Walking…

 Walking…

These verses in Ephesians looked me in the face as I opened my dashboard this morning…walking…

I love to walk and physically walk everyday, 4-5 miles…either outside or inside on my treadmill(my treadmill is not a clothes hanger, as seen in cartoons).

I have found that inactivity, for me, leads to more inactivity, which means I can’t move as I desire to do…so I need to be active in body, mind and spirit….which leads me back to walking….and with whom…

Looking up “walk” in the Bible, leads to paths, directions and choices…

From Genesis to Revelations, about 345 times, “walk” is used…over the ages, people have had the choice with whom to walk…where to walk and how to walk…and finally, the consequences of their walk…

Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God…until they sinned…

Noah walked with God…

And more, on down through the ages…

Various kings, leaders walked in the ways of their fathers, either good and bad…

The negatives of not walking with the Lord are numerous and leads to dire consequences…

We each are admonished to walk carefully, wisely, in the truth, in the way of the Lord, in newness of life…

Thank YOU for giving us light to our path, helping us walk with YOU…  

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-21 

These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.

Genesis 6:9 

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.

Exodus 16:4 

You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.”

Judges 2:22

And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

1 Kings 3:14

For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

Psalm 56:13

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 86:11

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:4 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 

Stay close to the light…

 Stay close to the light….

Recently, one of my daughter-in-laws, one grandson and I visited a nearby cave, called Mammoth Cave…A unique tourist stop north of Twin Falls…

Acres of rusty farm equipment, old trucks, old fences, corrals, buildings…lose chickens, 40+ peacocks and hens, 3 emu…

You check in, receive a LED lantern  and off you go on a self-guided tour of a lava tube which extends about a quart of mile underground, following the designated pathway in and out…your lanterns are the only light except the entrance hole…the cave is huge…painted signs are placed once in awhile…but mostly you are looking at the variations of colors and formations  in the rock wall…moisture seeps from above, with a temperature of 40 degrees…

(Down the road at the Shoshone ices caves, ice is the floor…where they once made ice to sell…)

My grandson, who is six, wasn’t a big fan of the dark around us , but my daughter -in-law kept encouraging him with our lanterns, saying “ we need to keep close to the light” so that we could see, find our paths and look at the cave and rocks…

What a reminder again that we also need to keep close to the Light…

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:3-4

You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it.

Exodus 25:37 

For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.

2 Samuel 22:29 

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:105,130 

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

Daniel 2:20-22 

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, 

for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, 

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; 

to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, 

to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, 

whereby the sunrise shall visit us  from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Luke 1:68-79

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6 

But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Ephesians 5:13,15

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:5,7

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 

By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, And night will be no more. 

They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 21:23-24,22:5

Thank YOU for lights to light our paths and being the Light to light our lives…. 

Here I am…

 Here I am….

You call and call and finally they listen…your children or husband are concentrating on some thing vitality important..mud pies, building a fence, a contract, feeding the sheep…chasing rainbows, stomping in the mud or snow….whatever…finally they answer, “here I am”…and you are content to know where they are, what they are doing….if they really listen…or maybe you wanted the,to check in once in awhile…

Or for your children, maybe they have gotten lost in the night darkness, or had a bad dream and they are calling you…and you comfort them saying, “ here I am”…you both want that answer…in the dark, in the light, knowing that someone is there…

Several times that phrase is used from Genesis to Revelation…

God calls and is wanting an answer…an acknowledgment…that obedience…

I realize I don’t always answer to those callings with an immediate, “here I am”…it may be more like, “okay, okay, I hear you”…when I would rather not…even when the former is more appropriate…

Then I see two verses, Isaiah 65:1 and Revelation 3:20…where God is not asking but giving of himself to our seeking, saying, “ here I am” to Israel and to anyone who is seeking…waiting, wanting…He desires that we open up to Him…how I love that…the God of the universe wants to be with me…thank YOU….

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Genesis 22:1

But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 22:11

 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered.

Genesis 27:1

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 46:2

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:4

Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am. ” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” 

But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” 

And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 

A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” 

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! ” 

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3:4-6,8-10 

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40:7-8 

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’

Isaiah 65:1

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

Acts 9:10

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 

Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll — I have come to do your will, my God.’” 

First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” —though they were offered in accordance with the law. 

Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:5-10

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20 

Joints and marrow…

 Joints and marrow…

After my husband passed away, I spent a bit of time at the orthopedic doctors…having X-rays, cortisone shots in knees, heels, ankles and hands, as well as surgery on one hand remaking a thumb joint…these areas still are reminder of those visits as they flare continually …all from caring for, stress and lifting him during his last earthly days…

I would watch a screen showing the routes of the needles as they moved around, finding just the right spots to inject the medications…was so interesting and a good distraction from the pain they inflicted at the time…some so tiny it was hard to penetrate…

This verse reminded me of those days … 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13

 -alive…

-active…

-sharper than any double-edged sword..

⁃ penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow…

⁃ Judges the thoughts 

⁃ Judges the attitude…of the heart…

⁃

God’s word is so much more than those needles for medication…medications are just a temporary fix…they give help for awhile and wear off…needing to be repeated periodically with the need of another injection, for which I am grateful…

 But, the Word is eternal, alive, active, teaching…penetrating our hearts, souls and minds…teaching truth, convicting…transforming….reaching deep…finding all…uncovering all…laying bare before Him…deeper than any screen I watched…the Word is more than just another shot…it is always working, never getting old, or wearing out or needing changed…it is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…applicable…

In Psalm 119,  David  speaks over and over again about the Word…what is does..how it works… 

A few from those writings…

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. 

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. 

Teach me,  Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 

Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 

Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 

I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Psalm 119:27-29,33-35,43,58,66,89

Paul wrote…

Do not conform 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

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.

2 Corinthians 3:18

The Word made flesh..

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.

John 1:1-5 

Thank YOU that we have your written Word…that Jesus came as the Word, walking amongst the people…living the Word …He fulfilled the Word…and that He can live within our hearts….as well as the universe…

I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40:8 

“ I charge you…”

 

“I charge you….”

Watching a video this week from Dr. David Jeremiah, he spoke of charges given through time in the Word…that peeked my interest to find what each said…

Moses to the people …

And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” And at that time I told you everything you were to do.

Deuteronomy 1:16-18

To Solomon…

“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

1 Chronicles 28:8 

But Jesus remained silent. 

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Matthew 26:63-64

From Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

1 Thessalonians 5:27

Paul to Timothy…

I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time —God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. 

To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

1 Timothy 5:21,6:11-16,20-21

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. 

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Two spoke of judgment, partiality, favoritism…

Most spoke of keeping on through Christ with the Word…

Being faithful…in the Word, God’s calling and direction…

Charges, not just for those In history but, for today, tomorrow…for anyone who desires to be a follower of Jesus…

Thank YOU….

Wise men….men of the East

 Wise men…men of the East….

A friend shared the other day about a passage in Esther…

Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times

Esther 1:13

And how it shared similar language to Matthew 2… 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/magi/

Susa is almost due East of Jerusalem…Esther, which book does not name God throughout, talks of wise men…

https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/ancient-persian-capital-susa/

https://bible-history.com/map_babylonian_captivity/map_of_the_deportation_of_judah_susa.html

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility — young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. 

He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. 

And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. 

He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. …

Daniel 1:3-4,17,20,2:27-28 

Daniel talks of wise men as well, their training, …but, acknowledges that only God reveals wisdom… as does James in the New Testament.. or Solomon in the Old Testament 

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

1 Kings 3:9,12 

 The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, just as he had promised him. There were peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

1 Kings 5:12

All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

2 Chronicles 9:23 

Solomon writes of wisdom numerous times in the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes….

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 

Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 

Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words,

Proverbs 2:6,10,12,16

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 15:33 

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 

David spoke  of wisdom as well…. 

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

Psalm 37:30

My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

Psalm 49:3

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111:10

James speaks of wisdom…

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. 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 1:5,3:13,17

And on through the book of Revelations…

Oh, to be wise…from ruling nations, to humbleness…to making right decisions…to finding the King of Kings…useful in all of life…

Thank YOU that we can ask…

If walls could talk…interesting connections….

 If walls could talk…..interesting connections….

Just interesting connections….

At the beginning of Jesus’ life, Herod “the great “ heard the magi ask the question about finding the “king of the Jews”…probably in his home in Jerusalem….he didn’t like it…he wanted to be the king of the Jews, according to historians…this could be an interloper ….so he ordered the death of boys, two and under,  in and around Bethlehem…

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “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.’ ” 

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Matthew 2:1-8,16

Then, at the end of Jesus’ earthly life, Jesus himself, who had escaped the first slaughter of boys, stands in the same palace being questioned by Pilate, a successor of Herod…about being the “king of the Jews “…

Pilate, unlike Herod, washes his hands of the blood of Jesus death…not only that, a sign is placed with his “charge” …”King of the Jews “…

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 

Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor. 

When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 

Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews.”

Matthew 27:11-14,24,37

I wonder, if anyone at the time, lived to see both incidents…did they stop to consider…did they put the two events together…what were their thoughts… 

We have the written Word which records the historical view…do I stop and consider how all of the puzzle pieces fit together…how the Word is faithful…even the details…of times and places, “irony” of words spoken…

Thank YOU…

Then later another Herod dealt with Paul…did he know the history of the “King of the Jews”… all the threads of the Historical “tapestry “…woven in more connections….

https://www.bibleodyssey.org/people/main-articles/herod-the-great

https://biblehub.com/topical/h/herod_the_great.htm

Chaff…

Chaff…

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:12

In the English Standard Version the word, chaff, is used  16 times…it is not a term that we want to be called or referred to…. 

A few references…

Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?

Job 13:25

“How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? 

That their calamity comes upon them? 

That God distributes pains in his anger? 

That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away? 

You say, ‘God stores up their iniquity for their children.’ Let him pay it out to them, that they may know it. 

Let their own eyes see their destruction, and let them drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 

 For what do they care for their houses after them, when the number of their months is cut off?

Job 21:17-21 

The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Psalm 1:4

I will scatter you  like chaff driven by the wind from the desert. This is your lot, the portion I have measured out to you, declares the Lord, because you have forgotten me and trusted in lies.

Jeremiah 13:24-25

Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect —before the day passes away like chaff— before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord . Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord .

Zephaniah 2:1-3 

Chaff is the husk that covers the kernel of wheat…it is beaten/removed/thrashed away from the kernels of grain…it floats in the wind…

When you watch the harvest of a wheat/grain field, there is a “cloud” around the thrasher. The chaff is coming off the grain…the grain is saved and the chaff is thrown away…it is light and easily floats, settling to the ground, having no value.

As a child, my father and I would walk through wheat fields adjacent to our home, picking a few wheat heads at harvest time…rubbed them in our hands until the kernels were loosened, blowing away the chaff and then chewed the kernels until we had “wheat gum”. We savored the kernels but got rid of the chaff…

 

Looking at the previous verses, chaff is what you get rid of…the wheat is saved…it compares to the wicked and the righteous…judgment…

In the Matthew verse, John the Baptist is speaking of Jesus…a time of judgement…

God desires that all would be “wheat”…

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,  not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 

He gave his Son for us…

  

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. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:16-21

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, 

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1:1-6

Thank YOU….

   

Training grounds…

 Training grounds….

The verse in 2 Corinthians about comfort reminds me hat whether we know it or not we may be I “training “ for other events in our lives…

Or the phrase, “nothing is wasted in God’s economy “…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

Just look at some of the examples….

Abraham, a wealthy man, leaving  his country on God’s command to wander with the promise of being the father of nations, provision, looking forward to a promised land….trained in faithlessness…

Moses, the son of slaves, raised in a palace in royalty, sought for murder, flees to the desert to become a shepherd of sheep(stubborn animals) for 40 years ….training for leadership of leading millions (stubborn people) in the desert for forty years… 

Joseph, a favored son, sold as a slave, to become an overseer, again imprisoned but with leadership skills, arose to be a advisor to a pharaoh to save nations…

David, a lowly shepherd boy, anointed king, mighty warrior, villionized by some and worshiped by others, thrust into kingship and lead a nation…

Paul, highly educated Roman citizen, persecutor of Christians, redeemed, could speak for hours about Christ, using his education, experiences to speak to all ranks of life….

Peter, a zealous fisherman, chosen, tried, fallen, tried, found faithful through the thick and thin times…becoming a faithful fisher of men to the end…

As a mother and grandmother, I watched each of my children grow with their different personalities, traits, giftings…wondering where they would  walk as adults…seeing how those experiences, traits have lead each…

Now, observing my grandchildren grow up,as well, I wonder where they each will be lead with their personality traits, giftings…it is amazing how God works in each life, the unexpected turns, the growth, the pairing of the person to the plan prepared by an all knowing God…

Training grounds…we all get the training prepared for us…it is exciting to see how it is used …in our lives and others…

Thank YOU…

Women who knew Jesus…

Women who knew Jesus…

Sometimes women get a bad rap….I have lived to see more and more women enter the work force, run huge companies, the “feminist” move, be discriminated on wage issues…etc…polarized, marginalized,  respected, disrespected, called good and bad names, used, abused…and so much more…

This is a spin-off of the sermon I heard this weekend…the missionary spoke of two evangelists, Jesus and the woman at the well…

When I think of women who knew Jesus I think of faithful women…

Mary, his mother was obedient…

Mary and Martha were friends who cared and listened…

The woman who touched his robe had faith for healing…

The woman caught in adultery was forgiven…

The woman at the well believed and told others…

Others served, worshipped, were taught…

Even the  mother of the little boy, who gave his lunch to feed others, provided and cared for her son…

Women searched for him after his death, were comforted and overjoyed at his resurrection…

Many articles, books have been written on this subject…I am not here to  really add to those words by scholars…I am just thankful to be valued, comforted, saved …by the same redeemer those women of long ago knew, befriended, worshiped…

Thank YOU…

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:38

….And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:51b

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” ]]

John 8:7-11

https://www.insight.org/resources/article-library/individual/jesus-and-women

https://www.crossway.org/articles/how-jesus-viewed-and-valued-women/ 

In/on that day….

 “In/on that day”….

This little phase keeps cropping up especially in the major and minor prophets and then again when Jesus is talking about the future in the New Testament…

75 plus times….so am not going recount each instance…but it so interesting to follow repeated  phrases throughout the Bible…and see where they lead…

“If…then”…

“Therefore/since”…

“Truly, truly”…

“Let us”….

To point out a few…

They all need to be looked at in context of the Word around them..

With this one, It is fallowed by what will happen good or bad in the future…sometimes soon or way in the future..

A few…

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her. 

And there I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. 

And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth, as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. 

“And in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.’ 

For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. 

And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. 

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 

I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord. “And in that day I will answer, declares the Lord, I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth, and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel, and I will sow her for myself in the land. 

And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People,  ‘You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”

Hosea 2:14-23 

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:16-17

On that day the Lord will protect the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the Lord, going before them. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:8-9

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 

23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 

26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;

John 14:20,16:23,26

There are connections…I liked the one from Hosea and John 14:20…both speak of knowing who is the Lord/Father…

These phrases, connections throughout the Word remind me yet again of the Book written for people to see that God speaks to all throughout time, the world, cultures…His love, His judgement, His redemption…His plan…

Thank YOU….

God Provides…

 God Provides….

Several years ago, my husband , a friend and I traveled to Salt Lake City to spend a few days with a filming crew…we were going to be background people for the filming of a series of short movies to be put out by Crown Financial on God’s Provision…”God Provides”…

Early one morning we headed out for a site southwest of Salt Lake City into the foothills where a whole crew of camp sites, trucks, trailers, sets, caterers, make up artists, costumes, etc.. we were costumed, made up, given instructions…we watched in awe of the crews as they did take after take of various scenes…we were placed in background places when needed, did our parts over and over again…

Times of the day were from early morning to late at night…

Another day we were on set in a studio with sets for indoor scenes…same  procedures…and we watched entranced by the directing, the action, the scenery, the hard work all of the players put into this production…

The late Dean Jones played Abraham…taking his son Isaac up the mountain with wood piled on a donkey to heed God’s call for sacrifice…

In the Bible, he (Abraham)did the walk only one time…while in the movie it was done over and over to get the right angles, the right light, the right face, the right structure…but, even then in one scene, outside, God provided the right beam of light, through broken clouds, at the right time for a scene the producers wanted to capture…

From the beginning to the end, the people working, writing , producing would say that in telling this Bible story of God’s provision thousands of years ago, He moved to provide in the present day telling as well..in the supply of costumes, writers, producers, people, studios, food…

It was fun while it lasted. We weren’t offered any further movie roles…we met some amazing people…the dozens of background people, the directors- the Erwin Brothers, the Jones, others who filled in…watched people who excelled in their craft of movie making, etc…gained a new appreciation of this art…it is not a walk in the park…it is hard work…

Reading of Abraham’s call to first send off his son, Ishmael, by Hagar into the desert to eventually become a leader of a nation must have been hard…and then to be called again to sacrifice his son of promise, Isaac, must have been hard as well….but there is nothing said  about him faltering, questioning…he obeyed because he knew God was faithful In providing….he tells his servants to wait and they will return…

Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 

He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 

And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. 

And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 

So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

Genesis 22:5,8,12-19

I know I have written about this time in the past, but it still resonates…the Provision, the obedience…the example of faithful following…the example of waiting…the example of God’s call…His promises…God is still the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…His plan through the ages still stands…

Thank YOU…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcjOBagmat0

Shepherds…the Shepherd….

 Shepherds…and the Shepherd…

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege to go to Israel with a college group from Montana…parents and grandparents were invited to travel with the college students…I would have to say, that going there was not on my radar, as so much had been  (and still is)happening…didn’t “feel like a safe place to travel”…(so much for my faith)…but, I couldn’t pass this up….we arrived in the spring after a rainy season.   The hills were lush with grass, wild flowers bloomed profusely, the promised land…

We toured site after site of ancient civilizations, noting the architecture changes, the use of the stone, the places where Bible people walked and lived…streets covered with mosaics, huge columns upright and fallen, stadiums, palaces, tombs, gardens, synagogues, excavations, ordinary homes…

I remember when I first caught sight of a flock of sheep, I was so excited, something tangible, something about the Shepherd…then we were waiting on a hillside and up over the rise comes a young man followed by his flock…I walked to get a closer look  and was soon amongst the flock as they meandered here and there eating the tender grass, all the while watching their shepherd…

I know I have written about this earlier…but was watching a video about shepherds this morning…so decide to follow through the Bible…not just psalm 23…was so blessed by this concept again…

There are many references to “Shepherd”, both positive and negative…I chose the ones that point to God being our Shepherd…Joseph in the Old Testament recognized Him…and all throughout…David …until Jesus says it of Himself…ending in the book of Revelations…shepherding through the ages…and still does…we can claim the same words as David did in Psalm 23..

Thank YOU…

And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,

Genesis 48:15 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters. 

He restores my soul. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 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 goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:8-9

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.

Psalm 78:72 

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

Ecclesiastes 12:11

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

 “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:15 

I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:4 

I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

Ezekiel 34:15-16 

10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 

8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:1-4,7-8,11,14-15

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:17

Apples..harvest…

 Apples…harvest…

The encyclopedia says there are over 7,500 varieties of apples…

“Types of Apples. There are over 7,500 varieties of apples worldwide. The United States grows 2,500 apple varieties, but just 100 of them are grown commercially.”

Fun facts….

Apple Facts - Apples and More - University of Illinois Extension

web.extension.illinois.edu › apples › facts

• The crabapple is the only apple native to North America.

• Apples come in all shades of reds, greens, and yellows.

• Two pounds of apples make one 9-inch pie.

• Apple blossom is the state flower of Michigan.”

•           And many more….

When  I built my present home, I planted 4 types…and I picked the last ones yesterday after several days of frosty mornings…they were ripe…

At literally every home we have lived in, we planted fruit trees of some kind…some made it, most didn’t…High desert Nevada is brutal on fruit trees…plus, if the trees make it, you average a crop every 7 years, because of the cold springs….here in Idaho, I have had a crop 3 of 4 years…what a treat!…

Several years ago, I got to go to the Apple festival in Hood River, Oregon…such fun…so many kinds of apple to taste and choose from…many for local use and not sent to the regular supermarkets…

Both my husband and I were brought up with various fruits and orchards…me , in central and Northern California…he, in the Willamette valley of Oregon…we valued fresh fruit for our family as they grew…and would visit relatives gathering fruit along the way, wherever we happened to be…he even found abandoned orchards in the back country of Nevada which we would visit and harvest or elderberries,  chokecherries or service berries which grew in abundance in canyons near where we lived.

The first mention of fruit is in the first book of Genesis…

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 

And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. 

The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. 

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” 

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 1:11-13,29,2:9,15-17,3:1-6,12-13 

I have always seen pictures of the serpent handing  over a huge juicy apple to Eve…but it really doesn’t say apple, it could have been  another fruit equally as lush…my mind’s eye really congers up  Snow White with the witchy looking woman enticing her with a beautiful polished red apple…saying “Come, my dear…”…. As she finally succumbs to the temptation as Eve does with Adam…thus  the Fall….a consequence we still reap…

But, God, in His infinite love, prepared, planned a solution to that Fall, Jesus…the redeemer for the world through His life, death and resurrection…if only we accept that gift of salvation… we can be numbered in that harvest as well…not in the thousands as the types apples, but in the multitudes…people from every nation and tribe…around the world…across the ages of time…what a Harvest…gathering…

Thank YOU….

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 

Steps….

 Steps….

Seeing those steps at the prison the other day brought back memories of visiting Ellis Island nine years ago…

We rode across the river in a boat, entered the buildings used for immigration into the United States…people would process there before entering the States…they were checked for illnesses, paperwork, whatever then sent through a door leading to two sets of steps…one leading to a new life in the USA …another leading, if they were found ill,

 to quarters where they would receive medical treatment, until they could continue healthy…

I stood at the bottom of those worn stairs, thinking of the thousands who had walked them, thrilled to start a new life or discouraged in illness…my ancestors had probably walked them, leaving for the farms in the Midwest, escaping the lives they left behind…there were piles of old trunks displayed some exactly like one I have that made those journeys…

Decisions made that effected generations…just like those steps at the penitentiary, worn by men and women who made decisions to commit crimes against others…

Reading through the book of Malachi, there are calls to decisions as well, steps to renewed obedience of the Israelites …they had chosen wrong paths in several areas of life and He was confronting them to bring them back…

He lists wrongs done and entreats all the change their ways…

-polluted offerings

-faithlessness 

-oppression 

-robbing God in tithes and offerings

Just thinking of those worn steps…how God desires that those worn steps lead over and over to Him…not to paths away from Him..that we find our paths continually with Him…in Him… 

Are my steps leading me to wrong offerings…faithlessness…robbing God  of my tithes and offerings…oppression…correct words…..lack of graciousness?

Malachi writes near the end of the book..

Then those who feared the Lord  spoke with one another. 

The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. 

You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:16-4:3

God proclaims…

…….For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. “

For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 1:14b,3:6 

What an end to the Old Testament….a challenge to which steps we take…thank YOU….