The thought that jumped out at me this morning was to grow in grace and peace - - and that goes both ways; allowing God to extend His grace to and peace in me -- but also by that miracle, grace and peace extends from me to the people around me.
What a great thought that the atmosphere around me will be filled with peace and grace as opposed to tension, stress and judgement. That's what I want -- Lord Jesus, please fill me with Your peace, Your grace, You Holy Presence. Baptize me with Your Spirit.
Along those lines, I looked at those traits Peter listed and how he said if we had those we won't be nearsighted and blind OR forget that God has washed away our sins. Seems incredible that we would forget that but if I forget that I'm forgiven, I will act like I have to earn grace and then I will start judging others to make myself appear better than them. If I remember or grow in grace and peace, then I will remember that others have been extended this same grace. We are all growing and need to encourage each other in our respective journeys, whether we understand each other's path or not.
I'm thinking of the 3 festivals in my life: 1) Passover, the celebration of being brought out of slavery to sin -- even remembering the "suffering bread" - the suffering that comes from sin, a lack of God in my life. 2) Feast of Weeks, a call to generosity -- "choose something to contribute out of what He has blessed you with" 3) Feast of Shelters -- a reminder that life here, houses here, goods here - are temporary - a focus on what He has planned for me.
I was pretty amazed at the clear instructions for a King (seems like this was overlooked - even in the case of David and especially Solomon) don't try to build a strong army, don'e collect a lot of horses - especially from Egypt, don't have a lot of wives, especially foreign wives. And I really liked the plan for each king to write out a copy of the law in front of the priests and read it every day! Why didn't they do that? It's pretty clear what the criteria for kingship was . . . power corrupts us humans, that's for sure.
I keep thinking that if we followed 19:19-21 where you gave an offender his own medicine, "everyone else will hear about what happens and be afraid to do the same thing themselves, so none of you will ever do such an evil thing to each other again" Sure seems that would eliminate rape, robbery, enslavement - a whole host of evils; but then, nobody (myself included) wants to be the earthly judge - so that makes it pretty tough.
Interesting thought of applying the Hebrew festivals to our lives. And yes, if we did repay offenders with their own offense, would be interesting to see the change in society. I read Ezra today. But I didn't really get a lot of it to aid me spiritually today. Though I did wonder why the book ends with a list of guys who had married foreign wives and were led astray. I wonder how many had been converted by their husbands. It seems like this was only concentrating on the those led away from God. But I have to think there were some, like Ruth who were converted.
I think it's neat that they have a psalm that acknowledges the temple laborers. No one is left out who contributes to God's service. It's usually the one that people discount, that God draws attention to - like the widow's mite.
It is always good to recount God's blessings in my life and to thank Him for them - again and again. It reminds me that He is God and I am not. So let my words (my complaints) be few. And that is a challenge I face daily. Seems like our thankfulness we gather up in one or two sentences, but our complaining is very spelled out. Hmmm, I really need to work on switching that around.
Yeah! I caught that too! Everyone who ministers in the temple; in the children's division, at the info center, the deacons counting the money -- how many times do we downsize it to a "job" instead of a celebration of what's going on in His temple and that HE is present! "honor His name for it is DELIGHTFUL!"
I also liked 136:23 "To Him who remembered us when we were nearly defeated, His faithful love lasts forever" God never gives up on us -- He's watching, helping, encouraging - even when we feel surrounded by life.
9:6 all of their love and hate and envy die with them -- I was thinking that leaving behind hate and envy is a good thing; a great deal of rest would come from that -- but love is the most powerful emotion of all - so leaving that behind would be the tragedy.
love life every minute of it because God is already pleased with what you do! SWEET!
Dress your best, and don't forget a splash of scented fragrance -- I don't always think of that - I love blue jeans, but I guess I could add some fragrance -- just never think of that extra step -- I do like the smell of candles, maybe it would make me smell like a candle:):)
God prefers a donkey over a warhorse; He prefers a stable over a palace; He became one of us -- He prefers the humble over the proud. Holy Spirit change me - - I want to be more like you
ok, I did read Ecc but was having a hard time forming a solid thought to share. I like what you shared about the love and hate. Was reading an article today about some people that were just hurting with loss and wanting the person who caused their loss to suffer. We all can identify with that. It's only fair after all. Forgiveness is soooo very hard when you're hurt by a person who you can see. Vengeance comes naturally. But hate, anger and judgment is a very good thing to leave behind.
Started reading Zech today and had the same floundering thoughts. Gave a go again tonight.
I was touched with the different word pics that God gave His people (hostages of hope for one). Also how He was pretty descriptive about His care and restoration for His people who have suffered so much. Even though they caused their own suffering. That's pretty incredible.
I love the pics of God shielding me, redeeming me, dressing me in sparkling jewels and calling me His Beloved. What woman doesn't want a man to pursue her and place value upon her?
But here's what really stuck with me. In 14:17. In talking about the people who refuse to worship at Jerusalem, it says that the rains will never come to them. Applying that spiritually, I see if I refuse to journey on the path God has placed before me, the rains, or HS, will never come to me. How can it come to me when I chose to separate from God and go my own way. "...the rains will never come to those who refuse the journey." It's a second by second choice for me.
I was encouraged by the Bereans once again -- warmly and enthusiastically welcoming a "new" message -- how often am I that open? and then comparing it with scripture -- they "worked" to understand who God was and His plan -- they didn't just go along with tradition for ease and convenience
17:26 "God made us in all our diversity" reminded me once again of those snowflakes -- loved your thought Chris that He would take so much interest in creativity in something that would melt. I guess, in a way, we melt quickly too -- compared to His everlasting existence! His purpose is that we would search for Him (again -- way to go Bereans); God is not far from any of us. He doesn't just throw us out into the darkness and tell us to find our way home if we can -- He walks beside us -- before us - behind us - the God of Angel armies; that's an awesome thought when you think of it; the GOD OF ANGEL ARMIES cares about me? Amazing.
We connect people with Him - then it's the job of the Holy Spirit (commentor's thoughts - but that really takes the pressure off, doesn't it?)
I like how even PAUL was ready to throw in the towel (I've done all I can for you" and God himself encouraged him.
Yep, those Bereans were a special bunch for sure. I liked how Paul didn't directly confront the Athens belief system to put them on the defensive. And the comments bring this out as well. He tied in what he could of their culture without compromising the truth. He was led by the HS so that made it easier to know where to stop. He listened and obeyed the HS so he knew what power the HS could have in one's life if allowed. God respect's the free choice He gave us so we in turn should respect that choice in others. Alas, we fail way too often in this as Christians and as a nation. All starts with individuals though. If I struggle in allowing people to disagree with me, then I become part of the greater evil myself. The Jewish rulers in Corinth followed this bad pattern as well. And they were so furious when their case was thrown out that they grabbed one of their own and beat him in public. Now this shows the extremes and the stupidity of this mentality. They were willing to invite possible judicial action against themselves because their plans were foiled. It's like a precursor to road rage. Just stupid and all because they didn't get their way. We can be so childish at times. Yep, I'm talking to me here.
The thought that jumped out at me this morning was to grow in grace and peace - - and that goes both ways; allowing God to extend His grace to and peace in me -- but also by that miracle, grace and peace extends from me to the people around me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thought that the atmosphere around me will be filled with peace and grace as opposed to tension, stress and judgement. That's what I want -- Lord Jesus, please fill me with Your peace, Your grace, You Holy Presence. Baptize me with Your Spirit.
Along those lines, I looked at those traits Peter listed and how he said if we had those we won't be nearsighted and blind OR forget that God has washed away our sins.
ReplyDeleteSeems incredible that we would forget that but if I forget that I'm forgiven, I will act like I have to earn grace and then I will start judging others to make myself appear better than them. If I remember or grow in grace and peace, then I will remember that others have been extended this same grace. We are all growing and need to encourage each other in our respective journeys, whether we understand each other's path or not.
I'm thinking of the 3 festivals in my life: 1) Passover, the celebration of being brought out of slavery to sin -- even remembering the "suffering bread" - the suffering that comes from sin, a lack of God in my life. 2) Feast of Weeks, a call to generosity -- "choose something to contribute out of what He has blessed you with" 3) Feast of Shelters -- a reminder that life here, houses here, goods here - are temporary - a focus on what He has planned for me.
ReplyDeleteI was pretty amazed at the clear instructions for a King (seems like this was overlooked - even in the case of David and especially Solomon) don't try to build a strong army, don'e collect a lot of horses - especially from Egypt, don't have a lot of wives, especially foreign wives. And I really liked the plan for each king to write out a copy of the law in front of the priests and read it every day! Why didn't they do that? It's pretty clear what the criteria for kingship was . . . power corrupts us humans, that's for sure.
I keep thinking that if we followed 19:19-21 where you gave an offender his own medicine, "everyone else will hear about what happens and be afraid to do the same thing themselves, so none of you will ever do such an evil thing to each other again" Sure seems that would eliminate rape, robbery, enslavement - a whole host of evils; but then, nobody (myself included) wants to be the earthly judge - so that makes it pretty tough.
Interesting thought of applying the Hebrew festivals to our lives. And yes, if we did repay offenders with their own offense, would be interesting to see the change in society.
ReplyDeleteI read Ezra today. But I didn't really get a lot of it to aid me spiritually today. Though I did wonder why the book ends with a list of guys who had married foreign wives and were led astray. I wonder how many had been converted by their husbands. It seems like this was only concentrating on the those led away from God. But I have to think there were some, like Ruth who were converted.
I think it's neat that they have a psalm that acknowledges the temple laborers. No one is left out who contributes to God's service. It's usually the one that people discount, that God draws attention to - like the widow's mite.
ReplyDeleteIt is always good to recount God's blessings in my life and to thank Him for them - again and again. It reminds me that He is God and I am not. So let my words (my complaints) be few. And that is a challenge I face daily. Seems like our thankfulness we gather up in one or two sentences, but our complaining is very spelled out. Hmmm, I really need to work on switching that around.
Yeah! I caught that too! Everyone who ministers in the temple; in the children's division, at the info center, the deacons counting the money -- how many times do we downsize it to a "job" instead of a celebration of what's going on in His temple and that HE is present! "honor His name for it is DELIGHTFUL!"
ReplyDeleteI also liked 136:23 "To Him who remembered us when we were nearly defeated, His faithful love lasts forever" God never gives up on us -- He's watching, helping, encouraging - even when we feel surrounded by life.
9:6 all of their love and hate and envy die with them -- I was thinking that leaving behind hate and envy is a good thing; a great deal of rest would come from that -- but love is the most powerful emotion of all - so leaving that behind would be the tragedy.
ReplyDeletelove life every minute of it because God is already pleased with what you do! SWEET!
Dress your best, and don't forget a splash of scented fragrance -- I don't always think of that - I love blue jeans, but I guess I could add some fragrance -- just never think of that extra step -- I do like the smell of candles, maybe it would make me smell like a candle:):)
God prefers a donkey over a warhorse; He prefers a stable over a palace; He became one of us -- He prefers the humble over the proud. Holy Spirit change me - - I want to be more like you
ReplyDeleteok, I did read Ecc but was having a hard time forming a solid thought to share. I like what you shared about the love and hate. Was reading an article today about some people that were just hurting with loss and wanting the person who caused their loss to suffer. We all can identify with that. It's only fair after all. Forgiveness is soooo very hard when you're hurt by a person who you can see. Vengeance comes naturally. But hate, anger and judgment is a very good thing to leave behind.
ReplyDeleteStarted reading Zech today and had the same floundering thoughts. Gave a go again tonight.
I was touched with the different word pics that God gave His people (hostages of hope for one). Also how He was pretty descriptive about His care and restoration for His people who have suffered so much. Even though they caused their own suffering. That's pretty incredible.
I love the pics of God shielding me, redeeming me, dressing me in sparkling jewels and calling me His Beloved. What woman doesn't want a man to pursue her and place value upon her?
But here's what really stuck with me. In 14:17. In talking about the people who refuse to worship at Jerusalem, it says that the rains will never come to them. Applying that spiritually, I see if I refuse to journey on the path God has placed before me, the rains, or HS, will never come to me. How can it come to me when I chose to separate from God and go my own way. "...the rains will never come to those who refuse the journey." It's a second by second choice for me.
I was encouraged by the Bereans once again -- warmly and enthusiastically welcoming a "new" message -- how often am I that open? and then comparing it with scripture -- they "worked" to understand who God was and His plan -- they didn't just go along with tradition for ease and convenience
ReplyDelete17:26 "God made us in all our diversity" reminded me once again of those snowflakes -- loved your thought Chris that He would take so much interest in creativity in something that would melt. I guess, in a way, we melt quickly too -- compared to His everlasting existence!
His purpose is that we would search for Him (again -- way to go Bereans); God is not far from any of us. He doesn't just throw us out into the darkness and tell us to find our way home if we can -- He walks beside us -- before us - behind us - the God of Angel armies; that's an awesome thought when you think of it; the GOD OF ANGEL ARMIES cares about me? Amazing.
We connect people with Him - then it's the job of the Holy Spirit (commentor's thoughts - but that really takes the pressure off, doesn't it?)
I like how even PAUL was ready to throw in the towel (I've done all I can for you" and God himself encouraged him.
Yep, those Bereans were a special bunch for sure. I liked how Paul didn't directly confront the Athens belief system to put them on the defensive. And the comments bring this out as well. He tied in what he could of their culture without compromising the truth. He was led by the HS so that made it easier to know where to stop.
ReplyDeleteHe listened and obeyed the HS so he knew what power the HS could have in one's life if allowed. God respect's the free choice He gave us so we in turn should respect that choice in others. Alas, we fail way too often in this as Christians and as a nation. All starts with individuals though. If I struggle in allowing people to disagree with me, then I become part of the greater evil myself.
The Jewish rulers in Corinth followed this bad pattern as well. And they were so furious when their case was thrown out that they grabbed one of their own and beat him in public. Now this shows the extremes and the stupidity of this mentality. They were willing to invite possible judicial action against themselves because their plans were foiled. It's like a precursor to road rage. Just stupid and all because they didn't get their way. We can be so childish at times. Yep, I'm talking to me here.