Paul was pressed into service; reminded me of cookie dough - pressed into a mold; formed into the example of his Master. am I willing to be dough - pressed down?
and then - as I read the next little bit about how He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship - I realize that I am in loving Hands as the pressing begins. That I can "no longer rely on myself and that I must trust solely in God" vs 9. I loved the commentators thoughts: It is only when you suffer that you can meet God as your comforter.
How true it is that "negativity and criticism . . destroy the beauty of Christian community." I guess we humans haven't changed much over the centuries.
Love the comments on forgiveness in the church "Instead of continuing to ostracize him (and I am taking it this is a person that has admitted his guilt and repented) offer him the grace of forgiveness and the comfort of your acceptance"
so -- food for thought with the parting commentator question "How do we stand up to the same test? If our lives were judged based on the fruit of the seeds we have planted and nurtured in the lives of others, would we be proud or mortified?"
the scary thing about the answer to this is we have no control over the actions of others - sometimes the results are good - sometimes bad; it's true even for God Himself or Jesus when He was here on this earth -- man is fickle; Jesus never put His trust in any man; so to be judged on someone else's actions and reactions is a scary thought indeed!
I did like the take on how you meet and even appreciate God as your Comforter. God keeps showing me that I have to trust Him when it seems like death is imminent. I've also been applying it to every day situations that seem (well, really they are) out of my control. Definitely need to trust solely in God. Like you said, man if so fickle.
Looks like Paul is giving them time to process and decide the instruction he's given them. To let the HS do it's work there. He has done what God asked him to do - deliver the message. Now, he has to step back and let them decide for themselves. Not an easy task to detach like that, but again, very necessary. Like he said, he doesn't want to force them. Very wise.
Going back to the beginning, I thought it interesting that Paul says that Father God is compassionate and comforting. Not normally the first picture that jumps to mind when we think of Him. But really, can that be a characteristic of God and yet be separated from One of the God Head?
I love applying the commenters thoughts about the exodus to our present situation "Now it is time to go home, to a land they have never seen, a land of promise and prosperity. They return not as slaves but as free people"
and again -- applying it to myself "I redeem every firstborn son by sacrificing a substitute" vs 15
Never thought before about His presence being connected with clouds and fire - - both elements of survival
"Don't be afraid! Stand your ground and witness how the Eternal will rescue you today. The Eternal will fight on your behalf while you watch in SILENCE!" It's all about waiting, watching -- nothing about getting in the way and trying to rescue myself.
The people trusted God in a new way, I'm thinking - after the armies were drowned. In Egypt - - it was watching the Egyptians get beat down; but now - their very lives were on the line - this was extremely personal, and each one of them had to stand and watch and wait - - a deeper trust, an individual trust. Unfortunately, that trust didn't last (complaining set in), but for the moment - their hearts were at rest.
God sent all kinds of tests up for them -- the manna. Some passed the test, many didn't. But it was growing them in small and practical ways to respect His voice and respect His day.
I love God's patience "rest assured, I have heard the constant complaining" and then I think - He hears my complaining too - - rest assured!
We think that if we are self-sufficient, if we can handle our problems; then we are strong, self-supportive, have it together. Not so in God's eyes - - the first lessons he wanted to teach His people are lessons on dependance - - for water, for food, for rest (hmmmm - those sound pretty much like basic needs)
Such strong conviction today as I read that I am worse than the Israelites. Help me Jesus to wait for You to move for me. To listen to Your Voice. Not to be anxious. not looking at the circumstances I'm in, but to rest in Your Presence, to trust Your will for me, today, right now.
Not much for me today in this reading -- but I did think that David making Joab march in front of Abner's funeral train in sackloth was kindof like saying "say you're sorry"
Saul must have liked the bosheth-type of names for his kids.
Sad that David takes on so many wives -- can't figure out where God ordained that:( If he'd have stuck with his original or at least have kept it to 2 or 3, maybe he wouldn't have had so many problems down the road -- guess that's the outcome of greed.
The ending of 48 is quite a promise: "He will be our guide till the end" the question is not about Him, it's about me -- will I follow the Guide, will I focus on the Guide?
49:8 "Redeeming a life is costly" Father God knows that --
49:11 is all about the futility of gaining "stuff" "their graves are their real resting places" that's food for thought and again; "their cannot take anything with them when they die - - - hold loosely to "stuff" and even hold loosely to the "praise when you've done well" it's all a trap - - keep focused on Who that praise belongs to, don't hoard it to yourself. (although I do think there is a satisfaction that comes from a job well done - - I don't believe it's satisfaction that this is referring to - it's craving the praise of man (and how fickle is that? man will say anything to get what he wants)
"Our God will come and He will not whisper" I can hardly wait! it'll be A-mazing!
I love the line repeated twice in 50 "Set out a sacrifice I can accept: your thankfulness. Do you realize how very hard it is to express thankfulness at the same time you complain or whine? pretty much impossible (and I'm talking here to myself)
"When you are in trouble, call for Me. I will come and rescue you" This is more than physical trouble -- it is emotional and spiritual -- it's so much bigger than I've often attributed this text to.
and I LOVED this little statement: "somehow you got the idea that I was like you" Busted! I do that all the time -- and God is so much bigger - - reminds me of some of the Shack theories that came out.
No time to post yesterday but one thing that stood out to me was how David didn't panic when news came to him about Saul and Jonathan's death. He asked a question to clarify. He then let the man's own words condemn him. No emotional response here, like what came across from his response to Nabal. I wonder if he was in shock.
And with all the bloodshed around people in power, I still can't understand why we crave it so much. Maybe it's a control thing.
Psalms today, hmmm, I admit I kinda skimmed. I did more ponderous reading in 50. To me, the verses don't just talk about going through the motions in the physical sacrifices. That was how they worshiped back then.
What motions do we, do I go through today? Why do I take God's words to me and sift through them and take what I want to hear and toss the other away? I do have to be careful not to think of God in human terms. He's way more than I can handle. Which is why we (I) try to box Him up so much. I try to get a grip on the Impossible. I need to realize Who is holding on to whom. My grip will slip, but His never fails.
Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually. This is a paradigm shift that will revolutionize your life . . . when you find yourself flitting down your well worn path of planning, stop and affirm your trust in me. It can be as simple as saying, 'I trust You Jesus.' . . . Your sense of responsibility to make judgments about everything is both hurtful and distorted. This attitude easily deteriorates into criticizing and complaining. Though you may not realize it, much of this negativity is ultimately directed at Me - the One who is sovereign over all things . . . Changing your thought patterns requires time and mental discipline . . . Your thankful, trusting attitude will bring good pleasure to Me and abundant blessing to you."
So this morning, I've already said it out loud . . . kind of a pre-emptive strike, "I trust You Jesus" That way when the hit comes, I'm hoping it will stick in my mind; but as it says - it takes time and mental discipline - - 2 things that I need to grow in:)
I tried Job this a.m. and failed to come away with any thing more than frustration at Elihu's arrogance. Imagine what God feels when we do that to Him, over and over again!
I've been dancing back and forth between 2 pgs in JC that talk about my need for constant communion with Him and trusting Him completely so I have peace above my circumstances.
"Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day."
I'm learning how to talk with Him when the phone's ringing, people are talking to me and emails and maintenances are begging for attention. I wish it could be easier. Then I read this: "But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all." So that's what I'm doing this week. I know You're here Jesus, open my eyes to see You, my ears to hear You, because I can't feel You right now. I'm just going by Your promise - since You can't lie. I trust You, Jesus.
It is a JC morning but I was in Jeremiah briefly, just being reminded that human hearts are not to be trusted. God knows what our motives are. That was actually in last weeks reading. I want to put my full trust in God alone and not be swayed by what people may or may not think of me.
I was also directed to Ps 37:5 "Commit your path to the Eternal, let Him direct you. Put your confidence in Him, and He will follow through with you." Also 16:8 "He is ever prsent with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand."
Great promises/reminders for me of my Father's protection.
OK -- plowed through Jeremiah; tough going finding the gems in there - I know I missed a bunch:)
24:6-7, even though it is talking about the Judeans sent to Chaldea - - it can also be claimed as a precious promise to us: "even though they are in captivity, I will watch over them. I will look out for their good. and one day, I will bring them home. . . they will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me completely."
Reading chpt 25 - it seems so very clear how God is in control of the nations;
"since you have not heard or obeyed My words, I am about to summon the clans of the north"
"when the 70 years of servitude are complete, I will then punish the king of Babylon"
so - no matter how much I am tempted to gripe and complain about government or leadership - - in a way, that is griping against God who is Sovereign over all that happens . . . hmmmm -- better to watch and wait; as JC said yesterday, trade in planning and evaluating for trust and thankfulness
The contrast between the woman pouring everything she had -- 2 years of saving out on Jesus; and Judas selling Him off is so sombering . . . pausing to picture my level of gratitude.
When Jesus talked about the bread & wine (His death), he once again reminded them at the same time about His resurrection -- I will drink it new with you. I never caught that b4 - that it was something for the disciples to hang on to after He died --a promise; He was looking for every way He could to bring them assurance and hope in the difficult hours/days ahead.
wait with Me for just an hour? Stay awake and pray that you aren't led into a trial of your own - - I can see Satan hovering over them; causing them to be drowsy - - their only hope was to cry out to God for rescue - - how many times have I/am I in that same situation - - and I don't fight to connect with the only Power that can save me (I'd say daily) I find myself "sleeping" every day - - Lord, take my heart
Jesus submits - - this example was left for me
the commentator's words grabbed me this am: Jesus has come not as a conquering king but as a sacrificial lamb who will die without defending Himself . . He does not defend Himself because His death protects from punishment - - - me
Always before today, when I've read in scripture where Jesus calls Himself the 'son of man', I figured that was a humble way of Him saying He was one with us. But now (commentator again) I realize He was referring to Daniel 7, which the disciples and many people had studied and read - - it was definitely a proclamation of His kingdom (although they twisted it to make it a kingdom on earth) He was definitely making a statement. We see it in it's final and most declarative form in 14:62 when, I can imagine - he looks the high priest in the eye and says it with royal authority - - - this had to have struck fear to the high priest - - but not enough fear to turn back or to risk looking foolish in the eyes of his peers. Pilote came closer to repenting than the high priest did.
and Peter -- I was thinking about denial; every time we succomb to Satan's temptations - we deny the power God hold's out to us - - O Lord, I have so far to go . . . help me
(it is special to have read this today -- communion at church)
Paul was pressed into service; reminded me of cookie dough - pressed into a mold; formed into the example of his Master. am I willing to be dough - pressed down?
ReplyDeleteand then - as I read the next little bit about how He consoles us as we endure the pain and hardship - I realize that I am in loving Hands as the pressing begins. That I can "no longer rely on myself and that I must trust solely in God" vs 9. I loved the commentators thoughts: It is only when you suffer that you can meet God as your comforter.
How true it is that "negativity and criticism . . destroy the beauty of Christian community." I guess we humans haven't changed much over the centuries.
Love the comments on forgiveness in the church "Instead of continuing to ostracize him (and I am taking it this is a person that has admitted his guilt and repented) offer him the grace of forgiveness and the comfort of your acceptance"
so -- food for thought with the parting commentator question "How do we stand up to the same test? If our lives were judged based on the fruit of the seeds we have planted and nurtured in the lives of others, would we be proud or mortified?"
the scary thing about the answer to this is we have no control over the actions of others - sometimes the results are good - sometimes bad; it's true even for God Himself or Jesus when He was here on this earth -- man is fickle; Jesus never put His trust in any man; so to be judged on someone else's actions and reactions is a scary thought indeed!
I did like the take on how you meet and even appreciate God as your Comforter. God keeps showing me that I have to trust Him when it seems like death is imminent. I've also been applying it to every day situations that seem (well, really they are) out of my control. Definitely need to trust solely in God. Like you said, man if so fickle.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Paul is giving them time to process and decide the instruction he's given them. To let the HS do it's work there. He has done what God asked him to do - deliver the message. Now, he has to step back and let them decide for themselves. Not an easy task to detach like that, but again, very necessary. Like he said, he doesn't want to force them. Very wise.
Going back to the beginning, I thought it interesting that Paul says that Father God is compassionate and comforting. Not normally the first picture that jumps to mind when we think of Him. But really, can that be a characteristic of God and yet be separated from One of the God Head?
I love applying the commenters thoughts about the exodus to our present situation "Now it is time to go home, to a land they have never seen, a land of promise and prosperity. They return not as slaves but as free people"
ReplyDeleteand again -- applying it to myself "I redeem every firstborn son by sacrificing a substitute" vs 15
Never thought before about His presence being connected with clouds and fire - - both elements of survival
"Don't be afraid! Stand your ground and witness how the Eternal will rescue you today. The Eternal will fight on your behalf while you watch in SILENCE!" It's all about waiting, watching -- nothing about getting in the way and trying to rescue myself.
The people trusted God in a new way, I'm thinking - after the armies were drowned. In Egypt - - it was watching the Egyptians get beat down; but now - their very lives were on the line - this was extremely personal, and each one of them had to stand and watch and wait - - a deeper trust, an individual trust. Unfortunately, that trust didn't last (complaining set in), but for the moment - their hearts were at rest.
God sent all kinds of tests up for them -- the manna. Some passed the test, many didn't. But it was growing them in small and practical ways to respect His voice and respect His day.
I love God's patience "rest assured, I have heard the constant complaining" and then I think - He hears my complaining too - - rest assured!
We think that if we are self-sufficient, if we can handle our problems; then we are strong, self-supportive, have it together. Not so in God's eyes - - the first lessons he wanted to teach His people are lessons on dependance - - for water, for food, for rest (hmmmm - those sound pretty much like basic needs)
Such strong conviction today as I read that I am worse than the Israelites. Help me Jesus to wait for You to move for me. To listen to Your Voice. Not to be anxious. not looking at the circumstances I'm in, but to rest in Your Presence, to trust Your will for me, today, right now.
ReplyDeleteNot much for me today in this reading -- but I did think that David making Joab march in front of Abner's funeral train in sackloth was kindof like saying "say you're sorry"
ReplyDeleteSaul must have liked the bosheth-type of names for his kids.
Sad that David takes on so many wives -- can't figure out where God ordained that:( If he'd have stuck with his original or at least have kept it to 2 or 3, maybe he wouldn't have had so many problems down the road -- guess that's the outcome of greed.
on to DJ
The ending of 48 is quite a promise: "He will be our guide till the end" the question is not about Him, it's about me -- will I follow the Guide, will I focus on the Guide?
ReplyDelete49:8 "Redeeming a life is costly" Father God knows that --
49:11 is all about the futility of gaining "stuff" "their graves are their real resting places" that's food for thought and again; "their cannot take anything with them when they die - - - hold loosely to "stuff" and even hold loosely to the "praise when you've done well" it's all a trap - - keep focused on Who that praise belongs to, don't hoard it to yourself. (although I do think there is a satisfaction that comes from a job well done - - I don't believe it's satisfaction that this is referring to - it's craving the praise of man (and how fickle is that? man will say anything to get what he wants)
"Our God will come and He will not whisper" I can hardly wait! it'll be A-mazing!
I love the line repeated twice in 50 "Set out a sacrifice I can accept: your thankfulness. Do you realize how very hard it is to express thankfulness at the same time you complain or whine? pretty much impossible (and I'm talking here to myself)
"When you are in trouble, call for Me. I will come and rescue you" This is more than physical trouble -- it is emotional and spiritual -- it's so much bigger than I've often attributed this text to.
and I LOVED this little statement: "somehow you got the idea that I was like you" Busted! I do that all the time -- and God is so much bigger - - reminds me of some of the Shack theories that came out.
No time to post yesterday but one thing that stood out to me was how David didn't panic when news came to him about Saul and Jonathan's death. He asked a question to clarify. He then let the man's own words condemn him. No emotional response here, like what came across from his response to Nabal. I wonder if he was in shock.
ReplyDeleteAnd with all the bloodshed around people in power, I still can't understand why we crave it so much. Maybe it's a control thing.
Psalms today, hmmm, I admit I kinda skimmed. I did more ponderous reading in 50. To me, the verses don't just talk about going through the motions in the physical sacrifices. That was how they worshiped back then.
What motions do we, do I go through today? Why do I take God's words to me and sift through them and take what I want to hear and toss the other away? I do have to be careful not to think of God in human terms. He's way more than I can handle. Which is why we (I) try to box Him up so much. I try to get a grip on the Impossible. I need to realize Who is holding on to whom. My grip will slip, but His never fails.
Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually. This is a paradigm shift that will revolutionize your life . . . when you find yourself flitting down your well worn path of planning, stop and affirm your trust in me. It can be as simple as saying, 'I trust You Jesus.' . . . Your sense of responsibility to make judgments about everything is both hurtful and distorted. This attitude easily deteriorates into criticizing and complaining. Though you may not realize it, much of this negativity is ultimately directed at Me - the One who is sovereign over all things . . . Changing your thought patterns requires time and mental discipline . . . Your thankful, trusting attitude will bring good pleasure to Me and abundant blessing to you."
ReplyDeleteSo this morning, I've already said it out loud . . . kind of a pre-emptive strike, "I trust You Jesus" That way when the hit comes, I'm hoping it will stick in my mind; but as it says - it takes time and mental discipline - - 2 things that I need to grow in:)
I tried Job this a.m. and failed to come away with any thing more than frustration at Elihu's arrogance. Imagine what God feels when we do that to Him, over and over again!
ReplyDeleteI've been dancing back and forth between 2 pgs in JC that talk about my need for constant communion with Him and trusting Him completely so I have peace above my circumstances.
"Remember that your ultimate goal is not to control or fix everything around you; it is to keep communing with Me. A successful day is one in which you have stayed in touch with Me, even if many things remain undone at the end of the day."
I'm learning how to talk with Him when the phone's ringing, people are talking to me and emails and maintenances are begging for attention. I wish it could be easier. Then I read this: "But I challenge you to relinquish the fantasy of an uncluttered world. Accept each day just as it comes, and find Me in the midst of it all." So that's what I'm doing this week. I know You're here Jesus, open my eyes to see You, my ears to hear You, because I can't feel You right now. I'm just going by Your promise - since You can't lie. I trust You, Jesus.
It is a JC morning but I was in Jeremiah briefly, just being reminded that human hearts are not to be trusted. God knows what our motives are. That was actually in last weeks reading. I want to put my full trust in God alone and not be swayed by what people may or may not think of me.
ReplyDeleteI was also directed to Ps 37:5 "Commit your path to the Eternal, let Him direct you. Put your confidence in Him, and He will follow through with you."
Also 16:8 "He is ever prsent with me; at all times He goes before me. I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand."
Great promises/reminders for me of my Father's protection.
OK -- plowed through Jeremiah; tough going finding the gems in there - I know I missed a bunch:)
ReplyDelete24:6-7, even though it is talking about the Judeans sent to Chaldea - - it can also be claimed as a precious promise to us: "even though they are in captivity, I will watch over them. I will look out for their good. and one day, I will bring them home. . . they will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me completely."
Reading chpt 25 - it seems so very clear how God is in control of the nations;
"since you have not heard or obeyed My words, I am about to summon the clans of the north"
"when the 70 years of servitude are complete, I will then punish the king of Babylon"
so - no matter how much I am tempted to gripe and complain about government or leadership - - in a way, that is griping against God who is Sovereign over all that happens . . . hmmmm -- better to watch and wait; as JC said yesterday, trade in planning and evaluating for trust and thankfulness
The contrast between the woman pouring everything she had -- 2 years of saving out on Jesus; and Judas selling Him off is so sombering . . . pausing to picture my level of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jesus talked about the bread & wine (His death), he once again reminded them at the same time about His resurrection -- I will drink it new with you. I never caught that b4 - that it was something for the disciples to hang on to after He died --a promise; He was looking for every way He could to bring them assurance and hope in the difficult hours/days ahead.
wait with Me for just an hour? Stay awake and pray that you aren't led into a trial of your own - - I can see Satan hovering over them; causing them to be drowsy - - their only hope was to cry out to God for rescue - - how many times have I/am I in that same situation - - and I don't fight to connect with the only Power that can save me (I'd say daily) I find myself "sleeping" every day - - Lord, take my heart
Jesus submits - - this example was left for me
the commentator's words grabbed me this am: Jesus has come not as a conquering king but as a sacrificial lamb who will die without defending Himself . . He does not defend Himself because His death protects from punishment - - - me
Always before today, when I've read in scripture where Jesus calls Himself the 'son of man', I figured that was a humble way of Him saying He was one with us. But now (commentator again) I realize He was referring to Daniel 7, which the disciples and many people had studied and read - - it was definitely a proclamation of His kingdom (although they twisted it to make it a kingdom on earth) He was definitely making a statement. We see it in it's final and most declarative form in 14:62 when, I can imagine - he looks the high priest in the eye and says it with royal authority - - - this had to have struck fear to the high priest - - but not enough fear to turn back or to risk looking foolish in the eyes of his peers. Pilote came closer to repenting than the high priest did.
and Peter -- I was thinking about denial; every time we succomb to Satan's temptations - we deny the power God hold's out to us - - O Lord, I have so far to go . . . help me
(it is special to have read this today -- communion at church)