2 Peter begins and end with the encouragement to grow in grace and knowledge - - it's a journey we're on; constantly growing and learning about His grace as we make mistakes; we learn about His mercy and His abilities to guide, protect, save and love.
1:5 talks about our work in this business of life; it's to RESPOND to God's promises. How easy is that!
There seems to be quite an intensity about Paul in verse 14/15. He knows his time is short; but does he say -- I've put in my time, someone else can pick up the task now. Nope -- not Paul. He's still working hard to make sure everyone understands what's at stake.
Interesting how twice in chapter 2 money gets tangled up in the equasion (vs 3 and vs 15.
vs 19 "They promise freedom but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption". Doesn't that sound like the situation Satan is in? What are we thinking taking advice and thoughts from someone that is tangled up as a slave.
3:9 might be a reference to the 4th commandment.
and I Love how he calms us down in chapter 3 -- I think we all at times become frantic about when all this evil will stop; reminding us that the reason God delays is because He cares about the big picture of people -- wanting everyone to have a chance to make a choice.
It's always harder to be patient when it's someone else's turn, but I find it amazingly easy to be patient when it's my turn -- hmmmmm, selfishness rises its ugly head again:( Save me Lord and help me to be others focused -- please!
and on to Duet -- not too much this am, but I DO like how God commanded his people to CELEBRATE! God wants us to get a break, to be happy, to enjoy life with the people around us -- and he includes in that our family, our employees, our neighbors, people visiting, the orphans and widows:) This day and age, we are so much more closed -- celebrations happen mostly with just your family or just your friends -- not too much community action going on -- especially to celebrate the good things God has done. Thanksgiving is as close as it gets -- and anymore, the emphasis is not usually turned heavenward. It would have been awesome to have been a part of that kind of celebration.
Interesting that 17:14 is a "shot over the bow" about how the people "might" get the idea to have a king as a leader.
In first kings it says that Solomon had 40,000 stalls for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen (4:26) apparently he didn't read Deut 17:16!!
and finally -- thinking about Jesus trial and the counsel of Deut 19:18 "If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite, you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person." That's what we'd all like to see -- nail Caiphus and Annas and all the rest -- like happened to Haman. But then I hear Jesus voice of submission "Father, forgive them, for they don't realize what they are doing"
Lord -- give me a spirit and a heart of forgiveness and grace.
Started reading Peter but didn't finish. For some reason, I thought Deut. was already done. You're faithfully plugging through the Mosaic Law. I like the point you brought out in your last paragraph. I definitely need a different heart.
Finished Ezra today. It reminded me of Haman & Mordecai. Haman wanted to be honored but ended up honoring the one he was wanting to harass. Same with the governors who had written the letter to Darius. Pretty neat to let God defend you. Even paying for stuff out of the royal income! Definitely God working.
Those guys who had multiple wives must not have had a hard time getting rid of one. But it just makes me wonder if love ever played into any marriages in the Bible. Everything seems so arranged. More business transactions than matters of the heart. Women just were property. Yuck.
The people noticed that Ezra's heart was sincere in following God & it spoke to them. They even stood in the rain to listen to him speak. The sincerity of leadership really makes a difference. I think our leaders today can have good intentions, but from what I've learned, there is so much selfishness in Congress or State legislatures that people who go with ideas to make a difference end up squished & discouraged. I'd like to get rid of the whole lot & start over. That's my soap box for today. Will have to read something else for more spiritual food.
What totally impressed me about the story in Ezra is how the glory was consistently turned back to God. When Ezra was honored by the king with gold, silver, responsibility, orders to teach -- he could have become puffed up; but no -- he made sure all new that it was God.
It is cool to see how Ezra refused human help for protection for themselves and all their valuables and took the time to fast and pray to surround themselves by God's protection (and E made sure the king knew that God would protect them above all human help too -- it's obvious that E was a huge witness to that pagan king, because the king had one motive in all this "help" he was providing for the Israelites -- that (5:10) "they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the welfare of the king and his sons"
It's the only time in the Bible I remember hearing about people sitting out in the rain and trembling; welcome to Kelso!
I feel very sad for the wives and the children of these men; as you say Chris -- a very different culture where sending a woman away (as in Abraham's case) was acceptable to protect the purity of the religion. I just don't get it; maybe this is a case of if your hand offends you, cut it off -- in other words, not to let anything come between you and God. On the other hand -- looking at how much say women had back then, did they really have influence in the spirituality of the family? Well apparently so if you look at the influence Solomon's wives had on his life and the life of the country.
(sound's like I'm carrying on a dialogue with myself, doesn't it? I guess it's a case of thinking through each step of our lives and asking God's direction BEFORE we step.
The last 20 chapters of Psalms seem to be focused on God; praising and thanking Him. I wonder if David was in his final years and was going over his life, remembering where God had delivered him and how He had led.
I read in JC a couple days ago, that we can't praise God too much. He inhabits the praise of His people KJV says. I think it shows Him and others gratitude. That definitely warms the heart of a giver.
I read in JC today as well and it was talking about the power of hope. In our weakness, instead of giving into self-pity or despair, God is our Hope. We always have an ally, Someone on our side. Best ally to have too. The more we hope in Him, the more He bears our burdens. How encouraging is that?!
I really like this passage listed. Romans 15:13 "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read Ecc. seems like there is a lot of snipets there that people take and don't read the rest of the Bible to see if that lines up. I didn't remember that here is where "a little birdie told me" came from.
Started to read Zach for tomorrow. I was greatly encouraged after the battle this morning of how God rescues and will rescue His people. He will fight for us, we just have to ask Him too.
So many times I just accept the "feelings" I have instead of asking God to lift me out & restore me to His side. I let those become what I feel or think inside and that's what satan wants because it will separate me from my Shepherd. It will cause me to wander, to be discontent, to be self sufficient. Like Bebo Norman so eloquently sang, "I am nothing without You". I need Your yoke around my neck to keep me by Your side, walking with you step by step. To know when to turn right or left. Please keep me by Your side Lord.
I will hopefully continue with the rest of Z tomorrow morning. I only made it through 2 1/2 chapters.
Was thinking Chris -- if we choose to slip out of the yoke, we end up under the wheels. Really enjoyed the yoke illustration and how we then know whether to go right or left -- I want to stay in that yoke; crazy how often I slip.
I'm just going to comment on one verse "When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls."
So I'm thinking the clouds and the rain is the troubles and temptations that we face -- the WILL come, we NEED them to come so we can grow. But sometimes, they are over-powering, so we fall. Will we fall forward or backward? Will we use the failure to understand new paths, or will be stay mired in the mud. Not sure if that's where Sol was going with this, but I want to learn from my failures; for new growth to spring from my failings.
GIVE THANKS! So glad I got to ready that this morning as well:) GIVE THANKS as we end another year -- 2012, as we stay yoked through the end of this year, and walk into the new year, staying tuned into our Yokemate, feeling - listening - watching whether we should turn left or right or just pull straight.
Where will we lay? Do I really want to stay where I fall? No way. I'm thankful God is more than able to re graft us into a living tree--Him! Great thoughts on that verse!
8:6 This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now . . . but is it impossible for me?" No Lord -- you are able to do anything you plan out.
vs 9 "Be strong and finish the task" It's an awesome thing to be encouraged by God. So grateful that He cares! Finishing a task is when the victory really comes
Vs 19 He turns our mourning into joy -- but sometimes there is a journey in between those 2 emotions.
9:12 I promise that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles (reminds me of Job)
9:14 -15 love the imagery of God fighting for us if we simply relax in His care.
and ya gotta love verse 16 "They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown" Hmm -- I wonder what sparkling means! I think it's an inner beauty of people that have integrity, kindness -- Micah 6:8 people.
The vision in verse 11 seems to be an illustration of Jesus and his rejection. I especially notices verse 7 "I cared for the flock intended for slaughter" verse 13 "this magnificent sum at which they valued me! thirty coins"
I am amazed that they figured out 13:7 applied the the disciples scattering at Jesus trial/death -- how did they tie the two; yet it does seem to apply -- the early church was refined with persecution (verse 9) I wonder if the 2/3s and 1/3 applied to how many were left in Jerusalem and how many escaped when Babylon captured it.
I love the beautiful imagery of Jesus coming again in chpt 14 -- I don't know what it means that the Mount of Olives will split apart -- I know many people thing that will really happen, I tend to think that the earth will become more and more ruined through natural disasters, man's destructive habits and war. Our only hope is "THEN the Lord my God will come and all His holy ones with Him!!! Even so Lord - Come!
Didn't make it to Zach yesterday but read Acts today. So nice to see people hungry for the Word of God after spending time with friends who sadly aren't. The thought came to me today though, do they really know? They go to church occasionally but they don't realize the relationship that is available. Some of us that go to church regularly don't even realize it. Paul relied on the HS to guide & direct Him as to what to do & say. I can do no less. Paul had openings for him to share. A lot harder these days when people don't feel their need even though you see they have one.
I want to be a Berean -- searching day after day to see what God says. It occurs to me that in our day and age, we are killed with business that keeps us from searching. I look at the Bereans passion and then later in Athens they spent all their time discussing the latest ideas -- how did they find time for that?
When Paul said from now on I will preach to the Gentiles -- he went to the home right after of Titius Justus a Gentile; so he was serious! But then you'll notice later, he couldn't squash his passion for all men -- in Ephesus he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews! Gotta love Paul! Pretty neat, too -- that those Jews were interested!
I love the teachableness of Apollos. Willing to be counseled by a man AND a woman! Seems interesting in that culture. Although -- you see women mentioned quite a lot in the early church -- I wonder if the Greeks; the Gentiles were more open to women's opinions! Anyway -- when we're teachable is when we can grow and be used -- Apollos was and he did.
2 Peter begins and end with the encouragement to grow in grace and knowledge - - it's a journey we're on; constantly growing and learning about His grace as we make mistakes; we learn about His mercy and His abilities to guide, protect, save and love.
ReplyDelete1:5 talks about our work in this business of life; it's to RESPOND to God's promises. How easy is that!
There seems to be quite an intensity about Paul in verse 14/15. He knows his time is short; but does he say -- I've put in my time, someone else can pick up the task now. Nope -- not Paul. He's still working hard to make sure everyone understands what's at stake.
Interesting how twice in chapter 2 money gets tangled up in the equasion (vs 3 and vs 15.
vs 19 "They promise freedom but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption". Doesn't that sound like the situation Satan is in? What are we thinking taking advice and thoughts from someone that is tangled up as a slave.
3:9 might be a reference to the 4th commandment.
and I Love how he calms us down in chapter 3 -- I think we all at times become frantic about when all this evil will stop; reminding us that the reason God delays is because He cares about the big picture of people -- wanting everyone to have a chance to make a choice.
It's always harder to be patient when it's someone else's turn, but I find it amazingly easy to be patient when it's my turn -- hmmmmm, selfishness rises its ugly head again:( Save me Lord and help me to be others focused -- please!
and on to Duet -- not too much this am, but I DO like how God commanded his people to CELEBRATE! God wants us to get a break, to be happy, to enjoy life with the people around us -- and he includes in that our family, our employees, our neighbors, people visiting, the orphans and widows:) This day and age, we are so much more closed -- celebrations happen mostly with just your family or just your friends -- not too much community action going on -- especially to celebrate the good things God has done. Thanksgiving is as close as it gets -- and anymore, the emphasis is not usually turned heavenward. It would have been awesome to have been a part of that kind of celebration.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that 17:14 is a "shot over the bow" about how the people "might" get the idea to have a king as a leader.
In first kings it says that Solomon had 40,000 stalls for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen (4:26) apparently he didn't read Deut 17:16!!
and finally -- thinking about Jesus trial and the counsel of Deut 19:18 "If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite, you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person." That's what we'd all like to see -- nail Caiphus and Annas and all the rest -- like happened to Haman. But then I hear Jesus voice of submission "Father, forgive them, for they don't realize what they are doing"
Lord -- give me a spirit and a heart of forgiveness and grace.
Started reading Peter but didn't finish. For some reason, I thought Deut. was already done. You're faithfully plugging through the Mosaic Law. I like the point you brought out in your last paragraph. I definitely need a different heart.
ReplyDeleteFinished Ezra today. It reminded me of Haman & Mordecai. Haman wanted to be honored but ended up honoring the one he was wanting to harass. Same with the governors who had written the letter to Darius. Pretty neat to let God defend you. Even paying for stuff out of the royal income! Definitely God working.
Those guys who had multiple wives must not have had a hard time getting rid of one. But it just makes me wonder if love ever played into any marriages in the Bible. Everything seems so arranged. More business transactions than matters of the heart. Women just were property. Yuck.
The people noticed that Ezra's heart was sincere in following God & it spoke to them. They even stood in the rain to listen to him speak. The sincerity of leadership really makes a difference. I think our leaders today can have good intentions, but from what I've learned, there is so much selfishness in Congress or State legislatures that people who go with ideas to make a difference end up squished & discouraged. I'd like to get rid of the whole lot & start over.
That's my soap box for today. Will have to read something else for more spiritual food.
What totally impressed me about the story in Ezra is how the glory was consistently turned back to God. When Ezra was honored by the king with gold, silver, responsibility, orders to teach -- he could have become puffed up; but no -- he made sure all new that it was God.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool to see how Ezra refused human help for protection for themselves and all their valuables and took the time to fast and pray to surround themselves by God's protection (and E made sure the king knew that God would protect them above all human help too -- it's obvious that E was a huge witness to that pagan king, because the king had one motive in all this "help" he was providing for the Israelites -- that (5:10) "they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the welfare of the king and his sons"
It's the only time in the Bible I remember hearing about people sitting out in the rain and trembling; welcome to Kelso!
I feel very sad for the wives and the children of these men; as you say Chris -- a very different culture where sending a woman away (as in Abraham's case) was acceptable to protect the purity of the religion. I just don't get it; maybe this is a case of if your hand offends you, cut it off -- in other words, not to let anything come between you and God. On the other hand -- looking at how much say women had back then, did they really have influence in the spirituality of the family? Well apparently so if you look at the influence Solomon's wives had on his life and the life of the country.
(sound's like I'm carrying on a dialogue with myself, doesn't it? I guess it's a case of thinking through each step of our lives and asking God's direction BEFORE we step.
The last 20 chapters of Psalms seem to be focused on God; praising and thanking Him. I wonder if David was in his final years and was going over his life, remembering where God had delivered him and how He had led.
ReplyDeleteI read in JC a couple days ago, that we can't praise God too much. He inhabits the praise of His people KJV says. I think it shows Him and others gratitude. That definitely warms the heart of a giver.
I read in JC today as well and it was talking about the power of hope. In our weakness, instead of giving into self-pity or despair, God is our Hope. We always have an ally, Someone on our side. Best ally to have too. The more we hope in Him, the more He bears our burdens. How encouraging is that?!
I really like this passage listed. Romans 15:13 "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."
Read Ecc. seems like there is a lot of snipets there that people take and don't read the rest of the Bible to see if that lines up. I didn't remember that here is where "a little birdie told me" came from.
ReplyDeleteStarted to read Zach for tomorrow. I was greatly encouraged after the battle this morning of how God rescues and will rescue His people. He will fight for us, we just have to ask Him too.
So many times I just accept the "feelings" I have instead of asking God to lift me out & restore me to His side. I let those become what I feel or think inside and that's what satan wants because it will separate me from my Shepherd. It will cause me to wander, to be discontent, to be self sufficient. Like Bebo Norman so eloquently sang, "I am nothing without You". I need Your yoke around my neck to keep me by Your side, walking with you step by step. To know when to turn right or left. Please keep me by Your side Lord.
I will hopefully continue with the rest of Z tomorrow morning. I only made it through 2 1/2 chapters.
Was thinking Chris -- if we choose to slip out of the yoke, we end up under the wheels. Really enjoyed the yoke illustration and how we then know whether to go right or left -- I want to stay in that yoke; crazy how often I slip.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to comment on one verse "When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls."
So I'm thinking the clouds and the rain is the troubles and temptations that we face -- the WILL come, we NEED them to come so we can grow. But sometimes, they are over-powering, so we fall. Will we fall forward or backward? Will we use the failure to understand new paths, or will be stay mired in the mud. Not sure if that's where Sol was going with this, but I want to learn from my failures; for new growth to spring from my failings.
GIVE THANKS! So glad I got to ready that this morning as well:) GIVE THANKS as we end another year -- 2012, as we stay yoked through the end of this year, and walk into the new year, staying tuned into our Yokemate, feeling - listening - watching whether we should turn left or right or just pull straight.
Where will we lay? Do I really want to stay where I fall? No way. I'm thankful God is more than able to re graft us into a living tree--Him! Great thoughts on that verse!
ReplyDeleteZechariah was a challenge this am!
ReplyDelete8:6 This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: All this may seem impossible to you now . . . but is it impossible for me?" No Lord -- you are able to do anything you plan out.
vs 9 "Be strong and finish the task" It's an awesome thing to be encouraged by God. So grateful that He cares! Finishing a task is when the victory really comes
Vs 19 He turns our mourning into joy -- but sometimes there is a journey in between those 2 emotions.
9:12 I promise that I will repay two blessings for each of your troubles (reminds me of Job)
9:14 -15 love the imagery of God fighting for us if we simply relax in His care.
and ya gotta love verse 16 "They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown" Hmm -- I wonder what sparkling means! I think it's an inner beauty of people that have integrity, kindness -- Micah 6:8 people.
The vision in verse 11 seems to be an illustration of Jesus and his rejection. I especially notices verse 7 "I cared for the flock intended for slaughter" verse 13 "this magnificent sum at which they valued me! thirty coins"
I am amazed that they figured out 13:7 applied the the disciples scattering at Jesus trial/death -- how did they tie the two; yet it does seem to apply -- the early church was refined with persecution (verse 9) I wonder if the 2/3s and 1/3 applied to how many were left in Jerusalem and how many escaped when Babylon captured it.
I love the beautiful imagery of Jesus coming again in chpt 14 -- I don't know what it means that the Mount of Olives will split apart -- I know many people thing that will really happen, I tend to think that the earth will become more and more ruined through natural disasters, man's destructive habits and war. Our only hope is "THEN the Lord my God will come and all His holy ones with Him!!! Even so Lord - Come!
Didn't make it to Zach yesterday but read Acts today. So nice to see people hungry for the Word of God after spending time with friends who sadly aren't. The thought came to me today though, do they really know?
ReplyDeleteThey go to church occasionally but they don't realize the relationship that is available. Some of us that go to church regularly don't even realize it.
Paul relied on the HS to guide & direct Him as to what to do & say. I can do no less. Paul had openings for him to share. A lot harder these days when people don't feel their need even though you see they have one.
I want to be a Berean -- searching day after day to see what God says. It occurs to me that in our day and age, we are killed with business that keeps us from searching. I look at the Bereans passion and then later in Athens they spent all their time discussing the latest ideas -- how did they find time for that?
ReplyDeleteWhen Paul said from now on I will preach to the Gentiles -- he went to the home right after of Titius Justus a Gentile; so he was serious! But then you'll notice later, he couldn't squash his passion for all men -- in Ephesus he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews! Gotta love Paul! Pretty neat, too -- that those Jews were interested!
I love the teachableness of Apollos. Willing to be counseled by a man AND a woman! Seems interesting in that culture. Although -- you see women mentioned quite a lot in the early church -- I wonder if the Greeks; the Gentiles were more open to women's opinions! Anyway -- when we're teachable is when we can grow and be used -- Apollos was and he did.