"anyone who has suffered in the flesh for the Lord is no longer in the grip of sin" This is because they are forced to show their true colors -- how much do I really trust Him, value Him, believe He loves me - - that is tested in suffering; I fail a lot - - but I believe He is preparing me for the biggest test of my life; whatever that might be.
"Show hospitality to each other without complaint" again - I fail here often when it comes to hosting big family get togethers. btw - If it was my kids and their families I was hosting - you'd hear no complaints - - anyway, I struggle in this.
I love the encouragement to use whatever gift you have; that we are stewards of all God's gifts - speaking, serving (stewardship is way bigger than money - He really doesn't need our money, He needs our hearts which opens up all kinds of possibilities)
Doncha love the pictures of "bow down under God's strong hand; then when the time comes, God will lift you up . . . since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries" This is one of my favorite texts, but wow - the voice really captures HIs love for me.
Cool beanos! I noticed some of the same things. The focus needs to be on others and not me. It's so very natural for me to look at things from the angle of what am I getting out of this. The exception would be my friends. I enjoy them, their personalities, gifts, insights and time they give up to spend with me. Who knows what I'm missing by grudgingly giving my gifts in service to others? I'm thinking that is why Jesus tells us we are all brothers & sisters in Him. Family can be tough though. It's not the best illustration for me - friends are. I really liked that strong arm of God over me, not forcing me to my knees but letting me know He is fully capable of defending me.
So JC today, as always - was full of encouraging surrender advice:
"Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you. . . I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly. The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on My for help. Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual. Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do" Ps 105:4
What a paradigm shift on how to view difficulties; a lesson I struggle with daily. But doing this -- even thinking about this - lifts the burdens, the problems, the stress, the desire to control situations - off my back and on to His Carpenter-King shoulders. That gives me the ability to reach up, grab His hand and walk beside Him (exactly where He wants me - close to Him!)
That is a great paragraph from JC. Are you reading it according to the date of each day or just reading it? If it's the former, I'm thinking I will probably be reposting some of them again when I roll upon them next year some time - haha :) I think it's funny how the Jews are in shock that there could be corruption in the Persian government. Must have been young kids and not people who were alive when all the kings got them into exile in the first place. Seems to me that this shows that where ever there is power, there is corruption at some level. In the case of good rulers, it'd be the people under them. In the case of bad, it'd be they themselves. The tact the exiles show in dealing with those that had been left in Jerusalem is pretty neat. I don't know if being afraid is the right word. I take it as more out of respect for them and for the temple itself. They are also tactful in their reply when they start rebuilding again. That tells me that God is among them and they are listening to Him. They reply with such wisdom that the naysayers allow them to continue to build while they write to the Persian king. Again, because as we read Friday, God was with them.
I'm going along with the dates on the days I read it - every day I miss; I loose a gem of thought tho!
3 kings mentioned so far; Cyrus (he really gives credit to God for his successes -- very neat to see! I wonder if it's because he was touched that God mentioned his name hundreds of years prior? (where is that found?)
Then Xerxies (not sure how to spell that) - he's the guy with a Jewish wife - and he stopped the building; wonder why he didn't check out Cyrus's decree -- I was thinking that once a decree was made, they couldn't change it (thinking again of the Esther story) And finally Darius, he had a Jew for his main wise man; and he allowed the building again -- wonder if he talked that over with Daniel?
I think that's why I gave up keeping up with the dates. Sometimes I got what I needed from the reading plan and other days I got it from JC or the Scriptures it lead me to. I'm still in July I think. Haha. The bonus is that I can read multiple days if needed. So for Psalms reading today, I was stopped in the first one. I read the other 2 but that one spoke most to me. The wording of this translation is so good. Just nails me. I do struggle with proud thoughts and look down on others most of the time. God's really been working with me on this and I'm grateful He hasn't written me off. v2 I could re write and say of the one thing I'm certain it's that I'm learning to calm, quiet and content only in You. I may look the part on the outside but since God & I talk mostly inside - whoa, the storm that brews inside of me at times is anything but a tranquil lake scene! Sometimes it's waves of temptation that come at me, but I also am a good wave machine. It definitely is a process. It was an encouraging psalm to read because I know that David didn't arrive there instantly either. Like the title says - it'a journey, a journey I'm on to the true worship of the Father, in spirit and truth.
of one thing I am certain: my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in You. WOW -- that is the ultimate in living! What a great explanation of peace (calm, quiet, and contented in Him!!)
The next verse puzzled me a bit -- there seemed to be an emphasis that me (the child resting on Him is weaned) I wonder why - I never really thought about it before; but when a child nurses, they draw life and strength from the mom -- seems like that is a good illustration of how we should be relying on our Father, kindof like the vine/branches illustration.
Maybe the emphasis is that a weaned child has been empowered by the parent to live independent (a parents goal) with the new emphasis being relationship, the emotional dependance. Not sure -- I feel like I'm flailing around on this idea -- needs more thought:)
the day you die is better than the day you were born . . . death is the end of life's journey. I guess it's like a journey, a race - - you have completed the task as opposed to the route laying ahead of you. Typically, at the end of the route there are celebrations - - maybe we view death incorrectly.
I love his thoughts about how hard times, grief, sadness is how we learn and grow - - again, maybe we view these emotions incorrectly.
Patience will benefit you more than pride -- I bet THAT is a quote DR uses.
When times are good - be happy. This is repeated later in 8:15 "I heartly recommended that you pursue joy, for the best a person can do under the sun is to enjoy life" This reminds me of JC on Nov 12 a few days ago when it talked about false guilt when things are going good -- it's hogwash; our Father delights in our delight!
I loved the commentators translation of the creation "savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness" that is how I want to learn to view creation.
YES! and JC today reminded me of that as well. "As you listen to birds calling to one another hear also My Love call to you. I speak to you continually; through sights, sounds, thoughts, impressions, scriptures. There is no limit to the variety of ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be attentive to My messages in whatever form they come. When you set out to find Me in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence. you can find Me not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in tragedy and faces filled with grief. I can take the deepest sorrow and weave it into a pattern for good."
I did peruse Zachariah today as well. I like C3 where Joshua is filthy and dirty with nothing to say to defend himself while satan stands there and lists all his sins. It is just amazing that God would choose us in this condition. God tells satan to button it and He doesn't try to justify Joshua's actions. He just says "I've chosen hiim". Wow! Blows me away.
I love the picture of those men singing in jail. As the commentator points out -- Silas must have wondered why Paul cast out the demon in the girl; starting the snowball that got them beaten and thrown in prison. But -- with their singing and praying, they converted a whole jail; they must have, if no one ran away - they all wanted to know more. Same thing with the jailor. God's ways are not my ways -- I moan and complain when I have to walk through certain things -- all the while, it's God putting me in situations where I can whine or I can witness -- my choice
Yes, I was struck by this situation as well. And how the commentators said that followers of Christ don't get easily distracted or depressed when their focus is on serving Christ. That is so true. For me the whining starts when I lose my focus. My priority becomes saving my skin instead of saving souls. Really big difference.
"anyone who has suffered in the flesh for the Lord is no longer in the grip of sin" This is because they are forced to show their true colors -- how much do I really trust Him, value Him, believe He loves me - - that is tested in suffering; I fail a lot - - but I believe He is preparing me for the biggest test of my life; whatever that might be.
ReplyDelete"Show hospitality to each other without complaint" again - I fail here often when it comes to hosting big family get togethers. btw - If it was my kids and their families I was hosting - you'd hear no complaints - - anyway, I struggle in this.
I love the encouragement to use whatever gift you have; that we are stewards of all God's gifts - speaking, serving (stewardship is way bigger than money - He really doesn't need our money, He needs our hearts which opens up all kinds of possibilities)
Doncha love the pictures of "bow down under God's strong hand; then when the time comes, God will lift you up . . . since God cares for you, let Him carry all your burdens and worries" This is one of my favorite texts, but wow - the voice really captures HIs love for me.
Cool beanos! I noticed some of the same things. The focus needs to be on others and not me. It's so very natural for me to look at things from the angle of what am I getting out of this. The exception would be my friends. I enjoy them, their personalities, gifts, insights and time they give up to spend with me.
ReplyDeleteWho knows what I'm missing by grudgingly giving my gifts in service to others? I'm thinking that is why Jesus tells us we are all brothers & sisters in Him. Family can be tough though. It's not the best illustration for me - friends are.
I really liked that strong arm of God over me, not forcing me to my knees but letting me know He is fully capable of defending me.
So JC today, as always - was full of encouraging surrender advice:
ReplyDelete"Do not let any set of circumstances intimidate you. . . I know what each of your days will contain, and I empower you accordingly. The degree to which I strengthen you on a given day is based mainly on two variables: the difficulty of your circumstances, and your willingness to depend on My for help. Try to view challenging days as opportunities to receive more of My Power than usual. Look to Me for all that you need, and watch to see what I will do" Ps 105:4
What a paradigm shift on how to view difficulties; a lesson I struggle with daily. But doing this -- even thinking about this - lifts the burdens, the problems, the stress, the desire to control situations - off my back and on to His Carpenter-King shoulders. That gives me the ability to reach up, grab His hand and walk beside Him (exactly where He wants me - close to Him!)
That is a great paragraph from JC. Are you reading it according to the date of each day or just reading it? If it's the former, I'm thinking I will probably be reposting some of them again when I roll upon them next year some time - haha :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny how the Jews are in shock that there could be corruption in the Persian government. Must have been young kids and not people who were alive when all the kings got them into exile in the first place. Seems to me that this shows that where ever there is power, there is corruption at some level. In the case of good rulers, it'd be the people under them. In the case of bad, it'd be they themselves.
The tact the exiles show in dealing with those that had been left in Jerusalem is pretty neat. I don't know if being afraid is the right word. I take it as more out of respect for them and for the temple itself.
They are also tactful in their reply when they start rebuilding again. That tells me that God is among them and they are listening to Him. They reply with such wisdom that the naysayers allow them to continue to build while they write to the Persian king. Again, because as we read Friday, God was with them.
I'm going along with the dates on the days I read it - every day I miss; I loose a gem of thought tho!
ReplyDelete3 kings mentioned so far; Cyrus (he really gives credit to God for his successes -- very neat to see! I wonder if it's because he was touched that God mentioned his name hundreds of years prior? (where is that found?)
Then Xerxies (not sure how to spell that) - he's the guy with a Jewish wife - and he stopped the building; wonder why he didn't check out Cyrus's decree -- I was thinking that once a decree was made, they couldn't change it (thinking again of the Esther story) And finally Darius, he had a Jew for his main wise man; and he allowed the building again -- wonder if he talked that over with Daniel?
I think that's why I gave up keeping up with the dates. Sometimes I got what I needed from the reading plan and other days I got it from JC or the Scriptures it lead me to. I'm still in July I think. Haha. The bonus is that I can read multiple days if needed.
ReplyDeleteSo for Psalms reading today, I was stopped in the first one. I read the other 2 but that one spoke most to me.
The wording of this translation is so good. Just nails me. I do struggle with proud thoughts and look down on others most of the time. God's really been working with me on this and I'm grateful He hasn't written me off.
v2 I could re write and say of the one thing I'm certain it's that I'm learning to calm, quiet and content only in You. I may look the part on the outside but since God & I talk mostly inside - whoa, the storm that brews inside of me at times is anything but a tranquil lake scene! Sometimes it's waves of temptation that come at me, but I also am a good wave machine. It definitely is a process.
It was an encouraging psalm to read because I know that David didn't arrive there instantly either. Like the title says - it'a journey, a journey I'm on to the true worship of the Father, in spirit and truth.
of one thing I am certain: my soul has become calm, quiet, and contented in You. WOW -- that is the ultimate in living! What a great explanation of peace (calm, quiet, and contented in Him!!)
ReplyDeleteThe next verse puzzled me a bit -- there seemed to be an emphasis that me (the child resting on Him is weaned) I wonder why - I never really thought about it before; but when a child nurses, they draw life and strength from the mom -- seems like that is a good illustration of how we should be relying on our Father, kindof like the vine/branches illustration.
Maybe the emphasis is that a weaned child has been empowered by the parent to live independent (a parents goal) with the new emphasis being relationship, the emotional dependance. Not sure -- I feel like I'm flailing around on this idea -- needs more thought:)
the day you die is better than the day you were born . . . death is the end of life's journey. I guess it's like a journey, a race - - you have completed the task as opposed to the route laying ahead of you. Typically, at the end of the route there are celebrations - - maybe we view death incorrectly.
ReplyDeleteI love his thoughts about how hard times, grief, sadness is how we learn and grow - - again, maybe we view these emotions incorrectly.
Patience will benefit you more than pride -- I bet THAT is a quote DR uses.
When times are good - be happy. This is repeated later in 8:15 "I heartly recommended that you pursue joy, for the best a person can do under the sun is to enjoy life" This reminds me of JC on Nov 12 a few days ago when it talked about false guilt when things are going good -- it's hogwash; our Father delights in our delight!
I loved the commentators translation of the creation "savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness" that is how I want to learn to view creation.
YES! and JC today reminded me of that as well.
ReplyDelete"As you listen to birds calling to one another hear also My Love call to you. I speak to you continually; through sights, sounds, thoughts, impressions, scriptures. There is no limit to the variety of ways I can communicate with you. Your part is to be attentive to My messages in whatever form they come. When you set out to find Me in a day, you discover that the world is vibrantly alive with My Presence. you can find Me not only in beauty and birdcalls, but also in tragedy and faces filled with grief. I can take the deepest sorrow and weave it into a pattern for good."
I did peruse Zachariah today as well. I like C3 where Joshua is filthy and dirty with nothing to say to defend himself while satan stands there and lists all his sins. It is just amazing that God would choose us in this condition. God tells satan to button it and He doesn't try to justify Joshua's actions. He just says "I've chosen hiim". Wow! Blows me away.
I love the picture of those men singing in jail. As the commentator points out -- Silas must have wondered why Paul cast out the demon in the girl; starting the snowball that got them beaten and thrown in prison. But -- with their singing and praying, they converted a whole jail; they must have, if no one ran away - they all wanted to know more. Same thing with the jailor. God's ways are not my ways -- I moan and complain when I have to walk through certain things -- all the while, it's God putting me in situations where I can whine or I can witness -- my choice
ReplyDeleteYes, I was struck by this situation as well. And how the commentators said that followers of Christ don't get easily distracted or depressed when their focus is on serving Christ. That is so true. For me the whining starts when I lose my focus. My priority becomes saving my skin instead of saving souls. Really big difference.
ReplyDelete