Friday, December 30, 2016
Captives ......
Captives.....
Isaiah 42:6-7 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
These verse came to mind as I was reading Mark 5...
First, Jesus meets a man with evil spirits who lives among the tombs in the region of Gerarsenes... He is so strong that chains are unable to hold him, so filled with evil spirits, crying out night and day, hurting himself....captive....then freed at the Word of Jesus...amazing all who heard his story...freed from the captivity of evil spirits....
Psalm 107:10, 14-16 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.
Second, a synagogue ruler begs Jesus to heal his daughter who lay dying. But, this scene is interrupted by a woman who has been suffering for 12 years...all she wants to do is touch Jesus' cloak, believing she will be healed by the touch...
Jesus stops his travels to the the leader's home to speak to this woman..."your faith has healed you"... Freed from the captivity of suffering...
Finally, back to the little girl....the message comes that she has died, but Jesus ignores the message, telling the father, "don't be afraid, just believe".
Jesus again puts the extras aside, focusing on the family and the 12 year, telling her to "get up" and she does...freed from the captivity of death..
Freed from captivity....Jesus showed in more ways that he has the power to free captives, blindness, fear, and on and on...he says "don't be afraid" in so many ways....I am here...
Thank YOU...
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 13:5b-6, 8 .....because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
What legacy...
What legacy......
"What spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others and why is this important?"
-Bible reading, listening....psalm 119, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
-spiritual gifts, love...1 Corinthians 12, 13
-fruit....Galatians 5:22-26
-important commandments...Matthew 22: 37-39
-counselor....John 14:15-16
-Reliance... Jesus calling, December 28, "As you grow closer to Me, I open your eyes to see more and more of My Presence all around you. Things that most people hardly notice, like shifting shades of sunlight, fill you with heart-bursting Joy. You have eyes that see and ears that hear, so proclaim My abiding Presence in the world."
-commission.... Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-A friend who answered the question, said she wanted to "suffer well" through her various health issues...Job 36:15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
-My husband wrote that he wanted to "finish well"... He did...John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
-Transformed....2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-hope....Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Just beginning.....thank YOU....
Jesus....You are the legacy....
"What spiritual legacy would you like to leave for others and why is this important?"
-Bible reading, listening....psalm 119, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
-spiritual gifts, love...1 Corinthians 12, 13
-fruit....Galatians 5:22-26
-important commandments...Matthew 22: 37-39
-counselor....John 14:15-16
-Reliance... Jesus calling, December 28, "As you grow closer to Me, I open your eyes to see more and more of My Presence all around you. Things that most people hardly notice, like shifting shades of sunlight, fill you with heart-bursting Joy. You have eyes that see and ears that hear, so proclaim My abiding Presence in the world."
-commission.... Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
-A friend who answered the question, said she wanted to "suffer well" through her various health issues...Job 36:15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
-My husband wrote that he wanted to "finish well"... He did...John 14:1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
-Transformed....2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-hope....Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Just beginning.....thank YOU....
Jesus....You are the legacy....
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Times ahead....
Times ahead...
Five years ago, we were having our last Christmas with my husband..
All our family was there, we had visitors coming And going... We shared meals, fun times, laughter, picture albums, lives...
The devotion for that day from Jesus Calling was...I am preparing you...I am preparing you for the times ahead...what is on the road ahead...
We were so naive...never having been down this road before...I was glad for any help, human or divine...we knew the pain of upcoming loss, but, it still was like living in another world, a bad dream one...this really couldn't be happening...this happened to others, not us...and we weren't prepared...
But, Jesus was saying he was preparing us...He gave us comfort, each other, Friends, Himself, doctors, time, helpers, strength, the prayers of others around the world...so many things, seen and unseen...
Since that time, I have seen this happen again and again...God preparing, God strengthening, God comforting...God there through the storms of life, the joys of life....walking beside all who call...
Then I wonder what is He preparing me for now....but, I have to hold back and take each day, moment one by one...not getting ahead with anxious thoughts or plans...just knowing that He is here and He knows tommorrow....
Thank YOU...
Isaiah 64:4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 103:1-2 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
Monday, December 26, 2016
The day after...back to the routine ....
The day after....back to the routine...
With Christmas on Sunday this year, it almost felt there was no holiday...as there weren't any days off for most people either before or after Christmas Day...so back to the routine...back to work....the wrappings are thrown away, the long planned for food eaten, the tree barren of gifts...the Santas are gone, no more bell ringers at stores....the "after" Christmas sales begin, the rush to get the bargains we may have missed before Christmas...
The poor are still with us...the world is still in turmoil...food is still needed at the shelters...thank you's maybe needed to be written...returns to be done...Christmas store decorations quickly disappear giving way to Valentine's Day....maybe a few family activities before school starts again, but mostly the "routine" is established again....
I wonder what is was like for Joseph and Mary so long ago...the shepherds surprises were gone...did the local people whom they told come? No more angel chorus'...did the crowded inn clear out so they could have some comfort? How soon did they travel back to their home? Did baby Jesus fuss when he was hungry? Did his eyes focus on the loving parents chosen for this formidable and cherished parentage? Were Mary and Joseph still pondering the night before? Or tired from the ups and downs of new parenting? Now, as young parents, they needed to establish a routine....back to carpentry...daily meal preparations...caring for a newborn...
Routine....until the wise men came...another event to hold dear, another move to Egypt..fleeing the ruler bent on destroying their child...and establishing a new routine in a foreign country ....
In our day to day routine, help me not forget the miracle of the moments, the breaths that You give, the Gift that You gave and continue to give until the last one comes to You...the Counselor You sent to reveal Your truth, the plans You have prepared....the people You send across my path...the miracle of Christmas...help me to ponder your Word, consider the principles you have given...help me to know Your heart...
Thank YOU...
Psalm 77:12-14 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 111:2-4 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Oh Holy night...
Oh Holy Night...
http://www.coolestone.com/media/16088/O-Holy-Night---Christmas-Day/#.WF_P3Os76K1
Something so mundane as another child being born...
New parents...
A crowded inn...
A simple manger...
Shepherds...
Mundane to world changing to life changing....
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Thank YOU that you not only know our frame from beginning to the end, You sent a Savior for our souls...
An added thought...Christ spent his first night in a manger of an inn which had no room...to the last supper in an inn in the upper room with his disciples ...quite a change...
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Anticlimatic....
"Anticlimactic "...
Our family does not necessarily celebrate Christmas on Christmas Day...
We just pick a day when we can all usually get together that fits with work schedules...not everyone has Christmas Day as a day off..especially our wonderful public servants, the police or fireman and many others...
So I was contemplating this as we have had our Christmas and the set aside Christmas Day is yet to come...sort of anticlimactic...we have had our family gathering, everyone is either on their way to their respective homes or have completed the journey....through snow and ice again this year...
But, Christmas is still yet to come...imagine a world long ago waiting for the Messiah...he does comes quietly into the world into a stable, not a mansion..with a fan fare of angels, shepherds and later the wisemen...
This tiny child who came for all to have eternal life at his word, believing He is God of salvation, the redeemer...the creator of the universe, weaver of lives..planner of life paths...He held the world in His tiny pudgy baby hands...such a mystery...
"This everlasting gift was the sole purpose of My entering your sin-stained world. Receive My gift with awe and humility." Sarah Young in Jesus Calling..
Psalm 119: 57a says, " You are my portion, oh, LORD.."
The real reason for Christmas is everyday...not just one set aside for yearly celebrations...HE came to give life all the days, abundant eternal life...a gift without measure...thank YOU...
Thursday, December 22, 2016
"Open my eyes"
"Open my eyes".....
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
I started in this place this morning and "open my eyes" caught my heart...so plugged those words into the program and out came the following verses as well...some God was speaking and others, man...some pleading, others-declaring...
They all lead to God...worship...the Word...
Thank YOU....help me to see the "wonderful things"....being attentive to You...
1 Kings 8:29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
2 Chronicles 6:40 “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:15-16 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
Nehemiah 1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.
Psalm 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
John 9:30-38 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
"Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
I started in this place this morning and "open my eyes" caught my heart...so plugged those words into the program and out came the following verses as well...some God was speaking and others, man...some pleading, others-declaring...
They all lead to God...worship...the Word...
Thank YOU....help me to see the "wonderful things"....being attentive to You...
1 Kings 8:29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.
2 Chronicles 6:40 “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:15-16 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
Nehemiah 1:6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.
Psalm 119:148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
John 9:30-38 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
"Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Two masters....
Two masters....
My rabbit trail this morning...started in psalm 115, then it wandered to Matthew, Deuteronomy, and Joshua...
In the Psalm, He speaks first to the Israelites, then to the house of Aaron and finally to "you who fear him".... In two places ...which to my small finite mind means anyone who fears the Lord...
But, my rabbit trail went a little further on the map....with Joshua asking who the people would choose...the gods or the God...
Or Moses asking the Israelites whom they would choose in an earlier time...
Or Jesus saying we can't serve two masters...with Him or in this case, money ( a god)...
In each there are similar outcomes...
We still have the same choices, centuries later...nothing has really changed...the gods may look different, or the money have different names worldwide ...but the choice, principal is the same...
Choose the God or a god...
Thank YOU...
Psalm 115:1-18 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.
They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
All you Israelites, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.
You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless his people Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,
he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.
For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed.
You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Monday, December 19, 2016
Continuation....Psalm 111 to 112
Continuation...Psalms 111 to 112
While reading in Psalms, I noticed that to me 112 was a continuation of 111.
111 is filled with descriptions of God and some of His infinite character...great, glorious, majestic, righteousness, gracious, compassionate , provider, faithful, just, trustworthy, redeemer, holy ....to name a few...
( was reminded of George Washington Carver in verse 2. Here was a godly man who pondered God's works and invented so many uses of peanut and other plants...
http://www.intellectualvillage.com/inventionspatents/george-washington-carvers-inventions/ )
Psalm 111:1-10 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Then reading on into 112 are promises for those who fear the Lord....who find delight in His commands...what a plethora of promises...I especially liked the "never be shaken"... Stability in trusting even in bad times...which seems so hard when the bad times do come...thank YOU for who You are...How you work in our lives...help me to fear You, to live out your graciousness, compassion, righteousness, to be generous, to be unfearful-unshaken, just, steadfast, trusting...to YOU be the praise...
Psalm 112:1-10 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
While reading in Psalms, I noticed that to me 112 was a continuation of 111.
111 is filled with descriptions of God and some of His infinite character...great, glorious, majestic, righteousness, gracious, compassionate , provider, faithful, just, trustworthy, redeemer, holy ....to name a few...
( was reminded of George Washington Carver in verse 2. Here was a godly man who pondered God's works and invented so many uses of peanut and other plants...
http://www.intellectualvillage.com/inventionspatents/george-washington-carvers-inventions/ )
Psalm 111:1-10 Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness.
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Then reading on into 112 are promises for those who fear the Lord....who find delight in His commands...what a plethora of promises...I especially liked the "never be shaken"... Stability in trusting even in bad times...which seems so hard when the bad times do come...thank YOU for who You are...How you work in our lives...help me to fear You, to live out your graciousness, compassion, righteousness, to be generous, to be unfearful-unshaken, just, steadfast, trusting...to YOU be the praise...
Psalm 112:1-10 Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
The Revelation Song...
Revelation song...
My mind's picture this a.m. was in a stable....with wide eyed shepherds, watching a tiny baby...stretching, yawning, watching a blurry world, wrapped in soft cloths, listening to his mother gently speaking...a father, near, guarding this precious bundle..the bed , soft with hay, smells and sounds of animals nearby...a clear night that had been filled with heavenly hosts, crisp air....otherwise quiet...murmuring...mystery...the town is probably asleep...not knowing, caring nor comprehending this "once in a lifetime" event....
A tiny baby holds the world in his tiny, pudgy hands...
And a mother ponders these things...
All the while his Father fills the space with His infinite presence, as well..I don't know how that happens, but He is ever present...all knowing...all powerful....all...
This song isn't a "Christmas" song...it just seemed to fit the scene...Worthy...the lamb...all creation sing...Holy...Holy...Holy....
Thank YOU....
Lyrics
"Revelation Song"
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Oh, You're worthy, mystery
You are worthy
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A3IUqz10ARE
My mind's picture this a.m. was in a stable....with wide eyed shepherds, watching a tiny baby...stretching, yawning, watching a blurry world, wrapped in soft cloths, listening to his mother gently speaking...a father, near, guarding this precious bundle..the bed , soft with hay, smells and sounds of animals nearby...a clear night that had been filled with heavenly hosts, crisp air....otherwise quiet...murmuring...mystery...the town is probably asleep...not knowing, caring nor comprehending this "once in a lifetime" event....
A tiny baby holds the world in his tiny, pudgy hands...
And a mother ponders these things...
All the while his Father fills the space with His infinite presence, as well..I don't know how that happens, but He is ever present...all knowing...all powerful....all...
This song isn't a "Christmas" song...it just seemed to fit the scene...Worthy...the lamb...all creation sing...Holy...Holy...Holy....
Thank YOU....
Lyrics
"Revelation Song"
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Holy, holy is He
Sing a new song to Him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows of living color
Flashes of lighting rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor strength and glory and power be
To You the only wise King
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
Filled with wonder awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name
Jesus Your name is power, breath and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Oh, You're worthy, mystery
You are worthy
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You, I will adore You
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A3IUqz10ARE
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Psalms, again and again....
Psalms, again and again....
Reading the psalms again...the 100's continue with such praise for everything...creation, salvation, the character of God, the saving of Israel, personal joy of the writer, David...
Psalm 100:1-5 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
They start and end with thanksgiving, praise....plus praise throughout the verses...filling your being with joy...even in the hardest of times...
I was struck this a.m. With the verse, Psalm 107:43, "Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord."
My version says, "consider the great love of the Lord."
After reading several of these psalms, you can't not consider the great love of the Lord....amazing .....
Then I opened up this song by the Piano Guys and it was just another affirmation of His Love...as well as a missionary letter that though a tiring year for them, they were seeing God's hand in their lives and answers to their dilemmas and desires...
Thank YOU....who made the heavens and earth, care for our hearts, souls and minds....
http://www.coolestone.com/media/16039/O-Come,-Emmanuel---Christmas-Version---ThePianoGuys/#.WFVEn5A76K1
Reading the psalms again...the 100's continue with such praise for everything...creation, salvation, the character of God, the saving of Israel, personal joy of the writer, David...
Psalm 100:1-5 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
They start and end with thanksgiving, praise....plus praise throughout the verses...filling your being with joy...even in the hardest of times...
I was struck this a.m. With the verse, Psalm 107:43, "Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord."
My version says, "consider the great love of the Lord."
After reading several of these psalms, you can't not consider the great love of the Lord....amazing .....
Then I opened up this song by the Piano Guys and it was just another affirmation of His Love...as well as a missionary letter that though a tiring year for them, they were seeing God's hand in their lives and answers to their dilemmas and desires...
Thank YOU....who made the heavens and earth, care for our hearts, souls and minds....
http://www.coolestone.com/media/16039/O-Come,-Emmanuel---Christmas-Version---ThePianoGuys/#.WFVEn5A76K1
Friday, December 16, 2016
Early, ...random thoughts.....
Random thoughts....ideas...
Early ....
As I rise early 95% of the time... I check the weather, new mail quickly...but before I rise up, I lay quietly contemplating the coming day, praying for various ones that come to mind....cocooned in warmness...suffused light from a variety of LED lights in another room....and after 5 a.m., the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the darkness...
I looked up "early" in the Bible, and found many references to it..
-early they went
-early they rose
-early they worshipped
-early they prepared
-early they listened
-early they found
-early they prayed
-early they travelled
-early they .......
-early He prayed...
(Wouldn't it be interesting to know what Jesus prayed early in those emotionally , physically busy days he spent on earth...held in human form, but knowing the glory of infinite form...We know he prayed for us at one time....John 17)
I like the verse in Isaiah 50...being instructed...morning by morning...am I listening, I ask...am I paying attention to the Word before me...am I a doer of the Word...does my heart quake at not listening ....am I at peace in His presence...does He give me new thoughts to contemplate...am I astounded, awed early...am I prepared...
Thank YOU...for the early morning "wake up calls"....even when I grumble in the darkness sometimes...they are precious ...delightful...insightful ...peaceful...revealing...tear jerking ....provoking...rebuking...admonishing....loving...
Isaiah 30:15, 18, 21 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Early ....
As I rise early 95% of the time... I check the weather, new mail quickly...but before I rise up, I lay quietly contemplating the coming day, praying for various ones that come to mind....cocooned in warmness...suffused light from a variety of LED lights in another room....and after 5 a.m., the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the darkness...
I looked up "early" in the Bible, and found many references to it..
-early they went
-early they rose
-early they worshipped
-early they prepared
-early they listened
-early they found
-early they prayed
-early they travelled
-early they .......
-early He prayed...
(Wouldn't it be interesting to know what Jesus prayed early in those emotionally , physically busy days he spent on earth...held in human form, but knowing the glory of infinite form...We know he prayed for us at one time....John 17)
I like the verse in Isaiah 50...being instructed...morning by morning...am I listening, I ask...am I paying attention to the Word before me...am I a doer of the Word...does my heart quake at not listening ....am I at peace in His presence...does He give me new thoughts to contemplate...am I astounded, awed early...am I prepared...
Thank YOU...for the early morning "wake up calls"....even when I grumble in the darkness sometimes...they are precious ...delightful...insightful ...peaceful...revealing...tear jerking ....provoking...rebuking...admonishing....loving...
Isaiah 30:15, 18, 21 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Isaiah 50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
The sound of silence...
There is an "old" song written by Simon and Garfunkel, released in 1966, "Sounds of Silence"... I remember it, I heard it in person at UC Davis...
The title came to mind this a.m. as I am listening to the silence of snow blanketing my town. Quietness...in the early morning ...as snow has fallen and continues to fall throughout the day with a potential of 15 inches...
That sounds pretty slim, when other places measure by the feet instead...
But, back to the song which speaks to a people who do not hear or listen...at that time, maybe the "establishment" or just people all around who do not care...
As opposed to the following song ...written to remind us of another time when God spoke....on a holy night...maybe a quiet night as well, the sheep resting , the shepherds were reclining , watchful ...when the sky opened with the opposite of silence...it opened with a host of angels singing...rejoicing that a Savior had been born to all the world...
http://www.coolestone.com/media/16015/O-Holy-Night---GENTRI--(Official-Music-Video)/#.WE_5q5A76K1
I would want to hear the angels singing rather than a forlorn silence of People...
I want to hear the rejoicing of a Savior who lives...eternally ....even in the silence of blankets of snow...His creation of whiteness...moisture for new life in the springtime...thank YOU....
Job 37:5-13 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor. The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.
Psalm 147:16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
Psalm 148:5-14 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the Lord.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Shepherds, again....
Shepherds, again....
Through the ages...from Genesis to Revelations....from leaders in the past to us, in the here and now...to the future...
Distinct shepherding lessons and jobs for "life"...
What flock or flocks has God called me or you to shepherd?...
Thank YOU....
Abel-
Genesis 4:2-4 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Abraham-Genesis 22:13-14 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 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.”
Jacob-Genesis 30:31-32 “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages.
Joseph-Genesis 37:2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Moses-Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Job-Job 1:1-3 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
David-1 Samuel 16:7, 11 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
Psalm 78:70-72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Shepherds-Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Jesus-Matthew 2:5-6 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Micah 5:4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
John 10:11-12, 14-15 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
Us-1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Shepherd
Shepherd [N] [S]
a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead ( Jeremiah 2:8 ; 3:15 ; 10:21 ; 12:10 ; 17:16 ). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people ( Psalms 23:1 ; 80:1 ; Isaiah 40:11 ; 44:28 ; Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah 25:35 ; Nahum 3:18 ; John 10:11 John 10:14 ; Hebrews 13:20 ; 1 Peter 2:25 ; 5:4 ).
The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34 ).", Deane's David.
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain
Through the ages...from Genesis to Revelations....from leaders in the past to us, in the here and now...to the future...
Distinct shepherding lessons and jobs for "life"...
What flock or flocks has God called me or you to shepherd?...
Thank YOU....
Abel-
Genesis 4:2-4 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
Abraham-Genesis 22:13-14 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 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.”
Jacob-Genesis 30:31-32 “What shall I give you?” he asked. “Don’t give me anything,” Jacob replied. “But if you will do this one thing for me, I will go on tending your flocks and watching over them: Let me go through all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb and every spotted or speckled goat. They will be my wages.
Joseph-Genesis 37:2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
Moses-Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Job-Job 1:1-3 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
David-1 Samuel 16:7, 11 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
Psalm 78:70-72 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
Shepherds-Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Jesus-Matthew 2:5-6 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Micah 5:4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
John 10:11-12, 14-15 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
Us-1 Peter 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Shepherd
Shepherd [N] [S]
a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead ( Jeremiah 2:8 ; 3:15 ; 10:21 ; 12:10 ; 17:16 ). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people ( Psalms 23:1 ; 80:1 ; Isaiah 40:11 ; 44:28 ; Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah 25:35 ; Nahum 3:18 ; John 10:11 John 10:14 ; Hebrews 13:20 ; 1 Peter 2:25 ; 5:4 ).
The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34 ).", Deane's David.
These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain
Friday, December 9, 2016
Giving ....an extraordinary gift...
Giving, the extraordinary gift....
Still going through 2 Timothy while the season of giving is upon me, Paul so admonishes Timothy and his congregation to follow their calling...our "entrustment" ( my word) :)
All of the spiritual gifts are extraordinary. And I love to hear about how people are blessed by using their gifts to the advance of the gospel...I just know by experience that giving is more than a delight to my heart...I woke up this am picturing God smiling, laughing with the joy of the universe to hear, watching and being a part of every person's use of their giving of themselves, his resources...
-It was like watching all the "Hallmark movies"
-all of the Angels singing the hallelujahs
-the child seeing for the first time
-a plane landing, carrying people, supplies to much needed countries
-a language group hearing the Word spoken in their mother tongue
-a goat or flock of chickens given to a family to earn a living
-a gear/yurt given to a family in need
-a Bible given to a serviceman fighting for our country
-food given to the homeless on the street or in a shelter
-a shoebox given to a "forgotten" child
-a medical clinic built for the "poor" in the middle of "nowhere"
-iPads for itinerant pastors hundreds of miles from a school
-new limbs given to people in war torn countries
-a scholarship to school
-abused or enslaved people receiving help
-a flower bouquet for the room of a dying patient
-water gushing from a new well
-support to support others
-seeing a child smile or giggle for the first time...
-a speech pathologist in a needy area on another continent far from the comforts of "home"
-simple children's books sent to a school whose library is a tree with benches
-cooking supplies and food to a renovated kitchen serving the homeless or natural disaster victims
-building materials to families after a flood or fire or....
-a motorcycle to a pastor who serves families miles apart...or is taking the gospel to new villages
-backpacks filled with school supplies
-toys to prisoners' children
-lap robes and socks to the elderly
-$ in a red bucket
-a sewing machine to a young woman to earn a living
-shoveling snow over and over again for the housebound
-housing for those who have lost their homes
-water to the thirsty
-etc.
-etc.
-etc.
-fill in the infinite list....
All in Jesus' precious name...
All is Gods and we are just tools to give it out...He is giving us the joy of giving out His resources...but I can still picture His joy watching, encouraging us to give of ourselves and the resources He gives freely...
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7-9 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
This is not about "me" or "you", it is about giving to those whom God has laid on our hearts...it is about giving Joy back to our loving God who gives all things...
Thank YOU for the opportunity....
Still going through 2 Timothy while the season of giving is upon me, Paul so admonishes Timothy and his congregation to follow their calling...our "entrustment" ( my word) :)
All of the spiritual gifts are extraordinary. And I love to hear about how people are blessed by using their gifts to the advance of the gospel...I just know by experience that giving is more than a delight to my heart...I woke up this am picturing God smiling, laughing with the joy of the universe to hear, watching and being a part of every person's use of their giving of themselves, his resources...
-It was like watching all the "Hallmark movies"
-all of the Angels singing the hallelujahs
-the child seeing for the first time
-a plane landing, carrying people, supplies to much needed countries
-a language group hearing the Word spoken in their mother tongue
-a goat or flock of chickens given to a family to earn a living
-a gear/yurt given to a family in need
-a Bible given to a serviceman fighting for our country
-food given to the homeless on the street or in a shelter
-a shoebox given to a "forgotten" child
-a medical clinic built for the "poor" in the middle of "nowhere"
-iPads for itinerant pastors hundreds of miles from a school
-new limbs given to people in war torn countries
-a scholarship to school
-abused or enslaved people receiving help
-a flower bouquet for the room of a dying patient
-water gushing from a new well
-support to support others
-seeing a child smile or giggle for the first time...
-a speech pathologist in a needy area on another continent far from the comforts of "home"
-simple children's books sent to a school whose library is a tree with benches
-cooking supplies and food to a renovated kitchen serving the homeless or natural disaster victims
-building materials to families after a flood or fire or....
-a motorcycle to a pastor who serves families miles apart...or is taking the gospel to new villages
-backpacks filled with school supplies
-toys to prisoners' children
-lap robes and socks to the elderly
-$ in a red bucket
-a sewing machine to a young woman to earn a living
-shoveling snow over and over again for the housebound
-housing for those who have lost their homes
-water to the thirsty
-etc.
-etc.
-etc.
-fill in the infinite list....
All in Jesus' precious name...
All is Gods and we are just tools to give it out...He is giving us the joy of giving out His resources...but I can still picture His joy watching, encouraging us to give of ourselves and the resources He gives freely...
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7-9 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
This is not about "me" or "you", it is about giving to those whom God has laid on our hearts...it is about giving Joy back to our loving God who gives all things...
Thank YOU for the opportunity....
Thursday, December 8, 2016
The Word....
The Word....
I opened my Bible programs this am, to this "Verse for Day"...
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I had just been studying for a class and the verse that stood out was....
Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.
As well as the first five verses of 2 Timothy 4, how people will turn away from the truth and follow myths...
The myths hold no joy, no truth, no life, no direction, no delight....
Oh, how the Spirit longs for us to know truth, to find our joy in Jesus....
Thank YOU that you so long for us to find our delight in You...Your Word, Jesus...
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
I opened my Bible programs this am, to this "Verse for Day"...
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I had just been studying for a class and the verse that stood out was....
Jeremiah 15:16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.
As well as the first five verses of 2 Timothy 4, how people will turn away from the truth and follow myths...
The myths hold no joy, no truth, no life, no direction, no delight....
Oh, how the Spirit longs for us to know truth, to find our joy in Jesus....
Thank YOU that you so long for us to find our delight in You...Your Word, Jesus...
John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
December 7....
December 7th...
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/06/pearl-harbor-survivor-what-saw-aboard-uss-arizona-on-december-7-1941.html
Having been there in Sept., this place is fresh in my mind...the "black tears" rising to the surface...the quietness of the visitors, the American flag flying bravely above, the heroism portrayed....they may not have called themselves exroidinary, but they gave so much that we might be free...help us to remember this day in "infamy"...help us face the days ahead as bravely as they, as committed as they, ordinary as they...thankful, ever thankful for the country that God so richly blessed....
Thank YOU....
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/12/06/pearl-harbor-survivor-what-saw-aboard-uss-arizona-on-december-7-1941.html
Having been there in Sept., this place is fresh in my mind...the "black tears" rising to the surface...the quietness of the visitors, the American flag flying bravely above, the heroism portrayed....they may not have called themselves exroidinary, but they gave so much that we might be free...help us to remember this day in "infamy"...help us face the days ahead as bravely as they, as committed as they, ordinary as they...thankful, ever thankful for the country that God so richly blessed....
Thank YOU....
Monday, December 5, 2016
Shepherd's eye view....
Shepherds' eye view....
My father raised sheep before and after I was born...he had this idea of buying older bred ewes, which he did to start a flock of sheep, culling out the really old ones as he could...the older ewes were cheaper, but great mothers and usually had twins. So he would increase his flock quickly, which he did...he told about how he was able to raise these sheep on the rented ground where we lived, while he was working an outside job. So the sheep supplied wool to sell, as well a meat to eat, money to save for this young married family...he eventually sold the flock, turning to cattle which were mingled with his father's Hereford herd in central California...
One of my husband's earliest pictures was with his lamb, "dynamite". He is proudly standing, smiling with his lamb...
Our first date was after my future husband had been working with sheep all week during Christmas break..."tagging" them, which means shearing the rump wool, smelly, dirty work...and his car told the "tale"...
Our first four legged livestock were sheep as well, who always managed to find any weak spot in the fences, especially while my husband happened to be away...I quickly dubbed them "biblical lessons"...
We continued to own sheep for 4H projects for several years, different kinds of sheep with different personalities, uses...some, more for meat and others, more for their fine wool...merino...my children bottle fed "bummer" lambs until they almost became household pets or pests, as the case may be....we loved watching the lambs gamboling around the pasture, running as a groups first one way and then another, exercising their little wooly legs, pairing up with their patient moms to suckle, tails wiggling before they were off again, finally snuggling into a grass for a nap... So pure white or black against the spring green field...
I was thinking of all these sheep-raising events in our lives as the pastor spoke of seeing Christmas from a different perspective...from the angels and people who saw Christmas first hand...
The shepherds were the lowly of lowlies on the cultural chain...they worked outside, watching and caring for smelly sheep...but, in God's grand scheme of life, they were the first to hear of Christ's birth...they were the ones who sought Him out first...they were the ones to worship Him first, they were the ones chosen to tell others first...the dirty, smelly, grimy, amazed shepherds...whom the Angels pronounced the blessed arrival of a Messiah...a Shepherd for all mankind...a Savior...thank YOU...
Luke 2:8-20 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
HOW PEOPLE MADE A LIVING IN THE TIME OF JESUS, American Bible Society.
http://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/s/shepherd.html
http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=qDQAYzDf0WM=
https://reflectionsintheword.org/2011/12/23/tidings-to-shepherds-broadcasts-to-outcasts/
The Responsibilities Of A Good Shepherd, Sandy Simpson
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Transitions....
Transitions....
I spent Yet another day sitting at an all day seminar about transitions, transitioning, "passing the baton" in families, family businesses...
As a "boomer" with adult children of various ages, interests, abilities, capabilities, giftings, personalities, time available, business acumen, vocations, etc...., I need to make wise decisions, communicate freely, act above board in the passing on of knowledge, life,...to the next generation...
In these times, "boomers" are handing off the most wealth ever...but we, also, need to be handing off the "wealth" of God teaching ....it is the lasting gift...
We need to do it with confidence, leadership, creativity, relationally, and credibility...
Not in-coincidentally, I am studying through 2 Timothy...which is Paul offering last words of advise and life to his "dear son" in the Lord, Timothy... Transitioning from one generation to another the wisdom he has garnered from his life in the Lord...with warnings, admonitions, encouragement...confident that with God's help Timothy will carry on the work to which he has been called...
I guess I am still surprised to be where I am in life,...widowed, a matriarch, a business owner, a older woman, a mentor.... I feel like I have so much to learn yet, but I also have knowledge and wisdom of age...I, too, am gifted and God wants me to use it all...with His leadership...but, I am still reeling from the changes and the expectations...but, God is able to use each of us wherever we are in life...
Thank YOU for Your everlasting love, which transcends all...You have gifted us each in the ways we should go...You stand ready to bestow wisdom in all our words, actions if we but ask....You make known our paths and have prepared them...thank YOU...
2 Timothy...
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I spent Yet another day sitting at an all day seminar about transitions, transitioning, "passing the baton" in families, family businesses...
As a "boomer" with adult children of various ages, interests, abilities, capabilities, giftings, personalities, time available, business acumen, vocations, etc...., I need to make wise decisions, communicate freely, act above board in the passing on of knowledge, life,...to the next generation...
In these times, "boomers" are handing off the most wealth ever...but we, also, need to be handing off the "wealth" of God teaching ....it is the lasting gift...
We need to do it with confidence, leadership, creativity, relationally, and credibility...
Not in-coincidentally, I am studying through 2 Timothy...which is Paul offering last words of advise and life to his "dear son" in the Lord, Timothy... Transitioning from one generation to another the wisdom he has garnered from his life in the Lord...with warnings, admonitions, encouragement...confident that with God's help Timothy will carry on the work to which he has been called...
I guess I am still surprised to be where I am in life,...widowed, a matriarch, a business owner, a older woman, a mentor.... I feel like I have so much to learn yet, but I also have knowledge and wisdom of age...I, too, am gifted and God wants me to use it all...with His leadership...but, I am still reeling from the changes and the expectations...but, God is able to use each of us wherever we are in life...
Thank YOU for Your everlasting love, which transcends all...You have gifted us each in the ways we should go...You stand ready to bestow wisdom in all our words, actions if we but ask....You make known our paths and have prepared them...thank YOU...
2 Timothy...
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Friday, December 2, 2016
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