Birth order......
It is fun watching my grandchildren in all their phases from birth the the oldest at 14....at different ages, they are easier to talk to, hug, hold, cuddle, listen....it brings back so many memories of their parents....and I wonder in each one what trait will be their life's vocation or calling....just as I did with their parents...how will they fit into the world? Who is God preparing them for or what path does He have for each with their various personalities, likes and dislikes.....each is so unique....
I remember reading Kevin lemans book on birth order early on as well as Cynthia Tobias' book of learning styles, plus books on personalities by Florence Litthauer..books and studies on spiritual gifting.....looking at each child as they were growing to understand them and myself , plus our reactions to one another, how I could be a better parent to each, as well as a better wife in understanding my husband....we even took financial tests to see how we each reacted to financial decisions...it was worth the time and effort....I was the only and he was the baby of the family......and we definitely reacted differently on a lot of issues!
All this being said, I really appreciate how God carefully crafted each of us, our spouses, our children and grandchildren as well as each person we come into contact with ....we have friends that God brings into our lives, people we meet here and there to build and sharpen us...no accidents....
Thank YOU, for your special design in each of us.....the personalities, the gifts, the temperaments, even the order in which we were born...how You use that in our lives and In the lives of others....
Psalm 139:13-16
New International Version (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The following is a short article from the web....
"Know thyself" is a powerful principle that leaders, managers and effective people intuitively know.
When you understand your own strengths and preferences you are in a position to maximise those strengths and compensate for any weaknesses either by working differently or surrounding yourself with people with different strengths.
Most of us have a dominant birth order personality that matches our birth position. But that personality is influenced by variables such as temperament, gender and other family circumstances. So it is not so much where you are born in your family but how you function that counts. How a person functions generally correlates with birth position.
Your birth order personality relates both to your working style (i.e. how you work and what motivates you) and also your relational style (i.e how you relate to people). For many people that means working along different birth order lines. For instance, I am in the youngest in my family by seven years, which means I am like a functional first born. S So I work like a first-born (achievement-oriented, ambitious and like to be in control) but I relate like a youngest (very good at outsourcing to others and a poor decision-maker). It sounds complicated but it is not.
Birth order theory outlines four types of personalities- first borns, second borns, only's and youngests. If you were 3rd of six children then circumstances would have meant that you either functioned predominantly like one of the big four above.
Here are the four birth order types and some of their characteristics:
First borns - the leaders, the drivers and the responsible types. These people like to manage others but first they need to manage themselves. They love to feel in control and can feel uncomfortable with surprises or feeling out of their depth. They are conservative in their outlook, which is both a strength and a weakness. Their ability to focus on a goal and their propensity to organise others means they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Their tendency toward perfectionism can mean they can be low risk-takers but they can be the rock around which organisations can be built. Approval of authority is important for this group so don't expect them to rock the boat too much. First borns, above all else, want to forge ahead.
Second borns - the 'people' people, the compromisers, and the flexible operators. They are likely to motivated by a cause and will enjoy working alongside people. They will often choose tasks or even a job that will give them a feeling of belonging. Friendships are important to this group so they will learn to get along and will help keep the peace in a group or organisation. They often need others to drive them but they are the glue that holds groups together. Relationships are important to this group so make sure they included in all activities. Seconds, above all else, put people first.
Only's - the quiet achievers, the finishers, they expect nothing less than the best. This group will raise the bar for everyone around them as nothing but the best will do. Their great strength is their ability to work for long periods of time on their own so they make great project finishers and strategic thinkers but they can be secretive and don't deal well with conflict. Recognition is important to this group. Only's, above all else, aim to please.
Youngests - the initiators, ideas people and the challengers. This group are the creative, live-for-the moment types who can put some fun and verve into activities. While the message for first borns is to lighten up it seems that this group need to take things more seriously sometimes. Great initiators and very impatient doers, they perservere to get something started but often are not the greatest of finishers. This group will often do anything to be noticed so make sure you pay heed to their efforts. Youngests, above all else, will blow your mind.
Which birth order personality do you most closely resemble? Does it match your birth order position? In reality, you probably nodded your head for some characteristics in each position. But which did you nod most vigourously while reading? That will give you an indication of your dominant birth order personality.
So what is the point? Know thyself and know the circumstances you are working in. There are times when your birth order personality should take over but there are times when you may need to operate or work like someone in another position. This may make you feel uncomfortable but you can do it.
I have a set of badges - one for each position - which I wear for different occasions and different jobs. Sometimes I need to be more like a first born particularly when I need to take a lead. But there are also times that I must act like a second born and learn to compromise and be more diplomatic than take a crash and burn approach. When it is time to take action and throw caution to the wind I will wear my youngest born badge.
Birth order knowledge is simple as it is intuitive but it is also powerful because as Kevin Leman author of The New Birth Order Book maintains, the affects .... "can touch you in profound and sometimes disturbing ways years after you think you have grown beyond all that."
Michael Grose is a leading authority on birth order and its affects on personality. He is the author of the ground-breaking book 'Why first borns rule the world and last borns want to change it' published by Random House. You can obtain this book from the shop at http://www.parentingideas.com.au. Find out how you can get Michael to help your people unleash the power of their birth order personalities at http://www.michaelgrose.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/45481
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Seeking....
Seeking.....
While i have been treading I have been watching a movie about a little girl who leaves home seeking her father...trying to find out who he really is, in the process seeking who she is.....
A thought provoker....i could change the channels at any given time and find various ways of seeking: beauty, pain free living, better cooking, war, peace, better housing, thinking, treasures and pleasures of all kinds, ways of gaining riches, etc, etc, etc....seeking, striving.....young , old and in between...
Right now, the drama and heartache of families and the world seeking answers to a missing plane....the whys,the whereabouts,.....or world leaders at odds with one another over peace and pieces of ground, or ideologies of terror....each seeking their own ways...
As humans we have sought answers from the beginning of time...some to our detriment and others to our growth, some In the right places and others not...and we are seeking still ....
Our Creator, Father wants us to seek Him....search for Him...He wants us to search our hearts, cleanse them....
I have to ask myself, as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:4, do I earnestly ask ....
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Lord, help me to seek You above all else...no matter what the world seeks...You alone are worthy to be sought....
Song-Search my heart
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
Shine Your light and show Your face
In my life, Lord, have Your way, have Your way
Hear my cry and hear my prayer
Draw me close, I know You're near
Give me strength and give me grace
To walk with You, Lord, all my days
So with all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, now I live to worship You
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Search my heart and search my soul
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/hillsong-united/search-my-heart-lyrics/#p4KKbbAqRmMXIXHC.99
Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 11:9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Acts 15:1
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—
Romans 2:7
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Romans 2:8
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
While i have been treading I have been watching a movie about a little girl who leaves home seeking her father...trying to find out who he really is, in the process seeking who she is.....
A thought provoker....i could change the channels at any given time and find various ways of seeking: beauty, pain free living, better cooking, war, peace, better housing, thinking, treasures and pleasures of all kinds, ways of gaining riches, etc, etc, etc....seeking, striving.....young , old and in between...
Right now, the drama and heartache of families and the world seeking answers to a missing plane....the whys,the whereabouts,.....or world leaders at odds with one another over peace and pieces of ground, or ideologies of terror....each seeking their own ways...
As humans we have sought answers from the beginning of time...some to our detriment and others to our growth, some In the right places and others not...and we are seeking still ....
Our Creator, Father wants us to seek Him....search for Him...He wants us to search our hearts, cleanse them....
I have to ask myself, as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:4, do I earnestly ask ....
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Lord, help me to seek You above all else...no matter what the world seeks...You alone are worthy to be sought....
Song-Search my heart
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
Shine Your light and show Your face
In my life, Lord, have Your way, have Your way
Hear my cry and hear my prayer
Draw me close, I know You're near
Give me strength and give me grace
To walk with You, Lord, all my days
So with all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, now I live to worship You
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Search my heart and search my soul
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/hillsong-united/search-my-heart-lyrics/#p4KKbbAqRmMXIXHC.99
Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 11:9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Acts 15:1
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—
Romans 2:7
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Romans 2:8
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Guilt and relief....the grief oxymoron ....
Guilt and relief...the grief oxymoron .....
One topic that seems to be shoved aside in grief is the relief that the person has finally died....if it has been an expected death....just putting the words out there sounds cold, calculated, terrible, and unfeeling....but they are filled with tears of guilt of even thinking....
those of us who are left, are tired, relieved in anguish, stressed to the max, smiling on the outside, hurting on the inside, shaking hands of other mourners, wondering how to take the next steps, wondering what the next steps are, working through all kinds of relationships,...are we doing the right things, not trying to step on anyone's toes or offend anyone, listening to the usual platitudes or what not to say to mourning family....missing the person excruciatingly, missing the might have beens, laughter mingled with tears of remembrances .....the clean up....the aftermath.....
For some, watching and waiting those days and weeks are endless pain management, care details,
For others, comfort care quickly comes,...
Watching, waiting, holding hands, talking softly if possible, but waiting ...the waiting...is so hard....watching the person go through the phases of dying....and finally it is guiltily over....and we still can't even fathom the relief and guilt of feeling the relief.....and release....
Anticipatory grief....I had never even heard of such terms before two years ago....is real...our hospice nurse brought it up to us...and there is a lot out there to read and meditate upon as well as find that we aren't so crazy after all...
http://dying.about.com/od/thegrievingprocess/a/anticip_grief.htm
Our family had so much support from others...and I thank them so much.....it helps me empathize with those who are moving down the same path...it is not an easy one...not fun..not really enjoyable....
God watched His son move down the path to meet death head on...it wasn't a pretty picture...He held his hand in prayer and purpose, but couldn't endure the pain set before Him...such agony...such torture, such abandonment..no friends there holding His hand, speaking softly, comforting...only resolve to finish the course...to finalize the victory over death with resurrection .....
Thank YOU...for Your victory, our gain...in You...
Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23
One topic that seems to be shoved aside in grief is the relief that the person has finally died....if it has been an expected death....just putting the words out there sounds cold, calculated, terrible, and unfeeling....but they are filled with tears of guilt of even thinking....
those of us who are left, are tired, relieved in anguish, stressed to the max, smiling on the outside, hurting on the inside, shaking hands of other mourners, wondering how to take the next steps, wondering what the next steps are, working through all kinds of relationships,...are we doing the right things, not trying to step on anyone's toes or offend anyone, listening to the usual platitudes or what not to say to mourning family....missing the person excruciatingly, missing the might have beens, laughter mingled with tears of remembrances .....the clean up....the aftermath.....
For some, watching and waiting those days and weeks are endless pain management, care details,
For others, comfort care quickly comes,...
Watching, waiting, holding hands, talking softly if possible, but waiting ...the waiting...is so hard....watching the person go through the phases of dying....and finally it is guiltily over....and we still can't even fathom the relief and guilt of feeling the relief.....and release....
Anticipatory grief....I had never even heard of such terms before two years ago....is real...our hospice nurse brought it up to us...and there is a lot out there to read and meditate upon as well as find that we aren't so crazy after all...
http://dying.about.com/od/thegrievingprocess/a/anticip_grief.htm
Our family had so much support from others...and I thank them so much.....it helps me empathize with those who are moving down the same path...it is not an easy one...not fun..not really enjoyable....
God watched His son move down the path to meet death head on...it wasn't a pretty picture...He held his hand in prayer and purpose, but couldn't endure the pain set before Him...such agony...such torture, such abandonment..no friends there holding His hand, speaking softly, comforting...only resolve to finish the course...to finalize the victory over death with resurrection .....
Thank YOU...for Your victory, our gain...in You...
Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23
Friday, March 28, 2014
Road to the cross....
Road to the cross.....
It occurred to me today that a little less than two years ago we were seeing my husband's cancer care doctors for the last time, leaving with a hospice prescription in hand, moving to a care facility where he and I could both have help caring for him, closer to family, less stress (if that is possible), more family time..we left the cancer center and drove until dark that night to continue and finish the journey the next day...to settle in...and wait..but more than that, to enjoy one another, to meet with family and friends..as we knew that time was indeed short...he slept more and more, but visited as much as he could, laughed over jokes, shared stories, hugged, until he slept not to awaken...here on earth...
It is no mistake that I was reading the walk to the cross from the Bible this week.
No, my husband was not the Christ or a savior ...
but both were headed in the same direction and they knew it, no turning back, not alternate path...
both were limited in time,
one to join the crowd of praisers, the other to sit at the right hand of God
both had fulfilled their present purposes..
One the rock explorer...the other, the Rock, the rock creator
One a mere man, the other, God, with us in man's flesh
one passing with death, the other the Victor over death....
one who enjoyed the sun, the Other the creator of the sun...
both looked forward not to the pain of death, but the reward afterwards..
one to worship in the heavenly realm, the other to be the worshiped,
one saved, the other-the Savior...
one temporal to eternity, the other-the Eternal.....
Thank YOU for reminders again....of Yourself...Your life, Your death, Your resurrection ....Your purpose in our lives. ....
Luke 23
"Jesus calling....for that day
I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.
Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I am. Come to Me in joyful expectation oreceiving all you need—and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
—Psalm 36:7–9
I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.
—Psalm 132:15
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
—John 6:12–13
It occurred to me today that a little less than two years ago we were seeing my husband's cancer care doctors for the last time, leaving with a hospice prescription in hand, moving to a care facility where he and I could both have help caring for him, closer to family, less stress (if that is possible), more family time..we left the cancer center and drove until dark that night to continue and finish the journey the next day...to settle in...and wait..but more than that, to enjoy one another, to meet with family and friends..as we knew that time was indeed short...he slept more and more, but visited as much as he could, laughed over jokes, shared stories, hugged, until he slept not to awaken...here on earth...
It is no mistake that I was reading the walk to the cross from the Bible this week.
No, my husband was not the Christ or a savior ...
but both were headed in the same direction and they knew it, no turning back, not alternate path...
both were limited in time,
one to join the crowd of praisers, the other to sit at the right hand of God
both had fulfilled their present purposes..
One the rock explorer...the other, the Rock, the rock creator
One a mere man, the other, God, with us in man's flesh
one passing with death, the other the Victor over death....
one who enjoyed the sun, the Other the creator of the sun...
both looked forward not to the pain of death, but the reward afterwards..
one to worship in the heavenly realm, the other to be the worshiped,
one saved, the other-the Savior...
one temporal to eternity, the other-the Eternal.....
Thank YOU for reminders again....of Yourself...Your life, Your death, Your resurrection ....Your purpose in our lives. ....
Luke 23
"Jesus calling....for that day
I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.
Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I am. Come to Me in joyful expectation oreceiving all you need—and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
—Psalm 36:7–9
I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.
—Psalm 132:15
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
—John 6:12–13
What am I thinking?......
What am I thinking?....
http://www.quotesforthemind.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Inspiring-Positive-Lifestyle-Quotes-You-cant-live-a-positive-life-with-A-negative-mind.jpg
Each morning when I wake up, I say "thank you".. Then I mentally go through the day, before I turn on the light, grab my iPad, check the email, the headlines, then settle down into devotions-my comfort zone...
...all the while, asking, "what lesson am I to learn about today?" The answer may be from a quote, a devotion, a verse, an observation, a thought, yesterday's events, a thought in the night......anywhere .....and then it expands....if these were my last words/actions, how would I want them to read?.....and what does the Word have to say about them??? As inevitably we have to turn back to God's word for us. My lesson won't be what another's is, but in sharing, it may uplift another...or create an environment of expanding in their life....and mine.....encourage....
It is overwhelming to think that God loves us so much that He can enter our lives with His Words and make them pertinent in all situations...bringing to mind Himself...what would he do, react, care, and pass that on to us who are like a vapor in the wind of time...and then He has the patience to teach us lessons over and over again if we don't get it the first time...or even the second....
Thank YOU, again for a new day...lessons to learn,....thoughts along the way...Your presence...Your Patience with me.....Your encouragement... Your love that has no end...
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Philippians 3:8-9
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Phil 3:8
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Whirling mind....
Whirling mind......
I awoke with a whirling mind,, many things to think about...ponder, fix?, and immediately went into the busy mode....that is exactly why I am going to a sleep therapist...to learn to put those thoughts back to sleep, so I can sleep. So opened two devotionals, both about not worrying, .....isn't God a good mind reader....He knows all things and reminds us that we can rest in HIM..and thank Him.....which I am still learning to do....I cannot change the world, the circumstances, people...but He can...if I don't get in His way, or lessons to learn... For myself and others...I see such different solutions....which of course should be logical...But He says, his thoughts are not my thoughts, or His ways are not my ways...basically... "Chill"....okay, but........
...easier said than done....
I may be part of the solution and maybe not...and I have to rest in that...Only He sees the big picture , how all the puzzle pieces fit together into a perfect picture ....with the outcome He alone knows...how He is working In peoples lives, my life...what brings about the growth in Him....
It comes down to a basic 5 letter word, "trust"....so little, so much .....
"Trust Definition
dictionary.search.yahoo.com
n. noun
Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Custody; care.
Something committed into the care of another; charge.
v. verb
To have or place reliance; depend.
Trust in the Lord.
To be confident; hope.
Synonyms
faith - confidence - reliance - dependence"
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Okay, okay...thank YOU again and again for the reminders. You work in such wonderfully, awesome ways...and I still question..."help my unbelief"... And You do again and again...in YOUR way....
Jesus calling....March 27
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
—Revelation 2:4
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27
I awoke with a whirling mind,, many things to think about...ponder, fix?, and immediately went into the busy mode....that is exactly why I am going to a sleep therapist...to learn to put those thoughts back to sleep, so I can sleep. So opened two devotionals, both about not worrying, .....isn't God a good mind reader....He knows all things and reminds us that we can rest in HIM..and thank Him.....which I am still learning to do....I cannot change the world, the circumstances, people...but He can...if I don't get in His way, or lessons to learn... For myself and others...I see such different solutions....which of course should be logical...But He says, his thoughts are not my thoughts, or His ways are not my ways...basically... "Chill"....okay, but........
...easier said than done....
I may be part of the solution and maybe not...and I have to rest in that...Only He sees the big picture , how all the puzzle pieces fit together into a perfect picture ....with the outcome He alone knows...how He is working In peoples lives, my life...what brings about the growth in Him....
It comes down to a basic 5 letter word, "trust"....so little, so much .....
"Trust Definition
dictionary.search.yahoo.com
n. noun
Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Custody; care.
Something committed into the care of another; charge.
v. verb
To have or place reliance; depend.
Trust in the Lord.
To be confident; hope.
Synonyms
faith - confidence - reliance - dependence"
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Okay, okay...thank YOU again and again for the reminders. You work in such wonderfully, awesome ways...and I still question..."help my unbelief"... And You do again and again...in YOUR way....
Jesus calling....March 27
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
—Revelation 2:4
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
A question posed....
A question posed.....
In the Griefshare workbook, at the end of each week of lessons/probing, there are a list of questions that one may or may not choose from to journal about...
One of the questions is "what are the most significant lessons you are learning through your grief?" Or to put it another way, what lessons am I learning throughout life??? Grief is one segment or it can define our life....
As I was thinking through that question, I was listening to a secular talk on attitude of gratitude...the talk is designed to help you relax by reprogramming you to be thankful and trust....doesn't that sound familiar??? I told the presenter about the verse in the Bible that say those exact words...
So how did significant lessons of grief and thankfulness come together??? Was that God's timing or what???? For me personally, I have tried to be grateful in all things over the years...but grief has reemphasized that attitude....I have to admit, I am NOT thankful all the time and I do worry, fret, agonize, vent...but God is there as well faithfully redirecting my thoughts to the thankfulness..as he did so many times for David in the Psalms....I want to be grateful. I want that to define me rather than grief...not forgetting the lessons or the reasons, the people for grief, but moving into gratitude as a lifestyle...praise....and thankfulness all the time...
Thank YOU for the ability and chance to see good, to be thankful for Your greatness in all things....
Griefshare-"take an inventory of the ways God is blessing you during your grief..think of your blessings as threads of goodness being woven in with the dark threads of your life's tapestry. When your life's tapestry is combined with God's larger, finished product, what will be the pattern of the good threads show?"
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Jeremiah 31:13
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
In the Griefshare workbook, at the end of each week of lessons/probing, there are a list of questions that one may or may not choose from to journal about...
One of the questions is "what are the most significant lessons you are learning through your grief?" Or to put it another way, what lessons am I learning throughout life??? Grief is one segment or it can define our life....
As I was thinking through that question, I was listening to a secular talk on attitude of gratitude...the talk is designed to help you relax by reprogramming you to be thankful and trust....doesn't that sound familiar??? I told the presenter about the verse in the Bible that say those exact words...
So how did significant lessons of grief and thankfulness come together??? Was that God's timing or what???? For me personally, I have tried to be grateful in all things over the years...but grief has reemphasized that attitude....I have to admit, I am NOT thankful all the time and I do worry, fret, agonize, vent...but God is there as well faithfully redirecting my thoughts to the thankfulness..as he did so many times for David in the Psalms....I want to be grateful. I want that to define me rather than grief...not forgetting the lessons or the reasons, the people for grief, but moving into gratitude as a lifestyle...praise....and thankfulness all the time...
Thank YOU for the ability and chance to see good, to be thankful for Your greatness in all things....
Griefshare-"take an inventory of the ways God is blessing you during your grief..think of your blessings as threads of goodness being woven in with the dark threads of your life's tapestry. When your life's tapestry is combined with God's larger, finished product, what will be the pattern of the good threads show?"
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Jeremiah 31:13
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
The color of grief.....
The color of grief.....
Yesterday almost felt like the beginning of spring....trees are starting to bud, flower bulbs are Starting to peak out of the ground, the sun was shining, almost warm enough without a jacket...the rest of the week we are to expect rain/snow...it is spring by the calendar....We have had our heaviest snows in May after all ....almost time to put away those winter drab colors and get out the colors....
I found some more glass blobs of all colors and threw them out into my gravel landscaping..color....after the brown, gray, black....shiny colors sparkling in the sun...
This week marks my parent's 66th wedding anniversary. Both are gone now..we had celebrations for their 50th and 60th....so much time...so many years, family....love.....
In another two weeks, marks the 2nd anniversary of my husband's passing....where has time gone?....
Milestones, each one...
It just reminded me of color after the winter....winters of our lives.....we mourn...we cry....we hibernate...In nondescript colors of black, brown, gray-ashes...we don't feel and those colors seem to cover up the non feeling...
At some non-defined point....color begins to seep back into our lives....we see a little green here and there, maybe the blue of the sky, or laughter from somewhere in the distance, we begin to feel, our senses begin to work,...and we see color, maybe dim at first, but there just the same...
It becomes a choice to wander through the colors...see sparkles of life again, wear those colors and feel again,,,away from the black....not that we have forgotten the winter or the loved ones...but spring is approaching...the storms lessen, somewhat...there are still blasts of winter in our feelings,....but maybe not hurricane force....but some of the fog is lifting to see the sunshine,,the rainbows...the colors of other seasons of life....not just the color of grief...
Esther 4:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Psalm 43:2b
......Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
Thank YOU for the beginnings of color, sparkles of light, instead of the greys, browns, black...the spring after the winter, the beginnings of after-mourning ......
"History of mourning clothes/colors, EHow.com
Background
Western civilization has been most responsive to black as the color of mourning. Perhaps no individual more impacted mourning customs than Queen Victoria. Upon the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria donned full mourning dress and continued wearing her "widow's weeds" until her death in 1901.
Custom
Mourning dress was the realm of women. Men were already in black and gray business attire. Not any black fabric was acceptable for mourning. It could have no shine. Crape, a lack-luster, black silk gauze was the predominant fabric. During the 1890s, due to its demand, the Courtaulds used black crape as the foundation of their textile empire.
Full Mourning
The natural grieving time for one deeply loved is two years or more. Mourning dress customs coincided with this timing. In the United Kingdom, during the 1800s, a widow or mother who lost a child wore full mourning for the first one year and one day. Dresses had no adornment, hair was covered with severe bonnets and faces were shielded by crape veils. At times, mothers' dresses had a white lace jabot to symbolize the loss of an innocent child. Mourning was an expression of grief; personal appearance was unimportant.
Half-Mourning
After one year and one day, the next nine months of mourning showed subtle dress changes. Black jet buttons and jewelry, cameos with photos of the lost love, jewelry made from dull coal, and more elaborate black trims and some ruffles were introduced into mourning wardrobes. Hats replaced bonnets. The final months of mourning dress were spent in subdued colors like gray, purple, lilac and steel blue.
Civil War Impact
During the Civil War, as casualties rose between the North and South, mourning wear became the first ready-to-wear fashion. While most clothing was custom or sewn at home during this time, women could not wait to have mourning dresses made. As times worsened during the Civil War, many women began dying their wardrobes black in large, outdoor cauldrons, since the smell of the black dye was too offensive to use indoors.
Passing of Time
World War I brought an erupt end to the length of mourning. Every family was suffering the loss of loved ones. World War II further diminished mourning dress periods. By the 1950s, a half year to one year became the acceptable timetable for mourning wear in the United Kingdom. Today, many Western women believe it is disrespectful and unacceptable to wear any color other than black to funerals and memorial services."
"What Does the Bible Say About Mourning?
By an eHow Contributor
What Does the Bible Say About Mourning?
Many people wonder what the Bible has to say about mourning. Mourning is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. Biblical references to mourning say God cares about us when we are in mourning, that He draws close to us and comforts us. According to the Bible, He also expects his followers to comfort others who are in mourning...
Function
Mourning is a way that people heal the pain they experience in life from loss, whether that loss came about through death or choice. Mourning is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. Sometimes mourning is referenced after a death, but often mourning is the reaction of the Israelites as they face the consequences from walking away from God. Mourning can also play a part in reconciling man with God.
Considerations
The Bible recognizes that mourning is a part of life. In Eccl. 3:4, the Bible says, "[there is] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." This passage validates that there are times in life when we need to mourn. However, the passage implies a promise that the time for mourning will end and will be followed by a time to dance."
Monday, March 24, 2014
Are You Jesus?
Are you Jesus?.....
I received the following email the other day.....
"Apples... This is as good as it gets!!!
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago .. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush to catch the plane home and with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $50 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride .... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.
"The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, Thank you for hearing Jesus, Mister."
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"
Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.
The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts,
the safest place to be is in someone's prayers,
and the very best place to be is in the hands of God!!!"
I had received it many times over the years, but it still brings me up short....would anyone ever ask me if I was Jesus by what I do....do I bring life, sunshine, help, to another's life? How do I remedy that if I don't?...
It reminded me of the ten lepers whom Jesus met along the road...crying out to be healed...they couldn't get close to anyone because of their disease, but they cried to loud voices...Jesus heard them and told,them to go to the priests and present themselves to him...they were healed on the way...otherwise they couldn't go to the temple...but, only one came back to thank Him...gratitude.....He knew who healed him...the salesman was an answer to this girls prayers...he stayed and helped, answered her question...took time when he could have hurried on as well into the busy world...
Divine appointments......for all ....how many do we have and pass by...busy...or do we stop, an answer to someone's prayers...am I reflecting Jesus to anyone??? Am I thankful for the healing done? Time taken? Care given? Laughter and life shared?
Thank YOU, open my eyes to your world....and let me be an instrument of Your grace...
Luke 17:12-19
New International Version (NIV)
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
I received the following email the other day.....
"Apples... This is as good as it gets!!!
A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago .. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush to catch the plane home and with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding.
ALL BUT ONE!!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $50 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride .... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.
"The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, Thank you for hearing Jesus, Mister."
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"
Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.
The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts,
the safest place to be is in someone's prayers,
and the very best place to be is in the hands of God!!!"
I had received it many times over the years, but it still brings me up short....would anyone ever ask me if I was Jesus by what I do....do I bring life, sunshine, help, to another's life? How do I remedy that if I don't?...
It reminded me of the ten lepers whom Jesus met along the road...crying out to be healed...they couldn't get close to anyone because of their disease, but they cried to loud voices...Jesus heard them and told,them to go to the priests and present themselves to him...they were healed on the way...otherwise they couldn't go to the temple...but, only one came back to thank Him...gratitude.....He knew who healed him...the salesman was an answer to this girls prayers...he stayed and helped, answered her question...took time when he could have hurried on as well into the busy world...
Divine appointments......for all ....how many do we have and pass by...busy...or do we stop, an answer to someone's prayers...am I reflecting Jesus to anyone??? Am I thankful for the healing done? Time taken? Care given? Laughter and life shared?
Thank YOU, open my eyes to your world....and let me be an instrument of Your grace...
Luke 17:12-19
New International Version (NIV)
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
Sunday, March 23, 2014
What do I want to be ?
What am I going to do when I grow up?....
I am still wondering that for me ....there are so many routes through life...rabbit trials, or switches in the road...some dead ends ( no pun intended)...but changes along the path... And our GPS says, "recalculating"...and turns us around in a parking lot....
There are some people who are so focused, that they know exactly what they want to do with their lives from childhood...and then they do everything in their power to fulfill that dream....a farmer, a pilot, a mom,.... the list is endless..and only stopped by our imagination...
Then life happens, some expected and some unexpected...we may alter our route and become something to totally unexpected and better....or sometimes worse...we make decisions which can affect our lives....eternal and temporal....day to day ....a life time...friends, family....reputation...
Paul says we press on....holding Christ as He holds us....this is our biggest goal...doing what Christ has for us...but holding on to Him....
One of the best promises is Jesus will never leave us or forsake us on all these routes..
Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God has it routed for us....His GPS is sure...Thank YOU for that....
This video made me think...did this man plan on being a math teacher, a soldier ...the unexpected ....even an example to his pupils???
http://www.coolestone.com/media/8295/A-Tough-Teacher's-Alter-Ego---Emotional!/#.Uy7UEie9KK1
"The Great Motive
Daily Devotional for March 23
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.orgp Him
Read the Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Phil 3:12
Paul says this is the great motive of his life. He is not referring to the resurrection, he is referring back to verse 10. Not that I have exhausted the riches of knowing Christ. Not that I yet know all the power of his resurrection, or have been perfected so that I no longer need the fellowship of his sufferings. No, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. What he literally says, as the Phillips translation renders it is: grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasps me. Laying hold of that for which he laid hold of me.
This was Paul's mighty motive, to achieve all that Christ desired when he laid hold of him on the road to Damascus. Paul is saying, I want so to lay hold of him that he might use my life as an instrument to lay hold of everything he had in mind when he arrested me on the Damascus road, hoping it might fulfill the purpose of his coming and we might all be together at the resurrection of the dead. Remember what the Lord said to Ananias on the day Saul of Tarsus was struck in the dust on the Damascus Road and he sent Ananias to him to baptize him? Ananias didn't want to go because he was afraid of this persecutor of the church, and the Lord said to Ananias, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. Paul says, the thing that motivates me in everything I do is that I may fully lay hold of that; that I may so give myself to him that I may lay hold of Christ so he may lay hold of me for everything he had in mind when he saved me.
Now this is adequate living. It's what it was in the first century. It's what it is in the present century. What is it made up of? First of all, purpose for living, a reason for existing. Why are you existing? What are you here for? Have you discovered that for which God has laid hold of you? That part of his work he has in mind for you, for which he has laid hold of you? And power by which to live it, the power of his indwelling life? And an unshakeable platform of morality which can stand any examination? That is adequate living. May God grant we discover that.
Lord, I sense how much Paul entered into that which I have not yet discovered. Save me from that folly that says this is all right for him but I could never make it. Teach me to know that Christ in me can be all that he was in Paul.
Life Application: 'Who am I?' 'Why am I here?' We might also ask: 'Who owns me?' Do we respond with Paul: 'Christ Jesus has made me his own'? Do we press on to lay hold of him and of his purpose for our lives?
Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "Adequate Living" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.
Devotions for March from Philippians
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Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."
I am still wondering that for me ....there are so many routes through life...rabbit trials, or switches in the road...some dead ends ( no pun intended)...but changes along the path... And our GPS says, "recalculating"...and turns us around in a parking lot....
There are some people who are so focused, that they know exactly what they want to do with their lives from childhood...and then they do everything in their power to fulfill that dream....a farmer, a pilot, a mom,.... the list is endless..and only stopped by our imagination...
Then life happens, some expected and some unexpected...we may alter our route and become something to totally unexpected and better....or sometimes worse...we make decisions which can affect our lives....eternal and temporal....day to day ....a life time...friends, family....reputation...
Paul says we press on....holding Christ as He holds us....this is our biggest goal...doing what Christ has for us...but holding on to Him....
One of the best promises is Jesus will never leave us or forsake us on all these routes..
Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
God has it routed for us....His GPS is sure...Thank YOU for that....
This video made me think...did this man plan on being a math teacher, a soldier ...the unexpected ....even an example to his pupils???
http://www.coolestone.com/media/8295/A-Tough-Teacher's-Alter-Ego---Emotional!/#.Uy7UEie9KK1
"The Great Motive
Daily Devotional for March 23
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.orgp Him
Read the Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Phil 3:12
Paul says this is the great motive of his life. He is not referring to the resurrection, he is referring back to verse 10. Not that I have exhausted the riches of knowing Christ. Not that I yet know all the power of his resurrection, or have been perfected so that I no longer need the fellowship of his sufferings. No, but I press on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. What he literally says, as the Phillips translation renders it is: grasping ever more firmly that purpose for which Christ grasps me. Laying hold of that for which he laid hold of me.
This was Paul's mighty motive, to achieve all that Christ desired when he laid hold of him on the road to Damascus. Paul is saying, I want so to lay hold of him that he might use my life as an instrument to lay hold of everything he had in mind when he arrested me on the Damascus road, hoping it might fulfill the purpose of his coming and we might all be together at the resurrection of the dead. Remember what the Lord said to Ananias on the day Saul of Tarsus was struck in the dust on the Damascus Road and he sent Ananias to him to baptize him? Ananias didn't want to go because he was afraid of this persecutor of the church, and the Lord said to Ananias, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. Paul says, the thing that motivates me in everything I do is that I may fully lay hold of that; that I may so give myself to him that I may lay hold of Christ so he may lay hold of me for everything he had in mind when he saved me.
Now this is adequate living. It's what it was in the first century. It's what it is in the present century. What is it made up of? First of all, purpose for living, a reason for existing. Why are you existing? What are you here for? Have you discovered that for which God has laid hold of you? That part of his work he has in mind for you, for which he has laid hold of you? And power by which to live it, the power of his indwelling life? And an unshakeable platform of morality which can stand any examination? That is adequate living. May God grant we discover that.
Lord, I sense how much Paul entered into that which I have not yet discovered. Save me from that folly that says this is all right for him but I could never make it. Teach me to know that Christ in me can be all that he was in Paul.
Life Application: 'Who am I?' 'Why am I here?' We might also ask: 'Who owns me?' Do we respond with Paul: 'Christ Jesus has made me his own'? Do we press on to lay hold of him and of his purpose for our lives?
Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "Adequate Living" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.
Devotions for March from Philippians
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Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet."
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Yellow....
Today was a yellow day...a yellow sunrise, ....big and brilliant.....continuing on to visiting various ag/feed stores to finally accumulate 20 free baby chicks, all soft, downy and very yellow...those were quickly delivered to three sunny faces for hugs and kisses...
Then on to another hunt of baby yellow duck themed baby gifts...rattles, snack cups, shampoo, towel, blanket, sock, etc...so very yellow and so cute as well....for a first time parent...
Home to yellow mangoes, gloves, lemons, sponges, pictures, and on and on...yellow everywhere...
I remember when the children were studying a certain letter or color in kindergarten. They had to wear as much of the color as possible...some were hard to come ,while others shined out like....yellow...
When you start noticing how much of one color there is, it becomes a challenge to find more and more...
Our family is still ambushed at times by red canopied trucks..."it must be dad coming back" from work or whatever we are doing at the time...it still touches the soul at a depth that hurts...and brings tears...he did love his red trucks...and there are thousands out there....
Finding a color or whatever, is like counting blessings...the more you look, the more you find...God's fingerprints are everywhere...we just have to open our eyes to them or ask God to help us find them...he doesn't hide them from us...we have to be willing to look...discovery is breath away...
Thank YOU for blessings...the discovery of them...the openness of Your heart to give....and if we may, help us to be a blessing to others or help them find theirs along the path...
1 Kings 7:51
When all the work King Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished, he brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver and gold and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.
Psalm 12:6
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
Psalm 19:10
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
picture- Dunedin, NZ at sunrise..
Friday, March 21, 2014
Outstretched arms.....
outstretched arm of redemption, ....the outstretched arms on the cross...
You know, there are so many great things in the Bible.....pictures of life, people, symbolism ....God....
I had never heard of the four cups of the Passover ceremony or maybe I had but hadn't really listened ....but the outstretched arm of redemption really caught me this week....
That "little phrase", "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm"....
Moses had stretched out his arms over the land of Egypt before pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery....
The redeeming arms of Christ....there on the cross....stretched out....for the world ....it is an awesome/awful sight...but redeeming everyone who comes to that cross....believing....confessing....needing that redemption....
Christ's outstretched arms gave freedom as well, but so much more, unimaginable ....unfathomable, but true, real redemption, not just from earthly slavery, but slavery from everlasting hell....
thank YOU.....for your outstretched arms of redemption....on the cross, but for holding me so close...as well...comfort, redeeming....
The four cups of the Passover , Taken from Exodus 6:6-7,
Exodus 6:6-7
New International Version (NIV)
6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
"Q. I’ve been told there are four cups in the Passover ceremony and when Jesus instituted the so-called Lord’s Supper He was actually using the third cup. What are the four cups and what do they mean?
A. The four cups of the Passover are based on the promise God made to Israel when He sent Moses to deliver them from Egypt. He said, “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
The first cup is called Sanctification (I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians), the second is Blessing (I will free you from being slaves to them), the third is Redemption (I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment) and the fourth is Acceptance (I will take you as my people and I will be your God.)
Tradition says that when Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you,” He was referring to the 3rd cup of the Passover, the Cup of Redemption. By His shed blood we can be redeemed from our bondage to sin, just as the Israelites were redeemed from their bondage to Egypt. He then said He wouldn’t drink wine again until the Kingdom had come.
The Gospel of John records an event that took place that same day as He hung from the cross.
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
He had given His body and shed His blood. Phase one of the Kingdom, allowing us to receive a full pardon for our sins, had come. To fulfill the Scriptures, He took a final drink of wine. It represented the 4th Cup of the Passover, the Cup of Acceptance. It’s as if He was saying to all who would believe in Him, “I will take you as my people and I will be your God.”
http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-four-cups-of-passover-2/"
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLHn15_bBPTYkkDsWWc5WJ4V70F3cbgDOmoeDoSiYL5p1SqCG_Fw-Th0KPaiPSgxXT4Q8eYaeg9uv-tqvLo8ElSng3_DsDP0E_v8fxqNZMDyaRD6pCXI_cD-Ae-SWLpbzu3ydMvBujYjA/s1600/passovercups.jpg
http://www.torahresource.com/EnglishArticles/Four%20Cups.pdf
John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You know, there are so many great things in the Bible.....pictures of life, people, symbolism ....God....
I had never heard of the four cups of the Passover ceremony or maybe I had but hadn't really listened ....but the outstretched arm of redemption really caught me this week....
That "little phrase", "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm"....
Moses had stretched out his arms over the land of Egypt before pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery....
The redeeming arms of Christ....there on the cross....stretched out....for the world ....it is an awesome/awful sight...but redeeming everyone who comes to that cross....believing....confessing....needing that redemption....
Christ's outstretched arms gave freedom as well, but so much more, unimaginable ....unfathomable, but true, real redemption, not just from earthly slavery, but slavery from everlasting hell....
thank YOU.....for your outstretched arms of redemption....on the cross, but for holding me so close...as well...comfort, redeeming....
The four cups of the Passover , Taken from Exodus 6:6-7,
Exodus 6:6-7
New International Version (NIV)
6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
"Q. I’ve been told there are four cups in the Passover ceremony and when Jesus instituted the so-called Lord’s Supper He was actually using the third cup. What are the four cups and what do they mean?
A. The four cups of the Passover are based on the promise God made to Israel when He sent Moses to deliver them from Egypt. He said, “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
The first cup is called Sanctification (I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians), the second is Blessing (I will free you from being slaves to them), the third is Redemption (I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and mighty acts of judgment) and the fourth is Acceptance (I will take you as my people and I will be your God.)
Tradition says that when Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you,” He was referring to the 3rd cup of the Passover, the Cup of Redemption. By His shed blood we can be redeemed from our bondage to sin, just as the Israelites were redeemed from their bondage to Egypt. He then said He wouldn’t drink wine again until the Kingdom had come.
The Gospel of John records an event that took place that same day as He hung from the cross.
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30)
He had given His body and shed His blood. Phase one of the Kingdom, allowing us to receive a full pardon for our sins, had come. To fulfill the Scriptures, He took a final drink of wine. It represented the 4th Cup of the Passover, the Cup of Acceptance. It’s as if He was saying to all who would believe in Him, “I will take you as my people and I will be your God.”
http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-four-cups-of-passover-2/"
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLHn15_bBPTYkkDsWWc5WJ4V70F3cbgDOmoeDoSiYL5p1SqCG_Fw-Th0KPaiPSgxXT4Q8eYaeg9uv-tqvLo8ElSng3_DsDP0E_v8fxqNZMDyaRD6pCXI_cD-Ae-SWLpbzu3ydMvBujYjA/s1600/passovercups.jpg
http://www.torahresource.com/EnglishArticles/Four%20Cups.pdf
John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
A servant's towel....
A servant's towel...
The other day I came across a hand towel that had been a gift several years ago..."thank you for your service to those at......church..." Such memories...hard lessons and wonderful growth times...wonderful relationships, friendships ....
Then I received a letter reminding me of the same towel again...a group of servants secretly gave gifts, service for a week near Valentines day, ending the week with a foot washing time...times of learning...friendships, and service to others....
How often do I lower myself to be of service to others, even to point of on my knees, caring ....using that towel of service to "wash their feet" or help...when I think of myself, a mere human, not doing It very often,but the creator of the universe washing his disciples feet, on His knees, washing the very dirt He created off of the feet of those close to Him....it boggles and humbles .....He came to serve.....seek and save...
Faithful...
Trustworthy....
Obedient...
Protected....
Loved....
Watchful...
Thank YOU for your humble example of service....help me to go and do likewise...
Beth Moore " the tasks God gives you are never trivial"
Leviticus 25:55
for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 12:7
But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house..
Judges 2:8a
Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, ....
2 Samuel 7:8
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.
Psalm 90:16
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Matthew 12:18
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Luke 19:17
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
John 13:1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
The other day I came across a hand towel that had been a gift several years ago..."thank you for your service to those at......church..." Such memories...hard lessons and wonderful growth times...wonderful relationships, friendships ....
Then I received a letter reminding me of the same towel again...a group of servants secretly gave gifts, service for a week near Valentines day, ending the week with a foot washing time...times of learning...friendships, and service to others....
How often do I lower myself to be of service to others, even to point of on my knees, caring ....using that towel of service to "wash their feet" or help...when I think of myself, a mere human, not doing It very often,but the creator of the universe washing his disciples feet, on His knees, washing the very dirt He created off of the feet of those close to Him....it boggles and humbles .....He came to serve.....seek and save...
Faithful...
Trustworthy....
Obedient...
Protected....
Loved....
Watchful...
Thank YOU for your humble example of service....help me to go and do likewise...
Beth Moore " the tasks God gives you are never trivial"
Leviticus 25:55
for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Numbers 12:7
But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house..
Judges 2:8a
Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, ....
2 Samuel 7:8
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.
Psalm 90:16
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
Psalm 119:76
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
Matthew 12:18
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
Luke 19:17
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
John 13:1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Three sacrifices....
Three sacrifices....
Yesterday,I was thinking about three sacrifices...for whatever reason...
-Abrahams sacrifice of his son, Isaac
-the rich ruler who talked to Jesus
-and finally, Jesus' sacrifice...
All three were rich either In heavenly or earthly goods
All three were asked to sacrifice something or someone of value...
All three faced the sacrifice, two with faith and the third with disappointment...
Abraham, had waited years for a son and the was basically asked to give his most valuable item as a sacrifice...it seems he went willingly to the mountain, knowing that they would return...the Lord would provide...
The ruler, who had much in earthly wealth went away disappointed,because he didn't want to give up his earthly wealth...not realizing at the time he would receive so much more in blessings...
Jesus came to give up his life as the ultimate sacrifice for the world...it wasn't easy, by the anguish he suffered, but he went forward, doing it...blessing the world with his sacrifice and resurrection...
Each sacrifice has lessons for me to learn...
-when God calls, he provides
-determine where my treasure is
-Jesus loves me beyond the sacrifice of the cross...he gave all to receive and give so much more
Thank YOU.....
First,
Genesis 22
New International Version (NIV)
Abraham Tested
22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to t region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two ,of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,because you have obeyed me.”
Second,
Luke 18:18-30
New International Version (NIV)
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Third,
Luke 22:39-46
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Yesterday,I was thinking about three sacrifices...for whatever reason...
-Abrahams sacrifice of his son, Isaac
-the rich ruler who talked to Jesus
-and finally, Jesus' sacrifice...
All three were rich either In heavenly or earthly goods
All three were asked to sacrifice something or someone of value...
All three faced the sacrifice, two with faith and the third with disappointment...
Abraham, had waited years for a son and the was basically asked to give his most valuable item as a sacrifice...it seems he went willingly to the mountain, knowing that they would return...the Lord would provide...
The ruler, who had much in earthly wealth went away disappointed,because he didn't want to give up his earthly wealth...not realizing at the time he would receive so much more in blessings...
Jesus came to give up his life as the ultimate sacrifice for the world...it wasn't easy, by the anguish he suffered, but he went forward, doing it...blessing the world with his sacrifice and resurrection...
Each sacrifice has lessons for me to learn...
-when God calls, he provides
-determine where my treasure is
-Jesus loves me beyond the sacrifice of the cross...he gave all to receive and give so much more
Thank YOU.....
First,
Genesis 22
New International Version (NIV)
Abraham Tested
22 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to t region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two ,of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,because you have obeyed me.”
Second,
Luke 18:18-30
New International Version (NIV)
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Third,
Luke 22:39-46
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Moon, stars and sun. .....
Moon and stars...
Last night I was coming home after "Griefshare" and I watched the spectacular rising of a full moon...at first I wondered what was causing such a great light in the east and then realized it was the moon coming up as a giant orb of light....I got home and went out with my camera, but really couldn't get a good picture of it...it seemed to light the night all night long...brighter than the street lights outside my house...
Then this morning, I up to let the dog out and collect the paper, and the stars were brilliant as well, the big dipper, full now, not pouring out it contents...and the moon had moved west to shine over the snow capped cascades....
It was all such a reminder of the creation, the heavenly home prepared for us...we won't need the moon or the sun to shine as God will be the glory,the light ,the lamp for all...
But, also, a reminder of the end times that seem so eminent, in my finite mind,,,,when the nations will rise against one another, and there will be signs In the moon, stars and sun...
I guess for now, I will enjoy the moon, stars, and sun for all of their glory, anticipating the end times and the glory of heaven... Enjoy each day as it comes, but waiting...
Thank YOU for the reminders of Yourself, your creation to enjoy, the gift of waiting and anticipation...You are the everlasting light,the Lamp for all to see...
Isaiah 60:19
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Revelation 21:23
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Deuteronomy 4:19
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
Psalm 74:16
The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
Psalm 89:37
it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”
Psalm 104:19
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
Psalm 121:6
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
Psalm 136:9
the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Acts 2:20
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
Last night I was coming home after "Griefshare" and I watched the spectacular rising of a full moon...at first I wondered what was causing such a great light in the east and then realized it was the moon coming up as a giant orb of light....I got home and went out with my camera, but really couldn't get a good picture of it...it seemed to light the night all night long...brighter than the street lights outside my house...
Then this morning, I up to let the dog out and collect the paper, and the stars were brilliant as well, the big dipper, full now, not pouring out it contents...and the moon had moved west to shine over the snow capped cascades....
It was all such a reminder of the creation, the heavenly home prepared for us...we won't need the moon or the sun to shine as God will be the glory,the light ,the lamp for all...
But, also, a reminder of the end times that seem so eminent, in my finite mind,,,,when the nations will rise against one another, and there will be signs In the moon, stars and sun...
I guess for now, I will enjoy the moon, stars, and sun for all of their glory, anticipating the end times and the glory of heaven... Enjoy each day as it comes, but waiting...
Thank YOU for the reminders of Yourself, your creation to enjoy, the gift of waiting and anticipation...You are the everlasting light,the Lamp for all to see...
Isaiah 60:19
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Revelation 21:23
The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Deuteronomy 4:19
And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
Psalm 74:16
The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon.
Psalm 89:37
it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”
Psalm 104:19
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
Psalm 121:6
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
Psalm 136:9
the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever.
Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Acts 2:20
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Outdated...
Outdated....
I started sorting through outdated medicines, foods in cupboards this weekend...I had ended up with a lot of my fathers things, as well as food that I had moved with....so decided it was time to purge out the old stuff.
Some of The medicines are going to a friend who uses them over seas in a clinic...some of the foods went to my son's pigs....and some just went to the trash...
Purging, sorting, throwing away, getting rid of, replacing, renewing.....some usable, some trash....not only do I need to do it in my cupboards, but in my heart, soul,and mind.....my attitudes need a "outdated" check .....what am I hanging onto that needs replaced, or trashed....what idols do I have stashed away that need to be trashed....what sin hidden away or even shown for all to see....that needs replacing with God's attitudes, fruits...
Purging, sorting....tiring but oh, so needful, not only in the kitchen, medicine cabinet ....but in my life...
Thank YOU for your examination my of life....help me to rid my life of "outdated", ungodly attitudes, idols ...whatever, that I would be clean, "updated", filled with You....
Genesis 35:2
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.
Judges 10:16a
Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Ephesians 4:30-32
New International Version (NIV)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
I started sorting through outdated medicines, foods in cupboards this weekend...I had ended up with a lot of my fathers things, as well as food that I had moved with....so decided it was time to purge out the old stuff.
Some of The medicines are going to a friend who uses them over seas in a clinic...some of the foods went to my son's pigs....and some just went to the trash...
Purging, sorting, throwing away, getting rid of, replacing, renewing.....some usable, some trash....not only do I need to do it in my cupboards, but in my heart, soul,and mind.....my attitudes need a "outdated" check .....what am I hanging onto that needs replaced, or trashed....what idols do I have stashed away that need to be trashed....what sin hidden away or even shown for all to see....that needs replacing with God's attitudes, fruits...
Purging, sorting....tiring but oh, so needful, not only in the kitchen, medicine cabinet ....but in my life...
Thank YOU for your examination my of life....help me to rid my life of "outdated", ungodly attitudes, idols ...whatever, that I would be clean, "updated", filled with You....
Genesis 35:2
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.
Judges 10:16a
Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Ephesians 4:30-32
New International Version (NIV)
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
James 1:21
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
1 Peter 2:1
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Bible reading around the world...
Bible reading around the world.....
Bible Gateway shared this article this February about Bible reading around the world....
"FEBRUARY 19, 2014 · 8:00 AM
What Are People Around the World Searching For in the Bible?
In a previous post, we reported that visitors to BibleGateway.com come from 92% of the world: 242 countries or territories out of a possible 263, including Vatican City, Israel, Palestine, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea. These visitors spent more than 76 million hours last year searching, reading, studying, comparing, and sharing the Bible in their own languages.
But what, exactly, were they looking for in the Bible? And do Bible readers in different parts of the world gravitate toward different sections of the Bible?
As a helpful visual resource, the strategic mission research and mapping agency GMI used data supplied by Bible Gateway to create the following Missiographic (click image to enlarge):
What conclusions can we draw from this? As the chart shows, people in the ten most populous countries in the world are reading Psalms, Genesis, the Gospels, and 1 Corinthians 13. Here’s a breakdown, taken from the Missiographic, of the most popular Bible passages in the ten most populous countries:
China
Matthew 1
John 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Genesis 2
India
Psalm 23
Genesis 1
John 3:16
Psalm 1
Proverbs 1
USA
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Genesis 1
John 3:16
Jeremiah 29:11
Indonesia
Genesis 1
John 3:16
1 Corinthians 13
Ecclesiastes 3
Psalm 1
Brazil
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
John 3:16
John 1
Pakistan
Psalm 23
Psalm 91
Genesis 1
Proverbs 1
Psalm 89
Bangladesh
Psalm 91
Psalm 89
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Nigeria
Psalm 23
Psalm 51
Psalm 121
Genesis 1
Psalm 27
Russia
1 Corinthians 13
Matthew 1
Psalm 23
John 1
Matthew 5
R
Japan
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
John 1
Psalm 91
1 Corinthians 13"
After reading Luke 17 and Matthew 24, I found it interesting that so many countries have the availability of God's Word just on the computer...that is not saying that those other 21 counties or territories don't have some kind of form of God's Word...I am not sure......I am rejoicing as God's word increases in the world, maybe His return is more and more imminent...but, also, that His word is increasing to more and more people groups, which means more and more people have the opportunity to hear and/or read His words ....
Revelation 7:9
New International Version (NIV)
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
We live in an amazing time....communications with so many different routes...computers have shortened the Bible translation times by years and years..
It used to take a career time to translate the Bible. With the advent of the computer, they say it shortens it by twenty years minimum ...but now we have whole books on a watch sized computer, we can stream movies, computers info on a hand held devices...or show movies to far away people groups with a back pack size or smaller screening device...
Thank YOU for the opportunity to live and give in a time when Your
Word is so available to the world...knowing that wherever Your word goes, it does not come back void, but is living... Changing hearts, lives throughout the world...
Bible Gateway shared this article this February about Bible reading around the world....
"FEBRUARY 19, 2014 · 8:00 AM
What Are People Around the World Searching For in the Bible?
In a previous post, we reported that visitors to BibleGateway.com come from 92% of the world: 242 countries or territories out of a possible 263, including Vatican City, Israel, Palestine, China, Vietnam, Cuba, and North Korea. These visitors spent more than 76 million hours last year searching, reading, studying, comparing, and sharing the Bible in their own languages.
But what, exactly, were they looking for in the Bible? And do Bible readers in different parts of the world gravitate toward different sections of the Bible?
As a helpful visual resource, the strategic mission research and mapping agency GMI used data supplied by Bible Gateway to create the following Missiographic (click image to enlarge):
What conclusions can we draw from this? As the chart shows, people in the ten most populous countries in the world are reading Psalms, Genesis, the Gospels, and 1 Corinthians 13. Here’s a breakdown, taken from the Missiographic, of the most popular Bible passages in the ten most populous countries:
China
Matthew 1
John 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Genesis 2
India
Psalm 23
Genesis 1
John 3:16
Psalm 1
Proverbs 1
USA
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Genesis 1
John 3:16
Jeremiah 29:11
Indonesia
Genesis 1
John 3:16
1 Corinthians 13
Ecclesiastes 3
Psalm 1
Brazil
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
John 3:16
John 1
Pakistan
Psalm 23
Psalm 91
Genesis 1
Proverbs 1
Psalm 89
Bangladesh
Psalm 91
Psalm 89
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
1 Corinthians 13
Nigeria
Psalm 23
Psalm 51
Psalm 121
Genesis 1
Psalm 27
Russia
1 Corinthians 13
Matthew 1
Psalm 23
John 1
Matthew 5
R
Japan
Genesis 1
Psalm 23
John 1
Psalm 91
1 Corinthians 13"
After reading Luke 17 and Matthew 24, I found it interesting that so many countries have the availability of God's Word just on the computer...that is not saying that those other 21 counties or territories don't have some kind of form of God's Word...I am not sure......I am rejoicing as God's word increases in the world, maybe His return is more and more imminent...but, also, that His word is increasing to more and more people groups, which means more and more people have the opportunity to hear and/or read His words ....
Revelation 7:9
New International Version (NIV)
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
We live in an amazing time....communications with so many different routes...computers have shortened the Bible translation times by years and years..
It used to take a career time to translate the Bible. With the advent of the computer, they say it shortens it by twenty years minimum ...but now we have whole books on a watch sized computer, we can stream movies, computers info on a hand held devices...or show movies to far away people groups with a back pack size or smaller screening device...
Thank YOU for the opportunity to live and give in a time when Your
Word is so available to the world...knowing that wherever Your word goes, it does not come back void, but is living... Changing hearts, lives throughout the world...
Saturday, March 15, 2014
The new Bible...
A new Bible....
I awoke , refreshed after a fairly good night rest....pulled out this iPad to do my women's Bible study lessen...but wanted more Bible, so looked in the drawer of the motel and behold,there sat a new Gideon Bible....it smelled new, creaked like new, hadn't been used, shiny, ....
So the Bible either had just been replaced with a new one or it was not used there in the room....I opened the cover and there was the Quote, "placed in memory...."
When I think of that quote, it brings back so many memories on my own....dedications to my husband's passing...Gideon Bibles, a gear/yurt in Mongolia, donations in his name to Christian schools, organizations...living memorials ....which will bless students, families, ministries in the future who won't even know who he was....nor will it be important ...except to our family legacy, the generations to come to remember their father, grandfather, great grandfather was a Believer in the gospel and gave...cheerfully...
But, the Bible, was special ...He read it everyday, studied it, gleaned from it words of life, encouragement ....wrote notes, studied words, meanings...demographics, statistics, comparisons, ....he read it to our children from infancy, through the toddler years, until they could read and we read it for morning devotions...we acted it out in charades, sang about it while traveling ...taught Sunday schools, Small groups, VBS, men's groups, financial studies on money, talked about it with others, prayed about it...
Thank YOU for Your word...it is a delight...consuming...teaching...dividing word...to the praise of Your glory...
Psalm 119[a]
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
ל Lamedh
89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.[d]
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands..
I awoke , refreshed after a fairly good night rest....pulled out this iPad to do my women's Bible study lessen...but wanted more Bible, so looked in the drawer of the motel and behold,there sat a new Gideon Bible....it smelled new, creaked like new, hadn't been used, shiny, ....
So the Bible either had just been replaced with a new one or it was not used there in the room....I opened the cover and there was the Quote, "placed in memory...."
When I think of that quote, it brings back so many memories on my own....dedications to my husband's passing...Gideon Bibles, a gear/yurt in Mongolia, donations in his name to Christian schools, organizations...living memorials ....which will bless students, families, ministries in the future who won't even know who he was....nor will it be important ...except to our family legacy, the generations to come to remember their father, grandfather, great grandfather was a Believer in the gospel and gave...cheerfully...
But, the Bible, was special ...He read it everyday, studied it, gleaned from it words of life, encouragement ....wrote notes, studied words, meanings...demographics, statistics, comparisons, ....he read it to our children from infancy, through the toddler years, until they could read and we read it for morning devotions...we acted it out in charades, sang about it while traveling ...taught Sunday schools, Small groups, VBS, men's groups, financial studies on money, talked about it with others, prayed about it...
Thank YOU for Your word...it is a delight...consuming...teaching...dividing word...to the praise of Your glory...
Psalm 119[a]
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
3 they do no wrong
but follow his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
17 Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
ל Lamedh
89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.
מ Mem
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.[d]
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands..
Friday, March 14, 2014
Poured out, venting....righting the wrongs....
Poured out, venting, righting the wrongs....
Adam did it...Cain did it, Moses did it, Hezekiah did it, Naomi did it....david did it, paul did it, I do it..... right down the line....even Jesus did it.....one after another....and another....venting our of frustration with others.....some pouring out blame...others wondering,what in the world is happening?....when are things going to get better?....why?....why...why...when...when....how long....
All we have to do is read or watch the news, listen to friends or family, even strangers for these topics...or listen to ourselves....
The psalms are full....david laying out the problems, then Turning again and again to God who solves, listens, soothes...
King Hezekiah laid out the letter before The Lord ....
Jesus went out among the crowds and then alone early in the morning to pray....
Paul went from city to city, teaching , preaching,encouraging , writing, praying...
Laying out, pouring out, venting.....before The Lord....laying it in His mighty outstretched, scarred hands ......
Thank YOU that you are mighty enough, caring enough, loving enough to take on the problems of a sin scarred world...Your shoulders wide enough to hold the burdens that we lay there load upon load....
Philippians 2:16-18 (New International Version)
16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
2 kings 19:Hezekiah’s Prayer
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.
Poured Out
Daily Devotional for March 14
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Philippians 2:16-18
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Phil 2:16b
Paul is looking forward to the great day when time will be rolled up as the dawn and cast aside, and all the fruit of Christian labor will be made visible-when all the gold, silver and precious stones that result from Christ at work in us will be gathered up and displayed. All of the wood, hay and stubble that results from our self-effort for him will be burned. Christ's steadfast continuing work in you is your holding fast to the word of life, and this is what will result in praise and rejoicing in that day. Regardless of the circumstances or the praise of men or whether there are immediate results, continue, hold fast-don't give up! Then Paul says when I see the results of your faith my heart will swell with pride because I'll know I've not helped you in vain.
Looking on to his impending death Paul says, even if I am being poured like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith. Even if that should occur, if I should know that you are holding fast to the indwelling Christ, I will die with gladness and joy in my heart. If you hear I have died that way, you too can rejoice and be glad. This is the ground of Christian rejoicing — a refreshing, fruitful life, pouring out rivers of living water to others, conditioned upon unrelenting reliance upon the indwelling Lord Jesus.
We read in Hebrews 12:2 of our Lord, who For the joy set before him
Life Application: What is our highest goal and our greatest joy in this earth's pilgrimage? Do we need to reaffirm the privilege of a life poured-out in joyful obedience to the One who alone can produce the fruit of His Spirit?"
Adam did it...Cain did it, Moses did it, Hezekiah did it, Naomi did it....david did it, paul did it, I do it..... right down the line....even Jesus did it.....one after another....and another....venting our of frustration with others.....some pouring out blame...others wondering,what in the world is happening?....when are things going to get better?....why?....why...why...when...when....how long....
All we have to do is read or watch the news, listen to friends or family, even strangers for these topics...or listen to ourselves....
The psalms are full....david laying out the problems, then Turning again and again to God who solves, listens, soothes...
King Hezekiah laid out the letter before The Lord ....
Jesus went out among the crowds and then alone early in the morning to pray....
Paul went from city to city, teaching , preaching,encouraging , writing, praying...
Laying out, pouring out, venting.....before The Lord....laying it in His mighty outstretched, scarred hands ......
Thank YOU that you are mighty enough, caring enough, loving enough to take on the problems of a sin scarred world...Your shoulders wide enough to hold the burdens that we lay there load upon load....
Philippians 2:16-18 (New International Version)
16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
2 kings 19:Hezekiah’s Prayer
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.
Poured Out
Daily Devotional for March 14
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Philippians 2:16-18
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. Phil 2:16b
Paul is looking forward to the great day when time will be rolled up as the dawn and cast aside, and all the fruit of Christian labor will be made visible-when all the gold, silver and precious stones that result from Christ at work in us will be gathered up and displayed. All of the wood, hay and stubble that results from our self-effort for him will be burned. Christ's steadfast continuing work in you is your holding fast to the word of life, and this is what will result in praise and rejoicing in that day. Regardless of the circumstances or the praise of men or whether there are immediate results, continue, hold fast-don't give up! Then Paul says when I see the results of your faith my heart will swell with pride because I'll know I've not helped you in vain.
Looking on to his impending death Paul says, even if I am being poured like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith. Even if that should occur, if I should know that you are holding fast to the indwelling Christ, I will die with gladness and joy in my heart. If you hear I have died that way, you too can rejoice and be glad. This is the ground of Christian rejoicing — a refreshing, fruitful life, pouring out rivers of living water to others, conditioned upon unrelenting reliance upon the indwelling Lord Jesus.
We read in Hebrews 12:2 of our Lord, who For the joy set before him
Life Application: What is our highest goal and our greatest joy in this earth's pilgrimage? Do we need to reaffirm the privilege of a life poured-out in joyful obedience to the One who alone can produce the fruit of His Spirit?"
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