Heb 9:22 Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Forgiveness requires a sacrifice, whether we're talking about God forgiving our sins, or us forgiving someone else - - we have to sacrifice our "rights" and instead, turn to acceptance.
I love the thought that Jesus death was the final answer -- it was the solution; and along with the solution to our past sins, he gave us the hope -- the new heart for the future sins. He gave us every advantage that he could . . . to refuse this advantage has dire consequences 10:26.
BUT to accept this advantage gives us the ability to come BOLDLY BEFORE THE THRONE! We're not just hanging out in the shadows of the servant's quarters -- He invites us to join Him in the very room that He sits and rules in. We can trust Him.
One last caution in 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now . . . keep trusting, keep hope alive
I read in Acts today & was reminded of your thoughts yesterday on how the leaders were so caught up in "right religious form" that they missed out on the miracle that had changed a person's life.
I do like the lack of self in the early church. Everyone was looking out for each other it seemed. Obviously there were those that distracted or took advantage of it like today BUT I think the majority was not. Flipped from today where I feel the majority IS.
Your comments above about Hebrews reminded me of one of the talks we heard yesterday. Where the man could have repeatedly looked for justice, but choose mercy. That is the way God deals with us. Unfortunately, some will not choose to accept His mercy and He can't force conscience so He gives us our choice - life, really death, without Him.
I've sung the song many times but the last words finally hit home this weekend as we sang them again. "NOTHING compares to the promise I have in You". Nothing compares, nothing. I won't attain the promise until heaven but nothing here, nothing I can achieve compares to what Jesus has promised me.
This thought made me go back to Ps 16 today because it's where David is saying the same thing. The talk on it at WOF added more dimension to it since it was written when David was in the wilderness and running for his life, not living in a palace.
v5 says that God is everything to him. "Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing...." And I really love this next part "...You guard all that is mine". Reminds me of Ps 23. "You are my Shepherd, I have all that I need". I don't have to defend and fight for my rights. God guards all that truly is mine. All that really is important. And that means to me, that nothing here on earth is really important. It's only the things with eternal consequences that are really important.
I need to mellow out and relax, let Him fight for me, my rights, etc. This means I have to trust Him and realize that most of the things I fight to hold on to and keep possession of, I'm doing it by myself, and that's why I get so stressed. Again, I need to step back and wait as He opens my eyes to see the bigger picture. If it's really mine (really it's all His), then He will fight for me. I need to stay behind Him and let Him pick the battles instead of going out and looking for them myself.
I opted out of Monday's reading and read the first chapter on fear - - it was again the Hagar story, but the upshot was, as you mentioned in your thoughts Chris --
Lord, open my eyes so I can see your provision -- the bigger picture, the way you are working.
And - - we don't always recognize the way He chooses to provide; learn to trust one lesson at a time. Trusting in Him calms those fears. Really, it's a control issue . . .
Yes, when the fear door is open, control is one of the ways it manifests. Good thoughts.
When I was reading today I wondered why Asa wouldn't remember how God had defeated 1,000,000 troops for him earlier. That's HUGE! But then God reminded me how many times I forget how HUGE He has come up for me and I turn back to a familiar, but wrong way to cope with something.
Asa's pride was crossed when Hanani confronted him. He tried to run from God as Jonah did but removing the offending prophet. But we can't change God's will and natural consequences. When we turn from God, we turn from success. We bring the very thing we are trying to avoid, defeat.
Jehoshaphat made so many good decisions in his reign, but he was human and still made the mistake of allying with "foreign" kings and it always bit him. So naive as well. I wonder if he was a blonde? Seems like it with Ahab. Or maybe Ahab was older and he was bowing to the "wisdom" of the aged. Hard to say. And, less I judge too harshly, I go along with some pretty stupid schemes myself.
It just amazes me when I think of God's patience and that He keeps loving me through all of my thick headedness!
There's some interesting comments on family dynamics. 21:3 "Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items. I wonder if those boys were spoiled? Jehoram's actions sound like it.
I would have liked to have known Jehosheba and Jehoiada - they sound like very bold people - - Godly people. Jehoiada was such a leader, working with Joash -- all the people loved him, even burying him with the kings (which appeared to be the final say of thumbs up or thumbs down on leadership)
Really really sad how Joash turned on his old friend Jehoiada, murdering his son Zachariah - - maybe there was jealousy involved - - jealousy causes people to do very strange things. But -- in the end, that horrific act was the reason that Joash's officials plotted and killed him - - and after the many years of good life, what people remembered was his poor leadership in the last years of his reign; thumbs down - - not buried with the kings.
Ha ha! Just went back and read your post Chris -- guess I'm on the wrong week!! Next week I'll comment on Asa and Jehoshaphat (Jeho) - - it'll be a nice switch to read about a faithful king!!
OK - I'm back from week 42!! As I read 119 today, 2 things jumped out at me.
Passion for the word (I will thank you, I will delight in your decrees, Your laws please me, I will pursue your commands, eagerness for your laws, I honor and love your commands, Oh how I love your instructions, Your laws are wonderful, I long for them, a great treasure)
A 24-hour commitment to the word & God: I rise at midnight, I think about them all day long, I will meditate continually, I rise early before the sun is up, I stay awake through the night thinking about your promise, I will praise you seven times a day)
A few other meaningful items I picked out:
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instruction -- sometimes I DO feel like I have blinders on my eyes or my heart.
The truth that suffering and discipline from God is good for me - - I need to thank Him for the lessons.
The honesty in 81 and 82, that sometimes waiting to see the rescue, the answers are hard.
The determination in 112 - - to remain faithful to God
The simplicity of scripture in 130
175 The reason to live being to praise God! I like that:)
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep - - I'm thinking that the heart has become numb, the passion maybe has dwindled - - and then the invitation to come find me. I think that makes God's heart leap for JOY! If we are unable to come, He will come to us. Reminds me of the Shack story.
I wondered what you were posting about! The more I read, I realized it was a different week. Oh well, we didn't comment on the same things then! :D
I did not make it thru all of 119. It's too deep to read it in one day. Then again, one class I had in college gave us the whole book of Psalms to read in ONE night! It didn't happen either.
What I did read though was encouraging. David does seem to go back and forth (like we all do) in trusting God & then wondering - where are you God? Will You ever fight for me? But he rallies around again to trust. Really, what else do I have but God?
v90 "Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth You created."
v94 "I am yours; rescue me!" I like this! The 2nd part seems to echo our thoughts sometimes as to WHY He should rescue us. As if we need to convince Him how good & deserving we are. Just like little kids...I've been good, really,...can I have....?
Read the intro & a few stories in John, using The Voice translation. I love watching how Jesus interacted with people. It was so needed for God to come in the flesh & straighten out our view of God. To realize how much He loves us. I'm so grateful for that sacrifice, even though I still don't know how much it really cost. No wonder we collapse at His feet & worship Him!
I just finished reading Micah from the Message; I think God must have smiled down on Micah for his strong finish to God's warning message to Israel and Judah.
Sounds like I and J were trapped in the same sin-traps we see today; the "names" of the gods may have changed from chariots to expensive cars -- or a different look to the world-wealth gods -- but the evil and the persuit of fame and wealth is all the same. Sooooo -- I'm thinking the simple message of Micah 6:8 is the same for us:
be just and fair, love and be compassionate to your neighbor, put God first in your life (my paraphrase)
BUT - what a strong finish in the last chapter of Micah -- he is ALL IN for God; taking responsibility for his sin and being totally open to whatever God needs to do in his life and the life of his nation to turn them around.
I kept thinking about what you said Chris about David praising God from his cave -- he didn't need comfort or wealth to feel comfortable and wealthy -- that's the heart I want God to develop in me. So different from the world-view we read about in the first part of Micah.
Also, I was struck with God's use of shepherd's in the Bible -- several times it referred the Shepherd that would be coming -- if I'm not mistaken, shepherd's didn't have the top position/job back in those days -- yet look how God honored them time and time again -- even the main king of the Bible, starting out as a gentle shepherd; maybe today we might think of God using a nanny or a cowboy as the leader of his nation.
Nice! I read a number of things today but I went back to try & finish up Ps 119 & got sidetracked by vs 73.
"You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands."
Kinda fits in to Micah 6:8. Just let me use the brains You gave me to follow You & not the junk I get caught up in here. Help me be all in for You Lord because nothing I can get here compares to the promise I have in You!
Why do we think we can hide anything from God?? Ann and Sap; it seems obvious to me that Peter asked Ann the same question he asked Sap -- is this what you sold the land for (based on vs 3 & 4) It's amazing how sins build one on top of the other; lying built on greed - - my life Lord is an open book to You -- You know the sins that build on sins in my life, help me, cleanse me - - only You have the power to do that.
I love the drama of the jail seen -- and the Message has such a real way of putting it "the Chief priest and his cronies!" and the jail was locked "tighter than a drum"
God gave the leaders so many evidences of his power -- the miraculous jail break, the bold answers of Peter, the counsel of Gamaliel, the face of Stephen.
Yet -- even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them vs 12-16. I find myself in that lot -- skeptical, wary -- is it one of Satan's tricks. God loves us so much tho, that He won't leave us without enough evidence of His presence. His voice, His word, His miracles -- Lord, keep me open, keep me listening.
It is amazing that we think we can hide anything from God. Such clear cut answers to wrong motives in the early church. Today, God's patience makes people think He's not involved anymore & we can do what we want. Time will truly tell what's been going on inside our hearts where only God can see.
I am grateful that God used someone who had openly betrayed Him to be such a powerful vessel for Him. Should have shown the priests that even they could be used if they would publicly repent like Peter did. Grace hardens as well as softens as we've seen over and over again in the Bible. Great warning for me as well. Be willing to say I'm sorry, even if it is humiliating. God can redeem anything!
Heb 9:22 Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. Forgiveness requires a sacrifice, whether we're talking about God forgiving our sins, or us forgiving someone else - - we have to sacrifice our "rights" and instead, turn to acceptance.
ReplyDeleteI love the thought that Jesus death was the final answer -- it was the solution; and along with the solution to our past sins, he gave us the hope -- the new heart for the future sins. He gave us every advantage that he could . . . to refuse this advantage has dire consequences 10:26.
BUT to accept this advantage gives us the ability to come BOLDLY BEFORE THE THRONE! We're not just hanging out in the shadows of the servant's quarters -- He invites us to join Him in the very room that He sits and rules in. We can trust Him.
One last caution in 10:36 Patient endurance is what you need now . . . keep trusting, keep hope alive
I read in Acts today & was reminded of your thoughts yesterday on how the leaders were so caught up in "right religious form" that they missed out on the miracle that had changed a person's life.
ReplyDeleteI do like the lack of self in the early church. Everyone was looking out for each other it seemed. Obviously there were those that distracted or took advantage of it like today BUT I think the majority was not. Flipped from today where I feel the majority IS.
Your comments above about Hebrews reminded me of one of the talks we heard yesterday. Where the man could have repeatedly looked for justice, but choose mercy. That is the way God deals with us. Unfortunately, some will not choose to accept His mercy and He can't force conscience so He gives us our choice - life, really death, without Him.
I've sung the song many times but the last words finally hit home this weekend as we sang them again. "NOTHING compares to the promise I have in You". Nothing compares, nothing. I won't attain the promise until heaven but nothing here, nothing I can achieve compares to what Jesus has promised me.
ReplyDeleteThis thought made me go back to Ps 16 today because it's where David is saying the same thing. The talk on it at WOF added more dimension to it since it was written when David was in the wilderness and running for his life, not living in a palace.
v5 says that God is everything to him. "Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing...." And I really love this next part "...You guard all that is mine". Reminds me of Ps 23. "You are my Shepherd, I have all that I need". I don't have to defend and fight for my rights. God guards all that truly is mine. All that really is important. And that means to me, that nothing here on earth is really important. It's only the things with eternal consequences that are really important.
I need to mellow out and relax, let Him fight for me, my rights, etc. This means I have to trust Him and realize that most of the things I fight to hold on to and keep possession of, I'm doing it by myself, and that's why I get so stressed. Again, I need to step back and wait as He opens my eyes to see the bigger picture. If it's really mine (really it's all His), then He will fight for me. I need to stay behind Him and let Him pick the battles instead of going out and looking for them myself.
I opted out of Monday's reading and read the first chapter on fear - - it was again the Hagar story, but the upshot was, as you mentioned in your thoughts Chris --
ReplyDeleteLord, open my eyes so I can see your provision -- the bigger picture, the way you are working.
And - - we don't always recognize the way He chooses to provide; learn to trust one lesson at a time. Trusting in Him calms those fears. Really, it's a control issue . . .
Yes, when the fear door is open, control is one of the ways it manifests. Good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading today I wondered why Asa wouldn't remember how God had defeated 1,000,000 troops for him earlier. That's HUGE! But then God reminded me how many times I forget how HUGE He has come up for me and I turn back to a familiar, but wrong way to cope with something.
Asa's pride was crossed when Hanani confronted him. He tried to run from God as Jonah did but removing the offending prophet. But we can't change God's will and natural consequences. When we turn from God, we turn from success. We bring the very thing we are trying to avoid, defeat.
Jehoshaphat made so many good decisions in his reign, but he was human and still made the mistake of allying with "foreign" kings and it always bit him. So naive as well. I wonder if he was a blonde? Seems like it with Ahab. Or maybe Ahab was older and he was bowing to the "wisdom" of the aged. Hard to say. And, less I judge too harshly, I go along with some pretty stupid schemes myself.
It just amazes me when I think of God's patience and that He keeps loving me through all of my thick headedness!
Pretty exciting times in Judah --
ReplyDeleteThere's some interesting comments on family dynamics. 21:3 "Their father had given each of them valuable gifts of silver, gold, and costly items. I wonder if those boys were spoiled? Jehoram's actions sound like it.
I would have liked to have known Jehosheba and Jehoiada - they sound like very bold people - - Godly people. Jehoiada was such a leader, working with Joash -- all the people loved him, even burying him with the kings (which appeared to be the final say of thumbs up or thumbs down on leadership)
Really really sad how Joash turned on his old friend Jehoiada, murdering his son Zachariah - - maybe there was jealousy involved - - jealousy causes people to do very strange things. But -- in the end, that horrific act was the reason that Joash's officials plotted and killed him - - and after the many years of good life, what people remembered was his poor leadership in the last years of his reign; thumbs down - - not buried with the kings.
Ha ha! Just went back and read your post Chris -- guess I'm on the wrong week!! Next week I'll comment on Asa and Jehoshaphat (Jeho) - - it'll be a nice switch to read about a faithful king!!
OK - I'm back from week 42!! As I read 119 today, 2 things jumped out at me.
ReplyDeletePassion for the word (I will thank you, I will delight in your decrees, Your laws please me, I will pursue your commands, eagerness for your laws, I honor and love your commands, Oh how I love your instructions, Your laws are wonderful, I long for them, a great treasure)
A 24-hour commitment to the word & God: I rise at midnight, I think about them all day long, I will meditate continually, I rise early before the sun is up, I stay awake through the night thinking about your promise, I will praise you seven times a day)
A few other meaningful items I picked out:
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instruction -- sometimes I DO feel like I have blinders on my eyes or my heart.
The truth that suffering and discipline from God is good for me - - I need to thank Him for the lessons.
The honesty in 81 and 82, that sometimes waiting to see the rescue, the answers are hard.
The determination in 112 - - to remain faithful to God
The simplicity of scripture in 130
175 The reason to live being to praise God! I like that:)
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep - - I'm thinking that the heart has become numb, the passion maybe has dwindled - - and then the invitation to come find me. I think that makes God's heart leap for JOY! If we are unable to come, He will come to us. Reminds me of the Shack story.
I wondered what you were posting about! The more I read, I realized it was a different week. Oh well, we didn't comment on the same things then! :D
ReplyDeleteI did not make it thru all of 119. It's too deep to read it in one day. Then again, one class I had in college gave us the whole book of Psalms to read in ONE night! It didn't happen either.
What I did read though was encouraging. David does seem to go back and forth (like we all do) in trusting God & then wondering - where are you God? Will You ever fight for me? But he rallies around again to trust. Really, what else do I have but God?
v90 "Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth You created."
v94 "I am yours; rescue me!" I like this! The 2nd part seems to echo our thoughts sometimes as to WHY He should rescue us. As if we need to convince Him how good & deserving we are. Just like little kids...I've been good, really,...can I have....?
Very meditative chapter.
Read the intro & a few stories in John, using The Voice translation. I love watching how Jesus interacted with people. It was so needed for God to come in the flesh & straighten out our view of God. To realize how much He loves us. I'm so grateful for that sacrifice, even though I still don't know how much it really cost. No wonder we collapse at His feet & worship Him!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Micah from the Message; I think God must have smiled down on Micah for his strong finish to God's warning message to Israel and Judah.
ReplyDeleteSounds like I and J were trapped in the same sin-traps we see today; the "names" of the gods may have changed from chariots to expensive cars -- or a different look to the world-wealth gods -- but the evil and the persuit of fame and wealth is all the same. Sooooo -- I'm thinking the simple message of Micah 6:8 is the same for us:
be just and fair, love and be compassionate to your neighbor, put God first in your life (my paraphrase)
BUT - what a strong finish in the last chapter of Micah -- he is ALL IN for God; taking responsibility for his sin and being totally open to whatever God needs to do in his life and the life of his nation to turn them around.
I kept thinking about what you said Chris about David praising God from his cave -- he didn't need comfort or wealth to feel comfortable and wealthy -- that's the heart I want God to develop in me. So different from the world-view we read about in the first part of Micah.
Also, I was struck with God's use of shepherd's in the Bible -- several times it referred the Shepherd that would be coming -- if I'm not mistaken, shepherd's didn't have the top position/job back in those days -- yet look how God honored them time and time again -- even the main king of the Bible, starting out as a gentle shepherd; maybe today we might think of God using a nanny or a cowboy as the leader of his nation.
Nice! I read a number of things today but I went back to try & finish up Ps 119 & got sidetracked by vs 73.
ReplyDelete"You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands."
Kinda fits in to Micah 6:8. Just let me use the brains You gave me to follow You & not the junk I get caught up in here. Help me be all in for You Lord because nothing I can get here compares to the promise I have in You!
Why do we think we can hide anything from God?? Ann and Sap; it seems obvious to me that Peter asked Ann the same question he asked Sap -- is this what you sold the land for (based on vs 3 & 4) It's amazing how sins build one on top of the other; lying built on greed - - my life Lord is an open book to You -- You know the sins that build on sins in my life, help me, cleanse me - - only You have the power to do that.
ReplyDeleteI love the drama of the jail seen -- and the Message has such a real way of putting it "the Chief priest and his cronies!" and the jail was locked "tighter than a drum"
God gave the leaders so many evidences of his power -- the miraculous jail break, the bold answers of Peter, the counsel of Gamaliel, the face of Stephen.
Yet -- even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them vs 12-16. I find myself in that lot -- skeptical, wary -- is it one of Satan's tricks. God loves us so much tho, that He won't leave us without enough evidence of His presence. His voice, His word, His miracles -- Lord, keep me open, keep me listening.
It is amazing that we think we can hide anything from God. Such clear cut answers to wrong motives in the early church. Today, God's patience makes people think He's not involved anymore & we can do what we want. Time will truly tell what's been going on inside our hearts where only God can see.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that God used someone who had openly betrayed Him to be such a powerful vessel for Him. Should have shown the priests that even they could be used if they would publicly repent like Peter did. Grace hardens as well as softens as we've seen over and over again in the Bible. Great warning for me as well. Be willing to say I'm sorry, even if it is humiliating. God can redeem anything!