Do not..., but....
I am still reading through the Bible and have been off line for almost a week, wow, every time I wanted to write or look up scripture quickly, I had to do it the "long" way...how quickly I have been spoiled to instant gratification...even when traveling, I can usually get online to look up something...
Reading through Matthew 5-7, these lists kept popping out...first the negatives and then the blessings of the positive...not that we need checklists, but my mind just likes to be linear...am I paying attention to what is really important?....am I seeking what God would have me to do...am I letting the Spirit work in my life instead of my own "works"... Am I doing things for man's view or God's...
Do not murder..
Do not commit adultery ..
Do not break an oath..
Do not swear at all...
Do not resist an evil person ...
Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you...
Do not do your acts of righteousness ...to be seen
Do not be like the hypocrites when you pray..
When you fast, do not look somber ...to show you are fasting..
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...
Do not worry about your life...
Do not worry about tomorrow ...
Do not judge..
But...
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven..
Be reconciled..
Simple let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no"
Turn your cheek, give...
Love your enemies, pray for them..
Give in secret..
Pray in secret...
Forgive...
Fast in secret...
Store up treasures in heaven...
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness...
Ask, seek, knock...find...
Do to others what you would have them do to you ...
Watch out for false prophets...
Be a wise builder ...
Lots to take in, in three chapters...wow... Breathe ...and there is more than I noted ...by God's strength, the Holy Spirit's counsel alone can we do it ....thank YOU
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Heaven was opened ....
Heaven was opened...
There are times when storm clouds gather or fade away that they open with rays of light that reach across the sky, touching the earth for miles around...I love to watch the play of light and the changes in the patterns...
It can happen with cloudy skies at sunrise or sunset as well....the patterns, sometimes a rainbow, it can be colorful or black and white depending on the atmosphere around it...what beauty...
I used to always think or "pretend" that those rays were openings in the sky for those who died to have a lighted path heavenward...and would stop and pray for them, whoever they were...not really a bad habit...it keeps us looking toward the heavens...watching...
Reading in Matthew and Luke...
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22
Heaven was opened ....can you imagine?..A voice speaking, God...what a glorious event that must have been...so much love, so much sacrifice...so much planned for him to do, be and say...so much to give...
And later after his ministry here was completed...that heaven opened for his ascension and will in the future open for His return...
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11
So when storm clouds gather, rays of light extend to the earth...I thank YOU for the reminder of your Son, your words, His return...thank YOU....
There are times when storm clouds gather or fade away that they open with rays of light that reach across the sky, touching the earth for miles around...I love to watch the play of light and the changes in the patterns...
It can happen with cloudy skies at sunrise or sunset as well....the patterns, sometimes a rainbow, it can be colorful or black and white depending on the atmosphere around it...what beauty...
I used to always think or "pretend" that those rays were openings in the sky for those who died to have a lighted path heavenward...and would stop and pray for them, whoever they were...not really a bad habit...it keeps us looking toward the heavens...watching...
Reading in Matthew and Luke...
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16-17
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 3:21-22
Heaven was opened ....can you imagine?..A voice speaking, God...what a glorious event that must have been...so much love, so much sacrifice...so much planned for him to do, be and say...so much to give...
And later after his ministry here was completed...that heaven opened for his ascension and will in the future open for His return...
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:9-11
So when storm clouds gather, rays of light extend to the earth...I thank YOU for the reminder of your Son, your words, His return...thank YOU....
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Malachi...
Malachi ....
Malachi=my messenger....
Today I finished the Old Testament with Malachi ....I have read it many times over the years...the part that has been preached on is Malachi 3 about giving...which my husband and family took to heart .
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.
Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse —your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty.
"Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi 3:6-12
We have been so blessed because of this teaching of giving...and my husband's gift of giving...it is hard to even fathom ...
But, as I read this last book before starting in the New Testament, the words that stood out boldly were "my name"...
My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king, ” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.
If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
"My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Malachi 1:11,14,2:2,5,4:2
- my name will be great among the nations
- My name will be feared among th nations
- Honor my name
- Stood in awe of my name
- Revere my name
Awwwe, ahhh a few well chosen words that pack quite a punch to the heart, soul and minds of people...what do I do with the name of God...the way we think on, treat this Holy name...shows our heart...thank YOU for YOU...help me to moment by moment be mindful of of your greatness, your reverence, your honor, your infinite awesomeness, YOU...
Malachi=my messenger....
Today I finished the Old Testament with Malachi ....I have read it many times over the years...the part that has been preached on is Malachi 3 about giving...which my husband and family took to heart .
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.
Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse —your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty.
"Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi 3:6-12
We have been so blessed because of this teaching of giving...and my husband's gift of giving...it is hard to even fathom ...
But, as I read this last book before starting in the New Testament, the words that stood out boldly were "my name"...
My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king, ” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.
If you do not listen, and if you do not resolve to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
"My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name.
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
Malachi 1:11,14,2:2,5,4:2
- my name will be great among the nations
- My name will be feared among th nations
- Honor my name
- Stood in awe of my name
- Revere my name
Awwwe, ahhh a few well chosen words that pack quite a punch to the heart, soul and minds of people...what do I do with the name of God...the way we think on, treat this Holy name...shows our heart...thank YOU for YOU...help me to moment by moment be mindful of of your greatness, your reverence, your honor, your infinite awesomeness, YOU...
Friday, September 28, 2018
Return in joy...
Return in joy...
The Jews have returned to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon...they rebuild the temple and the walls...rejoicing that they have returned to their homes and land...they listen to the Word read...they return with the Babylonian king's consent and blessing...just as God told them they would return....
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126:1-6
Can't you just hear the sorrow turned to joy in this psalm? Plus, they give the praise to the Lord!!! They were led away as captives and returned as free...
There have been times in life that I/we experience that captive life. Times when the events of life hold us captive, rebellious teens, colicky infants, fading parents, illnesses, grief....the list goes on and on ....
Then one day we are freed...the chains have been loosened...and we respond with joy and we may even want to sing for joy...we have sown the tears of sorrow and now sing songs of joy...then we bow in worship of the Lord who held our hands, who saw us through the darkness, who comforted, who never left us in the captivity which we faced...thank YOU....
The Jews have returned to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon...they rebuild the temple and the walls...rejoicing that they have returned to their homes and land...they listen to the Word read...they return with the Babylonian king's consent and blessing...just as God told them they would return....
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Psalm 126:1-6
Can't you just hear the sorrow turned to joy in this psalm? Plus, they give the praise to the Lord!!! They were led away as captives and returned as free...
There have been times in life that I/we experience that captive life. Times when the events of life hold us captive, rebellious teens, colicky infants, fading parents, illnesses, grief....the list goes on and on ....
Then one day we are freed...the chains have been loosened...and we respond with joy and we may even want to sing for joy...we have sown the tears of sorrow and now sing songs of joy...then we bow in worship of the Lord who held our hands, who saw us through the darkness, who comforted, who never left us in the captivity which we faced...thank YOU....
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
...and Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me...
....And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
Nehemiah 6:19b......
Something happened this last week that I have never experienced before...intimidation...bordering on harassment ....it may continue, not sure yet, but it may have stopped, hopefully...from someone I thought was a friend, at least an acquaintance....and it came about through no fault of my own...I just existed and apparently that was a problem...
But, it wasn't a pleasant event...my fears arose, my stomach churned, even a night of nightmares, the bile rose, so I had to put it into God's capable hands... Blocked calls, changed locks, codes and continued life...
"For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
Hebrews 10:30-31,35-36
Reading through the book Nehemiah, finding he was dogged at every step by a group of people who harassed him because he was doing something for God, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, going against what they thought should happen...maybe feeling they were losing power...
But, Nehemiah went forward with his calling, his challenges, not to be defeated by the harrassment, or back stabbing or whatever they did...he stood his ground or God's ground...
Thank YOU for reminding me that You fight our battles... You go before and behind...
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.
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 6:11-12,20-21
Submit yourselves, then, to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.....
James 4:7-8a
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Give careful thought...
Give careful thought....
Haggai repeats the phrase " give careful thought" several times...and as I entered into a new days activities, these words ran through my head over and over...
Garage saling yesterday was a fun activity...especially with a garage sale expert... But there is pause to consider...give careful thought ...
- what will I do with items.
- Do I REALLY need it
- Where will I store it
- Is it useful
- Etc...
But, the another pause was...who was this person whose estate was being sold off..?
The first sale we went to was from a talented woman whose life was cut short by the dreaded word and disease, cancer...she and her mother's earthly lives ended close to one another...both busy, well loved mothers and grandmothers...a loss to family and friends...
Later , we visited friends who have chosen to retire into apartments in assisted living facilities...
The joke shared- life is like a roll of toilet paper, the further into the roll, the faster it goes...as years seem to flit away quicker and quicker the older we get....
Two pauses...needs, lives...give careful thought...what will my family be selling or giving away at my garage sale??? Do those items selling cheaply show the sum total of my life? Or do they show all the interests of my life?
The fun I had creating? The things I enjoyed doing? What lasting impact did they have? Was it a life well lived? Will people enjoy their treasures as much as I did? What will be left?
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:26
One friend reminded me of this song...
life is hard but God is good, YOUTUBE ( listen to song).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XYOkitoMESo
Pam Thum - Life Is Hard (God Is Good) lyrics
You turn the key
Then close the door behind you
Drop your bags on the floor
You reach for the light
But there's darkness deep inside
And you can't take it anymore
'Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do
Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good
You start to cry
'Cause you've been strong for so long
And that's not how you feel
You try to pray
But there's nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel
In the silence of all that you face
God will give you His mercy and grace
Jesus never said
It was an easy road to travel
He only said that you would never be alone
So when your last thread of hope
Begins to come unraveled
Don't give up, He walks beside you
On this journey home and He knows
Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good
Give careful thought...
Thank YOU....
Haggai repeats the phrase " give careful thought" several times...and as I entered into a new days activities, these words ran through my head over and over...
Garage saling yesterday was a fun activity...especially with a garage sale expert... But there is pause to consider...give careful thought ...
- what will I do with items.
- Do I REALLY need it
- Where will I store it
- Is it useful
- Etc...
But, the another pause was...who was this person whose estate was being sold off..?
The first sale we went to was from a talented woman whose life was cut short by the dreaded word and disease, cancer...she and her mother's earthly lives ended close to one another...both busy, well loved mothers and grandmothers...a loss to family and friends...
Later , we visited friends who have chosen to retire into apartments in assisted living facilities...
The joke shared- life is like a roll of toilet paper, the further into the roll, the faster it goes...as years seem to flit away quicker and quicker the older we get....
Two pauses...needs, lives...give careful thought...what will my family be selling or giving away at my garage sale??? Do those items selling cheaply show the sum total of my life? Or do they show all the interests of my life?
The fun I had creating? The things I enjoyed doing? What lasting impact did they have? Was it a life well lived? Will people enjoy their treasures as much as I did? What will be left?
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:26
One friend reminded me of this song...
life is hard but God is good, YOUTUBE ( listen to song).
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XYOkitoMESo
Pam Thum - Life Is Hard (God Is Good) lyrics
You turn the key
Then close the door behind you
Drop your bags on the floor
You reach for the light
But there's darkness deep inside
And you can't take it anymore
'Cause sometimes living takes the life out of you
And sometimes living is all you can do
Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good
You start to cry
'Cause you've been strong for so long
And that's not how you feel
You try to pray
But there's nothing left to say
So you just quietly kneel
In the silence of all that you face
God will give you His mercy and grace
Jesus never said
It was an easy road to travel
He only said that you would never be alone
So when your last thread of hope
Begins to come unraveled
Don't give up, He walks beside you
On this journey home and He knows
Life is hard, the world is cold
We're barely young and then we're old
But every falling tear is always understood
Yes, life is hard, but God is good
Give careful thought...
Thank YOU....
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
70 years, blessed, loved...
70 years blessed, loved...
I am trying to come to terms with the arrival of my 70th birthday...it is hard to even fathom...where has the time gone? I only have to look around at my children, experiences, relatives, friends to realize that it is truly true...
While traveling on a bus this last week to visit the sites of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Cody, etc...a friend and I felt like we were the younger of the set of people...we were the only ones to use the pools, the fitness rooms available...felt so good after riding on and off all day...they were past the 70 year mark..
Starting the book of Ezra...the seventy years of exile for the Jewish people has ended and God is moving in the hearts of kings to bless them, allowing them to return to their land...even handing over confiscated temple treasures to take with them...70 years of settling in the land of Babylon comes to an end for those who chose to return...a generation...there are old ones, younger ones starting a new life...
The first thing they do is build build the Altar, sacrificing, establishing that connection of thanksgiving for what God has done...then they start to rebuild the the Temple...
They are rebuilding their relationship from the inside out...the heart ...to outside manifestations...
When I think of this, I want to make sure my heart is right as well...that the outward results are showing off the blessings of the God who restores...who carries out his promises like he did for His People's return...
My seventy years have not been in exile like this nation, God has blessed...unless we count living here as exile from the promise of a heavenly home...But, He gifted this time here with settling and family like He did the exiles in Babylon ...
There are things I would have done differently, places I would have visited, things I would have learned, more time spent on other occupations...I think...
Our treasures are supposed to be already stored in heaven, I won't be carrying anything with me( unlike the man who wanted to take his gold with him in a suitcase, only to find that heaven's streets used gold for pavement) I just want to increase those treasures as I can, not for myself or for exalting my position, but because it is a blessing to do so...
70 years...fulfilled promises...thank YOU...
The Book of Ezra...
I am trying to come to terms with the arrival of my 70th birthday...it is hard to even fathom...where has the time gone? I only have to look around at my children, experiences, relatives, friends to realize that it is truly true...
While traveling on a bus this last week to visit the sites of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Cody, etc...a friend and I felt like we were the younger of the set of people...we were the only ones to use the pools, the fitness rooms available...felt so good after riding on and off all day...they were past the 70 year mark..
Starting the book of Ezra...the seventy years of exile for the Jewish people has ended and God is moving in the hearts of kings to bless them, allowing them to return to their land...even handing over confiscated temple treasures to take with them...70 years of settling in the land of Babylon comes to an end for those who chose to return...a generation...there are old ones, younger ones starting a new life...
The first thing they do is build build the Altar, sacrificing, establishing that connection of thanksgiving for what God has done...then they start to rebuild the the Temple...
They are rebuilding their relationship from the inside out...the heart ...to outside manifestations...
When I think of this, I want to make sure my heart is right as well...that the outward results are showing off the blessings of the God who restores...who carries out his promises like he did for His People's return...
My seventy years have not been in exile like this nation, God has blessed...unless we count living here as exile from the promise of a heavenly home...But, He gifted this time here with settling and family like He did the exiles in Babylon ...
There are things I would have done differently, places I would have visited, things I would have learned, more time spent on other occupations...I think...
Our treasures are supposed to be already stored in heaven, I won't be carrying anything with me( unlike the man who wanted to take his gold with him in a suitcase, only to find that heaven's streets used gold for pavement) I just want to increase those treasures as I can, not for myself or for exalting my position, but because it is a blessing to do so...
70 years...fulfilled promises...thank YOU...
The Book of Ezra...
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