January 31, 2011
Lamentations 3:25-26
V 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him
V 26 It is good that one should wait quietly
So, yeah, I don’t wait well. For much of anything; I can’t even just sit still well without a book or something to occupy my thoughts. As I am writing that, I realize how juvenile that really sounds. Yet, it is no less than truthful. So, not only is God telling me that I must, that it is good, to wait for Him. I also have to do so quietly. Meaning, I can’t complain about it. How hard is that? Very, as much as I do not like waiting; being quiet about it is even harder. However, I know that God does not just put stuff for us to do in His word; no, everything is there for our edification, our growth. Nothing is gained without a struggle. So, I will wrestle my thoughts, and wait quietly for Him.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
But This I call to Mind...
January 27, 2011
Lamentations 2:20-22, 3:1-22
V 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope
V 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end
Verse 22 is one of those verses that everyone loves; it’s one of those that fill your heart with gladness that you are His. It’s often quoted and put on pictures to hang in our homes. Yet, to me I like verse 21. It’s a great verse that might get overshadowed by the powerful one after it. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…” In order to have hope, we must know God. Not just in the overall knowledge that we learn on Sundays or from great worship music; I mean an intimate knowledge. I recently heard a quote that reminded me of the importance of my daily walk with God…”I was finding that I was reading my Bible to get finished; not to be changed my God.” So that lead me to ask this of myself, and although, I can say that, I haven’t fallen that far behind yet; I’m still not hungering for knowledge like I have in the past. And that hurts me. So, I’m going to be more deliberate in my mornings once again. We will see where God takes me…
Lamentations 2:20-22, 3:1-22
V 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope
V 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end
Verse 22 is one of those verses that everyone loves; it’s one of those that fill your heart with gladness that you are His. It’s often quoted and put on pictures to hang in our homes. Yet, to me I like verse 21. It’s a great verse that might get overshadowed by the powerful one after it. “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…” In order to have hope, we must know God. Not just in the overall knowledge that we learn on Sundays or from great worship music; I mean an intimate knowledge. I recently heard a quote that reminded me of the importance of my daily walk with God…”I was finding that I was reading my Bible to get finished; not to be changed my God.” So that lead me to ask this of myself, and although, I can say that, I haven’t fallen that far behind yet; I’m still not hungering for knowledge like I have in the past. And that hurts me. So, I’m going to be more deliberate in my mornings once again. We will see where God takes me…
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My Journey in the Old Testament
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pour Your Heart Like Water...
January 25, 2011
Lamentations 2:18-19
V 19…pour out your hearts like water before the presence of the Lord!
In the midst of several verses that deal mostly with the heartache of the Children of Israel, I found this verse. I was immediately reminded of many, many verses that tell us how much God wants us to cast ourselves upon Him. He desires our dependence on Him, and so should we. I can’t remember the exact reference right now but there is a verse that says…”How great a nation is there that has a God so near to it as the Lord God is to us (or something like that!). Even if that isn’t an exact quote, the meaning is clear. God is near His chosen people. I believe that God causes things in our lives that will bring us closer to Him, and will ultimately benefit us. How much better could we be than walking daily with Him who loved and called us to His own?
Lamentations 2:18-19
V 19…pour out your hearts like water before the presence of the Lord!
In the midst of several verses that deal mostly with the heartache of the Children of Israel, I found this verse. I was immediately reminded of many, many verses that tell us how much God wants us to cast ourselves upon Him. He desires our dependence on Him, and so should we. I can’t remember the exact reference right now but there is a verse that says…”How great a nation is there that has a God so near to it as the Lord God is to us (or something like that!). Even if that isn’t an exact quote, the meaning is clear. God is near His chosen people. I believe that God causes things in our lives that will bring us closer to Him, and will ultimately benefit us. How much better could we be than walking daily with Him who loved and called us to His own?
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My Journey in the Old Testament
Monday, January 24, 2011
Resting...
January 24, 2011
Lamentations 2:15-17
V 17 The Lord has done what he purposed
At the same time this verse or the thought of God’s will fills me with both peace and fear. Peace in the fact that knowing God is in control and that all His ways are perfect and fearful because what if His will isn’t the same as mine. What if our desires aren’t in line with each other? As I’m walking a difficult journey in my life right now, I find that even in both the fear and the peace, I find rest. I know that the outcome might not be good in this situation; in fact, it could potentially be very bad and painful. Yet, I still rest. I believe with all my heart that God works all things to the good of those who love Him. All our problems, not just the easy things or the good things, but all things. I know that I have to give up “my will” to rest in His Will, but really, who better to hold the fate of all those I hold dear but God.
Lamentations 2:15-17
V 17 The Lord has done what he purposed
At the same time this verse or the thought of God’s will fills me with both peace and fear. Peace in the fact that knowing God is in control and that all His ways are perfect and fearful because what if His will isn’t the same as mine. What if our desires aren’t in line with each other? As I’m walking a difficult journey in my life right now, I find that even in both the fear and the peace, I find rest. I know that the outcome might not be good in this situation; in fact, it could potentially be very bad and painful. Yet, I still rest. I believe with all my heart that God works all things to the good of those who love Him. All our problems, not just the easy things or the good things, but all things. I know that I have to give up “my will” to rest in His Will, but really, who better to hold the fate of all those I hold dear but God.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Friday, January 21, 2011
Confessing Our Sin...
January 21, 2011
Lamentations 2:3-14
V 14 …they have not exposed your iniquity…
Psalm 32:15 says, “I acknowledge my sin to you and I did not cover my iniquity. I said I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” How wonderful is the knowledge that even though God hates sin, and no mistaking He does, yet, He is faithful to forgive. We cannot live lives that are sin free, but we can strive to live lives free from deliberate sin. That sin that we constantly battle within ourselves; we can overcome it. And we can always count on the help and power of the Holy Spirit.
Lamentations 2:3-14
V 14 …they have not exposed your iniquity…
Psalm 32:15 says, “I acknowledge my sin to you and I did not cover my iniquity. I said I will confess my transgressions to the LORD and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” How wonderful is the knowledge that even though God hates sin, and no mistaking He does, yet, He is faithful to forgive. We cannot live lives that are sin free, but we can strive to live lives free from deliberate sin. That sin that we constantly battle within ourselves; we can overcome it. And we can always count on the help and power of the Holy Spirit.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sin and The Anger of God...
January 19, 2011
Lamentations 1:19-2:2
V 2:1 How the Lord in his anger has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud...he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger
V2:2 The Lord has swallowed up without mercy all the habitations of Jacob; in his wrath he has broken down the strongholds of the daughter of Judah…
Most times we fail to really think about how very much God hates sin. God hates all sin, mine and everyone else’s, be they saved or not. It is evident in the verses above, that he was angry at the Children of Israel for their continued sin, and he disciplined them. He will do the same for us; our continued unrepentant sin will not go unpunished in our lives. There are consequences to living in a way that is contrary to what God’s Word dictates. Just because we do not want to admit it, does not in any way mean it is not true.
Lamentations 1:19-2:2
V 2:1 How the Lord in his anger has set the daughter of Zion under a cloud...he has not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger
V2:2 The Lord has swallowed up without mercy all the habitations of Jacob; in his wrath he has broken down the strongholds of the daughter of Judah…
Most times we fail to really think about how very much God hates sin. God hates all sin, mine and everyone else’s, be they saved or not. It is evident in the verses above, that he was angry at the Children of Israel for their continued sin, and he disciplined them. He will do the same for us; our continued unrepentant sin will not go unpunished in our lives. There are consequences to living in a way that is contrary to what God’s Word dictates. Just because we do not want to admit it, does not in any way mean it is not true.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Monday, January 17, 2011
Being a Light...
January 17, 2011
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world, A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.”
I have been confronted with this lately. How do we do this? How do we show our love for God, our dependence on Him, what He has done for us, and at the same time protect ourselves? How do we really show what a privilege it is to serve God to a world that knows Him not?
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world, A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.”
I have been confronted with this lately. How do we do this? How do we show our love for God, our dependence on Him, what He has done for us, and at the same time protect ourselves? How do we really show what a privilege it is to serve God to a world that knows Him not?
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My Journey
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rebellion and Discipline...
January 14, 2011
Lamentations 1:18 The Lord is in the right because I have rebelled against His word
Lamentations is about the Nation of Israel as they dealt with God’s wrath upon them for their transgressions. I am reminded of the verse “God shall not be mocked…” as I read this verse. I think that we sometimes tend to think that verses like this belong to only unbelievers; that certainly believers need not worry about God’s wrath. Maybe not wrath, since we are covered in the blood of Jesus, but His discipline certainly. “God disciplines those he loves…” if you are a child of God and you ignore what He wants you to do; He will discipline you. Scary right, yet, so telling that we as fleshly humans will choose our sin over obedience even with the threat of God’s discipline upon us.
Lamentations 1:18 The Lord is in the right because I have rebelled against His word
Lamentations is about the Nation of Israel as they dealt with God’s wrath upon them for their transgressions. I am reminded of the verse “God shall not be mocked…” as I read this verse. I think that we sometimes tend to think that verses like this belong to only unbelievers; that certainly believers need not worry about God’s wrath. Maybe not wrath, since we are covered in the blood of Jesus, but His discipline certainly. “God disciplines those he loves…” if you are a child of God and you ignore what He wants you to do; He will discipline you. Scary right, yet, so telling that we as fleshly humans will choose our sin over obedience even with the threat of God’s discipline upon us.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Confronting Transgressions...
January 12, 2011
Lamentations 1:14 My transgressions were bound into a yoke…
Don’t you hate it when you come to confronting sin in the Bible? Wouldn’t it be so much more enjoyable if we could just forget about them. Yet, that is not the theme or the thread that runs through God’s Word. The Psalmist wrote “My transgressions are ever before me and against you and you only have I sinned.” He wasn’t ready to defend his sin, or to blame someone else for it or pretend it wasn’t bad. No one really wants to admit that they sin or that there are in some way not good, but we are. If we weren’t; what need would we have for a Savior! “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29.
Lamentations 1:14 My transgressions were bound into a yoke…
Don’t you hate it when you come to confronting sin in the Bible? Wouldn’t it be so much more enjoyable if we could just forget about them. Yet, that is not the theme or the thread that runs through God’s Word. The Psalmist wrote “My transgressions are ever before me and against you and you only have I sinned.” He wasn’t ready to defend his sin, or to blame someone else for it or pretend it wasn’t bad. No one really wants to admit that they sin or that there are in some way not good, but we are. If we weren’t; what need would we have for a Savior! “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” John 1:29.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sometimes You Just Need a Hug...
January 11, 2011
Lamentations 1:9…she has no comforter
How desolate a place that would be; to have no comforter to lean upon. I think that it’s easy to get so mired down in just the day to day life, not counting any problems we may be experiencing, that we fail to notice or to call upon our comforter. Sometimes we need comfort because we mourn or because we are called to walk a path of great sorrow, but sometimes we just need comfort because our spirits get low. How great it is that we have a comforter for every affliction. How great it is we have a God who is our comforter…2 Corinthians 1:4 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.
Lamentations 1:9…she has no comforter
How desolate a place that would be; to have no comforter to lean upon. I think that it’s easy to get so mired down in just the day to day life, not counting any problems we may be experiencing, that we fail to notice or to call upon our comforter. Sometimes we need comfort because we mourn or because we are called to walk a path of great sorrow, but sometimes we just need comfort because our spirits get low. How great it is that we have a comforter for every affliction. How great it is we have a God who is our comforter…2 Corinthians 1:4 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.
Labels:
My Journey in the Old Testament
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Lonely City...
January 10, 2011
Lamentations 1:1 How lonely sits the city that was full of people!...
Ever been this way? Ever been going about your life doing your errands, your work, living your life and yet, be a part from it all? To be involved and not connected. I think that it’s easy to feel like this; it’s easy to become “alone.” It’s easy because we become focused on our problems, or afflictions and not God. I learned a new verse yesterday that got me to thinking…Exodus 4:31 “…he had seen their affliction.” God looked upon the Children of Israel and saw how much they suffered while in bondage in Egypt. Eventually he sends Moses to rescue them. He will rescue us too; if you are His child He knows your affliction and even though He might not remove you from it, He will help you through it!
Lamentations 1:1 How lonely sits the city that was full of people!...
Ever been this way? Ever been going about your life doing your errands, your work, living your life and yet, be a part from it all? To be involved and not connected. I think that it’s easy to feel like this; it’s easy to become “alone.” It’s easy because we become focused on our problems, or afflictions and not God. I learned a new verse yesterday that got me to thinking…Exodus 4:31 “…he had seen their affliction.” God looked upon the Children of Israel and saw how much they suffered while in bondage in Egypt. Eventually he sends Moses to rescue them. He will rescue us too; if you are His child He knows your affliction and even though He might not remove you from it, He will help you through it!
Labels:
My Journey
Friday, January 7, 2011
For He is God and I am Not...
January 7, 2011
Psalm 86:14-17
V 17 …because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me
I am so very thankful for the comfort that God has given to me. Surrendering to God’s control is liberating and scary. To know that God is in control brings both relief and fear. I am not in control. Nothing I do will change the outcome of an given situation. The fact is I’m not capable of controlling situations; that is the realm of God and He is infinitely more capable. At the same time, letting go of “control” is scary. Yet, He is there to strength and comfort me. For He is God and I am not!
Psalm 86:14-17
V 17 …because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me
I am so very thankful for the comfort that God has given to me. Surrendering to God’s control is liberating and scary. To know that God is in control brings both relief and fear. I am not in control. Nothing I do will change the outcome of an given situation. The fact is I’m not capable of controlling situations; that is the realm of God and He is infinitely more capable. At the same time, letting go of “control” is scary. Yet, He is there to strength and comfort me. For He is God and I am not!
Labels:
My Journey
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
He Will Deliver Us...
January 4, 2011
Psalm 86:13 “For great is your steadfast love toward me: you have delivered my soul from the depths of sheol
Where would I be without the steadfast love of God? I would rather not think about that. Despite what might be going on in my life; despite the little petty grievances that cause our daily life friction, God’s presence is a balm to our life. He is what causes the peace that can surround any circumstances. Deuteronomy 4:4 says “For what great nation is there that has a god so near it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” What a pleasure it is that we can call upon Him and He will deliver us. And what a shame when we don’t?
Psalm 86:13 “For great is your steadfast love toward me: you have delivered my soul from the depths of sheol
Where would I be without the steadfast love of God? I would rather not think about that. Despite what might be going on in my life; despite the little petty grievances that cause our daily life friction, God’s presence is a balm to our life. He is what causes the peace that can surround any circumstances. Deuteronomy 4:4 says “For what great nation is there that has a god so near it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” What a pleasure it is that we can call upon Him and He will deliver us. And what a shame when we don’t?
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My Journey
Am I up to the challenge?
January 3, 2011
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name.
Someone said something to me the other day that challenged me. They said…”Sometimes God uses situations to challenge our faith, not always in the area of our belief in Him or His ability to overcome situations, but in our area of sharing our faith. Are we really willing to shout the goodness of God to everyone regardless of the situation or are we willing to stand up to things that are ungodly and point them out”. I was challenged by this because even though I wanted to say yes of course I would, yet I wondered. Could I or is my faith in God strong enough that I am able to say whatever needs to be said without the fear of man stepping in and controlling me. To be honest…I hope so but I’m not sure yet.
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name.
Someone said something to me the other day that challenged me. They said…”Sometimes God uses situations to challenge our faith, not always in the area of our belief in Him or His ability to overcome situations, but in our area of sharing our faith. Are we really willing to shout the goodness of God to everyone regardless of the situation or are we willing to stand up to things that are ungodly and point them out”. I was challenged by this because even though I wanted to say yes of course I would, yet I wondered. Could I or is my faith in God strong enough that I am able to say whatever needs to be said without the fear of man stepping in and controlling me. To be honest…I hope so but I’m not sure yet.
Labels:
My Journey
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