Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17
I've been reading 1 John for the past week or so. I was thinking through this passage a couple of days ago, and pondering "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions".
"Desires of the flesh" led me here:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Galatians 5:16-17
And then "desires of the eyes" led me here:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
And what is pride, but setting myself on the throne of my own heart for whatever reason... But God...
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
I could call a slug a deer all day long and that wouldn't change the slug, but when God calls us His children, it CHANGES us! "and so we are" His children- adopted into His family! =)
Now look back at the first verse I quoted. The admonition there is to not love the world. I am tempted sometimes to love the world. It just seems so APPEALING-- sometimes. =P But John says the world doesn't even KNOW us, how much less then would it be able to RETURN our love? The Father, on the other hand, sent His only Son to fulfill the righteous requirement of His Law, and then to pay the penalty for the sins of His people- His children! "See what kind of love the Father has given to us!" =)
Don't waste your affections today.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Useful
I love my house! Well, most of it, most days anyway. ;) This has not always been the case, in fact for several years, I had serious discontentment issues regarding my quite small house. Shorty & I bought our small (less than 1100 sq ft house) a few months before we got married. I don't really think the plan at the time was for it to be a long term residence... After all, we were planning on having six kids, and two tiny bedrooms didn't seem like nearly enough! Not to mention the "water closet". ;) What I mean is that you can reach the tub, sink, linen closet, and door handle all while sitting ON THE TOILET!!! =0
Now the Lord was working on my heart during my struggle-- or lack thereof-- with discontentment. He was trying to get it through my thick skull that He is sufficient for me. And when I FINALLY surrendered my insistence upon a bigger house, He graciously provided me with another bedroom. (Now Judah has a door, and Shorty & I do too!) And He provided us a storage shed, since the carport had been our storage, but was now a bedroom! ;) So as I told a dear friend at the time, "It was like adding 450 square feet, not just 300. =) That's nearly HALF my house again!
Recently I've been praying that the Lord would guard my heart against discontent, while asking that if it would be His will, could He please provide me with another bathroom. =)
6 people + water closet = many messes
I think I'm content with my house. I want to be content... And as I was sharing that with a sister this past weekend, she shared that she has heard many of our church family being encouraged by Shorty & I staying in our little house. And I was in awe of how God can use the areas in which I STRUGGLE to bless and encourage His church!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Now the Lord was working on my heart during my struggle-- or lack thereof-- with discontentment. He was trying to get it through my thick skull that He is sufficient for me. And when I FINALLY surrendered my insistence upon a bigger house, He graciously provided me with another bedroom. (Now Judah has a door, and Shorty & I do too!) And He provided us a storage shed, since the carport had been our storage, but was now a bedroom! ;) So as I told a dear friend at the time, "It was like adding 450 square feet, not just 300. =) That's nearly HALF my house again!
Recently I've been praying that the Lord would guard my heart against discontent, while asking that if it would be His will, could He please provide me with another bathroom. =)
6 people + water closet = many messes
I think I'm content with my house. I want to be content... And as I was sharing that with a sister this past weekend, she shared that she has heard many of our church family being encouraged by Shorty & I staying in our little house. And I was in awe of how God can use the areas in which I STRUGGLE to bless and encourage His church!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Monday, October 29, 2012
Song of the Day- 5
I know I get redundant sometimes, but I'm revisiting the concept of The Greatest Miracle. I have been enthralled this year with how mind-blowing it is that God became a man! I was especially struck by this line in the second verse: See the One who spans the heavens with His hand With fingers so small.
Listen to a portion of the song here:
Glory to God in the Highest
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:7-14
Listen to a portion of the song here:
Glory to God in the Highest
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:7-14
Friday, October 26, 2012
Whose Kingdom?
Disney's animated fairy tales are my favorite! =) I know that they are not quite consistent with the old stories, but I LOVE "happily ever after's"! Yesterday I was thinking of Beauty and the Beast. I actually had a song on the brain from it.
"Gosh, it disturbs me to see you Gaston,
Looking so down in the dumps.
Every guy here'd love to be you Gaston,
Even when taking your lumps.
There's no man in town as admired as you.
You're everyone's favorite guy.
Everyone's awed and inspired by you,
And it's not very hard to see why."
And I was thinking about my dear sister's admonition a couple weeks ago to not build my own "kingdom". The Lord has just been showing me HOW OFTEN I do things with the-- formerly-- hidden (to me) motive of building my own kingdom. Trying to get people to like me, and think well of me. If you know me well, you know that I am a mess. I've got a long list of problems and sins, and it would probably be longer, except that I can't stand to think that honestly about how bad I really am. =P
The good news is that God is AWESOME! He is able to use my flawed motives & efforts. He knows me in and out, and up and down, and I have His favor! And He is gracious. He shows me my sin a little at a time so that I'm not completely overwhelmed by my own wretchedness. And He is gently changing me more into the image of my Savior. I've said this before, and it will be true until I die-- I'm a work in progress!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:5-7
And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:22-34
"Gosh, it disturbs me to see you Gaston,
Looking so down in the dumps.
Every guy here'd love to be you Gaston,
Even when taking your lumps.
There's no man in town as admired as you.
You're everyone's favorite guy.
Everyone's awed and inspired by you,
And it's not very hard to see why."
And I was thinking about my dear sister's admonition a couple weeks ago to not build my own "kingdom". The Lord has just been showing me HOW OFTEN I do things with the-- formerly-- hidden (to me) motive of building my own kingdom. Trying to get people to like me, and think well of me. If you know me well, you know that I am a mess. I've got a long list of problems and sins, and it would probably be longer, except that I can't stand to think that honestly about how bad I really am. =P
The good news is that God is AWESOME! He is able to use my flawed motives & efforts. He knows me in and out, and up and down, and I have His favor! And He is gracious. He shows me my sin a little at a time so that I'm not completely overwhelmed by my own wretchedness. And He is gently changing me more into the image of my Savior. I've said this before, and it will be true until I die-- I'm a work in progress!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:5-7
And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:22-34
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pancake Day!
I LOVE pancakes! And my Mommy loved me so much that when I was in high school, Thursday was pancake day at our house. Thursday has almost always been pancake day at my house-- with the exception of my Weight Watchers excursion last year. =) A few weeks ago my Crew were asking me for dessert on a Thursday after lunch, and I didn't have anything... except pancakes. So we had pancakes with homemade jam & heavy cream on top for dessert. YUMMY! Since then, it's been standard: pancakes for breakfast, pancakes for dessert after lunch.
I thought it was too funny today after we finished our grilled cheese & tomato soup. Judah was bouncing away from the table (probably to go play with his legos! =)) when all of a sudden he spotted the pancakes on the stove. He said "OOO! Pancakes!" And proceeded to fix his dessert pancake. But that reminded me of what I was reading this morning in my devotions.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
Judah has had pancakes before-- A LOT-- and he KNEW that they were good. If we have "tasted" the Lord, we KNOW that He is good! We should be as eagerly disposed toward knowing God as Judah was toward the pancakes! =)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-8
I thought it was too funny today after we finished our grilled cheese & tomato soup. Judah was bouncing away from the table (probably to go play with his legos! =)) when all of a sudden he spotted the pancakes on the stove. He said "OOO! Pancakes!" And proceeded to fix his dessert pancake. But that reminded me of what I was reading this morning in my devotions.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
Judah has had pancakes before-- A LOT-- and he KNEW that they were good. If we have "tasted" the Lord, we KNOW that He is good! We should be as eagerly disposed toward knowing God as Judah was toward the pancakes! =)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-8
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Psalm 91
I was so encouraged this morning reading about the character of my God. I thoroughly enjoyed the word pictures in the beginning of this Psalm.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
I thought about that for a minute, and the first thing that came to my mind was the idea of "living in [someone's] shadow". That generally has a negative connotation, but then it hit me that in the desert, a shadow was relief, or a safe place to rest.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2
I know it's inaccurate, but this always draws up a picture for me of a medieval castle, or maybe the picture of Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rings. You know, something so solid that it seems unshakable.
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
Psalm 91:3-4a
Here is the sweet picture of a mother bird with her little ones peeping out from under her wings. It is warmth and comfort. =)
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4b
The shield is another picture of defense, but rather than being something stationary, it can be with you wherever you are.
Now, I'm not sure what the rest of this Psalm means. I know what it CAN'T mean. It can't mean that as long as I am in Christ I will never have problems. Jesus said that if we would follow Him, we must take up our cross. The cross was painful. But since the whole Word is profitable... =)
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:5-16
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
I thought about that for a minute, and the first thing that came to my mind was the idea of "living in [someone's] shadow". That generally has a negative connotation, but then it hit me that in the desert, a shadow was relief, or a safe place to rest.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2
I know it's inaccurate, but this always draws up a picture for me of a medieval castle, or maybe the picture of Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rings. You know, something so solid that it seems unshakable.
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
Psalm 91:3-4a
Here is the sweet picture of a mother bird with her little ones peeping out from under her wings. It is warmth and comfort. =)
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4b
The shield is another picture of defense, but rather than being something stationary, it can be with you wherever you are.
Now, I'm not sure what the rest of this Psalm means. I know what it CAN'T mean. It can't mean that as long as I am in Christ I will never have problems. Jesus said that if we would follow Him, we must take up our cross. The cross was painful. But since the whole Word is profitable... =)
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:5-16
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Like Grass
I'm usually pretty strong physically. God gave me big muscles and a healthy immune system. But it amazes me how little it takes to put me out of commission! Today I had a serious headache, and had to spend the better part of the day in bed. First, I was thankful that my Crew are big enough to take care of themselves for a few hours! ;) But I'm also thankful that God reminded me at the start of my day how weak I am.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:1-17
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:1-17
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sufficient
What comes to your mind when you hear the word "sufficient"? I think of just enough-- not too much, but just enough, or adequate. It seems to fall a little short though, when I think of God. He is SO MUCH GREATER than just sufficient. But He says to Paul that His grace is sufficient...
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
I, on the other hand, fall so SHORT of being sufficient. I am weak and sinful. Lately I've been feeling that I am not sufficient for anything that He has placed before me. I fail so easily! But the Lord has graciously encouraged me-- again-- from the Chronicles of Narnia.
"'Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?'
'I -- I don't think I do, Sir,' said Caspian. 'I'm only a kid.'
'Good,' said Aslan. 'If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not..."
If I depend on my own strength, I WILL fail.
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Psalms 146:3-5
But if I live to glorify the One, Holy, and Triune God, and depend on His strength, He is honored.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
I, on the other hand, fall so SHORT of being sufficient. I am weak and sinful. Lately I've been feeling that I am not sufficient for anything that He has placed before me. I fail so easily! But the Lord has graciously encouraged me-- again-- from the Chronicles of Narnia.
"'Welcome, Prince," said Aslan. "Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?'
'I -- I don't think I do, Sir,' said Caspian. 'I'm only a kid.'
'Good,' said Aslan. 'If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not..."
If I depend on my own strength, I WILL fail.
Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Psalms 146:3-5
But if I live to glorify the One, Holy, and Triune God, and depend on His strength, He is honored.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Nothing You Can Do...
I've mentioned that I really enjoy reading the Chronicles of Narnia for their wealth of theology. I was reminded of a passage in Prince Caspian as I was listening to a message yesterday.
"... 'Do you mark all this well, King Caspian?'
'I do indeed, Sir,' said Caspian. 'I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage.'
'You come of the Lord Adam, and the Lady Eve,' said Aslan. 'And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on the earth. Be content.'
In the message I listened to, the speaker was reminding us that in Christ, God is always favorably disposed towards us. I affirm that with my mind, but often my heart speaks differently. Often I live as though my actions can make God love me less, or they can improve my standing with Him. How differently would I live if I remembered that God is always completely for me in Christ. When God sees me, He sees me as His beloved child through the lens of Jesus' perfection. My sin was atoned for in Jesus, and His righteousness has been tallied in my column. All that is good in me is a gracious gift of God, my Father.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
"... 'Do you mark all this well, King Caspian?'
'I do indeed, Sir,' said Caspian. 'I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage.'
'You come of the Lord Adam, and the Lady Eve,' said Aslan. 'And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on the earth. Be content.'
In the message I listened to, the speaker was reminding us that in Christ, God is always favorably disposed towards us. I affirm that with my mind, but often my heart speaks differently. Often I live as though my actions can make God love me less, or they can improve my standing with Him. How differently would I live if I remembered that God is always completely for me in Christ. When God sees me, He sees me as His beloved child through the lens of Jesus' perfection. My sin was atoned for in Jesus, and His righteousness has been tallied in my column. All that is good in me is a gracious gift of God, my Father.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
Friday, October 19, 2012
Song of the Day- 4
It's Friday! =) I love Friday! And I need to remember today not to try to live in my own strength.
All I Have is Christ
~Sovereign Grace Music
...I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsp-WuZR40g
All I Have is Christ
~Sovereign Grace Music
...I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsp-WuZR40g
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Money, Money, Money, Money!
One of my dreams when I was young-- or younger, depending on how "old" you think I am now ;) -- was that when I grew up I would have "plenty" of money. My definition of "plenty" was that I would have enough to do whatever I wanted to do without having to think about how much money I had available. I'm actually laughing as I'm writing this, because that was an incredibly UNREALISTIC dream! =D But it has been quite a struggle for me to dethrone that particular idol-- and it may rear it's ugly head again in the near future now that I'm thinking about it...
One quote that sticks with me regarding money is from Charles Spurgeon:
If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. If they grow in an honest, providential manner, as the result of industry or commercial success, do not make much account of the circumstance; be not unduly elated, do not fix your love upon your money bags. To bow an immortal spirit to the constant contemplation of fading possessions is extreme folly. Shall those who call the Lord their glory, glory in yellow earth? Shall the image and superscription of Caesar deprive them of communion with him who is the image of the invisible God? As we must not rest in men, so neither must we repose in money. Gain and fame are only so much foam of the sea. All the wealth and honour the whole world can afford would be too slender a thread to bear up the happiness of an immortal soul.
Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
Psalms 62:9-12
Today I was reading in Hebrews. And I was struck by the author's reasoning behind not making the pursuit of wealth my goal. There is Someone much greater to pursue! =)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
One quote that sticks with me regarding money is from Charles Spurgeon:
If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. If they grow in an honest, providential manner, as the result of industry or commercial success, do not make much account of the circumstance; be not unduly elated, do not fix your love upon your money bags. To bow an immortal spirit to the constant contemplation of fading possessions is extreme folly. Shall those who call the Lord their glory, glory in yellow earth? Shall the image and superscription of Caesar deprive them of communion with him who is the image of the invisible God? As we must not rest in men, so neither must we repose in money. Gain and fame are only so much foam of the sea. All the wealth and honour the whole world can afford would be too slender a thread to bear up the happiness of an immortal soul.
Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.
Psalms 62:9-12
Today I was reading in Hebrews. And I was struck by the author's reasoning behind not making the pursuit of wealth my goal. There is Someone much greater to pursue! =)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Justified AND Adopted
Another excerpt from the book I'm-- still ;) -- reading. Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris.
While justification borrows the language of the courtroom to help us understand God's work of salvation, adoption uses the language of family to help us see that behind all of God's saving work is a deeply relational and personal motive of love. God tells us that when we trust in Jesus, God adopts us as his sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5). More than anything else this should convince us of God's love. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1).
Justification gives us a new legal status. Adoption gives us a new family and a new father. This is another expression of our union with Christ. Because Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, as we trust in him, we receive his status as a child of God. John 1:12 says that to all who receive Jesus, to all who believe in his name, "he gave the right to become children of God."
In Christ, we are not forgiven servants. We are given all the rights and privileges of natural-born children. We are adopted and welcomed into the warmth of relationship with God as our loving Father. Romans 8:15-16 describes the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of adoption" who enables us to cry to God as our Abba-- an intimate Hebrew term akin to dad. It combines intimacy and respect. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit "that we are children of God."
I've had some moments recently that I've forgotten that God is my Father. I forget that He gives me good gifts!
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
Slow learning curve + short memory = Leila Fincher. But God is so patient! He faithfully reminds me through His Word and His people, that He is Good, and He loves me, and He is busy making me more like Christ-- even when it hurts.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:14-18
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31-32
While justification borrows the language of the courtroom to help us understand God's work of salvation, adoption uses the language of family to help us see that behind all of God's saving work is a deeply relational and personal motive of love. God tells us that when we trust in Jesus, God adopts us as his sons and daughters (Ephesians 1:5). More than anything else this should convince us of God's love. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1).
Justification gives us a new legal status. Adoption gives us a new family and a new father. This is another expression of our union with Christ. Because Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, as we trust in him, we receive his status as a child of God. John 1:12 says that to all who receive Jesus, to all who believe in his name, "he gave the right to become children of God."
In Christ, we are not forgiven servants. We are given all the rights and privileges of natural-born children. We are adopted and welcomed into the warmth of relationship with God as our loving Father. Romans 8:15-16 describes the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of adoption" who enables us to cry to God as our Abba-- an intimate Hebrew term akin to dad. It combines intimacy and respect. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit "that we are children of God."
I've had some moments recently that I've forgotten that God is my Father. I forget that He gives me good gifts!
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
Slow learning curve + short memory = Leila Fincher. But God is so patient! He faithfully reminds me through His Word and His people, that He is Good, and He loves me, and He is busy making me more like Christ-- even when it hurts.
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:14-18
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31-32
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sleep
I have a love/hate relationship with sleep. I love the energy I have after I've gotten a good night's sleep. I love the quiet in the house when my Crew is sleeping. I don't love the crazy dreams that often accompany my sleep. And I'm not a fan of the hours that I have to devote to sleeping. I'd rather be able to spend them on other pursuits. In fact, I find that aspect of "vampire-ness" (Twilight style) very appealing.
My Crew tend to get really scared around bedtime. Creepies in the closets, and bugs under the beds! ;) And so I've talked to them often about the fact that our God NEVER sleeps. But as I was having this discussion with them recently, I paused because I'd started to say that Jesus never sleeps-- but I wasn't sure. Actually, I'm STILL not sure about it. The Father never sleeps, but Jesus became a man & still lives as the God-Man in Heaven. And then I began to wonder if we'll still need sleep after we're glorified... I kind of think I wouldn't mind sleeping then because time will seem irrelevant in eternity. But for today, I need sleep. And I can rest (don't always, but I CAN) because my loving Father is always awake. =)
A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121:1-4
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25
My Crew tend to get really scared around bedtime. Creepies in the closets, and bugs under the beds! ;) And so I've talked to them often about the fact that our God NEVER sleeps. But as I was having this discussion with them recently, I paused because I'd started to say that Jesus never sleeps-- but I wasn't sure. Actually, I'm STILL not sure about it. The Father never sleeps, but Jesus became a man & still lives as the God-Man in Heaven. And then I began to wonder if we'll still need sleep after we're glorified... I kind of think I wouldn't mind sleeping then because time will seem irrelevant in eternity. But for today, I need sleep. And I can rest (don't always, but I CAN) because my loving Father is always awake. =)
A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalms 121:1-4
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25
Monday, October 15, 2012
The Hard Way
I'm kind of a goofy person-- or a dork-- or should have been a "blonde", take your pick. =) I like to think, but I just tend to be kind of spacey. This leads, many times, to me doing something in less than optimal fashion-- until someone shows me an easier way! ;) In fact, once, when I was in high school-- I don't even remember what I was doing, but Daddy looked at me and said, "Why are you doing it THAT way? Why didn't you just do...?" I felt completely ridiculous and replied, "Because I like trying things the hard way first!" Of course I don't LIKE going the hard way first, I just seem to end up there.
I've done that again this week. I was faced with a situation that stressed me, and the stress brought up some sin in my heart that I had been blinded to-- again. I've told you that I'm REALLY good at recycling. Based on my track record, when I'm stressed I like to "ostrich", which basically means absorb myself in something mindless & pretend that nothing is wrong. I felt the desire to do that again, but not even the slightest sense of satisfaction when I tried, so I abandoned that course of action. But I didn't repent. It's hard to repent of a sin you don't see.
And then last night the Lord opened my eyes. I've been trying to do all this stuff He's set before me in my strength, which admittedly is laughable. I can keep a clean house in my strength, but it usually involves lots of yelling at my Crew. I can do school with my Crew in my strength, but again, lots of yelling plus some tears. I can cook dinner in my strength, but not joyfully include my Crew in the process. And I certainly can't be a faithful wife, parent, or friend in MY strength. But I was trying.... =( I know I've said this before, but God is GRACIOUS! Christ already paid for my faithlessness, so I'm confident that I'm forgiven. And even knowing the mess that is my sinful heart, the Father chose me to be part of His family, and is making me more like my Savior!
Not by Might
Psalty the Singing Songbook
It’s not by might, nor by power,
but by my Spirit.
It’s not by might, nor by power,
Saith the Lord.
We like to think, that we can handle problems on our own.
We buckle down, apply the steam,
work our hands down to the bone,
But when we’ve gone around in circles,
and there’s no place left to turn,
The Lord reminds us quietly, there’s a lesson to be learned.
We try and try in our own strength to make things come out right
We think and plan, and organize; and try with all our might
But when we’ve finally reached the bottom
The end of all our rope
The Lord reminds us once again in me you’ll find your hope.
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
Exodus 34:5-8
I've done that again this week. I was faced with a situation that stressed me, and the stress brought up some sin in my heart that I had been blinded to-- again. I've told you that I'm REALLY good at recycling. Based on my track record, when I'm stressed I like to "ostrich", which basically means absorb myself in something mindless & pretend that nothing is wrong. I felt the desire to do that again, but not even the slightest sense of satisfaction when I tried, so I abandoned that course of action. But I didn't repent. It's hard to repent of a sin you don't see.
And then last night the Lord opened my eyes. I've been trying to do all this stuff He's set before me in my strength, which admittedly is laughable. I can keep a clean house in my strength, but it usually involves lots of yelling at my Crew. I can do school with my Crew in my strength, but again, lots of yelling plus some tears. I can cook dinner in my strength, but not joyfully include my Crew in the process. And I certainly can't be a faithful wife, parent, or friend in MY strength. But I was trying.... =( I know I've said this before, but God is GRACIOUS! Christ already paid for my faithlessness, so I'm confident that I'm forgiven. And even knowing the mess that is my sinful heart, the Father chose me to be part of His family, and is making me more like my Savior!
Not by Might
Psalty the Singing Songbook
It’s not by might, nor by power,
but by my Spirit.
It’s not by might, nor by power,
Saith the Lord.
We like to think, that we can handle problems on our own.
We buckle down, apply the steam,
work our hands down to the bone,
But when we’ve gone around in circles,
and there’s no place left to turn,
The Lord reminds us quietly, there’s a lesson to be learned.
We try and try in our own strength to make things come out right
We think and plan, and organize; and try with all our might
But when we’ve finally reached the bottom
The end of all our rope
The Lord reminds us once again in me you’ll find your hope.
The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.
Exodus 34:5-8
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Out of Focus
In my church, & among the pastors & leaders I listen to on a regular basis, there is a lot of talk about sin. In Reformed theology we like to talk about how great our fall was in Adam, leading to how much GREATER God's grace is, through Christ, toward His people.
Here's the problem-- at least for me. Sometimes, like this week, I am completely overwhelmed by the sin that is a part of me. The weight of sorrow over my sin is crushing. And crushing is PAINFUL! =( But unlike the pattern I described above, I was stuck on my sin. I was "out of focus". God does NOT reveal my sin to me for me to dwell on IT. He shows me my sin to draw me closer to my Savior! Seeing my sin is good, as long as it reminds me how much I need my God. But simply seeing my sin is NOT the goal! And as I was having my devotions yesterday afternoon, God graciously showed me that I was stuck, and began pulling me out. =)
Peace
~Sovereign Grace Music
CHORUS
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I’m afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
VERSE 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear their noise
And though my eyes can’t see
I know You’re with me
Listen here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/Peace/7
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:12-16
Here's the problem-- at least for me. Sometimes, like this week, I am completely overwhelmed by the sin that is a part of me. The weight of sorrow over my sin is crushing. And crushing is PAINFUL! =( But unlike the pattern I described above, I was stuck on my sin. I was "out of focus". God does NOT reveal my sin to me for me to dwell on IT. He shows me my sin to draw me closer to my Savior! Seeing my sin is good, as long as it reminds me how much I need my God. But simply seeing my sin is NOT the goal! And as I was having my devotions yesterday afternoon, God graciously showed me that I was stuck, and began pulling me out. =)
Peace
~Sovereign Grace Music
CHORUS
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I’m afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
VERSE 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear their noise
And though my eyes can’t see
I know You’re with me
Listen here: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/Songs/Peace/7
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:12-16
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Broken Vessel
I've mentioned that I am an incurable optimist. When Shorty sees the "glass half-empty" I tend to see it more than half full. If it is 3/4 empty, I'll probably mention that it still has SOMETHING in it! And if the "glass" IS empty, I'm likely to point out that at least it's clean. =) This has caused me to be quite gullible sometimes. (Late night infomercials anyone? ;)) I've believed quite a few of the outrageous claims, and purchased something that just didn't live up to its spectacular promises.
Well, I am an optimist-- except when it comes to God's ability to use me. You see, as God reveals more and more how deeply sin is etched into my character, my thought is: "I'm a broken vessel. I don't know how God can minister to anyone through me." I have confidence in His ability to use others, but not me.
And as a dear sister was talking to me yesterday, she summed up the problem that I had been unable to put my finger on. "Whose kingdom are you building?" All of the things that I had been struggling with boiled down to me trying to build a "kingdom" for myself. I want to hold too tightly to the things that are entrusted to me as if they actually BELONG to me-- but they don't. I am simply privileged to be useful in Christ's kingdom. And if He can breathe life into dry bones-- and He does!-- He can certainly use me now that I am His.
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:1-16
Well, I am an optimist-- except when it comes to God's ability to use me. You see, as God reveals more and more how deeply sin is etched into my character, my thought is: "I'm a broken vessel. I don't know how God can minister to anyone through me." I have confidence in His ability to use others, but not me.
And as a dear sister was talking to me yesterday, she summed up the problem that I had been unable to put my finger on. "Whose kingdom are you building?" All of the things that I had been struggling with boiled down to me trying to build a "kingdom" for myself. I want to hold too tightly to the things that are entrusted to me as if they actually BELONG to me-- but they don't. I am simply privileged to be useful in Christ's kingdom. And if He can breathe life into dry bones-- and He does!-- He can certainly use me now that I am His.
Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:1-16
Friday, October 12, 2012
The Greatest Miracle
I love the gospel! It is indeed "good news" to my weak, sinful, and thirsty soul. And I love directing the church Christmas play! I enjoy working with the kids and seeing the finished product. And I have delighted for the last 9 years in bringing those two things together. But as I was talking with the other ladies about our play this year, I realized that I tend to emphasize Christ's life and death, and forget how miraculous His birth was. I agree that life and birth are in themselves little miracles. But EVERY person who has ever lived, with the exception of Adam and Eve, was BORN. And I was just struck as I was thinking about that again this morning. God the Son BECAME a man. He was BORN as a man. The infinite God, wrapped up in finite humanity! Wow! That's got to be, not only the greatest gift EVER, but also the greatest miracle!
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:9-18
But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:9-18
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Jealousy
I have a lot of sisters; sisters in Christ, sisters by marriage, but my "first sister" grew up with me. She and I get along famously-- most of the time! ;) I tell people that we are negatives of one another (as in film negatives compared to prints). I have a dark complexion and coloring, she has fair hair and skin and beautiful blue eyes. I'm more extroverted, she's more introverted. I'm more high-strung, she's more laid back.
If you didn't know us as kids, you might assume that we've always gotten along well, but that is not the case. In fact, for most of our childhood we didn't like each other much at all. She might say the dislike was more one-sided if you were to ask her... She might say I was just mean, and it's hard to like someone who is mean to you. And I couldn't argue. I wasn't a nice sister. I was always jealous of her. I often heard people talking about how "cute", or "pretty", or "happy", or "content" she was. And I struggle with wanting to be the center of attention. Not only that, I AGREED with those assessments of her-- at least sometimes. Even now, on my weaker days, I find myself wishing to be in her shoes... so I have to be reminded that God made me for the life He's given me, NOT the life He's given my sister.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:1-5
If you didn't know us as kids, you might assume that we've always gotten along well, but that is not the case. In fact, for most of our childhood we didn't like each other much at all. She might say the dislike was more one-sided if you were to ask her... She might say I was just mean, and it's hard to like someone who is mean to you. And I couldn't argue. I wasn't a nice sister. I was always jealous of her. I often heard people talking about how "cute", or "pretty", or "happy", or "content" she was. And I struggle with wanting to be the center of attention. Not only that, I AGREED with those assessments of her-- at least sometimes. Even now, on my weaker days, I find myself wishing to be in her shoes... so I have to be reminded that God made me for the life He's given me, NOT the life He's given my sister.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:1-5
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
ABC's
Yesterday I really needed to be reminded of the goodness of my God. I felt like I was literally starving & even after spending my devotion time, I was still hungry. So I tried something different for me-- I walked through the ABC's thinking about attributes of God. And I thought the exercise was worth sharing.
A- "Alpha": God is the beginning of all things. He is also the Supreme being (think alpha male).
B- "Beautiful": He is the most Beautiful One, and the source of all beauty.
C- "Comfort" and "Creator": No comfort compares to His comfort, and He created all things.
D- "Delight": Because of the work of the Spirit in my life, He is my greatest delight. To quote a dear brother, "Delight makes me think of dessert." =)
E- "Everything": He is sufficient to satisfy all my needs and desires!
F- "Faithful": God is always faithful, even when I am faithless, because He cannot be untrue to His own character. and "Father": Through the saving work of Jesus Christ, His Father is now MY Father!
G- "God" and "Good": He is the Only TRUE God, and He is so Good that I cannot even grasp the depths of His goodness.
H- "Holy": God is pure and separate from all sin.
I- "Infinite": He is the beginning of all things, but He has NO beginning and NO END!
J- "Just": Because God is Holy, He must judge sin. There is no evil that will slip by unnoticed, there will be no "unsolved" or "cold" cases.
K- "Knowledge": He is the root and source of all knowledge. and "King": Both because He made me, and because He redeemed me!
L- "Love" and "Life": Love, not in the "fluff and stuff" way that lets me do whatever I want, but in the way that won't let His children "play in the road", and doesn't always give me what I THINK I want, but what is truly good for me. Because of this Love, I also have Life! The Spirit has opened my eyes to see the Greatness of my Creator and King!
M- "Majestic": Glorious beyond all measure!
N- "Narrator": God is the One who is telling this story we call "history" and "life".
O- "Omnipotent": He is the ultimate Power. NOTHING is outside His authority.
P- "Prince of Peace": He gives me peace during the highs and lows of life.
Q- "Quiet": He is the quiet place where my soul is refreshed
R- "Righteous": It would be scary if God were all-powerful and evil, but He is not. He is the standard for righteousness.
S- "Savior": God the Son became a man, while remaining fully God, to save me from my sin & bring me into fellowship with Him! =) *happy thought*
T- "Truth": Like Knowledge, God is the root and source of all Truth. He CANNOT lie! =)
U- "Unique": There is no other like God! No one else can do the works He does, and no one and nothing can satisfy like He does.
V- "Virtuous": God is the epitome of virtue, and possesses in His character all that is good.
W- "Wise": Not only does God know all things, but He knows how to apply His knowledge for the best possible end result.
X- "eXcellent": Because God is infinite, He excels beyond all His creation.
Y- "Yes": In Christ, God is for me. I'm no longer His enemy.
Z- "Zest": God is the zest, the spice, the joy of my life. It may not always look like it, because I'm still tied to the sin that laces every part of my being, but one day... =)
A Prayer of David. Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalms 86:1-17
A- "Alpha": God is the beginning of all things. He is also the Supreme being (think alpha male).
B- "Beautiful": He is the most Beautiful One, and the source of all beauty.
C- "Comfort" and "Creator": No comfort compares to His comfort, and He created all things.
D- "Delight": Because of the work of the Spirit in my life, He is my greatest delight. To quote a dear brother, "Delight makes me think of dessert." =)
E- "Everything": He is sufficient to satisfy all my needs and desires!
F- "Faithful": God is always faithful, even when I am faithless, because He cannot be untrue to His own character. and "Father": Through the saving work of Jesus Christ, His Father is now MY Father!
G- "God" and "Good": He is the Only TRUE God, and He is so Good that I cannot even grasp the depths of His goodness.
H- "Holy": God is pure and separate from all sin.
I- "Infinite": He is the beginning of all things, but He has NO beginning and NO END!
J- "Just": Because God is Holy, He must judge sin. There is no evil that will slip by unnoticed, there will be no "unsolved" or "cold" cases.
K- "Knowledge": He is the root and source of all knowledge. and "King": Both because He made me, and because He redeemed me!
L- "Love" and "Life": Love, not in the "fluff and stuff" way that lets me do whatever I want, but in the way that won't let His children "play in the road", and doesn't always give me what I THINK I want, but what is truly good for me. Because of this Love, I also have Life! The Spirit has opened my eyes to see the Greatness of my Creator and King!
M- "Majestic": Glorious beyond all measure!
N- "Narrator": God is the One who is telling this story we call "history" and "life".
O- "Omnipotent": He is the ultimate Power. NOTHING is outside His authority.
P- "Prince of Peace": He gives me peace during the highs and lows of life.
Q- "Quiet": He is the quiet place where my soul is refreshed
R- "Righteous": It would be scary if God were all-powerful and evil, but He is not. He is the standard for righteousness.
S- "Savior": God the Son became a man, while remaining fully God, to save me from my sin & bring me into fellowship with Him! =) *happy thought*
T- "Truth": Like Knowledge, God is the root and source of all Truth. He CANNOT lie! =)
U- "Unique": There is no other like God! No one else can do the works He does, and no one and nothing can satisfy like He does.
V- "Virtuous": God is the epitome of virtue, and possesses in His character all that is good.
W- "Wise": Not only does God know all things, but He knows how to apply His knowledge for the best possible end result.
X- "eXcellent": Because God is infinite, He excels beyond all His creation.
Y- "Yes": In Christ, God is for me. I'm no longer His enemy.
Z- "Zest": God is the zest, the spice, the joy of my life. It may not always look like it, because I'm still tied to the sin that laces every part of my being, but one day... =)
A Prayer of David. Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you--you are my God. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Psalms 86:1-17
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Song of the Day- 3
Woke up during the night with this one on my mind. =)
What a Savior
by Sovereign Grace Music
Verse 2
Guilty, vile, and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement, can it be? Hallelujah
Lifted up was He to die
“It is finished” was His cry
Now in heav’n exalted high
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Listen here:
<iframe width="400" height="100" style="position: relative; display: block; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=3451499288/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"><a href="http://sovereigngracemusic.bandcamp.com/track/what-a-savior">What a Savior by Sovereign Grace Music</a></iframe>
What a Savior
by Sovereign Grace Music
Verse 2
Guilty, vile, and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement, can it be? Hallelujah
Lifted up was He to die
“It is finished” was His cry
Now in heav’n exalted high
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Listen here:
<iframe width="400" height="100" style="position: relative; display: block; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=3451499288/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0"><a href="http://sovereigngracemusic.bandcamp.com/track/what-a-savior">What a Savior by Sovereign Grace Music</a></iframe>
Monday, October 8, 2012
All
I slept late this morning, which meant that my devotion time was shorter than usual. Often when I start late-- which happens more often than I'd like-- I just read a Psalm or two. So, this morning I read Psalm 84 and 85. I've read Psalm 84 several times over the last couple of weeks. I love it! There are days when I could sing with the sons of Korah, "a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere". And then there are days, when I'd rather be on the throne of my heart. =P
But that is kind of where Psalm 85 comes in. It is also a song of the sons of Korah.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psalms 85:2-3
And I was wondering what they were referring to when they sang this? I was thinking that in Christ, ALL my sin is forgiven, and ALL God's wrath against my sin is SATISFIED!!! They were looking forward, I assume. When my sin seems too strong, I can look back to the cross & know that in Christ I am fully accepted by my Father!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3
But that is kind of where Psalm 85 comes in. It is also a song of the sons of Korah.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psalms 85:2-3
And I was wondering what they were referring to when they sang this? I was thinking that in Christ, ALL my sin is forgiven, and ALL God's wrath against my sin is SATISFIED!!! They were looking forward, I assume. When my sin seems too strong, I can look back to the cross & know that in Christ I am fully accepted by my Father!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3
Friday, October 5, 2012
Not Alone
I have really begun to recognize over the past couple years what a blessing it is to be surrounded by people. Sometimes being surrounded is NOT my favorite thing. There are times when I don't want to see or talk to ANYONE, but other times I absolutely thrive on interaction! =) We were especially thankful for our church family when Shorty's dad passed away last year. Their love, support, and practical care carried us through the last days of his life, and the early days afterwards. Yesterday I was reminded again of the blessing of sisters in Christ. I had the opportunity to chat with a sister that I am not in contact with often. And if you read my blog yesterday, you know it was rough-ish. My dear sister spoke gospel truth into my life with such passion. It was the very same things I was trying to speak to myself, but were falling flat. She reminded me that my struggle was not unique, God is at work in my life and the lives of my children, and He is GOOD! =) I'm so thankful that we were not made to walk alone!
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Genesis 2:18
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:23-25
And best of all, God did not leave us alone in our sin!
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:6-9
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:8-10
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Genesis 2:18
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:23-25
And best of all, God did not leave us alone in our sin!
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:6-9
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:8-10
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Gray Day
I enjoy the gray days that herald the coming of fall, as long as they are surrounded by LIBERAL amounts of sunshine! ;) But if we have gray days all in a row, I get really sleepy and sluggish. Being tied to the school routine makes me pretty tired sometimes too. =/ And the gray days highlight my weakness, as I tend to wallow in my lack of motivation, or waste precious hours sitting in front of a screen doing "nothing"... I've actually been kind of wallowing for a good part of today as we have trudged through school. But just as I tried-- and failed-- to write four or five different things on my blog, I was reminded that some day, "gray days" like this will no longer exist. I will be perfected & spend the rest of eternity without sin, worshiping my God! =) Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.
Isaiah 60:19-22
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified. The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.
Isaiah 60:19-22
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Good Gifts
I have told Shorty several times over the past couple of weeks that I may never buy jelly/jam from the store again! My taste buds are SINGING with every bite! And every bite is a gracious gift of goodness from my God. So is the pleasure of sharing the goodness with others! =)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
Ephesians 4:7-8
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Justice
I love happy endings! And for me, part of a happy ending is the "bad guy" getting absolutely DEMOLISHED! I cheered when, at the end of Deep Blue Sea, the crazy scientist woman got eaten by one of her super-sharks. I totally agreed with Evelyn in The Mummy when she told Beni, "You know, nasty little fellows such as yourself always get their comeuppance." I was watching a particular TV show that I enjoy last night, and the "bad guy" was suddenly being protected by one of the "good guys" without any change in attitude or behavior. As much as I enjoy seeing the bad guy demolished, I like it even better when he/she is repentant and forgiven. But this flip-flop that happens in so many stories now just plain FRUSTRATES me! =P
Now, in theological terms, I am one of the bad guys. In fact, I could often agree with Paul that, I am the foremost of sinners. So I am thankful that God is both Just, and Merciful. If He weren't, I'd be getting demolished according to my own definition of a "happy ending".
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:20-26
Now, in theological terms, I am one of the bad guys. In fact, I could often agree with Paul that, I am the foremost of sinners. So I am thankful that God is both Just, and Merciful. If He weren't, I'd be getting demolished according to my own definition of a "happy ending".
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:20-26
Monday, October 1, 2012
Idols
I watched a documentary a couple of years ago regarding the history of the Jewish nation, or something to that effect. Obviously I don't remember much about it! ;) But there was one thing that REALLY stood out to me. As the archaeologists were digging up and studying this area, they came to the conclusion that the ancient Jewish nation were NOT monotheistic. My first thought was, "WHAT?!? Of COURSE they were!" But as the documentary continued, they pointed out that they had found statues and shrines to many of the Canaanite gods in MOST of the Jewish houses. At that point, I realized that their findings are consistent with the Biblical record of the idolatry practiced by Israel for much of their history.
At that point, I began to wonder-- If archaeologists dug up my house in a couple thousand years, would they say the same of me? You will not find statues of "gods" in my house, but I have no lack of idols. It was explained to me at one point that the throne of my heart (heart being the control center for my life) was created for God, but any time I put anything else or anyone else on that throne, I am committing idolatry. So then I wondered if someone coming into my house would know, by the things I have, that I'm a believer in Jesus Christ. I thought maybe not. But I'd like to believe that if you lived with me for a week, you could tell...
Calvin is a little wordy, but I really enjoyed what he had to say about the first two commandments. I'm only quoting a small portion.
The purport of [the First] commandment is, that the Lord will have himself alone to be exalted in his people, and claims the entire possession of them as his own. That this may be so, he orders us to abstain from ungodliness and superstition of every kind, by which the glory of his divinity is diminished or obscured; and, for the same reason, he requires us to worship and adore him with truly pious zeal. The simple terms used obviously amount to this. For seeing we cannot have God without embracing everything which belongs to him, the prohibition against having strange gods means, that nothing which belongs to him is to be transferred to any other. The duties which we owe to God are innumerable, but the seem to admit of being not improperly reduced to four heads: adoration, with its accessory spiritual submission of conscience, trust, invocation, thanksgiving... As the Lord does not allow these to be derived from any other quarter, so he demands that they shall be referred entirely to himself. It is not enough to refrain from other gods. We must, at the same time, devote ourselves wholly to him, not acting like certain impious despisers, who regard it as the shortest method, to hold all religious observance in derision. But here precedence must be given to true religion which will direct our minds to the living God. When duly imbued with the knowledge of him, the whole aim of our lives will be to revere, fear, and worship his majesty, to enjoy a share in his blessings, to have recourse to him in every difficulty, to acknowledge, laud, and celebrate the magnificence of his works, to make him, as it were, the sole aim of all our actions.
~John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book 2 c.8, 16)
And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exodus 20:1-4
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
Matthew 22:36-38
At that point, I began to wonder-- If archaeologists dug up my house in a couple thousand years, would they say the same of me? You will not find statues of "gods" in my house, but I have no lack of idols. It was explained to me at one point that the throne of my heart (heart being the control center for my life) was created for God, but any time I put anything else or anyone else on that throne, I am committing idolatry. So then I wondered if someone coming into my house would know, by the things I have, that I'm a believer in Jesus Christ. I thought maybe not. But I'd like to believe that if you lived with me for a week, you could tell...
Calvin is a little wordy, but I really enjoyed what he had to say about the first two commandments. I'm only quoting a small portion.
The purport of [the First] commandment is, that the Lord will have himself alone to be exalted in his people, and claims the entire possession of them as his own. That this may be so, he orders us to abstain from ungodliness and superstition of every kind, by which the glory of his divinity is diminished or obscured; and, for the same reason, he requires us to worship and adore him with truly pious zeal. The simple terms used obviously amount to this. For seeing we cannot have God without embracing everything which belongs to him, the prohibition against having strange gods means, that nothing which belongs to him is to be transferred to any other. The duties which we owe to God are innumerable, but the seem to admit of being not improperly reduced to four heads: adoration, with its accessory spiritual submission of conscience, trust, invocation, thanksgiving... As the Lord does not allow these to be derived from any other quarter, so he demands that they shall be referred entirely to himself. It is not enough to refrain from other gods. We must, at the same time, devote ourselves wholly to him, not acting like certain impious despisers, who regard it as the shortest method, to hold all religious observance in derision. But here precedence must be given to true religion which will direct our minds to the living God. When duly imbued with the knowledge of him, the whole aim of our lives will be to revere, fear, and worship his majesty, to enjoy a share in his blessings, to have recourse to him in every difficulty, to acknowledge, laud, and celebrate the magnificence of his works, to make him, as it were, the sole aim of all our actions.
~John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book 2 c.8, 16)
And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exodus 20:1-4
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
Matthew 22:36-38
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)