Our purpose? is to carry the weaknesses of those who are not strong - - what does that look like to you? we all have weaknesses - - we all need compassion, "Everyone needs compassion"
accept one another in the same way the Anointed has accepted you - - so many times I fail on this, I substitute acceptance for being judgmental - - I think God wants to free me from that narrow life.
Paul has a dream! 15:20 -- the ultimate church planter!
So it's not only individuals helping individuals; it's churches helping churches! Hmmmm -- I like this!
16:3 -- what happened to Priscilla? I always thought it was kindof cool that the husband/wife team had matching names!
vs 12 -- must have been twins
vs 13 -- maybe the same Rufus of Simon of Cyrene; if so -- I wonder if his dad died or had been killed.
I appreciate the fact that it's ok to remain on guard (vs 17) of people causing conflicts as opposed to love and accept everyone. It depends on their heart - their motive.
vs 19-20 SEEK the good life (I see this as the life free from judging and striving for more - all that stuff) If you do this, the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet soon! Love the wording -- is it an oxymoron? (Peace vs crush) I don't think so -- in order to have peace, God must do away with evil -- hallelujah!!
Ahhh -- the ancient mystery (vs 25) What do you think the mystery was? I think it was that the ultimate, amazing God of all the universe would become a human -- be killed by humans -- in order to have a relationship with humans -- what a mystery . . . Thank you Lord -- I don't think I'll every completely understand the depths of that grace, sacrifice and love.
I always feel for Leah, knowing she isn't loved, but not having a say in who she marries or when. She tries to make the best of the situation but you can tell she has to earn Jacob's attention. The way she names her sons is just heart wrenching. I despise unfairness. She would have been much happier as the older, but still single daughter instead of all the turmoil she had in her home. And yet, I wonder if that's really true. What was it like to live with such a manipulative father? Did she ever feel accepted by him? Doesn't seem like it. And we can already see the shift in how people are viewing God. As if He can be manipulated as well. Then again, it's hard to read between the lines to know how they were really saying these things. The naming of the sons seems to indicate erroneous thinking, similar to what Job's friends thought. If they were contemporaries then it'd make sense. I keep seeing generational sins repeating themselves here. Makes me look at the ones in my family and I want to break their power in my life, I need a lot of help to do it. I'm glad God didn't stop working with and through the patriarchs. I'm glad He hasn't stopped working with me in spite of all my faults either.
The whole lot of them were deceivers at every turn - - and probably not so different from my life today - - it's like we talked about yesterday Chris, the masks need to come off and we need to be honest with ourselves and others.
Anyhow -- integrity doesn't shine forth in this reading - - although Jacob does appear to be a hard worker -- so there's something.
And boy howdy do they ever use herbal medicine in these stories!
There are many Bible stories, like Samson's today, that I read and think, I just don't understand how God works. I need to keep reminding myself of that so I don't fall into the constant sin of criticizing and judging people. I am not God and have no clue of the bigger picture most of the time.
boy howdy I agree with that Chris -- coming on the heals of Jacob and all the deceit surrounding that story; now we have a judge that led Israel who didn't seem to care that his mistress a lousy companion and wanted nothing more than to take him down . . .
Along with the reminder, as you say - that God can use anyone for His purposes, I'm reminded that Jesus didn't put His trust in any man - - wise advice.
Also -- I'm feeling sad for Manoah and his wife -- such high hopes they had for that precious little prayed for baby gift from God; what disappointment and horror they must have felt when he showed his independence and veered from their hopes - - they, no doubt, felt they had let God down; had failed at their parental job - - yet, it was part of God's plan . . .
Good words in your last paragraph that many a parent can relate to I'm sure!
Not a lot of time today but received a lot of comfort from what I read.
21:7 For the king puts his trust in the Eternal,so he will not be shaken because of the persistent love of the Most High God.
Another reason for me to grow in my trust of God, so I won't be shaken as easily as I am today. And I really like the persistent love of God chasing me here & in Ps 23.
Got a scary pic in from reading 22 but will try to share that tonight, too long for now.
23 - always a good one!
v3 He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
To be whole! Can't wait until the completion when He comes, but I love that He's working even today. The worn hard paths I see as bad habits, or thinking that just wear me down constantly. But going cross-country, I find beautiful vistas & mountains I hadn't seen before & my spirits are lifted at new revelations of my God.
Blah, Eliphaz blowing smoke again. I'm glad Job tells them they are terrible friends and comforters.
Ok, the scary pic I got from ps 22 yesterday was just seeing Jesus on the cross and demons taunting Him. Then I transferred that to when people who have believed satan and chosen him over God realize they are lost for good and the taunts that they will get as well. Satan will turn on them. We see it in humans all the time, taking people down with them and then taunting them, lording it over them that they are stupid because they believed them and how much greater and smarter the seducer is than the victim. Made me shudder and I definitely don't want to be in that group.
I want to fight to surrender, to stay with my Father God and Jesus and let them lead and fight for me. Even if it's contrary to what I want. Like 23 says, I really have all I need with Him as my Shepherd.
The happy news is -- I didn't have a chance to read yesterday as I was brushing up on Elisha's message for KLAS; sooooo -- today, I soaked in Psalms:)
Ps 21 reminds me that God is God and I'm not. No wonder God loved David's heart -- he was like a fountain, taking the water from down deep and spraying it heavenword -- never hoarding the glory - always shooting it up!
Then yeah -- Ps 22; I keep wondering what Jesus thought when He read and memorized that chapter; knowing it was about Himself -- all the little details. . .
But of course, what spoke to me today was the fav - Ps 23; and what a refreshing expression the Voice put into all those verses we have so well memorized that we skim over them mindlessly --
My Eternal; caring, providing soothing my fears -- and that soothing my fears really spoke to me today. OK Chris -- I can just hear you . . . "What are you afraid of?" Seriously, thank you my friend for not brushing over the heart of the matter! so hear you go . . . what the next step will be in my life. The unknown is exciting in some aspects, but scary too -- stepping out of the known. BUT HE promises protection and guidance - - - and I guess those are the 2 things I need the most, so if I can actually grab hold of that, then I can say with David . . . "I am comforted"
I like that He steers me off the worn, hard paths (that would be the known!!) So one could say he encourages to face my fears (but I'm still not sliding down the side of Mt. Adams!)
He gives me provisions in the midst of the attack -- take note, the attack will come, even in the attack He will provide what I need.
and thank you Lord, You are abundant: "filling my cup again and again . . .
now, I know that I am to follow Him everywhere; but interestingly in verse 6 it says "Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go -- hmmmm, who's out in front here?
Doesn't it say in Isaiah that God leads us AND is our rear guard? I think you'll get to it soon. I'm sure there's a long line of people who are glad there's not a prerequisite of sliding down a mountain to get to heaven - you crack me up! So I read JC today and it spoke to me (duh). More about being thankful and how that erases negative thinking. I've been implementing that a LOT this week. Also thoughts about the future, so had to share this after reading your above post. From pgs 59-60 "Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy--even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord (Duet 29:29), and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you...Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trust Me to open up the way before you as you go...Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you., helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present."
Really good thoughts for me as well. Last night, satan tried to plant a thought about the future that seemed innocent enough, but I soon realized that it could just put me in the process of trying to manipulate my future or think too long about all the possibilities. I need to do what the last line says focus on God's Presence with me just right now, just this minute, just today. That's hard enough. I have no control over my future. But I do know the One who does so I'm choosing to trust You Jesus, to trust You Father God. Thank You Holy Spirit for reminding me constantly of my daily need to do this.
God's argument about His worthiness and the worthlessness of idols (in their many forms) God wins! He deserves all the glory and honor and praise -- yet 41:13 he "has hold of my right hand and whispers in my ear Don't be afraid -- I will help you" What a tender tender picture of selfless love. He doesn't NEED to help me, He WANTS to help me because -- (this is amazing) HE LOVES ME! I am PRECIOUS to Him! I bring nothing to the table for Him - except relationship; and that's what He is hoping for. Awesome.
Not only is He our devoted Shepherd -- carrying us, His weak and wobbly lambs, He's also our devoted gardener -- watching over our progress every day.
Gotta cling to 44:3 "I will pour My spirit on your children and grandchildren" (humbly) thank you Lord
and I love the wording here: I will not forget you. I have swept away your wrongdoing, as wind sweeps a cloud from the sky; I have cleared you of your sins, as the sun clears the morning mist (I'm going to think of that next time we have a foggy morning) I have rescued you; come back to Me.
God's generosity, that He lavishes His blessings, regardless of what we DO -- is a great contrast to our view of entitlement. Entitlement (and I struggle with this as much as anyone) destroys gratefulness -- just like it did for the workers.
Then we have the real life example of Mrs. Zeb; figuring her sons "deserved" and the real life example of the jealousy and walls this feeling threw up with the disciples. So the take away -- keep our eyes on Him, focus on gratefulness. I appreciated the practicality of the Voice's examples.
Also -- I love the persistence of the blind men. People told them to be quiet -- and they kept focused on their passion; to be healed. If I had that much intense passion to be freed from my "blindness" I think Jesus would be thrilled.
A warning to the spiritually auto-pilots: the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you. Another place it's said -- don't loose your first love; again, the passion to be healed -- the realization that we NEED to be healed; and then the gratitude God deserves for wanting to heal us:)
as Pastor Mike said a couple of weeks ago -- we're soooo blind to our own failings -- and that sure is true with the leaders "not believing, they looked for a way to arrest Him -- a stealthy way" easier to look outside and figure it's someone else causing the problem instead of looking inside (guilty as charged) and, as the Voice said - their positions, standings, world views, and images of themselves were on the line --
The leaders were blinded by their love of the world . . . The blind men were given sight because of their passion for Jesus . . .
I really like what you're pulling out of Isaiah. Thanks for sharing your findings.
Yes, that first story really brought home my struggle yesterday. I really struggle with fairness and justice. No matter how God tried to present it to my heart, I couldn't let go, I couldn't trust. So I ended up being a sulking sheep in the far corner of the pasture, bleating about how life was unfair! Now there's a revelation I bet you didn't know!
Here's where the goodness and mercy pursuing us comes into play. I woke up really early this morning realizing I hadn't surrendered and realized I needed to repent. He never stopped wooing my heart, even in my sleep.
The first parable this morning cemented what happened during the night. I need to find better ways of dealing with unfairness and injustice (even if it's just perceived). I'm in really good soil that give me LOTS of opportunities to try, try and try again. Sigh.
LOL -- I had this pic of "Goodness and Mercy" walking out to the far corner with a bucket of grain (or whatever sheep eat) to try to woo you back to the barn!
Yeah -- I spend a lot of my time in that far corner as well! Praise God that He pursues!
Our purpose? is to carry the weaknesses of those who are not strong - - what does that look like to you? we all have weaknesses - - we all need compassion, "Everyone needs compassion"
ReplyDeleteaccept one another in the same way the Anointed has accepted you - - so many times I fail on this, I substitute acceptance for being judgmental - - I think God wants to free me from that narrow life.
Paul has a dream! 15:20 -- the ultimate church planter!
So it's not only individuals helping individuals; it's churches helping churches! Hmmmm -- I like this!
16:3 -- what happened to Priscilla? I always thought it was kindof cool that the husband/wife team had matching names!
vs 12 -- must have been twins
vs 13 -- maybe the same Rufus of Simon of Cyrene; if so -- I wonder if his dad died or had been killed.
I appreciate the fact that it's ok to remain on guard (vs 17) of people causing conflicts as opposed to love and accept everyone. It depends on their heart - their motive.
vs 19-20 SEEK the good life (I see this as the life free from judging and striving for more - all that stuff) If you do this, the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet soon! Love the wording -- is it an oxymoron? (Peace vs crush) I don't think so -- in order to have peace, God must do away with evil -- hallelujah!!
Ahhh -- the ancient mystery (vs 25) What do you think the mystery was? I think it was that the ultimate, amazing God of all the universe would become a human -- be killed by humans -- in order to have a relationship with humans -- what a mystery . . . Thank you Lord -- I don't think I'll every completely understand the depths of that grace, sacrifice and love.
I always feel for Leah, knowing she isn't loved, but not having a say in who she marries or when. She tries to make the best of the situation but you can tell she has to earn Jacob's attention. The way she names her sons is just heart wrenching. I despise unfairness. She would have been much happier as the older, but still single daughter instead of all the turmoil she had in her home.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, I wonder if that's really true. What was it like to live with such a manipulative father? Did she ever feel accepted by him? Doesn't seem like it.
And we can already see the shift in how people are viewing God. As if He can be manipulated as well. Then again, it's hard to read between the lines to know how they were really saying these things. The naming of the sons seems to indicate erroneous thinking, similar to what Job's friends thought. If they were contemporaries then it'd make sense.
I keep seeing generational sins repeating themselves here. Makes me look at the ones in my family and I want to break their power in my life, I need a lot of help to do it. I'm glad God didn't stop working with and through the patriarchs. I'm glad He hasn't stopped working with me in spite of all my faults either.
The whole lot of them were deceivers at every turn - - and probably not so different from my life today - - it's like we talked about yesterday Chris, the masks need to come off and we need to be honest with ourselves and others.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow -- integrity doesn't shine forth in this reading - - although Jacob does appear to be a hard worker -- so there's something.
And boy howdy do they ever use herbal medicine in these stories!
There are many Bible stories, like Samson's today, that I read and think, I just don't understand how God works. I need to keep reminding myself of that so I don't fall into the constant sin of criticizing and judging people. I am not God and have no clue of the bigger picture most of the time.
ReplyDeleteboy howdy I agree with that Chris -- coming on the heals of Jacob and all the deceit surrounding that story; now we have a judge that led Israel who didn't seem to care that his mistress a lousy companion and wanted nothing more than to take him down . . .
ReplyDeleteAlong with the reminder, as you say - that God can use anyone for His purposes, I'm reminded that Jesus didn't put His trust in any man - - wise advice.
Also -- I'm feeling sad for Manoah and his wife -- such high hopes they had for that precious little prayed for baby gift from God; what disappointment and horror they must have felt when he showed his independence and veered from their hopes - - they, no doubt, felt they had let God down; had failed at their parental job - - yet, it was part of God's plan . . .
Good words in your last paragraph that many a parent can relate to I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteNot a lot of time today but received a lot of comfort from what I read.
21:7 For the king puts his trust in the Eternal,so he will not be shaken because of the persistent love of the Most High God.
Another reason for me to grow in my trust of God, so I won't be shaken as easily as I am today. And I really like the persistent love of God chasing me here & in Ps 23.
Got a scary pic in from reading 22 but will try to share that tonight, too long for now.
23 - always a good one!
v3 He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
To be whole! Can't wait until the completion when He comes, but I love that He's working even today. The worn hard paths I see as bad habits, or thinking that just wear me down constantly. But going cross-country, I find beautiful vistas & mountains I hadn't seen before & my spirits are lifted at new revelations of my God.
Blah, Eliphaz blowing smoke again. I'm glad Job tells them they are terrible friends and comforters.
ReplyDeleteOk, the scary pic I got from ps 22 yesterday was just seeing Jesus on the cross and demons taunting Him. Then I transferred that to when people who have believed satan and chosen him over God realize they are lost for good and the taunts that they will get as well. Satan will turn on them. We see it in humans all the time, taking people down with them and then taunting them, lording it over them that they are stupid because they believed them and how much greater and smarter the seducer is than the victim. Made me shudder and I definitely don't want to be in that group.
I want to fight to surrender, to stay with my Father God and Jesus and let them lead and fight for me. Even if it's contrary to what I want. Like 23 says, I really have all I need with Him as my Shepherd.
The happy news is -- I didn't have a chance to read yesterday as I was brushing up on Elisha's message for KLAS; sooooo -- today, I soaked in Psalms:)
ReplyDeletePs 21 reminds me that God is God and I'm not. No wonder God loved David's heart -- he was like a fountain, taking the water from down deep and spraying it heavenword -- never hoarding the glory - always shooting it up!
Then yeah -- Ps 22; I keep wondering what Jesus thought when He read and memorized that chapter; knowing it was about Himself -- all the little details. . .
But of course, what spoke to me today was the fav - Ps 23; and what a refreshing expression the Voice put into all those verses we have so well memorized that we skim over them mindlessly --
My Eternal; caring, providing soothing my fears -- and that soothing my fears really spoke to me today. OK Chris -- I can just hear you . . . "What are you afraid of?" Seriously, thank you my friend for not brushing over the heart of the matter! so hear you go . . . what the next step will be in my life. The unknown is exciting in some aspects, but scary too -- stepping out of the known. BUT HE promises protection and guidance - - - and I guess those are the 2 things I need the most, so if I can actually grab hold of that, then I can say with David . . . "I am comforted"
I like that He steers me off the worn, hard paths (that would be the known!!) So one could say he encourages to face my fears (but I'm still not sliding down the side of Mt. Adams!)
He gives me provisions in the midst of the attack -- take note, the attack will come, even in the attack He will provide what I need.
and thank you Lord, You are abundant: "filling my cup again and again . . .
now, I know that I am to follow Him everywhere; but interestingly in verse 6 it says "Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me where I go -- hmmmm, who's out in front here?
Doesn't it say in Isaiah that God leads us AND is our rear guard? I think you'll get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's a long line of people who are glad there's not a prerequisite of sliding down a mountain to get to heaven - you crack me up!
So I read JC today and it spoke to me (duh). More about being thankful and how that erases negative thinking. I've been implementing that a LOT this week.
Also thoughts about the future, so had to share this after reading your above post.
From pgs 59-60
"Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy--even precarious. That is how it should be. Secret things belong to the Lord (Duet 29:29), and future things are secret things. When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you...Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trust Me to open up the way before you as you go...Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow. If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat. You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today. It is in the present moment that I walk close to you., helping you carry your burdens. Keep your focus on My Presence in the present."
Really good thoughts for me as well. Last night, satan tried to plant a thought about the future that seemed innocent enough, but I soon realized that it could just put me in the process of trying to manipulate my future or think too long about all the possibilities.
I need to do what the last line says focus on God's Presence with me just right now, just this minute, just today. That's hard enough. I have no control over my future. But I do know the One who does so I'm choosing to trust You Jesus, to trust You Father God. Thank You Holy Spirit for reminding me constantly of my daily need to do this.
God's argument about His worthiness and the worthlessness of idols (in their many forms) God wins! He deserves all the glory and honor and praise -- yet 41:13 he "has hold of my right hand and whispers in my ear Don't be afraid -- I will help you" What a tender tender picture of selfless love. He doesn't NEED to help me, He WANTS to help me because -- (this is amazing) HE LOVES ME! I am PRECIOUS to Him! I bring nothing to the table for Him - except relationship; and that's what He is hoping for. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteNot only is He our devoted Shepherd -- carrying us, His weak and wobbly lambs, He's also our devoted gardener -- watching over our progress every day.
Gotta cling to 44:3 "I will pour My spirit on your children and grandchildren" (humbly) thank you Lord
and I love the wording here:
I will not forget you. I have swept away your wrongdoing, as wind sweeps a cloud from the sky; I have cleared you of your sins, as the sun clears the morning mist (I'm going to think of that next time we have a foggy morning) I have rescued you; come back to Me.
God's generosity, that He lavishes His blessings, regardless of what we DO -- is a great contrast to our view of entitlement. Entitlement (and I struggle with this as much as anyone) destroys gratefulness -- just like it did for the workers.
ReplyDeleteThen we have the real life example of Mrs. Zeb; figuring her sons "deserved" and the real life example of the jealousy and walls this feeling threw up with the disciples. So the take away -- keep our eyes on Him, focus on gratefulness. I appreciated the practicality of the Voice's examples.
Also -- I love the persistence of the blind men. People told them to be quiet -- and they kept focused on their passion; to be healed. If I had that much intense passion to be freed from my "blindness" I think Jesus would be thrilled.
A warning to the spiritually auto-pilots: the tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you. Another place it's said -- don't loose your first love; again, the passion to be healed -- the realization that we NEED to be healed; and then the gratitude God deserves for wanting to heal us:)
as Pastor Mike said a couple of weeks ago -- we're soooo blind to our own failings -- and that sure is true with the leaders "not believing, they looked for a way to arrest Him -- a stealthy way" easier to look outside and figure it's someone else causing the problem instead of looking inside (guilty as charged) and, as the Voice said - their positions, standings, world views, and images of themselves were on the line --
The leaders were blinded by their love of the world . . .
The blind men were given sight because of their passion for Jesus . . .
I really like what you're pulling out of Isaiah. Thanks for sharing your findings.
ReplyDeleteYes, that first story really brought home my struggle yesterday. I really struggle with fairness and justice. No matter how God tried to present it to my heart, I couldn't let go, I couldn't trust. So I ended up being a sulking sheep in the far corner of the pasture, bleating about how life was unfair! Now there's a revelation I bet you didn't know!
Here's where the goodness and mercy pursuing us comes into play. I woke up really early this morning realizing I hadn't surrendered and realized I needed to repent. He never stopped wooing my heart, even in my sleep.
The first parable this morning cemented what happened during the night. I need to find better ways of dealing with unfairness and injustice (even if it's just perceived). I'm in really good soil that give me LOTS of opportunities to try, try and try again. Sigh.
LOL -- I had this pic of "Goodness and Mercy" walking out to the far corner with a bucket of grain (or whatever sheep eat) to try to woo you back to the barn!
ReplyDeleteYeah -- I spend a lot of my time in that far corner as well! Praise God that He pursues!