John is full of encouragement to us as sin throws the nets around us; but this is the one verse that jumped out at me this morning:
"don't just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love."
Gracious love -- means to me that I extend grace to people around me. That would be the people it is not easy to love, the arrogant, the controllers, the angry, the mean, the judgemental -- you name it, the ones I don't want to hang out with -- the hard people to love; He calls me to extend "gracious love" I have a long way to go; but encouragement is ahead in the next few verses
"Even though our inner thoughts may condemn us with storms of guilt and constant reminders of our failures (busted); we can know in our hearts that in His presence God Himself is greater than an accusation. He knows all things" OK -- my inner thoughts are not the best, in fact - they are often ugly; yet He knows all things and STILL wants to adopt me? Now THAT is gracious love - I'm a far cry from that. I think that's why I need to move closer to Him, so I can observe what this gracious love is all about, learn from it, relish it, and hopefully - someday, overflow with it.
I like that thought, gracious love. I too have a loooong way to go. Yep, definitely moving closer to Him.
This is the verse that jumped out at me: 2:16 " All the things the world can offer to you—the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority—do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world."
That "pompous sense of superiority", love that wording. It's so true. When I get that way and start looking down my noses at other's choices, I need to go back and see what the root is. Usually, it is giving into the pleasures and trinkets the world has offered me. I can be content and sit in my Papa's lap with His strong arms around me, knowing He will bring to me what I really need or I can reach out to grab at the whirling merry-go-round of shiny objects the world twirls around in front of me. When I reach out to the world, I leave the safety of my Father and as the world sucks me into it's dazzling lights, sounds and smells, I get farther and farther away from where I was snuggling contentedly in His lap. 'Nuff said.
Thank you Chris for your word pic this morning -- sit in my Papa's lap - - snuggling contentedly - I want to take that with me today.
That was actually a breath of fresh air after Duet! But even tho I didn't like reading about military rules, when I apply the foreign army to Satan's attacks, I like the thought that "If you see their army is larger than yours and they have horses and chariots, don't be afraid of them! The Eternal our God is with you!"
The author's comments on kipper, when one party makes a gift to another in order to reestablish a good relationship between two parties and how that relates to our salvation was also very interesting to me; and very humbling that God would be the one to extend the kipper to me.
I thought kipper was a fish or made of fish, maybe that's Britain. But whatever country it is, that is a sobering thought that the One who has been wronged is the One seeking reconciliation. In Nehemiah today, I still like the fact that Artaxerxes realized Nehemiah was sad and even asked about it. He was a people person. Very nice for a leader to actually show interest in the people under him. So was that Esther sitting beside him? I can't remember which king she was married to as they are referred to with the same names.
When I am in a trial or a place that I know is the consequences for my choices, the last thing I want to do is sing praises to God. However, if I am in the former situation, it can bring me out of my grey days into a resting, trustful place. If I am in the latter, then it is shame and guilt that keeps me quiet.
I really like the promise in 138:8 "The Eternal will finish what He started in me. Your faithful love, O Eternal One, lasts forever; do not give up on what Your hands have made."
I have spent a lot of time pondering 139 in the last week or so. Very humbling that He knows me so intimately and still wants me. It's a love I don't understand. Wonder if I ever will. I think I will be in awe forever though.
138:7 "Whenever I walk into trouble, You are there to bring me out. You hold out Your hand" So I'm walking into trouble -- I'm not following Him anymore, so He must turn and go with me so He can lead me outa there. That's amazing - - but it's backed up by all of the OT stories when Israel walks again and again into idolatry - - they experience the consequences, but once they turn they can grab God's hand back to safety.
I love 139 - David is so vulnerable, so trusting - realizing there is nothing God doesn't know about him; even little details; even more than David (and me) knows about himself (myself)
Love the word pic of "You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me (I wonder if he was thinking about his armies surrounding him), and (I love this) You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder" what a picture of love - God getting our attention in such a tender way.
"Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me" and if you combine that with the end of the chapter (this is the vulnerable, trusting part) where David invites God (ok -- I need to have more trust here - cuz I don't know that I'm ready for all the testing) to dig deep and discover, to test and watch, to examine and guide.
Vulnerability is such a strength. Just draws us in.
The end of Ecc seems to say to me - it's the life you have so enjoy it. What I don't get is, what if the life you have is what you don't have control over. Thinking of Joseph here and people like him. Others are in charge of their lives and decisions. There's a surrender/trust element that's crucial to this. It's what I struggle with most.
The end of Ecc -- and you know what that means for future Th readings!
Divide your portion -- very Dave Ramsey
Get up early to sow, find worthwhile things to do in the evening - got it; Chris you rock on the getting up early!
learn to enjoy each and every day - Be happy, and celebrate all of the goodness of youth while you are young (a lot of young advice, but I'm past that; so I'm just going to take the advice when I'm old) Go where your heart takes you. Take in the sights. Enjoy! When all is said and done, clear your mind of all its worries.
I will simply sit on that advice this lovely Thanksgiving day:) I'm thankful for my friends and my family, but mostly for a God who loves me as I am.
1:11 "My name is great among the nations and in every place smoke of a pure offering rises up to Me. Even those nations whom I haven't chosen as My own recognize May name is great" I think my view of who God is the God of is waaaay too narrow. He is the God of each person on this world. in 3:10 it says "Do we not all share one father? Has not one God created us all? really good reminder that we are ALL His children - there can be no prejudice when we get that.
This one was for me, And when you sigh contemptuously and say, "Don't you see how boring all these required rituals are?" Sometimes I feel like traditions and rituals get in the way of worship -- or I'm bored with the service, not feeling fed. But yet -- if I read this right -- that is sooo disrespectful to the great God who the service is about. I need an attitude change and I know it.
I appreciate the call to marriage commitment; it - no doubt - has a dual meaning. Earthly marriages and our marriage contract to God:)
I had to go to go find that last verse you quoted. I definitely get bored by tradition and rituals. God does too from what He says in the reading. Because our hearts aren't in it and we give polluted or superficial sacrifice. Just going through the motions. Makes sense to me. I can tell when someone is sincere or not so God definitely can. I think too it's the difference between man made and God directed rituals/traditions. But they all can become common place when we forget what they are for and to Whom we are worshipping.
I had to read elsewhere today but I did find one thing I could share from JC "Brng Me the sacrifice of your time: most precious commodity. In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water." Whether sitting quietly for you is minutes or hours, there are definitely blessings we too easily miss out on.
I found it interesting that when John's Disciples were questioned by Paul on baptism; they were re-baptized when they received the new information about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I wonder where "profession of faith" came in instead of re-baptism??
I also liked how when Paul withdrew from the synagogue and moved to a public venue; the whole region ended up knowing about the message! Hmmmmm -- thought provoking - maybe something can be learned here?
The crowd is completely out of control. Most people don't even know what caused the commotion in the first place. How like us humans -- so swayed by the moment . . .
In 20, I wonder why Paul wanted to go by himself by land to Assos. I'm guessing to pray. He definitely was a hunted man, I bet his friends were biting their fingernails; but apparently, you don't argue with Paul!
"Now I feel that the HOly Spirit has taken me captive. I am being led to Jerusalem . . . everywhere I go from now on, I wil find impresonment and persecution waiting for me. But that's ok" Wait - - - even tho no human spent much energy arguing with Paul, there is one entity Paul was totally submissive to, the Holy Spirit. Paul was willing to be taken "a captive" total submission to what was ahead - and what was ahead was not pretty.
I love how the Voice urges you to put yourself in the situation it is describing.
John is full of encouragement to us as sin throws the nets around us; but this is the one verse that jumped out at me this morning:
ReplyDelete"don't just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love."
Gracious love -- means to me that I extend grace to people around me. That would be the people it is not easy to love, the arrogant, the controllers, the angry, the mean, the judgemental -- you name it, the ones I don't want to hang out with -- the hard people to love; He calls me to extend "gracious love" I have a long way to go; but encouragement is ahead in the next few verses
"Even though our inner thoughts may condemn us with storms of guilt and constant reminders of our failures (busted); we can know in our hearts that in His presence God Himself is greater than an accusation. He knows all things" OK -- my inner thoughts are not the best, in fact - they are often ugly; yet He knows all things and STILL wants to adopt me? Now THAT is gracious love - I'm a far cry from that. I think that's why I need to move closer to Him, so I can observe what this gracious love is all about, learn from it, relish it, and hopefully - someday, overflow with it.
I like that thought, gracious love. I too have a loooong way to go. Yep, definitely moving closer to Him.
ReplyDeleteThis is the verse that jumped out at me: 2:16 " All the things the world can offer to you—the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority—do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world."
That "pompous sense of superiority", love that wording. It's so true. When I get that way and start looking down my noses at other's choices, I need to go back and see what the root is. Usually, it is giving into the pleasures and trinkets the world has offered me.
I can be content and sit in my Papa's lap with His strong arms around me, knowing He will bring to me what I really need or I can reach out to grab at the whirling merry-go-round of shiny objects the world twirls around in front of me. When I reach out to the world, I leave the safety of my Father and as the world sucks me into it's dazzling lights, sounds and smells, I get farther and farther away from where I was snuggling contentedly in His lap. 'Nuff said.
Thank you Chris for your word pic this morning -- sit in my Papa's lap - - snuggling contentedly - I want to take that with me today.
ReplyDeleteThat was actually a breath of fresh air after Duet! But even tho I didn't like reading about military rules, when I apply the foreign army to Satan's attacks, I like the thought that "If you see their army is larger than yours and they have horses and chariots, don't be afraid of them! The Eternal our God is with you!"
The author's comments on kipper, when one party makes a gift to another in order to reestablish a good relationship between two parties and how that relates to our salvation was also very interesting to me; and very humbling that God would be the one to extend the kipper to me.
I thought kipper was a fish or made of fish, maybe that's Britain. But whatever country it is, that is a sobering thought that the One who has been wronged is the One seeking reconciliation.
ReplyDeleteIn Nehemiah today, I still like the fact that Artaxerxes realized Nehemiah was sad and even asked about it. He was a people person. Very nice for a leader to actually show interest in the people under him. So was that Esther sitting beside him? I can't remember which king she was married to as they are referred to with the same names.
When I am in a trial or a place that I know is the consequences for my choices, the last thing I want to do is sing praises to God. However, if I am in the former situation, it can bring me out of my grey days into a resting, trustful place. If I am in the latter, then it is shame and guilt that keeps me quiet.
ReplyDeleteI really like the promise in 138:8 "The Eternal will finish what He started in me. Your faithful love, O Eternal One, lasts forever; do not give up on what Your hands have made."
I have spent a lot of time pondering 139 in the last week or so. Very humbling that He knows me so intimately and still wants me. It's a love I don't understand. Wonder if I ever will. I think I will be in awe forever though.
138:7 "Whenever I walk into trouble, You are there to bring me out. You hold out Your hand" So I'm walking into trouble -- I'm not following Him anymore, so He must turn and go with me so He can lead me outa there. That's amazing - - but it's backed up by all of the OT stories when Israel walks again and again into idolatry - - they experience the consequences, but once they turn they can grab God's hand back to safety.
ReplyDeleteI love 139 - David is so vulnerable, so trusting - realizing there is nothing God doesn't know about him; even little details; even more than David (and me) knows about himself (myself)
Love the word pic of "You have surrounded me on every side, behind me and before me (I wonder if he was thinking about his armies surrounding him), and (I love this) You have placed Your hand gently on my shoulder" what a picture of love - God getting our attention in such a tender way.
"Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me" and if you combine that with the end of the chapter (this is the vulnerable, trusting part) where David invites God (ok -- I need to have more trust here - cuz I don't know that I'm ready for all the testing) to dig deep and discover, to test and watch, to examine and guide.
Vulnerability is such a strength. Just draws us in.
ReplyDeleteThe end of Ecc seems to say to me - it's the life you have so enjoy it. What I don't get is, what if the life you have is what you don't have control over. Thinking of Joseph here and people like him. Others are in charge of their lives and decisions. There's a surrender/trust element that's crucial to this. It's what I struggle with most.
The end of Ecc -- and you know what that means for future Th readings!
ReplyDeleteDivide your portion -- very Dave Ramsey
Get up early to sow, find worthwhile things to do in the evening - got it; Chris you rock on the getting up early!
learn to enjoy each and every day - Be happy, and celebrate all of the goodness of youth while you are young (a lot of young advice, but I'm past that; so I'm just going to take the advice when I'm old) Go where your heart takes you. Take in the sights. Enjoy! When all is said and done, clear your mind of all its worries.
I will simply sit on that advice this lovely Thanksgiving day:) I'm thankful for my friends and my family, but mostly for a God who loves me as I am.
1:11 "My name is great among the nations and in every place smoke of a pure offering rises up to Me. Even those nations whom I haven't chosen as My own recognize May name is great" I think my view of who God is the God of is waaaay too narrow. He is the God of each person on this world. in 3:10 it says "Do we not all share one father? Has not one God created us all? really good reminder that we are ALL His children - there can be no prejudice when we get that.
ReplyDeleteThis one was for me, And when you sigh contemptuously and say, "Don't you see how boring all these required rituals are?" Sometimes I feel like traditions and rituals get in the way of worship -- or I'm bored with the service, not feeling fed. But yet -- if I read this right -- that is sooo disrespectful to the great God who the service is about. I need an attitude change and I know it.
I appreciate the call to marriage commitment; it - no doubt - has a dual meaning. Earthly marriages and our marriage contract to God:)
I had to go to go find that last verse you quoted. I definitely get bored by tradition and rituals. God does too from what He says in the reading. Because our hearts aren't in it and we give polluted or superficial sacrifice. Just going through the motions. Makes sense to me. I can tell when someone is sincere or not so God definitely can. I think too it's the difference between man made and God directed rituals/traditions. But they all can become common place when we forget what they are for and to Whom we are worshipping.
ReplyDeleteI had to read elsewhere today but I did find one thing I could share from JC "Brng Me the sacrifice of your time: most precious commodity. In this action-addicted world, few of My children take time to sit quietly in My Presence. But for those who do, blessings flow like streams of living water."
Whether sitting quietly for you is minutes or hours, there are definitely blessings we too easily miss out on.
I found it interesting that when John's Disciples were questioned by Paul on baptism; they were re-baptized when they received the new information about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I wonder where "profession of faith" came in instead of re-baptism??
ReplyDeleteI also liked how when Paul withdrew from the synagogue and moved to a public venue; the whole region ended up knowing about the message! Hmmmmm -- thought provoking - maybe something can be learned here?
The crowd is completely out of control. Most people don't even know what caused the commotion in the first place. How like us humans -- so swayed by the moment . . .
In 20, I wonder why Paul wanted to go by himself by land to Assos. I'm guessing to pray. He definitely was a hunted man, I bet his friends were biting their fingernails; but apparently, you don't argue with Paul!
"Now I feel that the HOly Spirit has taken me captive. I am being led to Jerusalem . . . everywhere I go from now on, I wil find impresonment and persecution waiting for me. But that's ok" Wait - - - even tho no human spent much energy arguing with Paul, there is one entity Paul was totally submissive to, the Holy Spirit. Paul was willing to be taken "a captive" total submission to what was ahead - and what was ahead was not pretty.
I love how the Voice urges you to put yourself in the situation it is describing.