Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17
I've been reading 1 John for the past week or so. I was thinking through this passage a couple of days ago, and pondering "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions".
"Desires of the flesh" led me here:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Galatians 5:16-17
And then "desires of the eyes" led me here:
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
And what is pride, but setting myself on the throne of my own heart for whatever reason... But God...
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
I could call a slug a deer all day long and that wouldn't change the slug, but when God calls us His children, it CHANGES us! "and so we are" His children- adopted into His family! =)
Now look back at the first verse I quoted. The admonition there is to not love the world. I am tempted sometimes to love the world. It just seems so APPEALING-- sometimes. =P But John says the world doesn't even KNOW us, how much less then would it be able to RETURN our love? The Father, on the other hand, sent His only Son to fulfill the righteous requirement of His Law, and then to pay the penalty for the sins of His people- His children! "See what kind of love the Father has given to us!" =)
Don't waste your affections today.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Useful
I love my house! Well, most of it, most days anyway. ;) This has not always been the case, in fact for several years, I had serious discontentment issues regarding my quite small house. Shorty & I bought our small (less than 1100 sq ft house) a few months before we got married. I don't really think the plan at the time was for it to be a long term residence... After all, we were planning on having six kids, and two tiny bedrooms didn't seem like nearly enough! Not to mention the "water closet". ;) What I mean is that you can reach the tub, sink, linen closet, and door handle all while sitting ON THE TOILET!!! =0
Now the Lord was working on my heart during my struggle-- or lack thereof-- with discontentment. He was trying to get it through my thick skull that He is sufficient for me. And when I FINALLY surrendered my insistence upon a bigger house, He graciously provided me with another bedroom. (Now Judah has a door, and Shorty & I do too!) And He provided us a storage shed, since the carport had been our storage, but was now a bedroom! ;) So as I told a dear friend at the time, "It was like adding 450 square feet, not just 300. =) That's nearly HALF my house again!
Recently I've been praying that the Lord would guard my heart against discontent, while asking that if it would be His will, could He please provide me with another bathroom. =)
6 people + water closet = many messes
I think I'm content with my house. I want to be content... And as I was sharing that with a sister this past weekend, she shared that she has heard many of our church family being encouraged by Shorty & I staying in our little house. And I was in awe of how God can use the areas in which I STRUGGLE to bless and encourage His church!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Now the Lord was working on my heart during my struggle-- or lack thereof-- with discontentment. He was trying to get it through my thick skull that He is sufficient for me. And when I FINALLY surrendered my insistence upon a bigger house, He graciously provided me with another bedroom. (Now Judah has a door, and Shorty & I do too!) And He provided us a storage shed, since the carport had been our storage, but was now a bedroom! ;) So as I told a dear friend at the time, "It was like adding 450 square feet, not just 300. =) That's nearly HALF my house again!
Recently I've been praying that the Lord would guard my heart against discontent, while asking that if it would be His will, could He please provide me with another bathroom. =)
6 people + water closet = many messes
I think I'm content with my house. I want to be content... And as I was sharing that with a sister this past weekend, she shared that she has heard many of our church family being encouraged by Shorty & I staying in our little house. And I was in awe of how God can use the areas in which I STRUGGLE to bless and encourage His church!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Monday, October 29, 2012
Song of the Day- 5
I know I get redundant sometimes, but I'm revisiting the concept of The Greatest Miracle. I have been enthralled this year with how mind-blowing it is that God became a man! I was especially struck by this line in the second verse: See the One who spans the heavens with His hand With fingers so small.
Listen to a portion of the song here:
Glory to God in the Highest
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:7-14
Listen to a portion of the song here:
Glory to God in the Highest
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:7-14
Friday, October 26, 2012
Whose Kingdom?
Disney's animated fairy tales are my favorite! =) I know that they are not quite consistent with the old stories, but I LOVE "happily ever after's"! Yesterday I was thinking of Beauty and the Beast. I actually had a song on the brain from it.
"Gosh, it disturbs me to see you Gaston,
Looking so down in the dumps.
Every guy here'd love to be you Gaston,
Even when taking your lumps.
There's no man in town as admired as you.
You're everyone's favorite guy.
Everyone's awed and inspired by you,
And it's not very hard to see why."
And I was thinking about my dear sister's admonition a couple weeks ago to not build my own "kingdom". The Lord has just been showing me HOW OFTEN I do things with the-- formerly-- hidden (to me) motive of building my own kingdom. Trying to get people to like me, and think well of me. If you know me well, you know that I am a mess. I've got a long list of problems and sins, and it would probably be longer, except that I can't stand to think that honestly about how bad I really am. =P
The good news is that God is AWESOME! He is able to use my flawed motives & efforts. He knows me in and out, and up and down, and I have His favor! And He is gracious. He shows me my sin a little at a time so that I'm not completely overwhelmed by my own wretchedness. And He is gently changing me more into the image of my Savior. I've said this before, and it will be true until I die-- I'm a work in progress!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:5-7
And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:22-34
"Gosh, it disturbs me to see you Gaston,
Looking so down in the dumps.
Every guy here'd love to be you Gaston,
Even when taking your lumps.
There's no man in town as admired as you.
You're everyone's favorite guy.
Everyone's awed and inspired by you,
And it's not very hard to see why."
And I was thinking about my dear sister's admonition a couple weeks ago to not build my own "kingdom". The Lord has just been showing me HOW OFTEN I do things with the-- formerly-- hidden (to me) motive of building my own kingdom. Trying to get people to like me, and think well of me. If you know me well, you know that I am a mess. I've got a long list of problems and sins, and it would probably be longer, except that I can't stand to think that honestly about how bad I really am. =P
The good news is that God is AWESOME! He is able to use my flawed motives & efforts. He knows me in and out, and up and down, and I have His favor! And He is gracious. He shows me my sin a little at a time so that I'm not completely overwhelmed by my own wretchedness. And He is gently changing me more into the image of my Savior. I've said this before, and it will be true until I die-- I'm a work in progress!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
1 Chronicles 29:11-12
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Matthew 10:5-7
And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12:22-34
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Pancake Day!
I LOVE pancakes! And my Mommy loved me so much that when I was in high school, Thursday was pancake day at our house. Thursday has almost always been pancake day at my house-- with the exception of my Weight Watchers excursion last year. =) A few weeks ago my Crew were asking me for dessert on a Thursday after lunch, and I didn't have anything... except pancakes. So we had pancakes with homemade jam & heavy cream on top for dessert. YUMMY! Since then, it's been standard: pancakes for breakfast, pancakes for dessert after lunch.
I thought it was too funny today after we finished our grilled cheese & tomato soup. Judah was bouncing away from the table (probably to go play with his legos! =)) when all of a sudden he spotted the pancakes on the stove. He said "OOO! Pancakes!" And proceeded to fix his dessert pancake. But that reminded me of what I was reading this morning in my devotions.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
Judah has had pancakes before-- A LOT-- and he KNEW that they were good. If we have "tasted" the Lord, we KNOW that He is good! We should be as eagerly disposed toward knowing God as Judah was toward the pancakes! =)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-8
I thought it was too funny today after we finished our grilled cheese & tomato soup. Judah was bouncing away from the table (probably to go play with his legos! =)) when all of a sudden he spotted the pancakes on the stove. He said "OOO! Pancakes!" And proceeded to fix his dessert pancake. But that reminded me of what I was reading this morning in my devotions.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
Judah has had pancakes before-- A LOT-- and he KNEW that they were good. If we have "tasted" the Lord, we KNOW that He is good! We should be as eagerly disposed toward knowing God as Judah was toward the pancakes! =)
May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:2-8
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Psalm 91
I was so encouraged this morning reading about the character of my God. I thoroughly enjoyed the word pictures in the beginning of this Psalm.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
I thought about that for a minute, and the first thing that came to my mind was the idea of "living in [someone's] shadow". That generally has a negative connotation, but then it hit me that in the desert, a shadow was relief, or a safe place to rest.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2
I know it's inaccurate, but this always draws up a picture for me of a medieval castle, or maybe the picture of Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rings. You know, something so solid that it seems unshakable.
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
Psalm 91:3-4a
Here is the sweet picture of a mother bird with her little ones peeping out from under her wings. It is warmth and comfort. =)
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4b
The shield is another picture of defense, but rather than being something stationary, it can be with you wherever you are.
Now, I'm not sure what the rest of this Psalm means. I know what it CAN'T mean. It can't mean that as long as I am in Christ I will never have problems. Jesus said that if we would follow Him, we must take up our cross. The cross was painful. But since the whole Word is profitable... =)
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:5-16
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
I thought about that for a minute, and the first thing that came to my mind was the idea of "living in [someone's] shadow". That generally has a negative connotation, but then it hit me that in the desert, a shadow was relief, or a safe place to rest.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:2
I know it's inaccurate, but this always draws up a picture for me of a medieval castle, or maybe the picture of Helm's Deep in Lord of the Rings. You know, something so solid that it seems unshakable.
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;
Psalm 91:3-4a
Here is the sweet picture of a mother bird with her little ones peeping out from under her wings. It is warmth and comfort. =)
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4b
The shield is another picture of defense, but rather than being something stationary, it can be with you wherever you are.
Now, I'm not sure what the rest of this Psalm means. I know what it CAN'T mean. It can't mean that as long as I am in Christ I will never have problems. Jesus said that if we would follow Him, we must take up our cross. The cross was painful. But since the whole Word is profitable... =)
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge-- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."
Psalms 91:5-16
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Like Grass
I'm usually pretty strong physically. God gave me big muscles and a healthy immune system. But it amazes me how little it takes to put me out of commission! Today I had a serious headache, and had to spend the better part of the day in bed. First, I was thankful that my Crew are big enough to take care of themselves for a few hours! ;) But I'm also thankful that God reminded me at the start of my day how weak I am.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:1-17
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:1-17
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
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