Esther-Job 7 Esther lived a life so much different than she could have ever planned or dreamed, yet she took courage in unthinkable circumstances & lived in a manner that brought glory and honor to God.
Job said, “God gives. God takes. God’s name be ever blessed. We take the good days from God-why not also the bad days? He raises up the down and out, He gives firm footing to those sinking in grief.” Then, amid all his pain & suffering, Job says, “What future do I have to keep me going?”
My days come and go swifter than the click of knitting needles & then the yarn runs out—an unfinished life! This ties in with Jan Silvious’ new book, Same Life, New Story, about remembering every day is a page on the story of my life, & I don’t want to have any blank pages. So, what’s the answer when I feel overwhelmed by life? I think it’s found in what JI Packer says.
What am I made for? To know God.
What aim should I set meyself in life? To know God.
What is the eternal life Jesus gives? Knowledge of God.
What is the best thing in life? To know God.
What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.
So, while I might have lofty God-Dreams, & I do, the most important thing I can do in any and every day is to know God.
Job 8-25 God, unlike us, You’re not working against a deadline; You have all eternity to work things out. God is not concerned about my circumstances, He’s concerned about my character.
Job 26-42 I’m holding fast to my integrity, and not loosening my grip---& believe me, I’ll never regret it! God alone knows the way to Wisdom, He knows the exact place to find it. This is it-—Fear-Of-The-Lord—-that’s wisdom, and insight means shunning evil.
God’s answer to Job---Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? God answered Job when he was in the eye of a violent storm. (Even in the storms of life, we must be still and listen for God’s voice.)
Job’s Answer—I’m convinced You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset Your plans. (Even tho Job never knew why all this happened.) I admit, I once lived by rumors of You; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
After all this, God called Job His friend, and had Job pray & intercede for the 3 that gave him bad advice. When Job did this (prayed for his tormentors), God restored and doubled his fortune!
Psalms 1-24 …thrill to God’s Word, chew on Scripture day and night. This is the secret to being blessed. And not with nice things and a well ordered life, but with a deep and intimate friendship with the King of Kings!
Worship God in adoring embrace. If you make a run for God, you won’t regret it! You, God, have put my life back together.
Early in the morning, I lay out the pieces of my life on Your altar & watch for fire to descend. Here I am, waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.
God’s business is putting things right; He loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight! God takes the side of victims.
Psalm 15 Walk straight, act right, tell the truth. Don’t hurt your friend, don’t blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, never take a bribe. You’ll never get black listed if you live like this. My choice is You, God! First and only.
Psalm 18 God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now I’m alert to God’s ways; I don’t take God for granted. Every day I review the way He works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together & I’m watching my step. God re-wrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.
What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward Him makes it! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work.
Psalms 25-45 I’m looking to You, God; show me how You work. School me in Your ways. If I keep my eyes on You, God, I won’t trip over my own feet!
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: to live with Him in His house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate His beauty; I’ll study at His feet. That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world. The perfect getaway far from the buzz of traffic.
Yesterday, we signed a contract on the sale of our house—contingent on the sale of the buyers’ home. After almost 3 years, it seems we are taking another step back to PA. More uncertainly & mixed feelings, but as I read Psalms today, I am again reminded of God’s grace & love, and my daily determination to put my faith & trust in Him. Not in the outcome of this contract, but in Him. My reading today concluded in Psalm 45, which has 2 verses the Lord used in my journey greatly three years ago when this whole walk started. “Listen to Me, O royal daughter, and take to heart what I say—forget your people and your family far away, for your Royal Husband delights in you. Honor Him, for He is your King.” What a comforting, confirming reminder of how to keep the first thing—my personal relationship with Jesus—first.
Psalms 46-70 Spread for Me a banner of praise. Serve High God a feast of kept promises (obedience). And call fro help when you’re in trouble. I’ll help you and you’ll honor Me. (Again, radical, extravagant, praise & thanksgiving in all that is going on.)
It’s the praising life that honors Me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I’ll show you My salvation.
Give me a job teaching rebels Your ways so the lost can find their way home. (WATW of Western PA)
I’ve worked up such a hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. It’s the dry times & the hard times that have made me truly understand that God, and God alone, is my everything.
Psalms 71-90 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache….Until I entered the Sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture. Lord, always remind me that trying to figure You out gives me a splitting headache. When the questsions & obstacles come, remind me to enter Your sanctuary with praise & thanksgiving, no matter what I may see around me.
The beginning of a journey 3 years ago started with this—“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.” (Ps. 84:5 NLT) Today, when the journey is pecking up momentum , this—“And how blessed all those in whom You live, whose lives become roads You travel” Ps. 84:5 MSG. Lord, I want my life to always be a road You travel.
Train me God, to walk straight…put me together, one heart, one mind. Lord, thank you for letting my heart and mind come together in the pursuit of this plan of Yours that You have given me.
Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! …And the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh yes, affirm the work that we do! Hallelujah! Praise Your Name, Lord!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Same Life, New Story
My days come and go swifter than the click of knitting needles, and then the yarn runs out—an unfinished life! For me, this verse from Job this morning capsulizes the theme of Same Life, New Story. The book grabbed me in the intro with this—“stop and think for a moment: today you lived a page in your story. Was it a good day, a bad day, or a ho-hum day?” and didn’t let me go until the last page, when I was reminded that God’s plans for me are GOOD.
With her gift of storytelling, Jan Silvious uses the lives of 10 women in the Bible to give us a way to break out of the attitudes, bondages and mindsets that seem to keep us paralyzed.
She offered ways to break free of living in our backstory, and tools for us to use as we forge ahead with our new story. She challenged us to know and believe the truth, and then use that as a catalyst for writing our new story.
Sometimes I quickly read, and don’t let things settle into my heart. Because of this, I greatly appreciate the Journal Entry section at the end of each chapter. It gave me a practical and useful way to integrate the concept I just read about into my New Story. I would recommend this to anyone who is determined to break out of her mold, and finish strong in her walk with the Lord.
With her gift of storytelling, Jan Silvious uses the lives of 10 women in the Bible to give us a way to break out of the attitudes, bondages and mindsets that seem to keep us paralyzed.
She offered ways to break free of living in our backstory, and tools for us to use as we forge ahead with our new story. She challenged us to know and believe the truth, and then use that as a catalyst for writing our new story.
Sometimes I quickly read, and don’t let things settle into my heart. Because of this, I greatly appreciate the Journal Entry section at the end of each chapter. It gave me a practical and useful way to integrate the concept I just read about into my New Story. I would recommend this to anyone who is determined to break out of her mold, and finish strong in her walk with the Lord.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Finished with the History!
I Chronicles 1-10 The lineage of Israel was so long, & yet it was said of very few that they obeyed God. Only in one group of “begets” was the note that they carried out their work and followed the instructions given to them. Obedience is so important, yet so very rare.
I Chronicles 11-23 Study God and His strength, seek His presence day and night. God is serious business, take Him seriously. We can’t dabble in being a disciple; we must be 100% sold out!
I Chronicles 24-II Chronicles 7 Serve God with my whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart & sees through every motive. If you seek Him, He’ll make sure you find Him. But if you abandon Him, He’ll leave you for good. Look sharp now! God has chosen you to build His holy house. Be brave, determined! And do it! -- The Lord pulled me up short here, as I had decided to not go to work and face an issue that had been given to me. Instead, I was sitting home, “being spiritual”, reading my Bible! So I closed my Bible, and went to work, praying all the way for the right heart, mind and motive to do whatever was ahead. He “made sure” I found Him, and although it was not a pleasant afternoon, it was a godly one & He taught me some more leadership skills. When I go up North and start a WATW, I’ll need the experience He provides in these current issues. I praise You, Lord, for teaching & growing me through it all.
II Chronicles 8-24 Solomon built a house especially for his wife who was Pharaoh’s daughter, because the house where King David lived was sacred. So, it sounds like all the time he was involved in doing “God’s Work” he knew his private life didn’t please God. He kept a “regular schedule” of worship, but must have been living a double life.
II Chronicles 25-36 There is one thing that God desires—requires—of us, and that is to love Him and put Him first in our lives. The history of the kings of Israel & Judah seems to always say 2 things about their reign. 1) Whether they were good or evil in God’s sight, and 2) whether or not the got rid of all the idol worship. There is a lesson for me in all this—is God #1 in my life, and am I ruthless in continually weeding out any idols that try to set themselves up in my life?
Ezra Even thought the returning Jews were afraid of what their neighbors might think, they did what God had called them to do anyway. Sometimes it’s a fearful thing to follow the Lord.
They praised God while they were laying the foundation to the temple. Foundation work is hard and not showy, but without it, what is built upon it doesn’t have stability and security.
Found my life goal in there—again. Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truth and ways. Can’t have a better goal than that. Don’t cultivate the good opinion of others—please God, not onlookers.
Nehemiah Nehemiah knew what he wanted when the king asked. He had prayed & had a plan from the Lord. He also knew that his strength was found in the joy of the Lord. Radical, exuberant praise is what God deserves—always!
I Chronicles 11-23 Study God and His strength, seek His presence day and night. God is serious business, take Him seriously. We can’t dabble in being a disciple; we must be 100% sold out!
I Chronicles 24-II Chronicles 7 Serve God with my whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart & sees through every motive. If you seek Him, He’ll make sure you find Him. But if you abandon Him, He’ll leave you for good. Look sharp now! God has chosen you to build His holy house. Be brave, determined! And do it! -- The Lord pulled me up short here, as I had decided to not go to work and face an issue that had been given to me. Instead, I was sitting home, “being spiritual”, reading my Bible! So I closed my Bible, and went to work, praying all the way for the right heart, mind and motive to do whatever was ahead. He “made sure” I found Him, and although it was not a pleasant afternoon, it was a godly one & He taught me some more leadership skills. When I go up North and start a WATW, I’ll need the experience He provides in these current issues. I praise You, Lord, for teaching & growing me through it all.
II Chronicles 8-24 Solomon built a house especially for his wife who was Pharaoh’s daughter, because the house where King David lived was sacred. So, it sounds like all the time he was involved in doing “God’s Work” he knew his private life didn’t please God. He kept a “regular schedule” of worship, but must have been living a double life.
II Chronicles 25-36 There is one thing that God desires—requires—of us, and that is to love Him and put Him first in our lives. The history of the kings of Israel & Judah seems to always say 2 things about their reign. 1) Whether they were good or evil in God’s sight, and 2) whether or not the got rid of all the idol worship. There is a lesson for me in all this—is God #1 in my life, and am I ruthless in continually weeding out any idols that try to set themselves up in my life?
Ezra Even thought the returning Jews were afraid of what their neighbors might think, they did what God had called them to do anyway. Sometimes it’s a fearful thing to follow the Lord.
They praised God while they were laying the foundation to the temple. Foundation work is hard and not showy, but without it, what is built upon it doesn’t have stability and security.
Found my life goal in there—again. Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of God, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truth and ways. Can’t have a better goal than that. Don’t cultivate the good opinion of others—please God, not onlookers.
Nehemiah Nehemiah knew what he wanted when the king asked. He had prayed & had a plan from the Lord. He also knew that his strength was found in the joy of the Lord. Radical, exuberant praise is what God deserves—always!
Friday, January 28, 2011
A Third of the Way!
I Samuel 29 –II Samuel 12 David strengthened himself with trust in his God. Not plans, or past victories, or even godly friends—with the Lord. May that always be the first place I go, Lord.
Just noticed that while David was ruling from Hebron for 7 ½ years, he had six children—each born to a different woman! It looks like he had a problem with women long before Bathsheba. I wonder if he ever sensed that they were his Achilles tendon. Do I have a sin in my life that I think I can ‘handle’? History shows me that’s not likely. I need to deal harshly with the enemies of my soul and not let them be my ruin.
II Samuel 13-22 What treachery and wickedness and dysfunction comes when we hold grudges & don’t deal honorably with others. Lack of integrity at every turn. Makes me think of a quote I heard at Teen Challenge—Integrity—If you have it, nothing else matters. If you don’t have it, nothing else matters. Lord, show me how to live before You with integrity in every facet of my life.
II Samuel 23- I Kings 8 Another example of attacking your enemies and not being passive is Benaiah, of The Thirty. On a snowy day (not the best of conditions), he climbed down into a pit & killed a lion. Another time, he took on a formidable Egyptian, when all he had was a walking stick. He took the enemy’s own spear, and used it against him. Something else. Uriah the Hittite was one of The Thirty. David apparently had no regard for his loyalty, when he decided Bathsheba was worth it. The depth to which our sin can take us should make us want to totally annihilate any besetting sin we see in our own life.
David was wrong to have a census taken, because he replaced trust in God with statistics. I need to always be careful not to replace my trust in God with plans & strategies.
From Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple. May He keep us centered and devoted to Him, following the life path He has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace & rhythms He laid down for our ancestors…May our lives be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path He has cleared, alert and attentive to everything He has made plain this day.
I Kings 9-16 King Solomon was obsessed with women, even though God warned him foreign women that would draw him away from God. And they did. He openly defied God. Two things I see: we can’t see our own weaknesses, and we need accountability partners in our lives.
I Kings 17- II Kings 5 Time is always such a huge element in our lives. It was for Elijah too. He would be told something, but would have to wait a L-O-N-G time for it to happen. But after the wait, things happened fast. The way I would do things is to just go along at a nice even pace. But that never appears to be God’s way. Elijah did what seemed good to him—he walked 40 days and nights to the mountain of God. When he finally got there, God said to him, “So, what are you doing here?” Notice that God didn’t try to stop him along the way.
Both Elijah and Elisha dealt with women who were down to their last meal, and yet they gave it to the man of God. Sometimes, when I get down to my ‘last meal’, I get stingy and forget God gave me what I have in the first place, and He will provide what I need but not until I need it. When I hoard things, I stop the flow of God’s blessing on my life and endeavors.
II Kings 6-15 Naaman was asked to do something simple and unglamorous to be healed, and it made him mad. He already had this elaborate plan in his head & that’s how he wanted it to happen. It took the words of a servant to help him see through this & convince him to do it God’s way. Do I sometimes want an elaborate plan that glorifies me, when God demands simple obedience to His direction? There is healing in doing the plain and simple things God calls me to do. There is peace, too, because I don’t have to be thinking up elaborate plans and schemes.
II Kings 16-25 Hezekiah held fast to God-- never loosened his grip—and obeyed to the letter what God had commanded. And God, for His part, held fast to him through all his adventures. I like the concept of my life being an adventure. I firmly believe that my life is only boring if I let it be. God has called me to adventurous, abundant living. My part is to hold tight to Him!
Just noticed that while David was ruling from Hebron for 7 ½ years, he had six children—each born to a different woman! It looks like he had a problem with women long before Bathsheba. I wonder if he ever sensed that they were his Achilles tendon. Do I have a sin in my life that I think I can ‘handle’? History shows me that’s not likely. I need to deal harshly with the enemies of my soul and not let them be my ruin.
II Samuel 13-22 What treachery and wickedness and dysfunction comes when we hold grudges & don’t deal honorably with others. Lack of integrity at every turn. Makes me think of a quote I heard at Teen Challenge—Integrity—If you have it, nothing else matters. If you don’t have it, nothing else matters. Lord, show me how to live before You with integrity in every facet of my life.
II Samuel 23- I Kings 8 Another example of attacking your enemies and not being passive is Benaiah, of The Thirty. On a snowy day (not the best of conditions), he climbed down into a pit & killed a lion. Another time, he took on a formidable Egyptian, when all he had was a walking stick. He took the enemy’s own spear, and used it against him. Something else. Uriah the Hittite was one of The Thirty. David apparently had no regard for his loyalty, when he decided Bathsheba was worth it. The depth to which our sin can take us should make us want to totally annihilate any besetting sin we see in our own life.
David was wrong to have a census taken, because he replaced trust in God with statistics. I need to always be careful not to replace my trust in God with plans & strategies.
From Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple. May He keep us centered and devoted to Him, following the life path He has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace & rhythms He laid down for our ancestors…May our lives be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path He has cleared, alert and attentive to everything He has made plain this day.
I Kings 9-16 King Solomon was obsessed with women, even though God warned him foreign women that would draw him away from God. And they did. He openly defied God. Two things I see: we can’t see our own weaknesses, and we need accountability partners in our lives.
I Kings 17- II Kings 5 Time is always such a huge element in our lives. It was for Elijah too. He would be told something, but would have to wait a L-O-N-G time for it to happen. But after the wait, things happened fast. The way I would do things is to just go along at a nice even pace. But that never appears to be God’s way. Elijah did what seemed good to him—he walked 40 days and nights to the mountain of God. When he finally got there, God said to him, “So, what are you doing here?” Notice that God didn’t try to stop him along the way.
Both Elijah and Elisha dealt with women who were down to their last meal, and yet they gave it to the man of God. Sometimes, when I get down to my ‘last meal’, I get stingy and forget God gave me what I have in the first place, and He will provide what I need but not until I need it. When I hoard things, I stop the flow of God’s blessing on my life and endeavors.
II Kings 6-15 Naaman was asked to do something simple and unglamorous to be healed, and it made him mad. He already had this elaborate plan in his head & that’s how he wanted it to happen. It took the words of a servant to help him see through this & convince him to do it God’s way. Do I sometimes want an elaborate plan that glorifies me, when God demands simple obedience to His direction? There is healing in doing the plain and simple things God calls me to do. There is peace, too, because I don’t have to be thinking up elaborate plans and schemes.
II Kings 16-25 Hezekiah held fast to God-- never loosened his grip—and obeyed to the letter what God had commanded. And God, for His part, held fast to him through all his adventures. I like the concept of my life being an adventure. I firmly believe that my life is only boring if I let it be. God has called me to adventurous, abundant living. My part is to hold tight to Him!
Friday, January 21, 2011
First Quarter Down!
Deuteronomy 24-34 Remember where you came from. Remember your deliverance, and don’t swerve an inch to the right or the left from the words I command you. This journey He has me on isn’t too much for me. It’s not out of my reach. Love God. Walk in His ways. Keep His commandments so that we will live—really live—exuberantly and blessed by God in the land I am about to possess.
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought b/c God is striding ahead of you. He won’t let you down. He won’t leave you. Awesome words of comfort and courage.
Joshua 1-14 Ponder & meditate on God’s Word day & night, making sure you practice EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God is with you every step.
When they crossed the Jordan, they had to get their feet wet before the water receded. They had to STEP OUT in faith.
Joshua, Moses protégé, also had a time when he was to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. As we follow God, He gives us our own personal experiences with Him. We don’t’ have to live off the experiences of others.
Joshua used common sense when fighting some battles & didn’t consult God. He was defeated. How often do I use my common sense in a situation, and then wonder what went wrong?
I love Caleb. He was 85 & felt as strong as ever. His 40 years in the desert hadn’t taken their toll on his spirit. He was looking forward to the next conquest, not bemoaning the effects of the unbelievers in his life. He wanted to take the high country, and not settle for less. What an example.
Joshua 15- Judges 4 Story and detail are important in the Bible. Thru these we can see how quickly we slip out of step with God, even though we say we won’t. And it always seems to start by disregarding a part of God’s plan. Partial obedience is disobedience.
You can’t ever put your enemies to work for you. You must get rid of them. No compromising.
Judges 5-15 I love the story of Deborah, the judge, but often wonder why a woman was called to bring peace and order back to Israel for a season. Was it because there was no man that could be found by God to do His bidding?
Gideon was openly afraid, but he still did what God commanded. THEN God’s Spirit came over him. Gideon was aware that it was God’s power doing the work—not him. But later on, he made a monument to commemorate his successes. And he became seduced by it. We must always be careful to give God all the glory for everything, and never believe our own press.
The whole story of Samson just shows how much I don’t understand the workings of God in so many areas. But one thing I am seeing through all these stories is how important it is to be open and honest with our families.
Judges 16- I Samuel 3 I am so thankful that I don’t have to live in a way that seems good to me. I would mess up every time. I have the revealed Word of God to show me how to live out my daily life. And if my life seems mundane and very ordinary, like Ruth must have seen her life, I can realize that I may never know what part I am playing by living in daily obedience to the much larger plan of God. I often become trapped in the Plan of Sharon, that doesn’t seem to go as I want. Lord, help me to never do what seems best to me, but to always seek Your face.
From the Intro to I & II Samuel: Our ego-bound experience is too small a context in which to understand & experience what it means to believe in God. My life becomes large as I live in the largeness of God. God is the country in which I should live. We should not see God in our stories, but see our story in God’s! God is the larger context & plot in which our stories find themselves.
I Samuel 4-15 Eli was very passive when told God’s judgment against his sons. Apparently, he did nothing to change their ways. History shows that God may have withdrawn His judgment on them if Eli had prayed and obeyed God’s direction. Instead, much time went by before they were killed, and Eli just sat around and got fat. When he received news of their death, he died. A sad commentary on his desire to plead before God for his sons—he didn’t. Lord, may it not be said of me that I didn’t bring my sons before Your throne to plead their case.
Saul wanted to be just like everybody else. He would also take things into his own hands. I don’t want to do that ever again.
God used Jonathan and his armor bearer to defeat the enemy in a very unusual way, because they stepped up and dared to try something for God. It wasn’t ‘normal’ or ‘battle as usual’. Saul always wanted things to look right, but Jonathan wanted to see God’s work done. Because of Jonathan’s faith (& his adventurous spirit!) he was successful in his fight.
I want to be a Jonathan, not a Saul. Saul always cared deeply about what people thought and how things looked. Jonathan wanted to do God’s business, even when it didn’t look normal.
I Samuel 16-28 Inexperience doesn’t mean you are not called to do a job. God used other experiences in his life to train David for his victory against Goliath. And David knew success could only come if God empowered him. David ran toward his problem, he didn’t wait for it to get to him. God’s ways are always different than our ways & it seems His time is always much later than mine. Shows me the importance of honoring God and living for Him in the dailiness of our lives. Day in, day out, obeying and loving Him, even when we don’t see Him at work. We can know He is.
Deuteronomy 24-34 Remember where you came from. Remember your deliverance, and don’t swerve an inch to the right or the left from the words I command you. This journey He has me on isn’t too much for me. It’s not out of my reach. Love God. Walk in His ways. Keep His commandments so that we will live—really live—exuberantly and blessed by God in the land I am about to possess.
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought b/c God is striding ahead of you. He won’t let you down. He won’t leave you. Awesome words of comfort and courage.
Joshua 1-14 Ponder & meditate on God’s Word day & night, making sure you practice EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God is with you every step.
When they crossed the Jordan, they had to get their feet wet before the water receded. They had to STEP OUT in faith.
Joshua, Moses protégé, also had a time when he was to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. As we follow God, He gives us our own personal experiences with Him. We don’t’ have to live off the experiences of others.
Joshua used common sense when fighting some battles & didn’t consult God. He was defeated. How often do I use my common sense in a situation, and then wonder what went wrong?
I love Caleb. He was 85 & felt as strong as ever. His 40 years in the desert hadn’t taken their toll on his spirit. He was looking forward to the next conquest, not bemoaning the effects of the unbelievers in his life. He wanted to take the high country, and not settle for less. What an example.
Joshua 15- Judges 4 Story and detail are important in the Bible. Thru these we can see how quickly we slip out of step with God, even though we say we won’t. And it always seems to start by disregarding a part of God’s plan. Partial obedience is disobedience.
You can’t ever put your enemies to work for you. You must get rid of them. No compromising.
Judges 5-15 I love the story of Deborah, the judge, but often wonder why a woman was called to bring peace and order back to Israel for a season. Was it because there was no man that could be found by God to do His bidding?
Gideon was openly afraid, but he still did what God commanded. THEN God’s Spirit came over him. Gideon was aware that it was God’s power doing the work—not him. But later on, he made a monument to commemorate his successes. And he became seduced by it. We must always be careful to give God all the glory for everything, and never believe our own press.
The whole story of Samson just shows how much I don’t understand the workings of God in so many areas. But one thing I am seeing through all these stories is how important it is to be open and honest with our families.
Judges 16- I Samuel 3 I am so thankful that I don’t have to live in a way that seems good to me. I would mess up every time. I have the revealed Word of God to show me how to live out my daily life. And if my life seems mundane and very ordinary, like Ruth must have seen her life, I can realize that I may never know what part I am playing by living in daily obedience to the much larger plan of God. I often become trapped in the Plan of Sharon, that doesn’t seem to go as I want. Lord, help me to never do what seems best to me, but to always seek Your face.
From the Intro to I & II Samuel: Our ego-bound experience is too small a context in which to understand & experience what it means to believe in God. My life becomes large as I live in the largeness of God. God is the country in which I should live. We should not see God in our stories, but see our story in God’s! God is the larger context & plot in which our stories find themselves.
I Samuel 4-15 Eli was very passive when told God’s judgment against his sons. Apparently, he did nothing to change their ways. History shows that God may have withdrawn His judgment on them if Eli had prayed and obeyed God’s direction. Instead, much time went by before they were killed, and Eli just sat around and got fat. When he received news of their death, he died. A sad commentary on his desire to plead before God for his sons—he didn’t. Lord, may it not be said of me that I didn’t bring my sons before Your throne to plead their case.
Saul wanted to be just like everybody else. He would also take things into his own hands. I don’t want to do that ever again.
God used Jonathan and his armor bearer to defeat the enemy in a very unusual way, because they stepped up and dared to try something for God. It wasn’t ‘normal’ or ‘battle as usual’. Saul always wanted things to look right, but Jonathan wanted to see God’s work done. Because of Jonathan’s faith (& his adventurous spirit!) he was successful in his fight.
I want to be a Jonathan, not a Saul. Saul always cared deeply about what people thought and how things looked. Jonathan wanted to do God’s business, even when it didn’t look normal.
I Samuel 16-28 Inexperience doesn’t mean you are not called to do a job. God used other experiences in his life to train David for his victory against Goliath. And David knew success could only come if God empowered him. David ran toward his problem, he didn’t wait for it to get to him. God’s ways are always different than our ways & it seems His time is always much later than mine. Shows me the importance of honoring God and living for Him in the dailiness of our lives. Day in, day out, obeying and loving Him, even when we don’t see Him at work. We can know He is.
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought b/c God is striding ahead of you. He won’t let you down. He won’t leave you. Awesome words of comfort and courage.
Joshua 1-14 Ponder & meditate on God’s Word day & night, making sure you practice EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God is with you every step.
When they crossed the Jordan, they had to get their feet wet before the water receded. They had to STEP OUT in faith.
Joshua, Moses protégé, also had a time when he was to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. As we follow God, He gives us our own personal experiences with Him. We don’t’ have to live off the experiences of others.
Joshua used common sense when fighting some battles & didn’t consult God. He was defeated. How often do I use my common sense in a situation, and then wonder what went wrong?
I love Caleb. He was 85 & felt as strong as ever. His 40 years in the desert hadn’t taken their toll on his spirit. He was looking forward to the next conquest, not bemoaning the effects of the unbelievers in his life. He wanted to take the high country, and not settle for less. What an example.
Joshua 15- Judges 4 Story and detail are important in the Bible. Thru these we can see how quickly we slip out of step with God, even though we say we won’t. And it always seems to start by disregarding a part of God’s plan. Partial obedience is disobedience.
You can’t ever put your enemies to work for you. You must get rid of them. No compromising.
Judges 5-15 I love the story of Deborah, the judge, but often wonder why a woman was called to bring peace and order back to Israel for a season. Was it because there was no man that could be found by God to do His bidding?
Gideon was openly afraid, but he still did what God commanded. THEN God’s Spirit came over him. Gideon was aware that it was God’s power doing the work—not him. But later on, he made a monument to commemorate his successes. And he became seduced by it. We must always be careful to give God all the glory for everything, and never believe our own press.
The whole story of Samson just shows how much I don’t understand the workings of God in so many areas. But one thing I am seeing through all these stories is how important it is to be open and honest with our families.
Judges 16- I Samuel 3 I am so thankful that I don’t have to live in a way that seems good to me. I would mess up every time. I have the revealed Word of God to show me how to live out my daily life. And if my life seems mundane and very ordinary, like Ruth must have seen her life, I can realize that I may never know what part I am playing by living in daily obedience to the much larger plan of God. I often become trapped in the Plan of Sharon, that doesn’t seem to go as I want. Lord, help me to never do what seems best to me, but to always seek Your face.
From the Intro to I & II Samuel: Our ego-bound experience is too small a context in which to understand & experience what it means to believe in God. My life becomes large as I live in the largeness of God. God is the country in which I should live. We should not see God in our stories, but see our story in God’s! God is the larger context & plot in which our stories find themselves.
I Samuel 4-15 Eli was very passive when told God’s judgment against his sons. Apparently, he did nothing to change their ways. History shows that God may have withdrawn His judgment on them if Eli had prayed and obeyed God’s direction. Instead, much time went by before they were killed, and Eli just sat around and got fat. When he received news of their death, he died. A sad commentary on his desire to plead before God for his sons—he didn’t. Lord, may it not be said of me that I didn’t bring my sons before Your throne to plead their case.
Saul wanted to be just like everybody else. He would also take things into his own hands. I don’t want to do that ever again.
God used Jonathan and his armor bearer to defeat the enemy in a very unusual way, because they stepped up and dared to try something for God. It wasn’t ‘normal’ or ‘battle as usual’. Saul always wanted things to look right, but Jonathan wanted to see God’s work done. Because of Jonathan’s faith (& his adventurous spirit!) he was successful in his fight.
I want to be a Jonathan, not a Saul. Saul always cared deeply about what people thought and how things looked. Jonathan wanted to do God’s business, even when it didn’t look normal.
I Samuel 16-28 Inexperience doesn’t mean you are not called to do a job. God used other experiences in his life to train David for his victory against Goliath. And David knew success could only come if God empowered him. David ran toward his problem, he didn’t wait for it to get to him. God’s ways are always different than our ways & it seems His time is always much later than mine. Shows me the importance of honoring God and living for Him in the dailiness of our lives. Day in, day out, obeying and loving Him, even when we don’t see Him at work. We can know He is.
Deuteronomy 24-34 Remember where you came from. Remember your deliverance, and don’t swerve an inch to the right or the left from the words I command you. This journey He has me on isn’t too much for me. It’s not out of my reach. Love God. Walk in His ways. Keep His commandments so that we will live—really live—exuberantly and blessed by God in the land I am about to possess.
Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought b/c God is striding ahead of you. He won’t let you down. He won’t leave you. Awesome words of comfort and courage.
Joshua 1-14 Ponder & meditate on God’s Word day & night, making sure you practice EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN IT. Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God is with you every step.
When they crossed the Jordan, they had to get their feet wet before the water receded. They had to STEP OUT in faith.
Joshua, Moses protégé, also had a time when he was to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground. As we follow God, He gives us our own personal experiences with Him. We don’t’ have to live off the experiences of others.
Joshua used common sense when fighting some battles & didn’t consult God. He was defeated. How often do I use my common sense in a situation, and then wonder what went wrong?
I love Caleb. He was 85 & felt as strong as ever. His 40 years in the desert hadn’t taken their toll on his spirit. He was looking forward to the next conquest, not bemoaning the effects of the unbelievers in his life. He wanted to take the high country, and not settle for less. What an example.
Joshua 15- Judges 4 Story and detail are important in the Bible. Thru these we can see how quickly we slip out of step with God, even though we say we won’t. And it always seems to start by disregarding a part of God’s plan. Partial obedience is disobedience.
You can’t ever put your enemies to work for you. You must get rid of them. No compromising.
Judges 5-15 I love the story of Deborah, the judge, but often wonder why a woman was called to bring peace and order back to Israel for a season. Was it because there was no man that could be found by God to do His bidding?
Gideon was openly afraid, but he still did what God commanded. THEN God’s Spirit came over him. Gideon was aware that it was God’s power doing the work—not him. But later on, he made a monument to commemorate his successes. And he became seduced by it. We must always be careful to give God all the glory for everything, and never believe our own press.
The whole story of Samson just shows how much I don’t understand the workings of God in so many areas. But one thing I am seeing through all these stories is how important it is to be open and honest with our families.
Judges 16- I Samuel 3 I am so thankful that I don’t have to live in a way that seems good to me. I would mess up every time. I have the revealed Word of God to show me how to live out my daily life. And if my life seems mundane and very ordinary, like Ruth must have seen her life, I can realize that I may never know what part I am playing by living in daily obedience to the much larger plan of God. I often become trapped in the Plan of Sharon, that doesn’t seem to go as I want. Lord, help me to never do what seems best to me, but to always seek Your face.
From the Intro to I & II Samuel: Our ego-bound experience is too small a context in which to understand & experience what it means to believe in God. My life becomes large as I live in the largeness of God. God is the country in which I should live. We should not see God in our stories, but see our story in God’s! God is the larger context & plot in which our stories find themselves.
I Samuel 4-15 Eli was very passive when told God’s judgment against his sons. Apparently, he did nothing to change their ways. History shows that God may have withdrawn His judgment on them if Eli had prayed and obeyed God’s direction. Instead, much time went by before they were killed, and Eli just sat around and got fat. When he received news of their death, he died. A sad commentary on his desire to plead before God for his sons—he didn’t. Lord, may it not be said of me that I didn’t bring my sons before Your throne to plead their case.
Saul wanted to be just like everybody else. He would also take things into his own hands. I don’t want to do that ever again.
God used Jonathan and his armor bearer to defeat the enemy in a very unusual way, because they stepped up and dared to try something for God. It wasn’t ‘normal’ or ‘battle as usual’. Saul always wanted things to look right, but Jonathan wanted to see God’s work done. Because of Jonathan’s faith (& his adventurous spirit!) he was successful in his fight.
I want to be a Jonathan, not a Saul. Saul always cared deeply about what people thought and how things looked. Jonathan wanted to do God’s business, even when it didn’t look normal.
I Samuel 16-28 Inexperience doesn’t mean you are not called to do a job. God used other experiences in his life to train David for his victory against Goliath. And David knew success could only come if God empowered him. David ran toward his problem, he didn’t wait for it to get to him. God’s ways are always different than our ways & it seems His time is always much later than mine. Shows me the importance of honoring God and living for Him in the dailiness of our lives. Day in, day out, obeying and loving Him, even when we don’t see Him at work. We can know He is.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Week 2
Leviticus 16-26 Gad hates uncleanness, and He has a plan to get rid of it. Something that is holy is “set apart”. Set yourselves apart for a holy life. Live a holy life, b/c I am God, your God. DO what I tell you. I am the God who makes you holy.—Every action has a consequence. -- If I obey God’s decrees, He’ll set up residence in my neighborhood; He’ll stroll through my streets!
Leviticus 27-Numbers 8 God is very serious about how He should be worshiped. Every human circumstance is His concern & He has a way to deal with it. It seems harsh too me sometimes and that makes me realize that He takes holiness more seriously than I do. Time to adjust.
Numbers 9-21 I am(impatiently) waiting right now, and when I read about the Cloud, which was God’s presence, hovering over the Dwelling, it said it made no difference if the Cloud hovered 2 days or a month, or a year. They camped at God’s command, and the marched at God’s command. They lived obediently. A lesson right there...
Lord, I want You to speak to me like you did Moses---intimately…in plain talk without riddles.
When going to a new place, assess the people, observe the land, describe the towns. In other words, don’t do a lot of talking, pay attention to what’s going on around me.
God doesn’t like grumbling and complaining. He REALLY doesn’t like it!
Moses was called the most humble man on earth, and yet his anger (& stealing God’s glory) kept him from the Promised Land. Sobering thought. But even after this, God used him. What grace.
Numbers 22-36 If I don’t get rid of every last part of my enemy, it will always be giving me trouble. I can name some of them—laziness, gluttony, self-pity..
Deuteronomy 1-14 Just as God said to the Israelites, “I’ve given you this land. Now go and take it.” He has given me peace and freedom, but I need to go and take it. There is always my part to do in this life He has given me.
God said, “You’ve been going around in circles in these hills long enough; go north.” Lord, I’m tired of going in circles. Show me how to be effective and productive in what You have given me to do. And let me be relentless in the pursuit, Lord. Stay vigilant as long as you live. It’s always too soon to quit! Don’t ever forget that you were slaves. I want to remember what I’ve been delivered from.
Deuteronomy 15-23 Always be generous. God told them never to go back to Egypt again. (I want to remember this as I keep reading their history.) I must always be purging the evil from my life. Keep my “camp” holy; don’t permit anything indecent or offensive in God’s eyes. When you make a vow to God, don’t put off keeping it. You promised it, so do it.
Leviticus 27-Numbers 8 God is very serious about how He should be worshiped. Every human circumstance is His concern & He has a way to deal with it. It seems harsh too me sometimes and that makes me realize that He takes holiness more seriously than I do. Time to adjust.
Numbers 9-21 I am(impatiently) waiting right now, and when I read about the Cloud, which was God’s presence, hovering over the Dwelling, it said it made no difference if the Cloud hovered 2 days or a month, or a year. They camped at God’s command, and the marched at God’s command. They lived obediently. A lesson right there...
Lord, I want You to speak to me like you did Moses---intimately…in plain talk without riddles.
When going to a new place, assess the people, observe the land, describe the towns. In other words, don’t do a lot of talking, pay attention to what’s going on around me.
God doesn’t like grumbling and complaining. He REALLY doesn’t like it!
Moses was called the most humble man on earth, and yet his anger (& stealing God’s glory) kept him from the Promised Land. Sobering thought. But even after this, God used him. What grace.
Numbers 22-36 If I don’t get rid of every last part of my enemy, it will always be giving me trouble. I can name some of them—laziness, gluttony, self-pity..
Deuteronomy 1-14 Just as God said to the Israelites, “I’ve given you this land. Now go and take it.” He has given me peace and freedom, but I need to go and take it. There is always my part to do in this life He has given me.
God said, “You’ve been going around in circles in these hills long enough; go north.” Lord, I’m tired of going in circles. Show me how to be effective and productive in what You have given me to do. And let me be relentless in the pursuit, Lord. Stay vigilant as long as you live. It’s always too soon to quit! Don’t ever forget that you were slaves. I want to remember what I’ve been delivered from.
Deuteronomy 15-23 Always be generous. God told them never to go back to Egypt again. (I want to remember this as I keep reading their history.) I must always be purging the evil from my life. Keep my “camp” holy; don’t permit anything indecent or offensive in God’s eyes. When you make a vow to God, don’t put off keeping it. You promised it, so do it.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
First Week-Read the Bible in 90 Days
We see different things when we read through the Bible in various ways. As I'm reading about 14 chapters a day, I see trends a little better, and have generalized thoughts that impact my life today. Here's what I found this week:
I'm reading The Message, and this thought was in the intro: the most important ? we ask as we read is not, "what does it mean", but "how can I live it"? That's my goal for these 90 days.
Genesis 1-16: First diet for humans was whatever grows out of the ground. It wasn't until after Noah landed the ark, that God gave 'all living creatures' for food. (Not profound, but I'm considering being a vegetarian!) Enoch walked steadily with God. Noah did everything God told him. Abram followed God's direction even when he didn't know where he was going.
Genesis 17-28: Live entirely before Me. How can I learn to do that? Lot was saved and delivered from destruction, but he didn't want to go where the angels told him, and they were his deliverers! He settled for Smalltown. I don't want to settle, Lord!
Genesis 29-40: Women sure didn't have much value in the eyes of the men.
Genesis 40-50: God was working in everything that happened to Joseph, even tho to everyone else, it sure didn't look like it. All that time that passed in Joseph's life produced character & a deeper relationship with God. Family has the ability to hurt us deeply, but God can use that hurt to grow us. Even when we are not where we want to be, God is growing and molding us.
Exodus 1-15: Time is always a big factor. And God's time never seems to match mine. When Moses & Aaron were showing Pharoah signs from God, Pharoah's magicians could duplicate some of them. A reminder that the devil can come as an angel of light, and I must be on the alert! If we obey the Lord, we can leave our captivity with great riches.
Exodus 16-28: Two things: how quickly we complain. Straight from being miraculously delivered out of a life-long bondage to complaining about the food! (How often does food get us into trouble?) When I complain, that complaint is against God (not the situation), & how He's handling things. Like I could do so much better! A new thought as I was reading thru the instructions for the Tabernacle was that it seems like they used the gifts they had received as they came out of bondage to build a place to show honor and glory to God. Actually, God directed them to use these gifts in a way that brought honor and glory to Him. Application: as I am delivered from (my)bondage, I am taking precious truth and gifts with me, & I should use what I have learned to bring honor & glory to the One who delivers me!
Exodus 29-40: How much I can be like an Israelite. They couldn't wait to hear from God, so they made their own gods & paid a dear price for that. Once they were given clear and specific directions, they were all a part of the building process, but waiting was their downfall. Another thing, God sees importance in order and detail. He may lose patience with me & discipline me, but He will never throw up His hands & say "Whatever"!
Leviticus 1-15: God cares about EVERY DETAIL of my life.
Now, to "live it" in the coming week!
I'm reading The Message, and this thought was in the intro: the most important ? we ask as we read is not, "what does it mean", but "how can I live it"? That's my goal for these 90 days.
Genesis 1-16: First diet for humans was whatever grows out of the ground. It wasn't until after Noah landed the ark, that God gave 'all living creatures' for food. (Not profound, but I'm considering being a vegetarian!) Enoch walked steadily with God. Noah did everything God told him. Abram followed God's direction even when he didn't know where he was going.
Genesis 17-28: Live entirely before Me. How can I learn to do that? Lot was saved and delivered from destruction, but he didn't want to go where the angels told him, and they were his deliverers! He settled for Smalltown. I don't want to settle, Lord!
Genesis 29-40: Women sure didn't have much value in the eyes of the men.
Genesis 40-50: God was working in everything that happened to Joseph, even tho to everyone else, it sure didn't look like it. All that time that passed in Joseph's life produced character & a deeper relationship with God. Family has the ability to hurt us deeply, but God can use that hurt to grow us. Even when we are not where we want to be, God is growing and molding us.
Exodus 1-15: Time is always a big factor. And God's time never seems to match mine. When Moses & Aaron were showing Pharoah signs from God, Pharoah's magicians could duplicate some of them. A reminder that the devil can come as an angel of light, and I must be on the alert! If we obey the Lord, we can leave our captivity with great riches.
Exodus 16-28: Two things: how quickly we complain. Straight from being miraculously delivered out of a life-long bondage to complaining about the food! (How often does food get us into trouble?) When I complain, that complaint is against God (not the situation), & how He's handling things. Like I could do so much better! A new thought as I was reading thru the instructions for the Tabernacle was that it seems like they used the gifts they had received as they came out of bondage to build a place to show honor and glory to God. Actually, God directed them to use these gifts in a way that brought honor and glory to Him. Application: as I am delivered from (my)bondage, I am taking precious truth and gifts with me, & I should use what I have learned to bring honor & glory to the One who delivers me!
Exodus 29-40: How much I can be like an Israelite. They couldn't wait to hear from God, so they made their own gods & paid a dear price for that. Once they were given clear and specific directions, they were all a part of the building process, but waiting was their downfall. Another thing, God sees importance in order and detail. He may lose patience with me & discipline me, but He will never throw up His hands & say "Whatever"!
Leviticus 1-15: God cares about EVERY DETAIL of my life.
Now, to "live it" in the coming week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)