I am SO EXCITED about beginning to practice Scripture memory again! When I was growing up, my family memorized several passages and verses together. Some of them (like Psalm 23) I could recite for you in my sleep. Others I've mostly forgotten. I also memorized quite a few verses in high school. Since becoming an adult though, I've mostly neglected that particular discipline. But I listened to a session earlier this week about the importance, indeed the MANDATE in Scripture to memorize Scripture. So I got with a precious sister yesterday and we have committed to practicing Scripture memory together. And I'm PUMPED! I want to know Scripture better, because that is how my God has ordained to reveal Himself to His people. So, I want to encourage you to get God's Word IN you! =)
Transformation by the Word: The Power of Scripture Memory Workshops - The Gospel Coalition 2012 National Women's Conference Mary K. Mohler | Jun 22, 2012
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:2-17
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Gushing
I love when I get a break from teaching school to my Crew! I love teaching them too-- at least sometimes. ;) But I love the breaks because I have so much more freedom in terms of what I do with my days. When I am sewing, or cleaning, or cooking, I am able to listen to sermons and things. I don't get that opportunity when I'm teaching school. So this week I've been sewing, and listening to more sessions from The Gospel Coalition's Women's Conference. After spending the better part of two days being poured into by these women of faith, I am literally GUSHING! When I think of gushing, I think of Old Faithful. So last night after the kids went to bed, I just spewed all over Shorty! =) Fortunately for him, it was gushing about the greatness of our God, and not complaints. He has been the sad victim of that kind of gushing before. =(
One portion of one of the sessions that stood out to me was when the speaker was setting the context for her particular passage. She went back to the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve had sinned. And she said that as Adam and Eve heard God pronounce judgement on the serpent-- he was the first to receive judgement-- that God was already showing them grace. You see, God had told them that on the day that they ate from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would DIE. But as God spoke judgement on the serpent He said, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring..." (Gen 3:15) And offspring means LIFE! Before God ever spoke judgement on Adam and Eve, he offered them grace and hope! That was just such a HUGE thought to me! Grace greater than all our sin! =)
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Psalms 16:5-9
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalms 32:10-11
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalms 33:18-22
One portion of one of the sessions that stood out to me was when the speaker was setting the context for her particular passage. She went back to the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve had sinned. And she said that as Adam and Eve heard God pronounce judgement on the serpent-- he was the first to receive judgement-- that God was already showing them grace. You see, God had told them that on the day that they ate from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would DIE. But as God spoke judgement on the serpent He said, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring..." (Gen 3:15) And offspring means LIFE! Before God ever spoke judgement on Adam and Eve, he offered them grace and hope! That was just such a HUGE thought to me! Grace greater than all our sin! =)
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Psalms 16:5-9
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalms 32:10-11
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
Psalms 33:18-22
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Glory
I've been reading in Revelation during my devotions. Well, I finished yesterday, but I've decided to read through Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation for the rest of this year. It's difficult for me to read... but I'm loving seeing how the texts mirror one another! And I'm praying that the Lord will give me insight. So today as I read the first few chapters of Ezekiel, I noticed something.
Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Ezekiel 1:28
So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 3:23
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18
Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen."
Exodus 33:18-23
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
Consistently, the prophets are laid flat on their faces when they behold the glory of God. And as terrifying as God's glory and holiness are-- I want to see His glory! It is a good thing to be on your face before the Lord! =)
Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Ezekiel 1:28
So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 3:23
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18
Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." And the LORD said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen."
Exodus 33:18-23
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
Consistently, the prophets are laid flat on their faces when they behold the glory of God. And as terrifying as God's glory and holiness are-- I want to see His glory! It is a good thing to be on your face before the Lord! =)
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Precious Father
I've always known that my Daddy loves me. That's not to say he's perfect. And I was blessed at a very early age that when I thought of God, I thought in terms of all the best characteristics that I saw in Daddy perfected, without any of the negatives. I KNEW that God is a perfect Father. But I am so quick to forget that He loves me. Sometimes I want His love to be mushy-- you know, all happiness and fluff and stuff. But His love is SO MUCH GREATER than that! He loves me too much to allow me to be satisfied with anything less than Himself-- at least, not for long. He is the most Precious Father. =)
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalms 103:1-22
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalms 103:1-22
Monday, November 26, 2012
Guidance
I don't know about you, but I pray for guidance often. And usually in conjunction with provision. I've told you before that I tend to worry. I'm actually in a worry cycle right now, and have had a bit of a dry spell spiritually. And in times like these, I find that other Christians are able to better articulate the truth I need.
'Guidance, like all God's acts of blessing under the covenant of grace, is a sovereign act. Not merely does God will to guide us in the sense of showing us his way, that we may tread it; he wills also to guide us in the more fundamental sense of ensuring that, whatever happens, whatever mistakes we may make, we shall come safely home. Slippings and strayings there will be, no doubt, but the everlasting arms are beneath us; we shall be caught, rescued, restored. This is God's promise; this is how good he is.
Thus it appears that the right context for discussing guidance is one of confidence in the God who will not let us ruin our souls. Our concern, therefore, in this discussion should be more for his glory than for our security-- for that is already taken care of. And our self-distrust, while keeping us humble, must not cloud the joy with which we lean on "the Lord Protector"-- our faithful covenant God.'
~Knowing God by J.I. Packer
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:12-14
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:14-17
'Guidance, like all God's acts of blessing under the covenant of grace, is a sovereign act. Not merely does God will to guide us in the sense of showing us his way, that we may tread it; he wills also to guide us in the more fundamental sense of ensuring that, whatever happens, whatever mistakes we may make, we shall come safely home. Slippings and strayings there will be, no doubt, but the everlasting arms are beneath us; we shall be caught, rescued, restored. This is God's promise; this is how good he is.
Thus it appears that the right context for discussing guidance is one of confidence in the God who will not let us ruin our souls. Our concern, therefore, in this discussion should be more for his glory than for our security-- for that is already taken care of. And our self-distrust, while keeping us humble, must not cloud the joy with which we lean on "the Lord Protector"-- our faithful covenant God.'
~Knowing God by J.I. Packer
"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:12-14
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:14-17
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Dominate
We put up our Christmas tree last night. It completely DOMINATES our living room! The footprint on this tree is HUGE-- five foot diameter, I measured. And the star is ALMOST touching the ceiling. ;) We've been working our way up from a Charlie Brown style Christmas tree by shopping the after Christmas sales. =) You may wonder why we felt the need to get this massive tree, since our house is small. One of the kids' favorite of our traditions is that we go shopping for ornaments each year. Each person gets to choose a new ornament for the tree. It looks pretty eclectic with Coca Cola cans, dogs, lions, bears, fish, and of course snowmen! ;) But I told Shorty last year that I can't bear-- at this point anyway-- to make the kids choose which ornaments to put on the tree and which don't make it out of the box any given year. So there you have it. I have a tree that is a decorating "don't", and we all LOVE IT!
Where am I going with this today? I was laughing as I thought about the concept of something dominating my life. I was created and redeemed so that Christ can dominate my life. He is doubly worthy to be my King. I thought that one reason that I'm okay with our huge Christmas tree is because, in about a month, it will come down. And I was contemplating how I will often allow something LESS than my King to dominate my life for a season... =(
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:9-18
I've been spending my devotions in Revelation. And the scene from Heaven is at the forefront of my mind right now. Let your life be dominated by the One who is Worthy.
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 4:8-11
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Revelation 5:6-10
Where am I going with this today? I was laughing as I thought about the concept of something dominating my life. I was created and redeemed so that Christ can dominate my life. He is doubly worthy to be my King. I thought that one reason that I'm okay with our huge Christmas tree is because, in about a month, it will come down. And I was contemplating how I will often allow something LESS than my King to dominate my life for a season... =(
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:9-18
I've been spending my devotions in Revelation. And the scene from Heaven is at the forefront of my mind right now. Let your life be dominated by the One who is Worthy.
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 4:8-11
And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."
Revelation 5:6-10
Friday, November 23, 2012
Traditions
I love traditions! We have different traditions all year long, but there seem to be a concentration of traditions for us in November and December. From foods to decorations to activities, we spend lots of fun time together. And I hope that in all the fun, my Crew are catching the gospel from me.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 Timothy 2:5-6
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Discontentment vs. Thankfulness
My oldest daughter is very much like me sometimes. She chooses (not intentionally, I think) to dwell on the unpleasant parts of her life, rather than looking at the good things. Last year, I was having particular trouble getting her to do her school lesson because she was so busy looking at ALL the bad things she could think of. And I was reminded of the many admonitions in Scripture that we should be thankful.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
So I told her that we were going to play a game. I explained that I would name something I was thankful for, and then she would have to name something SHE was thankful for. Her initial response was to sigh and tell me that she WASN'T thankful for anything. I was having a good parenting moment, so I replied that, in that case, she would just have to say something that she COULD be thankful for. And so we began. I'm not sure how long we played our "game", but when I let her stop, she had a smile and her heart had been reminded to be thankful.
I've been struggling this week with discontentment. Rather ironic since we are celebrating Thanksgiving. =/ My discontentment generally revolves around my house. But as I was praying this morning that the Lord would help me to be content and thankful, He did EXACTLY that. He showed my how, little by little, He has taught me to make better use of the space He's provided for me. And how He's provided, little by little, for me to improve my little house. And he reminded me that He is also equipping my Crew for whatever He has in store for their lives. That's a pretty BIG job, for a pretty LITTLE house! But God is BIG enough to use ANYTHING for His purpose! And as a brother reminded me last night, Jesus is sufficient for me. =)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Psalms 16:5-9
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:24-26
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
So I told her that we were going to play a game. I explained that I would name something I was thankful for, and then she would have to name something SHE was thankful for. Her initial response was to sigh and tell me that she WASN'T thankful for anything. I was having a good parenting moment, so I replied that, in that case, she would just have to say something that she COULD be thankful for. And so we began. I'm not sure how long we played our "game", but when I let her stop, she had a smile and her heart had been reminded to be thankful.
I've been struggling this week with discontentment. Rather ironic since we are celebrating Thanksgiving. =/ My discontentment generally revolves around my house. But as I was praying this morning that the Lord would help me to be content and thankful, He did EXACTLY that. He showed my how, little by little, He has taught me to make better use of the space He's provided for me. And how He's provided, little by little, for me to improve my little house. And he reminded me that He is also equipping my Crew for whatever He has in store for their lives. That's a pretty BIG job, for a pretty LITTLE house! But God is BIG enough to use ANYTHING for His purpose! And as a brother reminded me last night, Jesus is sufficient for me. =)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:3-14
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
Psalms 16:5-9
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:24-26
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Minion
This is the beginning of my favorite time of year. Thanksgiving combines Family, Friends, and Food. (I have three pies just out of the oven, and will have two more by the end of the day! Not to mention all the OTHER yumminess that I will be cranking out in the next couple days! =)) Next will be my birthday, and the birthdays of several of my favorite ladies. And then Christmas. This time of year has always meant extra moments with my family, and lots of fun-- if exhausting-- activities with my church family. But for me, and many others I know, it can also be a time of extra STRESS. How do you juggle time with all the family? What gift to buy for that hard-to-shop-for person (or persons) on your list? Or in these tighter economic times, how to AFFORD gifts for those on your list? How to keep your priorities straight in this highly commercialized culture?
I've been thinking for a few weeks now about how to stretch our budget. Our candy business will be gearing up next week, and I've been praying that it will be a good year. But this morning as I was doing my devotions, I had the strangest thought flit through my head. I tend to be very much like the little yellow minions in "Despicable Me". They wander around running into things, getting into random mischief, and chattering unintelligibly. As the "things to do" ramp up, I just tend to get worried. And worry is worthless.
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:24-27
So rather than worrying, today I'm going to try to think about the One who is Worthy of praise.
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 4:2-11
I've been thinking for a few weeks now about how to stretch our budget. Our candy business will be gearing up next week, and I've been praying that it will be a good year. But this morning as I was doing my devotions, I had the strangest thought flit through my head. I tend to be very much like the little yellow minions in "Despicable Me". They wander around running into things, getting into random mischief, and chattering unintelligibly. As the "things to do" ramp up, I just tend to get worried. And worry is worthless.
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 6:24-27
So rather than worrying, today I'm going to try to think about the One who is Worthy of praise.
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Revelation 4:2-11
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Perspective
A couple months ago we were having dinner with a sweet couple from our church family. She was praising her husband for how he helped her wash the dishes. I laughed and said that Shorty REFUSES to do dishes (load the dishwasher) for me because I used to be too particular about HOW they were done. I thought they needed to be in the dishwasher "just so". I keep telling him that I've mellowed over the past few years, but he's sticking to his guns! =) I did say that he'd been helping me a lot with the laundry, though. He laughed and said his primary motivation was so that he'd have his workout clothes clean. (I knew that.) It was really funny though later as Shorty and I were talking about it. I told him, I guess I could be thinking about it in terms of, "He only does the laundry HE thinks is important. He's not thinking about me." =P That is such a terrible line of thought! It would breed so much needless frustration and anger and bitterness into our relationship. It could be my optimist coming out, but I prefer to think of it in terms of, "That's one load of laundry that I don't have to wash and dry." =) It's all a matter of perspective!
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15
Monday, November 19, 2012
Heart --> Action
Shorty and I are trying to teach our children that all our bad behavior
flows out of our sinful hearts. So, if I get angry with them, it is NOT
their fault for disobeying (for example). Their disobedience IS sin, but
it simply gives me opportunity to pour out the sin from my own heart in
the form of anger. As I was telling Daddy about my plan to use The Chronicles of Narnia this year instead of the reading curriculum I have used the past several years, I explained that this year there seems to be a lot more focus on behavior instead of heart issues. So we talked a little bit about some different characters, and Daddy said that Edmund, in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, had some pretty serious behavior issues.
Adara has just finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I was really impressed by the change in Edmund just through the course of this book. In the beginning of the book, he takes great delight in making Lucy feel miserable. And when the four children get into Narnia and hear about Aslan, Edmund is already soundly in the Witch's camp. He is hostile toward Aslan, and making excuses for why the Witch really SHOULD be queen. He is ALMOST indifferent to the consequences for his siblings when he decides to betray them to the Witch. But, as he spends more time in the Witch's company, his eyes begin to be opened to her true nature, and he begins to repent for his treachery. In the end of the story, he acquits himself well by sacrificing himself to break the Witch's wand. Well, almost the end. Edmund and his sibling go on to rule Narnia for many years, and (I think because of all that Aslan had done for him) Edmund is known as "King Edmund the Just".
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. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:20-28
Adara has just finished reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I was really impressed by the change in Edmund just through the course of this book. In the beginning of the book, he takes great delight in making Lucy feel miserable. And when the four children get into Narnia and hear about Aslan, Edmund is already soundly in the Witch's camp. He is hostile toward Aslan, and making excuses for why the Witch really SHOULD be queen. He is ALMOST indifferent to the consequences for his siblings when he decides to betray them to the Witch. But, as he spends more time in the Witch's company, his eyes begin to be opened to her true nature, and he begins to repent for his treachery. In the end of the story, he acquits himself well by sacrificing himself to break the Witch's wand. Well, almost the end. Edmund and his sibling go on to rule Narnia for many years, and (I think because of all that Aslan had done for him) Edmund is known as "King Edmund the Just".
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. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:20-28
Saturday, November 17, 2012
MORE Strawberry Jam
My girls LOVE strawberry jam! They have done their best to eat the strawberry jam I made a few months ago. In fact, I think they've eaten (with a little help from Judah, Shorty & me) about a gallon of it! Since they've eaten so much already, I decided to snatch up the 12 pounds of "quick sale" strawberries I saw at HEB Thursday night. And I made more strawberry jam! =)
Here's the thing: when you are doing a repetitive action for a long period of time, you have LOTS of time to think. So I was thinking about my previous post Strawberry Jam, and pondering the analogy of sugar representing the gospel. Some jam recipes call for a 1:1 ratio of fruit to sugar, but some recipes, like the strawberry jam recipe, call for a nearly 1:2 ratio. I'm not saying that it takes twice as much gospel as my "contribution".
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18
My thought, as I looked at a batch of jam, was, "That's A LOT of sugar!" I mean, you really don't see much fruit when you pour all the ingredients in the pan. And I thought, "It takes a lot of gospel to preserve this sinner-- and on a larger scale, His church!" It takes SO MUCH MORE than a 2:1 ratio! It takes infinite gospel!!! =) And God doesn't have a shortage! =)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:14-16
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:8-12
Here's the thing: when you are doing a repetitive action for a long period of time, you have LOTS of time to think. So I was thinking about my previous post Strawberry Jam, and pondering the analogy of sugar representing the gospel. Some jam recipes call for a 1:1 ratio of fruit to sugar, but some recipes, like the strawberry jam recipe, call for a nearly 1:2 ratio. I'm not saying that it takes twice as much gospel as my "contribution".
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18
My thought, as I looked at a batch of jam, was, "That's A LOT of sugar!" I mean, you really don't see much fruit when you pour all the ingredients in the pan. And I thought, "It takes a lot of gospel to preserve this sinner-- and on a larger scale, His church!" It takes SO MUCH MORE than a 2:1 ratio! It takes infinite gospel!!! =) And God doesn't have a shortage! =)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:14-16
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Ephesians 3:8-12
Friday, November 16, 2012
Breaking Dawn
I am a chocoholic. I'm also a bookaholic. I LOVE to read!!! I like theology books, history books, (some) technical books, children's books, but my favorite to read just for recreation are fantasy books: Percy Jackson, the Inheritance cycle, The Chronicles of Narnia, etc. I would rather spend eight hours reading a book, than two hours watching a movie-- unless the movie is based on a book! ;) I'm a fan of all the details!
Before the movie "New Moon" came out, Shorty & I decided to read the books to see what all the fuss was about-- and to be able to talk about them intelligently. Over the next few months, we read all four books in the Twilight series. After reading Breaking Dawn I was bluesy for several days-- or maybe longer. It usually took Shorty and me a few weeks to process through the themes of the books and address them through a biblical perspective. When I had had time to process, I came to the conclusion that Breaking Dawn frustrated me because it offered all the benefits of eternal life-- youth, strength, beauty, power, immortality-- without correcting the root issue: sin. This was especially hard for me at the time because I was being faced with my own mortality and sin.
I was up late reading recently and came across this passage in Knowing God:
"We have all heard the gospel presented as God's triumphant answer to human problems-- problems of our relation with ourselves and our fellow humans and our environment. Well, there is no doubt that the gospel does bring us solutions to these problems, but it does so by first solving a deeper problem-- the deepest of all human problems, the problem of man's relation with his Maker. And unless we make it plain that the solution of these former problems depends on the settling of this latter one, we are misrepresenting the message and becoming false witnesses of God-- for a half-truth presented as if it were the whole truth becomes something of a falsehood by that very act. No reader of the New Testament can miss the fact that it knows all about our human problems-- fear, moral cowardice, illness of body and mind, loneliness, insecurity, hopelessness, despair, cruelty, abuse of power and the rest-- but equally no reader of the New Testament can miss the fact that it resolves all these problems, one way or another, into the fundamental problem of sin against God."
Now I know that Breaking Dawn was not attempting to preach a biblical gospel, but it does offer a "hope", albeit a fictional one. As a Christian engaging in this world, I want to be able to contrast those well, and hopefully offer someone a TRUE and REAL hope. =)
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalms 130:1-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
2 Timothy 1:6-10
Before the movie "New Moon" came out, Shorty & I decided to read the books to see what all the fuss was about-- and to be able to talk about them intelligently. Over the next few months, we read all four books in the Twilight series. After reading Breaking Dawn I was bluesy for several days-- or maybe longer. It usually took Shorty and me a few weeks to process through the themes of the books and address them through a biblical perspective. When I had had time to process, I came to the conclusion that Breaking Dawn frustrated me because it offered all the benefits of eternal life-- youth, strength, beauty, power, immortality-- without correcting the root issue: sin. This was especially hard for me at the time because I was being faced with my own mortality and sin.
I was up late reading recently and came across this passage in Knowing God:
"We have all heard the gospel presented as God's triumphant answer to human problems-- problems of our relation with ourselves and our fellow humans and our environment. Well, there is no doubt that the gospel does bring us solutions to these problems, but it does so by first solving a deeper problem-- the deepest of all human problems, the problem of man's relation with his Maker. And unless we make it plain that the solution of these former problems depends on the settling of this latter one, we are misrepresenting the message and becoming false witnesses of God-- for a half-truth presented as if it were the whole truth becomes something of a falsehood by that very act. No reader of the New Testament can miss the fact that it knows all about our human problems-- fear, moral cowardice, illness of body and mind, loneliness, insecurity, hopelessness, despair, cruelty, abuse of power and the rest-- but equally no reader of the New Testament can miss the fact that it resolves all these problems, one way or another, into the fundamental problem of sin against God."
Now I know that Breaking Dawn was not attempting to preach a biblical gospel, but it does offer a "hope", albeit a fictional one. As a Christian engaging in this world, I want to be able to contrast those well, and hopefully offer someone a TRUE and REAL hope. =)
A Song of Ascents. Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalms 130:1-8
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
2 Timothy 1:6-10
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Caught
My snowmen are out of hibernation! That is mostly due to the fact that my oldest daughter brought the boxes in out of the shed. =) I was beginning to think that the snowmen were just going to have to wait until we decorate for Christmas...
So I put my snowmen out and put the other stuff away. The kids were SUPER excited-- so much so that we had to make them sit on the couch so they wouldn't break anything! =? And as I was looking around once everything was in its place, I thought, "My Crew has caught my enthusiasm for all things snow/winter." And I was reminded of one of the messages I listened to this summer-- I don't remember which ONE ;) -- in which the pastor said that passion is "caught", not "taught". Our children will tend to believe that what we are passionate about is the "main thing". And his point was that we need to be passionate about the gospel. Good works are, in fact, good-- but they should flow out of our passion for the gospel. So as I looked around at my snowmen, I prayed- and am still praying- that I will have a "catching" passion for the gospel! =) I think that's what God had in mind when He commanded His people to teach their children His law.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
So I put my snowmen out and put the other stuff away. The kids were SUPER excited-- so much so that we had to make them sit on the couch so they wouldn't break anything! =? And as I was looking around once everything was in its place, I thought, "My Crew has caught my enthusiasm for all things snow/winter." And I was reminded of one of the messages I listened to this summer-- I don't remember which ONE ;) -- in which the pastor said that passion is "caught", not "taught". Our children will tend to believe that what we are passionate about is the "main thing". And his point was that we need to be passionate about the gospel. Good works are, in fact, good-- but they should flow out of our passion for the gospel. So as I looked around at my snowmen, I prayed- and am still praying- that I will have a "catching" passion for the gospel! =) I think that's what God had in mind when He commanded His people to teach their children His law.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Perfect Timing
I'm not very good at being on time. In fact, if it weren't for Shorty, I'd probably be late for EVERYTHING!!! =) I also tend to be not much a finisher... That could have SOMETHING to do with the fact that I am a procrastinator. I make grand plans to prepare for things, but in the end, unless the deadline looms large on the horizon, I feel like I have "plenty of time". ;)
I was up late last night reading. (I made the mistake of drinking caffeinated tea at supper.) I had started Knowing God about a year ago, got halfway through, and then skipped on to other reading material. I was just in awe though as I picked it up last night because the author, J.I. Packer, was referencing Bible passages that I've recently read/studied. It is a beautiful thing when God applies His Word to the hearts of His people! And I was thinking about how much less the chapters I read would have resonated without the time I've already spent in those passages. So I was praising God for His perfect timing as He puts together the mess that is my life, to make me look more like my Savior.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
Titus 1:1-3
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
I was up late last night reading. (I made the mistake of drinking caffeinated tea at supper.) I had started Knowing God about a year ago, got halfway through, and then skipped on to other reading material. I was just in awe though as I picked it up last night because the author, J.I. Packer, was referencing Bible passages that I've recently read/studied. It is a beautiful thing when God applies His Word to the hearts of His people! And I was thinking about how much less the chapters I read would have resonated without the time I've already spent in those passages. So I was praising God for His perfect timing as He puts together the mess that is my life, to make me look more like my Savior.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:14-15
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
Titus 1:1-3
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Someone Else's Mess
The trouble with used appliances, or houses, is that you often end up cleaning up someone else's mess. =P I was blessed (read that with a question mark) with a used oven a little over a year ago. I was excited at the time, but a little frustrated with how messy it was! I scrubbed it down pretty well before we even moved it to our house, but there were some places that I couldn't figure out how to get to, to clean the gunk out. Today I couldn't stand it anymore & pulled out a couple screwdrivers and my cleaning supplies & proceeded to scrub my oven.
At the beginning I was thinking, "Arrrggghhhhh!!! I HATE cleaning up other people's messes!" Now I've mentioned before that I'm a slow learner. I think God just keeps repeating the same lessons because I keep forgetting. Anyway, He reminded me that He keeps cleaning up my mess (read that "sin") WITHOUT complaints. Duly chastised, I finished scrubbing my oven thanking my Father that He is willing to clean up my messy heart, AND thanking Him for my oven. =)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7-9
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
At the beginning I was thinking, "Arrrggghhhhh!!! I HATE cleaning up other people's messes!" Now I've mentioned before that I'm a slow learner. I think God just keeps repeating the same lessons because I keep forgetting. Anyway, He reminded me that He keeps cleaning up my mess (read that "sin") WITHOUT complaints. Duly chastised, I finished scrubbing my oven thanking my Father that He is willing to clean up my messy heart, AND thanking Him for my oven. =)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:7-9
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Monday, November 12, 2012
Mighty Man
I have finally made it to Revelation. I've been meandering through the New Testament for about two years I think... =) I'm usually nervous to begin reading Revelation because I feel like it just goes over my head-- and to be honest, it scares me. War, blood, plagues, pain, persecution... At least that's what I usually think of when I think of Revelation. But this summer I heard two AWESOME messages from Revelation & I began to get excited to read it again. This morning, chapter one was no disappointment.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Revelation 1:10-16
I don't know if you are picturing this "man" in the passage, or how you may be picturing him. My brother actually drew an illustration of this (taken literally) when we were teens-ish. That was standing in vivid color in the back of my mind as I read, but the messages I heard this summer both said that the pictures are to help us see characteristics.. "a picture is worth a thousand words," right? And so I read, and then I read again, and then again... =)
You've probably heard one of the men in your life say, "I wouldn't want to come up against THAT GUY in a fight." Well, this Man goes WAY beyond that thought! So much so that John "fell at his feet as though dead". The descriptions of his eyes, feet, voice, words and face all express power and wisdom in the extreme. I'm thinking I would have been like John- flat on my face!
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18
The right hand was the hand of favor, so I'm thinking that the Man reaching out to John is a good sign. At least this guy is not John's enemy. But then this Mighty Man tells John not to be afraid. And as I read the reason He gives, I'm thinking-- "I'm still scared. This is a TERRIFYING person. How is this supposed to comfort John?" So I began to ponder, and I was drawn back to the beginning of the chapter.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:4-8
And it hit me! Shorty helped. =) John did not recognize Jesus at first-- or at least he SEEMS not to. And then Jesus says, in effect, "John, don't be afraid. You KNOW me. I love you and I redeemed you. You are mine." What a Mighty Savior!
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
Revelation 1:10-16
I don't know if you are picturing this "man" in the passage, or how you may be picturing him. My brother actually drew an illustration of this (taken literally) when we were teens-ish. That was standing in vivid color in the back of my mind as I read, but the messages I heard this summer both said that the pictures are to help us see characteristics.. "a picture is worth a thousand words," right? And so I read, and then I read again, and then again... =)
You've probably heard one of the men in your life say, "I wouldn't want to come up against THAT GUY in a fight." Well, this Man goes WAY beyond that thought! So much so that John "fell at his feet as though dead". The descriptions of his eyes, feet, voice, words and face all express power and wisdom in the extreme. I'm thinking I would have been like John- flat on my face!
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Revelation 1:17-18
The right hand was the hand of favor, so I'm thinking that the Man reaching out to John is a good sign. At least this guy is not John's enemy. But then this Mighty Man tells John not to be afraid. And as I read the reason He gives, I'm thinking-- "I'm still scared. This is a TERRIFYING person. How is this supposed to comfort John?" So I began to ponder, and I was drawn back to the beginning of the chapter.
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Revelation 1:4-8
And it hit me! Shorty helped. =) John did not recognize Jesus at first-- or at least he SEEMS not to. And then Jesus says, in effect, "John, don't be afraid. You KNOW me. I love you and I redeemed you. You are mine." What a Mighty Savior!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Majesty
I think the Psalms are awesome! They have always resonated so deeply with me. I can easily find my soul echoing the prayers of the Psalmists as I read. Today was no exception. I've only just finished my devotions for the day, but as I sat down and began to pray I was thinking of the Greatness of my God. My soul was singing of His goodness and care and faithfulness.
O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalms 95:1-2
Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalms 95:6
Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalms 96:1-4
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Psalms 96:8
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad.
Psalms 97:1
The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory.
Psalms 97:6
And then as the Psalmist (whoever this particular one was!) continued to think on God's majesty, he compared Him to everything great and vast that we can see.
For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land.
Psalms 95:3-5
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lit up the world; The earth saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Psalms 97:2-5
His majesty leaves me-- almost-- speechless! ;) So in closing today, I encourage you to go read Psalm 95-97 and praise the Lord with me! =)
O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalms 95:1-2
Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Psalms 95:6
Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalms 96:1-4
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.
Psalms 96:8
The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad.
Psalms 97:1
The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples have seen His glory.
Psalms 97:6
And then as the Psalmist (whoever this particular one was!) continued to think on God's majesty, he compared Him to everything great and vast that we can see.
For the LORD is a great God And a great King above all gods, In whose hand are the depths of the earth, The peaks of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land.
Psalms 95:3-5
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Fire goes before Him And burns up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lit up the world; The earth saw and trembled. The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
Psalms 97:2-5
His majesty leaves me-- almost-- speechless! ;) So in closing today, I encourage you to go read Psalm 95-97 and praise the Lord with me! =)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Gospel Whispers
I read in Psalms again today. I just had to read Psalm 93 again and rejoice that my God reigns! =) But I read on through Psalm 94 as well. The first part is a call to the Lord to judge the wicked, and a reproof against the wicked for thinking that they will get away with their evil.
O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive." Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge-- the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.
Psalms 94:1-11
And then he contrasts that with the blessing of being one of God's chosen people. He says it is better to be disciplined by the Lord now, than to suffer His wrath with the wicked later.
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Psalms 94:12-15
This next part resonated the most with me, but it kind of loses it's thunder when you take it out of context.
Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalms 94:16-19
I'm pretty sure that whoever wrote this Psalm had a particular group of wicked people in mind when he wrote this, but when I read about "enemies", or "wicked", or "evil ones" in the Psalms, I usually think either of Satan- the Enemy of my soul- or my sinful nature which is my greatest enemy. That may not be terribly accurate, but...
So we have reached the gospel whispered in this Psalm. Who rises up for me against my sin? Who stands up for me against my Enemy, Satan? THE LORD is my help! Jesus paid for my sin! Jesus intercedes for me when Satan wants to attack! Without His help, I would still be dead. He is my help today, and He's been my help before. "When I thought, (past tense) "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held (past tense) me up." I can see my weakness, but His love supports me. He carries me because I am unable to walk on my own.
What are "the cares of my heart". Maybe illness in your life, or a loved one's life. Maybe difficult job situations or the lack of a job. Maybe little stresses that are all stacking up. Maybe a particularly tenacious sin struggle. I don't know, but they are "many". As I was chewing on this, I just kept thinking "Pain hurts." It doesn't matter what the direct source of pain is, it ALWAYS hurts! =P But God! =) His "consolations cheer my soul." I can keep on keeping on because He loves me- and you, if you are a believer- and because He is near to comfort me.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7
Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-2
O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive." Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge-- the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.
Psalms 94:1-11
And then he contrasts that with the blessing of being one of God's chosen people. He says it is better to be disciplined by the Lord now, than to suffer His wrath with the wicked later.
Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.
Psalms 94:12-15
This next part resonated the most with me, but it kind of loses it's thunder when you take it out of context.
Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalms 94:16-19
I'm pretty sure that whoever wrote this Psalm had a particular group of wicked people in mind when he wrote this, but when I read about "enemies", or "wicked", or "evil ones" in the Psalms, I usually think either of Satan- the Enemy of my soul- or my sinful nature which is my greatest enemy. That may not be terribly accurate, but...
So we have reached the gospel whispered in this Psalm. Who rises up for me against my sin? Who stands up for me against my Enemy, Satan? THE LORD is my help! Jesus paid for my sin! Jesus intercedes for me when Satan wants to attack! Without His help, I would still be dead. He is my help today, and He's been my help before. "When I thought, (past tense) "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held (past tense) me up." I can see my weakness, but His love supports me. He carries me because I am unable to walk on my own.
What are "the cares of my heart". Maybe illness in your life, or a loved one's life. Maybe difficult job situations or the lack of a job. Maybe little stresses that are all stacking up. Maybe a particularly tenacious sin struggle. I don't know, but they are "many". As I was chewing on this, I just kept thinking "Pain hurts." It doesn't matter what the direct source of pain is, it ALWAYS hurts! =P But God! =) His "consolations cheer my soul." I can keep on keeping on because He loves me- and you, if you are a believer- and because He is near to comfort me.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7
Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-2
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Voter Fatigue
I have a SERIOUS case of voter fatigue! I'm tired of all the shared pictures/slogans on Facebook, all the commercials for various candidates and issues, and the media "covering" nothing but election news-- yes, I know that last statement was a bit of a hyperbole! ;) I am THANKFUL for the right to vote that we enjoy in this country. And I exercise that privilege. But this year more than ever before, I'm just ready to hear about SOMETHING else! And as I told my Crew this morning,
The king's heart (or president, for our purposes) is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
Proverbs 21:1
The Forever King is STILL ON HIS THRONE! And His eyes are open to see ALL that happens in His world! =)
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Psalms 93:1-5
The king's heart (or president, for our purposes) is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
Proverbs 21:1
The Forever King is STILL ON HIS THRONE! And His eyes are open to see ALL that happens in His world! =)
The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Psalms 93:1-5
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Dreams
One of the downfalls of the English language is the wide variety of meaning in some of our words. Dreams could be one of those. We talk about "following our dreams" in which dreams mean something similar to "goals". We talk about "hopes and dreams" in which dreams is simply a synonym for hopes. And then there are the dreams about which I'm thinking and writing today. You know, the movies behind your eyelids when you are sleeping.
I am a dreamer. There are not many nights when I wake up and don't remember having dreamed. I don't always remember the dream itself, but I'll remember that I had one. Often when I'm committed to a lot of things, I'll dream about perpetually doing whatever my commitment is. =P For example, last night I dreamed I was doing laundry all night long! And let me tell you, when you dream you've been working all night, you don't feel rested in the morning.
Since my dreams have been plaguing me lately, I've been nearly overwhelmed with thankfulness that I don't have to look for deeper meaning in my dreams than that I am perhaps over committed. I don't believe that every dream I have, or even every dream I remember, I some kind of revelation from God. And I'm thankful! Otherwise, I might attempt to never sleep again! ;)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4
I am a dreamer. There are not many nights when I wake up and don't remember having dreamed. I don't always remember the dream itself, but I'll remember that I had one. Often when I'm committed to a lot of things, I'll dream about perpetually doing whatever my commitment is. =P For example, last night I dreamed I was doing laundry all night long! And let me tell you, when you dream you've been working all night, you don't feel rested in the morning.
Since my dreams have been plaguing me lately, I've been nearly overwhelmed with thankfulness that I don't have to look for deeper meaning in my dreams than that I am perhaps over committed. I don't believe that every dream I have, or even every dream I remember, I some kind of revelation from God. And I'm thankful! Otherwise, I might attempt to never sleep again! ;)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Monday, November 5, 2012
Snow!
I love snow! Unfortunately, God has planted me in Central Texas, where snow is a rare commodity. In fact, when we got an unseasonably late snow on Easter weekend several years ago, I joked to Shorty that in Texas we don't get enough snow to make snow"men", only snow"elves". ;) He was not amused! I'm also a stickler for six pointed snowflakes. If it has eight points, it is an imposter!
After reading the previous paragraph it will not surprise you to read that I have a snowman collection. If they make it with snowmen or snowflakes, you can just about guarantee that I've got it, from sun catchers to jewelry to magnets and beyond! And if you know me, you know that it is time for my snowmen to come out of "hibernation". I figure if I can't get the "real" cold stuff, I'll just fill my house with wanna' be's. =)
At any rate, as I was thinking about my snowmen, I was reminded of the fact that snow is mentioned in the Bible. How I can be cleansed as white as snow.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:7
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
After reading the previous paragraph it will not surprise you to read that I have a snowman collection. If they make it with snowmen or snowflakes, you can just about guarantee that I've got it, from sun catchers to jewelry to magnets and beyond! And if you know me, you know that it is time for my snowmen to come out of "hibernation". I figure if I can't get the "real" cold stuff, I'll just fill my house with wanna' be's. =)
At any rate, as I was thinking about my snowmen, I was reminded of the fact that snow is mentioned in the Bible. How I can be cleansed as white as snow.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:7
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
Friday, November 2, 2012
Wipe Your Sword
It's Narnia time again! Even though it has meant a lot more work and thought for me to use the Chronicles of Narnia for my oldest daughter's reading curriculum this year, I'm thrilled with my decision to jump into it. =) She is learning a lot, and I am marveling again at C.S. Lewis' ability to so beautifully and vividly illustrate theology in his stories!
This week, she has read about Edmund betraying his siblings to the Witch, and their flight to the Stone Table and Aslan. Her last chapter this week was "Peter's First Battle". The last sentence in the chapter says, "And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword." When I read it, I was thinking, "WOW!" And I really chewed on how to express the importance of that statement to her, but I came up empty. So she came to me yesterday and asked why Aslan told Peter never to forget to wipe his sword. We walked through it, and ultimately, the point of that line is this: Be ready to defend whomever and whatever you are responsible for.
the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Exodus 19:10-11
But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Luke 12:39-40
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:1-2
This week, she has read about Edmund betraying his siblings to the Witch, and their flight to the Stone Table and Aslan. Her last chapter this week was "Peter's First Battle". The last sentence in the chapter says, "And, whatever happens, never forget to wipe your sword." When I read it, I was thinking, "WOW!" And I really chewed on how to express the importance of that statement to her, but I came up empty. So she came to me yesterday and asked why Aslan told Peter never to forget to wipe his sword. We walked through it, and ultimately, the point of that line is this: Be ready to defend whomever and whatever you are responsible for.
the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Exodus 19:10-11
But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
Luke 12:39-40
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:1-2
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Practice
My Crew frequently ask me how I do [fill in the blank] so well. My general response is that I've had lots of practice! =) They often moan when I say that-- I guess they want a more glamorous or exciting answer... a mummy taught me, maybe? ;) When I was a kid, the adults in my life used to tell me "Practice makes perfect." I am incredible sparing in using the word perfect, so I tell my Crew that generally "Practice makes it better." And my family has joked for more than a decade about doctors only getting a license to "practice" medicine! ;)
*Whew, all this talk about practice is making me tired!* But seriously, I was reading in 1 John this morning when I noticed a whole lot of talk about "practice".
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 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. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 2:28-3:10
My first thought was, "I am so glad that it doesn't say that you have to BE righteous to be accepted, because I screw up all the time!" But then I noticed that it says, "Whoever practices righteousness is righteous." And then it says, "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." God has called His people to be holy, to pursue righteousness, but He's already accepted us on the merit of our Savior. AND He's given us power through the Spirit to obey!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Ephesians 1:3-4
*Whew, all this talk about practice is making me tired!* But seriously, I was reading in 1 John this morning when I noticed a whole lot of talk about "practice".
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 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. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 2:28-3:10
My first thought was, "I am so glad that it doesn't say that you have to BE righteous to be accepted, because I screw up all the time!" But then I noticed that it says, "Whoever practices righteousness is righteous." And then it says, "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God." God has called His people to be holy, to pursue righteousness, but He's already accepted us on the merit of our Savior. AND He's given us power through the Spirit to obey!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
Ephesians 1:3-4
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