Again jealousy is listed as a major dragger-downer of us humans 4:2; you are jealous of what others have -- we keep looking out, not up.
I love the call in 4:7 & 8 humble yourselves before God and come close - - I think pride is what keeps us from coming close; from delighting in the JOYS HE has planned for us. Pride says we can find our own delight, pride says, I don't want to owe anyone anything. Pride is a killer of JOY and relationship.
I also appreciate 4:13 -- let God be the judge, isn't THAT a freeing thought?
Plans change 4:14, wealth rots 5:2 -- all those little elements that we feel we can control; hogwash! Learn to keep my mind and my hands open - - a big lesson for little me.
O! Also, along with not judging people -- also put on that checklist not to even grumble about them, to mutter about them! Hee hee; I loose again - Lord help me with the HEART!
Love the call for vulnerability - it's scarey, but it's when real communion happens and pride comes crashing down and gets ground under our hear 5:16 confess your sins and pray for each other! THEN the healing will come!
I was thinking as I read the 1st part of 4 how I add to the God allowed stress by judging others, striving for my own will and way AND THEN I tell God it's too much, I can't take what YOU'RE giving me. I say this as I driving away with my dump truck full of self induced stress.
Living with open hands, as you said Linda, just accepting what He gives & not creating more for myself. It's my own selfishness & pride for sure that does me in!
I too, appreciated the words to "come close to God..." I like the pic that gives me. Snuggling up with Him & letting His love heal. Sometimes it even has to wound to heal, but if I let Him, He never stops holding me.
I want to learn to stay in Your arms Lord & not run off with my dump truck to another sand box. Your will, Your Plan for me & the others that You bring into my life is what I want. Help me surrender every second.
I read Isaiah 61 today. I like the Amplified version of the 1st verse because it says that the captives that are liberated are both physically & spiritually bound. Also that the prison doors that are opened & the eyes of those bound in prison are open.
I believe we are also emotionally bound & God is interested in our complete healing, not just the one people see first or the one more socially acceptable to talk about. As prisoners, our eyes need to be opened to our true condition also. God does this differently for each of us because it's a timing issue with our hearts & He knows us best. He is the Deliverer, the Healer & the Revealer of our hearts.
v3 where we feel we've been destroyed by something or someone, He gives us beauty for those ashes. Reminds me of the saying I keep hearing over & over again, "we are strongest in our broken places". Doesn't make sense from the world's perspective, but God makes the wisdom of this world foolishness & constantly befuddles intellectuals who deny God.
Some symbolism I hadn't seen before is in v4. "They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations."
As God heals us, restores us, He brings out our true beauty & the talents He created us with. Sometimes we've buried things to survive or they were beaten out of us by different situations in life. God restores us completely - that's His goal. So we rebuild, we are revived by His healing, though parts of us have been lost for many years. We discover, maybe for the first time, new talents & abilities. How it must make God smile to see us like little kids opening up unexpected gifts & squealing with delight over what's inside.
We put so much effort into the outside of us & He's devoted to the inside of us. God, please help me work with you in rebuilding me to the woman YOU created me to be & not what I've strived or contrived to be.
Oh yeah, there's a lot more BUT I want to share this from MSG. v10-11 "I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride a jeweled tiara. For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations."
We are on display for God's glory & I love the pic of exploding with praise for what God has done in our hearts & lives. It's a foretaste of heaven!
DEUT 7:1,2 Reminds me of when God brings us into a new relationship with Him. "He will clear away many nations (sins/evils) ahead of us -- and with His help, we must "completely destroy them" We also need to remember 7:26 not to bring detestable objects into our homes. Now I know he's talking about idols, but with media as it is today -- it's so easy for detestable "stuff" to creep into our homes.
Doncha love Moses words that God has "chosen" us to be "His own special treasure" It is overwhelming and humbling to think that little me is precious to big wonderful Him.
also in vs 9 He lavishes (love that word) His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.
in 8:3 and 4 -- words that Jesus used; I think the warning is: who do you look to for your dependance? Yourself and what you can do -- or God! No wonder he uses circumstances to humble us -- we keep giving the wrong answer to that warning question!
Finally -- here's a fill in the blank for 9:2,3. "Who can stand up to the __________? Recognize today that the Lord your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out!! Just as the Lord has promised!" Thank you Lord for going ahead of me and driving out my sin of . . . .
Hezekiah had a plan -- first, clean out and prepare the temple (it must have been a MESS if it took a whole pack of men 8 days to make it to the entry room!), then call the leaders to worship, then call the people to celebrate and worship.
He was also inspiring to his leadership 29:11 "The Lord has chosen YOU to stand in His presence, to minister to Him and to Lead the people in worship!
Interesting that some of the people "laughed at the runners -- made fun of them" BUT GOD! stepped in and gave the people ONE HEART to celebrate - - what a wonderful God; able to overturn the scoffers in my life if I stay focused on worshiping and connecting with HIM! LOVE how the entire celebration decided they wanted to continue the festival another 7 days! (I wonder who was doing the cooking and if they got a vote! hee hee! Glad there are people that love to cook!)
Hezekiah sought His God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. He didn't just sit on his throne and obey the law -- he "sought" God -- her pursued a relationship with Him!
32:7,8 Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because . . . there is a power far greater on our side! We have the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles!" Something to remember for today!
Interesting little side note in 32:25,26 -- there must be a deeper story, but I'm thinking the author loved Hezekiah so much that he didn't want to make his mistake known. "he became proud . . the Lord' anger came against him . . . Hezekiah humbled himself and repented . . . so the Lord's anger did not fall. God knows we'll make mistakes, but how do I respond to his correction? Justify my mistake or humbly repent?
Again, the author is strangely quiet about H's bad choice in vs 31 "God withdrew from H in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.
I didn't read it yesterday, but wasn't Hez's sin when he showed all of his kingdom to the Babylonian ambassadors? Don't know if mentioned that already. Just remember something about that from reading in Kings.
I believe God likes it when we pursue Him as well. A true relationship isn't one sided.
In Psalms today I was wondering why in 126 the people planted in tears. Maybe it's because witnessing to people can be very trying. Just trying to live & let Christ live/shine through us can be hard. I learn so much about myself that I need to surrender to Him as I'm ministering to others. Sometimes, it can make me weep as I think of my mistakes & I hope I haven't made people turn away as I've tried to live like Jesus but fail so much.
Once the harvest comes in & we see all the people who've seen Jesus in spite of our flaws, we are overjoyed at God's mercy.
I like the plea for God to restore my fortunes, renew me like streams in the desert. Please renew me Lord by your Spirit.
127:2 has counsel for type A personalities & those striving to be accepted all the time. God gives us rest. We need it. He doesn't expect us to have our noses to the grindstone all the time. He is very balanced. That is why as our Shepherd, He leads us out to pastures & streams & mountains & beaches. To renew us, restore us. So thoughtful of Him.
I've always liked the picture of God surrounding me like some of the mountains I've been surrounded by. They are very rugged & look strong, steady. I need that type of protection in my life.
I think H. struggle (and mine and the rest of humanity) is who is our audience -- who do we want our affirmation from.
Planting in tears - - I was thinking too that most things worth working for or towards takes a lot of sacrifice (the ultimate of course is Jesus death) but all our little victories in life usually come after some form of sacrifice -- I think God realized we needed that; that's why man plants by the sweat of his brow - that's why women have children after birth pains.
If something is dropped in your lap without that sacrifice, chances are it will either be ignored, unappreciated, or a feeling of entitlement creeps in -- YIKES; we need to think seriously about God's grace, He gives it to us freely (and how many times is it ignored and unappreciated); but He only gives it after the sacrifice of surrender.
hearts are in tune with you (125:4) think of tuning a guitar -- there is that fine line when things line up, when it makes beautiful music; if it's a fraction off -- it just doesn't feel right/ sound right.
127:2 It is useless for you to work so hard -- reminds me of Ecclesiastes and Prov 23:4!!
yes, that is a great way to look at what Hez did & correlate it to ourselves today. I can definitely relate!
Speaking of Ecc. I was thinking it was Friday, it's been a very long week already, but productive in so many ways. Solomon says to enjoy the work of your hands & be balanced & relax as well. Work & recreation alike are gifts from God. So I'm thankful at what God has helped me with this week in all areas of my life. Just following the Shepherd instead of telling Him where the trail should be is less stressful. Sleep is sweet & so is waking up.
There truly is time for everything - that Jesus gives us to do anyway. I think of Christ not setting an agenda, but spending the time with His Father in the evenings/mornings going over things & surrendering His will up. Letting His Father lead Him through His day. He was showing us what a good sheep does.
A time to search & a time to quit searching (v6). I like to know, but God sometimes withhold information for my good. Knowing good & evil is what He withheld from Adam & Eve & now we know we would have been much better off NOT knowing. Freedom to choose gets us/me, in trouble quite a bit. Trusting Him completely is where we need to be.
Sometimes, it's better if our eyes or ears are not opened to see or hear everything. There are a lot of times I wish I had not overheard something or seen something someone does. It's like being in your favorite restaurant's bathroom & all the cooks come in & then don't wash their hands before they leave. Kinda blows your mind.
3:14 What God does is final. There's no way I can whine my way to another option. Reminds me of Moses. But yet, having that boundary & knowing He can't be swayed gives me a deeper respect for Him. I know where I stand with Him.
4:7-12 is another good reminder that we need each other. Things are just easier at times when we have people helping us or praying for us. Like the first part of 3, there are times when it's only a 1 man job & then there are times when teamwork is necessary.
I like the futility of political power in the end of 4. Well said. I have never understood why someone would want to run a country. Blah!
Ha Ha! I wish you could have heard me laugh when I read about the cooks! You are SO practical in your illustrations!
By the way - 4got to comment on the ending of Forever Reigns - - they sang that song the Th b4 at the seminar I was at; that's how they ended it, and it really spoke to me -- it all comes down to Jesus and what He has done:)
A time to be quiet and a time to speak -- I get those 2 mixed up most of the time; when I should be quiet, I speak -- when I should speak up - - I hold back.
He planted eternity in the human heart -- really true; we are all looking for a better land, hoping for something besides what we know here.
I appreciate how he says to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I think sometimes we put people on a guilt trip about enjoying what they've worked hard for -- like, maybe they should send it all to ADRA. I think there is balance in all things. And really -- balance is what vs 1-8 is talking about to me.
Whew 4:4 gets RIGHT to the heart; most people are motivated to sucess because they envy their neighbors - - way to cut to the quick Sol!
Doncha love 9 tho! Here's a healthy relationship (as opposed to the unhealthy one of 4:4 -- two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed! What an about face from the competition of 4:4!!
1:7 Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord - - close your mouth -- you have nothing to say, no justification, no excuse - - simply stand in silence.
Twice in Zeph he talks about the fire of His (God's)jealousy. The all-consuming fire. It's pretty awesome that God even cares! I mean -- we wander away SO easily; if I was God -- I'd have given up on me a long time ago. But not only is He pursuing me; He's jealous for me.
So at the beginning of 3 it describes Jerusalem; full of violence and crime; no on can tell it anything; it refuses all correction (does that sound like proud and arrogant people?) Well guess what - vs 11 talks about the end result - - and I can only ask God to remove my pride, remove my arrogance - I'm guilty as charged, but I sure don't want to be removed - - just the bad stuff in me. Kind of cool to think that if I surrender and allow Him to remove the pride and arrogant - then I will become the lowly, humble, and trusting he talks about in vs 12.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE 3:15 "AT LAST! your troubles will be over and you will never again fear disaster!"
And I need to memorize vs 17: "He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs" Again -- I am not worthy of this kind of love, concern and care -- but thank you Lord.
vs 29 I will gather you together and bring you home again -- to me this speaks of heaven. I know that Zeph is talking about the return from Babylon, but I think it's a double prophecy, so it applies to me. I want to go home.
Really enjoyed your thoughts on Zeph. I had a lot of the same ones. I too believe it has a double application to our heavenly home. Our future & hope - complete restoration with our Savior!
Reading in Acts this morning deepened what I've been learning this week. Complete trust in God...in every detail, even when it's not comfortable for me. Stepping back & seeing the bigger picture is extremely helpful for me to trust. Satan wants us to get caught up in our own little self portrait so we are self centered instead of God centered.
The Voice translation added a line in the story of Peter in jail. The prayers of the people were not answered until the night before Peter's execution. Wow! How many times does God wait until the last minute for deliverance or before moving? Seems like a lot. The closer the deadline, the more He is glorified by the deliverance OR the composure & trust of His people. This is why it's so crucial for us to rest & not panic. To think bigger than our visual or physical senses. We need to have very alert & sensitive spiritual senses.
Peter is sound asleep...in prison, chained between 2 guards AND it's the night before he is scheduled to be killed. He's so sound asleep, that even a bright light flooding his cell doesn't awaken him. It's just an amazing picture of the change God has worked in his heart. His total, complete surrender of his will and plans for the future. He is content because he KNOWS his Savior, his Shepherd. He is content in the pasture God has placed him in that moment. Such a good lesson for me.
That's what really spoke to me this a.m. BUT I did appreciate the teachableness of the early church when Peter shared what God had shown him about the "unclean" believers & what the HS had done there. They had open hearts. We need this in our church today. To realize that God speaks to others as well as to us & to listen to what has been experienced & talk it over with God. Not to gossip & try to draw support for my side, but to talk with God about it & see what He says. The HS is not only working with and in me. He is working in others as well & I need to be open to that. The Bible helps direct in this area as well. Pretty clear here!
The first part of Acts 11 reminds me once again -- don't judge before you know the whole story. I too am very impressed with the teachableness and flexibility of the new believers. I'm impressed with Peter -- he didn't bother to justify himself, he simply told them what happened and left the outcome up to God -- so important to simply state the facts and not get drawn into emotional drama -- man, that's SO important for me to remember!
Love the 3 times/3 men correlation Chris -- never noticed that b4!
Love that Barnabas; everyone LOVED it when he got involved -- he had to be a complete pleasure to be around "he was filled with JOY and he ENCOURAGED!
In the excitement of the story of Peter's release; we(I) often skip past 12:1 that James was killed with the sword. Certainly not all the prayers of the early church were answered they way they had hoped. and certainly it was crystal clear to Peter the reality of how possible his execution was -- but then, that complete trust in the outcome; blows me away. I loose sleep over a whole lot less than my execution!!
Then I find it interesting the response of the pray-ers:" You're out of your mind!" Not exactly a stellar response to God's great victory! Reminds me of the disciples when the women came back to tell them that Jesus had been released from his prison/tomb! Maybe it was the messenger (the women and the child) -- if it had been an angel or a prominant leader of the church -- then they would have believed-- hmmmm, food for thought for me. Remember that with God ALL things are possible -- and that truth can come from the areas we least expect it.
The Tyre and Sidon people were really sucking up to Herod. They didn't believe a word they were saying - but he did. The whole situation of how power corrupts a man is pathetic.
Again jealousy is listed as a major dragger-downer of us humans 4:2; you are jealous of what others have -- we keep looking out, not up.
ReplyDeleteI love the call in 4:7 & 8 humble yourselves before God and come close - - I think pride is what keeps us from coming close; from delighting in the JOYS HE has planned for us. Pride says we can find our own delight, pride says, I don't want to owe anyone anything. Pride is a killer of JOY and relationship.
I also appreciate 4:13 -- let God be the judge, isn't THAT a freeing thought?
Plans change 4:14, wealth rots 5:2 -- all those little elements that we feel we can control; hogwash! Learn to keep my mind and my hands open - - a big lesson for little me.
O! Also, along with not judging people -- also put on that checklist not to even grumble about them, to mutter about them! Hee hee; I loose again - Lord help me with the HEART!
Love the call for vulnerability - it's scarey, but it's when real communion happens and pride comes crashing down and gets ground under our hear 5:16 confess your sins and pray for each other! THEN the healing will come!
I need more farming techniques (5:7)
I was thinking as I read the 1st part of 4 how I add to the God allowed stress by judging others, striving for my own will and way AND THEN I tell God it's too much, I can't take what YOU'RE giving me. I say this as I driving away with my dump truck full of self induced stress.
ReplyDeleteLiving with open hands, as you said Linda, just accepting what He gives & not creating more for myself. It's my own selfishness & pride for sure that does me in!
I too, appreciated the words to "come close to God..." I like the pic that gives me. Snuggling up with Him & letting His love heal. Sometimes it even has to wound to heal, but if I let Him, He never stops holding me.
I want to learn to stay in Your arms Lord & not run off with my dump truck to another sand box. Your will, Your Plan for me & the others that You bring into my life is what I want. Help me surrender every second.
I read Isaiah 61 today. I like the Amplified version of the 1st verse because it says that the captives that are liberated are both physically & spiritually bound. Also that the prison doors that are opened & the eyes of those bound in prison are open.
ReplyDeleteI believe we are also emotionally bound & God is interested in our complete healing, not just the one people see first or the one more socially acceptable to talk about. As prisoners, our eyes need to be opened to our true condition also. God does this differently for each of us because it's a timing issue with our hearts & He knows us best. He is the Deliverer, the Healer & the Revealer of our hearts.
v3 where we feel we've been destroyed by something or someone, He gives us beauty for those ashes. Reminds me of the saying I keep hearing over & over again, "we are strongest in our broken places". Doesn't make sense from the world's perspective, but God makes the wisdom of this world foolishness & constantly befuddles intellectuals who deny God.
Some symbolism I hadn't seen before is in v4. "They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations."
As God heals us, restores us, He brings out our true beauty & the talents He created us with. Sometimes we've buried things to survive or they were beaten out of us by different situations in life. God restores us completely - that's His goal. So we rebuild, we are revived by His healing, though parts of us have been lost for many years. We discover, maybe for the first time, new talents & abilities. How it must make God smile to see us like little kids opening up unexpected gifts & squealing with delight over what's inside.
We put so much effort into the outside of us & He's devoted to the inside of us. God, please help me work with you in rebuilding me to the woman YOU created me to be & not what I've strived or contrived to be.
Oh yeah, there's a lot more BUT I want to share this from MSG. v10-11
ReplyDelete"I will sing for joy in God,
explode in praise from deep in my soul!
He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,
he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo
and a bride a jeweled tiara.
For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,
and as a garden cascades with blossoms,
So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom
and puts praise on display before the nations."
We are on display for God's glory & I love the pic of exploding with praise for what God has done in our hearts & lives. It's a foretaste of heaven!
DEUT 7:1,2 Reminds me of when God brings us into a new relationship with Him. "He will clear away many nations (sins/evils) ahead of us -- and with His help, we must "completely destroy them" We also need to remember 7:26 not to bring detestable objects into our homes. Now I know he's talking about idols, but with media as it is today -- it's so easy for detestable "stuff" to creep into our homes.
ReplyDeleteDoncha love Moses words that God has "chosen" us to be "His own special treasure" It is overwhelming and humbling to think that little me is precious to big wonderful Him.
also in vs 9 He lavishes (love that word) His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.
in 8:3 and 4 -- words that Jesus used; I think the warning is: who do you look to for your dependance? Yourself and what you can do -- or God! No wonder he uses circumstances to humble us -- we keep giving the wrong answer to that warning question!
Finally -- here's a fill in the blank for 9:2,3. "Who can stand up to the __________? Recognize today that the Lord your God is the One who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out!! Just as the Lord has promised!" Thank you Lord for going ahead of me and driving out my sin of . . . .
Hezekiah had a plan -- first, clean out and prepare the temple (it must have been a MESS if it took a whole pack of men 8 days to make it to the entry room!), then call the leaders to worship, then call the people to celebrate and worship.
ReplyDeleteHe was also inspiring to his leadership 29:11 "The Lord has chosen YOU to stand in His presence, to minister to Him and to Lead the people in worship!
Interesting that some of the people "laughed at the runners -- made fun of them" BUT GOD! stepped in and gave the people ONE HEART to celebrate - - what a wonderful God; able to overturn the scoffers in my life if I stay focused on worshiping and connecting with HIM! LOVE how the entire celebration decided they wanted to continue the festival another 7 days! (I wonder who was doing the cooking and if they got a vote! hee hee! Glad there are people that love to cook!)
Hezekiah sought His God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. He didn't just sit on his throne and obey the law -- he "sought" God -- her pursued a relationship with Him!
32:7,8 Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid or discouraged because . . . there is a power far greater on our side! We have the Lord our God to help us and fight our battles!" Something to remember for today!
Interesting little side note in 32:25,26 -- there must be a deeper story, but I'm thinking the author loved Hezekiah so much that he didn't want to make his mistake known. "he became proud . . the Lord' anger came against him . . . Hezekiah humbled himself and repented . . . so the Lord's anger did not fall. God knows we'll make mistakes, but how do I respond to his correction? Justify my mistake or humbly repent?
Again, the author is strangely quiet about H's bad choice in vs 31 "God withdrew from H in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.
I didn't read it yesterday, but wasn't Hez's sin when he showed all of his kingdom to the Babylonian ambassadors? Don't know if mentioned that already. Just remember something about that from reading in Kings.
ReplyDeleteI believe God likes it when we pursue Him as well. A true relationship isn't one sided.
In Psalms today I was wondering why in 126 the people planted in tears. Maybe it's because witnessing to people can be very trying. Just trying to live & let Christ live/shine through us can be hard. I learn so much about myself that I need to surrender to Him as I'm ministering to others. Sometimes, it can make me weep as I think of my mistakes & I hope I haven't made people turn away as I've tried to live like Jesus but fail so much.
Once the harvest comes in & we see all the people who've seen Jesus in spite of our flaws, we are overjoyed at God's mercy.
I like the plea for God to restore my fortunes, renew me like streams in the desert. Please renew me Lord by your Spirit.
127:2 has counsel for type A personalities & those striving to be accepted all the time. God gives us rest. We need it. He doesn't expect us to have our noses to the grindstone all the time. He is very balanced. That is why as our Shepherd, He leads us out to pastures & streams & mountains & beaches. To renew us, restore us. So thoughtful of Him.
I've always liked the picture of God surrounding me like some of the mountains I've been surrounded by. They are very rugged & look strong, steady. I need that type of protection in my life.
I think H. struggle (and mine and the rest of humanity) is who is our audience -- who do we want our affirmation from.
ReplyDeletePlanting in tears - - I was thinking too that most things worth working for or towards takes a lot of sacrifice (the ultimate of course is Jesus death) but all our little victories in life usually come after some form of sacrifice -- I think God realized we needed that; that's why man plants by the sweat of his brow - that's why women have children after birth pains.
If something is dropped in your lap without that sacrifice, chances are it will either be ignored, unappreciated, or a feeling of entitlement creeps in -- YIKES; we need to think seriously about God's grace, He gives it to us freely (and how many times is it ignored and unappreciated); but He only gives it after the sacrifice of surrender.
hearts are in tune with you (125:4) think of tuning a guitar -- there is that fine line when things line up, when it makes beautiful music; if it's a fraction off -- it just doesn't feel right/ sound right.
127:2 It is useless for you to work so hard -- reminds me of Ecclesiastes and Prov 23:4!!
yes, that is a great way to look at what Hez did & correlate it to ourselves today. I can definitely relate!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Ecc. I was thinking it was Friday, it's been a very long week already, but productive in so many ways. Solomon says to enjoy the work of your hands & be balanced & relax as well. Work & recreation alike are gifts from God. So I'm thankful at what God has helped me with this week in all areas of my life. Just following the Shepherd instead of telling Him where the trail should be is less stressful. Sleep is sweet & so is waking up.
There truly is time for everything - that Jesus gives us to do anyway. I think of Christ not setting an agenda, but spending the time with His Father in the evenings/mornings going over things & surrendering His will up. Letting His Father lead Him through His day. He was showing us what a good sheep does.
A time to search & a time to quit searching (v6). I like to know, but God sometimes withhold information for my good. Knowing good & evil is what He withheld from Adam & Eve & now we know we would have been much better off NOT knowing. Freedom to choose gets us/me, in trouble quite a bit. Trusting Him completely is where we need to be.
Sometimes, it's better if our eyes or ears are not opened to see or hear everything. There are a lot of times I wish I had not overheard something or seen something someone does.
It's like being in your favorite restaurant's bathroom & all the cooks come in & then don't wash their hands before they leave. Kinda blows your mind.
3:14 What God does is final. There's no way I can whine my way to another option. Reminds me of Moses. But yet, having that boundary & knowing He can't be swayed gives me a deeper respect for Him. I know where I stand with Him.
4:7-12 is another good reminder that we need each other. Things are just easier at times when we have people helping us or praying for us. Like the first part of 3, there are times when it's only a 1 man job & then there are times when teamwork is necessary.
I like the futility of political power in the end of 4. Well said. I have never understood why someone would want to run a country. Blah!
Ha Ha! I wish you could have heard me laugh when I read about the cooks! You are SO practical in your illustrations!
ReplyDeleteBy the way - 4got to comment on the ending of Forever Reigns - - they sang that song the Th b4 at the seminar I was at; that's how they ended it, and it really spoke to me -- it all comes down to Jesus and what He has done:)
A time to be quiet and a time to speak -- I get those 2 mixed up most of the time; when I should be quiet, I speak -- when I should speak up - - I hold back.
He planted eternity in the human heart -- really true; we are all looking for a better land, hoping for something besides what we know here.
I appreciate how he says to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I think sometimes we put people on a guilt trip about enjoying what they've worked hard for -- like, maybe they should send it all to ADRA. I think there is balance in all things. And really -- balance is what vs 1-8 is talking about to me.
Whew 4:4 gets RIGHT to the heart; most people are motivated to sucess because they envy their neighbors - - way to cut to the quick Sol!
Doncha love 9 tho! Here's a healthy relationship (as opposed to the unhealthy one of 4:4 -- two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed! What an about face from the competition of 4:4!!
Getting a jump on Zephaniah:)
ReplyDelete1:7 Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord - - close your mouth -- you have nothing to say, no justification, no excuse - - simply stand in silence.
Twice in Zeph he talks about the fire of His (God's)jealousy. The all-consuming fire. It's pretty awesome that God even cares! I mean -- we wander away SO easily; if I was God -- I'd have given up on me a long time ago. But not only is He pursuing me; He's jealous for me.
So at the beginning of 3 it describes Jerusalem; full of violence and crime; no on can tell it anything; it refuses all correction (does that sound like proud and arrogant people?) Well guess what - vs 11 talks about the end result - - and I can only ask God to remove my pride, remove my arrogance - I'm guilty as charged, but I sure don't want to be removed - - just the bad stuff in me. Kind of cool to think that if I surrender and allow Him to remove the pride and arrogant - then I will become the lowly, humble, and trusting he talks about in vs 12.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE 3:15 "AT LAST! your troubles will be over and you will never again fear disaster!"
And I need to memorize vs 17:
"He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs" Again -- I am not worthy of this kind of love, concern and care -- but thank you Lord.
vs 29 I will gather you together and bring you home again -- to me this speaks of heaven. I know that Zeph is talking about the return from Babylon, but I think it's a double prophecy, so it applies to me. I want to go home.
Really enjoyed your thoughts on Zeph. I had a lot of the same ones. I too believe it has a double application to our heavenly home. Our future & hope - complete restoration with our Savior!
ReplyDeleteReading in Acts this morning deepened what I've been learning this week. Complete trust in God...in every detail, even when it's not comfortable for me. Stepping back & seeing the bigger picture is extremely helpful for me to trust. Satan wants us to get caught up in our own little self portrait so we are self centered instead of God centered.
ReplyDeleteThe Voice translation added a line in the story of Peter in jail. The prayers of the people were not answered until the night before Peter's execution. Wow! How many times does God wait until the last minute for deliverance or before moving? Seems like a lot. The closer the deadline, the more He is glorified by the deliverance OR the composure & trust of His people. This is why it's so crucial for us to rest & not panic. To think bigger than our visual or physical senses. We need to have very alert & sensitive spiritual senses.
Peter is sound asleep...in prison, chained between 2 guards AND it's the night before he is scheduled to be killed. He's so sound asleep, that even a bright light flooding his cell doesn't awaken him. It's just an amazing picture of the change God has worked in his heart. His total, complete surrender of his will and plans for the future. He is content because he KNOWS his Savior, his Shepherd. He is content in the pasture God has placed him in that moment. Such a good lesson for me.
That's what really spoke to me this a.m. BUT I did appreciate the teachableness of the early church when Peter shared what God had shown him about the "unclean" believers & what the HS had done there. They had open hearts. We need this in our church today. To realize that God speaks to others as well as to us & to listen to what has been experienced & talk it over with God. Not to gossip & try to draw support for my side, but to talk with God about it & see what He says. The HS is not only working with and in me. He is working in others as well & I need to be open to that. The Bible helps direct in this area as well. Pretty clear here!
The first part of Acts 11 reminds me once again -- don't judge before you know the whole story. I too am very impressed with the teachableness and flexibility of the new believers. I'm impressed with Peter -- he didn't bother to justify himself, he simply told them what happened and left the outcome up to God -- so important to simply state the facts and not get drawn into emotional drama -- man, that's SO important for me to remember!
ReplyDeleteLove the 3 times/3 men correlation Chris -- never noticed that b4!
Love that Barnabas; everyone LOVED it when he got involved -- he had to be a complete pleasure to be around "he was filled with JOY and he ENCOURAGED!
In the excitement of the story of Peter's release; we(I) often skip past 12:1 that James was killed with the sword. Certainly not all the prayers of the early church were answered they way they had hoped. and certainly it was crystal clear to Peter the reality of how possible his execution was -- but then, that complete trust in the outcome; blows me away. I loose sleep over a whole lot less than my execution!!
Then I find it interesting the response of the pray-ers:" You're out of your mind!" Not exactly a stellar response to God's great victory! Reminds me of the disciples when the women came back to tell them that Jesus had been released from his prison/tomb! Maybe it was the messenger (the women and the child) -- if it had been an angel or a prominant leader of the church -- then they would have believed-- hmmmm, food for thought for me. Remember that with God ALL things are possible -- and that truth can come from the areas we least expect it.
The Tyre and Sidon people were really sucking up to Herod. They didn't believe a word they were saying - but he did. The whole situation of how power corrupts a man is pathetic.