When I was a kid, my favorite meal was when Mommy cleaned out the fridge and we had "left-overs". There were usually five or six different options, and we all got our favorite! Well, until we got older and we all liked everything! ;)
In my devotional recently, I was reminded about the story of Jesus feeding the crowd of more than 5,000 people with the five loaves and two fishes. I'm sure that someone had pointed this out to me before, but the last time I read through the gospels, I was struck by the left-overs in that story.
Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
Matthew 14:19-20
The more active I've become in ministering at our church, the more I've begun to recognize my need to be fed by the Savior. But as I was pondering this a little more, I was thinking about how Jesus told the apostles to feed the crowd FIRST. And then-- after everyone else was full, there was still a whole basket of food for each apostle! In Christ I have access to abundance both to serve and to be fueled for service. =)
"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. "As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.
Ezekiel 34:11-17
Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
John 21:13-17
Friday, April 26, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Harmony
I love how the Bible uses words and terms that resonate with so many different kinds of people! I love music! I like to listen to, and make, music! As I've been reading Romans 12 this week, I've been thinking a lot about this verse.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:16
har-mo-ny: the simultaneous combination of tones, especially when blended into chords pleasing to the ear; chordal structure, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.
I pondered this term a lot this morning because what is translated "Live in harmony" in the English Standard Version (ESV), is translated "Be of the same mind" in almost every other version I had access to. Paul discussed earlier in the chapter that we have different gifts and we should be using the gifts God has given us. He also used the body imagery (many members, one body). As I was chewing, I was reminded of an orchestra. There are many instruments, and each member has different notes to play, but they are all reading from the same musical score.
So I wondered what the church's "musical score" would be. What IS the "same mind" that Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Romans? The only conclusion I could reach is that it is the gospel. The best news "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..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) There are other doctrines where we have fantastic differing understandings of the Scriptures-- and God uses those things to help us GROW! But we are of the same mind about the gospel! =)
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:3-16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:16
har-mo-ny: the simultaneous combination of tones, especially when blended into chords pleasing to the ear; chordal structure, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.
I pondered this term a lot this morning because what is translated "Live in harmony" in the English Standard Version (ESV), is translated "Be of the same mind" in almost every other version I had access to. Paul discussed earlier in the chapter that we have different gifts and we should be using the gifts God has given us. He also used the body imagery (many members, one body). As I was chewing, I was reminded of an orchestra. There are many instruments, and each member has different notes to play, but they are all reading from the same musical score.
So I wondered what the church's "musical score" would be. What IS the "same mind" that Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Romans? The only conclusion I could reach is that it is the gospel. The best news "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..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) There are other doctrines where we have fantastic differing understandings of the Scriptures-- and God uses those things to help us GROW! But we are of the same mind about the gospel! =)
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:3-16
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Immortality
This morning my Crew watched "On the Spot". The theme of the show was super powers. They talked about super strength, ability to fly, and inability to feel pain. Before the last commercial break, they asked the question, "True or False? Humans can live forever." My Crew said "false". I took advantage of the teaching moment this afforded! When God created Adam and Eve, He created them to live forever. So I asked them what causes us to die. The answer is sin. Will my body die? Well, am I a sinner? The answer to both questions is yes. But-- If Christ returns in His kingdom before my body dies, I will live on. And if not, when He returns, those who died believing in the saving work of Christ will be raised to eternal life! =)
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Better
I love my little house! That has not always been my sentiment. In fact, for several years it was the exact opposite! But now with moving only a couple weeks away, I'm feeling sentimental. A friend asked me recently if I'd be sad to move. I replied that I'm SURE that I will be bawling as I do the final clean! It's my first house! We bought it a few months before we got married, we've worked... and worked.... and worked... and worked on making it better than we bought it, and I brought all my babies home from the hospital to these four walls. So yes! I'll be sad. But I'm also SOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED for our new (to us) house! I can't wait to make it our home! It is perfect for us! I was thinking about all the things we KNEW we wanted-- two bathrooms and a bigger kitchen being on the top of the list. But there are so MANY things that I wouldn't have even thought to ask for! I am SO THANKFUL for my God who gives good gifts, in His PERFECT timing, and knows what I need BETTER than I do!!
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
And the BEST gift is His Son! =)
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:3-7
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:7-11
And the BEST gift is His Son! =)
In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:3-7
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
Monday, April 22, 2013
Song of the Day- 10
Our church's band introduced this song to us Easter weekend. (I can't remember if it was Good Friday or Easter Sunday...) We sang it again yesterday, and after the last chorus my thought was, "Can't we just keep singing this song?" My Crew and I were singing it all evening!
Beautiful Scandalous Night
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all
CHORUS:
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
Mark 15:33-39
Beautiful Scandalous Night
Songwriters: DAUGHERTY, DERALD E. / HINDALONG, STEVE J.
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all
CHORUS:
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night
On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And some of the bystanders hearing it said, "Behold, he is calling Elijah." And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
Mark 15:33-39
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Who Is.
I started the practice of Scripture memory again a few months ago. It is a sometimes difficult, but always good, thing. For one, it keeps portions of Scripture at the forefront of my mind in a way that simply reading or studying doesn't always do. This morning as I was practicing a new passage, I was given pause...
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. 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.
Revelation 1:1-6
I like chronological order. So I noticed (because I mix it up when I'm practicing) that the "who"s are out of order. I want to read "who was and who is and who is to come", but that's not what it says. Which made me stop to think about why... It seems that by placing "who is" first, John is putting emphasis on the fact that our God is ALIVE! He IS! He is with His people because He IS! Because, honestly, most of the rest of the book is pretty scary. Kind of like when God appeared to Moses in the bush and then poured out the ten plagues on Egypt.
Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:13-14
But He is not JUST the God who IS, He also was. He was in control over all the events of history that led up to today. And even better than that... He is to COME!!!
And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Mark 14:62
"And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Revelation 22:7
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Revelation 22:12-13
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. 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.
Revelation 1:1-6
I like chronological order. So I noticed (because I mix it up when I'm practicing) that the "who"s are out of order. I want to read "who was and who is and who is to come", but that's not what it says. Which made me stop to think about why... It seems that by placing "who is" first, John is putting emphasis on the fact that our God is ALIVE! He IS! He is with His people because He IS! Because, honestly, most of the rest of the book is pretty scary. Kind of like when God appeared to Moses in the bush and then poured out the ten plagues on Egypt.
Then Moses said to God, "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
Exodus 3:13-14
But He is not JUST the God who IS, He also was. He was in control over all the events of history that led up to today. And even better than that... He is to COME!!!
And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
Mark 14:62
"And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Revelation 22:7
"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Revelation 22:12-13
He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20
Friday, April 19, 2013
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
I was having a pretty normal day recently, interacting with my Crew and keeping trying to keep up with my housework. I don't even remember the particulars of the situation, I only remember one of the girls taking credit for something I (emphasis on the "I") had done. It was silly, but it rubbed me the wrong way. I felt myself swelling up with indignation, and then it was like the Lord was saying to me, "How often do you take credit for MY work?" And I immediately began to think of times when I had-- at least in my own mind-- taken credit for something that the Lord had done. I say I believe that the only good that comes from me doesn't really come FROM ME, but from the Holy Spirit at work in me... But I really WANT it to be me! I want there to be something praiseworthy in ME. And so I was convicted and challenged to "give credit where credit is due".
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
"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 4:11
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
"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 4:11
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Compassion
Terror Bombings at the Boston Marathon. Tragic. Fertilizer Plant Explodes in West, Texas. Calamitous. A brother and sister's son hospitalized. Heart-wrenching. Another brother's parents battle with cancer. Harrowing.
Compassion
COMPASSION, n.
1. A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it. Extreme distress of an enemy even changes enmity into at least temporary affection.
I have been guilty of trying to ignore the pain and suffering so prevalent on the news. As long as my life is rocking along ok, things are good. But pain has a way of seeking us out in this fallen world. And ignoring the pain of others is not an appropriate Christian response.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34
I noticed some time ago while reading through the gospels, the trend of Jesus "seeing" the crowds, followed by a compassionate response. As a sinful person, I NEED to SEE the pain of others to make my compassion swell. And as tragedies and calamities and illness rip at the lives of those dear (and unknown) to me, I turn more and more often to the hope that Christ will one day return and restore His world!
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:19-23
Compassion
COMPASSION, n.
1. A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it. Extreme distress of an enemy even changes enmity into at least temporary affection.
I have been guilty of trying to ignore the pain and suffering so prevalent on the news. As long as my life is rocking along ok, things are good. But pain has a way of seeking us out in this fallen world. And ignoring the pain of others is not an appropriate Christian response.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34
I noticed some time ago while reading through the gospels, the trend of Jesus "seeing" the crowds, followed by a compassionate response. As a sinful person, I NEED to SEE the pain of others to make my compassion swell. And as tragedies and calamities and illness rip at the lives of those dear (and unknown) to me, I turn more and more often to the hope that Christ will one day return and restore His world!
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:19-23
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
So Loved!!!
As I did my devotions this morning, I was overwhelmed again at how great God's love is toward His people. We were His enemies. We were indifferent to the goodness that He showers on us by letting us draw another breath and by every bit of pleasure we receive. We were opposed to the holiness that He rightly demands from us, preferring to follow our own passions. He sees my sin-- ALL of it. He knew that even after He sacrificed His Son and sent His Spirit to dwell in me, I would often remain indifferent and opposed to Him.
BUT GOD.
Others have said it before, but it is true-- those are the best two words in Scripture! To quote an amazing sister theologian, "That is the language of grace!"
How great was the sacrifice of the Godhead on my account? I can't grasp it. When I try I feel like my head turns to mush! God the Father poured out His wrath on His Son so that He could justly forgive my sin and set His affections on me! Reconciliation. Another word from the language of grace. All because of the sacrificial life and death of Jesus Christ for His people.
The following verses are familiar, but PLEASE don't skim over them because of their familiarity! Let the greatness of God's love wash over you anew as you savor His Word!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1a
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
BUT GOD.
Others have said it before, but it is true-- those are the best two words in Scripture! To quote an amazing sister theologian, "That is the language of grace!"
How great was the sacrifice of the Godhead on my account? I can't grasp it. When I try I feel like my head turns to mush! God the Father poured out His wrath on His Son so that He could justly forgive my sin and set His affections on me! Reconciliation. Another word from the language of grace. All because of the sacrificial life and death of Jesus Christ for His people.
The following verses are familiar, but PLEASE don't skim over them because of their familiarity! Let the greatness of God's love wash over you anew as you savor His Word!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
1 John 3:1a
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Majesty and Dust
Majesty and dust... Odd combination, right? I certainly don't often think about the two in the same paragraph... But that is what David is thinking of in Psalm 103. First he lists the good that God showers on His people.
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.
Psalms 103:1-7
Just this list has me standing in awe of my God! He forgives ALL my iniquity (mercy) and SATISFIES me with good (grace). And in doing that He still works RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE because of Christ! With God's majesty filling our frame of vision, it is easy to see our own smallness, and more than that, our own sinfulness.
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.
Psalms 103:8-16
Majesty and dust. The Creator and King of the universe cannot be less than majestic.
And yet He sets His affections on us. His image bearers who are no more than dust.
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.
Psalms 103:17-18
What other response can there be but to praise the Majesty that is on high?!? =)
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 103:19-22
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.
Psalms 103:1-7
Just this list has me standing in awe of my God! He forgives ALL my iniquity (mercy) and SATISFIES me with good (grace). And in doing that He still works RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE because of Christ! With God's majesty filling our frame of vision, it is easy to see our own smallness, and more than that, our own sinfulness.
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.
Psalms 103:8-16
Majesty and dust. The Creator and King of the universe cannot be less than majestic.
Majesty
MAJ'ESTY, n. [L. majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater.]
1. Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works.
MAJ'ESTY, n. [L. majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater.]
1. Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works.
And yet He sets His affections on us. His image bearers who are no more than dust.
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.
Psalms 103:17-18
What other response can there be but to praise the Majesty that is on high?!? =)
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 103:19-22
Friday, April 12, 2013
How DARE I?
I've mentioned before that I learn more by shepherding my Crew than I do probably any other way. I just had a moment of that while instructing my son. He's been being very selfish this morning. Yelling and snapping at his sisters for touching "his" toys or whatever it is he's tinkering with at the moment. So I said to him, "Son, Christ temporarily left the glories of heaven to become a man and live in a fallen, sinful world so that He can share ALL THAT HE HAS with His people." And it hit me-- like a ton of bricks!!!-- How DARE I be selfish with ANYTHING!!! Not only has it all been given to me to begin with. Not only do I not deserve ANY of the good things that I receive. But Christ left ALL the glories that He DESERVES so that He can share His glory with me! All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.
Psalms 86:9-10
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:25-28
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:15-17
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:2-6
Psalms 86:9-10
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:25-28
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:15-17
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:2-6
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Best
When I was a kid, I thought that anything that my parents COULD do, they could do THE BEST. As I got older I realized that that wasn't always the case. It's very funny now to see my Crew thinking the same thing about me! We are a TV family. One of our favorite family activities is to watch movies and shows together and talk about them. Right now we are watching "The Voice". My Crew keep telling me that I should try out. And they are quite sure that all four chairs would turn! I happen to know that my singing is not that spectacular. I'm not terrible, but I am definitely NOT spectacular. So as we watched recently, and the Crew suggested that I try out-- AGAIN, I was thinking about this tendency of children to think their parents are "the best". I think it is a blessing for children to have that kind of confidence in their parents. It gives them a sense of security. But then I started thinking that I have a Father who really IS THE BEST!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works,
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Praise the LORD!
Psalms 104:1-35
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
He made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works,
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Praise the LORD!
Psalms 104:1-35
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Inspiration
I love reading! One of the things that I love about reading is that it often inspires me. It inspires me to create something of my own whether it's writing or sewing or a new way to clean... nope scratch that last part! ;) Recently I read a series with Adara which inspired me to pick up my yarn and start crocheting again. =)
As I was thinking about inspiration, I was reminded that the Bible tells us that we have inspiration in our faith. We are to follow the example of our Savior. Christ is our inspiration to faith, hope, love, good works, and life in general!
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
John 13:13-16
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:29-30
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:1-6
As I was thinking about inspiration, I was reminded that the Bible tells us that we have inspiration in our faith. We are to follow the example of our Savior. Christ is our inspiration to faith, hope, love, good works, and life in general!
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
John 13:13-16
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:29-30
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:1-6
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Received
When Adara was a baby, Mommy gave me a piece of paper containing the "Toddler Property Laws". You may have seen them.
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours! (No wait! The pieces are probably still mine.)
Do you notice the word that appears at least once in every "law"? Mine. It kind of reminds me of the seagulls in "Finding Nemo". And if you've interacted with a toddler for any period of time, you know that this is how they think! But, how much am I still like that-- just a little more sophisticated? It's my house, my car, my time, my kitchen...
I have been convicted again and again as I shepherd my children through-- and hopefully away from-- the "mine" mentality. We ask them, "What do you have that has not been given to you?"
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7
I have no reason to be proud of anything I have, from my possessions to my talents and beyond, because ALL THAT I HAVE has been given to me! But OH HOW GREAT ARE THE RICHES that I have received in Christ!!!
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
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:1-7
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
8. If I saw it first, it’s mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours! (No wait! The pieces are probably still mine.)
Do you notice the word that appears at least once in every "law"? Mine. It kind of reminds me of the seagulls in "Finding Nemo". And if you've interacted with a toddler for any period of time, you know that this is how they think! But, how much am I still like that-- just a little more sophisticated? It's my house, my car, my time, my kitchen...
I have been convicted again and again as I shepherd my children through-- and hopefully away from-- the "mine" mentality. We ask them, "What do you have that has not been given to you?"
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7
I have no reason to be proud of anything I have, from my possessions to my talents and beyond, because ALL THAT I HAVE has been given to me! But OH HOW GREAT ARE THE RICHES that I have received in Christ!!!
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
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:1-7
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:33-36
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Baby Belly
I have never met a woman who has not, or does not, struggle with dissatisfaction about her body. We all seem to think we have SOMETHING wrong with us. Too tall, too short... too fat, too skinny... hair too straight, or too curly, or just too much of it, or not enough... I wish I had more here, or less...
I met my Shorty just before I turned 17, and we got married two weeks after I graduated from high school. Fourteen months later we were blessed with the first member of our Crew. The other three joined us in quick succession over the next four and a half years. From the time I got married until I had our last baby, I gained 35 pounds. I've lost nearly 30 of those pounds in the last eighteen months, but I still have my "baby belly". I got significant stretch marks-- in fact, I know which set came with which pregnancy! ;) And I do often miss the youthful body that I had before the babies.
Yesterday I read a blog by a dear sister in Christ who struggled with infertility and then with post-baby body image.
These are the lines of a story
I was so encouraged by her perspective, and I began to think about my own struggle over the toll that pregnancy took on my body. I tell my Crew all the time about how wonderfully God made our bodies. About how our nerves SCREAM when we hurt ourselves. About how God put little things in our blood that stick together to make "band-aids" when we cut ourselves. About how God designed women to be able to grow babies in our bellies... but when the girls ask about my stretch marks, I agree that they look funny. Although I always thought that my Mommy's stretch marks were beautiful.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalms 139:13-17
I was praying this morning. "Lord, help me to see even my baby belly as 'wonderfully made'. And please leave my stretch marks on my belly for eternity." That may seem like a bit of an odd prayer. But like my sister said so eloquently, "these are the lines of a story". The story of how God grew each of my little blessings, and used me to do it. And although I don't know much about our glorified bodies, the Bible does say that Jesus still had scars in His hands, feet, and side. After all, Thomas touched them! So maybe-- I hope-- I get to keep my scars too...
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:24-29
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
I met my Shorty just before I turned 17, and we got married two weeks after I graduated from high school. Fourteen months later we were blessed with the first member of our Crew. The other three joined us in quick succession over the next four and a half years. From the time I got married until I had our last baby, I gained 35 pounds. I've lost nearly 30 of those pounds in the last eighteen months, but I still have my "baby belly". I got significant stretch marks-- in fact, I know which set came with which pregnancy! ;) And I do often miss the youthful body that I had before the babies.
Yesterday I read a blog by a dear sister in Christ who struggled with infertility and then with post-baby body image.
These are the lines of a story
I was so encouraged by her perspective, and I began to think about my own struggle over the toll that pregnancy took on my body. I tell my Crew all the time about how wonderfully God made our bodies. About how our nerves SCREAM when we hurt ourselves. About how God put little things in our blood that stick together to make "band-aids" when we cut ourselves. About how God designed women to be able to grow babies in our bellies... but when the girls ask about my stretch marks, I agree that they look funny. Although I always thought that my Mommy's stretch marks were beautiful.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalms 139:13-17
I was praying this morning. "Lord, help me to see even my baby belly as 'wonderfully made'. And please leave my stretch marks on my belly for eternity." That may seem like a bit of an odd prayer. But like my sister said so eloquently, "these are the lines of a story". The story of how God grew each of my little blessings, and used me to do it. And although I don't know much about our glorified bodies, the Bible does say that Jesus still had scars in His hands, feet, and side. After all, Thomas touched them! So maybe-- I hope-- I get to keep my scars too...
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
John 20:24-29
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Friday, April 5, 2013
Substance
Thursday is pancake day in our house. My Shorty and my Crew like me to make the pancakes with just white flour. I don't dislike "white" pancakes, but my favorite are whole grain and nut pancakes. I add whole wheat flour, old-fashioned oats and chopped nuts-- almonds, pecans, walnuts, whatever I have in the house. I call them "Mama pancakes". ;) I feel like I'm eating something of SUBSTANCE when I make my pancakes. With "white" pancakes, I feel like I'm eating mostly "fluff and stuff". Don't get me wrong, I love "fluff and stuff"-- donuts, cake, cookies, even candy (sometimes)! But there is a time for substance.
Yesterday it was a "Mama pancakes" day. The kids are content to eat my favorite pancakes every once in a while as long as they still get chocolate chips on them! ;) As I was cooking them up, I thought about reading the Bible. We can approach Bible reading with just a surface reading and get lots of "fluff and stuff", not that God cannot use surface reading, because He does. But if you want SUBSTANCE in your Bible reading and faith, you have to take the time to DIG DEEP. For me this doesn't happen every day. But when it does, it is GLORIOUS!!! =)
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:6-11
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
John 8:51
Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:23
Yesterday it was a "Mama pancakes" day. The kids are content to eat my favorite pancakes every once in a while as long as they still get chocolate chips on them! ;) As I was cooking them up, I thought about reading the Bible. We can approach Bible reading with just a surface reading and get lots of "fluff and stuff", not that God cannot use surface reading, because He does. But if you want SUBSTANCE in your Bible reading and faith, you have to take the time to DIG DEEP. For me this doesn't happen every day. But when it does, it is GLORIOUS!!! =)
"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:6-11
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32
Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
John 8:51
Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:23
Thursday, April 4, 2013
So Much Better
I've been reading in Romans 10 this week. And I was struck with how much BETTER the New Covenant is than the old one.
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Romans 10:5
Now Paul has already argued that the Law is good and holy, but that sin is such a powerful force in our lives that it makes us incapable of obeying the Law. The Old Testament tells us God's righteous requirement of His creatures, and more specifically His people. Israel proved again, and again-- and again... and again..... that we are unable to satisfy God's law. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
In Christ, God established a New Covenant with His people!!! =)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4
We are no longer bound to a law we are unable to keep because Christ SATISFIED the law in the place of His people! And even greater than that, we have the Spirit dwelling in us to empower us to WANT to please our God-- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:4-7
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Romans 10:5
Now Paul has already argued that the Law is good and holy, but that sin is such a powerful force in our lives that it makes us incapable of obeying the Law. The Old Testament tells us God's righteous requirement of His creatures, and more specifically His people. Israel proved again, and again-- and again... and again..... that we are unable to satisfy God's law. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7
In Christ, God established a New Covenant with His people!!! =)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4
We are no longer bound to a law we are unable to keep because Christ SATISFIED the law in the place of His people! And even greater than that, we have the Spirit dwelling in us to empower us to WANT to please our God-- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!!
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Galatians 4:4-7
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Stretched
Shorty started working out a little over two years ago. Since then, he has lost a lot of fat and gained a lot of muscle. Now he loves working out-- in fact, our friends call him the personal trainer! ;) Because fitness has become something that Shorty is interested in, I've learned a bit about it too. We all know that muscles are necessary to move. And we also know that if we don't use our muscles, they will atrophy. But I had not known that you can actually build your muscles to a point where it makes it difficult to move. The term for this is "muscle-bound'. And one of the key ways to keep from being muscle-bound as you work out is to stretch.
I've been in a few situations recently where I felt like I was being stretched. In particular, I joined a conversation on facebook with some people who believe very differently than I do. I know what I believe, but to articulate that to someone with a nearly entirely different belief set is challenging! And to adorn the gospel in that circumstance, even more so! And I was reminded of muscles. The church I attend is very good at building our spiritual "muscles". We are constantly presented with sound, glorious theology. But it is in our interactions with the rest of the world that our "muscles" get stretched. I don't feel like I did a terribly good job in the facebook conversation. But I was definitely stretched... so maybe next time I'll do a little better for God's glory.
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. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
I've been in a few situations recently where I felt like I was being stretched. In particular, I joined a conversation on facebook with some people who believe very differently than I do. I know what I believe, but to articulate that to someone with a nearly entirely different belief set is challenging! And to adorn the gospel in that circumstance, even more so! And I was reminded of muscles. The church I attend is very good at building our spiritual "muscles". We are constantly presented with sound, glorious theology. But it is in our interactions with the rest of the world that our "muscles" get stretched. I don't feel like I did a terribly good job in the facebook conversation. But I was definitely stretched... so maybe next time I'll do a little better for God's glory.
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. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
1 Peter 3:15
Monday, April 1, 2013
Romans 8-- Part 6
Christians-- at least the ones I've been exposed to-- love to quote these last two verses. What can separate us from the love of Christ??? But WHY is Paul so convinced that nothing can separate us? It's because God has already given us the best of Himself in Christ! Jesus Christ, the God-Man gave up the glories of heaven-- for a time. And Christ suffered the full wrath of the Father for the sins of His people. God's wrath is satisfied, so what can separate us from His love? Paul's answer is simple... NOTHING. But I tend to skim over familiar verses or passages and not really get the impact of what I read. However, if you look at the end of the list, "nor ANYTHING else in all creation" (emphasis mine). That means ME! I cannot separate MYSELF from the love Christ has lavished upon me! And that's GOOD NEWS!!! =)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)