I enjoyed Hebrews this morning -- usually, I find it blurry; but this morning, not so much!
I was thinking that the promise of the laws on their minds and hearts when they won't need to teach each other My ways - - that promise seems like it won't be completely fulfilled until we are in Heaven. Until that time, I am daily being drug toward ignoring the law in my mind and heart - and the surrender to His loving claim on my life and His superior ways. It will be in Heaven that verse 11 is totally fulfilled: "In those days, all will know Me, from the least to the greatest . . . I will erase their sins and wicked acts out of My memory as though they had never existed" I'm thinking this applies to Heaven based on Rev 20 where the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books - and punishment followed. What do you think?
"His death has made it possible for all who are called to receive God's promised inheritance" 9:15 fits with Rev 21:7 "Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children" Putting those 2 together; maybe those who are "called" are the same as those who are victorious?
Never thought before (commenter) about the task of the earthly high priest as being dangerous (I always thought of it as being an honor/privilege), and yet the fact that it was dangerous sure fits with the danger in Christ's mission -- yet He went forward because He cared about us. I wonder if they, they earthly high priest cared about his peeps with a Godly care (as opposed to a self-serving care - humanism sure messes with us)
He will appear again to RESCUE US!!! vs 28 -- thank you Jesus, thank you SO much!
SO! 10:22 "let's draw near with true hearts full of faith, with hearts rinsed clean" and look forward to meeting with each other -- with all our messed up selves -- we can limp along, encouraging, loving through our baggage -- what a wonderful call to His love and to each other's love:)
I'm glad Hebrews spoke to you this a.m. Maybe I will read it tomorrow. Today I read Acts. Guess I experienced some "acts" at WOF this weekend. Just love watching God work. Especially through all our foibles.
It is interesting to see the change in Peter. His betrayal and restoration humbled him greatly. Grace is that powerful when it is truly received. Instead of qualifying his denial and in turn, the grace offered to him, He acknowledged his sin, embarrassing as it may have been and also fully accepted the love and forgiveness that Jesus offered him. He didn't try to earn it in retro fashion. That is proved out by his demeanor during Pentecost and during this arrest/trial for a good deed. There was no disruptive out bursts by either he or John. It says they listened quietly. When they did speak, it wasn't with an attitude. It was with respect for the position of the human government and God's government. Again, no boasting on their own behalf. They, as big strong men, let Jesus defend them. Let Jesus give them their guidance and purpose. When they returned and told their story, they worshiped and prayed. Very different from today. We need to change our approach to problems and situations in our life big time.
Wow -- good thoughts on Peter's actions and reactions post-conversion.
So a powerful 10-step problem-handling technique modeled by Jehoshaphat:
1) a vast army is coming against you (vast army of problems) 2) seek help from the Lord 3) "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You" 4) "the battle is not yours, but God's" 5) "Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. God out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you." 6) "Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld." 7) singers out front -- praise for the future victory! 8) the Lord sets ambushes 9) dead bodies (problems) lying on the ground 10) return with JOY!
Ran out of time to comment yesterday. Thanks for the step by step. Nice to see it laid out like that. I liked how the HS fell on a singer to tell the king and people what to do and they actually listened. It wasn't a pastor or someone in leadership position. It was someone who worshiped. Not saying the others didn't but it is not a normal human pick, if you will. We have to stop fencing God in and thinking we know how He's going to work and through what avenues. Expect the unexpected and let God sort it out. If it's not against Him and the Bible truth then go for it. He will let us know as we stay in touch with Him, which is the key.
Read elsewhere today instead of trying to absorb the deluge of Ps 119. Some good gems in there though, just needed something else.
119 -- the focus is on the word and the help and comfort found in that. And how the word pops up in the readers mind 7 times during the day, before he/she goes to sleep and during the night. I've found that true -- gets to be that there are all kinds of connections that pop up.
The plea -- in vs 5 "Oh that every part of my life would remain in line with what You require" yeah -- I've felt that -- so did Paul "that which I do . . . "
I was thinking about Moses in 36 and 37 -- He chose God and His plan over all the wealth of Egypt. And -- He continued with God's plan, even when he thought he would not make it to the reward of the promised land. It was all about following Him! I still have growing to do in this area.
51 -- people may ridicule or scoff; but stay on the steady path; I like that -- put your trust in no man.
The great treasure -- but you gotta dig; the best, most rewarding part is down deep (vs 162)
Prov 30:8 Do not make me poor or rich, but give me each day what I need. Liked this rewording of Ps 23:1. God is so wise to not enable us to see the future or even the next moment. It's hard enough to just exist right now and keep my focus on Him. Just give me what I need for right now. It's all I can honestly handle (and not very well sometimes!)
29:13 A poor man and his oppressor have this in common; the Eternal created them and provides both with light and life. This reminded me of Jonah, that I read yesterday. He had no control over his circumstances with the gourd. God created it, grew it and allowed it to be destroyed. Every moment He was in control, not Jonah.
It's stepping back to see a bigger picture than me and my "zone". I truly have no idea why God does things in certain ways - even to my discomfort. But like Is 55 says, His ways are higher than mine. A bigger purpose is being worked out. I can only choose right now to relinquish my sudo control and trust Him.
one bit of proverbial wisdom jumped out this morning - - "If you fear other people, you are walking into a dangerous trap; but if you trust in the Eternal, you will be safe" Fear is crippling - it causes us to run; and then we get chased. or - it causes us to cower; and then we get beaten.
What an amazing example we have in Jesus -- no fear, no running, no cowering; simple trust. Also - love casts out fear and somehow, He was able to love through all that humans could throw at Him. Lord, grow love and trust in me.
Some little gems hidden in Micah this a.m. Don't fall over in shock because I actually read a Friday reading! LOL I did peruse a lot of it however.
4:5 All people move ahead in the name of their own gods, whatever they are but we move ahead in the name of the Eternal, our True God, forever and ever.
To those who don't listen and know the voice of God, our actions at times might seem directly opposite to common sense. There are times when following God flies directly in the face of the "norm". If you know you are following God, you keep going despite friends and (especially) family that tell you to do something else. The next verse tell why there are times when we are humbled or brought into difficult places. Sometimes it's the results of our choices and sometimes, God "injures" us. But as we've read before, He wounds to heal. Which means, there is a waiting, healing period. What the time looks for each one of us is as different as our relationship with Him. The key is to listen and wait for Him to move. To me, this ties in with 7:8-10 which issues a warning to those who gloat over our low, injured times. We will rise, in His time and in His way. Whether it be in the world we know now or in the resurrection. He will be glorified, His will be done, so that we all will bow the knee and confess His greatness, wisdom and power. The choice is surrender, now or later. But there is only one point in which it is redeemable. That is because it is by the heart and not circumstances.
DJ text today: 5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[a]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
and I skipped Friday reading! But - really liked the thought wound to heal -- and . . . it takes time to heal; slows us down, we HAVE to stop our rush that pushes thinking aside. Maaaaaybe - I'll read Micah later today - you've inspired me:):)
The church would gather as a unified group in Sol's Porch, enjoying great respect by the people of the city - record #s were added - - that's really a beautiful picture of how God works.
I love the passion of the apostles -- as soon as they were let out of prison; back to preaching (following directions); they could have skeedaddled - but they were content to go right back to the task that put them in prison -- they had advanced past caring what humans could do to them or thought of them
As opposed to that way of thinking is the leaders -- they really reveal their hand and show what they are concerned about when they say, "you are determined to blame us for this man's death" it's all about their reputation!
I like how gently the guards bring them in, fearing the apostle's support by the people (pretty scary how crowds can influence those in control - this is why God's people (me especially included) need to get past the need for caring what people can do to them or think of them)
I also like how Peter holds out forgiveness to these leaders ""God intentds to bring Israel to a radical rethinking of our lives and to a complete forgiveness of our sins" But -- the counsel was furious -- probably because they didn't want to admit the problem could lie at their door -- pride; yuk -- It raises its ugly head for each of us.
Awesome counsel by Gamaliel -- good words for us to remember as we view other ideas thank our own "if God is in this, you won't be able to stop it - unless, of course, your'e ready to fight against God!"
I enjoyed Hebrews this morning -- usually, I find it blurry; but this morning, not so much!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that the promise of the laws on their minds and hearts when they won't need to teach each other My ways - - that promise seems like it won't be completely fulfilled until we are in Heaven. Until that time, I am daily being drug toward ignoring the law in my mind and heart - and the surrender to His loving claim on my life and His superior ways. It will be in Heaven that verse 11 is totally fulfilled: "In those days, all will know Me, from the least to the greatest . . . I will erase their sins and wicked acts out of My memory as though they had never existed" I'm thinking this applies to Heaven based on Rev 20 where the dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books - and punishment followed. What do you think?
"His death has made it possible for all who are called to receive God's promised inheritance" 9:15 fits with Rev 21:7 "Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children" Putting those 2 together; maybe those who are "called" are the same as those who are victorious?
Never thought before (commenter) about the task of the earthly high priest as being dangerous (I always thought of it as being an honor/privilege), and yet the fact that it was dangerous sure fits with the danger in Christ's mission -- yet He went forward because He cared about us. I wonder if they, they earthly high priest cared about his peeps with a Godly care (as opposed to a self-serving care - humanism sure messes with us)
He will appear again to RESCUE US!!! vs 28 -- thank you Jesus, thank you SO much!
SO! 10:22 "let's draw near with true hearts full of faith, with hearts rinsed clean" and look forward to meeting with each other -- with all our messed up selves -- we can limp along, encouraging, loving through our baggage -- what a wonderful call to His love and to each other's love:)
I'm glad Hebrews spoke to you this a.m. Maybe I will read it tomorrow. Today I read Acts. Guess I experienced some "acts" at WOF this weekend. Just love watching God work. Especially through all our foibles.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the change in Peter. His betrayal and restoration humbled him greatly. Grace is that powerful when it is truly received. Instead of qualifying his denial and in turn, the grace offered to him, He acknowledged his sin, embarrassing as it may have been and also fully accepted the love and forgiveness that Jesus offered him. He didn't try to earn it in retro fashion. That is proved out by his demeanor during Pentecost and during this arrest/trial for a good deed.
There was no disruptive out bursts by either he or John. It says they listened quietly. When they did speak, it wasn't with an attitude. It was with respect for the position of the human government and God's government. Again, no boasting on their own behalf. They, as big strong men, let Jesus defend them. Let Jesus give them their guidance and purpose.
When they returned and told their story, they worshiped and prayed. Very different from today. We need to change our approach to problems and situations in our life big time.
Wow -- good thoughts on Peter's actions and reactions post-conversion.
ReplyDeleteSo a powerful 10-step problem-handling technique modeled by Jehoshaphat:
1) a vast army is coming against you (vast army of problems)
2) seek help from the Lord
3) "we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You"
4) "the battle is not yours, but God's"
5) "Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. God out and face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you."
6) "Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld."
7) singers out front -- praise for the future victory!
8) the Lord sets ambushes
9) dead bodies (problems) lying on the ground
10) return with JOY!
Ran out of time to comment yesterday. Thanks for the step by step. Nice to see it laid out like that. I liked how the HS fell on a singer to tell the king and people what to do and they actually listened. It wasn't a pastor or someone in leadership position. It was someone who worshiped. Not saying the others didn't but it is not a normal human pick, if you will. We have to stop fencing God in and thinking we know how He's going to work and through what avenues. Expect the unexpected and let God sort it out. If it's not against Him and the Bible truth then go for it. He will let us know as we stay in touch with Him, which is the key.
ReplyDeleteRead elsewhere today instead of trying to absorb the deluge of Ps 119. Some good gems in there though, just needed something else.
119 -- the focus is on the word and the help and comfort found in that. And how the word pops up in the readers mind 7 times during the day, before he/she goes to sleep and during the night. I've found that true -- gets to be that there are all kinds of connections that pop up.
ReplyDeleteThe plea -- in vs 5 "Oh that every part of my life would remain in line with what You require" yeah -- I've felt that -- so did Paul "that which I do . . . "
I was thinking about Moses in 36 and 37 -- He chose God and His plan over all the wealth of Egypt. And -- He continued with God's plan, even when he thought he would not make it to the reward of the promised land. It was all about following Him! I still have growing to do in this area.
51 -- people may ridicule or scoff; but stay on the steady path; I like that -- put your trust in no man.
The great treasure -- but you gotta dig; the best, most rewarding part is down deep (vs 162)
Yep, some good stuff in 119.
ReplyDeleteProv 30:8 Do not make me poor or rich, but give me each day what I need. Liked this rewording of Ps 23:1. God is so wise to not enable us to see the future or even the next moment. It's hard enough to just exist right now and keep my focus on Him. Just give me what I need for right now. It's all I can honestly handle (and not very well sometimes!)
29:13 A poor man and his oppressor have this in common; the Eternal created them and provides both with light and life.
This reminded me of Jonah, that I read yesterday. He had no control over his circumstances with the gourd. God created it, grew it and allowed it to be destroyed. Every moment He was in control, not Jonah.
It's stepping back to see a bigger picture than me and my "zone". I truly have no idea why God does things in certain ways - even to my discomfort. But like Is 55 says, His ways are higher than mine. A bigger purpose is being worked out. I can only choose right now to relinquish my sudo control and trust Him.
one bit of proverbial wisdom jumped out this morning - - "If you fear other people, you are walking into a dangerous trap; but if you trust in the Eternal, you will be safe" Fear is crippling - it causes us to run; and then we get chased. or - it causes us to cower; and then we get beaten.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing example we have in Jesus -- no fear, no running, no cowering; simple trust. Also - love casts out fear and somehow, He was able to love through all that humans could throw at Him. Lord, grow love and trust in me.
Some little gems hidden in Micah this a.m. Don't fall over in shock because I actually read a Friday reading! LOL I did peruse a lot of it however.
ReplyDelete4:5 All people move ahead in the name of their own gods, whatever they are but we move ahead in the name of the Eternal, our True God, forever and ever.
To those who don't listen and know the voice of God, our actions at times might seem directly opposite to common sense. There are times when following God flies directly in the face of the "norm". If you know you are following God, you keep going despite friends and (especially) family that tell you to do something else.
The next verse tell why there are times when we are humbled or brought into difficult places. Sometimes it's the results of our choices and sometimes, God "injures" us. But as we've read before, He wounds to heal. Which means, there is a waiting, healing period. What the time looks for each one of us is as different as our relationship with Him. The key is to listen and wait for Him to move.
To me, this ties in with 7:8-10 which issues a warning to those who gloat over our low, injured times. We will rise, in His time and in His way. Whether it be in the world we know now or in the resurrection. He will be glorified, His will be done, so that we all will bow the knee and confess His greatness, wisdom and power.
The choice is surrender, now or later. But there is only one point in which it is redeemable. That is because it is by the heart and not circumstances.
DJ text today:
ReplyDelete5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[a];
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
and I skipped Friday reading! But - really liked the thought wound to heal -- and . . . it takes time to heal; slows us down, we HAVE to stop our rush that pushes thinking aside. Maaaaaybe - I'll read Micah later today - you've inspired me:):)
ReplyDeleteThe church would gather as a unified group in Sol's Porch, enjoying great respect by the people of the city - record #s were added - - that's really a beautiful picture of how God works.
ReplyDeleteI love the passion of the apostles -- as soon as they were let out of prison; back to preaching (following directions); they could have skeedaddled - but they were content to go right back to the task that put them in prison -- they had advanced past caring what humans could do to them or thought of them
As opposed to that way of thinking is the leaders -- they really reveal their hand and show what they are concerned about when they say, "you are determined to blame us for this man's death" it's all about their reputation!
I like how gently the guards bring them in, fearing the apostle's support by the people (pretty scary how crowds can influence those in control - this is why God's people (me especially included) need to get past the need for caring what people can do to them or think of them)
I also like how Peter holds out forgiveness to these leaders ""God intentds to bring Israel to a radical rethinking of our lives and to a complete forgiveness of our sins" But -- the counsel was furious -- probably because they didn't want to admit the problem could lie at their door -- pride; yuk -- It raises its ugly head for each of us.
Awesome counsel by Gamaliel -- good words for us to remember as we view other ideas thank our own "if God is in this, you won't be able to stop it - unless, of course, your'e ready to fight against God!"