That is a great post to open this week. Ephesians ties right into it. I just re-read your post of yesterday and the last line you brought out how Jesus was asking the people why they couldn't understand the urgency of the moment. Why can't we now? It's like the snooze button, too easy to hit it and roll back over. Too easy to cover our heads and sleep some more.
Spiritually, we need to be more awake than ever. Armies train together so they can be ready to fight together in wartime. It's not different for us and spiritual battles. We need to train together with heavenly armies and the HS before the bigger battle that is coming. How will we know if we're listening to the right voice? How will we know what our Allies can really do if we're not training with them now and gaining confidence in the Spirit?
I love how Paul says that the HS created the unity. The commentators brought this out as well. It's the HS that keeps bringing people into my life who have been awakened to the same thoughts and questions as I. It's the HS who keeps encouraging me through these different people from all walks of life to seek Him deeper still.
The call to honor each other, guard each other, treat each other with humility, love and patience is another example of the unity that the HS creates. People who are being re-created in His image are drawn to others that are being worked on in the same way. It's all a Divine work - not human contrived.
5:11 "Don’t get involved with the fruitless works of darkness; instead, expose them to the light of God." If we are light, where we go will naturally be full of the One True Light also. Again - it's a natural occurrence, not something I conjur up.
Be fully clothed in God's armour and we will be able to stand. "I know Who goes before, I know Who goes behind..."
Took a break today and went to Dear Jesus:) 103 "It is important not to be surprised or alarmed by the many trials that enter your life. Until you reach your ultimate home in heaven, you will be at war. When you have a wartime mentality, it's easier to handle difficulties as they arise. You don't waste time and energy bemoaning your circumstances; you aviod the trap of feeling singled out for hardship"
Cool beans! I read that a couple days ago in JC too. Some of the thoughts are repeated with a few words changed, but it's good stuff!
Read in Kings today. Did you notice this year or maybe we did last, that Asa & his dad had the same mom? Gross.
Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho and buried his sons alive under the city as he built it? I'm hoping they died of sickness or something but if it was a pagan practice, I'm thinking it was a sacrificial offering. Just sick! No wonder God called it abhorrent wickedness!
In his lust for power, Zimri murders the king and then thinks everyone will follow him. He was obviously lousy at leadership and politics as no one did and he burned himself alive. At least this way, a power hungry person was eliminated quickly. I am always leery of smooth talkers and politcians - especially in churches and church organizations. They can't be trusted and I don't.
Asa was a bright light for a few years. Obadiah was a follower of God right under Ahab's nose. Just shows what the power of God can do when He wants you some place. He has the purpose for our lives. My part is to listen and obey and stop planning out my own future. Just wait, listen and obey....just (sigh).
I'm encouraged by reading Elijah's story, he did this exactly. Apparently, he was at the widow's house for quite awhile. I wonder if he grew impatient and pressed God for directions. Pretty cool how God hid him from Ahab's search until God wanted him found. Just wait, listen and obey. Double sigh - You gotta help me God, I'm so lousy at this, but I my heart will choose to say - I trust You, Jesus.
Read Kings today - but have to scurry to get ready to fly out today; Chris -- praying about the job issues.
Yeah - that WAS gross about the double mom - yuck.
Elijah had a lot of waiting to do; at the brook, at the widows - what a life of surrender and courage. Thought it was a bit humorous that God sent him to Jezaebel's town to hide!! and Interesting that the widow acknowledged the Eternal God right off the bat, even though she was in an evil town.
I love Elijah's courage - and wow, wouldn't it be neat to have the Spirit's ability to run THAT fast before the chariot! What endorphans must have felt like in his body!!
I wonder if that marathon was before the Greek one that started the whole thing.
When I was reading Proverbs today, I was wondering which son Solomon had in mind when he was writing. Could have been all of them. I was also thinking of how Rehoboam totally disregarded any good advice his dad gave about anything. Didn't learn too much from example either.
Solomon had quite the harem, must have longed for 1 wife and a quiet evening.
Good advice about not co signing for stuff at the beginning of 6. We don't even know our own hearts, how are we supposed to know what's in others. That old saying of "blood is thicker than water" must also correlate to how we used to describe people when they are stupid - "they're pretty thick up top". Guess there's a lot of blood up there. Ha ha. When a family member has to pull out the "but I'm family line", time to beware big time!
So two posts in one; I liked Ps73 yesterday; Asaph nailed it when he gave us this word pic:
You are still holding my right hand; You have been all along. Reminds me of Hind's feet. And sometimes we get so caught up in the trauma, we are unaware that He still has us by the hand, pulling us up, closer to Him; and that fits with:
"The closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good" yes- indeedy!
Seems like there are 3 warnings in proverbs today: adultery, financial commitments and laziness -- but then it cycles back to adultery - it's like that is the ultimate downfall of man - nothing will be left, his possessions, his reputation, his life. I love the call to simply enjoy with the wife/husband you have -- a call to contentment and commitment:)
DJ 103 "I do indeed equip you fully to handle your difficulties. But you have to make the effort to use what I provide: My Presence, My Word, My Spirit. Come to Me when you are heavy laden and you will find rest for your soul"
Luke 13:2 - 5 seems to address the issue of "the act of God" which is bogus!! It's like Jesus is saying - life happens here on earth; I don't cause it -- but what you need to focus on is the eternal big picture; be ready at any time for THAT. That's where judgement happens, not the first death.
13:32 looks like an illustration to his death. "I cast out demons and perform healings today (the result of his death -- through His death, Satan was defeated and hearts were healed) and on the third day I'll reach My destination" (it all boils down to that resurrection! -- HOPE)
I love how He challenges them on the Sabbath in 14 -- they are all about themselves (their livestock or livelihood - their families; for these things, they'll make exceptions on the Sabbath) but when it comes to someone else --
"If you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don't underestimate that cost" maybe even your life - your family; be willing to hold everything loosely, and put all these things in His design.
"Don't just listen to My words here. Get the deeper meaning" a call to study - to take time for intentional passionate study - it's worth it!!
That is a great post to open this week. Ephesians ties right into it. I just re-read your post of yesterday and the last line you brought out how Jesus was asking the people why they couldn't understand the urgency of the moment. Why can't we now? It's like the snooze button, too easy to hit it and roll back over. Too easy to cover our heads and sleep some more.
ReplyDeleteSpiritually, we need to be more awake than ever. Armies train together so they can be ready to fight together in wartime. It's not different for us and spiritual battles. We need to train together with heavenly armies and the HS before the bigger battle that is coming. How will we know if we're listening to the right voice? How will we know what our Allies can really do if we're not training with them now and gaining confidence in the Spirit?
I love how Paul says that the HS created the unity. The commentators brought this out as well. It's the HS that keeps bringing people into my life who have been awakened to the same thoughts and questions as I. It's the HS who keeps encouraging me through these different people from all walks of life to seek Him deeper still.
The call to honor each other, guard each other, treat each other with humility, love and patience is another example of the unity that the HS creates. People who are being re-created in His image are drawn to others that are being worked on in the same way. It's all a Divine work - not human contrived.
5:11 "Don’t get involved with the fruitless works of darkness; instead, expose them to the light of God." If we are light, where we go will naturally be full of the One True Light also. Again - it's a natural occurrence, not something I conjur up.
Be fully clothed in God's armour and we will be able to stand. "I know Who goes before, I know Who goes behind..."
Took a break today and went to Dear Jesus:) 103 "It is important not to be surprised or alarmed by the many trials that enter your life. Until you reach your ultimate home in heaven, you will be at war. When you have a wartime mentality, it's easier to handle difficulties as they arise. You don't waste time and energy bemoaning your circumstances; you aviod the trap of feeling singled out for hardship"
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 41:10
Cool beans! I read that a couple days ago in JC too. Some of the thoughts are repeated with a few words changed, but it's good stuff!
ReplyDeleteRead in Kings today. Did you notice this year or maybe we did last, that Asa & his dad had the same mom? Gross.
Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho and buried his sons alive under the city as he built it? I'm hoping they died of sickness or something but if it was a pagan practice, I'm thinking it was a sacrificial offering. Just sick! No wonder God called it abhorrent wickedness!
In his lust for power, Zimri murders the king and then thinks everyone will follow him. He was obviously lousy at leadership and politics as no one did and he burned himself alive. At least this way, a power hungry person was eliminated quickly. I am always leery of smooth talkers and politcians - especially in churches and church organizations. They can't be trusted and I don't.
Asa was a bright light for a few years. Obadiah was a follower of God right under Ahab's nose. Just shows what the power of God can do when He wants you some place. He has the purpose for our lives. My part is to listen and obey and stop planning out my own future. Just wait, listen and obey....just (sigh).
I'm encouraged by reading Elijah's story, he did this exactly. Apparently, he was at the widow's house for quite awhile. I wonder if he grew impatient and pressed God for directions. Pretty cool how God hid him from Ahab's search until God wanted him found. Just wait, listen and obey. Double sigh - You gotta help me God, I'm so lousy at this, but I my heart will choose to say - I trust You, Jesus.
Read Kings today - but have to scurry to get ready to fly out today; Chris -- praying about the job issues.
ReplyDeleteYeah - that WAS gross about the double mom - yuck.
Elijah had a lot of waiting to do; at the brook, at the widows - what a life of surrender and courage. Thought it was a bit humorous that God sent him to Jezaebel's town to hide!! and Interesting that the widow acknowledged the Eternal God right off the bat, even though she was in an evil town.
I love Elijah's courage - and wow, wouldn't it be neat to have the Spirit's ability to run THAT fast before the chariot! What endorphans must have felt like in his body!!
I wonder if that marathon was before the Greek one that started the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was reading Proverbs today, I was wondering which son Solomon had in mind when he was writing. Could have been all of them. I was also thinking of how Rehoboam totally disregarded any good advice his dad gave about anything. Didn't learn too much from example either.
Solomon had quite the harem, must have longed for 1 wife and a quiet evening.
Good advice about not co signing for stuff at the beginning of 6. We don't even know our own hearts, how are we supposed to know what's in others. That old saying of "blood is thicker than water" must also correlate to how we used to describe people when they are stupid - "they're pretty thick up top". Guess there's a lot of blood up there. Ha ha. When a family member has to pull out the "but I'm family line", time to beware big time!
So two posts in one; I liked Ps73 yesterday; Asaph nailed it when he gave us this word pic:
ReplyDeleteYou are still holding my right hand; You have been all along. Reminds me of Hind's feet. And sometimes we get so caught up in the trauma, we are unaware that He still has us by the hand, pulling us up, closer to Him; and that fits with:
"The closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good" yes- indeedy!
Seems like there are 3 warnings in proverbs today: adultery, financial commitments and laziness -- but then it cycles back to adultery - it's like that is the ultimate downfall of man - nothing will be left, his possessions, his reputation, his life. I love the call to simply enjoy with the wife/husband you have -- a call to contentment and commitment:)
DJ 103 "I do indeed equip you fully to handle your difficulties. But you have to make the effort to use what I provide: My Presence, My Word, My Spirit. Come to Me when you are heavy laden and you will find rest for your soul"
ReplyDeleteLuke 13:2 - 5 seems to address the issue of "the act of God" which is bogus!! It's like Jesus is saying - life happens here on earth; I don't cause it -- but what you need to focus on is the eternal big picture; be ready at any time for THAT. That's where judgement happens, not the first death.
ReplyDelete13:32 looks like an illustration to his death. "I cast out demons and perform healings today (the result of his death -- through His death, Satan was defeated and hearts were healed) and on the third day I'll reach My destination" (it all boils down to that resurrection! -- HOPE)
I love how He challenges them on the Sabbath in 14 -- they are all about themselves (their livestock or livelihood - their families; for these things, they'll make exceptions on the Sabbath) but when it comes to someone else --
"If you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don't underestimate that cost" maybe even your life - your family; be willing to hold everything loosely, and put all these things in His design.
"Don't just listen to My words here. Get the deeper meaning" a call to study - to take time for intentional passionate study - it's worth it!!