Whatever You're doing inside of me, it feels like chaos but somehow there's peace. It's hard to surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving in to something Heavenly.
I was thinking about how we do give preeminence to the more visual spiritual gifts - because they are visible. And yet, they really are visible only with the natural eye - not the spiritual one.
It's another call to look through the eyes of God, to give honor to everyone we meet, not just the "up front" type of people. Any good up front person will tell you that they're just a front for a bunch of hard working people behind the scenes.
We definitely get things backwards down here with how we label each other and our jobs. Even in how we think of ourselves. We're a body of parts that have different function. Everyone in the body of Christ is important. He died for each "part" not just the "mouth" or "hand".
I really need to be appreciative of every part - even if I have no interest in participating. I can still support and pray.
From reading history and how God worked, it seems we would come to expect God to work in unconventional ways. However, we still have expectations of when and how He should work for us and in us. We get all twitterpated when He does meet our expectations. Basically, expectations stunt our growth.
If Moses had had no expectations, I wonder if he would have led the Israelites out of Egypt when he was 40 instead of 80?
I like the commentary in The Voice that said Moses had to figure out who he is and whose he is. I believe it's something we all have to do in order to be fully used by God. The problem for me is that it takes time and I'm impatient. Waiting on God is essential for true growth. Keep me hanging on Lord, keep growing me to wait on You only.
As Moses saw his earthly plans fly away like the desert sands, he also lost his intimidation or awe of earthly power. He saw how easily it can be there one day and gone the next. Not unlike the story of Joseph. I need to be awed only by the One True God.
OK -- back on the blog; and thnx Chris for putting up week 14!
I love the courage of the mid-wives. That courage and loyalty doesn't come through anyplace else where the Israelites are concerned. It always seems like it's Moses who encourages them to show their faith and trust Him -- but we have a glimpse of the midwives - and that they were able to risk everything to honor God!
I liked the who/whose statement too -- but I also liked what the author said before that -- showing how all the twists and turns of Moses' life prepared him for the job he didn't want to do!! Must have made God sigh to hear Moses pouting about the job God had been preparing him for all these years!
Moses knew that Pharaoh would refuse -- but he didn't know Pharaoh would inflict more pain to the Israelites -- Moses must have wondered if he'd heard God correctly -- and it would have taken courage and trust for M to continue on; pushing for what God had asked! But he did have the promise: "Do not fear . . . I will be with you every step of the way" A good promise to rest in!
I always need the reminder in 16:7 that God looks at our heart and isn't impressed with all the outside foo foo we put on to impress or even our natural good looks and abilities. He sees us all as beautiful anyway because He sees us as we will be, not as we are now.
I was talking to God about the evil spirit that it says was sent from Him to Saul. It also says the God's Spirit left Saul. So naturally, evil takes over. There really is no neutral ground. We're either God's or Satan's.
Even when we're in the presence of evil spirits, we are safe because we are with the Victor of the battle. They are with the defeated foe. We don't have to freak out. David had God's Spirit and was not afraid to be in the presence of evil because he knew Who had asked him to be there. He was resting in God's protection and he was protected numerous times. Just cements other stuff I'm learning as well along these lines.
I don't have to accept the negative satan is offering me, as if I don't have a choice. God is stronger. Which one am I going to surrender to? Feelings tend to control us and it's a hard battle, but the peace that comes over us when we surrender to the True Defender of us is so blissful and non-tormenting, we wonder why we even were tempted to succumb in the first place!
I trust You Jesus! I am protected by my Father God. What an awesome Presence to be in!
I really enjoyed the story today; what a contrast of selfish love and selfless love (Saul vs Jonathan) one grasping for everything he good -- the other generously giving everything he could -- a very good study for self-evaluation:) I want to be a Jonathan; Lord, please help me with that - create in me that clean, generous type of love.
So Saul was good looking tall and handsome, so was Eliab; yet God chose one and rejected the other (we get a bit of a glimpse of the jealous Eliab later on - sounds very Saul-like) I wonder if it was God's purpose to show people that outward looks don't count a hoot toward God-fearing leadership -- and God's reminder to Samuel in verse 7 is a reminder that the heart is more important as you say Chris.
I also was thinking about the Spirit -- and comparing Saul with Pharaoh (when it says God hardened P heart) Maybe, as you said -- the act of removing His spirit causes a vacuum that sucks in the evil spirit -- where the Bible attributes God actively sending in evil is more of the vacuum affect; this makes more sense to me.
I can't imagine that the first 2 chapters are chronilogical - if David served Saul and Saul loved him and made him his armor bearer -- why didn't he recognize him on the battlefield -- trivial point; what I did notice, as in the life of Moses; God was preparing David for the duties of the rulership by putting him in the court before he became king.
(I was comparing G. shield bearer to a hockey goalie!
Ever notice the prevalence of 40 days in the OT? we see it again in vs 16
I love the commentator's take on David putting his trust in God instead of the weapons -- "God can use him, as small as he is compared to his opponent, because GOD is all-powerful!
I also liked how David ignored Eliab, when E tried to cast doubt! Not always easy to ignor a family member's darts.
OK -- can you even begin to imagine taking a bear or lion by the CHIN!! Adrenaline rush . .
I didn't realize J's giving D his stuff symbolized his right to ascend the throne -- that was from very early on. and I also never put 2 and 2 together that Michael was disqualified to have the next king - - but yeah, that makes sense.
Finishing with this filling thought from the commentator: "Love knocks down barriers and makes us set aside our selfish concerns"
really good comments Linda. So glad you shared. I also wondered about your "trivial point" as you put it. Either that's outta whack or Saul was truly losing it!
I hadn't thought about the Michal not having kids either or Jonathan's symbolism.
Some of your observations though are just killing me the last few days though. God uses whatever He can to smack us upside the head that's for sure!
39:1 "I'll seal my lips when wicked people are around" - - gotta say, there are people I seal my lips around. You simply can't trust what they'll do with information - so seal those lips!
Here's a text for me as I eliminate and consolidate "stuff" "We busy ourselves accomplishing nothing, piling up assets we can never keep" Really good reminder
Chapter 40 is filled with tender compassion word pics of the Eternal; knealing down, listening, reaching with a gentle hand, holding me - - those are precious thoughts.
"I am pleased to live how YOu want, my God" 40:8 -- this is the attitude I think He wants from us; not "how much is good enough" but happy to do as much as we can for Him!
39:9-11 reminded me of a lyric I heard last night. "I need Your mercy, even when it hurts..." I don't think of mercy as hurting, but when it comes to Him restoring us, it makes sense. Especially looking at the character He's been trying to build in me lately. Hasn't been a joyride that's for sure! But there is peace because I'm with Him.
The word pic in 40:2 is so comforting to me. "He reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out to set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again."
Which makes v3 so cool! "As if that were not enough, because of Him my mind is clearing up. Now I have a new song to sing— a song of praise to the One who saved me. Because of what He’s done, many people will see and come to trust in the Eternal."
What an awesome God we serve! It's sooo true! The closer our relationship is, the more my mind clears up from all the garbage I've stored in there. That's what keeps me suppressed from what He wants to do through me. And worse yet, I fight to hold on to my "comfort zone". I don't realize, we don't realize, that it's our comfort zone that separates us from God. We don't need our own. He IS our comfort zone.
I so want to be in the zone today Lord. I really need it!
Job will not abandon his integrity just to appease his friends. Peer pressure can be so heavy; Job hangs on to the one thing he has left -- his determination to be a man of integrity.
The kernal of wisdom springs up when we acknowledge that God is God - and we aren't. When we surrender and relax in His leading -- He is the one that will make wisdom known to us:)
Loved JCs call today for stillness of my soul. Thank you Lord Jesus
I thought about Job on the way home when I heard these lyrics: "I wanna know a song can rise, from the ashes of a broken life and all that's dead inside can be reborn; cause I'm worn".
He wanted to know the end and that it was worth it at some point as well. Prayed to die more than once. We can all relate to that feeling of despair. So thankful that there is purpose to what we walk through.
JC day! Read several pages. Very encouraging and confirming what I'm learning about being thankful and trusting my Father God to provide for me.
Last night as I was talking to Him about something I wasn't really happy about, I thanked Him for the opportunity to have the right reaction to the situation and that cleared the blockage for more discussion and revelation on the situation. I'm so glad I serve a God who knows what He's doing in my life. I'm so out of control!
Here's an excerpt out of Psalms that JC directed me to this morning. 89:15-18 "How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through life by the light of Your face. Every hour of the day, they rejoice at the sound of Your name. They are lifted up and encouraged by Your righteousness. For You are the beauty of their strength. On account of Your favor, our strength, our horn, is increased. For our shield of protection comes from the Eternal, and the Holy One of Israel has given us our king."
You are my King, Jesus. You are my Protector, Father God. Thank you Holy Spirit for being my Instructor and Comforter today.
So Jeremiah was looong this am, but had some gems hidden in all the verbage for me:)
Do not rely on the misguided words, "The temple of the Eternal . . . as if the temple's presence alone will protect you" Yeah -- I know I've been there -- trusting in going to church as the road to salvation, and that's just a hollow lie -- it's all about seeking HIM and knowing HIM! Without His presence, we don't have a change of escaping Satan's traps for us - -
7:11 "den of thieves" this must have been where Jesus quoted from in the temple cleansing (course He didn't have the Voice translation)
8:10 "Greed has corrupted this culture, from the least to the greatest; everyone is tainted with this lust for what they don't deserve" wow -- so true today; apparently it has been true in every generation.
9:1 Jeremiah must have really loved his people -- he was a compassionate prophet.
9:13 "Because they have ignored the law I gave them generations ago. (Hmmmm -- don't a lot of people say that the law has been done away with -- it's old school; this sounds like God's law is in place, even tho it was written generations ago) "They haven't listened to My voice, and they refuse to walk in My ways. Instead, they have stubbornly followed after their own hearts" GUILTY! It's true -- i have to consciously slow myself down, my mind down to be still before Him - - I have my own plans, my own agendas - - I need to listen, to walk - - centered in Him (thinking of the Angel Army song)
9:24 Whoever boasts must boast in this: that he understands and knows Me" what a goal to have, to understand the mind of God -- are we even capable of that?
10:5 love the comparison of an idol to "a scarecrow in a cucumber patch"
and here's the heart trust I want to have. When God reveals to Jer that there's a price on his head, he says, "I am entrusting my cause, my future to You" Lord, help me to rest in that kind of trust.
I always stop short on the warning "their hearts are far from Me; their worship is empty, void of true devotion -- I find myself wandering here all the time -- Lord, save me from myself -- I know it's what's on Your heart -- as you so compassionately and passionately said at the end of 8 -- give yourself up, take up your cross, do as I do -- what profit is there for you to gain the whole world and lose yourself in the process.
Jesus sighs twice today -- and I think it's because the physical diseases of deaf, mute, and blind mirror our spiritual diseases of not hearing His call, not speaking gratitude and praise of who He is, not seeing Him for who He truly is -- "if they only knew . . . "
I was pondering on the healing of the blind man in stages and came to the conclusion that God has us see what He needs us to see in that moment. Whether it be for our benefit or others. Maybe it is to realize we have been healed and to long for complete healing. I don't always understand the way God works. Then I read what the commentators wrote and it was almost the same! Too funny!
I found myself in the boat with the disciples, still not getting it. So yes Linda, my heart also wanders in my devotion, my understanding. I did like the way it wrapped up in 8. To let go of my plans for my life, lose myself in God and He gives way more than my small hands can hold onto. Abundant life is an overflowing life, which to me means, it blesses others. Oh how I long to be that blessing to others Lord. Just help me let go so You can catch me.
I was thinking about how we do give preeminence to the more visual spiritual gifts - because they are visible. And yet, they really are visible only with the natural eye - not the spiritual one.
ReplyDeleteIt's another call to look through the eyes of God, to give honor to everyone we meet, not just the "up front" type of people. Any good up front person will tell you that they're just a front for a bunch of hard working people behind the scenes.
We definitely get things backwards down here with how we label each other and our jobs. Even in how we think of ourselves. We're a body of parts that have different function. Everyone in the body of Christ is important. He died for each "part" not just the "mouth" or "hand".
I really need to be appreciative of every part - even if I have no interest in participating. I can still support and pray.
From reading history and how God worked, it seems we would come to expect God to work in unconventional ways. However, we still have expectations of when and how He should work for us and in us. We get all twitterpated when He does meet our expectations. Basically, expectations stunt our growth.
ReplyDeleteIf Moses had had no expectations, I wonder if he would have led the Israelites out of Egypt when he was 40 instead of 80?
I like the commentary in The Voice that said Moses had to figure out who he is and whose he is. I believe it's something we all have to do in order to be fully used by God. The problem for me is that it takes time and I'm impatient. Waiting on God is essential for true growth. Keep me hanging on Lord, keep growing me to wait on You only.
As Moses saw his earthly plans fly away like the desert sands, he also lost his intimidation or awe of earthly power. He saw how easily it can be there one day and gone the next. Not unlike the story of Joseph. I need to be awed only by the One True God.
OK -- back on the blog; and thnx Chris for putting up week 14!
ReplyDeleteI love the courage of the mid-wives. That courage and loyalty doesn't come through anyplace else where the Israelites are concerned. It always seems like it's Moses who encourages them to show their faith and trust Him -- but we have a glimpse of the midwives - and that they were able to risk everything to honor God!
I liked the who/whose statement too -- but I also liked what the author said before that -- showing how all the twists and turns of Moses' life prepared him for the job he didn't want to do!! Must have made God sigh to hear Moses pouting about the job God had been preparing him for all these years!
Moses knew that Pharaoh would refuse -- but he didn't know Pharaoh would inflict more pain to the Israelites -- Moses must have wondered if he'd heard God correctly -- and it would have taken courage and trust for M to continue on; pushing for what God had asked! But he did have the promise: "Do not fear . . . I will be with you every step of the way" A good promise to rest in!
well there's a comment that doubled me over!
DeleteI always need the reminder in 16:7 that God looks at our heart and isn't impressed with all the outside foo foo we put on to impress or even our natural good looks and abilities. He sees us all as beautiful anyway because He sees us as we will be, not as we are now.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to God about the evil spirit that it says was sent from Him to Saul. It also says the God's Spirit left Saul. So naturally, evil takes over. There really is no neutral ground. We're either God's or Satan's.
Even when we're in the presence of evil spirits, we are safe because we are with the Victor of the battle. They are with the defeated foe. We don't have to freak out. David had God's Spirit and was not afraid to be in the presence of evil because he knew Who had asked him to be there. He was resting in God's protection and he was protected numerous times. Just cements other stuff I'm learning as well along these lines.
I don't have to accept the negative satan is offering me, as if I don't have a choice. God is stronger. Which one am I going to surrender to? Feelings tend to control us and it's a hard battle, but the peace that comes over us when we surrender to the True Defender of us is so blissful and non-tormenting, we wonder why we even were tempted to succumb in the first place!
I trust You Jesus! I am protected by my Father God. What an awesome Presence to be in!
I really enjoyed the story today; what a contrast of selfish love and selfless love (Saul vs Jonathan) one grasping for everything he good -- the other generously giving everything he could -- a very good study for self-evaluation:) I want to be a Jonathan; Lord, please help me with that - create in me that clean, generous type of love.
ReplyDeleteSo Saul was good looking tall and handsome, so was Eliab; yet God chose one and rejected the other (we get a bit of a glimpse of the jealous Eliab later on - sounds very Saul-like) I wonder if it was God's purpose to show people that outward looks don't count a hoot toward God-fearing leadership -- and God's reminder to Samuel in verse 7 is a reminder that the heart is more important as you say Chris.
I also was thinking about the Spirit -- and comparing Saul with Pharaoh (when it says God hardened P heart) Maybe, as you said -- the act of removing His spirit causes a vacuum that sucks in the evil spirit -- where the Bible attributes God actively sending in evil is more of the vacuum affect; this makes more sense to me.
I can't imagine that the first 2 chapters are chronilogical - if David served Saul and Saul loved him and made him his armor bearer -- why didn't he recognize him on the battlefield -- trivial point; what I did notice, as in the life of Moses; God was preparing David for the duties of the rulership by putting him in the court before he became king.
(I was comparing G. shield bearer to a hockey goalie!
Ever notice the prevalence of 40 days in the OT? we see it again in vs 16
I love the commentator's take on David putting his trust in God instead of the weapons -- "God can use him, as small as he is compared to his opponent, because GOD is all-powerful!
I also liked how David ignored Eliab, when E tried to cast doubt! Not always easy to ignor a family member's darts.
OK -- can you even begin to imagine taking a bear or lion by the CHIN!! Adrenaline rush . .
I didn't realize J's giving D his stuff symbolized his right to ascend the throne -- that was from very early on. and I also never put 2 and 2 together that Michael was disqualified to have the next king - - but yeah, that makes sense.
Finishing with this filling thought from the commentator: "Love knocks down barriers and makes us set aside our selfish concerns"
really good comments Linda. So glad you shared. I also wondered about your "trivial point" as you put it. Either that's outta whack or Saul was truly losing it!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about the Michal not having kids either or Jonathan's symbolism.
Some of your observations though are just killing me the last few days though. God uses whatever He can to smack us upside the head that's for sure!
39:1 "I'll seal my lips when wicked people are around" - - gotta say, there are people I seal my lips around. You simply can't trust what they'll do with information - so seal those lips!
ReplyDeleteHere's a text for me as I eliminate and consolidate "stuff" "We busy ourselves accomplishing nothing, piling up assets we can never keep" Really good reminder
Chapter 40 is filled with tender compassion word pics of the Eternal; knealing down, listening, reaching with a gentle hand, holding me - - those are precious thoughts.
"I am pleased to live how YOu want, my God" 40:8 -- this is the attitude I think He wants from us; not "how much is good enough" but happy to do as much as we can for Him!
39:9-11 reminded me of a lyric I heard last night. "I need Your mercy, even when it hurts..." I don't think of mercy as hurting, but when it comes to Him restoring us, it makes sense. Especially looking at the character He's been trying to build in me lately. Hasn't been a joyride that's for sure! But there is peace because I'm with Him.
ReplyDeleteThe word pic in 40:2 is so comforting to me. "He reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out to set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again."
Which makes v3 so cool! "As if that were not enough, because of Him my mind is clearing up. Now I have a new song to sing—
a song of praise to the One who saved me. Because of what He’s done, many people will see and come to trust in the Eternal."
What an awesome God we serve! It's sooo true! The closer our relationship is, the more my mind clears up from all the garbage I've stored in there. That's what keeps me suppressed from what He wants to do through me. And worse yet, I fight to hold on to my "comfort zone". I don't realize, we don't realize, that it's our comfort zone that separates us from God. We don't need our own. He IS our comfort zone.
I so want to be in the zone today Lord. I really need it!
Job will not abandon his integrity just to appease his friends. Peer pressure can be so heavy; Job hangs on to the one thing he has left -- his determination to be a man of integrity.
ReplyDeleteThe kernal of wisdom springs up when we acknowledge that God is God - and we aren't. When we surrender and relax in His leading -- He is the one that will make wisdom known to us:)
Loved JCs call today for stillness of my soul. Thank you Lord Jesus
I thought about Job on the way home when I heard these lyrics: "I wanna know a song can rise, from the ashes of a broken life and all that's dead inside can be reborn; cause I'm worn".
ReplyDeleteHe wanted to know the end and that it was worth it at some point as well. Prayed to die more than once. We can all relate to that feeling of despair. So thankful that there is purpose to what we walk through.
JC day! Read several pages. Very encouraging and confirming what I'm learning about being thankful and trusting my Father God to provide for me.
ReplyDeleteLast night as I was talking to Him about something I wasn't really happy about, I thanked Him for the opportunity to have the right reaction to the situation and that cleared the blockage for more discussion and revelation on the situation. I'm so glad I serve a God who knows what He's doing in my life. I'm so out of control!
Here's an excerpt out of Psalms that JC directed me to this morning.
89:15-18 "How happy are those who have learned how to praise You; those who journey through life by the light of Your face. Every hour of the day, they rejoice at the sound of Your name. They are lifted up and encouraged by Your righteousness. For You are the beauty of their strength. On account of Your favor, our strength, our horn, is increased. For our shield of protection comes from the Eternal, and the Holy One of Israel has given us our king."
You are my King, Jesus. You are my Protector, Father God. Thank you Holy Spirit for being my Instructor and Comforter today.
So Jeremiah was looong this am, but had some gems hidden in all the verbage for me:)
ReplyDeleteDo not rely on the misguided words, "The temple of the Eternal . . . as if the temple's presence alone will protect you" Yeah -- I know I've been there -- trusting in going to church as the road to salvation, and that's just a hollow lie -- it's all about seeking HIM and knowing HIM! Without His presence, we don't have a change of escaping Satan's traps for us - -
7:11 "den of thieves" this must have been where Jesus quoted from in the temple cleansing (course He didn't have the Voice translation)
8:10 "Greed has corrupted this culture, from the least to the greatest; everyone is tainted with this lust for what they don't deserve" wow -- so true today; apparently it has been true in every generation.
9:1 Jeremiah must have really loved his people -- he was a compassionate prophet.
9:13 "Because they have ignored the law I gave them generations ago. (Hmmmm -- don't a lot of people say that the law has been done away with -- it's old school; this sounds like God's law is in place, even tho it was written generations ago) "They haven't listened to My voice, and they refuse to walk in My ways. Instead, they have stubbornly followed after their own hearts" GUILTY! It's true -- i have to consciously slow myself down, my mind down to be still before Him - - I have my own plans, my own agendas - - I need to listen, to walk - - centered in Him (thinking of the Angel Army song)
9:24 Whoever boasts must boast in this: that he understands and knows Me" what a goal to have, to understand the mind of God -- are we even capable of that?
10:5 love the comparison of an idol to "a scarecrow in a cucumber patch"
and here's the heart trust I want to have. When God reveals to Jer that there's a price on his head, he says, "I am entrusting my cause, my future to You" Lord, help me to rest in that kind of trust.
I always stop short on the warning "their hearts are far from Me; their worship is empty, void of true devotion -- I find myself wandering here all the time -- Lord, save me from myself -- I know it's what's on Your heart -- as you so compassionately and passionately said at the end of 8 -- give yourself up, take up your cross, do as I do -- what profit is there for you to gain the whole world and lose yourself in the process.
ReplyDeleteJesus sighs twice today -- and I think it's because the physical diseases of deaf, mute, and blind mirror our spiritual diseases of not hearing His call, not speaking gratitude and praise of who He is, not seeing Him for who He truly is -- "if they only knew . . . "
I was pondering on the healing of the blind man in stages and came to the conclusion that God has us see what He needs us to see in that moment. Whether it be for our benefit or others. Maybe it is to realize we have been healed and to long for complete healing. I don't always understand the way God works. Then I read what the commentators wrote and it was almost the same! Too funny!
ReplyDeleteI found myself in the boat with the disciples, still not getting it. So yes Linda, my heart also wanders in my devotion, my understanding. I did like the way it wrapped up in 8. To let go of my plans for my life, lose myself in God and He gives way more than my small hands can hold onto. Abundant life is an overflowing life, which to me means, it blesses others.
Oh how I long to be that blessing to others Lord. Just help me let go so You can catch me.