearing pic here as well. I think, just my opinion here, that He feels more pain for those left alive than for those who are resting now. Their fight is over, but the grieving hearts who are hurting because of their loss, wow, that's what I think hurts Him more. But to step out of our pain and see the bigger picture is hard in that moment.
Yes Chris -- Not to us O Lord but to YOUR name goes all the glory and again David focuses on that unfailing love and faithfulness -- love 115:1
3 times in 115 he calls God his helper and shield -- I love the teamwork, and I love God's willingness to stand in front and be the shield for the arrows that fly.
1l16 I love the Lord because He hears my voice, my prayer, He bends down to listen -- what a tender picture of God, pausing in His rulership of the universe to listen to ME! What an amazing God.
and vs 10; what can I offer for all He has done? simply praise and keeping my promises (faithfulness)
Read in DJ today, here's me but she wrote it: "...When a new day stands open before me, I scan it for difficulties that may occur, wondering if I'll be able to cope. This is the natural bent of my mind: an earthbound focus."
Here's God's reply to her(me): "Beloved, it is natural for your mind to be drawn toward mundane matters. But you are capable of so much more than that!...Remember that you and I together can handle whatever difficulties come your way. Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. Then you will find your days increasingly devoted to sacred adventures shared with Me--Your King!" pg 252-3
I'd rather shrink from challenges and go hang on the beach or mountain peak. I don't view hiking as a challenge. It's relaxing, it's spending time with my Best Friend. So to abandon myself to trusting Someone I can't see, abandon my plans for the day, my schedule, my wants. That's a challenge. Abandon control, abandon my way all the time. Abandon my comfort. Lord, I just have to keep opening my hands to You and let you take it and me and do what you will. I trust You, Jesus!
That is a thought-packed word "Abandon" Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. I'm chewing on that!
Prov "an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim -- ok that's a challenge for me; I like to soak in the "that's not fair" mentality instead of letting it slide (abandon)
Pro has a bunch to say about fools -- then he says "there is more hope for fools than for people who thin they are wise" ooooo -- a call to humility for sure
27 has a lot to say about a good friend -- I appreciate that so much; the bigger picture of a good friend.
Here's a test/challege too: "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised" Even something as sweet as praise is a challenge from God -- abandon, let the curses and the praises slide off and up!
I was drawn again to Matt 11:28-30. Jesus says "...let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls..."
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking of how He was like that when He dealt with hearts. How important for those of us who He asks to work with Him, learn from Him in dealing with hearts.
He was never about numbers or self glory. He was about the hurting soul in front of Him. He didn't coerce or pressure. He was gentle and humble with everyone He encountered who was searching. Very important lesson there. Even the Son of God let the HS do His work in God's timing. Even He submitted. So much to learn from.
Jesus was content to be a seed planter, so how can I strive (stress) to be anything more? That's another reason why His yoke is easy & His burden is light. I only need to do what He gives me to do/say in that moment. No concern about the next minute or next 5 years. I just need to be present in time with my Father.
Wow Chris -- when I put Matt 11:30 (rest) with Hebrews 4 -- begging us to enter His rest TODAY! Over and over again Paul emphasizes TODAY -- don't wait, God has prepared this rest for YOU!
ReplyDeleteAlso I love the counsel in Hebrews 2:1 "we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it" How true THAT is!
Us humanoids tend to drift drift drift away from all God has prepared, like we're paddling toward our own view of good. Well -- I guess if we're paddling, we're not drifting! Why do we make it so hard.
I loved your sentence Chris "He was about the hurting soul in front of Him. I want to slow down to be like that for the people around me:)
I appreciated the humility of David that Solomon talked about in 2 Ch 6:8. David WANTED to do a certain task -- but he was humble enough to let God call the shots and have someone else do the task -- it shows that David was not after fame for himself.
ReplyDeleteLots of sheep and cow sacrifices went into that dedication -- can't believe they could get it accomplished in such a short time -- the Glory of God flashed down and filled the temple -- can't imagine how awesome that would have been -- a picture hard to forget:)
I never realized that God's talking to Solomon was in direct response to specific requests Sol had -- almost to the sentence: 7:14 is in response to 6:24 and 7:17 on is in response to 6:17. God never forgets his promises -- but we forget our requests and promises -- even a wise wise man like Solomon seems to have brain freeze when put in a position of power.
9:23 is also kind of a response to Solomon's larger view of who God was a God for! 6:32, 33
Pretty sad ending to the corrupting influence of power: 10:4 and also an easy explanation to the splitting of Israel into Israel and Judah 10:16 on
Yes, I had those same thoughts yesterday, but had to be to work early so didn't get to comment on them.
ReplyDeleteReading some praise in Psalms today. I am constantly telling God that it's all Him and redirecting my mind like David did in 115:1 "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory". Affirmation is hard for me, but when it's so obvious to me that it's God and people compliment me, it just scares me. We tend to be grateful to what we can see and heap praise on a person, but it's God who used them to reach us. We should only follow people so far...as I learned almost the really hard way earlier this year. They have their own path to walk, we have ours.
The constant reminder in 9 & 11 to trust God, He is your Helper! The One and Only, the True Helper. Goes with what I said above.
116:1,2 "I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath." He bends down to listen to me, His erring, stubborn, know-it-all child. Such a tender pic to me. I'm so grateful He listens AND answers.
15 "The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die." What an endearing pic here as well. I think, just my opinion here, that He feels more pain for those left alive than for those who are resting now. Their fight is over, but the grieving hearts who are hurting because of their loss, wow, that's what I think hurts Him more. But to step out of our pain and see the bigger picture is hard in that moment.
Some great personification going on in 114:)
ReplyDeleteYes Chris -- Not to us O Lord but to YOUR name goes all the glory and again David focuses on that unfailing love and faithfulness -- love 115:1
3 times in 115 he calls God his helper and shield -- I love the teamwork, and I love God's willingness to stand in front and be the shield for the arrows that fly.
1l16 I love the Lord because He hears my voice, my prayer, He bends down to listen -- what a tender picture of God, pausing in His rulership of the universe to listen to ME! What an amazing God.
and vs 10; what can I offer for all He has done? simply praise and keeping my promises (faithfulness)
Aaaaaah! The Lord cares DEEPLY . . .
Tis funny how we commented on the same things. :D
ReplyDeleteRead in DJ today, here's me but she wrote it: "...When a new day stands open before me, I scan it for difficulties that may occur, wondering if I'll be able to cope. This is the natural bent of my mind: an earthbound focus."
Here's God's reply to her(me): "Beloved, it is natural for your mind to be drawn toward mundane matters. But you are capable of so much more than that!...Remember that you and I together can handle whatever difficulties come your way. Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. Then you will find your days increasingly devoted to sacred adventures shared with Me--Your King!" pg 252-3
I'd rather shrink from challenges and go hang on the beach or mountain peak. I don't view hiking as a challenge. It's relaxing, it's spending time with my Best Friend. So to abandon myself to trusting Someone I can't see, abandon my plans for the day, my schedule, my wants. That's a challenge. Abandon control, abandon my way all the time. Abandon my comfort. Lord, I just have to keep opening my hands to You and let you take it and me and do what you will. I trust You, Jesus!
That is a thought-packed word "Abandon" Abandon yourself to the challenges I have chosen for you. I'm chewing on that!
ReplyDeleteProv "an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim -- ok that's a challenge for me; I like to soak in the "that's not fair" mentality instead of letting it slide (abandon)
Pro has a bunch to say about fools -- then he says "there is more hope for fools than for people who thin they are wise" ooooo -- a call to humility for sure
27 has a lot to say about a good friend -- I appreciate that so much; the bigger picture of a good friend.
Here's a test/challege too: "Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised" Even something as sweet as praise is a challenge from God -- abandon, let the curses and the praises slide off and up!