Wow James is right along the lines of what God and I have been working on for the last week or so. Looking at people through His eyes and not my tainted lenses of fear, anger, self-importance, etc. The whole book of James is practical Christianity in 5 chapters. Why are we so dull in our hearts to understand and put it into practice?
I think we hear it so much it stops making an impact unless it is said in a different way. Like reading a different Bible version or a book with the same concept (like Anatomy of Peace - LOL). For me, it's also the time I spend talking and, more importantly, listening to God. The more time I invest in that connection, the better I treat myself and therefore, others. I'm learning there is a very tight correlation between the two. 4:10 puts me at His feet in worship at His splendor, His power and my realization that I am nothing without His grace. He is my Defender, my Promoter, my Comfort and Hope. The more I try to create these for me without Him, the more stressed I become. Pretty exhausting as well. The promise is that He will lift me up. He has a much better perspective than I do.
Really liked chapter 4 as it's so pertinent to my life right now. I did like the commentator's take on community in 5 though too. We are lacking that these days. The sad fact is that there aren't many people to trust to open up to. When we find people that we can be real with and be held accountable in love as 5:16 says, those are the friends we hang on to. We pray for each other and what we are going through instead of passing on gossip and splitting people apart. We build instead of tear down.
Yuck -- this sounds slimy "the constant pursuit of gratification that rages inside each of you like an uncontrolled militia" and "you continually focus on self-indulgence" That's Satan at work, pulling us down into naval-gazing:(
Here it is again"the spirit that lives in us is addicted to envy and jealousy" Yuck! Here's the mercy: "God gives us more grace when we turn away from our own interests" That's a promise -- I think it's what "repent" is all about -- turning away from self and drawing near to Him. That's not to say we can't enjoy life to the fullest, but it is within a spirit of content; not the grasping - I want life.
I loved the commenter's "our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him. He invites us" I LOVE the thought of being pursued by God - - it makes me feel special, loved, cared about.
So - a life filled with content; then what others do and say will roll away, because our focus is on Him and we are content with what He supplies -- that is what I beg for, "bare, face down to the ground in humility" Yeah Chris, that is exhausting work -- we have no energy left, that's why He lifts us up - we've let go of trying and relax in His strength:)
Looked briefly at the chapters in Deut. and then scurried elsewhere. God led me right where I needed to be. My prayer today.
Ps 141:4 "Don't allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is wrong..."
v5 "Let those who do right strike me down in kindness and correct me in love." I'm so grateful for those friends I have who take the risk to correct me or call me on something when I'm headed in the wrong direction.
143:4-6 "...I have nothing left, my heart is completely empty and desolate. And yet, I can't forget the days of old, the days I've heard so much about; I fix my mind on all You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands; I reach out my hands to You. All that I am aches and yearns for You like a dry land thirsting for rain." v7-10 "Hurry and answer me, O Eternal One, for my spirit is weak, my courage is gone. Do not turn away; let me see Your face...Make me hear of Your faithful love in the morning for I trust in You. Teach me how I should walk for I offer my soul up to You...Teach me how to do Your will, for You are my God. Allow Your good Spirit to guide me on level ground, to guide me along Your path. For the sake of Your name and the good of Your reputation..."
It gives me great hope that God chose people that were whiners and complainers, that gave up, that followed other gods - - He chose them to be His own possession. Because I'm guilty of those very same things. It gives me hope that he can work with such bent people (me) and still bring them into His promised land, and still extend the gift of grace and relationship.
Never really thought that wild animal population was the reason they couldn't clear out the land immediately.
"when you have more things than you imagined possible; then don't become proud and puffed up and forget Him" this reminds me of America -- so materialistic (I'm right there in the middle of it) and how there is such a move by so many to push God out of the American picture. 8:13,14
and in vs 17 -- humility is so important; otherwise here's what we say "I've gotten all this wealth by my own powers and strength" and Moses was a very humble man -- he tossed all the wealth of Egypt aside to lead a group of complainers. I wonder if he ever had second thoughts -- then I read how:
he spent 40 days of fasting, just to prepare to receive God's holy words. Then another 40 days (that's 80 days of fasting - - 2 and 1/3 months) begging for forgiveness for the rebellion (when God said he'd use Moses' family instead - - amazing) He through his lot in with the complainers/rebellion -- the ones that caused him to loose out on walking into the promised land.
The commentator really paints a picture of how sad our rebellions are: "They are as unfaithful to the Lord as a person who has an affair while on his honeymoon" Lord, I ask for forgiveness - - as you and I both know about all the many times I've been unfaithful to You. . .
This might seem odd, but I found great encouragement that after all of Hezekiah's faithfulness, he faced a huge problem, not peace and easy street.
He did the right thing on that challenge. However, when it was peaceful and easy, then he made a mistake. Some of us do better in war than we do in peace. Though we long for peace, we get too complacent. Our spiritual senses are not as alert as during battle. Definitely, can "trust our God, He knows what He's doing..."
Ok, after quoting He is With Us yesterday morning, I'm not kidding here, every time I turned the radio on yesterday that song was either just starting or already playing. And it was different stations as well because I have 3 that I cycle through, so it's turned off on different ones. Interesting.
And then Ps 125:2 "Just as the mountains around Jerusalem embrace her, the Eternal, too, wraps around those who belong to Him—for this moment and for every moment to come." Pretty tough right now for me. I think God's trying to tell me something, wonder what? LOL
Because of what's going on right now, I could definitely reword 127:1-2. Just holding on to those lyrics "though it might hurt now, we won't be ruined...but He's holding on to you and me and He's never gonna leave - no." Lots of Bible promises to back it up too. Thank You Jesus for Your Word that is alive and powerful.
Ditto! That was the verse that captured me as well: I love the thought that He is wrapping around me; holding me tight. Reminds me of the movie I saw about the Temple Grandin movie and how she needed to be squeezed and held to calm down -- that's how I feel sometimes! God's hug that isn't a quick little squeeze, but an ever present sense of security, like a tightly-wrapped blanket against the wind.
And then it promises; this moment -- and every moment to come . . . what a sense of security . . . and yeah, I liked the thought that He is providing even while we sleep - - the one time that we actually lay our burdens down, He's working overtime to provide.
I found these 2 chapters really good as I continue to strike my karate pose (I'll explain later Sheri!!) Anyway -- twice he says there is a right time for everything. I think patience always wins out -- ask any blue heron you happen to see -- but it is tough work in our society; the tortoise always wins.
To do good and to see good is a gift from God (I like the see good part too; always looking for the good in people or the situation - that IS a gift)
human lives and earthly accomplishments are fleeting! Not sure why that jumped out at me; I guess it's to keep things in perspective!
Envy fuels achievement. I believe this is really true -- I took the time to think back on all the times I was envious (yes, it's true - a very ugly piece of me) and it all boils down to a desire to be better than my neighbor -- yucko! And all that wasted energy and emotion and weight of sin is like trying to embrace the wind - it's fleeting -- let go and focus UP!
Peace at all costs better than 2 hands full of hard work! You can not put a price on peace; I think that is what people really desire - it's what vacations are all about, what quiet nights with a good book are all about, it's what sitting around a campfire roasting marsh mellows when you don't even like them are all about.
Y'know why a poor wise youth is better off than the king? Because he accepts advice; and if you put him into the proverbs scenerio -- he's also actively seeking wisdom.
So Zeph 1 and 2 were pretty gloomy; glad we made it to 3 with the restoration verses. God is all about restoration, both in my life and in the life of a group of people. Love some of these promises of what he offers us:
vs 13 "They'll eat well each day and sleep peacefully each night like protected sheep because nothing will make them afraid."
vs 15 "The true King of Israel, the Eternal One, is standing right here among you; you have no reason to be afraid ever again"
PS -- these are 2 great verses for me -- I tend to be afraid of the unknown or new experiences or being out of control.
vs 17 "He will rest in HIs love fore you (interesting thought that God will rest), He will joyfully sing because of you (a-mazing and humbilng) like a new husband"
19 "Keep watching! At the right time, I will deal with those who assaulted you" (nice to know -- I really don't need to defend myself - just wait)
20 "On that day, I will gather all of you together for one big homecoming" that just sounds like such a happy family time -- God's family 'Right before your eyes, I will restore to you all that you have lost, and your lives will be full again"
This last statement reminded me of Job -- and maybe us too. If the day comes that everything "everything" is taken away, at the right time, He will restore, He will give us full lives, He has promised and His promises are sure. In His presence there is fullness of joy!
The early church was jealous still for the law. After all, it had been ingrained in them since birth. But it also was taken to the extreme, the same thing we do today. We're all human after all. They couldn't associate with the very ones they were sent to witness to. How crazy is that? Do we expect people to come crawling or graveling to us for instructions to eternal life like some one who has wandered in the desert and is dying of thirst? We have to get our hands dirty, but not our hearts. This is what Jesus did. He went to them (us).
I like that though they were zealous, they were teachable. Once the facts were presented, they considered them and changed their minds. They had to get past their upbringing just as we do. Our minds are in desperate need of renewal by the HS so He can lead us where He needs us to go. Despite what others say or what He has them doing.
The trust that Peter displays is amazing. Nothing can come to him except what God allows. He really believes that. I'm still learning that concept. It is the peace that surpasses human understanding.
"We have to get our hands dirty" - - like taking off our shoes and running after them! (Sheri - you gotta read the book!)
Man - you can feel the tension in chpt 11 "Some of the circumcised believers didn't welcome Peter with joy, but with criticism" and then -- after Peter the story and ends with the compelling "who was I to stand in God's way?" (a really good question for all of us!!)
"There was no argument, only silence" -- can you feel that tension? So great, so very great that they didn't stand in God's way either -- but, as you say Chris - they were teachable - - and I think that's why the early church grew:)
I would have liked to have known more about Barnabus -- the son of encouragement (wouldn't that be a great thing to be known for?) he rejoiced when he saw what God had done in Antioch (no criticism -- just reJOICE) and he was off again to get Paul -- he just sounds like a real doer!!
"Their prayers were not answered, until the night before Peter's execution" hang on - - hang on, God's got it covered. And I guess Peter had the mindset of the 3 at the furnace; if God chooses to save us, He can - no questions asked. I loooooooong for that kind of faith and peace; lots more training needs doing in this heart of mine.
And yeah, I can imagine the soldiers were in an uproar - for good reason; Herod didn't like his planned torture events messed up. Life was so very cheap back then - -
Wow James is right along the lines of what God and I have been working on for the last week or so. Looking at people through His eyes and not my tainted lenses of fear, anger, self-importance, etc. The whole book of James is practical Christianity in 5 chapters. Why are we so dull in our hearts to understand and put it into practice?
ReplyDeleteI think we hear it so much it stops making an impact unless it is said in a different way. Like reading a different Bible version or a book with the same concept (like Anatomy of Peace - LOL). For me, it's also the time I spend talking and, more importantly, listening to God. The more time I invest in that connection, the better I treat myself and therefore, others. I'm learning there is a very tight correlation between the two.
4:10 puts me at His feet in worship at His splendor, His power and my realization that I am nothing without His grace. He is my Defender, my Promoter, my Comfort and Hope. The more I try to create these for me without Him, the more stressed I become. Pretty exhausting as well. The promise is that He will lift me up. He has a much better perspective than I do.
Really liked chapter 4 as it's so pertinent to my life right now. I did like the commentator's take on community in 5 though too. We are lacking that these days. The sad fact is that there aren't many people to trust to open up to. When we find people that we can be real with and be held accountable in love as 5:16 says, those are the friends we hang on to. We pray for each other and what we are going through instead of passing on gossip and splitting people apart. We build instead of tear down.
Yuck -- this sounds slimy "the constant pursuit of gratification that rages inside each of you like an uncontrolled militia" and "you continually focus on self-indulgence" That's Satan at work, pulling us down into naval-gazing:(
ReplyDeleteHere it is again"the spirit that lives in us is addicted to envy and jealousy" Yuck! Here's the mercy: "God gives us more grace when we turn away from our own interests" That's a promise -- I think it's what "repent" is all about -- turning away from self and drawing near to Him. That's not to say we can't enjoy life to the fullest, but it is within a spirit of content; not the grasping - I want life.
I loved the commenter's "our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him. He invites us" I LOVE the thought of being pursued by God - - it makes me feel special, loved, cared about.
So - a life filled with content; then what others do and say will roll away, because our focus is on Him and we are content with what He supplies -- that is what I beg for, "bare, face down to the ground in humility" Yeah Chris, that is exhausting work -- we have no energy left, that's why He lifts us up - we've let go of trying and relax in His strength:)
Looked briefly at the chapters in Deut. and then scurried elsewhere. God led me right where I needed to be. My prayer today.
ReplyDeletePs 141:4 "Don't allow my deepest desires to steer me toward doing what is wrong..."
v5 "Let those who do right strike me down in kindness and correct me in love." I'm so grateful for those friends I have who take the risk to correct me or call me on something when I'm headed in the wrong direction.
143:4-6 "...I have nothing left, my heart is completely empty and desolate. And yet, I can't forget the days of old, the days I've heard so much about; I fix my mind on all You have done; I ponder the work of Your hands; I reach out my hands to You. All that I am aches and yearns for You like a dry land thirsting for rain."
v7-10 "Hurry and answer me, O Eternal One, for my spirit is weak, my courage is gone. Do not turn away; let me see Your face...Make me hear of Your faithful love in the morning for I trust in You. Teach me how I should walk for I offer my soul up to You...Teach me how to do Your will, for You are my God. Allow Your good Spirit to guide me on level ground, to guide me along Your path. For the sake of Your name and the good of Your reputation..."
It gives me great hope that God chose people that were whiners and complainers, that gave up, that followed other gods - - He chose them to be His own possession. Because I'm guilty of those very same things. It gives me hope that he can work with such bent people (me) and still bring them into His promised land, and still extend the gift of grace and relationship.
ReplyDeleteNever really thought that wild animal population was the reason they couldn't clear out the land immediately.
"when you have more things than you imagined possible; then don't become proud and puffed up and forget Him" this reminds me of America -- so materialistic (I'm right there in the middle of it) and how there is such a move by so many to push God out of the American picture. 8:13,14
and in vs 17 -- humility is so important; otherwise here's what we say "I've gotten all this wealth by my own powers and strength" and Moses was a very humble man -- he tossed all the wealth of Egypt aside to lead a group of complainers. I wonder if he ever had second thoughts -- then I read how:
he spent 40 days of fasting, just to prepare to receive God's holy words. Then another 40 days (that's 80 days of fasting - - 2 and 1/3 months) begging for forgiveness for the rebellion (when God said he'd use Moses' family instead - - amazing) He through his lot in with the complainers/rebellion -- the ones that caused him to loose out on walking into the promised land.
The commentator really paints a picture of how sad our rebellions are: "They are as unfaithful to the Lord as a person who has an affair while on his honeymoon" Lord, I ask for forgiveness - - as you and I both know about all the many times I've been unfaithful to You. . .
Man I just love how you can pull such meaningful thoughts out of Monday readings. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis might seem odd, but I found great encouragement that after all of Hezekiah's faithfulness, he faced a huge problem, not peace and easy street.
ReplyDeleteHe did the right thing on that challenge. However, when it was peaceful and easy, then he made a mistake. Some of us do better in war than we do in peace. Though we long for peace, we get too complacent. Our spiritual senses are not as alert as during battle. Definitely, can "trust our God, He knows what He's doing..."
Ok, after quoting He is With Us yesterday morning, I'm not kidding here, every time I turned the radio on yesterday that song was either just starting or already playing. And it was different stations as well because I have 3 that I cycle through, so it's turned off on different ones. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteAnd then Ps 125:2 "Just as the mountains around Jerusalem embrace her, the Eternal, too, wraps around those who belong to Him—for this moment and for every moment to come." Pretty tough right now for me. I think God's trying to tell me something, wonder what? LOL
Because of what's going on right now, I could definitely reword 127:1-2. Just holding on to those lyrics "though it might hurt now, we won't be ruined...but He's holding on to you and me and He's never gonna leave - no." Lots of Bible promises to back it up too. Thank You Jesus for Your Word that is alive and powerful.
Ditto! That was the verse that captured me as well: I love the thought that He is wrapping around me; holding me tight. Reminds me of the movie I saw about the Temple Grandin movie and how she needed to be squeezed and held to calm down -- that's how I feel sometimes! God's hug that isn't a quick little squeeze, but an ever present sense of security, like a tightly-wrapped blanket against the wind.
ReplyDeleteAnd then it promises; this moment -- and every moment to come . . . what a sense of security . . . and yeah, I liked the thought that He is providing even while we sleep - - the one time that we actually lay our burdens down, He's working overtime to provide.
I found these 2 chapters really good as I continue to strike my karate pose (I'll explain later Sheri!!) Anyway -- twice he says there is a right time for everything. I think patience always wins out -- ask any blue heron you happen to see -- but it is tough work in our society; the tortoise always wins.
ReplyDeleteTo do good and to see good is a gift from God (I like the see good part too; always looking for the good in people or the situation - that IS a gift)
human lives and earthly accomplishments are fleeting! Not sure why that jumped out at me; I guess it's to keep things in perspective!
Envy fuels achievement. I believe this is really true -- I took the time to think back on all the times I was envious (yes, it's true - a very ugly piece of me) and it all boils down to a desire to be better than my neighbor -- yucko! And all that wasted energy and emotion and weight of sin is like trying to embrace the wind - it's fleeting -- let go and focus UP!
Peace at all costs better than 2 hands full of hard work! You can not put a price on peace; I think that is what people really desire - it's what vacations are all about, what quiet nights with a good book are all about, it's what sitting around a campfire roasting marsh mellows when you don't even like them are all about.
Y'know why a poor wise youth is better off than the king? Because he accepts advice; and if you put him into the proverbs scenerio -- he's also actively seeking wisdom.
So Zeph 1 and 2 were pretty gloomy; glad we made it to 3 with the restoration verses. God is all about restoration, both in my life and in the life of a group of people. Love some of these promises of what he offers us:
ReplyDeletevs 13 "They'll eat well each day and sleep peacefully each night like protected sheep because nothing will make them afraid."
vs 15 "The true King of Israel, the Eternal One, is standing right here among you; you have no reason to be afraid ever again"
PS -- these are 2 great verses for me -- I tend to be afraid of the unknown or new experiences or being out of control.
vs 17 "He will rest in HIs love fore you (interesting thought that God will rest), He will joyfully sing because of you (a-mazing and humbilng) like a new husband"
19 "Keep watching! At the right time, I will deal with those who assaulted you" (nice to know -- I really don't need to defend myself - just wait)
20 "On that day, I will gather all of you together for one big homecoming" that just sounds like such a happy family time -- God's family 'Right before your eyes, I will restore to you all that you have lost, and your lives will be full again"
This last statement reminded me of Job -- and maybe us too. If the day comes that everything "everything" is taken away, at the right time, He will restore, He will give us full lives, He has promised and His promises are sure. In His presence there is fullness of joy!
The early church was jealous still for the law. After all, it had been ingrained in them since birth. But it also was taken to the extreme, the same thing we do today. We're all human after all. They couldn't associate with the very ones they were sent to witness to. How crazy is that? Do we expect people to come crawling or graveling to us for instructions to eternal life like some one who has wandered in the desert and is dying of thirst? We have to get our hands dirty, but not our hearts. This is what Jesus did. He went to them (us).
ReplyDeleteI like that though they were zealous, they were teachable. Once the facts were presented, they considered them and changed their minds. They had to get past their upbringing just as we do. Our minds are in desperate need of renewal by the HS so He can lead us where He needs us to go. Despite what others say or what He has them doing.
The trust that Peter displays is amazing. Nothing can come to him except what God allows. He really believes that. I'm still learning that concept. It is the peace that surpasses human understanding.
"We have to get our hands dirty" - - like taking off our shoes and running after them! (Sheri - you gotta read the book!)
ReplyDeleteMan - you can feel the tension in chpt 11 "Some of the circumcised believers didn't welcome Peter with joy, but with criticism" and then -- after Peter the story and ends with the compelling "who was I to stand in God's way?" (a really good question for all of us!!)
"There was no argument, only silence" -- can you feel that tension? So great, so very great that they didn't stand in God's way either -- but, as you say Chris - they were teachable - - and I think that's why the early church grew:)
I would have liked to have known more about Barnabus -- the son of encouragement (wouldn't that be a great thing to be known for?) he rejoiced when he saw what God had done in Antioch (no criticism -- just reJOICE) and he was off again to get Paul -- he just sounds like a real doer!!
"Their prayers were not answered, until the night before Peter's execution" hang on - - hang on, God's got it covered. And I guess Peter had the mindset of the 3 at the furnace; if God chooses to save us, He can - no questions asked. I loooooooong for that kind of faith and peace; lots more training needs doing in this heart of mine.
And yeah, I can imagine the soldiers were in an uproar - for good reason; Herod didn't like his planned torture events messed up. Life was so very cheap back then - -