1 Samuel 10:19 "But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans."
It is amazing to me, or so it seems, that the Israelites whined long enough that God finally gave them what they wanted, a king. This is always a little unsettling for me to think about. I start thinking about what I have been asking of God and what I really believe I want. Then I pause and think about whether or not it would be good for me to actually have those things I really want. Ultimately, a king was not the best thing for Israel. They had many kings, both good and bad. So, now I must take stock of what I have been requesting of God and discern whether some of those things that I am still awaiting are being put off for my benefit. Maybe the things I think would make my life great would only ruin it. New perspective, for sure. Israel got what they wanted, but it wasn't the best thing for them as a nation...At least not until Jesus came. ;-)
Friday, September 22, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Be Intentional
Today I'm in more of a thought process than a reading process. I've been finding myself with a ton of quiet time while I have been painting our basement. I don't listen to music or have the TV on, mostly because there isn't one, but I haven't been able to think about anything except painting. I try to pray or talk to God while I paint, but I'm finding that isn't so easy to do. I'm distracted by keeping a straight edge or making sure the paint is covering. This got me to thinking. Even though I am doing a very quiet and solitary activity, I am not able to focus on God. It seems odd, yet I think there is a lesson there for me. I have to spend solitary time that is intentional God time. I can't just seem to let that time happen as my day goes. I have to sit myself down, quiet the work of the day, and invite God to join me. Oh, I know He is with me all the while I am painting, but I'm too distracted to pay Him much attention. It's interesting learning. I have to be intentional in spending time with God for relationship sake.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Good News
Acts 8:35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
I'm not very good at telling the good news about Jesus. I would much rather live out my life and have people notice that something is different about me. I realize that this is not what we are called to do, but I struggle with just randomly talking to people about Jesus. I have no problem sharing my experience or being open about what He has done or is doing in my life, but I'm not good about telling the story of Jesus. I don't know that I'm necessarily being challenged to do that at this point, but I do know that I will keep sharing what I can while I can. I do want all people to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior because there is nothing better in this life.
I'm not very good at telling the good news about Jesus. I would much rather live out my life and have people notice that something is different about me. I realize that this is not what we are called to do, but I struggle with just randomly talking to people about Jesus. I have no problem sharing my experience or being open about what He has done or is doing in my life, but I'm not good about telling the story of Jesus. I don't know that I'm necessarily being challenged to do that at this point, but I do know that I will keep sharing what I can while I can. I do want all people to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior because there is nothing better in this life.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
A Single Command
Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
This is easy to do when your neighbor is kind and thinks like you. However, the moment there is a little dissension, loving your neighbor is a whole new gig. Paul follows this verse with verses about living in the Spirit and producing fruit of the Spirit. That is how you love your neighbor no matter who he/she may be or what he/she may believe. Living in the Spirit is walking with Jesus daily and surrendering all of yourself to Him. It is about letting the Spirit do the work in you to produce the fruit that only the Spirit can give. Patience on our own will eventually run out, but I know that we've all met that one person in our lives who is forever patient with everyone, that's of the Spirit. How about peace? It's easy to have peace when life is going well, but what about when the wheels come off and you find yourself out of control. Again, we all know that someone who seems to have peace in any and all situations; it's of the Spirit. Loving your neighbor only happens fully when we live in the Spirit. Surrender yourself and see what happens.
This is easy to do when your neighbor is kind and thinks like you. However, the moment there is a little dissension, loving your neighbor is a whole new gig. Paul follows this verse with verses about living in the Spirit and producing fruit of the Spirit. That is how you love your neighbor no matter who he/she may be or what he/she may believe. Living in the Spirit is walking with Jesus daily and surrendering all of yourself to Him. It is about letting the Spirit do the work in you to produce the fruit that only the Spirit can give. Patience on our own will eventually run out, but I know that we've all met that one person in our lives who is forever patient with everyone, that's of the Spirit. How about peace? It's easy to have peace when life is going well, but what about when the wheels come off and you find yourself out of control. Again, we all know that someone who seems to have peace in any and all situations; it's of the Spirit. Loving your neighbor only happens fully when we live in the Spirit. Surrender yourself and see what happens.
Monday, September 18, 2017
The Grand Design
1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
I don't know about you, but I love to reminisce. I love to think about the days gone by. Liz and I were just talking about being Burke Bulldogs and the maroon and gold colors that hold a dear place in our hearts. It is important to look back on the past and remember where we have been and what God has done. You are where you are today because of how God moved in your past. There is no other explanation than that. You have been shaped by the experiences you've had, both good and bad, and God has been there through it all. David wrote this psalm encouraging the Israelites to remember who God is to the nation and how important the nation is to God. When I reminisce about my past, the fond memories come to mind, but there are also thoughts that come to mind like Mom. There are difficult moments along with the happy ones. The difficult ones have grown my roots deep in Jesus, making the happy moments that much more meaningful and joyful. Remember what God has done reminds me of His mighty hand at work in the grand design and that I am a part of His great plan. Humbling.
I don't know about you, but I love to reminisce. I love to think about the days gone by. Liz and I were just talking about being Burke Bulldogs and the maroon and gold colors that hold a dear place in our hearts. It is important to look back on the past and remember where we have been and what God has done. You are where you are today because of how God moved in your past. There is no other explanation than that. You have been shaped by the experiences you've had, both good and bad, and God has been there through it all. David wrote this psalm encouraging the Israelites to remember who God is to the nation and how important the nation is to God. When I reminisce about my past, the fond memories come to mind, but there are also thoughts that come to mind like Mom. There are difficult moments along with the happy ones. The difficult ones have grown my roots deep in Jesus, making the happy moments that much more meaningful and joyful. Remember what God has done reminds me of His mighty hand at work in the grand design and that I am a part of His great plan. Humbling.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Price Paid
Mark 15:25 It was the third hour when they crucified him.
I don't really have any extra words for this. It's just something to ponder, the price paid for my redemption.
I don't really have any extra words for this. It's just something to ponder, the price paid for my redemption.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Such a Time
Excerpt from Esther 4:14 ...for such a time as this
I don't typically pull a small portion out of scripture, but today this phrase keeps running through my mind. I do believe that God spends our lifetimes working out all of the details, people we know, skills we have, knowledge we gain, and experiences both good and bad to bring about the best possible life for each of us. I believe that we can look at our lives chronologically and see the movement of God at each time stamp. Sometimes this is the part that excites me when looking at what's next. What time is this that God has been preparing me to live? What am I being called to do that might be difficult or risky, but in the end will be completely worth following God on the journey.
I don't typically pull a small portion out of scripture, but today this phrase keeps running through my mind. I do believe that God spends our lifetimes working out all of the details, people we know, skills we have, knowledge we gain, and experiences both good and bad to bring about the best possible life for each of us. I believe that we can look at our lives chronologically and see the movement of God at each time stamp. Sometimes this is the part that excites me when looking at what's next. What time is this that God has been preparing me to live? What am I being called to do that might be difficult or risky, but in the end will be completely worth following God on the journey.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Live With Expectancy
Psalm 71:14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
How can we get to a place where these words come from our lips? What would it take to bring us to such a place of hope and praise? When we look at those in the Bible who have gotten to a place like this, I notice that they have all had their own share of trials. David, Joseph, Paul, Mary, Moses, Daniel...there are many more and all of them had lives of difficult circumstances. What we learn from them is that in order to speak this verse as truth, we must come through the valleys with God. We must look to Him as our strength and recognize that He is our refuge. A life of grace comes from walking through the valley and rejoicing on the mountain. When we travel life and all of its peaks and valleys and see the faithfulness of God in each and every place, then we will be people of hope and praise. We will live with expectancy of what the Father is doing and worship Him in all things.
How can we get to a place where these words come from our lips? What would it take to bring us to such a place of hope and praise? When we look at those in the Bible who have gotten to a place like this, I notice that they have all had their own share of trials. David, Joseph, Paul, Mary, Moses, Daniel...there are many more and all of them had lives of difficult circumstances. What we learn from them is that in order to speak this verse as truth, we must come through the valleys with God. We must look to Him as our strength and recognize that He is our refuge. A life of grace comes from walking through the valley and rejoicing on the mountain. When we travel life and all of its peaks and valleys and see the faithfulness of God in each and every place, then we will be people of hope and praise. We will live with expectancy of what the Father is doing and worship Him in all things.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Justified By Faith, Not Law
Galatians 2:15-16 We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
I am always so refreshed to read these scriptures from Paul. It is so easy to get caught up in the rule-following, Christian-service kind of religion. Here Paul is talking about his conversation with Peter who was being a bit of a hypocrite and reverting back to some of the "old ways" of their Jewish heritage that were based out of the law. Paul is very clear in his writings about where our salvation comes from. He describes it very well throughout the New Testament. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing in his writing about following rules or being sure to serve. But let me be completely clear here. If we are living IN Christ Jesus, as Paul explains also, the law of God is written on our hearts and we will naturally do the things that are spiritual fruit instead of fleshly habits. We will be people who are good. We will do good things and we will be good to others because we won't be able to do anything else, if we live in Christ. We won't have to try to be good or do good, we just will because it will become our very nature. (It's a journey, remember, so we won't be perfect. Read verse 17 about that.) We are not saved because of the list of rules we follow or because our good deeds outweigh our bad. We are saved through the death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection gives us life to the full on earth and everlasting with God.
I am always so refreshed to read these scriptures from Paul. It is so easy to get caught up in the rule-following, Christian-service kind of religion. Here Paul is talking about his conversation with Peter who was being a bit of a hypocrite and reverting back to some of the "old ways" of their Jewish heritage that were based out of the law. Paul is very clear in his writings about where our salvation comes from. He describes it very well throughout the New Testament. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing in his writing about following rules or being sure to serve. But let me be completely clear here. If we are living IN Christ Jesus, as Paul explains also, the law of God is written on our hearts and we will naturally do the things that are spiritual fruit instead of fleshly habits. We will be people who are good. We will do good things and we will be good to others because we won't be able to do anything else, if we live in Christ. We won't have to try to be good or do good, we just will because it will become our very nature. (It's a journey, remember, so we won't be perfect. Read verse 17 about that.) We are not saved because of the list of rules we follow or because our good deeds outweigh our bad. We are saved through the death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection gives us life to the full on earth and everlasting with God.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Sorrow and Peace
Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
It is interesting to feel sorrow and peace at the same time. I have had a couple different times in my life where this has rang true. I feel like that is the depth of this verse. When we are walking with Jesus and we are taking our steps out of faith in Him, we find that our circumstances don't really seem to matter so much. It's not that we won't feel sorrow or pain, it's that we will have a great sense of peace as we live our life in Christ. We will walk valleys and climb mountains, we will traverse rocky roads and scale difficult terrain, but on all of those paths we have our precious Jesus by our side. He makes all of the difficulty worth it and He gives us great peace and calm. To call on Him is our only option sometimes. To draw near and rest in the arms of God is the only thing that makes sense in certain moments. This verse does not mean that Jesus will take away our hardship, it means He will walk it with us and be our peace in the midst of chaos.
It is interesting to feel sorrow and peace at the same time. I have had a couple different times in my life where this has rang true. I feel like that is the depth of this verse. When we are walking with Jesus and we are taking our steps out of faith in Him, we find that our circumstances don't really seem to matter so much. It's not that we won't feel sorrow or pain, it's that we will have a great sense of peace as we live our life in Christ. We will walk valleys and climb mountains, we will traverse rocky roads and scale difficult terrain, but on all of those paths we have our precious Jesus by our side. He makes all of the difficulty worth it and He gives us great peace and calm. To call on Him is our only option sometimes. To draw near and rest in the arms of God is the only thing that makes sense in certain moments. This verse does not mean that Jesus will take away our hardship, it means He will walk it with us and be our peace in the midst of chaos.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
In Love
1 Corinthians 16:14 Do everything in love.
This is a little convicting for me. Everything? I can safely say this is not something to which I have attained fully. Everything would include speaking, thinking, reacting, feeling, etc. yeah, God's got some work to do in me yet. I do pretty well when I'm being watched, but I fall horribly short when it's just me. How would my life change if I were to consider love in everything I did? Wow. I'm not even sure I know how incredible that life could be. There is a new prayer for my soul with the Holy Spirit; make my spirit such that everything I do, I do in love. Man, and think about how different life in general would be if we were all able to do everything in love. My brain can't even fathom it. Only with Jesus can we even begin to live in love. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can our hearts be transformed to love as we have been loved.
This is a little convicting for me. Everything? I can safely say this is not something to which I have attained fully. Everything would include speaking, thinking, reacting, feeling, etc. yeah, God's got some work to do in me yet. I do pretty well when I'm being watched, but I fall horribly short when it's just me. How would my life change if I were to consider love in everything I did? Wow. I'm not even sure I know how incredible that life could be. There is a new prayer for my soul with the Holy Spirit; make my spirit such that everything I do, I do in love. Man, and think about how different life in general would be if we were all able to do everything in love. My brain can't even fathom it. Only with Jesus can we even begin to live in love. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can our hearts be transformed to love as we have been loved.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Let It Speak
I'm going to let the Book speak for itself today. The Scripture is the Living Word of God. Let it speak to your heart.
Titus 3:1-8 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Still Learning
Jeremiah 31:2 This is what the Lord says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel."
I am really fussing with the word favor these days. I understand the point of suffering quite well, but to be in the favor of God is something that is hard for me to grasp. I think it has to do with verses like in the new testament where Mary has found favor with God and her life gets messy. I know that God is the giver of all good things, but it is hard for me to understand that fully for some reason. I know I have been given many good gifts and I have been kept from some horrible things, but I don't know that I would qualify that as "favor". Favor seems to be something altogether different. It is God choosing to pay particular attention to someone or something. It appears that when His favor rests on someone, He draws very, very near with specific attention and time. I'm still learning about it, and I'm kind of frustrated with it. I need more time with this one.
I am really fussing with the word favor these days. I understand the point of suffering quite well, but to be in the favor of God is something that is hard for me to grasp. I think it has to do with verses like in the new testament where Mary has found favor with God and her life gets messy. I know that God is the giver of all good things, but it is hard for me to understand that fully for some reason. I know I have been given many good gifts and I have been kept from some horrible things, but I don't know that I would qualify that as "favor". Favor seems to be something altogether different. It is God choosing to pay particular attention to someone or something. It appears that when His favor rests on someone, He draws very, very near with specific attention and time. I'm still learning about it, and I'm kind of frustrated with it. I need more time with this one.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Freedom of the Soul
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is quite a prayer statement, and yet, there is nothing more that I wish for people. There are great words in this phrase, joy, peace, trust, hope, power...love it! My favorite part about this is that it is a call to God to act, not a call to the people to do. Paul gives all of the power and expectancy on God, who can do all things. God is in charge of our joy and our peace. God is who gives us the overabundance of hope through the Holy Spirit working in us. Our only step is to trust in Him, put our faith in Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross and allow God to do the rest. That's pretty awesome. And, frankly, I know I have only touched the hem of His garment, so to speak, on this topic and I can attest to the freedom my soul felt the moment I realized that grace is an agent of change, not just forgiveness. So, may you trust in Jesus and allow God to fill you with joy and peace and overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is quite a prayer statement, and yet, there is nothing more that I wish for people. There are great words in this phrase, joy, peace, trust, hope, power...love it! My favorite part about this is that it is a call to God to act, not a call to the people to do. Paul gives all of the power and expectancy on God, who can do all things. God is in charge of our joy and our peace. God is who gives us the overabundance of hope through the Holy Spirit working in us. Our only step is to trust in Him, put our faith in Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross and allow God to do the rest. That's pretty awesome. And, frankly, I know I have only touched the hem of His garment, so to speak, on this topic and I can attest to the freedom my soul felt the moment I realized that grace is an agent of change, not just forgiveness. So, may you trust in Jesus and allow God to fill you with joy and peace and overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, September 1, 2017
Heaven Is My Home
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Verses like this always make my mind think hard. It is interesting to me that our brothers and sisters before us were joyful in trials. They had Kingdom eyes. They were able to think back on their life with Christ, in person, and know what they were gaining in a completely different way than we can understand. They walked with Jesus. They saw his love in action. They watched his pain on the cross. They touched his scars in His resurrection. Being in the presence of Jesus changed them. So are we just out of luck because we didn't live in that time? Absolutely not! We get the joy of being in the presence of the risen Christ at every moment. We don't have to wait for Him to show up at our dinner party or at our river side church meeting. We have Jesus with us at every moment. Our joy comes from knowing that while we are in the midst of the trial, we have Jesus Christ living in us walking through our trial with us. We live in Him, not just with Him. The apostles knew this too. They experienced incredible life after Jesus was resurrected. Not in a successful earthly way, but in a "Heaven is my home, so nothing here can touch me" kind of way. Go through the Refiner's fire with Jesus and you will find a nearness to God that you have never had before.
Verses like this always make my mind think hard. It is interesting to me that our brothers and sisters before us were joyful in trials. They had Kingdom eyes. They were able to think back on their life with Christ, in person, and know what they were gaining in a completely different way than we can understand. They walked with Jesus. They saw his love in action. They watched his pain on the cross. They touched his scars in His resurrection. Being in the presence of Jesus changed them. So are we just out of luck because we didn't live in that time? Absolutely not! We get the joy of being in the presence of the risen Christ at every moment. We don't have to wait for Him to show up at our dinner party or at our river side church meeting. We have Jesus with us at every moment. Our joy comes from knowing that while we are in the midst of the trial, we have Jesus Christ living in us walking through our trial with us. We live in Him, not just with Him. The apostles knew this too. They experienced incredible life after Jesus was resurrected. Not in a successful earthly way, but in a "Heaven is my home, so nothing here can touch me" kind of way. Go through the Refiner's fire with Jesus and you will find a nearness to God that you have never had before.
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