O Jesus; Friend of Sinners . . .
I love Paul's call to oneness and love is both the rich soil and the bedrock - again I am convicted to be filled with His love and acceptance.
In chpt one there is a beautiful tribute to the "roles" of the trinity - yet as we know from the shack - it's much deeper and united than specific roles!
I love how Paul takes us back to Adam's roots - again reminding us that God is especially fond of each one:)
There was something else I was going to comment on, can't remember what it is right now.
Chris, I agree about vulnerability - I trust someone more who is - takes more guts to be real than fake
I like the phrasing of the familiar verses of 2:8+ Grace is a gift. Wasn't my plan or my effort. I am a grace made woman as Paul puts it later.
ReplyDeleteSalt was used to seal friendship; as a sign of permanence - God wanted to be their friend - to feast/celebrate with them where ever He could. The people were always to bring the best of what they had; these ceremonies where not a heavenly Good Will where they would dump off what they didn't want - this was worship; they gave their finest - a call to present day worship and awe about the God who also wants relationship.
ReplyDeleteHow far the priests had fallen in Jesus day - they were to assist the people in this connection with God - joining in to eat some of their sacrifices (wonder how they maintained their weight) anyway, even though Levnis not my favorite blood - I like the call to worship, as I think that is a week point in our present culture (at least the worship of God)
12:24 "This thing is from me" is what it says in the old KJV. I remember reading a short poem or article on this. Realizing that everything that comes to me, God has had a part in. Good or bad. Blessing or curse (annoyances). He allows things to happen in my life that hopefully turn me to Him more, not less.
ReplyDeleteWe see in the story how man, once again, uses his own strength to solidify his power. Which is exactly that his power, not God's. That's why it's easily broken. There's always someone bigger, better and smarter than you.
At the peak of his career, after God had demonstrated His awesome power through him, the man of God was undone by human reasoning and manipulation. I imagine him asking God for help to know if he was to go with the old prophet. The fact that God was silent makes me think that nothing had changed. He was to stick to his earlier instructions.
To apply that to my life today takes on many forms. I'm going to go with my last instructions though. I just pray all these great stories with principles in them, come back to my mind when I need it. And then I hope I listen.
So much more to share, but I'll leave something for you to comment on!
2 thoughts:
ReplyDeleteThere is a wisdom that comes with age; age tempers somewhat the desire for power, for domination as life happens and one realizes that there is a better way to lead. This comes out in the elders advice to Rehaboam. Listen to the people around you - do the wise thing.
Also - - I've always been a bit baffled by the old prophet; why he lied - what was he trying to accomplish. Was it really fair to the other prophet if the old prophet lied about what he'd been told? The it occured to me that all of us will face this test someday. We've been given the Bible - God's word; no doubt, somewhere along the line we'll be told that another message has come from God. Apparently, God takes great stock in the fact that we obey what He's said until HE says otherwise. Again I'm reminded of Jesus, who didn't put His trust in any man.
I WISH I had lived out Ps 71:5 & 6; that God had been the source of my confidence since I was young (unfortunately - I didn't look to Him for youthful confidence; it was myself or friends or family), I wish I had leaned upon Him and relied on Him - - I feel like I'm learning to do that now in my old age.
ReplyDeleteMy soul's asylum - interesting use of words
Allow me to share with the generation to come -- I think it's because in our old age, we realize how week we are
As I read 69 I was struck with the thought of Jesus, being dragged from the garden and that satan surely tempted Him with the thoughts of doubt as to His purity. That He might have slipped in this area or that. Especially v6 where it says don't let your hopeful followers face disgrace because of me.
ReplyDeleteJesus did encounter all we do/will. This is something that satan will/does throw in our faces all the time as we're being harassed and persecuted. We haven't seen much at all in the U.S. compared to other countries. It's coming though.
The stuff we are facing now are just the prep courses. Definitely time to dig in and open the text book, sit at the Teacher's feet and learn.
Application is the best way to learn it well and He's giving us plenty of opportunities. I've never liked homework, but this isn't just busy work. There's an actual purpose to what God's putting in each of our lives.
Sounds like David gave good advice, but as we read earlier this week, Solomon didn't stay true to it. Not only did his body grow soft and weak, but so did his resolve and his mind.
ReplyDeleteJust read Ps 16 again, which definitely is becoming my favorite chapter in the Bible, so very important to stay connected to the One who holds me and walks with me. My only safety is found in the moments I seek You.
This chapter reminded me of a great read by Andy Stanley called, "The Best Question Ever" and that question? "What is the wise thing to do?" Not - what am I feeling, not -- what do I want, not -- what do other people think, not -- what is everyone else doing. BUT "what is the wise thing to do" That has to be overshadowed though by God's voice. Sometimes the "things God asks a person to do don't make human sense -- so there is a balancing act:)
ReplyDeleteWisdom and Integrity go hand in hand; you don't really have one without the other.
Wisdom; wow -- it gives un-confusion of life, honor, grace, confidence . . . why don't more people pursue?? I think part of it is that we like to think we have the answers, that we're smart; therefore, we don't ask and we miss out. We don't ask other people who are in a place we'd like to be, we don't ask God who has ALL the answers -- we don't even take the time to ask ourselves (again, what is the wise thing to do)
"Keep your head up, your eyes straight ahead, and your focus fixed" Good advice, don't let anything side track you from wisdom:)
OK -- Going to go read Ps 16 - you inspired me Chris:):)
I've started reading Acts again, especially on Friday. After reading Culture of Honor, I started wondering "when did we stop expecting God to show up?".
ReplyDeleteToday God started piecing some things together for me. Jesus valued people above things, so did the early church. The rich young ruler was good up to a point. When total surrender of things came in to play, the things got in the way.
Am I willing to give up my possessions, my things I enjoy, my pursuit of a job I enjoy, my apt, for whatever God wants to do with me? These aren't bad things to pursue or have. But if God needs me to do something else, am I willing to step aside? Am I willing to value people and His purpose above what I want? Really and truly?
Paul and Silas sang in jail. Wrongly accused, beaten, cold, wet and without light, they sang. That's something even all the good pursuits in life can't give you. That's only God-given.
When we give all - God gives more. Deeper surrender, we can never stop going deeper. Jesus valued me above heaven, above earthly comforts, above what people thought of Him or me. What do I value? Usually I value me too. I fight for me and what I think I should have - deserve even. When I value people more than myself and my pursuits - that's when God can use me to make a difference. It can start with one. It can start with The One. I trust You, Jesus. Thank You for the privilege.
Really good thoughts Chris - - surrender is SO much more than what we assign it - -
ReplyDeleteOK -- so I powered through Ezekiel -- talk about surrender! Those OT prophets knew what it meant; laying on his side for over a year, shaving his head with a sword - - and the ridicule from people who had not yet experienced the warning - - - THAT is some kind of surrender and I wonder if I will ever be to that point. Certainly Ezekiel had to love the people he was warning more than he loved his own body.
I was interested in the discription of the Cheribum; 2 wings stretched upward (as in raising our hands to God) one wing on each side was touching the wing of the other creature on either side (as in reaching out to our fellow man) the other wings covered their body - (as in the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us) Not sure if that's what it all means - but I liked it; and when it next said "the spirit directed them" that was another indication that the Spirit was inside.
I love Ezekiel's wow statement "this was nothing less than the glory of the Eternal that appeared to me" and considering the huge act of surrender that God had in mind, it was comforting I'm sure for Ezekiel to think back to that moment when He saw God's glory, confirming that he was doing what God wanted.
Interesting that Ez had his limits (cooking food over human dung), and that God seemed to realize He'd pushed the human farther than he could go - - what a precious God we serve, knowing our limits. God also let Ez sit in confusion for 7 days - then He came to him; seems like there is often processing time when someone comes in contact with God.
The heavy weight of Ez's responsibility if he didn't warn the people (on his head) Do you think that is the case for each one of us? Yikes - that makes me feel weighed down with responsibility - - and guilt; but then I think it's best to just be moved like the Cherubim - by that Spirit; letting the Spirit decide when we should open up and warn and when we should listen, and when we should ask questions.
Here are the emotions of God in chpt 6: "I have been wounded by their promiscuous hearts that turned away from Me, how I have been hurt by their wandering eyes" I don't often think of God as being wounded or hurt, I think of Him as the Eternal, the Ruler, the King -- often emotion-less and strong. The Shack challenged that view, but I still have to work at seeing God as compassionate, the Lover; my compassionate, loving Father that doesn't loose sight of me.
Yes, Ezekiel definitely learned surrender. Incredible life.
ReplyDeleteLuke gave me a lot of similar thoughts to yesterday. I love the promise of the HS to those who simply ask in faith. God will show up, the sad fact is, that we are rarely ready.
That's something that JUST popped out to me Chris! I've always thought that the Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking applied to all kinds of requests; physical, emotional, financial, family - - but when you get to verse 13 -- it really seems to narrow down the asking, seeking and knocking apply to the request of the Holy Spirit. That makes sense, because if that is our goal - to have more H.S. influence; the other concerns in our life will be put in perspective as we surrender to God's workings.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love how Jesus wasn't impressed by numbers - and wow, talk about dinner table topics; it must have been a fairly tense dinner; but the reason he laid it all out - was because he wanted to save them; He wanted them to turn.
Warning for each of us: "beneath your fastidious exterior is a mess of extortion and filth" yuck -- as Mack said in the Shack -- I'm a mess.
and goodness within = generosity from within. There is something there -- goodness = generosity while badness = extortion and filth - tight-fisted selfishness
12:7 so much simplicity and beauty in this "Since you are so much more precious to God . . . you can be secure and unafraid of any person, an you have nothing to fear from God either."
Love the way this is worded 31 "Since you don't need to worry - about security and safety, about food and clothing -- then pursue God's kingdom first and foremost, and these other things will come to you as well"
"you Father's great JOY is to give you His kingdom" awesome -- what a beautiful picture of Papa! and then the picture of the master, putting on an apron, and sitting down with us at the kitchen table to enjoy a midnight snack!!
"Why can't you interpret the urgency of this present moment? Why???" Jesus is desperate for them (me) to understand what is important in this life.