God won't quit mid-design as He crafts who He wants us to be. He'll be working on me until I'm 101 or however long He wants me here - we never arrive; we journey on under His hand.
May your love grow more in wisdom and insight so you can examine and determine the best. We make our decisions with wisdom and insight with a foundation of love - - God wants us to be wise; but to be wise - we have to study what He says and who He is - - and that study springs from love.
I LOVE Paul's positive attitude! Who else would find imprisonment a positive?? He had really learned the art of "choosing" to find the best in each situation. Also the commenter said "the kingdom and the message of the Anointed One are more important than any one messenger" - - that's an important point to remember! It's why we're here. Here's how Paul puts it, "my life is about the Anointed and Hm alone"
Love the call at the end of 1 and beginning of 2 to stand/come together as one - - who wouldn't want to be part of a community like that? "Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbor's interests first"
"Do all things without complaining or bickering . . . shine like stars across the land" love the beauty of a clear starry night - I feel so close to God in that moment - - maybe there's something to that, if I shine like a star . . . "Cling to the word of life" don't just read it, study it -- cling to it!
And I can't help but love the word pic of all Heaven and Earth bowing when Jesus' name is called -- finally He receives the complete honor due to Him. Thank you Jesus!
Just caught up on the comments from last week and this week. Made me want to do some reading...but Monday is coming with Leviticus so...I think I will find some time then for Luke and Paul...:D
I hadn't completed the loop of Luke 13:32 to the result of Jesus' death. Thanks for that.
Encouraging for me to see that Jesus didn't always get the response He wanted when He talked to people (14:2-6). It didn't intimidate Him though, He just did what His Father told Him to do. Good to remember.
I also noticed the cost comment. That's why Jesus doesn't just want the emotional response - like the seed responding to the sun but with no root. It might take longer to make the decision, but it is good soil, the whole package. The emotion (heart) and well thought out (mind).
I skimmed Lev this morning -- not too inspired by all of the many sacrifices and purifications; but, at the end of 9, the commentator's words jumped out at me. Just in case you guys opted out of Lev too - I figured I'd just quote what jumped out at me, something I long to experience and, if God wants me to -- I will have that opportunity:)
"The glory of God is a hard notion for us. The word often translated "glory" means essentially heaviness or weight. The Eternal One uniquely is the most substantial and most significant being in the cosmos. Only God is eternal. Only God has true substance. Creation runs out, wears out, and peters out eventually. In the Scriptures the term "glory" is used often for those unique times and places when God manifests Himself in some visible way. It is His epiphany, or manifestation one might say. To see God's glory is a fearsome thing. That's why people fall on their faces and call out for mercy. Nto many people have seen God's glory, but those who do never forget it."
Like 3rd day quotes from Moses: Show me Your glory . . .
I admire your tenacity with going thru Leviticus AGAIN! It's there as a testimony, to show us where we came from and why on earth would you want to go back to that?
For me, asking God to "show me Your glory" is the last thing I would ask. I don't think it's out of fear, but I know what that glory is, what it means. Calling out for mercy would definitely be on my lips. I just can't sing those words in that song. Love the song and the meaning, just can't say those words - it's too flippant for me in the Presence of One so awesome and pure. I know Moses didn't say it flippantly though. I am more like the angels in Revelation that fall on their faces or cover their faces and say "holy, holy, holy".
Read kings today. Elijah in the Presence of God says the same thing twice. He doesn't embellish it, just states it as he sees it. I like the "as You know" intro too. Just saying things from his perspective and acknowledging that God has seen it all. I wonder what the point was in God causing the wind, earthquake and fire. It doesn't say that Elijah reacted in any way toward these. I wonder if that was because God had called him there and he knew he was in the Presence of God. 2 good things for me to remember today.
God didn't give up on Ahab until he had been given plenty of opportunities to repent. Very encouraging.
Some pretty cut and dried stuff in the OT for sure. If someone walked up to me and said "hit me", I don't think I would without some kind of explanation. Wonder if there was anything else to this conversation.
God didn't chastise Elijah for running. He provided for His needs. He gave him instructions AND He gave him a glimpse into the current spiritual state of things revealing that there were others - Elijah was not alone. In doing that He encouraged Elijah. THEN He told him to go back. No guilt trip or "if, then" scenarios. Just instructions. Just a choice.
God just isn't surprised by where we end up or the choices we make - even when they are wrong ones. He works with what we give Him, which isn't much. It's so obvious He wants a relationship with us - wants to be with us forever. We're so stubborn and keep fighting Him. We are stupid sheep.
What really stood out to me in psalms was the end of 77. The description of God's power, the reaction of nature to it's Maker. Also how important it is to reflect on God's ways. V11-13 really speak to me. Especially 13. "O God, Your way is so different, so distinct, so divine. No other god compares with our God."
Since His ways are so different, why am I so thick headed, instead of sitting at His feet and learning.
Then I read Phil 1,2 since I missed it Sunday.
2:3-4 I've always liked: "Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first."
Too many times I put my own agenda before God's and then wonder why it isn't working out. Really like the wording of get over yourself! Stop protecting what you (I) think is important. I think that comes from being insecure in Who I belong to. When I forget that I have THE most powerful Dad in the universe, then I struggle and lose my peace.
I always appreciate sincerity. Too many fake people in this world. Seems like Paul was tired of it too.
Yeah! I highlighted vs 13 too; It's why we can't trust the world to tell us how to think; God's ways are not our ways - and as you say Chris, we need to sit at His feet and learn the divine, distinct ways; just saying that has a calming affect on me!
76:2/3 He has made Salem His home; wow - peace His home; again, a calming moment. He destroyed the instruments of war. It's like aggression is not on His agenda - He prefers peace. How very far we have drifted from His design:( In our world, it's almost like the timelines center around wars we have had; the revolutionary, the civil, WWI, WWII - - I'm looking for a better world, a Heavenly city whose builder and maker is God!!
When the earth and everyone living in it (that would be me) spin into chaos, I AM the One who stabilizes and supports" 75:3
JC today: "Welcome problems as perspective-lifters. My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them...your response to that situation will take you up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself...viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble...turn toward Me and see the Light of My Presence shining upon you. pg 121
pg 122 "My Power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me. Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith; they are links to My Presence."
Maybe you've wondered this before or even mentioned it but why wasn't the older son invited to the feast for his brother in the first place? Why wasn't he notified? Was it just an over sight? Was he, but blew it off and fumed the whole time he was finishing his work in the field?
This thought came to me - he was supposed to be working with his father in watching for his brother. Not saying the field work wasn't necessary but someone else could have done it. He had a special tie - it was his brother. Just something to think about.
16:10-12. If I don't manage well the abilities and talents God has given me, why would He give me another talent? If I'm hoarding what He's entrusted with me "for a rainy day" instead of living generously, sharing the abilities/talents with those I come in contact with - why would He give me more?
We tend to think if I use it, I won't have it when I need it. But God has endless supplies of EVERYTHING! So I need to not be stingy, to pass it on, share what/when I can. Who knows what else I could do if I live my life open and generous. Like Jesus did.
I love some of the word pics in 15: hoist it up on your shoulders; I love the thought of Father God hoisting tired me up on His shoulders; seeing "life" from His perspective and feeling the ease of going through life up there, riding on His strength. The woman searched diligently -- not just "well, if I come across it - that'll be great" but she was intentional, focused - hard to imagine Father God putting that much divine energy toward me!! and then celebrating when I'd caused all that extra effort!
The line from the older brother "I've never disobeyed one of your orders" reminds me of the section we read last night in the shack. How it's 'easier' to obey the rules and Sarayu challenged that! God is more interested in relationship than rules -- and that popped out at me in 16. Seems like that clever servant is a call to generosity; generosity of grace. God has been generous with us, but also entrusted us with generosity towards others -- will we be generous with others or hang onto it for ourselves.
love this thought: "compassion is what God measures, not wealth" such a flip from the worldly view
God won't quit mid-design as He crafts who He wants us to be. He'll be working on me until I'm 101 or however long He wants me here - we never arrive; we journey on under His hand.
ReplyDeleteMay your love grow more in wisdom and insight so you can examine and determine the best. We make our decisions with wisdom and insight with a foundation of love - - God wants us to be wise; but to be wise - we have to study what He says and who He is - - and that study springs from love.
I LOVE Paul's positive attitude! Who else would find imprisonment a positive?? He had really learned the art of "choosing" to find the best in each situation. Also the commenter said "the kingdom and the message of the Anointed One are more important than any one messenger" - - that's an important point to remember! It's why we're here. Here's how Paul puts it, "my life is about the Anointed and Hm alone"
Love the call at the end of 1 and beginning of 2 to stand/come together as one - - who wouldn't want to be part of a community like that?
"Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbor's interests first"
"Do all things without complaining or bickering . . . shine like stars across the land" love the beauty of a clear starry night - I feel so close to God in that moment - - maybe there's something to that, if I shine like a star . . . "Cling to the word of life" don't just read it, study it -- cling to it!
And I can't help but love the word pic of all Heaven and Earth bowing when Jesus' name is called -- finally He receives the complete honor due to Him. Thank you Jesus!
Just caught up on the comments from last week and this week. Made me want to do some reading...but Monday is coming with Leviticus so...I think I will find some time then for Luke and Paul...:D
ReplyDeletewas wondering when someone would discover that song too...:)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't completed the loop of Luke 13:32 to the result of Jesus' death. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteEncouraging for me to see that Jesus didn't always get the response He wanted when He talked to people (14:2-6). It didn't intimidate Him though, He just did what His Father told Him to do. Good to remember.
I also noticed the cost comment. That's why Jesus doesn't just want the emotional response - like the seed responding to the sun but with no root. It might take longer to make the decision, but it is good soil, the whole package. The emotion (heart) and well thought out (mind).
I skimmed Lev this morning -- not too inspired by all of the many sacrifices and purifications; but, at the end of 9, the commentator's words jumped out at me. Just in case you guys opted out of Lev too - I figured I'd just quote what jumped out at me, something I long to experience and, if God wants me to -- I will have that opportunity:)
ReplyDelete"The glory of God is a hard notion for us. The word often translated "glory" means essentially heaviness or weight. The Eternal One uniquely is the most substantial and most significant being in the cosmos. Only God is eternal. Only God has true substance. Creation runs out, wears out, and peters out eventually. In the Scriptures the term "glory" is used often for those unique times and places when God manifests Himself in some visible way. It is His epiphany, or manifestation one might say. To see God's glory is a fearsome thing. That's why people fall on their faces and call out for mercy. Nto many people have seen God's glory, but those who do never forget it."
Like 3rd day quotes from Moses: Show me Your glory . . .
I admire your tenacity with going thru Leviticus AGAIN! It's there as a testimony, to show us where we came from and why on earth would you want to go back to that?
ReplyDeleteFor me, asking God to "show me Your glory" is the last thing I would ask. I don't think it's out of fear, but I know what that glory is, what it means. Calling out for mercy would definitely be on my lips. I just can't sing those words in that song. Love the song and the meaning, just can't say those words - it's too flippant for me in the Presence of One so awesome and pure. I know Moses didn't say it flippantly though. I am more like the angels in Revelation that fall on their faces or cover their faces and say "holy, holy, holy".
Read kings today. Elijah in the Presence of God says the same thing twice. He doesn't embellish it, just states it as he sees it. I like the "as You know" intro too. Just saying things from his perspective and acknowledging that God has seen it all. I wonder what the point was in God causing the wind, earthquake and fire. It doesn't say that Elijah reacted in any way toward these. I wonder if that was because God had called him there and he knew he was in the Presence of God.
2 good things for me to remember today.
God didn't give up on Ahab until he had been given plenty of opportunities to repent. Very encouraging.
Some pretty cut and dried stuff in the OT for sure. If someone walked up to me and said "hit me", I don't think I would without some kind of explanation. Wonder if there was anything else to this conversation.
God didn't chastise Elijah for running. He provided for His needs. He gave him instructions AND He gave him a glimpse into the current spiritual state of things revealing that there were others - Elijah was not alone. In doing that He encouraged Elijah. THEN He told him to go back. No guilt trip or "if, then" scenarios. Just instructions. Just a choice.
God just isn't surprised by where we end up or the choices we make - even when they are wrong ones. He works with what we give Him, which isn't much. It's so obvious He wants a relationship with us - wants to be with us forever. We're so stubborn and keep fighting Him. We are stupid sheep.
What really stood out to me in psalms was the end of 77. The description of God's power, the reaction of nature to it's Maker. Also how important it is to reflect on God's ways. V11-13 really speak to me. Especially 13.
ReplyDelete"O God, Your way is so different, so distinct, so divine. No other god compares with our God."
Since His ways are so different, why am I so thick headed, instead of sitting at His feet and learning.
Then I read Phil 1,2 since I missed it Sunday.
2:3-4 I've always liked: "Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first."
Too many times I put my own agenda before God's and then wonder why it isn't working out. Really like the wording of get over yourself! Stop protecting what you (I) think is important. I think that comes from being insecure in Who I belong to. When I forget that I have THE most powerful Dad in the universe, then I struggle and lose my peace.
I always appreciate sincerity. Too many fake people in this world. Seems like Paul was tired of it too.
Yeah! I highlighted vs 13 too; It's why we can't trust the world to tell us how to think; God's ways are not our ways - and as you say Chris, we need to sit at His feet and learn the divine, distinct ways; just saying that has a calming affect on me!
ReplyDelete76:2/3 He has made Salem His home; wow - peace His home; again, a calming moment. He destroyed the instruments of war. It's like aggression is not on His agenda - He prefers peace. How very far we have drifted from His design:( In our world, it's almost like the timelines center around wars we have had; the revolutionary, the civil, WWI, WWII - - I'm looking for a better world, a Heavenly city whose builder and maker is God!!
When the earth and everyone living in it (that would be me) spin into chaos, I AM the One who stabilizes and supports" 75:3
JC today: "Welcome problems as perspective-lifters. My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them...your response to that situation will take you up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself...viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble...turn toward Me and see the Light of My Presence shining upon you. pg 121
ReplyDeletepg 122 "My Power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me. Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith; they are links to My Presence."
Pretty good stuff!
Maybe you've wondered this before or even mentioned it but why wasn't the older son invited to the feast for his brother in the first place? Why wasn't he notified? Was it just an over sight? Was he, but blew it off and fumed the whole time he was finishing his work in the field?
ReplyDeleteThis thought came to me - he was supposed to be working with his father in watching for his brother. Not saying the field work wasn't necessary but someone else could have done it. He had a special tie - it was his brother. Just something to think about.
16:10-12. If I don't manage well the abilities and talents God has given me, why would He give me another talent? If I'm hoarding what He's entrusted with me "for a rainy day" instead of living generously, sharing the abilities/talents with those I come in contact with - why would He give me more?
We tend to think if I use it, I won't have it when I need it. But God has endless supplies of EVERYTHING! So I need to not be stingy, to pass it on, share what/when I can. Who knows what else I could do if I live my life open and generous. Like Jesus did.
I love some of the word pics in 15: hoist it up on your shoulders; I love the thought of Father God hoisting tired me up on His shoulders; seeing "life" from His perspective and feeling the ease of going through life up there, riding on His strength. The woman searched diligently -- not just "well, if I come across it - that'll be great" but she was intentional, focused - hard to imagine Father God putting that much divine energy toward me!! and then celebrating when I'd caused all that extra effort!
ReplyDeleteThe line from the older brother "I've never disobeyed one of your orders" reminds me of the section we read last night in the shack. How it's 'easier' to obey the rules and Sarayu challenged that! God is more interested in relationship than rules -- and that popped out at me in 16. Seems like that clever servant is a call to generosity; generosity of grace. God has been generous with us, but also entrusted us with generosity towards others -- will we be generous with others or hang onto it for ourselves.
love this thought: "compassion is what God measures, not wealth" such a flip from the worldly view