5:1 "The job of every high priest is reconciliation" connecting - - solving the problem of division. This is often like grabbing a snake by a tail -- and sure enough, by being our mediator - Christ got bitten.
I was thinking that Jesus didn't mediate by trying to convince and angry father that we were worth loving. Rather, He mediated by showing us how much the Father loved us -- we had it all wrong; we were duped, self-deceived.
But - He is our Hope! 6:19 "That hope is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us back behind the curtain to where God is!!!"
That's a great point about Jesus not trying to convince us, but showing us the Father's love. Very awesome.
I read this blurb amongst many in JC. "The more you experience Me, the more convinced yo become of My goodness. This knowledge is essential to your faithwalk. When adversities strike, the human instinct is to doubt My goodness, My ways are mysterious, even to those who know Me intimately...(Is 55:8-9 quoted). Do not try to fathom My ways. Instead, spend time enjoying Me and experiencing My goodness."
And this as well: "The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment."
I did read the story part of Numbers today, but then turned to Ps 16 (my fav) and JC. They tied in together beautifully.
16:1-2 "Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You. I told You, Eternal One, “You are my Lord, for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone.”
JC -"You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence...Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: 'If such and such happens, can I handle it?' The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully."
It is hard for me to be cheerful on rainy, cold days, BUT I was practicing gratefulness this morning on my way to the gym and it definitely helped. I am grateful that He even WANTS to work together with me!
Outnumbered 2 to 1 Abijah trusted in God. Asa, also outnumbered, facing over a million troops, trusted in God. I think it's easier for me to trust in physical things, like being outnumbered, then it is in things I don't have a hand in, like time. I doubt the God that created time can control it. How stupid is that? And yet, I marvel at the stupidity of people making a golden calf and bowing down to it when they have just witnessed God's power. I am as blind as they are. When we can do nothing, is when we have the best seat in the house to watch what God will do. One question for me is do I have the patience to wait for His timing? My attention span isn't that great. But I will choose now to trust Him. I only have now.
It really struck me that both Abijah and Asa were outnumbered by their enemies 2:1; but they didn't panic, they appealed to God and He pulled through for them. I think God loves the 2:1 challenges, because then we rely on Him instead of ourselves and the credit goes to Him.
I love the sentence in Azariah's prophecy too: "If you are with the Eternal, then He is with you. If you look for Him, then He will let you find Him" Focusing on looking for the Eternal today!!
When we can do nothing is when we have the best seat in the house -- great thought Chris!
117: His unfailing love is intended for us - - THAT is amazing! We have failed Him; doublecrossed Him, whined at Him, ignored Him SO many times -- and He still pours His love on us. O LORD!
118 has bookends of Thanks!! And the reason is because He loves us and is kind to us -- again; how undeserving we are -- how important to live in a state of gratitude toward Him!
I kept wondering as I read 117 if Abijah and Asa had read what their grandfather and great-grandfather had written; seems like it was so relevant to the 2:1 scenerio!
"All nations surround me, squeezing me from all sides; with the name of the Eternal, I will destroy them."
and y'know -- that works for me today. As I work with little Easton, these words are for me and God: "the Eternal was there to help me keep my balance" I'm so unstable without His hands around me reaching up to grasp His strong hands.
I can never get enough admonitions to put my trust fully in God and not in people or circumstances.
When just 1 hornet comes at me, it has my full attention and diverts me from my purpose. A whole nest sends me into a flailing panic! Even in that swarm David describes, I need to not panic but trust. So hard to do when that's all you see and FEEL. Really great word pic of what satan tries to do with us and circumstances or events. If I didn't invite them, I can trust easier, but if I did something to cause them, you would think I'd want to stop doing that. We (I) don't seem to be quick learners in this area however.
It really is true that God never ceases to be loving in kind. My interpretation is what changes all the time.
This gem from JC: "As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully...you are released to become the one I created you to be. This is a work that I do in you as you yield to My Spirit. I can do My best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me."
Yes -- that is a great gem from JC; whenever I read her writings, I calm down and release the anxiety/control that wells up from minute to minute.
When I read this -- I thought of church situations: "Where there is rebellion in a land, there are many petty and contending rulers; but where there is a wise and intelligent leader, peace and order endure" Sweet!
Love the call to integrity -- so precious when you find a person with that quality. And along those same lines: "a reliable person will not escape blessings" Interesting not escape -- not that anyone would be trying to escape blessings, it's just that maybe that is not their focus. But a wonderful promise -- sometimes being reliable gets a bit boring.
And again -- how precious (even though it's hard to hear, to find someone that offers constructive criticism (is this the same as critique?) Anyway -- those people are appreciated in the end -- rarely are they appreciated at the time!!
at the airport - happy to be heading home; but a good trip. Here's what JC had to say for my day - - and maybe yours too:)
"I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. Don't be distracted by future concerns, leave them all to Me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abundant living spills over the timeline into tomorrow's worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant Life, which flows freely from my throne of grace" This just calms me down!!
hmm, that is good. Goes pretty well with what I dreamed last night (remind me to tell you about the wolf dream) and with what I read again this a.m. Read it yesterday too.
"Let Me show you My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present...Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!"
I love the admonishment to not fear His will. I have been claiming this verse all week long. Ps 16:1 "Protect me God, for the only safety I've found is in the moments I seek You". Sometimes, I've even needed protecting from myself! He has proven true every time AND it even came up in my dream last night! Way cool! Very peaceful when I say that verse out loud. Very calming. The Word IS alive!
I am amazed (well not really) that Acts 3 and 4 was on for this week, as I just finished the honor book. What I struggled with was the miracle healings; I guess I've always been warned about them -- that Satan can imitate God's miracles (like with Moses rod to snake story). So how can I know if a miracle is God-ordained or Satan-counterfitted. Struggled and prayed some more and some more about this. I feel like God will let me know; but then I think -- what if I'm putting thoughts in my head and not God.
Well -- anyway, all of those thoughts swirling around and then we get Acts 3 and 4 where God inspired a miracle to bring glory and attention to His name! He used His men -- and the power of the Holy Spirit was awesome -- something I can hardly wait to be a part of:):)
I was thinking about the beggar at the beautiful gate; such a sad picture at a beautiful gate -- yet God ordained a miracle that took all attention away from what the world thinks of as a man-made beautiful gate and created a beautiful person that far out-shined the man-made.
I thought it was neat that the former beggar got to spend the whole night in prison with Peter and John -- wish I could have listened in on what they talked about; I'm guessing it was about their Friend and God Jesus -- telling him all the stories of their time with Him! What a precious night that must have been. And - this man was still by their side when they were brought b4 the leaders.
Loved how God recreates; a beggar to a follower - tall and healthy. Typical peasants - uneducated, utterly ordinary fellows; now with extra-ordinary confidence. Confusing to the world, miraculous to the believer - Amazing; there is HOPE for me today - for the God of Heaven loves me.
5:1 "The job of every high priest is reconciliation" connecting - - solving the problem of division. This is often like grabbing a snake by a tail -- and sure enough, by being our mediator - Christ got bitten.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that Jesus didn't mediate by trying to convince and angry father that we were worth loving. Rather, He mediated by showing us how much the Father loved us -- we had it all wrong; we were duped, self-deceived.
But - He is our Hope! 6:19 "That hope is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us back behind the curtain to where God is!!!"
That's a great point about Jesus not trying to convince us, but showing us the Father's love. Very awesome.
ReplyDeleteI read this blurb amongst many in JC.
"The more you experience Me, the more convinced yo become of My goodness. This knowledge is essential to your faithwalk. When adversities strike, the human instinct is to doubt My goodness, My ways are mysterious, even to those who know Me intimately...(Is 55:8-9 quoted). Do not try to fathom My ways. Instead, spend time enjoying Me and experiencing My goodness."
And this as well: "The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment."
I did read the story part of Numbers today, but then turned to Ps 16 (my fav) and JC. They tied in together beautifully.
ReplyDelete16:1-2 "Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You. I told You, Eternal One, “You are my Lord, for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone.”
JC -"You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence...Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: 'If such and such happens, can I handle it?' The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully."
It is hard for me to be cheerful on rainy, cold days, BUT I was practicing gratefulness this morning on my way to the gym and it definitely helped. I am grateful that He even WANTS to work together with me!
Outnumbered 2 to 1 Abijah trusted in God. Asa, also outnumbered, facing over a million troops, trusted in God. I think it's easier for me to trust in physical things, like being outnumbered, then it is in things I don't have a hand in, like time. I doubt the God that created time can control it. How stupid is that? And yet, I marvel at the stupidity of people making a golden calf and bowing down to it when they have just witnessed God's power.
ReplyDeleteI am as blind as they are.
When we can do nothing, is when we have the best seat in the house to watch what God will do. One question for me is do I have the patience to wait for His timing? My attention span isn't that great. But I will choose now to trust Him. I only have now.
It really struck me that both Abijah and Asa were outnumbered by their enemies 2:1; but they didn't panic, they appealed to God and He pulled through for them. I think God loves the 2:1 challenges, because then we rely on Him instead of ourselves and the credit goes to Him.
ReplyDeleteI love the sentence in Azariah's prophecy too: "If you are with the Eternal, then He is with you. If you look for Him, then He will let you find Him" Focusing on looking for the Eternal today!!
When we can do nothing is when we have the best seat in the house -- great thought Chris!
ReplyDelete117: His unfailing love is intended for us - - THAT is amazing! We have failed Him; doublecrossed Him, whined at Him, ignored Him SO many times -- and He still pours His love on us. O LORD!
118 has bookends of Thanks!! And the reason is because He loves us and is kind to us -- again; how undeserving we are -- how important to live in a state of gratitude toward Him!
I kept wondering as I read 117 if Abijah and Asa had read what their grandfather and great-grandfather had written; seems like it was so relevant to the 2:1 scenerio!
"All nations surround me, squeezing me from all sides; with the name of the Eternal, I will destroy them."
and y'know -- that works for me today. As I work with little Easton, these words are for me and God: "the Eternal was there to help me keep my balance" I'm so unstable without His hands around me reaching up to grasp His strong hands.
I can never get enough admonitions to put my trust fully in God and not in people or circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWhen just 1 hornet comes at me, it has my full attention and diverts me from my purpose. A whole nest sends me into a flailing panic! Even in that swarm David describes, I need to not panic but trust. So hard to do when that's all you see and FEEL. Really great word pic of what satan tries to do with us and circumstances or events. If I didn't invite them, I can trust easier, but if I did something to cause them, you would think I'd want to stop doing that. We (I) don't seem to be quick learners in this area however.
It really is true that God never ceases to be loving in kind. My interpretation is what changes all the time.
This gem from JC:
"As the Holy Spirit controls your mind and actions more fully...you are released to become the one I created you to be. This is a work that I do in you as you yield to My Spirit. I can do My best handiwork when you sit in the stillness of My Presence, focusing your entire being on Me."
Yes -- that is a great gem from JC; whenever I read her writings, I calm down and release the anxiety/control that wells up from minute to minute.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this -- I thought of church situations: "Where there is rebellion in a land, there are many petty and contending rulers; but where there is a wise and intelligent leader, peace and order endure" Sweet!
Love the call to integrity -- so precious when you find a person with that quality. And along those same lines: "a reliable person will not escape blessings" Interesting not escape -- not that anyone would be trying to escape blessings, it's just that maybe that is not their focus. But a wonderful promise -- sometimes being reliable gets a bit boring.
And again -- how precious (even though it's hard to hear, to find someone that offers constructive criticism (is this the same as critique?) Anyway -- those people are appreciated in the end -- rarely are they appreciated at the time!!
at the airport - happy to be heading home; but a good trip. Here's what JC had to say for my day - - and maybe yours too:)
ReplyDelete"I want you to live this day abundantly, seeing all there is to see, doing all there is to do. Don't be distracted by future concerns, leave them all to Me! Each day of life is a glorious gift, but so few people know how to live within the confines of today. Much of their energy for abundant living spills over the timeline into tomorrow's worries or past regrets. Their remaining energy is sufficient only for limping for limping through the day, not for living it to the full. I am training you to keep your focus on My Presence in the present. This is how to receive abundant Life, which flows freely from my throne of grace" This just calms me down!!
hmm, that is good. Goes pretty well with what I dreamed last night (remind me to tell you about the wolf dream) and with what I read again this a.m. Read it yesterday too.
ReplyDelete"Let Me show you My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present...Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive into the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!"
I love the admonishment to not fear His will. I have been claiming this verse all week long. Ps 16:1 "Protect me God, for the only safety I've found is in the moments I seek You". Sometimes, I've even needed protecting from myself! He has proven true every time AND it even came up in my dream last night! Way cool! Very peaceful when I say that verse out loud. Very calming. The Word IS alive!
I am amazed (well not really) that Acts 3 and 4 was on for this week, as I just finished the honor book. What I struggled with was the miracle healings; I guess I've always been warned about them -- that Satan can imitate God's miracles (like with Moses rod to snake story). So how can I know if a miracle is God-ordained or Satan-counterfitted. Struggled and prayed some more and some more about this. I feel like God will let me know; but then I think -- what if I'm putting thoughts in my head and not God.
ReplyDeleteWell -- anyway, all of those thoughts swirling around and then we get Acts 3 and 4 where God inspired a miracle to bring glory and attention to His name! He used His men -- and the power of the Holy Spirit was awesome -- something I can hardly wait to be a part of:):)
I was thinking about the beggar at the beautiful gate; such a sad picture at a beautiful gate -- yet God ordained a miracle that took all attention away from what the world thinks of as a man-made beautiful gate and created a beautiful person that far out-shined the man-made.
I thought it was neat that the former beggar got to spend the whole night in prison with Peter and John -- wish I could have listened in on what they talked about; I'm guessing it was about their Friend and God Jesus -- telling him all the stories of their time with Him! What a precious night that must have been. And - this man was still by their side when they were brought b4 the leaders.
Loved how God recreates; a beggar to a follower - tall and healthy. Typical peasants - uneducated, utterly ordinary fellows; now with extra-ordinary confidence. Confusing to the world, miraculous to the believer - Amazing; there is HOPE for me today - for the God of Heaven loves me.