Saturday, September 21, 2013

Week 39

Where You go, I'll go
Where You stay, I'll stay
When You move, I'll move
I will follow . . .

11 comments:

  1. I read John today and the thing that stood out to me was Jesus' total surrender to His Father's will for Him. He acknowledged that in the garden true, but here again (like us) He has a choice to fight for Himself or surrender to the plan of His Father. (19:11).
    Still a work in progress here for me. At times I surrender and other times I fight too much for my way. I control nothing but think I do. I need to walk in the yoke side by side with Jesus. It was especially made for me, why do I have so much trouble believing that sometimes?!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really appreciated the picture of Solomon worshiping before His Creator, the people's reaction as God's Presence is revealed in the temple and the fire consuming the sacrifice. Just the mere realization of His Presence brings me to my knees and overwhelms me. I can not imagine what seeing Him would do to me. Well, actually, I can - up in smoke! Gone in a vapor.

    When I worship before Him, everything else loses importance. He alone matters, His Will matters, not mine. Everything but Him is obliterated. It's very humbling and yet, very peaceful, very right.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I thought of this when I thought of us repainting the church (vs 18) How can I think that this temple I have built will be suitable lodging for YOu when the heavens YOu created are not vast enough? Certainly we are not worthy to have You live among us" A "church" is a humble dwelling for our great God - - a few verses later it says "here your reputation will be honored" yet there are so many times when our actions and thoughts towards others in the church are so dishonoring to Him:(

    I love how Sol includes the non-SDAs!! (LOL) in verse 32-33; apparently Sol was convinced that God is the God of everyone; good for us (me) to keep in mind as well.

    Wouldn't that have been SOMETHING to see fire come down from heaven and God's glory fill up the temple? WOW and WOW!

    I've heard verse 14 quoted and sung so many times; but I don't often hear (or maybe it's just this version) this little phrase "abandon any actions or thoughts that might lead to further sinning" abandon the temptation before the sin comes - just don't go there; spiritual discipline and spiritual discipline, any discipline we tend to ignor or skim over. (all these we's really mean me!)

    9:3 Sol's wisdom and frankness impressed and astonished the queen. Frank people, that don't beat around the bush, are so refreshing. Later in verse 23 it says "all the kings of the earth wanted an audience with Sol - - that's amazing. You don't often think of kings traveling to get advice; they tended to have a pride issue.

    Why would you cover an ivory stone with gold - what's the point?

    I wonder if Sol liked riding horses; or were his horses his sports car collection that sat around in the stalls and got washed?

    Good ole Reheboam; I'm guessing he was not asking the old guys for advice, but for a blessing on what he wanted to do in the first place. Funny how it's always possible to find people that agree with you and hang out with them. Too bad he didn't read his dad's writings about "get wisdom at all costs"

    ReplyDelete
  4. I thought of this when I thought of us repainting the church (vs 18) How can I think that this temple I have built will be suitable lodging for YOu when the heavens YOu created are not vast enough? Certainly we are not worthy to have You live among us" A "church" is a humble dwelling for our great God - - a few verses later it says "here your reputation will be honored" yet there are so many times when our actions and thoughts towards others in the church are so dishonoring to Him:(

    I love how Sol includes the non-SDAs!! (LOL) in verse 32-33; apparently Sol was convinced that God is the God of everyone; good for us (me) to keep in mind as well.

    Wouldn't that have been SOMETHING to see fire come down from heaven and God's glory fill up the temple? WOW and WOW!

    I've heard verse 14 quoted and sung so many times; but I don't often hear (or maybe it's just this version) this little phrase "abandon any actions or thoughts that might lead to further sinning" abandon the temptation before the sin comes - just don't go there; spiritual discipline and spiritual discipline, any discipline we tend to ignor or skim over. (all these we's really mean me!)

    9:3 Sol's wisdom and frankness impressed and astonished the queen. Frank people, that don't beat around the bush, are so refreshing. Later in verse 23 it says "all the kings of the earth wanted an audience with Sol - - that's amazing. You don't often think of kings traveling to get advice; they tended to have a pride issue.

    Why would you cover an ivory stone with gold - what's the point?

    I wonder if Sol liked riding horses; or were his horses his sports car collection that sat around in the stalls and got washed?

    Good ole Reheboam; I'm guessing he was not asking the old guys for advice, but for a blessing on what he wanted to do in the first place. Funny how it's always possible to find people that agree with you and hang out with them. Too bad he didn't read his dad's writings about "get wisdom at all costs"

    ReplyDelete
  5. so good you posted it twice! :)

    Good word pics today. 116:2 brought back the memory of feeling God's arms around me and Him holding me in His lap when I was sick, weak and couldn't walk. He gave me strength to crawl down 2 flights of stairs to find food.

    115:13 the blessings pronounced on those who worship and stand in awe of Who God is. What do blessings look like to you? I find often that my expectations don't make the cut. It has been way above and yes, below what I expected. But as I worship at His feet, surrendering and just overwhelmed by His Presence, I realize that even what I thought was below my expectation was part of His Plan for me and I see the blessing of change, decision and trust building in a God who sings over me.

    116:12 I agree with David (or whomever wrote this) "How will I pay back the Eternal for all His graciousness toward me?" I can only bow and say "holy, holy, holy" with the angels.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wonder how I double posted! It's the techy me coming through. Yes -- I highlighted verse 2 as well -- what an intimate view of God's love for us. So many times I find myself thinking of Him as the ruler on the throne - but verse 2 shows Him as the tender Father listening with focused intensity on my whispered pain and despair - He cares about me; who am I?
    verse 6/7 "Whenever I was knocked down, He reached down and saved me" reminds me of jumping waves with my Father - -
    "O my soul! Return and relax. Come to your true rest" Why do I battle that invitation so often??

    Blessings for me are summed up in 3 words: a peaceful heart - - sometimes I catch myself stressing; then I think of all the little things like: breath in grace, breath out praise" or a song or scripture or nature - it all brings peace when I push away what Satan throws at me to tangle me up in the ropes of stress. Thank you God for your blessing of PEACE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lot's to say about fools -- but the one that jumped out at me is "never answer a fool or you will become like him . . . and he will become wise in his own eyes" Don't waste your breath is how I've heard it.

    Note: there's more hope from a fool than someone who is wise in his own sight - - - maybe the 2 can be as one; never asking for advice or wisdom, just plowing ahead causing destruction as they (me) goes!!

    "One who hates may camouflage it beneath pleasant words - reminds me of how Jesus never put His trust in any man.

    Finally (before I board) "Open rebuke is better than hidden love" at least in one case you know what another is thinking - how they feel, so you can actually respond. We loose a lot in relationships by not being open and honest

    O! and thanks Chris for being my sharp iron!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I thought of Jesus as well, not basing His self esteem on what people said. So very easy to be praised and cursed in the same breath from the same person!

    Wow, I could see myself the fool in some cases. I'm grateful, although usually more after the fact, for the open rebuke of my true friends. The ones you keep in touch with no matter where God takes them or me. It hurts just as much to give say the truth, give the counsel or rebuke as it does to receive it. There's always risk involved. But a true friend imitates God in taking the risk of rejection to save. It reveals the value placed on the individual and the relationship. That's the amplified Chris version of 27:6.

    Interesting how praise is what tests the mettle of a person.(27:21). Must tie back into 26:28 where flattery spoils everyone it touches.

    Not basing your self worth on what others say or think of you helps you to better discern when people are being manipulative. Staying close to God and listening to Him lays it wide open as well.

    And the thanks goes both ways Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  9. According to Ob, Edom really hated Israel; that's pretty sad, since they were relatives. But the take away is:

    even if you are just passively watching a tragedy - you might as well have committed the tragedy verse 11

    Also -- in God's eyes, it is cruel and unjust to gloat over your brother's tragedy; to be secretly happy about their misfortune or to take advantage of them - - those are words for this generation too for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love those 1 chapter books. hee hee. I finished the Unglued book since I will be wrapping it up tomorrow.

    A couple of things that stood out were that being unglued isn't necessarily bad, if it brings you in brokenness before God to be healed. If I just try to cover it up and go on with life, then I will never be healed.

    Also, the illustration of house repair to spiritual repair. Sometimes you have to take it back to the foundation to get it built right. It has holes and looks pretty bad for a while as repairs are going on, but it's better than painting over stuff and decorating to give the impression that everything's good when it's just an illusion and in time, will fall.

    So just keep building me God, on Your foundation, in Your timing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. In a time of uncertainty and fear, the disciples prayed. These are the same things we are dealing with today. What more can we do than this? It is the best proven method to dispense with fear, especially of the unknown.

    I do like that Peter is the one speaking to the crowd. No doubt there were some present who had witnessed his denial of Jesus. To see that he preached forgiveness because he had obviously experienced it added emphasis to the truth.

    God uses our testimonies to reach hearts. We all have different ones and all can be used to meet the varied hearts and issues that people face to give them Hope and encouragement.

    ReplyDelete